Gay Theater Weekend
A couple of weeks back, we had some buds up from Philadelphia to have a theater weekend. They left arrangements in my hands. I was all too happy to oblige:
Friday night: A Chorus Line
Sat. matinee: Grey Gardens
Sat. evening: Company
Sun. matinee: Butley (with Nathan Lane)
Is that the gayest line up EVER? Anyway, here are my encapsulated reviews:
A Chorus Line: Dance ten, looks three. With all of the people on Broadway, these are the best they could get? Not pretty. If you LOVED the original, and played the soundtrack until the grooves wore out, then by all means go; see; you'll enjoy. But then treat yourself to the original soundtrack on CD (that LP you once owned is long gone by now).
Grey Gardens: If you don't see this show -- RIGHT NOW -- your life will be a waste. It is fabulous.
Company: I have always wanted to see "Company" but never have. This, undoubtedly, is the very best production of "Company" ever. I liked it, and I really liked Raúl Esparza as Bobby. "Company" itself, however, has some problems and they are not getting better with age: 2 1/2 hours about a straight guy with commitment issues? Only Sondheim could make it interesting -- and he does -- barely. Still, who can pass up "The Ladies Who Lunch"?
Butley: An interesting revival of a British comedy, starring Nathan Lane. An "interesting comedy" is not praise. On the other hand, Nathan Lane was hugely good. When he's good, he's very, very good -- and when he's bad, he's horrid.
It was good to be with our friends again.
Friday night: A Chorus Line
Sat. matinee: Grey Gardens
Sat. evening: Company
Sun. matinee: Butley (with Nathan Lane)
Is that the gayest line up EVER? Anyway, here are my encapsulated reviews:
A Chorus Line: Dance ten, looks three. With all of the people on Broadway, these are the best they could get? Not pretty. If you LOVED the original, and played the soundtrack until the grooves wore out, then by all means go; see; you'll enjoy. But then treat yourself to the original soundtrack on CD (that LP you once owned is long gone by now).
Grey Gardens: If you don't see this show -- RIGHT NOW -- your life will be a waste. It is fabulous.
Company: I have always wanted to see "Company" but never have. This, undoubtedly, is the very best production of "Company" ever. I liked it, and I really liked Raúl Esparza as Bobby. "Company" itself, however, has some problems and they are not getting better with age: 2 1/2 hours about a straight guy with commitment issues? Only Sondheim could make it interesting -- and he does -- barely. Still, who can pass up "The Ladies Who Lunch"?
Butley: An interesting revival of a British comedy, starring Nathan Lane. An "interesting comedy" is not praise. On the other hand, Nathan Lane was hugely good. When he's good, he's very, very good -- and when he's bad, he's horrid.
It was good to be with our friends again.