Trouble in Paradise: 06/19/2006

The Hourglass Group’s stage adaptation of the Ernst Lubitsch’s 1932 film Trouble In Paradise is a joy. The physical production is gorgeous with art deco sets by Lauren Helpern and amazing costumes by Theresa Squire. Director Elyse Singer has assembled a terrific cast with extra kudos to the always-brilliant Steven Rattazzi, Jeremy Shamos and especially the OBIE-worthy Nina Hellman in the Miriam Hopkins role. The film, which I wasn’t familiar with but which I intend to now rent, is the story of Gaston and Lily, a pair of society thieves and their meeting and teaming up to swindle perfume heiress Madame Mariette Colet This adaptation opens up to include glimpses of the filming process, some backstage drama and even an off-stage Lubitsch calling out directions. This is the perfect show for a hot summer evening.

For info and tickets: www.hourglassgroup.org

THE WOOSTER GROUP DOES SHAKESPEARE?

I was surfing the net last night when I came across this photo of the Wooster Group’s production of Hamlet. Apparently it is being performed at the Festival GREC, Mercat de les Flors, Barcelona, Spain from June 27 - July 1 . Let’s hope we’ll get to see it in NYC soon.

Info: http://www.thewoostergroup.org/

Theater Blog Round-up

Here's a short round-up of other theater blogs out there:

• http://playgoer.blogspot.com/
• http://www.terryteachout.com/
• http://www.ghunka.com/
• http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
• http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/i.htm
• http://www.buttsseats.com/
• http://thatsoundscool.blogspot.com/
• http://www.breedingground.com/whoarted/tomi.html

A “Heads Up”: Orange Lemon Egg Canary

Writer Rinne Groff and director Michael Sexton will team up once again in July when PS122 will present Orange Lemon Egg Canary a play about relationships and magic tricks. I saw a reading of this play years ago and am really looking forward to seeing a full production. It will run from July 12th – 30th.

For tickets and info: Click Here

Sweeney Todd: 06/09/2006

John Doyle’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd is brilliant. The concept of Tobias and his fellow asylum inmates re-enacting the story of the demon barber of Fleet Street with the entire cast doubling as the orchestra works perfectly. Sarah Travis’ orchestrations certainly deserve to win a Tony Award on Sunday; Travis actually manages to make Sondheim’s score even more haunting, if that is possible. And if any cast ever deserved to win an award for best ensemble, it is this one. I think Michael Cerveris is my favorite of all the Sweeney’s I’ve seen and Manoel Felciano, Benjamin Magnuson and Lauren Molina are all outstanding. This is the second time I’ve seen the show and I enjoyed it just as much on second viewing.

For info: http://www.sweeneytoddonbroadway.com

Satellites: 06/06/2006

Diana Son's Satellites is a complicated, sloppy play – but I mean that in a good way. Miles and Nina are new parents and have just bought a Brownstone in Brooklyn. Their life seems ideal, but things are complex. Nina is Korean. Miles is black. Nina is in the midst of a very important project. Miles recently lost his job. Nina’s business partner is shouldering the bulk of the workload as she cares for her new baby and hires a nanny. Miles’ brother shows up with a business proposal. And I haven’t even mentioned Reggie, the neighbor. What is wonderful to watch is the way each character’s past affects the way they interact with each other and informs their decisions. Michael Greif’s staging is dazzling and his cast in uniformly excellent, especially Kevin Carroll as Miles. The play isn’t perfect, but it is well worth a visit.

For info: www.publictheater.org

I Have Loved Strangers: 06/04/2006

Clubbed Thumb kicks off this year's Summerworks with Anne Washburn’s I Have Loved Strangers – and they’re off to a great start. The play, set in “Ancient New York,” is a fantastic tale of a battle for survival that may have no winners in a city that may have no future. Johanna McKeon expertly directs a superb cast of seven that includes the always-amazing T. Ryder Smith as the prophet Jeremiah and the funny and touching Jennifer Ruby Morris as Ruthie who may be the wife of another prophet – or is he a terrorist? It’s unfortunate that the play will only be here for a week, but hopefully I Have Loved Strangers will have another life in the near future.

For info and tickets: Clubbed Thumb