Extra Criticum

Top 10 Examples of Visual Spectacle in NYC Theatre's Recent-ish History

OK. So, readers of this blog may be surprised (or alarmed?) to see this headline and my byline together in the same post. Those familiar with Rolando Teco's biases know that visual spectacle does not thrill me in the way that, say, authentic human conflict does.

So it dawned on me as I sat transfixed at my window, watching the drama and chaos and sheer beauty of another snowstorm, that I do appreciate some fireworks of the visual sort every now and then. So, here, in totally random order, are my top 10 picks for most stunning, memorable and breathtaking.

Drunken! Careening! Writers! gears up for another careening season

When I started DCW, the reading series I host at the KGB Bar back in 2004, it was in part because I missed the emerging and professional writers at The Writer's Voice, the literary arts center at the West Side YMCA where I worked for most of the last decade of the last century.

Well look who the wind blew in...long time no post, Kathleen!

But one of my (albeit tardy) New Year's Resolutions is to be a more active poster here on Extra Criticum.

I've actually been traveling a fair amount for theater lately, so I've got some posts planned for that, and I'm cross-pollinating at the moment, with a link to a post I wrote this afternoon for Frommers.com's "Behind the Guides" blog, where they let me write about my fangirl obsession with The Amazing Race, which is only the most awesome reality show EVER! 

GOTHOS Performs Live This Fri Feb 19

This just in from E.C. pal, Gored Smyte, keyboardist and visionary force behind GOTHOS: The Ultimate Goth Rock Tribute Show. They're playing the R Bar on the Lower East Side and rumor has it, some serious music biz movers and shakers will be there. So the bigger the crowd the better. Rolando Teco and Andrew Altenburg plan to be gettin' down to their groove. Come join us. Show the love! Here's a short clip from one of their covers, "This Corrosion" by The Sisters of Mercy:

GothosThisCorrosion30sec

My Last Trip to the Highline Ballroom [or: Don't Let a Lousy Venue Kill Your Act]

According to theatrical lore, Helen Hayes (The First Lady of the American Theatre) had a ritual she never deviated from whenever she was opening in a new show on Broadway. On the first day of previews, as legend has it, she would have her assistant go 'round to all the ushers and box office staff and collect their birthdays. Then she would keep them in a calendar and during the run of the show every front of house staff member would receive a personal birthday card from Helen Hayes herself.

Why did she do this? Because she understood that the success of any show, no matter how brilliant, depends on the good will and enthusiasm of the people who make first (and repeated) contact with the public. If the people answering the phone in the box office or tearing tickets as the audience arrived each night loved Ms. Hayes, the chances of the audiences loving her were better.

The other night some friends and I went to a fabulous show performed by Lady Rizo and The Assettes at the Highline Ballroom. And although it was packed, if I were her manager I would advise her never to perform at that venue again.

Pics from Brevity Fest LA now on facebook

Thanks to our MC, JD DiSalvatore, for posting these pics. Video to soon follow.

Art vs. Commerce: Two world views collide within 12 hours of each other

Last night, we had our first Brevity Fest, at which about a dozen writers and musicians shared new work for an audience of roughly 75, who filled a cozy venue called El Cid where drinks and food were served and lots of people were moved.

This morning I took a meeting with a publicist who told me that nothing I've done is even worth discussing (or his time) unless and until I have a breakout hit.

Both are real. Both are valid. But one of these things moves me deeply while the other leaves me cold.

NBCU Corporate Memo De-Coded

Earlier today, NBC Universal president Jeff Zucker sent out a 'team update' memo about the upcoming transition... but as it's in that same gooblety gook speak that the corporate suits like to talk in, I've gone ahead and de-coded it for you.. Enjoy! (thanks to Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood for posting the original letter)

Brevity Fest - TONITE at El Cid

Doors open at 7pm for the 7:30pm 90-min. lineup of readings and songs by lots of talented folk loosely connected this here blog. Come out and have a drink and a laugh (or 2 or 3). No cover. Reservations at tickets@pinkplot.com

Restrain Yourself

It’s way too easy to compare Eyes Wide Open, director Haim Tabakman’s film of a homosexual affair between two ultra-orthodox Jewish men in Jerusalem, to Brokeback Mountain, but that would be unfair. Comparisons like that are always dismissive and the film that was released later usually comes off sounding like a cheap Canal Street knock-off. But more than that, the comparison is inaccurate.

J.D. Salinger - Writer, Not Freak

Many years ago I had an argument about Norman Mailer at a party. I was pro, the long-forgotten partygoer was con. She let rip a long litany of the stupid, vainglorious things Mailer had done (they are legion). When she rested her case, she was smug, satisfied that she had won the argument. 

JD DiSalvatore to MC Brevity Fest

This just in, kids! JD DiSalvatore has just signed on to MC the first ever Brevity Fest, to be held at El Cid in Silverlake this Thursday evening at 7:30pm. More info on Brevity Fest can be found at the top of this blog.

Here's more info on our fabulous MC: