All About Broadway

Actually, these shows are all off-Broadway, but you get the idea. I've recently seen a whole slew of musicals and plays - the ones in this blog entry have closed. Look to the next entry for those that are still up and running. Here are some brief reviews:

1. See What I Wanna See - Warning: this review is from a letter to Michael John LaChiusa and is ridiculously effusive about the work. "Today I saw See What I Wanna See at the Public and was, am...astonished. Each element of the show perfected and enriched the other: from the mellifluous, layered richness of the musical landscape, to the warmth and intelligence of comedic and dramatic moments, to the fluid, easy movement from scene to song. The intellectual depth, yet emotional authenticity of the piece is still working its way through me. The beauty of the song shared between Kesa and Morito, and the sheer power of the cantata-like last ensemble number are like electricity in my circuits. I feel changed somehow."
2. Miracle Brothers - Nice idea, about peace and promoting brotherhood among the races, but then nice ideas often have a way of coming off as a little too PC, which was the case here. The performances from the male lead and several of the female performers were exemplary and the sets were serene, the choreography explosive. But overall, a disappointment.
3. In the Wings - let us never speak of this again.
4. 6 Women with Brain Death - part of the NYMF's assortment of musicals, this fun series of shorts all (or nearly all) revolving around a light feminist theme, entertained, though not perhaps as smartly as it intended. The music was not particularly memorable (except for the opening number) but was funny and enjoyable. All six women delivered admirable performances despite numerous demands made on them by the strange staging, prop use, and seemingly gratuitous costume changes.
5. The Tutor - alas, this work tried hard, lurching out of the gate with several nice numbers in the first act and an achingly "authentic" and heartfelt theme, but ultimately failed to keep me entertained through the second act.
6. Dr. Sex - I felt like I was watching the Pajama Game or the Music Man with semi-nudity and adult themes. If you think that's a compliment, this is the show for you.