-
Google Search
-
-
-
Nothing like five shows in three days to bring a person out of a blogging slump. Curtains was first, followed by August: Osage County, The 39 Steps, Sunday in the Park with George, and No, No Nanette. Let’s start with Curtains….
With the exception of Jill Paice, who left the show to play Scarlett O’Hara in the West End, Curtains is still sporting its original principal cast members, and they are managing to keep the show very fresh after a little over a year of performances. The show, with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a book and additional lyrics by Rupert Holmes, is a murder mystery that takes place behind the scenes of Robin Hood: The Musical as it suffers through its out of town tryouts.
Debra Monk, as the bulldozing producer, Carmen Bernstein, seems to have relaxed into the role a bit–compared to what I hear on the CD–giving the audience the chance to process some of the cheesier jokes rather than beating them over the head with them (”Couch!! Analyst!! Get it?!?!”).
And while much of the Great White Way is a virtual Sea World of shark-jumping celebrity casting, I believe that David Hyde Pierce as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi is a perfect example of a well-known actor who can get the theatre-curious to buy tickets, and then deliver a performance that will have them hooked for life. The character of Cioffi, a police lieutenant with a soft spot for musical theatre, is charming, sensitive, smart, humble, talented and quite funny. From the scuttlebutt I have heard about Mr. Hyde Pierce, it’s a case of absolute typecasting, and his infectious charm and confidence radiates from the stage to fill the house and captivate the audience (and apparently the 2007 Tony voters as well).
The producers of Curtains have announced its final performance, June 29 at 3pm, despite the willingness of it’s original principal cast members to extend their contracts through August. If you haven’t seen the show yet, you’ve got a month and a half to take it in. If for no other reason than to see Mr. Hyde Pierce in this role, I suggest that you do. Go to broadwaybox.com before May 30 to get tickets that are normally $112 for as little as $60.
I am so glad you enjoyed Curtains! I just thought it was immensely enjoyable. Steve summed it up perfectly when he told me it was everything a Broadway musical should be. I was in the third row, center orchestra. I could see the sweat on David Hyde Pierce’s face. He really does a terrific job, and he’s a much more engaging presence than say, Roger Bart in Young Frankenstein, who’s just so blah. DHP’s entrance at the end is hilarious. And I love listening to the cast CD. Debra Monk still makes me laugh, even if the jokes are cheesy and her delivery is over the top! It was memorable for me on several accounts - my first musical on Broadway, the first time I saw an actor break the fourth wall, when DHP asked for donations to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the first time I met the entire cast of a show at the stage door, and the first time I had my picture taken with a celebrity! So this show and its talented, gracious cast will always be near and dear to me.
Esther–Your first B’way musical will always stick with you!! Mine was Big River. Listening to XM radio the other day “River in the Rain” from that show came on and I was transported back to my first NY trip in high school. The music will forever be in my head/heart and I have a permanent crush on Daniel Jenkins, who played Huck.
What a lovely post. I’m a very big fan of CURTAINS. It’s my “feel good” show - one I could watch once a week and not get tired of it. David Hyde Pierce is absolute perfection as Lt. Frank Cioffi. The whole cast is amazing. I’ve seen the show several times - occasionally with understudies - and I always sit with a grin on my face for 2 1/2 hours. I’m so sad it’s closing in six weeks. Anyone on the fence about going to see it, JUST GO! You’ll have a wonderful time.