Saturday, April 28, 2001 Permit me to ramble on about the extraordinary Jason Robert Brown. This correspondent (and several others) attended JRB's concert at Cooper Union tonight. Jason, more than a dozen singers, and an orchestra of 35 entertained us for over two hours with songs from Songs for a New World, Parade, and his new show called The Last Five Years. The concert was similar in format to the ones he has done at Guggenheim and Joe's Pub. For me, the highlights were Music Of Heaven (one of my all-time favorite songs in the world), Donna Murphy singing Stars and the Moon, Jason singing Someone to Fall Back On, and Lauren Kennedy singing I'm Still Hurting. I first heard Jessica Molaskey sing I'm Still Hurting at the Guggenheim show, and the song was in my head for weeks. There were three songs from The Last Five Years....road trip to Chicago anyone? It's too bad the show wasn't recorded. A special hello to the woman in the back row who liked the orange lifesavers. And a note to the person chewing gummy bears standing behind the back row.....please don't do that. posted at 4/28/2001 10:55:37 PM by the other James | Item Link Tonys #12 by Ken Mandelbaum Fresh Face: Joshua Park as Tom Sawyer Park graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts last May. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is not only Park’s Broadway debut, it’s also the first Broadway show he ever auditioned for. STROMAN'S THE QUEEN OF B'WAY Buzz Lines: CHECKMATES ROBERT EVAN is set to lead a powerhouse cast in NEIL BERG’s concert production of Chess in Nyack, New York. To Eyre is Human, To See Mary Stout is Divine The Producers for the Record posted at 4/28/2001 03:31:09 PM by Susan Heim | Item Link Check out CNN's Showbiz This Weekend for a story about A Class Act. It runs several times throughout the weekend. Thanks to CASTRECL mailing list for the information. posted at 4/28/2001 03:06:39 PM by the other James | Item Link Today's birthdays include Lionel Barrymore and Ann-Margret. posted at 4/28/2001 10:10:42 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link New Dramatists’ Annual Benefit Luncheon Honors Arthur Miller, May 17 She Just Can Do It Alone: Neuwirth is Stage Center in Fosse, to May 27 Dedicated to New Musicals, “Premieres,” a Start-up Nonprofit Stages Readings in May-June Rocky Horror Show Cast Recording Hits Stores May 15 Grey, Kirk, Burns and Butz Featured in Jason Robert Brown Show April 28 in NYC So You Wanna Write a Libretto? BMI Accepting Applications for Workshop, Til May 1 League Names Bway Awards Production Team; Harris Poll People to Aid Cyber Voting The Broadway Musical's 50 Best Title Tunes by Peter Filichia Red-Hot Manhattan Theatre Club Unveils Its 2001-02 Season Rent's Mega-Fan Takes His Spot on Line for the Show's Fifth Anniversary "West Wing" Spencer Stars in MTC Glimmer May 1 Redgrave Orchard May Grow on Broadway in Fall 2001 SCENE AND HEARD: Hey, Tom Sawyer! Wanna Play in Planet Hollywood? Check out the last photograph, "Performer from BLAST!" Maybe Catherine can tell us his name. Great Theatre Debate on American Musical Golden Age Broadcast on Metrochannel, May 1 Has the American musical entered a new golden age? Composer-lyricist Michael John LaChiusa (Marie Christine and The Wild Party) argued the affirmative side of the resolution, along with Peter Filichia of Theatre.com and The Newark Star Ledger. Taking the the negative were composer/lyricist and satirist Alessandrini (Forbidden Broadway) and Steven Suskin, author of "Showtunes" and "Opening Nights on Broadway." Metropolitan Museum of Art Hosts The Making of Aida Talk, May 7 -The Disney musical that took its inspiration from the Egyptian art collection of the Museum of Metropolitan Art is literally going home.Heather Headley, Adam Pascal and Taylor Dance will perform in a behind-the-scenes talk about "Aida: The Making of a Musical, which takes place 8 PM on Monday, May 7 at the Metropolitan Museum. -And then at 9 PM, Headley, Pascal, Dayne and members of the Aida cast will sing numbers from the show using The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing as a backdrop. posted at 4/28/2001 08:57:46 AM by Susan Heim | Item Link Friday, April 27, 2001 42nd Street Returns to 42nd Street May 2 Three Original Rent-ers Reminisce About Their Leases On Jonathan Larson's Legacy