Saturday, December 06, 2003

[ ATW ]  WINTER WEATHER ALERT: Goodspeed Cancels Dec. 6 Performances

[ ATW ]  Benanti, May, Tartaglia, Murney Raise Their Voices for Miracle on 47th Street Concert Dec. 15

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
MARIO Cantone had a rough time exhorting the audience of "The Violet Hour" to donate to AIDS causes last Sunday night.
posted at 12/6/2003 05:39:21 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ TS ]  Springtime for Cullen by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
After a string of promising misses, Se�n Cullen is ready for his best shot: The Producers
posted at 12/6/2003 01:01:30 PM by James Marino | Item Link

PSA: This afternoon's performance of THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Paper Mill has been cancelled. The evening performance is still on as of now, but you can call 973-376-4343 to confirm.
posted at 12/6/2003 10:38:33 AM by James Marino | Item Link

[ ND ]  As Snow Falls, the Curtains Rise by Carl MacGowan
"The lights of Broadway will continue to shine through the mist," said Jim Bernstein, president of the League of American Theatres and Producers.
No Broadway shows were canceled Friday night, and Bernstein said it was unlikely any would shut down this weekend, despite the city's first winter storm of the season.
I know who JED Bernstein is, but who is JIM Bernstein?
Well, if any shows do get shut down, we can blame Jim... :-)

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ PPG ]  August Wilson wants to finish his 10-play cycle; then tackle other projects by Christopher Rawson
The new play's working title is "Radio Golf," which Wilson notes that people tell him "doesn't sound like any of your plays so far," but that's just his point -- he wants to capture contemporary rhythms. He hopes to have the first draft done by May and expects then to feel free to tackle all the other projects he has in mind.

[ PPG ]  Heinz Award: August Wilson's acceptance speech

[ MST ]  For super-producer Cameron Mackintosh, 'Oliver!' is closer than family by Rohan Preston

The Kennedy Center Honors - Features:

[ WP ]  Carol Burnett, The Cutup Who Was Cut Out For Greatness by Tom Shales

[ WP ]  Mike Nichols, Honors 'Graduate' by Peter Marks

Reviews:

[ NJ ]  'Carol' keeps singing BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
For the last 10 years, Madison Square Garden's spectacular musical version of "A Christmas Carol" has been delighting the dickens out of holiday audiences.

News:

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 6

[ P ]  Mamma Mia! Star Heads to the Chatterbox Dec. 11

[ P ]  Bounce Star Heads to the Chatterbox Dec. 18

[ P ]  Full Monty Star De Shields Is Jazzman in Ambassador Satch, Dec. 6-21
posted at 12/6/2003 09:24:42 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Friday, December 05, 2003

[ P ]  Broadway Braves the Snow as Shows Remain Open
Broadway will remain in business on Dec. 5, despite the arrival of a driving snow storm.

Features:

[ B ]  Stage Notes: 12/05/03 by Paul Wontorek
Catching up with the original "Angels"; Kline, Kushner & "Karaoke"; and Liz McCartney is a new mom!

[ BS ]  Gregg Edelman: A Quiet Guy
"Traditionally, you are supposed to prepare the audience for what will happen," remarks actor-singer Edelman. "But in this piece it just doesn't work."

[ ND ]  Framing Zapruder's Film by Blake Green
Keith Reddin's new play exposes a secret about the home movies of the JFK assassination

[ P ]  DIVA TALK: "Angels in America," Children of Eden Plus News of Peters, Streisand, Midler and MORE

[ P ]  Holiday Show Virgin Lea DeLaria Whips Up Christmas Cheer
Comedienne. Musical comedy performer. Recording artist. Add to Lea DeLaria's many professional labels that of holiday hostess.

[ B ]  Photo Op: Never Gonna Dance Glows with Good Cheer

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Never Gonna Dance Twirls to an Opening Night on Broadway

[ TM ]  Photo/Video File by: Michael Portantiere and Joseph Marzullo
TM's cameras are there for a thrilling benefit concert of Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden and other events.

[ BS ]  Putting 'Period Pieces' Together: A Newfangled Look at Age-Old Plays
Particularly in the theatre, period pieces never go out of style, never wear out their welcome, and never grow old.

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ SS ]  Allergist's Wife playwright Charles Busch displays multiple talents by Jack Zink

[ RMN ]  Minorities can climb on boards by Lisa Bornstein
Tony Plana had the rep, the education, the resume, but he didn't have the roles he wanted.

