John Lithgow in GIANT as Raold Dahl Who Won't Back Down From Antisemitic Rhetoric

The Broadway play GIANT stands a lofty head above the typical feel good fare on the Great White Way.   Railed Dahl's unabashed antisemitism, and unapologetic, hateful sentiments are given fair play in this cerebral drama that makes one mull over matters long past the curtain calls.  For example, when is it acceptable to maintain your discordant opinions? Where do you draw the line at hateful speech? Can and should we separate the artist from the art?  These pertinent and pressing questions are meaningful concerns for debate. The material cleverly delivered in undisguised dialogues that lingered in one's conscious long after having this engrossing production ends.  The play treads into unsavory views held by the Railed Dahl, that beloved children's author. Dahl freely made public and adamantly refused to mitigate his forthright antisemitic sentiments despite pressure from his American Publisher and coaxing from his betrothed, actress Patricia O'Neal. Dahl's short stories and many of his children stories are notoriously dark yet compelling for their imaginative storytelling.  Reading some of Dahl's memorable stories to children doesn't necessitate consideration of his philosophies or bigotries.  But once acknowledged, does or should this render the stories any less poignant or possessing of merit to its audience? As much as I found Dahl's didactic attack aimed at the American publisher who wagered a verbal battle with Dahl to remit an apology for his distasteful comments, I couldn't help but admire his fortitude for maintaining his opinions.  This one act, one set production is within the chaotic folds of interior renovations in Dahl's estate. The hanging tarps and saw-horse tables sustained an edgy and unkempt sensibility. Dahl's longtime friend and British editor happened to be Jewish. His editor was dismissive if not somewhat tolerant of his lucrative author.  Or so it seemed until push came to shove and certain things said couldn't be unsaid.  Asking what circumstances call for drawing a line in the sand?  What is permissible and what is repugnant behavior; not to be tolerated. The garrulous play is energetic and engaging within its sparse framework echoed within the confines of its raw set design. As the discussion becomes more heated, Dahl digs his heels in deeper raising more quandaries. Does vehemence and anger serve to convince someone of their misguided convictions or does this only serve to build more roadblocks for acquiescence?  Again, the biggest enigma to take away from this intelligent and thought provoking play is which parties were out of bounds?  Those who maintained their unpopular and distasteful views or the those whose tolerance for opinions outside one's own are more subject to disdain for being intolerant?  There's no question that the writing, acting and animated debates made for a drama that is not to be missed with its abundant fodder for future discourse.  

JUST inTIME-A Jubilant Juke Box Musical of Bobby Darin is Without a Doubt -

The high octane, juke box musical about the life of Bobby Darin is a crowd pleaser featuring Jeremy Jordan as a Bobby Darin interpreter along with a live band, bodacious backup dancers and clever staging within an intimate setting at the Circle in the Square Theater. The main floor serves as a night club with small round tables and low lamps.  The setting serves as a constant reminder that Darin's fan base and talents were based in lounges where his charisma and crooner pipes were best appreciated.  Jeremy Jordan (Tony and Drama Desk nominee for "Floyd Rollins" and "Newsies") as Darin, informs us early on he will play himself interpreting Darin rather than impersonating him. He tells us the two had numerous things in common including a desire to to perform before live audiences.  We're also at the start of Darin premature death at 37; until then he had a lot of living to do. This musical biopic is anything but depressive. It's non-stop high-octane singing and dancing. Darin takes a backseat to other talented cast members including actors portraying his mother, Connie Francis and Sandra Dee.  Despite being a sickly child who spent most of his early years hospitalized leaving him with a frail heart condition, Darin was determined to make the most of every opportunity.  He's raised by a loving, single mother and doting older sister who worry incessantly over his health. The energy is consistently upbeat.  So too are the musical numbers especially the classic favorites Darin wrote and made into hits:  "Splish Splash," "Beyond the Sea," "Mack the Knife" and "Dream Lover."  His early romance with a very young Connie Francis is aborted by her pistol toting father. (Why? We can only guess.). But Francis tells us that Darrin was the great love of her life after having had 4 failed marriages.  Backing up Jordan on minimal stage space are 3 sirens with their deceptively demanding choreography and numerous costume changes.  The exceptional band is on stage throughout the show keeping maintaining a jubilant energy and smooth transitions.  Darin met the established movie star Sandra Dee while making his first film with her and set about getting her to marry him.  Their paparazzi pleasing marriage thrilled fans but their marriage with a newborn son didn't last long.  We watched their love get set aside as we watched Darin perform through Dee's inebriated eyes watching his sets. A few shocking family secrets are revealed though the irrepressible Darin is never downtrodden too long to get back out there. In addition to Jordan's winning performance, the entire cast keeps things sailing along beyond the stars.  Beyond a doubt, this is a highly entertaining first rate musical that delivers on golden sands.   

