Off-Broadway Bliss

So, since I had stayed awake later than I anticipated Thursday night, I ended up leaving for Manhattan about an hour later than scheduled. Which meant that I missed my opportunity to see “Superman Returns” in IMAX 3D, but that’s okay, no big loss there. I packed up my car and put Fry in the back seat and left. I arrived in Astoria at Sean’s place around 3, which still left me some time to acclimate myself and cool off the apartment for the little guy (since Sean’s been gone for awhile, all electrical items were unplugged, so it was toasty when I walked in) before setting off into the city.

I walked around Times Square and went to Mid-Town Comics (my new ‘can’t-miss’ spot) and then had some Chinese food before going down to Union Square and the Vineyard Theatre.

I went to see [title of show]- and I was in musical theatre heaven for 90 minutes! I had heard about this and wasn’t able to make it to New York during its first run this past winter but, when I had the opportunity to stay at Sean’s, the first thing I did was get tickets to see this. At its core, [tos] is about its creators, Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen, writing a musical about Hunter and Jeff writing a musical in three weeks for submission to the New York Music Theater Festival. In spite of this meta-self-referential springboard, it delves deeper to become a treatise about the creative process- the thoughts one encounters when creating art, how the influences of the people around you help shape it, when do you realise it’s finished, how does one let go of their creation- and they do it all with humour, heart and some really witty songs. Actors/Authors Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen are simply adorable, funny and appealing playing themselves and their friends Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff (also playing themselves) are just as appealing. Susan radiates a certain “New York” style, kind of like Laurie Anderson and Heidi sings the sh*t out of her songs. Each actor/character has a standout moment and they all shine, even Music Director Larry Pressgrove. Since seeing the show, I now have a HUGE crush on that Hunter Bell, who’s kinda like Tommy Drake and Danny Bonaduce’s love child, but cuter, charming, a little geeky, and also a big theatre buff.

After leaving the theatre, I called me friend Patrick (hey I’m kinda talking British), and the first thing he asked me was how much I loved it. I actually told him I considered going back the next night for rush seats since I just wanted to feel the same way I did while watching it. I didn’t go back Saturday night, but I still give this show an A+.

Saturday, I met up with Patrick and we saw the matinee of "The Fantasticks" revival/reconstruction at the New Snapple Theatre. While it’s still in previews, I have to honestly say that I didn’t like it in the least. Maybe the show’s just too antiquated, maybe it’s too ‘precious’ for these ironic times, or maybe the direction lacked spark. I can’t quite say, but I was sorely disappointed and surprised that what I saw (or something approximating what I saw) ran for 42 years. Grade: D-

Afterwards, we had dinner and Patrick had convinced me to see “Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris” at the Zipper Theatre. He loves, loves, LOVES that show (it’s his fifth time) and I really didn’t have any interest in seeing what sounded like a cabaret revue.

I’m glad that Patrick dragged me to it. Jacques Brel was a great production of some amazingly written songs, sung to perfection by the four-person cast. Natascia Diaz shines here as do Gay Marshall, Drew Sarich and understudy Kevin Del Aguila. At intermission, I hurried to the Box Office to find out if there was a cast recording and signed up to be notified when it came out. A truly moving night that just capped off a day filled with mediocre theatre. Grade: A.