QUICK TICKET- Shows of the "Lazy Period"

Picasso had his blue period, I had my lazy period. I stopped writing my blog from October '09, to just last week. That's about 5 months of no Broadway...as if. My laziness only extended to new blog posts, not going to actual shows. Please. I was lazy, not dead! So I figured, I would provide reviews of what I saw during my blog hiatus, since some of these shows were good...and others not so good. Here we go....

STILL OPEN:

NEXT TO NORMAL - Alice Ripley stars in this Tony award winning musical about a family dealing with mental illness. I'm gonna be honest here and say I went into this show thinking that I was going to hate it -- but low and behold, I actually liked it. Granted it is not for everyone, it is definitely a little offbeat...but the performances are great and the songs will win you over. Yeah, it's depressing, but it's also funny (there were definitely moments when I thought, "Am I going to hell for laughing at this?"). There are plenty of discounted ticket offers for this show, so if you are looking for something like you have never seen before, and are willing to take a leap of faith, I would check it out. 3.5 Tickets

Next to Normal is playing at the Booth Theater. http://www.nexttonormal.com

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL - David Bryan is quickly becoming one to watch on Broadway. Who is he you ask? You know him as the curly headed keyboardist of Bon Jovi, but he is also churning out great musicals on Broadway - first with The Toxic Avenger Musical, now with the soulful Memphis. Memphis takes place in the 1950s and is the story about two people - Huey, a white DJ, and Felicia, a black club singer, their love for music and each other. Think a more dramatic Hairspray. Montego Glover is the standout as Felicia, and I hope to see more of her on Broadway. Chad Kimball is pretty great as Huey, however sometimes the character bordered on weird and/or annoying. The whole cast gives 110%, so I think you would definitely enjoy this show despite the fact it may be a bit formulaic, and a little uneven. (The beginning sometimes drags, whereas the last act flies by and stuffs in so much.) The music is great, and if you are not tapping your feet, and humming some tunes when the curtain falls...well, your heart is black and you have no soul. 3.5 Tickets

Memphis the Musical is playing at the Shubert Theater. http://www.memphisthemusical.com

ROCK OF AGES - If you cannot stand Constantine Maroulis, stop reading this now. For those that are still with me, Rock of Ages is a thinly plotted, musical head bang about " a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world" who meets a guy working in a bar in 80s Los Angeles who "won't stop believin'" that he too will become a rock star. Throw in some ridiculous minor side plots, and you have the mess of the musical that is Rock of Ages. Don't get me wrong, I love 80s hair band metal as much as the next guy, ( I even own a copy of Monster Ballads) but this show was just noise, leather, and f-bombs. Half the time I couldn't hear what anyone was saying, and the other half of the time I wish I couldn't hear them, as the girl ensemble singers mutilated "Kiss Me Deadly" among others. (Apologies to Lita Ford.) The intentions are there, but in the spirit of this show, they just couldn't get it up for me. OUCH. 1.5 Tickets

Rock of Ages is now playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theater. http://www.rockofagesmusical.com/broadway.php

RACE - Did he or didn't he? That is the question among many others in Race, a drama about a pair of lawyers defending a wealthy white businessman accused of raping a black woman. Essentially you get to eavesdrop on their debate about whether this man is guilty or innocent and since this is is written and directed by David Mamet, it is one high energy, thought provoking conversation. James Spader and David Alan Grier are awesome as the attorneys, but Kerry Washington has a tendency to overact as their new legal assistant. Overall, if you like a show that will leave you with more questions than answers, I would give Race a shot. 3 Tickets

Race is playing at the Ethel Barrymore theater through June 13th. http://www.raceonbroadway.com

CLOSED:

These shows have closed, but some were so great, I really needed to give them a shout out.

Brighton Beach Memoirs - Neil Simon, need I say more? The best play I had seen in awhile, or maybe ever. I was depressed for a week when they announced it was closing. 5 Tickets.

Oleanna - This show couldn't close fast enough in my opinion. I blame Julia Stiles. It would have gotten zero tickets, if it wasn't for the sheer fact that it was so irritating and annoying I couldn't stop thinking about it. 1 Ticket.

The Understudy - A limited Roundabout Theater production, this show starred Mark Paul Gosselaar (awesome), Julie White (awesomer) and Justin Kirk (awesomest). Aside from my newly discovered attraction to the ex- Zach Morris, this show also proved to be an awesome character piece that definitely entertained. 3.5 Tickets

The Starry Messenger - Matthew Broderick was OK, if not unconvincing as the lead, in this drama about an astronomy teacher and a mid life crisis love affair. Kieran Culkin was great as one of his students, however the highlight of this show for me was standing in the lobby next to Kate Winslet and Victor Garber. OMGEE! 2.5 Tickets

A View From the Bridge - A great revival effort, with excellent performances by Scarlett Johansson and Liev Schreiber. This was a limited run, and I wish that they would have extended it so more people could check it out. 4 tickets.

The Miracle Worker - A truly moving play about Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan. Alison Pill, who, in my opinion is one of the greatest young actresses on Broadway today was great as tough as nails Annie, and Abigail Breslin was impressive as Helen. Great performance by my long time love Matthew Modine as well. Just couldn't bring in the crowds though. Your loss. 3.5 Tickets.

All About Me - Dame Edna + Michael Feinstein = a funny mess. 3 tickets.

UP NEXT: A Behanding in Spokane

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilovememphis/4497718046

John Stamos in Bye Bye Birdie...Put On A Happy Face!

