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Post by ptflynn on Jul 20, 2013 23:23:19 GMT -5
I saw THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL during a recent quick trip to NYC. Highly recommend. Regards to all, Fern (Still lurking) Thanks to a contest, I won tickets to a play I hadn't given much thought to seeing. But THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL turned out to be a smile-inducing evening at the theater. I could not get over how 80-something Cicely Tyson not only memorized all those lines but also engaged in a lot of physical bits that would have left me tired. Go, Cicely! I'd never seen any previous treatment of the story, which concerns an elderly woman who wants to see her birthplace hundreds of miles away before she dies. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is the son who tries to dissuade her, and Vanessa Williams is the daughter-in-law whose primary interest in her husband's mother has to do with the latter's pension check. Tom Wopat appears briefly as an understanding Texas sheriff. It's a sweet, sassy, funny and often touching character study with fine performances throughout. Ellen I'm jealous about this one. I loved Geraldine Page in the original 1985 movie. It is such a beautiful sensitive story and Cecily Tyson has always been one of my favorite actresses. |
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Post by foxie on Jul 22, 2013 7:40:38 GMT -5
sounds good Ellen!
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Post by mamaleh on Jul 22, 2013 20:40:08 GMT -5
Fern, I'm glad you got to see BOUNTIFUL. It really took me by surprise. But, my bad--I realize in looking over my comments I forgot to mention Condola Rashad as the young traveling companion Cicely Tyson meets on the train. She was very good, too (and will be costarring with Orlando Bloom in a new B'way mounting of ROMEO AND JULIET in a few months).
Ellen
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Post by mamaleh on Aug 16, 2013 8:11:48 GMT -5
More recent theater experiences, ranging from the execrable to the excellent.
NOBODY LOVES YOU was a hilarious musical spoof of "reality" dating shows. Leslie Kritzer shone as the harried producer. Score was pop-rock, nothing memorable but pleasant and appropriate for the show. Rory O'Malley (late of BOOK OF MORMON) all but stole the show as a fanatical fan of the fictitious "Nobody Loves You" TV show.
Made a return visit to THE NANCE for the Actors Fund performance, given that hubby had never seen it and wanted to. Nathan Lane continued to astound: funny, heartbreaking, the full gamut. You forget what an accomplished actor he is. His harrowing penultimate scene, in drag, is burned into my memory.
EINSTEIN: What can I say? If Einstein had truly been this goofy, we would not be in the space age. E=MC squared now means Empty, Mighty Crummy to the Second Power. Oy.
I FORGIVE YOU, RONALD REAGAN is a slightly overly boiled drama about the devastating effects on one family of Reagan's firing of the air traffic controllers in the early '80s. P.J. Benjamin is effective but somewhat over the top as the paterfamilias who has literally lost his mind since the firing. Patricia Richardson of HOME IMPROVEMENT fame is his long-suffering wife. Not a great play, but I was absorbed into the action despite some overacting.
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV, from the Chaim Potok novel, is a well-acted tale of an Orthodox Jewish teen in the 1950s who wants desperately to be an artist, a profession frowned on by his tradition-minded parents. Mark Nelson, whom I've seen in many plays, is a standout in various roles including the disapproving dad.
SOUL DOCTOR: Oy, what can I say? SOUL DOCTOR is in need of a show doctor. The purportedly real-life story of famed singing rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, it's full of cliches and some inadvertently funny dialogue. The music soars at times, but the show is weighed down by poor writing. There's a hippie scene that could have been taken straight from HAIR, complete with long-haired young people pouring into the audience. You can't fault the performances, though. Eric Anderson makes for an earnest, compelling Carlebach, and Amber Iman, the actress playing jazz singer Nina Simone whom Carlebach helped get her first Carnegie Hall gig, is quite effective, too.
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY: It's now in out-of-town tryouts in Williamstown, Mass. I saw it yesterday, and it was worth the nearly 9 hours total hubby and I spent in the car. Great way to celebrate our wedding anniversary! I loved 75 percent of this show. Elena Shaddow, unfortunately, won't be seen in NY (the role was written for Kelli O'Hara who takes over in NY this winter) as the Italian war bride who longs for a more creative, fulfilled life than the one she has as the wife of an Iowa farmer. She was absolutely luminous: gorgeous acting and voice. I'm thrilled that Steven Pasquale, long a favorite of mine, will get the opportunity to finally display his full range of talents on a Broadway stage. As Robert, the photographer who captures not only images but Shaddow's heart, he is magnificent in every respect: acting, physicality and a voice that soars from the lowest to the highest notes. The score is achingly romantic, especially "Falling Into You" and "One Second and a Million Miles."
