Tunes and Tomes
Jason Robert Brown�s The Last 5 Years gets a fantastic Off-Broadway Cast Recording from Sh-K-Boom.
posted at 4/20/2002 07:20:02 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Friday, April 19, 2002

Peter Filichia's Diary
If you like your Rodgers & Hammerstein very rare, drop in at the York Theatre this weekend.

Follow Spot
Will Henry Goodman and/or Patti LuPone be ribbed during the course of this year�s BC/EFA Easter Bonnet Competition?

Charles Nelson's Casts and Forecasts
Rip Taylor hopes to stalk vampires, The Guthrie orders Chinese from Warren Leight, and David Esbjornson moves from Albee to Miller.
[Ed. Note: After more than two years of faithful service, Charles Nelson is leaving TheaterMania to pursue other writing projects and assignments. We wish him well in his future endeavors.]
As do we. He's a sharp, talented writer.

Thoroughly Modern Millie Reviewed By: Barbara & Scott Siegel

For Once, Death Imitates Art by DAN BARRY and MEL GUSSOW
We missed this article from Wednesday's Times about the life and death of playwright Leonard Melfi. It's worth catching up on.

Hal Linden and Rick Holmes Join Cabaret Cast

Signature Theater Presents Starry Wilson Season

Brian Stokes Mitchell to Star in Man of La Mancha

Thoroughly Modern Millie Faces the Critics

Fortune in Penn's Eyes

Primary Stages Makes Off-Broadway Return with One Shot, One Kill May 8-June 9

Baitz, Guare, Lithgow, Martin, Ruehl & Wright Headline ATW April Seminars

PBOL'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, April 13-19: Goodman Gets an Oscar

Robbins and Sarandon Will Host Lortel Awards May 6; Winners Announced April 22

PHOTO CALL: Here's to Broadway's Composers!

PHOTO CALL: Thanks for the Applause, Chorus Line!

PHOTO CALL: Who Says Broadway's Composers Aren't Fun?

Report: Jerome Records Producer Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

"Barney Miller" Star Hal Linden Joins Cabaret April 29

DIVA TALK: Perfectly Polly (Bergen) and News of McDonald, Egan, McKechnie and More

George Margo, American Actor Who Found Home in London, Dead at 86

Producers Celebrates One Year on Broadway April 19

Royal Shakespeare Company Season at Theatre Royal Announced
posted at 4/19/2002 04:06:15 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Photo Op: THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Opening - Photos by Bruce Glikas

CDs: Something Good by Ken Mandelbaum

Casting Update for Smelling A Rat

Madness Musical to Open in the West End in October

Wicked to Have World Premiere in San Francisco

Donna McKechnie Headlines Rockwell at Blue Heron

CABARET REVIEW | JAMES NAUGHTON: Crooning About the Woes of Whoopee by STEPHEN HOLDEN
James Naughton may have reached the September of his years, as he puts it in the encore of his New York cabaret debut at the Cafe Carlyle, but he still cuts a suave and dashing figure onstage. He is one of the lucky ones.

Signature to Stage Wilson's Burn This and Folly with Norton, Nixon

Stokes to Star in New Broadway-Bound Man of La Mancha

Goodspeed Hopes to Build Third Musical Theatre Venue in Connecticut

Helen Carey To Star in Miller's All My Sons at Guthrie in May

Susan Egan Stars in High Button Shoes in CA

New Donna McKechnie CD On Sale April 19

Jane Alexander Stars in O'Neill's Electra April 19-May 19

NYC's Irish Rep Wallows in Finn's Pigtown April 19-June 9

Belber's Tape Gets SF Premiere April 19-May 12 at Magic

Long Runs on Broadway

The Lion King National Tour Opens in Denver

Producers Will Play San Fran, Tempe and Appleton, WI, in 2003; Tour Plan Clarified

Deborah Yates to Join Contact's U.S. Tour, May 7-June 16

Nottage and Leight Get Premiere Productions at Baltimore Center Stage in 2002-03

London Kiss Me, Kate Extends Engagement

National's Controversial Football Play Debuts in London in May

Chitty Chitty Car Haults April 17 Performance of New London Musical

Thoroughly Modern Millie Review by Thomas Burke

Chicago Sun-Times: Fresh fish story by Mary Houlihan
Surrounded by the cackling gulls and lapping waters of Lake Michigan, Redmoon Theater opens its latest mainstage production this weekend in the upstairs space at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. It's an appropriate setting for "Salao--The Worst Kind of Unlucky," a work inspired by Ernest Hemingway's most enduring tale, The Old Man and the Sea.

Los Angeles Times: 'Guys' Unwisely Gambles on Timing by DIANE HAITHMAN, Times Staff Writer
The biggest problem with the 50th anniversary production of "Guys and Dolls" at the Wilshire Theater is.
Timing.

Los Angeles Times: Scene-Stealing Enhances a Classic Feydeau Farce by LEWIS SEGAL
"Am I overdoing it?" Onstage at the Geffen Playhouse, Carol Kane is asking herself that question as Madame Latour, an unforgettably blowzy, lustful, drunken ruin of French nobility, and you thank the gods of theater that the answer is yes.

USA Today: Disparate roles appeal to Crudup by Elysa Gardner
posted at 4/19/2002 09:16:47 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

You'll Flip for Sprightly Flappers Piece by Howard Kissel
Being of a certain age, I can remember when people went to Broadway musicals to be entertained. This notion has long been out of fashion, but it started to make a comeback last year with that show about the swishy director playing Hitler.

