Broadway Bob's Theater Reviews
Welcome to a world where imagination takes center stage. In this column, I explore the artistry, emotion, and elegance that define today’s theater—where each performance is not merely entertainment, but an experience to be savored. From the dazzling lights of Broadway to the intimate charm of off-Broadway gems, I’ll uncover the stories, talents, and moments that keep New York’s stages alive and endlessly captivating.
Beetlejuice
"Beetlejuice" at the newly renovated Palace Theatre is great fun for audiences of all ages! Like " Back To The Future", it has everything that any big theatrical Broadway show commands... great staging, extraordinary costumes, and superb acting!
Justin Collette stars as Beetlejuice. His energy and dexterity is remarkable, and his stage presence is commanding indeed.
The plot has changed from the original movie, but no matter, the show hits on all cylinders for two hours and thirty minutes. Director Alex Timbers keeps the action flowing with talented actors singing and dancing with a little slapstick thrown in!
Like all great musical productions, the staging and lighting play a big factor. Here, David Korins stages a masterpiece, and he keeps the genre of the movie staging to its core.
Kenneth Posner keeps the lighting both mysterious and bold. Hitting the stage with washed fusion, gunmetal blue, greens, and purple, he gives the musical a horror-like feel to the show.
In Peter Hylenski's sound design, Peter Nigrini' projections, and Jeremy Chernick's special effects, " Beetlejuice " is elevated into the stratosphere. They make all the senses tickle throughout the show.
In Eddie Perfect's music and lyrics, he ties the plot (book by Anthony King) to the main gist of the movie. While it delves from the movie, it can be argued that the changes are welcomed. We get a more somber ending than the movie, a more " Broadway " ending to the show.
Even though " Beetlejuice " has a limited engagement, this show could run on Broadway for years! At the matinee I attended, the house was packed with people of all different ages. " Beetlejuice " is a larger-than-life production, and with a lackluster season so far, it makes it that much more worthwhile to see!
For more information or to get tickets, please visit: beetlejuicebroadway.com
Other
"Other" at the Greenwich House is written and performed by Ari'el Stachel. The Greenwich House is known for some great solo acts... Eddie Izzard, for one, was outstanding and extended at Greenwich several times. "Other" too was a very interesting and thought-provoking eighty minutes.
Ari'el Stachel had a very strange upbringing. It didn't help that he was riddled with OCD and anxiety for most of his life. Growing up in the Bay Area, he named his OCD. She was called "Meredith". As his life went on, Meredith became more and more demanding as the OCD raged in him at times.
The first five minutes of this show were confusing. Stachel never established his character in any kind of cohesive manner. The play after that straightened itself out, and it became entertaining. Stachel pokes fun at himself and other people in his life throughout the show.
Never really having a place in life, Stachel deals with family and passing friends throughout his whole life. His embarrassment about his father’s existence is at the forefront of his life. Whites see Stachel as brown; brown people see him as white. Jews see him as Arab; Arabs see him as Jewish. As Stachel tries to fit in somewhere, he turns to the arts.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has occupied and consumed his life. He transfers schools the way people change their socks. Trying to fit in somewhere, his friendships that he treasures come and go. Art school is somewhat of a salvation: he makes more lasting relationships and does what he really likes to do, sing and act.
Stachel gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he gets cast in "The Bands Visit" in which he wins a Tony Award. He is at the highlight of his life... fame and accolades befall him. After the show closed, his life has been pretty uneventful, however.
"Other" has very good sound (Madeleine Oldham) and lighting and projection by Alexander V. Nichols. For the most part, "Other" is funny and easy to watch. In small parts, the show can get slow, but it is worthwhile seeing!
For more information or to get tickets, please visit: othertheplay.com