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Friday, March 19, 2010

    [ STARS ]  Dame Edna's Back and Michael Feinstein's Got Her; Next Fall; Broadway, 1948; Last Chance; Penny Fuller Sings; Richmond Ballet Returns by Ellis Nassour

  • Posted by James Marino at 1:35 PM | Item Link


      • [ NYP ]  Bebe B'way house of horror by Michael Riedel

      Neuwirth fed up as No. 2 in 'Addams'

      [ P ]  White's Lies Delays Off-Broadway Previews to April

      [ P ]  EXCLUSIVE: Richards Departs A Christmas Story, The Musical!; New Composer Sought for Seattle Bow

      [ MAIL ]  Guess who's having a Ball with Shrek as movie musical makes its way to the stage... By Baz Bamigboye

      Plus "Flashdance The Musical," and Roger Robinson in "Joe Turner's Come And Gone."

      [ P ]  Retooled Version of Shrek Heading to the West End; Michael Ball in Discussion for Title Role

      [ B ]  Michael Ball Eyes the Monster Title Role in DreamWorks' Shrek in the West End

      [ TM ]  West End Flashdance The Musical Sets October 14 Opening Date

      [ P ]  Flashdance The Musical to Open at West End's Shaftesbury Theatre in Fall

      [ B ]  Flashdance the Musical to Play the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre in the Fall

      [ TM ]  Adam Garcia, Douglas Mills to Star in West End Tap Dogs

      [ B ]  Hit Dance Show Tap Dogs to Return to the London Stage

      [ LAT ]  Laguna Playhouse to give up set-building workshop to shave annual expenses by Mike Boehm

      [ TM ]  BC/EFA's Easter Bonnet Competition to Be Held at Minskoff Theatre April 26-27

      [ P ]  24th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition Will Play the Minskoff

      [ TM ]  Linda Powell to Join Ana Reeder, Mark Nelson, Tim Hopper in A Doll's House at Long Wharf

      [ P ]  Powell to Inhabit A Doll's House at Long Wharf

      [ TM ]  Mario Cantone, Kerry O'Malley, Anthony Rapp, et al. Set for Broadway Recycled Concert

      [ P ]  Broadway Recycled Concert to Feature Cantone, Grisetti, Harada, O'Malley, Rapp and More

      [ P ]  Max von Essen, Alan Campbell and More Will Join Lauren Kennedy at the Canal Room(19 Ma

      [ TM ]  Alan Campbell, Julia Burrows, Max von Essen, et al. to Join Lauren Kennedy for April 4 Canal Room Concert

      [ TB ]  Language Rooms and Romeo and Juliet
      Philadelphia Reviews by Tim Dunleavy

      Peter Filichia:

      [ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary: All about March Theatergoing

      [ NJ ]  It's all Greek in Red Bank with stage production of 'Orestes'

      Features:

      [ P ]  DIVA TALK: Celebrating Sondheim with Sondheim on Sondheim Star Barbara Cook

      [ NYT ]  Theater Talkback: The Accent's the Thing By CHARLES ISHERWOOD

      [ G ]  How a standing ovation led to stage rage by Mark Brown

      Last night I witnessed a man being screamed at for standing up to applaud at the end of Jerusalem. What weird behaviour have you noticed at the theatre?

      [ G ]  Noises off: In defence of theatre bloggers by Chris Wilkinson

      Instead of railing against them like Andrew Lloyd Webber, we should appreciate their capacity to increase the quality of debate

      [ ND ]  Twyla Tharp blends dance, Sinatra in 'Come Fly Away' By LINDA WINER

      Twyla Tharp is back on Broadway, a fact more inevitable than it may appear.

