Saturday, March 08, 2003

[ B ]  Broadway Stars Show Support for Local 802

We also have another birthday today, Toronto's connection to Broadway, Richard Ouzounian, takes another lap around the sun.

With all this strike excitement, I forgot to pass on this tidbit: Will a Canadian produce Bombay Dreams in NYC? Wasn't it suppose to have its North American premiere in Toronto and won't this cause a skirmish?

There is a rumor abound that Flower Drum Song has decided not to return. I really hope that this is not the case, but it wouldn't surprise me. Instead of having working members of AFM, now the ones that had jobs will not. So much for minimums.
posted at 3/8/2003 04:08:46 PM by James Marino | Item Link

[ P ]  Long Day's Journey Tix Go on Sale March 9
Thanks to Deirdre for the link....and the free house seats !!
(just kidding)
posted at 3/8/2003 01:38:13 PM by the other James | Item Link

We here at BroadwayStars would like to take this opportunity to wish Alison Franck, the esteemed and talented casting director at Paper Mill, a happy birthday today!
posted at 3/8/2003 11:41:51 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

[ TS ]  Strike silences Broadway musicals by Richard Ouzounian
For the first time in 28 years, the Lullaby of Broadway is a silent one.

[ TS ]  Desperado no more by Richard Ouzounian
Maybe so, but Antonio Banderas has enough wild blood left to recall his early exploits � all in the name of his craft, of
"This is a show about sex. Please set your phone to vibrate."
posted at 3/8/2003 11:12:13 AM by Susan Heim | Item Link

[ N ]  Broadway's A No-Show For Throngs Of Visitors

[ N ]  Strike Means Music For Nobody's Ears
18 musicals shut as acotrs, stagehands honor musicians walkout

[ N ]  Refund? May Be Just the Ticket

posted at 3/8/2003 11:10:35 AM by the other James | Item Link

[ NYP ]  Broadway Goes Silent

[ NYP ]  Patrons Out In The Cold Say It's The Orchestra Pits

[ NYP ]  Editorial: Featherbeds on Broadway

[ B ]  Broadway Musicals Shut Down For Weekend

[ P ]  Red and Tan Line, New Comedy About Gay Brothers, Bows March 8 in NYC

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: The Miracle Worker: Meet the Press

[ P ]  Once-TV-Bound Avenue Q Evolves Into New Off-Broadway Musical

[ P ]  Bill Irwin, Paula Vogel and August Wilson Selected for Off-Bway Signature's Next Three Seasons
posted at 3/8/2003 09:00:24 AM by the other James | Item Link

[ NYT ]  Musicians' Strike Leaves Broadway Without Musicals By ROBIN POGREBIN

[ NYT ]  Musicians and Producers: Where Each Side Stands By ROBIN POGREBIN

[ NYT ]  Heavy Losses Expected as Theaters Go Dark By JESSE McKINLEY

[ NYT ]  Ticket Refunds and Exchanges
posted at 3/8/2003 12:39:41 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Friday, March 07, 2003

[ AP ]  Broadway Musicals Shut Down Due to Strike
Virtually every musical on Broadway shut down Friday as musicians went on strike, and actors and stagehands said they wouldn't cross their picket lines.

[ R ]  The Show Won't Go On, Broadway Actors Say

posted at 3/7/2003 07:26:23 PM by the other James | Item Link

Just some facts:

$1,302 Actors weekly base salary (Source: Actors' Equity)

$1,350 Musicians weekly base salary (Source: New York Times 3/7/03)

The musicians make more than the actors! And the musicians are striking? When you go to a Broadway show, are you going to see the first clarinet or an actor? Is this out of control or what?
posted at 3/7/2003 06:25:35 PM by James Marino | Item Link

It seems that Actors' Equity has voted not to cross the picket line. The AEA statement is:

"Accordingly, Equity endorses and supports Local 802's strike and picketing, and directs its members to honor such picket line. This will include the three musicals currently in rehearsal. Plays will perform."[ B ]  Actors & Stagehands Will Not Cross Picket Lines

[ V ]  Unions: Off with the show
Local 1, Actors' Equity honor picket line
In support of the musicians' strike, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 1 and Actors' Equity announced that its respective members would not cross picket lines that went up today in front of the 18 Broadway theaters housing musicals.

[ P ]  Broadway Musicals Shut Down as Actors and Stagehands Honor Musicians Strike

[ TM ]  Actors and Stagehands Will Not Cross Local 802 Picket Lines; Broadway Musicals Dark Until Further Notice
posted at 3/7/2003 06:02:56 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Announcement from FLOWER DRUM SONG

So this is the first show that AFM 802 has put out of business. How many more jobs are those selfish musicians willing to sacrifice?

