Love, Loss, and What I Wore - Westside Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - ****(out of 5 stars) Love, Loss, and What I Wore - Panasonic Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2(out of 5 stars) Written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman, Directed by Karen Carpenter
Ok, so here's the full disclosure first. I was in NYC this past winter and was invited to go see Love, Loss, and What I Wore. I went, I loved, I laughed, I surprisingly enjoyed myself at a show that seemed highly geared towards women. A few months later, my friend, the same one who invited me to see it, had the rights to the show for its Toronto premiere, and since I was no longer at my former TV gig, and loved and knew a lot about theatre, ended up joining onto the Canadian production of the show. So yes, I work for the Toronto production of the show, so I'm completely biased here, but as a theatre fan, I thought I'd still share my review with you anyways and you can take it for whatever you want. (But either way, PLEASE COME SEE THE SHOW! HA. Okay, there's my shilling... let's move on...)
So in case you don't know yet, the new play based on Ilene Beckerman's book, is by sisters Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle) and Delia Ephron (You've Got Mail, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and directed by Karen Carpenter, are a series of vignettes and stories about women and clothes told in a series of monologues by 5 actresses who read them from stands while seated. I know. Doesn't sound all that exciting but the Ephron's know how to balance off the drama and the laughter between the stories, sometimes whipping back and forth from one emotion to another, sometimes in the same story, sometimes by the order they're placed in.
The stories range from charming, to hysterical, to tragic, and while there are some slower moments that I just couldn't connect with, it wouldn't be too long before we got another zinger. Some of the laughs come from cliched stereotypes, but the Ephron's mold them well enough as starting points into deeper issues that get to the core of how clothes and self-image truly affects women and their sense of self.
The original production in New York, and thus subsequently copied in Los Angeles and now Toronto, uses a rotating cast of 5 "celebrity" actresses that change every month. When I saw it in New York, I had a wonderful cast of Michelle Lee, Debra Monk (Curtains, Grey's Anatomy), Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends), Katie Finneran (Tony winner for Promises, Promises, Wonderfalls), and Casey Wilson (Saturday Night Live).
In Toronto, the current first cast consists of (above, from l-r) Mary Walsh ("Marg Delahunty" from This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Louise Pitre (Tony nominee for Broadway's Mamma Mia, Dora winner for The Toxic Avengers the Musical), Andrea Martin (SCTV, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Exit the King, Young Frankenstein the Musical, Hedwig the Angry Inch etc.), Paula Brancati (Degrassi: TNG, Being Erica) and Sharron Matthews (Cabaret Star, Les Mis),
Both casts are fabulous but it's fun to see what the different actresses bring to each story.
While all the actresses in NYC were wonderful, I particularly remember Tracee Ellis Ross bringing her effervescent laugh and distinctive and eloquent cadence to the rhythm of her monologues, and Katie Finneran just has a natural comedic timing that she hides under her big fashionable blonde mane that she snappily uses to sharpen every comic button (which she later used to win her a Tony Award for Promises, Promises). Casey Wilson had some nice moments of her own while Debra Monk has such a commanding presence that you certainly feel a motherly grip with her performance.
The first Canadian cast is full of known funny ladies that it's hard to tell who outdoes one another when you have the talents of Andrea Martin, Mary Walsh, Louise Pitre and Sharron Matthews all-together on one stage. Each manage to pull out enormous laughs (just a look from Andrea Martin can send the theatre into roaring laughter) but they all also excel at flipping the switch to more tender or dramatic moments. I mean, each one has been used to commanding the stage on their own, but it's even more special watching them share the stage in a sisterly bond.
Still, my favorites might be Walsh doing Marveline, fixing a bra in a utility closet dressing room, Andrea Martin ranting about purses, Sharron Matthews (whose cabaret I have finally discovered just recently and now bow down to her world dominating show) looking in jealousy at the thin Martin, while Pitre keeps the flow of it all as Gingey, whose is the only storyline that continues throughout the show, holding it all together. While her Eileen Fisher wardrobe might disguise her real life fit arms, Pitre is at her best when we get to giggle along with her tales of her numerous beaux's, all while feeling the sadness that underlays the trials and tribulations of her life.
