Billi Pod Blogs: Dinner With The Boys - Living On Love - Urinetown: The Musical

Wednesday==>We need to get today’s posting started because your favorite Big Apple blogger has an entertainment doubleheader scheduled for today ...

So ... let’s begin with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

DINNER WITH THE BOYS, about a couple of aging mobsters who are preparing what might be their last supper==>C+.

This was the first preview performance and I really wanted to like this “comedy” written by and starring Dan Lauria of “The Wonder Years” but it just didn’t work for me as the performers throw around every conceivable “Italian Mobster” cliché and Mafia stereotypes, while screaming, yelling and cussing without stop.

My problem is that I cannot go into more details without revealing major spoilers and ... I could be totally wrong in my reaction because the almost full-house audience gave the performers a roaring standing ovation at curtain call ... so ...

Billi Pod says==>see this show with an open mind and then form your own opinion(s).

The show is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:45, with intermission, and runs through July 5th.

Now ... moving on to today’s entertainment doubleheader ... beginning with ...

The Broadway show ...

2:00==>LIVING ON LOVE - “World-renowned soprano Renée Fleming makes her Broadway debut in this new comedy about an opera diva who is writing her biography, the only trouble is ... so is her larger-than-life maestro husband. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown, and romance blossoms in unexpected ways.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show just opened to very mixed reviews, is playing at the Longacre Theatre on West 48th Street, has a running time of 2:15, with intermission, and is an open run.

When the show is over I will come back to PHC for the usual fruit and cheese plate and then it will be time to walk downtown for my second entertainment event ...

One of my all-time favorite musical comedies, in its first NYC revival in 14 years ...

8:00==>URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL - “As the result of a terrible water shortage, private toilets have become unthinkable. All restroom activities are handled through a private corporation, the Urine Good Company (UGC for short). To control water consumption, people have to pay to use public amenities (that is, public toilets) for their ‘private business.’ Yes, people must pay for the privilege of peeing and heroic Bobby Strong leads the fight against this practice.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

I saw this outrageously funny show in its very first performance at the 1999 New York International Fringe Festival. TOTALLY LOVED IT! It then played Off Broadway before sold out houses and moved to Broadway in August 2001 where it ran until January 18, 2004. Of course I saw it multiple times Off and On Broadway.

This revival is a production of The St. Bart’s Players, whose past works I have enjoyed, is playing at The Hudson Guild Theatre on West 26th Street, has a running time of 2:20, with intermission, and only runs through April 26th.

So ... I hope you loyal and faithful readers and followers will agree that it looks like a very interesting doubleheader for your favorite blogger.

Moving on to the sports scene ... for you Marty ...

Last night up in Detroit the Yankees battled rain and very cold weather to beat the Tigers 5-2 behind an excellent outing from Nathan Eovaldi, who gave up only 1 run in 7 innings, striking out 4 and walking only 1.

Tonight at 7:08pm is game three of the four game series. On the mound for the Yankees (7-7) will be Adam Warren (0-1) vs. our longtime nemesis David Price (1-0) for the Tigers (11-3).