2013 TONY AWARD WINNER PREDICTION POST

Here are my predictions of who will walk home with Broadway's biggest prizes on Sunday night. I didn't include every award, just the ones I have strong opinions about. Please comment with thoughts on whether or not you agree!

Best Play

Will Win: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - I think this critical and fan favorite will get the big prize for plays. It was a huge success off and on Broadway, which speaks well to its chances.

Should Win: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - It should win for the reasons above

Could Win: Lucky Guy - Tom Hanks and Nora Ephron make a killer combo. While I think they have better shots individually, they could take the big prize too.

Best Musical

Will Win: Matilda - While I had my own opinions about it, it was an amazing production altogether, which is what this award is about. Plus the fact that it is the most popular new show on Broadway right now, it should follow up its success from London.

Should Win: Matilda - It was one of (if not) the best productions I've ever seen and does truly deserve the honor.

Could Win: Kinky Boots - This show has a little bit wider a net than Matilda and considering a lot of out of town professionals are voters, there could be a big push for a Kinky Boots win.

Best Revival of a Play

Will Win: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - This was the best play I have ever seen. I could have sat through a whole night of this production and I think voters will remember it.

Should Win: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - See above

Could Win: The Trip to Bountiful/Golden Boy - These shows got great reviews, so if people "forget" about Woolf, either show could walk away big.

Best Revival of a Musical

Will Win: Pippin - An all-around amazing production of one of the most beloved musicals directed by Tony-baby Diane Paulus, with a circus troupe and amazing cast. This is a no-brainer.

Should Win: Pippin - See above.

Could Win: Let's be honest. Pippin is going to win.

Best Book of a Musical

Will Win: Dennis Kelly, Matilda - The book was witty and endearing, without losing its grit. It is going to be hard to beat.

Should Win: Dennis Kelly, Matilda - See above.

Could Win: Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots - He is loved by the theatre community and people are loving Kinky Boots right now. Could be a lethal combo.

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Will Win: Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots - I think this will be where Kinky Boots overthrows Matilda. It's a great pop score written by one of pop's biggest legends.

Should Win: Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots - I might get backlash for saying this, but I think Cyndi wrote the best score of the year. Sorry, Tim. It might not be as complex, but I think it's a great score.

Could Win: Tim Minchin, Matilda - Another great score that is complex and well written. I just don't think it was perfect and I think this was one of the weaker parts of Matilda. Sorry, not sorry.

I'm just adding - I would LOVE to see Pasek & Paul take the award to support new, contemporary musical theatre (my favorite), but don't think it will happen.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Will Win: Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy - Big Hollywood star giving a great performance in a well-received show that already recouped. It's his to lose.

Should Win: Tracy Letts, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - The fact that as George he gave the strongest performance of the show in a group of powerhouse actors should win him the award alone. Unfortunately, I think the show closed too long ago.

Could Win: Nathan Lane, The Nance - Nathan Lane has a lot of fans out there and is giving one hell of a performance.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Arguably the toughest category)

Will Win: Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful - Easily the critic favorite who seems to be gaining the most traction ahead of the awards.

Should Win: Amy Morton, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - If you can't tell, I loved this show. Amy's performance was amazing, but will be forgotten in such a crowded category considering the show closed so long ago.

Could Win: Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - The fact that she completely overshadowed Sigouney Weaver should show how great a performance she gave. She could be the black horse winner, and a well-deserved one at that.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Will Win: Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical - If you read my review of MATILDA, you'd know that this is the performance to beat. He was flawless and perfect in every way.

Should Win: Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical - See above.

Could Win: Billy Porter, Kinky Boots - If Bertie wasn't in this category, it'd definitely be Billy's to lose. That's why I'm not counting out his powerful, drag performance yet.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Will Win: Patina Miller, Pippin - She is one of the highlights of one of the most talked about shows of the season. Plus she is playing one of the greatest musical theatre roles created. I think it's definitely hers to lose.

Should Win: Patina Miller, Pippin - See above.

