Hottest Articles on BWW from Sunday, Dec. 30

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Chicago Theater Review: THE UNVEILING & DOZENS OF COUSINS (Trap Door) by Paul Kubicki

HAVEL UNVEILED AT TRAP DOOR THEATRE While most probably know Václav Havel as the Czech Republic’s first president, he has gained notoriety in the avant garde world for his absurdist plays…

GTFO, 2012: The Worst Theater Things of the Year by Lucky and The Mick

Just in case you were huffing glue and thought that the last year in theater was utterly perfect and special, we’d like to remind you that a lot of shows kind of sucked. Here they are,…

'Mother' makes things awkward for theater companies by David Ng

'The Mother... With the Hat' is getting productions by South Coast Repertory and L.A. Theatre Works, but its title makes promoting it problematic."The Mother… With the Hat" is a play …

New York City theater looks promising in 2012 by Joe Dziemianowicz

Midwinter theater blahs? Not in 2012 on Broadway, where the new year takes off like a shot. Three days in, “Glee” dreamboat Darren Criss piques interest when he temporarily takes over Da…

London 2012 and Beyond: The Best of 2012 by Jasper Rees

The Mayan calendar recently suggested it was all over. It is now, almost. 2012 was, by anyone’s lights, an annus mirabilis for culture on these shores. The world came to the United Kingdom…

2012 in Review: The Best of the Best: The Performance Categories by JK

The other day, I posted my annual Year in Review Best/Worst Non-Performance Categories.  You can see that HERE.  Today, I present to you my favorite performances in a variety of ca…

STAGE TUBE: THE GRINCH Channels 'Gangnam Style' with 'Who-Gam Style!' Spoof by Stage Tube

The 2012 company of the Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas North American Tour performed its own version of 'Gangnam Style' called 'Who-gam Style' Check it out below

Grace by Doug Marino

The proverbial gun is not so proverbial in this 90-minute stinger over at the Cort Theater.  The play opens at the literal and figurative end - loaded gun included.   We're instant…

TT: Just because

The Mills Brothers sing "Lazy River": (This is the latest in a series of arts-related videos that appear in this...

TT: Almanac

"As the Spanish proverb says, 'He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies must carry the wealth of...

TT: Far from Times Square

On Sunday morning Mrs. T and I flew south from New York City to Florida, where we took up residence...

Best of jazz and dance

Dance and jazz fans had much to experience in 2012.

Photo Flash: Saturday Intermission Pics, Dec 29, Part 2 - BRING IT ON and A CHRISTMAS STORY Say Farewell and More! by BroadwayWorld

BroadwayWorld collected as many of yesterday's evening Saturday Intermission Pics as we could to bring you Part 2 of our December 29th SIP round-up. Yesterday evening's photos featured final…

2012 HowlRound Roundup by HowlRound

January 2013 marks the two-year anniversary of the launch of HowlRound. Since our beginning, we have published nearly 300 theater artists who have contributed a journal article or blog post,…

New York Theater in 2012 by New York Theater

It is hard not to be sentimental about the theater at the end even of a so-so year. There ARE Broadway shows with performances on New Years Eve: Mary Poppins, Newsies, Peter and the Starcatc…

Audra McDonald Rings in the New Year, War Horse Rides Into the Sunset & More in This Week’s Datebook by Lindsay Champion

Audra and Sweeney and War Horse, oh my! 2012 may be coming to a close, but there’s still tons of fun to be had on Broadway. Check out what’s in store on New Year’s Eve and …

The Best of 2012 by Michael Block

2012 provided a very interesting year of theater. On the Broadway front, musicals and plays that transferred over seemed to have the best success (Peter and the Starcatcher, Once, Newsies, W…

Spotlight | South Orange: Theater in the Loft Series Introduces Little-Known Plays by Tammy La Gorce

A new monthly Theater in the Loft series at the South Orange Performing Arts Center will introduce little-known plays and invite feedback.

BUMBUG The Musical or Humbug by Suzanna Bowling

BUMBUG The Musical or Humbug: I love seeing versions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” but lately it is a sign for mediocre or, as in the case of BUMBUG The Musical, God forsaken…

2013 theatre preview: Helen Mirren gets another crack at the Queen and Peter Pan meets Alice in Wonderland by Michael Billington and Lyn Gardner

It looks set to be an intriguing year on stage that will also see Philip Pullman take on Cinderella and the RSC tackle VoltaireThe AudienceAfter starring in Peter Morgan's The Queen, Helen M…

Bare or Blame the Clergy by Suzanna Bowling

Bare or Blame the Clergy: There are times shows move you, be it good or bad and it becomes a part of the review.

