Broadway
He Says: Broadway’s Burn This Flickers Moderately Against the Cold Draft of Loss.
A brilliant young male dancer has died. Tragically. In a freak boating accident with his lover Dom at the beginning of Lanford Wilson’ Burn This currently being revived at the beautiful Hudson Theatre on Broadway. We learn this from his two close friends and roommates, Anna and Larry, played with a compelling camaraderie by Keri Russell (Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig, FX’s ‘The Americans‘) and Brandon Uranowitz (Broadway’s Falsettos). They are curled up sweetly on an old couch in their spectacular loft apartment in New York City, a flat that I couldn’t help but be envious of, especially with those windows and that view. Everything was wrong with the funeral, she says, having ventured out-of-state to attend the event, particularly after finding herself being cast by the family as the grieving widowed girl friend. “Those people“, she cries, “didn’t even know him“. “They never even saw him dance” she adds. and Robbie, the unseen ghost that haunts their expansive studio, she says, would have hated it all.
I, on the other hand, didn’t hate it all; the revival, that is. It’s not a perfect rendering, but with Adam Driver (Broadway’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Spike Lee’s “BlacKKKlansman“) as Pale, the evening is thrilling, and the conversations on fire. He’s as compelling and fascinating as you would hope, but with Anna in the arms of Russell, working a bit too hard as if someone told her to remember to project and enunciate, which she does, in abundance, one-third of the love triangle +1 feels unsteady and off track. It’s missing the firecracker feminine flame to keep the candle flickering bright, leaving the note crumbled, but not burnt.
As directed with comic openness and elasticity by Michael Mayer (Broadway’s Head over Heels, Hedwig), the band of four are forced by tragedy to find a way to make sense of their enmeshed lives by untangling their identities and complicated emotional relationships. Russell’s Anna and Uranowitz’s Larry have undeniable kinship chemistry, with Uranowitz stealing the focus with every perfectly attuned line spoken. He’s on gay-fire with his comic and emotional timing, playing the roommate/friend part to perfection without overselling it and falling into the trap of insulting stereotypes.
Russell on the other hand, looking gorgeous in costumes by Clint Ramos (Broadway’s Once on this Island) giving us ‘sexy as hell’ with that great gravely voice, feels a bit stifled and awkwardly straight-forward, never finding the authenticity in her vodka glass. It’s a shame, as she has a great David Furr (Roundabout’s Noises Off) to bounce off of as the longterm boyfriend, Burton, as privileged as a man could be. His loss is as surprising and as cutting as theirs, messing with his understanding of the world, possibly in a way he has needed to happen for far too long. The men around Russell are making all this dramatic redesigning look easy, especially Driver, who scores at every pitch and fall. He’s forceful and unhinged, both emotionally and dramatically. And even though his part is a dream of inconsistencies and manic play, Driver finds some compelling and unique dynamics to dig in to, sadly, making Russell’s choices pale in comparison to his Pale.
Lanford Wilson’s (Fifth of July) icon play first opened Off-Broadway on February 19, 1987 at Theatre 890 directed by Marshall W. Mason, with a cast that featured such powerhouses as Joan Allen, John Malkovich, Jonathan Hogan, and Lou Liberatore. That production sits in my mind as one of those theatrical moments that I wish I had been around to see. I was in New York City for the play’s revival in 2002 at the Union Square Theatre featuring Edward Norton, Catherine Keener, Ty Burrell, and Dallas Roberts; Wow, is all I can say. Sadly, I was too confused and enthusiastically stupid to have made it there. I have the slightest memory of my friend suggesting it, somewhat, although in that memory I thought it was with Rául Esparza who starred (now he’d be a treat in the Pale part). What a firework show that would have been. Take your pick which, but to see those actors as these characters falter and form, dancing the dance of death and grief, reborn into change and enlightenment, through pain, hurt, loneliness, and love, would have been, I image, as gorgeously captivating as that apartment.
Figuring it all out within that beautiful dance studio of a flat in downtown Manhattan, courtesy of the amazing scenic designer Derek McLane (Boston/Broadway Bound Moulin Rouge!), with picture perfect lighting by Natasha Katz (Broadway’s The Prom), and solid sound by David Van Tieghem (Broadway’s Heisenberg), these three invigorating men and one determined woman try to find that cold blast of air from those windows to pull them out of their grief, shock, and stuck-ness. Within that battle, courtesy of some solid fight directing by S. Steven White (Broadway’s The Pirate Queen), Anna and crew find direction and clarity through action and frustration. It’s subtle and not fully fleshed out or convincing by all accounts, especially in the dance of this particular Anna and her incredibly powerful Pale, but the moves are felt throughout regardless, and change seeps in through the window cracks to enliven their souls.
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The cast of Ossie Davis’s 961 satire Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, is helmed by Leslie Odom Jr. as a conniving preacher with a conscience and made into comic genius by Kara Young. This revival brings humor against a prejudice South whose injustices were a crime against humanity. They say that all good comedy is bore out of pain and this show aims to fight historic injustice with laughter.
