SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties: #3 - Assassins
SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties: #3 - Assassins (2004, Studio 54, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York City, NY)Introduction: Hard as it is to comprehend that we're already 119 months into this "new" millennium, we are fast approaching the end of its first decade. While we have yet to agree on what exactly we should call the '00s, I'll take a cue from the fine folks at The Times of London and the BBC and henceforth refer to them at the Noughties.
With that small introduction, I'm pleased to present my list of plays and musicals that wowed me the most during that time. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of shows I've seen over the last ten years, I give you my countdown of my 25 personal favorite shows of the Noughties.
If nothing else, Assassins proved to be definitely ahead of its time. This Joe Mantello-helmed Stephen Sondheim revival was nearly sidelined indefinitely as a result of 9/11.
Thankfully, this tour-de-force morality musical on America’s real and would-be assassins really hit the mark, with excellent performances all around. Standouts included Tony-winner Michael Cerveris (John Wilkes Booth), Denis O'Hare (Charles J. Guiteau) and Jeffrey Kuhn (Giuseppe Zangara).
But Neil Patrick Harris’ harrowing transformation from Balladeer to Lee Harvey Oswald was especially chilling. It's a pity it came and went so quickly. But thankfully, the tuner was recorded for posterity, and my CD is nearly worn out from so much play.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. I paid my own way for this performance.
Labels: Assassins, Broadway, Denis O'Hare, Jeffrey Kuhn, Joe Mantello, Michael Cerveris, Musical, Neil Patrick Harris, Revival, SOB's Favorite Shows Of The Noughties, Stephen Sondheim
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, December 28, 2009
4 Comments:
YES!!! This production remains to this day probably the best thing I've ever seen (AUGUST being another - which I'm assuming we will see on your list soon).
I am not making a best of decade list because I really don't know how I'd narrow it down, but if I did, this would certainly be up there. This is one of my favorite productions ever and I'm so glad it made your list. I was living in Boston and I was in New York for one day and lost the Wicked lottery, so I saw this instead. I'm so glad I lost the Wicked lottery, otherwise I would have never seen this show (and the next time I was in New York I did win the Wicked lottery and was able to see it).
+1.
That's all I have to say.
Glad you all approve of this choice. I loved every moment of the show and still listen to the orginal cast recording often.
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