Could Win: Laura Osnes, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella - She is a princess. And Broadway's princess at that. She might pick up her Tony for this role, but I think she won't get the necessary support.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Will Win: Danny Burstein, Golden Boy - People really love Danny Burstein.

Should Win: I honestly don't know.

Could Win: Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy - He got some serious raves for his performance. And working with Tom Hanks doesn't hurt.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Will Win: Judith Light, The Assembled Parties - She followed up an amazing Tony Award-winning performance from last season with another amazing performance. She will win again.

Should Win: Judith Light, The Assembled Parties - See above.

Could Win: I honestly doubt Judith will lose.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Will Win: Terrence Mann, Pippin - Pippin is going to get a lot of love in the acting categories, as it was overall probably the strongest musical of the year.

Should Win: Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood - He will have been forgotten by now, but I think his performance was definitely a standout in this super fun revival.

Could Win: Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody - I was one of like 10 people saw this show, but if enough people did, his performance was heartwarming and powerful enough to sway some voters.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Will Win: Andrea Martin, Pippin - She gets a mid-show standing ovation at most performances. I'd say that is a good indication that she will win.

Should Win: Andrea Martin, Pippin - See above.

Could Win: Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots or Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody - Both gave some of the strongest performances in their shows and could get enough love/split the vote enough to walk away with the award.

Best Direction of a Musical

Will Win: Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical - This show had amazing vision all the way through and I think that is a direct reflection of phenomenal direction.

Should Win: Diane Paulus, Pippin - In typical Paulus fashion, she did something amazing that I don't think anyone else would attempt. She deserves this award.

Could Win: Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots - He is loved and did a great job with one of the season's best shows. I don't think he should be counted out.

Best Choreography

Will Win: Peter Darling, Matilda The Musical - While I wasn't wow-ed by the choreo, a lot of people were and I think it's uniqueness will win it the award.

Should Win: Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots - This is one award I think Kinky Boots definitely has on Matilda, but I don't know if the voters will agree.

Could Win: Chet Walker, Pippin - His Fosse-inspired choreo could have a lot of voters on his side.

I know this was long winded, but now all my opinions are on the table. I can't wait to see what happens Sunday!

REVIEW: MATILDA on Broadway

So. Better late than never. But FINALLY, here is my review of MATILDA on Broadway.

I probably haven't ever had a show built up for me as much as MATILDA was. Reviews were stellar. Word of mouth was stellar. My friends who saw the show in London (and are the pickiest theatregoers I know) said it was the most amazing experience they ever had in the theatre. Unfortunately, my reaction wasn't on the same level.

I thoroughly enjoyed the two and a half hours I spent in the Shubert Theatre and will argue that it was one of the best productions I have ever seen. Technically, everything was as on point as Matilda's quick wit, but the show itself didn't resonate with me as I had hoped.

Tim Minchin's pop-y score had standout moments (like Bertie Carvel's "The Smell of Rebellion" and the ensemble number "When I Grow Up"), but didn't have me leave the theatre thinking I needed to listen to the score on repeat for the next month. The group numbers were definitely the highlights, with the solo numbers lacking some of the luster and power that they could have had.

Dennis Kelly's book was as witty as one would hope for a show about a young girl with brilliance beyond her years. The problem, for me, was that it didn't resonate. I felt for Matilda and her classmates, but it didn't instill in me any sort of passion. While I am not one to ever argue that shows can be "for boys" or "for girls," after talking with a lot of my (female) friends, I think some of the meaning is lost on a young adult male like myself.

There are a few parts of the hype though that I COMPLETELY agree with. First. BERTIE FREAKING CARVEL! If he does not win the Tony Award this Sunday, I will revolt like the children in the show. His performance was flawless . He made my skin crawl from his visciousness, and I felt his pain in some of his more emotional scenes. His portrayal of Miss Trunchbull was so well created that I at no point thought I was watching a man playing a woman. Bertie Carvel was Miss Trunchbull.

I am not going to say which Matilda I saw (because it shouldn't matter). But she was a superstar on stage. Although one of the youngest, smallest members of the company, she commanded the attention she deserved as the eponymous character.

