New York, New York

 New York, New York
St. James Theatre
May 7, 2023 

Photo courtesy of New York, New York

Director/choreographer Susan Stroman has outdone herself with the Broadway musical New York, New York.  The production is extraordinary.  Her staging creates the city hustle of the post war era.  It is a city struggling to come back to life, filled with a diverse population of dreamers.  The scenic design by Beowulf Boritt is remarkable.  The book, by David Thompson and Sharon Washington, weaves together numerous stories that build with an amazing crescendo.  John Kander and Fred Ebb’s well known songs open your heart, while the new songs, with lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, keep the story focused and moving forward.  

Anna Uzele & Colton Ryan
Photo courtesy of New York, New York

The main plot is very much like the movie.  Musician Jimmy Doyle (played by Colton Ryan) meets singer Francine Evans (played by Anna Uzele) at an audition.  He is immediately charmed by her, yet his overly confident demeanor turns her off.  Jimmy’s friend, Tommy Caggiano (played by Clyde Alves) encourages him to pursue Francine in a more romantic manner.

The magnetism of the city is illustrated by the numerous characters we see throughout the story.  Jesse Webb (played by John Clay III) is a trombone player who just returned from the war.  Mateo Diaz (played by Angel Sigala) is a percussionist who immigrated to New York from Cuba with his family.  Alex Mann (played by Oliver Prose) is a violinist who escaped from Poland.  He searches the city for Madam Veltri (played by Emily Skinner).  He longs to study violin with her.  She agrees to mentor him, while anxiously waiting for her son to return from the war. 

Clyde Alves, Colton Ryan, & Anna Uzele
Phtoso courtesy of New York, New York

As Francine’s singing career rises, Jimmy’s drinking starts to bring him down.  He gets a chance to manage a club on the upper west side.  This is where all the stories converge, as the characters forge bonds that create opportunities for them all to achieve their dreams. 

Colton Ryan is outstanding as Jimmy Doyle.  He fully embodies the character.  He is suave, bold, and lyrical.  His attraction to Anna Uzele’s Francine is visceral.  You will not be able to take your eye off Ms. Uzele.  She nails the two best known Kander & Ebb songs from the movie.  She makes them her own, both vocally and emotionally.

Photo courtesy of New York, New York

Colton Ryan and Clyde Alves create a genuine friendship between their characters.  Their backstory is strong.  It is filled with conflict and connection.  John Clay II, Janet Dacal, Oliver Prose, Angel Sigala, and Emily Skinner portray truthful and identifiable characters.  They have clearly defined goals and strive toward achieving them with every ounce of their soul.

This creative team has taken the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture and made it new.  It proudly reflects the ability of New Yorkers to bounce back and succeed.  It is an inspiring story for this post-pandemic time.  

Domenick Danza

The Beast in the Jungle

The Beast in the Jungle

Vineyard Theatre

June 15, 2018

Photo courtesy of Vineyard Theatre

The Beast in the Jungle, with music by John Kander and book by David Thompson, is now running at Vineyard Theatre.  Inspired by the Henry James novella, this “dance play” tells the romantic and tragic story of the missed opportunities for love.  Director/Choreographer Susan Stroman skillfully weaves realistic narrative with ballet and stylized movement to emotionally engage the audience in this dark tale.

John Marcher (played by Peter Friedman) advises his nephew (played by Tony Yazbeck) that if he truly loves his girlfriend, who just broke up with him because he cannot commit, he needs to run back to her, get on his knees, and ask her to marry him.  John Marcher tells his nephew the story of when he met May Bertram (played by Irina Dvorovenko) in Naples, and fell instantly in love with her.  It was the beast within him that compelled him to run from her as the mutuality of their feelings began to flourish.  This beast reared its ugly head again when they met by chance twenty years later.  It is not until sharing his story with his nephew that John faces his inner demons and is able to release them.

Irina Dvorovenko & Tony Yazbeck
Photo courtesy of Vineyard Theatre

Peter Friedman beautifully takes the audience through John Marcher’s story, facing the truth in the climax of the play.  Tony Yazbeck plays the young John Marcher as the story of his early years is told through dance.  Mr. Yazbeck is vulnerable and charming in this role.  His physical characterization and dance skills are strong and charismatic.  His transformation superbly reflects Mr. Friedman’s character.  Irina Dvorovenko is a beautiful match to Mr. Yazbeck.  She is an amazing dancer.  They connect and build a genuine relationship that carries the action of the story forward.

Photo courtesy of Vineyard Theatre

Susan Stroman uses an ensemble of six women to play numerous roles and create the setting and atmosphere of a beach in Italy, and English garden, and a New York City art gallery.  These six phenomenal dancers appear out of the darkness and create smooth transitions throughout the show.  They create the “beast” with a few simple and well-choreographed effects that evoke powerful images representing the main character’s deep-seeded fear.

John Kander’s score is lush and romantic.  Ms. Stroman’s choreography utilizes his rhythms and enhances the passionate swell in his score.  The Beast in the Jungle has been extended at Vineyard Theatre through June 24.  It is beautiful storytelling. 

Domenick Danza