Wonderful theater is happening in Manhattan. And not all of it has singing or dancing. Some of it is JUST acting. And some wonderful acting it is. While this years Musicals have left me rather underwhelmed, the plays are another story entirely. Go see a play; the musicals will still be there.
JERUSALEM -- starring Mark Rylance (thank you Great Britain), Mackenzie Crook and John Gallagher, Jr.
Jerusalem follows Johnny “Rooster” Byron, a middle-aged alcoholic who lives in a rundown trailer deep in the woods on the outskirts of an English town. The citizens of the village are fed up with his drunken antics and an eviction notice has been delivered to his door. Byron decides to ignore the notice and spends the remaining day drinking and doing drugs with a group of teenagers who often visit him to escape their home lives. Trouble ensues when one teenager’s father comes looking for his daughter after she has disappeared.
I'm still on the fence with the story itself, but the performances are delicious. Mark Rylance is a true chameleon and I think I would go see him read the phone book. He's just that good. I also found Brit Mackenzie Crook's performance to be riveting. John Gallagher, whom I adore, while turning in a great performance, has played this character one too many times.
The Normal Heart
Starring Joe Mantella, Ellen Barkin, Lee Pace, Jim Parsons and John Benjamin Hickey (Limited run through 7/10, directed by Joel Grey)
Wow. Tagged as a "Coming of Rage Story" this is one intense play. Covering the begining of the aids epidemic, this play, BRILLIANTLY acted by all, is beyond important.
This follows the true story of the playwright as he is thrust into the role of activist: to find funding for the yet unnamed killer disease as well as educate the still hiding gay community that is being struck down in huge numbers. The story is full of information, anger and above all: love.
Certainly an important work for anyone in the gay community, but important for anyone with a heart.
NEXT UP: Book of Mormon (The only true runaway hit of the season and front runner for Best New Musical) and Warhorse (front runner for the Tony for Best New Play.) The Tony Awards will have
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