Longtime readers know I'm hot a regular theater-goer. I used to think it was because I didn't "like" theater, as it were, but over the years I've learned that the trick is just like movies and TV shows: ONLY go to the ones that sound REALLY good to you, and skip all the stuff everyone "swears" you'll like. (I recently came across the list of the 50 highest grossing films of all time and realized I had only seen three of them, yet I'm a HUGE fan of "movies.")
Case in point "Buyer & Cellar," playing through May 4 at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, which I only knew poked fun at celebrity narcissism and excess. (Talk about the magic words -- I'm in!) To say that writer Jonathan Tolins' book is hilarious, brilliant and stunningly original almost seems like an understatement, but I sincerely cannot remember laughing so often and for so long as I did during this -- and found myself wishing throughout the evening that all of my (sharpest) friends were there with me experiencing this precious work of art, too. Michael Urie's performance is as splendid as he is adorable. But my date and I both agreed that this show could easily go on with another competent lead because it's the writing that is the play's true star. (Can we get this extended so my mom can see it when she's here in June????)
Now if this pitch sounds familiar to what led me to seeing that "Book of Mormon" crap, let me say this to prospective attendees: Don't go if you're slow. Don't go if you're not into pop culture. And definitely don't go if you're not fascinated with celebrity -- particularly superstars who need to be referred to by just one name and who write and act as "principal photographer" for coffee-table books about their homes ... that feature underground shopping malls in them.
My grade: A+
Simply Brava!
DISCOUNT CODE:
Great news: KIT212 readers can tickets for $45 (regularly priced at $55) by using the code "Fan45"! Buy online HERE.
In my opinion, the less you know about "Buyer & Cellar" the more you'll enjoy it. But if you insist on details, THIS review in the New York Times will do the trick.
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