Saturday, July 12, 2003

Features:

[ BSUN ]  A new part, a brush with fame by J. Wynn Rousuck
Aja Maria Johnson, 12, goes from Baltimore to Broadway Saturday as 'Hairspray's' new Inez

[ KCS ]  Still 'Thoroughly Modern' by ROBERT TRUSSELL
Darcie Roberts enjoying playing Millie again
Thanks to jim on All That Chat for the link!

[ NHA ]  Very Good Eddie by JOSHUA MAMIS
Very old story. Very well told. Very well sung and danced. Very Goodspeed.
That could well be the review of this 1915 chestnut after it officially opens at the appropriately Victorian Goodspeed Opera House, on the banks of the Connecticut--not the Hudson--River.

[ NHA ]  Getting The Playwright by CHRISTOPHER ARNOTT
It's a retreat, a laboratory, and a no-pressure place to perfect a play. But rather than barring the gates and keeping the writers under wraps, the annual National Playwrights conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center welcomes live audiences and their input.

[ PC ]  Curtain Call by CHARLES HIX
The Westport Country Playhouse readies for its Second Act

[ TS ]  Opa! Moonstruck no more by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Olympia Dukakis writes unflinching tell-all memoir

Reviews:

[ WE ]  What a beautiful 'Oklahoma!' BY BUD NORMAN
Music Theatre of Wichita's exuberant production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic continues this weekend.
With Matt Bogart and Jessica Boevers.
Thanks to Wayne Bryan for the link.

[ CT ]  Out-of-towners add zip to 'Plaid' by Chris Jones
Daniel Cochran (Frankie), Cullen R. Titmas (Sparky) and Jim Weitzer (Smudge) are all fine, but Paul Castree stands out as Jinx. Castree, who has a bevy of Broadway credits, has a beautiful voice, an ebullient personality and a memorable presence.

[ HC ]  Bold `Stillborn Lover' A Play Of Timely Ideas by MALCOLM JOHNSON
A strange relationship has grown up between Richard Chamberlain and the Berkshire Theatre Festival.

[ NYT ]  TV REVIEW
Transforming Frogs and Teenagers by RON WERTHEIMER
This weekend offers two life-affirming fables. Each of these television films telegraphs its trajectory within minutes.
Includes "Prince Charming," with Martin Short, Andrea Martin and Bernadette Peters.

News:

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 12

[ P ]  Gravitte and Luker Team for Bravo Broadway! Concert in July

[ P ]  Carol Burnett to Sign and Discuss "One More Time" at NYC Barnes and Noble

[ P ]  Tony Kushner to Discuss Homebody/Kabul at Chicago Booksigning, July 14

[ P ]  How Much Is That Doggie in the Alley?: Broadway Barks in Shubert Alley July 12

[ P ]  New Bill Irwin Work Mr. Fox Plays in Final Week of O�Neill Theater Fest in CT
posted at 7/12/2003 10:53:42 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Friday, July 11, 2003

Features:

[ LAT ]  Pulling a rabbit out of his hat by Mike Boehm
Charles Durning brings his acting magic to the stage version of Elwood P. Dowd, challenging the signature role long owned by Jimmy Stewart.

[ LAT ]  Songs in a family album by Irene Lacher
Lorna Luft finds liberation in embracing her mother Judy Garland's legacy with a full-scale theatrical tribute.
Includes audio clips.

[ Z ]  Mandy Patinkin Is Dancing on His Grave on 'Dead Like Me'

[ BS ]  Summer Theatre Festivals: Diverse as Snowflakes
With summer upon us, can theatre festivals be far behind? This season there are more than 300 events. Here's a sampling.

News:

[ YN ]  Barkin to 'Strip' for HBO
Emmy winner Ellen Barkin, Tony winner Patti LuPone, Rashida Jones, Kerry Washington and Robert Clohessy have joined the cast of the Sidney Lumet-directed HBO movie "Strip Search."

[ P ]  Rent Plays 3,000th Bway Performance July 11

[ ATW ]  A.S.K. in CA to Shut Doors Sept. 30

Reviews:

[ CU ]  The Stillborn Lover Review

[ TM ]  The Angel Project Reviewed By: Philip Hopkins

[ ATW ]  Oedipus, Offered Free-of-Charge, Worthwhile Telling

[ ATW ]  Lardner and Trumbo Explore 'Naming Names'
posted at 7/11/2003 09:29:49 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ P ]  Lyceum Will Be Harvey's Bway Hutch, Beginning Previews Sept. 25

[ P ]  X'd Nixed for Midsummer Bow Off-Bway, But Tale of Gay Mormon Will Arrive in September

[ P ]  "Office Space" Boss Gary Cole Stars in The Country at La Jolla Playhouse, July 29-Aug. 31

Reviews:

[ TM ]  The Siegels' Nightlife Notes
The Siegels enjoy a roast, a Barry Manilow birthday party, and an evening with Mary Stout.

