Archives for April 2007

This year’s Pulitzer Prize for music went to a jazz album, Ornette Coleman’s Sound Grammar. Did it deserve to win? Was it even eligible? And what are the implications of the Pulitzer jury’s decision to break with past practice and give the prize to a recording instead of a musical composition?
I’ll be grappling with all these questions in my next “Sightings” column, which appears in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal–and the answers may surprise you. Pick up a copy of tomorrow’s Journal and turn to the “Pursuits” section to see what I have to say.

“The average man, who does not know what to do with his life, wants another one which will last forever.”
Anatole France, The Revolt of the Angels

Here’s my list of recommended Broadway and off-Broadway shows, updated weekly. In all cases, I gave these shows favorable reviews in The Wall Street Journal when they opened. For more information, click on the title.

Warning: Broadway shows marked with an asterisk were sold out, or nearly so, last week.

BROADWAY:
• Avenue Q (musical, R, adult subject matter and one show-stopping scene of puppet-on-puppet sex, reviewed here)
• A Chorus Line* (musical, PG-13/R, adult subject matter, reviewed here)
• Company (musical, PG-13/R, adult subject matter and situations, reviewed here)
• The Drowsy Chaperone (musical, G/PG-13, mild sexual content and a profusion of double entendres, reviewed here)
• A Moon for the Misbegotten* (drama, PG-13, adult situations, reviewed here, closes June 10)
• Talk Radio (drama, PG-13, adult subject matter, reviewed here)
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (musical, PG-13, mostly family-friendly but contains a smattering of strong language and a production number about an unwanted erection, reviewed here)

OFF BROADWAY:
• The Fantasticks (musical, G, suitable for children old enough to enjoy a love story, reviewed here)

CLOSING SOON:
• Salvage (The Coast of Utopia, part 3)* (drama, PG-13, nudity and adult subject matter, reviewed here, closes May 13)
• Shipwreck (The Coast of Utopia, part 2)* (drama, PG-13, nudity and adult subject matter, reviewed here, closes May 12)
• Voyage (The Coast of Utopia, part 1)* (drama, G, too complicated for children, reviewed here, closes May 12)

“Writers are always selling someone out.”
Joan Didion, Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Forgive my continued silence, but I’m still busy writing for money. I’ll be back when the checks clear!

“Self-evident, adj. Evident to one’s self and to nobody else.”
Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

This is a three-deadline, three-show week and I’m already a day behind, so…see you tomorrow!

“Living is abnormal.”
Eugène Ionesco, Rhinoceros