Hated Hedge Funder, Real Estate Lust, LaBute’s ‘Furies’
Like a shoeshine boy hyping stocks, a New York musical about real estate may signal a time to sell.
The delightful “Love and Real Estate” poses a more immediate question, whether a cad (Kevin Greene) has an ulterior motive in romancing three sisters endowed with swell apartments.
The abbreviated but mayhem-filled fable is by Sam Davis and Sean Hartley, with a fine cast that includes newcomer Jessica Hershberg, who suggests a singing-and-dancing Tina Fey. Narrator Edward Hibbert sings the wistful title song, about a fling with a handsome broker hawking a penthouse with a partial river view.
“Love and Real Estate” is one of three offerings in Series B of “Summer Shorts 2012” at Manhattan’s 59E59 Theaters. It begins with Paul Rudnick’s “Cabin Pressure,” a slight comic monologue about an attendant (Peter Bartlett) who foils a terrorist plot on a Los Angeles-bound flight.
At his valedictory press conference held on the Lincoln Memorial, the gay, celebrity-obsessed hero mocks the size of Mariah Carey’s entourage as well as the obnoxious hedge fund manager who was less popular on the flight than the terrorist.
Neil LaBute’s “The Furies” ends the 90-minute program with a hilarious three-hander about a middle-aged man (Victor Slezak) severing a relationship with his lover (J.J. Kandel, who is also the evening’s executive producer). The younger man brings his excitable yet taciturn sister (Alicia Goranson) for support. Her ardent, quizzical expressions as the older man explains his predicament are comically awkward in the extreme and worth the $25 price of admission.
Through Sept. 1 at 59 E. 59th St. Information: +1-212-753- 5959, ext. 102; http://59e59.org. Rating: ****
What the Stars Mean: ***** Fantastic **** Excellent *** Very Good ** Good * Poor (No stars) Avoid
(Philip Boroff is a writer for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)
Muse highlights include dining and art reviews.
To contact the reporter of this story: Philip Boroff in New York at pboroff@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff in New York at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'Love and Real Estate'
Rahav 'Iggy' Segev/Photopass via Bloomberg
Stephanie D'Abruzzo , Sarah Corey and Jessica Hershberg in "Love and Real Estate," part of the "Summer Shorts 2012" series at 59E59 Theaters. The show, featuring music by Sam Davis and the book and lyrics by Sean Hartley, is directed by Devanand Janki.
Stephanie D'Abruzzo , Sarah Corey and Jessica Hershberg in "Love and Real Estate," part of the "Summer Shorts 2012" series at 59E59 Theaters. The show, featuring music by Sam Davis and the book and lyrics by Sean Hartley, is directed by Devanand Janki. Photographer: Rahav 'Iggy' Segev/Photopass via Bloomberg
'Cabin Pressure'
Rahav 'Iggy' Segev/Photopass via Bloomberg
Peter Bartlett in "Cabin Pressure" by Paul Rudnick in the "Summer Shorts 2012" series at 59E59 Theaters. The comedy is directed by Walter Bobbie.
Peter Bartlett in "Cabin Pressure" by Paul Rudnick in the "Summer Shorts 2012" series at 59E59 Theaters. The comedy is directed by Walter Bobbie. Photographer: Rahav 'Iggy' Segev/Photopass via Bloomberg
'The Furies'
Rahav 'Iggy' Segev/Photopass via Bloomberg
Victor Slezak, Alicia Goranson and J.J. Kandel in "The Furies" by Neil LaBute in the "Summer Shorts 2012" series at 59E59 Theaters. The comedy is directed by Stephen Hamilton.
Victor Slezak, Alicia Goranson and J.J. Kandel in "The Furies" by Neil LaBute in the "Summer Shorts 2012" series at 59E59 Theaters. The comedy is directed by Stephen Hamilton. Photographer: Rahav 'Iggy' Segev/Photopass via Bloomberg
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