I actually went a whole season of Broadway shows without putting full thoughts here in the blog, so we are remedying this ASAP for the shows I watched this month, so this doesnt happen again
Official Blurb: “SIZZLINGLY SEXY AND RIDICULOUSLY FUN, CHESS IS THE BROADWAY SHOW OF THE SEASON!” (Chicago Tribune). Tony Award® winner Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge!), acclaimed stage and screen star Lea Michele (Funny Girl, Glee), and breakout talent Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd, Hamilton) electrify in this seductive showdown of love, loyalty, and power. As two of the greatest chess players in the world compete for something beyond victory, the woman between them faces a high-stakes battle of desire and devotion.”PACKED WITH BLOW-YOUR-HAIR-BACK BANGERS” (The Washington Post) by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar), a thrilling new book by Danny Strong (Dopesick, The Butler), and direction by Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Funny Girl), CHESS is “A TRIUMPH!” (People). “SHOULD YOU GO BUY A TICKET RIGHT THIS MINUTE? YES, GOD, ABSOLUTELY!” (New York Magazine). – LET THE GAMES BEGIN
My take: This is a show you have to go see. Is it perfect, not in the slightest, and having never seen the original I do not know if the reworked book is better or not than what it was, but I can say is that I had a blast. First off, Aaron Tveit in his underwear singing One Night in Bangkok is worth the price of admission. But now on to real theater commentary, the singing is superb. The music of chess was never questioned and the three leads are spectacular in them. It might be some of the best singing on Broadway. Also lets talk about the ensemble. This could be the most good looking ensemble on Broadway and the dancing is amazing. I was also a little bit obsessed with the arbiter who acts as a narrator. His commentary was so ridiculously cheesy that it was funny. As a history nerd I also loved the added CIA and KGB back intrigue (Which according to my very knowledgeable of Chess woman sitting next to me was definitely not in the original incarnations). Do not miss the chance to see these performers live and experience the music. As for the book, enjoy the camp and ride the wave.
Official Blurb: RAGTIME is a sweeping musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel that follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th Century: Black pianist Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and his beloved Sarah, Jewish immigrant Tateh and his little girl, and a wealthy white family led by matriarch Mother. All grasping for the same dream, if only they can hold on to it. Featuring a lush score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, a stirring book by Terrence McNally and original orchestrations by William David Brohn, all of whom won Tony Awards for their work, RAGTIME weaves fictional narratives with real historical figures and events, creating a rich tapestry that blurs the line between personal struggle and national identity, making history feel both intimate and epic. Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet (Tony-nominated for her celebrated 2022 revival of Into the Woods) directs a new production, envisioned for the grand Vivian Beaumont stage, starring Tony nominee Joshua Henry (Into the Woods, Carousel), Olivier and Grammy nominee Caissie Levy (Hair, Frozen), and Tony winner Brandon Uranowitz (Leopoldstadt, LCT’s Falsettos).
my take:I saw this in city center last year and I had never seen it performed before, and I was in awe. And in Lincoln center it’s equally as good. (although i will say the sound is not. Lincoln Center how can you not have better sound that City Center) I would have liked a little more scenery to fill the great big void that is the Vivian Beaumont stage but what you are coming here is for some exemplary music and singing . And man is the singing good. Listening to Joshua Henry is a revelatory experience, and every time I get to be there I’m in awe. The rest of the cast is also stellar. Casie Levy is so poised and beautiful in the role and Brandon Uranowitz will melt your heart. Colin ‘Donnell is also stellar as Father. The only cast member I didn’t love was Nichelle Lewis, I personally didn’t like her tone nor her enunciation. Listening to that opening number with a full orchestra and the huge cast is definitely worth the price of admission, goosebumps throughout. Also how sad that this show is SO relevant today. Thats good in that I think art can call things out but man its been years and us being in some of the same struggles jut does not say good things about us as a society.
