Off-Broadway Review: Application Pending

Christina Bianco. Photo: Joan Marcus

Application Pending
By Greg Edwards and Andy Sandberg
Starring Christina Bianco
Directed by Andy Sandberg
Westside Theatre (downstairs)

What's It All About?
Christine Evans (Christina Bianco) Edgely Prep, an elite Manhattan private school. Applications are due that day, and oh, bu the way, her boss seems to think she has organized an important donor fundraiser that evening. Christine tries to get acclimated, juggle the phone calls from parents wanting to know whether their child (who is so very gifted) has been accepted and do battle with a cut-throat admissions officer from another school who is threatening to have their event boycotted by PETA because of the alleged mistreatment of their school mascot.. Evans (of Forbidden Broadway and YouTube Diva impersonation fame). Puts the competitive nature of kindergarten enrollment procedures center stage for humorous scrutiny.

What Are the Highlights?
Bianco plays more than 40 characters, creating distinct voices and mannerisms for each and switching between them with lightning speed. It's fun to watch her in action. The light plot is fun and surprises with more depth than we first are expecting. 

Jeff Croiter's excellent lighting design enhances changes between characters.

What Are the Lowlights?
The plot can only be stretched so far by one person on stage, forced to use a phone for most of the conversation. A tad too long, even at 75 minutes.

More Information:
Application Pending plays downstairs at the Westside Theatre, 407 W 43rd St, NYC through April 19. http://applicationpendingplay.com. Performances are Monday and Tuesday at 7 pm; Thursday and Friday at 8 pm; Saturday,  at 3 and 8 pm; Sunday at 3 and 7 pm.

Scenic design by Colin McGurk, costume design by Michael McDonald (Hair), lighting design by Jeff Croiter (Peter and the Starcatcher), sound design by Bart Fasbender (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson).

Christians might also like to know:
-- God's name taken in vain
-- Language
-- Sexual dialogue

Off-Broadway Review: Fashions for Men

Joe Delafield and Rachel Napoleon. Photo: Richard Termine

Fashions for Men
By Ferenc Molnár
Directed by Davis McCallum
The Mint Theater
Through April 12


What's It All About?
In a high-class haberdashery in Budapest, owner Peter Juhasz (Joe Delafield), believes everyone is good at heart.

"Love and trust are always repaid in kind in this world," he says.

Let's just say that makes him vulnerable to those who would take advantage of his trust. Like his wife, Adele (Annie Purcell) who misappropriates some funds and runs off with the shop's top salesman, Oscar (John Tufts). Facing bankruptcy, Peter accepts a job offer from the main patron of the shop, a Count (Kurt Rhoads), who has had his eye on bookkeeper Paula (Rachel Napoleon). Peter is to manage the count's cheese business at his country estate (Daniel Zimmerman's set satisfyingly switches between the well-stocked, elegant clothing shop to a barn-like stone and beam office where cows make their presence known in  wall paintings and in moos when the door to the pastoral setting is opened (Original Music and Sound Design by Jane Shaw; Props by Joshua Yocom).

Calculating Paula tags along to the country in the hopes that the count will act upon his attraction, marry her and make her a rich woman. Peter made a promise to protect her, though, so the count's pursuit of her is made difficult. Later, Peter returns to the shop and his kindheartedness is tested to the limit when a down-on-his-luck Oscar begs him for a job.

Rounding out the fine cast are Mark Bedard, Jeremy Lawrence, Michael Schantz, Maren Searle, John Seidman, Jill Tanner, and Gabra Zackman.

What Are the Highlights:
This is a sit-back and enjoy the feel of a simpler time with simpler problems and hope that people can work out their differences. Davis McCallum (2012 Pulitzer-Prize winning play Water by the Spoonful and Samuel D Hunter’s The Whale at Playwrights Horizons, directs with skill. Performances are solid across the boards.

What Are the Lowlights?
At two hours and 40 minutes (three acts/two intermissions) it's is too long.

More Information:
Molnár is best known today for the mystical folk play Liliom (1922; the basis of the classic musical Carousel).