Announcement from LA BOHEME

Due to the musicians strike, the producers of La Boh�me have elected to cancel this evening's performance and will continue rehearsing their three rotating casts. Tickets can be exchanged or refunded at the Broadway Theater box office.
posted at 3/7/2003 12:08:34 PM by James Marino | Item Link

[ B ]  B'way Musicians On Strike As Deadline Passes

[ NYT ]  Producers and Musicians Continue Talks Past Deadline
posted at 3/7/2003 07:44:50 AM by James Marino | Item Link

[ V ]  Hitting the B'way bricks - Strike called; talks continued into early-morning

[ NYP ]  EYE ON THE PRIZE By MICHAEL RIEDEL
WILL "Movin' Out" be a Pulitzer contender? The producers of Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel's acclaimed Broadway ballet have submitted a script to the drama critics who make up the Pulitzer selection committee, ensuring that "Movin' Out" will at least be considered for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'VINCENT IN BRIXTON': Before Madness There Was Love By BEN BRANTLEY
Clare Higgins brings a bracing, gimlet-eyed sobriety to her role as Vincent Van Gogh's lover in this earnestly sentimental drama.

[ NYT ]  Plenty of Rage but No Need for Aspirin by Bruce Weber

[ NYP ]  NOW EAR THIS: ACTING'S THE ONLY ART IN 'VINCENT' By CLIVE BARNES
UNLIKE most artists, Vincent van Gogh found his vocation unusually late in life.

[ DN ]  Sorry night of van Gogh by Howard Kissel
There is nothing revelatory in Nicholas Wright's "Vincent in Brixton," which attributes Vincent van Gogh's explosive art to a brief stay in London when he was 20.

[ DN ]  R.I.P.-roaring dark comedy by Robert Dominguez
Don't be misled by the mystery that sets "Our Lady of 121st Street" in motion - the theft of a beloved nun's body from its casket at a Harlem wake.

[ V ]  Vincent in Brixton review by Charles Isherwood

[ V ]  String Fever review by Charles Isherwood

[ B ]  Vincent in Brixton review by Adam Feldman

[ B ]  Our Lady of 121st Street review by Adam Feldman

[ TM ]  String Fever review by David Finkle

[ P ]  Sondheim's A Little Night Music Waltzes Into NY City Opera March 7

[ P ]  Send in the Clowns: London Hit, Play What I Wrote, Begins on Bway March 7
posted at 3/7/2003 07:28:36 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

[ P ]  Musicians' Union Website: Local 802 Members are on Strike
As the Friday, March 7 strike deadline passed at 12:01AM, the American Federation of Musicians' Local 802 posted to its website a notice that the Broadway musicians have gone on strike.
posted at 3/7/2003 03:46:56 AM by the other James | Item Link

Thursday, March 06, 2003

News on upcoming Broadway Shows from Showtix:

SALOME � starring Al Pacino and Marisa Tomei has just been announced to open on Broadway instead of Off-Broadway. No dates or prices have been set but the show will bow at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

ENCHANTED APRIL � starring Molly Ringwald and Jayne Atkinson will now be housed at the Belasco instead of the originally announced Ethel Barrymore Theatre

FALL

TABOO � this Boy George musical will be produced by Rosie O�Donnell and will play at the Plymouth Theatre this fall

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF � with Ashley Judd is set for Fall 2003

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF � with Alfred Molina has been postponed until January 2004

SWEET CHARITY � with Marisa Tomei has been postponed until January 2004
posted at 3/6/2003 08:52:32 PM by Susan Heim | Item Link

[ TM ]  Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds Issues Statement of Support for Local 802; Equity Schedules Emergency Council Meeting
posted at 3/6/2003 02:15:22 PM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

As mentioned a couple of days ago, Tim is on vacation. I can't post quite as many links as he does... I hope no one minds.

[ P ]  Starry Night: Vincent in Brixton Opens on Broadway March 6

[ P ]  Philip Seymour Hoffman Helms Our Lady of 121st Street; Opens March 6

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'STRING FEVER': Applying Science to Life's Vagaries By BEN BRANTLEY
Those who know Cynthia Nixon only as the acerbic lawyer of "Sex and the City" may be startled by the melting, lyrical qualities she brings to "String Fever."

[ NYP ]  ACTOR LAUGHS AT CELEBS By DONALD LYONS
'BARBRA'S Wedding" is an anti-showbiz comedy about two residents of a smallish Malibu ranch-style house on the day of their neighbor Barbra Streisand's latest marriage.

[ B ]  Barbra's Wedding review by Edward Karam

[ TM ]  Barbra's Wedding review by David Finkle

[ DN ]  Malibu Barbra's nutty neighbors by Robert Dominguez
Barbra Streisand, homewrecker? That's never been a part of the pop diva's resume, but Streisand unwittingly plays a role in the disintegration of a Hollywood marriage in "Barbra's Wedding," an uneven, mildly amusing comedy by Daniel Stern.

[ B ]  Heat Lightning review by William Stevenson

[ P ]  Ti Voglio Bene! Nine Revival Gets Cast Album on PS Classics Label

[ V ]  Pacino stages turn on B'way in 'Salome'
Specifically, at the Barrymore. This is supported by yesterday's mention on All That Chat! (thanks BDBoston) that Enchanted April was most likely moving to the Belasco.

