Musical Little Women Has Big Changes, and Some Heartbreak

So, the reason that Jason Howland and Dani Davis optioned LITTLE WOMEN was because it won the Richard Rodgers award. Now they have removed 2/3rds of the team that created it. Is this a good move? I don't know.

Bizarre Developments Hint At High Stakes In SAG/AFTRA Commercial Strike

High 5 Teen Discount Tickets Go On Sale Through Ticketmaster May 26

Good plan to develop new audiences. Too bad most Broadway producers will not participate.

Broadway.com Audience Awards Put You In Control. Theatergoers vote for season faves with theater's hottest new honors.

Dame Edna Takes Broadway.com on The Early Show. Edna asks Bryant, "Are you humble, Mr. Gumbel?"

CDs: Fun With Amneris and Radames by Ken Mandelbaum

Ken reviews the new CDs from Sh-K-Boom. Kurt Deutsch has got a hell of a public relations team. Their first two CDs were released last week and they are everywhere in the press already.

Revivals in the works by Sean Patrick Flahaven.

Just some advice when using Priceline.com, I requested a ticket from NYC to San Jose. I got it. One ticket to San Jose, Costa Rica. Hopefully I will make it back to NYC by time the Tony Awards happen.

With a Week to Go, an Equity Appeal From Patrick Stewart Seems Unlikely

In Toronto, the Mirvish's dominate the theatrical producing market once again. Here is an article about the nominations in the 1999-2000 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which are in essence the Canadian Tonys.

SFX's $34.5 Million Payment to Stockholders Opens "Clear Channel" for Merger

Jane Eyre to Reach Broadway, Nov. 8

How Were the Reviews?: The Laramie Project

The official website of The Laramie Project.

This is what The New York Times had to say:

...Thus is a 21-year-old man named Matthew Shepard described in the extraordinary final moments of the first act of "The Laramie Project," the enormously good-willed, very earnest and often deeply moving work of theatrical journalism that opened last night at the Union Square Theater.

Again I reiterate that this is an important piece of theatre that you MUST go see.

The online auction to benefit The Actor's Fund continues. Please visit and bid on items. But remember this is an auction, not a guessing game. We don't want anyone to end up with an unwanted boat...

On a side note, we have made our way from Palo Alto to San Francisco and finally to Berkeley, CA (@ the Durant). It is just beautiful here. We may have to stay!

Phantom of the Opera to Get Italian Premiere in Milan in 2003

What Makes DWARF Run? by Ken Mandelbaum.

AIDA Marches On by Ken Mandelbaum.

Production Notes by Forrest.

We mentioned earlier this week about David Ippolito, also known as "That Guitar Man from Central Park" and his being asked to give up playing in Central Park after eight years. Well, it is sad but the City seems to have gotten its way. David will not be out there playing anymore for fear of being arrested and having his equipment confiscated.

For those of you who still want to hear him, he is doing a concert at Merkin Concert Hall is on West 67th Street (bet. B'way & Amsterdam) on Monday, May 22nd @ 8PM. For more information, please visit his website at http://www.thatguitarman.com/

"Footloose Five" Version of Title Tune Added to Footloose, May 17

Striking SAG/AFTRA File Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Ad Makers

Tony-nommed shows see bump; others grind.

Ally sings by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Something Just Broke by Sean Patrick Flahaven

The campaigning has begun for Tony votes in support of THE WILD PARTY. The typical arguments that a Tony would help TWP on the road and that it is more deserving because other shows are closed and that TWP is a real musical... We don't know if that will fly...

Dream casting... Karen Ziemba as Nellie Forbush... perfect... and It's happening.

Adam Pascal's CD was suppose to be released yesterday on the Sh-K-Boom.com website. I am not sure if it was or not.

We are currenly in San Francisco looking for musical theatre on the left coast. We have a very slow dialup and miss our T1 line, so our updates may be a little bit shorter and a little later.

L.A.'s Reprise! Announces Season 2000-2001; Rivera, Sills to Star

CDs by Ken Mandelbaum.

The Wild Party (Public)

In this strange love letter, Ken points out that it seems Mr. Wolfe has partaken in the recording session, thereby forever leaving his mark on this production. I guess Mr. Wolfe believed that he could add more to the recording than the rest of his cast. A director should be seen and not heard once the show is open.

Sandy Kenyon now brings his minute-man act to Broadway.com

MAMMA MIA! is Angela going to be pissed!

And don't forget to Eyre on the side of caution.

Is the Warner Brothers Legit Unit finally coming to fruition? Rumor has it that real estate leases are being readied in the mid-40s around 7th Avenue. Perhaps we will actually see BATMAN the musical.

Does anyone really need to perform at the WWF? Is that a good career move?

Someone pointed out to me that the faux pas by Broadway.com concerning the Drama Desk mis-reporting yesterday never effected anyone because they are still waiting for their pages to load. (Broadway.com is still a little code and graphics heavy.)

In the up and coming section of people and shows to watch: Matthew Sklar's RHYTHM CLUB (aka SWING KIDS) will be going to the Signature in DC, then The Oriental in Chicago and then B'way. Alan Wasser (Cameron Mackintosh's shows) is GMing.

Contact & Copenhagen Are Tops in 2000 Drama Desk Awards; Mitchell, Heckart Also Win

KISS ME KATE was well represented in the Drama Desk Awards, also. Is this a precursor to the Tonys? Andrew Lippa won for Best Music in MTC's WILD PARTY, the Public WILD PARTY was shut out.

