4,- The Michigan Daily - Weekend etc. - Thursday, Febuary 3, 1994
A user's guide to Broadway
By MELISSA ROSE BERNARDO
So you're going to New York City
over Spring Break. And since the
weather spoils that sightseeing tour
of the South Street Seaport Museum,
you decide to go to the museum that's
always open-Broadway. And while
Broadway is quite the showcase,
meaningful theater productions are
growing scarcer by the minute. So
here's a little guide, designed by an
expert, to help you filter the fantastic
from the fluff.
You've got your tourist attractions
- "Cats," "Les Miserables," "Miss
Saigon" and "The Phantom of the
Opera." These shows are Broadway
fixtures, but they aren't New York
exclusives. "Les Miz" comes around
every year or so, "Cats" is coming to
Detroit in March, "Saigon" in Octo-
ber, and "Phantom" is crap anyway.
So just say no; that's right, walk right
by...
...to the Walter Kerr for "Angels
WARNING - STAY
AWAY: the Michael
Damian production of
"Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat "... the
Richard Chamberlain
revival of "My Fair
Lady," and of course,
"Phantom."
in America." Subtitled "A Gay Fanta-
sia on National Themes," this two-
play cycle ("Millennium Approaches"
and "Perestroika") tackles all the hot
issues - homosexuality, drugs,
AIDS, the evolving American con-
sciousness. And on Wednesdays and
Saturdays, you can see both plays in a
single day. Or if you're in the mood
for a musical...
..."Kiss of the Spider Woman" is
this critic's pick. Starring the amaz-
ing Chita "I-broke-my-leg-in-five-
places-and-I'm-still-dancing-at-60"
Rivera, this is based on the Manuel
Puig novel of the same name. It's the
story of two prison cellmates from
different worlds who are brought to-
gether by movie fantasies. Winner of
seven Tonys, playing at the
Bioadhurst. But if you feel like some-
thing lighter...
...Go for "She Loves Me," the
revival of the Jerry Bock-Sheldon
Harnick show at the Brooks Atkinson.
This delightful musical is about ro-
$ 1oper
person
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The incredilIe Chita Rivera is currently on Broadway in the book-to-movie-to-musical "Kiss of the Spiderwoman."
mantic entanglements in a Budapest
perfume shop. Of course it's a ridicu-
lous plot - that makes a guaranteed
great musical! Or if you want some-
thing on the wilder side...
...there's "The Who's 'Tommy.'
You still have a few days to catch it in
Detroit, but it will be in New York
when you get there. Of course, this
production doesn't boast former MTV
"VJ" Steve Isaacs, but it's still great
rock music.
WARNING - STAY AWAY -
HEALTH HAZARDS: the Michael
Damian production of "Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat," Neil Simon's "Laughter
on the 23rd Floor," the Richard Cham-
berlain revival of "My Fair Lady,"
and of course, "Phantom."
If you walk a little farther, you'll
hit the sketchy area known as Off-
Broadway. Just because it's "Off'
Broadway doesn't mean "bad." It just
means it's a smaller theater.
Stop by the Lambs Theater for
"Beau Jest." A Jewish gal, a boy,
disapproving parents and an imagi-
nary boyfriend make a mess. Or if
you're really feeling adventurous, see
the Blue Man Group. It's performance
"Kiss of the Spider
Woman" is this critic's
pick, starring the
amazing Chita 1-broke-
my-leg-i n-five-places-
boem-e-nfv-lcsand-'m-still-dancing-at-61Riea
60" Rivera.
art - that's all you need to know and
that's all you're going to find out.
Take a chance and see it at the Astor
Place.
Or walk even farther to "Off-Off-
Broadway." Imagine yourself trapped
in a dressing room with two gay flo-
rists and a macho gunman. You've
got "Dressing Room Divas" at the
Duplex.
The point is, there's so much out
there. Youjust have to know where to
look. Before you go, do yourself a
favor and pick up a copy of
TheaterWeek or New York maga-
zine. Since late February is not a peak
theater-going season, you'll be safe if
you wait to buy your tickets until you
get there. Unless you fall into one of
the tourist-traps (see paragraph two),
which sell very quickly even on week-
nights, buying tickets the day of the
performance works out (and they're s
half-price).
Only in New York could you find
"Phone Sex" and "Damn Yankees"
within walking distance of each other.
Despite the regionalization of the
American theater, New York is still
where it's at.
Call (212) 239-6200 for informa
tion on anything on Broadway.
Rob Liebman plays Commie-hunter Roy Cohn in "Angels in America."
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DO YOUR HOBBIES INCLUDE ATTENDING PLAYS,
MUSICALS, ORCHESTRA CONCERTS, DANCE CONCERTS
OR ART EXHIBITS?.
ARTS IS LOOKING FOR THEATER AND FINE ARTS
WRITERS. BE THE ELITE. CALL 763-0379.
1220 S. University
above Mcaonalds 747-9400
cI I
Expires 2-11-94
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"B.EA?
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I'm through
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