Features:

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Gypsy: Camp Broadway
posted at 7/11/2003 05:22:33 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ P ]  Uptown-Bound: Director Moore Preps Avenue Q for a Broadway Upgrade
"I think the charm of the show is that it's homegrown," Avenue Q director Jason Moore told Playbill On-Line.

[ P ]  DIVA TALK: A Chat with "Match Game" Star Brett Somers Plus Divas on Video!

News:

[ P ]  Mame Will Play Minneapolis in August 2004 Prior to Broadway; Who'll Play Auntie?

[ P ]  Wonderful Town, with Murphy, Is Again a Broadway Possibility

[ P ]  Report: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Woman Will Get Reading in England

[ P ]  "Backstreet Boy" to Join Chicago Tour

[ P ]  Judi Dench to Return to the Stratford Stage in December

[ P ]  Join in Our Crusade? French Artists Strike Cancels Summer Theatre Festival d'Avignon

[ P ]  "Theater Talk" Spotlights Take Me Out July 11

[ P ]  Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles Celebrate Elton John in Rocket Man, July 11-13

[ P ]  LuPone and McDonald Passion Finds Its Giorgio

[ B ]  Judi Dench Returns to the RSC in All's Well

[ B ]  I Am My Own Wife Extends Again at Playwrights

[ P ]  PBOL'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, July 5-11: Beginner's Luck
posted at 7/11/2003 02:50:34 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ STARS ]  AS THE HIT MUSICAL SETTLES INTO LOS ANGELES, RANDY SKINNER DISCUSSES THE NEW 42ND STREET by ELLIS NASSOUR
There's more than one new 42nd Street. Of course, there's the post-Disney, neon-lit galore 42nd Street. And then there's the other new 42nd Street, the smash 2001 revival of the 1980 dance spectacular. The tour production opens today at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre. Once again at the helm are director/co-writer Mark Bramble and 2001 Tony-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner. Skinner and Bramble worked the 1980 David Merrick production, which played 3,486 performances on Broadway, with additional sit-downs and tours around the world. They were determined to bring something fresh and daring to the revival.

News:

[ B ]  One More Walk Along the Boulevard by Ken Mandelbaum
Mentioned as possibilities for the cast of Barry Manilow's Harmony for its forthcoming run at Fort Lauderdale's Parker Playhouse are Brian d'Arcy James, Stephen R. Buntrock, Erin Dilly, Janine LaManna, and James Barbour. Buntrock and Dilly co-starred in the U.S. tour of Martin Guerre, and Buntrock understudied Barbour in Jane Eyre. Buntrock was recently seen on Broadway in Oklahoma!, succeeding Patrick Wilson, who was in Harmony when it was first produced, at the La Jolla Playhouse in 1997.

[ NYT ]  Strikes Shut Down French Festivals by ALAN RIDING
After more than a week of disruptions and protests by striking actors, France's two most popular summer arts festivals were canceled on Thursday.

[ LAT ]  Delivering a children's theater by Irene Lacher
Big names back conversion of Beverly Hills post office.

[ LAT ]  CalArts theater dean resigns by Scott Timberg
Susan Solt, dean of the school of theater at CalArts and the school's Center for New Theater, has resigned. She will take a position on the faculty and work as dramaturge in the theater writing program headed by playwright Suzan-Lori Parks.

[ BG ]  Silent partner is golden for play; a woman of iron stops in Arlington by Carol Beggy & Mark Shanahan
We were interested to learn that Bruce Colley is an investor in ''Pieces of Ass,'' an Off-Broadway show that opened last night at Theater 80 in New York. (Colley, you'll recall, is the polo-playing Harvard alum who's been identified as the man in Kerry Kennedy Cuomo's life -- aside, of course, from her husband, Andrew Cuomo.)

[ BG ]  A charged look at art, fame, and power by Maureen Dezell
Boston writer James Costa's new play, ''The Negative Edible,'' is getting a star-studded reading on Nantucket July 19.
Final item.

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Despite conflicting reports from Chicago, Filichia is optimistic that Sondheim and Prince will make Bounce fly.

[ NYP ]  CAROL ROSEGG; 'BAD DATES' & FEET OF PLAY by BARBARA HOFFMAN
BAD dates, great shoes. As Haley, the spunky single mom of Theresa Rebeck's off-Broadway hit, "Bad Dates," actress Julie White has both, in spades.

[ BG ]  Taking in the wonder of Pizzarelli by Steve Greenlee

[ CCT ]  Elaine Stritch shares her hard-knock life by PAT CRAIG
ELAINE STRITCH gets the first question -- a quick jab to the heart of the matter.
"How old are you?" she asks near the beginning of our phone conversation.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link.

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  LINCOLN CENTER FESTIVAL REVIEW | 'MYTHOS'
Greek Verities Endure as Times and Players Change by MARGO JEFFERSON
The impressively thoughtful "Mythos" freely adapts "The Oresteia" of Aeschylus to evoke the long cycle of war and hatred in the Middle East.