Paula Brancati, the youngest cast member, holds her own against the more known fabulous cast, but Brancati truly excels in adding layers to the sweetness of her stories, and giving dramatic heft to stories about prom dresses, boots, and being a bride.
On an additional note, just wanted to point out Jeff Croiter's (Next Fall) simple but beautiful lighting design that is essentially the entire set, and along with the animated casts movements, manages to convey all the setting needed to bring the read stories to life. Andrea Martin practically jumps out of her chair several times, but with both the New York and the Toronto casts, it's surprisingly how much imagery the actors, under Karen Carpenter's direction, can create while simply sitting on their chairs.
Sport your best fashion on the beach this summer with a Project Runway Season 8 prizepack!
Since the show always reminds me of my years at school in a design studio, I've always loved and related to the show. Ok, so there was that little LA misstep but this new batch of designers looks hopeful!
Project Runway returns to Lifetime with Season 8 on Thursday, July 29 at a new time, 9 pm et/pt, supersized as 90-minute episodes. Hosted by supermodel and fashion maven Heidi Klum, the hit series provides 17 talented designers – the most in series history – with an opportunity to launch their careers in fashion, under the watchful eye of mentor and Liz Claiborne Chief Creative Officer Tim Gunn. Judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia weigh in on the best and worst of the runway.
To enter, tell me the 2 new competing designers from Season 8 who have Dior listed as one of their favorites. Email your answer and info (mailing address) to: tapeworthycontest at gmail dot com.
Deadline for entries is Thursday, July 29th 2010 at 11:59 E.S.T. A random draw will be made from all correct entries to determine the winner. Only the winner will be contacted. Contest is only open to US residents.
Giveaway: Project Runway Prize Pack Includes: • Beach Tote • Beach Towel • 32 oz Water Bottle • Mister • Keychain w/Charms • Sunscreen (Prize may not be exactly as seen)
So You Think You Can Dance - Season 7 - Top 6 Results Night - The Cut From 6 to 5 - Ep. 717 Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mia Michaels, Adam Shankman and Kenny Ortega
Top 6 Group Dance with the All-Stars Choreographed by: Kelly Aykers Song: "All That Jazz" - Lea DeLaria Grade: A-
I was loving it, partly because I love the song from Chicago to begin with, partly because I really enjoy Lea's version, and partly because I think they should just make a full Broadway musical starring the SYTYCD All-Star dancers, so I was digging it all. Ok, so I only noticed Kent from this season, while the All-Stars seemed to get front and centre... but... um... oh well.
The choreography seemed actually smart and sophisticated and fully utilized Mark Kanemura and the other great dancers... and it felt ... not like the normal faux-Fosse we see time and time again on this show...
So I'm glad to see I was right and it was NOT Tyce DiOrio who choreographed. AH!!! No wonder I liked it so much more than the normal Broadway swill he tries to pass off on this show.
So they also announce which All-Stars are going on tour (wait, it's not all of them? Why not?)
And then the winner and top female (let's face it, a boy's gonna win this year) (which also means it's Lauren Froderman as the top female left) with 4 more from Season 7. That's it? BOOO... I mean, It's a good bunch but no Neil? Pasha? Mark? (Wha'sda point)
Jose should be going home, but who knows who really is gonna be in the bottom 3 this week. I've been wrong with my predictions every week. And even though I thought it was Adéchiké's best week, I still prefer Robert, Kent and Billy over him, but Adéchiké has never been in the bottom 3, so why start now? And even if Lauren was in the bottom 3, no way are the judges going to let the last girl go at this point.
Going Home Jose His smile can only take him so far.
