GOINGS ON ABOUT TOWN a THE THEATRE Falsettos—This back-to-back revival of "March 5 • M •T • V •T • F-5 of the Falsettos" and "Falsettoland," two of Toronto's status as a tidy, well- William Finn's three one-act musicals about 24 25 26 27 a childish, self-absorbed man who leaves his oiled, ethnically vibrant city is 28 29 wife and son for his not very nice male lover, well known. Less renowned but no less 30 31 1 2 is strictly for those who care. We've never admirable is the city's cultural spirit, understood the appeal of Mr. Finn's trilogy. It has a chronology as complicated as the which might be called, in homage to Oedipus cycle and a dramatic sensibility Chances the resident high priest of irreality, Opens Aug. 26 at 6:45. (Circle in the Square, akin to that of the Oresteia. To us, though, it the Cronenberg syndrome. Even the 50lh St. west of Broadway. 239-6200.) has always seemed like banality set to mu AreYour Distant Fires—A play by Kevin Heela^ which sic: shallow, unlikable people expressing area's theatre scene has recently been was seen last season at the Atlantic Theatre. in the syndrome's grip. This summer, themselves in shallow, unlikable songs Mind Previews through •A.ug. 26. Opens Aug. 27 at (5AV92) (Golden, 252 W. 45th St. 239- THE NE^ YORKER for example, while New York has been 8. (Circle in the Square Downtown, 159 starved for unusual new shows, Toronto Bleecker St. 254-6330.) Five Guys Named Moi—The guys are black And Body has feasted on them. It's had first look dancers and singers of ability and spirit, OPENED RECENTLY who perform the songs (either lyrics or mu CouldUse at the revised London-bound musical The Best of Forbidden Broadway—This tenth- sic or both) of the late Louis Jordan, among TABLE OF CONTENTS "Kiss of the Spider Woman," an anniversary edition of Gerard Alessandrini's them "Don't Let the Sun Catch You evening based on the Manuel Puig long-running, ever-fluctuating musical re Crying," ".-Vin't Nobody Here but Us Chick- A Little AUGU5T 31, 1992 novel about the prison tortures en vue is, as one might expect a treat. There is "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My some new material, but our favorite sequences Baby? This London import makes a merrv dured by a Marxist (here played by are still the spoof of "M. Butterfly" and the Ritz-Cariidn GOINGS ON ABOUT TOWN 3 evening. (4/20/92) (Eugene O'Neill, 230 Anthony Crivello) and a gay fantasist W. 49th St. 239-6200.) RightNow THE TALK OF THE TOWN (Brent Carver). This version allows Guys and Dolls—A audiences a chance to determine lively production of Frank Loesser's per Judy Troy 32 whether Chita Rivera, the titular arach fect musical, under the "THE MUSICAL HUSBANDS" Adam Gopnik 35 nid, can still dance; whether Harold direction of Jerry Zaks. Prince, once again a big-budget direc and tor, can still dazzle; and whether Faith Prince are the "A (POEM) 3, leading guy and doll, Merle Louise, a star of the Merman and Tony Walton de THE SPORTING SCENE (SURFING-PART II) 3^ "Gypsy," can still breathe. signed the stunning "UNDERTAKINGS" (POEM) p- t j „ Toronto has also become the world scenery. (4/2 7/92) Richard Howard 42 capital of Andrew Lloyd Webberdom. (Martin Beck, 302 W. 45th St. 239-6200.) "HOURGLASS" (POEM) i ^u- r ^ "Evita," the buckets-of-blood musi Jake's Women—Alan Josephine Jacobsen S4 cal that "Kiss" in spirit resembles, THE SKY LINE . „ ^ Alda is at his genial Brendan Gill 69 recently breezed back into town; best in the new Neil Simon. The play, about MUSICAL EVENTS "Phantom" continues