[ LAT ]  CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK
Quiet! by Lewis Segal
Pop music, Broadway and even opera have succumbed to over-amplification. Listeners are fleeing into the night.

[ BG ]  Earnest play serves a slice of tennis ace's complex life by Ed Siegel
WILLIAMSTOWN -- The tennis champion Bill Tilden used to write stories, novels, and plays with titles like ''Foot Fault'' that conjured up the sport he mastered. If A.R. Gurney had followed suit in his new play, which is receiving its world premiere here, it would be called ''The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name.'' Or just ''Out!''

[ BE ]  Pretense is all in 'Stillborn Lover' by Jeffrey Borak

[ ATU ]  'Stillborn Lover' fails to come to life by MICHAEL ECK
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link.

[ ND ]  Angels in Manhattan by Linda Winer
"The Angel Project" ultimately is an enchanting - even revelatory - way to wander privately through the city we think we know. For $90, one gets a sociology lesson, a scavenger hunt, a meditative reverie and an increasingly surreal trip through nine separate locations. One also gets tired and sweaty, achy and even a little lost. I find myself wondering about Lincoln Center's liability insurance.

[ DN ]  New York, New York, it's a halo town by Howard Kissel
"The Angel Project" sets out on a solitary journey that lasts two to three hours - partly by subway, mostly on foot.

[ NYP ]  HARLEM DEBUT NOT 'WOMAN' OF DISTINCTION by CLIVE BARNES
TAKING a chance doesn't al ways pay off, as Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theater of Harlem proved Tuesday when it boldly offered the world premiere of Michael Smuin's "St. Louis Woman."

[ ND ]  A Work of Seduction by Sylviane Gold
'St. Louis Woman' beguiles in premiere

[ NJ ]  Harlem corps resurrects Balanchine BY ROBERT JOHNSON

[ LAT ]  THEATER BEAT
Finding bravery in a life of banality
Reviews, including one of a bizarre-sounding Sondheim tribute at the Hollywood Feinstein's.
posted at 7/11/2003 10:23:00 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ P ]  Colorado Love Call: Bierko, Chenoweth, Ebersole Read Little Mary Sunshine in NYC July 11

[ P ]  Goodspeed Serves Vintage Kern Musical, Very Good Eddie, July 11-Oct. 5

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 11

[ P ]  "Working Girl": Melanie Griffith Arrives on Broadway July 11

[ P ]  Transfer to the Q: Musical Avenue Q, with Puppets and People, Moves to Broadway

[ P ]  Dance of the Vampires Star Opens Seattle ACT Season in Absurd Person Singular, July 11-Aug. 3

[ P ]  Honeymoon Extended: I Am My Own Wife Adds Two More Weeks, But Must Close Aug. 3

[ P ]  Murder! Murder! At Maine State, Jekyll & Hyde Stars Johnson, Bodnar, Fisher July 16-Aug. 2

Reviews:

[ YN ]  Revival of 'Earnest' Frantic, Foolish by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic
Silly and foolish aren't necessarily the same thing, but the Aquila Theatre Company's revival of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" manages to be both at the same time.

[ CU ]  The Best Plays of 2001-02 Review by Elyse Sommer
posted at 7/11/2003 12:24:47 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Thursday, July 10, 2003

[ STARS ]  AWARDS 2003: FUN WITH MATH by STEVEN M. ALPER
This week we'll manipulate the data from the Great-Big Summary Chart to achieve some pointless results (like proving Hollywood Arms was a bigger success than Hairspray).

News:

[ B ]  Stage Notes 07/08/03 by Paul Wontorek

[ P ]  Dianne Wiest Will Star Opposite Maggie Smith in Broadway's Breath of Life This Fall

[ P ]  Karen Black, Mike Burstyn Star in Allergist's Wife at Ogunquit Thru July 18

[ P ]  Behind the Politics: President Harding Is a Rock Star Plays in NYC, July 11-Aug. 3

[ P ]  Neva Small, Chad Kimball, Farah Alvin Read Beau Jest: The Musical July 14; FL Premiere Is Dec. 31

[ P ]  Rochester's Geva Has New Works in 2003-04, Including Musical Five-Course Love

[ P ]  The Arbus Family Converges for NY Fringe Offering Third Floor

Reviews:

[ CU ]  Ears On a Beatle Review

Features:

[ B ]  First Person: Sylvia's Edge by Angelica Torn
posted at 7/10/2003 06:13:02 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ P ]  9/11-Themed Play, That Day in September, Gets Summer Run at NYC's Lamb's July 15-Aug. 31

[ P ]  Skinner to Star in Laurel and Hardy Play in West End
Frank Skinner is to co-star in a play about Laurel and Hardy.
And how about Emily Skinner as Mae Busch? :-)

