Danny's Theatre Discourse

Amateur theatrical reviews, opinions welcomed. (mild spoilers may ensue) I've been a theatre enthusiast with an affinity for musicals most of my life. I started this review after so many years and shows to remind myself why I love it all. That being said, these aren't in any particular order (certainly not chronological). I'll also reblog broadway/theatre news. If you love theatre too please don't hesitate to share your passion!

[danthedisc]

I can see why this was Tony nominated. The production value is thru the roof and it shows in every detail from set, lighting, rigging, sound, stunts and so many stage magic moments not to mention the talent. Once again I'd somehow managed to miss the original movie so I couldn't say I knew what to expect tho the plot is by now either predictable or spoiled. Still this reimagined musical is highly self aware of its source and pulls out the emotional depth of each theme by giving each player a chance to shine in some fun and fantastic numbers. Loved the mostly isometric set that transports us to various locales around Santa Carla and being up in the balcony let me see the underbelly where the crew switched dressings. Loved the pro/epilogues and intermission hanger too that makes great use of the flying title. Ofc the vamps had the best costumes but there were other fun ensemble moments too, especially loved Superpower and the campy counts flying or rather sliding across the scenes. Favorite lighting moment was Now, Forever (which might also be favorite song but there were a handful that are hard to choose an absolute fav from) when light beams shined on our lovers from all angles painting them in a star of their own. Belong to Someone was a literal showstopper as the god mic boomed to hold for a few minutes for some technical adjustments but the audience showed extra support until we could resume and that's why I love the theater, I got to share this moment with hundreds of others and we made it thru the night together. Come join us and so many more who've been dazzled by the Lost Boys and find that magical theatrical moment for yourself.

[danthedisc]

Another story I should've absorbed long ago, revoke my gay card now. But maybe I enjoyed this show more than most bc I didn't have the movie (or book) for pretext bc it is very moving and tugs on your heartstrings in nearly every way. But first, the technical observations. The set was very modern, utilizing digital screen legs and banners that fly in and out from the wings and overhead, conveying the settings with minor physical pieces for dressing and interactions with the almost ever present beach painting projected on the rear oh and ofc the apron lined with 'dunes' and steps to the house for immersive entrances and exits. Costumes were fun (mostly for Cee Cee but Bert had some immaculate looks which I'm sure influenced Rachel Berry's wardrobe 100%) and I especially loved the quick changes for the entre'act. Overall a very well crafted musical full of wit and emotional depth so honestly, people expecting the movie adaption should get over that or just enjoy this as its own production, after all the subtitle does say 'A New Musical' Having said that I do wanna watch the movie now to compare. And omg our leads nailed the numbers, charming, emotionally expressive, and big full belts, even the men got a song and the girls playing the younger versions of Cee Cee and Bert had ample time to shine. Shout out to the supporting roles who nearly steal the show every chance they get. Unfortunately all the negative reviews, plus operating costs at a larger house might close this show early but hopefully it will tour and find more (financial) success on the road but from what I've seen, audiences have loved it so go enjoy a day at the beach while you can!

[danthedisc]

Didn't know anything other than the celebrity leads going into this show so getting to watch it 2 nights in a row helped piece things together plot wise. Hell I mean I guess I missed the 2005 movie version which a bit of post viewing research revealed was a thing, making this staging more appealing honestly. Speaking of, the set places us in the backyard of Catherine's family home, wonderfully simple with the scrim I love that's opaque until backlit and outlined with track lights that were cued succinctly to scene changes and signify places and entrances and dressed with detailed props and realistic fake overgrown lawn. Also appreciated the light in the attic symbolically lit during certain scenes. Much like the set and the script, costuming was very grounded in reality as well, even as we flash back and forth between memory and present scenes. Our lead had the chops for such an emotional role, given that she's played characters with similar expressions and mannerism in her other works but still captivating to watch as was the rest of the intimate cast. Now as for the plot itself, who can't relate to the dread of turning out like their parent(s) so that hit home hard ofc. Furthermore, trust and doubt in others and yourself, something I know I've struggled with for the longest time and continue to as I'm sure many do especially in these crazy times but maybe the world's always been this crazy and growing up is just finding ways to adjust to and cope with that. So yes while not all of us might relate to the specific genius our heroine possesses, I think all the rest can apply to any person/audience and therefore this play can stand the test of time as long as the world is what it is, for better or worse.