News:

[ P ]  Rose's Turn Is Permanent for Hodges in Neil Simon's Dilemma, Opening on Schedule Dec. 18

[ B ]  Jesus to Hop to Broadway's Circle in the Square
As we first reported on October 9, Stephen Adly Guirgis' acclaimed Jesus Hopped The 'A' Train, which began life at the LAByrinth Theater Company's Center Stage in July 2000, is coming to Broadway next fall.

[ P ]  PBOL'S THEATER WEEK IN REVIEW, Nov. 29-Dec. 5: Silver Linings

[ P ]  Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy with John Cameron Mitchell May See Broadway

[ P ]  British Actor and Jeeves Star David Hemmings Dies at 62

[ P ]  Evans and Gambon to Play Out Beckett's Endgame in Spring 2004

[ P ]  Brian d'Arcy James, Jack Gilpin, and Julie White Read Behrman's Biography in NYC, Dec. 8

[ P ]  Wicked Star Still Sidelined with Back Injury

[ P ]  Boobs! The Musical Moves to NYC Theatre District Dec. 19

[ P ]  Baltimore Booking of Urinetown Canceled

[ P ]  Caroline, or Change, Amid Talk of a Transfer, Extends to Jan. 4

[ P ]  Choreographer Carrafa Will Direct Beach Boys Musical

[ P ]  Peters, Jackman and Fierstein Part of Gypsy of the Year Competition

[ P ]  San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon Stage Styne, Kern, Porter, Rodgers Musicals in 2004-05

[ P ]  Track Listing Announced for Wicked CD; Disc in Stores Dec. 16

[ P ]  Jason Biggs and Paul Rudd Part of Modern Orthodox Reading Dec. 15

[ MST ]  'Mamma Mia' singer loses voice in mid-performance

Reviews:

[ B ]  Were California Critics Hot for Like Jazz?

[ B ]  CDs: Talk to the Hand by Ken Mandelbaum
JERRY SPRINGER-THE OPERA (Sony Music UK)

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
Barbara & Scott on the Children of Eden benefit concert, Caroline, or Change, and cabaret acts by Tom D'Angora and Jeanne Resua.

[ CU ]  Duet
Review

[ SUN ]  Dancing Machines by JEREMY McCARTER
Aside from "Movin' Out," there isn't a more dance-driven show on Broadway.
That's the good news - the bad news, too.

[ TB ]  Sound Advice by Jonathan Frank
'Tis the Season: Holiday CDs and 6 Video Releases
posted at 12/5/2003 06:19:03 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

"Never Gonna Dance":

[ STARS ]  KAREN ZIEMBA: NEVER GONNA DANCE ARE THE LEAST LIKELY WORDS YOU EXPECT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH HER . . . AND YET . . .
By ELLIS NASSOUR
Karen Ziemba is known on Broadway for her versatility in tripping the light fantastic. A sort of quintuple threat, she�s adept at singing � what pipes! � acting, slapstick comedy, drama and dance. Then, there�s that infectious smile. Ziemba�s been doing "the show biz thing � live theater, musical theater, dancing, singing," as she puts it, a long time. So never gonna dance are the least likely words you expect to be associated with her.

[ B ]  Fresh Face: Noah Racey by Katie Riegel

[ B ]  Never Gonna Dance & Critics: A Fine Romance?

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'NEVER GONNA DANCE'
Tapping Toward Love in Celebrated Slippers by BEN BRANTLEY
The adaptation of the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film at the Broadhurst Theater stands out as an inoffensive, gracefully danced and pleasantly sung diversion.

[ HC ]  Dancers Enthrall But Can't Match Vibrant Chemistry Of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers by MALCOLM JOHNSON

[ USA ]  'Dance' like Fred and Ginger by Elysa Gardner
Not all of the jokes fly, just as some of the singing falls flat, literally and figuratively. But so long as Never Gonna Dance stays on its toes, it never drags.

[ DN ]  A tap-happy musical that dances with joy by Howard Kissel
The first virtue of "Never Gonna Dance" is that its book, by Jeffrey Hatcher, tells the circuitous story with greater economy and humor than the original. The next is the marvelous cast.

[ YN ]  'Never Gonna Dance' Pays Homage by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic
If this bland stage version never transports you to musical-comedy heaven, it is a pleasant enough diversion, particularly when a hardworking cast is hoofing its way through Jerry Mitchell's spirited choreography.

