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Young Marx at London’s Bridge Theatre: Who Knew Communism Was So Fun?

12/28/2017

It's Theatre Thursday! Today we are talking about "Young Marx" at the Bridge Theatre in London, running until December 31 so hurry up!

Apparently, communism is a (mostly) joyous romp that provides a ton of comedic fodder. I didn’t know this, but now that a play about it made me laugh for two hours, I might be sold! “Young Marx” at London’s brand new Bridge Theatre, under the south bank side of Tower Bridge, impresses by being both dramatically solid and comedically hysterical. I would not be surprised if the runner-up for the title was a Jeb! The Musical-inspired “Communism!” I realize that nothing about this is related to Borat, but I can’t help hearing him say “Great success!” in reply to that equally valid title.

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"Big Fish" in London: New & Improved Production of an Okay Musical

12/21/2017

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It's Theatre Thursday y'all! Today we are talking about the new production of "Big Fish" at London's The Other Palace, which is playing until December 31.
“Big Fish”, directed by Tim Burton and starring some faves of mine (Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Danny DeVito (go back and watch it’s true)), was a great movie that screamed out to me for an amazing big spectacular Broadway musical. That story would be perfect for one, right? It would be hard to match the magic of the movie but I had faith that it could because theatre is the best. Unfortunately, the Broadway bow it got in 2013 wasn’t very good. It was hugely fun and entertaining and I enjoyed it, but not as good as it should have been with that source material. The book was messy and Andrew Lippa’s score was mostly unmemorable. After a few years and a lot of retooling, ‘Big Fish’ is back, now in London, new and improved. I think. I’m still not sure.

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HABIBI!!!!!! Broadway’s The Band’s Visit is a Tiny Little Heartbreaking Beautiful Epic

12/14/2017

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When I told people I was seeing “The Band’s Visit” on Broadway, they asked what it’s about, and I’d say “remember that little Israeli film from like 9 years ago about a group of musicians that gets stuck in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere and then, like, they have to leave?” The answers would invariably be ‘no’ or ‘um...what, no’. Then they’d ask me what else happens in the movie, maybe to jog their memory, and I would say, ‘um...I don’t remember...I don’t think anything.” Having seen the final preview (the last performance before official opening night) of the new musical version of this work, I am pretty sure the same conversation will happen for it too. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, this show so unbelievably makes ‘pretty much nothing’ seem like the most beautiful thing about life that it’s going to win Best Musical this year. And so far, it should. “The Band’s Visit” is so boring – some people near me were sleeping – but like, in a glorious, magical way.

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"Mother Courage And Her Children" in London: War is Terrible, Theatre is Fantastic

12/7/2017

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It’s Theatre Thursday y’all! Today we are talking about “Mother Courage and Her Children”, currently at London’s Southwark Playhouse until Saturday (eek go now).

It’s pretty rough out there, with war-mongering racists and Nazis and sexists running things (into the ground). So there’s no better help for dealing with all of these real-life horrors than sitting through a three-hour play about how terrible war is for everyone. No I’m not being sarcastic. Southwark Playhouse’s production of “Mother Courage and Her Children”, the anti-war epic play from Bertolt Brecht, is a small, simple, yet powerful one about how even those who think they might profit or benefit somehow from war will suffer. There are two things you can count on, really: War is terrible for everyone, and the Southwark Playhouse will always put on quality productions. Even though my attention span usually maxes out after about 15 minutes (usually when I have to pee), I thought this was a stellar show. Sure I was a ball of sorrow for the rest of that day but who isn’t nowadays!

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I <3 Diversions

Entertainment is a ridiculously big part of my life. I grew up in movie theatres, so in my family you have to see pretty much every movie to make it in conversation. This pop culture knowledge has extended to television, music, and, for me, the theatre. To quote Abed, I like liking things, so there's that.

THEATRE THURSDAY: Starting in fall 2017 we will feature a new theatre review every Thursday!

NB: Although I would never abide it in professional journalists, I may review a show that is still in previews. If you don't want me to do this, pay for me to see the show again after opening. This may require you to include international airfare.

Young Marx at London’s Bridge Theatre: Who Knew Communism Was So Fun?

"Big Fish" in London: New & Improved Production of an Okay Musical

HABIBI!!!!!! Broadway’s The Band’s Visit is a Tiny Little Heartbreaking Beautiful Epic

"Mother Courage And Her Children" in London: War is Terrible, Theatre is Fantastic

I <3 Diversions

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