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Friday, April 13, 2001 On this day in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York City. Today's birthdays include: Rick Schroder, Howard Keel, Lanford Wilson, Paul Sorvino, Gary Kasparov and Samuel Beckett. Today is also Liz Callaway's birthday. Grappling Onstage With Volatile Verdi A recent rush of Giuseppe Verdi productions has been a reminder that for all their popularity, these operas remain difficult to cast and even more difficult to stage. 'Bells Are Ringing': A Chameleon With a Phone by Ben Brantley Faith Prince, who plays a telephone answering service operator in the revival of "Bells Are Ringing," is sincerely, unconditionally there. On Stage and Off: Drum and Bugle Brotherhood by Jesse McKinley Photo Op: Opening Night at BELLS ARE RINGING: Part 1 Photo Op: Opening Night at BELLS ARE RINGING: Part 2 Q&A: Marc Kudisch Field Trip (Video): ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS Photo Op: BAT BOY Recording Q&A: Andre de Shields Grey, Kirk, Burns and Butz Featured in Jason Robert Brown Show April 28 in NYC Shaw's Gathering Goes to Cort w/ Tony-Winner Linden, April 13 Shuberts Still Working Out the Steps for Their Bway Dance of Death, Due Fall 2001 Lithgow, James, Noseworthy to Create Sweet Smell in Chicago, December 2001 Disney Theatricals Promotes Stuart Oken to Exec VP and Alan Levey to Sr. VP, April 12 Despite Lean Times, A Class Act Expects 'Better' Days Equity Actors Vote to Keep LORT Contract to Support Bway's Nuremberg Dudley Moore to Be Feted at Carnegie Hall, April 16 How Were the Reviews?: Bells Are Ringing Begins B'way Previews on April 13: Hal Linden in The Gathering Lauren Kennedy and Norbert Leo Butz Paired in Jason Robert Brown's Last Five Years, May 16 New Moby Dick Musical Aims for Broadway Goodspeed Has Double Trouble, Great Expectations and Lizzie Borden in 2001 Funny Girl Opening by Forrest Mallard Jane Eyre's Waiting Around for the Girls by Peter Filichia Springtime for Broadway Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Mel Brooks and company on The Producers, the most wildly anticipated new musical of the season. Buzz Lines: In lieu of takeoffs on two ponderous O�Neill plays, CHARLES BUSCH will present a classic of his own. Musicians' Local Tries To Drum Up Business At 'Blast' by Michael Riedel LOCAL 802 - which represents Broadway musicians - is threatening to unionize the cast of "Blast!" - setting the stage for a possible showdown between the union, one of the most powerful in the theater, and the producers of the acclaimed stage show. The 'Follies' Of Her Ways? by Michael Riedel THE Hollywood legend Ann Miller calls her "that hateful woman" who "gave me one of the biggest heartbreaks I've ever had in show business." I had an idea. Maybe we can combine a few shows to make one show profitable. How about The Jane Seuss Horror Class in Nuremberg? I still don't think it would fill the Gershwin... posted at 4/13/2001 08:45:21 AM by James Marino | Item Link Thursday, April 12, 2001 Today's birthdays include: Ann Miller, David Letterman, David Cassidy, Shannen Doherty and Claire Danes. Exex reach new stage at Disney Theatrical Duo will share oversight of division Stuart Oken and Alan Levey have been promoted to the positions of executive vice president and senior vice president, respectively, of Disney Theatrical Prods. The announcement was made by Peter Schneider, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Thomas Schumacher, prexy of DTP.... B'way Tix: The 'Fix' Is In 14 houses impose a surcharge for upkeep Comden and Green's 'Bells Are Ringing' Returns to Broadway by Jesse McKinley After more than six decades of wisecracks and comebacks, Betty Comden and Adolph Green are still tossing around opinions and finishing each other's thoughts. Newseum: A Press Pass to the Workings Behind the Headlines What the National Gallery of Art in Washington is to the works of Vermeer and van Gogh, the Newseum is to the profession of Joseph Pulitzer and Tim Russert. Tonys #8 by Ken Mandelbaum One Night Only by Ken Mandelbaum Dee Hoty To Hit The Road in Mamma Mia! While Dee heads out, David Keeley, currently playing Sam in Mamma Mia/Toronto has been signed to do the same role in Mamma Mia on Bway. [Toronto Star] Getting to Know You Better: