Archive post: May 2010, NYC

A Behanding in Spokane

My review: I went in with very low expectations based on word of mouth and reviews, but absolutely loved this! Very smart script by Martin McDonagh, my favorite new playwright. Christopher Walken is of course just playing Christopher Walken, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Though the energy could have been amped up a notch, this is a great production with a fantastic unit set.

La Cage

My review: Fantastic! I was not a fan of the last revival and this production reminds me just how bland it really was. Douglas Hodge is a riot and brings new life to Albin - an amazing performance! Robin de Jesus is hysterical as Jacob and almost steals the show. I'm not a Kelsey Grammer fan, but he is great in this and the heart of the show. My apologies to the ever-so-hot Nick Adams for my other table-mates not clearing off the table for you to dance on! You had very right to kick their water bottles onto the floor!

Promises, Promises

My review: this show is so much fun! Sean Hayes is perfect for the role (shove it, Newsweek!) and proves that he really is a master of physical comedy. I'm a Kristen Chenoweth fan (this was my fifth Broadway musical of hers!) and though the material doesn't suit her voice all that well, she still delivers a very moving performance. Stealing the show of course is the brilliant Katie Finneran! She definitely makes the most of her two scenes in the second act. THE BAD: the two added Bacharach songs are so out of place! Seriously, the original score is so strong is doesn't need these additions even if they do give Kristin Chenoweth something else to sing. ALSO BAD: the ending of Turkey Lurkey Time (the "jingle bells..." part) was so disappointing, partly just in comparison to the original Michael Bennett choreography (youtube it now!), but partly because it was building so nicely and then just went blah! The rest of Rob Ashford's choreography is great though!

Sondheim on Sondheim

My review: The most interesting thing about this revue is the video interviews with Sondheim himself. It's sort of like a watching a documentary on stage. Everyone in the cast is excellent, especially Barbara Cook, whose voice is still pure even though she can barely walk, and Vanessa Williams, gorgeous in both looks and voice. Overall a needless show, but still interesting to hear the composer talk about his own work and listen to some rarely heard songs cut from various shows. My favorite moment: the La Ronde-style staging of Happiness from Passion.

Come Fly Away

My review: I expected a lot of great dancers and choreography, but not a completely plotless and unattractively designed show given the fact that I absolutely loved Movin' Out. The second act was better for me since most of the male dancers inexplicably shed some of their clothes. Honestly, I would have watched John Seyla dance shirtless for another 2 hours if given the chance. :)

American Idiot

My review: I have mixed feelings about this one. There's a lot of energy and angst prancing attractively about on a striking unit set, but I was largely unmoved by the characters on stage. Despite the overly loud music and mostly unintelligible singing, it isn't hard to follow the thread bare plot. Unfortunately, we've seen these characters before in less manipulative and more satisfying shows both on stage and on screen.