[danthedisc]

First, great publicity and marketing bc the multitude of IG ads I saw finally convinced me to see this. Second, just wow. This stands up there with other technically crafty 2 player shows like Maybe Happy Ending and Two Strangers bc these guys just oozed talent. Not only did they write and perform but also played every instrument including ofc their own powerful voices and I don't mean just belting beautifully sustained high notes. The score resembled the complexity and pacing of Hamilton for one and the production was mixed live and by our players on stage (with some help from the crew) Speaking of instruments, loved how the set cleverly and intentionally placed each piece to draw the audience to every inch of it. Similarly, I appreciated the subtly creative use of color and material for their costumes which hybridized the past and present styles as a reminder that our heroes, tho telling this story in character are still people of the present era dealing with almost the same shitty world. And yes while they used technology/projections to the fullest in congruence with lighting, the talent didn't have to rely on those things to dazzle us bc after all this story was much older than any of that. And when I say the sound design was clever, this extended to every little sound cue from the crackling of a camp fire to the thunderous roars and pelting rain of a giant storm. Also loved how some scenes were just scored with delicate melodies or bumpin beats that needed no lyrics but even the more spoken lines were poetically written. And the story, another American history, tho a lesser known one, holds America accountable for the atrocities that stain its inception and which persist to this day despite the promises it made for all. If so many stories keep saying it, why haven't we rewritten it? Why can't we seem to write the next chapter without more blood or is that the only ink that sticks?

[danthedisc]

This was my first show ushering on Broadway and I never imagined it would hit so hard. But first, the material observations. Most of the story is set in this prison so that is what we see conveyed by the backdrop of death row cell doors stacked to the ceiling with mostly lighting to indicate the spaces that confined these men. The choice to not materialize the barrier between Nick and Jacki during their visits reflected the strength and depth of their bond while other settings were grounded with solid and detailed pieces like that of the pawn shop and court rooms where major turning points occurred for our hero. The last scene in particular is where a majority of the stage magic happens but I won't spoil it too much, only that it was highly effective denouement. I can't say too much about the costume design as it was pretty straight forward also grounded in reality but there were some cute mini costume changes. As for the talent, well I mean the leads pretty much speak for themselves but the ensemble also carried their own, especially with some lovely a cappella harmonies sprinkled in. The structure is mostly a narration which can be too expository for some but aligns with one of the major themes which is finding your voice to tell your story against all odds even when it seems no one will believe or listen. Getting a bit more personal here but I never thought I'd relate to Nick or Jacki just given the premise but unfortunately I know all too well how taxing and heartbreaking it is to wait (over a decade) for absolution that would never come. And tho the majority of us haven't sat on death row, we can still relate to Nick when he finally returns to the world, incredulous that even the simple things in life can still be so comforting after we've had to live without for who knows who long. The sun won't always shine so bask in it while you can.

[danthedisc]

An American history lesson that still bears repeating over a century later, good thing it's told to a catchy boppin soundtrack which is quite the intriguing juxtaposition to the soulful tragedy that plays out on stage. To look back at the premiere in the late 90s and see just how far (that's to say not very) we've come is a bit depressing but maybe the bright side is that we can still produce and see shows like this that ask what the hell is wrong with this country (police brutality, hate crimes, xenophobia, child trafficking just to name a few) while still celebrating the possibility it holds for those geniuses and artists who somehow manage to flourish despite all that. And all it takes is kindness and understanding. It can be that simple. Needless to say this show stands amongst my favorite revolutionary musicals now. But returning to the elements of this production, the entire cast were all strong voices and personalities, I believe most or at least half were understudies for me. The set had a few big moments as well but otherwise stuck to limited yet ornate dressing pieces to paint vast landscapes with gradient lighting or intimate dioramas. A small detail but I appreciated the curvy curtain and scrims that shaped the abstract backdrops. Lighting also did well to impact certain moments in a noticeably positive way. I'm definitely gonna have to listen to the soundtrack again at some point to let the lyrics really sink in but again the actors performed the hell outta their numbers and made me feel the emotions of each one despite my hearing deficiency. Costuming did well to distinguish each major group by color and style with subtle changes along the way to mark their journeys. That's all I've got for this one but see it if you can, whenever and wherever it might crop up next but hopefully we'll have moved past all the social/political unrest by then, but till we reach that day...

