As previously noted, my favorite show of 2010 was the Public Theater's Broadway production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. The first time you see the show, you're caught up in the story line. It's evident that leading man Benjamin Walker, to quote Ben Brantley, "has the charisma and polish to rule any stage, uptown or down." You laugh at the big jokes and the physical comedy. You want to bring Jeff Hiller and Lucas Near-Verbrugghe home to entertain you on gloomy days. The second time, when you're familiar with the plot, you have more time to catch some of the little jokes and notice more of the cast members. You go home and look up "prescient" in the dictionary and "broham" in the Urban Dictionary (just me?). It's not until your third, fourth or fifteenth time that you can peel your eyes off of Mr. Walker and begin to notice all of the nuance that makes the work of Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman so clever and addictive.
It is here that I hope to document some of the little details that make me love this show so much. I'm sure there are many that I'm missing, and I hope you can add to the list. In chronological order -
Charlie Rosen's silly tuxedo: I couldn't tell you what the other musicians are wearing, but that gray tux gets me everytime. I would love to take his pants and get them hemmed to fit me. I like his shoes, too.
"Surely you're not advocating deforestation!": This line get swept under the rug, but it's so funny.
The two times Kate Cullen Roberts is referred to as a man: In two different scenes Jackson calls her Frederick and broham, with her long blonde hair flowing (supported by the bumpit).
" . . . the requirements of narrative economy . . ." Jackson is talking so fast when he announces his run for presidency that you might miss this, but I appreciate books written with narrative economy in mind.
Juxtaposition of the blondes, brunettes and redheads during "The Corrupt Bargain" You just have to see it. This is what Broadway choreography is all about.
"Rockstar" backup dancers: Jackson enters the house floor and it's very distracting, but you need to watch the backup dancers. Bryce, Emily and Kate rock out like they're in a music video. It's amazing. Cheers to dance captain, Greg Hildreth, as well.
James Barry: James Barry. Period. He's the rockstar is this show (and here's my favorite YouTube video of him doing Our Hit Parade). Men and women alike will be throwing their underwear at him for years to come.
Maria Elena Ramirez's solo: Her performance of "The Great Compromise" is one of the best in the show. I can just imagine Rachel Jackson taking to the stage of a night club.
Lighting during Darren's monologue: Darren Goldstein has a great monologue about Jackson's inauguration. The stage is dark with a cross-stage spotlight on him, and large blue bulb lights behind him. The effect is perfect.
Kate Cullen Roberts painting her toenails: I always thought she was barefoot because Jackson's oval office was such a chill workplace, but just last week I noticed that at the start of the scene she's painting her toenails. This week I noticed her smoking a cigarette.
Jeff Hiller's deep voiced Florida man: This voice has evolved as fall ran into winter; it got deeper and funnier, a dramatic difference from the voices he uses as the messenger and John Quincy Adams.
Ending of Public Life: The ending of the song "Public Life" is different from the off-Broadway version and cast recording. I think it actually changed during the previews.
"Canasta!" Jackson shouts this when he's given up on listening to the people and decides to do what he thinks is best.
"Jeremiah looked down on the people of Judah" It's my favorite line of all of the songs. Great for the treadmill. Jackson is angry and you can tell.
Everytime I see Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson I find more things to love. I am hoping to add your favorite tidbits here. Please leave them in the comments section or tweet them to me.
Now that our beloved show is closing, what should we do with our spare time? In New York City the options for attending the theater can be overwhelming, so I always find some actors and some theaters that I love to follow to narrow down the selection. Join The Public Theater and see everything they produce. You loved the cast of Blood, Bloody Andrew Jackson, so follow their careers and pay to see whatever they do next. Nadia Quinn has a show coming up at Joe's Pub on January 12. Greg Hildreth can be seen in Peter and the Starcatcher at the New York Theatre Workshop (co-directed by Alex Timbers), previews starting in February. Ben Steinfeld and Emily Young will be performing in Shakespeare's Cymbeline with their own company, Fiasco Theater, January 13-30. Buy tickets, tell your friends and keep me posted on additions to this list.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
2010 Top Ten Theater
I read Brantley's top ten shows of the year and Isherwood's ten great new works list. The fact that they had zero overlap is suspicious; I would expect one show would make both of their lists. As more and more top ten lists came across Twitter, I had to formulate one myself.
My favorite show of 2010 was obvious, but ranking the other shows was like taking a walk down memory lane. My purses and messenger bags have pockets stuffed with ticket stubs, so I started pulling them out to remember all of the shows I have seen over the past twelve months. As anyone who sees a lot of theater knows, many of them were bad, but about twenty were really good. I based the top ten how much I enjoyed spending my time and money as an audience member at each performance.
