Summertime and the livin is easy. No, I am not going to report on Porgy and Bess. For that you have to go to Broadway ( and it’s worth it) However I am going to tell you about another classic that won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama…..South Pacific.
The REAGLE THEATRE at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham follows two cross culture love stories between Americans and Pacific Islanders during WW11. This groundbreaking musical, explores thems of prejudice and bigotry and won 10 TONY AWARDS. You will thrill to songs like Rogers and Hammerstein;s Some Enchanted Evening,
I’m gonna WASH THAT MAN RIGHT OUT OF MY HAIR, There is Nothing Like A Dame and others. The last time that Reagle did South Pacific was in 1989. It recently was revived on Broadway so why shouldn’t Reagle follow suit. Kudos to Robert J. Eagle.
$35-$63 Phone: 781-891-5600 Online: www.reaglemusictheatre.com
Did you know that the Huntingotn has Playwriting follows? Their production of SMART PEOPLE is by just one such fellow, playwrite Lydia R. Diamond.
. Visit huntingtontheatre.org/news/photo-library.
Huntington Theatre Company is concluding its 2013-2014 Season with Smart People, It is a sharp and provocative new comedy.
Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois (The Power of Duff) helms the newest play from the author of the Huntington’s 2010 hit production of Stick Fly. Performances of Smart People are presented at the South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. Due to popular demand, the run has been extended to Sunday, June 29, 2014.
A quick shout out to the people at Pops.
I was at Opening Night with guest star Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame. What many did not know was that before that he was a Tony winner he won a Tony on Broadway. Did you know that his is also a director, producer, and writer and does everything well. What a talent!
When he started his set with Shiksa Goddess by Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years, he brought the house down and deservedly so. As a matter of fact he not only got a standing ovation at the end of his set, he got two during the performance.
Alexander performed everything from Broadway standards to special material making you forget George Costanza after a few bars. His special material about the roles he wanted to play and pitched unsuccessfully to producers such as Evita, Annie and Don Quixote was hysterical.
A man of many talents and a worthy opening act for the best Pops orchestra anywhere. This season’s theme is THE VERY BEST OF THE BOSTON POPS and they have quite a lot to choose from.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.bostonpops.org or by phone through SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200,
I was recently in the BIG APPLE and want to give you a heads up on the three musicals that I saw
Although it won 6 Tonys, STINKY BOOTS, I mean Kinky Boots was a bust. The book, the choreography, the songs, the lyrics all were sub standard and trite. If you want to see a show about cross dressers where the play ends with the straight character dressing in drag go to see LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. That Jerry Herman musical is wonderful and forget about Stinky Boots.
Beautiful , which is up for Tonys is the story of Carol King. A delightful musical with great music, choreography, acting and sets. Don’t miss it.
The third play that I saw, was Bullets Over Broadway. The book ia by Woody Allen who did the movie. Director and Choreographer was one of the best people ever on Broadway, Susan Stroman( THE PRODUCERS) and the Conductor and Vocal coach the fabulous Andy Einhorn ( who incidentally was the music director on my film Broadway Musicals A Jewish Legacy.)
Don’t pay attention to the other reviews. This is what a musical comedy is supposed to be about. It is a fun filled, well acted and sung, fabulously choreographed side splitting show. You know that you are not going to see King Lear so buckle up and have a good time. You will not be able to dodge the laughs and production numbers. Yes, you will be able to leave happy. It is cheaper than a psychiatrist and lot more fun.