Fashions for Men plays through April 12 at the Mint Theatre, third floor, 311 West 43rd St., NYC. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $55 with some half-price tickets (CheapTix) and Premium Seats ($65) available for most performances: 866-811-4111; www.minttheater.org.

Christians might also like to know:

--God's name taken in vain

Review: New York Spring Spectacular with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

The Rockettes. Photo:  Courtesy of Madison Square Garden Entertainment

New York Spring Spectacular

Starring Laura Benanti and Derek Hough
and The Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall
Through May 3

What's It All About?

It's the next evolution of “Spectaculars” at Radio City Music Hall which began in the 1930, featuring the Rockettes, those high-kicking, precision dancers. Their Christmas Spectacular is a New York tradition, but this show, co-created by Diane Paulis (Pippin, Hair) and producer/playwright Randy Weiner has a script by  Joshuah Harmon (Bad Jews) and is directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle (A Christmas Story; After Midnight). This show gives the Easter Bunny some equal time.

The show stars  Broadway's talented Laura Benanti (Women on the Verge) and Derek Hough (the only five-time champion on TV's "Dancing With the Stars" as well as Lenny Wolpe, Jared Grimes, the Rockettes and features the voices of Whoopi Goldberg, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Bella Thorne. Making cameos (via video) are 50 Cent, Carmelo Anthony, Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Walt Frazier, John Leguizamo, Henrik Lundqvist, Al Michaels, Kelly Ripa, Mariano Rivera, Sam Rosen and Donald Trump.

The story follows an old-time tour guide, Bernie (Wolpe) who is being replaced by virtual tours created by a company run by Jenna (Benanti). Meanwhile, a sort of angel named Jack (Hough) drops in to see whether he can help bernie keep his job -- while earning his own wings if he succeeds. Grimes is Jenna's sidekick, Marshall.

The folks take a tour of some of New York's greatest landmarks, like Grand Central Station, the Statue of Liberty, the New York Public Library, Central Park, Times Square, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Fashion District and sporting venues which come to life -- some quite literally at times -- thanks to video projections (designed by Batwin and Robin Productions) and puppetry (Matt Acheson and Eric Novak). Audience members are given 3-D glasses for viewing one of the videos and wrist bands which light up at certain parts of the performance.

Costumes are designed by Esosa, Diane von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi and Zac Posen. Mia Michaels (TV's "So You Think You Can Dance") is the choreographer of the opening number.

The soundtrack includes classics and pop hits, including Taylor Swift's "Welcome to New York," as well as original songs by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy. Here's how the press materials bill it:

"New York Spring Spectacular is as rejuvenating, energetic and uplifting as spring itself - and a reminder that while things may change, nothing can take away the timeless magic
and romance of the one and only New York City!"

The theme given is that this group of people will be forever changed and will never look at the city the same way again.

What Are the Highlights?
The Rockettes always are a treat. The "Singing in the Rain" number is particularly pleasing with a light shower increasing to a thunderstorm with more than 500 gallons of water gushing from 26 nozzles hung above the stage. Loved the paintings at the Met coming to life.

I also chuckled at what easily was the most enjoyable part of the script -- banter between Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as they provided the voices of Patience and Fortitude, the two New York Public Library lions, (with two puppeteers located inside the platform under each lion to bring it to life.)  Benanti brings her usual droll delivery to the dialogue and sings a lovely rendition of "I Could Have Danced All Night." Veteran Wolpe brings some grounding to the crazy story and we get to see some of Grimes' fancy foot work.

This is a great show for tourists. If you never have been to the Big Apple, or you are hosting folks who will be wide-eyed at the grandness of Radio City, and Patrick Fahey's super large sets, get your tickets now. You can beat the crowds, avoid inclement weather, forget overstuffed subways and just give them a tour of the city without ever leaving your seats.

What Are the Lowlights?
The sappy story left me wanting a bit more. Overall, the show was entertaining, but didn't strike me as super interesting for younger kids, even with the Easter Bunny making an appearance. The Statue of Liberty puppet (voiced by Goldberg) looks a little creepy (it features 20 motors to mimic human face movements. Maybe it's just too life-like?) The 3-D glasses and flashing wrist bands seemed rather unnecessary.

