The Scottsboro Boys

Damn! Damn! Damn!!!

Michael Marie took Mr. Adam & myself to see this show. The Scottsboro Boys is the final collaboration by musical theatre giants John Kander and Fred Ebb. And man, did they pack a punch right into my my sense of right and wrong. There was SO much talent on the stage that I was in awe. So many levels to this script and it was so clever. But I was horrified by the subject matter. Honestly, the story gave me nightmares. I'm still disturbed that human beings are responsible for this. Let me 'splain...

The show starts off in the fashion of a minstrel show of the 1930's. We're here to entertain you, says the only white character in the show and then tells us we're going to tell you the story of "The Scottsboro Boys", only this time the true story. And what a story it is. The whole show/story is presented as if you're watching said minstrel show with several of the 9 "Scottsboro Boys" playing duel roles for the sake of the story line. They sing, they dance, they move the set (which consists of about 14 chairs). I was aghast. I wanted to cry. I had nightmares. What a great show, what a horrible story. I still can't shake it as I related to the story a gay man. I mean, first the witch hunts, then the slaves and now the gays. It's appears the south just needs to hate. Oh and hate it did in this story. Should you see this show? YES! And don't cry on your way out when you see pictures of the real Scottsboro Boys. Cause it will break your heart.

LOMBARDI

Michael took me to see this play at Circle in the Square. First off, yes - it is about football. Football is the one with the brown diamond shaped ball right? The show is Lombardi. First off, the show had 6 characters and was performed in the round. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this sports themed show as we all know - sports are blatant expressions of gay oppression. But I digress. What I did find was that this show was not only something that the ladies would enjoy, but they could bring their husbands along and they wouldn't sleep through the $120 ticket price. That's right, this show is husband approved. Remember that. But back to me. I found this show riveting and it pulled me right in. I love naked stages and simple props with tough, on-the-mark acting. This show delivered, although the stage wasn't quite naked. But let's dish...

This show was about Vince Lombardi the famed football coach that the Superbowl trophy is named after. The narrator of the story is a journalist who is spending one week with Lombardi, his wife and the Packers football team to do a cover story on Lombardi. He's a gruff man, with vulgar language and a loud demeanor. Beyond that, you learn he has passion, passion for what he does. The time period that this week takes place is after the Packers won their 2nd Superbowl. I really enjoyed this show. Should you see it? Yes, you should. And I still haven't figured out who shoots the puck.

La Bête

My friend Michael Marie took me to see La Bête. I really didn't know what to expect but I'll tell you, I really, REALLY liked it. OK, let's go. First off I have to say Mark Rylance was amazing. Did I say 'amazing'? Good, 'cause that's exactly what he was. The show is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. 45 minutes of which, was Mr. Rylance's entrance monologue. It was phenomenal. He'll win awards. But enough about performance. The really interesting aspect of this is the actual story and how it's told. The show is a commentary on today's tastes and education levels as illustrated through plays. Highbrow, lowbrow, genius or not. Although the story takes place in a generic historical past it was written in 1991. It begs the questions "for a play to sell out, does it have to be a sell out?" This is the theme of the entire show. I really, really thought this show was excellent on several levels, including the script. Which, was entirely written in rhyming couplets - THE ENTIRE SHOW. If you really, really like theater - this is a must see, if only for the monologue. Loved it!