Upcoming: Simon Callow @ BAM

Being Shakespeare

Part of the 2012 Winter/Spring Season

Apr 4—7 & 10—14, 2012 at 7:30pm
Apr 8, 2012 at 3pm

A new play by Jonathan Bate
Directed by Tom Cairns

“Callow devours Shakespeare’s life story and intoxicates us with his language” —Daily Mail (UK)

An aging Lear, disintegrating with his kingdom. A cryptic Ophelia, driven mad by madness. Hamlet, hell-bent on revenge. All of them came from the brain of Shakespeare, but what do we know about the Bard himself? In a tour-de-force performance, veteran actor Simon Callow (the original Roman Mozart in Amadeus on stage, the film Shakespeare in Love) assumes the daunting challenge of illuminating the man behind the roles in this utterly compelling one-man play by preeminent Shakespeare biographer Jonathan Bate, directed and designed by Tom Cairns. Channeling Macbeth and Henry V here, musing over Shakespeare’s childhood there, Callow leaps from anecdote to soliloquy, using the famous Seven Ages of Man speech from As You Like It as his guide to consider how a glovemaker’s son could have gone on to write the world.

BAM Harvey Theater

Newsies: Carrying the Banner

Can a movie, widely considered “disappointing” on release, but later a cult hit on video, become an amazing musical on Broadway?  Depends on the movie; with Cry Baby, not so much.  However Newsies is an altogether different beast.

  

Newsies with Jeremy Jordan (center) storms into the Nederlander Theater

Newsies, in case you are one of the few Broadway fans that hasn’t heard, is based on the cult film of the same name, which luckily came with some fine songs and the bones of a good story.  Twenty years later, Team Disney brought in an excellent group to refresh the piece. Alan Menken and Jack Feldmen reworked much of their own music, and then wrote some new pieces for this show.  Harvey Fierstein reworked the book to streamline the story.  This show was created, and launched at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, as a vehicle for Disney productions to license the rights.  But an appreciative audience and great reviews brought this show to Broadway, a true to life “let’s put on a show” story.

And it is a hell of a show.  A cast of exuberant and talented singers and dancers bring a vibrancy to Newsies that rivals anything else on Broadway.  It is the story of the Newsboy union strike in the late 1890s, based – however loosely – on real events.  Generous liberties have been taken, but underneath is still the story of the underdogs taking on the powerful.  And that story gives Newsies its heart. 

Jeremy Jordan plays Jack Kelly, unofficial patriarch of a chaotic clan of boys selling the New York World newspaper.  After an arbitrary rise in the wholesale prices, he leads a rag-tag gang of Newsboys in a strike.  Mr. Jordan has the voice, expression and defiance to bring to life what might easily have been a cartoon character, in a cartoon show.

Mr. Jordan played Jack Kelly in the New Jersey incarnation of the show, while rehearsing for Bonnie and Clyde.  The producers were lucky he was available for Newsies again, because Mr. Jordan can carry much of this production with a wink and a grin, not to mention the exceptional voice he has.  His presence, as much as anything grounds the show in the real world.

His love interest, written for the show, is Katherine, sweetly played by Kara Lindsey.  There is just enough sass to make her Katherine likeable.  But Jack’s real family is the newsboys he works with day in and day out – this is the family he has to sacrifice for.  The newsboys are an amazing ensemble of dancers and singers that raise the energy from the second they appear until the curtain falls.

Sven Ortel matches their non-stop energy in the production design (with scenic design by Tobin Ost).  Newsies is played on a set reminiscent of girders and tenements, which functions perfectly, without overpowering the actors.  Special credit has to go to Christopher Gattelli for choreography that is youthful and fun, befitting the young men who are dancing.  Director Jeff Calhoun does a great job with a story which drift quickly into the schmaltzy - getting the emotions underneath.

Like in the movie, which I confess to having seen once or twice myself, the adult characters are rather thin.  Good actors, like John Dosset and Capathia Jones, do a fine job with what they have, but they aren’t the focus of the story.

Newsies is a terrifically fun show and a welcome addition to Broadway. Like many Disney shows, it is kid friendly, but, unlike many, it isn’t child focused.  It is aimed squarely at musical theater lovers, and it delivers.