King & I Reunion at Museum Party's Starting: Bells Are Ringing Opens at Bway's Plymouth April 12 Walton Bros. to Spoof MGM in Goodspeed Terris Season; Dickens and Lizzie Also on Tap Broadway Grosses: April 2-8 - Part 1 John Denver Story Is Among Premieres and Classics in 2001-2002 Denver Center Sked Alice Ripley Sings at Joe's Pub on June 11 Bells Are Ringing Gets Set to Answer the Call of Broadway April 12 Ruby Dee Gives Human Face to Abortion and Women's Rights in Saint Lucy's Eyes, April 12 PBS "Great Performances" Celebrate "Rodgers & Hart Story," April 12 A Conversation with Guy Haines and Harvey by Peter Filichia Am I a Long-Run Show? by Peter Filichia Peter Filichia hits 500, columns at Theatre.com that is... If he is a long run, I would call him The Fantasticks -- cause that is what he is on and off, the page. Buzz Lines: Do you have any questions regarding Edward Albee's The Play About the Baby? Come and get some insight from Marian Seldes and the cast. Austin American-Statesman: Composer aims for the stars This is in reference to a new musical, Joulet! being presented at the Zach Scott in Texas. I have spoken about the Zach Scott before as a new leader in regional theatre and development of new musicals. Love, Janis, the new off-Broadway musical is also one of the Zach Scott development productions. Monday, April 16th New York City Theatrical Events presents Zoot Suit Strut -- Opening Ceremony for New York City Festival of Dance Benefiting Dancers Responding to AIDS & Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS. Symphony Space (2537 Broadway @ 95th) @ 7:30. Directed & Choreographed by Joe Lanteri with Michael-Demby Cain, Felicia Finley, Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Marva Hicks, April Nixon, Stephanie Pope, Paige Price, Mary Stout, Virginia Woodruff and a Fabulous Cast of Dancers. For tickets call: 212-864-5400. Joan Jett: Equity Member? You know how I hate to beat a dead horse, but... I got an interesting email asking me if Joan Jett extends her stay in Rocky will she in fact sign an Equity contract this time? I don't know. I don't really know if she is under Equity contract right now. The situation is this: under Production contract (the so-called Broadway contract) 100% of the cast must be members of Equity. LORT is/was used by producers of non-profits such as Lincoln Center, Roundabout and Circle in the Square. I believe that productions in Circle, but commercial ventures such as Rocky, used a Letter of Agreement that referenced parts of LORT and Production. Hence, this MAY open the door for a performer to not sign an Equity contract as LORT does allow for a percentage of non-union members to perform in an otherwise Equity cast. Will Adam Pascal and Daphne Rubin-Vega take time off from their current shows to reunite in Rent for one week only, in mid-August, to re-create their roles of Mimi and Roger? Half the proceeds from that week are earmarked to benefit a charity. Orfeh is more than likely going to be joining the ensemble of the new tour of The Civil War. Good to see she is (will be) working again... A Chorus Line getting frequent flier miles? Directed by Baayork Lee will be a tour this summer to Atlanta (Theater of the Stars), Pittsburgh (Civic Light Opera), Kansas City (Starlight), Memphis (Orpheum Theater) then a short layoff followed by being the opening show of the new season at THE PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE 2001-2 Season. Fran Liebergal (Marvin Hamlisch's original assistant) will be the MD. John W. Calder III the PSM. Michael Gorman the Dance Captain. And lastly, I had some good response to yesterday's comment about expanding the columnist list to include a wider point of view. I wanted to share this one with all the readers though:
However -- I expect this will change. The various Broadway bulletin boards show that you don't have to be a "white man" to make valid and interesting points. Some of today's posters will become tomorrow's theatre journalists; all you need is a distinctive (hopefully) writing style, some luck, and some contacts. Since some of today's posters will become tomorrow's theatre editors, this will hopefully make it easier to cross the line. -- Steven Suskin posted at 4/12/2001 08:36:48 PM by James Marino | Item Link Wednesday, April 11, 2001 Update @ 5PM:
