“Gleefully wacky and irreverent.”

–The New York Times

“Line by line, Mr. Rudnick may be the funniest writer for the stage in the United States today.”

–The New York Times

“Deeply funny musings and adventures elevate Paul Rudnick to the highest level of American comedy writing.”

–Steve Martin

“One of the funniest quip-meisters on the planet.”

–The New York Times

“Paul Rudnick is a champion of truth (and love and great wicked humor) whom we ignore at our peril.”

–David Sedaris

“Quips fall with the regularity of the autumn leaves.”

–Associated Press

September 15, 2014

Tribute

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Tonight I attended the American Theater Wing’s tribute to Dame Angela Lansbury, which was a wonderful treat. The entertainment included such glorious performers as Christine Ebersole, Glenn Close and Harvey Fierstein (Harvey sang a sensational, full-throated version of The Man In The Moon Is a Lady, from Mame.) A great highlight was the appearance of Len Cariou, who’d followed George Hearn in the title role of the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd, where Ms. Lansbury had so memorably created the role of Mrs. Lovett.

At the tribute, Cariou sang a deliciously funny, updated version of There Is Nothing Like A Dame, and then he sang sections from the opening of Sweeney Todd and one of that show’s most haunting songs, Pretty Women. His voice was astonishingly strong and thrilling. I’d seen that original production more than once and, thanks to Stephen Sondheim’s now-legendary score, Hal Prince’s production, with a vast set resembling a Dickensian workhouse, and Cariou and Hearn and  Lansbury, the show had been overwhelming – melodic and witty and terrifying at the same time. It had also been controversial, and some critics hadn’t known quite what to make of it. Johnny Depp played Sweeney in the film version and he was very good, but Len Cariou was, and is, tragic and monumental.

Dame Angela herself was, as always, blissfully gracious. Nearing 90, she looks fantastic and can’t stop working. I hadn’t remembered that, as very young actress, she’d been Oscar-nominated for her first two movies, Gaslight and Dorian Gray. She’s also won five Tony Awards.

Blognick