Can't recall seeing a thread about the theater, and plays or musicals folks may have seen recently, so I started this thread.

I'd read the raves for the Berkeley Rep's new production of Ibsen's "Ghosts," and put it on my list of things to catch before they close. Not that I needed a heavy Nordic drama to entertain me for any specific reason, but my culture gene called out for something more than TV.

As luck would have it, this past weekend, half price tix for the show were available at the booth in SF's Union Square for discounted tix on Sunday night.

Bought a ticket, the BF was not interested in joining me, and hopped on BART. Glad I did.

First, there was a healthy dose of humor in the play, generating honest laughs from the audience.

The acting was stellar, with the lead, Ellen McLaughlin, the original angel in "Angels in America," giving a bravura performance. Never saw her act before.

Sure, the drama dealt with heavy topics; incest among the rich, syphilis, and the class stuggle, but it balanced well with the humor.

And the production, directed by Jonathan Moscone, openly gay director and son of Mayor George Moscone, was impressive in creating shadows (read ghosts)on the walls, and revealing the isolation of the characters on an almost bare set.

At the end, I stood to applaud the actors and the crew who mounted this production.

That's my little review. So what plays or musicals have you taken in recently? What would you recommend to friends?

BTW, you can still see "Ghosts," and at half price, too. And the Berkely Rep is next putting on Charles Ludlum's "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Seen it a few times and look forward to enjoying it again.

Last week I saw a good local production of The Laramie Project.

I read in the New York Times that the Stratford Ontario production of King Lear is going to New York for about a 1 month run at the Lincoln Center.

I saw the Stratford Festival;s production of it last year, and if you like Shakespear, it's worth the trip to NYC to see it.

Christopher Plummer plays an INCREDIBLE King Lear. The other major actor is Brent Carver, who won a Tony for Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Both Plummer and Carver are classically trained actors, and have both but their teeth at the Stratford Festival.

I am not normally a Shakespear fan, but I LOVED King Lear.

Very timely topic for me since I'm going to NYC for a long weekend on April 3rd. I would love any suggestions for what shows to see. I just saw Hairspray here last week which was excellent. Tracy was played by a 19yo with endless energy....what a fun show!

Saw Avenue Q, an adult puppet musical, in NY a few weeks ago, which I would highly recommend. But as the poster says "warning: full puppet nudity". There is also a closeted gay puppet character.

I'd also recommend Wicked, the story of the 2 witches from the Wizard of Oz before the Wizard of Oz. You learn the wicked witch wasn't as evil as you thought and the good witch wasn't as good as you thought she was. Cast is excellent, and features Joel Grey as the wizard.

For 100% fun, see Mamma Mia (unless you hate the music of Abba). All the Abba hits are woven together into a story, which is sometimes a little far fetched. But last week when I heard "Take A Chance on Me" on the radio, I heard it in the context of the musical, instead of an Abba song I had loved previously.

Evidently.

I just got through doing a production of Richard III (shameless self-promotion) in which I played Buckingham. Currently working on "As You Like It": I am playing a somewhat grumpy Orlando. And I have to kiss a girl. Has anybody else tried this?! (Lesbians excluded.) Seriously, this is taking some effort. They feel ... different. <shudder>

[quote]araanib:
[QUOTE] Currently working on \"As You Like It\": [/quote]You should let us know where and when the production is taking place. We can be your Outsports cheering section!

Saw "Chicago" on March 13th. I was quite impressed with Tom Wopat. Now I just have to see the movie to compare!

Years ago the bf & I saw "Jeffrey" before we saw the movie version. Although I liked the movie the play was just so much better.

I love the theater. Used to go to a lot of it while in New York. In San Francisco, I don't get the chance too often. But I did catch a play at the New Conservatory Theater that launches a lot of gay-oriented play. This one was a revival of "The Last Sunday in June." It was a lot of fun. But I went on a Sunday afternoon and there were only three rows filled of audience in the entire theater! I felt so bad for the actors, some of whom were really good. I know part of it is theater is so damn expensive! And part of it is there are too many outdoors things competing for people's time in San Francisco. But I hope more people will go to the theater, especially small theaters like the New Conservatory.