Review: Faith Healer/The Den Theatre by Johnny Oleksinski

RECOMMENDED TurnAround Theatre’s acclaimed production of Brian Friel’s “Faith Healer” has been remounted by The Den Theatre—that is, if you can call this somber, in…

StageBill: Why Passing On Attending Opening Night May Be A Better Idea by Bill Hirschman

In theater, that most mutable and evolving art form, the passage of time is the forgotten factor in what the audiences see. So while having critics review a show opening night is unavoidable…

In Remembrance - 2012 Passages by Walter McBride

2012 is coming to a close, and BroadwayWorld's senior photographer Walter McBride takes a moment to look back at some of the many influential people we've lost this year. 2012 saw the death …

My 2012 In Review by Adam Szymkowicz

I had 11 productions of my plays this year, including Hearts Like Fists in LA and NYC which were both without a doubt the best received productions I've had.  Most recently I had 2 play…

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL Concludes 2012 Run Tonight, Resumes Jan 19 by BroadwayWorld

SILENCE! The Musical will conclude its current run tonight at the Elektra Theatre, 669 Eighth Avenue (at 42nd St.) Following the announcement that SILENCE! would be ending its long run today…

Radiohole's INFLATABLE FRANKENSTEIN teaser by Ludlow Lad

The first thing to see in 2013 is Radiohole's INFLATABLE FRANKENSTEIN which will premiere at The Kitchen on January 5th and run through the 19th. We are loving this teaser for the show: In…

The rest of the best of 2012 by Thomas Garvey

To continue my survey of the best of the year, I've once more singled out those local productions that I'd happily have squeezed into my top 10, if only there was room.  So in no partic…

GTFO, 2012: The Best Theater Things of the Year by Lucky and The Mick

Here it is, guys. The whole year in a giant nutshell. Here are the shows and performances and scandals we loved with all our theater-obsessed hearts. As we wait with bated breath for Stark S…

This Week on Broadway for December 30, 2012: Les Miserables and the West End Boys by James Marino

Peter Filichia, Mark Shenton and James Marino talk about the movie of Les Misérables, the London Theatre scene, Golden Age, 13 Things About Ed Carpolotti and much more.   Please tak…

‘Thornton Wilder: A Life,’ by Penelope Niven by Blake Bailey

A biography of Thornton Wilder, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist.

Arts | New Jersey: A Review of ‘Esther’s Moustache,’ in Long Branch by Michael Sommers

In “Esther’s Moustache,” a comedy by Laurel Ollstein playing at the New Jersey Repertory Company, a cartoonist is haunted by her past and her most popular creation, a sexpot goddess.

Human "whales" on stage &page by Elyse Sommer

One  of  the more fascinating  plays  seen during the  too often disappointing first half  of the 2012-13 theatr season was The Whale,     Samuel…

Jessica Chastain to Skip Jan 10, 13 & 27 Performances of THE HEIRESS to Support ZERO DARK THIRTY by BroadwayWorld

THE HEIRESS' Jessica Chastain announced on her Facebook page on Thursday that she will not be performing on Broadway on January 10th, 13th and 27th to support her film Zero Dark Thirty at th…

Obituary: Helen Kardon Moss, 81, singer by Sally A. Downey

She appeared on Broadway in New Faces of 1962.

The Sunday Giveaway: Two Tickets To Mulan The Musical by Ken Davenport

I know what you’re thinking.  ”I didn’t know Disney was making a Mulan musical!” Don’t worry, you didn’t miss anything.  Disney didn’t create a ne…

Michael Nesmith, “Magnolia Simms” by Trav S.D.

Okay, last one today, I promise! The musical stars must be truly alligned for December 30. It’s also Michael Nesmith’s birthday. I’ve already written a bit about the Monkee…

Year in review - Theater: 20 stage moments to remember by Joe Dziemianowicz

What had the New York ­theater scene buzzing last year? Plenty. “Once” wowed. ­David Mamet went both ways — “Glengarry Glen Ross” flew; “The Anarchist” flopped. …

Legacies of inspiration

The year 2012 witnessed the passing of many influential authors, actors, musicians, directors, dancers and others who contributed greatly to our region's vibrant arts scene. They challenged …

Footlight Awards: honoring 2012’s best in performing arts

Seattle Times theater critic Misha Berson salutes Seattle-area actors and productions from the past year.

Samantha Barks scores breakout role in "Les Miz" by Marshall Fine

Third place made Samantha Barks a winner. Barks, who plays the lovelorn Éponine in the new film version of “Les Misérables,” got her break on the British reality contest show “I’d …

BWW Flashback: BRING IT ON - THE MUSICAL Leads Last Cheer on Broadway Today by BroadwayWorld

Bring It On The Musical will play the final performance of its limited engagement today, December 30, 2012, after 21 previews and 173 regular performances at Broadway's St. James Theatre. Be…

BWW Flashback: A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL! Closes on Broadway Today by BroadwayWorld

Christmas Story, The Musical arrived on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre just in time for the 2012 holiday season. The new musical, based on the 1983 movie perennial, began November 7, …

In the Spotlight Series: Tom Hooper by Walter McBride

Following the smash Christmas debut of Tom Hooper's LES MISERABLES motion-picture adaptation, BroadwayWorld brings you images of the film's acclaimed director in our 'In The Spotlight' serie…

How do you top 2012?

The Olympic year saw an overload of cultural activity. What does 2013 hold in store for arts lovers? By Jan Dalley

Bo Diddley: “Say, Man” by Trav S.D.