Thoroughly Modern Millie review by Charles Isherwood
The most controversial new show of the Broadway season turns out not to be the big musical about the nasty nightlife columnist, or even the comedy about the man in love with the goat. No, it's "Thoroughly Modern Millie." This seemingly innocuous new tuner, about a sweet young thing trying to make it big, matrimonially speaking, in the big city, has inspired an extraordinary volume of industry tongue-wagging, with opinion ranging from rabidly pro to rabidly con and all points in between.

USA Today: 'Millie' amuses, and thoroughly By Elysa Gardner

AP: 'Modern Millie' Hits Broadway By MICHAEL KUCHWARA
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is as bubbly as a glass of champagne � domestic, not imported � a bright, breezy American musical with nothing more on its mind than an evening of entertainment.

A Choreographer Steps Into Success By JENNIFER DUNNING

THEATER REVIEW | 'SWIMMING WITH WATERMELONS': Love Conquers All in Occupied Japan By BRUCE WEBER

ON STAGE AND OFF: To Whom This Dulcinea? By JESSE MCKINLEY

LOOSE 'URBAN' TALE FAILS TO BLOSSOM By DONALD LYONS
EXPLOSIVE tensions and lies within families are the most revealing themes of American drama, from Eugene O'Neill and Clifford Odets to August Wilson.

A 'GOLD!' DUST-UP By MICHAEL RIEDEL
REMEMBER that deliciously nasty lawsuit between Stephen Sondheim and producer Scott Rudin over Sondheim's new musical, "Gold!"?Though it was settled earlier this year, the suit continues to poison Sondheim's life, professionally and privately.

LILTING LILLIAS AT HER BEST By CHIP DEFFAA
LILLIAS White told the audience packing Feinstein's at Regency that she doubted she'd be able to remember all the lyrics to Thelonious Monk's "Well You Needn't." "It is what it is," she said evenly of the number she was steeling herself to sing. "But it's from the heart."

Lots of Luck: Miller's Initial Effort Gets First Ever Bway Revival, April 19

Private Lives Goes Public on Broadway; Previews Begin April 19

Report: Daniel Jenkins Joins Pajama Game Cast
posted at 4/19/2002 07:06:33 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

THOROUGHLY MUDDLED 'MILLIE' HITS THE BOARDS By CLIVE BARNES
WHEN you come out of a musical humming the same song you hummed when you went in, unless the show's a revival, it's probably in trouble.
posted at 4/19/2002 12:56:15 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Thursday, April 18, 2002

THEATER REVIEW | 'THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE': All Right, Everyone: Smile! By BEN BRANTLEY
After watching this agressively eager show, you'll leave either grinning like an idiot or with a migraine the size of Alaska.

Thoroughly Modern Millie review by Ken Mandelbaum

Thoroughly Modern Millie review by Thomas Burke
posted at 4/18/2002 11:46:44 PM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Newsday: She's Going to Make It After All
Sutton Foster breaks out in inspired 'Millie' by Linda Winer
First Millie review. A little pre-mature... it opens tonight.

United States Senate: Playwrights Licensing Relief Act of 2002
Here is your homework: Guess how much Broadway ticket prices will go up if this becomes law.

Two-Drink Platinum by Barbara & Scott Siegel

The Golem
Reviewed by Ben Winters

Coriolanus
Reviewed by J. Hugh Johnson
posted at 4/18/2002 04:03:53 PM by James Marino | Item Link

San Francisco Gets Lurhmann's Boheme and Schwartz's Wicked in 2002-03

Kline and Watson Candidates for Martin's Picasso Film

Into the Woods Revival Will Record Cast Album

Tina Landau to Workshop New Disney-Music Show, May 13-June 15

Did London Critics Get a Bang Out of Chitty?

Yahoo/Variety: Madonna a 'Real Trouper' in Play Rehearsals

Yahoo/Backstage: Beast Deadlines
The Beast Festival (yes, that's the name) is looking for plays from five to 40 minutes in length in which the source of dramatic conflict is caused by an animal. No animal need appear on stage. Indeed, no live animals are permitted.
Is this how Edward Albee got his start?

Unions to Meet Lawmakers On COBRA Bill
posted at 4/18/2002 01:00:02 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

LITTLE SHOP info update: It will now be cast in August. It will have an out of town tryout in Spring 2003. Broadway perf: July 2003.

posted at 4/18/2002 12:11:50 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Yahoo/Variety: 'Chitty Chitty' Car Needs Work Work
LONDON (Reuters) - Just a day after it opened to rave reviews, the musical "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" ground to a halt when the magical flying car was grounded.
Wednesday night's show had to be canceled and the 2,000-strong audience sent home after technical hitches torpedoed the $8.6 million production.

Yahoo/Variety: British Theater Is Institutionally Racist, Report Says by Barbara Lewis
LONDON (Reuters) - First it was the British police force, now Britain's theaters are being condemned as institutionally racist in a report released Thursday which calls for radical change.

Musical Theatre Works Announces Conversations Series

Red Hot Mama Replaces Penthouse B at York

Maxwell Replaces Colin in House and Garden

Interactive Chicago Lets Kids Decide: Is Roxie Guilty?

Audra McDonald Sings Gershwin at Hollywood Bowl

Today In Theatre History: APRIL 18

Broadway-Bound Little Shop to Play Florida in March 2003

Newsday: A Stormy Springtime for a Hit
THAT WHOOSHING SOUND you heard last week was the air going out of the balloon of Broadway's "The Producers." That sniffling was from all the scalpers, official and unofficial, who for nearly a year could play their own little version of Max Bialystock's mantra, "If you got it, baby, flaunt it, flaunt it!," charging up to thousands of dollars for the highly prized tickets to the Mel Brooks hit.

