Austen's Pride and Diary of A Madman.

In a one night performance of this wonderful rendition of "Jane Austen" called "Austen's Pride" at the beautiful Carnegie Hall, it was filled with great stars both on stage and in the audience. The story for the most part remained the same, however, set to an orchestral backdrop, the actors sang and acted with script in hand. Directed magnificently by Igor Goldin, the story-line and actors, for the most part, moved graciously about the stage. The first act at one and a half hours was a tad to long, but its rapid fire second act at fifty minutes more than made up for it.

Two actors stood out tonight... Laura Michelle Kelly (Jane Austen) and Eric Ankrim (Mr. Collins and Mr. Gardiner). The two can flat out act. Ms. Kelly's singing voice is something to witness! She is one of the best actors that I have seen in a long time! Her movements, the "business" that she give is outstanding!

While the cast is steep, Delphi Borich, Ethan Carpenter, Sarah Rose Davis, Matt Gibson, Olivia Hernandez, Michele Ragusa, John Donovan Wilson are all incredible actors and make this a musical to be seen.

Pleasurable too are the costumes that Nancy Flaherty provided to us. Capturing the period piece, Flaherty's costumes were as elegant as they were insightful. In this period piece, we never left the time period that Flaherty provided us in dress.

In the choice of music Matt Perri too brings us back in time. The charming forceful vocalists belted out these incredible songs with gusto, and leaving the audience in rapture all evening.

I am not sure if this musical will come to Broadway, I think this show works better at the Park Avenue Armory, however. The big stage, the big audience area makes it a natural fit. The Armory fits this shows personality.

in capturing the spirit of "Jane Austen", "Austen's Pride" is sure to resurface somewhere, and it should. It is simply to good a show not to! I only hope that they bring back the cast, or most of it anyway because this is a classy hit!

....................................................................................................................

Diary of A Madman at The Russian Arts Theater and Studio.

At Pushkin Hall on the Upper West Side you will find an off off Broadway play that is just delightful! Gogol, who wrote "Diary of A Madman" was putforth on stage by The Russian Arts Theater and Studio.

Under the direction of Alekseyn Burago, this play captures the spirit of the book (which I also enjoyed immensely). Burago is particularly deft with showing us how the madman starts to spiral out of control. He shows us glimpses of the madman at first and then bringing his madness full force by the end of the show.

What better way to see this show in a warm, small theater that let's us sit in on this man who is running about, giving us insights into his crazy mind. The staging of this play too is warm, economical, and creative. This is what off off Broadway used to be! A person in the 80's and 90's could often find a hidden gem like this; not so much anymore.

Without a program I am at odds to tell you who from whom, but I will tell you the lead actor- the madman, turns in a performance for the ages! He is animated, deep and lite hearted all at the same time. The supporting cast too are excellent. As dogs, marionettes and various other roles, the support keeps us laughing, holding our breath and admiring the vast talents of these actors.

At two hour almost, it would have been better structured for an intermission. The theater was unbearably hot at certain points and it made it difficult to concentrate at times. An intermission would have given the audience a chance to really focus on just how insane this man became.

I look forward to visiting this theater in the future and get a chance to see some of the other great Russian writers of the past. Small, but cozy, this theater and theater company does it first rate!