Tony Award Nominations Tomorrow

I didn't see much this season, but I saw some good stuff and here are my picks for show that should be nominated.

Hair
Next to Normal
Desire Under the Elms
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Billy Elliot
reasons to be pretty

Hair Open on Broadway, Tonight

One of my favorite shows, but not sure if I will see it. Part envy and part I've seen it about four times! I just had to give a shout out!

Off Broadway Shines

Wow I don't remember the last time there was so much theatre written by black folk that was being staged at the same time. Outside of Hedda Gabbler (with Mary Louise Parker) it's the only reason I have to see the theatre. Everything else out there seems forgettable. Here's my list.


Ruined by Lynn Nottage
I love this playwright. She wrote of my favorite plays of this decade Intimate Apparell. Her stories are like fabric. Woven with care and attention to detail. I can't wait to see it.

The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson
Don't know much about it, but it has quite a buzz going about it.


Inked Baby by Christina Anderson
Sounds like a good drama! More melodramatic, but at least black people aren't dancing and singing. I like singing and dancing, but it's great to see a variety of artistic expression.

Back, Back, Back

As someone who likes to write, I wonder how some playwrights get their work produced. Most do because of their "name" or last great play. That must be the case when it comes to "Back, Back, Back".

I enjoyed his last play "The Four of Us" about two friends both writers who advanced in their careers. One with lots of monetary success and the other with not as much. It was poignant. That's the reason I jumped on the chance to check out the final dress of this show.

I went into this show blind and left with not much information. Here's my take.

Player #1 took steroids (drug enhancements) to stay on the top
Player #2 took too much became hostile and disgruntled
Player #3 rookie player bound to follow the others and start using to get on the top

Not much else happened. The dialog was smart at points, but I felt it was "smart" for smarts sake. Nothing moved the plot along. Note to playwrights: Stop holding your audience hostage for 90 minutes without giving them a break. That holds especially true when there isn't much cause and effect in your play. The play was approximately one hour and forty five minutes long. Too, too long!

I think there could be a good narrative in the subject matter, but for two hours I think it was lost in Itamar Moses' "smart" dialog and character archetypes. I'll still go and see his next play though. One play does not a playwright make.

A good story does...

Rent on Broadway

I'd be sad if I didn't say good bye to the show that was my introduction to Broadway! I'll miss you.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love

I Got Life

Hair is one of my favorite musicals. I met some great people while doing the show in Brooklyn. I saw this production last summer in Central Park and I plan to see it again soon. Good Times!

Wish me luck!

It still rings true today. All of our voices today can make a difference! Stand up for what you believe in!

Broadway Grosses for Last Week

When you see a show below 50% capacity, that's not a good sign. The ones I've seen are in bold. I'm seeing A Chorus Line Friday night. The 2nd column is the weekly gross, 3rd is the average ticket price and the last column is the percentage of seats filled.

A Catered Affair	$291,282	$55.28	70.6%
A Chorus Line	$505,730	$68.57	86.2%
August: Osage County	$550,495	$85.31	82.4%
Avenue Q	$317,522	$64.71	77.1%
Boeing-Boeing	$474,393	$66.04	83.4%
Chicago	$551,427	$69.47	91.9%
Cirque…Fantasy	$554,145	$56.36	70.6%
Grease	$682,087	$83.54	95.2%
Gypsy	$792,415	$73.69	78.7%
Hairspray	$713,123	$66.94	93.3%
In the Heights	$1,004,285	$94.19	99.2%
Jersey Boys	$1,129,029	$114.59	100.8%
Legally Blonde	$851,934	$67.70	93.0%
Mamma Mia!	$1,022,164	$83.80	101.8%
Mary Poppins	$977,652	$71.99	94.5%
Rent	$483,938	$65.96	77.7%
South Pacific	$905,905	$108.95	99.8%
Spamalot	$635,392	$66.65	82.7%
Spring Awakening	$463,224	$66.62	79.7%
The 39 Steps	$258,459	$55.91	73.4%
The Lion King	$1,324,314	$100.08	100.0%
The Little Mermaid	$1,153,710	$94.48	100.6%
The Phantom of the Opera	$915,177	$70.78	100.0%
Thurgood	$241,534	$59.52	65.0%
[title of show]	$162,682	$42.97	51.3%
Wicked	$1,522,686	$105.22	100.0%
Xanadu	$241,048	$68.50	73.8%

That Damn Yankee...Cheyenne

If you've read previous posts you know I love Cheyenne Jackson. He's got a great presence on stage and he's not too bad to look at either. NY Times was kind, but not gushy about it and for once I completely agree. It was a great evening, but I didn't have the same reaction like I did with Gypsy last summer, but it was a great evening. If you're in town, go see it for Cheyenne!