The actual results were: Billy is automatically in the bottom 3 this week due to his injury. Lauren is safe. Kent is safe. Adéchiké is safe. Which means both Robert and Jose are in the bottom 3.
Damnit, I was right.
The Experts: The American Ballet Theatre Don Quixote - Act III Grand Pas de Deux Leon Minkus
D.J. Smart, Jr. Song: "Say You Will" - Kanye West Um, look at those things on this guy. The guy is a beast! And seems to be doing some slavery/Amistad dance. It'd be sad if he wasn't doing so many crazy tricks with the power of his body. DAMN.
Lauren Gottlieb and Neil Haskell Choreographed by: Wade Robson Song: "Night of the Dancing Flame" - Róisín Murphy From Season 3, Top 14 Performances
Man, loved this dance. LOVE this dance. Always so happy to see Neil and Lauren dance on stage together.
The Filler: Enrique with Pitbull (does he not go by Iglesias anymore?) performs "I Like It". Boy, that's sure presumptuous. Lauren and Allison dance. D-Trix breakdances. Why is there a cute guy singing in between the dancers? He's totally in the way.
Dance For Your Life:
Robert Roldan Style: Contemporary Song: "Fireflies" - Ron Pope Grade: A-
The Cut: The judges haven't made a decision so while a couple of the judges think Robert has stopped growing, and others think Jose has grown a lot (WHAAAA?) and Billy hasn't dances, they couldn't decide. So no one is being cut this week.
It had occurred to me that Billy sort of got a reprieve by skipping out this week, and secured him another week since he wasn't forced out by his injury like Alex and Ashley were, but I'm not going to be that cynical and assume that he wouldn't want to damage his body with any possible long term damage for the sake of a short term goal.
But 2 dancers will be cut next week to make up for it. So there you have it! Top 6 next week after this week's Top 5. Somehow that makes sense.
So You Think You Can Dance - Season 7 - Top 6 Performance Night - Ep. 716 Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mia Michaels, Adam Shankman and Kenny Ortega
This is the first time Kenny Ortega has been on the show? I thought he's been on before. Maybe I'm getting confused with SYTYCD Canada, where's he's been a guest judge before.
So it seems that if I love a dancer this year, I'm going to lose them. First Alex, then Ashley, now Billy is injured and sitting out this week. While Billy's injury doesn't seem as serious as the other two, he'll miss out and be automatically placed in the bottom 3, but because he should still be able to dance next week, he will get a reprieve. Phew... cause I still want more Billy.
Speaking of Love and Loss, I'm a bit late on this post because [SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT] I was at the Opening night for the new production of Love, Loss and What I Wore in Toronto, which happens to be my latest gig (I'm not on stage, that's for the wonderful female actresses (Andrea Martin (SCTV, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Hedwig and the Angry Inch etc. etc)! Mary Walsh (This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Louise Pitre (original Broadway Mamma Mia), Paula Brancati (Degrassi: TNG, Being Erica) and Sharron Matthews (Cabaret Diva, Les Mis))). So if you're in New York, Los Angeles, and now Toronto, come check out the show! It's very cute and funny, and especially if you're in Toronto, you don't want to miss Andrea Martin telling off Mary Walsh on stage! It's a riot!
But enough about me, back to the dancers. Which as of now, we're left with 5, during the Top 6 week. Seriously, at this point, it'll be whoever survives longest who wins the title this season. And it's too bad because there are still some worthy contenders remaining, but it will probably be forever notated that the winner won without actually beating all the other Top 10 dancers.
So with that, let's see what the 150th episode of So You Think You Can Dance has to offer:
Lauren Froderman with Stephen Twitch Boss Choreographed by: Napoleon and Tabitah D'umo Style: Hip-Hop Song: "My Chick Bad" - Ludacris ft. Nicki Minaj Grade - Dance: A- Grade - Contestant: B+
Maybe it's cause of the bulky cowboyish costumes but I thought Lauren actually hit it pretty hard here and while she didn't match hit for hit with Twitch, it all looked pretty great. Again, I didn't love Lauren at first but she is winning me over.
