Solitary Solidarity: Theatre Reviews from the Present to the Past

      On the fall afternoon of September 25th, 2024, I saw a performance of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Westside Theatre/Upstairs in New York City.  The show is about a down-on-his-luck flower shop worker who raises a blood-thirsty plant.  "Little Shop of Horrors" is based on the 1960 dark comedy film.  I lucked out with the Ticket Lottery again and got to see this show, which I'd never seen before.  Awhile back, I listened to a cast recording of a Broadway Revival, and have seen the film that starred Jack Nicholson.  Other than that, this was my first time experiencing such a fun, yet unusual show.        First off, I absolutely love the Westside Theatre--both the exterior and the interior.  The outside looks like the venue was once a mansion, and the inside was a surprisingly large theatre.  It reminded me of photos I've seen of the Grand Opera House, which used to be located in Chicago.  T...

      On the afternoon of September 18th, 2024 I saw a performance of the musical "Empire" at Stage 1 of New World Stages in New York City.  This is an Off-Broadway Production that began previews July 1st, 2024, opened July 11th, and will close September 22nd.  "Empire" (the musical) is about the people who built, or inspired the building, of the Empire State Building.  While I wasn't expecting the musical to be amazing (I read a couple reviews), I was still a little disappointed in the show.  However, I did enjoy the show, and the historical relevance of an iconic building being constructed during such turbulent times.        When I saw "Empire," the cast included Danny Iktomi Bevins (Jesse Bland), April Ortiz (Mohawk-Grandmother/Hazel/Speakeasy Chanteuse), Jessica Ranville (Sylvie Lee), Kaitlyn Davidson (Frances Belle "Wally" Wolodsky), Paul Salvatoriello (Al Smith), Howard Kaye (John J. Raskob/Abe Klayman), Albert Guerzon (C...

      On September 11th, 2024, I saw the matinee performance of the musical "The Notebook" at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City.  I wasn't sure if I was going to get a chance to see the show before it closes on December 15th.  But, lucky for me, I won the Telecharge Ticket Lottery for "The Notebook," and got an amazing seat for an amazing show, which features a book by Bekah Brunstetter, with music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.  I saw two other shows at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, which were "Come from Away" and "Life of Pi."      At the performance of "The Notebook" that I saw, the cast included Maryann Plunkett (Older Allie), Dorian Harewood (Older Noah), Joy Woods (Middle Allie), Ryan Vasquez (Middle Noah), Jordan Tyson (Younger Allie), John Cardoza (Younger Noah), Andréa Burns (Mother, Nurse Lori), Carson Stewart (Johnny, Finn), Kim Onah (Nurse Joanna, others), Chase Del Rey (Lon, others), Hillary Fisher (Sara...

      On August 22nd, 2024 I saw the 2pm performance of the musical "The Great Gatsby" at the Broadway Theatre in New York City.  I read the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of the same name, and have seen the 1974 film "The Great Gatsby" directed by Jack Clayton.  I tried to win the ticket lottery for the Broadway musical a handful of times.  I finally won, and got to see the show.             At the performance of "The Great Gatsby" that I saw, the cast included Jeremy Jordan (Jay Gatsby), Eva Noblezada (Daisy Buchanan), Noah J. Ricketts (Nick Carraway), Traci Elaine Lee (Jordan Baker), Chilina Kennedy (Myrtle Wilson), John Zdrojeski (Tom Buchanan), Paul Whitty (George Wilson), and Eric Anderson (Meyer Wolfsheim).  The entire cast did a great job.  I read that Chilina Kennedy was a recent addition to the Broadway Production, and not an original cast member.  I think she is an excellent addition to the company....

      On August 8th, 2024 I saw the 5pm performance of the Max Wolf Friedlich play "Job" at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York City.  The Broadway Production began previews on July 15th of that year, and officially opened July 30th.  The limited Broadway Engagement of "Job" runs through October 27th, 2024.  The World Premiere of "Job" performed at the SoHo Playhouse beginning September 18th, 2023 (after beginning previews September 6th of that year).  After the World Premiere Engagement of "Job" closed October 15th, 2023, it reopened at the Connelly Theatre, performing from January 19th through March 23rd, 2024.  Both of these sold-out Off-Broadway engagements preceded the astounding Broadway Production that I saw (while I didn't see the SoHo Playhouse presentation of "Job," I did see a production there with my grandma in 2001.  To read that blog post, click  HERE ).      This riveting production of "Job" starred Peter Fr...

     On August 4th, 2024 I saw the 3pm performance of the musical "Water For Elephants" at the Imperial Theatre in New York City.  I won the Telecharge Ticket Lottery again, having just won it for the July 31st performance of "Back to the Future: The Musical."  As of writing this blog review, that musical is playing over at the Winter Garden Theatre, which was a slightly longer walk from Grand Central Station.  This time, I took the slightly shorter walk from the train station to the Imperial Theatre, and saw what turned out to be an incredible musical.  Incredible, and underrated, in my opinion.           Before "Water For Elephants" made its Broadway Premiere on March 21st of this year (after beginning previews on February 24th, 2024), it made its World Premiere Debut at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.  The World Premiere Engagement of the musical performed from June 16th thru July 9th, 2023, after beginning pr...

     On July 31st, 2024, I saw the 2pm performance of "Back to the Future: The Musical" at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.  I won the Telecharge Ticket Lottery for "Back to the Future," so the ticket price was $45 dollars.  It was well worth the price, since it was for a seat in the orchestra section, and the view of the stage wasn't obstructed.  "Back to the Future: The Musical" features music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and a book by Bob Gale.  The Broadway production features costume and scenic design by Tim Hatley.         Another Broadway show I saw which featured scenic and costume design by Tim Hatley was "Life of Pi."  I saw "Life of Pi" on April 19th, 2023.  My blog review for that show can be found by clicking  HERE .  While these were two very different shows, both featured state of the art scenery, and costumes which were pretty similar to those in the feature films...