ALL OUT Nederlander Theater
A very unusual show featuring the Lawrence bad and short stories in between sets. The music was loud and outstanding, the singing was amazing, the lighting and set design was superb and the readings mostly excellent. Ray Romano and three other comedians did the readings with some acting. Best of those was a story about Oatsy, Paul Revere’s horse who had suggested to him that they go to Boston to let the townspeople that “The British are Coming”! Revere was a hero and became a legend but Oatsy got no recognition. Oatsy got his revenge by having a night of passion with Revere’s wife – there was discussion about genital size! Another story narrated by Ray Romano who was cast a being ‘New York City’ discussing how the youth came and ‘pissed’ on him. It was hilarious and Ray performed it with gravitas and in the end complained the youth stayed and became old causing even more problems. I enjoyed it.
OTHELLO Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
The ABT production of Othello was very well done. Its a classic love story of envy, a false accusation and betrayal. The dancing was innovative, the set and the video projections were very well done. Although the New York Times Review was quite critical, and maybe ballet aficionados might agree, I am not one but enjoyed it very much.
TITUS ANDRONICUS Red Bull at the Signature Theater
Shakespeare’s most gory play was superbly acted by the amazing Patrick Page in the title role. Rape, mutilation, amputated hands and arms, human sacrifice, violence as well as betrayal are a few of the topics covered. Not for the faint of heart.
THE RECEPTIONIST Signature Theater
A difficult play to watch for just over an hour. The first half is banal office life which, in the second half turns into evil. The end is very abrupt and there are more questions than answers.
BECKY SHAW The Hayes Theater
A blind date between Becky and Max goes very badly wrong. Family intrigue with an imperious mother, a son and daughter are very well played with Max, the son, stealing the show. The end leaves a hopeful Becky with a distant Max.
NEW BORN Minetta Lane Theater
Anything with Hugh Jackman in it is worth seeing. The play consists of three monologues. A young woman searches for her lost friend on the prairie, a new mother becomes infatuated a British celebrity singer and a Tree Surgeon (Hugh Jackman) falls in love but it doesn’t last and it ends with him in wheelchair after a tree falls on his car during a major storm.
THE EMPORIUM Classic Stage Theater
Thornton Wilder never finished this play which was found amongst his papers after he died and finished by another playwright. The Emporium is a mysterious department store that never accepts applications. An orphan, from the countryside, seeks employment there but is rejected and subsequently works for the main competing large department store rising to become its manager. The end is surprising. It has received excellent reviews.
WHAT HAPPENED WAS… Minetta Lane Theater
Michael (Corey Stoll) and Jackie (Cecily Strong), both Tony nominees, meet in her studio apartment for dinner – is it a date, or isn’t it? Amazingly good acting and a brilliantly written complex story between two co-workers out of the office for the first time.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN Winter Garden Theater
This revival of Arthur Miller’s play was extraordinarily good – it had to be with Nathan Lane as Willy Loman and Laurie Metcalf as Linda Loman. Their sons, Biff and Happy, played by Christopher Abbott and Ben Ahlers were extremely good. The play was directed by Joe Mantello. The set was a derelict cavernous warehouse into which Willy Loman drives his prized red car. This play is gripping and leaves the audience gripped by the pathos of Willie’s life and death.
LYRICS & LYRICISTS 92nd Street Y
The lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman performed by a remarkable cast of singers and band brought to life their famous compositions such as What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? and The Windmills of my Mind (music for both songs by Michel Legrand). They collaborated with so many more musicians such as Johnny Mandel, Marvin Hamlisch, Marc Shaiman, Neil Diamond and John Williams.
DAVID COPPERFIELD 59 East 59th Street
Part of the ‘Brits on Broadway’ series this play failed because the cast of three each played so many roles it was frenetic and difficult to follow Charles Dickens classic story. My view was supported as two friends, both Professors of Theater in different colleges in Manhattan left, as I did after the first act.
SMIGADOON Nederlander Theater Broadway
As the New York Times put it “Oh, What a Beautiful Sendup”! and Smigadoon “Hits the Trifecta of of a Broadway Show” with it “Knowing its stuff inside out”, “Precisely crafted” and”Funny”!
CATCH OF THE DAY 59 East 59th Street
A Brits Off Broadway production by Red Fox Theater Company is an acclaimed UK-based theater company presented a true story of a very valuable fish caught in Dingle Bay, Ireland played in an Irish pub was hilarious. The four Irish actors were superb and involved the audience; the 65 minutes passed very quickly!
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