"Baby, it's been a long day, baby. Things ain't been going my way. And now i need you here to clear my mind all the time." ~ray lamontagne

Time for new show reviews! I've seen these Broadway shows in the past week, and they're all really good productions.

Jerusalem
Mark Rylance is amazing. He won a Tony in 2008 for his stellar performance in Boeing Boeing, and he has a good shot at another one this year (although I have a feeling Al Pacino will edge him out). His performance in Jerusalem is a tour de force. It's a long show (three hours), and he's onstage almost the entire time. His intensity is incredible. I enjoyed the play very much, but Rylance's performance really made it special. This play is a transfer from London and I've heard people question whether it works in America, but I entirely think it does. It's a human story that anyone can relate to. I loved the play a lot more than I expected to.

Born Yesterday
Nina Arianda is definitely the best thing about this production; it's worth seeing just for her performance. Jim Belushi and Robert Sean Leonard also star, and those are some pretty big names. Their performances are fine, but Nina Arianda steals the show in her Broadway debut. I liked the play (a 1940's comedy); it's a fun, refreshing change from the dramas I've been seeing lately.

The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism With a Key to the Scriptures
Yes, that's the full title. It's a mouthful, and it's length also reflects the length of the play (four hours long). I saw this because Nicole and I bought subscriptions to Signature Theater's Tony Kushner series this year (mostly for Angels in America). It's a good play, and it doesn't feel as long as it is (although I think it could use a teeny bit of trimming). It's a dark and heavy family drama about a man who wants to kill himself and gathers his family together to reach a consensus. It features a very strong ensemble cast Michael Cristofer, Linda Edmond, Michael Esper, Steven Pasquale, Stephen Spinella, and more). I think Tony Kushner is a brilliant guy and I'm glad to spend this season exploring some of his plays.

And, on a completely unrelated note, here's a fun giveaway contest online; Leslie Sarna (the dainty vegetarian) is giving away some popcorn, so check it out.