Favorite Performances of 2013

Happy New Year, everyone! Today, I'm taking some time to reflect on my favorite theatre experiences of 2013. I was fortunate to see many entertaining productions on Broadway, tour, and off-Broadway. I've listed a few of my favorites below. Be sure to comment and share your own favorites. Here's to a great year of theatre in 2014! 

1.) Murder Ballad played off-Broadway at the Union Square Theatre this past summer. This production was very unique and intimate, unlike most of the big Broadway and National touring productions that I see on a regular basis. The music was raw and haunting, as were the individual performances. And I always love a twist at the end. 

2.) The Tony Award winning production of Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike was one of the most comedic, yet poignant plays I have seen to date. Kristine Nielsen (Sonia) and David Hyde Pierce (Vanya) were especially hilarious, and I so wanted Kristine to win the Tony Award. With talent of that caliber, her day will come. 

3.) I saw Diane Paulus' production of Pippin at the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) in Boston in January of 2013 and knew instantly that it was something very special. During the past year, the show has transferred to Broadway, garnered multiple Tony Awards, and is enjoying a successful run at the Music Box Theatre. Once again, Diane Paulus has demonstrated her remarkable talent. 

4.) Kinky Boots, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical in 2013, is still going strong. Who would have thought that a musical about women's boots for men would be a box office success?  I definitely attribute part of its success to Cyndi Lauper's score and the individual performances of some of the actors, especially Tony Award winner Billy Porter, Stark Sands, and Annaleigh Ashford. The message of acceptance is also one that the world needs to hear from time to time. P.S. Kudos to Macy's for supporting this timely show. 

5.) The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) has offered an unusually solid season so far. This fall, the touring companies of Evita, Once, Ghost, Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked have performed at PPAC. All of these shows are favorites of mine. And there's more to come- The Book of Mormon will be playing at PPAC this spring. 

6.) A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is the most recent addition to the long list of musicals I have seen. (I will be posting a blog soon!) I appreciated the skilled acting, clever comedy, and originality of the piece and would recommend this show to any theatre-goer. Hopefully, this musical will enjoy a solid Broadway run. 

7.) Does anyone remember Hands on a Hardbody? This show had a lot of heart, but that wasn't enough to sustain a long run on Broadway.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see it. 

UPCOMING BROADWAY MUSICALS

SPRING, 2013

CINDERELLA
Preview: 1/25/2013
Opens: 3/3/2013
Theatre: Broadway
Cast: Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, Victoria Clart, Harriet Harris, Marla Mindelle, Greg Hildreth, Peter Bartlett
Description: The classic fairy tale is making its Broadway debut! Under the direction of Mark Brokaw, this beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has been re-imagined by book-writer Douglas Carter Beane. 

HANDS ON A HARDBODY
Preview: 2/23/2013
Opens: 3/21/2013
Theatre: Brooks Atkinson
Cast: Keith Carradine, Hunter Foster, Mary Gordon Murray, Jay Armstrong Johnson, David Larsen, Allison Case
Description: Based on the 1997 documentary, this show tells the story of ten Texans who are competing for a brand new hardbody truck. The contestant who keeps his or her hand on the truck the longest wins the prize and a chance at living the American Dream. 

MATILDA
Preview: 3/4/2013
Opens: 4/11/2013
Theatre: Shubert
Cast: Bailey Ryon, Milly Shapiro, Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bertie Carvel, Lauren Ward, Gabriel Ebert, Lesli Margherita
Description: Based on the novel by Roald Dahl and winner of seven Olivier Awards, Matilda is a perceptive, but unfortunate young girl who is mistreated by her parents and the headmaster at her boarding school, but she possesses very special powers... 

KINKY BOOTS
Preview: 3/5/2013
Opens: 4/4/2013
Theatre: Al Hirschfeld
Cast: Stark Sands, Billy Porter, Annaleigh Ashford, Celina Carvajal
Description: Kinky Boots boasts music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, book by Harvey Fierstein, and direction/choreography by Jerry Mitchell. Based on a British film of the same name, Charlie Price saves his father’s shoe factory with the help of a drag queen named Lola and some kinky boots. 

MOTOWN
Preview: 3/11/2013
Opens: 4/14/2013
Theatre: Lunt-Fontanne
Cast: Brandon Victor Dixon, Valisia LeKae, Charl Brown, Bryan Terrell Clark
Description: Motown tells the story of music producer Berry Gordy as he discovers the talents of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. 

