Cooper

Here’s Bryan Cranston discussing Network. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2juPyPuy-U FYI: It’s a long 2 hr play with no intermission. Mad dash to the restrooms... Discount tickets are occasionally available at TKTS.

Saw Network. Bryan Cranston does an amazing job in the role of news anchor Howard Beale. He definitely gives what should be a Tony Award winning performance. He is so believable & makes a great connection with the audience. The play is based on the 1976 movie with the famous line: “I'm mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” The show is scheduled to close June 8th. Two other movies are now shows on Broadway: Tootsie & Beetlejuice.

@azdr0710. Yes, that’s the way he sings it in the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTnnLaIvtk8

I’ve seen the original productions of Oklahoma several times, so, when I heard about this contemporary version of the play, I was interested. It’s advertised as: “ this is OKLAHOMA! as you’ve never seen or heard it before – reimagined for the 21st century.” Well, it didn’t work for me. This low budget production with no scenery and a cast of unknowns didn’t keep me interested. For some of the audience the highlight seemed to be picking up a free slice of cornbread during intermission. The Circle in the Square’s stage led to many distractions as the house lights are on during most of the show leaving you looking at the audience across from you. Also, the actors stand & sing on both ends of the stage making it feel like you’re watching a tennis match going back & forth. The 5 piece orchestra was very good. And the cast was very PC. Even had a woman in a wheelchair. I agree the lead singers weren’t up to par with what one has come to expect from a Broadway musical. I realize it’s still in previews but I don’t think any adjustments can help. There’s a very awkward & long ballet number at the start of Act 2. I was told this had to do with the original production. It didn’t work for me. Had I not seen the original production of Oklahoma, I might have enjoyed it more. Let’s see what the critics have to say when it officially opens.

Took in a Wednesday matinee of this most bizarre play that has great acting & script. FYI. Unless you want to get squirted with blood, don’t sit in the front row. I guess they failed to mention this to some very surprised people. And, when the curtain opens be prepared to see a mountain of dead, anatomical correct, nude Roman Soldiers. Some will come to life. What this mountain of dead bodies is doing on stage is a large part of the plot. It’s a 90 min play with no intermission. So, if you’re planing on walking out, do it very quietly. Three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen, and Tony Award winner Julie White star on Broadway in the world premiere of Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, the new comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist and MacArthur Fellow, Taylor Mac. Directed by five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe, Gary is set just after the blood-soaked conclusion of William Shakespeare’s first tragedy, Titus Andronicus. SYNOPSIS: It's the fall of the Roman Empire, and the years of bloody battles are over. The civil war has ended. The country has been stolen by madmen, and there are casualties everywhere. Two very lowly servants are charged with cleaning up the bodies. It’s only 400 B.C.—but it feels like the end of the world.

The name of the show is "Ain't Too Proud" The life and times of The Temptations. There have been several Broadway shows that cover the lives of famous performers, some have succeeded, while others failed. I see this one as a hit. The performance I saw was sold out as word of this show is spreading. It's very lively and entertaining. At times you feel you're at a rock concert. The audience was truly getting into the music and amazing dancing. What I enjoy about shows like these is that the writers take you behind the scenes of their lives, to both the good and bad times. What you see on stage during a concert doesn't necessarily reflect what's going on back stage. Wonderful acting and singing. Thought it was great when the orchestra played the last songs on stage with the actors. The Temptations songs have survived over the years and 27 members have been added to their group. I really enjoyed it.

A short clip from The Ferryman.

Took in a Wednesday matinee of The Ferryman. First off, no issue with the Irish accents. I loved this play. A wonderful story with an amazing cast. Several young actors who do an excellent job. Early in the play it’s a bit confusing as to the relationships of this large family. However, as the play moves on, it becomes clear. If you plan on seeing it, don’t let anyone tell you the ending. It’s leaves the entire cast & audience shocked & in tears. The 2018-2019 Broadway season has been dominated by excellent plays rather than musicals. I truly enjoyed The Life Span of a Fact (now closed), True West, & The Ferryman. Next up, Network.

You’re in the Lounge. Not the place for politics. Just sayin’ ?

Just finished watching Season 1 of Merli on Netflix. If you enjoyed "Rita", you'll like this one... Merli is a Philosophy teacher at a mostly white High School in Spain. He's well liked by the students but his methods are questioned by the parents, staff and administrators. Merli has a gay and popular/handsome son named Bruno who's in his class. He's not out and is struggling with his feelings which have resulted in him becoming a serious discipline problem in the classroom. Each episode is named after a philosopher and the classroom discussions are most interesting. The students have typical teenage problems such as dealing with friendship, trust, family, divorce, death, sex, alcohol, romance, homosexual feelings, dropping out of school, and fights. When an openly gay student joins the class, Bruno tries to distance himself from him and calls him a "faggot". Later, a friendship will develop and the last episode has a wonderful scene of the two dancing together. It has subtitles and a class in speed reading would help. It did make figuring out some of the adult and student relationships a bit confusing. The HS actors are good looking and very likeable. Season 1 has 13 Episodes that move quickly. I enjoyed it.