[ P ]  Jerry Springer Stars Chat About the Hit London Opera

[ P ]  Saskia Reeves Offers "Platform Performance" at London's National

[ P ]  New Henley Work Has Reg Rogers at NY Stage and Film, July 18-20

[ P ]  Katharine Hepburn Bio to Hit Stores July 11

[ P ]  Steppenwolf Presents a Reshaped Homebody/Kabul, Beginning July 10

[ P ]  Sail Away � with Tony winner Stritch � Hits Stores July 22

[ P ]  Broadway Taboo Still Searching for Its Marilyn

[ P ]  Gypsy Stars to Sing on NBC's "Weekend Today"

[ TM ]  Brights Lights, Big City in Concert September 14, 15

Features:

[ TB ]  Cabaret Interview: Steven Lutvak by Jonathan Frank
posted at 7/10/2003 02:27:14 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  LINCOLN CENTER FESTIVAL REVIEW | 'THE ANGEL PROJECT'
Where a Play's a Scavenger Hunt by BEN BRANTLEY
Deborah Warner's mystical walking tour of New York is the theatrical centerpiece and opening event of this year's Lincoln Center Festival.

[ NYP ]  THAT'S THE SPIRIT by RUSSELL SCOTT SMITH
NINETY dollars is a lot to pay for a walking tour of Midtown Manhattan, even one as fascinating and eerie as "The Angel Project."

[ NYT ]  LINCOLN CENTER FESTIVAL REVIEW | 'ST. LOUIS WOMAN'
Passion, Wrongs and Reconciliation in a Racetrack Saloon by ANNA KISSELGOFF
"St. Louis Woman: A Blues Ballet" is a gorgeous entertainment choreographed by Michael Smuin for Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theater of Harlem.

[ NJ ]  A show on the road to oblivion BY PETER FILICHIA
At Cape May Stage, here's how "Two for the Road: A Hellzapoppin' Vaudeville" begins.

[ P-D ]  "Ol' Man River" is "Show Boat" treat by JUDITH NEWMARK
At the Muny, with Andrea Burns, Lewis Cleale, Karen Morrow and Michel Bell. (See below for a feature interview with Michel Bell.)
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

[ TS ]  Contemporary drama at its A-list finest by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Between 1973 and 1975, a visionary producer named Eli Landau produced an amazing series of 14 films. They were all based on exciting works of contemporary drama, featured great stars of the day and were directed by some of the A-list talent of the time.
He called it The American Film Theatre.

Features:

[ NYT ]  A 20-Year Talk With Hepburn Is Being Published by DAVID CARR
For years everything was in place for the publication of "Kate Remembered," every thing save one.

[ NYT ]  In Maine, a Broadway Act With Lobsters by ALEX WITCHEL
Will Joe Allen, the man whose restaurants have provided late night refuge in major cities around the world for almost 40 years, draw crowds in Maine?

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Amour: CD Release Party

[ BS ]  More Than Words
The roots of improvisation are in listening, not being clever.

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ SD ]  OPERA LITE (VERY, VERY LITE) by Jennifer de Poyen
With 'Aida,' Paulette Ivory steps into a 'big singing role' - don't worry, she's ready

[ RFT ]  River Journey BY DENNIS BROWN
Michel Bell continues the legacy of a theater anthem

News:

[ NJ ]  As the Globe turns by Peter Filichia
African Globe TheatreWorks of Newark, which recently presented "You Shouldn't Have Told" at the vacant Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick, had such a success that it promises to bring more productions there during its 2003-2004 season.

[ B ]  Hank Williams to Close Earlier Than Expected

[ TM ]  Full Cast Announced for The Boy Friend at Bay Street

[ TM ]  Ripley, Cerveris, et al. to Perform in Sh-K-Boom Concert Series at the Zipper Theater

[ P ]  Kenneth Branagh Opens in London as Mamet's Edmond, July 10

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 10

[ P ]  Olympia Dukakis to Sign and Discuss Book at NYC Barnes and Noble

[ P ]  Steppenwolf 2003-04 Upstairs Season Has Nickel and Dimed

[ P ]  Reality TV Babes Stretch Their 15 Minutes at Off-Broadway's Pieces, July 10-Aug. 3

[ P ]  Songs My Mother Taught Me, Luft's Homage toGarland, Plays L.A. July 10-Aug. 3; Is Bway in the Future?

[ P ]  Hip Hop, Spoken Word, Urban Lives Explored in NYC's First Annual Urban Theatre Arts Fest, July 17-Aug. 17

[ P ]  Public Theater Benefit to Honor Top Theatre Lawyer John Breglio, July 15

[ P ]  Voice of "South Park" Brings Freedom of Speech to NY Fringe Festival
posted at 7/10/2003 08:13:50 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Wednesday, July 09, 2003

[ * ]  Sh-K-Boom Room At The Zipper Theater Summer Rock Concert Series
posted at 7/9/2003 08:58:48 PM by James Marino | Item Link

[ P ]  Hunter Foster Leaves Urinetown July 27 for Somewhere That's Green; Bobby Found in Creek

[ B ]  Luther Creek Enters Urinetown July 29

[ P ]  Hank Williams Hits the Highway, as Off-Broadway Run Closes July 13

[ B ]  Omnium-Gatherum Sets Off-Broadway Dates

[ P ]  Cullum Joins Wilder, Playwrights Horizons' "Erotic Chamber Musical," Starting Oct. 16

