An Act of God

As far as one man shows goes - this one is a romp.  Spoiler alert - it appears that God might be gay.  Don't go expecting an outer body experience.  This one rakes religion over the coals in probably the nicest and funniest of ways.

Sean Hayes (God) brings this show back to Broadway after Jim Parsons' first stint in David Javerbaum's new comedy.  Mr. Hayes is a natural ham who knows his lines and knows how to improvise, entertain, and satiate your comedy soul.  Latecomers beware!

There are two other people in this ostensibly one-man show.  They are sidekick angels . David Jofsenberg is a crowd-roving angel taking questions from the audience - although all he really does is take your name and then asks his question (i.e. his lines).  James Gleason is Gabriel reading from the good book and running down the 10 commandments with God.

Gays, slavery, Noah and the arc, Adam and Steve, violence, prayer... as you can see the list of topics is predictable yet uproarious and enjoyable nonetheless.  Much like Book of Mormon to the Mormons, I doubt a stoic church-going Catholic nun would enjoy this show - but then again - I doubt she's the target audience in the first place and frankly should't go within a block of the theatre.

For a lite, funny, entertaining evening with Mr. Hayes - run over to the Booth Theatre for a good laugh.  Just don't be late.

Honeymoon in Vegas

In what might be one of his smoothest moves yet - the always slick and sexy Tony Danza seems to have been a part of bringing a show to Broadway starring.... well, none other than himself!  Honeymoon is delicious fun and a delightful escape from a cold and snowy New York City night.

Modeled after the movie, Andrew Bergman and Jason Robert Brown have penned an entertaining evening in the theatre.  Colorful, Vegas-style costumes and lighting fill the theater, while the large cast fills the stage with dancing, frivolity, and a whole lot of heart.   Don't get me wrong - the show ain't gonna win a Pulitzer price for literature or drama in any stretch of the imagination.  It's simply pure, unadulterated entertainment for just about 2 ½ hours.  And why didn't anyone think of this sooner - Vegas show girls, gangsters, a mad-cap plot, and a couple you know - right from the start - have got to end up together.

If Mr. Danza is selling the tickets with his name (and still handsome looks), the secret weapon this show wields is Rob McClure.  When he graced the stage in Chaplin, I believe it was the wise Newsday journalist who penned "Welcome to the show that's going to make you a Broadway star". And a star he is indeed.   Mr. McClure is both nebbish and infectiously adorable.  He can sing to the rafters, dance, and of course act the pants off this rom-com that graces the Nederlander stage 8 shows a week.  While another Tony nod wouldn't be out of bounds, this show may not carry as much weight being a silly movie remake and all but if talent rules the day, he's a shoe-in.

I had a slightly difficult time thinking that Brynn O'Malley (Betsy Nolan) was actually the age they claim in the show, but that minor detail aside, she was a terrifically talented on-stage pawn in the game of Mr. Danza and Mr. McClure.

With a fine ensemble cast including Raymond J. Lee, George Merrick, Zachary Prince, and Nancy Opel (Bea Singer), if this show can sustain the winter blues, it just might make a splash this spring in the fun department in what is already lining up to be strong in the musical department.

 This is a show that will tour well even if it doesn't succeed on Broadway.  Des Moines - look out!

Slut - A Musical

Dear Andy Karl - -

You're talented, young, charming, oh-so-good-looking (hmmmm, i wonder why you got the lead role in a new musical entitled "Slut"??). But the primary question I have for you is "Why did you leave the smash-hit, Alter Boyz", to take it"?!

If you still have a chance - RUN BACK! Heck -go on the national tour!!

Now, i'm not saying it wasn't fun fanning myself with the "playbill" watching the sweat glisten all over that uber-sexy body (the tattoos make it even more so) for two hours (the theater's AC was on strike, just in time for first preview nite!).


Over at American Theater of Actors (read - low budget) I was slightly entertained, but left wondering why you took what is clearly a step down to some "B" material. Ok, you've got some talented cast-mates and it is the lead after all, but c'mon - the plot is a farce, the jokes, stale, and the humor, sort of "high school-ish". There were some bright spots, yes. I must admit i chuckled and hooted a few times. But just a few. But I digress... (Did I mention, you looked good with your shirt off??).

Yours truly,
Doug Marino ( a fan truly thankful i only paid TDF rates to see you sweat)

Alter Boyz

Ok, so you're looking for something light, something fun, something... different?! Well - take a trip to see the Boyz... "Alter Boyz", that is. It's cleverly written and played out dripping with sex appeal (oh my!). It's not irreverent, but it's not exactly "reverent" either... It's loud, it's full of pop music and "boys who love God" lyrics like - -

"Jesus called me on my cell phone / No roaming charges were incurred / He beeped me / He faxed me / He e-mailed my soul / and said: / til the day i'm dead/ that i must spread / His glorious word"

And let's not forget the boyz - They are a Christian rock band - with one Jew too. They are tender, powerful, but mostly full of energy and dripping with sweat from all the singing, dancing and prancing around the stage...(ok, not all of them can dance but you'll know just who has it in his blood the most!) Just the assortment of boys you would expect to be cast - something for everyone - i suppose you could say.

Dodger Stages - One of New York's newest performance space is Rockin' - and the "Alter Boyz" are something worth the price of the off-Broadway ticket. Go ahead and let them convert...er entertain you!!

The Joys of Sex