what's good / what blows in new york theatre

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD...FOR $500 ALEX.

2008-07-22T13:41:00.005-04:00

Estelle Getty passing away is pretty much the saddest thing I've heard all day. This woman captured the hearts of gay men all over first in Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG TRILOGY, and then on tv in 'The Golden Girls'. Others appreciated her too I believe.

TMZ has the story, and the well known fact that Estelle was actually one year younger than her co-stars Bea Arthur and Betty White.

OLD MEN DON'T LIKE [TITLE OF SHOW]

2008-07-18T19:00:00.004-04:00

I love [TOS] so I'm thrilled they got rave reviews all over today. But as predicted, John Simon (who is really smart) hated it. His review is so comically inane, it totally merits reposting here.

"A familiar problem at birthdays is what to give the celebrant who has everything. The problem with reviewing "[TITLE OF SHOW],'' a vest-pocket and sweaty-collar musical, is what to say about a show that has nothing.

"[TITLE OF SHOW]'' went from off-off-Broadway to off- Broadway to Broadway (now at the Lyceum Theatre) in an unchecked progression -- proving that if you have a feel for the lowest common denominator, you can scale unmerited heights.

Whether you can maintain yourself there remains -- as demonstrated by the recent fiasco of "Passing Strange'' -- a moot point.

Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen, who upon dubious credentials fancy themselves book-and-song writers, decide to write a musical about two self-proclaimed gay men trying to write a musical. They enlist the help of "all our friends'' (two, actually): the equally unappealing Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff (everyone here uses real names on stage). Together they proceed to the parturition of 90 minutes' worth of unremitting torture for anyone with a shred of good taste, discernment and normal eardrums.

Perhaps a checklist is called for in place of a standard review:

Talent: 0.
Charm: 0.
Looks: 0 to minus 10.
Show-queen savvy: 100 percent.
Wit: Sample: "Did you brainstorm?'' "If by brainstorm you mean masturbate and watch `Hollywood Doc,' then yes, I brainstormed.''
Melody: 1 for effort
Lyrics: Sample: "Maybe one day our effort will get a theater .../ TV actors in our show, what could be swee-a-ter??
Scenery: A bedraggled, barely furnished room. Ugly.
Costumes: What the cat dragged in. Paltry.
Orchestra: Larry Pressgrove, doing his best on a solitary keyboard.
Direction and choreography: The gifted Michael Berresse, doing his best with four goofballs.

There remains one unanswered question: Why did a preview audience carry on with hoots, hollers, thunderclaps and a standing ovation? Hypotheses: family and friends, free tickets, zero taste."

What a twit.

Oh, and Clive Barnes at the Post (who is also ancient and retarded) called it "garbage".

UPDATE: The more I think about it, the more all the gay references are pissing me off. Why is this even worth mentioning? And should we be proud of Clive Barnes for being able to "accept a touch of the fey, having lived for many years in Chelsea"? Sister, please.

Would that make Nellie Forbush a self-proclaimed heterosexual??

LYNNE MEADOW MAKES $395K, FLIES BUSINESS CLASS, AND DESTROYS TVS

2008-07-17T16:23:00.011-04:00

Hmm, this season has been the most artistically successful ever for the Biltmore.

In completely unrelated news, MTC Artistic Director Lynne Meadow has been on sabbatical for about a year now, and just had a fabulous trip to Rome...well fabulous till the very end. After Meadow shushed a flight attendant and allegedly broke a tv set, she was detained by Police and FBI agents and reduced to tears (not in that order).

My take: Shushing people is rude and I wouldn't know anything about business class (I take the Greyhound), but IF. I. DID. fly business class, no matter who paid for it, I best be coddled, backrubbed, and treated like f-ing royalty.

Not tormented by some bitchy queen in a uniform.

("destroyed airline property", my ass.)

FOR PEOPLE INTO MAGIC, THEATRE, OR LITTLE BOYS

2008-07-14T14:52:00.002-04:00

This Times Talk is gonna sell out in like 30 seconds.

WEEKEND RECAP - IN WHICH I ACTUALLY READ SOMETHING

2008-07-14T13:33:00.009-04:00

Lots of good stuff in Le New York Times this week. I miss my home delivery.

- Tom Stoppard is too sad about world events to put pen to paper, and for some reason this is news. He's written nothing since ROCK AND ROLL.

Uh, that's my excuse too.

