ANYONE WOULD LOVE YOU
Ladies and Gents,
Broadway delivered a blazing jolt of new energy to close the season, thanks to the opening of Dead Outlaw at the Longacre Theatre. This darkly hilarious, deliciously inventive new musical — with book by Itamar Moses and songs by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna — tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of Elmer McCurdy, an outlaw whose fame soared only after death. Under the deft and daring direction of David Cromer, the production revels in the absurdity of legacy, the futility of fame, and the bittersweet comedy of human endeavor.
Andrew Durand leads the cast with irresistible rough-edged charm, supported by a cast who infuse each morbid twist with heart and humor. The design team captures a sepia-toned world where the past refuses to stay buried. And the crowd? A veritable constellation of stars! I spied Andrew Lloyd Webber surveying the scene with his signature cheshire grin, Patti LuPone dispensing air kisses like a magnanimous monarch, and Mia Farrow gliding through the festivities with timeless elegance. Also spotted in the velvet seats: Ben Platt, Ariana DeBose, Jim Parsons, Richard Kind, Susan Sarandon, John Turturro, Rachael Price, Ingrid Michaelson, Katrina Lenk, Mia Farrow, Eden Espinoza, Rachel Dratch, and Phillipa Soo. If Dead Outlaw teaches us anything, it’s that dying is no reason to stop living – and this crowd was living.
Presiding over the festivities with their signature mix of chic poise and steely resolve were lead producers Sonia Friedman and Lia Vollack — two titans of the theater world who joined forces to shepherd this off-beat Off-Broadway darling onto the Great White Way. That these two powerhouse visionaries recognized Dead Outlaw‘s singular spark and teamed up to nurture it to the main stem speaks volumes about their faith in fresh, fearless storytelling.
While we’re on the subject of this creative dream team, one can’t help but imagine that a revival of their previous masterpiece, The Band’s Visit, might be just the balm our troubled times so desperately need.
Meanwhile, it would be remiss not to tip our hats to Real Women Have Curves, which also opened on Sunday. It’s a marvelous occasion when two Broadway shows open on the very same day — rarer still when they are both brand-new musicals! Based on Josefina López‘s beloved play which was later adapted into a hit film, Real Women celebrates the beauty, resilience, and rich culture of the Mexican-American experience. Two openings on the same day is a rare thing – a testament to the current abundance of creativity, vitality, and excellence on Broadway. Our souvenir cup runneth over!
And last night at the Bowery Ballroom, the cast of Swept Away reunited for two SRO concerts. And yes, New York remains swept away.
Tidbits from around town…
Witnessed Cherry Jones traipsing down Jane Street lost in thought on a perfect spring day. Or, was she merely doing a Tony-caliber performance of someone walking down Jane Street lost in thought on a perfect spring day?
Caught director Kenny Leon soothing a group of would-be patrons who were denied entry to Othello having purchased counterfeit tickets. Beware of third party ticket-sellers!
Spied Michael Benjamin Washington sipping a martini with effortless flair at Glass House Tavern.
Watched Rachel Dratch watching John Glover sitting on the steps of Bar Centrale on Sunday post Dead Outlaw opening.
A toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses,
