I am a little late coming to the table at Fun Home. Complications of time, money and geography made it impossible for me to see it any sooner, though I have listened to the Broadway cast recording, again and again, in anticipation of what turned out to be a very unique show that deeply affected me when, and only when, I was able to witness it in the round, live, at the Circle in the Square Theatre.
Rodgers and Hart: My Spring Fling
There is something about the coming of spring, the earthen smell in the air and the flowers poised to bloom, that puts me in the mood for the songs of Rodgers and Hart. There is a loveliness and gaiety that I associate with their music that comes to life right around the time the earth does. Spring is all about pastoral beauty and romance, something that Rodgers and Hart deal with in spades. Today’s blog is simply a celebration of the ten Rodgers and Hart songs that put the “spring” in my step, the ditties that won’t seem to leave my brain until July.
Hamilton Zealotry – Can We Have a Real Discussion About This Musical?
Over the last month or so, I have been encountering (on certain social media sites), debates regarding the musical Hamilton. The debates I’m referring to were not over whether Hamilton is good, bad, revolutionary, or flash-in-the-pan (though there is plenty of discussion about that as well), but about people feeling slighted or attacked over differing opinions about the musical itself. Is this really where we have devolved to? Are we so assured of our own opinion that we cannot remember that theatre has always been a personal experience, thus rendering it a subjective one? Hamilton and its phenomenal success has incited a zealotry amongst its fans (and a backlash amongst naysayers) that has put everyone in a position where we cannot seem to have an honest discussion about the musical.
The Robber Bridegroom – A Review
In 1975, Alfred Uhry and Robert Waldman constructed a foot stompin’, knee slappin’ good time with the musical The Robber Bridegroom. It played two short stints on Broadway, one in ’75 (with Patti LuPone) and the other in ’76 (starring Barry Bostwick who won a Tony Award). Since then, The Robber Bridegroom has been mostly relegated to regional and college productions, but a new revival by Roundabout Theatre Company in their Off-Broadway Laura Pels Theatre is so delightful that it makes you wonder why we don’t see this musical more often. What makes this production such a darn good time can be credited to three things: a catchy, energetic score, an ensemble working in perfect synchronicity, and the smart and steady direction of Alex Timbers.