[ V ]  'Urinetown' in Killer's pipeline to bigscreen - Lyricists Hollman, Kotis to draft screenplay
Continuing the Gotham-based indie production stable's association with cutting-edge musicals, Killer Films is partnering with stage producers the Araca Group to bring Tony-winning Broadway cult tuner "Urinetown" to the screen.
posted at 3/6/2003 07:19:13 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Wednesday, March 05, 2003

News:

[ P ]  Zanna, Don't! Didn't March 4, But It Will on March 5
Getting an alternate universe to run smoothly takes a lot of work, and for Zanna, Don't! there were technical kinks that couldn't be solved in time, prompting the scotching of the March 4 first preview.

[ P ]  Obie-Winning Playwright Unveils Latest Work, Suitcase, at Soho Rep, March 20-21

[ P ]  Drama Dept. Season to Include New Musical The Big Time, by Cohen and Beane

[ P ]  Schedule of Upcoming Broadway Openings

[ P ]  Kennedy Center to Mount Massive Tennessee Williams Festival, �Tennessee Williams Explored�: Summer 2004

[ P ]  Sondheim's Bounce to Bounce from Goodman to Kennedy Center in Fall

[ P ]  Three Tony Winners to Read Brian Friel�s Faith Healer March 10

[ B ]  Kennedy Center Sets Lineup for Williams Fest

Features:

[ P ]  Robert Sean Leonard Is Stuck, Dramatically

[ MN ]  Avant-garde director inspired by love of language by Karen D'Souza
Joseph Chaikin may be the grand old man of the avant-garde theater movement.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

Reviews:

[ B ]  DVDs: The Age of Anxiety by Ken Mandelbaum
TROUBLE IN TAHITI (BBC/Opus Arte)
posted at 3/5/2003 12:08:36 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ NYP ]  AT A MINIMUM, B'WAY SINGING COMPROMISE by MICHAEL RIEDEL
HERE'S the compromise that cooler heads in the theater business think will be forged tomorrow - around midnight (strike deadline!) - between Broadway producers and the musicians union.

[ ND ]  Broadway's Profitability Worries Take Center Stage by Tania Padgett

[ CST ]  Schumacher: 'Phantom' film remains alive by Cindy Pearlman
Now the haunting question: Banderas was rumored for years to have been the first choice to star. Is that still true? "Antonio is not doing this version," Schumacher told us, adding, "I haven't cast yet, but I want to go younger. Maybe Antonio was part of a past project. He was in 'Evita' and Andrew loves him, but he's not my Phantom."

[ NYT ]  Kennedy Center to Focus on Tennessee Williams by TODD S. PURDUM
New productions of "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" are part of next season's festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.

[ NYT ]  CBS Plans Expanded Coverage of the Tonys by BILL CARTER
CBS, which has split the Tony Award broadcast with PBS for five years, will carry all three hours of the ceremony in June.

[ R ]  Restyled 'Hair' to Do National Theater Tour by Robert Hofler
NEW YORK (Variety) - Michael Butler, the musical's original Broadway producer, has acquired the rights for a national tour of the rock tuner, beginning in September.

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
THE producers of "Hairspray" don't have the option of casting Kelly Osbourne in the starring role.
Sixth item.

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
"Nothing Like A Dame" (fourth item).

[ YN ]  Archerd: Hollywood raises cash for Democrat by Army Archerd
"Chicago" has got all of showbiz infected with music -- and now the SAG Awards will have a tribute segment to actors who sing, those we never expected to hear warble in one of their movies.
Second item.
Plus news of an all-star, one-night version of "Hair."

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: MARCH 5

[ P ]  Feinstein Celebrates Loesser March 5 at Carnegie Hall; Callaway, Lippa Join In Tribute

[ P ]  Cook's Mostly Sondheim Will Now Arrive on DVD/VHS May 20

[ P ]  In Shadow of Streisand's Wedding, A Couple's Marriage Is Tested

[ P ]  Girl Singer Clooney Is Heart of New Musical, A Dash of Rosemary!, March 5-16 in NYC

[ P ]  Paper Doll, Starring Dixie Carter, Begins at CT's Long Wharf, March 5-April 6

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Nothing Like a Dame: Curtain Call

[ P ]  Rosemary Harris Among Performers Sharing Age-Old Wit & Wisdom, Starting March 5 Off-Bway

[ P ]  Elvis Meets Ovid in Off-Bway Musical, Heat Lightning, Opening March 5

[ P ]  Turnaround Extends with Silverman and "Good Morning Miami" Actor Feuerstein in CA

[ P ]  Broadway Grosses: Feb. 24 - March 2

Features:

[ USA ]  'Chicago' songwriting team took faith and ran with it by Elysa Gardner

[ LM ]  WATCHING �EM SWEAT by Leonard Maltin
It�s not that I hated Chicago; it�s just that I�m getting tired of hearing the stars talk about how hard they worked. And, I�ll admit, I�m put off by the number of people I hear buzzing about how surprised they are at the actors� musical skills.

