Before I begin to recount some recent theatergoing, let's take a look at three news items at The Times that are bound to catch your eye.
One: The 2008 Encores shows list!!!
1. Juno, directed by Garry Hynes (not mentioned in the article, but I hear Victoria Clark may be in it)
2. Applause, starring Christine Ebersole
3. No, No Nanette (1971 revival version) starring Rosie O'Donnell and Beth Leavel
Am I impressed with this year's list? Very. I knew that NANETTE would happen eventually, but it was unclear whether they would do the original 1925 version (does it still exist?) or the 1971 revival, which has superb orchestrations.
I have yet to receive the press release on this info. I assume they wanted to plant the news in the Times before anyone else got it.
Two: Article on the recreation of the score of THE DAY BEFORE SPRING, which will complete this summer's Musicals in Mufti series at the York this weekend.
Three: Ben Brantley's London blog
Anyhow, what shows did I see over this week since Part Two of Town Hall's Summer Broadway Festival?
On Tuesday night, I reverted back to New Jersey and went, for the first time, to the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, on the campus of Drew University, for their production of MEASURE FOR MEASURE, one of my fave Shakespeare plays. In this revival, the action was transplanted to the American Wild West, immediately following the Civil War, with shaky Reconstruction-era politics and manners. Think DEADWOOD meets Shakespeare. To my surprise, it was a fantastic production, with some really great acting choices. My favorite decision was to turn Lucio, the jokster who lies like crazy, into a journalist.
Tonight, Thursday, I finally checked out GONE MISSING, which has already received very positive reviews from everyone else. My review will run later next week.
Here's how my theatergoing over the weekend looks:
Friday night - The Day Before Spring, Musicals in Mufti at the York
Saturday night - The People v. Mona at Abington Arts
Sunday afternoon - final performance of Grey Gardens
Sunday night - final performance of Gypsy