The Playgoer: Friday News Roundup

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday News Roundup

by Matt Roberson

-  Ben Brantley attended the Public's outdoor presentation of Paul Simon's The Capeman, which fell short of expectations when it premiered on Broadway twelve years ago.  Brantley makes some interesting points about how a location can change the overall success of a show.  This idea is of special interest to me, as I'm currently doing my M.A. thesis on Lee Breuer's Gospel at Colonus, which also surprised many by faring poorly on Broadway, in spite of previous success in presentations here in America and abroad.  Location has been tossed around as one of the factors behind Gospel's Broadway shortfall. 

- Also in this week's Times is a piece looking at who is taking up the tradition of drawing Broadway now that Al Hirschfeld is gone.  The slide show of recent work is especially fun to see.

- The Chicago Tribune reports that things are looking up down under for the touring edition of Tracy Letts' August: Osage County.  The play is being produced by the Sydney Theatre Company, which under the artistic leadership of Cate Blanchett is, this season, focusing on American drama.  

- Lots of Fringe reporting out there to read.  At the Voice, Alexis Soloski writes about the "13 shows in 3 days" marathon she recently completed.  As part of NyTheatre.com's attempt to cover every show, I've also been writing about the work being done as part of the fest.  My first review is of Feed the Monster, and I can't exactly say I wanted seconds.  How has your FRINGE 2010 experience been?  What is the show we all need to see? 

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