But for you, Chris.

“They’re writing songs of love, but not for me….”

Probably one of the best song lyrics I’ve ever heard. It’s a line from the Gershwin brothers’ tune “But Not for Me.” A lovely and tuneful song about unrequited love.

Or love remembered.

“I was a fool who thought that way”—love, I suppose. I do think that it’s not for me right now

Poor Chris. Chris H. Unrequited love for him. He fell hard for someone recently, and in so short of time, spectacularly, it ended for him all too quickly. The thought of it, oh the mere thought of it is so sad. So agonizing, so dramatic. So very Blanche DuBois…in her words, “all at once, and much too quickly.”

You can’t help who you fall for. I’ve been hearing that a long time. True, the possibility of it always has to be open. Or else you shut yourself out of future happiness. Keep going. Keep at it. It will happen. Love will happen. Fate will sneak right up at you, and you’ll smile.

Smile for me, Chris. Don’t smirk. I like your smile. Something shy about it. Sneaky perhaps? No wait, it’s secretive.

Part of your charm, is it not? I’d like to think so. Definitely but not for me, but for you.

Chin up.

SPRING 2011 THEATERGOING: NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

Lil' ol me in front of the Friedman Theatre, W. 47th Street, home to Good People on Broadway, starring Becky Ann Baker, Tate Donovan, Frances McDormand, and Estelle Parsons.

Good People, presented by the Manhattan Theater Club, written by Pulitzer-Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire is truly the highlight of my Spring theatergoing.

Frances McDormand gives a towering performance as “Margie” a down-on her luck “Southie”, (working class) woman recently fired from her menial job working from a dollar store. Her friend and landlady (Becky Ann Baker and Estelle Parsons) tell her that perhaps a way to remedy her impoverished circumstances is to ask an old flame who has moved back into town, now a successful doctor (Tate Donovan).

Summoning her courage and thinking of her and her mentally challenged daughter Joyce’s circumstances (unseen), Margie makes her way to Dr. Mike’s office, and eventually his “comfortable” Chestnut Hill home where an inevitable confrontation ensues between Margie, Dr. Mike and his pretty literature professor wife, Kate.

The play explores class and racial divides, and also of what it means to truly identify with a culture or way of life growing up; and of the life choices we make in order to live. The play bristles with ambiguity and sadness, and Ms. McDormand truly delivers a transparent performance that simmers with anger and resignation at the blink of an eye.

Her truly human performance is a timely one in which we all can identify with: Someone who is unemployed, someone who has to have a purpose in life to keep going; and of someone who truly has to find a way to speak and act in order to survive. She’s human, and we truly remember what she goes through. On a final note, the play is also about the results of good luck and chance encounters in which play a role in what eventually defines our destiny.

Ms. McDormand’s performance ranks in probably what is my top three female play (not musical theater performances) in terms of the scope of the humanity they brought to their portrayals: Cate Blanchett’s Blanche from the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s revival of A Streetcar Named Desire; and of Vanessa Redgrave’s disturbing and heartbreaking Mary Tyrone in the 2003 Broadway revival of Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

BAM's 2009 Production of Streetcar- Cate Blanchett as Blanche DuBois

Vanessa Redgrave in Long Day's Journey Into Night

Anything Goes, starring Tony Winners Sutton Foster and Joel Grey, a revival presented by the Roundabout Theater Organization is truly a fun experience for all musical theater lovers. Right now it’s in preview performances and not set to open until April. But watching musical theater actors and dancers at the top of their game and having a fun romp with Cole Porter’s witty songs is what makes this revival worth revisiting since the 1989 Lincoln Center revival starring La Patti LuPone. Highlights include Laura Osnes and Colin Donnell’s romantic duet (“De-Lovely”), Mr. Grey and Ms. Foster’s hilarious duet, “Friendship” and a rock-rolling ensemble performance of “Blow Gabriel Blow”.

The show is a farcical one with a far-fetched plot: Ms. Foster plays Reno Sweeney, a singing evangelist who promotes behavior consisting of debauchery and decadence traveling aboard a ship via New York to London in the early 1930s. Among the passengers of the SS American include a lovesick tycoon’s assistant (Colin Donnell) in love with an engaged debutante Hope Harcourt (Laura Osnes) traveling with her stuffy and prim mother, (Arrested Development’s Jessica Walter); the lonely tycoon in love with the elder Mrs. Harcourt (Fosse and Sondheim veteran John McMartin), and Public Enemy #2 Snake Eyes (Mr. Grey) and his moll.

While the zaniness of the musical seem to run out at times, with the occasional middling direction; it is Ms. Foster’s tap dancing numbers that save the show and truly enthralls.

Her energy is boundless, especially in the expanded title number and its tap sequences that have been tailor-made for her amazing triple-threat abilities.

Starring: Sutton Foster, Joel Grey, John McMartin, Jessica Walter, Colin Donnell, Laura Osnes and directed by Kathleen Marshall.

Anything Goes Revival

Saturday, March 12, 2011, on that evening, my friend Sally Jane joins Eric and I at the Stephen Sondheim Theater on West 43rd street for the preview of the "Anything Goes" Broadway revival starring Tony winners Sutton Foster and Joel Grey. It also starred Colin Donnell, Laura Osnes, Jessica Walter from TV's Arrested Development, and Fosse and Sondheim veteran, John McMartin.

Overall, it was a delightful show, a fantastic Cole Porter revue. Ms. Foster's tap-dancing sequences were the highlight of the show. "Anything Goes" and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" were charming and overwhelming to watch. Ms. Foster was marvel to watch. Her talent is superb and completely rocked my socks. Just you wait. Second Tony award for her. You just have to ask yourself: How does she make this look so easy?

Two Chrisses and Fluke Cake.

It was a chilly Saturday. I met up with Chris #1 in front of the library. He had an interesting and colorful sweater on. His curly hair was rumpled. He had a slight beard growing. Looking frazzled, a bit tortured; yet happy. He had gotten a handsome man in front of the library to pose for his photography.

He was beaming proudly on the steps of the Brooklyn library. We were both meeting another mutual friend, Chris #2 for brunch. Rosewater Restaurant in Park Slope. Delicious, yummy, decadent food. Did I mention that they have divine Bloody Marys and Sangrias? As well as their crunchy and mealy fluke cake?

No, no. I haven't mentioned that either.


Nice to know that Chris #2 is falling in love. Or interested in the idea of love.

Perhaps that Marvin Gaye album the last time I saw him, the one that had been playing in the background in the Ft. Greene eatery were at, had rubbed off on him. The power of music to be quite telepathic and karmic. "Falling in Love Again" from December to falling in love in March. A cold, blustery day.

Afterwards, a snack at Milk Bar. Croissant. Coffee. Chocolate chip cookie. Yummy. And very bad of me. Things I miss about Brooklyn. Snacking with friends you like. Friendly waitresses.

Then eventually, the day must end, right? We move on.