That said, I'm looking forward to going to New York and catching some plays. One that definitely piqued my interests is the all-male "Midsummer Night's Dream" that recently opened in BAM in Brooklyn. I know, that's way off Broadway but sounds cool. Anyone see that please let me know what you think!

We've recently seen "The Producers" and also have season tickets to an Ann Arbor based theatre group called "Performance Network". They put on great shows as well. Their production of Man of LaMancha was first rate.

You're not that far away from Toronto. Currently we have playing

Hairspray, Lead is Vanessa Olivarez (sp) from last years American Idol

Mamma Mia.

The Producers

Mirvish.Com is the producers of all those shows, and have just announced a package of 6 musicals coming to Toronto over the next year.

Not as many as New York, but not too shabby for the Frozen Godless North.

Wanna mention the BF and I saw a great touring production of "Dreamgirls" back in January down at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

We loved it and the star, Miss Frenchie Davis, was fab. Never saw her on "American Idol," we are fans of hers now that we've seen her perform and heard her voice.

Not sure where this production is playing now, but if it's near you, go!

First of all, the BF and I caught the Berkeley Rep's production of Charles Ludlam's classic, "The Mystery of Irma Vep," two weeks ago and loved it.

The two actors performing in it are fantastic and bring just the right degree of campiness to the show.

Catch if you can and are in need of a ton of good laughs.

Second, the touring production of "Hairspray" has arrived in San Francisco, starring Bruce Vilanch as Edna.

The show is receiving rave reviews for the show and Vilanch.

He's not my cup of tea and generally don't laugh at his jokes when I see him on TV, so I'm not all that keen on catching him in the show.

But the BF and I would love to see this show, especially since we couldn't score tix last spring when we were in NYC, and Fierstein was still in the show.

Has anyone seen this production with Vilanch and is it worth the time and money?

My partner and I are going to see the touring production of "Hairspray" this coming Thursday here in SF. Can't wait to see Bruce Vilanch dressed as Edna. The music is supposed to be great, or at least just right for the early 60s period. I loved the John Waters movie with Divine, Riki Lake and Debbie Harry.

I'll second what Scottie said about "avenue Q"
It's a great production. playing at Times Square in NYC. see it here or when it tours.
You'll never forget the meaning of "Schadenfreude"

Listening to the "Avenue Q" Cast album. Fantastic!! It'll have to do until I can find the money to get outta the cornfield for a trip to NYC. That said, I did see the Midwest premiere of "Take Me Out" a couple of weeks ago. I gotta say, it plays MUCH better than it reads on the page.

Tony Awards nominations are in:

Best Play:
Anna in the Tropics
Frozen
I Am My Own Wife
The Retreat From Moscow

Best Musical
Avenue Q
The Boy From Oz
Caroline, or Change
Wicked

Best Revival of a Play
Henry IV
Jumpers
King Lear
A Raisin in the Sun

Best Revival of a Musical
Assasins
Big River
Fiddler on the Roof
Wonderful Town

I know it's been said before and elsewhere, but I think it bears repeating: the Tony's should also honor plays and muscicals produced outside of New York.

Some of the best theater in America never makes it to Broadway and is thus overlooked by the Tony nominating committee.

For example, Sondheim's new musical "Bounce," closed after playing in DC and never made it to Broadway.

Yet, after listening to the CD recording of it, it's abundantly clear to me that "Bounce" is a great musical, but it's not qualified for any Tony's because it hasn't opened in NYC.

In any event, the BF and I don't watch the Tony broadcast since we haven't seen the nominated shows.

We did watch some of it last year, just to see if Fierstein won for "Hairspray." Otherwise, we have no interest in the show.

I've seen it - IMHO -Great show - bouncy, fun, good music.

just saw " Bombay Dreams " on saturday night.(playing at Times Square) It's a broadway staging of the Bollywood films. Just like those movies, it's very thin on plot but has musical number after elaborate musical number. almost too many actually.