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia recalls his days as a schoolteacher, when he used musical theater as an educational tool.

[ DN ]  It's Royal showtime at the Apollo by JOE NEUMAIER
Rushdie saga of India is arriving uptown

[ NYP ]  GRIEVIN' STEPHEN by BARBARA HOFFMAN
WHY does this man look so unhappy?
"I have a lot of issues," says Stephen Adly Guirgis (pronounced GEAR-gis).

[ NYP ]  PLAY WITH FOOD by BARBARA HOFFMAN
THE play is called "Vincent in Brixton," but it might as well be "Van Gogh By the Stove" for all the cooking, chopping and stirring going during the performance.

[ INQ ]  Lessons From Louis by Desmond Ryan
"Ambassador Satch," now playing the Prince Music Theater, began as a school project sketching the great jazzman's inspirational life. The show is an education - and hits high notes as entertainment.

[ R ]  Wizard McKellen Returns to London Stage

[ B ]  Photo Op: A Starry Line-Up of Broadway Dames

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ DP ]  Denver actress hits jackpot: Banderas, Broadway by John Moore
Rachel DeBenedet in rehearsals for revival of 'Nine'

[ DMN ]  Channing moves from stages to pages by TOM SIME
With a new book and new fianc�, Carol Channing isn't slowing down yet

Reviews:

[ DN ]  Trying to untangle her knotty love life by Robert Dominguez
With her midlife hangups, boyfriend problems and a biological clock that's quickly counting down, the borderline neurotic at the center of "String Fever" could easily be one of "Sex and the City's" catty quartet.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'DIRTY STORY'
Bedfellows Tangled on a Field of Battle by BEN BRANTLEY
John Patrick Shanley has created one of the liveliest, boldest and funniest studies ever of a subject that even hard-core satirists approach on tiptoe.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'SCATTERGOOD'
A Dedicated Pupil for a Professor of Seduction by BRUCE WEBER
Anto Howard's rickety new play focuses on a Irish professor of medieval English literature who is an entertaining speechifier.

[ LAT ]  Dancing as fast as they can by Philip Brandes
Pagan spirit -- and strong performances -- drive the Rubicon Theatre's delicate dance of hope and despair.
"Dancing at Lughnasa," with Susan Clark, Stephanie Zimbalist and Bonnie Franklin.
(Paging Seth Rudetsky!)
posted at 3/5/2003 08:16:22 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Tuesday, March 04, 2003

News:

[ P ]  Urban Cowboy Performs "Boots Scootin' Boogie" on "Today Show", March 14

[ P ]  NYC Revival of Musical Human Comedy Sold Out March 5-8; Benefit Tix Available

[ B ]  Public's As You Like It Announces Dates & Cast

Features:

[ TS ]  Centre stage and loving it by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Jeremy Kushnier starring in Toronto-bound musical hit Aida

[ HC ]  Designing Dixie by FRANK RIZZO
Actress Takes On Roles Of Women Who Ultimately Define A Piece Of Who She Is

[ BSUN ]  'BOOM!' never bombed, but it took time to become a hit by Michelle Jabes
Larson's life tale fell to wayside as 'Rent' became a hit

Reviews:

[ CU ]  Dirty Story Review

[ VV ]  THE RATIONAL PASTIME by Michael Feingold
Greenberg Wins the Pennant; Haring Gets Marketed Again
Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg; Radiant Baby by Stuart Ross, Ira Gasman, and Debra Barsha

[ VV ]  WE'RE 2! by Charles McNulty
Howard's Professor of Desire; O'Hara Gets Skittish
Anto Howard's Scattergood; Robert O'Hara's Booty Candy

[ VV ]  THROUGH THE FLAMES by Francine Russo
Kristin Marting's Erendira; Dawn Akemi Saito's Erendira
posted at 3/4/2003 05:48:44 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  First Person: Family Affair by Keira Naughton

[ B ]  Video: Nine Meets the Press

[ B ]  Video: Urban Cowboy Saddles Up

[ B ]  Video: Ma Rainey Returns to Broadway

[ TM ]  Photo File
Fabulous dames, a Broadway outfielder, a hot-hot-hot director, a legendary composer, and a really radiant baby.

News:

[ B ]  Hilary Swank to Take Wed. Miracle Matinees Off
The seven-performance schedule will allow Swank to "ease into her Broadway debut," according to a production spokesperson.