How Are Broadway Shows Doing at the Box Office? by Robert Viagas SCENE AND HEARD: Hal Linden Caught in a B'way Gathering Gene Wilder Returns to the Stage for Westport Playhouse's 2001 Season How Were the Reviews?: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer on Broadway Rent Celebrates Five Years on Broadway April 29 Bway's Music Man Revival Celebrates First Anniversary, April 27 Actor Bierko will exit Broadway's The Music Man May 6, just past a year since the revival's opening on April 27, 2000. Taking his place as con-artist Harold Hill will be Will — that is, Eric McCormack, who plays the character Will in the hit TV sitcom "Will & Grace." The Toronto-born McCormack arrives in River City, Iowa May 8 U.S.Klavan, Ives, Lucas Among Scribes for E.S.T.'s 24th OB Marathon, May 9-June 17 PHOTO CALL: Two Janises Take Their Bows April 22 PHOTO CALL: Michael and Laura Joplin See Love, Janis in NYC April 22 PHOTO CALL: Richardson and Curtain Bring Janis to Life PHOTO CALL: Christie, Walton and Lisa Marie Love, Janis April 22 Did anyone see the Broadway.com/VISA commercial during ER last night? I think we should all pitch in for a BroadwayStars.com commercial! posted at 4/27/2001 09:17:43 AM by Susan Heim | Item Link Today's birthdays include Jack Klugman, Ulysses Grant, and Samuel Morse. Quod Erat Demonstrandum by Peter Filichia 'The Tragedy of Hamlet': Sweet Prince, You're a Scamp by Ben Brantley I think I'm more in James's camp than Catherine's about Tom Sawyer. I didn't particularly love the show, but it had its moments, some good performances, and the cave scene in the second act was particularly striking, I thought. Broadway needs a good kid's show, so I hope they have some success with this, but, it's probably going to be a hard sell. posted at 4/27/2001 07:29:08 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link TOM SAWYER Opening: Part 1 - Photos by Bruce Glikas TOM SAWYER Opening: Part 2 - Photos by Bruce Glikas Hey TOM SAWYER! The Reviews Are In! THE WOMAN IN BLACK NYC-Bound At Last DINNER WITH FRIENDS To Close May 27 Cavett & Lee To Announce Drama Desk Noms Larry Miller Invited to THE DINNER PARTY KING HEDLEY II Delays Opening Not that it matters, but what did I think of Tom Sawyer? I thought it was fun with no real memorable music. I think Tom Sawyer is a viable option for families coming to Broadway. The book is a classic with a great message. With the mixed to negative reviews, it will be a tough sell for group sales. The most unfortunate thing? After show party at Planet Hollywood. On another note, Glenn Carter is starting to remind me of Woody Allen the way he is showing up everywhere. posted at 4/27/2001 06:42:54 AM by James Marino | Item Link What did the New York Times think of 'Tom Sawyer'? Here are some of my favorite pull-quotes! "muddled and torn" "creates more confusion than it clears up" "the set is a little cheesy-looking" "the show [...] aspires [...] merely to achieve the lowest level of acceptability" "hoary and juvenile" "Especially disappointing" "the casting is simply bland" "annoyingly ingratiating" "hardly an actor in the cast capable of commanding the stage" Yeah, that's what I said, too. posted at 4/27/2001 12:36:37 AM by Catherine Skidmore | Item Link Thursday, April 26, 2001 I'm Still Looking for Normal by Peter Filichia Jane Connell Brings "Character" Back To Broadway by Michael Buckley Tom Sawyer Prepares for His April 26 Broadway Bow PHOTO CALL: Hal Linden Leads The Gathering PHOTO CALL: The Gathering Takes Its Opening Night Bow April 24 PHOTO CALL: Arje Shaw Brings His Gathering to Broadway April 24 PHOTO CALL: A Gathering of Gathering Cast Members Hedley to Be Stokeless Till Weekend; Bway Opening Switched to May 1 Today's best headline 200 Broadway Players Due at Actors’ Fund Midnight Matinee of Rocky Horror, April 26 Bway's Rent Makes Tix Offer for Fifth Anniversary Perf; On Sale April 27 Don Schlitz-Ken Ludwig Musical, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Opens at Minskoff, April 26 New York Theatre Composer-Musician Genji Ito Dies at 54 posted at 4/26/2001 01:25:12 PM by Susan Heim | Item Link The Producers Phenomenon. The article almost gets it right, except that I am the person who busted the "ebay bootleg seller" - I simply cannot abide by people videotaping Broadway shows! Shame on them! Don't they know they're taking money out of the performers' pockets? Don't they know they're driving away potential audiences? Don't they know... ow. 