More information:

90 minutes no intermission. Ladies, DO NOT attempt to use the rest room. By the time you make it through the TSA-like inspection of your bags at the door, find your way to your seat and get in line, it already will be all the way up the stairs and across the upper level. The line does move faster than you would think, but just be prepared. Start on the second level and don't listen to the ushers giving directions......

Check out exclusive New York Spring Spectacular behind-the-scenes photos, videos and interviews at www.rockettes.com/spring. Tickets range from $50 - $150, depending on show date and time: www.rockettes.com/spring; 866-858-0007; Box Office (50th Street and Avenue of the Americas). Group tickets of 9+ contact 212-465-6080 or group.sales@msg.com. Box Office hours are daily, 10 am  to 8 pm. Tickets purchased via Ticketmaster are subject to service charges.

Christians might also like to know:

-- Just the whole angel earning his wings thing. No content notes.

Laura Benanti and Derek Hough. Photo: Courtesy of Madison Square Garden Entertainment

Off-Broadway Review: Placebo

Placebo
By Melissa James Gibson
Directed by Daniel Aukin
Playwrights Horizons
Through April 5

What's It all About?
Louise (Carrie Coon  -- Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, "Gone Girl," TV's “The Leftovers”) is working on a randomized double-blind Placebo-controlled test for a new drug for female arousal. Subjects in the sturdy, like Mary (a charming Florencia Lozano), sign up in the hopes that they will get the real pill, and not a placebo. It seems like Louise herself might benefit form the drug she helped create. Things aren't all that exciting at home with her husband, Jonathan (William Jackson Harper, who delighted in A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick at Playwrights), though she doesn't seem to be aware of it. When she connects with another PHd candidate at work named Tom (Alex Hurt), sparks fly.

Things deteriorate at home for Louise and Jonathan, who asks her to move out so he can work on his own thesis without interruption. Mary, who experienced awakened sexual interest after starting the study, suspects that it might have been all in her head because she's lost interest in her husband again. She's pretty sure she is receiving the placebo. At least she hopes she is, because if she isn't interested while receiving the real drug, what hope does she have?

What Are the Highlights?
Lozano makes us root for her, even though her part is minor. Hurt is amusing as the socially awkward Tom who wins us over with some vending machine antics.

What Are the Lowlights?

Maybe it's self fulfilling -- the play is a placebo for the real thing. It doesn't have the desired effect of creating characters we care about and a plot that' keeps our interest. The setting of office and home together on the stage (David Zinn designs) doesn't work. Maybe the point is that career and personal life overlap, but seeing elements of the other location in scenes was confusing. Some long moments when Louise sings Louise sings “Placebo Domino in regione vivorum,” Vespers for the Dead when her mother dies. That what placebos -- professional mourners in the Middle Ages sang, you see. Sorry, just not feeling this forced moment.

More Information:

Aukin collaborated with Gibson on her play This at at Playwrights in 2009.  Lighting design by Matt Frey; sound design by Ryan Rumery. 

Placebo plays through April 5 at Playwrights Horizons, 416 West 42nd St, NYC. Performances are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2:30 and 8 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm and 7:30. Tickets: www.PHnyc.org.

Christians might also like to know:
-- Language
-- Sexual Dialogue

Broadway Theater Review: Fish in the Dark with Larry David

Larry David and Rita Wilson/ Photo: Joan Marcus

Missing Seinfeld? Just Pull Up at Seat at Broadway's Cort Theatre
By Lauren Yarger

Every word that comes out of Larry David’s mouth in Broadway’s Fish in the Dark sounds just like something Jerry Seinfeld would say. Maybe that’s because everything Jerry said in the TV sitcom “Seinfeld” was kind of what its co-creators David or Seinfeld would say.

Fish in the Dark, also written by David, who makes his Broadway debut as its star alongside a bunch of other star power, feels like an episode from the TV show, so if it you have been missing “Seinfeld” since Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer faded into reruns when the show ended its highly popular run back in 1998, and you are a fan of David’s persona, further portrayed by himself in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” you are in for a treat.

