I first saw Mr. Butz in a presentation of a musical of "Kudzu" - thrilling there, and never anything less. The first time I recall seeing Ms. Scott was in "Aida," playing Amneris and letting us first see the character as wild insubstantial fluff, then so quietly and suddenly letting us in the audience know that even that insubstantial-acting character with all those crazy costumes is no less emotionally real than than anyone else on that stage.
I'd loved her Joni Mitchell tribute, and it's never left me, though maybe that's because I have a recording of that show that I've never been totally sure it was OK to have - and based on a Joni Mitchell song she didn't do that show, but followed on her theme of “sides” as a food item. No one turns on a dime onstage better than her (I'm betting even Laurette Taylor didn't) - and in this Times article I'm getting the star has a complexity to her life that her fans may never have known. (Mr. Butz's complex side has always come through in interviews.)
Tune of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”
(verse)
Out-there broad who really sells
She’ll rant and scream as haughty belles
And nail you with the tales she tells
She reads her sides that way
And then the star will take a turn,
She’ll smolder and she’ll make you yearn
And straight or gay, you still may burn
When she is in a play
(chorus)
I’ve seen this star from all sides, hon
From huge to small, from mad to fun
It doesn't matter where you are
You’re cheering for that shining star
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He's great, don't really know her. But her clueless comment about the demographic of Feinstein's /54 Below cracked me up. Come on. OF COURSE their audience will be the rabid fans who loved them in their Bway musicals. AND can afford the stupidly pricey tix.
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@Patou, regarding "pricey tix" - I'm praying the two stars didn't set the prices. You made me go the 54 Below site and look, and even your warning didn't prepare me - $135 lowest price is to sit at the bar! Plus food minimum, I guess. (Just when you get tired of noticing the faults of this producing group, and the 54 Below owners are pretty much all the same names as the guys who promised in 2001 that premium would only be 50 very special seats in the house. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/26/theater/for-the-asking-a-480-seat.html
In 2001 - "the producers said they were confident that there was a sizable market of people who would pay almost any price to see their show. 'We're not selling incidentals,' ... 'We're selling access.' "
(And for disclosure, I do have a human rights retaliation IC3 claim against them, and a bar grievance complaint in against their attorney's law firm. I wonder if those are the "bar seats" that are going for $135.)
My wife and I were in NYC years ago, with a free evening. I ended up buying tickets for Everyday Rapture, knowing nothing about it. It was fabulous, a great theatrical experience.
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I've loved Norbert's work since "Rent" (and the national tour of "Cabaret"), and seeing these two in "The Last 5 Years" was incredible. Thanks for writing this piece and shining a light on these two stars. I can't wait for this show.
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Two huge musical comedy talents. Kudos to both, on everything.
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@Vivienne YES! Have loved each of them in every show they've been in. Personal favorite of them all: his showstopper in Catch Me If You Can, "Breaking All the Rules". Mediocre show, but fantastic full company dance number with simple melody, clever lyrics and sizzling Jerry Mitchell choreography. Love to listen to/watch it, every time!
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