      [ G ]  Olivier awards: the frontrunners by Alistair Smith

      The London theatre world's brightest stars will gather this Sunday for the 2010 Olivier awards - the West End's version of the Oscars. Here are our top tips

      [ HC ]  Tyler Perry's Pricey "Madea" Show. What Would Madea Say? By Frank Rizzo

      [ TONY ]  Casting call: Visions of Angels by Adam Feldman

      [ TIMES ]  Why is a skilful fake worth less than an original? by Richard Morrison

      A "Schiele" or a "Shakespeare" that is good enough to fool experts surely has some artistic merit of its own

      [ G ]  Ten-minute plays: the most fun you can have in a theatre?

      What's so great about a play that's over in the time it takes to boil an egg? Quite a lot, if Manchester's JB Shorts season is anything to go by, writes Alfred Hickling

      [ G ]  Adam Smith Institute's proposals could mean curtains for UK theatre by Lyn Gardner

      Plans by the rightwing thinktank to replace arts funding with a voucher system could kill innovative theatre stone dead

      [ TIMES ]  Great moments in theatre: Edmund Kean's London debut by Benedict Nightingale

      When Kean gave his Richard III, a virtuoso villain who died writhing and gnashing his teeth, Byron wanted to write a tragedy for him

      [ WSJ ]  'Spider-Man' Star in a Tangled Web By ELLEN GAMERMAN

      The setbacks of the musical "Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark" have led to speculation about whether the Broadway show will go on, but Reeve Carney is still getting ready to don the tights.

      [ B ]  Video Exclusive: The Night Prince Looked at Karen Olivo Like She Was a Pork Chop

      [ B ]  Videos: Kander, Ebb & All that Jazz: An All-Star Tribute to the Men Behind The Scottsboro Boys

      [ A ]  In Rehearsals for La Cage With Nick Adams By Nick Adams

      Broadway performer Nick Adams heads into rehearsals for the Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles and brings The Advocate along for the ride.

      [ TONY ]  The Wooster Group returns By Helen Shaw

      New York's coolest avant-gardists hit the high seas.

      [ CST ]  'Ragtime' a bold new chapter for Drury Lane BY DELIA O'HARA

      [ B ]  Fresh Face: Tales of Tallulah: Getting to Know Looped's Brian Hutchison

      [ WE ]  Malcom Gets stars in The Lisbon Traviata' at the Kennedy Center By: Emily Cary

      [ NYP ]  Mark Sanchez healing with musical theater

      [ TIMES ]  Georgina Bouzova: My break-up helped me in The Mousetrap

      Acting in the great whodunnit was exhausting, says Georgina Bouzova - and the tears she shed were often real

      [ TIMES ]  The Big Question: Do Hollywood stars belong in the West End?

      Are they employed to tread the boards for marketing purposes or do film stars have something to offer theatre?

      [ TIMES ]  Felicity Kendal - 'I've got a tattoo. That's probably wrong' by Dominic Wells

      The actress is a doting grandmother but she's still game for a bit of transgressive fun

      [ BS ]  The Awards Parade Heats Up by Les Spindle

      "All About Me":

      [ A ]  Michael Feinstein: Piano Man Comes Back By Brandon Voss

      "Ambassador of the Great American Songbook" Michael Feinstein finds a new power of two with Dame Edna in Broadway's All About Me and talks all about his anger with The Advocate and Kevin Spacey.

      [ NPR ]  Michael Feinstein, Dame Edna Share 'All About Me' by Jeff Lunden

      [ TM ]  The Me Generation By: Tristan Fuge and Brian Scott Lipton

      Liza Minnelli, Elaine Stritch, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Neil Sedaka, Barbara Walters, Jane Powell, Celeste Holm, and more stars join Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein for the Broadway opening of All About Me.

      [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: All About Me Opening Night on Broadway

      [ NYP ]  Michael Riedel name-dropped in B'way show

      [ USA ]  There is nothin' like Dame Edna in 'All About Me' By Elysa Gardner (* * * out of four)

      [ EW ]  All About Me
      Reviewed by Jessica Shaw (B-)

      [ V ]  All About Me
      Review by Marilyn Stasio

      It's a joy to have Dame Edna Everage back on Broadway, regardless of the indignities she's forced to suffer in "All About Me."