If you are a theater fan looking for something with a little more plot, character development and a cast of characters small enough for regional theaters to have a shot at producing this play, you might want more from Fish in the Dark ( the cast includes 18 actors who seem never to stop coming out form the wings). But then this show isn’t about producing a play that is going to win a Pulitzer. It is about bringing a popular writer to a new medium and making lots of money. In this, the show’s bigwig producers have succeeded, as tickets (selling as high as $155 a seat) have been flying out of the box office for the limited run, which plays through June 7.

Joining David on stage are some big star names: Rita Wilson (the film actress/producer and wife of Tom Hanks who made her Broadway debut in 2006 in Chicago); Rosie Perez, the always-delightful Jayne Houdyshell, stage veterans Ben Shenkman and Jerry Adler and more. Many, many, many more. The plot revolves around a family coming together around the funeral of its patriarch, Sidney Drexel (Adler).

Norman (David) and his brother, Arthur (Shenkman) fight over who their father has asked to care for their mother, Gloria (Houdyshell). There is no love lost between Gloria and Norman’s wife, Brenda (Wilson), so home sweet home is anything but when the mother-in-law moves in and the wife moves out.

Meanwhile, Norman’s maid, Fabiana (Perez) enters into a plot with Norman to convince Brenda that Fabiana’s son, Diego (Jake Cannavale) is a younger version of Sydney come to visit and requesting his widow provide funds to take care of Fabiana.

There’s more involving Arthur’s bombshell of a girlfriend, Michelle (Jenn Lyon) whom he brings on a date to the hospital where she gets groped by his dying father, projected death certificates ( Set Design by Todd Rosenthal), family promises, lots of arguing and a 1960’s feel enhanced by Ann Roth’s costumes and David Yazbek’s original  music.

Sound is a problem (design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen) with some of the dialogue very difficult to hear (maybe film stars David and Wilson are used to foley masters enhancing their miked dialogue and don’t realize they need to project more on stage. Director Anna D. Shapiro should have clued them in). But again, with box office records being set, David offers an entertaining, pretty, pretty, pretty nice Broadway debut. (and if you don’t get that three-part “pretty” reference, you might want to spend your $155 on a deeper show).

Fish in the Dark plays through June 7 at the Cort Theatre, 138 West 48th St., NYC. Performances are Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm; Wednesday at 2 and 8 pm; , Friday and Saturday at 8 pm; Friday at 8 pm; Saturday at 2 pm, Sunday at 3 pm. Tickets $$49 - $155: (800) 432-7250; http://fishinthedark.com.

Note-- Ladies, don't count on being able to use this small bathroom.

Christians might also like to know:

 -- Language

-- God's name taken in vain

-- Sexual dialogue

-- Sexual situations

Casting Announced for Tempest, Cymbeline in Park

The cast of The Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing. Photo: Joan Marcus

This summer's free Shakespeare in the Park sponsored by the Public Theater will feature Shakespeare’s late romances with The Tempest, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and Cymbeline, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. 

Jesse Tyler Ferguson will return to the Park this summer as Trinculo in The Tempest. Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe team up again with Sullivan on Cymbeline to play Posthumus Leonatus/Cloten and Imogen, respectively.

The Tempest will kick off the summer with Academy Award nominee Sam Waterston (“The Newsroom”) playing Prospero, his 13th Shakespearean production at The Public. He first premiered on the Delacorte stage in As You Like It in 1963. 

In addition to Waterston, The Tempest cast will include Whitney Bashor (Juno); Louis Cancelmi (Caliban); Francesca Carpanini(Miranda); Nicholas Christopher (Boatswain, Spirit); Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Trinculo); Olga Karmansky (Iris); Tamika Lawrence(Ceres); Danny Mastrogiorgio (Stephano); Charles Parnell (Alonso); Chris Perfetti (Ariel); Rodney Richardson (Ferdinand); Cotter Smith (Antonio); and Bernard White (Gonzalo). The non-equity ensemble includes Jordan Barrow, Chloe Fox, Thomas Gibbons, Sunny Hitt, Brandon Kalm, Rico Lebron, Suki Lopez, and Matthew Oaks.

