Today's birthdays include: Sid Caesar and Patsy Cline.

Women Are From Venus, Horses Are From Heaven

Ad Industry Touts Production Jump in TV Commercials Despite SAG Strike

Clear Channel Acquires Radioworks' Stations in Sioux City, Sept. 7

45 Designers Nominated for Hewes Awards, Citing Work on New York Productions

Shuberts Host Equity Rally Concerning SAG Strike at Royale Theatre, Sept. 7

Mamma Mia! Confirms Opening
Well, there are two thing to think about in this article. First of which is unimportant: I told clever readers that Mamma Mia was going into the Winter Garden back in May. But that is not important and is just for fun. The second thing to note here is that there is a remarkable likeness between the Mamma Mia graphic on Talkin' Broadway's pages and Broadway.com's pages. (Here is a look at them both) In fact, the graphics match, exactly. And they are named the same thing. Now, I don't know the source of the Broadway.com graphic, but the graphic on Talkin Broadway was composed from the Mamma Mia poster by Antonio at Talkin Broadway (with permission from the production). That graphic is not used ANYWHERE else. Not from Mamma Mia, not from press reps... I wonder where Broadway.com got the graphic from. I wonder if Broadway.com knows copyright laws.

Okay, lets get something straight. When I criticize websites, it is because I want them to get better or act responsibly. BroadwayStars in not in business to scoop anyone -- this is not a commercial news website. We don't run a news division. Occasionally we hear things that are not anywhere else. Very rarely do we beat everyone to the punch, and then, so what?! But when a website lays claim to getting a story first, after getting the same story wrong a bunch of times, I think the site owes it to its readers to admit that they were wrong at first. That's all. No sour grapes here. I read all the sites. I enjoy all the sites. Each has something that no one else has. And this site, BroadwayStars.com, is not in competition with them at all. If it were not for them, I would have no reason to produce this site.

Preview VII: One More Glimpse of the Past by Ken Mandelbaum

Old Pro's Share Spotlight With Debutantes in 2000-01 Broadway Season by Robert Viagas
Great article. (When did Theatre.com start doing banner ads?)

From Hair to Sarajevo by Peter Filichia

From the Stage to the Small Screen. This season, theater folk may be found both on stage and in your living room.

Boston Globe: From Cat to Hort, it falls just a bit short

Blind item received:

Mario Cantone has turned down the role of Carmen Ghia because they (the producers) wouldn't pay him what he asked, and wouldn't give him the right to leave to do "Assassins" in the Fall of 2001. So is Roger Bart the next alternative?

Bulletin: Visit Postponed Until After 2000-2001 Season

Seeking Strike Support, SAG Gives Equity "Royale" Treatment, Sept. 7

Seussical Opens in Boston Sept. 6; William Ivey Long Will Do Duds for Bway

Frank Loesser Will Get a "Complete Lyrics" Tome From Knopf

A Tale of Two Choirs

The Sword of Damocles by Ken Mandelbaum

Only Top-Tier Talent Taps The Till. 'Net deals vary based on talent, rollercoaster trends.

Donna McKechnie and Merle Louise Star in A Little Night Music to Sept. 24

Suggestion to Bruce Kimmel by Peter Filichia

Applause for Selena by Peter Filichia

Today would have been Billy Rose's 101st birthday.

Karen Mason Opens Six-Week Run at Arci's Place, Sept. 6

Federal Mediators Host SAG Actors and Commercial Producers When Talks Reconvene Sept. 13

Moses and Fraser Star in Cleveland Playhouse's Eliot Ness...

PHOTO CALL: Reams and Rivera Show NJ that Anything Goes

Preview VI: Let's Do The Time Warp Again
Why do I keep getting Jordan Roth and Joan Jett confused?

Gray Rolls Dice On Vegas 'Mars' Tuner

B’Ways Splits The Difference Amid Dip

Glimpse the Horror
Rocky Horror photos

Viva Broadway! A preview of the annual BROADWAY ON BROADWAY celebration in Times Square, scheduled for Sunday, September 10 at noon.

If you've been bad and you must go see Mama, you now can see her on the web. Visit Marcia Lewis's (is that the correct possesive?) new website at http://www.marcialewis.com/.

