Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published January 5, 2006 Click here for the current edition Black and White Blues Opens Off Broadway For three years, Harry Mayronne Jr. and Ricky Graham staged their brilliant musical play about the restaurant scene in New Orleans at Le Chat Noir. It was so well received here (with good reason--there's hardly a moment in it when you can stop laughing) that they began efforts to get the play to New York City. And they have. Black and White Blues opens January 19 at the Laurie Beechman Theater at West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd Street in Manhattan, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues. It's an inspired comedy. Harry Mayronne, whose work I've admired from the time I first heard him playing for Sunday brunch at Cafe Sbisa a million years ago, composed a highly listenable original score, and provides non-stop music from his piano through nearly the entire play. The lyrics and book are at the same level of high amusement for which Ricky Graham is celebrated in New Orleans theatre. If you missed it in New Orleans, know that it will certainly be back someday. You must see it--especially if you ever worked in a restaurant. And if you're in the Big Apple in the next few months, go give our local guys a hoot and a howl. You won't have to work hard at it. Tickets can be nailed down at Ticket Central, 212-279-4200. © 2006 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com