Today is the birthday of Ellas McDaniel, better known as Bo Diddley (1928-2008). While not usually placed in the pantheon of influential 50s rockers that includes Elvis, Chuck Berry, Buddy H…

Patti Smith on SNL by Trav S.D.

A lot of music in the air today (and a couple of more posts after this!). Today is also the birthday of holy-punk-poet-saint Patti Smith. I first saw her/ heard her during her performance on…

James Snyder Heads HSO Concert Honoring Goodspeed by Frank Rizzo

BWW's Best of 2012: Curtain Call Countdown! by BroadwayWorld

2012 is coming to a close, and from BILLY ELLIOT's final curtain call in January to this season's holiday hit A CHRISTMAS STORY - and everything in between - BroadwayWorld has you covered. T…

The Best of 2012: Part 9: ‘Solo Performances, Children’s/Young Adult Theatre Shows, Directors, & Performances’ by Admin

 BEST SOLO PERFORMANCES Joe Brack in My Princess Bride at DC Capital Fringe Festival. Alex Brightman in How I Paid for College at The Hub Theatre. Mike Daisey in The Agony and The Ecstasy…

Del Shannon Goes Pyschedelic by Trav S.D.

Today is the birthday of Del Shannon (1934-1990). Since 1961, Shannon has been almost exclusively known for his #1 hit “Runaway”. And if you were only to be known for only one th…

Peter, Paul and Mary: Autumn to May by Trav S.D.

Today is the birthday of Noel “Paul” Stookey (b. 1937). When I was a kid I played by dad’s old Peter, Paul and Mary records (especially their eponymous debut record) over a…

Bert Parks does Paul McCartney by Trav S.D.

Today is the birthday of Bert Parks (1914-1992). He started out as a singer and straight man on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in the early 30s. He went on to host several games shows, and …

Rudyard Kipling by Trav S.D.

Today is the birthday of Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). I was gratified to learn this weekend that my sons had studied his 1899 poem “The White Man’s Burden” in school, and t…

BWW's On This Day - December 30, 2012

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on December 30 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events

Analysis & Opinion: Looking back on the capital’s highlights by Mark Shenton

The greatest and most widely seen show of the year was, of course, the Olympics Opening Ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle. It was run a close second – on a far smaller budget – by...

Drama club prepares for ‘Annie’

The Norton High School drama club is getting ready for its Jan. 18-20 performances of the Broadway musical “Annie.”

ORPHANS, Starring Alec Baldwin and Shia LaBeouf, Goes On Sale Today by BroadwayWorld

Tickets for Broadway's Orphans, starring Alec Baldwin and Shia LaBeouf, will go on sale to the general public today, December 30. Lyle Kessler's play will be directed by Daniel Sullivan. Thi…

CharPo-Canada's Pictures of the Year, 2012, Runners-Up by The Charlebois Post

From December 22-28 we will be presenting the best photos of the year at CharPo-Toronto, CharPo-Montreal and CharPo-Canada (different photos on each site so check them all out). On December …

PLAYBILL VAULT'S Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 30 by Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld and Robert Viagas

1907 In The Comet Alla Nazimova plays a woman who falls in love with her former lover's son, who eventually kills himself. This first play for Owen Johnson will run for seven weeks.

THE BOOK SHELF: Kurt Weill, Lotte Lenya, Actors' Equity, Yip Harburg, Stella Adler and More by Steven Suskin

The sheer volume of theatre-related books published in 2012 has us playing catch-up this month, with the Equity bio "Performance of the Century," "Stella Adler on America'…

A Christmas Story, The Musical, Based on Beloved Film, Ends Broadway Run Dec. 30 by Adam Hetrick

The tinsel comes down off another tree and gifts are put away Dec. 30, when A Christmas Story, The Musical, based on the 1983 film that captured Jean Shepherd's nostalgic and comedic hol…

Andrew Samonsky, Elizabeth Stanley, Jeff Blumenkrantz Are Part of Too Close to the Sun Concert Dec. 30 by Andrew Gans

A host of theatre artists take part in Too Close to the Sun: The Smoldering Lyrics of Amanda Yesnowitz Dec. 30 at The Duplex.

THE SCREENING ROOM: Playbill Video Looks Back at "Smash" Stars in 2012 (Video) by Playbill Staff

This year, NBC brought the magic — and backstage drama — of Broadway into households around the world with the new musical drama "Smash." Here, Playbill Video looks bac…

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Ends Run at MSG Dec. 30 by Adam Hetrick

The limited holiday run of Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, starring Jeff McCarthy as the fuzzy green curmudgeon, ends its engagement Dec. 30 at the Theatre at Mad…

Tix for Broadway's Orphans, Starring Alec Baldwin and Shia LaBeouf, Go on Sale Dec. 30 by Andrew Gans

Tickets for the Broadway bow of Lyle Kessler's Orphans, starring Emmy Award winners Alec Baldwin and Shia LaBeouf, go on sale to the general public beginning Dec. 30.

Dismount! Bring It On: The Musical Closes on Broadway Dec. 30 by Adam Hetrick

Bring It On: The Musical, which takes inspiration from the popular film franchise of the same title and sets it to a new pop and hip-hop beat, ends its extended Broadway run Dec. 30 at the S…