We saw "Looped" in DC with Valerie Harper and I think she did a wonderful job. Is it still going in NYC?

The two main assets of West Side Story are its dancing and its music. Both are well served in the current production. That's what this show is all about. Hair? That's another show, isn't it?

Oh, Maggi, speaking of Stratford -- I saw a production of West Side Story there a few years ago. AWFUL. I'm somewhat open to "color blind" casting, but when the show is about Puerto Ricans and Americans, how could they cast an Asian girl as Maria? That was pretty hard to ignore. And the tiny little very effeminate Tony made the whole audience laugh a lot. Boy did THAT production not work.

TDudette, Looped is scheduled to begin previews on Feb. 19 (drat -- two days after I leave) at the Lyceum Theatre -- Broadway.

<< Hair? That's another show, isn't it? >> Funny, Howard!

I saw 'Present Laughter' last night. Victor Garber was very good and the set is gorgeous, but I didn't enjoy it as much as 'Royal Family.' It's not as sharp, imo. Maybe I prefer Yiddish Deco to British Deco.

Patrick, that's hilarious. Glad I missed that version. But seriously, their most recent production was right up there with Broadway. I saw it twice and, as a musician, I like to think of myself as being discerning :-)

"Maybe I prefer Yiddish Deco to British Deco."

CPG, I'm really confused. The Royal Family is about the Barrymore's, who are renamed the Cavendish's in Royal Family. What is the reference to "Yiddish"? Are you suggesting they did the recent revival with some sort of heavy Jewish or Yiddish overtones?

No, not at all. I was kidding about the playwrights: Kaufman/Ferber vs. Coward.

OK, guess that goes over my head. I never thought of Kaufman and/or Ferber as writing at all Yiddish -- just "American".

I was only KIDDING!

Hey, CPG, do you have a short list ready for me in April? :-)

OK guys, due to your recommendations (and the fact that someone I know well who is only a few yrs older than me died suddenly this week) I got discount orchestra tickets to see Wishful Drinking this weekend. So it will be Wishful Drinking and Love, Loss, and What I Wore. I was going to limit myself to one show this weekend for budget reasons, but figure I have really wanted to see Wishful Drinking and I can't justify those theater regrets in the scheme of life, and I will already be in NYC.

Looking forward to some good restaurant deals from restaurant.com, and going to see Madeline Albright's pin collection at the Museum of Arts and Design on Thurs. night when admission is whatever you want to donate. I love NY.

The hair was NOT a huge problem for me--just something I noticed. As I said in the original post, I enjoyed the production very much--and LOVED the 2nd act. Sorry to have mentioned it. All I know is that for me, for whatever reasons, the Jets' scenes were the weakest link in a very strong production.

Howard's right that the main assets are the music & dancing/choreography. No complaints in those departments. That music is truly extraordinary.

Bernstein, Sondheim and Robbins - What a combination!

starrs - did your dates change?

Thanks, NeoPatrick. Tallulah and her sister had a place where I grew in Maryland. Vivien Vance used to visit them. One day bought I don't know how many pairs of shoes at the local shoe store and everyone was agog!

emd3 - sounds like you're in for a poignant weekend - enjoy yourself!

The restaurant at the top of MAD opened recently. Haven't eaten there but I did get to see the view and decor. It's wonderful and open late every evening.

SueNYC, I was just looking at the menu of Robert yesterday (@ MAD), and thinking that I may stop by there for lunch next week!

Saw Present Laughter also Central Park Girl & agree that
the set was really nice & Garber very good...I'm not crazy
for Coward but those that are will probably enjoy this immensely.
The theatre was half emtpy tho. Do folks not know about Garber I wonder?

Hi Rhea - it's gotten loads of press, but it's still in previews. The orchestra was filled the night I was there. Cynthia Nixon sat in front of me. It will take a great review and some luck for it to be playing by the summer, imo!

Present Laughter like most Roundabout Productions is a limited run. It is only contracted and scheduled to run for two months -- until March 21 -- so no doubt it will NOT be playing my summer! Lips Together, Teeth Apart is already scheduled to take its place at the American Airlines Theatre.