[ P ]  The Full Monty National Tour Starts Taking It off Again, Sep. 2

[ P ]  New Polly Pen Musical, Miller's Resurrection and Guirgis' 'A' Train on Philly Wilma Season

[ P ]  Tazewell Thompson Directs Old Settler at Westport, July 16-Aug. 2

[ P ]  Big River, 42nd Street, From My Hometown, Nine Kick off "Broadway in Bryant Park," July 10

[ P ]  Sundance Theatre Lab Casting Announced; New Plays Breathe in Utah Mountain Air to July 27

[ P ]  Karen Mason Brings New Show to King Kong Room in August

[ P ]  No Loitering: Avenue Q Offers Lottery for $21.25 Tickets

[ TM ]  The Storefront to Revive Gurney's Love Letters

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Harvey: Dick Van Patten
posted at 7/9/2003 03:05:53 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Preview '03-'04 #4: Skid Row Goes Uptown by Ken Mandelbaum

[ P ]  Rivera Revered
If there's any doubt in your mind that the sublime Chita Rivera is Broadway royalty, a trip to see Nine should clear things up.

[ TM ]  Ten Years in the Ice Factory by: Dan Bacalzo
The Obie Award-winning festival celebrates its 10th anniversary!

News:

[ P ]  Report: Greenberg Wants to Pen Screenplay of Take Me Out

[ P ]  Ruthie Henshall to Tour with Fosse

[ P ]  Zanna's Rodriguez is Culture Maven for Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"

[ P ]  Upstairs, Downstairs Drama at Chicago's Steppenwolf

[ P ]  Hamlisch to Lead McVey, Gravitte and More in Kennedy Center Concert Series

[ P ]  Tickets for Bway Little Shop of Horrors On Sale July 9
posted at 7/9/2003 11:52:19 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ NYP ]  BEN WANTS 'OUT'
HOLLYWOOD is calling on "Take Me Out," Richard Greenberg's Tony Award-winning Broadway play about a gay baseball player who comes out of the closet.
Ben Affleck is first among several Hollywood heavyweights who are said to be pursuing the movie rights.

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
NAOMI Campbell may have spoken too soon when she announced to the world that she was mulling an offer to star in "Chicago" on Broadway.
Fourth item.

[ INQ ]  Ticket sales gave theaters cause for applause by Douglas J. Keating
The economy continues to perform at a less than optimum level, but that doesn't seem to stop people from buying theater tickets. The recently concluded season was a good one at the box office for most area theaters.

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 9

[ P ]  Greenspan, Dobrish, Foundry Works in Off-Off-Bway Reading Series, July 9-Aug. 16

[ P ]  Birnam Wood Comes to Harlem, as Macbeth Begins Off-Broadway, July 9

[ P ]  Lili Taylor and Sherie Rene Scott Tour the Landscape of the Body in Williamstown, July 9

[ P ]  Bogardus, Bogart, Busch, Fraser, Lippa, Rivers and Rudetsky Among Love Letters Revival Cast

[ P ]  MTV's Musical Version of "Wuthering Heights," With Jim Steinman Songs, to Air in September

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia lists the 30 most powerful people (and other beings) in the world of musical theater.

[ TP ]  Georgia Stitt Interview
Thanks to Spidermonkey on All That Chat for the link!

Reviews:

[ BG ]  FBI, Lennon come together nicely by Karen Campbell
With "Ears on a Beatle," St. Germain (who also wrote the 1995 historical fantasy "Camping with Henry and Tom") has created both a character study and a compelling ethical/political exploration.

[ ATW ]  Lardner and Trumbo Explore "Naming Names" in Occupied 1940s France

[ ATW ]  Acting Elevates Heavy-Handed 'Daughter-in-Law'

[ TB ]  Kristin Chenoweth Wows 'em in Marin Concert by Richard Connema
posted at 7/9/2003 07:45:09 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Tuesday, July 08, 2003

News:

[ P ]  Go-Go Beach, the Musical, Gets a Tryout in Toronto, Aug. 8-17

Features:

[ WOS ]  Amanda Holden Shimmies into Town as Millie

[ VV ]  Joseph Chaikin (1935-2003)
He Made All That Happened to Him a Transcendent Experience by Michael Feingold

Reviews:

[ TS ]  Twelfth Night Of The Living Dead by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
"A super-pan," as Richard calls it.

