Dukey, I think there is a direct relation between how funny the Busch things are and how many cocktails you have before seeing one. I've heard various opinions on how funny Divine Sister is, as expected.

How weird is that, that CPG and Sue were both at that event. We know they both live in NYC and love theater, but still, of all the places for them to be in NYC on a Mon. night in March.

CPG, I'm glad you posted on this. Many instances of Broadway people being supportive of each other and causes. This one was personal and it is nice to read about it.

And while here, let me put in a word for SueNYC's blog on living in NYC and all things NYC. I've been reading it lately and have benefited from it. Good info, and a nice writing style.

Thank you emd3. I know people are reading the blog from the hit rate but I get little or no feedback so I really appreciate yours. I still have to do a quick post about the rest of the Triangle Day and there are so many more things I want to post about and I have so many postcards to get up there. No if only I could figure out how to get paid to do this!

CP - I was stuck in middle even though there were several seats in the row ahead of us. Thanks for the play lead = when I make a trip to the drama bookshop, I will no doubt post about it. (I really did love the whole evening but that speech really got to me).

emd3 - going to watch M. Pierce Thurs night!

Sue - yeah, that was a good one, but I liked so many (the guy with phone, Alan Cumming's reading, etc.)

I saw "How to Succeed in Business" last night. We got rush tickets so our seats weren't very good, but I liked it far more than I thought I would. I'm not usually a big musical fan, but the staging was a lot of fun. Daniel Radcliff was very likable and he has a strong singing voice. His dancing isn't that great, but even if not intentional, it fit the character so I didn't have a problem with it.

I rarely go to the theatre. But I saw two shows in previews this week:

Baby It's You, which I enjoyed although I would recommend only for fans of the Shirelles and other groups of that era. I knew nothing about Florence Greenberg and the story of Scepter Records, and found that interesting. I doubt if this will have a long run.

High with Kathleen Turner. That woman is a star! Good writing.

eks - I'm seeing both this week; good to hear you liked them.

I saw 'That Championship Season' tonight and I think I'd have to agree with Ben Brantley that the cast overacted although I enjoyed the Coach the most. As far as the script, I wish I had seen the original back in '72 when it probably had more bite.

We saw "Catch Me If You Can" last night. Was able to snag Premium Tickets, Row G, 2 on the aisle for $77 each. The show was really enjoyable, great sets and wonderful performances. A real oldtime big Broadway musical, running 2 1/2 hours (hate those one act 90 minute shows). Will be interesting to see the reviews next week.

(hate those one act 90 minute shows)

Frank, it's interesting that you feel that way. My husband loves them! I like them all, but I frequently feel that most plays are a bit too long including the one you saw last night. I'm curious to see that review too. I hope Norbert Leo Butz will be up for a Tony.

PCGirl: Just don't think with the price of tickets you should be out of the theater at 9:30PM or even worse, 3:30PM on a Saturday matinee.

Now if the prices were reduced for short shows that might be a different story. I realize it's not about quantity, but if you can get length and quality, to me that's the best combination.

Not expecting great reviews for CMIYC, probably not edgy enough for the New York critics.

Sorry to report that we did not like Priscilla Queen of the Desert at all. And, while most of the audience seemed to be enjoying the show, it was equally obvious that there was a significant number of audience members who agreed with us.
We found the show, in the words of the NY Times reviewer, "monotonous and mechanical."
We felt let down and little sad about the experience. We entered the theater feeling that we really, really wanted to enjoy it. Being aware of the mixed reviews the show received, our attitude was, "It'll be a fun show and we'll have a good time." As I said, we really wanted to like it.
We have seen the movie several times and love it. To us, the show lacked the heart, warmth and compassion for the characters that made the movie such a pleasurable experience.
I know, I know, some of will say that we were expecting too much. Believe me, we weren't!
Having said all that, I'm sure that a lot of you who'll read this may very well enjoy the show. We didn't!

I saw Up In Central Park last week - Off Off Broadway on the Upper West Side (physically on Broadway actually) - It's a fun show and it is still playing this week. They do take TDF vouchers if they have seats.

http://thestarryeye.typepad.com/expl...tral-park.html

Saw "Priscilla" this past Sat night and yes, enjoyed it, but can understand why some might be "disappointed."

Then again, we also saw the latest Charles Busch thing downtown and, as usual, hysterically and ridiculously funny.

Perhaps it's the attitude one goes in with. I remember walking out of the ORIGINAL "Sweeney Todd" on Broadway because I was bored to tears so to each their own.

BTW, don't you wonder, just a little, why all those "other people" who are apparently not liking a show just SIT THERE????????

dukey1 - I'm not sure I follow. Do you mean as opposed to walking out during intermission?

First of all, Dukey1, of the hundreds of shows I've seen, I've only walked out of one...and I've seen some pretty bad shows! I love the theater, even less-less-than perfect theater. Further, with the price of tickets today, I still hope to get at least some of my money's worth before the final curtain comes down.
As for Priscilla, the thought of walking out at intermission never entered our minds, as we kept hoping that it would get better! As I said, we entered the theater really wanting to enjoy this show....and actually, we felt sort of sad that it was a disappointment, that we didn't like more.
Yes, indeed, dukey1, to each his own....We've seen Sweeney Todd four times. It's one of our all-time favorites!

Thank you for your review of Priscilla, HowardR. I wonder if having seen the film set you up to dislike the play?

And glad to hear you liked it, Dukey1. Because I will be seeing it with friends in June. So I will hope for the best. Will post back with my impression of it.

I don't understand your point, PeaceOut. If anything, it would seem to me that having seen and liked the movie would set me up to like, not dislike the show.
And it stands to reason that in the reverse situation, it would follow that if I didn't like the movie, I don't think I'd want to see the theatrical version.

I don't know, Howard, I kind of get that point. I've been to dozens of movies which were made from books, and friends I go with who LOVED the book always seem to hate the movie.
To be honest, when I first saw Priscilla in London I was convinced it wouldn't be as good as the movie which I liked, so I was quite surprised that I did enjoy the stage musical. No, it's not the same as the movie, however. Overall, I see your point, Howard, about lacking the "heart, warmth, and compassion" of the movie. Granted it's more about the music, dance, and just being over the top than it is about any of those things -- certainly more so than the movie.

On the other hand, I went "knowing" I wouldn't like the actor playing Bernadette, convinced whoever it was couldn't compare with Terence Stamp in the movie, but I ended up preferring Tony Shelton in the musical as Bernadette. I found the character not just an "angry old queen", but someone who actually was trying to still get something out of life. That's kind of an oversimplification -- but the important part was I actually felt Tony Shelton gave more depth to the character of Bernadette than Terence Stamp, even though (or possibly because) he didn't play it as serious as in the movie.

I think a lot of people are trying to compare Priscilla with LaCage, and I find them totally unrelated shows. LaCage is very much filled with pathos, heart, and sentiment. Priscilla, not so much at all.

I'll also again point out that I have NOT yet seen Priscilla on Broadway and I do know some changes were made. They did try to give more "weight" to the story of the father and son, and perhaps none of that is really working. Maybe they should have stuck with just making it about "fun" rather than attempting to add more heart to the show, especially if it just doesn't work.