The Tempest will run for five weeks from Wednesday, May 27 through Sunday, July 5, with an official press opening on Tuesday, June 16. Cymbeline, beginning Thursday, July 23, has added an additional three performances to the four-week run that will close on Sunday, Aug. 23 and have an official press opening on Monday, Aug. 10.


Since 1962, more than 5 million people have enjoyed more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte Theater.  Free tickets to The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park are distributed, two per person, at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park on the day of the show. The Public Theater will again offer free tickets through our Virtual Ticketing lottery on the day of the show atwww.publictheater.org. The Delacorte Theater in Central Park is accessible by entering at 81st Street and Central Park West or at 79th Street and Fifth Avenue.

From the League of Professional Theatre Women's Big Mingle and Awards

With the fabulous Kristine Nielsen who hosted the event.

Dick Scanlon presents the Lee Reynolds Award to Mary-Mitchell Campbell.

Dael Orlandersmith presents the Josephine Abady Award to Sandra A. Dailey-Sharif.

With Pat Addiss, producer of Gigi and Dinner With the Boys

Ellen McLaughlin honors Rachel Dickstein with the Lucille Lortel.

Sybille Pearson presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Kathleen Chalfant.

Anna Louizos presents the Ruth Morley Design Award to Donyale Werle.

Kristine doing her thing.

It's wonderful when there are so many talented theater women in one room!

New Rockette Spectacular Already Selling Out

The new New York Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, featuring the Rockettes, already is selling out in previews.

The show celebrates the magic of New York City and its most iconic landmarks, from The New York Public Library to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One particular scene honors the best of New
York sports with video cameos from some legendary New Yorkers. A high-energy fashion scene celebrates the best of New York designers with video appearances by some of the well-known fashion icons that call New York City their home and Rockettes costumes designed by Diane von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi and Zac Posen. The production is offers new Rockettes choreography, 3D
special effects, large-scale puppetry and a soundtrack of pop hits, original music and classics.

The show, written by Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews), stars Laura Benanti as the female lead, Jenna; Derek Hough as the male lead, Jack; Lenny Wolpe as Bernie; Jared Grimes as Marshall and of course, the legendary Rockettes. The production also includes celebrity video cameos by 50 Cent, Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Walt Frazier, John  eguizamo, Al Michaels, Kelly Ripa, Mariano Rivera, Sam Rosen, Carmelo Anthony, Henrik Lundqvist, Martha Stewart and Donald Trump.

New York Spring Spectacular is directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle (A Christmas Story; After Midnight). Co-Creative Directors are Diane Paulus (Pippin, Hair) and Randy Weiner (Queen of the Night at the Paramount Hotel, Amaluna for Cirque Du Soleil, Punchdrunk's Sleep No More)

Check out exclusive New York Spring Spectacular behind-the-scenes photos, videos and interviews at www.rockettes.com/spring, and follow Rockettes and New York Spring Spectacular on Facebook, @Rockettes on Twitter and @TheRockettes on Instagram for all the latest updates on
the show.

Ticket Information:
Preview performances are scheduled before the official opening  March 26 at Radio City Music Hall.

 The limited engagement ends May 3.  Prices range from $46 - $100 for previews and regular box office pricing from $50 - $150, depending on show date and time. Tickets are available at
www.rockettes.com/spring;  866-858-0007; Box Office, (50th Street and Avenue of the Americas). Groups (nine or more): 212-465-6080; group.sales@msg.com. Box Office hours are daily, 10 am to 8 pm. Tickets purchased via Ticketmaster are subject to service charges.

Off-Broadway Review: Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda (center) and the company of Hamilton. Photo: Joan Marcus.

NOTE: This review is of the Off-Broadway production at the Public Theater. For information about the Broadway production, visit http://www.hamiltonbroadway.com/

 A Revolutionary Hamilton Becomes the Shot Heard ’Round the Theater World

By Lauren Yarger

It could be called revolutionary, because it is. It also could be called exciting and fresh. Mostly, The Public Theater’s sold out run of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s newest musical about the life and loves of Alexander Hamilton has been the shot heard ‘round the theater world, as its popularity has required three extensions at its Off-Broadway home and launched it to a new Broadway production this summer.