I, Alicia, being of sound mind and body, do hereby promise to be loyal, courteous, steadfast and true to John Stamos, and the United States of America, both indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Before I type anything else, let me get this out of the way. John Stamos is hot. I wanted to say that first, because for many of you that is the only reason you need to see Bye Bye Birdie. John Stamos in a fitted suit and a skinny tie. Oh, and he occasionally sings a song or two. Done and done. But for those who need a little more convincing, I have taken the liberty to review the show in detail - so read on.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Bye Bye Birdie takes place in 1960, and is the story of Albert Peterson (John Stamos), a timid momma's boy who also happens to manage the career of the swoon-worthy teenage pop star, Conrad Birdie (Nolan Funk - great name, right?). Conrad, however has been called off to war, and Albert sees this as the perfect opportunity to cause a media frenzy that will leave him with enough money in his pocket to retire from the music biz and potentially settle down with his feisty secretary, Rose Alverez (Gina Gershon, who is actually really good once you get past the whole not being remotely Spanish at all thing.). Rose, eager for Albert to, as Beyonce would say, "put a ring on it", comes up with the perfect publicity stunt, which involves sending Conrad to the town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, where he will receive his last kiss before going overseas from fan club president Kim McAfee. Big city, rebellious, bad boy rockstar meets apple pie, small town America...and hilarity ensues!

WILL I LIKE THIS SHOW?

Ask yourself this question...do I like old-school, irreverent musicals?...and you will have your answer. If you liked shows like Hairspray or Grease, there is no reason you wont like Bye Bye Birdie. If you aren't a fan of musicals, well...just stop reading now.

This is only the second time Bye Bye Birdie has been on Broadway, and the last time Dick Van Dyke played Albert, with Chita Rivera as Rose back in 1960...so the cast has quite legendary shoes to fill. Not to mention the movie version that also starred Dick Van Dyke with Ann Margaret as Kim McAfee is the stuff of legends.

That being said, it is a perfectly enjoyable production with a very competent cast. In fact, one of the things I enjoyed most about this show is that all of the actors are age-appropriate. All the teens in Sweet Apple, are in fact...teenagers. Gabrielle Carteris' need not apply. There are no 28 years olds trying desperately to appear 15. These kids are the real deal. The whole ensemble is high energy and make for some of the greatest numbers of the show. I looked forward to their songs more than, dare I say, the ones that involved....John Stamos. Now, I know I said that he was hot, but that doesn't translate to a stellar performance (it does help a little). He wasn't bad, he was actually pretty good...it's just that some of the other performances are so spot on, you really don't care that John Stamos isn't on stage that much. Stage and screen actor Bill Irwin, in my opinion, steals the show as the zany Mr. MacAfee, and Albert's mother Mae Peterson, played by Jane Houdyshell practically makes your forget that John Stamos is standing right next to her.

IS THIS SHOW APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS?

Hells yeah! Bring the whole family...mom, dad, grandma, aunts, uncles. If it were a movie it would be rated PG. (Speaking of movies, Variety has reported that Alan Shankman, who brought us the remake of Hairspray, is bringing "Bye Bye Birdie" to the big screen in 2011. Zac Efron as Conrad Birdie? Discuss.)

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS SHOW?

You can find more out more about Bye Bye Birdie, at the official site: http://www.byebyebirdieonbroadway.com/home

WHERE IS THIS SHOW PLAYING?...AND WHAT IS THE THEATER LIKE?

Bye Bye Birdie is playing at the newly restored Henry Miller's Theater. In an attempt to preserve the historical landmark, they kept the original facade, and built the brand new theater behind it. Pieces of the original theater are used as decoration throughout the new theater, and provide a bit of the old, with the new. It also boasts having EXTRA women's restrooms, 22 to be exact, which is apparently three times the amount required by code. (Any woman who has had to use the restroom during the 15 minutes intermission knows this is a huge deal.) It is also Broadway's first green theater, meeting the environmental standards of the United States Green Building Council. If you would like to know more about the restoration and all of the green details, check out this article in the NY TIMES : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/theater/04Green.html?_r=1

Obviously since the theater is new, all of the seats are comfortable, and designed with lots of leg room. I sat in the first row - center mezzanine, and the view was awesome! The entire mezzanine is not that large -- but very steep...so the views are good all around. In a crazy twist, when you enter the theater...you are at mezzanine level...you need to walk downstairs to be seated in the orchestra section.

HENRY MILLER'S THEATER

124 W. 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036 (between Broadway & 6th Avenue)Performances: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri @ 8PM -- Wed @ 2 -- Saturday @ 2 and 8PM -- Sunday @ 2PM

ANY CHEAP TICKET OFFERS FOR THIS SHOW?

Of course there is! Try these:

• Seasons of Savings has up to 45% off on select tickets. Offer expires 10/15/09, check out http://www.seasonofsavings.com/shows/on_broadway for more details
  


• Save over 35% on select seats with Playbill. (Free membership required.) http://www.playbill.com/club/offers
  


• Broadway Box...$76.50 f0r orchestra seats http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/bye_bye_birdie_nyc_tickets.aspx
  


• Check out theatermania.com and save over 30% for performances until 11/25/09. (Free membership required. http://www.theatermania.com/


• Are you Conrad Birdie's biggest fan? Enter the Bye Bye Birdie contest and win 2 orchestra tickets...just by spreading the word and proving your undying love. http://www.byebyebirdieonbroadway.com/contest

WHAT DO YOU RATE THIS SHOW? (OUT OF 5 TICKETS)

(3.5 Tickets)

UP NEXT: Superior Donuts