You Know IT When You See IT

Like a former supreme court justice who couldn't define pornography but "knew it when he saw it", I saw real talent last night and knew its name was EDIE FALCO.

The longtime star of the Sopranos and Nurse Jackie is lights out spectacular as Bananas Shaughnessy in John Guare's  "The House of Blue Leaves" at the Walter Kerr Theater on 48th Street in Manhattan.

In a sea of Broadway re-treads and remakes it is well worth a trip to New York just to see the kind of magic Ms. Falco is making six nights a week and twice on Tuesdays.  

Edie Falco (aka Mrs.. Tony Soprano)

Like so many plays mounted in the past few years, this production relies on big name stars to draw an initial audience.  Ben Stiller, Jennifer Jason Leigh and the aforementioned Edie Falco pretty much guarantee lots of press coverage and entertainment dollars from visitors bent on attending a Broadway show.  Add to the mix a play that was written in the 1960's and set during the Pope's visit to the U.S. in 1963 and you have a built in audience of reminiscing baby boomers and younger people with no recollection of the times.

House of Blue Leaves

Ben Stiller is adequate as Artie Shaughnessy, however he seems a bit young and not nearly enough of a loser to pull off the part as say a younger John Mahoney or a Jason Robards in his prime.  But, he's okay.  Dreadful doesn't begin to describe Jennifer Jason Lee's embarrassing  turn as Artie's side slice, Bunny Flingus.   To say she can't act diminishes the ability of some of the most broken down hambones at your local dinner theater.  The woman comes across as a poor understudy for TV's late great Lulu Roman of "Hee Haw" fame.  Or, just maybe, it may be more similar to a Minnie Pearl rendition of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet.  She is a classic example of fame taken to an altitude where talent cannot sustain expectations.  Sally Struthers wasn't available?

Edie Falco, in a very difficult role, has that rare gift of being so absolutely believable as Artie's schizophrenic wife that it is impossible to take your eyes off her as she consumes the stage with her character.  The audience is with her at all times and she reciprocates.  It is rare to see someone so good and so subtle totally take over a part.  It is an award winning performance.  A real artist is at work here.

If you are anywhere near New York, or will be soon, don't waste your money on the umpteenth revival of a bad musical or some movie that has been adapted for the stage.  Grab a ticket to see "The House of Blue Leaves" at the Walter Kerr before the always busy Edie Falco takes her gift to a new venue.  You'll thank me later.

Edie Falco and Ben Stiller