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On Broadway, a revival of Cats,
music by Andrew
Lloyd Webber, based on Old
Possum's Book of Practical Cats, by T.
S. Eliot, opened at the Neil Simon Theatre. It
was a phenomenon on Broadway when it first opened in
1982, and had a major success for the composer,
running for 18 years with 7,485 performances. The
new version is much like the original, although it
is performed an stage rather then in the round.
Also, Andy
Blankenbuehler replaced
the original choreographer. He has done a splendid
job; in fact the highlight of the show is the
marvelous dancing, movements, precision of the
wonderful dancers, who perform cartwheels, spin
around endlessly on one leg and do incredible
somersaults, that leaves one breathless. Directed by Trevor
Nunn, the cast is first rate, butGeorgina
Pazcoquin, a soloist with the New York City
Ballet, is brilliant as Victoria, a white cat. Among
the other dancers and singers in the splendid
ensemble, Ricky
Ubeda, Quentin Earl Darrington, Tyller Hanes, Eloise
Kropp, and a exceptional duet by Jess
LeProtto and Shonica
Gooden deserve
special mention. Of course, the one song that became
a major hit is the beautiful Memory,
performed by Grizabella (Leona
Lewis), a tattered old cat on her way to cat
heaven. This song was immortalized in London by Elaine
Paige and
on Broadway by Betty
Buckley. Lewis has a good voice, but,
unfortunately, cannot equal the original singers.
The musical is based on a book of poems, and really
has not much of a story. The cats convene for a ball
in garbage dump,
a magnificent set design by John
Napier and
superb lighting design by Natasha
Katz. The music is melodious and pleasant, and
everyone in the cast has excellent voices. Family
audiences will leave contented. The opening night
party at Gotham Hall was filed with celebrities like
Rosie O'Donnell, Sara Means, Tommy Tune, Dee Hoty,
Laura Osnes and Welsh opera singer Katherine
Jenkins.
Kinky Boots, book by Harvey
Fierstein, music and lyrics by Cyndi
Lauper, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, was
reviewed on opening night in 2013. After many cast
changes, I returnred to see how it was holding up.
Well, let me tell you, it is superb. Based on a
little known film of the same title, it tells the
story of a family-owned (for four
generations) men's shoe factory
in Northampton, England.
It faces bankruptcy. When the owner (Ross
Lekites substituting for Andy
Kelso) meets a drag queen Lola (Alan
Mingo, Jr.) in London, he acquires the idea to
make kinky boots for drag queens. It has enormous
success in a fashion show in Milan, and saves the
company. The musical is one of the happiest shows on
Broadway. The cast is terrific, directed
and choreographed by Jerry
Mitchell. It won the well deserved Tony Award as
Best Musical in 2013, and Cyndi Lauper won the award
for Best Score in her first outing as a composer on
Broadway. The pop songs are wonderful, infectious,
and makes the audience want to join the cast on
stage.The two leads are sensational.
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They sing, act and dance marvelously Lola
is supported by Angels (the six member drag queens),
whose dancing and costumes by Gregg
Barnes, are simply magnificent. Lauren (Jeanna
de Waal), as a love lorn factory worker, almost
steals the show in her song The History of Wrong
Guys. The closing numbers in both acts Everybody
Say Yeah and Raise You Up/Just Be are the
liveliest numbers on Broadway. Finally, the set
design by David
Rockwell, is amazing. When the leads dance on a
conveyor belt, it is astonishing.
Mostly Mozart opened
its 50th season on July 25. It will
continue until August 27. I attended my first
concert at David Geffen Hall the following week. Andres
Orozco-Etstrada was
the scheduled conductor, but was indisposed, and
was replaced by Thierry
Fischer, who did a splendid job conducting the
Mostly Mozart Orchestra. The program began with Symphony No.
59 in A major ("Fire"),
by Joseph
Haydn. It is an unremarkable symphony, probably
used to accompany a play Die
Feuersbrunt ("The
Conflagration"). The next two works were by Mozart,
and were brilliant. Piano
Concerto No. 25 in C major, K.503 was
skillfully performed by an exciting young soloist Martin
Helmchen. His technique was impeccable, and his
rapid playing in the final movement was astonishing.
He received a well deserved standing ovation. The
program concluded with the popular Symphony
No. 40 in G minor, K.550, one of the magnificent
final three symphonies of the great composer. The
orchestra was a joy to hear, and the conductor was
greeted with thunderous applause at the end of of a
lovely concert.
The 18th Annual Broadway Barks Animal
Adoption Event took
place in Shubert Alley, with a multitude of
Broadway performers, many of whom brought their
own dogs. A special photo op was held at the
Broadhurst Theatre with Bernadette
Peters and Gloria
Estefan holding
two adorable little dogs. It is always a
worthwhile event.
If you enjoy Mexican food, I advise you to go to Amigos,
288 Broadway (between 112&113th Streets), for
delicious, authentic dining. It is a large
indoor cafe, with outside tables for summer
eating. The menu is extensive, with special
options on Monday (Monday Taco Madness,
unlimited tacos & sangria $21.95), Tuesday (Crazy
Quesadillas, bottomless quesadillas &
margaritas $21.95) , and Wednesday, Saturday
and Sunday special attractions. A full bar
serves a variety of cocktails, wine and beer. My
wife chose Holiday
in Manhattan (Copacabana
Anejo Rum, Cointreau, Sweet Vermouth & Orange
Bitters). I avoided Colombia
Mai Tai, Jack Smash, Smoked Agave and El
Diablo, and stuck with Copacabana Anejo Rum
with a splash of cola. As an appetizer, I
ordered Potato
& Cheese Flautas, with
tomatillo dipping salsa, and as an entree, Three
Cheese Quesadillas with
guacamole, poco de gallo & crema nata, served
with rice & beans. My wife ate Yucatan
Grilled Salmon, with spinach, mango, onions,
tomatillo & mango salsa, served with corn on the
cob. Although very satisfied, we could not
resist a flan surrounded
by creme nata. There were so many selections, it
was hard to choose from the appetizers, soups &
salads, firehouse wings, Chef Alex
Garcia Entree
Specials, regular entrees, tacos and burgers/tortas/sandwiches.
The wait staff and, Seth,
the manager were charming. It is definitely a
wonderful dining experience.
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