A Month I Am Glad To Say Goodbye To!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          April is the cruelest month for me, with so many anniversaries of loss; more than any other in my life experience.  We also had an earthquake this month, I had a harrowing fall, which I miraculously survived, and so did David.  Hayley Mills turned 78, I saw "Gone With The Wind" on the big screen again, and David and I saw Celia in "Mother Play," not to mention the wonderful Beatrix Potter exhibit at the Morgan.

                            So, cruel though it be, April did have some wonderful moments.  I cherish those and try to move on from the rest.

                            And look forward to May, the month of Mary, and flowers.

                           See you next month, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Should Be Happy, But This Is A Sad Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      I should be happy because the cruelest month of the year--at least, for me! --is coming to an end, yet this is a doubly sad day.

                                     It is, and always will be, my father's birthday, and on days like this I wish he was around to see how I am doing, and how well I am holding up.  Proof he and my mother did something right.

                                    But it is also the day my childhood friend, Doug, died, seven years ago today.  How I wish I had spoken out more about some of the choices he made, which resulted in him not having the life he should have.

                                     So, this is a day of mixed feelings for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O.K., Darlings, Here Is What You Have Been Waiting For--The 2024 TONY Awards Nominations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                                                              

                          Let's get to the important stuff, right away.  All the trio from 'Merrily' were nominated, and Celia Keenan-Bolger was nominated for her performance in "Mother Play."

                        The biggest and most surprising snub was Chip Zien for his award-caliber, heartwarming performance in "Harmony."  Not only did he miss out, but so did, the show, Julie Benko, Sierra Borges, and the talented gentlemen making up the sextet.

                           "Merrily' was also recognized for Maria Friedman's direction and was nominated for "Best Revival Of A Musical."

                             As for the others, let us take a look--

                           Best Play                                                                                                                                                         "Jaja's African Hair Braiding"                                                                                                                       "Mary Jane"                                                                                                                                                   "Mother Play"                                                                                                                                                 "Prayer For The French Republic"                                                                                                                 "Stereophonic"   

                            Really, now, 'Jaja'?  It barely ran a month or so it seems.    Who saw it, who had a chance to?

                            "Mary Jane--" Is it really a play, or a one-person exercise for Rachel McAdams?  I would not mind seeing it, and I admire Amy Herzog, but is this the best the season had to offer?

                           "Mother Play--" I confess, this one surprised me.  While I could not be happier for the stars, and my former coworker, Paula Vogel, this may be the case of a playwright being nominated for her body of work, for, despite Celia's magic, this was not one Paula's best.

                                                                    

                                                                      

                                                                 

                           "Prayer For The French Republic--" I had heard a lot about this one, and was intrigued, but it vanished before I could even consider going.

                          "Stereophonic--" The buzz on this one is really good.  I would like to see it, and I think this will be the one to take home the award, as time will tell.

                              Best Musical                                                                                                                                                  " Hell's Kitchen"                                                                                                                                            "Illinoise"                                                                                                                                                      "The Outsiders"                                                                                                                                              "Suffs"                                                                                                                                                            "Water For Elephants"

                              "Hell's Kitchen--" A successful transfer from the Public, this looks like Alicia Keyes' "In The Heights."  It looks and sounds interesting, but blends in with so many musicals--"Rent," 'Heights' and others, that can it really distinguish itself?

                               "Illinoise"--Based on a famous album that I have yet to hear, but plan to, this Justin Peck dance piece, which I am interested in seeing, could take home the prize.  I am expecting it to, but we shall see, as time goes on.

                              "The Outsiders--" Oh, come now.  They make a musical of anything these days. Wait till you hear my fabulous idea, in an upcoming post.  On the other hand, the ads act like this is a "West Side Story" for our times.  Is it groundbreaking at all?  I doubt it.

                             "Suffs--" This is interesting.  Depending on how good the score is, this may be the next "RAGS."  Meaning it may have a spectacular afterlife.  If it loses it is sure to close, so I hope a cast recording of some kind exists to allow me to evaluate the score.