I thought it looked great overall, I loved the choreo that melded Hip-Hop moves with cowboy twang, and Lauren did a great job showing the attitude needed to dance up next to Twitch.
Plus that crazy circus looking role Lauren did was way cool!
Here's the video of Lauren and Twitch's Hip-Hop:
Jose "Full Deck" Ruiz with Allison Holker Choreographed by: Sonya Tayeh Style:Contemporary Song: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Theme" - Jon Brion Grade - Dance: A Grade - Contestant: B
Loved the dance and having the dancers playing along the ledge, and Allison made it look all so easy, but I'm with Adam and Mia in that Jose didn't really dance much. While I thought he started off laisez-faire for the first 3 seconds, he then suddenly got really committed the dance, which saved his technical-lacking skills.
Allison, as ever, was just simply superb and along with Sonya's choreo, cleverly makes up for what Jose lacks (which Nigel mentions too) by ingeniously filling in the gaps to make it all look so smooth.
Here's the video of Jose and Allison's Contemporary:
Robert Roldan with Lauren Gottlieb Choreographed by: Tyce DiOrio Style:Jazz Song: "Wasted Life" - My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult Grade - Dance: A- Grade - Contestant: A
Wow. A Tyce routine I didn't hate. Granted, I love Lauren and I LOVE Robert so that may have helped. I could watch Robert dance ALL. THE. TIME.
Sometimes I think his main weakness is that he tends to overthink it and worrying about how he's looking in the dance (and I don't mean that in vain way, but more in that he should be more confident about his amazing dance skills).
But loved the odd 80's music and the odd jazz movements and Robert and Lauren just looked so good together.
Here's the video of Robert and Lauren's Jazz:
Kent Boyd with Kathryn McCormick Choreographed by: Sonya Tayeh Style: Jazz Song: "Tightrope" - Janelle Monae Grade - Dance: A Grade - Contestant: A
SO FUN! I felt like they were two lovers frolicking on the beach or something! There were split seconds that could have been more in sync but I'm being nitpicky here.
Mia thought his smily face defies the level of sophistication that the choreo provides, but his technical skills is superb. I guess I'm one of those tween girls who isn't bothered by his smiley face, especially in this routine that was more fun to begin with.
Here's the video of Kent and Kathryn's Jazz:
Adéchiké Torbert with Comfort Fedoke Choreographed by: Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo Style: Lyrical Hip-Hop Song: "Fallin'" - Alicia Keys Grade - Dance: A Grade - Contestant: A-
I cannot get over how F#$Ken amazing Comfort is? How come she wasn't this good in her own season?
At first I thought Adéchiké was going it all wrong but then I realized he was doing it all right, playing the role with a strength and bravado that made the story make sense. Made it a scary story, but made it make sense. He was emotionless but on purpose in an evil sense, and Comfort totally reacted to it in such a powerful way.
Here's the video of Adéchiké and Comfort's Lyrical Hip-Hop:
Lauren Froderman and Robert Roldan Choreographed by: Dmitry Chaplin Style: Samba Song: "Drummer Boy (SYTYCD Remix)" - Debi Nova Grade - Dance: A- Grade - Lauren: B+ Grade - Robert: A-
I was worried for Robert here, and while there were some tiny missed connections (mostly in the hand), I think partly due to his confidence problems again, but he could have doubled for Dmitry (HELLO DMITRY!) and as Adam and Mia said, his lines his carriage and everything looked authentic. He could gain a bit of strength to do the lifts better but I was so impressed.
Mia was less impressed with Lauren but I thought she did a great job, and while she could have wiggled her butt a little more, I thought she was lovely here.
But it did look like Robert was the expert here, which is amazing since he seemed so worried about the Samba!