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Newsies at Nederlander Theatre

Music: Alan Menken

Lyrics: Jack Feldman

Book by: Harvey Fierstein (based on the film by Bob Tzudiker & Noni White)

Director: Jeff Calhoun

Cast includes: Jeremy Jordan, John Dosset, Kara Lindsey, Capathis Jenkins, Ben Frankhauser, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Lewis Grosso, Matthew J. Schechter

Runs Through: Aug 19th

Website

Julie Feeney: Live Off Broadway for 10 Nights

Julie Feeney, the dramatic, flamboyant Irish star and prodigious singer, conductor, and performer is set to touch down in New York to perform for 10 nights off-Broadway (April 25 – May 6) in a music and theatrical show at the Irish Arts Center, to be co-directed by PS122’s Vallejo Gantner.Winner of the Choice Music Prize (Ireland’s equivalent of the Mercury Prize) Feeney made her New York debut at Joe’s Pub in 2011 before the US release of her album ‘pages’. Since then she has quickly amassed critical acclaim for her uncompromising sound that both Village Voice and Time Out New York called “captivating,” drawing comparisons to everyone from Sufjan Stevens and Elvis Costello to Lady Gaga and Bjork.

Feeney’s music, melding elements of Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, June Tabor and Philip Glass, is complemented by an ethereal stage show that features outrageous fashion and unconventional instrumentation arranged by Feeney. The highly distinguished Feeney has been called "charming, urbane and dreamy" by the New York Times, "the Emerald Isle's Original" by the Washington Post and "an eccentric pop genius" by Hot Press.

At the Irish Arts Center each night, Feeney will be joined by a small orchestra of strings, singers, recorders, sticks, guitar, keyboards, and trumpet.

KEY DETAILSWho: Julie FeeneyWhere: Irish Arts Center (553 West 51st Street [between 10th and 11th Avenues]; Subway C, E to 50th Street
When: April 25th – May 6th, 2012 | Time:  Wednesday to Sunday at 8pmTickets: $20/$18 | Booking: 866 811 4111 irishartscenter.org More info: www.juliefeeney.com

Review, HIM: More than Meets the Eye

HIM @ Soho Playhosue

HIM, has moved to the Soho Playhouse from a sold-out run at the Cherry Lane theater.  The show is a look at the price we are willing to pay to achieve our dreams; in this case, the dream of stardom versus the dream of happily ever after.  

Jon Fleming and Todd Alan Crain discuss Nick's career in HIM

Jon Fleming is Nick, a handsome young actor, who is on the cusp of breaking to the ranks of Hollywood leading men.  Todd Alan Crain is Matthew, his gay partner, confidant, and emotional rock.  There is a very obvious story here, Nick gets famous and has to give up Matthew.

But HIM has more on its mind than the obvious.  Matthew isn’t a demure and quiet lover, pining away in silence and self-doubt.  Matthew, excellently played by Mr. Crain, is a true partner of Nick, with a career outside of “husband”.  They have plotted out their journey together. And, when the glamour goes to Nick’s head, Matthew takes action.  Matthew confronts Nick’s Manager, Lindsay Goranson throwing herself into the role with venom, about the choices she is making.  She is sidelining Matthew not just to promote Nick, but to ruin their relationship.  It is over the top, but if you have dealt with Hollywood, it is also totally believable.

There is a great supporting cast in Julian Mercer, Georgia X Lifsher and James Sautter.  They bring life and honesty to the proceedings that, sometimes, threaten to veer into caricature.  Julian Mercer delivers the gay comic quips with aplomb.  Georgia Lifsher plays the Latinia beard just this side of Charo.  And James Sautter actually brings some warmth to the eye candy role, which could have easily become a “naked man #2” billet.

The emotional weight of HIM depends on Jon Fleming, who must be self-confident, but desire validation.  Jon Fleming plays Nick as dim, but not stupid – it sometimes seems that young Nick has made a choice to ignore things that bother him, to be blissfully unaware.  And circumstances force him to confront what he doesn’t want to.  Mr. Fleming brings a natural warmth to the role.

HIM isn’t a deeply tragic play, but it is a very well written and performed piece with a real emotional center.

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HIM at SoHo Playhouse

Playwright: Clifford Streit

Director: Clifford Streit

Cast: Jon Fleming, Todd Alan Crain, Lindsay Goranson, Julian Mercer, Georgia Lifsher, James Sautter

Runs Through: April 7

Website

The Wonders of New York (check your town)

So, yesterday I was reminded how amazing New York can be.  I attended a workshop of M – The Musical.