- Why wasn't the NY Times wasn't at the International Thespian Festival back when I performed there in the early-late 90's. Had they seen my star turn in SEX LIVES OF SUPERHEROES, we could have transferred to the Broadway. I'll be fine, but seriously these high school productions must be seen to be believed. I actually saw the ARCADIA mentioned in the article and it was remarkable, also a high school ASSASSINS that changed my life a little.

- Did you know there were no direct plans to go to Broadway when Hunter and Jeff started the [title of show] show? They were using some Oprah malarkey about “say to the world that we’re going to Broadway and see what gets said back.” Well...wow.

Let me try...."There will be a revival of THE GOAT for me to star in."..."There will be a revival of THE GOAT for me to star in."

-I followed Surplus Jaime's lead to Campbell Robertson's piece on RENT which was hidden in the City Section (sneaky), and which I presume he wrote from the trenches in Iraq. I guess I should see that show before it closes. Oops.

BREAKING: XANADU JUMPS SHARK, HIRES WHOOPI

2008-07-14T11:27:00.007-04:00

I'm getting all sorts of calls and emails from people without day jobs (aka: bitches) that Whoopi just announced on The View that she's stepping in to XANADU in August, taking over for Jackie Hoffman as Calliope. This is good celebrity casting for the show, and Whoops will be hysterical in the supporting part.

So we've opened the revolving door (or whatever you actually do to a revolving door) for showcased celebrity casting that could keep this show running for a hearty long time. The possibilities are endless in either this role or also Mary Testa's Melpomene part. And I mean, who doesn't want to be in XANADU? Its 90 minutes long, and you're in bed by 10:30.

Also interesting that Whooper turned down Nathan's part in NOVEMBER for this. Good choice Whoo.

MAN I LOVE A GOOD BAR FIGHT...

2008-07-14T01:06:00.005-04:00

...but I'm guessing brilliant genius Jeffrey Wright is regretting whatever the hell happened last night in Shreveport. Wright was arrested along with Josh Brolin and members of the crew of Oliver Stone's upcoming George Bush biopic. I wonder if they were fighting about politics...I can't wait to see that movie...an oh my, this soup's delicious.

He always seemed so peaceful.

GOD BLESS THIS MESS

2008-07-03T11:46:00.004-04:00

I was pleasantly surprised / incredibly depressed watching Judith Thompson's PALACE OF THE END. Its not easy signing up for a 1hr45min monologue play about Iraq (that's probably why nobody would go with me). But the payoff is good and for a war play, this one avoids some typical traps and exploits others to its advantage.

The playbill says, "each of these monologues is based on news stories or research on events involving the real person...but the persona or character of each speaker has been created by me...". The first speaker, "Lynndie England" is the most recognizable figure and while the persona is "created", the situation is very real. Lynndie, pregnant and confined to a desk job, was in those Abu Ghraib photos that represent a particularly dark moment in American history. She's not solely (or even mostly responsible), but she's the face of the tragedy. How do you live with that? How do you even face the magnitude?

Actually, "how do you live with that?" is a running theme of PALACE OF THE END. And the next two monologues go even further, ultimately asking how can we as a people live with any of these atrocities.

Judith Thompson's specificity is perfectly unbearably here, and not for the faint of heart. From the feel of pulling a human on a leash to the sounds of your child dying, the imagery is a strong point of the entire piece. Grizzly and graphic stuff that you won't forget. You can't forget.

And I can't write about this show without a shout-out to Heather Raffo. Damn girl....she's good.

Oh and I almost forgot, the last 10 seconds are f-ing brilliant.

More info here.

TODAY'S RIEDEL - CAN WE TALK ABOUT KATIE?

2008-07-03T00:07:00.003-04:00

Has there really been that much publicity for ALL MY SONS? If there was, I missed it. Where was Katie or John or Diane or Patrick at the Tonys? Where are the ads? Where is the word that Simon (f-ing) McBurney is directing this show (his first time on Broadway since THE CHAIRS. Yeah, I'm totally not surprised that its not selling well. Maybe this time the quality will make a difference.

btw, I'm totally digging Katie's style lately. Anyone?

Read Riedel here

(If you don't know who Michael Riedel is, you're probably not reading this blog.)

LETS GO ON A DATE.....YOUR TREAT

2008-06-30T15:51:00.005-04:00

Hey, did you guys know that many who go to Broadway shows often go to big fancy restaurants too? Sometimes in the same evening! I know I know, its hard to believe.

