An Irresistibly Odd Escape in a Immensely Large Theatre

On Sunday, my parents and sister flew into town to visit and we ended up catching Cirque du Soleil's newest show Zarkana which is currently playing at Radio City Music Hall. Zarkana was, well, a Cirque du Soleil show (Doesn't that say it all? I mean, how else can you possibly describe it?). With massively impressive sets,  annoyingly bizarre clowns, a peppering of "What the-?" moments, and phenomenal acrobatics, Zarkana showcases performances that only Cirque can deliver. 

The Game Ain't Worth Winnin' but the Show Maybe Worth Watchin'

In a time filled with Hollywood movies turning into flashy musicals, I was still surprised when Catch Me If You Can announced that it was going to take a spin on the Great White Way. Don't get me wrong--I loved the movie. It was very clever and kept you guessing all the way through. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same of its Broadway counterpoint. Now, now. I will concede that I already knew the story this time around, but even when watching the movie a second or third time, you still ride the roller-coaster that is Frank Abagnale Jr.'s life. Despite the lack of twists and turns, Catch Me does deliver some Broadway style. The framing device, a 60s musical tv show-flash back, is cleverly used and maintained throughout; in fact, it was probably one of the better things about the show (I happen to thoroughly enjoy when characters are aware that they are in a show and make mention of this to us, like when Frank asks the conductor for "a little light piano" or when he tells Brenda at the beginning of her song that "the spotlight’s on you now"). Personally, I felt they spent way too much time on his parents (particularly his mother!) and not enough time on his relationship with Brenda. Kerry's one song, the eleven o'clock number, was quite lovely, and I, like most other critics, feel she use very under-used (can we see Kerry a little more please? We all know she's backstage!) . I'd like to take a brief moment to make up an award and bestow it right here and now. Ready? *Ah-hem* I'd like to present Catch Me If You Can with the award for sexiest chorus girl ensemble! (Though I have no doubt in my mind that they are already fully aware of this!) Every number had leggy chorus girls strutting their stuff across stage, whether the song called for it or not. The number that took down the house was not lead by these beauties though, no-no. It was lead by the clear star of the show: a stooped over, shuffling, mumbling, middle-aged and overworked Carl Hanratty, played here by the brilliant Norbert Leo Butz. Butz was the best thing about this show, hands down. Forget that he's chasing Frank, his quirky lines and wonderful delivery made you wish he was back onstage every time he left. I would recommend this show to someone, but only so that they could experience Butz's phenomenal performance (after all, he took home this season's Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical!).
Stage Door: It was a lot more crowded than I expected, mainly because I saw a Saturday matinee (While I generally avoid matinees, I knew the stars would come out today because they were all scheduled to be at Broadway Barks). The main stars all came out and signed. Norbert would say "I am not posing for photos" and then strike poses for people to take while he was signing (If only I had someone with me!). I mainly wanted to get a photo with Kerry to continue the "Kerri" collection (the past two times I've been to NYC, I've gotten my photo with something "Kerri"-related. First, it was a photo of "Kerri with Kerry," when I met Miss Kerry Ellis at the Wicked stage door. Then, it was "Kerri at Carrie's" when I visited the filming location of Sex and the City. Now, once again, I went for a "Kerri with Kerry," though this time with Miss Kerry Butler). I did get a photo, though thanks to tourist who snapped the shot for me and no thanks to the pushy crowd around us, it is an extreme close up (She couldn’t back up). Oh well. I still got to meet Kerry, and she was very sweet and lovely. I did get a photo with Aaron Tveit as well. Funny side story here: I've actually met Aaron before, and it was when I was taking my last "Kerri with Kerry" photo. Aaron happened to be playing Fiyero in Wicked at the time, so while I did get his signature on my playbill and told him he did a fantastic job, I didn't get a photo with him because I didn't know who he was, granted, at the time, he wasn't the big post-Next to Normal star he is now (also, his role on Gossip Girl must be a decent size because he had a ton of fan girls waiting for him for that reason).   

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“The musical comes to ecstatic, surprising life during that song, and it’s all the more exciting because — unlike everything else in “Catch Me if You Can” — you didn’t see it coming.” 

–Ben Brantley on “Don’t Break the Rules”

Broadwy Barks

After meeting the actors at the stage door of Catch Me If You Can, I headed to Shubert Alley for Broadway Barks, an annual charity event run by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore to raise awareness for the adoption of shelter pets. Many Broadway stars participate by carrying a puppy onto the stage, reading its back story, and asking you to adopt it. I went not with the intention of finding a pet, but with the sole purpose of paparazzing some B'way stars. Check out the full Broadway Barks album on Facebook.

Royal Shakespeare Dress Rehearsal for As You Like It

Today, I went to the dress rehearsal of As You Like It by the RSC. Unlike Romeo & Juliet, this was more of a true dress/tech rehearsal. Romeo & Juliet had a full, ticketed house and ran as if it were being presented to a real audience, whereas As You Like It only had a handful of employees watching from the mezzanine and was working on lighting cues throughout. Personally, I liked the more dress rehearsal kind of feel--it makes me feel like I am a part of the backstage, behind the scenes magic. As for the story, I've never read it or seen it before. Being as it was Shakespeare, this has the potential to cause problems, but it wasn't that bad. I followed nicely, and the actors were, of course, superb.

Fourth of July: Tram to Roosevelt Island, Dylan's Candy Bar, and Macy's Fireworks

For the Fourth of July, my roomie and I set out for a Roosevelt Island adventure. What's exciting about going to Roosevelt Island? Mainly, it's the trip getting there. You see, to get to the little island you take a tram ride over the river! While walking to the tram station, we happened to find the famous Dylan's Candy Bar. Being someone who loves everything sweet, I just had to go in, explore, and take some ridiculous photos! After our brief detour, we finally made it to the tram station. The ride was pretty short, but worth it with great views of the city and river. Being only about 2 miles long, we walked around the whole of Roosevelt Island, taking pictures all the while.  Come sunset, we ventured out the Macy's Fireworks show. It was wonderful to see and be a part of, but I don't know if I'd go again.  Why? Well, if you think Times Square is too crowded,  or if you think Disney's Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day is too densely packed, you my friend have never tried to leave the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks show. Talk about a lot of people...

Blue Man Group

Since it was yet another rainy, icky Sunday, I decided to stay indoors and went to see the Blue Man Group. Let me just say this, they're not really my cup of tea. Was my seat broken? Yes. Did it affect my watching it? No, it just gave me an excuse to prop myself up on my knees. Was it entertaining? Sure, parts. Would I go again? No. Would I recommend it? Maybe (more likely if the person asking was a boy). I did like that the Blue Men came out to the lobby after the show so that you could take photos with them. I had no idea they would do this, so I didn't have a camera. I still tried to get a shot with my phone though! I mean, how often do you get the chance to meet a Blue Man?

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Being the very cultured young ladies that we are, after attending the Royal Shakespeare Company's dress rehearsal of Romeo & Juliet, Hilary and I strolled up through Central Park to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We saw their special exhibit on Alexander McQueen and then explored the rest of the museum, including a rooftop garden with beautiful views of New York!

Royal Shakespeare Dress Rehearsal for Romeo & Juliet

Best production of Romeo & Juliet I have ever seen!

The sets, the costumes, the actors, the delivery, the dancing, the fire

Unlike reading through endless pages of prose, this show was so heartfelt and alive.

The performance could not have been more perfect!