BROADWAY REVIEWS by Stan Mazin, Guest Reviewer

BURN THIS

 

This reproduced Lanford Wilson (a Pulitzer Prize winner) play stars Adam Driver and Keri Russell with great support with actors David Furr, Brandon Uranowitz, Rebecca Brooksher, Jonathan Crimean, and Jeremy Webb.  Adeptly directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch) the play deals with 2 people who are strangely brought together by the mysterious death of a friend.  Sparks fly when the two stars are together and allow their raw emotions to lead them sexually in a direction neither thought possible.  The cast is wonderful and Driver and Russell are electric, particularly Adam Driver in a role far from ordinary.  The set design by Derek McLane is simple yet practical in it’s simplicity, which gave the actors space to create characters the audience can easily observe and judge.  Costume design by Clint Ramos seems ‘untheatrically’  realistic, while the lighting by Natasha Katz is appropriately ‘real’.  Burn This can be enjoyed at the Hudson Theatre.

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WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME

What a surprise this play was for me.  I’m not usually too excited about what seems like government type plays, since I;m not too excited about our government these days… but the way Heidi Schreck designed her play, I was not only educated, but enthralled.  She created a vehicle for herself that allows her to play the many ages of her life with humor, humanity, and humility.  Having been a debator in her school years, she carries that theme throughout her play.  Onstage with her in the performance I saw were Mike Iverson, playing an American Legionnaire moderator  as well as himself, and Rosdely Ciprian, a young 14 year old debator.  Oliver Butler directed this piece giving Ms. Schreck her own space to seem she is improvising for the audience, although we know it must be scripted.  The designer Rachel Hauck has built a set that looks like an older American Legion hall where such debates have taken place in Scheck’s past.  The play is interspersed with moments of her own experiences, some funny, some sad, all personal, but all very relatable to her audience.  I thoroughly enjoyed this journey into a document I knew very little of.  It plays a limited run at the Helen Hays Theatre, and is expected to come to Los Angeles in the future.  Don’t miss it!

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PRETTY WOMAN, THE MUSICAL

With book by Garry Marshall & J..F. Lawton, and music & Lyrics by Bryan Adams & Jim Vallance, Pretty Woman enters the Broadway space as a clean somewhat humorous show with very good looking yet simple sets by David Rockwell, and lovely costumes by Gregg Barnes.  Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, I somehow expected a little more, knowing how talented Mr. Mitchell is.  The show rolls along smoothly with Samantha Barks (Eponine in Universal’s Les Miz) and Andy Karl (Groundhog Day and Rocky, both on Broadway) leading a talented group of actors including Eric Anderson, Jason Danieley, and Kingsley Leggs, plus all the ensemble who handled their various roles well.  Although I was was not exactly knocked out by the show, it did come through as a very good musical adaptation of the film.  I believe my sensed were slightly numbed by seeing a matinee I enjoyed more than this evening’s entertainment.  We should never do this but we do it all the time… comparing one show to another, even though every show is a different type of fruit or vegetable and shouldn’t really be set up for comparison.  The songs were pleasant enough but I was never blown away.  The audience I must say truly enjoyed the show.

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FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, IN YIDDISH

What a wonderful treat to be able to see this particular show in a language that so suits it.  No, I do not speak Yiddish but the translation is shown on each side of the stage in English.  Directed by Broadway’s Joel Grey, this show soars in every way.  Originally written by Joseph Stein, with music by Jerry Bock, and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the show is so familiar to Broadway audiences, that it is difficult for anyone to find fault with a show that has such heart, humor, and pathos.  I applaud the producers for finally putting this show on.  It is directed beautifully, sung exquisitely, and acted brilliantly.  At the performance I saw, the role of Tevye was performed by Bruce Sabath, and the role of Lyser-Volf was performed by Adam B. Shapiro, both listed as inserts in the program, but each doing the role so well you would think they had been doing them all along.  Golde was played by Jennifer Babiak, and Yente played by Jackie Hoffman, but each and every person in the cast is as brilliant as the next.   Choreography is by Jerome Robbins, obviously reconstructed from the original by Stas Kmiec.  The stage is bare with only a curtain upstage and all the props handled by the actors.  Overall nothing less than a brilliant show performed brilliantly by everyone involved.  It is difficult to believe that the original show almost closed out of town on it’s pre Broadway tour.

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THE CHER SHOW

This musical biography of Cher’s life has a Book by Rick Elice, Choreography by Christopher Gattelli and Direction by Jason Moore.  The Music Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements are by Daryl Waters.  Entertaining as it is, and what show featuring the character of Cher wouldn’t be, I found myself slightly confused, as to why they needed three Chers, instead of one… especially when all three were onstage together and had dialogue with each other.  As talented as the three are… listed in the program as Babe, Micaela Diamond… Lady, Teal Wicks… and Star, Stephanie J. Block, it is only Ms. Block who captures the true essence of ‘the star’, in voice, movement, and song. I was amazed that she sounded so much like Cher in her speaking voice as well, the only one to me who sounded like her.  The production numbers were fun but the only other true star of the show was of course Bob Mackie for his costumes, who truly made Cher who she has become.  Sonny however was beautifully played by Jarrod Spector, although we all remember Sonny as having very dark hair, and this Sonny has almost a sandy colored hue.  His communication with Stephanie Block was absolutely beautiful.  Everyone in the show did admirable work.  The Set Design is by Christine Jones & Bree J. Kanakis, with Lighting by Kevin Adams, and Sound Design by Nevin Sternberg.  Video and Projection Design is by Darrel Maloney with Hair & Wigs by Charles G. LaPointe.  Cher fans will not be disappointed.