LIGHT'S OUT FOR 9/11 GIG by CHIP DEFFAA
GOOD intentions are not enough. The woefully uneven revue, "September 11: The Musical Response," offers 23 songs by assorted writers dealing with the World Trade Center attack.

Chicago Sun-Times: Bogart gives 'Room' its space BY HEDY WEISS
Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? Not director Anne Bogart.

Chicago Sun-Times: James Joyce work to hold court at Court
posted at 4/18/2002 10:48:12 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

THEATER REVIEW | 'TALK': Provocation and Ambition as Partners By BRUCE WEBER
The titular commodity in "Talk," a new play by the young playwright Carl Hancock Rux, is in such ample supply that the title feels both apt and insufficient, both unimaginatively obvious and wryly understated.

Rich Firms, Poor Ideas on Towers Site By HERBERT MUSCHAMP
Don't believe what you hear about the emergence of a consensus on the future of Lower Manhattan.

CR�ME DE LACRIME By BARBARA HOFFMAN
BACK when the off-Broadway thriller "Perfect Crime" was just a glimmer in a producer's eye, the plum part of the possibly homicidal psychiatrist was up for grabs.

'PRODUCERS' DEJA VU By BARBARA HOFFMAN
AS one of the stars of "The Producers," Cady Huffman says she was as surprised as anyone at the Sunday axing of Henry Goodman - and the ascension of Brad Oscar, longtime understudy to Nathan Lane, as the new Max Bialystock.

B'way's Million-to-One Millie; Roaring Twenties musical makes incredible journey from the screen by Robert Dominguez
Broadway's new $10 million baby owes its conception to a $2 videotape. The show, "Thoroughly Modern Millie," has its roots in a far-fetched idea hatched in a Long Island beach house. It took a difficult detour to California before coming back East as the last new musical of the 2001-02 Broadway season.

Sousa of a Different Stripe by Howard Kissel
For the curtain call of its production of "The Glass Blowers," John Philip Sousa's 1909 operetta, the New York City Opera orchestra plays Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Buck Stops Here In B'way Revival By PATRICIA O'HAIRE
Screenwriter Buck Henry has just one word to say when asked if he has seen two of his best-known characters � Mrs. Robinson and Benjamin Braddock � cavorting in the stage adaptation of "The Graduate," starring Kathleen Turner and Jason Biggs.

Check Your Personality! Modern Millie Opens on Bway April 18

Michael Mayer Discusses Miller, Marilyn and a Revised Staging of After the Fall

Bway's Rivera, Rubin-Vega, Esparza Celebrate 'Latin Rhythms' at B.B. Kings, May 6

Broadway Softball League Will Play Ball in Preseason Games April 18 and May 2

Interactive Chicago Lets Kids Decide: Is Roxie Guilty?

PHOTO CALL: A Coupla Winners: John Lithgow

PHOTO CALL: A Coupla Winners: James Naughton

PHOTO CALL: A Coupla Winners: Suzan-Lori Parks
posted at 4/18/2002 08:56:53 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

Margaret Colin Has Left the House; Jan Maxwell Enters MTC Staging

Mackintosh's Oliver! Tour Launches at Ordway in St. Paul, Summer 2003

McDonagh�s Inishmore Set for London's Garrick Theatre

Medea Reviewed By: Ben Winters
posted at 4/17/2002 04:25:30 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

The Creel McCoy
Recovered from knee surgery, Gavin Creel struts his stuff in Thoroughly Modern Millie by Michael Buckley
posted at 4/17/2002 03:45:01 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Tonys '02 #9 by Ken Mandelbaum

Deborah Yates Joins Contact on the Road

Little Shop Stops in Florida Before B'way

Field Trip: The Elephant Man Opening Night Video

Q&A: Nancy Opel by Melissa Rose Bernardo

Peter Filichia's Diary
Frank talk about Assassins, the controversial musical that became even more controversial after 9/11/01.

PLAYBILL ON-LINE'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Shuler Hensley

L.A. Celeb Musical Grave White Way Read in NYC

Amy Jo Johnson Joins Love, Janis in May; Courtney Love May Be in Wings

John Lithgow to Host Drama League Awards; Noms Announced April 23

Ebersole, Mason and Callaway on CUNY-TV Broadcast and Video

Public Hosts Annual "New Works Now!" Festival of Readings, April 28-May 12

Sweet Smell Cast Album Hits the Street April 23

Jill Clayburgh and John Rubinstein Star in Westchester, NY, Love Letters April 28

Sheik Musical Spring Awakening, Ives' Polish Joke Set for Long Wharf's 2002-03 Season

Last Five Years CD Released in Stores

Lithgow Will Miss Sweet Smell Perfs April 22-24, But Returns April 25

London Chitty's First Night Goes Off With a Bang

David Bamber Chats About His Role in West End Glee Club

Michael Lerner and Tom Irwin Join Cast of Madonna's London Stage Debut

Archerd: Eastwood makes haste; Urich pic problem by Army Archerd
Items on The Producers and Mr. Goldwyn.