Leslie Odom, Jr Photo by Marc J. Franklin
The play tells the fictional story of Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson (Leslie Odom, Jr.), a dynamic traveling preacher who has returned to his hometown in rural Georgia, to save his small hometown church Big Bethel. He left due to a brutal whipping by the land owner Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee (Jay O. Sanders) twenty years, but has come back to save his church, and emancipate the cotton pickers who work on oppressive Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee’s plantation. He has brought with him Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins (the adorable Kara Young), to impersonate his long-lost cousin, Bee, and trick Ol’ Cap’n into handing over a five-hundred-dollar inheritance that he owes the family.
Kara Young Photo by Marc J. Franklin
To pull off this scheme he needs the help of his sister-in-law Missy (Heather Alicia Simms) and his brother, Gitlow (Billy Eugene Jones) who is the Cap’n’s main singing and shuffling work hand.
Kara Young and Heather Alicia Simms Photo by Marc J. Franklin
However thanks to another Black member of Ol’ Cap’n’s household Idella (Vanessa Bell Calloway), who raised Ol’ Cap’n’s son, Charlie (Noah Robbins), as if he were her own, does the church and Purlie get saved with a brave act of defiance.
Noah Robbins and Vanessa Bell Calloway Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Davis wrote and performed this play at the height of the Civil Rights Era, when Martin Luther King, Jr. words were having an impact. He even attended the show.
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Kenny Leon keeps this show at a fast pace, with wit and sarcastic humor abounding. He brings his exceptional cast to peak performances. Odom, Jr. (Hamilton’s original Aaron Burr), inhabits this preacher with conviction, fighting for justice and the rights of his people. Jones (Fat Ham and On Sugarland), brings a charm to Gitlow as he embodies those who had to bow low just to survive. Simms and Calloway ground the show with warmth and maternal longing. O. Sanders plays the Cap’n looking like a Tall Colonel Sanders, but sounding like Foghorn Leghorn. He is as amusing, as frightening as it is to look at the past. Playing his son, Robbins offers the hope of seeing and righting the wrongs. But it is Young (Cost of Living, Clyde’s) who walks away with her remarkable performance. Completely and utterly in love with Purlie, Young is a whirlwind of emotions and physical comedy. She is big and broad, all in one petite compact body. When she comes to tell of the misjustice done to her by the Cap’n she has us in the palms of her hands.
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Purlie in a word is victorious.
Kara Young, Heather Alicia Simms, Leslie Odom, Jr., Vanessa Bell Calloway, Billy Eugene Jones, and Noah Robbins Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, Music Box Theatre, 239 West 45th Street, until January 7th.
We told you how the cast and creative’s met the press. Then we played you some of the songs from the show. Today we’ll introduce you to the cast.
Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman
First up The Harmonists; Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey
The vocally winning Sierra Boggess was next on our list.
Chip Zien and director/choreographer Warren Carlyle shared insights.
Finally Julie Benko, Allison Semmes and Andrew O’Shanick.
Harmony begins previews at the Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.
Oscar and Grammy winner Melissa Etheridge’s autobiographical musical My Window is an informative, riveting, raw, intimate and musically thrilling alsmost 3 hours of entertainment. With 22 albums to her name, Etheridge is a female rock goddess and is on par with Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Ann Wilson, Grace Slick, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry and the incomparable Janis Joplin.
I originally saw this show when it opened at New World Stages almost a year ago and Etheridge’s theatrical solo show has only gotten better and tighter. She invites theatergoers into an exhilarating evening of storytelling and music. Starting with her birth, we learn about her childhood in Kansas, groundbreaking career highlights, coming out, her lovers, the drugs she has taken, her spiritual journey, her wives, her kids, cancer and what makes Melissa who she is. She is charming, revealing, illuminating as she bares her heart & soul to all who attend.
Photo by Jenny Anderson
In between learning about this bluesy warrior are her confessional lyrics, the raspy, smoky vocals and classics numbers like “Like The Way I Do,” “Twisted Off To Paradise,”“I’m the Only One,” “Come to My Window,” “I Want to Come Over”.
Photo by Jenny Anderson
Winning a tiny trophy gave way to winning a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocalist in 1998 and again in 1995. Before that in 1993 Etheridge came out publicly, early on in her career. In 2005 Etheridge took the Grammy stage after having cancer to join in a tribute to Janis Joplin. She appeared hairless. Etheridge also won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2007 for “I Need To Wake Up” for the film “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Photo by Jenny Anderson
It turns out Etheridge has always loved musical theatre, as she treated us to a wonderful rendition of “On Broadway.” She did make her Broadway debut in a weeklong stint as St. Jimmy in Green Day’s American Idiot in 2011, but she doesn’t talk about that.
Melissa Etheridge My Window, is wonderfully is written by Etheridge with additional material by Linda Wallem-Etheridge (“Nurse Jackie” showrunner, “That ’70s Show”). The direction by Amy Tinkham is succent and well done.
Everything about this production is well done from the scenic design by Bruce Rodgers, lighting design by Abigail Rosen Holmes, fabulous projection design by Olivia Sebesky and the sound design by Shannon Salmon, which keeps this show clear and clean.
