Lestat - April 24, 2006

Ed bought me tickets to Lestat for my birthday. We went last night. Last night of previews before tonight's opening.

Considering the lambasting it took in the San Francisco tryout, I was ready for a complete disaster. I really was expecting it to be one of the worst shows I had ever seen. Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed some of it. Was it memorable? No. But I was never bored, and it had a few good moments. Perhaps I survived it better because I went in expecting to hate it. Not that it's saying much, but I thought it was better than Dracula the Musical, Dance of the Vampires, and Brooklyn.

Honestly, the biggest disappointment was the complete and utter absence of celebrities of any type in the audience. It was a Monday night so we were hoping to see at least some Broadway folks on their night off. We didn't even see any of the critics.

The show: It was a lot of story to fit into a show. Three long books with at least 9 major characters crammed into 2.5 hours. I was able to follow the story throughout. Only the Marius parts were missing narrative cohesion. Vampire stories aren't my speed, but I was interested enough in this to want to see how it turned out.

I liked Carolee Carmello very much, and she looked like she was having a ball. The Crimson Kiss lyrics were a bit banal, but she sold the hell out of them. I'll fault Bernie Taupin for his words and not her performance.

Hugh Panaro was fine enough but lacks a certain charisma to center and anchor the story completely.

Drew Sarich was pretty bad as Armand. He came off as a bitchy queen not as a menacing figure.

Jim Stanek (Louis) and Roderick Hill (Nicholas) were decent though they weren't given much of anything to make them shine. I always feel you need at least one good song to cement your place in a show.

17 years old Allison Fischer jolts the show to another level with her number "I Want More". It's a great scenery chewing piece and she devours the stage. While most of the music was serviceable, this song was a standout. Two or three more numbers like this one would have made the show a lot more enjoyable and increased it’s chances with the critics tremendously.

I don't think the show will be a "hit" but I do think it will run a bit. If something as bad as Dracula can run for 5 months, they might get a season out of this one. The critics will take issue with the music as it really is the weakest part of the show, but the performances are good and the book works well enough.

If you like the Ann Rice books and vampire lore in general, I’d say check it out. But be warned, Elton phoned this one in. It is not on a musical level with Lion King, Billy Elliot or even Aida. Bernie Taupin makes a poor showing his first time at bat as a Broadway lyricist. Elton would do well to go back to Tim Rice (lyrics for Lion King and Aida) next time around.

The Dazzle - May 1, 2002

Saw a play called The Dazzle on Wednesday. A well-performed piece of
absolutely nothing. There was no discernible purpose or reason to it at
all. Not unpleasant but totally forgettable. But there was a great
reception after the show. It was at The Player's on Grammercy Park South.
Nice old townhome housing an actor's club started by famous 19th Century
actor Edwin Booth (John Wilkes Booth's brother). Lots of historical
photos, books, papers and portraits throughout the clubhouse. Pleasant
staff with great stories about the club. Free wine and eats. Balcony
overlooking the street and the park. Really a fun place to poke around in
for an evening.

All Roads Lead to Follies - March 8, 2003

It's like my favorite "Broadway Baby" John Tenneson says, "All roads lead to Follies."
This May, I want you to try the "Road You Didn't Take" before and join us "Beautiful Girls" as we head to the Signature Theatre in that "Pleasant Little Kingdom " of Arlington, VA for their production of Stephen Sondheim's Follies.

Apparently, I waited "Too Many Mornings" to try and get us seats. I was "Waiting for the Girls Upstairs" to pick which weekend to head down. "Ah, But Underneath" all that waiting lurked danger. I though I was "Losing My Mind" when I tried to order tickets last month and found that the original weekend shows were all sold out. I thought I would never be the same "In Buddy's Eyes" or anyone else's. All I could hear was "Rain on the Roof" and disappointment in your voices as I told you that we were going to miss the show. I wanted to say "Don't Look at Me" because I was so ashamed for not ordering sooner. I thought I'd be shunned, and you'd all say "Who's That Woman?" (that weary, dreary woman) when I passed you on the street. I figured I'd be crying the "God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues" for years.

But now there is reason to "Live, Laugh, Love" again. Fate has smiled upon me and given me "One More Kiss." Mike Paleos called me last week and told me, "You're Gonna Love Tomorrow" because the Signature has extended the Follies run by three weeks. It turns out that our theatre "Love Will See Us Through." Oh, joy! "Who Could Be Blue?" I feel redeemed. "I'm still Here," and I'm the "Right Girl" for planning our theatre adventures after all.