Hartford Courant: A Con Artist Loved By His Stars by MICHAEL LUO, Associated Press
Article on John Loan (Jerome) and the singers on his label. Thanks to Gregg on ATC for the link.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Nudity in 'Grapes' draws wrath
KSU production upsets students by Mary Macdonald
A little nudity has caused a big stir at Kennesaw State University.
posted at 4/17/2002 02:16:06 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Newsday: Modern Marvel
By gosh! 'Millie' actress fulfills dream
[Sutton Foster]

THIEF FOR THE POOR THRONE FOR A LOOP
[John Loan / John Jerome / Jerome Records]

posted at 4/17/2002 10:07:56 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Photo Op: Starry ELEPHANT MAN bash - Photos by Bruce Glikas

THEATER REVIEW | 'TALK'
Provocation and Ambition as Partners
By BRUCE WEBER
This original, provocative and entertaining play almost makes it to the end of its three-hour span without becoming pompous or overwrought.

Arts Abroad: A Director's Fame Is Ensured, but Success Is Stubborn

Classics staging a comeback at ART
'Vanya,' 'Ulysses,' Hotel' among slated prod'ns
The premieres of two new works of musical theater plus revivals of plays by Chekhov, Euripides, Durrenmatt and Shakespeare will make up the 2002-03 season of the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., the first under the nonprofit's new triumvirate of artistic director Robert Woodruff, associate a.d. Gideon Lester and executive director Robert J. Orchard.

Cast Set for Follies at Reprise! in Los Angeles
Vikki Carr, Patty Duke and Harry Groener will headline the Reprise! production of Follies, according to a production spokesperson. The show is scheduled to run for 11 performances (June...[Read More]

Broadway Grosses: Dog Run
Topdog/Underdog opened at the Ambassador Theatre on April 7 to [Read More]

ROTH, HAGAR JUMP ONSTAGE TOGETHER
Oh. Nevermind.

Follow Spot
Brad Oscar is confirmed as the new star of The Producers, two TV ladies join The Tale of the Allergist�s Wife, and the Outer Critics Circle fields a Broadway-heavy list of award nominees.

WASHINGTON DC - Richard Rodgers: A Centennial Celebration

Picking Daisies: Michael Mayer Will Direct New Version of On a Clear Day

Sharon McNight Is Sophie Tucker in Musical, Red Hot Mama, at York April 30-June 9

PHOTO CALL: The Gypsy Robe 1987-1989: Front View

PHOTO CALL: The Gypsy Robe 1987-1989: Back View

PHOTO CALL: The Gypsy Robe 1994-1995: Front View

PHOTO CALL: The Gypsy Robe 1994-1995: Back View

PHOTO CALL: The Gypsy Robe 1998-2000: Front View

PHOTO CALL: The Gypsy Robe 1998-2000: Back View

New Play Anthology to Be Read in Bklyn Barnes & Noble, April 24

Larry Kramer's David Drake Premieres New Monologue May 16

Vienna: Lusthaus Is Revisited at NY Theatre Workshop, April 17-June 2

New Musical The Golden City To Be Workshopped at Brooklyn's Barfly

Buckley, Neuwirth, Patinkin, Finn and Rapp Headline MTW Lecture Series

45 Seconds' Julie Lund Is Miss Julie Off-Broadway, April 18-May 4

Today In Theatre History: APRIL 17

Kander, Ebb and Stone's Curtains Gets Late April Reading in NYC

McKechnie and Jacoby Star in New OB Musical Rockwell May 17-June 2
posted at 4/17/2002 07:26:51 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Tuesday, April 16, 2002

Actor Robert Urich Dead at 55

Amy Jo Johnson to Headline Love, Janis in May

Carmello and York to Kiss London in Kate

Perfect Casting: Danny Burstein Returns to Off-Broadway Revue

Love, Janis Marks First Anniversary Off-Broadway April 22

Bosco, Brown and Easton Read Lear at Kaye Playhouse April 22

A Little More Swoosie: The Guys Extends Performances w/ Kurtz to April 27

Robert Urich, TV Actor Who Played Chicago, Dead at 55

Broadway Grosses: April 8-14

Pulitzer Improves Topdog's Box Offices Fortunes
posted at 4/16/2002 03:45:59 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Bea to London? by Ken Mandelbaum

Christopher Plummer Honored at Starry Roundabout Gala

Henner Joins Perlman in B'way's Allergist's Wife

New Play by Thomas McCormack Coming to Variety Arts

Perlman and Henner to Star in Broadway's Allergist, Beginning May 28

PHOTO CALL: The Elephant Man Takes His Bow

PHOTO CALL: There's Proof of an Elephant Man

PHOTO CALL: They're Not The Elephant Man

PHOTO CALL: Dance of The Elephant Man?

PHOTO CALL: I Am Not an Animal, I'm an Actor: Demi Moore, Emma Thompson

PHOTO CALL: Not Animals, They're Actors: Melissa Errico, Patrick Wilson

PHOTO CALL: Still and Future Divas: Rebecca Luker, Louise Pitre, Melissa Jaret Winokur

"Everybody Loves Raymond" Star Brad Garrett Confirmed for Chicago

The Graduate: An Affair To Remember

Dom Juan Review by Matthew Murray

These Four Walls Review by Matthew Murray

The Elephant Man Reviewed By: David Finkle

Archerd: Robert Urich near death by Army Archerd
Urich will always survive as an American icon -- not only for having made more TV series than any man, but for having made more friends while making them.
Urich briefly played Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago before a recurrence of his cancer forced his early departure. He passed away shortly after Archerd filed this article.
Urich was a solid, dependable actor whose natural likability always came through onscreen. That's one reason he was so often employed, and so often underrated.
You can keep Joe Mantegna; Urich will always be Spenser -- make that "Spen-SAH!" -- to me.

Yahoo/Backstage: Harnick Blinks; Loan Adjourns
The distressing travails of the tenants at 308 W. 30th St., an apartment building partly owned by lyricist Sheldon Harnick, may have arrived at the best of all possible outcomes-a happy ending.