[ B ]  Abigail's Party Makes Way for Bomb-itty

[ P ]  Batt, Golden, McBroom and More to Sing 1939 Broadway Season March 17

[ P ]  The Story Added to Public Theater's 2003-04 Line-Up

[ P ]  Howard and Pisoni Lead Cast of Scrappy Public As You Like It Beginning March 25

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: The Play What I Wrote: The Tea What I Pour

[ P ]  London�s Corin Redgrave Discusses His Honour

[ P ]  "Chicago" The Movie 'Making Of' Featurette Online at IFILM

[ P ]  Confirmed: MTC's Got Rhythm, Violet Hour, Drowning Crow and More in 2003-04
posted at 3/4/2003 04:05:33 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ B ]  David Leveaux Tapped to Helm Fiddler Revival

[ B ]  The Rhythm Club Resurfaces Off-B'way at MTC

[ P ]  Powerful Theatre Agent George Lane Leaves William Morris for CAA

[ P ]  Christiane Noll to Star in Encores!� New Moon

[ P ]  Ebersole, Greene, Kimball and Finley Win 2003 Bistro Awards; Complete List of Winners Announced

[ P ]  Elegies Star Betty Buckley to Appear in New Feature Film

[ P ]  Chicago Stars to Teach Musical�s Choreography at Crunch

Reviews:

[ B ]  CDs: La Pelirroja by Ken Mandelbaum
REDHEAD (Fynsworth Alley)

Features:

[ TB ]  Cabaret Interview with Bobby Belfry by Jonathan Frank
posted at 3/4/2003 12:19:04 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ S ]  BACK TO THE BOARDS
In an increasingly flat-screen world, stars like Al Pacino and Gwyneth Paltrow look to theater for a human connection. Will the rest of us follow?
posted at 3/4/2003 11:02:10 AM by Bill Jennings | Item Link

News:

[ V ]  CAA STROLLING TO LEGIT LANE
Too early to know which clients to follow former WMA agent
In a surprise move with significant implications for New York theater and the agency business, William Morris Agency theater topper George Lane has ankled the percentery for Creative Artists Agency.

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
VETERAN Broadway agent George Lane has left William Morris after decades at the talent agency.
Third item.

[ R ]  Audiences Hibernate as Broadway Takes a Dip
'Aida,' 'Beauty' fade at B.O. by Robert Hofler
NEW YORK (Variety) - Broadway appears to have gone Wall Street as March audiences are certainly bearish. Most of Broadway's 26 shows suffered big declines at the box office last week.

[ R ]  Club Gets 'Rhythm'
Playwrights at work on a stage version of 'Get Shorty' by Robert Hofler
NEW YORK (Variety) - One good club deserves another. "The Rhythm Club" opens its doors at the Manhattan Theater Club next season.

[ NYT ]  Horst Buchholz, German Actor, Dies at 69
Horst Buchholz's Hollywood credits included roles in Billy Wilder's cold war satire "One, Two, Three" and "The Magnificent Seven."

[ IBDB ]  Horst Buchholz's Broadway Credits
And in a rare typo for the IBDB, there are also Broadway credits listed for a Horst "Bucholz" (with one H).

[ NYT ]  Elaine Barrie, 87, Dies; Married Barrymore by DOUGLAS MARTIN
Elaine Barrie was the fourth wife of the Shakespearean actor John Barrymore. Their tumultuous on-again, off-again engagement and marriage enthralled the nation.

[ WP ]  Appreciation
A Theater's Class Act by Megan Rosenfeld
Frankie Hewitt, Stage Mother to Ford's

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
David & Liza's 1,200 best pals on guest list

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: MARCH 4

[ P ]  Viva La Diva Salutes the �Diva� March 10 at Avery Fisher Hall

[ P ]  Hear Sam Mendes Biographer on "Radio Playbill" March 4-10

[ P ]  Lillias White, Debbie Allen, B.J. Crosby Honor Bway'sBlack Beauties in March 17 Benefit

[ P ]  Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Musical Zanna, Don't! Sings of Love, Starting March 4

[ P ]  X'd Explores Being Mormon and Gay, at Coconut Grove March 4-May 11

[ P ]  Caffeine, Codependence and Customer Service Heat Up Cafe Society Off-Broadway, March 13

[ P ]  Assisted Suicide Is Focus of Killing Louise, Premiering Off-Bway, March 4-29

Features:

[ DN ]  It's a new star mission: Mulgrew as Hepburn by PATRICIA O'HAIRE

[ DN ]  McDormand plays this, that & the mother by BETH PINSKER

[ WP ]  The Rhoda Not Taken by Jane Horwitz
Valerie Harper Cracks Upscale In 'The Tale of the Allergist's Wife'

[ DFP ]  From Supreme to surprising: Mary Wilson stars in sexual 'Vagina Monologues' BY CASSANDRA SPRATLING
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

Reviews:

[ ATW ]  Cynthia Nixon Shines in Science Driven String Fever

[ B ]  String Fever Review by Adam Feldman

[ INQ ]  Well, hello, Satchmo by Desmond Ryan
Andr� De Shields conjures Louis Armstrong back to vibrant and captivating life in Ambassador Satch, but the show has to struggle with the inescapable fact of what happened to the jazz icon's image after his death 32 years ago.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW
Recent Plays
Four plays address magical realism, sexual foibles, self-identity and being black and female.
Erendira, Far and Wide, One Million Butterflies and For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf.

