I'm so excited to go and see Idina Menzel on Broadway this week in her new musical, If/Then. It's about a woman re-building her life in New York City—and it co-stars Anthony Rapp, making this show a Rent reunion of sorts.
Other than the basic premise, I don't know much about the play, which is how I like it. Matt and I go back and forth on this: he loves to read as much as there is to know about a show in advance of seeing it; I prefer to know the basics, steering clear of too many plot details so that I can experience the show expectation-free. All that said, it's hard not to go into a show like this expecting incredible music. Idina Menzel is a powerhouse, and I've loved her since her Rent and Wicked days.
How about you? Do you like to read up on a play before you see it? Or do you prefer to go into it cold?
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Last night, Matt surprised me with tickets to see Matilda the Musical on Broadway. What an amazing treat! I absolutely adored the Roald Dahl book as a kid, so to see it produced as a musical was spectacular—and so much fun. The show rates up there for me with Wicked and The Book of Mormon. From the musical score to Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull, it's so smart and incredibly creative, too. A bonus for us: Given that it was the final night of previews before opening night, we even got to see two different Matildas. Four actresses take turns playing the title role, and they switched it up for us halfway through the show.
Bottom line: Get your tickets now!
PS—This is the show I plan to see next.
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As the Tony Awards get closer and closer, I'm trying to keep up with the Broadway shows I want to see most. There are so many! But if I had to pick one, Lucky Guy starring Tom Hanks is at the top of my list. It's the last play written by the brilliant and talented Nora Ephron before she passed away
. I'm such a huge fan of her writing and am eager to see her last piece.
Are you planning on seeing any plays in New York this spring? In case Lucky Guy is on your list, a reminder: Previews are set to begin this week. :)
(Image via Boneau/Bryan-Brown)
Fall theater always gets me — there are so many incredible shows to see, it just gets tough to narrow the choices down! This past weekend, I saw the one that's been at the top of my list all summer: The Heiress. It stars Jessica Chastain, Dan Stevens, David Strathairn, and Judith Ivey, all of which gave terrific—and chilling—performances throughout the heart-wrenching show. I was blown away by their talent, and ability to move so easily between the stage and the screen. I highly recommend (especially for those Downton Abbey fans!).
Are there any new Broadway plays you're hoping to see this season? What about recent shows you've loved?
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Last weekend, I went and saw Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway, and ever since, I can't get the show out of my head. It was the first time I saw the play in it's entirety and I was swept away by the story, the performances, and Nicole Ari Parker's dark Southern charm. The rest of the cast — Blair Underwood, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Wood Harris — is fantastic, too. The show reminded me of the simple appeal of a well-told story — and the allure of my favorite music: jazz.
(Images via Broadway.com)
December has officially arrived — and so has the weekend! What do you have planned for the next couple of days off? My goal: Christmas shopping. I always have high hopes to get an early start, but I'm afraid this year has turned out exactly like the last. It's time to get moving on this! For fun, I'm checking out Lysistrata Jones on Broadway. Have you seen it? The story looks really good. Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:
J'adore Dior (and Marilyn and Grace)!
Window shopping in Paris.
Be cool.
Scented bling.
DIY holiday cards.
Dinner with friends.
Stay warm!
Seasonal glamour.
Flatware that sparkles.
Wait a minute, Mr. Postman.
(Images via The Glamourai)
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of hearing the uber-talented Morgan James perform her first-ever solo show at Le Poisson Rouge in the Village. Morgan sang everything from Regina Spektor (my favorite) to Diana Krall. Now — much to the delight of her fans — the first few clips from her show are out. Above, check out Morgan's rendition of "How Come/Feelin' Alright". What do you think? I love it!
Abigail Breslin on the February cover of New York Resident
magazine.
She's sweet and she's quirky — the latest star to grace the cover of New York Resident, Abigail Breslin is mature beyond her years. But she's also a kid. At the age of only 13, she is set to play the young Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, opening February 12 on Broadway. It's her theatrical debut, but Breslin is feeling more than prepared. Read my interview with her and find out exactly who she wants to see seated in the front row on opening night.