      [ NY1 ]  Review: "All About Me" By: Roma Torre

      While I have to applaud the effort, "All About Me" is ill-conceived. It's a case in which two halves don't make a whole. One "me" would have sufficed.

      [ ND ]  Michael Feinstein, Dame Edna in 'All About Me' By LINDA WINER

      Even if you aren't one of Dame Edna Everage's biggest fans (and we know who we are), you are likely to find yourself wishing for more of her in "All About Me."

      [ NY ]  What's It All About? by Stephanie Zacharek

      Michael Feinstein didn't stand a chance against Dame Edna. Stephen Sondheim doesn't do so well, either.

      [ NYT ]  Two on a Seesaw By BEN BRANTLEY

      In a production that brings to mind a desperately assembled television variety show from the 1970s, Dame Edna Everage and Michael Feinstein clash like polka dots paired with plaid.

      [ DN ]  Dame & crooner star in lametuner by Joe Dziemianowicz (** 1/2)

      [ NYP ]  Can't blame Dame by Elisabeth Vincentelli (**)

      [ BN ]  Hammy Feinstein, Dame Edna Join Egos in 'All About Me': Review by John Simon (**)

      [ TB ]  All About Me
      Review by Matthew Murray

      It tries to be a two-star show starring Michael Feinstein and Dame Edna Everage, but ends up being two one-star shows.

      [ TONY ]  Stars shine wanly in a Broadway revue. By Adam Feldman (**)

      [ BS ]  All About Me - Reviewed by DAVID SHEWARD

      This unlikely pairing of Michael Feinstein and Dame Edna Everage resembles a TV special from the 1960s-pleasant and mildly amusing but familiar and forgettable.

      [ YN ]  Feinstein and Dame Edna are B'way's new odd couple By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic

      Their 90-minute show, which opened Thursday, has the feel of a glossy Las Vegas revue, well put-together but unsurprising, especially if you have seen both performers before.

      [ THR ]  All About Me -- Review By Frank Scheck

      This ill-conceived theatrical marriage is likely to result in a quickie divorce.

      [ TM ]  All About Me
      Reviewed by: David Finkle

      This unlikely pairing of Dame Edna Everage and Michael Feinstein is rarely more than mildly diverting.

      [ BR ]  Review: Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein in "All About Me" BY ROBERT FELDBERG

      It's not unfunny, and the unlikely pair do seem to be enjoying themselves. But there's no escaping the fact that we're not getting the "A" stuff.

      [ NJNR ]  'All About Me' co-stars Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

      Uneasy teaming and spotty material yields so-what Broadway show

      [ OOB ]  All About Me - Review by Matt Windman

      "All About Me," the duo's mindless, dysfunctional 90-minute cabaret act, has turned out to be the biggest disaster of the Broadway season. It makes a typical Vegas act look like "Oklahoma!" by comparison.

      [ B ]  What's It All About? Our Word of Mouth Panel Takes In All About Me"

      "God of Carnage":

      [ P ]  Jeff Daniels Makes a Unique Return to God of Carnage - In a New Role

      Actor Jeff Daniels didn't know the famous story about Ed Begley and Inherit the Wind. Which is kind of funny because, right now on Broadway, Daniels is pulling an Ed Begley.

      [ EW ]  God of Carnage (2010)
      Reviewed by Thom Geier (A-)

      "The Gods Weep":

      [ ES ]  Dennis Kelly: I can't imagine a more violent writer than Shakespeare

      "People are shocked when they meet me," says Dennis Kelly. "I think they expect me to kill a cat in front of them or something." Small wonder.

      [ G ]  The Gods Weep - Review by Michael Billington (***)

      [ TIMES ]  The Gods Weep - Review by Benedict Nightingale (**)

      Jeremy Irons's dramatic opening Lear-style act is sadly the highpoint of this production. Then it's downhill all the way

      [ T ]  The Gods Weep, RSC, Hampstead Theatre, review By Charles Spencer (**)

      The Gods Weep by Dennis Kelly, starring Jeremy Irons, is a loose updating of King Lear - but what a poor shadow of Shakespeare it is.