FALLEN ANGELS ON B'wy Stars Rose Byrne/Kelly O'Hara Fluffy Feline Fun

Noel Coward has been a staple on the Great White Way ever since his heyday in the 1920s and 30s.  One of his lesser known plays, "Fallen Angels" premiered in 1925 to shocked audiences who were aghast at women taking lovers and one too many drinks; especially while their spouses are away. The play is getting a jubilant revival on Broadway with two lovely leading ladies; Acad. Award nominee Rose Byrne and multiple Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara.  Both ladies will be competing for a Tony Award this weekend for their ebullient performances in "Fallen Angels."  Coward's plays, including "Fallen Angels" tend to feel dated but that doesn't make them less notable or worth seeing. This delightful production is performed without an intermission as opposed to the original 3-Act production.  The play relies heavily on the performances by its leads: Byrne as Jame Banbury and O'Hara as Julia Steroll; two upper-class, married women and long time friends. The ladies are getting together for dinner in the upscale, art deco apartment of the Stroll's while their frumpy husbands take a golf weekend away.  The stylish gamines know how to dress glamorously for dinner.  They don hats, gloves and smoke cigarettes with long holders.  The women are all up in a frenzy over a letter received by Jane from a former Italian lover of both of them from their single and sordid days. Their stodgy husbands hold no flame and garner little passion from their wives.  Meanwhile, the ladies lasciviously recall their liaison of their youthful days with their former lover as the champagne and canapés are copiously consumed. The drinks and lavish dinner are all served by one maid who is quite the fountain of knowledge and talents played with comedic charm by Tracy Chimo for respites from the ladies' loquacious longings.  As the evening wears on and the gloves come off, the physical comedy becomes abundant.  The rivalry soon sparks rancor and Jane takes off late in the evening while in a huff.  When the couples are reunited the following day at the Stroll's apartment there's recriminations amongst the couples, the ladies and the men (who had a row over golf).  Blistering snipes delivered with British etiquette and droll humor offer a fresh reprieve on Broadway from current dramas or musicals.  When their old paramour finally arrives, played with unctuous charm by Mark Consuelos, it's no wonder the women were all a quiver and willing to send their unattractive spouses up the river. For lovers of physical comedy, Coward's clever way with words and a rollicking good time with exceptionally talented actresses, you can't go wrong with "Fallen Angels." Either damsel is deserving of the Tony as is  the show for being nominated for Best Revival of a play. 

Adrien Brody on B'wy in THE FEAR of 13 Lacks Feeling

Two-time Acad. Award winning actor Adrien Brody stars on Broadway in a true story of a Nick Yarris who was wrongly sentenced to death for a murder he didn't commit and served 13 years before being exonerated.  The poignant story and talented actor would seem to ensure a captivating and emotional play.  Unfortunately, the play as mainly told by Brody feels didactic and dry.  Even Tessa Thompson as Jacki Miles, Yarris', a prison volunteer who falls in love and marries him, fails to elicit passion or credibility for their relationship.  The most emotional scene comes at the start of the play where Yarris' talks about the love between two inmates who were separated for reasons of sheer cruelty by the warden and their forbidden serenade to each other in separated cells.  From there the play is laid out in a chronological order, with events depicted in a distilled, factual manner.  The one hour and 50 minute play is performed without an intermission so as not to break any emotional resonance but the play only felt belabored and overly long.  The crime of a missed opportunity to tell the tale of a terrible travesty with one of the most talented actors around is unforgivable.  At least my time served was less than two hours and not years of unjustified confinement.  

