This past weekend, my wife and I got to see two musicals: Disaster and American Psycho. First, we went to see Disaster before it closed...Here is another show that closed WAY too soon. So, yes, it was a jukebox musical..which I usually hate, but this was definitely an experience. For those who don't know, this was a spoof of cheesy 1970s disaster films, like The Poseidon Adventure, Airport, etc. and boy did they get everything right! From the stereotypical characters, to the attitudes, to the tropes - it was perfect. We laughed throughout the entire show. I'm not a fan of 70s pop music, but they did such a good job with it, that it didn't bother me at all. Also, Adam Pascal is pretty much my favorite Broadway star, so it was phenomenal to see him on stage again.
Okay, so the next day we got to see American Psycho and didn't really know what to expect. I really can't stand the music of Duncan Sheik - - I'm one of the few who hates most of the music from Spring Awakening - - so I wasn't looking forward to the music, but I WAS a huge fan of the book and film, so I was excited to see what they would do with it. Again, I was NOT disappointed. In fact, all my expectations were highly exceeded! First off, the staging, sets, lighting design and projections were some of the most creative I've ever seen on stage. Benjamin Walker (the guy who made Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson such a phenomenal show), captivated the audience within seconds and held them there the whole time. The show takes place in the late 80s, so for anyone who lived during that time, you will recognize the attitude, lifestyle and general ambiguity of the time period right away by their use of music, product placement, etc. Now for the music...I didn't love it. I didn't find anything the least bit catchy...BUT I love Sondheim and his music is anything but catchy. The music fit the show perfectly and even though I won't be humming any of the tunes in the near future, I think it worked well.
All in all, we had a good weekend. Disaster may be gone, but I definitely recommend American Psycho as long as you have no problem with the subject matter. It isn't really as bloody as I expected it to be. That's neither a praise nor a condemnation...just a fact. But it absolutely is 100% adult subject matter, if you couldn't figure it out by the title and source material.
are overkill. I also saw the show early on, I went to the workshop at Vasser, saw it twice at the public, told everyone get tickets before it blows up...now you can't even get a ticket for nine months out or anytime the show is on sale. The resale market kills the average person, paying to have people stand on the cancelation line! I'm sorry no show, concert or entertainment that last 3 hours is worth a weeks salary, and for me that's where the hype is overkill.
I have listened to Hamilton, and I really don't love it. I will try to get tickets one of these days, so I can say I saw it. But, it's really not my taste. However, I really dislike people shoving it down our throats, like we are nuts if we don't care for it! The beauty of theatre is that there is something for everyone. But, I don't have to like what the next person does. I despised Rent. I adored Newsies. I loved She Loves Me. I thought Bonnie & Clyde was terrific. I can't stand Cats or A Chorus Line. I can't sit through another production of Annie or Fiddler on the Roof - ever. That's ME. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a gifted, talented, off the wall, phenomenal individual. But HE will tell you he isn't 'god'. I wish some people would stop canonizing him.. lol
