“An Original Musical”
“Original on Broadway? That’s risky! Unless you got some stars in mind.” -[title of show]
If you’re like me, you’re a big supporter of Original Broadway Musicals. But they’re very rare these days (especially good ones), so I dedicate this Blog entry to this Season’s Original Broadway Musicals, and they’re risk-taking producers.
BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
President Andrew Jackson was in office a mere eight years, the emo rock musical that parodied his life, ran about four months on Broadway. I saw Bloody Bloody in Previews and moderately enjoyed it. Benjamin Walker (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) did a fine job heading the cast as the historic seventh President of the US. The show which never really belonged on Broadway, unfortunately, quickly fizzled. However, it wasn’t a total waste; the way the cast worked as an Ensemble was great, as well as Donyale Werle’s excellent scenic design which transformed the Benard B. Jacobs Theatre. In fact, he received a Tony nomination, in addition to Alex Timbers for Best Book of a Musical. An edgier Schoolhouse Rock, the show’s slogan should have been “History Just Got All Smartypants,” as Richard-Jay Alexander said.
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Have you seen Broadway’s biggest hit? Theatre goers have been waiting years for a musical this good. One of the funniest Original Musicals I’ve seen in my lifetime, for sure. The Book of Mormon, from the creators of “South Park” (and the under-mentioned Avenue Q), has taken Broadway by storm. If you haven’t seen the show, you haven’t seen the show. No really! In the age of video-obsession, they haven’t released even one clip. (Nor given a half-assed performance on “The View” or a Late Night TV-show.) It wasn’t until four days ago that they made their upcoming Cast Recording public on NPR ». The crude but sweet show opened to the best reviews of any new musical in years. And they’re doing very well at the box office—Like last week when their average seating capacity reached 102.4%! It was praised with fourteen Tony nominations, including Best Musical, and is expected to sweep this Season.
THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE
Roundabout Theatre Company, as always, did have a “star-in-mind.” 2011 Tony nominee Donna Murphy once again gives a powerful performance in a musical that’s rather dull. The People in Picture is an Original Broadway Musical about a grandmother who used Yiddish Theatre as her escapism in pre-war Poland. Telling the story to her granddaughter, the vehicle allows Murphy to play Raisel as a young woman all the way through her death as an elderly “Bubbie.” Donna Murphy, one of Broadway’s bests, is excellent, as is Nicole Parker who plays her daughter. But the rest of the performances are completely forgettable, no thanks to less-than-stellar writing. What the show tries to accomplish was better served in so many shows before it. Perhaps if I would have enjoyed it more if I were an older Jewish subscriber. The show is too safe for my comfort zone.
THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
Seeing The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The last Kander and Ebb musical lasted very few performances, like much of their early work, and it was heart-wrenching to see it go. Never again will you see that talent, hear that score and listen to those powerful, impacting words by David Thompson. It is the best show I have ever seen, not to mention best musical. Not only did it inspire the audience but the Tony committee, too. They received twelve Tony nominations including Best Musical, and made history by recieving the most nominations for a closed show. The Scottsboro Boys will be playing San Deigo’s Old Globe Theatre (April 22-June 3, 2012) and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco (June 29-July 15, 2012). In the final performance at the Lyceum Theatre I had to catch me breath at it’s conclusion. That’s powerful stuff!
Watch the TONY Awards on Sunday, June 12 at 8/7c on CBS.