posted at 4/11/2001 05:25:28 PM by James Marino | Item Link Joan Jett's OUTTA THERE Broadway.com Parent Records Loss of $51.8M for 2000 I had mentioned much of what Murdoch McBride says in his article back on 11/25/00 (You read it here first!) It is the very last thing on the page. And just to be fair, a rebuttal... Broadway.com Announces TV Spot, Positive EBITDA Hollywood Media Corp., the parent company of Broadway.com, announced that it generated positive EBITDA (EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization) for the month of February, representing the company's first month of positive EBITDA. Hollywood Media Corp. just reported fourth quarter and year-end 2000 financial results, and the company expects to report positive EBITDA for the year 2001. Broadway Grosses: Could Be "Better" Shuberts Consider Le Passe Muraille for Next Season And finally, Anthony Rapp weighed in on the AIDA rumor, and here is what he said:
posted at 4/11/2001 12:55:08 PM by James Marino | Item Link Today's birthdays include: Joel Grey and Bill Irwin. Hip-Hop Requiem: Mining Tupac Shakur's Legacy by NEIL STRAUSS "How long will they mourn me?" Tupac Shakur asked in the song of the same name. By the looks of it, a long, long time. More Hairy Guys by Ken Mandelbaum Judgment at Nuremberg Runs Into Trouble
I have not seen Judgement but I can tell you one thing... the switch of 25 or so actor's contracts (and Stage Managers, everybody seems to forget the Stage Managers...) from LORT to Production will change production costs about $15000 per week. If this show closes, it is not about Equity not giving in to a producer. The producers of Judgement (National Actor's Theatre) must get butts in the seats. 36.19% occupancy is the problem, not the $600/week (approx) additional the actors will make. If producers of non-profits, such as Roundabout, Lincoln Center and shows at Circle in the Square want to participate at the Broadway level, they need to operate on the same playing field as Roger Berlind, Fran and Barry, Dodgers, et al. Giving the actors a reduced rate of pay is not the answer. Forbidden Broadway Moves to Fairbanks Is this really a good idea? The Fairbanks is such a great space. To tie it up with Forbidden Broadway which has outlived its artistic and commercial life (It is sooo 80s, isn't it?) just prevents new works from moving into a prime 42nd Street space. It is not as if the theatre would go empty if FB did not go in there. Mason Looks To Broadway's Mamma Mia! This is great news. Now I have a reason to go see Mamma Mia! Of course, I was going to go all along, but I would have denied it. (I saw it in London last year just as it opened.) Cast of Hair Ready to Let The Sun Shine In Clever writing PW... :-) No Love Lost Between Union and Janis Producers Tony Winner Scott Wise Helms 20th Annual TDF Astaire Awards, May 18 Jailhouse Rock, Second Lieber & Stoller Musical, to See Workshop in L.A. in Sept. Judy's Turn: Judy Kaye Stars in Seattle Gypsy May 1-20 Forbidden Broadway Moves Out of Stardust and Into Fairbanks, May 10 Esparza and Spanger Are Love Duet in Larson's tick, tick...BOOM! Contract Switch May Mean Curtains for Broadway's Nuremberg Jason Robert Brown Offers Preview of Last Five Years in IL, April 21-22 Stoppard's Invention of Love Extends Broadway Run Indefinitely References to Salvador Dali Make Rosie Perez Hot at the Public Theatre, April 11 Leslie Uggams Journeys from Hallelujah, Baby! to One Tough Mama in King Hedley II by Michael Buckley Dante's Divine Comedy Transformed into So Long Ago I Can't Remember April 11 Judy Kuhn and Wilson Jermaine Heredia Serenade Laura Nyro Fans in Eli's Comin' April 11 There was a discussion over at Talkin'Broadway regarding the redesign of Theatre.com. Wouldn't it be great if Tarantula took over the design of Theatre.com and let the Theatre.com people continue to market the site as well as provide content? I received a blind message saying that Theatre.com will move to a new domain BroadwayOnLine.com when the redesign is complete. Buzz Lines: The Road They Didn't Take Charles Nelson's Casts and Forecasts Keeping track of Paul Rudd, James Ludwig, Erin Dilly, and other actor types as spring fever hits the theater community. Noises Off: 'Pilgrims' progress Jones has a 'Ball,' Martha meets Dr. Niles It isn't the starry Central Park "Seagull" with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, but "Pilgrims" has Mike Nichols' imprimatur nonetheless.... 