Tales From the Not So Cheap Seats

Saturday, July 15, 2017

"War Paint" at Barnes and Noble Appearance: In Pictures

After the conversation, the cameras lined up to photograph them

Patti Lupone pre-signed CD booklets because she was unwell; Scott Frankel and Christine Ebersole were there to greet the public

You can see "War Paint" at the Nederlander Theater

"War Paint" at Barnes and Noble Appearance: In Pictures

The "War Paint" cast recording CD was released July 14th, 2017

The stage was set for Scott Frankel, Patti Lupone, and Christine Ebersole

The trio had a conversation about their show"War Paint" among other topics

Barnes & Noble Presents: “War Paint” Discussion/Cast Recording CD Signing

July 14^th, 2017-New York, New York- the 86^th Street and Lexington Avenue Barnes & Noble celebrated the release of the “War Paint” cast recording. Scott Frankel-the composer who collaborated with Michael Korie to create the show’s music- was on hand to moderate a discussion and sign CDs. He was joined by the leading ladies portraying Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden: Patti Lupone (Rubenstein) and Christine Ebersole (Arden).

The doors opened at 9am to admit those waiting outside on a rainy morning. Store staff directed everyone to the main floor cashiers to purchase their CDs. With the event due to start at 2:30pm, some opted to go out and get food before coming back while others wandered around the store to stay out of the rain.

Around 10:45am, the beginnings of a line took shape by the Events Center on the lower level. The line would wind around the aisles. Everyone talked amongst themselves and awaited the opening of the doors. Staffers from Barnes & Noble came around to do a headcount and deliver occasional instructions.

At 1:00pm, an announcement was made that Patti Lupone was not feeling that great (“in a lot of pain”) and would not be able to be there for the signing portion of the program. However, she would stay for the discussion and pre-sign everyone’s CD booklets so that they would get her autograph. All one had to do was show either their receipt or CD case so the staff could ensure the correct amount of booklets were returned during the meet and greet with Scott Frankel and Christine Ebersole .

When the room was set up, Sean from Barnes & Noble let the crowd in according to wristband color. The crowd was such that a barrier outside the event doors had been set up near a close circuit TV showing the discussion. Those with white wristbands were let into the Event Center and others (with green wristbands) would be admitted if there were seats to fill. The rest were relegated to staying behind the barrier until those in the room had left the signing.

Quick instructions were given about photography (no flash photography allowed) before Steve Sorrentino introduced Scott Frankel. Frankel introduced Christine Ebersole and Patti Lupone. The conversation began with questions to each of them about their “11:00 Numbers”-power song moments: Lupone’s “Forever Beautiful” and Ebersole’s “Pink”. To this question, Lupone found “it hard to describe its (“Forever Beautiful”) meaning while Ebersole called her song("Pink") “an aria”.

The topics fell into place easily as the trio conversed. Ebersole plugged her cabaret shows at the club 54 Below taking place on Monday (the show’s off day) during September, October, November of 2017. Praise as a “must have” for the ”War Paint” cast recording from the New York Times sparked a lively debate on whether fans listen to the critic reviews; the power of the critic to affect ticket sales was addressed (Lupone remarked that their show was never a New York Times “Must-See”). At the end, the trio went off topic and explained the significance of “Bastille Day” (July 14^th).

After the conversation, the press photographers lined up to take their photos of the cast for their pieces. Patti Lupone left as she was unwell. Scott Frankel and Christine Ebersol got situated for the signing. Staffers directed the left hand side to line up. Each was given a booklet pre-signed by Patti Lupone before stepping up to meet Scott and Christine. The procession moved along, and soon the center row was gathering toward the back of the room. The guests treated everyone well.

In closing, I am certain that “War Paint” has a trio of people that really understand the theater. Their observations about the characters were insightful. Patti Lupone’s quest to explore the character of Helena Rubenstein is something that is important to her. Ebersole thinks this show accomplishes what the Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden never got the chance to do-despite the fact that their offices were so close together. Finally, the best quotes came from Frankel when he relates the secrets of a long running show’s success: it lies in giving actors time to understand their characters and pull different aspects of that on different nights.

