The Power of Now. Here. This.

I wish I had the opportunity to see this show sooner so that perhaps there would be more opportunities for people to storm The Vineyard to see the [Title of Show] crew's latest work. Still, even with its final performance only a few days away on April 28th, I have to rave about this show. And apologies for the short notice aside, I urge you to rearrange your plans and cancel everything on your calendar so you can go see this.

I'd been a fan of Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Jeff Bowen, and Heidi Blickenstaff ever since hearing the recording of [Title of Show] and watching the [title of show] Show episodes religiously on Youtube ("Get outta here, Cheyenne Jackson!"). Unfortunately, I never got to see [tos] in person, but it only cemented my determination to attend a performance of Now. Here. This.

The truth of the matter is that I always am a little wary of talking about people who have already made it to Broadway on this blog, since the focus is on more up-and-coming writers. But experiencing the intimacy of all four performers in the space of The Vineyard, I found myself in awe of the talented, professional people taking such risks and reaching out to audiences in a way that is so genuine and magnetically charged with human connection.

So what is Now. Here. This. about? On one hand, it's simply about a day at the museum the [tos] crew experiences together, researching the development of the universe to give them inspiration for their new piece about what it means to live in the moment. Of course, that is not all the story is about, as exhibitions bring out stories from each cast members' past, explaining who they are and how they came to be int his moment, on the stage before you. Eventually, the stories converge, making you, the audience, realize the magic of what you are witnessing. And in this way, the piece is really a testament to the magic of theatre.

In [tos] fashion, there is an abundance of smart humor, much of which stems from the lovable performers whose love for one another is palpable. There are set pieces with just enough to conjure a museum-type atmosphere, but the true moments of unbridled joy and ecstatic grief come from musical moments where the background rolls away and the talented actors are more than enough to fill the stage.

Perhaps the end wraps things up a little neatly-- but it's hard not to appreciate the journey and to feel grateful. Grateful to be alive. Grateful for great people and great art. Grateful to be a part of something.

Bonus video: If you want to see a great example of the performers at their most poignant and hilarious, catch this video from an Easter Bonnet competition:

Raising "The Kid"

If you live in or around New York City, I highly recommend getting down to Theatre Row and seeing The Kid. Based on the autobiographical book by sex columnist Dan Savage, writers Michael Zam (book), Andy Monroe (music), and Jack Lechner (lyrics) manage to write an incredibly touching story about a gay couple struggling through the adoption process. This musical was touching, hilarious, and really a wonderful story about relationships and family, examined through a lens that is rarely explored. The process of adopting a child already sets up huge, interesting conflicts and plot twists, and this particular piece spearheads the journey with strong leading characters who you really grow to root for. Terry and Dan are a very real couple, whose dynamics as they progress from a one night stand to loving parents are a joy to watch. The fact that Dan is also a sex columnist really frames the story nicely, and the narration of the story through Dan in a column-like manner works well for the work and also provides back story without being overly expositional. One thing that really helps move things along is the music. The tunes are easily digestible, a good amount even memorable, and wholly accessible. The lyrics flow with relative ease and there are some really nice harmonies/overlapping songs that beautifully show the complicated elements and conflicting views that arise from this emotionally charged situation. With an all-star cast with Broadway favorites Christopher Sieber, Ann Harada, Susan Blackwell, and Jill Eikenberry, the musical is packed with energy and heart. Not only do I look forward to more great things from these writers, but I also hope for a long life for this show.