January 2023

NEW YORK

Kimberly Akimbo: Saw it; loved it. I predict this will take Best Musical this season (though I haven't seen the others yet!) Rave reviews. The music is so wonderful--from composer Jeanine Tesori ("Fun Home"), who is one of my favorite contemporary composers. This show tells the story of a teenager who has a fictional condition where she ages 4x fast, so she is played by a 62-year old actress, the incredible Victoria Clark ("The Light in the PIazza"). I predict she'll win Best Actress. The story is tightly constructed, constantly funny, full of heart, and very poignant. Highly recommend.

Hadestown: If you haven't seen it yet, this is still my favorite thing playing in New York. (It'll come through DC on tour again in June and I'll be seeing it 1-2 times if you want to go!) It tells the ancient myth of Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, and Persephone with a jazz/folk/New Orleans style score. It is full of drama, humor, big ideas, beautiful songs, powerful performances, fabulous dance, and great technical elements. Listen to the album to see if you like the music. Some of the original cast is still in it and they are fabulous; I can't speak to the replacements, but the show is so good and such an ensemble show, I really don't think it hinges on any one performer (unlike Funny Girl, but don't get me started on that debacle...)

Some Like it Hot: Adaptation of the old film from the songwriting team from "Hairspray", with some great actors. Great review. It updates the gender/race politics to a more 21st century interpretation--with great success according to the reviewers. Big, showy, funny, queer, dance-y musical. Planning to see this in February.

& Juliet: Musical re-reimagining the Romeo & Juliet story if Juliet lived instead of died, set to the pop catalogue of Max Martin, who wrote tons of songs you know--Backstreet Boys, Britney, Katy Perry, etc. Mixed reviews, but supposed to be really fun, funny, feminist, witty, etc. Planning to see it in February just for the pure joy of a big pop-y show.

Titanique: Campy, silly, funny retelling of the "Titanic" movie in which Celine Dion is the narrator and uses her catalogue to help tell the story. Co-written by Constantine Rousouli, who I performed alongside years ago! I'm seeing it in February and plan to have a drink in my hand during--that kind of show. (Off-Broadway) 

MJ: Michael Jackson bio-musical. Fabulous dancing, and of course the music is great. Saw it, loved it.

Six: Feminist retelling of the stories of the six wives of Henry the VIII. So much fun, great music. Saw it on tour, loved it.

OPENING SOON: Sweeney Todd, Parade, Dancin', Camelot, Fat Ham, New York, New York. More on those next time!

DC: Plays

Which Way to the Stage (Signature Theatre): (playing through Jan. 22) Fabulous play (with some music) that I thoroughly enjoyed. Fall-out-of-your-chair funny, it tells a story of two great friends (straight woman, gay man) who are both aspiring actors, musical theatre nerds, and obsessed with Idina Menzel. Super compelling storytelling, capturing friendship, romance, professional aspirations, and some really interesting discussions about gender, sexuality, drag queen culture, etc. Smart AND funny!

The Tempest (Round House Theatre/Folger Theatre): (playing through Jan. 29) The Shakespeare classic + magic + Tom Waits music + dance = dazzling, engaging performance! I absolutely loved it. 

English (Studio Theatre): (playing 1/11-2/26): A group of Iranian students are studying for the Test of English as a Foreign Language, and comedy ensues. Got a fab review when it played in New York, and now we have a chance to see a locally-mounted production at the reliable Studio Theatre.

DC: Musicals

Ride The Cyclone (Arena Stage): (playing through 2/19) Dark comedy about a group of people trapped on a theme park ride. Brand new musical, at a wonderful theatre. I have tickets and am excited for this.

Into the Woods (Kenendy Center): (playing 2/13-3/19): A revival of the classic show played on Broadway, where I saw it, coming on tour to DC. I absolutely loved this production. It brought out all the JOY in the show--the sheer delight of this amazing music, on stage again! Minimalist (but effective) design pushes the viewer to imagine the story, just like you would if you were reading a fairy tale book. Having the orchestra front and center on stage also helped me appreciate the orchestration more. The show is hilarious, poignant, full of big themes but delivered through totally accessible characters and story telling.

Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center): (Feb. 1-8) This is a locally mounted production, with minimal staging for a short run. It's based on the classic film, with a score by Andrew Lloyd Weber. I don't really know the score well, but want to see it mostly because 1) it's a classic, and 2) this production starts Stephanie J. Block--a fabulous powerhouse actress. Don't have tickets yet--anyone want to join me?