Technically, the show was gorgeous. From the moment you walk in and see the proscenium covered with Scrabble tile-like letters, you know you are in for a treat. The set was simple in looks, but complex in use. Things went in and out of the wood floor with ease, creating the library, home, and school quickly and efficiently. The lighting was phenomenal, especially with some surprises that will please any audience. The coolest thing for me was when Matilda used her powers and things moved by themselves. I couldn't figure out how they made the tricks worked, which made it super effective as an audience member. Most times the theatre-maker in me can figure out how things happen, but I was as dumbfounded as Trunchbull when Matilda made the chalk move.

I understand why MATILDA got the hype it did and am glad it is a success. I am interested to see how it fares come Sunday.

REVIEW: MURDER BALLAD at the Union Square Theatre

NOTE: THIS REVIEW IS FOR A PREVIEW PERFORMANCE. THINGS CAN CHANGE BETWEEN THIS PERFORMANCE AND OPENING NIGHT

When I walked into the Union Square Theatre, I was transported into a dive bar inhabited by some super talented theatre stars. The theatre made sure to make this unique rock musical a truly immersive experience for the audience.

MURDER BALLAD is the story of Sara (Caissie Levy) who leaves her youth and recklessness behind to settle down with Michael (John Ellison Conlee), a poet and professional, and leave her old flame Tom (Will Swenson) behind. But in this love story, narrated by Narrator Rebecca Naomi Jones, Sara can't check her reckless youth at the door and struggles to completely leave behind her past.

The space was set by risers and chairs on three of the four sides, a stage on the fourth side for the band (that looked more like something I'd see in a club than an orchestra for a show), and in the center of the space was a bunch of small tables and chairs (with audience in many of them, but some open for cast members to use), a pool table, and a long bar. The bar was open before and after the performance, for people to really feel like they were in the bar in which the play takes place.

There was no true focal point for the entirety of the 80-minute, sung through show. The cast moved throughout the space. (Will and Caissie both got to belt on the stair right next to my seat). This was a strange experience for me, because I never knew exactly where to be looking and tried to make sure I didn't miss anything. I was impressed with how director Trip Cullman manipulated the space, to tell a visual story where there was no focal point. I never felt like I couldn't see the action, no matter where in the space a scene/moment was taking place.

The score, by Jonathan Larson Award-winner Juliana Nash was a very generic pop-rock score, that definitely was more pop CD than musical theatre score, but it worked in context. What I really loved about the score was that it flowed directly into itself, and there was never a dramatic, weird shift in tone. The musical motifs repeated themselves well throughout the whole show. This is definitely a score though that needs to be part of the show or listened to in its entirety on the recording. There weren't any specific stand-out songs to me (even though specific moments shone).

Rebecca Naomi Jones, who played the Narrator of the story, was the strongest point for me. Vocally she was always on point and sounded AMAZING, and had phenomenal comedic timing that made her really seem a part of the story, even though she was almost entirely an observer. While she was the stand out for me, there was no weak link in this cast. The chemistry and talent were through the roof, and all four voices melded together perfectly and were perfectly suited for this pop score.

This was one of the coolest, most unique theatre experiences I have ever had and I hope this show has a long life ahead of it. I want to go back and see it again, it was that wonderful.

And the Nominees Are...2013 TONY AWARD NOMINEES

Here are the 2013 Tony Award Nominations! I think this is a good list, but there are some very obvious snubs (and definitely some things that got nominated that maybe shouldn't have been). Post in the comments people who you think should have been nominated or people that were that shouldn't have been!

