Is He Dead?, a play by Mark Twain, adapted by David Ives, at the Lyceum Theatre. Starring Norbert Leo Butz, Michael McGrath, Jenn Gambatese, Tom Alan Robbins and Bridget Regan. Directed by Michael Blakemore. The excellent reviews for "Is He Dead" inspired us to "piggyback" it after a matinee and are we glad we did, we haven't had such a hilarious time in the theater since "Noises Off" (the original production) nor have we heard such unbridled laughter since "The Mystery of Irma Vep" (the original production). Yes it is that good and it's no wonder that the audience was full of celebrities (Glenn Close sat across the aisle from us and we spotted Jerry Stiller in the intermission.)
The plot of the play is ridiculously simple. An artist plays dead in order to cash in on the resulting fame, but what makes the play take off is that he stays around in disguise as his own sister, "Daisy Taillou" ("To You"). The incomparable Norbert Leo Butz runs with this fabulous comic role for all its worth and the brilliant cast more than keeps up with him. Michael McGrath is the hilarious "Chicago," Byron Jennings" is a hiss worthy villain, Bastien Andre, Patricia Conolly and Marylouise Burke could have stood toe to toe with Josephine Hull as ditsy old dames, and the young beauties Jenn Gambatese and Bridget Regan are winning and also very funny. Gambatese has a small tour de force in a comic fit of hysteria. The rest of the cast, too many to name here each contributes to make this an evening of hilarity and it goes without saying that the direction, so crucial in a farce, was timed to perfection. The sets and costumes sat beautifully in the handsome old Lyceum. Mark Twain! Who would have thought he would conquer Broadway with an unknown work? We floated home, our Bridge and Tunnel Commute hardly noticed so high were we on the happiness of "Is He Dead?" There is little doubt that as word gets out, momentum will build and the precious seats in this small jewel of a theater will be very hard to get. Our Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade for "Is He Dead?" is a resounding A+
The plot of the play is ridiculously simple. An artist plays dead in order to cash in on the resulting fame, but what makes the play take off is that he stays around in disguise as his own sister, "Daisy Taillou" ("To You"). The incomparable Norbert Leo Butz runs with this fabulous comic role for all its worth and the brilliant cast more than keeps up with him. Michael McGrath is the hilarious "Chicago," Byron Jennings" is a hiss worthy villain, Bastien Andre, Patricia Conolly and Marylouise Burke could have stood toe to toe with Josephine Hull as ditsy old dames, and the young beauties Jenn Gambatese and Bridget Regan are winning and also very funny. Gambatese has a small tour de force in a comic fit of hysteria. The rest of the cast, too many to name here each contributes to make this an evening of hilarity and it goes without saying that the direction, so crucial in a farce, was timed to perfection. The sets and costumes sat beautifully in the handsome old Lyceum. Mark Twain! Who would have thought he would conquer Broadway with an unknown work? We floated home, our Bridge and Tunnel Commute hardly noticed so high were we on the happiness of "Is He Dead?" There is little doubt that as word gets out, momentum will build and the precious seats in this small jewel of a theater will be very hard to get. Our Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade for "Is He Dead?" is a resounding A+
posted by James Camner | 9:49 PM
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