Concert recap: Lysistrata Jones Class Reunion at Joe’s Pub
The energy at Joe’s Pub was infectious on April 9 as the short-lived, but much loved, Lysistrata Jones cast performed their Class Reunion concert. The quirky Douglas Carter Beane musical, a modern-day musical adaptation of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, played only 30 performances on Broadway, but was in fine shape taking to the stage one last time three months after closing.
—Concert recap by Zachary Laks
Joe’s Pub’s intimate setting made for an exciting opportunity to hear Lewis Flinn’s score, which will be preserved on a cast recording set for release on May 15. Book writer Beane hosted the evening, interjecting his sharp wit in between the performances. Three of the original Broadway cast members were unable to attend, due to scheduling conflicts. Most noticeably absent was Lysistrata Jones herself, Patti Murin who is filming a pilot in Los Angeles. Teddy Toye (Harold) and Alexander Aguilar (‘Uardo) were also unavailable for the event.
The concert began as the Broadway production did, with its startling bang and a Greek-like chorus homage leading into its high-energy meet-the-characters cheer song, “Right Now.” With a peppy, petite lead in Libby Servais (Murin’s understudy—who had never gone on in the role on Broadway), the opening brought the whole cast out to great cheers and the glory-filled moments of the cast reuniting on the same stage. Flinn noted that the performance was taking place exactly one year ago from the first rehearsal for its off-Broadway production. Read more 
Stage Rush TV: Episode 82
Talking points:
- Happy Halloween! I explain how Broadway inspired my kooky costume this year.
- Shakespeare + beer = ShakesBeer! Halloween fun with The Mick of The Craptacular.
- Susan Egan’s Beauty and the Beast tales
- Ticket giveaway: Lysistrata Jones
- Broadway grosses
What do you think, Rushers? What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year? Is it Broadway related? Have you ever taken part in ShakesBeer? What do you think is the creepiest Shakespeare passage? Did Susan Egan’s horror stories of premiering Beauty and the Beast surprise you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and have a happy Halloween!
Follow Stage Rush on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for the weekly newsletter!
Ticket giveaway: Lysistrata Jones
***This giveaway has concluded***
A new cast of fresh faces is about to take Broadway by storm when the new musical Lysistrata Jones begins previews on November 12. Based on the play by Aristophanes, the show takes place at a modern-day college where the men’s basketball team hasn’t won a game in 30 years, and the fed-up cheerleaders decide to take the fate of their school’s athletics into their own hands. Stage Rush is hooking up two Rushers with a pair of tickets each to see the show.
Here are the easy steps you need to take to have your chance to win these tickets:
- Enter on Facebook by writing on Stage Rush’s Facebook wall
- Enter on Twitter by retweeting a link to the Lysistrata Jones contest page (a retweet button is located at the top of this page) OR one of Stage Rush’s tweets about the contest (@StageRush must be mentioned somewhere within your tweet, or else we won’t receive your entry)
- Subscribe to Stage Rush’s weekly newsletter. (Previous subscribers will automatically be entered into the contest.)
You can enter this contest one time via each method. So if you enter through Facebook, Twitter, and the newsletter subscription, you will have three entries in the contest. No more than three entries per person will count. If you play through Facebook, you must be able to be contacted via private message. If you play through Twitter, I must be able to direct message (DM) you (you must be following @StageRush in order for this to happen). The winners must acknowledge their acceptance of the tickets within 24 hours of being contacted, otherwise new winners will be chosen.
The giveaway will end on Friday, November 4. I will notify the winners through email, Facebook, and/or Twitter private message. The winners must be able to attend the show on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday performance between November 14 and December 8, 2011. The tickets are not valid for resale.
What are you waiting for, Rushers? Get over to the Stage Rush Facebook wall, retweet us on Twitter, and sign up for the weekly newsletter—it couldn’t be easier!
Tickets are provided by Lysistrata Jones.