'Visit' to visit Chi, B'Way may follow Legiter doesn't have a theater yet, '3hree' may see White Way Biz slides; 'Aida' 667g The road had a net loss of four shows during Week 44 (March 26-April 1), bringing total receipts to $13,537,402, a 13.8% decline. The number of shows reporting was 21. Other things... Yesterday's item on AIDA generated a lot of email telling me I was crazy. I got it through a blind email and called a few people to confirm it. Although no one would say it would come to fruition, no one would deny it. One last thing. I am looking to you for guidance. As I look at the list (to your right) of columnists listed on my website, I see a lot of white men. At least I think they are all, if not mostly, white men. I like to think of the Broadway community, and the larger theatre community, as inclusive. It is distressing to me that I do not have a cross section of all people included on my website. If there is a regular column writer out there for a website or newpaper (with a website) let me know about them. I would like to include them in the columnist links. As always, I am always looking for comments regarding this website (or actually anything.) Thanks. posted at 4/11/2001 10:04:14 AM by James Marino | Item Link Tuesday, April 10, 2001 On this day in 1925, The novel ''The Great Gatsby,'' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was first published by Scribner's of New York. Today's birthdays include: Haley Joel Osment ("I see dead people..."), Omar Sharif, Steven Seagal and Joseph Pulitzer. Arthur Cantor, Broadway Producer With a Comic Touch, Dies at 81 by Jesse McKinley Jason Robert Brown Offers Preview of Last Five Years in IL, April 21-22 So You Wanna Write a Libretto? BMI Accepting Applications for Workshop, Til May 1 Love, Janis Starts Wailing Off-Broadway, April 10 King Hedley II, with Mitchell, Begins Previews on Broadway April 10 Negotiations Between Writers and Producers Reconvene, April 17 Esparza Walks Away from Rocky �Riff Raff,� May 13 Broadway Producer Arthur Cantor Is Dead at 81 Star Ledger: Livingston's Leslie is a fantastic 'Funny Girl' by Peter Filichia, Star-Ledger Staff Alison Franck, casting director extraordinaire, has been talking up Leslie Kritzer for the longest time. Once again Alison has put the spotlight on new talent and shared it with the rest of us. Spanger Leaves Kate For Tick! Tick! Boom! Broadway Producer Arthur Cantor Dies at 81 Brian Stokes Mitchell Stars in B'way King Hedley II, Previewing April 10 Scott Siegel Shows Us Some Shows by Peter Filichia Buzz Lines: LESLIE KRITZER, MARTIN MORAN, DEVEN MAY, the young folks of Follies, and others are giving breakout performances in this spring�s musicals. Also Also Kudisch gets praise (well deserved) for his work in Bells. Musicians union blue over 'Janis' Members claim two of their own were fired because of affliliation. There's no love lost between the musicians' union and the producers of the new Off Broadway show "Love, Janis."... B'Way sees daylight dip Only 5 show up, 'Lion King' sole sold-out show Random notes and other meaningless comments: Kevin Cahoon (of Hedwig, Lion King, Rocky Horror Show fame) will play Woof in the City Center Encores! production of HAIR. Jesse Tyler Fergusen (On the Town, Fabulous, Newyorkers), Paul Castree (Fever, Footloose), and Sean Dooley (Leaving Queens, Footloose) are in talks for a new show "Love, Carrottop", a spoof of the new musical "Love, Janis" (poor taste to parody a musical before it's open?), with prop-comic Carrottop as the focal point. If all three stars can make their scheduals work, readings may begin as early as next year. An original castmember of Rent is Rapp-ing with the producers of Aida to possibly replace Adam Pascal as Radames in Aida next year. Today's breakdowns included casting notices for La Jolla's production of "DRACULA". Being directed by Des McAnuff and casting by Dave Clemmons... also in the breakdowns is a search for an older female cover for FOLLIES...someone to cover 4 roles, 60's-70's... A star burns brightest just before it goes out. Some men just can't dance. What a storm that was last night. I