Since we're making a weekend of it, we might get a chance to tour a bit of Washington, "Uptown Downtown," and see "All Things Bright and Beautiful" like that "Little White House" where the Bush Family lives. And if we go out dancing after the show, be sure to break out "That Old Piano Roll" and ask John to dance - "Can That Boy Foxtrot!"

So pack your hat boxes and makeup bags for the weekend of May 30th to June 1st. Signature Theatre told me to "Bring On the Girls" because they have 8 tickets for us for Saturday, May 31st at 8 pm. (Originally, there were going to be 10 of us, but two girls had to drop out. I'll tell you the "Story of Lucy and Jessie" some other time. It's too much to get into right now.) Tickets with handling come to $43 each.

Can't wait!! XO - Bill

Editor's Note - In light of current world events, Bill could not bring himself to work "Ah, Paris!" or any reminder of those cowardly Frogs into this email.

Imaginary Friends - December 21, 2002

John took me, Pete, Bruce & Jim to see Imaginary Friends for Christmas.
Went to the Saturday matinee. Ethel Barrymore. Last row of the front mezz left. Didn't get a good look at the orchestra, but it seemed fairly full.
Front mezz was full and rear mezz had about 15 people in it.

I got in first and heard a familiar voice. Turned to my right and 6 seats
down was one of my old Friendly's customers whom I haven't seen in 7 or 8
years - Marilyn - think Mike Meyers doing Linda Richmond on Coffee Talk,
but platinum blond. Fabulous reunion.

The show was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. It's not a great play,
but it's a darned good one. Some of it was just outrageously out there.
The first musical number came out of nowhere. The supporting cast (mostly
singing and one excellent vaudevillian style tap number) is terrific.
Harry Groener does a very good job as the various (and quite varied) men in
both women's lives. Swoosie and Cherry are unbelievably good.
Particularly Cherry. Never saw either one of them onstage before. They
play Mary & Lillian as children, and you would swear that these middle-aged
broads were 6 years old. They do the ladies in their prime and in older
age and change their performing imperceptibly but perfectly to fit whatever
age they are playing.

The Hamlisch/Carnelia songs were nice and added some real color and
atmosphere to the show. There was some neat staging with a red curtain.
Also some effective use of projections. And there was plenty of barbed
dialogue delivered by these two pros that was just a delight. The play
made we want to read both women - McCarthy in particular. And it's had me
thinking about the whole fact v. fiction thing since Saturday, so it
obviously had some resonance.

At intermission, John stands up, turns to the rear mezz and whispers to me,
"Isn't that her?" Sure enough in the first row of the rear mezz right
behind us is Nora Ephron. Crazed stalker that I am, I grabbed a sharpie
and my Playbill, walked up and sat down on the arm of the seat next to Ms.
Ephron. She was sitting there with what looked like the NY Times Book
Review AND the crossword puzzle in her lap. I could have kissed her just
for that. Watching your own first play while doing the 'tres literary' New
Yorky thing. I told her how much I was enjoying the show. She told me
that I was there on the right day because Swoosie and Cherry were very 'on'
and really nailing it today. A few of the other 'mezzies' were looking
over as she autographed my Playbill. She said that she had hoped to catch
the show and not be recognized but guessed that hadn't worked. I
apologized for bothering her, but she didn't really seem to mind too much.
The other guys came over to say hello and chat a bit, too.

I headed downstairs to buy the Lobby Card. NOT because I saw the author.
The first day that I saw the ad for the show, I knew I would buy it. Two
little girls in a hammock with the words "bitch" and "liar" pointing to
them. It's me (bitch) and John (liar) - bosom buddies 'till the end (Mame,
pull in your claws).

Ms. Ephron suffered us fools gladly (I hope) a second time. She signed
lobby cards for Bruce, John & me. I told her what a great movie I thought
Silkwood was. She said it had been a great experience. I said it must
have been great working with Streep and that I couldn't wait to see Streep
in Adaptation. She said to go see her in The Hours because it was just
amazing and to also see Chicago. Movie recommendations from a
screenwriter/director! I loved it. I was tempted to tell her that I saw
Carl Bernstein at one of the previews of Hairspray and that he hadn't aged
well at all. I decided that it might give her Heartburn and kept it to
myself.

I asked her who came up with the artwork for the show. She said it was the
ad agency and wasn't it great. I told her that I was sold on the show the
minute that I saw it. I also pointed out John and said that we laughingly
say it's us in the poster. She said that so many people have told her that
the poster reminds them of themselves and their significant other.

