The Cottage Written by Sandy Rustin Directed by Jason Alexander The Helen Hayes Theater July 13, 2023 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
The Cottage was a simply fabulous evening in the theater. It has been a long time since I have seen a full-fledged farce in New York City. Everything about this show worked. The set was gorgeous and more than gorgeous, it had many fun farcical features that the cast exploited every moment that they could. For example almost every prop on stage became a cigarette lighter – – every single item. The casting was right on point. Eric McCormack and Laura Bell Bundy made for a perfect couple to spar back and forth – – – and every supporting actor down to the very smallest role all made a wonderful contribution to the story.
Goodnight, Oscar Starring Sean Hayes Written by Doug Wright Directed by Lisa Peterson Belasco Theatre July 12, 2023 Production website 💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Goodnight Oscar packed one hell of a punch last night. I knew going in that Sean Hayes would be able to deliver all the comic moments of the show with aplomb. He is so good at those small sarcastic comments and finding a punch line to every single moment. I knew that the comedy would be great, but I was wondering if the night was going to hold any more to it. I am so glad to say it did. The show did start off a little slow and a lot of exposition was needed to take us back in time to the late fifties. It was important to understand the Jack Paar show and its tendency to bring celebrity guests on its show and exploit them for the sake of ratings.
Alex Edelman Just for Us Written and performed by Alex Edelman Directed by Adam Brace Hudson Theatre July 11, 2023 Production website 💉💉 out of 5.
Most of the time when I go to New York to see shows, I purposely don’t do any research on the show. I like to be surprised. I like to have that experience for the first time. I held true to that in seeing Just for Us. I didn’t know a thing about the show other than it was a one-man presentation. It didn’t take me long to figure out that this was going to be stand-up comedy routine in a much, much larger space. I have seen this kind of format a few times before and it has worked – but at times the space fought the performance. This show felt to me like it was begging to be in a smaller space. I can only imagine what fun it was to see this piece when it was in various small clubs and experimental places around the world. I’m sure it had to be something to experience.
Grey House Written by Levi Holloway Directed by Joe Mantello Lyceum Theatre July 8, 2023 Production website 💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.
Grey House is a terrific play. I had the most interesting first moment of a play ever. At what you presume is a realist world with a realistic set, and just as this crazy girl was crossing over to the kitchen, I saw a kitchen drawer open and close by itself. I thought was that an accident on stage because it was so small. Was I the only one who caught it? That made me curious. But the play only got more curiouser and curiouser as it went on. The premise of the play is straightforward. It involves a young couple out on the road, almost missing a deer, and needing to find shelter in a snowstorm. That part is clear. But from there, it’s anyone’s guess.
The Thanksgiving Play Written by Larissa Fasthorse Directed by Rachel Chavkin The Helen Hayes Theater May 26, 2023 Production website 💉💉 out of 5.
What this play sets out to do and what it accomplishes are two very different things. The play itself focuses on four very white individuals who work to create a politically correct “First Thanksgiving” play for Native American Heritage Month to be performed in various elementary schools. They hire a Native American actor, but later find out she is white and only plays ethnic on demand. The play then goes on to explore themes of historical accuracy and privilege. The playwright, a native American herself, sheds some light on the misrepresentation of Native Americans and the lack of indigenous casting.
