| Impromptu "Frasier" Reunion on Broadway |
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 Four of the stars of NBC's "Frasier" (1993-2004) were coincidentally on Broadway during March 2007 My Fair LadyStarring Kelsey GrammerPerformances from March 7–10, 2007 At the Avery Fisher Hall 10 Lincoln Center Plaza lincolncenter.org ChicagoStarring Bebe NeuwirthThrough April 22, 2007 At the Ambassador Theater 230 W. 49th Street btwn Broadway & 8th ambassadortheater.com Prelude to a KissStarring John MahoneyThrough April 22, 2007 At the American Airlines Theatre 227 W. 42nd Street btwn 7th & 8th roundabouttheatre.org/aa.htm CurtainsStarring David Hyde PierceRunning indefinitely At the Al Hirschfeld Theatre 302 W. 45th Street btwn 8th & 9th alhirschfeldtheatre.com Intrepid theatergoers who are also fans of the sitcom “Frasier” could have seen four of the show’s stars on Manhattan’s stages in March. Although one of the shows—Kelsey Grammer starring as Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady” at the New York Philharmonic—was a very limited run, the other three are still playing: David Hyde Pierce in “Curtains,” John Mahoney in “Prelude to a Kiss” and Bebe Neuwirth in “Chicago”—so “Frasier” fanatics can still make their move to see several of the stars in the flesh.  Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane  Kelli O’Hara as Eliza Doolittle and Kelsey Grammer as Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" To be sure, Grammer–and anybody else who plays Higgins—has to contend with the long shadow of Rex Harrison, whose indelible Oscar-winning performance in the George Cukor movie is available on DVD for anyone to savor. That said, Grammer acquits himself quite well, with a credible accent, excellent comic timing and even a way with a song that works for his character, notably in the big finale, “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” which is quite touching. Brian Dennehy is a boisterous Alfred Doolittle and Charles Kimbrough hams it up as Higgins’ sidekick Colonel Pickering, but any doubts about this “My Fair Lady” are swept aside by the sublime presence of Kelli O’Hara as Eliza, who is about as perfect in acting and singing as possible, making classics like “The Rain in Spain” and “I Could Have Dance All Night” her own. “My Fair Lady” should be brought to Broadway starring Kelli O’Hara immediately. * * *
 Bebe Neuwirth, who played the buttoned-up Dr. Lilith Sternin in "Frasier," lets her hair down in "Chicago" on Broadway Bebe Neuwirth — Frasier’s erstwhile ex-wife Lilith — has returned to the Kander and Ebb musical “Chicago” for a limited run, now playing Roxie Hart instead of Velma Kelly, whom she first portrayed when this incredibly successful revival opened back in 1996. Neuwirth’s formidable musical-comedy skills are not as snug a fit for Roxie as Velma, but she still throws herself into the role with appealing aplomb, blowing away everyone onstage in a show that, more than 10 years into its run, is showing signs of wear and tear. When Neuwirth is onstage doing her thing during “Funny Honey,” “Roxie,” or “Me and My Baby,” then “Chicago” starts looking like a classic musical again, and not merely a vehicle for out-of-towners so enamored of the terrible Oscar-winning film to relive their cinematic “experience.” Buy "Chicago" Tickets Here! * * *  John Mahoney, Annie Parisse, and Alan Tudyk in "Prelude To A Kiss" Mahoney plays the old man who trades souls with new bride Rita after they kiss at her wedding. Although he moves through the role with endearing hangdog charm, neither he nor Annie Parissie—who gives a lovely performance as Rita—can save this “Prelude,” which has not improved with age, even with director Daniel Sullivan, set designer Santo Loquasto, and actors Alan Tudyk, James Rebhorn and Robin Bartlett giving it their all. Buy "Prelude to a Kiss" Tickets Here! * * *   David Hyde Pierce and Jill Paice shine in "Curtains" Happily, “Curtains” boasts a terrific lead role for David Hyde Pierce, whose razor-sharp comic timing makes him the perfect choice to play a Boston detective assigned to find the killer of a Broadway-bound show’s talentless leading lady. As a fan of musical theater, he gives advice to the director about the show and finds himself falling for the blonde ingenue. Pierce, who honed his Broadway musical chops in the amusing but overrated “Spamalot,” is here in his element, singing, dancing and tossing off one-liners with equal ease; he’s finally come of age as a leading man. Of course, he’s also helped by an immensely gifted supporting cast, under the adroit directing of Scott Ellis: best are the criminally underused Karen Ziemba (why doesn’t some producer give her the lead in a musical?), always-hilarious Debra Monk and limber Megan Sikora. Only Jill Paice as Pierce’s love interest is less than ideal. “Curtains” also benefits from fabulously varied choreography by Rob Ashford. Although the songs might not be up to Kander and Ebb’s usual high standards, the glittery stars and witty production make “Curtains” stand above other new musicals. And — like all of these shows — it’s a must for “Frasier” fans. Buy "Curtains" Tickets Here!
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