New York, New York

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE –  Celebrities on Broadway

The famous towers of Midtown Manhattan. Photo: Ben Dwork

I recently saw Dr. Frasier Crane on Broadway. Well, actually Kelsey Grammer is on Broadway, but it’s hard to tell him apart from the zany psychiatrist he made famous during 20 years on Cheers and Frasier.Grammer, like many other Hollywood types, has spent the past many months performing without the benefit of cuts and retakes in the adorable, downright excellent revival of La Cage Aux Folles where he plays the gay husband of one of theatre’s most-memorable characters: Albin and his alter-ego/queen ZaZa

Grammer isn’t the only Hollywood-type on this season’s Broadway stages. You can also see his TV brother David Hyde Pierce in a comic farce, the Starship Enterprise’s captain, Patrick Stewart doing David Mamet and Al Pacino bringing down the house yet again in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.  And for those with a yen for Pulitzer Prize winning dramas, you can even see James Earl Jones drive Miss Daisy, played by none other than mega-star Vanessa Redgrave. Off-Broadway there’s Eve Plumb, formerly “Jan” of Brady Bunch fame, making her New York theatrical debut. (The terms “on” and “off” Broadway refer to the number of seats in a theatre, not the theatre’s physical location.)

Photo Below:Douglas Hodge won the 2010 Best Actor Tony as Albin/ZaZa in

Broadway’s La Cage aux Folles. You should not miss it. Photo: © Joan Marcus

I’ve seen plenty of big name stars on Broadway over the years. But to be honest, I’ve rarely found them more impressive than the lesser known actors with whom they shared the stage. In fact, I believe one of New York City’s biggest tourist attractions is actually the people who make Broadway work. Thousands of wanna-be actors, singers, and dancers pour into the city each year. Most of them won’t make it; but the cream of America’s theatrical talent rises to the top for you and me to enjoy.

If you’ve never seen a Broadway show (and seeing the touring company ofCats, Phantom, or Mama Mia! does not count), I recommend that you see a musical. The reason: there is a lot of really great acting in theatres around the world, but it’s almost impossible to replicate the perfection of an honest-to-goodness Broadway musical. From the cast to the orchestra to the lighting and the sets, no other city on earth pulls together a musical like New York. (Trust me. I’ve seen a lot of shows around the world).

Choosing a Broadway show

Having seen most of the major musicals (and many of the minor ones) over the past 15 Broadway seasons, here are some suggestions for the current season:

• Best show for a 1st timer: Wicked. In fact, this “prequel” to The Wizard of Oz is great for anyone. It’s a dazzler with a great score, approachable story, and the sets and effects you hope for on Broadway.
• Best show for a pure, comedic entertainment: The Addams Family. Broadway has had a lot of fun taking old movies and TV series and turning them into musicals. This tuner has all the familiar characters with plenty of laughs. The current cast includes Broadway/TV powerhouses Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.
• Best show for nostalgia: Jersey Boys. This stunning bio-musical weaves together the songs and music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. I feared it would feel contrived…after all, a group’s music doesn’t necessarily tell their story. But in this case, the concept and format work beautifully.
• Best show you won’t see in most smaller cities: La Cage Aux Folles. It’s not only Kelsey Grammer that makes this show a must-see, it’s the dazzling performance of Douglas Hodge as Albin/ZaZa. When dressed as a man, Hodge exudes a tender vulnerability that so many gays try to hide; then as a woman, he’s a powerhouse of poise. Hodge won the 2010 Best Actor Tony Award for this role.
• Best show to take your kids: Lion King. Kids know the story and many of the songs, adults are blown away by the sheer beauty and creativity of the story and costumes. This is, by far, Disney’s most-perfectly-executed attempt at moving a story from film to stage.
• Best show if you think musicals are all fluff: Next to Normal. A rock-score musical about mental illness drives the genre to a new level of storytelling—and with great success. It’s been playing since March 2009. Surprisingly enjoyable and deeply touching.
• Best show for an emotional boost: Billy Elliott. You likely know the story from the film of the same name—motherless boy wants to dance ballet, tough-guy dad is a miner who says “no way,” boy becomes mega-star. Elton John’s music coupled with spectacular choreography add even more power to this “you can be anything,” feel-good story.

Buff boys in bras on Broadway: Les Cagelles in La Cage aux Folles. Photo: © Joan Marcus

Broadway for Travelers.

If theatre is a major focus of your New York City trip, you’ll want to stay close to Midtown, where the majority of the theatres are located. Hotels there tend to be exorbitantly priced, and most restaurant choices are mundane (TGI Fridays, Applebee’s). And few New Yorkers live there

NYC’s Brooklyn Bridge decked out for a special occasion. Photo: © Julienne Schaer 2008

Hugging the western border of midtown and the theatre district is Hell’s Kitchen, a once-nasty neighborhood that has gentrified over the past 15 years. Ninth (9^th) Avenue is the main drag that slices right through it north to south and there you’ll find scores of great eateries—some of them ethnic—at surprisingly affordable prices. You can easily eat on 9^th and walk to any Broadway theatre (and numerous Off-Broadway houses) in about 15 minutes. My faves include Mexican at Arriba Arriba, Middle-Eastern tastes at The Hummus Kitchen, chic Italian at Bocca di Bacco, and burgers or salads at insanely popular 5 Napkin Burger. Earlier in the day, you owe it to yourself to nosh on New York’s best sticky buns from Amy’s bakery.

An outstanding, affordable inn located in Hell’s Kitchen is the 414 Hotel. It has become my favorite spot to stay on my theatre trips.

Broadway Theatre Information: www.playbill.com. Note that discount tickets may be available by joining their free “club.”

Same-day Broadway tickets are available for many shows at the rebuilt TKTS booth in Time’s Square. Photo: Jen Davis