My Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

A few weeks ago before I ventured off to New Hampshire (again), I finally got the chance to watch the much anticipated musical 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson'- an emo take on this nation's seventh president. Sure, it's not exactly true to history and it's more than self aware- but it's definitely one of the more original shows currently playing on The Great White Way. Infused with high energy and a sense of humor that would make any of the new wave of theatre goers proud, the Alex Timber adaptation is more than just a fun Cliffnote history lesson. It's a jolt of electricity that continues to carry the raw emotional charge led from shows like 'Spring Awakening' and 'Next To Normal'.

My Instant Reaction to the Tony Awards Nominations

Ah. Tony nomination morning is almost as exciting as Oscar nomination morning. Okay, maybe not. Perhaps he excitement level is equivalent to that of maybe the Golden Globes' nomination announcement, which is a fitting comparison considering how both are notorious for favoring big names to the point when they snub them (a la Julia Roberts), it's bigger news than the folks that actually got nominations.

But guess what, the Tony committee resisted the urge to draw in audience by giving every big name with a mediocre performance a free pass this year. No Nathan Lane, no Hugh Jackman, no Daniel Craig, no Kristin Chenoweth, no Bebe Neuwirth and no Vanessa Williams. Not even theatre favorites Cheyenne Jackson and John Gallagher Jr. broke through. They even favored shows that closed months ago (Ragtime, Finian's Rainbow) as opposed to ones that are brand spankin' new (Promises, Promises).

Granted, the leading actor in a play category reads like a who's who of Hollywood "actor-dom", but the word of mouth on these performances were strong from the get-go and supposedly well deserved.

The biggest shocker for me this morning was how American Idiot mustered up only three nominations, none for their actors or even director Michael Mayer, but somehow still managed to get the golden Best Musical nod- a prerequisite if you want to perform during the Tony telecast. Were the committee not convinced it's not a modern incarnation of the recent heralded Spring Awakening? Well, at least The Addams Family failed to get in on the fun, making this the first time in six years that a musical based on a film is not nominated in the category. Another amusing bit is that Jay-Z is now a Tony nominee for producing 11-time nominated Fela!.

A quick look at the rest of the nominees indicates Fela! is undoubtedly the frontrunner, though I'll be routing for Memphis myself, while Red and Fences are leading things on the play side. Watch out for my predictions later this month, but for now check out the full list of nominees here.

My N2N Cast Changes

Yes, this is indeed your biweekly blog entry about 'Next To Normal'. I went ahead and saw the newly minted Pulitzer Prize winner again this past Monday and realized something. Due to replacements and understudies- I haven't seen the same cast combination once out of the five times I've seen this show.... that and I forked over more than $300, but I try to think positive.

Since I've always admired the intensity and feistiness Alice Ripley pours into Diana, it was a little jarring when her understudy Jessica Phillips portrays it a little more tame but with a lot more emotions. It took all of the first act for me to get used to Phillips, but as soon as the second act opened up, I was game for her idea of Diana being in a much deeper internal pain. If the rumors are true that Phillips will eventually replace Ripley, I think I'll be okay with it. I can deal with painfully tragic women.

The thing I miss most about Aaron Tveit's version of Gabe is the boyish charms he brings to a rather innocent character, not to mention his confidence on stage commands audience attention. The first time I saw Kyle Dean Massey's Gabe, it was his second show back and he had a cold and sounded nasally- very apparent when he has to go toe-to-toe with Alice Ripley & Bobby Spencer during "You Don't Know/I Am The One". This repeated viewing of a healthier Massey was such a drastic improvement. His Gabe is more haunting and sly, with the sort of charisma necessary for a heartthrob. Maybe it's the way he looks at you with those deep socket eyes like he's trying to undress you and buy you flowers at the same time.

Finally, Dan has always been my favorite character in the show. I love how caring and protective he is of his clan and much of it has to do with Bobby Spencer. He makes my eyes watery every time during "A Light In The Dark" and again during "I Am The One (Reprise)", one time I actually heard half the theatre sobbing during the latter number. The idea of going to see the show again was because Spencer would be departing the production and the man who would be replacing Spencer is the man Spencer himself replaced during the show's transition from Off-Broadway to Broadway, Brian Darcy James- who opted to do 'Shrek: The Musical' instead of this. I've heard good things about James's version of Dan and I look forward to seeing it later this fall/winter.