[ TM ]  Erendira Reviewed By: Brooke Pierce

[ CU ]  Erendira Review

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'HIGH PRIEST OF CALIFORNIA'
Life in a 50's Apartment, Rendered in Noir and White by BRUCE WEBER
The script of "High Priest of California" has holes, but the production is terrifically attuned to the noir spirit of the writer Charles Willeford.

[ TM ]  Cyrano Reviewed By: Philip Hopkins

[ NYP ]  SAINT WITH PAINT by DONALD LYONS
For all its infectious energy, "Radiant Baby" lacks a coherent take either on Haring's art - we are shown lots of it in quick takes - or on the decade he came to symbolize.

[ USA ]  Despite a few bad hops, 'Take Me Out' looks like a hit by Elysa Gardner

[ ATW ]  CDs: First Lady Suite Haunting, Powerful0
posted at 3/4/2003 08:15:18 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Monday, March 03, 2003

News:

[ P ]  Rodgers & Hart's Spring Is Here Gets Orchestral Reading March 20 in Hope of Recording

[ TM ]  Vive La Louise: Pitre to Highlight First World Cabaret Show at Town Hall

[ YN ]  Barry Bostwick Receives Cancer Institute Award

[ R ]  West End Links with Small Theaters to Beat Racism by Barbara Lewis
London's big West End theaters are forming a rare alliance with smaller playhouses to tackle the problem of racism in Britain's theater management.

Features:

[ TB ]  Aladdin at Disneyland Review by Sharon Perlmutter

I'll be on vacation from Wednesday through Sunday. During my absence, Susan will be picking up the slack... right, Susan?

Susan?   :-)

posted at 3/3/2003 08:58:26 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ USA ]  'Hairspray' prep: Kind of a drag
Tim is slacking off on the job again, how did he miss this story? : )

posted at 3/3/2003 06:30:07 PM by Susan Heim | Item Link

News:

[ B ]  Master Harold Confirms Run at the Booth

[ SFC ]  Oakland is one of stars of TV pilot: Danny Glover plays lead in cop drama

[ ATW ]  U.S. Theater Critics Select Six Finalists for the 2002 New Play Award

[ TM ]  Lyricist David Zippel Signs With Williamson Music

[ P ]  Isabel Keating Joins Jackman and Fowler in Broadway's Boy from Oz Musical

Features:

[ B ]  Q&A: Clare Higgins by Melissa Rose Bernardo

[ BS ]  Bistro Bits: Play to Your Strengths
"Do you want to take a chance that we could be wilder than the ocean?" Tracy Stark asked in "Walk This World," the first of the songs she pulled from her bag at Don't Tell Mama recently.

Reviews:

[ ATW ]  Radiant Baby Paints Only Faint Picture of Haring

[ CU ]  Radiant Baby Review

[ ATW ]  Snow White A Beauty for Kids and Parents Alike

[ ATW ]  'Sons of Ulster' Terrific Acting Can't Win Theatrical War
posted at 3/3/2003 05:25:22 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Photo Op: The Play What I Wrote Offers Tickets and Tea

[ B ]  Photo Op: Tick, tick on Tour

[ TM ]  Divide and Conquer by: David Finkle
Brit scribe David Edgar expounds on his "great American play," Continental Divide.

News:

[ B ]  Suggs Visits Our House for a Week

[ B ]  Finley & Kimball Win Bistro Awards for Spotlight Shows

[ B ]  Isabel Keating to Play Judy Garland in B'way's Oz

[ P ]  Madness Lead Singer Suggs to Join London�s Our House Cast

[ P ]  Imogen Stubbs Says Mum's the Word About New West End Show

[ P ]  Courtenay Extends Run in London�s Pretending

[ P ]  There Is Nothing Like a Dame March 3 at St. James Theatre

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Take Me Out: Batter Up!

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Take Me Out: Play Ball!

[ P ]  Adam Arkin and Jeff Goldblum Star in Mamet's Speed-The-Plow in L.A., March 12-16
posted at 3/3/2003 03:31:19 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ B ]  Bounce Bouncing to D.C.? by Ken Mandelbaum

[ P ]  Actors Across the World Protest Iraq War March 3, With Help From Aristophanes

[ P ]  Frankie Hewitt, Instrumental in Relighting Ford's Theatre for Shows, Dead at 71

[ P ]  New Frauleins: Mariette Hartley and Jane Summerhays Join Cabaret, March 7

[ P ]  Miramax�s �Chicago� Dances Past $100 Million Mark at Box Office

[ P ]  Long Day's Journey Tix Go on Sale March 9

Reviews:

[ B ]  Dirty Story Review by William Stevenson
posted at 3/3/2003 12:25:45 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ B ]  Musicians Strike Deadline Delayed Four Days

[ V ]  PRODUCERS JOIN 'CHICAGO' CHORUS
Kudos a reliable Oscar indicator
The homicidal hoofers of "Chicago" kicked up their heels again Sunday night, as the Producers Guild of America named the musical best picture. The choice, announced at the conclusion of ceremonies at the Century Plaza Hotel, gave "Chicago" producer Martin Richards the PGA's Darryl F. Zanuck producer of the year award.

