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Letters to CurtainUp
May 26, 2010. Next Fall, a wonderful, moving and beautifully performed play, is
not drawing the audiences it richly deserves. No music, no Hollywood stars, just a lovely, expertly written and performed theatrical experience. Word of mouth has been positive, as have the reviews (including yours and the NYTimes) but evidently not enough. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a rewarding evening in
the theater.—Sandy Sachitoff, Manhattan.
May 21, 2010. Loved your review on The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. I hate wrestling and rap but I loved the show for its electric energy. A question, is THE Wrestling a fictionalized version of World Wrestling Entertainment?— Annie and Mark Balker, Bronx May 21, 2010. The Deity play did strike me as vulgar and loud and I was tempted to walk out-- but somehow it stayed with me-- vulgar words and flashing strobes and all. —Mark Stoller, Long Island May 21, 2010. Should The Elaborate. . . (gads, what a mouthful of a title!) have won a Pulitzer? Probably. While dysfunctional families with mental problems are part of the American Experience, so is this-- probably more so. — AnonymousWe saw London Scars and thought it was an intriguing story and the performances were dynamic. Bishop's portrayal of Mary aka Scarlett was riviting. We need to see more of her.—Bonnie Moren, Los Angeles May 7, 2010. I agree with PaulAnne Simmon's review of Langston in Harlem.
I saw the show and think Ms. Simmon's review was intelligent, balanced, thoughtful, clear and fair.
In my opinion, The NYTimes review missed the mark on all counts.—
Audrey Reeves
April 28, 2010. I liked Sondheim on Sondheim a lot. The only thing that could have improved it would have been to have Raoul Esparza and Bernadette Peters on stage-- and, of course, Sondheim in the flesh. Speaking of his on-screen presence (delightful) do you know how many of those mini-screens the designer used to create all those fancy and complicated as Sondheim's music units?—Anne Douglas, New Jersey Sondheim fanEditor's response: I'm not sure about the number but it was over 30! . April 18, 2010 About LA CAGE AUX FOLLES: A terrific show, a knock-out production and, not to slight Kelsey Grammer's wonderfully charming performance, the show has a sensational, memorable performance from Douglas Hodge. Not since Jennifer Holliday made Broadway history in DREAMGIRLS singing "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" has there been a musical performance like Douglas Hodge singing "I Am What I Am" absolutely astonishing. One for the ages.— FRANK DISTEFANO
April 18, 2010. Agree with the review of The Subject Was Roses.
I hadn't been to a Pearl production in several years and didn't have particularly fond memories of the Moliere revival I had last seen there. But despite having seen The Subject Was Roses in two previous
productions, I felt the other night like I was seeing it for the first time. I have seen Amy Wright's work over at the HB Studio where free performances are offered to the public. SHe has struck me as someone
who has a remarkable capacity for keeping a play moving forward at a high level of energy that propels the drama and keeps the audience's interest. I think she was helped by a trio of fine actors at the Pearl
and would welcome the opportunity to see more. Yes, the play may be a bit dated, and it may be somewhat less tragic that Death of a Salesman (though the lingering, drawn-out death of a marriage may be no less
tragic than Willy's actual, physical death), but the play - when properly presented - can clearly bring an evening of fine theater to an audience hungering for it.— Gary Giardina
April 13, 2010. On your review and comments on The Addams Family musical--no it's not the Addams Family as perceived by the cartoonist, but neither were the tv shows. You've got it right: It's a feel good, fun show and I don't know what the critics expected. No wonder we're relying more on the internet than the old-time critics. -- Marge and Tim Stratford, from New York NOT tourists.others suggesting audiences are just looking for an escape. Here is a selection of their comments. Read below and add your own. April 13, 2010. You're right on the mark. The Addams Family is a big old-fashioned Broadway show and I enjoyed it from the first dum-dum-dum through every "feel good" moment.
—Mark Goodwin, Bronx, NY April 13, 2010. As you say, The Addams Family is critic proof but I agree that once Nathan Lane leaves, all bets may be off -- except of course, for the touring shows. Oh, and yes, we did feel very good for the entire 2 1/2 hours. The staging is Wow! Wow! Wow!— Marina Collin, Westport, Conn.
April 12, 2010. [about Addams Family] It's not the best musical I've ever seen and some of the jokes are pretty stupid. But it's more original and more worth the price of admission than shows like Million Dollar Quartet. It's got smoke and glitz and well known stars. – BARaleigh, New York
March 16, 2010. Nice clincher that "Maybe if I'd come to the show fortified with a drink, I would have been more in the loop of the laugh-out-louders who seemed to love this Tallulah-cum-Valerie". I felt sorry for Hutchinson but sorrier for the money my husband and I wasted on Looped tickets.—Bestsy Siegel March 15 The wind and rain smashed my umbrella on the way to the theater to see--guess waht-- When the Rain Stopped Falling. Per your blog, indeed Life imitating art--but I liked the show even though the play is definitely too pretentiously confusing. — Daniel Greene, Queens March 15, 2010. I agree with what you didn't like about Looped-- I didn't even think Harper was such a hoot. The whole thing seems so thoroughly UNNECESSARY! I don't have a single disagreement with your review of Next Fall and Clybourne Park-- two thoroughly original and thoughtful plays.
March 10, 2010. Yea to Gay. I think having all these gay plays open up around the same time makes it all somewhat special. However, I theought The Pride the weakest of the lot. Didn't really find these people especially interesting.— George Fortuna March 10, 2010. Saw a number of so-so writeups on THE DUCHESS OF MALFI at The Red Bull Theater and decided to listen to your Gregory Wilson who raved about it. Right on. Well directed, acted. . .everything. See it while you can. —Melissa Gibbons |
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