There for a while, producers were toying with the idea of bringing the show to The Great White Way this season in the hopes of stealing some Tony Awards in June, but apparently backed off in favor of giving Miranda (In the Heights) a chance to work some more on the piece first.

Wise move. While this musical is one of the most entertaining I have seen say, since Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson (do I see a historical theme here?), the two-hour, 30-minute run time should be cut by about 20 minutes (easily done—at least one of the 34 musical numbers can go and so can a couple of less-than-flattering references to women) and the book could use some tightening (lose the confusing references to Burr’s love for the wife of an English soldier). If those changes are made, Hamilton will be a contender (and possibly a sweeper) at the 2016 Tonys. Without it, I still wouldn’t be surprised to see it up for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (for which Miranda was a finalist with In the Heights.)

Miranda, reunited with creatives from the Tony-Award winning In the Heights, (Director Thomas Kail; Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler; Music Director and Orchestrator Alex Lacamoire, Costume designer Paul Tazewell and Lighting Designer Howell Binkley) not only writes the music, lyrics and book (inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow), but also stars as Alexander Hamilton.

The hip-hop musical (with a few ballads thrown in for variety) is about taking your shot, speaking your mind, and turning the world upside down.

This show certainly turns thoughts about the Founding Fathers upside down, thanks in part to a multi-ethic cast that has non-whites playing Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette (both portrayed by Daveed Diggs) and George Washington (Christopher Jackson) for starters.

The focus is on asking how to tell the story of Hamilton, an illegitimate, orphan immigrant who ended up being Washington's right hand man forming the nation’s economy (“Who lives; who dies; who tells your story?” asks the playbill). Later, he becomes the center of the country’s first sex scandal and is probably most known for his duel with Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.). The influence of Hamilton’s life on America today is felt in the modern feel of the costumes (there is a mix of period look with more modern wear with Revolutionary influence) and in modern language.

Besides Hamilton’s part in the Revolution and in helping to build America ( he wrote a majority of the Federalist Papers), the book includes some of his personal life. He marries Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo), but also maintains a relationship with her sister, Angelica (Renée Elise Goldsberry), who had wanted Hamilton for herself (one number intriguingly and movingly replays the scene where Hamilton and Eliza meet from Angelica’s perspective).

Later, Hamilton finds himself embroiled in scandal following an affair with Maria Reynolds (Jasmine Cephas Jones) and suffers the loss of his son, Phillip (portrayed a bit creepily at age 9 and then later as an adult by Anthony Ramos) who dies in a duel, foreshadowing his father's own end. A scene about forgiveness, brought tears to many in the audience.

Despite the needed tweaks mentioned above, I found myself totally enjoying the show, told mostly in song and Manuel’s clever lyrics as well as through Blankenbuehler’s choreography, enhances the storytelling without getting in the way.

Kail keeps the pace moving with precision and good back action that rounds out a scene. Performances and singing voices are terrific across the boards. The strong ensemble is comprise dof Carleigh Bettiol, Andrew Chappelle , Ariana DeBose, Alysha DesLorieux, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings,Thayne Jasperson, Stephanie Klemons, Javier Muñoz, Jon Rua, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, Ephraim Sykes, and Voltaire Wade-Greene…. Ensemble

Very funny is King George (Jonathan Groff), the hapless sovereign who doesn’t quite get why the colonists are upset with him:

“You’ll be back. When push comes to shove I will kill all your friends and family to remind you of my love,” he sings in a perky number.

Note: Groff replaced Brian d’Arcy James, whom I would love to have seen in this role -- I am not sure who has been cast in this role for the Broadway engagement.

If you don’t already have tickets to the sold out run at the Public, you are in luck. Tickets are on sale for the Broadway production which begins previews at the Richard Rodgers Theatre July 13 for an Aug. 6 opening.

More information:

Hamilton runs through May 3 at The Public Theater’s Newman Theater, 425 Lafayetter St., NYC. This run is sold out, but cancellations may become available so check the box office at (212) 967-7555 orwww.publictheater.org for last minute availability.