Best Play

The Assembled Parties
Author: Richard Greenberg

Lucky Guy
Author: Nora Ephron

The Testament of Mary
Author: Colm Toíbín

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Author: Christopher Durang

Best Musical
Bring It On: The Musical
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Kinky Boots
Matilda The Musical

Best Revival of a Play
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Best Revival of a Musical
Annie
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Pippin
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Best Book of a Musical

A Christmas Story, The Musical
Joseph Robinette

Kinky Boots
Harvey Fierstein

Matilda The Musical
Dennis Kelly

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Douglas Carter Beane

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

A Christmas Story, The Musical
Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Hands on a Hardbody
Music: Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green
Lyrics: Amanda Green

Kinky Boots
Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper

Matilda The Musical
Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Tracy Letts, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tom Sturridge, Orphans

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place
Amy Morton, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Holland Taylor, Ann
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical
Santino Fontana, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Rob McClure, Chaplin
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Stark Sands, Kinky Boots

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Carolee Carmello, Scandalous
Valisia LeKae, Motown The Musical
Patina Miller, Pippin
Laura Osnes, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Danny Burstein, Golden Boy
Richard Kind, The Big Knife
Billy Magnussen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy
Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Carrie Coon, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Shalita Grant, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Judith Ivey, The Heiress
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Charl Brown, Motown The Musical
Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody
Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Gabriel Ebert, Matilda The Musical
Terrence Mann, Pippin

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots
Victoria Clark, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Lauren Ward, Matilda The Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play
John Lee Beatty, The Nance
Santo Loquasto, The Assembled Parties
David Rockwell, Lucky Guy
Michael Yeargan, Golden Boy

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Rob Howell, Matilda The Musical
Anna Louizos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Scott Pask, Pippin
David Rockwell, Kinky Boots

Best Costume Design of a Play
Soutra Gilmour, Cyrano de Bergerac
Ann Roth, The Nance
Albert Wolsky, The Heiress
Catherine Zuber, Golden Boy

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Kinky Boots
Rob Howell, Matilda The Musical
Dominique Lemieux, Pippin
William Ivey Long, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer, Lucky Guy
Donald Holder, Golden Boy
Jennifer Tipton, The Testament of Mary
Japhy Weideman, The Nance

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kenneth Posner, Kinky Boots
Kenneth Posner, Pippin
Kenneth Posner, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Hugh Vanstone, Matilda The Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play
John Gromada, The Trip to Bountiful
Mel Mercier, The Testament of Mary
Leon Rothenberg, The Nance
Peter John Still and Marc Salzberg, Golden Boy

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm, Pippin
Peter Hylenski, Motown The Musical
John Shivers, Kinky Boots
Nevin Steinberg, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

Best Direction of a Play
Pam MacKinnon, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Nicholas Martin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Bartlett Sher, Golden Boy
George C. Wolfe, Lucky Guy

Best Direction of a Musical
Scott Ellis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Diane Paulus, Pippin
Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical

Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical
Peter Darling, Matilda The Musical
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Chet Walker, Pippin

Best Orchestrations
Chris Nightingale, Matilda The Musical
Stephen Oremus, Kinky Boots
Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, Motown The Musical
Danny Troob, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

TONY Nominations Predictions 2013!

So the Tony Award nominations will be announced (by Sutton Foster and Jesse Tyler Ferguson) on April 30th, so here is my prediction of who will be nominated for some of the biggest awards. I also will have a wild-card pick per category if there is someone/or a show that could very well score a surprise nomination, even if it isn't necessarily likely.

BEST MUSICAL:
Matilda
Kinky Boots
Hands on a Hardbody
Chaplin
WILD-CARD: Bring It On! The Musical

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL:
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
Pippin
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Annie
WILD-CARD: Jekyll & Hyde

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:
Rob McClure (Chaplin)
Bertie Carvel (Matilda)
Matthew James Thomas (Pippin)
Billy Porter (Kinkt Boots)
Brandon Victor Dixon (Motown)
WILD-CARD: Santino Fontana (Cinderella)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL:
Patina Miller (Pippin)
Laura Osnes (Cinderella)
Lilla Crawford (Annie)
Carolee Carmello (Scandalous)
Stephanie J. Block (The Mystery of Edwin Drood)
WILD-CARD: Deborah Cox (Jekyll & Hyde)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:
Will Chase (Mystery of Edwin Drood)
Jim Norton (Mystery of Edwin Drood)
Andy Karl (Mystery of Edwin Drood)
Terrence Mann (Pippin)
Gabriel Ebert (Matilda)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL:
Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots)
Andrea Martin (Pippin)
Keala Settle (Hands on a Hardbody)
Ann Harada (Cinderella)
Kate Finneran (Annie)

