nyc.dancr
Waitress starring Sara Bareilles and Jason Mraz! 😍😍😍
Sara was absolutely ahhhh-mazing singing her own music.
Jason was charismatic, and added the perfect chemistry to the story.
All the main characters were great: Christopher Fitzgerald as Ogie (Wow!!!), Dakin Matthews as Joe (so much attitude, so much life, so much fun watching him having fun on stage), NaTasha Yvette Williams as Becky, Molly Jobe as Dawn, Benny Elledge as Cal, and Joe Tippet as Earl.
Wow! What a gem. What a special musical. Go experience Once on This Island!!!
Entering the Circle in the Square Theatre is always a surprise. Like opening a box of chocolate: You never know what to expect.
For anyone who’s never been to the theater, it’s a circular stage inside a square box with seating all around on all four sides. Hence the name, Circle in the Square. On my last two visits, the space was transformed into the circular and wall-less home of the Bechdels in “Fun Home”, and into a New York City subway car, a subway station, an airplane, among other venues in “In Transit”
Tonight was different though. Very very different.
As we stepped in the theater, the space was transformed from top to bottom. The stage is filled with sand. An open camp fire burnt at the center. The entrance hallway for the cast is filled with water and has become a river. An boat, turned upside down, sat at the bank of the river. A goat jumped off from the boat onto the beach. Food was cooking on a stove a few rows in front of me. Mmm. Delicious! … and all of this was just pre-performance background activities on stage!
As the show opened, a hurricane hit the island. Wind was gusting and howling. There were actual fans blasting air at us, aided by more sound effects from the cast spinning music instruments above their heads. Throughout the show, thunder struck. Rain poured from the sky. Yes, real water came down at us. Sand was peeled away to reveal a grand ballroom complete with chandeliers hanging from the roof lit with candles. Costuming was both authentic yet dramatic. (e.g., Ti Moune’s dress with a long train that draped from the stage all the way to the last row of the theater.) A tree sprout from the earth, and grew to hit the ceiling of the theater.
For 90-minutes, we travelled to the island of Haiti, and became immersed in its culture, its history, its legends, and its way of life. We learnt the story of Ti Moune, about the Gods (Love, Water, Earth, and Death), and about what it means to be part of the Human Heart.
SpongeBob SquarePants was funny, and over-the-top entertaining.
I generally prefer musicals with a strong emotional central story. Understandably, I came into the theater last night uncertain whether I’ll actually enjoy this comical production based on a children’s television series. But I did!!!
The central plot was simple, but the show pulled out every trick in musical theatre and put on an extravagant show. I came out wondering if I had visited Las Vegas.
A huge dance ensemble? Check. Extravagant tap dance piece? Check. Incredible solo vocals? Check. Tricks on roller skates? Tricks on skateboards? Dancing alphabets? Dancing in the mezz and balcony? Dancing miniature characters? (Think “miniature weather van and the show” in Groundhog Day.) Millions of bubbles coming down from the sky? Confetti and ribbons filling the theater? Pirate jokes? Check. Check. Check.
The entire cast is SUPER multi-talented to perform all the dancing, singing, acting, and the numerous acrobatic and physical tricks — often at the same time. Case in point. Ethan Slater (as SpongeBob) attached to a safety wire, singing while climbing a volcano upside down. Bravos. Bravos.
Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
A thrilling night at the Barrow Street Theater last weekend.
My first thought after the show was “Hey, that reminded me of Into the Woods!” when Jessica Dorcey reminded me that they were indeed both by Stephen Sondheim. The two musicals had so much resemblance. A slow if not slightly confusing buildup in Act I where a wide array of seemingly-unrelated characters came together. An action-packed and gruesome Act II. The rhythm of the music. The rapid-firing words, sung by a panicking and mad crowd.
Similarities aside: Bravos to this Tooting Arts Club production for its excellent acting, singing, and actions all around the house. Expect every open space in the small, intimate theater to be part of the stage!!
I got tickets to “An American in Paris” at the West End three months ago, on the very day I found out I’m coming to London.
So happy to experience one of my all-time favorite musicals again.
On a different note, crazy insane major congratulations to my ballet teacher Deanna Doyle who debuted as Lise on the US national tour of “An American in Paris” last night. 🤗😃😍
Preview of a new musical on Broadway.
Lovely singing and music in this story of a group of Egyptian musicians who mistakenly travelled to a small Israeli town in the middle of the desert. Wonderful performance by Katrina Lenk as Dina. However, the plot felt a little cliché (e.g., falling in love in one evening), slow, and some subplots didn’t add much to the story… just prolonging the wait time between the beautiful songs. Make sure you stay after the curtain bows for more music!
On a separate note, very very detailed “props” with actors cutting watermelons and eating real bowls of salad on stage.
A Bronx Tale… with life lessons about fulfilling your potential, about love and fear, about doing what’s right, and about following your heart.
Many subplots run through this musical, as we follow Calogero growing up in an Italian neighborhood in the Bronx through 1960s. Nothing is easy, nor black and white, for the 9-year-old who eventually turn 17 by the end of the show.
Various character developments were too overly simplistic. I am slightly uncomfortable with the patriarchal theme of “being a man” but understand that’s what one needs to survive in a tough hood. At the same time, there’s no significant female role in the show, which is regrettable for a coming-of-age story.
At the end, I felt scared for the teenager, conflicted, and confused alongside him. I cried for the mafia boss despite everything he did. The message about looking to your heart shone through. Love prevailed over fear. Calogero found his way in life, and became somebody. And that, I suppose, is what’s truly important.
Feeling imaginative and adventurous after a tour of the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory.
What an uplifting musical! To know it’s okay to dream. To see things that aren’t there. To make something out of nothing. When others say “it shouldn’t be done”, you say “but it can be done!”
Amazing job by Paul Slade Smith and Ryan Sell as Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket. Gorgeous dancing by Emma Pfaeffle. Also, love the ensemble and Oompa Loompas throughout the show including It Must Be Believed To be Seen, Veruca’s Nutcracker Secret, and the final tap piece. Bravos!
Kudos to the creative set, lighting, and Oompa Loompa puppet designs as well. They add an incredible sense of mystery and magic to the chocolate factory.
Saw the talented and gorgeous Jamie Kasey Patterson perform on Broadway tonight. Congratulations, Jamie! You’re amazing!!!
What fun to fly through the Broadway night sky on a magic carpet with Aladdin.
A high-energy musical with numerous big dance pieces that fill the stage. Wonderful leads in Aladdin (Telly Leung) and Jasmine (Courtney Reed), and a beautiful love story that ends in equal partnership. Genie (Major Attaway) was fantastic with his attitude and pumping up the house throughout the roof. Great comedy and acting from Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) and Iago (Don Darryl Rivera). Fabulous dancing from the entire cast. Plus, some real magic behind the stage props, trap doors, and the flying carpet. Thank you all for an incredible night!