The Public and TodayTix will continue to offer “Hamilton for a Hamilton” ($10), furthering the innovative new partnership with TodayTix and The Public’s ongoing commitment to making theater accessible to everyone. During the run of Hamilton, a pair of tickets will be available for each performance for $10 per ticket. The lottery will begin each day at midnight for the performance that same day, and winners will be notified three to four hours before show time. Winners will make the payment in the TodayTix app and collect the tickets at the box office. A limited number of $20 tickets, subject to availability, will be distributed via a lottery in the lobby of The Public Theater. For full details on the lottery, please visit publictheater.org. These tickets are $20, cash only, with a limit of two tickets per person.

The Library at The Public (212-539-8777) is open nightly for dinner before or after a show  

 starting at 5:30 PM.  Please RSVP via email to HamiltonRSVP@publictheater.org.  

Tickets for the Broadway engagement at the Richard Rodger Theater, 226 West 46th St. NYC (previews begin July 13 with an official opening Aug. 6) are available at www.ticketmaster.com; 800-745-3000. 

Christians might like to know:

-- God's name taken in vain

-- Language

Quick-Hit Off-Broadway Theater Review: Lives of the Saints

Kelly Hutchinson and Liv Rooth. Photo: James Leynse

Lives of the Saints
By David Ives
Directed by John Rando
Primary Stages

What's It All About?
The world premiere collection of a collection of short plays by David Ives (All in the Timing, Venus in Fur). An ensemble cast of Arnie Burton, Carson Elrod, Kelly Hutchinson, Liv Rooth and Jeff Biehl (I saw Rick Holmes before Biehl stepped in) bring Ives' zany situations to life under the direction of John Rando.

The six plays combine gags and typical Ives suspension of reality to explore relationships, alter realities and what might have been. They aren't related, however, so an overall theme fails to emerge.

Some explore slices of life, while others take a wild leap, like "Soap Opera," in which a "Mapole" washing machine repairman (Carson) falls in love with his Neptune IT 40 model (played by Rooth), who jealousy keeps him from pursuing a relationship with a real woman (Hutchinson) who is interested in him."Enigma Variations" has a couple of folks suffering from severe cases of deja vu (with expert timing and nifty costuming and wig design by Anita Yavich and Tom Watson creating sets of dopplegangers) and "The Goodness of Your Heart" tests the boundaries of friendships and expectations. "Life Signs" is funny, as a mother reaches out from beyond the grave with zaniness that reminded me of Rando's work on Urinetown.

What Are The Highlights?

My favorite sketch was "It's All Good," following two old "church ladies" who have been called in to prepare a funeral luncheon. As Edna and Flo putter about in the basement making kiebasa, Jell-o and other church-food staples, they chat and reflect, in the way old friends do, and vow that whoever goes first will take care of the other's funeral lunch. The world becomes bigger than the confines of the basement with the help of nifty scenic and lighting design by Beowulf Boritt and Jason Lyons.

The ensemble is top-notch. Rooth is aways a treat.

What Are the Lowlights?

Well, you need to remember to through reality the window, or some of the bits might seem a bit too far fetched. And even after you unlatch realistic expectations, not all of the humor lands solidly.

More Information:
Sound design and original music by John Gromada;

Lives of the Saints is Primary Stage's seventh production of Ives' work. It runs through March 27 at The Duke, 229 West 42nd St., NYC. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7 pm, Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 and 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. There is an added 2 pm matinee on Wed. March 25. There is no performances Tuesday, March 17. Tickets are $70: PrimaryStages.org; Dukeon42.org; 646-223-3010; box office. Groups: (10+) $45 each for all performances: (212) 840-9705, ext. 204.

Christians might also like to know:
--Sexual dialog and themes

-- God's name taken in vain

-- Language

Off-Broadway Theater Review: The Mystery of Love and Sex with Tony Shalhoub and Diane Lane

Mamoudou Athie and Tony Shalhoub. Photo: T. Charles Erickson

Where Does Friendship End and Love Begin? Or Does It?

By Lauren Yarger
The complexities and dynamics of friendship, love, sex and marriage all get a thorough examination in the latest play from Bathsheba Doran (Kin, TV’s “Boardwalk Empire”) in an Off-Broadway production of The Mystery of Love and Sex at New York’s Lincoln Center, starring Tony Shalhoub and Diane Lane.

