Solitary Solidarity: Theatre Reviews from the Present to the Past

     On the afternoon of Sunday, October 26th, 2025, I saw a performance of the musical comedy "Death Becomes Her" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City.  This show is based on the 1992 motion picture directed by Robert Zemeckis.  "Death Becomes Her" tells the story of two life-long frenemies whose feud continues after death...so to speak.  It also deals with the promise of immortality... and the sacrifices one makes to attain it.  While impossible in real life, it is proven to come with strings-attached in the musical, and becomes a living hell by the time the show reaches its conclusion.  With that being said, the show was fantastic.         At the performance of "Death Becomes Her" that I saw, the cast included Michelle Williams (Viola Van Horn), Natalie Charle Ellis (Helen Sharp), Megan Hilty (Madeline Ashton), Ryan Worsing (Ernest Menville), Chagall (Taurean Everett), Josh Lamon (Stefan), Bud Weber (TV Announc...

     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...