[ VV ]  Divine Powers
Mary Zimmerman's Renaissance Jungle Gym; Will Power's Neighborhood by Tom Sellar
Mary Zimmerman's The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci; Will Power's Flow

[ CU ]  The Importance of Being Earnest Review
posted at 7/8/2003 05:31:54 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ P ]  Ellen Burstyn Begins on Broadway in Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, Oct. 17

[ P ]  International Flower Drum Song Tour Canceled

[ P ]  New Musical, Little Mercy's First Murder, Wins Big at 2003 Toronto Dora Awards

[ P ]  Be a Dentist: Douglas Sills Offered Role of Orin in Broadway Little Shop

[ B ]  Nunsense Launches Starry Anniversary Tour

[ B ]  Broadway Grosses: Red, White & Blues

[ B ]  Is Model Naomi Campbell Headed to Chicago?
posted at 7/8/2003 03:20:00 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ TM ]  Touched by an Angel
Director Deborah Warner talks with Gerard Raymond about her latest endeavor, The Angel Project.

News:

[ ES ]  Naomi off to Broadway
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been offered a starring role in the Broadway production of Chicago.
Thanks to leeinlondon on All That Chat for the link.
But no thanks to the Weisslers...

[ P ]  Original "Mama" � Marcia Lewis � to Return to Chicago
Then again, on second thought...

[ P ]  Fascinating Aida Offers Farewell Tour in U.K.

[ P ]  Noddy to Play U.K.'s Richmond Theatre

[ P ]  Sing Out, Louise!: Mamma Mia's Pitre Offers Concerts at Joe's Pub

[ P ]  Broadway Grosses: June 30-July 6

[ P ]  Bob Dylan Musical Forever Young To Play at London's Royal National Theatre

[ P ]  Toni Braxton Plays Six-Show Week in Aida

[ P ]  World Premiere Julia Jordan Play St. Scarlet Adds Performances

[ P ]  Mazzie, Prince and Barrowman Sing Herman on PBS Tribute July 8

[ TM ]  MCC Announces 2003-2004 Season
posted at 7/8/2003 12:29:30 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ V ]  BROADWAY IS FEELING BIZ SLUMP
'Nine,' 'Journey,' 'Aida' avoid holiday letdown
Broadway felt its first significant post-Tony slump last week, bringing in $12,839,123, down $829,384 or 6.1% from the previous week. The drop was due in part to the Fourth of July holiday, which typically sees ticket sales slow; theaters were mostly dark on Friday night.

Features:

[ NYT ]  A Portrait of Refugees That Transcends Words by ALAN RIDING
The experimental theater director Ariane Mnouchkine conveys the plight of refugees in unusual ways in her new show.

[ DN ]  It's the 'Blues,' in toeshoes by CELIA McGEE
One of the first Broadway productions done with an all-black cast arrives at Lincoln Center tonight as a full-length ballet by the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

[ BH ]  'Gershwin' here for well-deserved encore by Robert Nesti
What astonishes Hershey Felder is how popular George Gershwin remains. And that's to Felder's benefit, too.

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Getting Into Heaven: Opening Night

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'THE FISHERMEN OF BEAUDRAIS'
Placing Hope in a Hobo, Against Nazis by NEIL GENZLINGER
Firedrake Productions has staged an unproduced screenplay from 60 years ago by Ring Lardner Jr. and Dalton Trumbo.

[ LAT ]  Modern 'Caesar' honors a classic by Don Shirley
A sinewy update of the Bard's tragedy goes a bit fuzzy in its focus but still manages to hit the target at the Old Globe.

[ TM ]  Tunes, Tomes, & Videos
Matthew Murray reviews the cast recording of Amour, the best thing France has done for America in ages.

News:

[ TM ]  Lincoln Center Theater Completes Casting for Henry IV

[ B ]  MCC Announces 2003-2004 Season

[ B ]  Actor Buddy Ebsen Dead at 95

[ P ]  New Heifner Play, Earth to Bucky, Premieres at Bay Street July 8

[ P ]  Jellice Songs: Cats�with Linda Balgord�Begins Perfs. at NSMT July 8

[ P ]  Jane Adams Joins Broadway's Enchanted April July 8

[ P ]  Angelica Torn Is Sylvia Plath in Edge, July 8-Sept. 20

[ P ]  More Amour: CD of Broadway Musical Hits Stores July 8

[ P ]  Amy Spanger Follows Her Heart to Broadway's Urinetown

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 8

[ P ]  Silly Rabbit: Broadway-Bound Harvey Begins at Laguna Playhouse, July 8-Aug. 31

[ P ]  Arlen & Mercer's St. Louis Woman Now a "Blues Ballet," Getting World Premiere July 8-13

[ P ]  Off-Bway's Safe, With "Third Watch" Pals, Resume Performances, July 8-17

[ P ]  Cantone to Host Concert with Pascal, Scott, Ripley and Cerveris

[ P ]  No "Gimmick": Gypsy's Halston Makes TV Appearance July 8

[ P ]  Jason Graae Is Part of Movie Music Madness Aug. 2

[ P ]  Off-Broadway's MCC Has New LaBute Play for 2003-04
posted at 7/8/2003 08:03:57 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Monday, July 07, 2003

The cast and crew of BroadwayStars would like to wish a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to James Marino and his lovely fiancee Elizabeth! Over the weekend, James proposed and Elizabeth said yes!
posted at 7/7/2003 05:00:10 PM by Susan Heim | Item Link

[ B ]  Sills Wins Role of Little Shop's Demented Dentist
Broadway.com has learned that Douglas Sills, best known for his Tony-nominated turn in The Scarlet Pimpernel, is joining the cast of Little Shop of Horrors, expected to open at the Virginia Theatre in October.