Yahoo/Backstage: MAC Honors Cabaret

posted at 4/16/2002 12:52:56 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Nathan Lane's Successor in 'The Producers' Replaced After 4 Weeks By JESSE McKINLEY
In the first major crisis of a charmed Broadway run, the producers of "The Producers" have fired Henry Goodman from the lead role of Max Bialystock and replaced him with his understudy.

How an Actor Landed on Top in 'Producers' By JESSE McKINLEY
The fairy tale quality of Brad Oscar's life took another turn about 11 on Sunday night.

BIG SHOWS, SMALL NAMES By MICHAEL RIEDEL
HE snagged a plum supporting role in "The Producers" when another actor suffered a knee injury.

A Wild Ride Up B'way For Newest 'Producer' By HEIDI EVANS
Brad Oscar is the new king of Broadway.

'Producers' plot thickens after axe; Though panned by reviews, Goodman exit unexpected By ROBERT HOFLER
The bad-news phone call went out during Sunday's matinee.

The Producers Wins an Oscar: Brad Begins as Max on Broadway April 16

The Producers is at the top of the headlines once again. What will be the result of all of this? Will the show get another box office boost because of all this publicity? And what will happen to Brad Oscar's career now? He's living the dream of practically every actor who's ever appeared on Broadway, and has done it the old-fashioned way, moving from the bottom to the top, by way of his talent and, yes, a little bit of luck. I've heard nothing but good things about Oscar in the role, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing his take on the role now that he will have a chance to truly make it his own.

Passions of 'Medea,' Brought Up to Date By D. J. R. BRUCKNER
Every performance of "Medea" is an adaptation. That said, the one adapted and directed by Alfred Preisser for the Classical Theater of Harlem is special.

THEATER REVIEW | 'ANDORRA': Visit to a Fictional Land Unmasks Bigotry's Fearsome Face By BRUCE WEBER

THEATER REVIEW | 'THE SECRET ORDER': Great Brains Fight Illness, and One Another, in a Lab By NEIL GENZLINGER

CALL HER THOROUGHLY UNKNOWN MILLIE By BARBARA HOFFMAN
THE curtain rises on Broadway's new, $9.5 million musical, and there she is - the star of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" - Sutton Foster!

Critics Cheer 'Oklahoma!' By PATRICIA O'HAIRE
"Oklahoma!" � the muchheralded British revival import of the groundbreaking American musical � corralled the most nominations for Outer Critics Circle Awards yesterday.

The Last 10 Years: The Music of Jason Robert Brown was quite an event last night--great music, great performers, and great audience. (But, since almost all of BroadwayStars was there, what could you expect?) Brown strikes me as one of the greatest currently working composers of one-act plays in song, evidence pouring in time and time again during the evening that he is an accomplished musician and dramatist. I can't wait to see what he'll come up with next.
posted at 4/16/2002 06:08:58 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

'Producers' plot thickens after axe
Though panned by reviews, Goodman exit unexpected
The bad-news phone call went out during Sunday's matinee. Henry Goodman was onstage playing Max Bialystock in the Broadway hit "The Producers." Neither he nor Steven Weber, the show's other new co-star, knew it would be Goodman's last appearance in the show, although there had been rumors of trouble over at the St. James Theater for at least two weeks.

Most shows dip, but 'Topdog' triples B.O.
B'way sees downturn; 'Fortune,' 'Graduate' buck trend

Reprise! casts 'Follies'
1971 musical features Carr, Duke

Wolfe's Harlem Song Makes History at the Apollo
George C. Wolfe�s Harlem Song will begin performances on July 6 at the legendary Apollo Theatre, where it will be the first...[Read More]

Say Good Night, Gracie Eyes Helen Hayes
Rupert Holmes� Say Good Night, Gracie will likely open on Broadway this summer, the show�s producer told Broadway.com. The solo show, starring Frank Gorshin and directed by John Tillinger, is a...[Read More]

Carpetbagger's Children Extends at Lincoln Center
Horton Foote�s The Carpetbagger�s Children has been extended at Lincoln Center�s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. The play, starring Hallie Foote, Roberta Maxwell and Jean Stapleton, will now run thr...[Read More]

Boy George Takes On Taboo in London
Looks like Boy George will star in the musical about his life in the 1980s, Taboo, beginning on May 6. The pop star will not play himself however, instead he will appear in the role of performa...[Read More]

The Elephant Man On Display for NY Critics
Bernard Pomerance's The Elephant Man was a huge hit when it premiered on Broadway during the 1978-79 season, earning raves...[Read More]

A.R.T. New Season Has New Hwang and Eckert Musicals, Vanya, Visit, Herakles & Pericles

Clubbed Thumb Offers May Series of New Plays Off-Broadway

New McCormack Drama to Reach Variety Arts June 11

Ruthie Henshall: Headed for Broadway Bachrach Revue, The Look of Love

The Producers Wins an Oscar: Brad Begins as Max on Broadway April 16

Former Chicago Star Sabella Does Cabaret

The Full Monty With Westenberg and Woods Kicks Off in L.A. April 16-June 8

Anthony Rapp and Jerome Pradon to Star in Short Musical Film

NBC Comedy 'Scrubs' Features Homage to West Side Story, April 16

Broadway Cares' 2002 Easter Bonnet Tickets Go on Sale April 16

Today In Theatre History: APRIL 16

Paulus' Watermelons Swim on at the Vineyard to April 26

Van Patten, Garrett Direct L.A. Spoon River With Meriwether May 17-June 23

Liza Confirms May Concerts at New York's Beacon Theatre

UK Theatre Offers New Don

Royal Shakespeare Company Offers a Radical Winter's Tale

New Pop Musical Our House to Debut at London's Cambridge in Sept.

