That special something

"Schadenfraude", aside from being a delightful number from Avenue Q, is a word that falls into a distict linguistic category of "untranslatables"--words that exist in one language which have no analogue in another.  I wish there were a untranslatable meaning "that unique and special joy and sense of discovery upon watching a truly exciting NEW musical."  It is difficult to define this word beyond that rudimentary definition, other than to say it falls under the category of "you know it when you see it".  In recent memory, this would would, in my case, apply to my viewings of PASSING STRANGE, IN THE HEIGHTS and NEXT TO NORMAL.  And now I can whole-heartedly add BLOODSONG OF LOVE to the list.

This engaging and entertaining work boasts book, music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, an emerging music theater writer who, with this show, seems pretty damned emerged to me.  The show was a total package: tuneful, funny, smart and, by its last quarter, genuinely moving.

One of this conditions of this "special something" for me is that my affection for this show often supersedes my ability--or desire--to identify said shows faults.  So while I will not assert that BLOODSONG is flawless, I have no interest in seeking out or discussing its flaws.  I'd rather focus on planning a second visit.

For more information about BLOODSONG OF LOVE, go here http://arsnovanyc.com/bloodsong.html

DISCLAIMER: After a lot of thought I decided that I don't really want to write reviews any more.  However, as a member of the ITBA, I get free tickets to shit all the time, and thus feel obligated to write about it.  But, starting with this, those shows I do cover will probably be much more anecdotal or, like this piece, using a show as a jumping off point for a slightly larger conversation.  So a lot of the details (like names of actors or whatever) typically obligatory in a review may not be present here.  Partially because I'm lazy, but mostly because I work in the theater, often with these people, and don't necessarily want to be putting stuff out there--even if it is complimentary--that they will stumble upon if they're googling themselves.  I will try and include a link to this pertinant information.  If I don't, that is just the laziness talking.