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL:
Diane Paulus (Pippin)
Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots)
Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown)
Warren Carlyle (Chaplin)

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY:
Chet Walker (Pippin)
Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots)
Peter Darling (Matilda)
Josh Rhodes (Cinderella)

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL:
Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots)
Douglas Carter Beane (Cinderella)
Doug Wright (Hands on a Hardbody)
Dennis Kelly (Matilda)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:
Matilda
Kinky Boots
Hands on a Hardbody
A Christmas Story, The Musical
WILD-CARD: Chaplin

BEST PLAY:
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
The Nance
The Other Place
The Assembled Parties
WILD-CARD: I'll Eat You Last

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY:
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Golden Boy
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The Heiress
WILD-CARD: Picnic

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY:
Tom Hanks (Lucky Guy)
Tracy Letts (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf)
Nathan Lane (The Nance)
Alan Cumming (Macbeth)
Alec Baldwin (Orphans)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY:
Jessica Chastain (The Heiress)
Holland Taylor (Ann)
Amy Morton (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf)
Laurie Metcalf (The Other Place)
Fiona Shaw (The Testament of Mary)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY:
Danny Burstein (Golden Boy)
Richard Kind (The Big Knife)
Jonny Orsini (The Nance)
Tony Shalhoub (Golden Boy)
Tom Sturridge (Orphans)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY:
Judith Ivey (The Heiress)
Elizabeth Marvel (Picnic)
Debra Monk (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)
Cady Huffman (The Nance)
Condola Rashad (The Trip to Bountiful)

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY:
Pam MacKinnon (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?)
Nicholas Martin (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike)
Jack O'Brien (The Nance)
Bartlett Sher (Golden Boy)
Michael Wilson (The Trip to Bountiful)

Is DC the New IT Theatre Town?

Today marked the announcement of ANOTHER major musical making its out of town tryout in Washington, DC. Ahrens and Flaherty's LITTLE DANCER (based on the dancer in Degas' paintings) will premiere in October 2014 at the Kennedy Center.

This announcement follows the announcement of the first major revival of SIDE SHOW, directed by Bill Condon (Chicago, Dreamgirls), will premiere at the Kennedy Center only a few months earlier in June 2014.

IF/THEN, the new musical from the entire creative team behind NEXT TO NORMAL, starring Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked), will premiere in November 2013 at DC's National Theatre ahead of a spring Broadway opening.

Lastly, Arena Stage will be having the pre-Broadway premiere of THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN starring Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella.

Having lived in DC for the past few years, this is the most "pre-Broadway" or big name productions I have seen or heard of. The only major production to come from DC recently was last year's FOLLIES (starring Bernadette Peters) at the Kennedy Center.

This begs the question of whether or not DC is becoming the new IT theatre town, in the vein of Chicago or Seattle? As someone hoping to pursue a career in theatre in DC, I hope this is the case, but I have to assume that these premieres are more than just coincidence.

I don't particularly have any answers, but I'd love to hear if any of my readers have any thoughts?

REVIEW: THE MOUNTAINTOP at Arena Stage

Martin Luther King Jr. inspired hundreds of thousands of people with his charismatic speeches and drive to fight racial inequality. Arena Stage's production of resident playwright Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP didn't have me wanting to climb to the mountaintop when the curtain closed.

Katori Hall's inventive play, which won an Olivier Award in London and played on Broadway with Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last night before his assassination in a motel room in Memphis. When a newly employed maid pays a late-night visit to Dr. King's room, their back and forth explores what MLK truly stood for and how he could prepare himself for the impending tragedy.

While I thought the play was unique and interesting, I was taken out of the experience by an uncharismatic MLK. Bowman Wright, who portrayed Dr. King, skillfully portrayed the human elements of the Civil Rights leader, but when he needed to be passionate and show the side of MLK that inspired thousands, I was left uninspired. The actor didn't seem to connect with the character as I had hoped he would.