Scariest thing of the evening: The Vinnies from THE DONKEY SHOW. They weren't really presenters, there were just there...

Our newest entrant into the Broadway/Internet market, Broadway.com had a few snafus last night. Two of them were the reporting of Karen Ziemba wins Featured Actress in a Musical and COPENHAGEN winning Best Revival of a Play. The errors were later corrected. I wonder if they make the same mistakes on Oscar presentations...

Musical Rumors by Ken Mandelbaum.

Annie Get Your Gun
Footloose
Seussical

Central Park's `Guitar Man' Is Unplugged and Unhappy

This is the kind of thing that makes people lose elections. David Ippolito (Guitar Man), who comes from the Broadway community, has been playing guitar and singing in Central Park for 8 years. This year, the Park's Department has decided that he is monopolizing all of Central Park and is too loud. Let me tell you, he plays with a 7 inch speaker that amplifies his accoustic guitar and voice. He primarily sings James Taylor-ish songs and other quiet folk type music. You cannot hear him if you are 100 feet from him. For the Parks Department to close him down is a shame. If you have any words of support, email David, or check out his website at http://www.thatguitarman.com/

Thunder Not Knocking On Minetta Lane’s Door Off-Broadway (04-MAY-2000)

I know that the sudden change in plans for THUNDER is not really new news... but I hear that the well received production of GODSPELL at Third Eye Rep may benefit from the availability of Minetta Lane...

Enjoy the Show. Test Will Follow.

COPENHAGEN explained. Or not.

Theatregoer's Diary by Peter Filichia

I have neglected Peter Filichia's column on this website. Full of interesting insight, you should check it out. I will try and point out the interesting ones as they happen, if I have enough time to load Theatre.com's page.

Marco Polo Sings to Sondheim by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Alcott and Joyce by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Jason Howland takes over as composer of LITTLE WOMEN (in addition to his producing). The lyricist has also been replaced by Mindi Dickstein. Book writer stays with the project.

Bruce Kimmel to record THE DEAD on new label

CDs: First Take by Ken Mandelbaum.

Drama Desk Awards are tonight. There is a strong wave of positive feeling for MTC's WILD PARTY. Lets hope it translates to awards.

For you ENCORE! fans out there. Renewals are due soon. And with a cool twist, beginning Tuesday, May 16th, you can renew at www.citycenter.org. No going to a NYC post office (which is always a quick and pleasant experience)! And out of towners have it a bit easier too.

The Cow Parade is headed for New York on June 15. RENT is participating in this unique PR stunt.

TONY WATCH: Is TRUE new? by Ken Mandelbaum

More "Success" casting
Music Man CD
True West

Patrick Stewart's Options Now Include Two Levels of Appeal

The "Body" Musical? by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Finally, a star vehicle is coming to Broadway for Hasselhoff.

OB Wild Party Leads in Nominations for May 14 Drama Desk Awards

Shall I make my rant about the different WILD PARTY productions? I have been holding this back for a while. First off, I didn't hate the Public/Michael John LaChiusa production. There were some good things about it. The good things were mostly the talent on stage. The direction and music were not my favorite things. (I know that is a problem for a musical.)

But lets look at this from the point of view of Broadway as a community and not on a show level. If the MTC/Lippa WILD PARTY had made it to Broadway instead of the Public version, it would have changed Broadway. Not in the sense that the show was so incredible (but it was) but from the point of view that there is a changing of the guard.

Instead of Toni Collette, Mandy Patankin, Eartha Kitt and Michael John LaChiusa getting a Tony nomination (or win), it could have been Julia Murney, Brian d'Arcy James, Gabe Barry and Andrew Lippa getting Tony nominations (or wins). If the last four got nominations, it changes their lives and Broadway. If the previous four even win, it does not change their lives.

Toni was nominated for an Oscar. A Tony Award does nothing for her. She won't even appear on Broadway again (although she is great). Mandy already has his. If he wins one more, so what? It doesn't change his career. Eartha is much bigger than a Tony could ever make her. And rightfully so. And Mr. LaChiusa. I just don't get it. Neither WILD PARTY or MARIE CHRISTINE were exciting to me musically. But someone must like him.

The point is that the Public WILD PARTY will close on Broadway eventually and people will move on with their lives as before. If the MTC WILD PARTY had come to Broadway, it would have changed the lives of the performers and audience. There would have been recognition for new talent in all areas and new projects developed around them. It was no risk for Scott Rudin to bet on Toni Collette, Mandy and Eartha. And that is the shame of it all. Ok, I am finished ranting.

Shameless plug, sort of: The Actor's Fund AUCTION OF 1000 STARS happens this Monday. And do you know what you can bid for? A lunch with Darrin Baker and all the women from his CD, "What's A Nice Girl Like You..." Catherine Cox (BABY, FOOTLOOSE), Dee Hoty (CITY OF ANGELS, FOLLIES), Liz Larsen (DAMN YANKEES, STARMITES), Karen Mason (SUNSET BOULEVARD, AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND), Donna McKechnie (A CHORUS LINE, FOLLIES), Christiane Noll (JEKYLL AND HYDE) and Alice Ripley (SIDE SHOW, THE DEAD). Of course there are many other things to bid on if having lunch with these people will give you a heart attack!