Before Your Very Eyes

Before Your Very Eyes was written and directed by Edward Elefterion. The director part of him did no favors to the playwright part, and the playwright did no favors to the director--and neither was of any help to the actors. The play starts on September 11, 2001. First we hear in the dark a difficult-to-understand phone message, then the lights come up on two women over-indicating shock and horror. It gradually becomes clear that Kate is listening to a message from Lakshmi's husband for Lakshmi, who is too scared to listen herself. One of their husbands comes home; one doesn't. The rest of the play examines the ways that 9/11 haunted and changed the lives of the people who were there, as well as their loved ones. Unfortunately, Before Your Very Eyes chooses bombast over dialogue, emoting over acting, stick figures over well-developed characters, and half-assed conspiracy theories over reasonable debate.

Honoring Patrick

In Patrick's obituary in the Times, it says that donations in memory of Patrick may be made at tdf. If you'd interested, here's the link for memorial gifts.

Our Patrick

Reading through all the posts honoring Patrick has reminded me of just how social and supportive he was, not to just to me, but to an entire community of bloggers, critics, artists, playwrights, and just about everything in between. You wouldn't ever see a bad show if you were in Patrick's company -- or at least, you wouldn't remember seeing a bad show, because you'd probably be off to a diner afterward to grab a bite and talk about all the good stuff out there in theater. And that was Patrick represented to me: all the good stuff you could find in theater.

Goodbye, My Friend

I was absolutely shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of my friend and colleague, Patrick Lee. Patrick was one of the most beautiful, generous and caring individuals I've ever known, and probably my greatest supporter, encouraging me more than anyone to pursue my passions of criticism and theatre journalism. I honestly don't think I've ever met anyone who truly loved theatre as much as he did. I'll always remember his dry comments after a particularly heinous production, the late-night dinners where he lovingly recounted his many theatrical memories, and his overall love for what he was doing. I am happy that, although his life has been cut tragically short, he was able to spend his final years doing what he loved most in the world. I am a better writer, audience member, and person to have known him.

Our friend, Patrick Lee

Patrick and David getting their Tony Awards on.

Show Showdown has lost a cofounder and a dear friend. Patrick Lee, officially the most theater-obsessed person I have ever met, passed away earlier this week. His love of all things theater was infectious and his supportive voice via Show Showdown, Just Shows to Go You, and TheaterMania was a valuable contribution to the New York theater community.

I met Patrick while waiting tables at West Bank Cafe. I spotted his Playbill and struck up a conversation. I bragged that I'd seen over a hundred theatrical productions in the previous year. He bragged that he'd seen over two hundred. What?? Game on. We began Show Showdown-ing in 2006 and I quickly discovered what a formidable opponent he would turn out to be. Within weeks he'd seen twice as many productions as had I, and his succinct, haiku-esqe capsule reviews could capture a production's essence in just a few carefully worded sentences.

At the time, Patrick was considering a second career in documentary film and was taking courses at NYU (his first: television production). However, shortly into our race, Patrick confided in me that he had found his true calling in theater criticism and promotion. Over the next few years, he successfully created for himself a truly fabulous life in the theater community that he so adored.

Patrick Lee was one of the most intelligent people I have ever known. He had a gourmet sensibility in terms of theater, film and any other mode of art you could throw at him. He was a generous listener and a captivating conversationalist. His favorite play of all time was Uncle Vanya. His favorite musical was My Fair Lady. His favorite showtune was "Ol' Man River."

I will miss my show buddy a great deal.

XODavidBell

In Memory of Patrick Lee

I only met Patrick twice, but that was enough to get a sense of his joie de vivre and sheer likeability. That he is gone at the shockingly young age of 51 is heartbreaking, and the world is a duller place without him. My deepest sympathy and best wishes to Patrick's loved ones.