+2 creative drama. Protection against sarcasm +1

When I first got the invite for tickets to "She Kills Monsters", I wasn't entirely sure what I was in for. Because seriously....how does one attempt to stage a play that tackles the topic of D&D?

Well I found my answer this evening at the Flea theatre, down in tribeca. I wouldn't say it was a "critical hit" but it certainly dealt a formidable blow.

The basic premise is that adult Angie never truly got to know her kid sister-and when Angie's entire family is killed in a crash, she is forced to acknowledge that she won't be able to ever again. But upon cleaning out the family's home, she comes across her younger sister's Dungeons & Dragons notebook- a collection of the adventures young Tilly was immersed in up until her death.

This then is our gateway to a surreal fantasy storytelling, full of adventure, profanity, genetalia jokes and surprisingly beneath it all a really great core message---that sometimes a kid needs an escape outlet like their imagination and there's nothing wrong in admitting who you are deep down; But first let's hit the humor.

Lore, Everlasting

The first musical Revival of the new season has arrived---and confidently put its foot down as a strong, vibrant contender for the Awards season.

Let’s jump to the scrutiny-
“it’s a revival! GODSPELL is classic. Why bother going if I've seen it before?” Well, imaginary reader o’mine, Stephen Schwartz has completely re-tooled the score and book. Updating it and giving it new life and new sounds.

And. It. Is. Wonderful.

A balance of ballad and blasting rock, to everything in between, we see a new look at an old favorite, achieving what American Idiot and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson fell short of truly encapsulating, in their attempts to make Broadway rock, while keeping its core concerns. The band is scattered around the audience seating, and the pianist planted center stage has as much fun (and occasionally sneaks in his own laughs) as the cast. This piece is very fluid in its humor and its music, and it is very clear that this cast has grown to work as-one, a small circle that brings 100+% every time they take the stage.

From the get-go, this In-the-round production of GODSPELL launches into a prologue entirely vocal-driven; from philosophy to cell phones, we are given a full spread of colors, in costumes that harken back to the original production without copying--- In fact, the choice to ‘clothe’ Jesus in not typical robes, Superstar garb, or even Original Godspell superman tee-shirt but instead opt for a baby-blue baseball jersey, we are firmly informed that this is a Messiah who’s ushering in his storytelling right here in the New Millenium. The age-appropriate cast, which I would mark no older than twenty-six years of age at most, brings an enthusiasm that would seem forced if a larger-name-filled or more-expected-broadway-aged cast were to have been in its place. The youths bring enough gravity to act Two and enough vibrancy to act One that you have a wonderful combination of story and spectacle.

The first act enables a truly terrific ensemble to showcase voice, humor, and parable while pummeling the audience with a rapid-fire string of Pop Culture references, all tasteful if silly at times. While you’re growing to enjoy this cast, the traditional lessons brought by Jesus (played with utter sincerity and engaging, wholehearted eagerness by Hunter Parrish in his powerful return to Broadway) are modernized just enough that the younger audiences can learn via metaphor while those more versed in the text can appreciate a wink and a nudge to the necessity of these nuggets of wisdom in our current society.

After starting act two with a roundhouse of fun (this reviewer was treated to an amazing rarer performance by amazing swing Julia Mattison stealing the first beltings and having a blast as you’re guided back in after intermission), we return to the meat and bones of the Passion of the Christ, uniquely portrayed and while simple, very raw and pointed in its execution. I am not one to enforce a religion on anyone, and I don’t aim to here; but , whether Christian in faith or not, this stage spectacle is a wonderful treat- and if you’re a fan of the original, and a music lover, then do yourself a favor and see what Stephen is refreshing- this graffiti’d god is a new coat of paint on a sure thing.

I won't divulge the pop culture bits as I'd rather you see the show for yourself and appreciate the surprises this cast offers. Suffice to say that the creative use of set, and reimagined musical interpretation paired alongside a recognizable show should sway new theatregoers to a positive future of broadway (if any other famous minds are willing to re-approach material like Schwartz has, here) while regulars will not be disappointed in the least by a far-from-droll revival that bounds onstage, gets your toe tapping, and lets your mind appreciate the intricacy.

One thing's for sure- this production of Godspell is here to play.

five out of five Proverbs.

Movie Musings: Green Lantern

(Alternate title- Green Eggs and Hal)

The old adage goes, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.

Never before has a phrase been so loaded as the attempt to put ANY comic book film into words. I think I’ve been holding off on reviews, thus far, in this approaching Summer of the Comic Book Geek for a sole reason; this one is the one I feared the most in terms of its success. It was every comic book geek’s personal parallax…would this film be as terrible as we feared?

TV Thoughts: SGU's 'finale'

Shows on television have a lot of expectations to live up to. They have to either fit a very specific mold, or break that same mold; And a lot of them fail to do so to the dismay, anger, or sometimes satisfaction of their scathing critics...the average viewer.

I won't try and sway you or berate you, the open-minded reader, with why you should have watched this show and maybe have had a hand in staving off its untimely cancellation.

But what I will do is give you some insights to a show that should have lasted awhile longer, and had its legs cut out from under it before its proper time had come.

TV thoughts: spy games

when, exactly, did government agencies, specialty cops, and spies become so populous on TV?

okay, somewhat rhetorical question. I will always prefer Fox Mulder to Jack Bauer, but it seems to me that everywhere I look there's another one. Whether it's philosophy and forensics or just friday night fodder, there's always a badge and a gun onscreen.

Comic Corner: Age of X miniseries

There's something about alternate-universe comic books.

Whether it's simply a sense of "through the looking glass" or some deep desire to savor the twisted perversions of what classic comic book characters can become, i will always read through, and have now often found myself dropping money on, the intricate and unique beauty of a Parallel Reality.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. whether we're talking more classic examples of "Star Trek" or simply a bold, brave new step in storytelling, the writers who dare to dream differently have always gotten a little more respect from me for trying something new.

Movie Musing Sucker Punch

Of all the Zach Snyder films I’ve seen to date, I think Sucker Punch ranks in the top slot.
One must assume going in, however, that the plot will be thin or convoluted, the beauties be scantily clad, the visuals stunning, and the ending scene bordering on unbearably preachy; And as always these things hold true to some degree. “Watchmen” did it with about 85 % faithful respect to the original text, and “300” was a very pretty animating of Frank Miller’s bloody take on the greek history. But those films, to me, were lessened in quality by Snyder’s attempts to put his own stamp on someone else’s story.

TV Thoughts: In Treatment

hey folks! been awhile, I know. but I've got another fine show to recommend, one that not enough people I know are familiar with.

today's installment, we'll cover In Treatment.

HBO has a fine quality to their dramas, they manage to lure you in and keep you hooked with the more average-life qualities and somehow creating some compelling dramas with them. I'm thinking primarily of Six Feet Under, here. Not everyone can find a show about a family running a funeral home 'exciting' but yet it's utterly entrancing, to this writer.

"In Treatment" is another fine example. Gabriel Byrne (probably best known for Usual Suspects) stars as a therapist, Paul Weston, and the weekly installments have a fun little twist; each episode is only about twenty minutes to half-an-hour long. they cover the various patients he has on a weekly basis, and his interactions with them. So, while you've got forty episodes on your hands, in reality you're only watching about eight weeks of therapy, intensely personal, with five different clients.