Want Chekhov?

As I skim through the theater listings, I see no Anton Chekhov play in production on the New York City stage. Wait a second, let me double check. No, I don't believe that I see any in the theater listings. But wait another second, there are two productions out there, inspired by the Russian genius - Neva and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. 

Now at the time I am writing this post, Neva is wrapping up its final performance at the Public Theater. So, I'm sorry Chekhovian lovers; if you haven't seen this play by Chilean writer-director Guillermo Calderón yet, then you are probably out of luck. 

The Herb Festival at Gallow Green

Always a fan of the folks over at The Mckittrick Hotel, I must pass this one on... Experience the springtime splendor of Gallow Green, the McKittrick Hotel's rooftop garden bar. 

Check out details here and tickets here.

Related Posts:
When You Durst Do "Sleep No More" Then You Are a Theatergoer

I'm Not Going to See "Breakfast at Tiffany's" But I Sure Like Reading About It

As I strolled through the Theater District on Wednesday to get to the far West Side, I stumbled upon the red carpet opening for Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Cort Theatre. Curious, I peered through the group of photographers. Not seeing anything of particular interest though, I kept it moving.

And that's probably what I will do when it comes to seeing Breakfast at Tiffany's, one of the many productions opening on Broadway over the next six weeks. For the most part, the reviews have been lukewarm.

Surprisingly though, I have been having fun reading about the drama surrounding the production. First, there was the photo-taking frenzy that occurred when Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen in HBO's Game of Thrones and is making her Broadway debut in Breakfast at Tiffany's, removes her towel and gets in a bubble bath. The theater has since beefed up security. 

David Henry Wang Continues the Conversation...

Last year, David Henry Wang moderated an Asian American Performer's Action Coalition (AAPAC) roundtable discussion at Fordham University. The purpose was to begin a discussion about making the theater more inclusive.
Check out my post - Diversity in the Theater - Part III
for more information.

This year, as Signature Theatre's Residency One playwright, New York City theatergoers get a chance to experience three of Mr. Wang's plays - Golden Child, The Dance and the Railroad, and Kung Fu. And if you were as fortunate as I was this past weekend, you got a chance to experience plays from The Contemporary Chinese Playwriting Series (at absolutely no cost to the public).  

The Next Six Weeks on Broadway

Broadway Openings - March 14 thru April 25th

So many shows are opening on Broadway, I have to write this post just to sort through and prioritize them.
 
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - Opened March 14th
Vanya and his sister Sonia live a quiet life in the Pennsylvania farmhouse where they grew up. But their sister Masha escaped many years ago and became a famous movie star! When Masha returns unannounced with her twenty-something boy toy, Spike, so begins an unforgettable weekend of rivalry, regret and generally hilarious racket. By the end of their impromptu family reunion, this lovable bunch won't ever be the same!

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Opening March 20th
Holly Golightly is the woman every man wants to be with and every woman wants to be. Now, the unforgettable heroine of Truman Capote's novella comes to the Broadway stage in a world-premiere play.  

Hands on a Hardbody (musical) - Opening March 21st
For 10 hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, they'll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. In the hilarious, hard-fought contest, only one winner can drive away with the American Dream. Based on documentary by the same name.

Quote from Athol Fugard's "The Road to Mecca"

Spoken by Elsa in Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca: 

God, that was more than just happiness, Miss Helen. It was like discovering the reason for being the person, the woman, I am for the first time in my life. And a little bit scary...realizing that another person could do so much to your life, to your sense of yourself.

The Roundabout Gives Us Two Former Spinsters - Rosemary Sydney and Sally Talley

Elizabeth Marvel as Rosemary Sydney and Sarah Paulson as Sally Talley

There is a scene in William Inge's 1950s play Picnic where aging schoolteacher Rosemary begs her boyfriend to marry her. She says:

Come back here, Howard. I'm no spring chicken either. Maybe I'm a little older than you think I am. I've formed my ways too. But they can be changed. They gotta be changed. It's no good livin' like this, in rented  rooms, meetin' a bunch of old maids for supper every night, then comin'  back home alone. 

Later, desperate on her knees, she pleads,

Oh, God, please marry me, Howard. Please. 

James Franco, You Are no Broadway Star... Yet.

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

There used to be a running joke in my former office about how inadequate we felt when we heard about 34 year old James Franco's accomplishments, which are summarized nicely in this NY Times article and comically in a SNL skit.  

"The Jammer" Made Me Aware of Roller Derby's Popularity

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I really dislike this clip of Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb with the LA Derby Dolls. Come on, they could have at least made a damn effort. What was the point of putting on all that gear? 

But I am not writing this post to bash the giddy hosts of Today's Show 4th hour (even though I would love to see them replaced). I'm actually writing this because since I took advantage of this winter's 20at20 promotion and experienced Atlantic Theater Company's amusing production of Rolin Jones' The Jammer, I've been seeing a lot of coverage of the roller derby. The Today Show, magazine and newspaper articles, and news clips. 

Quote from Matt Friedman in Lanford Wilson's "Talley's Folly"

Sally, I've been all over the country, and there is New York City, isolated neighborhoods in Boston, and believe me, the rest is all the South.

Random Happenings - February 2013

Former NYC mayor Ed Koch dies at age 88. Grand Central Terminal turns 100. The Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers 34–31in Superbowl XLVII. Chinese calendar ushers in the Year of the Snake. And the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album goes to...Once: A New Musical. Sorry, Follies, Porgy and Bess, Newsies and Nice Work If You Can Get It. The Pope resigns. Press discovers Steve Martin fathered first child at 67. Cinderella grosses $1M while in previews. Matthew Broderick halts Nice Work if You Can Get It and ask audience member to stop filming show. Shia LaBeouf drops out of Orphans due to "creative differences." Les Misérables film takes home three Academy Awards. New Yorkers remember the 20th anniversary of the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center. Now, we are bracing ourselves for fare hikes.