starrs - another Off Bway production that I would recommend (if you like Barbra Streisand) is Buyer and Cellar - a lot of fun!

I haven't see it yet, but from everything I've heard and read, I too recommend Buyer and Cellar (even if you aren't a fan of Streisand!). We plan on seeing it later this summer. It stars Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty" fame.

Having seen the play, I would say that part of the enjoyment of this funny, well written and well acted production is being very familiar with Barbra Streisand, her background, her life, her films and some of her bigger than life qualities for better or worse. Some of the lines were subtle references and familiarity made them hysterical. If you don't like Barbra (and some people don't), it won't quite be the same experience imo.

The main character's boyfriend's rant about Brooklyn was fabulous!

I know that being a Streisand fan would certainly add to anyone's enjoyment of the show. My point is that you don't have to be a Streisand fan to enjoy it!

I never once used the word fan. IMO, based on having seen the play, someone who did not like Streisand might not get the same enjoyment. That is my point.

Alright, already, you've made your point!

A short (surprising) interview with Holland Taylor -
http://screen.yahoo.com/holland-tayl...110000223.html

Starts, your trip is coming up, right? Mine is next weekend. A wk from tonight is Trip to Bountiful, I can't wait, then Kinky Boots for 2nd time and the Nance. Also seeing live music at the Cutting Room, City Winery (Poco), Zinc Bar, and Rum Bar. The heat wave has broken and weather is fantastic, I hope it holds...

I hope Nathan Lane is able to perform in the Nance when you see it. He was injured on Wednesday night, and I had read he would be back last night. I haven't heard anything further.

OK, we saw Buyer & Cellar today, and all I can say is: "Get tickets for it immediately!" We loved it. And, I might add that while we do enjoy Streisand, we are not at the fan club level status, but still loved the show. Michael Urie is fantastic.
And, tickets can be gotten for $55. Check the offer on playbill.com and broadwaybox.com. Like most off-Broadway theaters, it's small and you see from just about anywhere. Our $55 seats were in the mezzanine front-row center.
An added incentenive: The theater is located in the heart of Greenwich Village and is a great area for spending the entire day!

Glad you enjoyed it. Howard, why aren't you using tdf?

Wish they did matinees during the week of Buyer and Cellar!

cpg, I regularly checked tdf and hadn't seen Buyer & Cellar there for quite a while. Believe me, I would have grabbed the offer immediately if it was available. In fact, I would regularly check it for that show. It had been available earlier in the summer, I guess, before the favorable word of mouth meant improved ticket sales.
Patrick, if you only want a matinee, go on a Saturday or Sunday, but definitely put it on your must-see list. I know you'll enjoy the show. Michael Urie is revelation!

No, Howard, on weekends we do things together and that show isn't a Peter priority. Its hard enough for us to see the major shows on a weekend here and there. Wednesday is my "offbeat" theatre day. I wish more off-Broadway shows did weekday matinees, and days other than Wednesday as well.

By the way, today I finally saw My Name is Asher Lev which is closing the end of this month. Really excellent play.

The obvious reason there are so few weekday matinees for off-Braodway shows is that there is no audience for them. Patrick, how about an evening performance? The show runs only 96 minutes, so you get out early.

Howard, It's not the idea that Peter will only have to sit through 96 minutes of a show he doesn't want to see. It's about spending the 4 hours plus of travel round trip and the $50 to $80 of tolls, gas, and parking or train or bus tickets along with parking. And again, why would we make that kind of investment for one of our "precious" weekends to see a show we both aren't simply dying to see? If we're going to go to all that time and expense we'd rather make it for a show we both really want to see? it would be different if NYC wasn't a major trip for us, but unfortunately it is. I don't mind spending 4 hours on a bus on a Wednesday to go see a single show, but it's hardly how Peter would enjoy his weekend after a long week of work -- unless he REALLY wants to see the show.

Regarding, the demand for matinees -- it's kind of interesting, and I don't think so cut and dry as you think when you say there is no audience for them. It's pretty well known that Wednesday matinees are better attended for most shows than Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. Asher Lev which I saw yesterday at a matinee was completely sold out, but most of their shows after their long run are not. When It's You, Baby was playing a couple years ago, they added Friday matinees. It was a huge success and they were constantly selling out. It was all the other performances that dwindled away in attendance until they closed. I was hoping it might be the beginning of something new, but so far. . .no. One thing is clear by the line up of out of town buses you see for Wednesday and Saturday matinees -- tons of people are willing to make excursions from outside the city to see a matinee. I just wish it wasn't such a cut and dry policy that they ALL have to be on Wednesday. I'm glad London got away from that. Different shows have matinees on different days! And people who come in to the city to see theatre can actually see two shows virtually ANY day of the week.

Patrick, the only reason why I was enoouraging you to see the show was for the simple reason that I think you'd really enjoy it.That's it!

And, all I can say about the lack of Wednesday matinees is that I assume the producers obviously feel that there is not as much of potential audience for a Wednesday matinee versus a Sunday night performance, which is the "replacement" (my word) performance.

(PS: I don't think that Greenwich Village is a favorite destination for most of those folks coming in on buses for Wednesday matinees!)

Well, that's true. I guess I got a little off topic by talking about matinees in general -- for Broadway and the midtown off Broadway theatres.

HowardR, glad to hear you liked it too!

So. tell me, Starrs, are you going to Buyer & Cellar?