Here's the video of Lauren and Robert's Samba:
Adéchiké Torbert and Jose "Full Deck" Ruiz Choreographed by: Dmitry Chaplin (with Legacy) Style: Paso Doble Song: "The Arrival/Rampage/Continued Existence" - James Dooley Grade - Dance: A- Grade - Adéchiké : B+ Grade - Jose: C+
LEGACY! Seriously. I miss Legacy SO MUCH.
So a Paso Doble with two guys. It's like the dancing duel. And to be honest, I thought Adéchiké looked stronger. There was more power and confidence in his movements, while Jose looked more like he was just making sure he was getting all the moves down while pumping out his chest.
Jose looked more like an act, while Adéchiké looked like he was going to truly be a bull fighter.
Adam thought Adéchiké needed to release it more. Mia and Kenny thought they gave it a good effort but the technique was lacking and flailing.
Here's the video of Adéchiké and Jose's Paso Doble:
Kent Boydand Billy Bell with Stephen Twitch Boss Choreographed by: Chuck Maldonado Style: Stepping Song: "Pro Nails Rusko Remix" - Kid Sister Grade - Dance: A- Grade - Contestant: A-
Damn, how cute would it have been to see Kent and Billy together? Dancing together. Or whatever...
Anyways, with Twitch in the mix, he makes the smaller Kent look like such a little boy. Twitch is so strong and while Kent didn't quite match the power, I was impressed enough with Kent for matching the speed and the steps.
Twitch and Kent were kind of cute together, like the little White brother trying to match his bigger cooler Black brother.
Here's the video of Kent and Twitch's Stepping:
The Solos
Adéchiké Torbert Style: Contemporary Song: "This Woman's Work" - Maxwell Grade: B+ While sometimes I wish his lines were a teeny bit straighter, what he lacks there, he makes up for having both strength and smoothness to his solos, something that is not easy to come by.
Here's the video of Adéchiké's Solo:
Robert Roldan Style: Contemporary Song: "Parachutes" - Trevor Hall Grade: A- Robert just turned 20 today. Uh, say WHAT? He's only 20? Maybe cause his dancing feels so sophisticated and mature, but I always thought he was way older. But what usually weakens him, his lack of self-confidence in his dancing (which is totally absurd), is never seen in his solos. Now he just needs to work a routine better around a song, but that will come now that he's no longer a teen (seriously? He's only 20 NOW?)
Here's the video of Robert's Solo:
Lauren Froderman Style: Contemporary Song: "The Waves" - Elisa Grade: C+ I'm beginning to love Lauren, but I still don't love her solos. Maybe it's unfair but I see her wear that skimpy sparkly costume and I can imagine sticking a pole in the midst of her solo and it's totally a stripper routine. She needs to work on her solos and connect with the music and not repeat the same move 18 times in 1 minute.
Here's the video of Lauren's Solo:
Jose "Full Deck" Ruiz Style: Breakdancing Song: "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" - James Brown Grade: B+ While I still think there have been better breakers on the US and Canadian edition of the show, I think Jose did a great job creating a bit of a routine here that matched the song, something that is often easily lacking, especially with breaking solos.
Here's the video of Jose's Solo:
Kent Boyd Style: Contemporary Song: "End of the Road (Acapella)" - Boys II Men Grade: B Love Kent, but felt he was trying to get that "Yearning" look too hard and it lacked any cohesiveness, with too much reliance on the reaching move.
Here's the video of Kent's Solo:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - The Final Roundup:
The Dancers - Pairs Routine: 1st - Best of the Night: Robert (with Lauren) 2nd: Kent (with Kathryn) 3rd: Adéchiké (with Comfort) 4th: Robert and Lauren 5th: Kent (with Twitch) 6th: Lauren (with Twitch) 7th: Jose (with Allison) 8th - Worst of the Night: Jose and Adéchiké
The Routines: Best Routine of the Night: Sonya Tayeh's Jazz (Kent with Kathryn) 2nd Best Routine of the Night: Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo's Lyrica Hip-Hop (Adéchiké with Comfort) 3rd Best Routine of the Night: Sonya Tayeh's Contemporary (Jose with Allison)
The Dancers - Solos: Best of the Night: Robert 2nd: Adéchiké 3rd: Jose 4th: Kent 5th - Worst of the Night: Lauren
The Predictions: Bottom Three: Jose, Robert and Billy who is automatically in already.
