NY Theater Weekend
Just got back from our annual NY Theatre Weekend. Had a blast. here's some thoughts on the shows we saw this year
Fuerza Bruta - Every bit as amazing as De La Guarda. This Argentinian troups performance art is electric, acrobatic, sexy and truly mind-blowing. Around the time they starting lowering the pool out of the rafters over our heads I think my mind exploded.
August Osage County- Maybe a victim of high expectations - but I didn't love this show they way I thought I would. After SOOOO many glowing reviews, I really expected something mind blowing. What I got was an entertaining show - remarkably small in its scope - which never really tried, IMHO, to transcend its actual plot to be something thought provoking or significant. Coupled some really uneven performances (one in particular that I found to not be at all Broadway caliber) and the experience fell a little short for me.
Equus - Best show of the weekend. While Harry Potter's performance (and much discussed nudity) was utterly forgettable, the tour de force which is Richard Griffins and the excellent supporting role work done by Katherine Mulgrew (Captain Janeway) really took my breath away. And the show itself is quite challenging and rewarding. I've always heard great things about this 25 year old play, but have never seen nor read it. And it's quite a kick in the teeth. You certainly leave the theatre with an awful lot to process about your beliefs in divinity and mysticism.
Shrek - Shockingly good. While I was prepared to hate the show on principle alone (I really dislike the whole idea of movies made into musicals) It's pretty hard not to appreciate the amount of talent that went into this show. Brian Darcy James (one of my favorite male voices on Bway) sounds better than ever. Sutton Foster is adorable (as always) and Jeanine Tesori's (one of favorite Bway composers) score is musically much more complex than would be expected. The sets are incredible, the stage magic (particular the dragon) is fun and appropriate, and the well, the show is just plain old fashion Bway entertainment.
Fuerza Bruta - Every bit as amazing as De La Guarda. This Argentinian troups performance art is electric, acrobatic, sexy and truly mind-blowing. Around the time they starting lowering the pool out of the rafters over our heads I think my mind exploded.
August Osage County- Maybe a victim of high expectations - but I didn't love this show they way I thought I would. After SOOOO many glowing reviews, I really expected something mind blowing. What I got was an entertaining show - remarkably small in its scope - which never really tried, IMHO, to transcend its actual plot to be something thought provoking or significant. Coupled some really uneven performances (one in particular that I found to not be at all Broadway caliber) and the experience fell a little short for me.
Equus - Best show of the weekend. While Harry Potter's performance (and much discussed nudity) was utterly forgettable, the tour de force which is Richard Griffins and the excellent supporting role work done by Katherine Mulgrew (Captain Janeway) really took my breath away. And the show itself is quite challenging and rewarding. I've always heard great things about this 25 year old play, but have never seen nor read it. And it's quite a kick in the teeth. You certainly leave the theatre with an awful lot to process about your beliefs in divinity and mysticism.
Shrek - Shockingly good. While I was prepared to hate the show on principle alone (I really dislike the whole idea of movies made into musicals) It's pretty hard not to appreciate the amount of talent that went into this show. Brian Darcy James (one of my favorite male voices on Bway) sounds better than ever. Sutton Foster is adorable (as always) and Jeanine Tesori's (one of favorite Bway composers) score is musically much more complex than would be expected. The sets are incredible, the stage magic (particular the dragon) is fun and appropriate, and the well, the show is just plain old fashion Bway entertainment.