'Hedley' delays reign. August Wilson's new play has postponed its opening from Sunday until Tuesday, while Stokes rests his vocal cords. I knew that play was too long. From the same article, Replacements have been found for Henry Winkler and John Ritter, who are leaving Neil Simon's play "The Dinner Party." Jon Lovitz, formerly of TV's "Saturday Night Live," will take over for Winkler. Comedian Larry Miller, seen on "Law & Order," will replace Ritter. Both will be making their Broadway debuts, taking over June 12. posted at 4/26/2001 10:16:38 AM by Catherine Skidmore | Item Link Today's birthdays include Carol Burnett, Ma Rainey, and Anita Loos. Joel Grey and Friends Offer Showcase of New Works by Jason Robert Brown April 28 by Randy Gener Will Chases Aida by Ken Mandelbaum posted at 4/26/2001 09:08:30 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link Wednesday, April 25, 2001 Play Excerpt: Arje Shaw's The Gathering Can't Get Into The Producers? by Robert Viagas While there are some interesting ideas in here, if you really want to see The Producers (or any popular show), it's always possible. You may have to stand in line for a while, and you may have to pay more than you might like, but there are always tickets to be had. posted at 4/25/2001 09:32:36 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link Today's birthdays include: Al Pacino, Jerry Leiber, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Renee Zellweger, Edward R. Murrow, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky and Ella Fitzgerald. It's Springtime for Producers of Broadway's 'Producers' by Jesse McKinley Many and various New York producers sought a piece of "The Producers," Mel Brooks's hit musical. And for those who made the cut, it was well worth the ink. Another Bit Part? Not When Joseph Wiseman Plays It 'The Gathering': Making a Case for Healing, Even of Holocaust Wounds by Bruce Weber "The Gathering" by Arje Shaw isn't a terribly good play, but it is an affecting sermon. Get Out Your Shoulder Pads: The 80's Are Here Toronto Star: The adventures of Edgar Dobie Toronto producer exposes Tom Sawyer to lights of Broadway by Richard Ouzounian King of Broadway by Ken Mandelbaum Photo Op: Backstage at EASTER BONNET Photo Op: Onstage at EASTER BONNET Photo Op: The Bonnets Photo Op: THE GATHERING Opening Q&A: Hal Linden Field Trip (Video): THE PRODUCERS Opening Broadway Grosses: PRODUCERS Not Quite King Easter Bonnet Competition Raises $2.3 Million MAMMA MIA! O'Donnell Back on B'way? THE GATHERING. Review by Adam Feldman Record Totals for Broadway Cares Announced at Easter Bonnet Competition Broadway Grosses: April 16-22 - Part 1 How Were the Reviews?: The Gathering A Second Producers on Broadway? Columnist Liz Smith has a modest proposal Fugue for Females by Peter Filichia Charles Nelson's Casts and Forecasts Will TOMMY TUNE be having a reunion with the WEISSLERS by way of Seussical? Stay tuned... Buzz Lines If you’ve got a show on your hands and it’s not The Producers, what’s the best way to sell it? Stage door politics for Shubert. New Haven theater eyes uncertain future. The fate of New Haven's historic Shubert Theater remains unclear as the staff of the nonprofit Shubert Performing Arts Center, which has leased and run the city-owned theater since it was renovated and reopened in 1983, begins to exit.... Noises Off: Thou shalt do it Craig Bierko, star of "The Music Man," is in negotiations to headline the Susan Stroman-helmed musical "Thou Shalt Not," one of the most hotly anticipated shows of the 2001-2002 legit season. Biz notches big boost Broadway grosses skyrocketed in Week 46 (April 9-15), bringing in a total net of $16,068,527, an increase of 21.9%. B.O. up; 'Rent' $1.5 mil Road grosses This is why the internet is great: MyCereal.com posted at 4/25/2001 09:10:31 AM by James Marino | Item Link Tuesday, April 24, 2001 New Dramatists to Honor Arthur Miller Stage Version of Great Expectations Fulfills Dream Hedda Gabler Sets Broadway Date 2001 Lortel Awards Announced Lane Is Limping, The Producers Is Not As first read on Talkin'Broadway? :-) Daily News Jumps Gun with Gathering Review Shaw's Gathering Goes to Cort w/ Tony-Winner