The crowd seemed to enjoy the show. You really have to see it for the
leading ladies. They are just too good. We waited to see them after the
show, but they didn't come out. I will definitely be back to meet them and
congratulate them on their performances (and have them sign my Ephronized
lobby card).

Another good day with MY imaginary friends - the actors and writers on
Broadway.

Short Talks on the Universe - November 19, 2002

Three minutes after Angela Lansbury walked onstage tonight, I knew that I the evening was well worth my $100 (love those discount emails - 4th row mezz). I'd never seen her onstage before. She was amazing and wholly commanding my attention in a sweet, little 15 minute scene by McNally called Ghost Light. No reason to explain the 4 Tony's to me after seeing her tonight. Would love to see her back on the boards. And she looked lovely.

Chris O'Donnell held his own with her. And what a looker he is, too.

Cady Huffman did a cute scene intro thing that they thankfully did not beat to death.

Bette Midler did a great Nora Ephron bit - I Hate My Purse. She looked great, too.

Tony Roberts and Matthew Broderick did a great, silly (yet thought provoking) piece by Jon Robin Baitz called Show People. Broderick was a riot as the Devil (wearing horns and a tail and carrying a pitchfork) explaining theatre Hell to the recently deceased producer played by Roberts. He was funnier than John Lovitz' Devil from SNL. Just some silly little movements that killed me. The Devil got some shots in at John Simon and obliterated "that little schmuck from The Post."

Tony Kushner did some very funny reading (in his pajamas) from his journal regarding his inability to finish a piece for the evening.

The ever boyish Boyd Gaines (he was quite a bit older than me when I first saw him in One Day at a Time when I was a kid - I swear I'm older than him now!) and Halley Feiffer did a piece by Jules Feiffer called E-mail. Funny with a little twist ending.

Christine Baranski & Kevin Kline were in an hysterical thing called 3:00 a.m. by Steve Martin about a married couple in bed - totally absurd and - Salman Rushdie, Connie Chung, Diane Sawyer, a bathtub full of vodka and trumpets - I can't explain it - ridiculous but funny. Played to the hilt by Baranski. We need her back more often. Kline, as always, perfect.

Ellen Barkin & Patricia Kalember (both gorgeous in fabulous party dresses) were in an Elaine May piece called Extra with Alec Baldwin. Barkin and Baldwin were a good pairing in an amusing bit. The scene ended with the two of them dancing.

All the other couples from the previous pieces came out of the wings dancing together and then took their bows as a group. Mike Nichols spoke briefly and with humor. Amazing to see such star wattage lined up across the stage.

The gorgeous Melissa Errico (fabulous strapless black 'mermaid' dress with a white tulle 'tail') and dashing (in a tux) Raul Esparza came out and sang Sunday in the Park, Finishing the Hat and Move On. Brought me right back to DC. It was great to see them both onstage again. It was a change of pace from the rest of the evening. Sort of disrupted the lovely dancing ending witht the night's performers. And perhaps it was "escape music" for some of the stars. But they were wonderful - two performers that just have "IT".

Being a ridiculous fan, I stood outside the stage door with the paparazzi and other fans. Got a chance to say hello to the very handsome Patrick McEnroe (I noticed him first because I could tell he had wife Melissa's dress by the shape of the garment bag he carried out). A number of folks had left by the time I got out there. But Tony Roberts, Melissa, Ellen Barkin and Christine Baranski came out and signed. I was thrilled to get Errico & Baranski to sign my DC posters. Baranski was hamming it up with the photographers and just tossing off that "MaryAnn" thing she does so well.

Excellent night for two excellent causes (Friends in Deed and Bay Street Theatre).

Sorry for going on so long. I love nights like this. Two great intermissionless hours (flew by). Terrific lineup. Such pros. Kudos to them all.

Merrily We Roll Along Reunion Concert - September 30, 2002

I went to the Merrily We Roll Along reunion concert at LaGuardia High School last night (the school was the model for Fame's HS for the Performing Arts). I called yesterday morning on a lark (the "cheap" seats had been sold out for months and only $300 - $1,000 seats were left), and a sweet guy on the phone managed to squeeze me in for $50.

The concert was terrific. There were numerous parts that sounded EXACTLY like the OBC recording. They had all but 3 of the original cast there (out of 27). Jason Alexander (from Seinfeld) hosted the evening. Ann Morrison (Mary) was perfect. She recreated her part to vocal perfection.

