(Reviews by Clive Barnes)
Posted: 12:51 am
June 27, 2008
"AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY": *** It's a long day's journey into September - well over three hours - but Tracy Letts' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is eviscerating melodrama. Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St.; (212) 239-6200.
"BOEING-BOEING": * Old-hat revival of old-hat French farce literally revolving around revolving air hostesses. Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St.; (212) 239-6200.
"A CATERED AFFAIR": **** A Bronx family's dilemma centers on an expensive wedding and a taxi, via Harvey Fierstein's book, John Bucchino's music and Lyrics and pitch-perfect performances. Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 W. 48th St.; (212) 239-6200. Closes July 27.
"THE COUNTRY GIRL": *** ½ Clifford Odets' well-worn play of Frank Elgin, an alcoholic actor (Morgan Freeman), his wife (Frances McDormand) and the hot-shot director (Peter Gallagher) pressing him to make a comeback. Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St.; (212) 239-6200
"GYPSY": *** ½ Patti LuPone stars as Momma Rose, a role she seems born to play. St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St.; (212) 239-6200.
"IN THE HEIGHTS": ** ½ Salsa-infused musical about the Latino community of Washington Heights. Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St.; (212) 221-1211.
"LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES": *** This new production has more simple heat than passionate fire. But elegant newcomer Ben Daniels and icy-veined Laura Linney are indecent enough as conniving villains. American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St.; (212) 719-1300. Closes July 6.
"NOVEMBER": ** ½ Nathan Lane is hysterically funny as an unpopular president in Mamet's overextended sketch of a farce. Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St. (212) 239-6200. Closes July 13.
"PASSING STRANGE": ** ½ This Candide-like saga of a black kid's quest for identity in Europe has charm; some good, ironically disposed songs; and great performances. Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St.; (212) 239-6200.
"SOUTH PACIFIC": **** Some enchanted musical! Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot lead the superb cast. Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center; (212) 239-6200.
"SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE": *** A luminously beautiful version, partly through the use of computer-generated images, of the 1984 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St.; (212) 239-6200.
"THE 39 STEPS": *** A delightful, very English spoof of the Hitchcock movie. Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th St.; (212) 239-6200.
"THURGOOD": ** ½ Laurence Fishburne and playwright George Stevens Jr. do a fine job in this one-man show bringing the first African-American US Supreme Court justice to vivid life. Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St.; (212) 719-1300.
"TOP GIRLS": *** Caryl Churchill's '82 play seems more layered today in this beautiful staging, with great performances by Martha Plimpton and Marisa Tomei. Biltmore Theatre, 261 W. 47th St.; (212) 239-6200. Closes Sunday.