Jose should be going home, but who knows who really is gonna be in the bottom 3 this week. I've been wrong with my predictions every week. And even though I thought it was Adéchiké's best week, I still prefer Robert, Kent and Billy over him, but Adéchiké has never been in the bottom 3, so why start now? And even if Lauren was in the bottom 3, no way are the judges going to let the last girl go at this point.
Going Home Jose His smile can only take him so far.
This is how I rank all the dancers overall (#position from last week in parenthesis): Overall Ranking:
1. Robert (1) 2. Kent (2) 3. Billy (3) 4. Lauren (4) 5. Adéchiké (7) 6. Jose (6)
The Good Wife (Season 2) CBS/Global 10pm ****1/2 (Low: 4)
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Grade system
***** - 5 Stars TAPEWORTHY AND WILL watch it LIVE for fear the recording will mess up. Do not attempt to call or try to make plans during this time.
**** - 4 Stars Tapeworthy and I will TRY to watch it LIVE
*** - 3 Stars Tapeworthy, will watch it live if I'm around but if not, will catch it later in the week.
** - 2 Stars Might tape it to watch later as long as I have space and no conflicting shows that have higher priority.
* - 1 Star Won't tape it but if I need something to watch while I fold my laundry (and I'm done all my tapes), I will watch it (ie. Reba).
0 - 0 Stars Will NOT turn on the TV for fear of coming across this show. (ie. According to Jim).
Grades only reflect current new airings. Does not necessarily apply to previous seasons. Grades are subject to change at any moment. Apologies to TV Gal for half borrowing her system.
So in case you don't know yet, the new play based on Ilene Beckerman's book, is by sisters Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle) and Delia Ephron (You've Got Mail, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and directed by Karen Carpenter, are a series of vignettes and stories about women and clothes told in a series of monologues by 5 actresses who read them from stands while seated. I know. Doesn't sound all that exciting but the Ephron's know how to balance off the drama and the laughter between the stories, sometimes whipping back and forth from one emotion to another, sometimes in the same story, sometimes by the order they're placed in.
In Toronto, the current first cast consists of (above, from l-r) Mary Walsh ("Marg Delahunty" from This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Louise Pitre (Tony nominee for Broadway's Mamma Mia, Dora winner for The Toxic Avengers the Musical), Andrea Martin (SCTV, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Exit the King, Young Frankenstein the Musical, Hedwig the Angry Inch etc.), Paula Brancati (Degrassi: TNG, Being Erica) and Sharron Matthews (Cabaret Star, Les Mis),
While all the actresses in NYC were wonderful, I particularly remember Tracee Ellis Ross bringing her effervescent laugh and distinctive and eloquent cadence to the rhythm of her monologues, and Katie Finneran just has a natural comedic timing that she hides under her big fashionable blonde mane that she snappily uses to sharpen every comic button (which she later used to win her a Tony Award for Promises, Promises). Casey Wilson had some nice moments of her own while Debra Monk has such a commanding presence that you certainly feel a motherly grip with her performance.
The first Canadian cast is full of known funny ladies that it's hard to tell who outdoes one another when you have the talents of Andrea Martin, Mary Walsh, Louise Pitre and Sharron Matthews all-together on one stage. Each manage to pull out enormous laughs (just a look from Andrea Martin can send the theatre into roaring laughter) but they all also excel at flipping the switch to more tender or dramatic moments. I mean, each one has been used to commanding the stage on their own, but it's even more special watching them share the stage in a sisterly bond.
