After yesterday’s superlative Gypsy, tonight I saw another show that ranks as a superlative — the most peculiar musical I’ve ever seen — Dead Outlaw. It’s based on an allegedly true story of Elmer McCurdy, an outlaw and murderer who was himself killed and mummified before changing several hands and eventually being buried 68 years later. And yes, it’s a musical, composed by … [Read more...]
Sharp cast helps lift subpar musical remake of ‘Tootsie’
Men have been dressing up in women’s clothing, for comic effect on stage and in the movies, about as long as those media have existed. In 1982, a committee of writers that included Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal kept that tradition alive with a film called Tootsie. It certainly earned its laughs, but it also had something to say, exploring the nature of and differences … [Read more...]
Sharp, funny ‘Scoundrels’ a welcome reminder of Maltz’s skill
They call it musical comedy, but few shows are actually laugh-out-loud funny. One exception is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the tale of a couple of unscrupulous con men out to fleece rich women on the French Riviera. It earns its audience guffaws thanks to the unexpected lyrics of composer David Yazbek — who else would come up with the almost-rhyme of “castle” and … [Read more...]
Postcard from Broadway, No. 5: ‘The Band’s Visit’
There is no better illustration of the gulf between reviewers and theatergoers than this season's musicals on Broadway. The reviews for Frozen and Mean Girls were unenthusiastic at best, but audiences are going crazy for both shows, which are virtually selling out in their early weeks. On the other hand, no musical received better reviews than The Band's Visit, the new David … [Read more...]