So the story line ain't nothing to write home about. But the staging is really amazing. almost distracting from what the actors are doing. at one point, a huge and very elaborate water fountain spouts from the middle of the stage. Quite amazing! But the main hero was much cuter in the London production than the NYC production.

One of the main characters is a transexual male (or is that female?) anyway she used to be a man. and she is the main male character's best friend. with not a single derogatory remark about her declaration of love for another man.

The man who had the bulk of my attention was one of the chorus boys. his face looked a lot like Julia Sugarbaker's son Payne from "designing Women". He had a body and a butt to die for. very muscular body, very ample ass! mutha-f***kin tiz-ight!!

[ May 10, 2004, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: ung ]

Atlanta police shut down Naked Boys Singing. :mad:

Has anyone on the Atlantic Coast seen the Paper Mill Playhouse's production of \"Harold and Maude\" , based on the cult film hit?

My sister in NJ told me about it because she recently took her two kids to the Paper Mill for a holiday production and she knows I am one of many longtime fans of the movie. If I lived back there, I'd score myself a ticket and catch the musical.

Estelle Parsons plays Maude, a newcomer, who's out, cute and profile in the latest Advocate, tackles Harold, and some of the creators were behind the classic, "The Fantasticks!"

Lemme know if you've seen this new adaption of "Harold and Maude" and what you think of it.

"Take Me Out" opened to good reviews here in SD last week, with the obbligato "G&L night" coming up this Thursday. Kudos to Jim at OS for his input! Another review, with a cute closing paragraph.

Saw "Spamalot" (Eric Idle's musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail) last weekend in Chicago. It was hilarious. They kept all the great stuff from the movie (you don't need to be a Python fan to enjoy the play, but it helps) and added lots of fun production numbers spoofing other broadway musicals. The Chicago gig is the world premiere... opens in March on Broadway.

The Pythons aren't in it, but Idle wrote it (and co-wrote the music) and one member of the old troupe lends his voice to a character. The cast was great... Tim Curry as King Arthur, David Hyde Pierce as Sir Robin, and Hank Azaria as Lancelot. Chris Sieber (he was in that gay-themed sitcom "It's All Relative" from last year) is Sir Gallahad. Lots of silly fun, including a different take on Lancelot than you might see otherwise.

I saw "Take Me Out" during its run in SF last month. The nudity was interesting, but aside from that, I was mildly disappointed. The story wasn't overly interesting and there were several points in the play when my friend and I both said that it was obviously written for a crowd that doesn't know much about sports, and baseball in particular. I overheard several people afterwards saying the same things... stuff like, "THAT won the Tony?"

Overall, it was weaker than I expected, but there are worse ways to spend an evening than seeing several goodlooking guys with their dicks out in front of you.

I'm not sure if the same cast is in the San Diego production as San Francisco. M.D. Walton, who portrayed Darren Lemming, was really good (and quite well equipped I might add). wink

I believe the same (touring) production, directed by Joe Mantello (who directed the Broadway production), has played in Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego. Not sure where it goes after that.

That's what I heard too.
My friend saw it in London and said it was a little disappointing, which after hearing that, was glad I missed.

I guess they are making a movie version of the Broadway musical version of Hairspray (which, just to confuse things is a musical based on a non-musical movie!) Anyway I digress. Seems that Harvey Fierstein won't be donning Edna's duds on the big screen.

John Travolta?

John Travolta always gets mentioned anytime a musical gets made into a movie. For years his name was at the top of the list to play the lead in Phantom! Ugh can you imagine....... Hopefully it will pan out. Harvey might not want to do it. I do think John could do a decent job. I really wonder if John Waters didn't keep some kind of creative control.

I can't see him as Edna

Divine is Edna

Just went to see "Woman In Black" at the local ACT theater in Seattle. I guess it's been playing forever in London. The play was good. Not as scary as they billed it to be, but the actors did a good job. My partner jumped a couple of times. It's a two man play (Three if you count "the ghost") and the play was performed in the round.

A couple of months ago we went to see "Take Me Out" and that was a lot of fun.

Saw the Toronto production of "Take Me Out" and "The Glass Menagerie" last month.