2NDSTAGE's BECKY SHAW-Alden Ehrenreich Elevates B'wy Play from Original Off B'wy Stay

Gina Gionfriddo's play BECKY SHAW had its premiere Off-Broadway in 2008 when it was named a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Drama.  The play was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play of that year and received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play. This year, the play has earned a Tony nomination for best revival and a Tony nomination for Alden Ehrenreich in his Broadway debut. Ehrenreich's debut is both notable for his ease and smooth charm in which he portrays Max, a successful business exec and eligible bachelor. Max's unorthodox upbringing was in the household of his parents' friends after his mother passed. He was raised alongside Suzanna (Lauren Patten) whose the same age as Max and has more than a sibling attachment to Max. The two are in a hotel room following the death of Suzanna's dad and Max's benefactor, prior to disseminating the estate.  Suzanna bemoans the passing of her beloved father and spouts suicidal tendencies. Max, the pragmatic voice of reason coaxes her to pursue an interest or take a ski vacation.  He's more concerned with the distressed financial situation left Suzanna and her domineering mother, Susan (Linda Emond).  Susan enters their room giving orders and dinner plans. Max and Suzanna yield to all her orchestrations.  Left alone in the room, they grow close and agree to watch porn together. Their flirtation intensifies  despite Suzanna protestations of being like brother and sister to which Max insists not quite. The play jumps 8 months to find Suzanna married to Andrew (Patrick Ball) her former ski-instructor.  The couple have arranged a blind date for Max with Becky (Madeline Brewer) from Andrew's work.  The mis-matched blind date is a debacle. The armed hold-up was the least of the nights' ordeal.  Max wants nothing more to do with the Becky, a manipulative basket case. All the characters are miserable and detestable in their own way.  There are you givers and takers.  Becky is overly needy which feeds Andrew's desire to feel good about himself.  Suzanna wants attention and to be at the center of everything.  Susan wants to call all the shots. She assigns Max to free her lover from jail on fraud charges. Becky wants Max which is the very last thing he wants. All these distasteful, self-serving characters revolve around level headed Max who is at the apex for all their shenanigans. Thankfully, Ehrenreich as Max brings a sensibility, charisma and sanity to all the stupefying antics to ground the play with humor and indignation to make BECKY SHAW an enjoyable and entertaining show. Even so, without Ehrenreich's effervescent portrayal, the five character play should stay Off-Broadway. But, with only two weeks left - go see Ehrenreich shine in BECKY SHAW.  Hopefully, we'll be seeing more of him on the Great White Way.  

COME and KNOCK DOWN MY DOOR-Taps Timidly at Zietgeist Tumultuous Times 2021

Alex Emanuel's new play "Come and Knock Down my Door" tackles the infamous insurrection on our Capitol; Jan. 6th, 2021 resulting in 5 fatalities, 174 injured which was based on Trump's false claims the presidential election was stolen.  The play starts with a gobsmacked reminder of the unimaginable events witnessed lived on television.  We witness James (Kris Coleman) reaction to the news with his mouth agape, his eyes wide open as he stares stupefied at the havoc ensued by Trump's plan to overturn the election.  Jan. 6th, 2021 is a date that will live in infamy.  It was at the time when our nation was still in throes of the COVID pandemic.  The concept and clarion call for these topical matters to be presented are in demand.  There's a slight comedic touch that keeps the play from feeling pedantic or tedious.   Unfortunately, the immediacy of delivering a knockout punch of these momentous events are blurred in its disheveled delivery.  James is joined soon after in his squalid Brooklyn apartment by his roommate Pablo (Jared Ritter).  Pablo is famished and agitated.  When asked where he's been, Pablo says he was in D.C. for the rally.  Stunned, James wants to know why he could take part in the rioting. Pablo informs him he only went to see what it was all about and that he didn't partake in any of the violence.  A third roommate and James' Russian girlfriend, Mina (Lana Ayrapetyants) returns to the apartment she begrudgingly shares with Pablo.  She's had a problem with James from the get go with his illegal drug stash in their place.  The masks and Covid protocols are a sobering reminder of this isolating period and of the mounting distrust it instilled.  Missing however, is a needed backstory as to how the 3 came to share the apartment.  Also flagrantly missing is an understanding of the disparaging political leanings held by the trio.  James glimpses a shot of Pablo at the rally on TV asking the public to notify officials if they recognize anyone.  James confers briefly with Mina whether they should report Pablo.  There doesn't seem to be much conviction that would make them want to turn their roommate over to the FBI.  Yet, James is quick to call the toll free number to report Pablo.  It was an oversight not to illicit a discussion amongst the roommates about their thoughts regarding Trump or the election.  Mina's immigrant status opened up another avenue that was a missed opportunity to explore.  The rioters on Capitol Hill at Trump's urging, called for Pence's hanging in what was a harrowing, shameful day in  history.  Unfortunately, we're left hanging in a crucial time frame without strong views on any side.  Furthermore, it's unclear what Emmanuel wanted us to take away which would  have made for a more meaningful play about an unforgettable day in history. 

