Show # 6 - "An Error of the Moon"

I have one thing to say about Off-Broadway's "An Error of the Moon":  I saw it last night!  Show #6 of 365 NYC theater shows in 365 days.


I'm still trying to wrap my head around why the show has received such mixed, to luke-warm, to terrible reviews.  But, I'm not your theater b*tch, so you can read some reviews on your own:
NYCTheatre.com
TheaterMania.com
NYTimes.com

Here's my advice to you:  I liked the show, with its fascinating script--a part-fiction, part historical account about the fractured relationship between 19th century stage actor Edwin Booth and his infamous brother John Wilkes Booth and the events and interactions in their lives leading up to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.


On this lackluster blog note, I have to jet to work and pep talk myself to be ready for show #7!  Will I see you at the theater?

Show #5: Heathers - The Musical

Yes, show-peeps, you're heard me correctly!  "Heathers:  The Musical!"  I saw the fabulous concert presentation of it at Joe's Pub last night--show #5 of the 365 NYC theater shows I'm seeing in 365 days!  


Here's my advice to you:  Heathers is a Musical that is not to be missed!  In fact, why weren't you there?  Aren't you ashamed of yourself!?!  Like, totally.


If you loved the iconic late 80's film, you'll love Heathers set to music with a memorable, hilarious line-up of songs that you'd expect as an homage to and re-invention of this cult classic.  Songs like:  "No One Thinks a Pretty Girl has Feelings"; "You Make My Balls So Blue"; "Kindergarten Boyfriend"; "Dead Girl Walking" and yes, even:  "I Love My Dead Gay Son."


Show-peeps, I'm not a theater critic or reviewer.  I'm just that guy who's seeing 365 NYC shows in 365 days.  Keep following my journey, and find out what's next up for me on the Great White Way...

Show # 4: The Sensational Josephine Baker

Hello show-peeps.  I'm at "Broadway on Broadway" today, so if you've come here looking for some little nuggets of theatrical wisdom from me, the following note will have to suffice:


Yes, I saw "The Sensational Josephine Baker" off-Broadway yesterday (show #4 of 365 in 365 days), as part of the www.emergingartiststheatre.org season line-up.  I thought the show was charming, but it's not anywhere near sensational, especially after my mesmerizing experience Friday night at "Brief Encounter" with my girl Jean.


Here's my advice to you:  For the next two weeks, www.20at20.com is offering $20 tickets to many off-Broadway shows (available only at the theater box office 20 minutes before show time).  Check out the shows that are included in the line-up; if Josephine Baker strikes your fancy, go see it!  AND....make reservations for pre- or post- theater drinks or dinner at Chez Josephine (on 42nd Street at 9th Avenue) and meet Jean-Claude Baker -- one of Josephine's adopted sons and now successful restauranteur.  In true Josephine form, Jean-Claude is sensational!

Show #3: Brief Encounter

Let's face it show-peeps...I'm seeing 365 shows in 365 days.  I don't have time to write reviews for you bitches every day.  I'm probably already late for the theater, right now!

As for my experience of seeing "Brief Encounter" on Broadway last night at Studio 54.... let me tell you about a little old lady named Jean who was sitting next to me.  Jean was 90 years old if a day -- and probably thought this was 1945 and she was at the movies to see the original Noel Coward film on which this stage show is based.  I asked her if she had traveled far, and she said "No I live in the West 50s"... I pressed her for more details only to discover that Jean saw almost every Broadway show last season, and was here for the start-up of the new year!!

This was too much for me to handle without a martini, but I asked about the pink elephant in the room anyway:  "Did you see anywhere near 365 shows in New York City last season?"  "Oh heavens no!" she replied, "That would be foolish!"  Thanks, Jean!

As for all you show-peeps...you must see this show!  In fact, what are you doing right now?  Can I come?  Go get tickets for "Brief Encounter" here!

"Brief Encounter" was one of the most magical and moving experiences I've ever had at the theater.  This unique show blends together theater, on-screen projections, puppetry, live music and amazing performances that are breathtakingly beautiful.   Jean liked it too.

Show #1 - American Idiot

I am a whore for gadgets.  So, I'm in tech heaven with www.foursquare.com that let's me use my Blackberry to "check in" to the various places I'm visiting around the city and simultaneously 'shout out' to my peeps on twitter.  Waste not, want not.  


Yesterday, I foursquare checked into HK for martinis with Farris pre-theater and tweeted that "American Idiot" in T minus 40 minutes was my first show of 365 over the next 12 months.


Thanks to Erica in NYC for spreading the word to her fans on twitter:  "@ezmac99 Follow along with @bigappleshows as he attempts to 365 shows in 365 days."  Erica works at TKTS, so get your butts over to the booth and see some shows!


As for my tale, 2 martinis each and 40 minutes later, Farris and I were in our seats for the start of American Idiot.  90 minutes later--without an intermission--we were 2 more cocktails into drinking (thanks to the sippy cups from the bar that we took to our seats).  Now, here's a 140 character or less review that Farris put on his facebook page: "Green Day is the most racist, homophobic, and inarticulate Broadway cross over...ever. Piss poor adaptation...they should take some tips from Dolly."


Indeed, American Idiot is an unusual show.  It's a punk rock concert, sung and performed by a broadway cast.  There is no real book, or storyline, and I'd have to consult my playbill to find out if the characters in the show actually have names -- because no one talks to anyone in American Idiot in any significant way.


That said, visually the show is stunning and sounds amazing -- the set is cool, the actors are hot and often in various degrees of undress -- and there's a spectacular flying scene a la American Idiot du Soleil.  Without question, the show is attracting people to Broadway who probably have never been to the theatre and are here via Green Day's lure.  Boo ya!


Look what god hath wrought.  I've been lured into seeing the show too, and with this idiot under my belt, I only have 364 more shows to see in the next 364 days.