New York Notebook.

Humans***
There is no reservations about the acting in this Tony award winning play, however the quality of the play left me baffled, like a lot of things in America right now - how this achieved such dizzy heights, King Charles III and the Father were finer plays, no question. Expect to see this at somewhere like the Southwark Playhouse.

Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comets of 1812****
Josh Groban has fine abilities, but acting isn't one of them, however you can wing it, as there is no real stage, so the acting doesn't have to be so intense in this immersive and smart production. This sets out to be the Les Miserable of the 21st century, which it replaced, also based on a epic novel, does it achieve that? How can anything hold a candle up to the great Les Mis, so doing this musical a dis-service already, you don't have the same emotional intensity, which you invest in Jean Valjean The score although several great songs, doesn't match Les Mis. But although I am comparing this to that great Anglo-French musical, this is still a very good blistering musicals, that will get a nod from the Tony committee, will win best set.

A Bronx Tale *** (see separate thread) Solid Broadway fare, one for the dads.
Sweet Charity ***** A simply amazing star turn from Sutton Foster, who will surely be up for a Tony once this inevitably transfers. Believe it or not, my sides were aching at her making a sandwich in Vittorio's apartment. Currently in a great studio space with a five piece, all female band.
Bubble Boy The Musical *** This will never change the world, but is a sweet little show and it was great to be in Feinstein's 54 below which managed to cram a 5 piece band & 11 strong cast (including Alice Ripley & Richard Fink) on to a tiny stage.
Falsettos ***** This was incredible, a real rollercoaster of emotions. Sung-through, with maybe too many songs in the first act (25 I think) but I just loved it and was a total mess at the end. What treat to see Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells & Stephanie J Block, plus Tracey Thoms & Betsy Wolfe in supporting roles.

Christmas Spectacular****
This show does 5/6 shows a day, each show lasts 90 minutes and lasts for 8 weeks and this one grosses more in those 8 weeks, than the whole of Broadway does through the whole year collectively.
It is what it is, the Rockettes and who could ever miss the marvellous Matchstick Men and the Opening sequence with Santa making his way from the North Pole to Manhattan.

The Front Page**
The Broadhurst isn't the most comfortable theatre and this isn't helped by having a guy next to me who weighted about 30 stone. Even though a very starry cast, I didn't think the play was all that and rather over-long.

The Colour Purple*****
There is a good reason why Cynthia Erivo and The Colour Purple bagged the Tony, even managed to eclipse the Hamilton Juggernaught.
I was meant to see this last week, but Cynthia was off until Wednesday, exertions of the New York marathon, then forced my hand to see this as she is on vacation next week.

I was wondering about this. I like a lot of the cast members, and I'm curious about how "different" I've been told it is. Maybe if I can get a comp or a good deal...

Paramour***
You know when you are in a ATG venue, when you see those gaudy seat back menus and hear rustle rustle of popcorn and candy.

The Cirque Du Soleil will do what ever it takes to break New York, but the Mid-town crowd know their performing arts. Always though Soleil would be better off putting circus elements in an existing musical ala Pippin, Cats would be an excellent choice.

But what can you say about the show, not much really based on Hollywood and usual Cirque fair a couple of wow moments. Thought how they did the unknown actress, who is desperate for her dose of fame, posing for photos set up actually as the movie advertising photo for the poster, then overlaying the actual poster on that was very well done and the final roof top chase scene was brilliant.

This will be gone in a year, unfortunately those twee seat back menus won't.

Cats***
I went to see this to see how they actually improved the recent London production and a lady needs something to do on a Sunday night, we'll let me tell you that the London production was better both times rounds, the subtle differences I loved in London were dropped here.

Sweet Charity***
Despite some fine songs I have never been overly convinced by this musical. Sutton Foster danced and sang well but Tamsin Outhwaire displayed the necessary vunerablilty in the long gone Menier production. No doubt this will transfer to Broadway next year.

