Katie, Katie...I mean Promises Promises. :)

This lovely new revival of Burth Bacharach and Neil Simon's  musical Promises, Promises, starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth, is a big ole pile of classic Broadway mixed with modern day stars and techniques. Sean Hayes, (Will and Grace), plays Chuck Baxter a lonely employee who is low on the food chain in the office who uses his assets to the best of his ability to try and reach the top of the rocks. Also appearing above the title is Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies, Glee), who plays Fran Kubelik, a naive cafeteria worker who falls for all the wrong men. With this being her first return to Broadway since her Tony nominated turn as Glinda in Wicked, one may expect Chenoweth to be slightly rusty or hold back somewhat feeling a stranger of sorts to the stage. The contrary is true as Miss Chenoweth shows why she will no doubt be known as one of the classic Broadway performers of her era. Standing at a mean 4'11'', Chenoweth has a voice that could fill the theatre without a mic attached to her forehead. It is truly a wonder to hear this womans' voice live rather than mixed on a soundtrack or foolishly autotuned on Glee. Making his Broadway debut Sean Hayes delights audiences eight times a week with his classic Broadway vocals and the excellent physical comedic timing he is best known for. Towards the end of the second act fans who have fallen in love with Sean for his comedy on Will and Grace will be glad to see him in a more serious note as problems arise for his character. Of course the stand out of the evening is without a doubt now 2 time Tony Award winner Miss. Katie Finneran as Marge McDougal. With a span of 25 minutes or so Miss Finneran gives a flawless comedic performance that has won her critical recognition and... oh yeah.... a TONY AWARD!!!! Which is very much deserved. With all respect I say that if Angela Lansbury had received the award I would have probably started a chant for Katie Finneran. It seems this is the perfect role for Finneran where her character first appears at the top of the second act causes the entire audience to laugh for twenty minutes straight and then is not seen again until the curtain call. Katie Finneran is pictured below as Marge McDougal donning her signature Owl fur coat. With all the above praise there are a few down points to this great production. With a show that is 2 hours and 45 minutes long, one feels as if the show is about half an hour too long and could definately be cut down. In one of Broadway's biggest houses this show can get lost as from seats in the rear mezzanine, facial expressions can hardly be seen and can distance audience members from the material. "Turkey Lurkey Time" is a classic number that everyone is looking forward to throughout the whole show and when it finally happeens the 3 or 4 minute dance number is incredibly lack luster and forgettable. My recommendation for this show would be to try for student rush which is in the mezzanine but the price is worth Katie Finneran's performance alone. Sean Hayes is charming. Kristin Chenoweth is a wonder. Katie Finneran is a Super Comedienne.

The Best of Times is Douglas Hodge!

Open your eyes! You have arrived at...La Cage Aux Folles. La Cage Aux Folles may be better known to non-theatregoers, as the 1996 movie The Bird Cage, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, which was based on the french play, of the same name,(La Cage Aux Folles). The musical is set inside a drag club in San Tropez during the 1970's. With a witty, touching book by Broadways' Harvey Fierstein, and a classic Broadway score by Jerry Herman(Hello Dolly, Mame,) this show is destined for greatness. This production of the show stars Tony award winner Douglas Hodge for his role as Albin/Zaza, as well as well known television star Kelsey Grammar as his partner George. The duo is perfectly matched and can convincingly pull off a homosexual relationship on stage without being stereotypical despite the fact that they are both heterosexual men. In a toned down smaller version of the show, the cast serves as an ensemble piece in which all of the characters have a role in the outcome of the story.
The story centers around drag club owners George and Albin who also doubles as the star of the night club, Zaza. Albin is facing fears that he is perhaps becoming too old, and can no longer, "drop the final vail." While he is preoccupied with his troubles Georg's son,(from a one night stand), Jean Michel gives news to him that he is getting married and would like George to meet his fiancées' parents as his father and would like his biological mother, and not Albin to act as his mother. The story gets interesting when George must inform Albin he is not invited to meet the parents. After that hilarity and sorrow ensues.
I cannot say enough about Douglas Hodge in this show. He won the Tony award this year for best actor in a musical for his performance as Albin/Zaza and could not have been worthy of it more. Hodge has a charm that makes you fall in love with both Albin and Zaza as soon as they appear on stage. With spot on humor and seemingly natural poise, Hodge impresses audiences who are used to seeing big movie stars in starring roles and not relatively unknown actors from the West End. Douglas Hodge as Albin is raw, honest, and intuitive. As he transforms on stage from Albin to Zaza you see his attitude change as you feel he truly believes he is now the incomperable Zaza! His Albin is shy and timid until he dons his wig, heels, and mascara to transform his very being, where he is outgoing and comfortable in his own shoes. Kelsey Grammer also impresses the audience in his Broadway musical debut. Not only does he do a more than adequate job with his role, he has a beautiful voice that croons his partner Albin 8 times a week. Grammer was also nominated for best actor and although I enjoyed his performance very much, if he had won over Douglas Hodge I may have jumped down two mezzanines from my seat into the orchestra level of Radio City Music Hall and taken it from him myself. The ensemble includes Robin De Jesus who rehashes the same character he played in In The Heights, although it fits his role well. The cagelles who act as a drag chorus of sorts is made up of 6 incredibly fit men who look scarily like women when they are completely done up in hair make up and costume. The dance moves and gymnastic like maneuvers these men perform will make the most unimpressed person say, "WOW!" Each are incredibly talented actors, singers, and dancers. This production of La Cage Aux Folles is definitely my favorite show of this season, last years being Next to Normal which I will see next week for my 4th time. Overall I give La Cage Aux Folles a 90 out of 100. Skip don't run to this fabulous show at the Longacre Theatre!