[ NJ ]  'Dance' duo can't match Fred and Ginger's verve BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
Everyone in "Never Gonna Dance" tries so darned hard to please that it's a pity to report that the musical comedy, which opened yesterday at the Broadhurst, is distinctly second rate.

[ NYP ]  IT'S NEVER GONNA LAST by CLIVE BARNES
Unfortunately, Mitchell is a very limited choreographer. You needed someone who could create the same stage variations on the Astaire/Pan style that Jerome Robbins achieved in his ballet, "I'm Old Fashioned." Mitchell is not yet in that class.

[ TB ]  Never Gonna Dance
Review by Matthew Murray
Even if Never Gonna Dance had opened in exactly this form in another season, that indefinable quality separating the true successes from the also-rans would still be missing. Sometimes all the pieces can be successfully put together and the completed puzzle will still be wrong.

[ B ]  Lucky in Love by Ken Mandelbaum
The lackluster, underpowered Never Gonna Dance lacks overall style, splendor, and hilarity. Some lushly romantic choreography can't disguise the flimsy plot, wispy characterizations, and flavorless humor. And as a valentine to Manhattan in the 1930s, the show has been scooped by Wonderful Town.

[ ATW ]  Magic Elusive in Never Gonna Dance
Review by Andy Propst

[ TM ]  Never Gonna Dance
Reviewed By: David Finkle
A team of seeming Broadway knowledgeables has adapted the goofy and glorious 1936 Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers vehicle Swing Time into a flavorless bon-bon called Never Gonna Dance that only occasionally rises a notch or two above mediocrity.

Other Reviews:

[ TM ]  Duet
Reviewed By: Matthew Murray

[ NJ ]  Singer pays tribute to 6 legendary ladies BY PETER FILICHIA
Everyone has heard that James Brown is the hardest-working man in show business. Now audiences can come to Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick and discover the hardest-working woman in show business.

[ INQ ]  Henry James, in a musical by Desmond Ryan
The novelist's failure at theater inspired the work.

[ BG ]  Stirring the elements by Ed Siegel
The ART's adaptation of a 13th century Chinese story, 'Snow in June' is a dazzling mix of East, West

[ NYP ]  STAGED 'BIRDY' JUST WINGS IT by DONALD LYONS

[ BG ]  HBO infuses 'Angels' with new life by Matthew Gilbert

News:

[ NYT ]  Mary Tyler Moore, Chided by Neil Simon, Quits His Play by JASON ZINOMAN

[ NYP ]  NO MOORE MARY by MICHAEL RIEDEL
Simon told Moore to learn her lines "or get out of my play," a source familiar with the contents of the letter told The Post.

[ TM ]  Mary Tyler Moore Exits Rose's Dilemma

[ NYT ]  ON STAGE AND OFF
Transfers, Imports and Iscariot by JASON ZINOMAN
Will "Caroline, or Change" transfer?

[ B ]  Injury Keeps Norbert Leo Butz Out of Wicked

[ V ]  'Change' reaps Rich rave
Leaked Times review offers different 'Caroline' take
Fax machines have been working overtime on Broadway. Frank Rich has written a rave of "Caroline, or Change," to appear Sunday in the New York Times. More essay than review, Rich's piece "'Caroline,' Kennedy and Change" circulated via fax as early as Wednesday afternoon, four days ahead of publication.

[ BSUN ]  'Urinetown' is canceled by J. Wynn Rousuck
Urinetown has gone down the drain. The Baltimore run of the hit Broadway musical has been canceled due to low ticket sales.

[ CST ]  How 'bout dem 'Bums': new production for 25th BY BILL ZWECKER

[ NYT ]  A Correction
An obituary on this page on Thursday erroneously reported the death of Katharine Sergava, a dancer and actress who portrayed the dream-ballet version of Laurey, the heroine, in the original production of "Oklahoma!" Friends of hers reported the error yesterday.

[ P ]  Friends Say Oklahoma! Dancer Katharine Sergava Is Alive, Despite Times Obit; Paper Makes Correction

[ P ]  Patti LuPone to Join Kristin Chenoweth for Candide Concerts

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 5

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia sings the praises of Sara Gettelfinger, now starring on Broadway in Nine.

