In keeping with the 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.
Hard to believe it's already been over eight years since either Tony-winning actor Jeffrey Wright or Tony-winning playwright/composer John Guare have been involved in a Broadway show.
Lincoln Center describes the production as comedy that's "by turns astonishing, raucous and panoramic":
Will Guare and Wolfe succeed with the Wright stuff? We'll find out after the play opens on November 18, 2010. The limited engagement is set to conclude on January 9, 2011.
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.
A Free Man Of Color is set in the boisterous New Orleans culture that existed just prior to the historic Louisiana Purchase. Before law and order took hold. Before class, racial and political lines were drawn. When New Orleans was still a parade of beautiful women and good-looking men, flowing wine and pleasure for the taking.
At the center of this Dionysian world is Jacques Cornet (Jeffrey Wright), who commands the men, seduces the women, preens like a peacock and cuts a wide swath through the city and the province. But, it is 1801 and the map of New Orleans is about to be redrawn. The Louisiana Purchase will bring American rule to New Orleans, challenging the chaotic, colorful world of Jacques Cornet and all that he represents.
Even more intriguing is the comedy's casting of Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz in his first non-musical role on Broadway. Butz will portray artist Jean-Francois Millet, an artist who thinks the value of his work will increase if everyone presumes he's dead.
Butz isn't the only actor I'm paying to see. I'm pleased that he'll be sharing the stage with such former Tony nominees as David Pittu, Michael McGrath and John McMartin, as well as theatre favorite Byron Jennings.
Will critics think this comedy was worth resurrecting, or call it dead on arrival? Find out tomorrow as I not only present my regular critics' capsule of top theatre critics, but also share my very own SOB Review.
Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles Limited run extended through May 31, 2011 (Show will go on hiatus starting January 15 and reopen at Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 8)
Rock Of Ages - Open-ended run (Show will go on hiatus starting January 9 and reopen at Helen Hayes Theatre in March)
As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!
