#lindsay mendez

Derek Klena andLindsay Mendez performing “I Got All I Need (This Christmas)” at the ASTEP Benefit Concert at Joe’s Pub on December 11, 2017 | via @cheeyanngmusic on Instagram stories

Derek Klena, Lindsay Mendez, and George Salazar at the ASTEP Benefit Concert at Joe’s Pub on December 11, 2017 | via @lindsaymendez and @blaemire

capturetheatre:

Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez in ‘Dogfight’ the musical, 2012

2018 Tony Awards Backstage with the Winners

Backstage interviews with the 2018 Tony Award winners.

All clips from The Tony Award’s Facebook.

Lindsay Mendez - “Pretty Funny” from Dogfight

Despite my better judgment, I went to see Significant Other, the new play by Joshua Harmon that recently transferred to Broadway from Roundabout, this past Sunday with my significant other, my best guy friend, and his significant other. I saw this shortly after I met J in 2015 while it was off-Broadway and it hit me hard in the emotions. I walked out of the Laura Pels thinking Gideon’s character surely killed himself after the lights went down. And to be honest, I kind of wanted to kill myself after the lights went down on Sunday afternoon, regardless of my relationship status. My friends concurred.

I want to start by saying that Gideon Glick is brilliant as the protagonist Jordan, a late twenty-somethings city-dweller. He gives a flawless performance of an extremely flawed character. He has genius comedic timing and I was exhausted watching him exert himself onstage for two and a half hours(ish). I would watch this guy read the phone book because he could make it entertaining. He has monologues that are pages long but he makes it look effortless.

Sas Goldman, who plays the first bride of the night Kiki, reminded me in a weird way of Tracee Chimo in Bachelorette. But in a totally good, weird way. Lindsay Mendez plays a wonderful best friend to Jordan, Laura, who gets caught up in wedding madness when she finally gets engaged. She was able to be strong even when hurt by Jordan’s page and a half tirade on the evening of her bachelorette party. And, last but not least, Rebecca Naomi Jones is the hilariously dark Vanessa who gives no fucks about anything until the day of her wedding.

The men in this show are not at all the focus. Hence why two actors play all six male characters (in addition to Jordan). John Behlman and Luke Smith both do a lovely job playing the various boyfriends and husbands and coworkers of the four main characters.

Because of its incredibly depressing tone, and it’s suicide-inducing ending, I’m not sure it’ll find it’s audience on Broadway, but I know that a lot (most) people could probably relate to Jordan’s feeling of being alone and feeling hopeless. There are lots of parts to make you laugh, and many to also make you feel all the feels. Like any good play should. 

I recently saw Wicked for the second time. I loved it even more the second time around and the cast was great. In honor of the show’s 10th anniversary today, here are a few pictures I took at the curtain call on 10/17 in NYC with Lindsay Mendez, Alli Mauzey and Carol Kane. Can’t wait to see it again!

All Rise has a new home on OWN!!!