Curtains

The Hirschfeld theatre was by far the most annoying of all the theatres I was at. There was a long line of people waiting to get in, and once we were in, there are no signs directing people where to go. The one ticket taker for the entire theatre instructed us to go upstairs, which I knew we would have to. Upstairs, there are two doors into the balcony seating area, but no signs and no indication on the tickets as to which door to use for which seats. Everyone had to stand in line again at the door closest to the stairs and the usher would either direct people into that door or send them down the hall to the other door. We had to go to that door and then stand in line again to be lead to our seats. Then, I don't know who designed the bathroom, but putting the paper towel dispensers on a partition in the middle of the doorway really impedes traffic flow and causes massive confusion. Fortunately, once the show started, it took away all thoughts of the building. Curtains is a fantastic show and a very fitting swan song for the greatest show-writing team in Broadway history. The music was terrific, the plot was engaging and not too silly or overtaxing, and all the performers were at the top of their game. The theatre was packed, which is a good sign, there's obviously a lot of interest in the show. It is their best score since Chicago and their most positive, up-beat show since The Act. The audience seemed to love every minute of it, and for good reason, although I'm calling out the people at the Friday March 9 8:00 pm show sitting in the balcony, row N, seats 10 and 12: no matter how great the show is, there is no need for each of you to loudly comment on it to the other throughout the show. I paid to hear the actors, not you two. This show ties with Grey Gardens as the best show we saw on the trip. The cast album is being recorded March 26 and hopefully will be released sometime shortly after that, most likely in time to capitalize on the inevitable Tony nominations. So far all the chatter has been about Grey Gardens & Spring Awakening going head to head at the Tony's, but there's a new contender in town. The Tony's aren't nearly as sentimental as the Oscars, so Ebb's death isn't a factor, but the superb quality of the show makes it quite a threat. Here's hoping it has a long and prosperous run and paves the way for the rest of Kander & Ebb's unseen works to make it to Broadway.