[ B ]  Q&A: Donna Murphy by William Stevenson

[ CSM ]  Comden is back in 'Town' by Tony Vellela
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

[ WP ]  Diminutive Lee Hasn't Come Up Short by Lisa Traiger
Baayork Lee got her start in "A Chorus Line." She's choreographing Arena Stage's "Camelot."

[ BG ]  Stacy Keach puts the Scrooge back in 'Carol' by Maureen Dezell
Plus Denis O'Hare on his role in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

[ BH ]  Hearing new voices: 'Def Poetry Jam' creator Russell Simmons keeps his ear to the street by Terry Byrne

[ DN ]  Betty plays by its own 'Rules' BY ISAAC GUZMAN
The group can be seen Sundays this month at Joe's Pub.

[ ND ]  "The Karaoke Show" by Martin Johnson
I had just sat down at my table at China Club last Friday night when a woman in fishnet stockings and gold hot pants ran up to me and asked, "Are you going to sing?"

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
LIVING AMID 'ANGELS'
posted at 12/5/2003 08:04:48 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Thursday, December 04, 2003

[ WABC ]  Former Broadway Star Still Alive, Despite What NY Times Obit Says by Ken Rosato
The Times obituary reads "Katharine Sergava, Dancer in the Original 'Oklahoma!,' Dies". It says she passed back on November 11th. That came as news to Katherine's friends. The still-busy 94-year-old lives in an apartment building in the Village, and still holds acting classes at the H-B Studio on Bank Street.
posted at 12/4/2003 06:20:31 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ B ]  Mary Tyler Moore Exits Neil Simon's Dilemma
Although no reason was given for her departure, inside sources say that there has been tension between Moore, who missed both shows yesterday, and Simon for weeks. Understudy Patricia Hodges is playing the leading role of Rose for the time being.

[ P ]  Mary Tyler Moore Quits Rose's Dilemma

[ P ]  Friedman's Listen to My Heart to Close Dec. 7

[ TM ]  Listen to My Heart to Close This Sunday

[ P ]  Aquila Offers First Subscription Season in NYC in 2004, Anchored by Dukakis-Zorich Agamemnon

[ P ]  A Little Night Music NYC Opera Cast Members to Reprise Roles in Los Angeles

[ P ]  Elaine Paige to Return to New York Stage in Sweeney Todd

[ B ]  Children's Scientology Pageant to Move to Houseman

[ ATW ]  American Theatre Wing Presents Grants and Scholarships

[ TM ]  Five Musical Show Albums Nominated for Grammy Awards

Features:

[ CST ]  Where others fear to tread BY PHIL ROSENTHAL
For all the awards and almost universal acclaim Tony Kushner's two-part stage epic "Angels in America" earned over the last decade or so, Kushner never considered it perfect.

[ USA ]  On TV: 'Angels in America' by Elysa Gardner

[ USA ]  Kirk believes in 'Angels' by Donna Freydkin
Actor Justin Kirk plays a blue-blood left for dead by his boyfriend after contracting AIDS in Angels in America.

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Wright, Kaufman, and Mays Celebrate Wife's Broadway Bow

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ TO ]  From 'Annie' to 'Granny' by: Daniel Shearer
Aileen Quinn returns to Bucks County, Pa., for a musical comedy at Bristol Riverside Theatre.

[ LAW ]  From Rags to Ritchie by Steven Leigh Morris
The man taking over for Gordon Davidson

[ MN ]  Fringe playwright now a mainstream hit by Karen D'Souza
Charles Busch.
posted at 12/4/2003 05:39:54 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ TM ]  Nationalizing the West End by: Mark Shenton
What's happening in London.

[ B ]  Photo Op: I Am My Own Wife Celebrates in Style

News:

[ B ]  Anne Hathaway Tapped for The Woman in White
Broadway.com has learned that up-and-coming film star Anne Hathaway, who appeared in a reading of The Woman in White this summer, is expected to star in the full West End production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical next fall.

[ B ]  Kristen Lee Kelly Returns to Rent in 2004

[ B ]  Grammy Noms Honor Show Albums, Headley

[ TM ]  Andrea Marcovicci to Host 2004 Nightlife Awards

[ P ]  Hit Non-Equity Musical Stoop on Orchard Street Hits 200th Show in NYC Dec. 11; Florida Run Planned

[ P ]  Dossett and Cantone Read Letters to Santa in Shubert Alley, Dec. 4
Broadway actors Kathy Brier, Charles Shaughnessy, John Dossett and Mario Cantone will lend Santa Claus a helping hand on Dec. 4 when they read aloud actual letters to St. Nick written by disadvantaged kids.