Official Blurb: Three longtime friends. One ridiculously expensive painting. Is it art, or is it just the world’s priciest inside joke? As the three men debate the piece and what truly constitutes “art,” they uncover long-held grievances and tension points in their relationships. Can their friendship survive, or will one of them finally draw the line? It’s just 100 minutes of minimalist art, maximalist laughs, and a moving look at what we really see, and forgive, in the people we love. Three irresistible stars at the top of their comedic game in a witty, and award-winning play—this is the can’t-miss event of the season
my take: I like this play, never loved but strongly liked but we are coming here for the performances not really the story. And the performances and the cast here delivered are a sight to behold. They met and exceed expectations. I had seen Neil patrick Harris and Bobby Cannavale live before and am a huge fan of both but had never seen James COrden. And does he deliver he is hilarious and the chemistry between the three was great.
Official Blurb😛op culture’s most lovable and quotable best friends are back, and this time they’re bringing their misadventures to the stage in the new musical comedy ROMY & MICHELE: The Musical. For most of us, the idea of reliving high school is nothing short of a nightmare. That’s why if we ever do return, even for just one night, it has to be in style. When Romy and Michele are invited to their 10-year reunion, they hatch an outrageous scheme to re-invent themselves and impress their former classmates. With an ’80s and ’90s pop-inspired score, ROMY & MICHELE: The Musical is an absolute feel-good joyride. Written by the film’s screenwriter Robin Schiff, with a thrilling score by Gwendolyn Sanford and Brandon Jay (“Orange is the New Black”), choreography by Karla Garcia (Broadway’s Days of Wine and Roses), and directed by Kristin Hanggi (Broadway’s Rock of Ages), ROMY & MICHELE: The Musical is the best thing to happen since the invention of Post-its®. It reminds us that what happens in high school doesn’t define us—unless it’s where you find the Mary to your Rhoda.
my take: I had such low expectations of this. I knew it was going to be camp and that the reviews were not great but I really liked this movie and this is the type of thing I live for -a campy movie adaptation. Oh was I disappointed. Even my low expectations were not even partially met. There is little in this musical that is going right. Lets start with the obvious, they have two stellar singers and actors in this and I did not want to hear more from them by the end. The music is somehow bland and ineffectual, but also annoying. Like I didn’t want them to sing any more of it. The harmonies were not great and I was just not into it. Also camp for me mean great costumes, dancing, etc and although the costumes were great it stopped there. The set was weird and the dancing was just bad to non existent. Lets just say the show was running long and I had a dinner reservation I did not want to loose so I left before the final number. I never do that. That should tell you all you need to know about this show
Official Blurb: LET YOUR FANTASIES UNWIND. Step inside Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Directed by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus, MASQUERADE is a bold new immersive production of the world’s most haunting love story. Enter the Paris Opera House and move through the music, the mystery, and the seduction of the Music of the Night.
My take: I went to see Masquerade in August, and hadn’t put my full thoughts down just some stories so here it is. This could not have been more up my alley. First of all I am a huge ALW and Phantom of the Opera fan so although this was probably going to be something I loved, Im also protective of it so I was nervous. I shouldn’t have been. This immersive show is cool, sexy and fun, whilst maintaining all the music that I love. The staging is eerie an inventive and it made Phantom intimate in an interesting way. My favorite was the rooftop scene, which might not be as fun in the winter when you have to check in your coat and purses, but in August weather hearing this songs in the outdoors with that staging was a great touch. Also the way the did the chandelier in an intimate setting was fabulous, and I also loved learning choreography ;). As someone who complains that people don’t dress up for the theater anymore everyone in cocktail garb and masks was a good night out for me (i also was in my mini group with David Copperfield which given that one of the scenes has magicians was king of meta cool)
There are things I would change, I would like us to walk less, i think you dont need as much activity and some things could have been more static. I also would have loved more scenes with audience participation like the masquerade and the carnival. Some of the pictures of the bar post production:
Tati's Tidbits 