Sondheim's Follies Set to Play Royal Festival Hall in August

Carpetbagger's Children Keeps Its Foote in LCT's Door Until June 30

posted at 4/16/2002 06:07:09 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Monday, April 15, 2002

Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia says goodbye to his mother, who first opened his eyes to the world he adores.

CDs: Now Is the Time by Ken Mandelbaum

The Elephant Man Review by Adam Feldman

Kilt Review by Adam Feldman

First Person: The Road Back to the Public by Denis O'Hare

Field Trip: Topdog/Underdog Moves Uptown (Video)

Field Trip: The Graduate's Starry Opening (Video)

Field Trip: Fortune's Fool Finally Arrives on Broadway (Video)

Mildred Pierce Musical Workshopped at Texas' Stage West

Thoroughly Modern Millie Records April 22, RCA Victor Release Expected June 11

Brad Oscar's Cinderella Story Continues as Actor Becomes Max in The Producers

Cumming, Murphy and DeLaria Headline Billie Holiday Tribute April 22

Along Went Bialy: Henry Goodman Fired from The Producers

Swimming With Watermelons Review by Matthew Murray

The Elephant Man Review by Matthew Murray

Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme Review by Suzanne Bixby

The Music of Maltby & Shire: A Night to Remember Review by Pati Buehler

A NIGHT OUT WITH: Josefina Gabrielle by LINDA LEE
THE roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd? Is that what prompts a young woman from London to move to Portugal to join a ballet company, then back to London to play the snooty ballet dancer in the musical "Fame" and to take diverse roles like the mature and cynical Roxie in "Chicago" and the young, innocent and indecisive Laurey in "Oklahoma!"? Now she is Laurey on Broadway.

Washington Post: Barbara Walters Takes Dim 'View' of Spoof by Lisa de Moraes
Although de Moraes says that the song parodied is "I Only Have Eyes For You," it seems clear that the lyric quoted is actually a parody of "I Hope I Get It" from A Chorus Line.

Christian Science Monitor: Ballet or Broadway, he puts music in motion by Iris Fanger
When Christopher Wheeldon crossed over from ballet to choreograph the dancing in "Sweet Smell of Success," he was warned about the challenges of Broadway.
Wheeldon was also the subject of a profile on yesterday's "CBS News Sunday Morning."
Thanks to John_C. on All That Chat for the link.

Lansing State Journal: Wharton production woes mar divas' show by Ken Glickman
Review of Marilyn Horne/Barbara Cook concert. Thanks again to John_C. for the link.

posted at 4/15/2002 01:13:43 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

BRIT STAR FIRED FOR FAILING TO �PRODUCE' By MICHAEL RIEDEL
Max has gotten the ax. Henry Goodman - the London stage star who replaced Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock in "The Producers" - was fired from the hit Broadway musical yesterday, The Post has learned.

Bialystock gets the boot, Oscar to replace acclaimed Brit thesp Goodman By CHARLES ISHERWOOD
Henry Goodman, the British actor who took over from Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock in the hit musical "The Producers" just a month ago, was axed from the production after the Sunday matinee. He had given just 30 performances in the role.

Henry Goodman Fired from The Producers
A very interesting development. This is also wonderful news for Brad Oscar. Are we to infer from all this that Goodman will not be opening the London production of the show as Max? If so, who might take his place?

Oklahoma! Leads 2002 Outer Critics Circle Noms

Pascal, Butz and Scott Sing Jason Robert Brown Songs April 15
BroadwayStars will be there!
posted at 4/15/2002 06:16:57 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Jason Robert Brown in Concert -- Monday, April 15th @ 8PM

THEATER REVIEW | 'THE ELEPHANT MAN'
A Mirror to Reflect a Grotesque Society
By BEN BRANTLEY
Billy Crudup, pictured right, Rupert Graves and Kate Burton perform startling magic in this coolly staged revival of Bernard Pomerance's biographical 1979 drama.

The Elephant Man [Review]

'Oklahoma!' dominates crix noms
Musical revival nets 10, closely followed by 'Millie' with 8

Equity, Dodgers ink special '42nd' contract
High number of performers called for new agreement

New Humana nature at fest
Standouts are few at Masterson's first fest

Performances Add to Play's Beauty
The Elephant Man" seems to be about a lot of things � the way freaks are treated in a commercial society, the prudishness of Victorian England, the way science tries to keep pace with nature. The reason Bernard Pomerance's 1979 play matters, however, has nothing to do with its often elevated language and concerns.

The Elephant Man On Display for NY Critics
Bernard Pomerance's The Elephant Man was a huge hit when it premiered on Broadway during the 1978-79 season, earning raves...[Read More]

MISS AMERICA BOTTOM LINE ISN'T PRETTY
By Bill Hoffmann
The Miss America beauty contest is facing the threat of bankruptcy. The 81-year-old pageant has gone $1 million into the red and is struggling to survive.
Yet another example of an institution that needs to change in order to survive. Like the Tony Awards.

B'WAY NEVER FORGETS
By CLIVE BARNES
BROADWAY likes nothing better than to retread the successes of its past. Unless you're Lot's Wife, looking back will always be safer than looking forward.