Zaks Heads South. Jerry Zaks is set direct a Broadway revival of South Pacific.

Hewes Nominations Announced

Jane Records Again

Mizrahi Debuts in First Drama Dept. Cabaret OB, Oct. 3
Strange article. Strange Mizrahi. And this article also includes our favorite phrase, "As first reported by Playbill On-Line..."

NFAA Provides Chance for Young Artists to Achieve in ARTS 2001

Investors Turning Dial Away From Radio Stock. Concensus is that record-high ad rates due to drop.

Seussical Controversy
There is quite a spirited discussion at Talkin Broadway about the practice of bringing children to the theatre as a parent was rejected admission to Seussical in Boston because their child was too young. While there are merits on both sides of the argument, the rights of others must be considered as well. It will, I'd imagine, be an issue for the Broadway run as well.

Just for fun: Have you figured out the Sondheim puzzle (question 5) at Fynsworth Alley yet? A few people have. If you are looking for an answer, here is one.

Welcome Follies to the internet at http://www.folliesonbroadway.com/

Goldstein-Engle Wins in a Jump-Off

Las Vegas and Broadway

Vegas' Circus Maximus, Home of Former Vaudeville Stars, Crooners and Plays, Closes Sept. 3

It is interesting to reflect upon what I refer to as "The Vegas Experiment". When the plans to open Chicago in Vegas were announced, I thought that it was not a prudent plan to introduce (or re-introduce?) legit to that town on a first class commercial scale. I wrote about my doubts back on January 22, 1999. Vegas, no matter what anyone says, is about gambling. This "family entertainment" motto being thrown around is just smoke and mirrors. At the end of the day, it's all about the money, and legit theatre does not work into the paradigm that makes up the current business model in Vegas.

Chicago had problems keeping butts in the seats after the initial buzz went away. Even after a string of "star" casting, Fran and Barry could not pull this one out of the fire. Rent left town quietly. Footloose took an awful bloodbath in Vegas. De La Guarda and The Donkey Show are still large questionmarks to even open after grand plans to take Vegas by storm and Notre Dame should have just taken their chances at the tables. Their odds would have been better.

Great White Way Awaits New Season. Hot summer may fire up fall B’way lineup.
This is a comprehensive "what's to come" article for the fall shows. A must read.

Gorey Details Is Cast for Off-Broadway Run, Beginning Sept. 26
This article is nothing more that a restatement of a press release, but the first sentence worries me that a trend is starting with the big websites. It starts with, "As first reported by Playbill On-Line..."

Clear Channel Names Kevin Mayer Chairman and CEO of Internet Group

NYC's TRU Voices New Play Series Begins Sept. 11 with A Ritual of Faith

Tolson Tells All by Peter Filichia

BackStage.com: Young Strikers on Ad Biz: "They Are Mean"

Toby Simkin is not really on a three month vacation around the world as I mentioned two days ago. Toby is going around the world, but he is going on business. I was raising a red flag while trying to be subtle. But it should be obvious to interested readers what is going on. From the email reactions to my post about this, it could be the best kept secret since Hasselhoff going into J&H. Furui monoo minaosuto yuu keekooga tsuyoku nattekitakara deshoone. Asobu asoko! (Perhaps it's because people have become interested in looking at old things in a new light. Have a good time over there!)

Switching from Japanese to Chinese... there will be a Flower Drum Song reading this week that will decide the fate of this "revisal" of the R&H tuner.

Bill Jennings over at Mermaniac reminds us that

"ALW et al. were releasing a new DVD of CATS: The Commemorative Edition, complete with audio commentary by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elaine Paige, and others. I'm glad I didn't buy it the first time around. Will the extra DVD goodies tip the scale?" [link]

I think Bill must have hit his head during the launch of Fynsworth Alley! I guess I should not pick on him. Some people buy show music, others buy domains....

Bu-bye. Hope you get shin splints.

