Gypsy Rose Lee

Starring Patti LuPone. I nearly didn't go as a result, but glad I am I did. Rose is the perfect part for her, whereas I didn't enjoy her in Sweeney Todd last year much. It was so good to see a classic musical. Given that I hadn't seen it in years, I was surprised by just how many of the songs and lyrics I knew all the way through. Also, I'd only seen children's productions, I think, and the second act must've been quite shortened in those, as Louise's career as a stripper is pretty complete.

The highlight: Tulsa's "All I Need is the Girl"

Grey Gardens

What a crazy pair of women the Edie Bouvier Beales were! Lance and I had partial view box seats (though the audience saw us well enough - Lance had three friends come find him!) to catch a performance just a week before the show closed. I was a little nervous about it because I got so bored during the Tonys performance that I fast forwarded through it. Turns out, the song was way better in context. Christine Ebersole was excellent.

The two acts are quite different. The first a little more musical comedy, the second just crazy. I'm so curious to see the documentary on which it's based, as these women (at least the daughter) was seriously nuts.

The music was enjoyable during the show, though none of it has stuck with me. Overall, a good show. Opens in London next season!

Hoofers

Savion Glover is amazing. Enough said.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar

Mary Poppins was slightly disappointing. The acting was good to fantastic; I would go see Gavin Lee in any show any time. The original songs were fun and the costumes were pretty. The new songs ranged from terrible to okay, but the new plot lines were pretty awful. Mrs. Banks, the once awesome suffragette had turned former actress, prohibited from the stage by her cruel husband. She longed for love and to return to the stage. She did, of course, find both by the end of the show. I'm not sure why it was thought that this would be an improvement; perhaps kids are ignorant of the fact women once lacked the right to vote?

Overall, I'm glad I saw it. I'd been greatly looking forward to it and Grandma enjoyed it immensely. If for nothing else, Bert dancing upside down across the stage was pretty cool.

Full Force Dance Theatre - Time on Our Hands

I went with Evan, Eran, and Howard on June 15. This was the dance company Eran danced with in college. It was neat to see her roots. There were some pretty interesting pieces. The one that stands out was a solo piece where the dancer had a pile of dirt and danced amongst it, spreading it and making cool patterns on the ground with it. Some of the dirt was on a white square of paper (or so it looked) though most found it's way to the floor. Needless to say, the intermission followed this piece.

The final piece involved a live bassist and though not a dancer, participated in the piece through movement as well as music.

Playing Catch Up

I have not been keeping track well. I'll do my best to play some catch up now. Here's a list to keep track, in case I fail to finish before falling asleep.

Full Force Dance Theatre at the Joyce Soho - June 15
Mary Poppins - June 26
Savion Glover at the Joyce - July 12
Grey Gardens - July 18
Gypsy at City Center - July 26
Sunnyside Up at Upright Citizens Brigade - July 30
Paul Taylor Dance Company at Lincoln Center Out of Doors - August 3

Talk Radio.

I didn't get a chance to watch the Tonys tonight, but I'm very excited to watch them on DVR later this week. I think they're kind of pointless, since 4 of about 5 musicals that open on Broadway each year are nominated for best musical (that doesn't include revivals). It's a little self-serving. (I mean, Hairspray won best musical in 2004.)

However, I did learn today that not every play is included, and that there's a reason why. Today's Broadway adventure: Talk Radio. Can you imagine what it's about? Yep, talk radio. The play certainly pulled off talk radio very well. It reminded me that there's a reason I don't listen to talk radio.

Growing up, I was subjected to a lot of Rush Limbaugh and Laura Schlesinger. Really weak, helpless people call in and say dumb, passive things, with the occasional diatribe. In response, Rush and Dr. Laura thrash and belittle the caller. That's exactly what the callers and Barry Champlain did today, and it was somewhat painful. Barry was played by Liev Schreiber, who was fantastic. The other characters were undeveloped and uninteresting, as was what little plot existed. Each other character gave a single monologue in monologue tone (I can't think of a better way to describe it, but you might get what I mean).

So in short: Liev Schreiber very good. Play: not very good.