10.The Pitmen Painters
I loved that The Pitmen Painters was not about a romance or a tragic death. I know nothing about art, the making or the viewing, and I didn't find this play to be at all alienating. Also notable was the Samuel J. Friedman Theater. As I sat in my seat looking around, I thought of that $1.50 restoration fee that is added to most tickets. The Friedman looked beautifully restored, from the painting to the plush seats. Due to a traumatizing class on occupational health I have a soft spot for miners, and I found this true story to be heart warming.
9. Personal Enemy
I think I'm the only person in New York who liked Personal Enemy, part of the Brits Off Broadway fest at 59E59. Most of the complaints were not about the production or acting, but about John Osborne and Anthony Creighton's play. Personal Enemy was written in 1956, a British take on McCarthyism, and unabashedly addressed red-baiting and homophobia in the US. Written in 1956. Astounding. The Temperamentals was written a few years ago with the perspective of fifty years hindsight. Personal Enemy was way ahead of its time. The Brits' American accents almost killed me, but the play was excellent.
8. That Hopey Changey Thing
I saw That Hopey Changey Thing on Friday, November 5, 2010. The play took place on election day, Tuesday, November 2, 2010. I couldn't wrap my mind around how the play had been written and produced in the past few days. In truth, of course, it had been written over the summer, but it seemed as if it had whipped up that week as a reflection of Tuesday night. As the election results are not yet known in the play, Richard Nelson, the playwright, only had to know who was running to write the story. It was just as fresh, relevant and timely as the Public Lab of The Public Theater promises.
7. In the Footprint
In the Footprint was my introduction to The Civilians. I live in Brooklyn and I was able to walk to the Irondale Center to see the show. Walking to a critically acclaimed musical. Unbelievable. The production was bare-bones, but the research behind it was extensive. There were interviews and testimony set to song. Music by Michael Freieman, who's work is appearing everywhere these days (he did the music for Angels in America and The Human Scale, not to mention my #1 show). I can't help but think of Jonathan Larson's infamous line, "I am the future of musical theater." I think Michael Friedman may be just that.
6. Brief Encounter
I was pleasantly surprised by Brief Encounter. I don't normally go for love stories, but the darkness of infidelity balanced it out. I loved the actors entering the movie projections. Sure it was a little gimmicky, but after working all week I can handle gimmicks.
5. La Cage aux Folles
My favorite theater date prefers 90 minutes shows and expects to be thoroughly entertained or educated for the whole 90 minutes. The Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of La Cage engaged her for the entire two acts. Douglas Hodge was amazing. The Cagelles were breathtaking. A great night at the theater was had by both of us.
4. The Temperamentals
The early days of the queer rights movement began in the US with the Mattachine Society. What terror to be gay and closeted in the 50's. I saw this play, went home and read The Trouble With Harry Hay, and then went back to the theater with a little more historical perspective. New World Stage freaks me out, but the writing, acting and directing were all phenomenal.
3. Angels in America
This was my first time seeing Angels in America performed on stage. What struck me most was how vivid the performances were. I felt like I was watching a movie (and I don't know if that's a compliment or insult). In the intimate Signature Theatre the actors were not projecting their voices and they were so in their characters that it seemed like real life was unfolding on the stage (until the angel came through the ceiling . . .).
2. Next Fall
Next Fall had its funny lines and sweet bits, but the story was just devastating. I left the theater crying and miserable. I didn't know what to do, so without thinking I bought one of their tee-shirts. Weird reaction, right? Thirty dollars and I've never worn it, but it will be a great shirt to wear to a protest (it says "we love who we love" in small letters across the chest). I thought of Next Fall when I saw Time Stands Still this fall. Time Stands Still was kind of a depressing play and I left in a bad mood. If I am going to see a show that leaves me feeling bad, I want to be devastated and sobbing, not just a little moody. As I write, my wife is visiting her parents in Texas and our unsigned health proxies lay on the bedroom floor. Lesson not learned.
1. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson was hands down my favorite show when it ran at The Public Theater last spring and nothing changed when it moved uptown to Broadway. The first few times I saw it I learned some history. Now it's like going to see my favorite band. Sure they're going to play the same set again, but there's comfort in the routine. Leading man Benjamin Walker has gotten a lot of press for being a hottie (brilliant marketing), but the entire cast is easy on the eyes and wickedly funny. BBAJ has something for everyone - some people love the political humor, others love the crass sexual jokes and pop references. There's always one middle-aged gay man near me who busts a gut laughing at the Susan Sontag dig. I'm a stressed out teacher whose mind doesn't stop running, but the loud music and bright lights calm my thoughts on Friday nights. Kudos to the investors behind this production for giving it a chance to challenge more audiences.
I would love to hear your top ten (or at least your top three). Tweet at me or leave your list in the comments.
My favorite show of 2010 was obvious, but ranking the other shows was like taking a walk down memory lane. My purses and messenger bags have pockets stuffed with ticket stubs, so I started pulling them out to remember all of the shows I have seen over the past twelve months. As anyone who sees a lot of theater knows, many of them were bad, but about twenty were really good. I based the top ten how much I enjoyed spending my time and money as an audience member at each performance.
