Centralparkgirl

There are so many people who post who are very passionate about theater on Broadway. And there are as many posters inquiring about productions, casts, recommendations, reviews, etc. Perhaps it could be of interest and fun to post a lot on one thread for people to peruse and jump in whenever. Here goes!

On Tuesday, I saw 'Finian's Rainbow' (which opens tonight), a musical revival from 1947 that I knew very little about. I was pleasantly treated to an old fashioned musical that seemed so fresh. The music is very good with songs you may recognize. The story although whimsical (complete with a leprechaun and pot of gold) was actually quite relevant in today's society (the disenfranchised, racism, hope). The cast was wonderful - an ensemble of very talented performers of all ages. One female lead - the Irish lass - was a cross between young Ann-Margret and Maureen O'Hara with a beautiful voice. The leprechaun reminded me of Martin Short when he was younger. One cast member was written about in the NYTimes this week. She had been homeless in 2008! Knowing that ahead of time will make her mid play big number all the more poignant.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/ny...rainbow&st=cse
My only criticism of this production is the ugly set, imo, that looks like a high school production - and it's the only set.
Other than that, this reviewer gives it a thumbs up!

And btw - it's at the St. James - tight seating for those who are interested.

starrs

FR sounds great, and this thread is too!
This is going to become my "To Do" list for spring. Thanks!

mclaurie

Thanks for the review CPG. There's some great music in the show (When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich, When I'm not near the girl I love, Old Devil Moon, That Great Come and Get It Day, If this isn't love, How are Things in Glocca Morra, ...) I've never seen the show despite knowing most of the music. There is a discount on broadwaybox.

As I posted, I saw a preview of "Memphis" and loved it. The critics didn't all agree with me, but word of mouth has been good. Most people I know who've seen it either liked it or loved it. Dancing, costumes and set in Memphis is terrific and I also loved the music. I thought the 2 leads could have been stronger but it doesn't negate the enjoyment of the show.

dtph

I just saw Lion King on Broadway on Sunday night. OMG - it was brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!

djkbooks

Thanks for your review! We have tickets for the Saturday matinee and are really looking forward to it.

Judyrem

Thanks so much for the review. This thread is an excellent idea. I want to see Finian's Rainbow too..sounds like just the thing.

Centralparkgirl

mclaurie - I am very impressed that you knew all those songs! Before going the only thing I knew was 'Glocca Morra,' but I did recognize some while during the performance. I really enjoyed all the music.

btw, because of 'Glocca Morra,' I always assumed the play was set in Ireland. I was surprised that it takes place in the south.

dtph - the Lion KIng is so incredibly creative. I loved it too.

Austin

I saw In The Heights last visit. My favorite musical so far. August Osage County was on the previous trip, and it topped my list. Amazing show. I could watch it again. All 3 hours! My 19 year old was with me and its her favorite as well. Funny, smart, heartbreaking. Great diaglogue. Great acting.

Centralparkgirl

Austin - I want to see 'Superior Donuts' by Tracy Letts. I don't think it will be as a good as 'August Osage Country,' but it's supposed to be very good with a strong cast.

Centralparkgirl

"But permanent sunshine can confidently be predicted for the vicinity of the St. James Theater where the joyous revival of "Finian's Rainbow" opened on Thursday night. Here is where you should head this fall to warm your soul amid the diversions of that ever-great and ever-endangered American art form, musical comedy."

Here it is, hot off the press:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/10/3...=finian&st=cse

I bought tix yesterday to see it again, this time with dh.

mclaurie

I read that NYT rave (including the fact that the sets were pretty minimal) and thought you could have written it. Off to see about tickets! (PS friends I sent to Memphis saw it last night and LOVED it).

jroth

A couple of months ago I attended a presentation at Barnes and Noble re Finian's and discussion of the upcoming opening of the show. Presenting were a few relatives of Burton Lane (composer) and Yip Harburg (lyricist and book) - Lane's wife and Harburg's son among them. They told about the creation of the original - and we had some of the songs performed by a couple of very good singers. Whetted my appetite to see the show (and did buy tickets as soon as they became available - and they were at a bargain discount). Harburg was a very interesting individual. Very progressive and left politically and racial relations were a big theme for him. Remember this was still the mid 40's - so he was way out in front on this issue. He did get in lots of trouble later due to his political beliefs - blacklist stuff. Interesting to me was this Jewish guy - brought up on the lower east side in the early days of the 20th century (he and Irving Berlin) - and he writes a fable story about the Irish.

Centralparkgirl

That is very interesting. He was an early civil rights supporter. But it's really about the immigrant experience that those lower east siders knew so well. And prior to the Jews on the LES were the Irish. Most of the synagogues (before Eldridge St was built) were formerly churches. One immigrant group moves on and another moves in - same today.

And if Berlin could write 'White Christmas,' anything is possible.

rncheryl

Will keep monitoring this site. Broadway has to be my favorite thing on the planet. Only regret is that I can't go often enough. Living vicariously on the thread.

Judyrem

rncheryl me too! It always MY biggest treat, besides London's West End shows. I love theater too. First time we saw the Secret Garden in NYC, my DD and I cried.

azzure

Enjoyed "Hair" in August. Also, "Altar Boyz" (off-Broadway) was worth seeing.

smetz

Excellent thread, Centralparkgirl. My wife and I are going to be in NY this coming weekend, and were looking at going out for music rather than a show. But now you got me thinkin!

Saw South Pacific and Waiting for Godot this summer, both were excellent. We really loved the theater at Lincoln Center.

azzure, we've wanted to see Altar Boyz for some time, glad to here you liked it.

azzure

Hope you enjoy it...a family friend (Travis Nesbitt) is in it. The whole cast is great.

Centralparkgirl

Yesterday dh and I went to the matinee of 'God of Carnage' and it was wonderful. I had missed seeing it earlier and when the run was extended, immediately bought tickets. And I'm so glad I did. I had seen another play by Yasmina Reza, 'Art,' and even though Alan Alda was in it, I didn't love it. This is beautifully written and the cast - together - is amazing. They're only in it for another two weeks and then a new cast is taking over with Jimmy Smits, Christine Lahti, Annie Potts and Ken Stott on 11/17. Whether that ensemble will have the same magic, time will tell.

janiekins

I saw "Billy Elliot" 2 weeks ago. I nearly walked out during intermission. I was so bored! I am no prude but I cannot believe how many times the "F bomb" was said!

I loved "In the Heights" but my husband hated it.

I absolutely loved "Wicked" but I know so many people who did not like it.

Everyone