Parade

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
in ,

2 out of 5 Stars

Knowing the basic outline of the plot, as we found our way to our seats for the revival of Parade, there was a droning in my head of How can this story be made into a musical? We left the show with this question unanswered.

No spoiler alert - this is history - a Jewish factory owner is falsely accused of raping and murdering a 13-year-old. He is found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. The sentence is then commuted to life in prison, soon after which he is kidnapped from his cell and lynched. Having trouble seeing the musical potential here? Sondheim turned down the opportunity to participate and so should have I.

Given the current uptick in antisemitic displays across the land, I hoped the show would offer at least some takeaway for counterbalance. Nothing. The musical provides no redemption - Is this perhaps the point? If so, leave me out of it. It would be remiss of me not to point out what in all likelihood filled the theater. The play stars Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond who provide extraordinary performances of what I consider unmemorable numbers. Additionally, the sound was muddy. You should be aware that it was well received by the audience - big Ben Platt fans, I presume. If this in any way piques your interest, keep your eyes out for Colombine, The Musical.

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West Side Story directed by Ivo van Hove

The Broadway Theatre
in ,

5 out of 5 Stars

Great question: Do we need yet another version of West Side Story? Full disclosure – West Side Story is, in my opinion, the greatest Broadway musicals of all time – so if this were a middle school production performed in semaphore, my answer would probably be a resounding yes. But let’s go on.

This production is directed by Ivo van Hove, which to me simply means theater completely reinvented. In my opinion, his reimagination (as we saw in his Tony award-winning direction of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge and also The Crucible) represents complete genius. However having recently seen a note for note, dance step for dance step production of West Side Story by the Lyric Opera Company in Chicago that pinned the needles of satisfaction, I had concern regarding the very idea of a reinterpretation.

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Oklahoma!

Circle in the Square
in ,

4 out of 5 Stars

“Oh, what a beautiful day” indeed in this innovatively updated production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, but this is the 2019 rendering, not the 1943 Broadway debut or 1955 film version. Yes, Oklahoma is still on the verge of becoming a US state, however this territory is now settled with folks dealing with gun violence, bullying, white privilege, law bending, stand your ground, and equality of the sexes – sound familiar? Directed by Daniel Fish, not one word of the script or one note of the music has been changed and yet this is a thoroughly modern production and the issues that trouble today’s society are brought into sharp focus through skilled acting, creative staging, and imaginative lighting.

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Hamilton - The Tour

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
in ,

5 out of 5 Stars

What a surprise to find that the Hamilton touring company turned its sights on South Florida at the same time as our December timeshare week in Delray. With a little cunning and a lot of luck, we were able to score two tickets to the sold-out production at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.

Full disclosure: we are full-fledged, over the top Hamilton devotees with multiple Broadway viewings. So obviously we were curious. Would the on-the-road production live up to the Broadway standards we are accustomed to? The answer is clear.

Yes!

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West Side Story

Barrington Stage Company
in , ,

5 out of 5 Stars

The collection of geniuses that converged at the time of our nation’s birth is described in the Hamilton lyrics - - 
              "What are the odds, that the Gods, would put us all in one place?"
​​​​​​​A similar statement can be made regarding the creation of one of Broadway’s greatest musicals – West Side Story.

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Carousel

Imperial Theatre
in ,

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Carousel - that Rodgers and Hammerstein classic with mesmerizing dance scenes and glorious songs that have stood the test of time. Carousel - with that wince producing storyline and bellicose, belligerent, bad-boy Billy Bigelow. I grew up listening to my mother’s OBCR (Original Broadway Cast Recording) of Carousel and "June is Bustin’ Out All Over" has always been one of my favorite catchy tunes, so the prospect of seeing this revival was thrilling. And, indeed, there were thrilling moments in this production..

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My Fair Lady

Beaumont Theater - Lincoln Center
in ,

4 out of 5 Stars

Let’s get this straight; we’re talking about a Broadway production of My Fair Lady staged at Lincoln Center, directed by Bartlett Sher, featuring the original 1956 orchestration with a full orchestra. If the avid theatergoer finds this anything other than an extraordinary theatrical outing, perhaps you’ve picked the wrong field of entertainment. My Fair Lady is woven into the very foundation of so many Baby Boomers who grew up in a household with an appreciation for musical theater.

