Souvenir
If I were a respected theatre critic, I would just bellow, "Drop everything and order tickets to Souvenir right now. Don't even think of thinking about it. Just do it." And you would do as you were told.
I humbly acknowledge that I must work from a more gently persuasive angle. Let me begin by saying that Souvenir, the new play-with-music by Stephen Temperley that began previews last night at the Lyceum Theatre, may not be to everybody's taste. People who don't find it funny ought to be deported to somewhere else, although I can't think of any part of the globe that deserves such an affliction.
Take one great big helping of the funniest Carol Burnett skit that you can remember (Went With The Wind, perhaps), and another of the best stand-up comedy that you've ever seen, and top it off with the poignance of a good-to-great play starring Cherry Jones, and you'll have Souvenir.
Continue reading about Souvenir at Portico.
Comments
I am pea-green with envy. I have wanted to see Souvenir ever since I read about the off-Broadway version in Opera News a year or so ago. Listening to Florence Foster Jenkins always leaves me in stitches (particularly her rendition of Der Hölle Rache). How long is the run? (I no longer get The New York Times so I can't check for myself). And can one still get tickets?
Posted by: jkm | October 29, 2005 07:09 PM
Hyacinthe Bucket meets Emmeline Lucas/Pillson, (nee Smythe of the Warkwickshire Smythes) For those conversant with these characters (you all know who you are) this will suffice to send you scurrying to the box office.
It was a howl. I was taken as a surprise on Sunday afternoon by my better half, known as "PPOQ" to regular readers of this "blague", on the recommendation of Kathleen - with a money back guarantee. We should be paying her for the heads up.
It was easy getting great seats just by going to the theatre, thought the house did fill up. Run now, before word is out to the general public -I mean word of mouth; far more powerful than any ad blitz. Believe me, you will be hearing about it at parties and over the water cooler very soon.
Posted by: Walter | October 31, 2005 10:04 AM
YOU MUST SEE THIS IMMEDIATELY-IT IS FABULOUS BEYOND EVEN RJ"S POWERS OF DESCRIPTION!!
Posted by: Kathleen | October 31, 2005 10:17 AM
Having just suffered thru a traumatic visit to Nicaragua, I was in desperate need for a laugh and after RJ's repeated phone messages, off we went, with the money-back guarantee. Walter's right: we should, (but won't), pay Kathleen and RJ for the heads-up. I haven't laughed so hard in ages, a real old-fashioned, non-chemically induced yuck if you catch my drift, and you don't need to be steeped in opera lore to enjoy. Just need a sense of humor, actually.
I have told various people to get as close to the stage as they can as the facial expressions are priceless. The whole thing is, from the performances to the script to the costumes.
GO!
Posted by: PPOQ | October 31, 2005 10:30 AM