      [ STAGE ]  The Gods Weep - Review by Mark Shenton

      In the circumstances, the actors cope admirably to keep hold of its weird shifts in tone, place and pace, and though it is good to see Irons returning to the RSC after an absence of some 23 years, it's a pity that he has not been lured back to re-establish his classical credentials but instead to add lustre to this lacklustre new play.

      [ ES ]  The Gods Weep gets lost in a corporate whirl By Henry Hitchings

      This is a messy play, and clearly a slimmed-down version of something longer. It fails to satisfy, as either a sidelight on Shakespeare or just entertainment.

      [ MAIL ]  Never mind the gods, this will make everyone cry By Quentin Letts

      Dennis Kelly's three-hour play is unwieldy, pretentious, coarse, confusing and surely calls into question the judgment not only of Mr Irons, but also of the executives and board members involved in the RSC's Daddy-O attempt to find new playwrights.

      Other Reviews:

      [ LAT ]  Review: 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' by Reprise Theatre Company by Daryl H. Miller

      This presentation may not be a buzz-builder, in the way that the Nathan Lane-led 1996 Broadway revival was, but as directed by David Lee, it is reliably entertaining and is populated with solid singers who, along with conductor Steve Orich and a 22-player orchestra, put the music's crackling artistry on full display.

      [ V ]  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
      Review by Bob Verini

      The farcical structure of Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart's book is as sound as ever.

      [ CU ]  A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum

      This Forum hits all the proper bullseyes and then some.

      [ BS ]  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
      Reviewed by Les Spindle

      Director David Lee's revival meets those challenges in a scrumptiously satisfying revisit to an old favorite-faithful to the original, though often fresh and inventive.

      [ OCR ]  Funny 'Forum' features strong cast in L.A. By PAUL HODGINS

      Reprise staging of 1962 Sondheim farce is slapdash but enjoyable.

      [ TM ]  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
      Reviewed by: Jonas Schwartz

      Reprise's production of the classic musical comedy isn't as hiarious as it could be.

      [ THR ]  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum -- Review By Laurence Vittes

      No stars in the "Funny Thing" troupe produces a star performance.

      [ DCTS ]  Phantom of the Opera revisited, The Scottsboro Boys and The Temperamentals

      Richard Seff revisits two shows: Phantom, (George Lee Andrews is still there!), and The Temperamentals. Seff, who introduced Kander to Ebb, reports on their newest musical, The Scottsboro Boys.

      [ LAT ]  Review: 'Through the Night' at Geffen Playhouse by Charles McNulty

      Daniel Beaty's solo show about urban black men doesn't synthesize well, but is heartfelt.

      [ WP ]  Review: Terrence McNally's 'Golden Age' at the Kennedy Center By Peter Marks

      At this stage of the playmaking process (this production was unveiled in January at the Philadelphia Theatre Company), "Golden Age" lacks some of the infectious qualities that distinguish some of McNally's other opera plays: the explosive wit of "The Lisbon Traviata," for example, or the elevated idol worship of "Master Class," his illuminating biographical portrait of Maria Callas.

      [ WSJ ]  Some Formerly Famous Faces By TERRY TEACHOUT

      Two new Broadway plays evoke dearly departed celebs: Tallulah Bankhead in "Looped" and Zero Mostel in "Zero Hour." Neither gets beyond skin-deep impressions.

      Plus "When the Rain Stops Falling."

      [ EW ]  The Book of Grace (2010)
      Reviewed by Melissa Rose Bernardo (C)

      [ CT ]  'Uncle Vanya' by Maly Drama Theatre: Intimate three hours of Chekhov in the original Russian by Chris Jones

      [ TB ]  Trust
      Chicago Review by John Olson

      [ TM ]  Hamlet
      Reviewed by: David Finkle

      Simon Keenlyside and Marlis Petersen give strong performances in the Metropolitan Opera's staging of Ambroise Thomas' troublesome opera.

