How Did I Do As The Lion?

By Michael Musto Tue., Jan. 25 2011 at 2:12 PM

Last night was my big performance in Project Shaw's all-critics reading of Androcles and the Lion at the Players Club, performed after one rehearsal.

Instantly, I could tell why they cast me as the king of the jungle--they needed someone with sharp claws!

And I thought I did pretty well in a Bert Lahr-y way, playing up the gay angle in this tale of two male oddballs who bond, as thousands end up cheering.

I got lots of laughs and seemed to entertain the audience, which by the way was studded with names like Marian Seldes and Paulina Porizkhova.

But admittedly I got a little hammy, loving the spotlight more than is probably healthy, and at the end of Act One, I even snapped my fingers anachronistically and paraded off the stage like a drama queen (to applause, mind you).

During intermission, other cast members said "You killed," "You earned your laughs," and "Your first scene with Androcles (Michael Schulman) was really sweet."

But Post columnist Michael Riedel rolled his eyes and said, "What you did was really subtle!" while the director warned, "I'm going to have to get the Shaw paddle and spank you for misbehaving."

Ouch. I went out there for Act Two anyway and got more big laughs via hammy antics.

Afterwards, renowned actor Michael Cumptsy gave me a toy lion he won in a raffle that night and said, "You were superb."

Riedel was unconvinced, barking at me, "Hack! Hack!"

Reporter Wayman Wong introduced some sanity to the proceedings, saying, "I can't wait for Julie Taymor's version--Androcles and the Lion King."

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You were hilarious. You got a laugh out of every roar, from your first one to the very end. Riedel, on the other hand, got no entrance recognition and bombed with his short part. What a crappy human. He has to cut down anything better than him (which is a lot).

Sancho

You and Michael Shulman made a wonderful pair. I liked Raven Snook as his bitchy wife too.

Musto

Thank you, Gregorama. It was so great to see you there! You're the best.

Gregorama

For those of you who weren't there, Michael's finest moment (for me) was when he did a classic, blasé "talk to the hand" (paw?) gesture. That role, I'd think, would be deceptively difficult to make funny, but your "seen-it-all," camp approach was dead-on. To be honest, I was a little trepidatious about seeing this performance...I mean, on paper, the idea of 20 mostly "non-actors" performing a 98-year old comedy makes me highly nervous. But for the most part, everyone rose to the occasion (a few exceptions---like David Finkle from Theatremania was lousy) and it was all a lot of fun.

mjk_shavian

Just as Charles Busch did in his star turn as Jitta in "Jitta's Atonement" a couple of seasons ago, you certainly added a new twist to the role that I doubt Shaw would have anticipated. Without sets to chew, you certainly found plenty to sink your teeth into. Over the top? Yes. Entertaining? You bet!

Gregorama

Riedel's a jealous bitch, since you STOLE the show! Clearly, you were the audience favorite, and the ending, where you and Androcles ended up together, waltzing dreamily, made me think that the musical version should be "The Lion QUEEN" (with all due respect!). But really, you were high-larious, and should be sprawled on a daybed, eating bonbons with cottonballs between your toes as you bask in the glamour of it all....