Seems like Tennesse Williams is really "in" right now. I read that both "The Glass Menagerie" (with Jessica Lange, Christian Slater and Josh Lucas) and "A Streetcar Named Desire" (with Nathasha and John C. Reilly) are being revived on Broadway, and the Stratford Festival is doing "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "Orpheus Descending."

Although not a play, I'm looking forward to seeing Margaret Cho this Thursday.

It was announced yesterday that the world premiere of the Lord of the Rings musical will be in Toronto in February, 2006, at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

The LOTR trilogy will be told in 3 acts, with music by Indian composer A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams) and Finnish group Varttina.

Official website.

How in the world can they musicalize (is that a word?) LOTR?

I saw the first and third installments of the movies and simply can't imagine the story as a musical.

Bet there are thousands and thousands of fans who will flock to the show.

[ March 17, 2005, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: MPetrelis ]

I saw Altar Boyz last night. It was hilarious fun. It is the musical story of a Christian Backstreet Boys-type group. there are streotypes galore, but funny, inoffensive stereotypes-a white rapper type, a pretty boy, a gay guy, a Latino ladies man and a even a Jewish guy. Very funny stuff. I was stuck sitting next to a Laura Bush type who fidgeted in her seat the whole show. I think based on the title she thought the show was a celebration of Christianity.

Going to see Mike Albo's "My Price Point" tonight here in Boston. Has anyone from the New York area seen him? Apparently he's also due to perform this summer in Provincetown.

A culture-vulture pal just called and invited me to the SF opening night of "I Am My Own Wife" at the Curran Theatre on Wednesday. Can't wait to catch this play and the actor who performed it in NYC.

Pat125 and I are going to see Doubt on Friday night. The play is supposed to be pretty intense. I first heard about it one morning on NPR and was taken in with the story. It's getting mostly rave reviews.

That's two Pulitzer Prize winners in a row. I Am My Own Wife for 2004 and Doubt for 2005.

"Wife" was here in April. A very interesting play and Mays is facinating in all parts. The story, however, was not as moving as I thought it might be. That's, in part, because the main character is slowly revealed as someone with a morally dubious past and is less sympathetic as a result but I took that to be the point.

"Doubt" stars the fabulous Cherry Jones who used to appear locally in repertoire with the American Repertory Theater affiliated with Harvard. More recently she's moved on to NYC. I just never tire of watching her and I'm sure she'll make the show.

Enjoy on both counts.

I saw it on Broadway. What Torgauer said is pretty spot on for me as well. The role is a tour de force for the actor while the play itself is a bit slow in parts. I found it moving but in a different way than I thought it would be going in.

"I Am My Own Wife" is being produced in Toronto next February. But the play I'm curious about is Edward Albee's "The Goat or, Who is Silvia?" (which plays here in November). Has anyone seen that?

Also, has anyone seen "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" on Broadway (which just got a very good write-up in today's Toronto Star)? The score is by William Finn, who did "Falsettos," the first show I ever saw on Broadway (1992, John Golden theatre).

[ May 03, 2005, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: canmark ]

"The Goat" was wonderful - i hope Sally Field is the lead. She replaced Mercedes Ruehl in the Broadway production and got far better notices; I thought she was superb and loved the production.

I am taking my mom to see "Putnam County" for Mother's Day this Sunday.

Torgauer mentions the incredibly talented and emotionally frank openly lesbian actress Cherry Jones who has appeared in many films, including "Perfect Storm."

I've had the pleasure of seeing her perform live only once. That was back when she appeared on the Great White Way in "Imaginary Friends," by Nora Ephron that fantasized a friendship between Mary McCarthy and Lillian Hellman. Jones played the former and the magnificent Swoozie Kurtz played the latter. Bitch heaven.

(And to think I had a seat in the second row, and, I got it through the half-price TKTS booth!)

If I were able to afford more trips to NYC and see shows, I'd head off to ANYTHING with Cherry Jones.

[ May 03, 2005, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: MPetrelis ]

I enjoyed "Wife" as best as possible, given the limitations of where we were seated, way back in the mezzanine.