10.The Pitmen Painters
I loved that The Pitmen Painters was not about a romance or a tragic death. I know nothing about art, the making or the viewing, and I didn't find this play to be at all alienating. Also notable was the Samuel J. Friedman Theater. As I sat in my seat looking around, I thought of that $1.50 restoration fee that is added to most tickets. The Friedman looked beautifully restored, from the painting to the plush seats. Due to a traumatizing class on occupational health I have a soft spot for miners, and I found this true story to be heart warming.
9. Personal Enemy
I think I'm the only person in New York who liked Personal Enemy, part of the Brits Off Broadway fest at 59E59. Most of the complaints were not about the production or acting, but about John Osborne and Anthony Creighton's play. Personal Enemy was written in 1956, a British take on McCarthyism, and unabashedly addressed red-baiting and homophobia in the US. Written in 1956. Astounding. The Temperamentals was written a few years ago with the perspective of fifty years hindsight. Personal Enemy was way ahead of its time. The Brits' American accents almost killed me, but the play was excellent.
8. That Hopey Changey Thing
I saw That Hopey Changey Thing on Friday, November 5, 2010. The play took place on election day, Tuesday, November 2, 2010. I couldn't wrap my mind around how the play had been written and produced in the past few days. In truth, of course, it had been written over the summer, but it seemed as if it had whipped up that week as a reflection of Tuesday night. As the election results are not yet known in the play, Richard Nelson, the playwright, only had to know who was running to write the story. It was just as fresh, relevant and timely as the Public Lab of The Public Theater promises.
7. In the Footprint
In the Footprint was my introduction to The Civilians. I live in Brooklyn and I was able to walk to the Irondale Center to see the show. Walking to a critically acclaimed musical. Unbelievable. The production was bare-bones, but the research behind it was extensive. There were interviews and testimony set to song. Music by Michael Freieman, who's work is appearing everywhere these days (he did the music for Angels in America and The Human Scale, not to mention my #1 show). I can't help but think of Jonathan Larson's infamous line, "I am the future of musical theater." I think Michael Friedman may be just that.
6. Brief Encounter
I was pleasantly surprised by Brief Encounter. I don't normally go for love stories, but the darkness of infidelity balanced it out. I loved the actors entering the movie projections. Sure it was a little gimmicky, but after working all week I can handle gimmicks.
5. La Cage aux Folles
My favorite theater date prefers 90 minutes shows and expects to be thoroughly entertained or educated for the whole 90 minutes. The Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of La Cage engaged her for the entire two acts. Douglas Hodge was amazing. The Cagelles were breathtaking. A great night at the theater was had by both of us.
4. The Temperamentals
The early days of the queer rights movement began in the US with the Mattachine Society. What terror to be gay and closeted in the 50's. I saw this play, went home and read The Trouble With Harry Hay, and then went back to the theater with a little more historical perspective. New World Stage freaks me out, but the writing, acting and directing were all phenomenal.
3. Angels in America
This was my first time seeing Angels in America performed on stage. What struck me most was how vivid the performances were. I felt like I was watching a movie (and I don't know if that's a compliment or insult). In the intimate Signature Theatre the actors were not projecting their voices and they were so in their characters that it seemed like real life was unfolding on the stage (until the angel came through the ceiling . . .).
2. Next Fall
Next Fall had its funny lines and sweet bits, but the story was just devastating. I left the theater crying and miserable. I didn't know what to do, so without thinking I bought one of their tee-shirts. Weird reaction, right? Thirty dollars and I've never worn it, but it will be a great shirt to wear to a protest (it says "we love who we love" in small letters across the chest). I thought of Next Fall when I saw Time Stands Still this fall. Time Stands Still was kind of a depressing play and I left in a bad mood. If I am going to see a show that leaves me feeling bad, I want to be devastated and sobbing, not just a little moody. As I write, my wife is visiting her parents in Texas and our unsigned health proxies lay on the bedroom floor. Lesson not learned.
1. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson was hands down my favorite show when it ran at The Public Theater last spring and nothing changed when it moved uptown to Broadway. The first few times I saw it I learned some history. Now it's like going to see my favorite band. Sure they're going to play the same set again, but there's comfort in the routine. Leading man Benjamin Walker has gotten a lot of press for being a hottie (brilliant marketing), but the entire cast is easy on the eyes and wickedly funny. BBAJ has something for everyone - some people love the political humor, others love the crass sexual jokes and pop references. There's always one middle-aged gay man near me who busts a gut laughing at the Susan Sontag dig. I'm a stressed out teacher whose mind doesn't stop running, but the loud music and bright lights calm my thoughts on Friday nights. Kudos to the investors behind this production for giving it a chance to challenge more audiences.
I would love to hear your top ten (or at least your top three). Tweet at me or leave your list in the comments.
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