There were a number of big deals in the audience including original director Hal Prince. I was standing about 10 feet away from Sondheim at one point (I was too awed/scared to approach him and actually welled up). I met Randy Graff, Patti Lupone (who I overheard telling Graff that she had to "go pee"), Jason Alexander, Liz Callaway (a personal favorite), Raul Esparza and Emily Skinner (Sideshow, The Dead, and The Full Monty).

There was just this great excitement and buzz after the show. The concert was in a high school auditorium (which is also where the action on stage begins and ends) and afterward there was the same kind of youthful chatter and emotion that I recall in the lobby of my own high school auditorium after a school play. Except this time everyone was 35 - 50 instead of a teenager.

Funny Girl Concert - September 23, 2002

Went to an Actor's Fund benefit concert performance of Funny Girl at The New Amsterdam Theatre last night. Very hot ticket - been sold out forweeks. The New Amsterdam is absolutely the most beautiful theatre onBroadway. If you ever get a chance to go inside, check it out. Amazingrestoration job.

In the audience, I saw Linda Gray (from TV's Dallas) and Phyllis George(Miss America 1971 - she looks amazing). Also David Paymer (movies & TV),Lonny Price (original cast of Merrily We Roll Along & now a director), JeffBlumenkrantz (Broadway actor - H2$, A Class Act, Damn Yankees, Joseph, lotsof TV work - we had an ongoing email correspondence a few years ago and onedate), Joyce Randolph (Trixie Norton from The Honeymooners), Celeste Holm (original Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, countless movies), Jason Robert Brown (composer/lyricist of Parade and The Last 5 Years), Ann Reinking (choreographer, bad actress and pretentious Broadway person), Dina Merrill (heiress & actress - not sure, but if it was her, she looks great), HunterFoster (star of Urinetown & brother of Tony winner Sutton Foster), BillyPorter (Teen Angel in the Grease revival - big, loud, singer - like a gayer James Brown), Gregg Edelman (Broadway actor currently in Into theWoods), Taye Diggs (original cast of Rent and movie star), Danny Gurwin(Broadway actor, excellent Henrik in DC Night Music) and probably a few others that I forget.

Liz Smith introduced the show. Her right pant leg was stuck in her cowboy boot. She's an odd woman.

The show starred a variety of women as Fanny Brice (role created by BarbraStreisand on stage & in the movie). Each had a scene or a song. Theyincluded Whoopi Goldberg (completely out of place & looking like a an old leather armchair with a puke green velvet blanket thrown over it), Judy Kuhn(Les Miz, Passion in DC - kind of weak acting but sang Who Are You Now?),Jane Krakowski (from Ally McBeal, Grand Hotel & Once Upon a Mattress -having a ball singing Sadie, Sadie), Carolee Carmello (Parade, Kiss Me Kate- sang the Music That Makes Me Dance), Sutton Foster (Thoroughly ModernMillie, great doing I'm the Greatest Star and then rushing out of thetheatre at about 7:50 for the 8pm curtain of Millie), Julia Murney (morefamous for dropping out of shows than being in them - but she sure did singPeople well), Lillias White (The Life, H2$, Dreamgirls - she tore down thehouse with Don't Rain on My Parade), Alice Playten (Ermengarde in originalcast of Hello Dolly, Oliver!, Gypsy, Seussical), Ricki Lake (doing quitewell - much better than you'd ever expect), Bebe Neuwirth (Lillith fromCheers, Damn Yankees, Chicago - very funny dancing & mugging doingRat-a-Tat-Tat), Idina Mendel (original cast or Rent, Aida), La Chanze (starof Once on This Island), Andrea Martin (SCTV & the current Oklahoma -singing Funny Girl and looking absolutely stunning), Ana Gasteyer (SaturdayNight Live, Rocky Horror replacement & movies - singing the You Are Woman,I Am Man duet and doing some funny stuff when she flubbed lines), KristinChenoweth (Tony for You're a Good man Charlie Brown, had her own sitcomlast year, Marion in upcoming Music Man TV movie - sang His Love Makes MeBeautiful and was a total riot as the pregnant bride).

Peter Gallagher (Guys & Dolls, Noises Off, American Beauty, Sex Lies &Videotape, etc.) was amazing as Nicky Arnstein - sounded great and had toplay against a different woman as his love interest in every scene. He wasexcellent and needs another starring role in a show.

Kaye Ballard played Mrs. Brice. She was great and a total pro. MarciaLewis Bryan (Chicago, Fiddler, Grease and tons of TV) was Mrs. Strakosh andwas hysterical.

