• Hello, Dolly! 

5/13/17 (Sat), Broadway

Bette Midler as Dolly – how perfect is that? In her last Broadway musical back in the 1960s, Fiddler, she was singing to a matchmaker; now she’s become one. The excitement level was very high for this show; it’s easily the hottest ticket in town next to Hamilton, and she’s already extended the limited run into December, which quickly sold out. The audience cheered at the opening bars of the overture, at the title song in the overture, at the opening of the curtains, at Bette’s first appearance, at the opening of her first song and on and on. Let’s face it: we weren’t there for the sets. She carried a tremendous store of good will, and the energy in the audience could have lit the theater. My only worry was the memory of the last time I saw the show, when Carol Channing was treading gingerly through it at an age way too old for the role. We applauded at the staircase scene in sheer relief that she made it down safely. Bette isn’t too much younger (she’s 71), but the word out there is very good. So it was hard not to get caught up in the enthusiasm.  Continue reading →

• Into the Woods (film), 1/5/15 (Mon)

Into the Woods has never been my favorite Sondheim show for various reasons, though I seem to be in the minority among musical fans. Still, I was curious to see what Hollywood had done with it.  Continue reading →

• Billy Elliot Live (film)

12/12/14 (Fri), Tokyo

A film of the live broadcast of the London musical that was shown on UK screens back in September. I hadn’t seen the show since it first opened in 2005 and, my memory being a bit fuzzy, thought it was a good chance to get reacquainted.  Continue reading →