The Lyons at The Vineyard Theatre

Despite all the free tickets I get to shows, I still have to shell out some hard-earned cash for many of the shows I see.  The Vineyard Theatre is one place I never regret that choice.  In fact, I actually ponied up for a membership a couple of years ago and I have never regretted the choice.  The Vineyard is home to some of the best, most interesting work you can see in New York.  How I Learned to Drive, Avenue Q, The Scottsboro Boys, [title of show], and the even the upcoming revival of On A Clear Day You Can See Forever all played  The Vineyard Theatre first (well, for On a Clear Day... it was a ).  Nicky Silver's new play The Lyons is just another in a long line of stellar productions from this incredible off-Broadway theater.

La Cage Aux Folles Revisited

The Tony Award winning revival of La Cage Aux Folles is scheduled to close May 1, 2011.  I just saw the show again for the third time with the third cast.  Currently starring Harvey Fierstein and Christopher Sieber this cast of La Cage may be my favorite yet.  I saw Kelsey Grammer and the terrific Douglas Hodge and even saw one of the few performances with Fierstein and Jeffrey Tambor (Grammer's original replacement.)  Christopher Sieber is my favorite Georges.  This was my first visit to this show where I felt I was seeing a believable couple.  The relationship between Albin and Georges is warm, loving, playful, and utterly convincing.  Having seen Fierstein perform with the anemic Tambor, I was really blown away by how much better Fierstein's performance is with Sieber as Georges.  This is also the revival's first Georges who can actually sing, and Sieber really made me appreciate "Song On the Sand" for the first time.  Here is a musical theatre performer who can sing the song beautifully while truly acting through the entire number.  It really makes a huge difference for the show.  You understand why Georges and Albin have been together for such a long time.  The warmth and believability of their relationship gives this revival real heart, making the show worth a (repeat) visit.  The best of times for this revival truly is now.

Want to see for yourself?  Click here for tickets. 

The People In The Picture at Studio 54

It has been a busy few days for me.  Tonight I am going to go see my fourth Broadway show in three days.  April is always a busy time with many shows opening as close to the cut-off for TONY eligibility as they can.  This means a lot of Concierge events as shows try to get some word of mouth going to try and stand out in a crowded marketplace.  Roundabout Theatre Company is having a terrific 2011 with their revivals of The Importance of Being Earnest and Anything Goes opening to glowing reviews.  I wish I could say that their production of the new musical The People In The Picture (currently in previews for an April 28th opening) is as successful.  Even musical theatre powerhouse Donna Murphy isn't enough to make this show worth seeing.

Wonderland at the the Marquis Theatre

Wonderland, now in previews at the Marquis Theatre before an April 17, 2011 opening, is the latest musical from composer Frank Wildhorn.  Wildhorn is the composer of the long-running Jeckyll & Hyde and the very short-running Dracula, The Musical.  Dracula was one of the most unintentionally hilarious shows I ever saw on Broadway, so with a few drinks (for strength) I prepared myself for the journey to Wonderland.  It would turn out to be a very short trip.

High at the Booth Theatre

High is a new play by Matthew Lombardo (Looped) starring Kathleen Turner as an unconventional nun in a rehab center.  The producers were kind enough to give me a ticket to a preview performance of the show which opens on April 19, 2011.  The poster for High warns of adult content and full male nudity and the warnings are justified.  Mamma Mia! this ain't.  High is not without its faults, but it is an interesting and engaging play that deserves to be seen.