OTHER DESERT CITIES

Last night Michael Marie took Sam, Mr. Adam and I to see Other Desert Cities. This show was a real drama. Not too long and thoroughly engaging. What's it about ryan charisma? Well, it's about lies and the effect they have on people and their lives. That's what it's really about, but the show is so smartly written that it's much more than just that. First let me say that the entire cast (5) are all stars in their own right. Check out the web site to see who is in the cast. The show centers around an upper class family at Christmas time in Palm Springs, CA. It deals with Liberal children of strict Republican parents, suicide and it's effect on people.

The cast was amazing, every performance was precise and very giving to the ensemble. This is what a Broadway drama should be. It's direction was smart, witty, dramatic and bold. I can't say how enjoyable this show really is. Should you see this show? Absolutely, surf over to Broadway.com right now and purchase your tickets!

LYSISTRATA JONES

Last Tuesday Michael Marie took me to "sit through" Lysistrata Jones on Broadway. " Sit through" ryan charisma? YES. This show gets a giant "M" for MEDIOCRE. What a bland, do nothing show that I'm still trying to figure out why it was written and what was it's message? Did is suck? No. But enough of the small talk - let's dish:

This show begins with a huge loud noise (that I imagine is supposed to be a thunderclap) and dives right in. I hated that, at least pull the house lights down first to get people ready for the show. I know they think is clever and artistical, but it really only made me nervous and jumpy. Then immediately the show begins with the narrator (a big black diva) setting the scene and telling us we're in for a reinterpretation of Aristophanes’ classic comedy. See the problem here is the the big black diva didn't have a "big black diva" voice or at least the songs didn't let her showcase her voice. Oh she could sing, but belt? We'll never know. Then we meet the mediocre cast. Were they all bad ryan charisma? No, not all of them, but if you have a cast of 9 people and 4 don't cut the mustard - it's not a good talent ratio. Especially if one of them is the male lead, who had no business singing his ballad in Act 2. Just bad. The lead female Lysistrata, was perky, pretty, could act and could sing - until she hit several clunker notes. But I forgave her that. Some of the acting was plastic-y, plastic. But when you're playing stereotypes I guess that's what happens. What about the storyline ryan charisma? Well, in a nutshell Lysistrata convinces the girls (cheerleaders) in Athens University to stop "giving it up" to the boys (basketball team) until they win a basketball game as they're losers. Yes, that's the whole story. No sexy-time unless you win a basketball game. Let the fun and mayhem begin! (belch) Except it doesn't - we follow the cast through several mediocre to absolutely forgettable numbers. And the storyline was more predictable than the government "super-committee" not coming up with a budget last month. Act 1 finale was only exciting in so much that it had fun lighting. It certainly wasn't the song, or it's performance. The "nerd" had a number that was almost fun except the choreography looked like he was landing an airplane and all I could see was his underwear, as his pants hung too low, way too low for a nerdy, intellectual type. Act 2 had way too many songs, and I was watching the clock by the end of the show. The finale was fun and the costumes were college level. The set was functional but nothing to write home about. ryan charisma was anything outstanding? yes, and funny you should ask - the band was excellent. they were on top of it and out of everyone involved they appeared to have the most fun.

Should I see the show ryan charisma? No, not unless you get free tickets. It's not worth the standard Broadway $120 price. It's a MEDIOCRE show.

STICK FLY

Michael Marie took me to see this new play on Broadway. Stick Fly. Before we go any further, let me say I did like it. It was a long, LONG show but I have to say after about two weeks of reflection - I liked it. I did. Why? What do you mean ryan charisma? Well... let's go:

The show is about a extremely well-to-do black family who owns a summer home in Martha's Vineyard, MA. This is the setting and the house (which is the set) is beautiful - really well done. The acting was at times, and I won't name names, a little "overdone". I almost had the feeling that the cast was rushing the show because it's so long. The story is about the family meeting up at this 2nd home for a summer weekend get together. As they arrive we meet the characters, couples, maids and the parents. The basic topic of the play is the continuation of prejudice on a socio-economic level. It's very blatant talked about and at times makes for an uncomfortable moment in the play. As an audience member I was stunned. Which, to me, is exactly what art should do. Make us think. Make us uncomfortable. This social commentary was exemplified through the various relationships, old & new in the show. Make no mistake, this show is very good, but it's not at the level of August Osage County. I could draw the similarities of the two plays, other than the actual story line. But other than the length of the show, it pales in comparison.

I have to say, if you can find inexpensive tickets you should go. But it's not quite worth the full $120/ticket price for a Broadway show.

