I jumped on a bus to the Lincoln Center to see a matinee of a new musical, Happiness, in the smaller theatre downstairs from where South Pacific is playing. I found it to be an innovative, energetic, a
nd heart-warming production. The setting is a subway car in NYC that turns out to be the "next step" after death for the nine people on board . . . each is given a chance to think of a perfect moment in their lives in order to relive it throughout eternity. I know it sounds kind of corny, but it was actually cool to see each person's moments relived on stage (with very innovative use of a central set and choreography), and to see what might happen to those who hadn't stopped long enough to make such moments in their lives. The music and the voices of each of the actors were perfectly suited to each situation. Hunter Foster was great as the "guide" to what came next, and he had a wonderful number that used every bit of the small stage, including a ladder held by several of the dancers. Sebastian Arcelus (Jersey Boys, Wicked), as a workaholic who rushes onto the subway car but isn't supposed to be there and Ana Maria Andricain (South Pacific, Beauty and the Beast), as a glamorous young woman who isn't what she appears to be, are also terrific--what beautiful voices! The reviews were mixed on this one, but I recommend it highly.
nd heart-warming production. The setting is a subway car in NYC that turns out to be the "next step" after death for the nine people on board . . . each is given a chance to think of a perfect moment in their lives in order to relive it throughout eternity. I know it sounds kind of corny, but it was actually cool to see each person's moments relived on stage (with very innovative use of a central set and choreography), and to see what might happen to those who hadn't stopped long enough to make such moments in their lives. The music and the voices of each of the actors were perfectly suited to each situation. Hunter Foster was great as the "guide" to what came next, and he had a wonderful number that used every bit of the small stage, including a ladder held by several of the dancers. Sebastian Arcelus (Jersey Boys, Wicked), as a workaholic who rushes onto the subway car but isn't supposed to be there and Ana Maria Andricain (South Pacific, Beauty and the Beast), as a glamorous young woman who isn't what she appears to be, are also terrific--what beautiful voices! The reviews were mixed on this one, but I recommend it highly.Wednesday night, I w
ent to the full dress rehersal of Finian's Rainbow , an Encores production at the City Center. This 1947 musical has always been one of my favorites, and it is rarely revived, so I was thrilled to have a chance to see it. The plot is a little crazy--Irishman Finian McLonergan ( played by the wonderful Jim Norton, who we loved in The Seafarer), and his daughter travel to a small Southern town in the state of "Missitucky" with plans to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox, believing that it will grow and multiply. A leprechaun (the cute and hilarious Jeremy Bobb), shows up determined to recover his treasure. Soon enough, the daughter falls in love with the most handsome local boy (played by Cheyenne Jackson, who's pretty damned handsome and has a gorgeous voice), and the racist local sherif is "wished" into a black man.
I was so happy to see that the NYT gave the production a rave review, and it was recently announced that the production is Broadway-bound. My short trip to NYC ended with drinks with Casey, Matt, and Ben and an early bus ride home to get back to work on Thursday. Next up, Ann and I spend a week in June!!
ent to the full dress rehersal of Finian's Rainbow , an Encores production at the City Center. This 1947 musical has always been one of my favorites, and it is rarely revived, so I was thrilled to have a chance to see it. The plot is a little crazy--Irishman Finian McLonergan ( played by the wonderful Jim Norton, who we loved in The Seafarer), and his daughter travel to a small Southern town in the state of "Missitucky" with plans to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox, believing that it will grow and multiply. A leprechaun (the cute and hilarious Jeremy Bobb), shows up determined to recover his treasure. Soon enough, the daughter falls in love with the most handsome local boy (played by Cheyenne Jackson, who's pretty damned handsome and has a gorgeous voice), and the racist local sherif is "wished" into a black man.
I was so happy to see that the NYT gave the production a rave review, and it was recently announced that the production is Broadway-bound. My short trip to NYC ended with drinks with Casey, Matt, and Ben and an early bus ride home to get back to work on Thursday. Next up, Ann and I spend a week in June!!
