Friday 5: 5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To On Our Next NYC Visit

5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To

On Our Next NYC Visit

After 40 plus years of visits to The Big Apple, I've pretty much done all of the touristy things, and they don't really interest me too much anymore, either. But that doesn't mean I don't get excited for every trip I make. Now, it's the little things that bring me joy beyond my main reason for going - seeing shows! Here are 5 that I'm looking forward to for my upcoming visit:

People watching at the Marriott Marquis

I get a kick out of (and a good bit of nostalgia, too) watching people coming and going in the theater district. Watching tourists be tourists is fun. The Marriott Marquis offers a couple of great spots to do just that. There's the 8th Floor lobby with tons of seating to watch guests check in, check out and wait. It's amazing to just sit and listen. Plans for the day, talking about a show they are seeing, trying to figure out how to get there... and many times in a variety of languages! (Of course, it's the nicest place in the area to, uh, refresh... IYKYK!) If the weather's nice, or if it's raining, the breezeway connecting 45th and 46th Streets is also great for people watching. Here's also a great place to see folks lined up to see Hamilton. The excitement is palpable in these patrons, young and old. I especially get a smile out of it when I zero in on a kid who would normally NOT be caught dead at a musical, and is trying with everything they have not to show any signs of excitement. But it is written all over them despite their best efforts.

Checking out the new One Shubert Alley

Sure the tiny closet that is the original is still there, nestled between the stage doors of the Booth and Shubert, and I can remember when that was the only Broadway-specific shop around. Now there are others (and some have come and gone, too), including a bigger one now on Broadway next to the Winter Garden. We will have to stop by and check it out. It'll be nice to have more space to move!

Chicken soup at the Carnegie Diner

Not to be confused with the Carnegie Deli, the Diner is on 8th Avenue, near Wicked/Just in Time on 50th, and Chicago/The Book of Mormon on 49th. We love to go there and sit at the bar and eat. They mix a hell of a drink - heavy pours all around, and the food is really good, with huge portions. But it is their chicken soup that has made it a regular stop for us. Flavorful broth, lots of chicken and veggie chunks and rice comes together in the perfect comfort food, and served with a crusty bread perfect for dipping. We end the visit with a delicious dessert (there are lots to choose from), and our wallets aren't completely empty, either! Highly recommend!

Grabbing a drink at a local bar

Speaking of good drinks and people watching, there are several area bars we like going to for a night cap. This trip The Glass House Tavern (47th Street, next to Six) and Hurley's (next door to the Longacre Theatre and across the street from Hadestown) are the likely candidates and we like them both. The drinks are great, the clientele is a fun mix of theatergoers and locals - always a good sign. And both are great places to see show folk, too!

Revisiting New World Stages

Man, time flies! We haven't been to a show in the New World Stages complex in years. I get a kick out of the urban vibe of the place. It's a cross between an art gallery and a Cineplex. What is fun is the community feeling one gets down there underground and away from the midtown hustle bustle, with everyone there with the same purpose: seeing a show. Seeing Heathers there will have a special nostalgia since we saw the original production there over a decade ago.

What are the "little things" you like to do when you make a theater trip into the city? Let us know!

 

REVIEW: ABBA and the Cold War: The History of Chess the Musical: Chapter 3

ABBA and the Cold War: The History of Chess the Musical

Chapter 3: The Endgame

NOTE: Our look at Chapter 2 can be found HERE.

And as the title of this last "chapter" suggests, the genesis of Chess comes to its catastrophic conclusion, its Endgame. As throughout its rocky journey, the end of it is as messy as all the rest. There was enough blame to go around - the new book writer, the set designer, an underused writing team, a critic who wouldn't let it go. But the biggest villain of all seems to be its Broadway director. It is amazing it ran as long as it did.

Link to Chapter 3 HERE.

