The reboot of NYPD Blue featuring our own Bill Brochtrup had hoped to find a slot on ABC’s schedule, but the network sent it back for retooling and hopes to consider it as a mid-season replacement.  Happily, Bill is busy in the West Coast premiere of Michael McKeever’s play Daniel’s Husband.  I’m sure it says something about the Fountain Theatre that they snagged the rights to this play so quickly after its off-Broadway run.  And with a truly exceptional cast led by Brochtrup, I’m not surprised.  The play poses this question – just because gay people can get married and be like “everybody else”, should they?  Either way, what are the consequences?  The Fountain Theatre’s production is absolutely breathtaking – on the off nights, they could make a fortune renting it out as an AirBnB.  The performances are exceptional – not a weak link in the bunch.  I highly recommend seeing this timely and provocative play if you’re in the area.  It runs through June 23^rd, and you can get tix at FountainTheatre.com.

I’ve previously told you how excited I was about the national tour of Falsettos – even though PBS televised the Broadway revival.  Since I saw it on Broadway, on TV, and now on tour, I can sum up the reason to buy a ticket in three words – Max von Essen.  Although Christian Borle was superb in the Broadway revival, Max has a little something extra.  His years of experience, challenging roles, and paying his dues give him a gravitas as Marvin, while somehow maintaining a boyish charm and innocence.  I easily see him as a brilliant Bobby in Company soon.  His singing voice is, as always, solid with no notable break (save for one actual “falsetto” note towards the end).  It was truly a staggering performance.  Speaking of staggering, Nick Adams has never looked better (but he wore much less in Priscilla).  He’s a fine actor and may sing the role better than Andrew Rannells.  But while Adams is by far a more appealing performer, Rannells has the edge in delivering perhaps the definitive Whizzer.  All in all, if you haven’t seen this show, it’s a perfect production and cast to catch when it comes to a city near you.

Way back when, performers were often called stars of stage, screen, and television.  Well, throw in radio and that sums up Charles Busch to a T.  On several occasions, the divine Charles has appeared with LA Theatre Works, a group that has recorded well over 500 plays for posterity.  This week, he returns to record Die, Mommie, Die! for four performances May 17-19, and you can get tix on their website LATW.org.  He recently quipped, “I’ve played Angela Arden on film, stage and radio.  I just gotta figure out a way of bringing it to TV.”  There’s still time!