The Goodbye Girl

Robert Massimi

The Goodbye Girl J2 Productions. Robert Massimi. Like "Woman of The Year", "The Goodbye Girl" only played once in New York City until this week. J2 Productions has put forth a winner of a production with a great cast, wonderful choreography and superb direction. Originally played in 1972 at The Marques Theatre, "The Goodbye Girl" has enjoyed accolades as a movie and a Broadway musical. Written by Neil Simon with lyrics by David Zippel and music by Marvin Hamlisch, it is an entertaining evening of theater. With Sierra Boggess and Dan De Luca at the leads it goes to say that this is a big time off Broadway musical. Both Boggess( School of Rock, Master Class) and De Luca (Nutty Professor) were standouts in their singing, dancing as well as acting. Songs like "No More", "My Rules...", "I Think I can Play This Part", "What A Guy" are true treats. In a small theater and an even smaller stage, Joshua Warner makes the most of a very imaginative set. Davis Zippel and Robert W. Schneider too make the most of this small staging. The direction is deft and crisp; whether in the dancing or the acting, the players move about the stage with such ease. Ethan Steimel uses both glam lighting as well as romantic lighting to give this musical a solid backing. The costumes as well back this show in that Thomas J.C. Gluodenis captures the time era well. The leggings, the slacks, the style of dress are captured here throughout the two hour performance. While the children in this production are good, Christopher Sieber, Sierra Boggess and Dan De Luca stand out in this production. The one thing most noticeable among all the actors is the "business" that they give. This falls under great direction and acting. Even the young actors capture the "business" well. J2, I believe, is the best off Broadway company in New York City today! Always consistent, always bringing great musicals with some great acting, always! As their 2023 season ends next week here in Manhattan, we wait for 2024 to see more

The Goodbye Girl

J2 Productions.

Robert Massimi.

Like "Woman of The Year", "The Goodbye Girl" only played once in New York City until this week. J2 Productions has put forth a winner of a production with a great cast, wonderful choreography and superb direction. Originally played in 1972 at The Marques Theatre, "The Goodbye Girl" has enjoyed accolades as a movie and a Broadway musical. Written by Neil Simon with lyrics by David Zippel and music by Marvin Hamlisch, it is an entertaining evening of theater.

With Sierra Boggess and Dan De Luca at the leads it goes to say that this is a big time off Broadway musical. Both Boggess( School of Rock, Master Class) and De Luca (Nutty Professor) were standouts in their singing, dancing as well as acting. Songs like "No More", "My Rules...", "I Think I can Play This Part", "What A Guy" are true treats.

In a small theater and an even smaller stage, Joshua Warner makes the most of a very imaginative set. Davis Zippel and Robert W. Schneider too make the most of this small staging. The direction is deft and crisp; whether in the dancing or the acting, the players move about the stage with such ease.

Ethan Steimel uses both glam lighting as well as romantic lighting to give this musical a solid backing. The costumes as well back this show in that Thomas J.C. Gluodenis captures the time era well. The leggings, the slacks, the style of dress are captured here throughout the two hour performance.

While the children in this production are good, Christopher Sieber, Sierra Boggess and Dan De Luca stand out in this production. The one thing most noticeable among all the actors is the "business" that they give. This falls under great direction and acting. Even the young actors capture the "business" well.

J2, I believe, is the best off Broadway company in New York City today! Always consistent, always bringing great musicals with some great acting, always! As their 2023 season ends next week here in Manhattan, we wait for 2024 to see more of what Jim Jimmirro will bring to us.

.........................................................................................................................Peter Pan Goes Wrong. "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre is much like "The Play That Goes Wrong" which opened on Broadway back in 2017. Both shows are terrific ("Play Goes Wrong" is at The New World Stages). Both shows are focused on slapstick humor, the ridiculous and great comedic timing. Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields have written both shows.

Based on JM Barrie's "Peter Pan", an amateur theater company has received money from one of the actors relatives and decides to put on "Peter Pan". In Adam Meggido's direction, the actors are put in many contortionist positions. The fun lasts for two hours with actors being strune about the sets. Much like "Noises Off", anything that can go wrong with the show, does and here lies the fun of it. In Simon Scullion's sets a lot of things break, or don't work at all. Roberto Surace brings tons of humor to his costumes, the farcical crocodile, the pajamas, the underwear; you name it, it's funny. Matt Haskins lighting too is a hoot. All together it is not just the actors that make this show a must see, everyone brings the goods.

Is "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" as good as "The Play That Goes Wrong"? No. But it is worth the price of admission. Even though I laughed harder at "The Play That Goes Wrong", "Peter Pan" is limited to the story of JM Barrie. This makes it bound to the gags of actors flying through the air (we all know where that is going before we even enter the theater), and anything to do with the book.

As the actors are concerned, all are terrific and they feed off the crowd nicely; there is not a weak actor among the lot! I highly recommend this show. If you like a "Monte Python" type show, you will love this. Slapstick isn't for everyone but this play is sure worth seeing for comedies sake.

Ethel Barrymore, Broadway, Tony Awards, Hamilton, Sweeney Todd, Monty Python, Goodbye Girl, Neil Simon, J2 Productions.