[danthedisc]

I'd heard good things so had some expectations but nothing solid. I didn't know how much both of our leads would resonate with me bc strangely I'm as optimistic and enthusiastic about NYC as Dougal and tired but still hanging on to hope like Robin and yes the actors did a great job bringing them to life and the chemistry was fairly organic as anything IRL. Speaking of, the plot/character arcs are very grounded in the reality of millennials on the younger side, whose songs reflect their emotional rollercoaster ride in both lyrics and composition that I could listen and jam to for a while thereafter. And the set, oh how I love a good set that hides the little accoutrements of each scene to be unpacked in surprising ways. This one was well, two multi tiered cakes of luggage reflecting the theme of the baggage our heroes carry and brilliantly lit in neon and traditional lighting to take us from the subways to the Plaza. I even had dumplings for dinner before seeing the show so it felt serendipitous to see my a bit of my journey reflected in so many ways thru Robin and Dougals eyes. I hope I can remember how happy I am now this time next year and who knows, maybe even moreso?

[claie171art]

Wedding song - now and then

[francisketches]

i'm coming wait for me

i hear the walls repeating

the falling of our feet

and it sounds like drumming

[dancerswhirl]

Six musical portraits from IG suggestions to start the new year <3

[danthedisc]

Why does a play about a women's liberation group from the 70's told through a modern lens exist?

The short answer, bc we still aren't there yet... in 2025 going into 2026. And until all women are liberated, no woman is. That's so tragically true not just for women but literally every marginalized identity dating back to oh idk the dawn of class warfare. But don't let that bleak reality prevent you from laughing out loud or even nodding a knowing smile at the absurdity of each poignant joke in this story bc there are a lot of them. Given the subject matter and the overall tone, it's hard to categorize Liberation as either tragedy or comedy so we'll just go with dramadey. Structurally, we see Lizzie (Flood) narrating from the present while playing her mother in the past mostly. The rest of the women: Isadora (Lucio) Celeste (Lloyd) Susan (Verson) Margie (Aidem) and Dora (Corsa) make up the rest of the group and also play both timeline versions of themselves with Joanne (Davion) and Margie stepping into Lizzie's mom's shoes at certain points. Now this can be confusing if you're not used to storytelling of this kind but the lighting cues are intended to help delineate the timelines. Set was a fairly simple replica of what a rec center in Ohio might've looked like, complete with 'florescent' light fixtures, basketball hoop and bleachers oh and those metal folding chairs, you know the ones. Yes very grounded in reality with pretty much just lighting again to convey the magic of inner thoughts or moments of revelation. What can I say about the costumes, I mean 70's had style and they stayed true to that with multiple outfits for each woman in their own unique style and little details that connected certain characters as their relationships grew and changed. In the end everyone was united in denim, which might have deeper meaning but as far as I could tell was probably bc it helped frame the cast as Lizzie's version of these characters in her story. A few other scenes attempted to recognize the shortcomings of this singular perspective as it applied to telling the other women's stories, most notably by Celeste and to an extent Joanne and rightfully so bc when it comes down to it, we only have the authority to tell our own stories and though we might want to represent others involved as faithfully as possible, that can't always happen. But it is one of the last calls to action as Lizzie puts it to us, the audience, to tell our stories in an attempt to make sense of the nonsensical world we still live in. Just don't get too caught up in the past or not becoming your mother that you forget to become yourself (more or less a quote that struck deep with this reviewer)

[notbroadwaybound]

Merrily We Roll Along

Yesterday is done, see the pretty substack post. Merrily we roll along, roll along, bursting with dreams.

Merrily We Roll Along post this week!!! So excited that my comfort flop (the OBC recording) has grown to reach so many people the last 3 years!

[danthedisc]

Review by Drew Alvarez. I missed this show, twice now, so this was an interesting read and I still would love to see it.

[danthedisc]

More than just a game

The Players: Ofc I knew Tveit (as Freddie) and Michele (as Florence) would nail it and they did not disappoint. Still amazed by their range not just musically but also emotionally, how they go from these small inner moments to huge explosive displays in mere seconds. Christopher (as Anatoly) was newer for me but coming from Hamilton as Washington (which I didn't know until I read the program) he showed up just as much if not a bit more stunning than his counterparts. Cruz (as Svetlana) was also a nice surprise, at least to me again knowing very little about the plot but finding her character very sympathetic. Dean (as Alexander) another unfamiliar face made an ironically charming KGB chess coach and def was one of the stronger accents. But who really stole the show? Pinkham (as Narrator/Arbiter) crushing every scene and with every punchline, so glad he got his own song. Can't forget the ensemble, also killing that choreography. Kudos for everyone bc this score was not easy by any means, which was another surprise coming from ABBA veterans Benny & Bjorn and Tim Rice but a bit of that catchy pop did come thru too, not a bad thing.

