A STEADY RAIN A SUPPLEMENT

I should mention that A STEADY RAIN is almost entirly sold out for it's 12 week run, but there are some seats still to be had.
AtThe GERALD SCHOENFELD THEATRE____236 WEST 45th STREET N.Y.C.

A STEADY RAIN A REVIEW

The good news is that Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman are superb in A Steady Rain, and they make Keith Huff's slight but promising play interesting and sometimes affectng theatre.
The play concerns two cops who have known each other since childhood and have had a love hate relationship with each other ever since. Always being passed over for promotions and other things, the two cops share their thoughts with the audience and each other,and become likeable and moving people.
Mr Craig and Mr Jackman are the entire cast and they are a constant joy to watch, and they are well served by John Crowley's very able staging, and Scott Pask's muted sets and costumes and Hugh Vastone's lighting serve their purpose well.
A Steady Rain is playwright Huff's maiden Broadway effort. He is worth watching, and aided by it's two high profile stars, his play is worth seeing.

THE N. Y.THEATRE SCENE 50 YEARS AGO 1959___1960 PG.2

The season for musicals was a good one. Fiorello,The Sound Of Music, and Bye Bye Birdie were the big hits, and Take Me Along was a most pleasant affair with a wonderful cast headed by Jackie Gleason, Walter Pidgeon, Eileen Herlie and Robert Morse.
The Girls Against The Boys was a loud, dull revue that even the talents of Bert Lahr and Nancy Walker could'nt save, and Saratoga and Greenwillow both offered some fine music by Harold A rlen and Frank Loesser respectivly, but were otherwise uneven and sometimes dull.
Christine, Happy Town and Beg, Borrow, Or Steal were as bad as can be, but the delightful Once Upon A Mattress moved uptown from Second Ave. and was just as good in it's new surroundings as it was downtown.
Off Broadway produced three musicals that are worth mentioning. The Fantasticks and Little Mary Sunshine became long running hits and Ernest In Love was a delightful adaptation of The Importance Of Being Ernest.
Finally, The Billy Barnes Revue, At The Drop Of A Hat, and A Thurber Carnival all proved that the revue format was alive and well and popular.
So, for an incurable theatre maniac, it was quite a season.

THE N. Y.THEATRE SCENE 50 YEARS AGO 1959_____1960

As we head into the 2009_2010 theatre season I thought it would be fun to look back at the N. Y. theatre scene of 50 years ago. I was in my third year of high school and was not the greatest student in school. I always had a passion for Broadway and even reviewed Broadway for the school paper. This is what I remember.
It was a great year on Broadway with some fine dramas,including The Miracle Worker,The Gang's All Here, The Tenth Man,Five Finger Exercise,and The andersonville Trial. The Gang's All Here was not a hit, but this play about Warren G. Harding's ascent to The White House, and the scandal that destroyed him was exciting theatre and in my opinion, one of the season's best plays.
Lillian Hellman came back to Broadway with Toys In The Attic, and Caligula was a powerful work with a stunning performance by Kenneth Haigh in the title role. The Best Man was a sharp political drama, and Duel Of Angels and The Fighting Cock lent a bit of elegance to the season, but Silent Night, Lonely Night was a dour work that even fine acting by Barbara Bel Geddes and Henry Fonda could not save.
THE MUSICALS ARE ON THE NEXT BLOG.

AFTERMATH A REVIEW

With Aftermath, playwrights Jessica Blank and Eric Jensen are writing in the style of documentary theatre, and have come up with a powerful account of the Iraq war from the perspective of every day citizens and how their lives changed forever the day the Americans arrived in their country.
By interviewing a crossection of working class Iraqi people, the playwrights have written a devestating play about what it means to be invaded by an outside power, and the way their lives changed. Seldom has a play explored the feelings of the common man the way this one does, and it's unflinching honesty make this play something to see.
The play is very well staged by co-author Jessica Blank, and acted with uncommon skill by a superb cast.
Aftermath only runs till Oct.4. It is worth checking out.
AT THE N. Y. THEATRE WORKSHOP----79 EAST 4TH STREET--N. Y. C.

