I went to the theater with Kevin Bacon on Friday night.  Oh, that is misleading - not the REAL Kevin Bacon - the other "Kevin Bacon".  My friend received this moniker/code name because he seems to know EVERYONE (six degrees of Kevin Bacon - get it).  Going to the theater with him is disorienting because so many people know him and he knows so many people.  He has done a film with this person, lived next door to that person, did a play with another somebody.  Really, my head was spinning.  He knew so many people that I had to forgive him for the fact that 4 other people turned down the free ticket to the show before he invited me.  I was FIFTH on the list, come on!  I was insulted (not really).

I accompanied Kevin Bacon to a performance of Paul Rudnick's The New Century at Off-Broadway's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center.  Rudnick is famous for his plays Jeffrey and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told and the movie In & Out.  He also writes the Libby Gelman-Waxner reviews for Premiere Magazine.  The show is directed by Nicholas Martin with a cast that features Linda Lavin (you remember her from the tv show Alice), Jayne Houdyshell (who recently wowed audiences in Well and The Receptionist) and Peter Barlett ( a Broadway vet with many many shows under his belt).

The press notes for the show describe it thusly: The New Century "is a series of four short plays, which feature everyone from a concerned Long Island mother of at least three gay children (Lavin), to an accomplished Midwestern craftswoman (Houdyshell), to one of Mr. Rudnick's favorites, Mr. Charles, a flamboyant resident of Palm Beach (Barlett). Ultimately, all of these delicious and distraught people collide under surprising and comic circumstances, and we discover just where our new century might be heading."

The show officially opens tonight, so I am not at liberty to review the show, but I can say that the audiences was hooting through out much of the show and Linda Lavin gets a laugh almost every time she opens her mouth.  She is a freakin' rock star!

Speaking of reviews - "Kevin" and I attended the same performance as famed critic for the NY Times, Ben Brantley.  I had never actually attended a performance that he was at (that I knew of) and it was fun watching him through out the show.  I know, I know - I'm supposed to watch the play - so SUE ME!  There were other bold faced names there too; Jessica Hecht (from Friends and numerous B'way shows) and Mia Baron (from Jason Grote's 1001 and Coast of Utopia).  All in all it was a terribly fun evening at the theater.  Thanks Kevin!

In Other News

There is no fun happening over at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater where The Country Girl is in previews.  Well, that is if we are to believe the NY Post's gossiper Michael Riedel (which I usually do).  The revival starring the incredible talents of Frances McDormand, Morgan Freeman and Peter Gallagher and directed by Mike Nichols is having a bit of rough time.  Reports are coming out that actors are having big big problems with lines and that big chunks of the play are being cut.  The buzz is that the director and John Robin Baitz (until recently, the exec producer of the tv show Brothers & Sisters) had cut an entire scene from the first act.  I can't imagine why you would cut scenes from a play that is more than 50 years old, it just seems odd.  Click HERE to read Riedel's two articles on the subject - fascinating reading.  My guess is that all this will work itself out and that the show will be awesome.  I mean, it's Frances McDormand and Morgan Freeman!!!!! 

Homecoming Over

Quick note to say that the revival of Harold Pinter's The Homecoming ended its run on Sunday.  The show played 15 previews and 138 regular performances.  The revival starred Ian McShane, Raúl Esparza and Eve Best.   I hope that these actors will be remembered at Tony time - especially Esparza and Best.  I am worried that that they might be forgotten when nominations are handed down, because the show has closed and were overshadowed by other plays.  I guess we will just have to wait to see what happens.  39 Steps takes over the Cort Theater for a longer commercial run following a successful engagement at The Roundabout.

Things are Getting Dangerous at The Roundabout

I may have mentioned that I played Azalon in a college production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.  I was brilliant; I did a little Scottish accent.  Just stunning.  I am not sure why they didn't call me for the new production at The Roundabout Theater.  Oh, wait, maybe because I am about 100 years too old for the part.  Got it.  They have, however, asked Laura Linney and Ben Daniels to star in this revival of Christopher Hampton's play based on the 1782 novel by Choderlos de Laclos.  I am sure you remember the movie with Glenn Close and John Malkovich, well, it was a play FIRST! 

This new revival started previews on Saturday and I for one am really looking forward to it.  Great actors.  Great script.  What more could you ask for?  The show officially opens May 1st  - click HERE for more info.

Al Pacino Reportedly an Orphan

Playbill.com announced that Tony and Academy Award winner Al Pacino is going to be making his way back to The Broadway in a revival of the play Orphans.  Word is that the show is aiming for a January 2009 opening.  David Esbjornson is set to direct Lyle Kessler's play about a businessman that is kidnapped by two brothers who have no parents.  This is an exciting and fiery play that serves as a real showcase for the three actors involved.  It will be very interesting to see who they cast as the two brothers.  With a name like Pacino already attached I would imagine that they can snag some big stars for those roles.  Any suggestions from the fabulous gang in the comments section - or are you all too busy working on your new musical? 

I Love Me Some Jane Krakowski

I loved her in Ally McBeal,  I adored her in Nine, I worship her on 30 Rock.  Now, Jane Krakowski is coming back to The Broadway.  Rock on!  It has just been announced that Krakowski will take on the role of Lola in the upcoming City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of Damn Yankees July 5th - the 27th.  Summer Stars is where Patti LuPone's Gypsy began last summer - is it too much to hope that Krakowski could move Damn Yankees to the Great White Way for an extended run.  It might be too soon for that nonsense, but - heck - a blogger can dream!  Joining her for the show will be Sean Hayes (from Will & Grace) and John Rando (Urinetown) will direct them. 

Enjoy your Monday.  I will see you tomorrow and I will also...

~ See You On The Aisle