Finian's Rainbow (The SOB Review) - City Center Main Stage, New York, New York** (out of ****)Now that
it's been announced that the
City Center Encores! musical reading of
Finian's Rainbow will get all gussied up for a regular Broadway staging later this year, I feel compelled to write a few thoughts about this dated clunker.
I submit that what may have worked among the adoring, hard-core New York theatre audiences that regularly assembles for Encores! presentations simply won't sell on the Great White Way.
Yes, there were winning performances from
Cheyenne Jackson,
Kate Baldwin,
Jim Norton and
Terri White (who truly proved a "Necessity"). Also,
Finian's Rainbow boasts some timeless tunes from the canon of
E.Y. Harburg and
Burton Lane -- I still can't get "Old Devil Moon" or "How Are Things in Glocca Morra" out of my mind.
But despite director/choreographer
Warren Carlyle's best attempts to breathe new life into this
62 year old tuner -- which in 1947 had boldly challenged racial discrimination well ahead of its time -- Harburg and
Fred Saidy' s ridiculously creaky book reads more like a relic.
And dare I say it? I was bored silly.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Burton Lane, Cheyenne Jackson, E.Y.Harburg, Finian's Rainbow, First Word On New Show, Jim Norton, Kate Baldwin, Musical, New York City Center, Terri White, The SOB Review, Warren Carlyle
The Epitome Of The Word TrouperAbout as true to her role of
Margo Channing as can be, apparently
nothing is going to keep the amazing
Christine Ebersole from her commitment to
Applause at
New York City Center Encores! this weekend. I only wish I could be there...
Talk about
true star power. Miss Ebersole proves yet again that she's a consummate actress who believes that the show must go on. She has my utmost admiration and unflagging applause.
Now, here's to your good health!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #2: Christine Ebersole (December 30, 2007)
Labels: Applause, Christine Ebersole, Musical, New York City Center, Off-Broadway, Revival
At 90, Laurents Has Still "Got It"Great story in this morning's
New York Post by Michael Riedel in which the now 90 year old legend,
Arthur Laurents is interviewed.
Laurents continues to amaze most recently with his current direction on
City Centers Encores! production of
Gypsy. While
Patti LuPone is the star audiences are paying to see, they're leaving with memories of Laurents' handiwork.
Riedel quotes the maestro as saying, "At the age of 90, I'm wanted...They want me to direct the Bible next."
Amen!
Happy belated birthday to Arthur Laurents, a true living legend.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Did Gypsy Entertain Critics? (July 16, 2007)
Everything's Coming Up Patti! (July 9, 2007)
It's Official: LuPone's Triumph Earns Encores! (March 19, 2007)
Will Encores Mount All-Star Gypsy? (March 2, 2007)
Labels: Arthur Laurents, City Center, Gypsy, Musical, New York City Center, Off-Broadway, Patti LuPone, tribute
Everything's Coming Up Patti!Tonight,
the biggest event of year in New York theatre begins. If you guessed it was on Broadway, you'd be close, but you'd be wrong.
It's on West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, where
New York City Center's Encores! Summer Stars series is inaugurated this evening with
Arthur Laurents at the helm of
Gypsy. Nearly one year after its star
Patti LuPone took
Ravinia, Manhattan will likely be firmly in her commanding grasp later this evening.
Yesterday's edition of
The New York Times celebrated LuPone's impending hold over the city with an
illuminating story by Jesse Green, which provides an inside look at the much talked about "ban" imposed by Laurents on LuPone and their meeting of the minds. Thank goodness for the swallowing of pride and a certain three hour conversation!
Joining LuPone will be
Boyd Gaines as Herbie and
Laura Benanti as Louise.
Performances run through July 29. Don't miss it! Because as much as LuPone would love 220 more chances on Broadway to portray Mama Rose, it's down to the 22 performances at New York City Center.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Top Ten Of The Year (June 4, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best Revivals Of Musicals (May 18, 2007)
It's Official: LuPone's Triumph Earns Encores! (March 19, 2007)
Will Encores Mount All-Star Gypsy? (March 2, 2007)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #1: Patti LuPone (December 30, 2006)
Gypsy (The SOB Review) – Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL (August 14, 2006)
Labels: Arthur Laurents, City Center, Encores, Gypsy, Musical, New York City Center, Off-Broadway, Patti LuPone, Ravinia, Revival, Stephen Sondheim
