Lucky Guy

Last week my friend Michael Marie took Mr. Adam & I to go see Lucky Guy. I was so happy, as I thought this was going to be the new "When Pigs Fly". Boy was I wrong, really, really, REALLY wrong. Let me just get this out before we go any further:

DO NOT SEE THIS SHOW EVEN IF YOU HAVE FREE TICKETS!

Let me begin. The show itself is a story about a song "Lucky Guy" that was won in a songwriting contest to save a failing recording studio. This show runs a complete 2.5 hours (including intermission). I honestly believe that it should have cut about 6-7 songs and been presented in the new 90 minute format. That would have made it bearable. It's costumes & set were absolutely ok. I've seen better in regional / college productions, but the didn't suck. As for Varla Jean Merman, I love her and she was great in the show. But I would have one small director's question. Why didn't the Varla's character have a southern accent as the rest of the cast did? Why? She was supposed to be a country superstar. Anyway, then there is Leslie Jordan. Let me preface this with how much I adore Leslie Jordan. I think the world of his comedy on television. However, he is a common case of a screen actor attempting to do stage. It didn't work. I could swear he didn't know his lines in the first half of the show. So bad. So very, very bad. Then the lead male, Kyle Dean Massey (and my two companions agree) had the look of "I can't believe I went from Next To Normal to this!" on his face during the show. It was 2.5 hours I'll never get back. Should you see it? Hell no! So sad, and if you do go - I WARNED YOU. Not even Varla could save this one.

Aphrodite Les Follies - Kylie live

Last night Mr. Adam, Michael Marie & me went to see Kylie Minogue in her Aphrodite Les Follies Tour at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. WOW! What a great show. What gorgeous dancers. What fabulous D&G costumes. Kylie was outstanding!

Her show was a multi-media spectacle complete with ultra-buff muscle boys hanging from a string. Who could ask for more? The theme was Greek & Roman gods & goddesses and it was phenomenal. She sounded great. Aside from some new arrangements her voice sounded remarkably like her recordings. This was no Britney concert, she sang & she danced. As a matter of fact Kylie did more performing in her first 3 songs than Britney did in all of her last Circus concert.

Kylie did many of her hits and obviously a few new numbers from her new CD. She reworked "slow" into a lovely jazz ballad and surprised the audience with a cover of the Eurythmics' "heaven must be missing an angel". Really a fun time, and really... if you haven't seen her live. Her show is quite spectacular. Did I mention the dancers were HOT? Go, and now!

How to Succeed in Business...

Last Saturday I took Mr. Adam, Mom & Dad to go see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Wow, what a great production! I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful show it was. But I'll try...

Now first I must confess that I'm familiar with this show. But the charm that Daniel Radcliffe brought to this role was really top notch. He danced & sang like a Broadway pro. John LarRoquette was really great as well and chewed the scenery from square one. The voice of the book was read by America's favorite closet case (no not Ricky Martin) Anderson Cooper. The story is a glossy, sugary story of a window washer's rise through the ranks of a big New York company. Great production numbers and one of the most unique takes on the show was "Grand Old Ivy" number that was turned into a men's chorus showstopper. I can't tell you how many times the audience roared with applause during this show. But I do promise you'll walk out pleased that you saw it. I love fluffy shows and this one is the fluffiest on Broadway right now. Should you see it? Yes, you should - but I'm pretty sure you'll have a really tough time getting tickets. Good luck!

The Book of Mormon

Last week I took Mr. Adam to see The Book of Mormon. It was very good. Let me 'splain...

This highly sold out show here in NYC is just what the Broadway needed. A new fresh show, with original songs not based on a book, not based on a movie and not a revival. Instead someone used their imagination. wow! This show, which is chock full of talent and no star power. Not necessary. This show is irreverently funny. Not as irreverent as I would have personally liked, but it's sure to offend a few bible-belters. I feel the message of the show is actually a good message. What it is, you'll have to see for yourself. That is, if you can get your hands on some tickets. This show is so funny that at times I wasn't sure what was happening on stage because of the loud laughter in the audience. The story is basically about two Mormon brothers going into adulthood by going out into the world to recruit people into the Mormon faith. Ugh, I know. Well, everyone wanted Hawaii, France or Disney World but our main characters got Uganda. Then the mayhem ensues. I don't want to tell you much, because I feel this kind of humor is best when you don't see it coming. This show has a fun set, cute costumes, a hysterical book and even funnier lyrics. Should you see it? Hell yes, I would love to see it again and I don't normally see shows twice. NOW GO GET TICKETS!