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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