State of the Art

"Cats: The Jellicle Ball" is so freaking smart it's not even fair. This may be the only concept that could make "Cats" function as a narrative driven piece with applications for our own lives.  For anyone who doesn't know, "Cats" is a famous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical which was part of the "McMusical" era of Broadway in the 1980's and 1990's. Adapted from the poems of T. S. Elliot, the show skyrocket to superstardom thanks to: 1.) It's incredible dancing and choreography, 2.) The hit song "Memory" and 3.) The fact that it was one of (if not THE) first shows that easily catered to foreign, non-English speaking, tourists. You do not need to understand anything being said or sung onstage to enjoy "Cats". In fact, it might be better if you don't. "Cats" (as Lloyd Webber said to Hal Prince when trying to convince him to direct it) is "about cats." There's no metaphor going on here. W...

If "The Opposite of Love" doesn't make Ashley Griffin a star, there is no justice in the world. I had the opportunity to see the off-Broadway premiere of the show last spring (though I did not review that production) and when I found out I would be in town for its L.A. debut, I had to make sure I saw it. This is a brand new production - the only hold over is Ashley Griffin (the author of the piece) reprising her role as Eloise.  I was (and am) a huge fan of the off-Broadway production. It was one of the best things I'd seen in a long time, and I'm still frustrated that it didn't transfer to a longer NYC run. I was nervous when I heard that the show would have a brand new team, but, I have to say, for me, this new production is, at least at the moment, the definitive one. As much as I loved the show off-Broadway, the L.A. production reveals elements of the original that weren't as strong as they could have been. I didn't think it could get much better -...