Is He Dead? A New Comedy - 2007.12.22 (evening)
The discovery of Mark Twain's Is He Dead? marks the return of Norbert Leo Butz to the Broadway stage, this time in a play. Leading an ensemble cast including: Jenn Gambatese, Byron Jennings, Michael McGrath, David Pittu, and John McMartin, Butz turns the notions of death and gender upside down and inside out.
If the vision of Norbert Butz in a bright pink gown isn't enough for the purpose of intrigue... I found that it was his comfort when dressed as the Widow Tillout that made his characterization delightful. A humourous romp through Paris, the plot of the story isn't as important as the ensemble upon the stage. Suffice it to say, it involves the up and coming artist Jean-Francois Millet (Butz) and his death (or some variation), a case of mixed identities, and a host of accomplices that make jokes about cheese, sausages, and two very willing widows.
Perhaps it was me and my passing interest in ABC's Pushing Daisies - which was a host of Broadway stars including Swoosie Kurtz, Ellen Greene, and Kristin Chenoweth. But the mentions of Daisey (the renamed Widow Tillout), and the flounces of Norbert Leo Butz made me wonder if he was channeling Chenoweth's Glinda characterization - complete with tosses and giggles.
Although this is not the first Broadway play that tweaks with the notions of gender and gentility, Twain's gem takes on new life as it plays on his belief that "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" and provides the requisite humour and happy ending that makes a night out to the theatre something fun and filled with laughter all at the same time.
If the vision of Norbert Butz in a bright pink gown isn't enough for the purpose of intrigue... I found that it was his comfort when dressed as the Widow Tillout that made his characterization delightful. A humourous romp through Paris, the plot of the story isn't as important as the ensemble upon the stage. Suffice it to say, it involves the up and coming artist Jean-Francois Millet (Butz) and his death (or some variation), a case of mixed identities, and a host of accomplices that make jokes about cheese, sausages, and two very willing widows.
Perhaps it was me and my passing interest in ABC's Pushing Daisies - which was a host of Broadway stars including Swoosie Kurtz, Ellen Greene, and Kristin Chenoweth. But the mentions of Daisey (the renamed Widow Tillout), and the flounces of Norbert Leo Butz made me wonder if he was channeling Chenoweth's Glinda characterization - complete with tosses and giggles.
Although this is not the first Broadway play that tweaks with the notions of gender and gentility, Twain's gem takes on new life as it plays on his belief that "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" and provides the requisite humour and happy ending that makes a night out to the theatre something fun and filled with laughter all at the same time.