The SHEEP DETECTIVES-Sheep Sleuths Solve their Shepherd's Demise Stars Hugh Jackman

The big mystery of "The Sheep Detectives" is from whom the demographic of this anthropomorphic flick intended?  From the promos I thought the show for tots.  I thought it would be perfect fun for my precocious granddaughter.  She will be turning three, soon.  Don't believe me - she'll tell you while holding up three fingers to drive home her point.  Just don't believe the hype for the film as fun for everyone.  "The Sheep Detectives" put my preternaturally advanced granddaughter to sleep.  Nevertheless, I was more than entertained and charmed for both of us.  Hugh Jackman was pitch perfect as George, the benevolent shepherd.  George took great care of his sheep and everynight reads to his brood mysteries to which he believed they were all attune.  George was correct and he clearly connects with his sheep which he kept at bay from butchering ways that befell the neighboring herds.  Unfortunately for George he was dead wrong thinking was safe amongst his flock within the small, farming town.  I shuddered at his murder.  But as a vegetarian I greatly admire the not too subtle messaging not to eat meat as animals are highly intelligent and caring beings.  There is much more to adore in this quaint and quirky who done mystery. George's beloved sheep, particularly a duo led by Lily and Sebastian, are determined to learn who did this dastardly deed and contrive to assist the town's bumbling officer, Tim (Nicholas Braun).  Tim isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.  However, with the animals' assistance with the Tim's persistence, the clues point them in the right direction.  Along the way, there are life lessons to be gleaned about cooperating, compunction, compassion and even mortality that I would agree are beyond most five years olds wherewithal, let alone three.  But, do see this movie with or without young children in tow.  No, you don't have to be a Sherlock to to deduce "The Sheep Detective" is simply delightful.  And, as delightful as some may know their grandchildren to be - children under six are not the intended demographic .  

PROJECT HAIL MARY-Pulls off Miracle-Made Me Cry Over a Rock Pile

Ryan Gosling's stellar performance in this sci-fi, apocalyptic space adventure is what made this film get off the ground.  If it weren't for Gosling's unassuming charm and acting chops this would have been a flop.  Andy Weir's novel "Project Hail Mary" was made into this blockbuster hit. Weir's previous novel, THE MARTIAN, was also made into a box office hit with Matt Damon.   In similar plots, Damon and Gosling are both alone for the majority of the movie.  Each must rely on their own intellect and wherewithal to survive stranded in outer space.  Gosling portrays Ryland Grace, a reluctant recruit marooned and the sole survivor on the spacecraft sent into the galaxy to safe all humanity from doom.  Both plots sound simple, and not unlike "Robinson Crusoe" who must survive on an isolated island.  Of course, there's a difference between surviving and thriving.  Whereas Crusoe was grateful when another man, Friday, finally arrived.  Ryland's extraterrestrial companion can be described as a resembling a pile of rocks.  This rock pile  possesses an incredible intelligence and benevolence which is astounding and ingratiating.  We first meet Ryland as an engaging science teacher to middle school students.  Ryland is waylaid outside class to be recruited into the space program.  A report he published years earlier while working as a molecular engineer predicted the doomsday scenario for which the world's greatest scientific minds now concur.  Ryland was unceremoniously fired at the time for his radical paper which is now drawing together the best international scientific minds.  It's drawing Ryland into an uncoveted spot on a one way spacecraft ride he refuses.  Drastic times call for drastic measures.  Ryland is dragged, drugged and put into a coma along with three other crew members for the selfless quest to solved the sun from dying out in less than two years.  Ryland awakens in his space capsule from an induced coma to discover he is the sole survivor on board.  The funeral Ryland gives his mates is fervent and and thoughtful.  The first half of the film feels tedious and drawn.  But, all is forgiven when Ryland connects with an alien spacecraft and its highly advanced inhabitant.  Was it the writing, the acting of Gosling or of "Rocky" that provides this hard to swallow plot with deserved pathos? I don't know.  I do know that I fell hard for the deep friendship that formed between the two.  With ET, you had an adorable extraterrestrial and cute kids.  In PROJECT HAIL MARY the long shot of landing a heartwarming, symbiotic relationship was between a rock and a hard place, yet it scored!

