God Of Carnage: Sinfully Entertaining

Yesterday, I went to see “God of Carnage.” The play recently got a brand-new cast -- all of whom shine in Yasmina Reza’s sharp Tony Award-winning tale.

Comedy of (Bad) Manners: From left, Jimmy Smits, Annie Potts, Christine Lahti and Ken Stott face off in "God of Carnage." (photo courtesy: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times)

Two couples meet after the son of one duo (Jimmy Smits and Annie Potts) breaks the teeth of the son of another (Ken Stott and Christine Lahti). At first, the four engage in polite conversation. But, as the drinks begin to flow, diplomatic niceties give way to explosive tension -- with hilarious results.

Potts is pitch perfect as the uptight wife who eventually lets it rip, while Smits exudes effortless charm as her amused, cell phone-obsessed husband. Lahti holds her own as a self-righteous do gooder, especially when she has it out on stage with Stott. Stott, who also appeared in the show’s London production, is absolutely brilliant as a self-made man who tries to be the voice of reason.

“God of Carnage” is 90 minutes of smart, funny entertainment. And now through February 28th, you can get discounted tickets at BroadwayOffers.com. Use code GCDM121.

Hello Again Mr. Smits

2009 was a good year for celebrity sightings, and it looks like this year will be no different. Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Smits after his performance in the Broadway hit, “God of Carnage.”

Hello Again: Jimmy Smits and me after the show

It was my second encounter with the tall and charming actor -- the first being almost fifteen years ago on the set of “NYPD Blue.”

On Location: Jimmy, me and co-star Kim Delaney during a shoot for “NYPD Blue,” August 1995

At the time, we chatted about Jimmy’s lingering affection for his hometown of Brooklyn and I was impressed by how soft spoken and down to earth he was. He smiled today when I mentioned meeting him then, instantly recalling that particular shoot at the borough’s legendary River Café.

“You haven’t aged a bit,” I told him.

“I don’t know about that,” he said graciously. “Nice to see you again, thanks for coming out.”

Sigh. A decade and a half later, Mr. Smits is still a charmer.

Up next… a review of “God Of Carnage.”