THE N.Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 ODDS AND ENDS P. G. 2

If I were asked to select the two most memorable theatre evenings I had all season, I would have to pick the unmissable off broadway production of the classic OUR TOWN. This became a sensational hit and continues to affect all who see it deeply. This is a don't miss event.
My number two pick is the memorable production of Anton Chekhov's THE CHERRY ORCHARD in a wonderful new version by TOM STOPPARD. This is what theatre should be and seldom is.
Quite a season on the whole.

THE N. Y.THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 ODDS AND ENDS PG. 1

Worth mentioning.
The off broadway Signature Theatre Company devoted their entire season to the historic Negro Ensemble Company by offering three of their best plays. Excellent productions of THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN, and HOME were offered at the low price of twenty dollars a ticket.
The Collegiate Chorale presented a concert version of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's 1945 musical, THE FIREBRAND OF FLORENCE and it was a joy to hear this beautiful score performed with Mr. Weill;s original orchestrations.
TO BE CONTINUED

THE N. Y. THEATRE SCENE 2OO8 2009 ODDS AND ENDS PG. 1

THE N. Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 SPECIAL EVENTS

In her dynamic show LIZA'S AT THE PALACE, Liza Minelli proved that she is still king of the hill,and one of the great entertainers of our time.
Will Ferrell came to town with his uproarious YOUR WELCOME AMERICA___A FINAL NIGHT WITH GEORGE W. BUSH. With the help of four talented actors Mr. Ferrell skewered our former president and provided one of the season's few real sources of laughter.
As for the rest, SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, SOUL OF SHAOLIN, and CIRQE DREAMS were shows that appealed to their special audiences.

THE N. Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 ENCORES Pg. 1

The popular Encores series of musicals in concert at the N. Y. City Center was it's usual delightful self, and if DAMN YANKEES and MUSIC IN THE AIR were not quite worthy of the care that was lavished on them, FINIAN'S RAINBOW and ON THE TOWN were wonderful, and well worth seeing again.

THE N. Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 THE REVIVALS PG. 4

The musical revivals were a mixed blessing. HAIR was given a lively and high spirited production that made this 1968 show seem fresh as ever. WEST SIDE STORY had it's good points but was hurt by casting errors in some major roles. GUYS AND DOLLS was given such an underpowered and poorly staged production that this greatest of all musicals seemed tame indeed, and PAL JOEY was another example of a classic show being hurt by needless book revisions and severe casting errors.

THE N.Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 THE REVIVALS PG. 3

AMERICAN BUFFALO, THE AMERICAN PLAN, and ACCENT ON YOUTH were all victims of uneven acting and spotty direction. The season hit rock bottom with the off broadway production of Eugene o'neill's trilogy MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA. It was so badly acted, directed and designed that this still vigorous 1931 play seemed deadly dull, and became the big walkout show of the season.
TO BE CONTINUED.

THE N. Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 REVIVALS PG 2

In addition to this exeptional GODOT production there were topflight revivals of ALL MY SONS, JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, BLITHE SPIRIT, and THE NORMAN CONQUESTS. EXIT THE KING was clear to some,and confusing to others, THE SEAGULL arrived with an accomplished cast and spotty direction,and MARY STUART had two dynamic star performances in an otherwise uneven and unsatisfying production. EQUUS lacked the power and exitement of the original production, and SPEED THE PLOW made front page news when one of it's stars left after only playing his role for little more than a month.DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS lost it's fire and passion in a misconcieved and sexless production,and STREAMERS seemed rather dated even in it's well acted and directed production.
TO BE CONTINUED.

THE N.Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 REVIVALS PG 1

More than half of the season under review was made up of revivals. Since most of them were first rate or at least acceptable I have decided to hit upon what I consider the highlights of a very busy revival season.
Topping the list is the stunning production of WAITING FOR GODOT which made this classic tragicomedy as clear as it ever will be,and for the first time it became a big popular success.
TO BE CONTINUED

THE N. Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 THE MUSICALS

TITLE OF SHOW____A show about putting on a show.While it is intelligent and cute as all get out, most of it's jokes and references were over the heads of most audiences. This is another show that should have stayed off broadway.

HAPPINESS_____A musical about a group of people on a stalled subway train recalling the happiest moment of their lives. It was a show that wanted to be loved desperatly, but ended up being heavy and rather dull.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES____One of the worlds great stories was turned into as dull and witless a musical as broadway had seen in years. It also had some of the worse orchestrations to be heard in a broadway show in recent memory.