Matilda****
I took this in for the evening show, as nothing else in Toronto to see right now. The Toronto theatre industry has been decimated since 9/11, where now U.S. Citizens need a passport to come over the border. Toronto audiences used to be 60% American, where it was an alternative to New York and a lot cheaper to see the big shows.

Anyway I was interested to see how they conceived this for tour, well everything happens on stage, including the girl now falls from the fly area and no lasers at choked, this has been replaced by flashing lights, strange to see the cast with Ontario accents. Anyway still a terrific adaption and a faithful adaption at the core, with Dennis Kelly's book makes this smarter for adults.

Heisenburg****
Great play with love at the core, very basic set of just 2 tables and 2 chairs, a very confident set designer to do this on Broadway. I expect this to appear in London soon, either West End or somewhere like the Arcola, Royal Court or Southwark Playhouse.

Well taking another junk out of the big beautiful Apple, not much flesh on that one now,

Anastasia*** (TKT,s 40%)
Thought being aimed at kids, this would be quite easy to follow, which I picked as it was a long flight, which I nearly missed, so was tired, the story is quite convoluted, think I got most of it thought. Good solid acting - also chose this as one of my first as Ramin is leaving on Saturday. One of the best use of video design I have seen on stage and how this intorgrated with the physical production. Because it is done by video the hard leg work has been done, s further productions including the West End would be cheaper than a big show, however I couldn’t see a West End crowd taking to this.

Once on this Island*** (Lottery Win $39:50)
Okay the score seems pedestrian and patchy in places. Lea Salonga is the best thing in this.

Managed to squeeze in 3 shows today.

Meteor Shower*** $90 (50% TKT’s)
The majority of this audience where here for one thing only and it ain’t the play, Amy Schumer didn’t blow me away, but then again she gave a decent performance, in a shor5 play that really went in fits and starts and really this is no different from your average Broadway play, that relies unsubtle 1 liner put downs, which really made me give the quickest of grins.

Miss Saigon*** ($40 Rush)
A musical I love, even though it is constricted by a set that seems to constrict the show, as it did at the Prince Edward and UK Tour which I caught in Leicester, also saw the original, however this is the worst I have seen as this show was performed by understudies except for Alistair Bramner who plays Chris and I never really rated and Nicholas Christopher who played John, who I found to be decent, the lady playing Ellen seemed to have a Asian ethnicity that is inappropriate for the part. The other regular cast member who was in was the guy who played Thuy and not a patch on Kwang-Ho-Hang from the West End cast. May catch this next week if the regulars are back.

The Children*** ($37:50 TTix)
Missed this a5 the Royal Court and is a strange one by Broadway standard, especially as they looked over the superior Chimerica, took a while to get going, but whe; it did it was enjoyable.

The second understudy in London was Asian. She actually was very good. It's not unusual - though Ellen is usually cast as a white woman there have been Asian Ellens in the past.

Natalie Chua was the second understudy. Rarely went on, but she did a few times and I got to see her as Ellen on the final matinee.

There are two ways of looking at an Asian Ellen: You can either look at it color blindly, but that doesn't quite work in a show that is very much focused on race. However, many people looked at it as though Chris was attracted to someone who reminded him of Kim. It's actually not that unusual for people to be serial daters of a specific type based on race, body type, age, etc. 

Great line up you've got there. Can't wait to read your thoughts on the Band's Visit. I feel like I'm the only person on this forum who saw it. It's probably going to get most awards come June. 

"Come on Eileen"

haha 

I don't follow Miss Saigon closely enough to know casting (though weirdly I'm seeing the tour tonight) But I agree with Ali that there's justification for Asian-American Ellen. In fact it seems perfectly reasonable that Chris might come home and end up with a woman who reminds him of Kim. Yes, in the original the 'whiter than white' Ellens act as a contrast to Kim, but in a show that doesn't have the best track record in terms of racism, actually an POC as Ellen actually adds something I think. 

She's going to be named Eileen forever now, isn't she?