So am I ready to call 'Next To Normal' my favorite stage production of all-time over 'The Light In The Piazza'? Umm... yes. Yes, I am. Though things might change again whenever Matthew Morrison and Kelli O'Hara decide to share the stage again for my amusement.

Also, believe it or not, another musical that's no longer on Broadway actually got more repeated viewings out of me (Nope, not 'Piazza'), but it's far too embarrassing to admit- even on the interwebs.

My Green Day

Just as I was ready to dismiss seeing 'American Idiot', a new musical based on Green Day's Grammy-winning album, they announced the cast list that has been changing my mind. As expected, John Gallagher Jr. ('Spring Awakening') is heading the show but it's the inclusion of Stark Sands that's going to bring me to St. James Theatre sometime this year. I've been a fan of Sands since his turn in 'Journey's End' and his role in the HBO miniseries "Generation Kill" only cemented himself as one of those actors I'll be keeping an eye out for. The show itself will launched March 24th. Oh, I hope Sands can ease my doubts when he and the cast performs '21 Guns' on the Grammys this Sunday. (Playbill)

My Upcoming Stage Plays

In an obvious move to corner more of that teeny-bopper audience, a stage musical version of 'Bring It On' in now in the works. It makes sense since there's already tons of dancing it in already. Ten bucks says Jerry Mitchell is jealous he didn't think of it first. (Playbill)

Onto something with a little more artistic value, 'Next Fall' will make the transfer from Off-Broadway to Broadway in the upcoming spring. I'm super, uber-excited about this transfer and hopes it translates well. For a second there, I thought it was going to be another one of those topical plays I'll never get the chance to see. (Playbill)

My 3D Theatre

I'm not sure if I would attend a showing of 'The Light in the Piazza' or 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' in movie theaters in 3D. Seeing a taped performance of a live stage performance is already iffy but add to the fact we have to put on silly glasses while soaking in emotionally wrenching scenes from shows seem extra silly. Off the top of my head, I can only think of a few shows currently on Broadway that can pass the transition- 'Wicked', with its uber amounts things flying at you, and 'Shrek: The Musical', with its source material already being a '3D' film. (Playbill)

My SNL Broadway Skit

Hilarious in every way, especially to a Broadway lover such as myself. Just an introduction to my next award category- stage.

My Dried-Eye Broadway Closures

New York Times, how I adore thee. As word of the new Mel Brooks Musical is closing in January, the Times managed to say what everyone not involved with the show is thinking. The "Oh well, moving on" attitude fits the very arrogant show's demise. Charging $450 for a ticket? Not reporting your grosses? Dumping St. James Theatre? (NYT)

My Will Chase Update

One of my favorite Broadway actors, Will Chase, is set to star in yet another musical next year. Since his very short stint in 'High Fidelity' a few years ago in which I was fortunate enough to see on opening night, I've been a fan. You can chalk 'The Story of My Life', a musical about the beginning and end two men's friendship, up along with the many other shows currently playing on Broadway I want to see when I have some dough to spurge. (Playbill)

My Broadway Closures

A pair of Broadway shows are set to close in mid-October. One of which I'm sad to see go, another I thought should've gone a whole lot sooner. Both 'title of show' and 'Legally Blonde" are set to close on Broadway their brief runs- with the former closing after just 3 months under the lights.

It's sad to see creative shows with substance go unnoticed, but obviously that's not the first time and it certainly won't be the last. So go catch 'title of show' at the Lyceum Theatre this week and while you're heading downtown, snicker at the fact that 'Legally Blonde' is closing after this numerous attempts to revive the show with their MTV tie-ins. 

My Enchanted Evening

I've been wanting to check out the new revival of 'Rodger and Hammerstein's South Pacific' ever since I heard Bartlett Sher will be directing Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Morrison again after 2006's 'The Light In The Piazza', the show that got me head over heels for Broadway. And tonight, I finally got to go. Although it's not as romantic and lavish as 'Piazza', 'South Pacific' offered a much different variation of love, the social acceptance of it. Just like any other production in The Vivian Beaumont at Lincoln Center, this production was a feast for the eyes. 