Hugh Jackman - Back on Broadway

Last Saturday night Michael Marie, Sam, Mr. Adam & I went to go see Hugh. First off, let me tell you. Yes, he's very handsome. But oddly enough, he's very slim. He's not built like "wolverine". He's built more like Tommy Tune. So how was the show Ryan Charisma? Well, it was excellent. I almost fainted at the ticket price, but I do feel we got our money's worth. Yes we sure did. Did Michael Marie get to make out with Hugh? Sadly no. Mr. Jackman presented a very cabaret style show, with Las Vegas overtones (specifically his 6 back up girls). He wore tuxedo pants & shirt, no tie, and he lost the jacket quickly. In act 2 he changed into a gold lame outfit for his "Boy From Oz" set but then right back into the tux outfit. That's all. No sets, just scrims & curtains. And an 18 piece orchestra. When Hugh was bringing it down and sat on the edge of the stage, which he did several times, he sat right in front of us. That was great, being so close to him. I had to hold Michael Marie down. If I had one issue with the show, I got the feeling his "banter" was pre-written. I may even be wrong, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was very scripted. What a great show, I'd see him again, I mean c'mon - he opened with "One Night Only" from Dreamgirls! Should you see it, if you can - he's only here for 10 weeks and the tickets are expensive! mwah!

Happy Feet TWO - IMAX 3D

Last Friday night Michael Marie and I went to go see the new Happy Feet movie. Did you like it Ryan Charisma? Sure I did. But I must be honest. The first Happy Feet was so good, and you left the theater feeling great. If I rated the original movie with an A+, I'd say this one was B+. The animation was super great. The dance numbers & choreography was so fun and exciting. The songs were fun and well sung. The star power was all there. Sadly, the story was a little weak. Yup it's the story that I didn't care for. And they threw in a climate change to boot! Should you see this? Yes, it's that fun to look at. But you won't walk out with a giant smile on your face like the last one.

NEWSIES - the musical

Yesterday Michael Marie & I went to got see Newsies - the musical at Paper Mill Playhouse. This Disney production was really good. Not great ryan charisma? Well, we'll discuss that later. This means the show had a built in audience that would be the same audience for any boy band concert. As a matter of fact, a woman sitting two seats away from me said "I feel like I'm at a boy band concert." So there was hysterical screaming and applause before the show even got going. Take it for what it is. First I thought the multimedia and set were excellent. The costumes were appropriately period. What a visually fun show! The cast was big. The chorus (newsies) were about 20 men, and basically is the main character. As for the leads, I really enjoyed everyone of them. Their acting and vocals were great. Even the girl. Well, why was it only good ryan charisma? OK, let's dish...

The newsies (boy paper-carriers) were grown men. No really, they were grown men, who happened to be short. I found myself looking at the twenty-somethings and thinking "he aint `15, 16 nor even 17'. Some of them had receding hairlines. Thank god for hats, eh? I looked at these "boys" and thought wow they're sexy. Boys are not sexy, they don't have men's calves, thighs & 'boy bulges'. It was inappropriate. I wish they had used real boys in the 13 - 17 age range. Very uncomfortable. Should you see this show? Sure, but it's Disney so once is enough. I don't need to see this again.

FOLLIES

A small group of us, Sam, Michael Marie, Gail, Michelle, Mr. Adam & I went to see the latest incarnation of Stephen Sondheim's Follies. Did you like it Ryan? Well, yes - very much so. It was lush, well directed, well acted and sung. There were some great directing moments that I can't give away and, as the show calls for, some real difficult, heavy moments. All done well and with a creative flair. I was asked "on a scale of 1 - 10? Well, I'd give it a 9. I would. There were things lifted from the script that were so clever. If, and that a big if, "IF" I were to have any huge criticism of the show it would be that Bernadette Peters was the weakest link. Yes, you read right. And her rendition of "In Buddy's Eyes" was stunning. Should you see this show? Yes, but bring a tissue.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

Well I've finished book 2 of the Millennium Series. Just like the first book The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, this book is chock full of words straight out of the IKEA catalog. Which may as well have been replaced by triangles and circles as they only serve as placeholders when I read. Beyond that, I find that these really well developed characters move along in their story line as fast as molasses going uphill in January. God this book didn't get moving until literally the last third of the story. That's a long way when your only reading time is during my lunch hour. Honestly, I think these books would make a much better movie than book. Should you read this book? Sure, if you're good at putting together your EKBY BJÄRNUM using the directions.