The show has extraneous moments that I'm fairly sure will be (rightfully) pruned from its nearly 3-hour length before it reaches NY, such as a NINE-like number that takes one out of the show, and several false endings that puzzlingly lead to further "endings" that are likewise followed by more scenes (?!), but overall it is just gorgeous.
In a way I sincerely do hope that HOUDINI, as some have reported, does not make it to Broadway in the upcoming season because I'd be very torn between wanting Hugh and Steven P. to win the Tony. I can't wait to see it again at the Schoenfeld come winter.
I also saw a few New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF) shows. Favorites were CASTLE WALK, GARY GOLDFARB and LEGACY FALLS. Whether any of them will see the light of day in a commercial run is anyone's guess.
Ellen
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alma
Auditioning
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Post by alma on Dec 11, 2013 0:39:01 GMT -5
I just heard Billy Crystal announce on Letterman that his "700 Sundays" is going to be taped!
I am really happy to hear that. I have never been able to see it, and that is one of the few Broadway shows I've felt truly bad about missing. Is anyone else as excited about this as I am?
Ellen, you are our go-to expert on ALL things theatre. I sure would like to read your input.
And does anyone have Billy's Audiobook (taped by HIMSELF in front of a live audience) titled Still Fooling 'Em"? Share your take on both Show and Book!
Alma
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 11, 2013 9:00:33 GMT -5
I saw the original back in the mid 2000s, not this slightly updated version. I'm also happy it's being recorded for HBO. It was a wonderful self portrait--mostly hilarious and often touching. At least when it's available for mass viewing, we'll be able to see Billy do his finale cartwheel! Not bad for a 65-year-old! I haven't experienced the book/audiobook. Recent recommendations: TWELFTH NIGHT left me in giddy joy, even if I hadn't had at the opportunity to chat with Hugh during intermission.  Mark Rylance is probably my favorite stage actor for sheer technical brilliance. How I wish Hugh would do a Shakespeare play; would love to compare apples with apples. And my favorite new-season musical is A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Absolutely delightful fun, even if it does deal with a serial killer (who happens to be likable). It's all done tongue in cheek. Bryce Pinkham is the lovable villain, and Jefferson Mays steals the show as the eight goofy/nasty victims Pinkham must eliminate in oder to assume the title of Earl. Ellen |
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alma
Auditioning
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Post by alma on Dec 11, 2013 14:00:23 GMT -5
As I said, you are our go-to expert for all things theatre. Thank you, Ellen!!! I don't get HBO so I'm hoping the next step is a DVD. I've heard nothing but positive things about Crystal's one-man show. As for the rest of the shows you mention, I can only thank you for sharing... no chance of my catching those! I'm very glad you have the knack of running into celebrities--specially Hugh--and then sharing with us. May you continue to do so!  Alma |
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 11, 2013 14:22:38 GMT -5
From your lips..., as the saying goes. Ellen |
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Post by JH4HJ on Dec 11, 2013 19:48:07 GMT -5
my favorite new-season musical is A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Absolutely delightful fun, even if it does deal with a serial killer (who happens to be likable). It's all done tongue in cheek. Bryce Pinkham is the lovable villain, and Jefferson Mays steals the show as the eight goofy/nasty victims Pinkham must eliminate in order to assume the title of Earl. OMG - a musical play of Kind Hearts And Coronets?!?!  That's certainly what it sounds like. Is this possible? It's one of my fave Alec Guinness movies. It would be wonderful on stage. It would be amazing with some GOOD musical numbers. Is it "modern" or done as a period piece? Yes, the villain is indeed a likeable character (especially for a serial killer  ), but the fun part was always the quirky heirs (all Guinness in the movie). Are they both male and female, as in the film? Without posting any spoilers, just tell me if the ending is the same. I'd really LOVE to see this! |
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 11, 2013 21:53:17 GMT -5
Strictly speaking, it's based on the novel "Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal," because the "Kind Hearts and Coronets" people would not give their permission for their adaptation to be, in turn, adapted for the stage. But it's the same story, yes. The jaunty musical numbers seem like an homage to Gilbert & Sullivan and while not so memorable as G&S pieces, they serve the story well, especially the clever lyrics. Yes, the heirs--the goofy and the nasty--are both male and female. The ending sort of involves the memoir/diary you might remember, but there's a twist; I won't say what so as not to spoil this exhilarating evening of theater. Just a word to the wise: If you see it, be sure to stay through the entire curtain call until the very end.