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Hello, Dolly!

Shubert Theatre
in

Guest Review

What better way to start the week in New York than a show!  We nabbed up tickets for Hello, Dolly!  And, what a delightful evening.  From start to finish, Bette Midler could not have been more perfect in the role, bringing her own sense of humor and timing.  Dolly Levi is a mensch and Ms. Midler brought her to life with her meddling, nosy, compassionate self.  And did I mention humor?  We laughed through the entire play...especially the scene of Dolly eating potato dumplings in the restaurant.  Pure Bette Midler!

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Bandstand

Bernard B. Jacobs Theater
in

Guest Review

The TV promos do this show a disservice. While they do showcase the music and its performance, they do little to differentiate this show from a jukebox musical.  I assure you it is not one of those.  In Bandstand (directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbueler, music by Richard Oberacker, book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker), original music serves the story, rather than the other way around.  The music is performed by actors and this is a welcome modern turn we have seen done in Cabaret, Bright Star, and Come From Away, among others.  It is awesome, really.

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Kinky Boots

Al Hirschfeld Theatre
in

Guest Review

We didn't quite know what to do after brunch that day we were visiting New York City but my brother Eric suggested that we get in line at TKTS and see what show we could get into. Of the available shows, I wanted to see Kinky Boots, not because I knew anything about the show but because I had seen the title for so many years and it was a provocative one. We all agreed and were lucky to get great seats.  

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Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

Imperial Theatre
in ,

4 out of 5 stars

That the world is a stage is well demonstrated in this exhilarating production of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. The Imperial Theater has been transformed for this show in a way that brings the performers into the audience and the audience onto the stage.  There is a continuum flowing between the orchestra, stage, and mezzanine. The fourth wall is not broken, it is removed entirely.

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Hamilton 2.0

Richard Rodgers Theatre
in ,

5 out of 5 Stars

 

“Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” the closing line of the extraordinary event that is Hamilton is the opening of our second review of the show. Since its inception, the story has been told by the man who is slowly edging towards deity status – Lin-Manuel Miranda. Our initial viewing of the show with the actual founding father in the lead role was an unforgettable experience.  On a second viewing, what is now even clearer is what a work of genius Hamilton is. 

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Jersey Boys

August Wilson Theater
in

I have lost count of what viewing of Jersey Boys this was.  I think it was the fourth.  Like the Four Seasons' singles that we wore out on the jukebox, this music and story are worthy of repeat  performances.  It is likely that most of the susceptible population have, at this point, seen the show.  I am writing this brief review to simply remind everyone that this story of four "stand up guys" still stands up. 

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Fiddler on the Roof

Broadway Theatre
in

A revival of Fiddler on the Roof . . . sounds crazy, no?  Who could imagine that Fiddler could successfully return to Broadway without Zero Mostel?  That question is answered in the opening moments of the show.  Danny Burstein as Tevye is sensational.  His creation of the role is inspired without mimicry.  Fiddler on the Roof is Tevye’s show but Jessica Hecht’s Golde plays a powerful supporting role providing structure and heart to the family . . . the Mama.

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Hamilton

Richard Rodgers Theatre
in

Being new to our blog, it’s a shame to have to use a year’s worth of superlatives on a single show. Extraordinary!  Addicting!  Brilliant!  Genius!  I’ll try to exercise restraint in sharing my thoughts on what I was certain would be another over-hyped Broadway production.  If anything, this show may be under-hyped.

Hamilton is in the league of Broadway’s best over the last century.  It’s in the category of My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, the best of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Simply put, it’s as good as musical theater can be. 

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Fun Home

Circle in the Square Theater
in

Joel acquired tickets to the Tony Awards this year (Yes! You can just buy the tickets on-line like for any show and it’s an incredible evening of the very best of Broadway). I must confess, that Fun Home  wasn’t really on my radar, but that night it won five Tonys, including Best Musical, and exploded into our world.  The very talented young actress, Sydney Lucas, and Broadway favorite, Michael Cerveris (won a Tony for Best Lead Actor in a Musical), performed the song, Ring of Keys, from the show.  We were mesmerized!  That night, Joel went on-line and bought tickets before the post Tony Awards stampede began. 

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