Broadway
She Says: Head Over Heels Which Way is Up?
The new musical Head Over Heelsis indulgently directed by Michael Mayer, who has created an over-the-top fantasia. On the plus side, the music of The Go-Go’s is well sung and for once with an authentic pop sound thanks to the musical supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tom Kitt. This show has one of the best drummers I have ever heard, thanks to Dena Tauriello. The problem is, you will not want to equate the music with this storyline.
Head Over Heelshas an abundance of energy and this could have been a really fun show. Jeff Whitty’s original book, later adapted by James Magruder and lightly based on Sir Philip Sidney’s 16th The Arcadia, has been remade to make everything seem like something else, but with gay, transgender, and non-binary connotations, with the straight people considered outdated. This wouldn’t be so disappointing if the dialogue was witty or served a purpose.
Peppermint Photo by Joan Marcus
The show starts off with a zany version of “We Got the Beat,” which is what the land of Arcadia is known for. The choreography by Spencer Liff and costumes by Arianne Phillips standout and we think we are in for a fascinating show, but everything just goes over-the-top and too far. The King of Arcadia (a vocally fabulous Jeremy Kushnier) is summoned by the Oracle of Delphi (Peppermint, the drag queen and the first transgender woman to originate a principal role in a Broadway musical) for a word. The prophecy the Oracle gives is; “Thy younger daughter brings a liar to bed/He thou shalt forbid; she he’ll then assume! Thy elder daughter shall consent to wed; She’ll consummate her love—but with no groom! Thou with thy wife (Rachel York) adult’ry shall commit. You will meet and make way for a better King.” The King, along with Dametas, the King’s viceroy (Tom Alan Robbins), devise a plan to flee as to evade the prediction.
Alexandra Socha, Andrew Durand Photo by Joan Marcus
His daughters have plans of their own. The youngest, Philoclea (Alexandra Socha), considered plain by her family, whose friendship to her childhood friend, the poor shepherd Musidorus (Andrew Durand), has blossomed into something more. Out of duty, she has turned down his marriage proposal. When the family flees, Musidorus is told by the Oracle to dress as an Amazon to gain Philoclea’s love. When “Cleophila” comes to the camp as the Amazon, everyone falls for her.
Taylor Iman Jones and cast Photo by Joan Marcus
Philoclea’s sister, Pamela (Bonnie Milligan), is vain and cares for Mopsa (Taylor Iman Jones), her lady-in-waiting, but can’t admit it. As the show progresses, Pamela and Mopsa succumb when they think Philoclea and Cleophila play for the same team.
In the end, lovers unite and the #MeToo movement gets a say as Musidorus, having grown attached to his female alter-ego, decides she gets to stay.
Bonnie Milligan Photo by Joan Marcus
Milligan is hilarious as she absolutely believes in her right to have anything and anyone she wants. Her vocals kick into high gear with “How Much More”. Milligan and Jones also shine in “Automatic Rainy Day”.
Rachel York, Jeremy Kushnier Photo by Joan Marcus
to Lesbos and the female cast members act as fish. “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” turns into a shadow screen orgy, but it is so over-the-top and in the end, just way too much.
Head Over Heels: Hudson Theatre, 141 West 44th St.
Here is the amazing cast of Spamalot. Christopher Fitzgerald as Patsy, James Monroe Iglehart as King Arthur, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as The Lady of the Lake, Ethan Slater as The Historian/Prince Herbert, Jimmy Smagula as Sir Bedevere, Michael Urie as Sir Robin, Nik Walker as Sir Galahad andTaran Killam as Lancelot.
I was so inspired I drew the whole cast.
To read T2C’s review click here.
Art
Ahead of the Broadway Opening of Lempicka The Longacre Theatre Is Showcasing Art Work By Tamara de Lempicka
The Longacre Theatre (220 W 48th St.), soon-to-be home of the sweeping new musical, Lempicka, is showcasing a curated selection of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka’s most famous works. Eschewing traditional theatrical front-of-house advertising, the Longacre’s façade now boasts prints, creating a museum-quality exhibition right in the heart of Times Square. The musical opens on Broadway on April 14, 2024 at the same venue.
The Longacre’s outdoor exhibition includes works of Self Portrait (Tamara in a Green Bugatti) (1929), Young Girl in Green (1927), Nu Adossé I (1925), The Red Tunic (1927), The Blue Scarf (1930), The Green Turban (1930), Portrait of Marjorie Ferry (1932), Portrait of Ira P. (1930), Portrait of Romana de la Salle (1928), and Adam and Eve (1932).
Starring Eden Espinosa and directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, Lempicka features book, lyrics, and original concept by Carson Kreitzer, book and music by Matt Gould, and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.
Spanning decades of political and personal turmoil and told through a thrilling, pop-infused score, Lempicka boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come.
Young Girl in Green painted by Tamara de Lempicka (1927). Oil on plywood.