2011-08-31 Recent Theatre

Bill and I decided to return to see Catch Me If You Can once more before it closed. Boy, am I glad we did. I think this show got short shrift from both the critics and the public. It was so much fun, and had such a great cast. Norbert Leo Butz was amazing as Carl Hanratty, and Aaron Tveit was sublime as Frank Abagnale, Jr. The entire cast was really into the show and it had jelled amazing well over the months since we had seen it. I loved this show and am sorry it is closing. Norbert was amazing once again in his signature number, "The Man Inside the Clues." A bravo performance from someone who claims they never had dance classes, and a real Tony award winner.

Next on the list is Death Takes a Holiday, a Maury Yeston musical. I have been a fan of Maury Yeston since I first heard Grand Hotel, Nine, and then Titanic. He also composed a wonderful song cycle called December Songs which Andrea Marcovicci recorded. I enjoyed Death Takes a Holiday. Not a great show, but extremely enjoyable. And what a cast: Rebecca Luker, Linda Balgord, Matt Cavenaught, Mara Davi, Jill Paice, Max Von Essen, Don Stephenson, and Kevin Earley. This is one of those shows where the original lead was replaced because of vocal issues. The original lead was Julian Ovenden, an actor from London. He was replaced by Kevin Earley, who I found to be completely captivating. Bill had seen Julian in a musical in London called Marguerite, which I did not see but have the cast CD of. I understand that he was amazing in the role of Death/Count Sirki, but I did love Kevin's interpretation of the role. Rebecca Luker had an amazing song called Losing Roberto. It was for me the highlight of the show. I really enjoyed this show and hope that it has a life after the Roundabout Theatre.

We finally saw Anything Goes with Sutton Foster at the Stephen Sondheim theatre. I loved this show. I have been fortunate for designing the set for two productions of Anything Goes in my career. I have seen the Patti Lupone version of the show at Lincoln Center, and I have listened to the many recordings for many years. So why did I love this production? One name! Sutton Foster! She was amazing. She performed the Kathleen Marshall dance routines without breaking a sweat. She has a great sense of humor, and is the consumate performer of our time in musical theatre as far as I'm concerned. But the entire cast was excellent, from Joel Grey to Laura Osnes (discovered on the tv casting of Grease), to Adam Godley, and finally Colin Donnell.
And what a treat to see John McMartin ( original cast of Follies 1971) and Kelly Bishop (from the original Chorus Line). Once again Kathleen Marshall shows that she is a consummate choreographer/director justly winning the Tony for choreographer. And the same can be said of Sutton Foster. She won the Tony Award for best actress in a musical. This is a wonderful production and should be seen.

2011-8-04 Zarkana

I have been  a fan of Cirque du Soleil for many years. At last count, I think I have seen 12 of their shows over the years. By far, the best were "O" in Vegas and The Beatles Love in Vegas. Totally different but unique in their own way. Cirque shows have an amazing ability to get the audience totally involved and captivated. Even in the mediocre shows such as Zumanity, there are things to love. I remember after seeing Zumanity in Vegas, we were in the elevator of the time share apts. at the MGM Grand and the audience participant from that night was in the elevator with us. He had pictures of him with the cast, and told us that the entire company was so nice to him. What a treat that would have been to have met the cast. He was a good sport and went along with everything they did to him that night. And to me, that's what Cirque shows are all about. The have a resonance about them that other circus shows lack. Their production values are amazing. You are totally entertained throughout the experience.

And such was the cast with Zarkana at Radio City. The plotline was ludicrous. They used a very good Canadian performer to represent Zarkana, but the story line made very little sense. The music was okay, but not overwhelming (where is Celine Dion when you need her!) But the circus acts were unbelievable. I have seen men flying through the air on ropes before, but not with a woman dangling below him! All the acts were excellent. The sets, lighting and techical brilliance sets this Cirque show apart from many others. It was truly a spectacle.

And the audience loved every minute of it. They even flew one of the clowns way out over the audience. I turned to Bill and said, sure they can fly the clown, but they can't fly the wicked witch of the west in "Wicked." Truly amazing.

If you haven't seen Zarkana, go see it. You will love it. I look forward to my next Cirque experience. And so should you!