I hear it's not selling as well as the producers had hoped. I hope it is able to settle in for a good run. I plan to see it again at some point.
Ellen
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Post by foxie on Dec 15, 2013 21:48:26 GMT -5
Went to see Newsies today. Fantastic play and a young Hugh is the leadM
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 16, 2013 9:03:02 GMT -5
Those dancers seem airborne, don't they? Such energy.
Glad you were able to see it.
Ellen
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Post by birchie on Dec 16, 2013 9:38:00 GMT -5
Went to see Newsies today. Fantastic play and a young Hugh is the leadM Carole, can you elaborate on the new Hugh? Maybe someone to watch for in the future! Thanks Sue |
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Post by foxie on Dec 16, 2013 11:49:34 GMT -5
Corey Cott 22 yrs old great singer dancer and actor -naturally I cant find the article tat says he is a young Hugh but he is shorter but handsome and gregarious and I was very impressed!!!!!
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Post by ADMIN on Dec 16, 2013 12:16:55 GMT -5
Corey Cott 22 yrs old great singer dancer and actor -naturally I cant find the article tat says he is a young Hugh but he is shorter but handsome and gregarious and I was very impressed!!!!! Is this the one you mean, foxie?  Full articleI didn't see this cast, but I thoroughly enjoyed the show a couple of years ago. I can't say I walked out humming any of the tunes (and I have not purchased the OCR) but it was definitely some of the best dancing/choreography I've seen on stage in years. The young, male cast is filled with talented performers and some amazing athletes. It's exhausting just to watch them. Short interview with Cory Cott about taking over the role of Jack Here's the Dancing With The Stars performance Different cast, performing on the 2012 Tony Awards show |
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Post by birchie on Dec 16, 2013 19:59:53 GMT -5
Corey Cott 22 yrs old great singer dancer and actor -naturally I cant find the article tat says he is a young Hugh but he is shorter but handsome and gregarious and I was very impressed!!!!! Thanks for the clarification! Didn't know it was Corey you saw. I should have known though but I forgot he's in Newsies. I've watched some videos of him performing & I've seen a couple of interviews. He's definitely someone to watch! Sue |
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jo
Ensemble
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Post by jo on Dec 16, 2013 20:16:49 GMT -5
I've always thought it very interesting that Hugh having a strong presence in non-musical movies makes his being a musical theatre star all the more fascinating! Such versatility is hard to equal in the entertainment world. Plus his personality is refreshing ( which makes him a very good entertainment host, in addition to his triple-threat talent) and when you listen to him in interviews, there are always facets that adds even more curiousity to the kind of a person that he is!
Not to diss anyone -- but in this sense, Hugh Jackman is really one of a kind!
Back to NEWSIES - I wonder what made Christian Bale turn away from musical theatre? I still have the DVD with him in the lead role in the film version.
Jo
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 17, 2013 0:21:08 GMT -5
A lot of actors simply don't like or don't feel comfortable in musicals. Bale is one of them. From what I've come to understand, Bale was contracted to the Disney movie before it became a musical When it did, he felt had to honor his contract. His antipathy toward musicals is shared by Colin Hanks (Tom's son from his first marriage). At his acceptance speech as one of the winners at the 2005 Theatre World Awards, CH admitted he doesn't like musicals, period. (He won for his B'way debut in 33 VARIATIONS, a straight play.)
