Overall, the 2019 Tony Awards Ceremony broadcast on June 9 by CBS was rather listless. Unlike his Tony hosting stint 2 years ago, I did not think James Corden made for a good host. For the most part his comedic and musical bits seemed unoriginal and lacking in wit, with the exception of the "James in the Bathroom" number. But the night was not a total loss. I was glad to see "The Ferryman" win as Best Play, and "Oklahoma" justly won for Best Musical Revival. In addition, I found the following 5 moments to be the highlights of the evening:
1. Elaine May's win and eloquent acceptance speech for Best Leading Actress in a Play for her role in "The Waverly Gallery." I will never forget Ms. May's astonishing performance in this play and was thrilled to see her win and hear her lovely speech.
2. Ali Stroker's win and inspiring acceptance speech for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Ms. Stroker lights up any stage she graces, and the Radio City Musical Hall stage during the Tony ceremony was no exception.
3. Rachel Chavkin's call to action acceptance speech after she won as Best Director of a Musical for "Hadestown." She is right, the amount of untapped Broadway exposure by supremely talented women and people of color is shameful and needs to be corrected.
4. The "Oklahoma" musical segment, which for me was the best musical performance of the evening and gave a hint of the absolute genius that is this revival.
5. The "Prom" number, like the show itself, put a huge smile on my face and had me dancing in my seat, and was my runner up for best musical performance of the night.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Sunday, May 26, 2019
“The Secret Life Of Bees” Succeeds On All Fronts
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
"The Secret Life of Bees" @AtlanticTheater is an outstanding new musical, with a supremely talented cast blessed with heavenly voices, a beautiful score by Dunkin Sheik, a wonderful book by Lynn Nottage & expert direction by Sam Gold.
While the entire 13 member cast are worthy of great praise, especially worthy of note are the award-caliber performances by LaChanze, Saycon Sengbloh & Elizabeth Teeter.
I would be surprised if this outstanding new musical, which is better that any of the new musicals that premiered on Broadway in the 2018-19 season, did not find its way to a Broadway theater.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
“Octet” Is A Boldly Inventive New Musical
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Dave Malloy's new musical "Octet" at Signature Theatre is boldly inventive and perfectly executed by its tremendous cast and astute director/design team. The show pulls you in with it's gorgeous music and unique sound, and stays with you long after you leave the theater.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
“Everything Is Wonderful” Is Simply Wonderful
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Chelsea Marcantel's "Everything is Wonderful," is a beautifully written play that explores faith, family & forgiveness in the context of an Amish family & community. This outstanding play is given a sterling production @WTTheatre that should not be missed. The cast, direction & staging expertly navigate this complex and emotionally rich play.
Sunday, April 07, 2019
Dallas Theater Center’s “Twelfth Night” Is Must See Shakespeare
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
I have seen countless productions of "Twelfth Night," but the best, clearest, most nuanced & joyous version I have seen is now playing at Dallas Theater Center's Wyly Theater. This production adeptly manages the problems I have encountered in other productions of "Twelfth Night" I have seen- namely length and a cohesive treatment of multiple plot lines. This production lasts approximately 100 minutes and wisely condenses the original text and minor characters such that not a dull moment exists in this production. Furthermore the pop-music playing 3 man band is on stage most of the performance and proves to be a unifying element hovering over and commenting upon the play's multiple plot lines, giving the play a cohesive structure.
The diverse and talented cast, beach themed set, sexual identity themes, and quick pace make this "Twelfth Night" fresh, fun and fabulous. If you are in Dallas in April, don't miss this truly wonderful production.
Monday, April 01, 2019
“Tootsie” Serves Up Frothy Entertainment
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Santino Fontana is excellent and the book has lots of humor, much of which lands, but the new movie to Broadway musical adaptation of "Tootsie" suffers from excess length and lack of originality or surprise. It is entertaining but slight, and may do well with those seeking frothy entertainment.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Fine Comedic Performances Lift “Gary,” But Perhaps Not High Enough
randy kender (@randykender)
There is much to admire about Taylor Mac's "Gary, A Sequel To Titus Andronicus " including 3 fine comedic performances (from Nathan Lane, Kirstin Nielsen & Julie White) and some sharp social commentary, but I am not sure the play ultimately succeeds. Personally, as I am not a fan of low humor, I preferred the social commentary more than the humor, but I suspect for most folks it will be the other way around.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
A Diminished “Hadestown” On Broadway
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
"Hadestown" which has made its way to Broadway is a pale imitation of the initial staging of the show I saw and loved at New York Theater Workshop- it is too busy, the new chorus is distracting and the two young leads lack charisma, connection and adequate acting skills. But #AmberGray is still the best part of the show, the score is still great, there is one great staged number ("Wait For Me") and the beautiful ending is artfully restrained unlike most of the rest of the show.
“Lehman Trilogy” Is A Thrilling Tale
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
The production design, direction and acting trio in "The Lehman Trilogy" is simply breathtaking. What director Sam Mendes is able to conjure up with his design team and three stellar actors is a tribute to what exciting theatrical storytelling can be.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Glenda Jackson’s “Lear” Triumphs
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Glenda Jackson is an astoundingly great Lear in Sam Gold's audacious & inventive "King Lear" which features many other fine performances that make the production feel simultaneously current and timeless. Worth special mention beyond Ms. Jackson are Ruth Wilson's Cordelia/Fool (a brilliant directorial choice to have her play both), John Douglas Thompson's protective Kent, Jayne Houdyshell's loyal Gloucester, Sean Carvajal's honorable Edgar and Pedro Pascal's slickly scheming Edmund. While period purists may take issue with this production, Mr. Gold's production is refreshingly diverse, inclusive and teeming with life.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
A Stellar “Juno”
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
@IrishRep revival of "Juno And The Paycock" is stellar, and features a devastatingly great performance by Maryann Plunkett as Juno. The juxtaposition of humor in Act 1 and pain in Act 2 is masterful.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
“Hillary” Is A Misfire
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Laurie Metcalf & John Lithgow are outstanding actors, but they deserve much better than the pedestrian & unilluminating "Hillary And Clinton" - a rare misfire from fine playwright Lucas Hnath whose prior plays I have greatly admired. I am mystified as to why this play is being mounted on Broadway, and I wish I could have my 90 minutes back.
Sunday, March 03, 2019
“The Light” Is Gripping Theater
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Loy A. Webb's new play "The Light" @mcctheater is a terrific, timely and important play given a great production that features excellent acting, and expert direction/staging. MCC fittingly inaugurates its beautiful smaller theater with this fine work. Highly recommended.
“Merrily” Misfires
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Sorry to report that Fiasco Theater's revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along" at Roundabout Theatre is a misconceived revival with acting that is too forced and singing that ranges from middling to painfully bad. I have seen many productions of this show, but this was the worst I have seen to date. The cuts to the show here eliminate the necessary emotion I have felt in other productions of this less than perfect show that is graced with a beautiful score.
“Daddy” Doesn’t Work
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
The New Group and Vineyard Theatre's new co-produced off-Broadway Jeremy O. Harris play "Daddy" raises some intriguing issues, but it fails to address them in a convincing way. The physical production is great, but the inconsistent acting and writing drag this way too long 3 hour play down. On the bright side, actress Charlayne Woodard as the lead character's mother is great, as usual.
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