I love it. Who doesn't love some nice wood in their home?
I am still reeling from the wonderful show I saw last night. I have been kind of spoiled this week (different from most weeks?) because we saw You Can't Take It With You on Broadway Wednesday night with two very fun friends, and then last night and Thursday night I took advantage of the current Off-Broadway Week ticket prices, half their usual.
Last night, I went to the Laura Pels Theatre on W. 46th St at 6th Ave and saw Roundabout's production of Indian Ink.
The reviews I had read were not very complimentary so I did not have high expectations. I just knew I wanted to see Rosemary Harris perform. For those who don't know, Rosemary Harris was invited by none other than Moss Hart to leave England and do a Broadway show for him in 1952. Since then, she has appeared in many shows on this side of the pond and has also portrayed some great characters in film and TV, including Aunt May in the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man franchise.
Years ago, my friend Greg and I were fortunate to see Marian Seldes in The Royal Family in Los Angeles, and I am so glad we did. Seeing Ms Harris is another highlight for me.
Actors like these do something not all actors can do. They seem to fully immerse themselves in their roles in such a natural and compelling way that we are completely transported out of our real lives and into their story. I have such admiration for this skill, and it is something I hope to achieve in my lifetime. Ms Harris did not disappoint, nor did anyone else in the show.
But the actor who drew me in the most and, for my money, gave the most enthralling performance, was Romola Garai. Not only is she stunningly gorgeous, but her portrayal of Flora Crewe is one of the best performances I have seen this year. She actually plays the older sister of Rosemary Harris's character. Rosemary is in the now, and Romola is in the past. It's a Tom Stoppard piece and similar in style to Arcadia which was critically acclaimed. Some critics feel that Indian Ink is the less-gifted little sister to Arcadia. I disagree. I found Arcadia to be mentally exhausting when it first debuted. I understand it has been revised since then. But this show kept me engaged and I had no trouble following the plot as it bandies back and forth between now and then. Also, I find the themes fascinating-Indian attitudes toward the British during their subjugation, both good and bad; the importance placed on art, including poetry, literature and painting; relationships between people of very different backgrounds and moral values; and the way people perceive the past.
At intermission, I had a G & T at the theatre bar, and I'm glad I did because the second act starts with Rosemary's character having one, and I would have been jealous.
Thursday night, I saw Terence McNally's Lips Together, Teeth Apart, or, as the Floridian I met at the bar before hand called it, Lips Open, Mouth Closed, at Second Stage. I did not find this play quite as affecting, and that could be for a number of reasons. It was only their third preview so I imagine the cast is still finding their way together. And the script feels a little dated to me because it takes place in 1990 and there is still a lot of fear about AIDS and how it can be contracted. And the characters were pretty ignorant. And, while I know this sort of ignorance does exist, and certainly existed even more in 1990, I feel quite distanced from it. And it's always hard for me to believe that people can be that stupid. Even though they often prove me wrong.
Having said that though, the cast is strong, especially Tracee Chimo (from Orange Is the New Black and The Good Wife) and Michael Chernus as her brother. I really bought their characters and even felt a little wounded when they displayed their own homophobia. There were some really funny moments, and the production values were good.
Wednesday night, we saw the Broadway production of You Can't Take It With You starring James Earl Jones, Rose Byrne, Mark-Paul Gosselaar---wait, scratch that, Mark Linn-Baker, and a host of very funny actors. It's a true throwback to a classic era of brilliant comedy. Kaufman and Hart were at their peak and, of course, Frank Capra turned it into an Oscar-winning film. It's even more delightful seeing it acted out on the stage by really talented people.
So, as you can see, life in NYC has been all right. While I cannot say I have been cast in a Broadway show, or a TV show, or an independent film, or even in the subway, I CAN say that I have attended countless auditions, have formed a relationship with an agent and am on my way. I should be accepting my Tony and having my NY apartment decorated by summer of 2016.
In the meantime, we are enjoying all of the arts available to us, the parks, and, of course, the charming public transportation.
I continue to brag about our covered terrace, and New Yorkers I meet always stop to say "You have a terrace in the Upper West Side?" which makes me feel rich. I am eating too many bagels. I am taking full advantage of union-sponsored events like free screenings of new movies and conversation sessions with actors and casting directors. I treated myself to a membership at the Metropolitan Museum which has already paid off in spades. Tommy won the lottery for tickets to The Met and let me and my mom use them to see Le Nozze di Figaro which was amazing!
All in all, it's a pretty sweet life. To my family and friends on the West Coast, I miss you so much. Please visit. There are lovely hotels very close by.
With that, I bid you adieu and will probably feel another overwhelming urge to blog in December.
Love from Manhattan!