For the curious, you can find Christine Ebersole and Patti Lupone in “War Paint” at the Nederlander Theatre.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Gathering Broadway’s Usual Suspects: Kevin Spacey Hosts The Tony Awards

June 11^th, 2017- The 71^st Annual Tony Awards was hosted by “The Usual Suspects”( and numerous other projects on stage and screen) actor Kevin Spacey. He opened the show with a montage about the quest to host the night in question, spoofing “Dear Evan Hansen” among other nominated shows along the way...He was a man of many faces throughout the night, bringing out impressions of Johnny Carson, Bill Clinton, and even his character from the show “House of Cards” Frank Underwood…His vocal talents were on display as he closed out the show with a Bobby Darin song in an ensemble finale with the night’s winners and Patti LuPone… I personally enjoyed his interaction with Chazz Palminteri -of “A Bronx Tale” and Spacey’s interrogator in “The Usual Suspects”

A Moment of Reflection on a Stage Not So Far Away…: Mark Hamill of the “Star Wars” film franchise introduced the montage of those the Broadway community lost this past year… To the classic Boyz II Men hit “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye (To Yesterday)”, the video screen showed images across the marquee-like video screen. Led off by Carrie Fisher (Hamill’s “Star Wars” co-star), the tribute included other names such as Fisher’s mother, Debbie Reynolds and Mary Tyler Moore (Broadway Barks” co-host for many years and supporter of the arts).

When Plays Reflect Real Life: Some of the winning shows were based on true events. “Oslo” won for Best Play; Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play went to this show’s Michael Aronov… “Indecent” had a decent night with Rebecca Taichman taking home the Tony for Best Direction of a Play and Christopher Akerlind winning for Best Lighting Design of a play.

Present to “Present Laughter”: Kevin Kline won his third Tony Award for his lead acting role in “Present Laughter”. His acceptance speech was low-key and humble as he thanked his family, the arts foundations, and mentors that made him what he is today and everyone in general.

Before the Band Plays Me Off….: In one of the more interesting moments of the night, Bette Midler’s acceptance speech for the Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical topped the billing in grand statements that would not be silenced by the show’s house orchestra. Midler practically yelled over the music before getting the time to thank the “Hello Dolly!” actresses that came before…Her speech also affirmed that the role of theater is to provide an escape in the troubling times in which we live. Shows such as “Hello Dolly!” will always do that for people, and I am glad she reminded people of that.

Natasha, Pierre &The Two-Time Winner at the Tony Awards of 2017: The scenic and lighting design for “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” was recognized as Mimi Lien and Bradley King each took home the Tony for their superb work transforming the Imperial Theater into a Russian parlor.

Hello Tony!: “Hello Dolly!” was a big winner last night…Besides Bette Midler, the show’s costume designer Santo Loquasto and featured actor Gavin Creel were honored for their work…”Hello Dolly!” also received the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical

One-Time Winners: Some shows walked off with just one award while some walked off with their first Tony awards…Nigel Hook won for his scenic design of “The Play That Goes Wrong”…Andy Blankenbuehler got a deserving honor for his choreography of the musical “Bandstand”… “Come From Away” ‘s Christopher Ashley got the Tony Award for Best Direction of A Musical…Laurie Metcalf received her first Tony Award for her leading role in “A Doll’s House Part 2”….”August Wilson’s Jitney” won Best Revival of a Play.

Sly “Foxes”: “Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes” won two awards last night. Jane Greenwood was given a Tony for costume design…Rotating lead/feature actress Cynthia Nixon won for her role, and was one of a few that night to use the awards podium to make a statement.

“Dear Evan Hansen” Goes For 6: Being topical can benefit a show. Case In Point: “Dear Evan Hansen”, a “socially relevant” entrant among this year’s nominees. It was the big winner of the original musical categories, netting 6 awards during the course of the evening, including: Best Orchestration (Alex Lacamoire), Best Book (Steven Levenson), Best Score (Ben Pasek and Justin Paul), Best Featured Actress (Rachel Bay Jones), Best Lead Actor (Ben Platt), and the highest honor of the night of Best Musical

If I Had My Time Any Other Year: I want to take this moment to acknowledge the original musical that got shut out of the Tony Awards this year. “Groundhog Day the Musical” was praised and honored by London’s theater community with wins for the lead actor Andy Karl as well as the show itself…Prior to the Tonys, Andy Karl won the outstanding actor in a musical from both the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk. On Broadway’s biggest night however, the year was very competitive. During the evening, “The Great Comet” performed a medley of songs from their show; while “Come From Away”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, and “Groundhog Day the Musical” showcased one number…The “Groundhog Day the Musical” cast performed the show’s finale “Seeing You” for the audience at Radio City Music Hall and the viewers at home. This number expressed the heart of the show. #championsadjust-“Groundhog Day the Musical” cast motto (courtesy of @andy_karl)

Give My Regards to Broadway: It was quite a night to honor Broadway’s best. Relevancy and timeliness was the theme of the night, and technical skill was rewarded…Legends were honored and new legacies created...Bette Midler would not let the awards show pass by without having her say… and people watching saw the many entertaining faces of Kevin Spacey…Now that the awards are handed out, I encourage the reader to see the works honored last night to experience live theater; there is truly nothing like it.