|
After a long wait to be invited to review Al
Pacino before it closes in three weeks, the
question is was it worth the wait? Sadly, the answer
is no. China
Doll, by David
Mamet, directed by Pam MacKinnon,
at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, was written
especially for its star, Al Pacino. He plays a
devious wealthy businessman, who buys a private jet
plane, which is stranded in Canada. It is a two
character play. The other cast member is Christopher
Denham, who portrays his personal assistant.
Pacino spends most of the two hour play on the
phone, talking to different people. If you have had
the misfortune to be stuck on a bus, while a
loudmouth is talking on his cellphone, you can
imagine how annoying and irritating it is. I would
like to propose that phones be banished from the
stage. To give the star credit, it is a nonstop
talkathon, and since he is a famous movie star, his
fans enjoy every minute, seeing him in the flesh.
However, even the four paid customers in the fourth
row center orchestra fled the theater at
intermission, as did the pair behind me in the sixth
row. The packed house gave the star a standing
ovation at the conclusion. He deserved it for still
being able to survive this ridiculous place |
I was invited to photograph the
cast and creative team of Smokefall,
by Noah
Haidle, starring Zachary
Quinto and Robin
Tunney. It
is a MCC production opening on February 22. As I
have attended every opening night of their
stimulating productions, I do not plan to miss
this one. Also, the opening night party is
always fun.
Actors like Nathan
Lane, theater critics like Michael
Sommers, press agents like Pete
Sanders, theater writers like Michael
Riedel and
theater photographers like me gathered on
Sunday, January 3, to bid farewell to Angus
McIndoe, 238 West 44th St, after fifteen years
as one of the most popular restaurants in the
theater district. A rent increase by the
landlord added the finishing touch to a
restaurant that had been the host to all the
celebrities appearing on Broadway. I have
cherished memories since its opening of theater
parties, record launches, and even my first
attendance at a gay wedding when my colleague at
Playbill Harry
Haun married Charles
Nelson. Angus
McIndoe was
the charming owner, who welcomed everyone to his
place, like a home for all Broadway fans. He and
the restaurant will be sorely missed.
|