A long weekend in New York City is one of the best escapes you can treat yourself to this season. After all, nothing says fall like a ëshop-til you dropí tour of Manhattanís chicest shops to do some early holiday shopping, a five star dinner at one of the cityís most raved about new eateries, and of course a seat or two at the latest stage triumphs on Broadway. This fall, Broadway debuts a slew of new plays and musicals with either gay characters, gay themes or beloved gay favorites that, shopping and dining aside, make a visit to the theatrical heart of America one very special queer treat.
Before I make a visit New York around this time of year (or any time of year for that matter), I always check out the Broadway buzz at www.nytheatre.com, a little site I think of as being as important for a visitor to Manhattan as a Zagat Guide and a comfortable pair of shows. On this indispensible site you will find reviews of all the hot musicals and plays on and off-Broadway, listings of cabaret and comedy shows as well as information on buying tickets to any kind of NYC entertainment your twinkling gay heart could desire. Of the glittering choices on the Great White Way this fall, the following shows are my hands down picks:
The Little Dog Laughed - Opening on October 26, The Little Dog Laughed is the out of the box gay fave to see on a visit to the Big Apple this fall. By Douglas Carter Beane, this play which got raves off-Broadway last season, tells the story of closeted male Hollywood star who falls in love with a gay hustler and decides he wants to out himself. Over the course of the show audiences will also be introduced to the starís naÔve girlfriend and his brash Hollywood agent. Look for this show at the Cort Theatre on Broadway.
Butley - Fantastically out actor Nathan Lane returns to Broadway this fall in a revival of Simon Gray's play, Butley, about a professor trying to cope with his wife and his male lover. According to the showís press release, "Butley is a dark comedy about a literature professor whose world is crumbling around him. Faced with surprising news from both his wife and young protÈgÈ, Butley fights for his life with his best weapon: his acid wit." And whose tongue is more acerbic than Nathan Laneís? Sounds like a very fun and bitch evening to me. Canít wait!
Love Scenes - Another revival, David Pumo's one-man play Love Scenes, stars Moe Bertran portraying six very different characters, all of whom look at the trials and tribulations of gay relationships in unique and surprising ways. The characters include: a 20-year-old hustler falling for his kinky mentor, a Broadway producer in a locker room brawl with the starlet who's after his man, a 50-something martini drinker whose partner wants to have an open sexual relationship, and a drag diva ending her search for a rich husband to settle for true love. See this play soon as it closes, October 15.
The Madness of Lady Bright - Starring Swoosie Kurtz and Philip Bosco, Lanford Wilsonís The Madness of Lady Bright is a theatrical examination of a lonely, desperate gay man struggling to maintain his hold on some semblance of reality. Another excellent recent revival, The Madness of Lady Bright is a return engagement of TOSOS IIís and will be closing on October 29, so if youíre planning to be in Manhattan for Halloween this would be a lovely cultural excursion to enjoy before you loose all couth to the ghouls and goblins in Chelsea on the 31st.
Grey Gardens - Thereís nothing directly gay about this new musical about Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie, cousins of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, buIím including this musical here because Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is a gay style icon and because Iíve heard so many good things about this show.
According to the press release for the show, "'Grey Gardens' concerns both the deliciously eccentric (and real-life) aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who were once among the brightest names in the pre-Camelot social register, but became East Hamptonís most notorious recluses, living in a dilapidated 28-room mansion. Set in two erasóin 1941 when the estate was in its prime and in 1973 when it was reduced to squaloróthe musical tells the alternatively hilarious and heartbreaking story of two indomitable individuals." The show opens October 3, 2006 and stars Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson.
The Vertical Hour - Supreme actress, Julianne Moore, and director, Sam Mendes, team up for The Vertical Hour, which was written by British playwright David Hare. A serious post 9/11 political drama, the play represents Mooreís first return to the Broadway stage in years. Expected a star studded turn out for this high profile debut on November 30 at the Music Box Theatre.
Other shows to keep an eye out for this fall include:
A Chorus Line: A revival of the famous musical about dancers auditioning to be in a Broadway show.
The Times They Are A-Changin': A new musical conceived, directed, and choreographed, from songs by Bob Dylan.
Mary Poppins: A musical based on the 1964 Walt Disney film and the stories of P.L. Travers. Show opens on October 14, 2006.
Les Miserables: A revival of the popular musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo. Alexander Gemignani and Norm Lewis head the cast. Opens on October 24, 2006.
Company: A revival of Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical about a man trying vainly to connect with others; staged by John Doyle (Sweeney Todd). Begins on October 30, 2006.
Spring Awakening: The Duncan Sheik/Steven Sater musical about a group of teenagers trying to learn about life, love, and sex, transfers to Broadway. Beginning on November 17, 2006.
For more information on all shows gay and not-so-gay, visit www.nytheatre.com. Also be sure to book the shows you really want to see well ahead of your visit, especially the high profile variety, as this season is one of Broadway's biggest.