Joaquina Kalukango, the brilliant actress who portrayed the maid Camae, found every comedic note with ease and was far and away the highlight of the production. While this was great, it was unexpected in a play about Martin Luther King.

The set was very plain, a 1960's motel room, that was structured as a box set. It wasn't revolutionary but it was exactly what this simple play needed. The plain set served as a perfect foil for the excellent projections that were innovative and brought this production to a "magical" level.

Overall, the play had extremely strong production values that were brought down by a sub-par performance and average direction.

REVIEW: Another "Five Years"

Last night I had the opportunity to see another incarnation of Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST FIVE YEARS, this time at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. Had I not just seen Second Stage's phenomenal revival in New York (read my review here), I think I would have found last night a lot more magical.

The first thing that stuck out to me when I walked into the space was the gorgeous set, designed by Daniel Conway. For such a minimalist musical, he created a complex, interesting space, that was highlighted by a stream of papers flying in an upward spiral from the desk on stage. 

Once the musical started, the show was similar to both other productions of this show I've seen. The same story, the same music, all surrounding the five year relationship between the novelist Jamie and actress Cathy. 

After the vocal powerhouse that was the performance by Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor, this production was a let down vocally. Erin Weaver, who plays Cathy, has a sort of frail voice that didn't lend itself to the strong ballads like "Still Hurting." Unfortunately her acting in the beginning of the show, where Cathy is a wreck emotionally, was bland and she didn't seem broken up by her break-up with Jamie at all. She was much stronger, at least in terms of acting, in the character songs like "Summer in Ohio" and "I Can Do Better Than That."

James Gardiner, who played Jamie, was stronger than Weaver was both vocally and in his acting. He was funny and likable, until he needed to be the villain of the story. Was he perfect? No. But what actor ever is? His rendition of "The Schmuel Song" had me cracking up the whole time, and I liked how he differentiated his performances from the canon version of the show (by Norbert Leo Butz).

Overall, this was a pretty good regional production of a great show. I wonder how I would have reacted if this was the first production of the show I saw. It definitely was worth the time though and if you can make it out to Arlington, worth the price of admission.

Didn't Romeo and Juliet Kill Themselves Already? Apparently Not.

It was announced this week (on April Fool's Day to be precise) that Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET will be returning to Broadway in the fall with Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean  and Condola Rashad (Stick Fly) in the eponymous roles.

I really hoped this was an April Fool's joke. It wasn't.

The new production will open at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in the fall with David Leveaux (Arcadia) directing.

Now, I appreciate Shakespeare's play for what it did for theatre and for its artistic value, but I feel like we have seen it plenty and really don't need another production of it. (Doesn't every high school have one anyway?)

But getting past the fact that the production exists (which I can eventually accept), what really bugs me is that they cast two actors who are almost double the age of the characters! As a college actor, there are plenty of super talented actors around who are totally capable (and much more age appropriate) to play these iconic roles. I feel like I'd be ok with Zac Efron and Selena Gomez as Romeo and Juliet more than this.

Ok. That's a lie. But still...

And moving on from that, there is ANOTHER professional production being done in NYC in the fall starring Elizabeth Olson at Classic Stage Company (an Off-Broadway theatre). I think this production is smarter, as Olson is relatively closer to Juliet's age, but it's still ANOTHER production of ROMEO & JULIET.

So what I leave you with is this. I thought these characters are dead. Is it really necessary to have multiple productions of this same play, in the same city, with completely inappropriate actors? I think not.

P.S. Folger Theatre in DC just announced they'd be doing a production as well. Lovely.

THE TONY'S ARE COMING! With Sutton and Jesse!

So today is opening day for baseball fans, but also the real start of Tony Award season, as USA TODAY just announced that Sutton Foster (Anything Goes, Bunheads) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family, Spelling Bee) will announce the 2013 Tony Award nominees on April 30th at the New York Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

The TONY's will be broadcast on June 9th on CBS.

I think these two are a great choice to announce the awards, as they are two of Broadway's most famous alums as of late, but both are ineligible for any Tony's because they are both on hit TV series and haven't been on stage this year.

So the speculation and guessing of who will be nominated kicks in to high gear now.