The Adventure Continues


TT in the Blue Mountains and Sheldy in New York.

Culture Shock.





Sunday, March 17, 2013

You Gotta Have "Art"

By Wayman Wong

Tony Award nominees John Tartaglia (''Avenue Q'') and Tony Sheldon (''Priscilla, the Queen of the Desert'') might be best-known for their work in musicals, but they're also terrific in ''Art and Science,'' a sweet new play by James Wesley. Tartaglia plays Adam, who visits Robert (Sheldon), his former vocal teacher only to find him on the floor, having suffered a stroke. But Robert refuses to go to the hospital because he's a Christian Scientist. Turns out he has his secrets, and so does Adam. It's a comic and dramatic tug of war.

If you're a fan of Tartaglia or Sheldon, or both, it's a must-see. They've play off each other beautifully.

''Art and Science'' is one of the four shows that's playing in repertory at ''Midtown March Medley.'' I also caught Wesley's other play, ''Unbroken Circle,'' and that's a fascinating family drama that's got more twists than fusilli pasta. It's about a Texas patriarch who's died and left a dark legacy that threatens to touch everyone. Suzanna Hay is a standout as the mother, but it's a kick to see Eve Plumb (''Brady Bunch'') play such a tart-tongued aunt.

I haven't caught the other 2 shows (''The Daring Duo'' and ''Seth and Kristine Together Again''), but I'll be back. And at $18 a ticket, it's a bargain to see lively new plays with top-tier talent. Forward, ''March''!

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