      [ NYP ]  'Hamlet' made in haste by James Jorden

      The drama of Ambroise Thomas' "Hamlet" pales beside the behind- the-scenes maneuvering that got it to the Met on Tuesday.

      [ WSJ ]  Visiting Cagney's Neighborhood

      In "Bowery to Broadway," Christopher Shannon describes the ways in which Hollywood has depicted the world of Irish-Americans. Peter Duffy reviews.

      News:

      [ P ]  Shaw Fest and IATSE Reach Tentative Agreement

      [ CT ]  Broadway in Chicago adds 'White Christmas' by Chris Jones

      [ TM ]  Irving Berlin's White Christmas Replaces God of Carnage in Broadway in Chicago Season

      [ HC ]  "White Christmas" Musical Heads to Bushnell in November By Frank Rizzo

      [ LAT ]  Broadway shows--plus Cirque du Soleil--heading to Orange County Performing Arts Center next season

      [ TM ]  Pittsburgh CLO Announces Directors and Chroeographers for 2010 Summer Season

      [ TM ]  Charles Busch, Christine Ebersole, Jackie Hoffman to Judge Broadway Beauty Pageant

      [ P ]  Ebersole, Busch and Hoffman to Judge Male Broadway Beauty Pageant

      [ P ]  New Works by Rubin-Vega, Lillis, Grant, Poe, Keller Slated for LAB Workshops and Readings

      [ ND ]  Summer comes early for two LI theaters By STEVE PARKS

      [ NYP ]  Master classes at Primary Stages by Elisabeth Vincentelli

      [ TM ]  Ann Hampton Callaway, Jarrod Spector, Sam Tsui to Join Miranda Sings for March 29 Birdland Concert

      [ NYT ]  Corrections

      [ P ]  PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, March 13-19: Fela! Goes East

      [ P ]  Elaine Stritch Will Be Special Guest at Manhattan "All About Eve" Screening

      [ P ]  Dog Has Identity Crisis In New Bernadette Peters Book, Due in May

      [ P ]  Barrett and Criswell Will Sing Rodgers and Hammerstein in Birmingham

      [ P ]  A Little Night Music to Offer Actors Fund Performance

      [ P ]  Australian Dance Show Tap Dogs to Return to London's Novello Theatre, Starring Adam Garcia

      [ P ]  Priscilla, Sister Act, Blood Brothers to Perform on Laurence Olivier Awards; Presenters Announced

      [ P ]  Will Peter Pan Fly Into New York Theatre Workshop?

      [ TM ]  Glee's Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, et al. to Visit Oprah Winfrey Show on April 7

      [ TM ]  Angela Gheorghiu to Replace Anna Netrebko as Mimi in Met Opera's La Boheme on March 20

      [ TM ]  Previously Unreleased Recordings from Steve Barton, Anthony Newley Featured on Two New CDs

      Photos:

      [ B ]  Photo Op: Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne Paint the Press Red at Meet and Greet

      [ TM ]  PHOTO FLASH: Red's Alfred Molina, Eddie Redmayne, and Michael Grandage Meet the Press

      [ TM ]  PHOTO FLASH: Rock of Ages' Constantine Maroulis Receives Sardi's Caricature

      [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Rock of Ages Star Maroulis Honored with Sardi's Caricature

      [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: The Gingold Theatrical Group's St. Patrick's Day Gala

      [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Meet the Billy Elliot Chicago Stars

      [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: The Cocktail Party Opens Off-Broadway

      [ HC ]  Sneak Peek: Yale Rep's "The Servant of Two Masters" By Frank Rizzo

    • Posted by Tim Dunleavy at 1:28 PM | Item Link


        • News:

        [ NYT ]  The Next Stage for 'Fela!': Olivier Theater in London By PATRICK HEALY

        The nonprofit National Theater in London announced a rare undertaking: a production of the Broadway musical "Fela!" later this year.