its already long an aging writer trying Paul Griffiths 76 run; and "The Music of Andrew Lloyd to come to terms with THE THEATRE Webber," a -head the women in his life, ''' • Edith Oliver 81 lined concert, fills up the O'Keefe past and present, is AROUND CITY HALL Centre here (and is due September 22 pretty much what Andy Logan 82 you'd expect: some ACRITIC AT LARGE (GONE WITH THE WIND) r, w n at Radio City). But no preparation, funny lines and a lot Claudia Roth Pierpont 87 not even the stiffest Scotch at the city's Todd Weeks mid David Wolos-Fonteno of phony dialogue. It's BOOKS (BRIEFLY NOTED) Algonquin-like Park Plaza Roof predictable banal, and in "Distant Fires" contrived, but at least 104 Lounge, is sufficiently bracing for it showcases a fine cast what goes on at the Elgin every night: "Speed-the-Plow" number, "Madonna's of actresses that includes Kate Burton and COVER: Bob Knox Brain," in which David Mamet and Ron Joyce Van Patten. (4/6/92) (Neil Simon, 250 DonnyOsmond gettingdragged through Silver try to teach Madonna to act and she W. S2nd St. 307-4100 ) the desert in "Joseph and the Amaz ends up tearing off most of her clothes. Jelly's Last Jam—The music of Jelly Roll DRAWINGS; Robert Weber, Robert Mankoff Frimnrri c- ingTechnicolor Dreamcoat.'' Thesinger, (Reviewed in our issue of 5/4/92.) ("Theatre Morton, self-proclaimed inventor of jazz, and, East, 211 E. 60th St. 838-9090.) THERrrz-CARnDN J.P. Rini, Lee I^orenz, Danny ^anahah Jack 7' Cline, whom the describes as "a at the same time, an unsparing delineation Roberts, Peter Steiner, Michael Maslin r r Gregory Hines combines his astonishine; tal AMHJA ISLAND. RORIDA •HUNTINCTON HcriH.(PASADENA. he romps through it. He's been al and Louise DuArt does impressions. The ents as tap dancer and actor; Savion Glover, CAUK3RN1A) •LacunaNioua,Caufornia- mauna Lani, jokes e.\plode around us, and there isn't a who plays the character as a young man, is lowed to do so by a wise English dud in the lot. (12/23/91) (Lunt-Fontanne worthy of him, which is saying a lot. Also Hawaii•Naples,Florida•Ranchomiraoe (PalmSprings) director, Steven Pimlott, whose pro 205 W. 46th St. 307-4100.) present are Keith David, Tonya Pinkins, THE NEV YORKER The Comedy of Errors—Shakespeare in the Park • opening in 1992-1993: ASPEN •CANCUN • KAPALUA. MAUI duction consistently shines—almost Wayne Mathis, and Mary Bond Davis. Luther 20 WEST 43RD STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10036 continues with this production, which was Henderson has adapted Morton's music and as much as the heavy sweat on its staged by Caca Rosset. (Delacorte, Central offered some music of his own; the lyrics 800'241'3333 (212) 840-3800 thirty-three-year-old star's back. You'd Park near W. 81st St. Closes Aug. 30. For were written by Susan Birkenhead; and Hope sweat a lot, too, if you had to spend information about free tickets, which are Clark was the choreographer. (5/11/92) (Vir required, call 861-7277.) ginia, 245 W. 52nd St. 239-6200.) two hours every day twitching aerobi- Conversations with My Father—If you're look Lotto (ExPERtENce the Dream)—A comedy by Cliff cally under hot gels, clad most often in ing tor a totally satisfying theatrical experi Roquemore. (Union Square Theatre, 100 E a towel-girt loincloth—a getup that ence, try the new Herb Gardner, a bitter 17th St. 505-9251.) u ^UB5CI\IPTION JERVIrp sweet memory play about a Lower East Side Marvin's Room—A play about dying, suffering, proclaims the singer's readiness, should barkeep, his two sons, and the