Playbill's Top Gay Plays

If you've been near midtown the past few days, you probably noticed that the Empire State Building is lit up like a rainbow and the LGBT community marching down Fifth Avenue as gay pride month comes to an end. Continuing with the theme of gay pride, here is Playbill Magazine's Top Ten Gay Plays according by Ben Rimalower. Most I think have been made into films.

Two Artist Retorts to Theater Criticism

I encourage you to criticize your critic. A good critic is never mean. Dawn Menken

In the past couple of months, two artists made press by responding to their critics. Last month, actor Alec Balwin blasted New York Times theater critic Ben Brantley. Recently, playwright Neil LaBute responded to negative comments made by Time Out New York's David Cote. Now, I can't help but begin to wonder. First, are critics becoming too callous in their reviews? Second, is it appropriate for artists to respond to criticism and will this become a new trend? 

Two Angry Inches

The Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch has a permanent spot on my Playlist. I love the 1998 John Cameron Mitchell/Stephen Trask rock musical, and I loved the film adapted from the musical that premiered a few years later. So, I am overjoyed that the edgy musical is making its way back to the New York City stage Spring 2014. 

But to Broadway???

The 67th Annual Tony Awards - BIGGER Opening Number

What an opening, NPH!!

David Henry Hwang's "Yellowface" on YouTube - Part I and Part II

Musings from TimesTalk "The Leading Women of Broadway"

From today's TimesTalk The Leading Women of Broadway with Judith Light and Jessica Hecht from The Assembled Parties, Kristine Nielsen from Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Holland Taylor from Ann, Maura Tierney from Lucky Guy, and Cicely Tyson from The Trip to Bountiful.

Corporate Guys Like "Lucky Guy"

I recently had lunch with a few corporate acquaintances and was surprise when the topic of Broadway came up.  One of the fellows - a chap originally from across the pond - recently saw Lucky Guy and liked it so much that he brought it up as a topic of conversation. 

As soon as he mentioned Broadway, I lit up like a Christmas tree and immediately gave a little background on the show including how it is the final play by the late Nora Ephron and how Tom Hanks, a friend of the Ephron, is making his Broadway debut. I even tossed in some trivia about how the play reunites Hanks with his Bosom Buddies costar, Peter Scolari. My fellow diners however had never heard about the 1980s sitcom, and the chap seemed a bit annoyed that I interrupted him. 

Random Happenings - May 2013

Lucky Guy recoups after 8 weeks. Spire hoisted on One World Trade Center. NBC smashes Broadway show Smash after two miserable seasons. Orphans star Alec Baldwin says "it's time for the Times to get rid of Brantley." Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie reveals she has faulty BRCA1 gene and had preventive double mastectomy that in no way diminishes her femininity. Less than 2 weeks later, her aunt dies from breast cancer. Former Once star Cristin Milioti is revealed as title mom in TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Tornado rips through Oklahoma neighborhood. Brooklyn Bridge turns 130. Drama League Theater Center opens. Man falls out Broadway theater window landing on marquee. Bike share program finally launches in NYC. Broadway sees 6% drop in attendance. I'll Eat You  Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers recoups after 8 weeks...