[ P ]  Scott Ellis to Direct 12 Angry Men for Roundabout on Broadway in Fall 2004

[ P ]  Gypsy, Movin' Out, "Chicago" and Headley Among Grammy Nominees

[ P ]  "The Goodbye Girl" TV Remake�with Heaton, Daniels and Cumming�to Debut in 2004 on TNT

[ P ]  John Denver Musical, Almost Heaven, Extends to January 2004 at Denver Center

[ P ]  Wicked Star Chats on Radio Dec. 9
posted at 12/4/2003 04:06:58 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Reviews:

[ ND ]  Review: 'Never Gonna Dance' by Gordon Cox
The show aims to reproduce the swirling, old-fashioned, showstopping charm of a dance- happy Fred and Ginger musical. Sometimes it even succeeds.
Earliest Newsday review yet.
Thanks to craig on All That Chat for the link.

[ B ]  Did Critics Fall in Love with Broadway's Wife?

[ B ]  I Am My Own Wife
Review by William Stevenson

Features:

[ P ]  Comden & . . .
As Broadway welcomes a new production of the joyous Wonderful Town, Betty Comden, one of its creators, looks back at how it all began � and at her beloved partner in crime, the late Adolph Green

News:

[ ABC ]  Actor David Hemmings Dies on Set of Film
His boyish good looks were put to use in the science-fiction romp "Barbarella" and the film version of the stage musical "Camelot."
In 1975, Hemmings played the title role in "By Jeeves," a short-running collaboration between Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Actually, it was called "Jeeves" then...
and thanks to "Jeeves" on All That Chat for the link.

[ P ]  Creative Team of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the Musical, Tests Material Behind Closed Doors
Producer Marty Bell confirmed that the creative team of the developing musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, is exploring the work privately this week, and that Brian D'Arcy James has stepped into the laboratory situation to play the role of Freddy, created by Steve Martin in the film.

[ P ]  An Enola Gay Christmas Sends Up TV Christmas Shows, Mixing Fact and Fission, Dec. 4-28

[ P ]  Neil Simon Play Waiting for Papa to Debut at Williamstown

[ P ]  DC's Shakespeare Theatre Will Build $77 Million Complex and Change Its Name; New Venue Opens 2007

[ P ]  Equity Awards Honor Hindman, Meisle, Schultz, Henry IV's Matthews

[ P ]  Christine Ebersole Joins Pizzarelli and Molaskey to Kick Off "Lyrics & Lyricists" 2004 Season

[ P ]  Chatterbox Host Rudetsky Stars in New Deconstructing Series

[ P ]  Gypsy's Bernadette Peters to Sing on "The Today Show"

[ P ]  Mamma Mia! Performs at National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

[ P ]  Diva Duel: Duse-Bernhardt Drama Opens Off-Broadway Dec. 4

[ P ]  New Kind of Musical Like Jazz by Cy Coleman Opens in Los Angeles, Dec. 4

[ P ]  The Way They Look Tonight: Never Gonna Dance Opens on Broadway Dec. 4

[ P ]  Love & Taxes, Latest From Josh Kornbluth, Begins Off-Broadway Dec. 4

[ P ]  Luck!, New Musical Comedy by Waldrop and Ross, Premieres in Ann Arbor Dec. 4-7; Brent Wagner Directs
posted at 12/4/2003 12:35:18 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

"I Am My Own Wife" - Reviews:

[ YN ]  'Wife' Transfers Well to Broadway by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic
"The most singular, eccentric individual the Cold War ever birthed" has made a triumphant transfer to Broadway.

[ HC ]  A Poetic, Well-Acted Portrait by MALCOLM JOHNSON
A Unique Survivor Of Nazis, East Berlin

[ ND ]  'I Am Own Wife' Opens on Broadway by Gordon Cox
The eyes still have it. "I Am My Own Wife" may have transferred to a big Broadway theater, but the one-man show still holds our attention, thanks to the pair of wide, glittering eyes belonging to the actor Jefferson Mays.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'I AM MY OWN WIFE'
Inventing Her Life as She Goes Along by BRUCE WEBER
Doug Wright's play, which stars the mesmerizing Jefferson Mays in 35 roles, is the most exquisite offering of the Broadway season.

[ NYP ]  SEE 'I AM MY OWN WIFE,' PLEASE by CLIVE BARNES
Here is one of the performances of the season.