                              "Water For Elephants--" People who read remember Sara Gruen's book, but does anyone else?  And what the hell has she written since?   The movie went nowhere, and while the show has great visual potential, it is the score that is the determining factor.  Will people be singing songs from this at auditions years from now?  I have my doubts.     

                                   Best Play Revival                                                                                                                                           "Appropriate"                                                                                                                                                 "An Enemy Of The People"                                                                                                                           "Purlie Victorious"

                                  Only three nods here.  Interesting.

                                 "Appropriate--" I knew it had it to be here somewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

                                 "An Enemy Of The People--" I have my ticket and I am going on June 5.  This is the one to beat!  I want to see it win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     

                                "Purlie Victorious"--Set in the South, and with sharecroppers, how did the PC police let this one get through?  Why not revive its better incarnation, the musical "Purlie," and let some rising star get their chance with "I Got Love?"   

                                    Best Musical Revival                                                                                                                                    "Cabaret"                                                                                                                                                        "Guttenberg! The Musical"                                                                                                                            "Merrily We Roll Along"                                                                                                                              "The Who's Tommy"   

                                     The hell with everything else.  Just give it to "Merrily We Roll Along!!!!!!!!!!"   

                                    Best Leading Actor In A Play"                                                                                                                      William Jackson Harper, "Uncle Vanya"                                                                                                        Leslie Odom, Jr., "Purlie Victorious"                                                                                                            Liev Schriber, "Doubt"                                                                                                                                  Jeremy Strong, "An Enemy Of The People"                                                                                                  Michael Stuhlbarg, "Patriots."

                                     All good actors, some fine plays.  But just give it to Jeremy Strong, and get it over with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

                                     Best Leading Actress In A Play                                                                                                                     Betsy Aidem, "Prayer For The French Republic"                                                                                         Jessica Lange, "Mother Play"                                                                                                                         Rachel McAdams, "Mary Jane"                                                                                                                     Sarah Paulson, "Appropriate"                                                                                                                       Amy Ryan, "Doubt"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Again, all good actresses, but, really a TONY for Regina George?  That is, like, so fetch!  Jessica Lange is unworthy; her performance is not transcendent, unlike Celia's, which is.  Amy Ryan is fine, but should "Doubt" really have been revived?  I say, even if Sarah Paulson has a TONY, which I am not sure she has, give her another, anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

                                   Best Leading Actor In A Musical                                                                                                                   Brody Grant, "The Outsiders"                                                                                                                       Jonathan Groff, "Merrily We Roll Along"                                                                                                     Dorian Harewood, "The Notebook"                                                                                                               Brian D'Arcy James, "Days Of Wine And Roses"                                                                                         Eddie Redmayne, "Cabaret"   

                                    A strong category, and strong shows.  But hell, just give it to Jonathan Groff, who is the most deserving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

                                  Best Leading Actress In A Musical                                                                                                                Eden Espinosa, "Lempicka"                                                                                                                          Maleh Joi Moon, "Hell's Kitchen"                                                                                                                Mary Ann Plunkett, "The Notebook"                                                                                                            Kelli O'Hara, "Days Of Wine And Roses"                                                                                                    Gayle Rankin, "Cabaret"  

                                    Kelli is already an icon; it's not like she needs another TONY.  Gayle Rankin, playing Sally Bowles as Bette Davis's "Baby Jane?"  Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Mary Ann Plunkett has been kicking around the theater community for decades.  I say it is time she received a TONY Award!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

                                         Best Featured Actor In A Play                                                                                                                       Will Brill, "Stereophonic"                                                                                                                              Eli Gelb, "Stereophonic"                                                                                                                                Jim Parsons, "Mother Play"                                                                                                                          Tom Peckina, "Stereophonic "                                                                                                                        Corey Stoll, "Appropriate"

                                           Too many "Stereophonics" in one slot.  That leaves it between Parsons and Stoll.  I don't agree with the decision, but Parsons will probably win.

