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The Second-to-Final Chapter Harry Potter has returned! After the horrors of last year’s Half-Blood Prince, which made nearly a billion dollars despite its obvious veering from the book’s plot, Deathly Hallows is equivalent to a splash of cold water in the face. It’s fun, fast, and action-filled, and renders viewers hungry for more at its cliffhanging finale. The film is fit to remind audiences, “This is still Harry Potter, after all.” And it is. All I can say is that when Part II comes out next July, I’ll be the first in line! THEATER
In 2003, Will Ferrell starred in an ingenious film about a human raised by elves who goes back to live with his own kind. The movie made almost seven times its budget, ending up with a grand total of about $220 million. And no wonder- the film was classy, filled to the brim with humor, and dotted with stars like Ferrell, Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel, and Peter Dinklage. In that, the only difference between it and its musical adaptation is that the movie was successful. The musical hosts stars from all regions of Broadway history, but reviews fall flat despite media hype for the nine-week show. It’s not all bad. The cast is terrific, and some songs, such as ‘The Story of Buddy the Elf’ and the duets between veterans Beth Leavel (who was lucky enough to be in the original casts of both The Drowsy Chaperone and Young Frankenstein) and Matthew Gumley (out of recent hits like Mary Poppins - he’s the original Michael Banks- and Beauty and the Beast) were strong. Cracks referring to Charlie Sheen, the iPad, and, of course, the industrial wasteland that is New Jersey were hilarious (I’m willing to make fun of myself). But without the witty rancor of Will Ferrell, Elf appears as less a parody of a Christmas tale than a poorly written explosion of sets and technology attempting to be one. If you know you or your children will be enchanted, then go. But if you expect it to be similar to the performances of Ferrell, then know that you will be sadly disappointed.
“Title of Show” entertains not just with its razor-sharp humor, renowned actors and surprisingly witty songs for their little rhyme, but it also entertains with merely its premise. Title of Show is a rip-roaring musical comedy about two men writing a musical comedy about two men writing a musical comedy about two men writing a musical comedy… It appears that a creative mirror has been aimed at another creative mirror, and the result is this strange and yet wonderful show with a cast that includes three Broadway actors stemming from Hairspray, Spamalot and Altar Boyz, as well as a voice you might recognize! For those of you familiar with both Sirius Satellite Radio and the On Broadway channel (FYI, channel 75) will know the voice of Seth Rudetsky, who plays the character of Jeff in the show. It was a great surprise to me to see Seth’s picture outside the theater as I pulled up, as I am a big fan. A low-key, low-budget, fourth-wall-breaking escapade, this performance (which is officially known as [title of show]) will bring tears of laughter to the eyes of any hardy veteran. This show offers little semblance of a plot, which frankly is fine with me. You will, as I was, be too busy screaming with laughter at sarcastic references and quirky lines to notice. If an oppression-defeating song called Die, Vampire, Die catches your fancy, or you’re interested in a friendly, bonding number between the two supporting actors known as ‘Secondary Characters’ see the show, soon. You won’t be disappointed! |