PIPPIN
Preview: 3/23/2013
Opens: 4/25/2013
Theatre: The Music Box
Cast: Patina Miller, Matthew James Thomas, Andrea Martin, Charlotte d’Amboise, Terrence Mann, Rachel Bay Jones
Description: Hailing straight from the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, this is the very first Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz’s musical. A young man named Pippin is on a journey to find meaning his life, and ultimately, he must choose between the ordinary life and a risky chance at greatness. This production boasts circus choreography by Gypsy Snider and is directed by Diane Paulus. 

JEKYLL AND HYDE



Preview: 4/5/2013
Opens: 4/18/2013
Theatre: Marquis
Cast: Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Teal Wicks
Description: This production will end its national tour with a limited engagement on Broadway. In an effort to cure his father’s mental illness, Dr. Henry Jekyll conducts a controversial experiment on himself, unleashing the evil alternate personality, Mr. Hyde. 

Eight Reasons to See Pippin on Broadway

Diane Paulus’ Broadway-bound production of Pippin concludes its run at the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) in Cambridge, MA on January 20, but the production won’t be idle for long!  Pippin will start Broadway previews on March 23 at the Music Box Theatre. 

Synopsis: The play begins with the introduction of an ensemble of actors and a Leading Player, who reveals to the audience that they are about to relay the story of a young man named Pippin who is searching for meaning and purpose in life. A recent college graduate, Prince Pippin returns home to his father and stepmother, King Charlamagne and Fastrada, and begins his pursuit of the “fulfilled” life. During this personal quest, Pippin seeks the advice of many, including his father, stepmother, his grandmother Berthe, and the Leading Player, all of whom compel Pippin to undertake many roles, most notably, a soldier, a monk, a murderer, a king, and a lover, none of which fulfill him.  Alone and desperate, he encounters an ordinary woman named Catherine, a widow, and her son Theo, and senses what it means to be fulfilled. Pressured by the Leading Player to perform the most incredible act- the Finale, Pippin leaves Catherine and this ordinary life behind. Ultimately, Pippin must choose between performing an extraordinary, but dangerous feat and living an ordinary, but fulfilling life. 

Eight Reasons to See Pippin on Broadway

1.) It’s a circus!! Director Diane Paulus employed the talents of circus choreographer, Gypsy Snider of Les 7 Doigts de la Main, in creating some of the most exhilarating stunts to ever be performed in a musical!  Further, the choreography, created by Chet Walker in the style of original director/choreographer Bob Fosse, is incorporated strategically into the story in a very theatrical fashion and in a way that propels the story forward. The utilization of a circus theme and daring choreography enhances the element of danger that is a major theme in the story. 

2.) It’s the first Broadway revival of a “gem”. In fact, I wonder why this underrated, overlooked show has not been revived sooner. The original Broadway production ran from 1972-1977. 

3.) Stephen Schwartz of Godspell and Wicked fame composed the score, so it’s no surprise that the music is great. Personally, I loved the opening number (“Magic to Do”) because it sets the mood for the show and immediately pulls the audience into the story.  The score is light, upbeat, and harmonious, which directly contradicts the story’s underlying darkness.  

4.) Patina Miller as the Leading Player gave a mysterious and calculating performance. In Pippin, she shows her versatility as an actress, and while we all loved her Tony-nominated performance as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, she really proves that she won’t be typecast as the funny, sassy leading lady.  And that voice...

(Sidenote: The Broadway cast of Pippin has not been announced)

5.) The set, a giant tent, and the lighting are captivating and magical. 

6.) The audience gets the chance to sing with the incomparable Andrea Martin while watching her hang upside down from a trapeze. Now that doesn’t happen every day. The scene between Berthe and Pippin is one of the great comedic moments of the show and is not to be missed. 

7.) On the surface, Pippin appears to be a light-hearted story about a young man in search of himself, yet there is far more depth and meaning to this story than initially expected. For the purposes of this blog, it is not my intent to analyze Pippin; however, I can promise that this show will make you think. How many musicals can do that? 

8.) Last, but not least- a sweet little dog makes an appearance! 

I hope the above eight reasons will encourage you to check out Pippin on Broadway, which opens in previews on March 23, 2013 at the Music Box Theatre!