                                             Best Featured Actor In A Musical                                                                                                                 Roger Bart, "Back To The Future"                                                                                                                 Joshua Boone, "The Outsiders"                                                                                                                     Brandon Victor Dixon, "Hell's Kitchen"                                                                                                       Sky Lakota-Lynch, "The Outsiders"                                                                                                             Daniel Radcliffe, "Merrily We Roll Along"                                                                                                   Steve Skybell, "Cabaret"

                                             I have only two words to say about this category--Daniel Radcliffe.  Enough said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

                                              Best Featured Actress In A Play                                                                                                                    Quincy Tyler Bernstine, "Doubt"                                                                                                                   Juliana Canfield, "Stereophonic"                                                                                                                   Celia Keenan-Bolger, "Mother Play"                                                                                                             Sarah Pidgeon, "Stereophonic"                                                                                                                     Kara Young, "Purlie Victorious"

                                                There is room for only one here--Celia Keenan-Bolger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                Best Featured Actress In A Musical                                                                                                              Shoshana Bean, "Hell's Kitchen"                                                                                                                  Amber Iman, "Lempicka"                                                                                                                             Nikki M. James, "Suffs"                                                                                                                                 Leslie Rodrigeuz Kritzer, "Spamalot"                                                                                                           Kecia Lewis, "Hell's Kitchen"                                                                                                                       Lindsay Mendez, "Merrily We Roll Along"                                                                                                   Bebe Neuwirth, "Cabaret"

                                               There is only one here, and that is Lindsay Mendez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

                                              Best Direction Of A Play                                                                                                                                Daniel Auskin, "Stereophonic"                                                                                                                      Anne Kauffman, "Mary Jane"                                                                                                                        Kenny Leon, "Purlie Victorious"                                                                                                                  Lila Neuberger, "Appropriate"                                                                                                                      Whitney White, "Jaja's African Hair Braiding"

                                               It is anyone's guess here.  But if there is a "Stereophonic" sweep, then Daniel Auskin will be sure to win.

                                                Best Direction Of A Musical                                                                                                                          Maria Friedman, "Merrily We Roll Along"                                                                                                    Michael Greif, "Hell's Kitchen"                                                                                                                    Leigh Silverman, "Suffs"                                                                                                                              Jessica Stone, "Water For Elephants"                                                                                                            Danya Taymor, "The Outsiders"

                                                Just hand the award to Maria Friedman and get it over with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                There, darlings, you have the TONY nominees for 2024. Congratulations to all and may my selections all win. Hey, Steve Carrell, why left out?  Guess you are not ready for classical theater, yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Ariana De Bose will be hosting again.  At what venue?. When will she be wearing off as Flavor Of The Month?  Soon she will be eating burgers with Beyonce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 Tune in June 16, which is also my niece's birthday, and Bloomsday, to see how the nominees do.

                                                 See you then, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                                         

                                                                                                                                      

Really, Girls, You MUST Visit The Beatrix Potter Exhibit At The Morgan Library And Museum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               It is on display until June 9, so hurry, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               This past Sunday, David and I, along with friends Dan and Norma took in this exhibit, and what a visual treat.  Not only that, I learned a lot.  In addition to her detailed artwork, she wrote all the stories, and was a semi-professional botanist, drawing, diagramming and dissecting animal and insect remains, bones, and skeletons.  Some of her insect drawings are worthy of a bio text book.

                                          Isn't this just beautiful and soothing?  How seamlessly the red blends with the browns and the blue of the umbrella!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Look at the soothing detail in this drawing.  I would like to have this adorn one of the walls in my bedroom; so warm and comforting, with much for the eye to gaze upon.

                          Really, the craft is exquisite

                         Additionally, many of the space's walls are painted in baby blue, transporting me to my childhood, as my first bedroom at home was painted such.  I felt as though I was in a world I never wanted to leave.

