So last night I went to see Can-Can at City Center. As I surmised, I was way up in the rafters, but really had no trouble seeing or hearing except that a safety guardrail was right in my line of view so I had to keep looking over and under it to see. City Center is really a terrible venue. I don't understand why people seem to love it so.
The show was terrific fun though and Patti LuPone scored a major triumph in a role that was not, at first glance, entirely suitable. Honestly, there's not much to Can-Can, and none of the other players really registered, not even Charlotte D'Amboise in the role that made Gwen Verdon an overnight sensation. But that was okay as long as LuPone was never far away.
I often have trouble with the script adaptations at Encores!, but I thought this one was [erfectly suitable. Much of the story didn't make sense, but in a way that seemed more attributable to Cole Porter and Abe Burrows than to Frasier's David Lee, who did the adaptation. Basically, this was a frothy 1930's Cole Porter musical that happens to have been written in 1953. Lovely fun for all, but not much there as far as plot or character or motivation. Whee!
As it turns out, I was sitting almost behind Jeff and Matt. I realize that I may be the last remaining person in New York who hadn't yet met Matt, but he's very nice and charming and smart and everything you hope your friends' boyfriends will be. They are very cute together and are even almost the same height (I'm a head taller than both of them).
And when the talk turns to musicals, I'm used to being the smartest, most knowledgeable person in the room...but Matt surely gave me a run for my money. Fun Fun Fun. I hope to get to know him better with time.
So, in short...Can-Can good...Matt good. Anyone looking for a more in depth analysis or discussion of either can contact me privately. There are numerous reviews of the show posted all over the web and you all already know Matt anyway.
UPDATE ON THE KEY SITUATION: As it turned out, one of my neighbours was able to pry the key out of the lock and he held on to it until he could determine whose it was. When I said hello in the hall yesterday, he asked me if I was Jere. When I answered in the affirmative, he pulled out my keys and returned them to me. So keys are back and locks do not have to be changed. And the front door lock is fixed. Yea!! So...
Back to normal...back to usual...let the fun resume. No more gloom and doom...no more bust, just boom.
Thank You Ever So.
Posted by Jere at February 15, 2004 12:20 PM | TrackBack