THEATRE REVIEW: "The Life" at The Theatre Building (Chicago, IL)

      During the Summer of 2007, I saw a couple performances of the Cy Coleman / Ira Gasman / David Newman musical "The Life," when the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble put on a production of the musical at The Theatre Building Chicago (which is now called Stage 773).  The Production ran from  June 2nd through July 15th of 2007.  



  
     The cast of the production sincluded Mike Arthur, Michael Booth, Brandon Dahlquist, Anthony Fett, Jess Godwin, Aaron Holland, David Jiles, Jr., Tawny Newsome, Vanessa Panerosa, Gerald Richardson, Karen-Marie Richardson, Bethany Thomas, Dana Tretta, Sean Walton, and  Vallea E. Woodbury.  John Zulker was the scenic designer for this production, which was directed by Stephen M. Genovese.  John Steinhagen was the music director.  
     "The Life" took place in 1970's Times Square.  However accurately or inaccurately Times Square was depicted in this show, one thing was certain... Times Square must have been sleazy.  The show attempted to glorify "The Life" at the topless bars, the trans joints, and for the
prostitutes who worked the sidewalks.  I think I was able to see the musical multiple times because it was so terrible and there were always tickets available.  Surprisingly enough (to me, at least), the Broadway Production of "The Life" ran for over a year in the 1990's.  Still, it was a flop.  The New York production at least developed a cult following.  The production I saw in Chicago sank into obscurity.  Although,  the production won a Jeff Award for Outstanding Choreography (Brenda Didier) and a Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (Musical or Revue) (Bethany Thomas).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THEATRE REVIEW: "Stranger Things: the First Shadow" at the Marquis Theatre (New York, NY)

Image
       On the moderately warm afternoon of July 2nd, 2025, I saw a performance of the jaw-dropping Broadway spectacle "Stranger Things: the First Shadow" at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.  I won the ticket lottery for the performance the day before, and it became the perfect 40th Birthday present from my mom.  By that, I don't mean I received 40 gifts.  I mean that the present was in honor of me turning 40.  Incidentally, I've probably received far more than 40 gifts...    "Stranger Things: the First Shadow" is a prequel of the Netflix show "Stranger Things."  It takes place in 1959 in Hawkins, Indiana when a young Henry Creel and his family move there for a fresh start.  It doesn't take long before things go wrong.  This is a play full of amazing set designs and visual effects.  There are also frightening moments along with funny ones (occasional sad moments, too).         At the perfo...
Read more

THEATRE REVIEW: "Oh, Mary!" at the Lyceum Theatre (New York, NY)

Image
     On October 5th, 2025, Kathryn and I saw the matinee performance of the Cole Escola play "Oh, Mary!" at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City.  The play, while a comedy, is about a stifled Mary Todd Lincoln during the weeks leading up to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.  The production opened July 11th, 2024 after beginning previews on June 26th.  One synopsis of the play described it as being told through "the lens of an idiot."  Yet it's been one of the hottest tickets on Broadway for months now.  Kathryn and I were thrilled to finally see the play.      At the performance of "Oh, Mary!" that Kathryn and I saw, the cast included Hannah Solow (Mary Todd Lincoln), Jenn Harris (Mary's Chaperone/Bill), Phillip James Brannon (Abraham Lincoln, or "Mary's Husband" as credited in the Playbill), Martin Landry (Mary's Husband's Assistant/Kyle), and James Scully (Mary's Teacher).  The cast was amazing.  The entire show was e...
Read more

THEATRE REVIEW: "Beetlejuice" at the Palace Theatre (New York, NY)

Image
      On the afternoon of Saturday, November 1st, 2025, I saw a performance of the musical comedy "Beetlejuice" at the Palace Theatre in New York City.  While I first heard of this musical in 2018, when it had its World Premiere Engagement in Washington D.C., finally seeing it felt like seeing a brand new show.  However, this was the third time "Beetlejuice" was performing on Broadway.  While the first two times were official Broadway Productions of the show, the production I saw at the Palace Theatre was technically the North American Tour, and New York City was the tour's final stop.  After the tour closes in early January of 2026, the next big production of the show will be in the West End, also in 2026.        Before seeing "Beetlejuice," I felt a sense of trepidation because I heard the humor in the show was pretty inappropriate at times.  The most inappropriate musicals I had seen prior to "Beetlejuice" were "Silence...
Read more