As the previous chapter set things up, it seems director Trevor Nunn was chiefly to blame for what ended up on the Imperial stage. First, he did everything to remove the specter of Michael Bennett's work, erasing virtually all of the dancing, and with it, a great deal of the show's biggest asset, the score. Second, his virtual blackmail of the Shuberts to get his passion project, a revival The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, on Broadway proved to be a means to take Nunn from the project. Epic and ambitious, that play was an expensive 29 performance flop. Then there was the mysterious disappearance of the man. He was later found in Australia where he was staging an international Les Miserables. The bigger reason he was really there, I'll leave for you to discover, as well as why he refused to answer calls for help with his own production are ultimately what might have turned things around for Chess. Ego is a hell of a thing. 

History, it turns out, was against Chess, too. The show relied heavily on East-West tensions in general, and the Cold War, specifically. The tide was turning on that front with Gorbachev and his glasnost policy thawing things rapidly. Broadway history was deep in a mini-backlash against British mega-musicals of sorts, the opening that same season of The Phantom of the Opera notwithstanding. The leader of that movement, "The Butcher of Broadway" Frank Rich, had it out for Chess with a particularly scathing review, and later, referencing that show in other subsequent reviews.

I also had to laugh at the misguided last-ditch effort at marketing repair, with their inane "Yes, Chess!" campaign. It was, indeed, silly and nonsensical. I laughed because for years, it has been a running joke between Mike and me. Whenever there's a mention of the show, or especially when there's bad advertising we look at each other and say, "Yes! Chess!"

This section of the documentary seemed to fly by, with some juicy tidbits from behind the scenes provided by scapegoat book writer Richard Nelson and several cast members. They recalled the monolithic stage pieces manipulated by stage hands inside them, guided only by black lights and florescent floor paint, and the badge of honor each earned by getting hit by one. I was particularly charmed by their recall of racially insensitive casting that predated the Miss Saigon scandal by several years.

With the advent of the upcoming revival, it seems the story of Chess continues. It promises a refocused book, and, thankfully, a return to more of what makes it so beloved among musical theater fans - the music. Maybe the success of Mamma Mia! has empowered Benny and Bjorn to have more influence over their work, and similarly, the rise of post-Lloyd Webber Tim Rice in the intervening years will combine to bring Broadway the Chess the the Three Knights have always envisioned.

Despite a rather heavy-handed and stretched thin chess metaphor and a few more cheesy graphics, this well-intended piece wraps things up nicely, and is a valuable film for theater buffs and scholars alike. I heartily recommend giving this a watch.

Broadway Games: Slices of Scenery

Broadway Games:

Slices of Scenery 

You all did so well with the costume ID games a couple of weeks ago, that we thought we'd give you a chance to see how well you know your current show scenery!

DIRECTIONS: From just a slice of a production photo, can you name the show by its scenery? All are from current Broadway plays and musicals.

1.   2.  

3.   4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9.   10.   

11.   12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

Friday 5 + 2: 5 Fall Ensemblists + 2 New Fall Actors

Yesterday, we shared those Leading Players we were looking forward to seeing once again this fall. This season's stacked casts are also a gold mine of both remarkable ensemble members and performers that we are looking forward to seeing for the first time.

5 Fall Ensemblists + 2 New Fall Actors

Jason Forbach - Ragtime

We last saw Mr. Forbach in a leading role, actually - Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. He impressed us then, we are excited to see him bring his vocal talents to the thrilling score of Ragtime. It'll also be great to see him in the featured role of Henry Ford.

Casey Garvin - Chess

Casey Garvin has had our attention ever since we caught his New York debut a dozen years ago in Bare. Since then, we've enjoyed him in a number of Broadway shows, from his debut in Bullets Over Broadway to Some Like It Hot. He is a true triple threat, and he never disappoints. Side note: we'd like to send him our warmest congratulations on his recent wedding!

Sydney Jones - Chess

Ms. Jones gave one of our favorite performances of the past season when we saw her as Betty Schaeffer in Sunset Boulevard, and she was just as captivating in her normal track in the ensemble when we saw the show a second time. I can't wait to see what she brings to the equally intriguing world of Chess.

Kay Trinidad - Hadestown

For us, seeing Kay Trinidad as a Fate in Hadestown will be a re-visit. She is the one remaining Original Cast member left in the Broadway company. It'll be interesting to see how her performance has evolved over 2000+ performances!