WHOOPI WON'T BE 'SQUARE'
Post Staff
WHOOPI Goldberg is winding up a bad month. First, she hosted the lowest-rated Oscars telecast of all times - now her role as center square on the syndicated "Hollywood Squares" will soon be history.
And then there is MILLIE... But don't count Whoopi down -- she is a talented and ambitious person. She will be back on top.

Talk Show Watch: Dame Edna on 'Leno', Silverstone on 'Regis'

David Henry Hwang Opera Premieres April 23

The Broadway Musicals of 1940 Celebrated at NYC's Town Hall April 15

Mois�s Kaufman and Tectonic Are Developing Galileo and Mozart Plays

Joan Baez Returns to San Francisco's Teatro ZinZanni April 24-July 17

Melba Moore and Marva Hicks are "Black 2: Broadway," April 22 at B.B. King's

Middle East Is Backdrop of New 'Monte Cristo' Musical, Zev, in April 15 Reading

Kyra Sedgwick Joins Cast of May 1 "Food For Thought" Reading

Life's Not a Daisey at Amazon in 21 Dog Years, April 15 at NYC's Cherry Lane

Today In Theatre History: APRIL 15

Oklahoma! and Millie Lead 2002 Outer Critics Circle Nominations

Vanessa Williams, Oklahoma! and Millie Appear on 'Rosie'

Today In Theatre History: APRIL 14

Saw SMELL OF THE KILL on Saturday. I will never get that 75 minutes back. That makes me mad. Lets get the great talent on the stage into something good soon.

posted at 4/15/2002 06:15:11 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Sunday, April 14, 2002

Moseying Along in a Grand Old Land by MARGO JEFFERSON
"Oklahoma" offers pure patriotic pleasure, while Edward Albee's "The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?" catches you with tragedy, built-in laughs and elements of fantasy.

'Morning's at Seven': When Life's a Panic, It Can Be Funny

Barry Took, 73, Father of Monty Python, Dies

"Kids in the Hall" Enlisted at NYC's Beacon, "Tour of Duty 2002" Plays April 14-15

Eric Grode's STAGE TO SCREEN: Pulitzer's Film Effect and The Guys

Jeanine Tesori Featured on Playbill Radio, April 16-23

LuPone, Gallagher and Noises Co. Add April 14 Show to Benefit Actors' Fund

Swimming With Watermelons Reviewed By: Barbara & Scott Siegel

Menopause The Musical Reviewed By: Brooke Pierce

Newsday: English Muffin' It by Linda Winer
AT THE RISK of bringing more nationalist upheaval into the roiling world, something should be said about British directors and Broadway.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Freedom Theatre plans to shut down by Douglas J. Keating
Freedom Theatre, one of Philadelphia's foremost African American cultural organizations, is expected to announce Monday that it is suspending operations for financial reasons.

Los Angeles Times: A 'Guys and Dolls' Just Like Harlem by MIKE BOEHM
To Maurice Hines, the star of a touring revival, that means a diverse cast reflecting the kind of world he grew up in.

Los Angeles Daily News: Joined at the hip by Evan Henerson
Stars of Colony Theatre's 'Side Show' say production has transformed them

Chicago Sun-Times: A 'Bountiful' journey to playwright's roots BY MARY HOULIHAN
Last summer, Sarah Whitney set off on a journey to discover the true spirit of playwright Horton Foote's "The Trip to Bountiful," a play she was intimately familiar with.

Thanks to American Theater Web for these two links:

Boston Globe: On Broadway, sitcoms not just for laughs by Ed Siegel
They sit around the living room hurling insults, luring each other into harebrained schemes, or trying to one-up each other with the perfect bon mot. Those could be the descriptions of any number of situation comedies during the past 50 years. They also apply to three of the most intriguing plays on Broadway - this year's Pulitzer Prize winner, ''Topdog/Underdog'' by Suzan-Lori Parks; Edward Albee's ''The Goat or Who is Sylvia?,'' and a modern adaptation of Ivan Turgenev's ''Fortune's Fool.''

Washington Post: On New York Stages, Daring to Be Distinctive by Nelson Pressley
From Albee to Ovid, Four Shows Take -- and Land -- Bold Artistic Leaps

posted at 4/14/2002 10:18:51 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

If It's a Musical, It Was Probably a Movie By PETER MARKS
More and more, Broadway musicals are being adapted from popular movies as producers try to make a risky venture safer.

Last-Minute Preparation for 'The Elephant Man' By SYLVIANE GOLD

B'WAY, BRIT HITS: NO SEA CHANGES By CLIVE BARNES
It was that unique Anglo-American Winston Churchill who observed that "the United States and the United Kingdom are two nations divided by a common language."

ELEPHANT PLAN By BARBARA HOFFMAN
Michael Jackson wanted to buy them, but the Elephant Man's bones remain where God left them - at London Hospital.

The Elephant Man, with Crudup and Burton, Opens on Broadway April 14

Bea Arthur On Broadway Exits Booth April 14
posted at 4/14/2002 06:52:10 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

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[Past News]

BROADWAYSTAR'S FIVE DAY FORECAST

2007-08
Broadway Season

June 28 - Old Acquaintance (AA)

July 10 - Xanadu (Hayes) [Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith/B. Swibel and Sarah Murchison/Dale Smith]

Aug 19 - Grease (Atkinson)

Oct 4 - Mauritius (Biltmore) [MTC]

Oct 11 - The Ritz (54)

Oct 18 - Pygmalion (AA)

Oct 25 - A Bronx Tale (Kerr)

Nov 1 - Cyrano de Bergerac (Rodgers)

Nov 4 - Rock 'N' Roll (Jacobs)

Nov 8 - Young Frankenstein (Hilton)

