Three-Show Weekend

[violet_angel]

And that was in two days!

Friday night I went to the first preview of Coraline, a musical adaptation of Gaiman's book that was in process long before the movie. I was pretty skeptical about it...after all, the woman playing Coraline is older than me, and I had initially heard that a lot would be done with puppets. Well, I can safely say that Jane Houdyshell is completely charming in the role and really takes on so many childlike qualities. And there was really only one section where any kind of puppets were used. It didn't feel first preview-ish. It's definitely a show that as staged needs a small setting...in other words, without a lot of revisioning (and probably losing a lot of the charm) I don't think it would work ON Broadway, but some kind of an open-ended off-Broadway run I'd think would be possible.

Yesterday was a two-show day.

First, I rushed Mary Stuart. Revival and transfer from London. It is amazing. Janet McTeer, who plays Mary Queen of Scots, is without a doubt my pick for the Tony Lead Actress in a Play. Harriet Walter is excellent as Elizabeth I, but McTeer is absolutely spellbinding. I was in Row Q, which wasn't ideal, but at least the Broadhurst will sell other available seats as rush when the front row is sold out.

Then in the evening I rushed Blithe Spirit. I was second in line and first solo ticket buyer. And I ended up front row center. AMAZING! I was unfamiliar with the show itself, but I ended up loving it. Angela Lansbury was amazing as Madame Arcati. Seeing her up that close was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The rest of the cast was amazing as well.

Today I just took a break from shows. Hee! I'm entitled once in a while.

And either later tonight or tomorrow I'll expand on the last entry I posted. I've had more thoughts on that.

Comments

[spikewriter]

I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on Mary Stuart -- I'm trying to figure out if we can somehow swing airfare and hotel for NYC in our budget because the husband is a huge fan of Harriet Walter and would love to see her on stage. (I think he's inspired by my jaunt to London in January where I saw Derek Jacobi in Twelfth Night and David Tennant in Hamlet.)

I saw Angela Lansbury years and and years ago when she did Mama Rose in Gypsy. Mom and I had second row seats for that and you're right; it was a once in a lifetime experience and she is well worth seeing. Blithe Spirit is on my list of "gee, if we can pull the trip off, wouldn't it be nice?" but I'm sadly not holding my breath -- at least, not until I find extremely cheap plane tickets.

[violet_angel]

Sure... Um... Let's see... The set is very basic ~ black paint over rough brick or stone walls. There is a bench along the back wall. The other furniture is moved in or out as needed. The most interesting thing to me is that while the women are in period dress, the men are in modern-day suits or dress. I'm trying to find the article talking about it ~ Phyllida Lloyd, who directs this revival, chose that to set them off and demonstrate how the men have always had the perceived power that "we" tend to be given them while the women have to fight against tradition. They do make it rain for the meeting between the two queens, but it's far enough back I don't think anyone in the audience gets wet. The lighting is spectacular. Both actresses are wonderful ~ I gave the edge to McTeer in the acting category because her breakdown scene before resolving herself to her fate is INCREDIBLE. Walter is excellent as well ~ and she has her moments of conflict. I'm not sure what else you're interested in...I can try though. :)

Oh wow... I would have loved to see Lansbury as Rose. Heck, I would have loved to see anyone actually play the role as opposed to stomping around and acting like herself (I'm looking at you Patti LuPone...)