                          Something I should point out, and that is my one caveat.  Back in 1971, G W Films and EMI Films released a film called "Peter Rabbit And The Tales Of Beatrix Potter."  It played the reserved seat circuit in major cities but never made it to the suburbs.  It was directed by Reginald Mills, and featured Frederick Ashton and then stars of the Royal Ballet.  The film has no dialogue and features the dancers in carefully replicated recreations of the Potter costumes, dancing about as the characters, enacting out stories.  I have always wanted to see this film; it may be lost by now, but I so wished footage from it could have been incorporated into the exhibit.  Maybe this exhibit will inspire a place like the Film Forum to show it.  That is, if the current programmer has any sense, which I doubt.

                              Leave your bitchiness behind.  This will transport you to a place of innocence.

                               I may even go back for a second visit before June 9.

                         

Girls, Join Us At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents That Perennial Favorite, "Trilogy Of Terror!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                          This film has become, for "Svengoolie," what "The Wizard Of Oz" was to us boomers growing up--something shown annually, or in the case of  'Trilogy,' possibly bi-yearly.

                          In any case, darlings, you all know it.  Especially "Amelia," the story about the Hintu fetish voodoo doll, based on Richard Matheson's short story, "Prey."

                          Everyone watches this movie for that story.

                          But my favorite story is the first, "Julie," based on Richard Matheson's short story, "The Likeness Of Julie."  Here, Karen Black plays a spinster English teacher, who is not what she seems, as her male tutorial students soon find out.  It works great as is, because everyone is so good in their roles. But I would love to see this story redone the way it was originally written--with Julie and her "boyfriend." played by teenaged actors.  The characters in the story are teenagers, and what goes on is implied, as it is in this version.  But the idea of a teenaged girl having the cunning of Julie is chilling--sort of a pubescent Rhoda Pennmark.

                            The film is a great showcase for Karen Black and reminds us how she was taken from us too soon.  And, yes, there are many gifted actors out there, but often they do not get their due.

                             So do not miss everyone's favorite "Svengoolie" feature.

                            As Julie says, "I think we are going to be friends. Very good friends."

"On, Then, With The Dance, No Backward Glance, Or My Heart Will Break! Never Look Back, Never Look Back.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              Say the title "Follies," and Theater Queens will come running, like cockroaches out of the woodwork.  This current concert version, on June 20--one night only!!!!!!--will be the first in 39 years.  I was at that one, back in 1985, and what a cast--Lee Remick, Barbara Cook, George Hearn, Mandy Patinkin, Carol Burnett, Elaine Stritch, Phyllis Newman and Erie Mills.

                                                 Now compare that with the cast assembled here.  Thirty-three people, but how will the songs be divided?  Who will sing what role?  It is anyone's guess, because while there are several top tier performers gathered--Julie Benko, Len Cariou, Carolee Carmello, Christine Ebersole, Jennifer Holliday, Norm Lewis and Donna Murphy--the rest are second and even third tier.  They could not come up with a better cast?  Here are some missing people who should be included.

                                                                            

                                Josh Groban--Duh?  Why not start from the top????????????

                                                                      

                               Jessie Mueller--The greatest female voice in today's musical theater, and she is not included?   Criminal!

                                                                           

                                     Jason Danieley--Who appeared with Jessie in the Philharmonic "Carousel," back in 2013, as the hottest Mister Snow on record!  He would be so great as Ben Stone.  I can just hear him singing "Too Many Mornings."

                                                                          

                               Celia Keenan-Bolger--Dorothy Collins, the original 1971 Sally, was 45 when she played the role.  Celia is 46 and would be just perfect.  Just imagine she and Jason together.  Musical theater magic!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                       

                         Renee Fleming--Who better to sing "One More Kiss?"  And how about with Julie Benko, as Young Heidi???????????????????

                                                                        

                          Tovah Feldshuh--She can sing, dance, and act.  A true triple threat.  She would be perfect as the lead in "Who's That Woman?"  It will probably be Jennifer Holliday, but can't Tovah be fit in here, somewhere?????????????????

                                                                         

                       Patti LuPone--Who better to sing "I'm Still Here??????????????"

