Well, my Cinepeeps, its time to put on my ''theatuh" cap as I look at 2 current offerings in the big smoke. The first is YASMINA REZA'S ART and the second is MEL BROOK'S YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.
Let's look at ART, first. I had already seen a previous production of ART, in Toronto, starring the redoubtable R.H. THOMSON, which I remember having thoroughly enjoyed. I was also fortunate to see, YASMINA REZA'S fabulous and hilarious TONY AWARD winner, GOD OF CARNAGE, starring TONY SOPRANO, himself, JAMES GANDOLFINI, and MARCIA GAY HARDEN, in her own TONY AWARD winning performance. REZA, also won the TONY, FOR ART.
This production stars, COLIN MOCHRIE, who is sensational. The rest of the chamber-piece cast is composed of PETER DONALDSON and EVAN BULIUNG (I had to make sure that I spelled that last name correctly, und I did).
The play is the story of how 3 friends come to blows over the purchase one of them makes of a work or art, for an exorbitant price. The play is by turns funny, serious, sad, surreal and satirical. The performances are superb, under the direction of THE CANADIAN STAGE COMPANY'S resident renaissance man, MORRIS PANYCH.
The play has a number of relevant themes: what is art? the dynamics of friendship, honesty among friends etc. All of these topics are handled by REZA, in nothing less than a very entertaining manner.
The entire ensemble is superb, but MOCHRIE, is the real stand-out. He gives a bravura performance that has been justly lauded. It is quite simply 90 minutes (no intermission, non-needed), of sublime theatre.
...from the sublime...
The next night I saw MEL BROOK'S YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, directed and choreographed, by the multi-talented and award-winning, SUSAN STROMAN (THE PRODUCERS, CRAZY FOR YOU), and starring the hilarious ROGER BART, who originated the role on Broadway (as he did the role of CARMEN GHIA, in BROOK'S THE PRODUCERS).
Now, I have to admit that I laughed quite a bit at this production, (I'm a huge fan of the movie and as my wife, Julia, will tell you I quote from it all the time). The last time BROOK'S had a show on Broadway, it set TONY AWARD history, by winning the most ever.
Lightning did not strike twice...
The cast is very good with standouts being, besides BART, CORY ENGLISH, as IGOR (it's pronounced EYE-GORE), BRAD OSCAR, as INSPECTOR KEMP and THE HERMIT (hilariously assayed by an unrecognizable GENE HACKMAN, in the movie), BETH CURRY ( a stand-out in the late-great MADELINE KHAN, fiancee role), JOANNA GLUSHAK, as FRAU BLUCHER,(cue the horses), and ANNE HORAK as INGA (''what knockers!- sank u."). BART, as mentioned is fabulous and his line-readings and utter-lunacy, make it a show worth seeing.
The singing, choreography costumes and scenery are all top draw by Broadway pros.
So, what's the caveat? I guess it comes down to the script. In MR. BROOKS'S hands, this show seems to take place in THE CATSKILLS, and not TRANSYLVANIA. It is so full of shtick and groan-inducing one-liners, that I was waiting for SHECKY GREENE, to walk on to the stage. Everyone become MEL BROOK'S, in this show and that's not necessarily a good thing. As mentioned, I laughed at this show, but I cried at THE PRODUCERS, I laughed so hard.
...better luck Mel, with BLAZING SADDLES...
...UNTIL NEXT TIME...
T.T.F.N.
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