Gypsy

Whatta Finish!

OK, so Gypsy is a rather dated musical. It typically appeals to Broadway fans like me and the gay crowd. I'd never seen it live on stage so took advantage of cheap tickets ($50 for cheap!) via Playbill. Yikes! Up in the nosebleed balcony seating in A20. Had to lean forward to see the stage and performances - yuck.

The first half of the show is just silly. Vaudeville is a dated entertainment venue so trying to break into that circuit seems rather silly today. Regardless, they take too much time doing the kid act, transitioning to adults, and repeating, repeating, repeating the same bad act over and over and over. They set up Gypsy as the crazed show mom favoring her daughter June over tomboy Louise. But the show, songs, and performances don't really kick in until after intermission. Down and out with only Louise and the "Hollywood Blondes" in tow, the only gig they got was in burlesque. Thus the birth of Gypsy Rose Lee.

WOW do you get some powerful performances not just from diva Patti LuPone but from Boyd Gaines as her dotting agent and suitor, Herbie, and Laura Benanti in a stunning butterfly metamorphism into Gypsy Rose Lee. Nancy Opal, along with Marilyn Caskey and Alison Fraser, deliver a ribald version of Gotta Get a Gimmick; Ms. Opal has a little larger role and has a squeaky-voiced fun time with the role. But it really is Ms. LuPone who shows off why she is a diva amongst divas - it is like this role is hers, all hers. She belts out the final number, Rose's Turn, with such bravado, complete with bows and arm-kisses, she owns the stage. Hell, she owns the balcony!


Gihm Mi Oak

Stopped by Gihm Mi Oak on West 32nd for pre-theater food. It is in the heart of Koreatown just west of Macy's and we were definitely a minority there. Lots of Korea youth come out on weekend nights so there is lots of energy, fashion, flirting and smoking - I don't like the last one.

I picked the place since it was in Zagat's as a good buy. Oh, and I don't recommend Korean restaurants for vegetarians or those faint of heart when exploring new and strange meat, seafood, and spice combinations. The kimchi was very good but my Bin Dae Dduk pancakes, while flavorful, were not very warm and didn't have a good crisp or freshly made taste - as if they'd sat out too long and got soggy. L's Bibim Bap look good but we both prefer the one that is served hot thus the rice crisps at the bottom of the stone bowl. Never really did find out what bay-top shell was - but all the food pictures, particularly the sausage and raw meat plater did look rather unappealing and I'm a rather adventurous eater if I don't have to worry about my digestive system holding out through a three hour play. So now I can say, been there, done that and move on.