[ DN ]  Marshall razzle-dazzles his peers by Jack Matthews
Somebody finally realized that the brilliant runaway box-office hit and prohibitive Oscar favorite "Chicago" did not direct itself.

[ NYP ]  'CHICAGO' WINS MORE TOP AWARDS by LOU LUMENICK
"Chicago" razzle-dazzled two key film industry groups over the weekend, widening its Oscar lead with awards from the Producers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
More on "Chicago" (third item).

[ B ]  Rob Marshall Wins DGA Award for Chicago

[ P ]  "Chicago" Director Rob Marshall Wins Directors Guild Award; "Fosse" Also Tapped

[ DN ]  Staging a protest at BAM and beyond by LANCE GOULD
Call it a Big Fat Greek Reading.

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
KELLY Osbourne loved "Hairspray" so much, she wants to be the next Tracy Turnblad.
Third item.

[ NYT ]  Frankie Hewitt, 71, Catalyst For Revival of Ford's Theater, Dies by ELIZABETH OLSON
Frankie Hewitt spearheaded the revival of Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C., and turned it into a showplace for plays and musicals.

[ NYT ]  Anne Burr McDermott, 84, Early TV Actress, Dies
Anne Burr McDermott, who as Anne Burr was a leading lady on Broadway and radio and in early television in the 1940's and 50's.

[ IBDB ]  Anne Burr's Broadway Credits

[ NYT ]  Thomas W. Phipps, 89, Television Writer, Dies
Thomas W. Phipps was a versatile playwright and writer for films and television.

[ IBDB ]  Thomas W. Phipps' Broadway Credits

[ P ]  Stephen Schwartz's Family Musical, Captain Louie, Sings in NYC March 3-4

[ P ]  Nixon's Fever Peaks; Ensemble Studio Theatre Show Opens March 3

[ P ]  Brooklyn's GAles GAtes et al Holds "Odyssey" Inspired Readings March 3-24

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia remembers seldom noted performances by Zoe Caldwell, Lewis J. Stadlen, and others.

[ TB ]  Anne Runolfsson Interview by Jonathan Frank

[ NYT ]  GOOD COMPANY
For Dessert, Jeremy Irons Sang for His Supper by RUTH LA FERLA
Edmee Firth is that New York rarity, a hands-on hostess, clever at imposing order on even the diciest circumstances.

[ DP ]  Alan Ayckbourn sees future for humor Interview by John Moore
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

Reviews � "Radiant Baby":

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'RADIANT BABY'
An Artist's Energy, Subdued Only by Death by BEN BRANTLEY
George C. Wolfe's musical about artist Keith Haring never brings either Haring or his world into crisp focus, relying instead on artist-bio clich�s.

[ ND ]  Artist Delivers an Ill-Conceived 'Baby' by Linda Winer
How lame is "Radiant Baby," which opened last night at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in a production so cliched that we keep checking the program to confirm that the laser-smart George C. Wolfe has actually directed? For starters, the story of the fast-living, boundary-breaking pop-art phenomenon - who died of AIDS in 1990 at 31 - is narrated by a Greek chorus of three children.

[ DN ]  Vibrant, well-drawn picture of Haring by Robert Dominguez
Pop-art icon Keith Haring gets the bio-musical treatment in "Radiant Baby," a flashy, razzle-dazzle portrait of the graffiti artist as a doomed young man.

[ NJ ]  Brilliant 'Baby' a bundle of joy BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
Glowing with youth and verve, a pleasure to look at and even better to listen to, "Radiant Baby" is a swift, smart musical that truly lives up to the adjective in its title.

[ YN ]  'Radiant Baby' Maintains Frenetic Pace by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic
Undulating infants. Barking dogs. Dancing figures of all kinds. Keith Haring's art has a jubilant, kinetic quality that automatically makes you smile.
That movement, if not much of the joy, is present in "Radiant Baby," a strident new musical about the pop artist which opened Sunday at off-Broadway's Public Theater.

[ TB ]  Radiant Baby Review by Matthew Murray

[ TM ]  Radiant Baby Reviewed By: David Finkle

[ B ]  Radiant Baby Review by Adam Feldman

Other Reviews:

[ ND ]  'Snow' Is Wicked Fun for Kids and Grown-Ups by Gordon Cox

[ NYer ]  REALITY THEATRE by HILTON ALS
The Wooster Group rewrites Chekhov.