Linden, April 24 Brook's Hamlet Arrives at BAM April 24-May 6 That headline made me wonder... what if Mel Brooks did Hamlet... The Sprain in Lane Won't Strain Producers' Reign Best headline of the day. Bat Boy, Proof, Mnemonic Among Winners of 2001 OB Lortel Awards; Ceremony May 7 Opens on Broadway April 24: Hal Linden in The Gathering Polly Draper Stars in MTC's Blur, April 24 How Were the Reviews?: Love, Janis "Mnemonic" and "Proof" each took three Lucille Lortel Awards, given for excellence in Off Broadway theater. The awards presentation is a joint venture of the League of Off Broadway Theatres & Producers and the Lucille Lortel Foundation. Broadway B.O. unbound Nine plays enjoy five-figure jumps Got an interesting article regarding the NYT's article on the Moss Hart book yesterday. I noticed you put the Janet Maslin piece about the Moss Hart book in your column. Seems this was an 'unauthorized' version with a lot of info from, uh, 'dead' sources. Hard to double check those!! Dead sources never stopped a good journalist! posted at 4/24/2001 09:17:34 AM by James Marino | Item Link Today's birthdays include Barbra Streisand, Shirley MacLaine, and Eric Bogosian. Are the Stars Out Tonight? by Peter Filichia Tonys #11 by Ken Mandelbaum Proof, Bat Boy, Mnemonic Top 2001 Lucille Lortel Awards by Randy Gener posted at 4/24/2001 07:17:22 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link Monday, April 23, 2001 An Interview with Laurence O'Keefe O'Keefe is the Composer/Lyricist for Bat Boy and a section of 3hree, among other works. Kristin Set For June Debut Love, Janis Producers Reach Agreement with Local 802 Musical Shine!, Once Aimed at Bway, Gets NYC Readings April 23 & 30 Bway Puts On Its Easter Bonnet, April 23-24 Stritch and Gibson Help Read Operatic Little Women, April 23-24 New Musical Raises Fair Expectations for Art at Philly's Walnut Street in 2001-02 Bells Are Ringing Will Have Cast Album; Label TBA "Last Weeks" for Tomlin's Search on Broadway Roundabout Theatre Fetes Stephen Sondheim With Benefit Spring Gala, April 30 Stephen King and John Mellencamp Making Progress on Their Ghostly New Musical Stritch and Gibson Workshop Broadway-bound Little Women Musical, April 24 BC/EFA Holds 15th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition April 23-24 Ashmanskas, Burns, Evans Workshop Shine! Musical, April 23 Buzz Lines: Jason Robert Brown gets a great cast and a full orchestra together for a concert of his work at Cooper Union. I received the following blind email last week: Mike Nichols is sitting with NYC officials trying to get all helicopter and plane traffic halted during performances of "The Seagull" this summer. That seems like a reasonable request to me. After all, The US Open is literally right next to LaGuardia Airport and has it done for its event. And I would venture to guess that the Broadway community bring much more revenue to NYC than the US Open does... So how about it Mr. Giuliani? posted at 4/23/2001 09:32:56 AM by James Marino | Item Link Today's birthdays include William Shakespeare, Blair Brown, Shirley Temple Black, and Alan Oppenheimer. Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare! by Peter Filichia 'Love, Janis': More Than a Little Piece of Her Heart by Anita Gates A Biography of Moss Hart Searches for a Showman by Janet Maslin posted at 4/23/2001 07:33:39 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link Sunday, April 22, 2001 On this day in 1889, the Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon as thousands of homesteaders staked claims. (And, if it hadn't, where would musical theatre have been today?) Today's birthdays include Eddie Albert and Charlotte Rae. Is a Puzzlement by Peter Filichia Gotta Sing by Ken Mandelbaum A Lyricist Who Only Has Sighs by Mary Cleere Haran Putting It Together: Kline Reveals the Sources for Score to A Class Act If any of you were wondering where the various songs in A Class Act came from (I know I was), this will answer your questions. Did I mention I'm probably going to see it again today? Steven Suskin ON THE RECORD: 3hree, Old Strouse & Adams, and a Surprising New Musical posted at 4/22/2001 08:42:23 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link BroadwayStars is powered by Blogger Pro! [Past News]
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