The AndyGram - Broadway Theatre Reviews and Commentary

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Some of the finest artistic talent can be found working in Broadway New York shows inside one of the numerous renowned theaters. That doesn't mean they're all a must-see. New York Broadway plays can sometimes be a gamble too; that's where I come in. Broadway in New York is a magical place, if you have the right person there to guide you along. Let me help you discover the magic of a New York City musical. If you want to know about new Broadway shows, you have come to the right place. Make sure you check out the Broadway calendar where you will find all the upcoming Broadway preview dates, opening nights and closings. Pull up the Broadway theatre listings if you want to know what's going on on Broadway. Where available I have linked directly from the listing to my review for that show.

If you want to meet new friends who also love theatre, check out The TheatreSphere where you will find message boards for all your favorite Broadway shows. You can even start your own.

Should you ever have a question about theatre, Broadway, off-Broadway, please feel free to drop me a line.

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  • Broadway Review: THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS
    Written by Andrew C. McGibbon
    Broadway Review: THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS

    I have to say, it takes some gall to change the name of a classic American folk opera, effectively negating the contributions of two of the chief architects of the original work. Porgy and Bess lyricists DuBose and Dorothy Heyward not only wrote the original series of vignettes, which the play Porgy was based on, they wrote the original Theatre Guild play. In the new production of what is now being called The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, director Diane Paulus and writer Suzan-Lori Parks have taken some liberties.  Thankfully, since many of Heyward’s lyrics remain, both of the Heyward’s still get title page credit in the Playbill.

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  • Broadway Review: THE ROAD TO MECCA
    Written by Andrew C. McGibbon
    Broadway Review: THE ROAD TO MECCA

    The Road to Meccais a long, tedious one.  As directed by Gordon Edelstein, the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Athol Fugard’s 1987 play is a dirge.  Despite the presence of two theatrical heavyweights, Rosemary Harris and Jim Dale, this slow and meandering piece doesn’t begin to get interesting until about two thirds of the way through the second act.

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  • Broadway Feature: Act II of the 2011-12 Season, the Spring Preview
    Written by Andrew C. McGibbon
    Broadway Feature: Act II of the 2011-12 Season, the Spring Preview
    Broadway is starting to buzz again after the 2011 holiday recess.  The 2012 Broadway spring season (or act II as I call it) has the usual share of celebrities coming back to the boards.  They include Rosemary Harris, Jim Dale, Angela Lansbury (at a spry 86-years old), Cynthia Nixon, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Candice Bergen, John Larroquette, Michael McKean, Eric McCormack, Ricky Martin, Michael Cerveris, Matthew Broderick, Kelli O'Hara, John Lithgow, Jim Parsons, Jessica Hecht and Charles Kimbrough.
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  • Broadway Review: STICK FLY
    Written by Andrew C. McGibbon
    Broadway Review: STICK FLY

    Broadway new-comer Lydia R. Diamond’s Stick Fly is a prickly family dramedy that incorporates racism, class warfare between races, and more poignantly, in this case, class warfare amongst African Americans.  Ms. Diamond has crafted a wealthy black family, the LeVays, and set them in a mansion on Martha’s Vineyard for a few days summer respite. What ensues might be considered anything but a respite.

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  • Broadway Review: OTHER DESERT CITIES
    Written by Andrew C. McGibbon
    Broadway Review: OTHER DESERT CITIES

    Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities is smart, riveting theatre.  Thanks to the deft direction of Joe Mantello and a perfect cast, you can’t help but be drawn into this dysfunctional family.  Other Desert Cities premiered off-Broadway last season at Lincoln Center and in the move to Broadway has replaced two cast members.  This cast stars Stockard Channing, Stacey Keach, Rachel Griffiths, Thomas Sadoski and the inimitable Judith Light.  Griffiths replaces Elizabeth Marvil (who will be returning to the Broadway production on March 6, 2012) and Judith Light replaces Linda Lavin (like anyone can replace Linda Lavin?)

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  • Broadway Review: GODSPELL
    Written by Andrew C. McGibbon
    Broadway Review: GODSPELL

    I have spent the past thirty years working in the theatre.  It's hard to believe, but it's true, I've never seen a production of  Godspell.  The original production of this Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak musical debuted on Broadway in 1972 and was subsequently turned into a movie starring Victor Garber as Jesus.

    The new Broadway production, directed by Daniel Goldstein and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, is upbeat and exuberant.  That aside, it is not without its grating moments.  As Jesus, Hunter Parrish (star of TV’s “Weeds”) is certainly charming, good-looking and has a pleasant singing voice.  But the way he was directed, he doesn't stop grinning until the last supper.  We are then forced to make the extraordinary jump to the Crucifixion.

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Upcoming Broadway Events

01.29.2012 - "Chinglisth" Closing
01.29.2012 - "Relatively Speaking" Closing
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