Curtains

This Kander & Ebb - Rupert Holmes musical is a gem. It may not be as flashy-dashy as Drowsy Chaperone - but it does one thing well - it entertains.

The show numbers are big and bold - lots of high kicks and toes-a-tappin' during the many rousing full cast numbers. What more would you expect from a "show within a show"? The basic plot goes something like this... A (pretty bad) show is being rehearsed and there are a few murders (yes, one might expect Jessica Fletcher to show up!). The investigation traps the entire cast, crew, producers, and director inside the theater. While the mystery unravels - the police lieutenant lives out his fantasy by "improving" the many numbers and scenes ultimately making it a success (and solves the murder mystery too!).

One can't help but also detect ever so slight references to songs and shows of days gone by... is KansasLand a spoof of OKLAHOMA!? Do we see the budding romance of the lieutenant and a cast member get played out in a fantasy dance ballet that resembles a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers number? Does Show People have it's roots in Annie Get Your Gun? Probably so - and there are probably more that this theater novice just didn't pick up on!

It's goofy and silly and fun all around. I might say that while David Hyde Pierce (the lieutenant) loves the stage and is a great comedic actor - he's not much of a singer or dancer. Debra Monk plays one of the show's producers and I have to say - You can hear a little Ethel Merman in her. She commands the stage with her character's powerful personality and biting wit. Edward Hibbert - as old as he is - simply steals the show as the stuffy, witty and cantankerous director. And you can never mistake the voice of Ernie Sabella - bellowing all the way off stage for his enterance. Yes, even the orchestra conductor has dialogue and a song to sing!
Yes, a bit campy. Yes a bit "old fashioned". Yes, not the "best" show you've ever seen - - but the supporting cast brings the house down with each company number. I did see it at its first preview so maybe they'll tighten up the show, cut some dialogue, and contain the energy. If they can keep you tapping from 8:07 to 10:15 after opening night they might have a pretty good run of it.

Show People

Picture this - Tom (Ty Burrell) apparently has a lot of money - a huge house in Montauk (awesome set), a Mercedes in the driveway, and a successful computer company - so think what you may... He hires two washed up Broadway actors to play "his parents". You soon find out it's to impress his girlfriend to whom he is going to propose this weekend. He's trying for the "perfect family" look this weekend. Sounds harmless - right?

After all the characters meet and he's briefly out of the room - The fiancee blurts out that she can't go on lying to such sweet parents - - he's gay and she's been hired to play his girlfriend for his parent's visit this weekend. Seems harmless right?

But wait a minute - They quickly realize they are all actors. What do they all do with this information? They all know... But he doesn't know they know. Why are they here? What kind of creepy guy is he? What crazy plan does he have for them all?

Well - we eventually find out at the (very) end of Act 2 - and let me tell you it was the stupidest ending I could have imagined! All that time invested (with these pretty fine actors) and all for this?? I enjoyed the eternally caustic Marnie (Debra Monk) and her ever dramatic husband Jerry (Larry Pressman). The "fiance", Natalie (Judy Greer), aptly rounds out the comic trio. Debra Monk really made the show worth the price. All things considered - she's a gem! I really thought Tom yelled too much and seemed like too much of a psycho - even though I guess he was supposed to be playing one - I just didn't enjoy his demeanor.

This play, written by Paul Weitz, went to a place a bit too dark for this audience, I must say. How far will people go for the "performance of a lifetime"? What is "pure acting" and a "great performance"?.

Well - I found out and let me tell you - Funny, Funny, Funny, yet Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!