[ B ]  Standby Sengbloh Spells Braxton for Aida Mats
Aida star Toni Braxton may need to "un-break" the hearts of fans who show up for certain matinee performances hoping to get a glimpse of the R&B diva.

[ P ]  Fringe-Born Matt & Ben to Reopen Off-Broadway July 28 with David Warren Directing
posted at 7/7/2003 04:32:00 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ NYT ]  Robert M. Batscha, Who Archived Television and Radio, Dies at 58 by MICHAEL COOPER
Robert M. Batscha worked to preserve, archive, study and permanently exhibit two of the more ephemeral modes of mass communication.

[ P ]  Markland Taylor, Longtime New England Critic for Variety, Is Dead at 65

[ B ]  Cullum to Leave Urinetown and Star in Wilder

[ P ]  Provoked Wife Plays U.K.'s Southwark Playhouse

[ P ]  Cabaret Star Heads to "The View" July 8

[ P ]  Auction of 1000 Stars 2003 Offers Visits to Nine and Oz

[ P ]  Report: Urinetown's Cullum to Star in New Musical in October

[ P ]  Sh-K-Boom Room Presents Alice Ripley and Everett Bradley in Concert

[ P ]  Buddy Ebsen, Television Star and Broadway Hoofer, Dead at 95

[ TM ]  Actor Buddy Ebsen Dies at 95

Reviews:

[ NJ ]  Absurd play could bar Draper from heaven BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
Best known for playing Ellen on "thirtysomething," that lovely, smoky-voiced actress, Polly Draper, has written herself a play. And it's a stinker.
posted at 7/7/2003 01:18:44 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ YN ]  TV Star Buddy Ebsen Dies at 95

[ IBDB ]  Buddy Ebsen's Broadway Credits

Features:

[ B ]  Preview '03-'04 #3: You, Too, Can Be a Puppet by Ken Mandelbaum

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
A New Jersey production of The Glass Menagerie causes Filichia to reflect on his first experience of the play.

[ BH ]  'Wonder' man Lauria hears era's echoes in `Ears on a Beatle' by Robert Nesti

News:

[ V ]  MCC UNVEILS '03-04 SEASON
Preem of 'Bright' to open, LaBute's 'Distance' closes
The MCC Theater has announced its 2003-04 season, during which it will present plays by Neil LaBute, Eric Coble and Bryony Lavery.

[ CNY ]  Broadway pans new ticket options by Miriam Kreinin Souccar
While struggling to fill their seats, producers resist innovations successful in other cities

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
THE TWICE-honored Tony- winner John Cullum has been knocking out audiences, playing the sinister villain of the musical "Urinetown" for over a year. But now this fellow, who you will remember as the bartender on TV's "Northern Exposure" and as Dr. Mark Greene's father on "ER," is going to headline the world premiere of the new musical "Wilder." It opens at the Playwrights Horizons this fall.

[ MHS ]  Bee Gee musical
THE Bee Gees are in talks to stage a multi-million dollar musical that will use their chart-topping songs.

[ TS ]  Actors' union plans to boycott musical by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Grease staged with non-union cast

[ P ]  New Musical, Owl Creek, Spreads Its Wings in NYC Reading July 7-8

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 7

[ P ]  Gypsy's Bernadette Peters to Guest on "Live with Regis and Kelly"

[ P ]  All New York Is a Stage as Deborah Warner's The Angel Project Begins, July 7

[ P ]  Far Away and Yellowman Get Chicago Premieres at Next Theatre in 2003-04

[ P ]  Judy Speaks at the Ars Nova, July 10-Aug. 28

[ P ]  NBC's "Today Show" Airs Feature on Broadway's New Big River, July 8

[ P ]  Talk Show Watch: Melanie Griffith and Big River on "Today", Bernadette Peters on "Regis"

Reviews:

[ SD ]  Brutus' decline is Foxworth's glory by Anne Marie Welsh
Forget the marbled calm that can embalm "Julius Caesar," the least lyrical and poetic of Shakespeare's major plays.
Director Dan Sullivan's full-blooded, police-state production might even silence the age-old debate about whether this drama � still most kids' introduction to Shakespeare � belongs with the Bard's histories or his tragedies.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!
posted at 7/7/2003 09:10:09 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Sunday, July 06, 2003

Word on the street is that a star of Broadway, tv and movies - someone who has been in the headlines lately - was very close to taking a major role in the URINETOWN national tour, but it didn't work out...

Features:

[ WE ]  'Oklahoma!' comes a-sweepin' down the plain BY BUD NORMAN
Music Theatre of Wichita revives an American classic.
With quotes from Matt Bogart and Jessica Boevers.
Thanks to Wayne Bryan for the link.