ROAD SHOW______This show about the ruthless but smart Mizner brothers was one the seasons great disapointments. It had weak material, and was not well staged. A dull evening indeed.

THE N. Y. THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 THE MUSICALS

13____This musical about the problems of becoming a teenager is hurt by severe book problems and scenes of questionable taste.Too bad because the show has above average songs and a stagefull of talented teens. An almost, but not quite.

THE STORY OF MY LIFE____All about the value of true friendship, this show is chock full of good things and has the best of intentions. It's a real shame that it had to be done on a street that it didn't have a chance on.Off broadway would have been far more welcoming.

THE N.Y.THEATRE SCENE 2008 2009 THE MUSICALS Pg2

9 TO 5____The 1980 movie about hanky panky in the workplace is now a big splashy musical with a perky score and an uneven book. Pretty fair entertainment, but probably not good enough.

ROCK OF AGES____A most enjoyable salute to the heavy metal bands of the 80s. Loud, sometimes tasteless, but on the whole, lots of fun.

THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES_____A joyous tribute to the girl groups of the 50s featuring music of the period and fabulous performances by a cast of four.

WHITE CHRISTMAS____If you are in the mood for schmaltz , this holiday musical version of the 1954 classic movie should make you happy. Has great Irving Berlin songs and super dance numbers.This show will return for a limited run in November.

THE N.Y. THEATER SCENE 2008__2009___THE MUSICALS PG.1

BILLY ELLIOT___All about an English lad who wants to be a ballet dancer,and succeeds in spite of his coal miner father's oppisition. This musical was the big prize winner this year ,and was deserving of all the acclaim it got.It proves that anything is possible if you try.Brilliantly staged and acted by all.

NEXT TO NORMAL____This musical deals with the effects of mental illness on a close knit family.Told with unflinching honesty and helped greatly by some fine music. This was one of the season's notable events.

SHREK__THE MUSICAL___The lovable ogre turned into a lively and uplifting musical.The book has lots of heart, and the score is alright too.It shows that beauty is more than skin deep and love always wins out.

The N.Y. THEATER SCENE 2008__2009 pg.3

IRENA,S VOW___Da n Gordons Ernest But Dissapointing Play About A Polish Catholic Housekeeper Forced To Work For A German Major,And Risks Her Life Hiding 12 Jewish Refugees In His Basement During The Occupation Of Poland.Well Meaning But Mawkish.

SATURN RETURNS____A Promising First Play By Noah Haidle Concerning Three Periods In The Life Of One Man. Uneven But Facinating.

IMPRESSIONISM____How Art Is Viewed By Different People.Michael Jacob,s Play Was The Season,s Most Bewildering As To It,s Purpose Or Being. A Cloudy Evening Indeed.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE____Nick Whitby,s Adaptation Of The 1940s Movie Was One Of The Season,s Most Inept Plays.To Bad Because There Were Some Good Comic Ideas,And Some Funny Actors.

The New York Theater Scene----2008--2009-Pt. 2

PLAYS___RUINED Lynn Nottage,s Explosive Drama About Human Survival DuringThe War In The Congo.Superbly Directed By Kate Whoriskey.By Far The Play Of The Year.

GOD OF CARNAGE ___Yasmina Reza,s Alternatly Funny And Shattering Look At Two CouplesTrying To solve Conflicts Between Their Respective Sons.Superb StagingBy Matthew Warchus .

DIVIDING THE ESTATE____The Late Horton Foot,s Beautifully Constructed Play About Family Infighting Over A Piece Of Real Estate.Superb Performances By Everyone.

REASONS TO BE PRETTY___Neil LaBute,s Scathingly Honest Look At America;s Obsession With It,s looks.

33 VARIATIONS_____Moises Kaufman,s Uneven Look At A Termanally Ill Musicologist Trying To Solve Beethoven,s Last Mystery. A Depressing ,And Spotty Evening.

To Be Continued.

The NY Theatre SEASON 2008-2009 Part 1

It was a good and bountiful season with 43 Broadway openings.
A number of them were first rate and most were acceptable. There was nothing genuinely ghastly unless you want to include the off broadway revival of Morning Becomes Electra which I think I do.