I received one of my best Christmas presents right before the holidays from Alfred A. Knopf — the world-famous book publisher, of course. An oversized book — sometimes thought of as a coffee table book, though there’s no way this book could ever occupy just my coffee table: Frankly, I would like it with me in every room in the house! I’m speaking of Look, I Made a Hat, Stephen Sondheim’s amazing follow-up volume to his extraordinary first book, Finishing the Hat, which was published this time last year. Having the second book has made me feel complete! Or, hyperbole aside, it has at the very least made me feel like I have a vastly increased understanding not only of Mr. Sondheim’s work but of musical theater in general. In these two stunning volumes, Mr. Sondheim has presented, explained, revealed, divulged and articulated his process of how he came to write some of the greatest musicals in history, and the combination of the two books amounts to one indispensable resource for those of us who work in, follow or just simply love the musical theater. In the new volume, Mr. Sondheim delves into Sunday in the Park With George, Into The Woods, Assassins, Passion, and Wise Guys (a.k.a. Bounce) — providing all the lyrics from all these shows and explaining them in riveting, amusing, always entertaining detail. Yet, there’s so much more to Look, I Made a Hat than just Mr. Sondheim’s brilliant, celebrated lyrics, and if you are any kind of a student or lover of musical theater, you absolutely must get and read this book. As Mr. Sondheim constantly argues for simplicity in writing, I feel I should leave it at that. Though I’ll say it one more time (he discusses repetition, too): You absolutely must get and read this book.
THE STORY GOES ON
Actors, directors and singers are always talking about storytelling, and rightly so: telling a story is the essence of theater. And in I Like You, Maude, literal live storytelling takes front and center in the hands of people with a desire to share their true, personal stories on stage. Beginning on January 17 at The Tea Lounge in Park Slope. I Like You, Maude invites anyone to put their name in a hat for a chance to tell a five-minute tale, without notes or paper, on any topic. Seasoned storytellers and comedians, neophytes and newbies all are welcome. Admission is free and no reservations are required; the event is scheduled to take place on the third Tuesday of every month at Tea Lounge. For more info, visit http://www.Facebook.com/pages/I-Like-You-Maude-Storytelling-Series/228502580525906.
EXIT ‘BOYS’
Everyone knows that The Fantasticks is the longest-running off-Broadway musical in history, but — quick! — what is the second longest-running off-Broadway musical? Hint: the performers take their clothes off, but it’s not O, Calcutta! Length counts: I’m talking about the long-running Naked Boys Singing!, the 15-song celebration of the male form that will hit its final milestone on January 28 after 3,069 performances, having begun July 22, 1999, at The Actors Playhouse and now at New World Stages, Stage 2. It has certainly been quite the phenomenon, with a production going strong in London and a new production set to open in Sydney, Australia and around the world. So long, boys, we hardly knew ye! (With your clothes on.) For more info, visit www.nakedboyssinging.com.
THIS BITTER ‘EARTH’
Kenny lived a life of secrets. Those secrets lead his mother and sister to an unfamiliar town looking for answers. With the help of a local policewoman, they uncover tragic truths about him, their family and themselves. Joel Drake Johnson’s provocative new play The Fall To Earth receives its NYC premiere at 59E59 Theaters beginning January 13 in a production directed by Joe Brancato. (The play was previously seen at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater.) Veteran actors Amelia Campbell, Deborah Hedwall and Jolie Curtsinger are featured in the cast, and performances continue through February 5. Visit www.59e59.org.
BULLY FOR YOU
The award-winning Vital Theatre Company announces the return of The Bully, a
musical for young audiences with music and lyrics by John Gregor and a book by David L. Williams. The Bully tells the story of a bus
mix-up which strands Lenny, the nerd, and Steve, the bully, at the wrong school
where they both get picked on for being the “new kids.” The boys have to work
together to get back to their school, and begin to learn that they might not be
so different after all. Linda Ames Key
directs, and performances begin January 14 at VTC’s theater home on the Upper
West Side. For more info, visit www.vitaltheatre.org.