Others in bit parts included Christine Pedi (Forbidden Broadway), BradOscar (Current lead in The Producers), Gary Beach (original Lumiere inBeauty & Beast, Tony winner for The Producers), Len Cariou (Tony forSweeney Todd, original A Little Night Music), John Scherer (terrific asEddie Ryan). Also some bizarre walkon bits by 3 Rockettes, NY cable TVporn hostess Robyn Byrd, Stephanie Mills and Sam Harris.

During the big Ziegfeld production number, they had Varla Jean Merman, Edie, a Streisand impersonator and another drag queen come out as the Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter brides. It was rather funny as they were allalmost 7 feet tall in heels and were then followed by Chenoweth (all 4'10"of her) as Fanny.

The show was great and there were a number of standout performances. The audience went nuts for everything beginning with the overture.

After the show, I met Kristin Chenoweth and Kaye Ballard and got their autographs (I was loaded with CD covers for people to sign but couldn't get them out fast enough for all the actors that passed by me). I also talked with Tim Pinckney who I met 3 years ago in Provincetown and run into in the city on occasion. He adapted the original book of the show for this concert version and was a producer of the show. It was nice to get caught up with him.

So it was a big Broadway night and a lot of fun.

Sondheim Celebration Part I

June 21 - 23, 2002

It was a perfect weekend. We left NJ about noon and got down to DC around4pm. My buddy John drove - always nice not to have to drive. Checked intoa Marriott (my buddy Pete gets a huge discount). Had a drink at the barand headed to the District Chop House where we had a truly great steakdinner.

Went over to the Kennedy Center to see Christine Baranski andBrian Stokes Mitchell starring in Sweeney Todd. We had first row centerorchestra seats. The show was amazing! It was dark, funny, gripping andthrilling. I knew some of the story but not all. The end was just totalgruesome Grand Guignol. Stokes Mitchell was fiercely effective. His voiceis amazing. And Baranski was fun and over-the-top. All the supportingplayers were perfect. I loved it. Hit the Watergate Hotel after the showfor a drink or two in the bar.

Saturday, we walked around DC a bit - the Smithsonian Castle, the Mall,Washington Monument, etc. Grabbed sandwiches and ate them on the backterrace of the Kennedy Center overlooking the Potomac.

Saw the matinee ofSunday in the Park with George. I was not looking forward to it. I havethe original cast recording of it and Patinkin and Bernadette Peters justturn me off when I listen to it. What a surprise! It was a fantasticshow. Raul Esparza was George and was quite good. Melissa Ericco was Dotand she was phenomenal - gorgeous, beautiful voice and terrific actress.It was a beautiful production and the themes and story were so effecting.You could feel the whole audience get swept up in the emotion of it. Itgot a thunderous standing ovation (let's face it - hundreds of Sondheimfans in the house). It was another thrilling show. Back to the Watergatefor some drinks & conversation with other audience members. Ran intoRebecca Luker (star of recent Broadway revivals of Showboat, Sound of Musicand Music Man) and had a great conversation with her. She's playing Clarain Passion starting in mid July. She told us to look her up when we comeback down. Wonderfully gracious woman. Went to Dupont Circle and ate in aterrific Italian bistro.

Checked out early Sunday and parked over in Foggy Bottom. Went to asumptuous brunch at the Terrace Restaurant on the roof of the KennedyCenter. Had a great, gluttonous brunch with window seats looking out atthe Jefferson, Lincoln & Washington Monuments. Then walked it off with awalk around the outside terrace looking over all of downtown DC andGeorgetown.

Saw the matinee of Company. It was very well done. I guess the show is slightly dated and the original cast recording is so ingrainedin my head. But it was another terrific show (just not as revelatory asthe other two). Lynn Redgrave did well trying to fill the shoes of ElaineStritch. John Barrowman was a handsome, charming Bobby with a beautifulvoice. The rest of the cast was uniformly excellent. Alice Ripley stolethe show and stopped it cold with Getting Married Today - hystericalperfection. The audience exploded when she finished. It was a fun showdone by total pros. And it had a clever and very effective set - curtainopened to NY skyscrapers on their sides so you felt as if you were lookingdown from (or up at) high-rise buildings. Rear projections provided eitherpassing cars or sky depending on the scene. Met most of the castafterward. Got a picture with Barrowman who is incredibly handsome.

Left the Center, changed in the street, hopped in the car and headed back to NJ. Listened to and sang Sondheim the whole way home. It was just the bestdamned weekend.