The Board: kept it very simple to emphasize the players and music. Love sets that showcase the orchestra/band who surround our ensemble, ever present. Delicate use of screen projection and AV tech to decorate each scene, some times minimally to convey artistic interpretation, sometimes highly detailed to ground the story in reality. Also loved the wings lined with chess pieces that subtly change in the second act as stakes are raised. Lighting was very effective and on point hitting certain marks and while sound didn't suffer any glaring technical issues, it was a little hard to understand some of the lyrics but I think that was more to do with the complex score than anything as I'm sure cast did their best to enunciate.

The Pieces: Wardrobe was also kept fairly simple and timely but effectively distinguishing our leading players. Interesting choices with Freddie and Anatoly remaining in black mostly while Florence changes from black in act 1 to white in act 2 signifying she's the only one who really changed? And again our Arbiter is the most flashy in plaid while Svetlana remains a loyal red satin, showing off her tragic beauty that wasn't enough for her husband to stay. Can't really compare the new book to the old as this was my first viewing but hey the jokes were uncanny as was the plot unfortunately bc no one can deny these are dangerous and difficult times.

[cistota]

The order of songs in the muscial Frogs by Sondheim will never be not funny, 'cause you’ve got:

Ariadne - a soul-crushingly beautiful ballad in which Dionysos expresses heartbreaking loss of his mortal wife.

Frogs - an intense number about the clash between the need for societal improvement and the desire for a calm life with no changes.

Hymn to Dionysos - *ehm, wine is great, let's get blastered... [Alalalalalalai!]*

[shinramyunnoodles]

A happy happy borfday to the legendary Patti LuPone 😩😩

[danthedisc]

It's a SMASH

I read a brief description for this show before seeing it and can concur, it's definitely for the fans of the short-lived series. I still disparage at the legal drama around the rights bc we all wanted to see Bombshell on Broadway but this does satisfy that craving at least for me. If you watched the series, you'll probably appreciate all the ways they incorporate the themes and plotlines but in a new refreshing way while keeping all the wit and charm. I'm glad they kept a more traditional set with perspectives and intricacies, grounding it in its meta while the appropriately interspersed digital effects also allowed younger generations to connect thru their own meta lens. I'm not gonna spoil the rest but I really appreciated all the new twists and turns that really let it stand on its own apart from the series so even if you hadn't seen the original, you'll still enjoy this show for the Broadway smash that it always deserved to be, especially if you love/live the theater.

[danthedisc]

Maybe Happy Ending

Yeah I didn't have a clever title for this one bc it already is. To use AI helper bots as an analogy for the world today is certainly apt. In relation to Redwood (bc I saw them both on the same day) which touched upon this theme of human purpose and that purpose being to fix what's broken loosely translates to the purpose of these creations made in our image that we might very well have in the not too distant future. There's already plenty of media playing with these themes but this show does it so uniquely, making these bots much more human through music, a very human construct. And Helen and Darren do very well to humanize these characters to the point that you'd forget they were supposed to be all wires and computing if not for the constant witty reminders of their synthetic existence which again could possibly be the point. After all, are we as humans also programmed thruout our lives by various restrictions. To that end are we ever free of this programing? We think we make choices but are we not doing what we're meant to in so way? Oliver and Claire can only be 'freed' if they are given their owners passwords, simple enough, but what sets us free? And is freedom truly what it ought to be or is the best we get the freedom to feel, both positive and negative emotions? To feel the weight of making your own decisions that is if they can ever be considered truly your own? This show holds that mirror up to us with such poignancy that alone should deserve recognition and attention. But aside from the themes and respective philosophical debates they might trigger, this show stands absolutely among the great modern musicals of my day with a clever and nostalgic soundtrack of a retro futuristic setting. I have to praise the sound mixing as well bc I could not only hear but understand nearly every word from the back of house. I loved loved loved this set for its blend of high tech with traditional construction which made for cleverly staged scenes that flowed seamlessly and cinematically. The leads carried most of the gravitas ofc but the supporting players shined thru as well, including those only present in recorded shots which was a nice surprise. There were too many good scenes I couldn't pick a fav but I'll just say telephone, car ride, motel and fireflies stood out most memorably. Seriously a must watch and hopefully adapted to film someday bc it needs to be immortalized or distributed for a wider audience. Please go see this show if you love theater bc it really has it all.