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It was a very early reading – and in this case singing – of a work in progress for a new musical.  It was arranged by The Fundamental Theater Project as part of the development process for new works.  I didn’t attend as a critic, but as person able to see and hear something new, and give constructive feedback. 

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Anastasia Barzee:
A Killer Lady MacBeth (in the best way)

So, the amazing part?  Well, I cannot believe the creative and talent of Garth Kravits (who did the Music and Lyrics) as well as Laurie Wessely who adapted the book.  It is a pleasure to hear this so early.  And who knows where it goes.  Some things go on to be great, and some never go on.  But to see it this early was a treat.

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Also amazing, the talent of the people that sang this and brought it together out of respect for the piece.  The talent was stupendous, really.  New York is awash in people trying to make it in the theater; and too few get the big break.  I wish more people could have heard these voices, some of which are known and some, unknown.  They were great.

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So…

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If you are interested in seeing some works being developed, keep an eye pealed for theater groups that do this in your neighborhood.  If you happen to be in, or visiting, New York you can contact the Fundamental Theater Project which runs think-tanks regularly (website). 

One Acts in Provincetown

PROVINCETOWN 2012, four one-act plays by the prolific writing team of Eugene O’Neill, Louise Bryant, Floyd Dell and Pendelton King, all writers of one-acts originally produced by the historic PROVINCETOWN PLAYERS performs on Tuesdays March 27th & April 3rd, under the auspices of New York’s Group Theatre Too. Visit: http://www.provincetown2012.com for tickets. Media:http://youtu.be/-q7eUuCiAc0

Broadway Review: Jesus Christ Superstar (ish)

If you don’t know Jesus Christ Superstar, one of the preeminent rock operas, then you have been well out of the world of musical theater.  It is a famous show that has been made into a famous movie.  You may not have seen either one, but it is the rare person that doesn’t know the music, and even more rare, a person that doesn’t know the story.  And so, everyone enters with an idea of what the show will be like.

Chilina Kennedy, Josh Young and Paul Nolan

It is the story of the 5 days before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, from the viewpoint of Judas – a devoted apostle beginning to question the turn of events.  Judas sees the celebrity of Jesus overshadowing the message he brings.  Judas watches the action with a wary eye, noticing every misstep.  Chilina Kennedy plays Mary Magdalene as a counterpoint.  Mary watches the action seeing only the good; casting a loving gaze at Jesus and his teachings.  Ms. Kennedy is excellent in bringing a silent poignancy to the action.

Paul Nolan plays Jesus as a cipher, a choice of the original writers, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, redoubled here by director Des McAnuff.  Mr. Nolan’s Jesus is weary and ready to lay down his burden.  But, more than that, Jesus is a real dud here, coasting through his entry to Jerusalem based on his out of town notices.

As Judas, Josh Young is captivating.  His frustration with the proceedings grows, as Jesus won’t listen to his advice.  Judas is torn and looks for a way to correct the course of events.  But he has been chosen by God to do the ultimate betrayal. Mr. Young uses a powerful voice to bring his emotions out.  However, like Mr. Nolan and Ms. Kennedy, the singing voices are inconsistent.  Usually they are excellent – particularly Mr. Young’s, but they occasionally wander into odd directions simply to be different from the previous incarnations of the show.  That rarely works. 

Bruce Dow does Herrod

Tom Hewitt, as Pontius Pilate, is marvelous.  He captures both the ambivalence and frustration of the character and manages the stage with tremendous presence and voice.  Bruce Dow does a similar yeoman’s job with the showy King Herod role.  Together they illustrate what a frustrating and empty character Jesus is in this show.  Where their characters fill the stage, Jesus disappears into thin air right before us.

Artistically, the stage is wonderful, all modern steel that gives a defiant feel of an occupied land.  Musically, someone needs to turn down the orchestrations.  It was often difficult to hear the words of the songs as they were overpowered by the orchestra. 

Back to expectations.  It is impossible to go into this show without some serious ideas of what it should be.  (Indeed, along with the message to turn off cell-phones, there should be an announcement that this is not a sing-a-long!)  And so Jesus Christ Superstar has to compete with the audience’s expectations and memories.  This presentation is very good, but not good enough to overcome the problems inherent in the show.

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Jesus Christ, Superstar at Neil Simon Theatre

Music and Lyrics: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

Director: Des McAnuff

Cast includes: Paul Nolan, Josh Young, Chilina Kennedy, Tom Hewitt, Bruce Dow, Marcus Nance, Aaron Walpole

Runs Through:

Website