New York Theater Notes

[+ Lucky]

Sadly, Urban Cowboy has once again posted a closing notice. The last performance will be this Sunday. They had been hoping for a Best Musical nomination to keep them going for awhile.

Matt is probably looking for a shoulder to cry on....

[Guest alanm]

Lucky,

 

Agree with you about poor Matt? You mentioned the play with Benjamin Bratt; I remember reading about it, but not lately. When do previes begin?

 

For everyone:

 

I really want to see "Long Day's Journey into Night," which is almost always sold out. One trick that I have learned is to keep checking on the telecharge web site from 48 hours before the performance you want to see. They often put house seats up for sale at the last minute. It is a lot of money, but you get a great seat center orchestra seat.

[+ Lucky]

Interesting that you should ask, because just today I received a flyer for the Benjamin Bratt play. The show also stars Julianna Marguiles and is described as follows:

"In the age of reality television, a couple takes a short cut to trust by videotaping one anotrher's every move. This modern relationship drama from writer/producer Kate Robin of HBO's Six Feet Under, tests the limits of truth and accountability in the electronic age, and will fascinate anyone who wonders what happens when his or her partner walks out of a room."

 

Who would that be us? The show plays at the Acorn (off-Broadway)from May 21 to June 28. See ticketscentral.com for tix.

[+ Lucky]

For those who appreciate fine acting, Jefferson Mays performs several roles in the one-man show "I Am My Own Wife." He is most mesmerizing when playing the main character, East German cross-dresser Charlotte Van Mahlsdorf.

Will, this one's for you!

[Guest Dan]

RE: New York Theater Notes -Gypsy's worst Bette

 

Since I saw Bernadette take her turn as Mama Rose, I thought I'd check out the video of Bette Midler's performance. I was really disappointed in it. She seemed to be totally chewing up the scenery. After seeing Peters' wonderful seductiveness in the first act, Midler came off as haridan (harigan?). She went back to her performances from her mid-80's Disney pictures. Great for those pictures, but what we need here was more of her Rose to be imbued with The Rose. And what the hell was going with her voice?

 

However, I am glad that i watched the whole thing because she sure as hell pulled off Rose's Turn.

 

Is it possbile that this is just really such a complex character that nobody can really meet the expectations? Next time someone is offered Mama Rose she should defer and do somehting easier like Medea or Long Day's Journey.

 

Dan Dare

http://meetlocalmen.com/mlm/dandarela.html