Not your average audience experience

I saw two musicals this weekend that blew my mind!

The first is MURDER BALLAD which was captivating. First of all the set was a very new experience for me. The audience was in the 3 quarter round with a stage for the band on the far left side of the space. In the center there is a bar with tables where the audience also sits (including myself). Prior to the start of the show, the bar is full service. On the left side of the space between the tables and the audience there was a pool table with a bloody baseball bat resting on it. The actors performed all around the space, even standing or sitting on chairs and tables where the audience in the center  is seated. Everything was happening all around me, and it was incredible. As many of you may or may not know, murder ballads are songs that usually end with one character murdering another. In this case, the story is a love triangle that ends badly. The show is entirely song, and the music is addictingly good. I am in love with it, and I've been listening to the cast album non stop. It is the first show I've ever seen Will Swenson (A.KA. Mr. Audra McDonald) perform in, and he is very talented, to say the least. I like the texture of his voice, and the way he moves (wink wink).

 Rebecca Naomi Jones was by far my favorite part about this show. She is the narrator that takes us on the dark journey of love gone wrong. Not only is she ultra sexy and intoxicating, but her voice renders one speechless. She really embodies her character, and finds humor and darkness in all the best places. I've seen her in the filmed stage production of Passing Strange, but she really stands out in Murder Ballad. I pretty much listen to the opening number and "The Crying Scene" on repeat because of her. The buildup to the end is perfect, and the ending itself surprised me! I love when a show can surprise me like that. It's a rare occurrence with anything these days. Films, tv shows, stage shows, and songs have mostly gone the predicable route. I love surprises! Good ones, of course.



So that was Friday, and on Saturday I saw NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. Another new obsession of mine. It was very similar to Murder Ballad in the sense that the action happens in and around the audience. The show is located at the Klub Kazino - a Russian seasonal pop up club currently located below the High Line in the Meatpacking District. They even have Russians working the club (most of which look like models and a few who don't speak much English). It is a full on dinning experience (if you pay the minimum of $125). I did the $39 rush that does not include the Russian meal. But I did receive a free Russian shot of some sort of alcohol upon entering the space. They also served these potato dumpling appetizers at the beginning and Russian cookies at intermission. Any way enough about food, lets get to the story! It is an electro-pop adaptation of the "2nd book" from Tolstoy's epic War and Peace. The show was entirely sung (just like Murder Ballad) and it involves a love triangle/square (just like Murder Ballad). There's lots of tears and disappointment in act 2 but there is no death! The lyrics don't rhyme, and a lot of the libretto is taken straight from a translation of the source. From the opening number, where they introduce and describe every character, I was hooked and engrossed- never wanting to leave this beautiful world they surrounded me in (with an incredible set featuring Russian paintings and furniture all around the space. Lucas Steele as the villainous Anatole, was dominated any moment when he sang, and his Anatole's passion for Natasha was as vibrant as it was wrong. I actually wanted him to get away with his abduction of Natasha! His sister Helene had an amazing villain song ("Oh how she blushes, how she blushes, my pretty. Charmante, Charmante Charming"). Natasha's voice is flawless, and so is the lighting. The chandeliers were incredible (and associates of mine helped design them!). I told them I want them to construct one for me when I settle down somewhere. I can't wait for a cast album of this incredible show becomes available.


Clearly, I could go on for days talking about these two shows, but I will spare you all. Both shows close in September, so I suggest you run, don't walk, to see these productions. I fully plan on going again!

Tony Afterglow

So, Sunday at the 67th Annual Tony Awards....AMAZING!

I couldn't have attended a more perfect first Tony Awards ceremony in my life.

First, that opening number was incredible! I think they had almost every Broadway show, old and new, from this season up on stage at one time! Only Wicked and Book of Mormon never made appearances.  Lin-Manuel Miranda co-wrote the opening number with Tom Kitt and did a phenomenal job! Because I was there in person, I got to see the whole thing happening on stage instead of relying on the camera angles CBS deemed worthy to see.

Second, 4 African American artists took home Tony awards! Patina Miller for Best Actress in a musical, Billy Porter for Best Actor in a Musical, Cecily Tyson for Best Actress in a play, and Courtney B. Vance for Best Featured Actor in a play. That's a big deal!

Third, a Jujamcyn show took home the Tony for Best Musical! KINKY BOOTS! We had much to celebrate last night! I'm so proud to be a part of such a wonderful company and a spectacular show! Now it is going to be pretty impossible to get tickets! So glad I've seen it a few times already!

Fourth, this:

Finally, The epic closing number with NPH and Audra McD! I was actually sitting in about the 6th row when this happened! My mind was blown...

As a seat filler, I had to be at Radio City Musical Hall at 4 PM. My friend Valentina and I waited in a long line of glamed up seat fillers for a good while as they checked everyone in. We took photos inside in front of the Tonys signs. When everyone was checked in, we had the introductory meeting where they explained what we were going to be doing and how it would be working. Questions were asked and answered.
A bathroom break was given. Radio City Musical Hall's women's bathroom is the most glamours wash room I've ever seen. They have a huge room with several mirrors that each have their own table and cushion chair! But the bathroom isn't the most exciting part, obviously. The best part was seeing everything live and moving about in the orchestra to different seats, seeing all of the stars, producers, directors, writers and designers that make it happen (plus a plethora of extremely wealthy upper east and west siders who shelled out the big Ks to sit in the orchestra). Cecily Tyson, Shalita Grant, Sigourney Weaver, Tom Sturridge, Jerry Mitchell, Laurie Metcalf, John Gore, Nathan Lane, Bertie Carvel, Courtney B. Vance, Angel Bassett, the cast of Pippin -  just to name a few people I was in close proximity to. I witnessed an usher accidentally stepping on Cecily Tyson's dress while walking past me. She gave him a look that could kill! It was priceless!

Valentina and I attended a lovely after party or two and garnered curious attention from the every-day-dressed tourists and general public while roaming Times Square. I could certainly get used to the chic appeal. Galas and balls, where do I sign up?

There was a bit of post Tony drama this week. The Daily Mail accused NPH of dropping the N word during the opening number. I can say from actually being there that the accusations is unfounded. But just to validate NPH's defense Playbill posted the lyrics for the Opening HERE. All I can say is they were really fishing for drama with that one. Guess they couldn't think anything better (or credible) to report. Other Tony lyrics can be found HERE.

I think my year has peaked. What more could top that? Other than being nominated for something at the Tonys, of course. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Who knows, maybe a Broadway show is on my horizons this year. Fingers crossed!