As for O'Hara and Morrison, who shared only two scenes, the energy between them can felt even in silence even when their characters are not supposed to be romantically linked. When is someone going to cast them again in a full blown production as star-crossed lovers!? There was even a scene when Morrison began the sing, I was completely expecting him to sing the first verse of 'Love To Me' from 'Piazza'.  Both his and O'Hara's performances only confirmed to me that I need to catch everything else they're going to do on stage. 

My 13 Musical

This upcoming Broadway season, there will be two shows showcasing lead characters under the age of 18. First is the highly anticipated West End transfer, Billy Elliot and second, is a new musical called '13'- an "original" idea about thirteen teens going up with pre-teen issues. I find it strange that someone found this concept marketable to the typical Broadway audience because, let's face it, prepubescent teens singing and dancing in unison about their life troubles just doesn't cater to much to middle aged folks. I'll be even more surprised if the show lasts for more than a year.

You can find the music video of the show-titled number on their official website and see if you agree with me in saying it sounds a little too "Kidz Bop". And one more thing.... not even one of the thirteen kids can be non-white? Maybe they did go for the Broadway demographic afterall. (Official Website)

My West Side Story

Since 'Gypsy' was such a big hit,  the 90-year-old Arthur Laurents decided to go ahead with a new production of 'West Side Story'. The catch? It's going to be bilingual! Am I worried? Of course I am. Unlike film, theatre doesn't lend itself to subtitles. If I remember 'West Side Story' correctly, the parts where the Sharks are suppose to speak Spanish are plentiful. I can't help but wonder if this production got greenlit due to the mega-success of 'In The Heights', this year's Tony Award winner for Best Musical. 

For the sake of not alienating the dominant theater audience, I'm sure Laurents and his many, many years of experience will alter the book into something marketable without bending the original vision he had over 50 years ago when 'West Side Story' first set on stage. (NYT)

My Tonys Coverage

There are so many excellent analytical websites out there regarding movie awards, but the same cannot be said about the theatre award community. And as a theatre fanatic, it seems my luck has changed. A starter site, Tony Awards Haven, was launched recently. Though it is still the simpler stages, the administrators promise in depth coverage as the award season come into high gear (Drama Desk! Outer Critics Circle! Drama League!). It's enough to keep me salivating until the nominations. 

One thing is for sure, I don't know how people are counting out 'Young Frankenstein' so early. It's not like there are 70 original musicals out there and I doubt the Tonys Committee can ignore such a big show despite its many, many flaws. 

My Laura Benanti

New York Times has an excellent article about Laura Benanti, a Tony Award nominee who is currently starring in 'Gypsy' with Patti LuPone. Laura first caught my eye when I heard her on the 'Into the Woods' recording. Unfortunately, I was never able to see the show when it was still on Broadway.

But two years ago, at the height of my Stephen Lynch obsession, I went to see Laura (and Stephen) at 'The Wedding Singer'. Not only was I engulfed with the '80s tribute musical, both Stephen's and Laura's voices instantaneously became embedded in my iPod for months to come. So is there any doubt I'm going to try to catch her in 'Gypsy' before it goes away? You can also catch Laura on upcoming episodes of 'Eli Stone'. (NYT)

My Young Frankenstein

So I finally caught the much-hyped Mel Brooks musical 'Young Frankenstein'. First of all, it's nowhere near as bad as most reviewers say it is- in fact, it was quite enjoyable.... in the first act. Then the second act fell apart with a lack of focus (other than the spectacular number 'Puttin' On The Ritz'). Even the sets during the first act blew me away- each scene showcasing a new splashy set. 

Is it me or did the intermission point feel like it came two scene too late? Also, could they have underused Megan Mullally anymore?

My Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

I caught the updated version of Tennessee William's Cat On A Hot Tin Roof recently and much to my dismay, it was a major disappointment. At three hours, it was ridiculously long and found myself checking if enough time had passed from one intermission to the next. But the one revelation, if you can call her a revelation, is Phylicia Rashad- who was amazing and continues to live up to her Broadway icon status.

My Month's 'Rent'

I never really understood the nostalgia behind Rent. Perhaps I was past its generation but when I first made my way around to go see the Jonathan Larson musical, all I kept thinking was 'Why don't these people just get jobs?'. And then there was that abomination that was the film adaptation. What a bohemian mess.

Now comes confirmation that original 'Rent-sters', Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal are headlining a tour in 2009, some 11-years after they made their Broadway debut. My question is, aren't they a little bit too old to play 20-somethings now? (Playbill)