patrons of his and sacrifice in one family, written in a style the "Joseph" tour ever end, to launch tavern. As staged by Daniel Sullivan with so frisky as to set the teeth permanently on a new career as a professional ecdysiast. an ace cast led by the wonderful Judd Hirsch edge. There is a fine performance by Mark TheRitz-Carlton knows there's anaittotravel. __ the address lal: the play does what "Take's Women" and When the finale hoists him to the Kosenthal as a smoldering adolescent. .Also Andthatonlythe most superior service will do. " address label from^lecSue"'''"'''^ "Dancing at Lughnasa would probably do with Alice Drummond, Laura Esierman, and heavens, coat-wings and dark tresses if their authors were, respectively, more so 1im Monsion. Scott McPherson is the dra That'swhyyou'll find die quality and reliability igpine,uthne HeileInc.,20W. virp-oresideni-a"43rd St., fluttering majestically, Donny looks as phisticated and less sentimental. Grab this matist. (Minetta Lane Theatre, IS Minetta one. (4/13/92) (Royale, 242 W. 45th St. 239- Lane, east of Sixth Ave., between W. 3rd and ofAT&T Long DistanceService in everydomes if he's auditioning for the high-flying- 6200.) Bleecker Sts. 420-8000. Closes Sept. 6.) tic room, m consider itastroke of perfection. diva role in David Cronenberg's next Crazy for You—Loosely based on "Girl Crazy," IHE Most Happy Fella—This is one musical movie: "M. Butterfly." which opened in 1930, this glorious show is we think the world could be without and feel Highway, Miami, Fla 3311 v 3017 PipHm d ' 1" Derby St No « iTingham, Mass. actually a celebration of the music of George no sorrow. The story of a girl forced lo OPENINGS AND PREVIEWS Gershwin and the lyrics of his brother Ira— content herself with some old duffer because In-Room nineteen songs in all—and also of the wittv, some other old duffer wanted to teach every (Please call the phone number listed with the imaginative choreography of Susan Stromah. ance i°rk,N.Y.,andatadditinnfllm..fr' ""'y-Vol. LXVIII Nn « '4 CatherineBilluns&t^n ViaPinamonte one a lesson about making do with what life Service theatre for schedule and ticket information.) Ken Ludwig wrote the lively book. Harrj- nas to offer, it's pseudo opera superimposed ©"1992 h 'm of postaw°i^'^'^® u'^"i'^°"''^'iasseco'nd"da^^^^ 1592. Second-class postage paid at New Anna Karenina—A musical by Peter Kellogg Groener and Jodi Benson are the lead Hdpbig you along the wayr on pseudo .Americana. .As for Gerald Yorker MaS T Canadian goods and (book and lyrics) and Daniel Levine (score), actor/dancers. The scenery is by Robin Gutierrez s Goodspeed Opera production, it's BErrlT.- Vorker Tmreserved Nooan^ffv reg'stralion number R123242885. which is based on Tolstoy's novel. Ann Crumb, Wagner; the costumes are by William Ivey your basic slightly-better-than-average din- ™ademarks ofAdvawe Map"™" ® WGo may be reproduced without Melissa Errico, Gregg Edelman, Scotl Long; and the masterly direction is bv Mike years, $52^00^ In Canada, oneInc Prin^H 5® "®"®"ERSSubscriptionIncrateTln n andthroughheadings itsHEREINdivisionare Wentworth, John Cunningham, and Jerry Ockrent. Bless 'em all. (3/2/92) (Shubert revival. 'What's the rumpus^ POSTMASTER: SendS^ ? ("idudes G.S.T ) Otherfnr^ pos.sessions, one year, $32.00; two Lanning lead the cast. Preview on Aug. 25. 225 W. 44th St. 239-6200.) ^2/2^/92UBooth, 222 W. 45lh St. 239-6%o' " address changes to The New V.h," „y^ar,$66.00, payable in advance. ' Mir I I - -

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