Is It Just Me, Or... (Part III)
Is It Just Me, Or... (Part III)
...Wouldn't it have been more appropriate for Matthew Warchus' upcoming Broadway transfer of the British sex farce Boeing-Boeing to be staged at the American Airlines Theatre over the Longacre? After all, the airline was the sponsor of the recently departed West End revival. I'm psyched that Christine Baranski will be joining Mark Rylance, and the possibility that Sarah Jessica Parker may be added the cast has me salivating....What happened to all those people barely one year ago who were sounding the deathknell for the play? With seven new plays currently kicking around the Broadway stage, coupled with a dearth of new musicals, the 2007-08 Theatrical Season must be the year that the straight play made its official comeback. As I said a year ago: "Personally, I believe everything is rather cyclical. And working in plays' favor is the simple cost factor, along with the wellspring of excellent playwrights out there today, as well as so many thriving, vital theatre companies where plays rule the roost. I’m confident they'll always have a place, even on Broadway."
...When all is said and done, haven't critics been a little over the top in their criticism for Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein? I mean, I totally understand the venom directed toward Brooks' rather unorthodox practices, but when all is said and done, the show itself is actually better than OK, even if we don't have a clue what its weekly grosses are. But here's a news flash -- remember those $450 seats? I played around on Ticketmaster and found that I could get a second row center orchestra mid-week seat for just $130.
...Was there really any doubt that both Deanna Dunagan and Amy Morton would each be eligible for the Best Actress in a Play Tony for their breathtaking work in August: Osage County? I know some folks I respect had expressed doubt that the lesser known Dunagan could be nominated in the category, but the Tony Committee has ruled that they both are. Now the question will be, "Which one will actually win the prize?"...Don't London's theatre offerings sound tantalizing this year? Despite what the West End Whingers might think, there's plenty to have those of us on this side of the pond wistfully looking at their offerings. Just ask Rocco at What's Good/What Blows. I'm pondering an April visit myself.
...Do you wonder when stage musical adaptations of films will ever end now that Shrek The Musical is a go for later this year?
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
Is It Just Me, Or...(Part II) (February 21, 2007)
Is It Just Me, Or... (June 14, 2006)
Labels: August Osage County, Boeing-Boeing, Broadway, Is It Just Me, London, Musical, Play, Shrek The Musical, West End Whingers, What', Young Frankenstein
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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