Solitary Solidarity: Theatre Reviews from the Present to the Past

       On the afternoon of December 11th, 2024, I saw a performance of the Thornton Wilder play "Our Town" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City.  This was a three act play, yet it was just under two hours with no intermission.  I was glad to have stayed for the entire show.  It was a dreary and rainy day outside.  If there was an intermission, it is possible I might have left.  If I had, I wouldn't have known that the show kept getting better and better.  The acting got more impressive as well.  A photo I took of the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (while trying to keep my phone dry from the rain).      On the day I saw "Our Town," the cast included Jim Parsons (Stage Manager), Billy Eugene Jones (Dr. Gibbs), Sky Smith (Joe Crowell/Si Crowell), John McGinty (Howie Newsome), Michelle Wilson (Mrs. Gibbs), Katie Holmes (Mrs. Webb), Ephraim Sykes (George Gibbs), Safiya Kaijya Harris (Rebecca Gibbs), Hagan Oliveras (Wal...

         On the afternoon of December 4th, 2024, I saw a performance of the David Adjmi play "Stereophonic" at the John Golden Theatre in New York City.  The play featured original songs by Will Butler and was directed by Daniel Aukin.  The production featured scenic design by David Zinn.  Other productions I saw that featured scenic design by David Zinn include "Kimberly Akimbo" (Broadway), "Fun Home" (National Tour), "The SpongeBob Musical" (World Premiere), and "The Notebook" (Broadway).  The scenery of these five shows were all very unique, and individualized to the stories being told on stage. Me in front of the John Golden Theatre marquee, prior to seeing "Stereophonic."      "Stereophonic" had its World Premiere Engagement at Playwrights Horizons (also in New York City).  After beginning previews on October 6th, 2023, the World Premiere Engagement officially opened on October 29th and ran thru December 17th of...

      On the afternoon of October 20th, 2024, Kathryn and I saw a performance of the off-Broadway musical parody "Titaníque."  We saw the show at the Daryl Roth Theatre, where the show has been playing since November of 2022.  Prior to that, "Titaníque" played at the Asylum Theatre, also in New York City, since June of 2022.  Unless the show gets extended again, "Titaníque" will play its final Off-Broadway performance on January 12th, 2025.  However, productions of the show are opening in many different locations, including the West End, Sydney, and Chicago.        The cast that Kathryn and I saw featured Dee Roscioli (Celine Dion), Marcus Antonio (The Seaman, Iceberg), Tommy Bracco (Victor Garber, Luigi), Cayleigh Capaldi (Rose Dewitt Bukater), Sara Gallo (Background Vocalist), Shawn W. Smith (Background Vocalist), Billie Aken-Tyers (Background Vocalist), Lisa Howard (Molly Brown), Terrence Williams Jr. (Cal), Joel Waggoner (R...

      On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, I saw a performance of the John Kander and Fred Ebb musical "Cabaret" at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City.  Before seeing this particular performance, I had never seen "Cabaret" on stage.  I had only seen the movie, and that was several years ago.  I had heard that this particular production lacked a lot of scenery.  What I wasn't prepared for was how lavishly transformed the August Wilson Theatre was for this production.  It was made to look like a permanent theatre-in-the-round configuration.  I was seated in the mezzanine section, and it was only when I looked up that I noticed that our section was actually within the stage of the August Wilson's proscenium layout.  When this production of "Cabaret" started to feel to immersive or unsettling, all I had to do was look up into the rafters.  The transformation of the theatre, as well as the costume...

      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...