Friday Night On Broadway

On Friday, my friend Cindy and I got the weekend off to a fun start with dinner and a Broadway show.

Our cozy table upstairs at Osteria al Doge in Times Square offered a perfect view of the bistro’s festive holiday decorations and bustling pre-theater crowd.

Cindy and I made it easy for our waiter, both ordering a tasty spinach salad with orange dressing and pan roasted Italian sea bass with celery root, sweet roasted garlic & manilla clams. For dessert, we indulged our respective sweet tooths with chocolate mousse and cinnamon ice cream. Delicious.

After dinner, it was a short, brisk stroll to the American Airlines Theater, where we had twelfth row seats for “A Man For All Seasons” starring Frank Langella.

The Martyrdom of Sir Thomas: Frank Langella pulls out all the stops in "A Man For Seasons"

(photo courtesy: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times)

The 1960 play by Robert Bolt takes place between 1529 and 1532 and tells the gripping story of Sir Thomas More‘s martyrdom. One of the British monarchy’s most loyal subjects, More fell out of favor when he refused to sanction King Henry’s divorce and England’s subsequent split from the Catholic church.

“A Man For All Seasons” examines what it means to be true to yourself no matter what the cost -- and raises the question of how far a man will go to honor his own moral code.

As Sir Thomas, 70-year-old Langella turns in a heroic, powerful performance, offering a revealing glimpse into the psyche of a great historical figure. By the play’s end, you definitely feel like you’ve been on an existential journey. Though act two drags on a bit -- mostly because of the show’s three-hour running time -- Langella never falters. He delivers every line with searing intensity, particularly during the climactic court scene when Sir Thomas is sentenced to death.

This isn’t the only historical figure in Langella’s current repertoire. He’s generating Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon.” With his amazing turn in “A Man For All Seasons,” it's a good bet the veteran actor can also look forward to adding another Tony Award to the three he’s already got on his shelf.

Opening The Vault: Part Nineteen

When you’re in the throes of new love, you feel like you always have something to look forward to. This was never more true than during the summer of 1994, a couple of months into my involvement with California native Mark (a.k.a Sparky).

As I struggled with adjusting to life back in New York after my junior year in London and a local beau who didn’t exactly light my fire, Sparky provided a much-needed distraction. And my excitement about him grew once I made plans to go visit him in L.A. I now Open The Vault and take you back to the summer of ‘94...

New York, NY
August 13th, 1994

Today, I went out to take care of two Sparky-related errands.

I stopped at Tiffany's, to get him a beautiful sterling silver golf-themed key ring -- no doubt, the most extravagant item I've ever purchased for a man But I figure, between the diamond band he gave me, the bi-coastal phone calls on his bill, and everything else, Sparky deserves a little bauble!

Tiffany & Co: During the summer of '94, I stopped in the famed luxe retailer's flagship Fifth Avenue store to pick up a little something for Sparky

Next, I went into Victoria's Secret to try and find a pretty nightgown. No such luck. Unless you have a figure like Cindy Crawford, it is very difficult to find the kind of flattering lingerie I’m looking for (floor-length and silky, but with sleeves to hide my flabby arms).

* * *

August 14th, 1994

Organized some of my London mementos today. As I glanced at various ticket stubs and notes from my Commonwealth Hall buddies, I found myself saddened that these items, along with my diaries and photos, are all that remains of the most incredible experience of my life..

Later, I headed down to [my college roommate and friend] Li-Shean’s abode. Chatted with her summer roommate and another Mount Holyoke senior. A couple of Coors Lights had us pleasantly buzzed.

I called to check my messages and just as I hoped, Sparky had called.

“I love you,” he said on my voice mail. “And I can’t wait till you get here. Hope everything is wonderful, Bye.”

He’s so wonderful.

* * *

August 18th, 1994

I spoke to my sweetheart last night. We’ve spoken every night so far this week! It still amazes me that Sparky is so besotted. I never thought I would affect a man so deeply at this stage of my life, at least not one whose feelings I would reciprocate. Lord knows I’ve had my share of over ardent guys I felt no attraction for.

Yes -- I am ridiculously excited about our pending reunion.

* * *

As I anticipated my first visit to California to see Sparky, I couldn’t wait to finally be with him in his world. I had no idea that my inaugural West Coast jaunt would introduce me to one of the greatest obstacles in our way -- his job.

Coming up….an exhilarating night out with a visiting former colleague and a review of Frank Langella’s mesmerizing Broadway performance.

Young Frankenstein And An SATC Sighting

Last night, my friend Cindy and I went to see “Young Frankenstein.” On my way to meet Cindy in Times Square, I noticed a gaggle of photographers in front of a neighboring theater. Upon poking my head in the crowd, I caught a glimpse of the lovely Cynthia Nixon (Miranda on “Sex and the City”) heading in to the premiere of the new Frank Langella play, “A Man For All Seasons.”

Cynthia Nixon arrives at opening night of "A Man For All Seasons"

(photo: Getty images)

The celebrity sighting – coming just a few days after exchanging smiles with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes at Il Cantinori – made me smile. So did the usher who informed me and Cindy that our seats would be upgraded since the theater wasn’t at full capacity.

“Young Frankenstein,” a musical remake of the 1974 film, gets off to a rollicking start with a pair of lively song and dance numbers, one of which introduces lead Roger Bart (Frederick Frankenstein) during a clever ode to his fascination with the brain. The hand of legendary Mel Brooks is unmistakable here, with his signature slapstick comedy and ribald humor very much at play.

Roger Bart and Christopher Fitzgerald hamming it up in "Young Frankenstein"

Unfortunately, Brooks’ uneven script is weighed down by many moments that fall flat. And the show is so overloaded with double entendres -- a housekeeper sings about being “plowed” by her “farmer,” a hay ride that’s about a roll in the hay, you get the picture -- it almost seems like Brooks is trying too hard to get a laugh.

Thankfully, Roger Bart does an admirable job of rising above the thin material he’s given to work with. The Broadway veteran and former “Desperate Housewives” star (he played scheming pharmacist George) performs the show’s funniest moments with perfect comedic timing and irresistible charm. Beth Leveal (Frau Blucher) and Christopher Fitzgerald (Igor) are equally entertaining as Dr. Frankenstein’s high-strung sidekicks in scientific experimentation.

“Young Frankenstein” is far from being Brooks’ best work, but it delivers enough laughs to be considered a decent night at the theater. And, having never seen the film, it‘s given me another title to add to my NetFlix list.