TWO QUICK TRIPS EAST
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER, 2013
In November and December, 2013, Bob and I took two quick
trips to Washington (November) and New York (November-December) to catch some shows. The impetus
for the Washington trip was to catch a performance of the Broadway-bound If/Then starring Idina Menzel in her
first Broadway appearance in almost a decade. Going to a benefit for Broadway
Cares/Equity Fights AIDS was the reason, not that we ever need a reason,
we journeyed to New York on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In addition to If/Then and the benefit, we saw two
outstanding new plays and two fun new musicals.
Since If/Then is
one of this season's most highly-anticipated musicals, let's chat about that
first.
November, 2013. Second preview performance. Confusing, very
confusing, storytelling that had us and, according to overheard snippets of
conversation, others bewildered. And that is a major problem because if your
audience can't follow what's happening onstage, it's really hard to get
involved with the characters. In their follow-up show to the absolutely amazing
Next to Normal, creators Brian Yorkey
and Tom Kitt give us a decidedly mixed bag. Book writer Yorkey offers the
tantalizing concept of if you go down this path, the results are "A,"
but if you go down this other path, the results are "B," hence the
title If/Then. (Sort of a companion
to Follies' "The Road You Didn't
Take."). The problem was that I was never quite sure if the show was on
Path A or Path B. And, why, why does the plot involve urban planning?
What does that have to do with if A, then B? The score by Yorkey (lyrics) and
Kitt (music) is mostly solid with a kickass 11:00 number for the leading lady
and a totally fabulous comedy number, "What the Fuck?"
But, justified or not, the selling factor, the reason bums
are in seats, is not due to the presence of the Pultizer Prize-winning Yorkey
and Kitt, but due to the presence of its leading lady in her first Broadway
appearance in nearly a decade, Tony-winner Idina Menzel. First of all, let me state
unequivocally that I think Menzel is a terrific singer. She knows how to
interpret and phrase lyrics and she knows how to shade a song musically. For
proof, I offer her 11:00 number (song titles not listed in the program since
the show was in tryout mode) which was absolutely thrilling and her deft comic
chops in "What the Fuck?" As an actress, however, she's not quite as
impressive. Keep in mind that If/Then
is only her third Broadway show.
She's been away from the stage for a number of years. While always competent,
she was frequently tentative, as if she didn't totally trust her instincts or
trust the director's guidance, and, frankly, just not a very exciting actor. It
was a star turn without much star power, at least at the performance I saw. And how you respond to Menzel's character largely depends, I believe, on how
willing you are to accept that Menzel's character has a PhD in urban planning.
I didn't quite buy it. No reflection on Menzel's intelligence, but she just
didn't come across as a sharp academic. (In the same category, but not quite as
unbelievable as Cameron Diaz as a surgeon in the overrated "Something
About Mary" or Dyan Cannon as a judge in "Ally McBeal.) Don't shoot
the messenger, but the story would have been better served had co-star LaChanze
and Mendel switched roles.
And speaking of LaChanze… She was a marvel to behold, as
always, lit up the stage whenever she was on and easily overshadowed Menzel
whenever the two appeared together. And, no, LaChanze was not doing this
deliberately. Her stage presence and confidence is just more powerful, at least
at this stage of the If/Then game, than
Menzel's. Third-billed Anthony Rapp was saddled with the evening's worst song,
a paean to the romance of buildings or something like that (it didn't make much
sense and went on forever), and his role as an urban activist who has
apparently no discernible source of income, and if he does, I missed it, and
lives as a squatter in buildings that the city urban politicos want to tear down,
could easily be his character in Rent
twenty years later. Jason Tam, Jenn Colella and especially the engaging James
Snyder all provided solid support. The talented ensemble was misused in some of
the worst musical staging I've seen in a long time. Expensive and cool set.
Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. One of the great regional theatres in the country.
November, 2013. Funny. Intense. Funny. Heartbreakingly
intense. Devastating. Disturbing. This new play by Paul Downs Colazzio in its
world premiere production was involving and never dull. Signature clearly spent
big bucks on the impressive physical production. Michael Kahn directed a
superlative ensemble cast: Wayne Duvall, Anthony Bowden, Christopher McFarland
and especially Christine Lahti in a superbly acted and nuanced portrayal of a
woman whose world collapses around her. It wasn't a perfect play, but I was
riveted and look forward to seeing more from this exciting young talent. - at
Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
November, 2013. The world premiere of a Terrence McNally
play? Yep, I'm there. This glorious love letter to the theatre from the early
Greeks to today's theatre frequently intermingled time frames and was often
very funny, sometimes quite dense and continuously fascinating. An incredibly
wonderful set filled the wide stage at the Pearl and was as much a part of the
show as the actors. And what actors! True ensemble acting is always exciting to
watch and this was truly an ensemble effort. Everyone brought their
"A" game to the performance from their personal introductory speeches
to the final bows. It's not for everyone, but I can see a bright future for
this play in adventurous university theatre. I'd love to see TimeLine tackle
this. Kudos to all involved and thanks for an exciting, thought-provoking night
at the theatre. This is what it's about. - at the Pearl Theatre, New York
December, 2013. Witty, elegant and very, very funny. The
literate and clever book by Robert L. Freedman was complemented by a tuneful
and clever score Mr. Freedman and Steven Lutvak that included two full-tilt show-stopping
numbers in the second act. The show opened with a delicious patter number and,
praise be!, you could understand every
lyric!! Absolutely flawless diction throughout. (Actors, take note. it can be
done!) The sets, costumes and lighting were spot-on. It was directed with
considerable style and flair by Darko Tresnjak. And a standing "O"
for the dressers backstage who manage to get people in and out of elaborate
costumes in far less time than it took Carrie Underwood to change into her
wedding gown. (Everyone made such a big deal that this change took Underwood
and crew only 50 seconds. BFD. Child's
play for the wardrobe people at the Walter Kerr. Let's talk about 10 seconds,
if not less.) Smashing ensemble and big applause for the terrific supporting
ladies: Lisa O'Hare, Lauren Worsham and Jane Carr and starring two incredibly
talented men: Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham. Simply delightful and so, so
clever. A show not to be missed. - at the Walter Kerr Theatre, New York
December, 2013. A modest musical by James Lapine and William
Finn and directed by Lapine that was loaded with charm and heart. A-list talent
in all departments. Perhaps the expectations were too high for this show which
may explain the decidedly mixed critical response, but we quite enjoyed it.
There were some lovely songs and touching moments and solid acting by the
accomplished cast which included Stephanie J. Block, Will Swenson, Josh Lamon,
Rory O'Malley, David Rasche, Logan Howland, Wesley Taylor and a remarkable
performance by young Hannah Nordberg as Olive. Well done, all. - at the Second
Stage Theatre, New York
December, 2013. Our first time attending this annual benefit
performance for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS starring the multi-talented
Ann Harada, reprising her role of Christmas Eve from Avenue Q. We applauded like mad and cheered and in general carried
on with total glee. And who wouldn't with this lineup of handsome and talented
guest stars: Aaron J. Albano, Adam Chanler-Berat, Santino Fontana, Jordan Gelber, Greg Hildreth, Jose Llana, Howard
McGillin, Leslie Odom Jr., Clinton Sherwood, Howie Michael Smith, Wesley Taylor and Max von Essen. (And yes,
Messrs. von Essen and Taylor, feel free to take off your shirts anytime!) Such talent; such joy. And all for a
magnificent cause. And for the record, Ann Harada's real voice is, well, pretty
damn awesome. - at XL Nightclub, New York
That's it for now. See live theatre this week.
© 2014 Jeffrey Geddes
