Escapes and Pleasures
Escapes and Pleasures
A Recap of a Great Broadway Season
by Elizabeth Miller
I'm not here to defend myself about the Red Sox (see my dad’s post A Father’s Lament, Click Here). That's another post. I'm here to recap a great season on Broadway!
Of course I watched the Tony Awards last night, and for the most part, I think the voters got it right. I have been very fortunate to see a lot of Broadway this season, and if you're planning a trip to New York this summer, check out my favorites. “P” stands for Play and “M” for Musical. Stars are 1 to 5. I've only reviewed productions that were eligible this season.
The Normal Heart (P). ***** This is probably one of my favorite plays I have ever seen. An extremely moving and heartbreaking play about AIDS in New York City in the early 80s and what it was like for the gay community. I actually dare you to see this production and not cry. It won three awards (two for acting, and one for best revival of a play), and it deserved them. It's a limited run since so many of its stars are TV actors with other commitments, so try to see this one soon.
The Book of Mormon (M) ***** You've probably heard enough praise about this production so I'll just say it's great. Very funny and definitely the best musical of the year. See it. My advice would be not to listen to the music before you see the play; it will be funnier if it's more of a blank slate. Good luck getting tickets!
Jerusalem (P) ***** Mark Rylance is amazing, and that's really all you need to know. The play takes place in rural England - not sure I "got" all of it, but it's definitely worth seeing. You'll feel like you can watch Rylance forever. If Rylance hadn't won for best actor in a play, I would have protested outside the Beacon Theater. The set is also really beautiful.
War Horse (P) **** A really unique production that will probably play at Lincoln Center for years. The puppetry is fantastic as is the lighting, costumes and staging. It won for best play, probably on the strength of the production itself, rather than the actors or actual story. There were a lot of great new plays this year, and while this was a worthy contender, I would have rather seen other new plays like Jerusalem or Motherf**ker With a Hat win.
The Motherf**ker With the Hat (P) ****1/2 Great new and explosive play about love and fidelity. Chris Rock is terrible, which keeps it from getting the full 5 stars, but it's been extended through July 17th. So if you can catch it before it closes, I'd suggest doing so. There is a possibility it will extend with a new cast, but I'd see it soon in case it doesn't!
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (P) **** The story of two American soldiers in Baghdad, an Iraqi and a tiger (played by Robin Williams). I wish this play had been better received by the critics. Robin Williams is good, but the cast around him is even better. It's a comedy and tragedy all in one. I definitely recommend it.
Good People (P) **** Recently closed (it was only scheduled as a limited run with Frances McDormand and Tate Donovan) but was a great look at a woman struggling to make it in South Boston.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (M) **** I don't normally love musical revivals, but I saw this one because of Daniel Radcliff (I'm probably not alone in that), and I really enjoyed it. John Laraquette won the Tony for best actor in a musical, and he was great. It's fun, and Radcliff can hold his own even if he isn't the best singer in the world.
Catch Me If You Can (M) and Sister Act (M) ***1/2 Both three and a half stars. Neither production is perfect, but both are entertaining and have a few great song and dance numbers. Neither had a chance to beat Book of Mormon in the Best Musical Category. If you see Sister Act, don't leave after the first half. I promise the second half is much better! If you watched the Tony's, you saw Norbert Leo Butz' show-stopping "Don't Break The Rules," so you've probably already watched the best number in the show.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert (M) and Baby It's You! *** Both are fun, light-hearted musicals. If you like Disco music and glitter, you'll probably enjoy Priscilla -- just don't go expecting too much. Thanks to my cousin Kate for treating me to this one! Baby It's You! stars Beth Leavel and is a jukebox musical about the pioneering girl group the Shirelles. It falls a little flat, but the music is definitely good (if you like Dreamgirls, this feels like a slightly less well done version of it, but it is in the same vein).
The Importance of Being Earnest (P) and Arcadia (P) ***1/2 each. Both nominated for Best Revival of a Play and both worthwhile productions. ‘Earnest’ is entertaining, and Brian Bedford is fabulous. Arcadia is heavy but worthwhile if you can understand the accents.
Lombardi (P) ***1/2 Recently closed - a new play based on the life of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, starring Dan Lauria and Judith Light. It was good, especially if you're a football fan or care about sports.
Brief Encounter (P), Born Yesterday (P) *** each. Only Born Yesterday is still playing, but you can probably skip it. The lead, Nina Arianda, is great, but other than that it's a bit dated and dreary.
The People in the Picture (M) and Wonderland (M) **1/2 each. Skip both of these (which will be easy to do since Wonderland already closed). The People in the Picture is a new musical about World War II, starring Donna Murphy. There are better things on Broadway this season.
The House of Blue Leaves (P) *** A play revival with acting powerhouses Edie Falco and Ben Stiller. It didn't do it for me (or the critics apparently); it felt dated, and I couldn't get into it. But Edie Falco's Tony nomination was definitely well deserved.
Spiderman (M) (**) Not good. Apparently they've fixed it from the Julie Taymor version, but it's just not Broadway quality. The music is lacking, and I was unimpressed, but I didn't necessarily feel like I needed the last 2.5 hours of my life back.
The only two shows I've yet to see that are on my list are Anything Goes (M) and Ghetto Klown (P), both of which I'm seeing this week; so I'll report back. Anything Goes beat out How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress (Sutton Foster), so I'm hoping for good things.
And I know what you’re thinking. How did I see all these shows and still manage to afford dinner every night?
First, the Theater Development Fund (TDF-- www.tdf.org) offers a yearly membership which provides individuals who work for non-profits tickets (usually $35 each) to Broadway shows. Sell out hits like Book of Mormon won’t ever be on there, but most plays and new musicals in previews will be. You have to be flexible and accept you may have a not so great seat, but I saw over half of the productions using it.
Second, Roundabout Theater Company and Manhattan Theater Company offer a program called “HipTix” for young people age 18-30. You can see a show for $25.
And then sometimes I have to rely on the generosity of my parents for sold out hits like War Horse.
If all of the above fail, I can usually survive eating ramen for dinners.
6/13/11
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BROADWAY THEATER FOR 2011