| Ladies and gents,
The term “museum piece” is rarely a compliment when used as a description of a Broadway show. Unless, that is, when it relates to an official induction into the Smithsonian’s collection.
That was the case with Hadestown, which celebrated its 2,500th Broadway performance last Sunday by sending a few choice items from the underworld straight to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Following the October 18 matinee, the museum formally accepted a collection of costumes designed by Michael Krass, including the green dress, boots, choker, and floral headpiece worn by Ani DiFranco as Persephone, along with Patrick Page‘s devilishly dapper Hades ensemble, right down to his snakeskin boots.
And the timing couldn’t have been more appropriate. This week, Hadestown also became the 28th longest-running Broadway show of all time, surpassing both The Producers and Kinky Boots. Not bad for a musical about a journey to hell.
The production joins some rather distinguished company in the Smithsonian’s theatrical wardrobe department, where costumes from Kinky Boots, Dear Evan Hansen, and SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark have also found a permanent home, and where the nation’s preeminent hoarders are always happy to make room for a few more treasures.
Meanwhile, uptown at Lincoln Center Theater, they’re taking the radical step of inviting people into the building even when they haven’t bought a ticket. Imagine that!
Under the leadership of artistic director Lear deBessonet, the venerable institution is throwing open the doors of its Vivian Beaumont lobby, transforming what was once primarily a place to wait for the curtain into a gathering place for New Yorkers.
It’s all part of deBessonet’s larger vision of a theater that belongs not merely to its subscribers, but to the entire city. A rather refreshing notion in a town where simply finding somewhere to sit down without ordering a $24 cocktail usually requires elbow pads.
I applaud the sentiment. After all, some of my most memorable evenings in the theater have taken place in the lobby. And with Lear’s ambitious plans for what happens onstage, it will be interesting to see how many people come for the lobby and wind up staying for the matinee!
Tidbits from around town…
Spied Broadway lovebirds Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster enjoying a cozy dinner at Margot in Brooklyn.
Caught actor Kyle MacLachlan contemplating the delicacies at Cupcake Café.
Saw celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson navigating the Union Square Greenmarket, where he appeared to know every farmer by name.
As always, a toast of something sparkling to you and yours!
Kisses, |
