On Your Toes

On Your Toes
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8PM
Freud Theatre, UCLA, Los Angeles

This was a fairly good production of a pretty dated musical. The plot centers around a music teacher who used to be a famous vaudville performer. He's trying to promote a new jazz ballet, falls in love with a student and a ballerina, becomes a target for the ballerina's boyfriend, and makes a fool out of himself onstage. The actor in the lead role, Jeffry Denman, is an amazing song-and-dance man. I saw him previously in White Christmas at the Pantages a couple years ago. He's extremely good and would be in demand if it was 50 years ago. He reminds you of Danny Kaye, in fact the resemblance is a little creepy.

The real standout was Yvette Tucker. She was amazing as Vera, the russian ballerina. Reading her bio it turns out that I've seen her previously in Can-Can in Pasadena and in The Merry Widow at the LA Opera. She was a real stand-out in this production, of course her character had all the drama and angst. She really played it up and was extremely believeable.

The student love-interest, who turns out to get the guy in the end, was played by Beth Malone. I've seen her previously in Sister Act at Pasadena. She has a nice voice and has some wonderful moments in this show, but is distractingly skinny. I normally wouldn't comment on a person's appearance, but it actually was distracting, which is what inspires me to comment when directing. Did it bug me???....then say something. Not that she will ever read this, but just a few pounds put on would fill out those costumes a bit more.

Dan Butler, the guy who played Bulldog on Frasier, was fine as the russian director, but this man should not have a solo. He was fine when singing with Stephanie Powers, but on his own it was hard to listen to. It could be written off as opening night jitters. Perhaps he'll relax into it and be more on pitch as the show runs.

Stephanie Powers was very good as the producer behind it all. She was great dancing and singing and acting. A true star. I can imagine that there really just aren't enough roles out there for her. This was a perfect fit.

Jason Alexander is the new artistic director for Reprise! According to his letter at the beginning of the program he has a lot of dreams and ideas to implement for this theatre company. He's probably attempting to make it a bit more like Encores! in New York. This is a transitional year as they decide where to go and how to get there. It could be very exciting.

Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein
Friday, August 10, 2007 8PM
Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA

This show is a blockbuster in the making. It's based on the Mel Brooks' movie just as the previous production of The Producers. Mel is trying again and has lined up an extraordinary cast. Sutton Foster, Shuler Helmsley, Roger Bart, Andrea Martin, Christopher Fitzgerald, and especially Megan Mullally. That name will bring in throngs of Will & Grace fans, I'm sure. They're going to be blown away by her singing. She really steals the show.
There were a few noticeable glitches in the production. I saw some cheat-sheets on Sutton. It looked as if Roger didn't do some big lift-type move at the close of a number, and I'm sure that he also forgot a line during the secret passage routine.
I believe that this movie is way more popular than the Producers movie was. I had seen bits and pieces and recognized a few of the jokes which wasn't the case for Producers. I'm not sure if that's going to mean more or less of a success. Just getting to see these performers do their things is a privledge and by the time they get to Broadway I'm sure things will be a bit tighter and much more polished.
Now a word about stage-dooring.
I stood in line and bought a poster and t-shirt then proceeded outside in hopes of getting a few signatures on my program. They had set the barriers up really far away from the door and that gave the cast the opportunity to congregate and take off away from us. By us I mean about 15 people who were obviously fans. I saw Andrea Martin but would've had to yell to even try to get her attention. One of the other girls yelled out Sutton's name, but I didn't see her. Finally Megan Mullally came out and came over and signed autographs, took pictures, and was extremely sweet. She signed everything that people handed her and then got in her car and left. 10-15 minutes at the most. So, all these people have programs signed by Megan and no one else. Would it really have been that big of a deal?? Is it that much of an inconvenience to come out and be social with your fans?? I can understand that it can get old and perhaps some artists haven't figured out how to have uncrossable boundaries with people, but still...it just feels rude. Well, that's my two cents.

A Prayer for the Enemy

A Prayer for the Enemy
Thursday, August 9, 2007 7:30pm
Intiman Theatre, Seattle, WA

What an extremely powerful play. It takes place in a pretty normal household. Father's an alcoholic, mother is clueless, sister gets knocked up and brother is a closeted homo who decides to join the armed forces and go to Iraq in order to make his father proud of him....it doesn't work.
The technique used has each character talking to the audience and proclaiming what they're really thinking as opposed to what they are actually saying. It's quite moving.

Wicked

Wicked
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 8pm
Pantages, Los Angeles

This was the third time that I've seen a production of Wicked. First was on Broadway, original cast, second was here at the Pantages, but Eden Espinosa and Carol Kane were both out. I did see Megan Hilty though, and the seat was awesome, down on the floor only a few rows back!!

This time Megan Hilty was out but Eden and Carol were in. Yeesh, I can't seem to get them all there at the same time. Anyway, it was AMAZING!! Eden Espinosa blew Idina Menzel out of the water. She had every note and threw in some extra stuff that was just terrific. My seat was in the last row of the balcony. I was on the isle in the center, but was in the very last row. The place was packed. I can't believe that it is still selling out that theatre, even on a Tuesday.

I may need to go again before school starts. The ideal would be to see these two women at the same time. Perhaps Tuesday isn't the best choice for that. I'll try a Friday or Saturday....it's just so expensive.

Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 8pm
Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles

This is the second time that I've seen this production. I should go back and look in the programs to see if there's any difference in the cast. My seat was way in the absolute last row, which is fine since I only paid $20 for the ticket. I think the guy who plays the bass player was different than the guy I saw the first time. He was a better actor, but not as good a singer.

Anyway, the show is still phenominal. The pacing and the energy is just fun. The story is also captivating. It's just interesting since there's this truth to it. That is what that Bob Dillan musical was missing. The story was just too off the wall.