Kate Owens is hysterical as the Roadie/ Stage Manager. This little girl is a star in the making with her rubber face and facial expressions galore. She adds to this show immensely and I definitely want to see more of what she can do.
This is a must see show for anyone LGBTQIA. The message is positive and life affirming. This is a women who owns her talent, charisma and choices, which makes this a joy to watch.
Photo by Jenny Anderson
Melissa Etheridge My Window: Circle In The Square, 235 West 50th Street. Closes November 19th.
Yesterday we told you how the cast and creative’s met the press.
The cast and creatives
In today’s edition hear director Warren Carlyle, Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman describe their show.
Then it was a treat as the cast sang 5 songs from the show. Including “Harmony,” Hungarian Rhapsody,” “Where You Go’ and “Stars in the Night.”
Hear The Harmonists Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey, along with Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess and Julie Benko.
The hit song of the show will be the gorgeous ballad “Every Single Day” sung by Danny Kornfeld.
Harmony begins previews at the Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.
Photo’s by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
G.H. Harding
JESSE L MARTIN — We caught the debut of Jesse L. Martin’s The Irrational Monday night and really enjoyed it. I’ve been aware of Jesse since his role in Broadway’s Rent and he’s really tremendous. He was great on Law & Order as Ed Green (10 years and 9 seasons); and his role on the CW’s The Flash (as Joe West) was simply terrific.
The show, based on the book by Dan Ariely and created by Arika Mittman, certainly reminds one of The Mentalist or Instinct. This first case isn’t wondrous by any means, but Martin’s charisma carries it all through.
Lauren Holly (NCIS) is in it too, thought her one-scene was over and out in a flash.
I hear the third episode of the show is magnificent, so stay tuned. Don Johnson said many years ago that Don Johnson was made for TV … so is Martin!
Will Swenson and Neil Diamond
SWENSON OUT — (per Deadline) Will Swenson will play his final performance as Neil Diamond in Broadway’s A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical on Sunday, Oct. 29, producers announced today.
A replacement for the starring role will be announced at a future date.
“It’s been the thrill of a lifetime to get to stand in Neil’s shoes,” Swenson said in a statement. “It’s been such an incredible honor to get to know Neil, to tell his powerful story, and bring his amazing songs to Broadway audiences every night. I’m immensely proud of the moving, beautiful show we made. I will miss it very much.”
A reason for Swenson’s departure was not disclosed, but his planned departure date suggests a year-long contract coming to a close: He and the bio-musical began previews at the Broadhurst Theatre last Nov. 2 (official opening was Dec. 4).
“Making A Beautiful Noise with Will Swenson was a deep and wonderful experience,” said director Michael Mayer. “The true affection he has for Neil’s work and life is palpable in every aspect of his tremendous performance. I will miss him terribly, of course, but will always treasure our time together, and very much look forward to the next show we do.”
Swenson has been one of Broadway’s go-to leading men since his breakthrough performance in 2009’s Hair, and he has since starred on the New York stage in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Little Miss Sunshine, Waitress and Assassins, among many other shows.
In addition to Swenson, the cast of A Beautiful Noise features a principal cast of Mark Jacoby as the aged Neil Diamond, Robyn Hurder and Shirine Babb.
The musical includes a score of Diamond’s hits, a book by Anthony McCarten, direction by Mayer, and choreography by Steven Hoggett.
He’s pretty tremendous as Diamond. I didn’t see the show straight away, but absolutely loved it when I did. His exit of kind of short notice … but let’s see what happens.
SHORT TAKES — How about those snappy new graphics for NBC’s Today Show. Introduced a week ago, they certainly look more relevant and certainly more fun. They did the same for Nightly News a week ago. Per TVNewser:The network said the decision to unveil a new logo and graphics for Nightly was made as a way of appealing to younger viewers who primarily consume news using digital media. It’s safe to assume is true for Today, the youngest-skewing of the linear morning shows that boasts a robust digital presence. Here’s their whole story:
The Rolling Stones
The next Rolling Stones single, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” is tremendous. Mick hasn’t sounded this good in years and Lady Gaga is an added treat. Magnificent! Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEJd5xtbEPY …
Donnie Kehr
Donnie Kehr and Cori Gardner’s Rockers On Broadway (their 30th edition) is coming up on Monday, October 16 at SONY Hall.
Debbie Gibson
Joining honoree Melissa Etheridge will be KT Tunstall and Debbie Gibson, Simon Kirke, Dan Finnerty and Ty Taylor … Happy Bday Chuck Taylor!
NAMES IN THE NEWS –— Anthony Noto; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Paul Lester; Ian Harrison; Magda Katz; Pete Townshend; Miko Blanco; Brad LeBeau; Mal Evans; Derek Taylor; Andrew Sandoval; Rick Rubin; Bill Adler; Cory Robbins; Manny Bella; Race Taylor; Scott Shannon; Buddy Blanch; Steve Walter; Benny Harrison; and BELLA!
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