Back from my day of theatre-going. It seems I will not be seeing GYPSY tomorrow, but that's OK--I've seen it twice already.
FIDDLER was MUCH better than I remembered it being. Ms. Randy Graff and Ms. Sally Murphy (Tzeitel) were both out, but Ms. Graff's understudy was good and Ms. Murphy's was actually much better than she is. There ya go for understudies. Ya never know what you're gonna get... Mr. Molina got the jokes and got the laughs and the show felt much tighter than it did four months ago. Quite moving and funny and good.
42ND STREET was very splashy and glitzy and full of razzle-dazzle. They need it because all that tap dancing gets old after about 30 minutes. I realized about 15 min. into the show that there's not much to it, but the production numbers were eye-catching if nothing else. And it turned out that an old grad school acquaintance was in the show! She and I did MY FAIR LADY together my first year at OCU. I doubt she would have remembered me, but it was nice to know that SOMEONE from our school is working (other than the ever-lovely Kristin Chenoweth).
Ms. Shirley Jones was quite engaging as Dorothy and Mr. Patrick Cassidy won the award of the night for Most Overacting by an Actor in a Musical. Yowzah! It was nice to meet them after the show. Unfortunately I forgot to tell Ms. Jones "hi" for BK, but she was quite gracious and kind and told us fun stories about her and BK's other close personal friend, Mr. Stephen Sondheim.
I have a confession, Dear Readers. Being backstage at both CAROLINE, OR CHANGE and 42ND STREET has started giving me urges. Yes, Dear Readers, I have strong urges to be in a show again and there ain't nothin' I can do about it. As frustrating and mentally abusive as acting (well, auditioning) can be, it must be in my blood because I crave it. I need it and every single time I see a show I think to myself, "GOD! I wish I were in a show right now." Really, I do. Someday it will happen...I know it will.
And now I must be off to the gym. I saw a chorus boy in his towel backstage at 42nd STREET and it's shamed me into wanting to go do some serious cardio and sit-ups. No comments from the peanut gallery, please, about the boy in his towel... I'm on to your ways...