NRNWTheater

Excerpt: On the night I saw the show, with my girl squad coming together with a delish dinner at the Melt Shop just beforehand, I wanted this show to dazzle us so so so badly to keep the good times rolling. I mean, my BFF made the trek out from the foreign country of Long Island! It’s a Saturday night on Broadway! We’re in the first two rows of the orchestra! I’m about ready to burst from all the carbs and dairy I consumed from my Grilled Cheese/Tater Tots/Oreo Milkshake dinner!

Excerpt: …WTF even?!?!?! No, really, what originally was just a night spent with my bestest friend of 4evsies, as I continue corrupting her with as much theatre as possible (my life’s purpose, quite frankly), had me questioning everything I thought about the original Newsies production that debuted almost five years ago. Kudos to everyone involved for retconning delivering the goods on a worldwide-scale - the show was every bit as amazing as a live theatrical experience and hopefully a sign of many more to come, Disney property or not. And if you should check your local listings, there may be an opportunity for you to catch a showing or several!!!

Excerpt: A fantastic production of Tick, Tick…Boom is always welcome anytime or anywhere (within a reasonable travel distance to me, my one request), but there is something about Keen Company’s FLAWLESS revival playing at Theatre Row that…transcends. That’s what it does, it just. Transcends. Everything.

As I am writing this, my mind lingered over to the possibility of writing for the stage at some point in the future - like, in a part-time Sharr White-esque fashion - and yes, I don’t think I have it in me to do so. Sure, I’ve seen A LOT of shows and have years of writing experience, but, of course, that doesn’t mean I can just up and write the next The Humans. Allow me to bow out and leave the playwriting to the actual professionals.

For those of you that know me, this is not exactly a shocking revelation given (1) he's Alex Timbers, c'mon now... and (2) even with a mis-directed scene or a not-so-good show, a common trait of his direction is it's "unapologetic, over-the-top, WTF" gusto that you can't help, but applaud his boldness and his penchant for boundary-breaking (in every intrinsic and external meaning of that superlative). Want to make a show A SHOW or THE SHOW? Call Alex, step out of the way of his magical hair flips and watch him strut his stuff.

Excerpt: The Not-So-Bright Star - I thought this year’s crop of nominees were well-selected, but it wouldn’t be the Tony Award nominations if there wasn’t one crack-induced decision(s). Case in-point...their out-of-left-field love for Bright Star, a musical where (minor spoiler-alert, but it’s extremely relevant, I promise) a baby in a bag gets thrown out of a moving train’s window like a Chinese Throwing Star. In slow motion. That actually happens. Because the plot said so.

Excerpt: Spring Awakening is RECOGNIZED - It’s revival may have endured some heavy-scrutiny since it was less than seven years since the original, mega-hit closed on Broadway, but Spring Awakening - featuring a deaf cast and the use of American Sign Language - received its rightful nod for "Best Revival of a Musical." It was a stunning, and dare I say, flawless production, resulting in one of my all-time favorite theatre-going experiences.

Except: Enter Tuck Everlasting, a musical inspired by Natalie Babbitt’s children novel now open at the Broadhurst Theatre, which has the audience following along from eleven-year-old Winnie Foster’s perspective just as she becomes intertwined with the Tuck family. One minor detail: the family is immortal after unknowingly drinking from a spring who’s water has that capability. Oh yes… a “family-friendly” musical with the recurring themes of immortality/life/death is an official thing.

Excerpt: About two years ago, there were several plays mounted in New York detailing a family's aftermath of a Bernie Madoff-like scandal. Micro-trends as such pop up every now and then and the current one sweeping the NY theatre scene is the emergence of transgender characters and themes pertaining to gender identity. Who knows how long it will last, but it is a welcome sight as far as I'm concerned, especially when plays like Hir (Taylor Mac’s most recent offering challenging modern gender conventions and featuring a trans-male character), continue to be gold mines of hilarity and sapience.

Excerpt: Because Hnath’s play - taking place on the eve of the Olympic swimming trials, where performance-enhancing drugs were found on-site - blows everything Simonson has written out of the water, pun not intended. And no, not just because Hnath has the good sense of having a studly Alex Breaux cavort around all muscled and tattoo-ed up wearing ONLY a red speedo for 90 minutes. The play is quite good, so much so, your attention is (mostly) diverted from the delightful thirst-trap.

Excerpt: Whenever theatre decides to tackle sexuality as a theme or a plot point, you can count on me being in the audience some time during previews. I mean, how could theatre not be an industry breaking ground in this regard with its content and following?! And some plays (Mothers and Sons, Significant Other) and musicals (Fun Home) have delivered the goods in big ways, providing thought-provoking insight and some entertainment value dispersed throughout.

Excerpt: I don’t know where I read this little diddy - it probably was some snarky meme on Twitter or Tumblr - but I recall reading it, laughing and agreeing. “That moment when you exit the theatre, turn to your friend and say, “well, the set and costumes were great!"