While I do have a few choice dinner spots in the district, I usually pick up a sammy or a salad at EuroPan, EuroMarche, or Europa Cafe, EU Patisserie or McEuros. But not for two weeks in July people. Those weeks I'll be "eating famously" thanks to NYC Restaurant Week. Check out the list and make a reservation for $35.00 dinners* at such fancy-pants eateries as Bond 45, Firebird, Thalia, Chez Josephine or Dallas BBQ.

And since we're talkin' food. Have you people been to Red Mango on 8th Ave and 45th? Oh my god amazing.

*$35 does not include beers, martinis, half-carafes of wine, tax or tips.

CHEAPER EXPENSIVE FREE STUFF

2008-06-26T14:19:00.003-04:00

Another New York Mag brief reports that Tony Winner Richard Griffiths was not given a $35,000 gift bag for presenting at this year's awards this year. His was far less fabulous. When I present at the Tony Awards, I best be getting a $35,000 bag.

I do recall some drama about the gift-bags-worth-more-than-my-annual-income back in 2006 and I assume that's why they've downgraded. That, and wasn't there a law passed about celebs having to be taxed on these gifts?

Although, this years swag doesn't look all that bad, no Marc Jacobs though.

CONGRATUALTIONS MR. KUSHNER. NOW SPAWN!!

2008-06-25T17:59:00.003-04:00

Congrats to Tony Kushner who after getting married 5 years ago, will now be recognized in the state of California (and thereby New York). New York Mag has the story.

I guess the great work is no longer beginning. Kushner states, "Like in Massachusetts, Californians will realize that gay people getting married is not a problem for anyone, and then the rest of the country is going to fall in line." Huzzah!

HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE

2008-06-25T17:42:00.003-04:00

This is good folks. Blogger/Producer Ken Davenport called to ask about the ridiculously delayed construction of the TKTS Booth and was actually hung up on by Ellen Goldstein of the Times Square Alliance (whose number btw is 212-452-5208), but then got a response from the Construction Company. Read about it here.

Readers remember I highlighted the "extremely ambitious" designs for the booth 2 years ago in May of 2006!

Hanging up on people is rude Ellen.

WORKING HARD AND HARDLY WORKING

2008-06-24T14:23:00.007-04:00

Dear friends/little people,
Sorry for the disappearance lately. I dropped everything for a few really great auditions for great roles at great theatres. Despite lavish compliments and call backs, I didn't book any of them and now find myself jobless and all set to lose my health insurance at the end of September. Such is life.

In the meantime, I've been thoroughly enjoying 'The Search for Elle Woods' on MTV and made time for TOP GIRLS and HAMLET (both of which I really enjoyed and both of which are closing this weekend), and IN THE HEIGHTS (which I don't think deserved the Tony).

Speaking of Tonys...that happened. Trust me, I had so much to say about them but instead of boring you, I unloaded on my boyfriend and my "friends" at work (aka: "I'm so much more qualified to be a Tony presenter than Julie Chen!!!!")

Lemme get some thoughts together so I can dump them on you.

I miss you people sometimes.

Hearts and Unicorns,
Rocco

WEEKEND SHORTIES - NON-TONY EDITION

2008-06-13T13:43:00.003-04:00

-The awesome news is that Complicite's A DISAPPEARING NUMBER has announced a '08-'09 world tour. The not-so-awesome news is that the only American stop is in Ann Arbor, MI. Um, wtf?

-Hunter is now getting naked to sell [TOS] tickets. Hey, whatever works.

-Is all that drama at A CHORUS LINE really escalating, or are the producers using it to inform the public that they have 2 hot guys and not just 1. The Post reports that Nick Adams is booked over Mario Lopez for a 2(x)ist Underwear Ad. But would Mario really want to shill for the gayest of underwear company? Me thinks not.

-And Playgoer today highlights internet commenting on previews which should be a safe haven for development (at full price), with regards to the London GONE WITH THE WIND disaster. Best part is West End Whingers comment that "We will see early previews not because it's cheaper but because we get more attention that way." Refreshing honesty.

Stay cool, kids.

ROCCO OFFICIALLY ENDORSES: XANADU....(and Hillary Clinton)

2008-06-12T11:56:00.006-04:00

I've seen the nominees, thought long and hard, and had a few drinks, and I'm ready to say XANADU is this year's best musical. I know what you're thinking: "but Rocco...you just like Cheyenne's tree trunk thighs, and the show's uber-gay sensibility!". Not true friends, not true. Well, yes maybe these things are true, but XANADU is also the only nominee that I truly enjoyed watching. The book is smart and funny, the music fun and catchy, and the evening is a complete package for gay men and children of all ages (with definite touring possibilities).