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MEAN GIRLS

This show had opened while I was in NYC last year, but I didn’t get an opportunity to see it then.  I was so looking forward to it because I am a big fan of Tina Fey who is credited with the Book.  The Music is by Jeff Richmond with the Lyrics by Nell Benjamin.  All are special to make this show a great fun evening in theatre.  But it truly is Grey Henson who plays Damian Hubbard who steals every scene he is in.  Watch Grey in the future because he can act, sing, and dance beautifully… a true triple threat!  The females were also good but never a threat to Grey when it comes to ‘taking the stage’.  They are Barrett Wilbert Weed as Janis Sarkisian, Erika Henningsen as Cady Heron, and a slew of quite talented ensemble members who played various roles.  Overall a very funny evening directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw at a quick pace that never stops.  As good and entertaining as this show is, I must say after seeing another show Casey helmed that I enjoyed slightly more than even this one was the following…

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THE PROM

This is another show that opened this year that was also beautifully directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholas, showing his astute talent for humor and quick pacing in a hilarious send-up of actors’ egos.  Written with the best humor on Broadway (in my opinion) by Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin, with Music by Martin Sklar and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin, this show is truly one of the funniest I’ve seen on Broadway in years, if not in my lifetime.  The songs are pleasant enough but the words are quick and kurt and hilarious.  The talented cast is lead by Brooks Ashmanskas as Barry Glickman, Beth Leavel as Dee Dee Allen, and Christopher Sieber as Trent Oliver, with great support from Caitlin Kinnunen, Isabelle McCalla, Michael Potts, Angie Schworer, Courtenay Collins, and Josh Lamon.  This show was truly one of the high lights from this years Broadway offerings.

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TOOTSIE

How can one create a Broadway show (and a musical at that) from a big hit movie?  Perhaps ‘one’ cannot, but the creative team like the one who created this “Tootsie” accomplished this feat brilliantly.  The clever Music & Lyrics are by David Yazbek, with a very funny Book by Robert Horn, very nice Choreography by Denis Jones, and finally quick-paced Direction is by Scott Ellis.  This brilliant cast is lead by Santina Fontana who plays Michael Dorsey/ Dorothy Michaels with what seems like more costume changes than Mame, supported by Lilly Cooper as Julie Nichols, and Sarah Stiles as Sandy Lester, with special mention to Andy Grotelueschen as Jeff Slater, Michael Dorsey’s roommate.  But everyone in “Tootsie” is so perfectly cast in a show that never stops to breathe, with terrific songs and great direction by Mr. Ellis.  Special attention must be given to Costume Designer William Ivey Long for his speedy changes having Michael change into Dorothy and back again.  If comparisons are made with the film, they are quickly dissolved by the presence of the songs and the performances of the great cast.  Overall a very exceptionally great ’traditional’ Broadway musical!

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BEETLEJUICE

What a delight!!!  I admit I have never seen the movie, so my apprehension to seeing and enjoying this musical was in my mind, in doubt.  As quickly as this show began, my apprehension disappeared.  I was taken in immediately and this is a show that held my attention until the very end.  The Music & Lyrics are by Eddie Perfect, with Book by Scott Brown & Anthony King.  The great Set Design is by David Korins, with Costume Design by William Ivey Long (“Tootsie”), and Magic and Illusion Design by Michael Weber.  The most talented cast is lead by Alex Brightman who plays Beetlejuice, with an energy that defies normalcy, with Sophia Anne Caruso with the proper ‘un-energetic’ and laid back performance perfect for her role as Lydia.  With great support by Kerry Butler as Barbara, Rob McClure as Adam, Adam Dannheisser as Charles, Leslie Kritzer as Delia, and a slew of others, this show is a true surprise.  The appropriate Choreography is credited to Connor Gallagher, with tight Direction by Alex Timbers.  I suspect this show will be around for a very long time, as it so deserves to be.

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KING KONG

Surprise of all surprises, I loved this musical!  I must say that of the films of this genre, I prefer “Mighty Joe Young” to “King Kong”, but the visuals of this adaptation are absolutely brilliant.  The Scenic & Projection Design is by Peter England… magnificent!!!  The Creature Design is by Sonny Tilders and is so lifelike, executed by about 10 puppeteers.  The Costume Design is by Roger Kirk with Lighting by Peter Mumford and Sound Design by Peter Hylenski (the sound is absolutely fantastic with the marriage of the physical movements of Kong).  And the change that occurs when the stage becomes the ship, along with the visual, you really feel the movement of the ship traveling forward into the video.  And even though the actors take second place to the huge Kong ‘character’, they are still wonderful… Christiani Pitts as Ann Darrow, Eric William Morris as Carl Denham, and Erik Lochtefeld as Lumpy.  The voice of Kong is credited to Jon Hoche… and very scary at that.  The Book is credited to Jack Thorne, while the Score is Composed and Produced by Marius de Vies with Songs by Eddie Perfect.  Even though some of my NYC friends laugh at my enthusiasm for this show, I found it overall an exciting, brilliant, and thoroughly enjoyable evening of theatre.