"What the hell are they doing to Times Square? This is my question. Is it a theme park? Is it a walking district? Is it a pedicab-carriage district? Is it a strip mall? Frankly, I wish they would go back to the fact that this is the Theater District, and allow it to be the Theater District. Enough with the MTV and the Hard Rock Cafe. I so preferred it when I was *in danger* walking the streets of Times Square. I would rather have a sex shop than an Applebee's."

So says Variety.

This doesn't sound like a real thing that is happening. This sounds more like a great David Ives one-act.

Say it with me: NO MORE REALITY SHOW CRAP.

It's a real shame that when I went to go see Equus, it was filled with people who (instead of having waited for so many years to see a good professional production of the play like I have) saw it for the wrong reasons.
My verdict in short: click on my ticket stub:


My verdict in even shorter: Equus is either 5 minutes too long, or 5 minutes too short, and that pisses me off for some reason.

...that a "Tale of Two Cities" musical had any chance of getting a good review from the New York Times?

(Answer: no.)

Hipster guy: I think this play is by the same guy who wrote Ten Things I Hate about You

--NYCL Production of Shakespeare's Cymbeline, Central Park

Via today's Theatre-themed Overheard in New York

...by making them see an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Yeah, that's what I want... when I just got kicked out of my high-paying job, I definitely want salt poured on the wound in the form of Joseph and the Rainbow Dreamcoat.

At least it's being given to somebody whose merits are hard to argue against.

Forbidden Broadway Will Close in January 2009

Forbidden Broadway, the Gerard Alessandrini revue that has become an Off-Broadway institution since its premiere in 1982 at Palsson's Supper Club, will close in January 2009.

The latest edition of the revue, Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab, will play its final performance at the 47th Street Theatre Jan. 15, 2009. The production, which is currently in previews, is scheduled to officially open Sept. 17.

I just had a minor heart attack.

Mr. Alessandrini, you have always been a true inspiration to me, and you've given me self-confidence and a way down the path. Without you, I don't know that I'd be where I am today. You once said that "anybody could do your job". It's not so. You have a gift, a sense of the audience, the ability to craft lyrics that put you on a level that "parody lyricist" cannot effectively communicate. I hope your hiatus is a short one, and I hope that in the short absence Broadway notices that they didn't realize they'd miss you so much.

Rock on, Gerard.