The others are good too, but PASSING STRANGE grained on my nerves at times, IN THE HEIGHTS suffers from a thin plot, some terribly written scenes, and seriously weak-links in the cast, and CRY BABY is just...well, CRY BABY.

There's about 24 hours left to cast Tony ballots (and nowadays you don't even have to see all the nominees to vote!), so XANADU it is.

Go do it. Check that box......or however it works.

JUST GO SEE THE DAMN SHOWS!!!!!!!

2008-06-11T11:41:00.003-04:00

Damn. We go through this every year, and every year it makes me madder and madder. I'm about to go home and bite my pillow. Why won't the Tony voters go see all the F-ing nominated shows?!? It really just burns me up that these people who are trusted with this responsibility cannot makes it to 36 evenings in the theatre.

Jeremy Gerard at Bloomberg has a great piece today about the staggering numbers involved:

"Take the case of movie star Laurence Fishburne, whose performance in THURGOOD earned him a nomination for best performance by a leading actor. Less than 40 percent of the 797 voters have seen the performance, according to a member of the show's production team."
...

"Tony voters had four months to see the Pinter play, which got some of the best reviews of the season, especially for Eve Bests's nominated performance. So how many found their way to the Cort Theatre before THE HOMECOMING closed on April 13? We were under 400,'' Jeffrey Richards, the show's lead producer, said in an interview. "We were very disappointed. We made a really concerted effort to get all the voters in.''"

Again I put this out there. I have great opinions and will gladly sit through 36 plays and musicals. Even GLORY DAYS.

Somebody call me!

I'D LOVE TO SEE PATTI LUPONE TRY THIS:

2008-06-10T17:02:00.006-04:00

I hear the [TOS] cast will be personally thanking ticket buyers this Saturday morning outside their Lyceum Theatre. Last time I got near Susan Blackwell I made a complete ass of myself.....but I do love rice krispy treats.

On Saturday, June 14 the Box Office at the Lyceum Theatre will be opening for [TOS] business. From 10am to 11am for everyone who shows up to the Box Office, tickets will be 50% off, plus there will be free refreshments (lemonade and rice krispy treats) and a free [TOS] cast recording for anyone who buys a ticket. [TITLE OF SHOW] cast should be there as well as some special guests from the [title of show] show.

I'm no mathematician, but if you buy a $26.50 ticket at half price, isn't that $13.25 and you get a free Cast Recording?

There's also tickets online, but ya don't get no lemonade.

A TONY CONTEST WITH FABULOUS PRIZES!

2008-06-10T14:20:00.003-04:00

True story: When I saw ALTAR BOYZ in previews, Molly Ringwald was seated in the last row of the theatre, behind me. And I thought, "what kind of idiots put Molly Ringwald in the back?". How dare they disrespect Claire Standish and Andie Walsh (at the same time!). And what do you know...about 5 minutes before the show started a red-faced little lady escorted Ms. Ringwald to a pair of house seats in the very front (a pair cause she was with somebody, not cause she was fat or anything), giving royalty the proper respect it deserves.

I don't know why I'm telling this story, but it always come to mind when I think of ALTAR BOYZ.

Why am I thinking of ALTAR BOYZ?? Because Ken Davenport (producer of ALTAR BOYZ and the upcoming 13) is holding the best Tony contest ever! 1st prize is the new iPhone (holy shit!).

That's so much better than my Tony Pool where all you win is.... like, nothing.

To enter Ken's, CLICK HERE.
And be prepared to leave your contact info for future marketing. He's no fool.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

2008-06-06T12:40:00.004-04:00

From today's Riedel:

"As the winner of best new musical from the Outer Critics Circle and Broadway.com audience awards, we look forward to entertaining Broadway audiences...for years to come." -Robert F. X. Sillerman

I snorted milk out my nose this morning when I read this.

TURN ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS

2008-06-04T17:38:00.008-04:00

Here's an interesting video from Gothamist today about the advertising in the theatre district. Like, did you know that One Times Square is completely vacant because the owner makes so much on outside advertising that he doesn't even need to rent the inside? Shit, that's nuts.

Who wants a budweiser?