Even though Jefferson Mays was wearing a mic, the sound of his voice didn't travel so well under the enormous overhang of the balcony, but I got the gist of what he was saying.

Should have brought along my opera glasses so I could ahve seen his face and emotions more clearly.

Since the oxygen level at the Curran is poor to nonexistent, my pal and I had difficulty staying alert, especially during the second act. The Curran and its neighbor theater, the Geary for ACT, both need to improve their ventilation systems, if they want to keep patrons awake and coming back for shows.

We both liked the show and the high-quality production, and had a real sense of Charlotte and her crazy life during weird times.

Neither one of us was shocked when the character explains how the Stasi came to her home and forced her into spying on her queer friends. Not that we knew much about her before going in, but we just couldn't believe a tranny who had survived so much terror will have willingly collaborated with the Stasi.

Glad I saw it and I wanna find the Rosa von Praunheim documentary on the real Charlotte.

I saw "Spelling Bee" prior to its opening on Broadway, and I loved it. It's a clever musical, with very well developed characters, enjoyable music and a great story. The performances were great, and it is quite a funny show. The use of audience members as participants in the Bee is original and works brilliantly. I highly recommend it.

I also saw "I Am My Own Wife" in the tour here in Boston, and have to say it is one of the best plays (and performances!) I have seen in 12 months. A must for the queer community, for everyone for that matter! Jefferson Mays gives a tour-de-force performance, and the script, set and lighting is solid. Great theatre.

Houston Grand Opera celebrated it's 50th Anniversary with a Golden Jubilee Gala last weekend. Besides the remarkables performances from operas such as Turandot, Falstaff, and musicals like Show Boat; they had a music/ballet performance by Phillip Glass that he wrote for the Houston Ballet and a show-stopper performance by special guest Elton John. It was wonderful. HGO provided a simulcast viewing on a jumbo screen on the plaza in front of the opera house that was free to the public. That's where I was with my bottle of wine. For each show, there is always one simulcast during the run that is simulcasted. It's one of the ways they try to bring the opera to everyone. It was rumored that Karl Lagerfeld escorted Elton to the show but I couldn't find him anywhere. frown

"Play Without Words," Matthew Bourne's loose interpretation of "The Servant" (Joseph Losey film--try to see it if you can) is a marvel. Very clever, with each character being played by three different performers who dance and act out the story about sex & class in England in the mid-'60's.

~Adam

Well, "Doubt" was as fantastic as I thought it would be. The reviews were quite accurate. The accusational scenes between Cherry Jones and Brian F. O'Byrne were extremely intense. Incentally, O'Byrne is quite a hottie, with that cute Bronx accent and those Irish Catholic looks. I just read that "Doubt" was nominated for eight Tony Awards: Best Play, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (O'Byrne), Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Jones), Best Peformance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Heather Goldenhersh and Adrian Lenox), Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Lighting Design of a Play, and Best Direction of a Play (Doug Hughes).

As mentioned above, the Tony Awards nominations are out. The show will be hosted again this year by Hugh Jackman on June 5th. Some of the categories:

Best Play
Democracy
Doubt
Gem of the Ocean
The Pillowman

Best Musical
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
The Light in the Piazza
Monty Python's Spamalot
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Best Revival of a Play
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Glengarry Glen Ross
On Golden Pond
Twelve Angry Men

Best Revival of a Musical
La Cage Aux Folles
Pacific Overtures
Sweet Charity

Best Theatrical Event
Dame Edna: Back with a Vengance!
Laugh Whore (Mario Cantone)
700 Sundays (Billy Crystal)
Whoopi, the 20th Anniversary Show

Lifetime Achievement Award: Edward Albee

(I mention the last because Albee is gay.)

I thought the Tony's were finally going to wake up to all the great theater happening out in the provinces, but I must have been mistaken or high.

It's long been time for the Tony's to do more than award a special Tony each year to a regional company.

If the Tony's were at all interested in the theater, not just the NYC theatrical world, they'd find a way to include nominating works and actors beyond the Great White Way.

Heck, if they did that, they may see ratings for the TV broadcast climb.