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What was truly, truly the most fragrant piece of 2004? That's an easy pick for me. It was Ben Katchor and Mark Mulcahy's The Slug-bearers of Kayrol Island at The Kitchen over three weeks in March. Believe it -- it's true. Mulcahy, in addition to writing the music, also stole the show playing a number of different characters. It will be difficult to extract from my memory Mark's body wiggling all over the stage to his mix of Caribbean rhythms and straight-ahead American pop. And Mollie Weaver's bell-like voice was a fetch. I'm not really sure what happened in the show, and it was an utter delight. Where did that show go? It was sold-out for all three weeks of its run. Where did it go??? ******* Radiohole frightens me. They are so sweaty. They could whip anyone's ass. ******* Banana, Bag & Bodice, relative newcomers to the New York City scene, displayed The Young War at Studio 111 in Williamsburg in June. Fantastic, fast stuff. There was plenty of running and talking and slapping. And bloody eggs. I also caught an excerpt of their Sandwich at the Brick Theater's "Brick-a-brac" in November. Oh, wait. I played the Goddam Bitch-Cat in that excerpt. Oh, God, now I'm in for it -- the company members are actually housemates of mine. Oh, shit, now I've done it -- I've actually had children with the two co-founders! Well, then, you can take my advice because you know I mean it. They are worth checking out, for sure. ******* I liked Young Jean Lee's play, The Appeal at SoHo Rep. With Byron, Wordsworth and Coleridge. It was so bitchy. ******* Theaters Against War (THAW) has been doing real cool stuff. Sophia Skiles and her monthly cabaret series, "Freedom Follies" have inspired many people to communicate their frustration and hope via artistic media. So kudos to the THAWers for their hard work at bringing the community together. ******* I tried to see National Theater of the United States of America, but couldn't get in. ******* I saw a DVD of Die Walkuere, the Met production directed years ago by Otto Schenk. That was SO COOL! But I guess a DVD doesn't really count. ******* Oh, I saw Berlioz' Les Troyens at the Met, in a production directed by Francesca Zambello. It was so gorgeous. With such beautiful choreography by Doug Varone. ******* That's the year-end. Bring on 2005, with plenty more material courtesy Administration Bush! Alec Duffy's The Top Ten People of the Millennium Sing Their Favorite Schubert Lieder opens at the Bank Street in the West Village January 13. |