Nov 9 - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (St. James)

Nov 10: Local One Strike Begins

Nov 28: Local One Strike Ends

Dec 2 - Cymbeline (Beaumont)

Dec 3 - The Farnsworth Invention (Music Box) [Dodger Properties with Steven Spielberg, Dan Cap Productions, Fred Zollo, Latitude Link and the Pelican Group]

Dec 4 - August: Osage County (Imperial) [Jeffrey Richards, Jean Doumanian, Steve Traxler, Jerry Frankel, Steppenwolf]

Dec 6 - The Seafarer (Booth)

Dec 9 - Is He Dead? (Lyceum)

Dec 16 - The Homecoming (Cort) [Richards, Frankel]

Jan 10 - The Little Mermaid (Lunt)

Jan 15 - The 39 Steps (AA)

Jan 17 - November (Barrymore)

Jan 24 - Come Back, Little Sheba (Biltmore)

Feb 21 - Sunday In The Park With George (54)

Feb 28 - Passing Strange (Belasco)

Mar 6 - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Broadhurst) [Stephen C. Byrd]

Mar 9 - In The Heights (Rodgers)

Mar 27 - Gypsy (St. James)

Mar 29 - Macbeth (Lyceum)

Apr 3 - South Pacific (Beaumont)

Apr 17 - A Catered Affair (Kerr) [Jujamcyn Theaters, Jordan Roth, Harvey Entertainment / Ron Fierstein, Richie Jackson and Daryl Roth]

Apr 24 - Cry Baby (Marquis)

Apr 27 - The Country Girl (Jacobs)

Apr 30 - Thurgood (Booth)

May 1 - Les Liaisons Dangereuses (AA)

May 4 - Boeing-Boeing (Longacre)

May 7 - Top Girls (Biltmore)

TBA - Godspell

2008-09
Broadway Season

Oct 16 - Billy Elliot (Imperial)

Nov 08 - Dividing the Estate (a Shubert theater)

Dec 14 - Shrek: The Musical (Broadway) [DreamWorks]

Talked About
Not Scheduled Yet

TBA - 50 Words

TBA - Addams Family (Elephant Eye)

TBA - American Buffalo

TBA - An American Vaudeville [Farrell, Perloff]

TBA - The Beard of Avon [NYTW]

TBA - Being There [Permut]

TBA - Benny & Joon [MGM]

TBA - Billy Elliot

TBA - Brave New World [Rachunow]

TBA - Breath of Life [Fox]

TBA - Busker Alley [Margot Astrachan, Robert Blume, Kristine Lewis, Jamie Fox, Joanna Kerry & Heather Duke]

TBA - Broomhilda

TBA - Bye Bye Birdie [Niko]

TBA - Camille Claudel [Wildhorn]

TBA - Camelot

TBA - Carmen [Robin DeLevita and The Firm]

TBA - Catch Me If You Can

TBA - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [Bob and Harvey Weinstein]

TBA - Cry Baby [Grazer, Gordon, McAllister, Epstein]

TBA - Designing Women [Alexis]

TBA - Don Juan DeMarco [New Line]

TBA - Dreamgirls [Creative Battery]

TBA - Duet

TBA - Equus

TBA - Ever After [Adam Epstein]

TBA - Fallen Angels (Shubert) [Kenwright]

TBA - Farragut North [Richards]

TBA - Father of the Bride

TBA - The Female Of The Species (TBA)

TBA - Fool For Love (AA) [Roundabout]

TBA - Girl Group Time Travelers

TBA - Golden Boy

TBA - Harmony [Guiles, Karslake, Smith, Fishman]

TBA - Hitchcock Blonde

TBA - The Importance Of Being Earnest

TBA - Jerry Springer: The Opera! [Thoday, McKeown]

TBA - Jesus Hopped The 'A' Train (Circle)

TBA - Josephine [Waissman]

TBA - Leap of Faith

TBA - A Little Princess [Ettinger, Dodger]

TBA - Midnight Cowboy [MGM]

TBA - The Minstrel Show - Kander and Ebb and Stroman

TBA - Moonstruck [Pittelman, Azenberg]

TBA - Mourning Becomes Electra [Haber, Boyett]

TBA - Monsoon Wedding

TBA - The Night of the Hunter

TBA - The Opposite of Sex [Namco]

TBA - Orphans

TBA - Pal Joey [Platt]

TBA - Paper Doll

TBA - The Paris Letter

TBA - The Philadelphia Story

TBA - Peter Pan

TBA - Porgy and Bess [Frankel, Viertel, Baruch, Routh, Panter, Tulchin/Bartner]

TBA - The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

TBA - The Princess Bride

TBA - Princesses [Lane, Comley]

TBA - Poe the Musical

TBA - Rain Man [MGM]

TBA - Robin Hood

TBA - Secondhand Lions

TBA - South Pacific

TBA - Speed-the-Plow

TBA - Stalag 17

TBA - Starry Messenger

TBA - Syncopation

TBA - A Tale Of Two Cities

TBA - Torch Song Trilogy

TBA - Turn of the Century

TBA - West Side Story

TBA - The Wall [Weinstein, Mottola, Waters]

TBA - Will Rogers Follies [Cossette]

TBA - The Wiz [Dodger]

TBA - Zanna [Dalgleish]

This list is compiled from various sources. If you have corrections to the Broadway Season, please contact us.

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2007-08Broadway Season

2008-09Broadway Season

Talked AboutNot Scheduled Yet

2007-08
Broadway Season

2008-09
Broadway Season

Talked About
Not Scheduled Yet