School of Rock

I may likely have had the most fun at what I perceived as the least anticipated show of the season.  (Ok, The Color Purple may be the actual show at that rung of the ladder, but I digress).   I was indeed 'schooled' by the best on a Monday nite.

Sure, the movie was dumb.  I can't really say the adapted book for this musical was superior in any way.  I was pleasantly surprised that the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber himself was catchy, upbeat, toe-tappin', and appropriate for the raucous riot that occurs onstage 8 shows a week at the Winter Garden Theater.  I wasn't surprised by talented kids on stage - I expected it.  And my expectations were indeed surpassed.  The talented kids were played like a well tuned Fender by none other than the abundantly talented and uber-energetic Alex Brightman (Dewey). He ran that stage from the first minute to the last with what seemed like endless enthusiasm and boundless charisma.  The story is essentially him and the school kids.


Of course, this is a musical so we have to have other characters. If you want to sell tickets, these other characters must also have songs.  It was a thrill to see Sierra Boggess (Rosalie) on stage, but what a waste she was at the same time.  Of course she had to have a song.  Of course it ran the show longer than it should have run.  Of course this was repeated over the course of a few of the parents and teachers.  In a movie we would not have wasted so much time just to balance out the tickets and justify the lead equity contracts.  But again, I digress.

Parents and teachers were all fine, unmemorable, and frankly could give anyone their "big break" on Broadway and I hope it does.  The show is a big ball of fun and everyone on the stage looks like this is afternoon playtime, not a stressful performance.  Mr. Brightman and these kids are the stars and deserve all the credit to the fun of the evening under the swift direction of Laurence Connor.  Sloppy and abrupt scene changes and a book like Swiss cheese will all be ignored.  Class dismissed.

It Shoulda Been You

Fasten your seat belts because David Hyde Pierce's directorial debut on Broadway is going to be a wild ride.  Prepare for hilarity, mix ups, and mayhem, in what just might be the funniest original musical on the boards right now.

Helmed by the incomparable Tyne Daly (Judy Steinberg) and the zany Harriet Harris (Georgette Howard), the show revolves around the marriage of their two children Rebecca Sternberg (Sierra Boggess) and Neil Patrick Harris' husband a.k.a David Burtka (Brian Howard).   Although below the title, the real workhorses of this show were Edward Hibbert (Albert, the wedding planner) and Lisa Howard (Jenny Steinberg) sister of the bride.

The show has a real heart and as it turns out, a real message too.  At the same time funny, and tender, Brian Hargrove's (husband of Mr. Pierce) book and lyrics bring this 105 minute, no-intermission show to a joyous celebration of life.  Barbara Anselmi's music is serviceable with a few high notes but we're not going to see any Tonys come out of this one.   But make no mistake, the comedic skills of the two leading ladies - Ms. Daly and Ms. Harris as well as those of Mr. Hibbert are most of what makes this show a smashing success.  The good looks of Ms. Boggess and Mr. Burtka are just icing on the cake.

One under-the-radar and certainly under-promoted stars on the bill is Josh Grisetti (Marty Kaufmann).  From his debut in the audience to his silky smooth voice and the emotional conclusion, Mr. Grisetti imbues a nebbish yet sexy and powerful persona in Marty.  His significance to the plot is paramount and by the end of the show you've changed your entire opinion of him.

This show has a lot of doors and a fair amount of physical comedy to which timing is the key.  It reminded me of Noises Off.  The entire cast works really hard and climbs and descends the two story set throughout the show.  I must assume they'll shave about 5-10 minutes off the show as they perfect the timing and tighten up the scene changes and the curtain call.  

Bravo Mr. Hargrove and Mr. Pierce.  You've got a top notch cast singing and acting their heart out every night to what I can only suspect will be to thunderous applause and a feel-good exit from the theatre.  Isn't that exactly how it shoulda be?  :-)

Master Class

Tyne Daly?  I don't know what you are talking about.  I saw a show with Maria Callas in the flesh.  No? I could have sworn....

Tyne Daly takes command of the stage at 8:07pm and holds court, except for a brief interval, for 2 1/2 electrifying, mesmerizing hours as the incomparable, indomitable Maria Callas, star of the opera, diva extraordinaire!

As you would imagine, the play takes the form of an actual master class.  Three already very talented students of the opera (Sierra Boggess, Garrett Sorrenson, Alexandra Silber) are scheduled to perform for Ms. Callas and we, the audience, are there to observe and learn as she critiques.  And boy, does she critique.  A truly clever idea for a play  - as the 4th wall is not present.  The lights stay on in the house occasionally and the actors look to and converse with the "other students" filling the seats in the house.  As for Ms. Callas, never one to be shy, she picks and pokes at all aspects of her her students' performances - their entrances, clothing, diction and choice of music, to name a few;  at the piano accompanist, Manny (the uber-adorable Jeremy Cohen), the dis-interested stagehand (Clinton Brandhagen), and occasionally the audience too (none of you have a "look").

Terrance McNally has not only captured the current Ms. Callas, but brilliantly weaves her storied past into the performance to craft a more complete understanding of this dynamic woman we see before us.  Director, Stephen Wadsworth, takes us on a journey using very simple (almost non-existent) sets, superb lighting, and movement to navigate, almost operatically, thru the crescendos, decrescendos, sfortzandos and pianissimos of Ms. Callas' storied life - both on stage and off.

Ms. Daly's performance is as close to flawless as one could imagine.  Her diction, wit, humor, force, sheer presence, and overall performance are magnificent.  Maria Callas used to say that she was channeling the music all the way back thru a character to Verdi or Shakespeare.  Ms. Daly was most certainly doing the same to Ms. Callas.

Tyne Daly?  I don't know what you are talking about.  I saw a show with Maria Callas in the flesh.  No? I could have sworn....