Hand to God

By my calculations this is the 5th worst play I've ever seen... And I've seen a LOT of plays.  Trust me.  What makes this the 5th worst and not the 3rd worst is the fact that #1,  I stayed past intermission (i considered leaving, yes) and #2, the tremendous talent of one single cast member.

This was probably the most childish, immature, and infantile play I have seen that ever graced a Broadway stage.  It seems to appeal to the kids (the ones that have enough money to afford a ticket, that is) that like to laugh at mean jokes and cheap lines about bad situations.  Throw in plenty of "fucks" and I guess you have a Williamsburg hipster hit (until the 500 of them who can afford tickets are all cycled through anyway).

Why didn't I leave at intermission?  One simple answer - Steven Boyer.  His subtle and nuanced performance against his diametrically opposite sock puppet was outstanding.  He has not only mastered the art of puppetry, but he has mastered a 2 person dialogue all within himself!  His timing, facial expressions, puppet movement, and general skit-zo attitude on stage provided the much needed relief from the actual material of Robert Askins' awful new American play.

Were it not for Mr. Boyer, my evening would have ended after 60 minutes.  Because of him, I did get to see the other 60 and digest Mr. Askins' point of view about religion, society, good, and evil.  I get it, Mr. Atkins.  I actually don't disagree with the theory that evil and good were invented to "keep the masses in line" and that perhaps there is some truth to the idea that we were better off in some ways when we are all alone instead of bound together in society and groups. Food for thought yes.  But the material you chose to present on stage was a crude and crass way of getting your point across.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Brilliantly crafted, cleverly executed, delightful from beginning to end! Finally, an old fashioned original musical has come to Broadway.

The indomitable duo of Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham are pure delight.  Mr. Mays takes on the dating challenge of portraying all 8 members of the aristocratic D'Ysquith family - both male and female - to hilarious delight. (Think Tim Conway on The Carol Burnett Show)   Mr. Pinkham, handsome beyond necessity, charms us with his tall tale and beautifully operatic vocals not to forget his boyish charm and comic talents.

It's a dastardly tale of love and murder  - with each family member's demise a delicious tale of song and dance.  Characters abound.

Music and songs were clever and brilliantly broadway-esque.  Costumes were amazing.  At times I was dizzy and dumbfounded at the sped at which Mr. Mays changed costumes and reappeared on stage as another D'Ysquith.

A small supporting cast hit every mark crisply, cleverly, and with great aplomb.  The set is cleverly designed as a full stage with a curtain within the actual stage - allowing one scene to unfold while the next one was prepared. Part Noises-Off, part The 39 Steps, part Edwin Drood, this new musical hits all the right notes with the perfect cast.  Speed, coordination and queues are of utmost importance.

If I can say this at the first public preview, you have to imagine it will only get better!  Run... Don't Walk over to the Walter Kerr Theatre on W 48th for an evening of sheer delight!

The Extraordinary Ordinary

Scott Burkell and Paul Loesel have a lot to be proud of.  After only two years in development and a short rehearsal period, I had the privilege of attending the opening night of their delightful new tuner, The Extraordinary Ordinary, at the Clurman Theatre on West 42nd Street.

It's a slice of life story with 5 thirty-something friends now all living in New York City, growing older and experiencing life - each exploring, doubting, loving, and learning about themselves along the way. Karen (Courtney Balan) is the neurotic, list-making, perennially single glue who hosts monthly Friday night and holiday get-togethers for the group.  She's got a BFF, Sam (Kristoffer Cusick), another longtime friend from college - fabulously gay and usually bouncing from one dead-end relationship to another who is now dating Joey (Jonathan Parkey), a much younger, wise beyond his years college boy.  Bev (Kelly McCormick) and Zach (Patrick Oliver Jones) are the classic successful, driven married couple who have started to grow apart. Last, but certainly note least, there's the zany, off-beat, and quirky Kate (Pamela Bob) who needs, among other things, to figure out if her boyfriend, Stu, is a keeper or not.

This just might be one of the most delightful show I've seen in a long time - the contemporary story doesn't go overboard with the stereotypes, the relationships and the problems seem real, and most importantly, the cast has some genuine chemistry which is intelligently harnessed with some excellent direction by Chip Klose.  Of course, it also helps when the songs never fail to delight and entertain the entire evening.  Through life's little mishaps, personal self-doubts, afternoons in the park doing crossword puzzles, 3-way phone calls, relationship issues, and the many evenings at Bev's apartment, the message of true friendship and love shines brightly throughout the show.

Call, text, or email your BFF today and take them out to see this upbeat, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable musical before it's too late - it only runs thru December 18th.