Ellen
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 5, 2014 7:57:59 GMT -5
Recent favorite of all I've seen lately: BEAUTIFUL, the Carole King musical. It's jukebox style, basically the distaff version of JERSEY BOYS--and will, I think, become almost as big a hit. The book is often witty and the story propels itself forward effectively. The place was packed yesterday and it hasn't even officially opened yet. Jessie Mueller, who stole the show from Connick et. al. in the otherwise abysmal ON A CLEAR DAY "revisal," is wonderful as the famed singer-songwriter who blossoms from a self-effacing teen who wants only to write, not perform, to one of the best-selling artists of all time. Besides the hit pop-rock songs she wrote with husband Gerry Goffin ("Will You Love Me Tomorrow?", "The Loco-motion"), the show is also sprinkled with tunes by the team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil ("Walkin' in the Rain", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"). Jarrod Spector very nearly steals the show at times with his funny performance as Mann, a world-class hypochondriac. It's a show for everyone, but especially boomers and boomer wanna-bes.
Ellen
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Post by foxie on Jan 5, 2014 8:48:33 GMT -5
Sounds great!!!
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Post by foxie on Jan 5, 2014 9:00:57 GMT -5
Corey Cott 22 yrs old great singer dancer and actor -naturally I cant find the article tat says he is a young Hugh but he is shorter but handsome and gregarious and I was very impressed!!!!! Is this the one you mean, foxie? Full articleI didn't see this cast, but I thoroughly enjoyed the show a couple of years ago. I can't say I walked out humming any of the tunes (and I have not purchased the OCR) but it was definitely some of the best dancing/choreography I've seen on stage in years. The young, male cast is filled with talented performers and some amazing athletes. It's exhausting just to watch them. Short interview with Cory Cott about taking over the role of Jack Here's the Dancing With The Stars performance Different cast, performing on the 2012 Tony Awards show |
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Post by foxie on Jan 5, 2014 9:02:14 GMT -5
thanks so much !!!I am just seeing this I still don't get my bookmarks etc but it is him and he was terrifif thanks for this!!!!HAPPY nEW yEAR!!
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Post by ADMIN on Jan 5, 2014 18:52:02 GMT -5
thanks so much !!!I am just seeing this I still don't get my bookmarks etc but it is him and he was terrifif thanks for this!!!!HAPPY nEW yEAR!! My surmise - you have scads of threads bookmarked (most of them concerning news about Hugh), but Theater Opinions/Commentary is not one of your bookmarks, hence no email alert for new posts on this thread. |
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Post by foxie on Jan 6, 2014 12:22:04 GMT -5
yesterday I think I bookmarked everything I hope so!!
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Post by ADMIN on Jan 6, 2014 13:34:49 GMT -5
yesterday I think I bookmarked everything I hope so!! All 260+ threads??!!?? OY! - - To each his (her) own. Remember, you're still only going to get an alert for the first new post on each thread until you sign in again. |
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Thanks to a contest, I won tickets to a play I hadn't given much thought to seeing. But THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL turned out to be a smile-inducing evening at the theater. I could not get over how 80-something Cicely Tyson not only memorized all those lines but also engaged in a lot of physical bits that would have left me tired. Go, Cicely! I'd never seen any previous treatment of the story, which concerns an elderly woman who wants to see her birthplace hundreds of miles away before she dies. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is the son who tries to dissuade her, and Vanessa Williams is the daughter-in-law whose primary interest in her husband's mother has to do with the latter's pension check. Tom Wopat appears briefly as an understanding Texas sheriff. It's a sweet, sassy, funny and often touching character study with fine performances throughout. 
Mark Rylance is probably my favorite stage actor for sheer technical brilliance. How I wish Hugh would do a Shakespeare play; would love to compare apples with apples. And my favorite new-season musical is A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Absolutely delightful fun, even if it does deal with a serial killer (who happens to be likable). It's all done tongue in cheek. Bryce Pinkham is the lovable villain, and Jefferson Mays steals the show as the eight goofy/nasty victims Pinkham must eliminate in oder to assume the title of Earl. 
That's certainly what it sounds like. Is this possible? It's one of my fave Alec Guinness movies. It would be wonderful on stage. It would be amazing with some GOOD musical numbers. Is it "modern" or done as a period piece? Yes, the villain is indeed a likeable character (especially for a serial killer 
), but the fun part was always the quirky heirs (all Guinness in the movie). Are they both male and female, as in the film? Without posting any spoilers, just tell me if the ending is the same. I'd really LOVE to see this!