[ LAT ]  The definition of a diva by David C. Nichols
Veteran Barbara Cook rules the room in her charming, spot-on performance of 'Mostly Sondheim.'
posted at 3/3/2003 08:06:37 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Sunday, March 02, 2003

[ P ]  Broadway Musicians Union Extends Contract Deadline to Midnight March 6 as Talks Continue
posted at 3/2/2003 06:57:05 PM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

[ V ]  Rodgers fete fails to forge B'way hit - Centennial celebration ends quietly as two revivals close by Charles Isherwood
As anyone who has planned a birthday party knows, the occasions don't always turn out to be as festive as expected. The centennial celebration for Richard Rodgers, the most successful composer in Broadway history, is a painful case in point -- at least from the Broadway perspective.
posted at 3/2/2003 03:34:33 PM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

News:

[ R ]  'Chicago' Director Wins Directors Guild Award by Arthur Spiegelman
First-time director Rob Marshall won the Director's Guild feature film directing award on Saturday for his musical "Chicago," making him the favorite in the battle for Oscar gold later this month.
Marshall thanked the star-studded cast of the Miramax musical as well as the directors of Hollywood's almost lost tradition of musicals including Robert Wise ("West Side Story") and Vincente Minnelli ("Gigi") and the Broadway choreographer of the original "Chicago," Bob Fosse.
"I stand here because of them," Marshall said.

[ ND ]  Broadway Musician Walkout Looming by Tania Padgett
Strike possible as early as tomorrow

[ NYP ]  NOTEWORTHY STRIKE VOTE by MICHAEL RIEDEL and HASANI GITTENS

[ ND ]  Humans Make Sweetest Music by Jimmy Breslin

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
Laughs in order for Orbach
An all-Broadway column, including an update/correction on Ruthie Henshall and some great news about Donna Murphy.

[ B ]  Radiant Baby Extends to March 23 at the Public

[ P ]  Pomp and Circumstance Over, The Graduate Closes March 2 on Bway

[ P ]  Buckley, Carmello and Rupert Sing William Finn's Elegies at LCT, Beginning March 2

[ P ]  New Musical Radiant Baby Is Birthed at Public Theater, March 2

[ P ]  A Streetcar Named Desire � the Ballet � Makes NYC Debut, in Brooklyn, March 2

Features:

[ B ]  Photo Op: Rob Marshall Gets Walled at Sardi's

[ P ]  Eric Grode's STAGE TO SCREEN: "Chicago" and the Oscars

[ NYT ]  Inspired by Dench, Now She's Inspiring van Gogh by MATT WOLF
Clare Higgins, who caught the acting bug watching Dame Judi Dench in "The Winter's Tale," turns heads in "Vincent in Brixton."

[ ND ]  Vincent's Landlady by Blake Green
The older woman in the legend of van Gogh's Brixton love affair comes to Broadway

[ ND ]  A Turning Point Of Impressions by Ariella Budick
Vincent van Gogh arrived in London in 1873 as a 20-year-old businessman.

[ NYT ]  A Starship Captain Gets to Play a Star by RON JENKINS
Kate Mulgrew, formerly of "Star Trek," now plays Katharine Hepburn in the one-woman "Tea at Five," now in previews Off Broadway.

[ NYT ]  IN THE MAGAZINE
The Sound of Fury by BRUCE WEBER
Stephen Adly Guirgis became perhaps America's best young playwright by giving voice to a distinctly New York rage � anguished, conflicted and funny in spite of itself.

[ NYT ]  The Prime of Frances McDormand by KAREN DURBIN
Frances McDormand has made 26 films. She's gifted, versatile and utterly distinctive, but cinematically she's been underused.

[ NYT ]  A Critic Reading His Critics by BERNARD HOLLAND
Some letters from readers are very nice, some genuinely instructive. But others are alarmingly vicious.

[ DN ]  The quiet Canadian by Howard Kissel
B'way composer Galt MacDermot's work does all the shouting

[ DN ]  Viva Virginia! by PATRICK GILES
Currently appearing in 'The Hours,' Mrs. Woolf is now the subject of a play

[ ND ]  Fast Chat: Neil Patrick Harris

[ ND ]  Pop Art Darling by Blake Green
It's safe to assume that Keith Haring, the cheeky '80s gay pop artist and downtown- scene denizen, never had a love affair with the woman who was his assistant. But her influence is apparent in "Radiant Baby," a show, like "Vincent in Brixton," inspired by an art-world figure.

[ BG ]  The outlaw comes in by Geoff Edgers
With his first season underway, proactive ART director Robert Woodruff sticks to his guns

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ MST ]  Broadway, her way: Linda Eder maintains a Minnesota manner in the Big Apple by Jon Bream

[ SFC ]  Happily off Broadway by Aidin Vaziri
Interview with Ute Lemper.

[ MN ]  The glory of Mel by Karen D'Souza
IT'S SPRINGTIME FOR BROOKS AND HIS THEATER OF THE ABSURD BUT BOFFO

[ PP ]  Pinchot succeeds in putting Balki behind him BY DOMINIC P. PAPATOLA

[ IS ]  'Superstar' leads draw on careers by Peter Szatmary
Sebastian Bach and Carl Anderson.

Reviews:

[ TB ]  Night Ether Review by Matthew Murray

TV tonight: Betty Garrett is the featured guest on "Becker" on CBS.
posted at 3/2/2003 10:21:52 AM by Tim Dunleavy | 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