@big dale. The best way to get the Moderators attention is to send a report.

The movie, Boy Erased, shows the horrors of gay conversion theory.

Saw The Cher Show and found it most entertaining & lively. At times it felt like being at a live concert. The 3 ladies who played Cher did an amazing job but the one who captured it best was Stephanie J Block, the elder Cher. Lots of costume changes along with some of her most memorable Bob Mackie designs. Nice to listen to songs you already knew but hadn’t heard in awhile. Great voices & solid dance numbers. Cher’s life has been out there for a long time. Many of her ups & downs made headlines. The actor who plays Sonny, sounded just like him. Well done! I enjoyed it.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/02/04/the-chaos-of-american-manhood-in-true-west

It stars Ethan Hawke and Paul Dano and is playing at the American Airlines Theatre. There's a reason why some plays are referred to as 'theater of the absurd' and True West definitely fits that category, it's truly bizarre and unpredictable but in a good way. Austin (Paul Dano) is house sitting for his mom while she's on a trip to Alaska. His one chore is to water the plants. Suddenly, his brother Lee (Ethan Hawke) shows up broke and just back from the desert. Right from the start there's brotherly rivalry. Austin, the more responsible one, is working on a script that he's counting on to make it big and Lee, the carefree one, is becoming quite the distraction. Lots of drama develops between the brothers when Lee joins Austin's producer for a golf game. Their relationship now becomes destructive and their past behavior unfolds. Issues about Dad as being a drunk and hopeless are discussed but no dad in the cast. After the destruction of the kitchen and the death of all the plants, Mom shows up. She's rather simple and seems clueless, keeps wanting to see Picasso thinking he's coming to visit the local museum. Her reaction to the kitchen mess is not what one would have expected. I thoroughly enjoyed this play. It's extremely well written and acted. A story that will captivate your attention from beginning to end. I'm glad I saw it.

@King hunter. Thanks for letting us know. Since you’ve been to Time Square Spa previously then you know that the stamped card for 5 massages also gives you a 50% discount on a 1 hr massage. Who gave you the massage & how did he know you wrote a Yelp review? Now that you’ve told us, anyone can read Yelp & say they wrote that review. Not sure what you meant by, “They offer Yelp & Google”.

A thread on this show has already been started. Here’s what other members had to say. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/come-from-away.122234/

Went to the Time Square Spa today. It's the location that draws me there. It's 1 block from the theater I was seeing a play at. I had dropped by earlier to check that Robin was working. He was and told them what time I'd be back. Again, another relaxing and professional massage. He's very good at what he does and takes pride in his job.

"Growing old is no fun".... I join the chorus of others in singing praises for this play. First, I knew I was seeing great acting, then, as the play develops, you feel part of the story. Excellent connection between the cast and the audience. If you haven't heard of this play or Elaine May, you will once the Tony nominations are announced.

Let’s call it the “shirtless episode”. More men going topless since the beach party episode. Zander doesn’t appear to be resisting Leo’s advances. Imagine waking up with Leo breathing over you. It will be interesting to see if Xander goes gay-4-pay with Leo... Rex went the entire episode shirtless and, eventually, with just a towel. Nice body! Even JJ got into the topless action. Nice hairy chest. Hopefully, other male cast members will soon be losing their shirts again: Trip, Chad, Will, Sonny, Ben, etc.... I’m guessing it’s sweeps week.

Today’s episode of DOOL was an eye opener. Hunk Xander is back from the dead and staying at Uncle Vic’s mansion. Also there is Leo, Sonny’s gay husband. Xander is parading around in only his tight fitting swim suit, muscles bulging, heading to the home hot tub. Leo is instantly attracted to Xander and eager to join him. Now both are wearing just their swim suits. An overheard conversation leads to a possible deal between the two. If Leo gives Xander some dirt on Sonny, he wants something in return. Leo now has his hands stroking Xander’s chest & says he wants sex in exchange for the info. When Xander refuses, Leo says it’s like gay-4-pay. You want something & so do I. The scene ends when Leo tells Xander where his bedroom is. So, where’s Sonny during all this? He’s secretly hooking up with his true love Will and doing a lot of kissing. To be continued....

The winter 2019 new season of Shameless will be quite different without Ian & Fiona. They both will be missed. It will be interesting to see how it’s handled. Yes, Ian in the same jail cell with bf Mickey would have made for some interesting story lines. I thought the new season was supposed to start this month.

@samhexum. Let’s stay on topic. This Forum is called Broadway. It’s not a Real Estate Forum. If you’ve seen “The Cher Show” or have a review/interview/information about the show, please share. If you want to talk about homes where celebrities once lived, you can start a new thread in the appropriate Forum.