Colin Trudell - Bat Boy

As with Casey Garvin, we were fortunate to have caught Mr. Trudell in his New York debut. He played the title role in Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, a delightful holiday treat. He wasn't in the show when we saw Floyd Collins, though we did see him in the audience taking it all in. This fall, we are really looking forward to his Encores! debut.

There are two leading performances that we are very much looking forward to in the coming weeks, and both are Broadway debuts of West End stars.

Sam Tutty - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

When I heard Sam Tutty sing "Waving Through a Window" and "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen, I just knew that I had to see him if he ever came to New York. Well, he is and I am! Can't wait to see this charismatic Brit live and in action!

Jack Wolfe - Hadestown

Who didn't instantly fall for Jack Wolfe the minute they saw him in Next to Normal? Sure, he is one handsome young man, with charm and presence to spare. But, damn, this kid is talented. The voice! The complex acting! I know I'd be the first to turn around for his Orpheus! This may be the single performance I am most looking forward to this fall.

10 Leading Players We Can't Wait to See This Fall

On paper, this fall isn't nearly as exciting as recent previous seasons. There are not too many shows generating much enthusiasm or even conversation. But there is one thing that several shows have going for them that has us excited this fall: they have really stacked casts. So many productions have casts chock full of Broadway favorites from leading roles to ensemble members. Here are 10 performers coming in leading roles that we are very excited to see.

10 Leading Players We Can't Wait to See This Fall

Kerry Butler and Taylor Trensch in Bat Boy (City Center) 

Not only is this a show that has long been on our bucket list, but to finally get to see it with so many of our favorite performers feels like a gift. And how cool to see an original cast member, Kerry Butler (albeit in a different role)! Her singing and comedic skills have always been top notch, and not many actors can pull off camp like she can. Trench, who has never been less than stellar every single time we've seen him, should be quirky and captivating as the titular Bat Boy. The minute they were announced, we knew we had to get tickets! 

Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit in Chess (Imperial Theatre)

I've written several items (including reviews of 2 productions) about my love for the musical Chess, so seeing it in its first-ever Broadway revival was a given the minute this was confirmed. The chance to see one of our favorites, Aaron Tveit, as Freddy, leave it all on the floor with "Pity the Child," and swoon at his cocky swagger during "One Night in Bangkok" is an opportunity not to be missed. Truth be told, it is Lea Michele I am really excited to see, not having seen her on stage since Spring Awakening. I look forward to seeing how her life experiences inform her take on the conflicted Florence, and how her stunning voice will bring new thrills to her songs in this score.

Casey Likes in Heathers (New World Stages)

In addition to seeing the new staging, book changes and score additions, I am most looking forward to watching Casey Likes lead his third consecutive show. I know he can be angsty from Almost Famous, and sweet and goofy from Back to the Future. Now I am excited to see what he can do with a darker, more dangerous character. Will he be three for three? I'm pretty sure.

Jane Krakowski in Oh, Mary! (Lyceum Theatre)

The minute the show was over the last time we saw it, we've been itching to see Oh, Mary! again. Well, when the Jane Krakowski administration was announced for this fall, we couldn't put off our return any longer. I've been a fan of hers from her debut in Starlight Express, and I'm so excited to see her chew some scenery (and puke in a bucket). And I just know her cabaret act will be legendary!

Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy in Ragtime (Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center)

For my money, both Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy are two of modern Broadway's greatest talents. And now, they are taking on two of modern Broadway's greatest musical roles, Coalhouse Walker and Mother in Ragtime. I don't think their inclusion on this list requires much more explanation!

Ariana DeBose and Scott Bakula in The Baker's Wife (Classic Stage Company)

As a musical theater aficionado, this is one of those shows that is on my list of must-see no matter what musicals. The incredible cast of the upcoming revival is superb from top to bottom, but with the two leading roles being taken on by Ariana DeBose and Scott Bakula, I had to snap up tickets minutes after they went on sale! I loved her as "the bullet" in Hamilton, of course, and I was in love with her Anita the minute she appeared on screen. Then, too, is my nearly thirty years crush on him since I first saw him in Romance/Romance. Three decades is a long time to wait to see one of the really good guys on stage again. I. Can. Not. Wait.