I was lucky enough to be New York recently and was priviledged to attend a Saturday Matinee of "A Catered Affair." This is the stuff of legends! Granted the book added a rather trite sub-plot about the uncle, but the music, direction, sets, costumes, orchestrations and stellar performances made for a momentous performance. And the CD beautifully captures the magical, delicate and wholly original score by John Bucchino. I almost chose not to see this show because of Ben Brantley's scathing review in the New York Times. Thank God, my heart took over and told me that this might be another "Light in the Piazza."
But it wasn't a copy of anything. It was completely original. Broadway is willing and wanting and waiting for such lovely pieces. Not since "She Loves Me" has a show been so wrongly criticized and ignored by the Tony nominators, who, for God's knows what reason, embraced the sophomoric and cloying "In the Heights." (I attended a performance of the latter where many audience members left at the intermission.) Another musical that got short-changed was "Young Frankenstein" with a near comic operetta score and stellar performances by all involved.
But I digress. If you're even thinking about going to NYC this summer, go immediately before "A Catered Affair" closes. It's scheduled to close in late July.
DO YOUR PART TO KEEP IT GOING!!