MARTY, LIFE IS SHORT-Long on Love, Laughs Martin Short's Doc. Is Just What the Dr. Ordered

I've been a huge fan of the immensely talented Martin Short since I first saw glimpsed Ed Grimley on SNL with chest-high pants and hair-slick. His irrepressible smile and glimmer in his eyes give him an elfin, impish quality that is impossible to resist.  Are some people just born with talent and the gift of lighting up a room?  Yes, of course, but you don't need to look any further than Marty's own backyard.  He grew up in a family love fest, the youngest of five; with "an angel of a mother" who was a concert violinist.  There's no dysfunction or resentment.  You'll only find a household built on love and enjoyment with one another.  His was and is a family that played together and has stayed together.  As Martin put it, "We lived to make each other laugh."  There is loss as his oldest, beloved brother died when Marty was 14 and his mother when he was 19.  Tragically, Marty's daughter died by suicide this past February at age 42.  While this doesn't factor into the doc. the loss of his wife, Nancy with whom he had been married for 30 years and shared three adopted children.  The film is as much, if not more, of a tribute to their endearing love story which only made me fall in love with the two of them.  They met and become a couple at the onset of both their careers in entertainment in the early 70s.  In 1977, Martin joined Second City in Canada which led to being asked to join SNL.  More notably, this led to life long friendships with a host of friends whose comedic careers were also starting out such as Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara and Andrea Martin. This hilarious and touching documentary reveals his early childhood through his rise to fame and fortune and the many steadfast friends along with his expanding, tightly-knit family plenty of with warmth and humor.  Interspersed with interviews from his A list celebrity friends such as Spielberg, Hanks, Martin and the recently deceased O'Hara that are testaments to Short's humor and humanity.  The clips from past movies, shows and interviews are laugh out loud funny.  In short, Short's philosophy of life resounds with joy, resilience and gratitude.  Comedian John Mulaney who co-starred with Short on a the Fox sitcom flop, "Mulaney" shared what he garnered from Short, "98% of it is failure.  This is what the job is," teaching Mulaney the wisdom to learn from "what doesn't work, until something works."  The home videos of holiday parties are filled with families of major stars mingling and entertaining each other were enviable.  In fact, I have only one gripe to pick with Ed Grimley and this bio-doc that mocks the silly pretense he and his dear friend Larry Kasdan making the doc. don't know each other.  It's I want to be friends with Martin Short, too.  It's hard being green.  

WIDOW'S BAY Quaint New England Town It Ain't-It's Spooky My Kind of Way w. Matthew Rhys

Looking for something set in a cozy, communal island town where everybody knows one another's name,  along with something wicked this way coming through the dense fog.  Local Mayor Tom (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is set on bringing fame to their small island to stir up tourism and keep the flailing island fiscally afloat.  Tom's a widower raising a high school student on his own who stays out late getting high  "cause there's nothing to do on the island."  He's begrudgingly assisted in this venture by his motley staff of eccentric locals including his doddering, octogenarian secretary.  As Tom tells the travel writer he's hoping to impress, the townsfolk "have a lot of color."  Filmed on the bay and on the isolated town of Widow's Bay, you can almost smell the fishy dampness and feel the chill in the air.  Soon you'll be feeling a chill down your spine in this smartly written, well cast series that blends the Mayor's blustering frustrations with his pothead son, Evan (Kingston Southwick, "Presumed Innocent") and the sordid locals who maintain the evil curse on the island has arisen, again.  The various A-List of veteran character actors who sprinkle in comic relief and fortitude to their jobs include Dale Dickey, Kate O'Flynn and Kevin Carrol.  Tom's biggest foe is the elder local Wyck (Stephen Root, TV Series "Barry").  Wyck is granted 5 minutes to explain to Tom why he maintains evil is imminent on island.  Tom is scornful until his  own harrowing encounters with a local fisherman found in coma as forewarned by Wyck.  Tom becomes faced with the dilemma whether he must warn the community to barricade themselves as precaution, or continue the now forgone charade of WIDOW'S BAY as an innocuous, welcoming tourist town.  The scene in the town's best restaurant where Tom had hope to impress turns eerie and intense as Tom struggles to maintain his composure in front of the reporter.  The writer just confided he "Loves WIDOW'S BAY.  It could be bigger than Martha's Vineyard."  WIDOW'S BAY is much more than a suspense, horror, idiosyncratic psychological thriller.  It is all that and more.  I can't wait to watch what's in store.  Don't miss it!