We are midway in the frantic nightly pace of Broadway openings known as the Spring Season, but really The March To The Tonys

 

After a Shakespeare soaked, play dominated, uber literary first half of the year on Broadway I approached with a sense of weariness the series of revivals which loomed ahead as well as none too inspirational new productions.

I am happy to report that this musical infused new season is nothing short of theatrical ecstasy (so far).

 

Starting at no particular point I must preface the list with the just seen revival of Most Happy Fella at City Center Encores!  - While there is little expectation that this musically and emotionally complex Frank Loesser masterpiece will traverse to Broadway just this brief glimpse into our musical’s glorious past is enough to lift the spirits (along with a lift in the weather) and revive the belief in our faltering art form

(despite If/Then, a spectacular mis-fire)

 

I think the new musical Rocky suffers the way that Most Happy Fella did when it lost to My Fair Lady for the Tony when both opened in 1956.

Rocky has been touted for its spectacular climactic fight scene but what is overlooked is the sensitive buildup to that scene, the quieter transformation of a seeming deadbeat loser and his unlikely romance with a similarly repressed social recluse.  The black and white projections of his superhuman struggle to avoid being the laughingstock fodder for the upcoming fight with the champ lend heartfelt gravitas to the ultimately splashy story. Pay attention. This is a good show!

 

The counterpart to the macho Rocky is the sensitive, sweepingly romantic Bridges of Madison County. C’mon gals, if the men are too faint of heart to give in to these emotions its up to us to assure a life to a rarity onstage – a true romantic musical drama.

With gorgeous music bathing a charismatic pair of lovers Kelli O’Hara - at her best and Steven Pasquale – a sensitive hunk – it’s every woman’s fantasy.

 

 Among the shows I most reluctantly attended was Aladdin. Another Disney family friendly musical? Really?

Well – look again. This creation has enough dazzle to enchant the formerly resistant and enough smarts to make grown ups laugh aloud along with their already pleased offspring. And that Genie! A star is born!

 

Critics bemoaned their command attendance at yet another Les Miserables. I mean, who wasn’t overly satiated by the recently viewed movie?

Well – this production is testimony to the magic of stagecraft that can re-imagine something you already know by heart. The lighting and the sets are its first apparent star elements. The impressive array of individual talents each delivers powerful renditions of the songs that make this show a seemingly indestructible perennial.

 

 

(disregard visual, female lead is superbly taken over by Latanya Richardson Jackson)   

 Another magical stage transformation is director Kenny Leon’s reimagining of the now classic Raisin in the Sun with the mesmerizing Denzel Washington. Much has been said of the lead’s advanced age in a part written for a young man but an older man’s struggle is even more intense and desperate in the hands of not only Washington, whose stage chops cannot be denied, but every single member of the cast who bring this struggle to life with new clarity and pathos, and indomitable spirit.

 

Fans of Brian Cranston will be amazed at his transformation into the bombastic Lyndon B. Johnson as the play follows his issue ridden, intensely politically entangling first year as President. Short on drama, a must for history buffs.

 

The magnetic Tyne Daly, whose very presence assures a production’s success, hasn’t enough to work with in this latest of frequent collaborator Terrence McNally’s scripts. But the last few minutes pay off!

 

There is nothing realistic about these Joneses. You will either love or hate Will Eno's quirky play about 2 neighboring couples upstate getting to know each other...or not. Go for the cast: Toni Colette, Michael C. Hall, Tracy Letts and Marisa Tomei

 

Susan Stroman's razz ma tazz romp through Woody Allen's hilarious take-off on putting on a Broadway show lifts the genre to new happy heights. Old songs look new under its spell. .Many show stoppers, deservedly so, Zach Braff a revelation, Marin Mazzie proves she's still got it. and gangster Cheech (Nick Cordero) steals the show. Great Fun!.

 

 

At last has a chance to show off the amazing Ms. McDonald’s acting skills in this affecting musical monologue. But its like watching a train wreck as the singer deconstructs. The voice is incredibly authentic.

 

 

Now on to Mice and Men, Cabaret, The Velocity of Autumn, The Cripple of Inishman, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Violet, Casa Valentina, Act One.

Whew!