Lin-Manuel Miranda

He's an inspiration for me now. He didn't wait for a show to cast him. He created a story, found a group of collaborators and won a Tony Award on Sunday (Okay, there's a lot in between). Playbill did a "cue & a" with him. Click the title for the entire article. Here's my favorite questions



Zodiac sign: Capricorn (I'm sure he knew this would happen)

MAC or PC? Mac, ever since Apple IIGS, baby!

How you got your Equity card: In the Heights, baby

Sunday in the Park with George- Tony Awards 2008

I weep when I hear this song! I love Stephen Sondheim.

'In the Heights' - 2008 Tony Awards Performance - 96000

The Tony Journey

Unlike other years, I wasn't as excited about this years Tonys. Last year I was all about Spring Awakening (it really touched me).

This years the best play was locked with August: Osage County. I have to say it was one of best plays I've seen in years with some of the best ensemble acting I've seen in a while. It was raw, exposed and filled with so many layers that by the famous table scene you're just in awe at what's said. More importantly it started in Chicago by a popular theatre company (Steppenwolf) and transferred to Broadway! It's those stories that you want to hear come Tony time. In fact, this year is all about the journey to Broadway and the Tonys.

Passing Strange was another show that's been in the workshop phase for a little bit. From Berkley Rep in California (2006) to the Belasco Theatre (2008). The show has an all black cast, but not when it first started. All lot can happen before a show ends up on Broadway. This show has a special place in my heart because it's about a black man from a middle class background who's on a search about what it means to be a black man. That's significant because most shows marginalize the black experience to being on drugs, a gangster, or slave. This show shoves all that in your face and says the black man's experience can be as varied and textured as any other group. For that it alone should have one the Tony.

The dark horse and funniest of the shows nominated was Xanadu. If you come to NYC and don't want to see August or Passing Strange see Xanadu. It's 90 minutes of absolute fun! If you don't know the movie, don't worry Douglas Carter Beane's book is well written and will have you laughing out loud (unless you have no sense of humor). I want to see it again, but with my time to limited I need to see other things (39 Steps).

I didn't see "In the Heights" (I just can't see everything), but a group of friends and I are going as soon as we get our schedules together. My expectations are high, so it better be good!

My congrats to the winners! Let the new plays and musicals begin! Unfortunately the Brits are at it again with Billy Elliot!

The Tonys are coming...

Watch this, it's so funny!!

My New Favorite Playwright

I saw Four of Us on Sunday and really enjoyed it. He definitely speaks to my generation and that was very comforting. Lots of times plays speak to the baby boomers. This afternoon I thought I'd check out what Itamar Moses looked like (I was curious) Loe and behold...

He's beautiful...

Yeah I know it's shallow, but at least I saw his play first!

Brick on a Hot Tin Stage

Now, I was already going to see this but now I have to see the headliner (Terrance Howard, bottom) and the understudy (Boris Kodjoe, top).

Just beautiful.

525,600...moments of Love

Rent is closing June 1st!

The first show I saw on Broadway is closing! It will be the seventh longest running show in Broadway history.

Back in 1996 after the show won the Tony and was hot hot hot, B and I came up to New York to see it. I camped out all night at 41st street in Times Square to get our tickets and it was so worth it. I cried, laughed and hummed (lightly) along to one of my favorite songs, "Seasons of Love".

I guess now I can look forward to seeing it in community theatres and high schools.

Goodbye Rent! There will never be another like you!

Chaka and BeBe in The Color Purple

I missed to Fantasia, so I may see this one! Chaka looks good. Look as Miss Patti! Love her!

Se, jie...

or Lust, Caution

I saw this movie Tuesday night and loved it. I walked in thinking I would be seeing a soft core porn movie and yes, there was lots of sex. Sex that furthered the plot, which is the best kind.

Without giving away too much, who would have thought the show centered around a company of actors. Thumbs up!!

Ang Lee is a master of establishing relationships, through his sense of detail. He's also an gifted storyteller, which is the most important part to being a director for me. The writer's vision has to be communicated to an audience and that's the director's job. An exceptional director will peal back layer after layer organically, revealing a wonder work of art. Mr. Lee is one of my favorite actors. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to the masterpiece Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee show's how it's supposed to be done. If it wasn't for my other favorite director (Tim Burton) releasing a movie based on my favorite musical of all time I would say he should win the Best Director Oscar again.

Sweeney Todd Premiere

This is for you B. We all know that Johnny Depp is starring in the title role, but who would have known that one of the best villians on TV today was at the premiere in New York.

Why wasn't I invited...lol


We can't forget Cheyenne!

The master himself, Stephen Sondheim.

Bobby Cannavale

I'm surprised it took me so long to give a "shout out" to this dude. He's currently on Broadway in Mauritus. I won't get a chance to see but at least I can glance at this picture from the Advocate's October 23rd issue.