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

2008-05-29T13:02:00.002-04:00

Life doesn't get much better than an old jewish woman saying, "remember when the man was in love with that goat?...now that was theatre". But the action on stage at OCCUPANT was pretty good too. Actually, I should say EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT as its billed, so there's no confusion. (Confusion at an Albee play? Go figure)

However, this is not your typical Albee fare. Its less absurd than we've come to and expect, less witty, and slightly more obvious in theme, but EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT still retains that universal quality inherent in all the writer's work, even if the subject is perhaps his most specific. Louise Nevelson is certainly a character and this play is an enlightening primer on her life and work...or...her life's work. Taking the form of a symposium in the afterlife, Nevelson tells her story with the aid of an intrusive moderator, never revealing which facts are true and which are myth. Which is the point really, how do you separate the artist from the art...or I suppose, the artist from her talent?

Mercedes Ruehl scores big in her Nevelson regalia. While the effect might be aided by a larger space where you're not so close up, she admirably leaps headfirst into this part. Brygmann leaves a little to be desired, but so does his character. He reminded me a bit of Fred Willard in 'Best In Show', which I'm sure was not the desired effect. Clearly, the humor of this piece is still being worked out.

The buzz on this show ain't great, but its actually a really strong play. People are expecting a GOAT or a PLAY ABOUT THE BABY. But in the end, like Nevelson without her public persona, when you strip away the flashy wit and the absurd comedy you still have the Great American Playwright, Edward Albee.

Residual Thoughts:
-I saw the major set reveal coming all the way from 8th Avenue....and if you been to The Peter Norton Space before, you know that's really far away.

-2 actors + 1 set + Albee = every theatre will be doing this play. If you at all resemble the lady in the picture (like me), prepare for a busy year.

-God Bless Time Warner once again for the Signature ticket initiative, enabling poor people like me to see quality theatre.

IN DEFENSE OF CRY-BABY

2008-05-21T11:35:00.003-04:00

Its my new personal goal to separate the 2 camps of people who dislike CRY BABY. Cause while everyone agrees that CRY BABY is not so great, I firmly believe it should be unappreciated for the right reasons.

The camp you can't argue with are the theatre-fans who are just unimpressed with the show's weaknesses, of which there are many. Some are 1) Harriet Harris is criminally misused. Her solo number, alone on stage in a mediocre song, is a waste of her acute comic timing and larger than life character work. 2) The Squares, written to be witless and annoying, are just that: witless and annoying. Who wants to watch that? and 3) The first 15 minutes drag (almost to the point of no return).

Once you get past the first 15 minutes, the secondary female lead, and half the cast of characters....what's left is a pretty entertaining show that has something rarely seen on Broadway that I totally appreciated: filth.

And that brings me to the 2nd camp who I completely disagree with: the tourists and families who thought they were seeing GREASE. CRY BABY is a John Waters musical, even more so than HAIRSPRAY, which was watered down Waters (and a fantastic show). There's some great wordplay and sight gags that are so dirty, I was truly surprised they went there. But they did, and that's great. There's even some (gasp!) nudity . But not pandering to the family crowd is a dangerous game on Broadway, and many folk ain't happy. Screw them. GREASE is actually still running down the block.

So while you're out there laughing about how CRY BABY has no chance of winning the big prize (its funny cause its true), make sure you're dumping on the show for the right reason. And while you're at it, see the show. Tickets are like, really cheap. And (after the first 3 numbers) you might actually have a good time.

SEND MONEY TO 'HELPTWS@HOTMAIL.COM'. THAT'S: HELP TRICIA WALSH-SMITH AT HOTMAIL.COM

2008-05-16T13:47:00.007-04:00

She's back. Again. And this time.....you're just not gonna believe it. In Tricia's (aka: The Phoenix's) most subdued video yet, she takes us on a tour of her beautiful London flat (yes, her flat in London) and then proceeds to solicit donations from her adoring public. Just one dollar each will keep this hot-box-of-crazy out of a tent on the street. Apparently it has something to do with women or something.

I totally had Tricia's back until this video.

This is what it sounds like when lines are crossed:

P.S. How about that 'Bonkers' dance?

TODAY'S RIEDEL - THAT'S GOTTA HURT

2008-05-16T13:32:00.006-04:00

One measly vote lost A CATERED AFFAIR the nomination for Best New Musical. Ouch. With millions of dollars at stake, its insane that it comes down to one vote. And per Riedel, there were 10 other ties, which explains a lot. I was surprised to see winners in my book like Cheyenne (leg sandwich) Jackson and John Doyle get snubbed, but I guess the competition this year is just that good. So, really everybody wins.

....except for those that don't win....and those that didn't even get nominated.

Read Riedel here