Today is Sunday, and this week’s Report features detailed reviews of The Baker’s Wife and The Queen of Versailles; a quick take on The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions; a quote of the week; rumor has it…; for your consideration…; select press announcements from the past week; and a list of the upcoming week’s previews and openings.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The difference between the passable success and the smash hit is that the latter never lets down – that in it, each scene leads to the next with interest, so that when it is over there is a feeling of wanting more, a feeling that no matter how long the show is, it has been a short evening.” -George Abbott, playwright, librettist, director, and or producer of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Pal Joey (1940), Room Service (1937), and Wonderful Town (1953)

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REVIEWS

• The Baker’s Wife, a revival of the 1976 musical, is currently playing an Off-Broadway engagement at Classic Stage Company. It has a book by Joseph Stein, lyrics and music by Stephen Schwartz, and direction by Gordon Greenberg, and it is a nauseatingly poor piece of theatre that closed out of town in its original production and evidently should have been left for dead. Here is my review.

• The Queen of Versailles, a new musical based on the documentary about Orlando billionaire Jackie Siegel, opened on Broadway on November 9 at the St. James Theatre. It is closing on January 4. The musical has a book by Lindsey Ferrentino, lyrics and music by Stephen Schwartz, and direction by Michael Arden, and it might have been a thrilling theatrical affair – a searing indictment of the American dream encased within a satirical, psychological portrait of one lucky dreamer from upstate New York. Here is my review.

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QUICK TAKES

• The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions, a kaleidoscopic revue based on the 1977 book of fables, is currently playing a two-week engagement at Park Avenue Armory, after previously having been seen overseas at Manchester International Festival, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, and the like. It has text and direction by Ted Huffman and music by Philip Venables, and it is, at present, an uneven affair, blazing with theatrical possibilities and thematic interest. As you know, I am a strong proponent of original revue, a distinct, dynamic, and incredibly difficult form of musical theatre that flourished on Broadway throughout the first half of the 20th century, and this (almost) original revue, or narrative revue, has tremendous potential. Plus, actor Kit Green is a gem. My detailed review will be published in next Sunday’s Report.

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RUMOR HAS IT…

The 2021 biographical musical Diana, by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan, is planning to return to New York next year in an Off-Broadway venue, possibly New World Stages, with drag incorporated into the proceedings.

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION…

• On the Roof!, a musical comedy set in the mid 1920s, and centered around a rambunctious young woman who, with the assistance of an attractive young reporter, sneaks out of her uncle’s Park Avenue penthouse and into a swanky Broadway nightclub atop the Century Theatre. The piece would unfold over the course of a single night, with an eccentric cast of characters, including a boozy ex-wife, a dashing night owl, and a harried butler, and it would feature a Black floor show, steeped in jazz. (Broadway nightclubs, in the 1910s and 20s, regularly saw the intermingling of Black artists and white patrons.) On the Roof! is inspired by the 1920 musical comedy Jim Jam Jems, and it would perhaps have a book by SpitLip, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, music by Matthew Sklar, direction by Amy Anders Corcoran, choreography by Shannon Lewis, and tap choreography by Savion Glover.

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PRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Here is a list of select press announcements from the past week. Each headline is clickable for more information.

• Mary Testa to Join George Abud’s 3Penny Opera Starring Katrina Lenk and More
• Casting Revealed for Little Miss Perfect at Olney Theatre Center
• Kimberly Akimbo Will Make London Debut Next Fall
• Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon Will Make World Premiere Off-Broadway in January
• New Vampire Pop Opera Blood/Love Announces Off-Broadway Run
• My Joy is Heavy Full Creative Team Announced for New York Theatre Workshop World Premiere
• Krystal Joy Brown, T.R. Knight, Michael Urie, More Join Boys from Syracuse Concert
• Steve Rosen Will Succeed Kevin Del Aguila in The Baker’s Wife Off-Broadway

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PREVIEWS AND OPENINGS

Here is a list of the new musicals and revivals either opening or beginning previews during the upcoming week, specifically on Broadway and Off-Broadway. It contains, as well, select new musicals beginning performances regionally, and select new musicals and revivals beginning performances in New York City. Each title is clickable for more information.

Monday, December 8

Tuesday, December 9
• Regional: In Clay
• Regional: The Nice List

Wednesday, December 10
• Regional: Wonder

Thursday, December 11

Friday, December 12

Saturday, December 13

Sunday, December 14

Publicity photo for The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions by Damien Frost.