Just another brief update on the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical Harmony that I've been yammering about for a very long time -- since seeing it's pre-Broadway tryout in 1997, literally a quarter of a century ago. As I mentioned, it got fairly positive reviews when it finally opened in New York a few weeks ago at the highly-regarded National Yiddish Theatre Folksbienne -- with an especially nice review in the New York Times. The show isn't eligible for Tony Awards, because it's not on Broadway, but it has since receive eight Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, including Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical and Outstanding Score. Also, the theater just extended the show's run. I’m not shocked – given the generally positive reviews, especially in the NY Times – but you still never know. While it’s not a long extension, any extensions means sales are strong enough to justify it. And it’s probably smart to build slowly rather than get ahead of yourself, since any extension allows word-of-mouth to build. Also, for all we know, there are in talks to move it elsewhere and want to give those talks time. I don’t think that’s the case – yet – but it could be in time. Who knows? But mainly, after trying to convince people for 25 years that the show is actually very good, with some flaws, it's nice to have that confirmed on a much wider level. And good for the creators who stuck with it for so long. Here's a brief video on the opening night, with a speech by Chip Zien (who got an Outer Critics Circle nomination as Outstanding Actor), some footage of the title song being performed and the curtain call. Zien's reference to Barry Manilow not being able to attend is about him testing positive for COVID-19 and having to quarantine.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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