about time I finished the rest of my reviews…
Official Blurb:Emmy® and Golden Globe Award® winner Darren Criss (Little Shop of Horrors) returns to Broadway alongside Helen J Shen in the new romantic musical comedy MAYBE HAPPY ENDING. Inside a one-room apartment on the outskirts of Seoul, Oliver lives a happily quiet life, listening to jazz records and caring for his favorite plant. But what else is there to do when you’re a Helperbot 3, a robot that has long been retired and considered obsolete? When his fellow Helperbot neighbor Claire asks to borrow his charger, what starts as an awkward encounter leads to a unique friendship, a surprising adventure, and maybe even…love? Winner of the Richard Rodgers Award, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING is the offbeat and captivating story of two outcasts near the end of their warranty who discover that even robots can be swept off their feet. Helmed by visionary director and Tony Award® winner Michael Arden (Parade, Once on This Island), with a dazzling scenic design by Dane Laffrey (A Christmas Carol) and book, music, and lyrics by the internationally acclaimed duo Will Aronson and Hue Park, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING is a fresh, original musical about the small things that make any life worth living.
My take: I am obsessed with this show. This was a complete delight and totally blew away my expectations. To be honest I had no expectations when I bought tickets and didn’t really know what the show was about. I just went because I am obsessed with Darren Criss and also I just like seeing all the new musicals. Was i in for a trip. This show is heartwarming and heart shattering all at once. WE did not have kleenex but we could have used them. I loved the story, it was adorable and so full of heart. It is a small show but it is so large in emotion. Darren Criss performance is spectacular, his movements are stellar. Also I love short shows, one hour and a half no intermission is my ideal. it might be small in cast, but the staging is spectacular. I absolutely loved the design, its gorgeous and a beauty to look at. Everyone should see this show, and please all go see this show as we need it to keep running!
My friends take: I had zero expectations and was blown away. The body movements, the way the scenic transformed, the plot! I loved it!
Official Blurb:Here’s the game… Phones Out. Face Up. Volume High. Every text, every email, and every call must be shared aloud. That’s what a group of long-time friends gather to play on the night of the eclipse. With the cocktails flowing among grownups who refuse to grow up, outrageous secrets and skeletons begin to emerge… SHIT. MEET. FAN. Are they ready for the ensuing chaos? Are you? The mayhem unfolds in real time in this World Premiere uproarious new satire written and directed by Tony Award® nominee ROBERT O’HARA
My take: This is a no brainer great night out. An funny yet whacky premise and an absolutely stellar cast make for a wonderful show. I kind of want to play this game but it is also absolutely terrifying. I don’t know if I loved or hated the ending and that makes it great when you are so invested. Neil Patrick Harris is great in the role, and all the women were awesome ( Jane Krakowski, Constance Wu & Debra Messing). The chemistry between all of them were great, my only qualm might have been that Michael Oberholtzer seemed way too young to have graduated with the others from college. I was in row A so it was even more evident.
Official Blurb: Based on Delia Ephron’s bestselling memoir, this warm and witty new play is directed by five-time Tony Award® winner Susan Stroman and stars Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”), Peter Gallagher (“Grace and Frankie”), Peter Francis James (Funny Girl) and Kate MacCluggage (“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”). When she least expects it, Delia, beloved novelist and screenwriter of “You’ve Got Mail,” reconnects with a man from her past and falls into her own romantic comedy. What starts with an unlikely spark blossoms into a love story that seems to defy all odds in the face of life’s challenges. Left on Tenth tells the messy, beautiful true story of a woman “navigating the miraculous life stream of the Beshert” and discovering how to embrace the unpredictable and open her heart again.
My take: This show just did not do it for me. The best thing about it was that it was 100 minutes without intermission and as I’ve said before those are my types of shows. But this is a show that should have been a book. And since it was a book, I don’t know who read it and thought this was going to be better as a play. However, the person who thought that, if they thoguht it would be good, this wasn’t the way to adapt it. Half the show being spoked directly to the audience feels weird and reiterates my thoughts that it should have stayed in novel form. Also for me, I needed the trigger warning of the cancer treatment, that was a lot to handle. I think the thing that worked the least for me was how miscast for me Julianna Margulies is. I mean she is a fab actress and does wonderful with the part, but she looks young (she is 58 but to be honest she looks 40) and based on all the say in the show she should be lates 60s or 70s and it just kind of doesn’t tie up. I did like the staging though.
Tati's Tidbits 