Fela!

Last night Michael took em to see Fela! at the Eugene O'Neill Theater on Broadway. What is this ryan charisma? First off, Fela is the name of a person, Fela Kuti of Nigeria. The whole theater was turned into the social club that Fela performed in back in Lagos. The set was very impressive. The sets moved and the stage rearranged for all the scenes. The dancing was top notch. But best/most of all was the music. While admittedly not my style of music, I had to acknowledge how talented this band was. No really, they were phenomenal. Fela's music was a fusion of jazz & his own homeland music. Afrobeat, and it was good.

This show is a full scale musical. Costumes, lights, sets, costumes, choreography and book. But in the end, it's not my cup of tea. I found the story the most fascinating. The injustices and corruption that the Nigerian government was responsible for was horrible. And Fela's music was calling out the government, which made him an enemy of it. Great story.

Should you see it? Only if you're one of those people, like myself, who sees so much theater that these odd shows are a nice break from Wicked & Phantom of the Opera. It's not shiny happy, It's not. It real, solid footing, story telling with factual music. Buy the CD.

The Vampire's Assistant

Last Friday night Michael, Mr. Adam & I went to see The Vampire's Assistant. While both of my escorts fell asleep during the film, I (running on popcorn and vodka) stayed awake for the entire film. The movie itself was good.

I really liked the characters. However, this movie is the same old high school good kid v. the bad kid - only with a vampire twist. Which John C. Reilly did a great job at. The special effects were really good. The costumes were great. And the movie had tons of stars. Would I recommend this to you? Yes, but not in the theaters. Wait for the DVD or HBO. It's for tweens. It really is.

KYLIE (For Me, For You Tour 09)

Last Tuesday night I took Mr. Adam (for his birthday) to see Kylie Minogue in concert here in NYC. WOW, wow, wow, wow! I can't even begin to describe what a fun time it was. She is a great performer with the sensibilities of a major drag queen. What was there not to like? Catchy dance songs? check. Fabulous costumes? check. Serious choreography? check. Hot dancers? double check!

I loved this show. I will admit that I only knew about 75% of the songs performed. Still, Ms. Minogue and her 5 foot stature was bigger than life and a super entertainer.

I feel so lucky that I got not only to see this show. Her first American tour ever. But we also saw her farewell performance to the USA. "I should be so lucky!"

MEMPHIS - the musical

Last Wednesday night, my friend Michael took me to see Memphis - the musical. Let me tell you. I didn't expect much from this show - but it was great! Really great. Big sets, big costumes, huge cast & the choreography was phenomenal. Great show. Big budget.

The show is about a subject we've seen many, many, many, MANY times. Segregation. It basically is Hairspray - only different. The story revolves around the first DJ to play "colored music" on a white radio station. And yes, the DJ is white. He just loved the music. And the music represented in the show was great. Of course I was taken back when I heard the word "nigger" - man that word makes me shudder every time I hear it. I watched the show and couldn't believe people really thought that way. Baffling. Does the show have a pretty Hollywood ending like Hairspray? Well, no - it's a little more like real life in that aspect. But I won't ruin it for you because you should see it. You really should.

Now I won't review each performer as that's not my typical style of reviewing, but I have to mention Chad Kimball. This guy is so much a part of this show, I'm not sure an understudy/swing could do it justice. It really is his show. He plays the DJ. This guy can everything, sing, dance and act - but most of all he's awesome! His performance will earn him a nomination for a Tony - I promise. Go see this before you can't afford tickets. No really - this show is going to be big.

Brighton Beach Memoirs

Last night Michael from Jersey took me to see the revival of "The Neil Simon Plays" on Broadway. We saw the first one "Brighton Beach Memoirs". Which included Lauri Metcalf (who was phenomenal) as the mother Kate. Now these two shows are running together with the same cast members (except for Eugene, as he's a 15yo kid in one, and an adult in the other) And this single cast/double show thing(y) has me intrigued... I want to see "Broadway Bound" now.

Naturally, the show is classic Neil Simon. And it was done well. Very well. In college I had done props for our production of Brighton Beach, so I knew the show pretty well. But this show, and these actors breathed some awesome freshness into this older script which takes place in late 1930's.

The set was great. The costumes were really good. The direction was very interesting as were the very full, fleshed out characters. "ryan charisma was everyone really that good?" Well, yes, but if you want me to be extremely critical. The two youngest actors in the show, acted with their hands just a tad too much. But I feel that will change as they become more comfortable with the show. I really, really liked this play. Should you see it? Yes, yes you should.

HAIR

Hey kids! Guess what I saw? Yes, that's right... HAIR - "shoulder length or longer" bitches! I took my cousin Mary Ellen, Adam and Michael from Jersey to see the matinee last Saturday. And let me tell you, it was way better than I ever expected. Way, WAY better.

First off I want to say that the director Diane Paulus did an excellent job with this show. She blew life into this show, and that's no small feat considering how dated this show is. The show was kept in 1967, yet the energy and the context of the show spoke to today's generation. Now the voices were great, and the choreography was done by Karole Armitage, and she did a great job. The cast was hot, on their marks and full of energy. They were happy to be there. And we were happy they were too. I can't begin to explain how much I enjoyed this Tony Award winning revival.

The mens in the show were so good looking, and Momma isn't usually attracted to guys with long hair. But let me tell you that we saw the "Woof" swing for our performance... and I'm pretty sure I love him. So, if you're out there Woof understudy - I love you! Should you see this show? Abso-fucking-lutely! Run don't walk, I even want to see it again. I do. And not just for Woof's understudy. Well, yes for Woof's understudy but I liked the show too, I did.