coram boy


I procured a free ticket to this wonderful show (in previews) right now. The story is epic...reminds me of the dark sides of Charles Dickens stories a little bit...it really drags you through the depths of people at their worst. Sickening actually...I could really do without the baby killing part. But what an experience. It's epic, obviously lots of money was spent on production sets and effects, and it totally enhances the whole experience. Baroque music (my favorite) is weaved throughout the play, the Playbill states there is an hour and 20 minutes of music, for a 2 hr 50 min show. I mean, come on, who has a full orchestra for a play?

Now that I think of it, Handel did have his music performed at an orphanage...and this story is sorta based on a true-ish myth.

The play made an interesting choice to cast young women to play the roles of the two choir boys. They were so good (Xanthe Elbrick & Uzo Aduba)...their voices sounded just like young boys. Amazing. I had to recheck my Playbill to make sure they were females, not young boys.

I love shows in previews because that means lots of celebrities will be in the audience. I saw a bunch of cast members from Spring Awakening (I guess it's their night off), as well as the NYCB choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon.

OMG, so many shows to watch...new shows...old shows...I met some very enthusiastic theater fans sitting next to me, and I was chided for not watching Talk Radio yet, and two of the people sitting around me have tickets for FOUR shows this week. (110 in the Shade seems popular right now).

But the ending statement is...I do think that Coram Boy may be a frontrunner for Best Play this year. In my mind, Journey's End should get Best Play Revival, and Best Play should go to Coram Boy. What a unique theatrical experience!