The Jesus of Suburbia.

The new musical, "American Idiot" with a, "book" by Billie Joe Armstrong and Director Michael Mayer, gives new life to Broadway in the most unconventional of shows since last seasons' [Title of Show].This new punk rock musical gives Spring Awakening a run for its' money in the teen angst genre. The score consists of the entire American Idiot album in addition to a few songs from Green Days' new album 21st Century Breakdown,(shameless self promotion if you ask me). The story itself leaves much to be desired as some have expressed their opinion that the musical indeed has no book at all and its solely focused on the music. This is partially true as this 90 minute emo dramatic rock show plays out. The audience is blinded and mind blown by the visuals in front of them and the new interpretations on the music they know all too well. As the evening goes on you are wishing there were more dialogue and less song after song after never ending song. One can only take so many songs in a row about how hard the characters lives are.

Leading the cast is Tony award winner John Gallagher Jr. as Johnny the troubled teen struggling to find his way in the world. Gallagher Jr.s' leading lady is "Passing Strange's" Rebbecca Naomi Jones as the infamous Whatsername. This powerhouse couple provide the vocals and acting chops that hold this show together. The passion and energy emitting from the pair truly impresses even the oldest uninterested grandparents who were dragged to the performance. John Gallagher Jr. is pure perfection with a perfect blend of innocence, humor, and perfecting the act of making his job look easy when it is incredibly difficult. Rebecca Naomi Jones is incredibly sexy as Whatsername as she prances around in her underwear. She wows audiences with her smooth cool sound, exotic beauty, and of course who can get past the hair. The chemistry between the two is inevitable and screams out for recognition at all times. As he and his two friends,(Stark Sands, Michael Esper) part ways each finds themselves on a journey. One to California, one enters the Army, and one is forced to stay home with his girlfriend who has recently discovered she is pregnant. With this less than groundbreaking story, something had to impress the Broadway audience and sell tickets. What wows crowds is the energy and talents of the incredible cast to make the most out of the little material they are given, as well as the overall design of the show including, sound, lighting, costumes, choreography, and set design. The set is truly impressing with a back wall extending up to the rafters covered in newspaper clippings and working televisions from every hanging on the wall. The scaffolding covering the back wall is versatile and moves around the set serving multiple purposes throughout the show. With a strong chorus, no standouts for me occurred, although together they are incredibly strong. Overall I would give this show a 70 out of 100. I would say the audio and visual aspects are enough to get passed the fact that there is hardly any story to hold you. Although I would never pay full price for this show I would definitely recommend American Idiot to anyone who is a Green Day fan, anyone under the age of 35, and anyone who wants their face to be melted off by rock and roll! Curbstomp your way to the St. James theatre to see this show today.

http://americanidiotonbroadway.com/

Addams Family review. 1 of 4 i submitted to Marymount and got me accepted! Enjoy.

