Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

The New Group

The Pershing Square Signature Center

March 7, 2019

Photo courtesy of The New Group

The New Group production of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice is a nostalgic throwback to the time of free love and sexual liberation.  Jonathan Marc Sherman’s book explores the four title characters from the Columbia motion picture.  Duncan Sheik’s music captures the time period and surrounds the audience in a sublime and tranquil atmosphere.  Lyrics by Duncan Sheik and Amanda Green are a perfect balance intellectual and quirky.

When Bob (played by Joél Pérez) and his wife Carol (played by Jennifer Damiano) attend a therapeutic encounter weekend, they return fully in touch with their feelings.  Carol’s enlightenment becomes evident when Bob admits that he cheated on her and she does not feel jealous.  She in turn explores her sexual freedom by playing around with a tennis pro.  Their friends, Ted (played by Michael Zegen) and Alice (played by Ana Nogueira), find Bob and Carol’s sexual awakening a little startling.  Carol is very uptight, and Ted doesn’t push.  When Ted goes out of town for a convention, he follows Bob’s example and cheats on Alice.  She retaliates by suggesting the two couples sleep together.  This creates a surprising turnaround for all four of them.

Jennifer Damian, Joél Pérez, Ana Nogueira, & Michael Zegen
Photo courtesy of The New Group

Joél Pérez and Jennifer Damiano play the groovy, hip Bob and Carol with a flawless tongue-in-cheek humor.  Their timing is smooth and their connection is truthful.  Ana Nogueira is sharp and witty as Alice.  She and Michael Zegen play off one another very well.  The bickering between their characters is humorous, while their bond is genuine and strong.  Suzanne Vega plays the character of the Band Leader, transitioning the action with subtle humor and stylistic vocals. 

Scenic design by Derek McLane and costumes by Jeff Mahshie beautifully evoke the time period.  Director Scott Elliott pulls together every detail, creating genuine moments in this highly stylized environment.  Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice is playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center through March 22.

Domenick Danza

American Psycho, the Musical

American Psycho, the Musical

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

April 16, 2016

Photo Courtesy of
American Psycho, the Musical

The stark, white set of a New York apartment fills up with smoke.  We hear the rhythmic, steady pounding of a heartbeat.  The shadowy figures of a man and woman appear.  Blood splatters.  Blackout.  That is the first three minutes of AmericanPsycho, the Musical.  The tone is set.  The erotic and stylistic telling of this dark story has begun.  The production, under the brilliant direction of Rupert Goold, accurately evokes the mindset of New York City in 1989.  It is fast paced with a crispness and shine that reflects on present day values and convictions.

Benjamin Walker is captivating as Wall Street Banker, Patrick Bateman.  He skillfully carries the show with a calm demeanor, intense focus, and outstanding singing voice.  He creates a character that is real, flawed, apathetic, and identifiable.  Jennifer Damiano, who plays his secretary, Jean, lures us deeper into the dark side of this psychological tale with a sincere portrayal of naive obsession.  She catalyzes the character of Patrick Bateman, twisting the plot to an unexpected climax and resolution.

Benjamin Walker & the Ensemble
Photo courtesy of American Psycho, the Musical

The book, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis), is masterfully conceived.  The first act overflows with innuendo that generates psychological insight into the characters.  The most outstanding scene is the dinner party in Act I where the spoken dialogue is clearly the inner thoughts of those in attendance.  They blatantly blurt out the words in their heads, which should never be spoken out loud.  The effectiveness of this scene lays the foundation for the framework on which he builds the remainder of the show.  

Benjamin Walker, Jennifer Damiano, & Alice Ripley
Photo courtesy of American Psycho, the Musical

The music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik are powerful.  Some songs create a mechanical and robotic atmosphere, while others reveal the inner workings of the minds of the characters.  His best songs are in Act II.  “At the End of the Island” is biting and witty.  “A Girl Before” is hauntingly engaging.  In the finale, “This is not the End,” the main character reveals his deepest fears.  The force that has driven the plot is brought to a conclusion, and the impactful theme of the show is clearly understood.

Photo courtesy of
American Psycho, the Musical

The design elements of the production (scenic design by Es Devlin, lighting design by Justin Townsend, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, and video design by Finn Ross) tightly blend together to create a harsh and cold atmosphere that illuminates the static noise and conflict inside the head of the main character.  Combined with the ingenious choreography by Lynne Page, the show has a mesmerizing effect on the senses. 

American Psycho, the Musical is a stunning and masterful work of theatre. 

                                                                     Domenick Danza

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

Westside Theatre / Downstairs

July 14, 2015

Photo courtesy of
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

The reason I got a ticket to see The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey was because the blurb on TDF says, “with original music by Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik.”  When I got to the box office to pick up my tickets, I read the poster in the lobby.  It is not a new musical, but a one man show written and performed by James Lecesne.  It is touching, poignant, important, entertaining, and much more.  It is a skillfully crafted and warm-hearted piece of not-to-be-missed theatre.

The piece is based on a true story.  It tells of the disappearance of Leonard Pelkey, a flamboyant adolescent who stood out in his small New Jersey town.  James Lecesne creates numerous characters, all changed not only by their contact with Leonard, but by his unexplained disappearance.  Every monologue

James Lecesne in one of his many characters.
Photo courtesy of
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

is written with detail, nuance, and heartfelt humor that makes them distinct and memorable.  Mr. Lecesne instantaneously transforms as he embodies each well-defined character.

The show is running for a twelve week limited engagement.  It is sure to be popular and pick up an audience through positive word of mouth (like this – spread the word).  If you want to feel hopeful and believe in positive outcomes of human connection, go see it.  Oh yeah, Duncan Sheik’s music, although in the background, is as good as expected.

Domenick Danza