Openings

[+ Lucky]

La Cage aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer opens tonight. The man playing Albin, Douglas Hodge, is featured in a Times article today:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/fashion/18comics.html?ref=style

 

Harvey Fierstein says that Hodge plays the most authentic drag queen Albin that he has seen.

 

*

 

On Tuesday, the musical American Idiot, featuring the music of Green Day opens. I have not the slightest idea what the music of Green Day is like, but Stark Sands, who I liked so much in Bonnie & Clyde, is in the musical, so it must be good!

[Guest alanm]

According to Green Day's website and amazon.com the "Original Broadway Cast" download of "American Idiot" will be available on Tuesday, April 20, the day the musical opens on Broadway.

 

The confusing part is that the performers on individual songs are listed as Broadway cast AND Green Day. Has Green Day pre-recorded music that is played during the musical? Anyone know?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Original-Broadway-Recording-American-Featuring/dp/B003GGGT5U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270918650&sr=8-2-spell

[+ Lucky]

The Post liked La Cage, particularly Douglas Hodge. It also gives a mention to Robin De Jesus, as "top-notch.' Remember Robin? He was the Latino gay kid in Camp.

The Daily news liked Grammer's performance more than the Post did, and they also single out DeJesus for praise.

 

But, as reviews go, those two are lightweights as they barely get into the show in detail. The Times does that for you, giving an in depth analysis of a show they call "winning".

 

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/theater/reviews/19cage.html?hpw

[+ Lucky]

Promises, Promises

 

The Times didn't much like it:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/theater/reviews/26promises.html?8dpc

 

The Post says: "Promises, Promises" is a candy-flavored ride that more than delivers on its title.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/promises_are_fulfilled_NknsdSoPPOk1FuD87dnabM#ixzz0mDI4ol5z

 

And, the NY Daily News chimes in: Aside from the pop gems, catchy as ever (try to shake the brassy title number and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"), the dancing is dynamic and Katie Finneran is side-splitting as a boozy bar crawler. Otherwise, it's a so-so mixed bag. Blame the show itself and the new redo.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/04/26/2010-04-26_broadways_promises_promises_starring_kristin_chenoweth_and_sean_hayes_misses_196.html#ixzz0mDIfe6v1

[whipped guy]

La Cage anecdote

 

Interestingly, I am currently on vacation in FL and the local access channel presented an interview with Jerry Herman that I assume was from a recent local appearance here. It was filmed before a live audience and was interspersed with songs from various shows. During the interview Mr. Herman described the opening of the night of La Cage when it was previewed in Boston... and how a very conservative-looking older couple was sitting in front of him in the theatre. Their initial reaction seemed to be quite cold and icy, but when he saw that their heads came together representing a certain closeness of body language he knew not only that he had won them over, but also knew that the musical would be a success with the public at large... and this occurred about 20 minutes or so into the show. Now, for someone who did not get the Broadway gene, I found this to be quite interesting.

[edjames]

NY Post liked it:

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/promises_are_fulfilled_NknsdSoPPOk1FuD87dnabM

[+ Lucky]

Fences

 

3 of 5 stars from the NY Daily News: "Denzel's acting suffers"

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/04/27/2010-04-27_fences.html

 

3.5 of 4* from the Post: "Washington shows his worth as an actor"

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/dramatic_home_run_q8kNDqD1v0iYta8edyBN3M

 

And, the Times: "Mr. Washington and Ms. Davis prove that lovers don’t have to be as young and star-crossed as Romeo and Juliet to generate shiver-making heat and pathos."

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/theater/reviews/27fences.html?hpw

[+ Lucky]

Enron

 

3 of 5 stars from the NY Daily News: "Enron wastes energy" (get it?)

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_broadways_enron_wastes_energy_on_razzle_dazzle.html

 

The Post liked it, giving it 3.5 stars out of 4:

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/joy_ride_amid_fast_cash_and_cooked_NQ2MT1kCQRngnL5nqTTTyO

 

And, the Times agreed with Skynyc and me:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/theater/reviews/28enron.html?hpw

 

Now I have discovered a website that I like. It's called didhelikeit.com, and provides "your simple guide to the most powerful reviewer on the planet>" Well, I'm flattered, of course.

Oh, it's not me? Well, cute even so. They have cartoons of the reviewers smiling or gagging, but the software here kept fucking up my attempt to cut and-paste them.

 

 

 

Synopsis: Inspired by real-life events and using music, dance and video, Enron explores one of the most infamous scandals in financial history, reviewing the tumultuous 1990s and casting a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world currently finds itself.

 

Check it out further: http://www.didhelikeit.com/shows/enron-review.html