Lucinda (Lane) and Howard (Shalhoub) visit their daughter, Charlotte (Gayle Rankin), at college and discover that she and her best friend, Jonny (Mamoudou Athie), are moving in together and that their relationship might be headed toward marriage.

Howard isn’t exactly enthusiastic. It’s not because Jonny is black and his daughter is white. It’s not because his daughter is Jewish and Jonny is a Christian. It’s because Howard has never completely trusted Jonny, despite the fact that he and his daughter have been best friends – since they were 9 – the year Charlotte attempted suicide. It’s more about the boy’s character, Howard, says. The bestselling author just can’t help but ask probing questions like his detective character might, like why doesn’t Jonny visit his dying mother, for example.

“If he’s a contender for son-in-law, I will whip him into shape,” says Howard in a way that contradicts the kind of relationship one would expect when the young man has been like a member of the family for years.

Meanwhile, those murder mysteries and some of Charlotte’s father’s language bring up some character questions about Howard for Jonny himself. Like why are all of the black characters in the books good dancers or prostitutes and why are there descriptions like “shiny, black skin?”

Behind the scenes, however, Jonny and Charlotte love each other desperately – but not the way you think. They are friends. Best friends, who tell each other everything (well, sort of). Charlotte recently has met a “butch” girl on campus and finds herself attracted despite her best efforts to ignore the feeling. Jonny encourages Charlotte to explore and experiment, while the virgin reiterates his vow to save himself for marriage and "something more".

Jonny refers to his strong Baptist faith repeatedly, but I think in the real world you would be hard pressed to find a denomination that would require abstinence, but be OK with homosexuality or drinking. This is just one of the areas where I felt Doran’s script seemed a bit contrived to propel the plot and gives the impression that she’s delving into areas she doesn’t know from the heart. When Howard indicates that he’d be willing to set aside his faith in favor of his daughter’s happiness, for example, it has the ring of the author trying to make a political statement rather than a realistic progression for the character.  His attempts to find her mother’s wedding dress (long ago sold on E-Bay) for Charlotte are a better attempt at bringing home the point of going the extra mile for those we love.

Complicating the relationships is Jonny’s request to interview Howard about his books for his thesis paper. A visit to the family’s home (designed with simplistic genius by Andrew Lieberman – a few props become the various locations as swirls of mottled blue drapes sweep others aside) culminates in real feelings bursting the dam and all of the relationships in danger of being swept away by the current – including Howard’s and Lucinda’s, when she admits she has been seeing someone else.

Later, can the friends be there for each other when Charlotte can’t decide whether to wear a dress or tuxedo pants for her gay marriage or when Jonny breaks off his relationship with a Christian girl when he discovers  that he too is gay? Sigh. Why is it that every Christian depicted on a New York stage has to be a Republican or a repressed homosexual?

Director Sam Gold tightly directs the action (making it come alive on that bare set which gets changed by the actors, some simply using a tote bag for props) and helping Shalhoub and Lane create characters who don’t blur with characters for which we  remember the actors (Shalhoub was TV’s “Monk” and Lane has been in numerous films including “Unfaithful.”)

Lane is very funny as the southern mom, trying to be polite and accepting while fighting a dependence on cigarettes. Shalhoub adeptly navigates serious and comedic elements of Howard’s character to make him likable despite some unlikable traits.

Athie and Rankin are solid in their performances (and naked – the theater suggests this play may not be appropriate for 16 and under) and Bernie Passeltiner has a brief, but very funny moment, as Howard’s father.

The Mystery of Love and Sex plays through April 26 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse, Lincoln Center, 150 West 65th St., NYC. Performances are Performances Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 pm; Wednesday and Saturday at 2 and 8 pm; Sunday at 3 pm.  Tickets $87: http://www.lct.org/shows/the-mystery-of-love-and-sex; (800) 432-7250.

Christians might also like to know:

-- Nudity

-- Drug use

-- Explicitly sexual dialogue

-- God's name taken in vain

-- Homosexuality

-- Language