Towards the Darkness
Broadway’s next box office hit is sure to be The Addams Family. This production brings together the best of Broadway on and off stage to create a dazzling new musical thatleaves little to the imagination.. Headlining the musical is longtime Broadway veteran Nathan Lane as Patriarch Gomez Addams. Lane has won a Tony and Drama Desk award as lead actor for his roles in The Producers and Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum. Bebe Neuwirth, who is also a two time Tony award winner for her roles in Chicago and Sweet Charity, stands by Lane’s side as the stunningly elegant Morticia Addams. The rest of the cast is completed by well known Broadway names like Terrence Mann(Les Miserables), Kevin Chamberlin (Seussical), Wesley Taylor (Rock of Ages), and Adam Reigler, (Shrek). Krysta Rodriguez (In the Heights), playsWednesday the Addams’ witty yet slightly confused daughter. Rodriguez has a beautiful Broadway belt and remarkable stage presence that is especially noticed when having to hold her own against two of Broadways’ most accomplished artist. Carolle Carmello best known from her year long stint as Donna in Mamma Mia, plays Alice Beineke, the mother of the, “Normal” boy Wednesday is dating. Although Carmello is given little to work with in the script she more than breaks through the paper thin story line and somewhat generic songs. She is given a powerful song entitled, “Waiting” at the end of the first act that really allows her to demonstrate her true talents. The true star of this production is Jackie Hoffman who plays the wacky, tacky Grandmama. Hoffman is known for her comedic style that can be matched by no one else. Her sarcastic nature benefits her in this very sarcastic book. Several moments during the show Hoffman has the audience in stitches often having to hold the show for a laugh break. One only wishes she had more to do and maybe given a song or two. A surprising let down comes in the form of Ms. Neuwirth. She is utterly wasted in this production that needs to figure out where the story is going in order to better utilize there stars abilities. Neuwirth is known for her fantastic dancing and is only given one chance to shine towards the end of the second act, which almost seems like to little too late. Neuwirth works wonderfully with the little she is given. After seeing Nathan Lane in last years revival of, Waiting for Godot, I was worried I would once again be witnessing Nathan Lane playing himself and, “shticking” the entire evening. I was happily proven wrong from the first lines of the show when Lane exhibit’s the suave, cool charisma that is Gomez Addams and rarely dips into his classic comedic style. Mr. Lane truly impresses by the end of the night, showing exactly why he belongs on the stage. In the second act Lane shares a truly heartwarming moment with on stage daughter Krysta Rodriguez. In a song titled, “Happy/Sad” Gomez is expressing his conflicting feelings in letting his daughter grow up. Despite having an unfocused plot and some forgettable songs, The Addams Family is a joyous experience for all ages and will most likely have a long healthy run. Dun Dun Dun Dun Snap! Snap!

I want to see these.

Hamlet Starring Jude Law

Memphis a new musical!

Predictions

I think im gonna start a post where every week i predict which show will be the next to announce closing based on the weekly grosses and other known factors.

So for this week our three finalist are:

The 39 Steps

Mary Poppins

Burn the Floor

The average tickets sold to The 39 Steps was only 67$ this week. That and Burn the Floor are the only shows which had an average ticket cost in the 60's. The weekly percentage of The 39 steps was well above 70% and it has been out for a good amount of time. Burn the Floor is around 70% and this is not a good sign for a show that is just opening. I think the producers of The 39 Steps are smarter and are able to make the show look way better than it is so it will stick around. Burn the Floor is hurt by its lack of a story line or dialogue. When going into a broadway theatre most people dont expect to sit there for 2 hours and watch people dance with no set no story or plot line. I have not seen the show and am sure it is wonderful but maybe a broadway venue isnt the best place for this? So my guess is Burn the Floor will be the next show to announce its closing even if it isnt for a few months. I could be wrong though weirder closings have come up. So we shall see.

First Post!!

Hello everyone!

Today is my 4th day in college and am looking forward to the rest of my times here. I have wanted to start a blog for a long time but haven't ever done it. They say you should write about what you know. If you know me you know what i am is theatre. The way people know sports statistics, is the way i know about theatre and the people in the business. From time to time i will be posting theatre news, rumors, opinions, pictures and other stuff as well as things having nothing to do with theatre.

http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com/

The first peice of news i have for you which would be no followers yet is about the upcoming most skeptically anticipated high flying new show that is "Spider-man Turn Off The Dark". Recently news has been heard of that the production has come to a stand-still due to lack of money. Reportedly the budget is close to 40 million dollars. Almost three times the budgets of Wicked in 2005 at 15 million. The musical which is directed by Tony winner Julie Taymor(Lion King on Broadway) and music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge, has already seen many problems on its journey to broadway. Recently it has been announced that Disney is purchasing Marvel which is of course the home of Spiderman. It is unknown whether this was the reason for the delay in pre-production efforts or not. According to Variety.com Disney is not expected to contribute much if any to the initial investment of the show. The reason for this is that the name Spider-man and all rights were only being rented to the companies producing.

http://aletorro.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/spidermanmusical.jpg?w=148&h=240

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007950.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

ticketmaster.com

More to come later