Recently seen:

The Last Five Years in concert, with Jason Robert Brown (with Mike): How often do you get to see a piece performed (well) by the composer? But the real highlight was Lauren Kennedy, who was light-years better than Sherie Rene Scott (I must remember to pick up her solo album). After seeing it performed, I finally “get” the show and my two previously least-favorite songs – “The Schmuel Song” and “A Summer in Ohio” – are now my favorite. If only the venue (Cooper Union’s Great Hall) didn’t have so many obstructed views and and such uncomfortable seats… (Mike’s take on the production).

The Mystery of Edwin Drood (with Mike and Jeff): I really need to get out and see more community theatre in NYC — like this enjoyable production, which creator Rupert Holmes contributed rewrites to. And my copy of the dreadful Australian Cast Recording of Drood is now finally worth listening to, so I can relive the new song “A British Subject” and all the rewritten endings based on it (again, Mike’s take on the production).

Lucky Stiff: Sure, the Musicals in Mufti stagings may seem like bad community theatre, but where else can I sit front row for $15, only feet away from Malcolm Gets and the divine Mary Testa?

Wicked: I finally got in on the $25 ticket lottery (try #4) and sat front row center, again only feet away from Idena Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (who are both sensational). Too bad the material doesn’t measure up to their performances. As much as I love the act one closer “Defying Gravity,” nothing lives up to Stephen Schwartz’s earlier scores. But it’s still a fun time and I want to go back and see it from the balcony.

Next up on Friday is Rounding Third with Jeff. I got 2 free tickets by being one of the first hundred to sign up for OffBroadway.com‘s new mailing list. If it sucks, we can always duck out at intermission for cocktails.