Fall-Winter Broadway Season Schedule

Two Power Plays by Shakespeare, One Ralph Fiennes

The Bard of American Politics, Still Campaigning

A Couple of Outcasts Get to Shine on CD's

A Chat with Chita by Peter Filichia

The Difficult George M! by Peter Filichia

An Interview with Rick Sordelet

They Came, They Clawed, They Conquered. Why Broadway's feline friends lasted so long.

'Darling, You Were Purr-fect'. Marlene Danielle hangs up her whiskers.

London Polishes A Handfull Of Forgotten Gems

I Can See It by Ken Mandelbaum

HBO To Film Off-B'way Laramie Project, Closing Sept. 2

A Friend in Need

Stars in the Alley

"Springtime" for The Producers

Cassidy Offered Aida Tour

Lifegame Is Looking For A Few Good Guests
Nicole Hudson will be a "guest" on Lifegame this month

Jane Eyre Casting News
Oh look, Stephen Buntrock is in it.

Hills Very Much Alive by Ken Mandelbaum

Equity Members Complain About Rigors of New Fosse Schedule

Eliot Ness Draws Some Big Musical Guns in Cleveland Play House, Sept. 26

September Songs by Peter Filichia
Nice new pic of Peter. Maybe Ken should do the same (sans Carrie sweat shirt like the one that used to be on InTheater)

All the Statues Could Be Standing Like Statues by Peter Filichia

The Spirit Of Season-Yet-To-Come by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Make The Most Of His Music by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Seussical.com: Is the glue of Theatre.com pulling apart and showing seams? With the recent move of Toby Simkin from Theatre.com to BroadwayArchive, has the "Super Site of Broadway" become less super? Seussical moved their website "seussical.com" to a new provider and design house (although "seussicalthemusical.com" seems to be still at Theatre.com. Will other Broadway shows follow suit? Remember, sites such as Rent and Chicago were once at different designers and providers before moving to Theatre.com. (BuyBroadway.com at the time). Only time will tell. But in the competitive world of webdesign/ hosting/ and marketing, Theatre.com has got to become better in offering and design if it is to maintain it's position in the market.

Speaking of Toby, I would love to start a new job and then take three months off traveling around the world! Can I have one of those Mr. Nederlander? But shopping in Hiroshima? Toby, you are my hero!

Lisa Richard interview: Friends and fans of Lisa Richard should click on over to http://www.itradionetwork.com where Miss Thing talks about maintaining her two professional careers: eBusiness and performing. It is quite the charmer, but then I would never expect anything less from this cover girl.

Broadway.com firsts. How exactly did Broadway.com scoop Stephen Sondheim on his own news? We wonder. And we also wonder if the "you read it here first" claims would be considered false advertising under NYS commercial code... hmmm...

Blind Item received:

"Robert Westenberg, whose self-imposed exile to Denver a few years ago (right in the middle of the 1776 run), may be considering a return. He was spotted yesterday auditioning for Kiss Me Kate..."

30 Days, the new movie produced by The Araca Group and Arielle Tepper, is debuting on Sept 15th. I got this email that sums it up best:

The Toronto Film Festival called 30 DAYS, "a genuinely funny and charming relationship movie," and "an unexpected delight." Variety exclaimed, "30 DAYS is a smart and quirky Big Apple love affair… Terrific!" The film stars Jerry Adler (HBO’s The Sopranos), Arija Bareikis (Deuce Bigelow), Academy Award-nominee Barbara Barrie (Breaking Away, NBC’s Suddenly Susan), Alexander Chaplin (ABC’s Spin City), Lisa Edelstein (The West Wing), Catherine Kellner (200 Cigarettes, Shaft), Thomas McCarthy (David E. Kelley’s The Faculty), Bradley White (The Opposite of Sex), and Ben Shenkman (Pi).

As you are probably aware, most films live or die by how high their opening weekend grosses perform. Sadly, no where is this cruel commercial reality more relevant than in the highly competitive world of independent film. So we need your help – we need you to go see 30 DAYS opening weekend. Tell your friends and neighbors to go as well – pass on this email to anyone who loves independent film and would appreciate hearing about a highly entertaining and incredibly funny romantic comedy in the vein of Woody Allen, Diner, or early Mike Nichols…You get the idea!

'Project' To Be Scrapped

KM -- I like spinach. But that's just me.