thought I was in the middle of The Secret Garden... posted at 4/10/2001 12:40:16 PM by James Marino | Item Link Monday, April 09, 2001 Today's birthdays include: Avery Schreiber, Dennis Quaid and Paulina Porizkova. B'way ponders market madness Producers see investor woes ahead -- 4/9/2001 Running bears make for nervous producers. As the stock market continues to plummet, legit insiders are anxiously wondering what impact the economic downturn will have on financial investments in the 2001-02 theater season.... Wow, that looks like something I wrote months ago... The Innocent Ways of Ren�e Zellweger The Vision for Carnegie, Fresh but Ambiguous Robert J. Harth, the newly appointed executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall, is not showing up with a pre-formed vision or an agenda for change. 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest': You're a Bad Boy and Nurse Will Punish You by Ben Brantley Chicago-based Steppenwolf Theater Company's "Cuckoo's Nest," despite full-throttle acting from Gary Sinise and top-rate production values, mostly feels cute instead of confrontational. Toronto Star: Even Gary Sinise can't make aging Cuckoo soar Tale of rebel in mental institution seems dated by Richard Ouzounian Remarkably, Ouzounian says the same thing as Brantley, in half the amount of words... Aside From Talking Up Shows, O'Donnell's Sidekick Coaches Stars John McDaniel leads the band on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." He is also the right-hand music man for the theater producers Barry and Fran Weissler. Hollywood Talks Are Stalled as the Deadline Comes Closer Gay Republican Will Run White House AIDS Office RSC Makes History with Chronological England Drama Desk's Award to Get a New Look in 2001 Hall and Holm Talk Bard at Theatre for a New Audience Gala, April 9 April 9 "Theater Talk" Panel to Feature Wilson, Murray, Grief Frank Rich to Discuss Memoir at City Center in NYC, April 9 How Were the Reviews?: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Broadway Nuclear Scientist's Death Becomes Art in Louis Slotin Sonata April 9 Another Twelfth Night Musical?!?! by Peter Filichia Can't Handle Randle by Peter Filichia The Song of Jana Robbins by Forrest Mallard Amy Dolan -- 42nd Street Gypsy posted at 4/9/2001 11:02:39 AM by James Marino | Item Link Sunday, April 08, 2001 Today's birthdays include: Betty Ford, Fred Ebb, John Schneider and Michael Bennett. John Ortiz and Rosie Perez: Accidental Actors John Ortiz and Rosie Perez, both Brooklyn natives in their 30's who have family roots in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, star in "References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot." Two Hamlets Explore New Paths in an Old Terrain Two British actors who will appear in different productions at the Brooklyn Academy of Music talk about what is arguably the English-speaking theater's most celebrated role. 'Follies' The first Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's musical since 1971 gets you thinking about the souring effects of time and of roads not taken. In addition to the review of "Follies," listen to audio clips and read reviews of all of Mr. Sondheim's plays. Around the World in a Day: A Location Manager's Life Letters Readers comment on NYTimes coverage of Follies. Tonys #7 by Ken Mandelbaum Goodspeed Musicals May Take a Whack at Musical, Lizzie Borden, in 2001 Steppenwolf's Cuckoo's Nest Opens on Broadway, April 8 Horatio Alger Musical, Shine!, Gets NYC Readings April 23 and 30 Note: The dateline on this article isn't until tomorrow, so don't read it till then... Sinise's Cuckoo's Nest Opens on Broadway April 8 Doesn't Gary Sinise look like Richard Simmons in the picture with this article? Keep forgetting to mention, I saw the redesign of Theatre.com, good organization of information, but not much better on the pleasing to the eye design. A combination of RGB on varying hues does not make for easy reading. Also, hopefully they are working on new logos for the major and sub sites. Creature Comforts For The Animals At Angel's Gate, Tender Care And Loving Goodbyes (No relation to me) posted at 4/8/2001 08:53:17 AM by James Marino | Item Link BroadwayStars is powered by Blogger Pro! [Past News] |
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