"Other"

"Other" at the Greenwich House is written and performed by Ari'el Stachel. The Greenwich House is known for some great solo acts... Eddie Izzard, for one was outstanding and extended at Greenwich several times. "Other" too was a very interesting and thought provoking eighty minutes.

Ari'el Stachel had a very strange upbringing. It didn't help that he was riddled with OCD and anxiety for most of his life. Growing up in the Bay Area, he named his OCD. She was called "Meredith". As his life went on, Meredith became more and more demanding as the OCD raged in him at times.

The first five minutes of this show was confusing. Stachel never established his character in any kind of cohesive manner. The play after that straightened itself out and it became entertaining. Stachel pokes fun at himself and other people in his life throughout the show.

Never really having a place in life, Stachel deals with family and passing friends though his whole life. His embarrassment about his fathers existence is at the forefront of his life. Whites see Stachel as brown; brown people see him as white. Jews see him as Arab; Arabs see him as Jewish. As Stachel tries to fit in somewhere, he turns to the arts.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has occupied and consumed his life. He transfers schools the way people change their socks. Trying to fit in somewhere, his friendships that he treasures come and go. Art school is somewhat of a salvation: he makes more lasting relationships and does what he really likes to do, sing and act.

Stachel gets a once in a lifetime opportunity, he gets cast in "The Bands Visit" in which he wins a Tony Award. He is at the highlight of his life... fame and accolades befall him. After the show closed, his life has been pretty uneventful, however.

"Other" has very good sound (Madeleine Oldham) and lighting and projection by Alexander V. Nichols. For the most part "Other" is funny and easy to watch. At small parts, the show can get slow, but is worthwhile seeing!

The direction by Tony Taccone keeps the audience locked in to Stachel's performance. While Stachel suffers in keeping calm, Taccone uses his corks to give the audience Stachel as a person and not just an actor. Taccone uses what is given him and heaps it back on the audience. He does a wonderful job in giving us a interesting show.

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Off Broadway will be hosting" Richard ll" in just a few days. Michael Urie will star in this much anticipated show at the Astor Place Theater. This theater had "The Blue Man Group" occupy it for over thirty years. "Richard" is one of the least Shakespearean plays that grace the stage across America. That's a shame because the writing is so good. It gives us Shakespeare at his best, with in-depth, precise sonnets.

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"Ragtime" and "Bear" are getting raves, however, much of Broadway is pretty lackluster with the new openings. "Versailles" is a disaster, "Chess" and "Godot" are fair at best, as is all the others that have opened. Sans "Beetlejuice" and Mama Mia" ( reopened), many audience members think that it is not worth the price of admission to see these shows.' Liberation" which was a sleeper and not really promoted is drawing stronger audience acclaim than many others. "Art" with a strong cast is not getting the audience acclaim that it thought it would get.

As Broadway welcomes the rest of the scheduled openings, one can hope that the shows coming will be stronger. Many feel that the direction of many of these shows are the problem. Many strong actors are being directed against the grain, taking the actors out of their element.

Broadway, The Bands Visit, Mama Mia, Beetlejuice, Tony Awards, Michael Urie, Bobby Carnavalle, Tony Taccone, "Art", "Chess", Hollywood", New York City, "Other", Greenwich House"