        [ B ]  Fela! Is Headed to London's National Theater, with Stars Ngaujah and Mambo Intact

        [ P ]  London's National Theatre to Produce Fela!; Ngaujah and Mambo Will Star

        [ TM ]  Fela! to Play London's National Theatre

        [ NYT ]  Fortunes Improve for 'Miracle Worker' By PATRICK HEALY

        [ V ]  Workshop may catch 'Starcatchers'

        Off Broadway org, Disney Theatrical in talks for 'Peter' prequel

        [ P ]  EXCLUSIVE: FOX's "Glee" in Talks for Stage Development

        [ P ]  "Glee" Cast to Dish with Oprah

        [ B ]  Love Never Dies Cast Recording Debuts at #10 on the U.K. Music Charts

        [ P ]  Cast Album of Love Never Dies Makes U.K. Charts

        [ TM ]  Love Never Dies CD Debuts at #10 on UK Charts

        [ TM ]  Bailey Hanks, Briana Carlson-Goodman, et al. Set for Speargrove Presents Musical

        [ P ]  Rent Controversy Inspires Speargrove Presents Musical Event; Hanks to Star

        [ TM ]  James M. Nederlander to Receive Broadway League's Schoenfeld Vision for Arts in Education Award

        [ P ]  Nederlander Will Be Given Schoenfeld Award at Gala Benefit

        [ TM ]  Len Cariou, Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara et al. to Perform at Monte Cristo Award Celebration, Honoring Harold Prince

        [ P ]  Baldwin, Cariou, Cudia, Jackson and O'Hara to Honor Prince

        [ TM ]  Natascia Diaz, Terrence McNally, Donna Miglaccio, et al. Set for D.C.'s Helen Hayes Awards

        [ TM ]  Lucy DeVito, Susan Louise O'Connor, Grant Shaud, et al. Set for Studio 42 Readings

        [ P ]  Ellen to Welcome Kristin March 23

        [ TM ]  Ty Burrell and Wife Holly Adopt Baby Girl

        [ P ]  McKellen Says "The Hobbit" Will Start Filming This Summer

        [ P ]  Tommy Tune Will Be Honored at Seventh Annual Theater Hall of Fame Fellowship Luncheon

        [ TM ]  Met Opera's Final Dress Rehearsal of Armida, with Renée Fleming, to Be Open to the Public

        [ TM ]  Judi Dench to Join Jane Eyre Film, Featuring Screenplay by Moira Buffini

        [ TM ]  Julianne Nicholson, James Waterston to Star in Parents' Evening at the Flea

        [ TM ]  Cyndi Lauper, Nellie McKay, Martha Wainwright, et al. Featured on David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's Here Lies Love CD

        [ P ]  Sondheim on Sondheim, a New Musical Reflection of a Life in Art, Begins on Broadway

        [ P ]  Odets' Paradise Lost Begins Seattle Run March 19

        [ P ]  Ball's Racially Charged In the Heat of the Night Debuts Off-Broadway

        [ P ]  Walker in Babylon Readings, with Levy, Larsen and More, Presented March 19

        [ P ]  Shoshana Bean Is Special Guest at March 19 Ryan O'Connor Eats His Feelings

        [ P ]  Tony Winner Pawk Directs Bond in My Queer Youth Beginning March 19

        [ P ]  New Rock Musical The 12, with Bohmer, Kushnier, Clayton, Lewis, Presented March 19-21

        [ P ]  Family Imports Ching Chong Chinaman in Pan Asian Rep Comedy, March 19-April 11

        [ P ]  Kathleen Turner Is Molly Ivins in Red Hot Patriot, Premiering March 19 in Philly

        [ P ]  Burton to Create 3-D "The Addams Family"

        [ P ]  H.M. Koutoukas, Flamboyant Figure of Early Off-Off-Broadway, Dies at 72

        [ NYT ]  Theater Listings: March 19 - 25

        Selective listings from theater critics of The New York Times.

      • Posted by Tim Dunleavy at 12:57 AM | Item Link


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