[ LAT ]  Decades of dancing feet by Diane Haithman
Randy Skinner assisted Gower Champion on the original production of '42nd Street.' Now he's on his own.

[ LAT ]  Making room for musicals by Don Shirley
Is the Kodak Theatre a suitable home for such touring shows as 'Oliver!' and 'The Full Monty'? An unusual partnership is betting that it is.

[ BG ]  Amid the spotlight on gays, a drama looks at a tennis giant by Maureen Dezell
'Big Bill' also stands apart from trend

[ BG ]  From paying dues to showbiz dreams, what it took for one 'Ruthless' actress by Ashlea Deahl
Stoneham native Kathy St. George made it to Broadway -- and back

[ YN ]  Actors Excited About Chance to 'Bounce' by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Writer
CHICAGO - The cast of "Bounce," the Stephen Sondheim musical currently receiving its world premiere at the Goodman Theatre, spans three generations of stage and screen talent.

[ NYT ]  The Play of the Movie of the Play by ERIK TARLOFF
The 1928 play "The Front Page" was adapted into the 1940 movie "His Girl Friday." Now a conflation of the two has been produced for the London stage.

[ NYT ]  'St. Louis Woman' Struts Back Into Town by JENNIFER DUNNING
Dance Theater of Harlem is recreating a musical about black saloon society in 1898 as an hourlong "blues ballet."

[ NYT ]  ON WRITERS AND WRITING
Alone With O'Neill by MARGO JEFFERSON
Eugene O'Neill is one of those writers who falls in and out of favor because his flaws are so visible. But everything he wrote is worth reading.

[ NYT ]  Letters: All the World's a Stage (but It'll Cost You)

[ HC ]  A Classical Battle
Some Neighbors Opposing Plan To Build Authentic Amphitheater by GRACE E. MERRITT
STORRS -- A Hellenic group plans to build a solid marble, open air amphitheater modeled after a 2,400-year-old theater in Greece.

[ ND ]  Putting 'Angels' in Their Places by Karin Lipson
"Now, this is really interesting," said Deborah Warner as she stepped out of an elevator onto the empty 63rd floor of the Chrysler Building. Where a now-defunct dot-com once thrived, there were only unoccupied cubicles; where great scenes of Manhattan should have been framed by the windows, there was only fog.

[ YN ]  Actor's Transvestite Role Gains Attention by PETER SANTILLI, Associated Press Writer
Three years ago, when actor Jefferson Mays began work on recreating the historical character of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf for Doug Wright's play "I Am My Own Wife," he wasn't thinking it might be a role that would make the New York theater community sit up and take notice.
Instead, it was the irony of the situation that struck him.

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ ST ]  In cynical age, audiences still crave unabashed love by Misha Berson
To appreciate the new Adam Guettel-Craig Lucas musical "The Light in the Piazza," it helps to believe in love at first sight.

[ CCT ]  Parks has a novel mantra: Just duet by Pat Craig
THERE HAD BEEN play scripts and screenplays in between, but Suzan-Lori Parks had spent six years on her novel. Six years -- with a small, self-imposed exclamation point behind it -- six years was a long time to spend on a novel, she thought, especially for someone who does nothing but write.

[ SFC ]  Stritch's story by Robert Hurwitt
Her one-woman show of theater and survival is 'like you don't have any clothes on at all -- if you're telling the truth'

[ HChron ]  Broadway pros give wings to new works by EVERETT EVANS
WHILE Stephen Sondheim's Bounce is enjoying its world premiere at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, other top Broadway pros who have kept the American musical singing for decades also have new works in the wings -- and some will bow in New York or at regional venues during the coming season.

[ FS ]  Gatlin never met a stage he didn't like by Mark Lowry
When speaking of the famous title character in The Will Rogers Follies, country singer Larry Gatlin shows no fear.
"I believe I was born to play this role," he says.

[ PPG ]  Soap, sitcom, 'toon star Shaughnessy tackles musical role for CLO by Sharon Eberson

[ NHR ]  In hiding from the Nazis, with an anti-Semite as protector by E. Kyle Minor
WESTPORT � In his new World War II drama, "The Good German," playwright David Wiltse reminds us that characters are ultimately defined by their actions rather than their words.
posted at 7/6/2003 09:03:23 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ NYT ] Is Less More? Broadway's Naked Truths

[ NYP ] Liz Smith: The New Face of Roxie Hart

[ DN ] B'way suddenly Easy Seat
Thanks to Wayman Wong for the link.

[ P ] Hills Are Alive With Sound of Schaffel and Moses' Music, on Tour Starting July 6

[ P ] Cavanagh, Thompson, Barbour Exit Urinetown July 6; Foster, Spanger and McCarthy in Wings

[ P ] CHANNELING THEATRE: Harris, Hickey and Sieber Chat About New ABC Sitcom

[ P ] Real Worlders, Bachelorettes, Playmates Join Pieces in NYC, July 10-Aug. 3
posted at 7/6/2003 11:44:58 AM by the other James | 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
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