                        And how about--

                                                                            

  

                             Judy Kuhn--With a score like this, a voice like Judy's is needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Neva Small--A Musical Theater Legend for a Legendary Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                      

                                 Ann Morrison--One of Sondheim's greatest alums, from the original 'Merrily.'

                                                                                 

                                    Lonny Price--Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                 

                         Lindsay Mendez--Bring the whole 'Merrily' thing full circle to "Follies!!!!!!!!!"

 

                                                                              

                                  Audra McDonald--Girls, you cannot have a Sondheim event without her!

                                                                           

                              Kelli O'Hara--Hey, she knows her Sondheim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                             

                         Ruthie Ann Miles--Wouldn't her voice just break hearts on "One More Kiss?"  Or anything in the score Miss Miles wraps her voice around?????????????????

                                                                         

                                                                          

                                      And how about Donna McKechnie?????????  Come on, now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                        

                                                                                

                                                                                

                          I am not necessarily saying eliminate the thirty-three assembled.  But adding these top tier performers would only bring more magic to the event.  A pity I never got into casting, because my choices are better than what is on the current roster.  As for its being sold out, well.  A friend of mine, a very wise sage, said that sooner or later it will be aired on PBS.  So I look forward to seeing how the group assembled approaches "Follies."  How much better it would have been with my cast.

                            Hey, how about a separate recording feature my cast?  One cannot never have too many recordings of "Follies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                                   

                                                                                     

                                                                        

                                                 

OK, The Drama League Nominations Have Been Announced! But Two Of Broadway's Most Gifted Were Not Singled Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Really, girls, is this how awards season is going to play out?  The TONY Awards are going to be on June 16, and I want to see them go to the right people and productions.

                            To omit Daniel Radcliffe from his heartbreaking, aching performance in "Merrily We Roll Along--" his costars, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez were deservedly cited, and I could not be happier for them--is criminal.  Good as Groff is, Radcliffe shines in the role of Charley Kringas, at times becoming the emotional center of the show.

                              The same goes for the divine Celia Keenan-Bolger, who shines in Paula Vogel's "Mother Play."  I recently heard Paula wrote this part for Celia, and she was smart to do so, as no other actress, except possibly the young Julie Harris, could have done it justice.  Celia is an amazing actress, with dazzling technique, and I am telling you, if it was not for her, I would not have seen the play.

Omitting her is a sin.

                                I expect Radcliffe to win Best Featured Actor In A Musical for 'Merrily'.  He deserves it, and I may have a way of proving it.  As do Groff and Mendez.

                                 Celia already has a well-earned TONY, but I would not mind her winning another, especially as she is the glue that holds this play together.

                                    Why is talent passed over in favor of so much mediocrity????????????

                                    I am sorry, dears, I could not find the proof, but I tell you this--either go see 'Merrily' or listen to Radcliffe sing "Good Thing Going" on the cast recording. It will break your heart. And seeing him doing it onstage is even more heartbreaking.  This guy deserves a TONY!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     

A Beautiful, Poetic Debut Novel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       The author, Hisham Matar, is known as a poet, so I was not surprised how poetically flowing the prose was in this novel.  It started out being like "The Kite Runner," but minus the sentimentality of that earlier work.  Here we have two childhood friends who go their separate ways in adulthood.  One is a Libyan ex pat who goes to Cambridge to study English literature.  How many novels reference Samuel Richardson's "Clarissa?"  Even more, his experiences were the most interesting part of the novel.

                                          His friend stays behind and becomes a political activist, becoming more and more extremist as time goes by.  And as that extremity increases, so does the friendship fall apart.

                                          "My Friends" is a poetically insightful novel of how a once enduring friendship can just fall apart.  I applauded the Libyan ex pat; I would love to study English literature at Cambridge, myself.

                                            Even more I applaud Matar's lyrical writing.  To go from poetry to prose is not easy, but he seems to do it effortlessly.  I cannot wait for his next work.

                                              This is one not to miss, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!