[ USA ]  Charlotte's web of deceit and survival by Elysa Gardner
*** out of four

[ NJ ]  Good Charlotte by MICHAEL SOMMERS
The one-person drama is galvanized by Jefferson Mays' remarkable performance.

[ DN ]  'Wife' overanalyzed & underdramatized by Howard Kissel
"Wife" could be shorter and tighter, but Mays does an astonishing job of making a dubious character enormously poignant.

[ TB ]  I Am My Own Wife
Review by Matthew Murray
In the wake of a month replete with closings of the small, "sure thing," one new production has just opened which reaffirms one's faith in the power of theater.

[ ATW ]  Wright's 'Wife' Moves to Broadway Beautifully
Review by Andy Propst

[ TM ]  I Am My Own Wife
Reviewed By: David Finkle

Other Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'ALLADEEN'
On the Other End of the Phone, Workers Stripped of Their Identities by MARGO JEFFERSON
This haunting multimedia theater piece about call-center workers in India plays at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Harvey Theater through Saturday.

[ CU ]  Birdy
Review

[ TM ]  Tunes, Tomes, & Videos
Catch-up reviews of the Mame and Gypsy soundtrack CDs, deluxe cast album reissues from RCA, and an awful West Side Story.

[ NYP ]  PART 1: UNFORGETTABLE ALL-STAR 'ANGELS' by LINDA STASI
IT'S almost impossible to write about the first part of HBO's incredible, six-hour production of "Angels In America," the play that captured Broadway and a slew of Tonys a decade ago.

[ NYP ]  PART 2: COULDN'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE OVER by ADAM BUCKMAN
WHEN we last left our heroes, AIDS- stricken Prior Walter sat spellbound in his sickbed as a great winged angel played by Emma Thompson crashed suddenly through his ceiling.

[ BS ]  Book Nook
Looking for some great gift ideas for actors? Back Stage West reviews the best new books coming out for the holidays.

Features:

[ DN ]  Ivey arrives in an RV by CELIA McGEE
Judith Ivey stars in the movie 'What Alice Found,' which opens tomorrow.

Obituaries:

[ NYT ]  Katharine Sergava, Dancer in the Original 'Oklahoma!,' Dies by JACK ANDERSON
Katharine Sergava portrayed the dream-ballet version of Laurey, the heroine, in the original production from its 1943 premiere until 1947.

[ IBDB ]  Katharine Sergava's Broadway Credits

[ BSUN ]  Hope Quackenbush dies at 78 by Jacques Kelly
Mechanic director helped revive theater during 14-year tenure

[ BSUN ]  Theater was focus of Quackenbush's life by J. Wynn Rousuck
Quackenbush put city on theater map

[ IBDB ]  Hope Quackenbush's Broadway Credits

[ MN ]  Ethel Winant, first woman TV network executive, dies
Another website gave this information on her: "Ethel Winant cut her professional teeth backstage on Broadway, where she was production assistant to three legends of the theater: Irene Selznick, on A Streetcar Named Desire; Elia Kazan, on Death of a Salesman; and Tennessee Williams, on Summer and Smoke."

News:

[ B ]  Busy Jerry Mitchell on Board for Legally Blonde

[ HC ]  O'Neill Turns To Co-Founder by FRANK RIZZO

[ TM ]  O'Neill Theater Center Names Resident Artistic Director

[ YN ]  Ron Howard's daughter takes Kidman's place in next von Trier film

[ HC ]  Musical featuring hits of Elvis to play Goodspeed by Frank Rizzo
Look for the Huntington Theatre Company's production of Simon Gray's "Butley," starring Nathan Lane, to come to New York - but for the 2004-05 season at best.
Final item.

[ P ]  MTM Sits Out Dec. 3 Performances of Rose's Dilemma at MTC

[ P ]  National Board of Review Honors Angels in America Film

[ P ]  Understudies and Standbys from Wicked, Urinetown, Hairspray, Aida and Oz Sing Dec. 7

[ P ]  Terry Kinney Directs Penny Fuller in Nicky Silver's Beautiful Child at Vineyard in February

[ P ]  Taboo Figure Profiled in Documentary "The Legend of Leigh Bowery"

[ P ]  J. Ranelli Appointed Artistic Director Overseeing All Eugene O�Neill Theater Center

[ P ]  Designers Set for Broadway Revival of Twentieth Century with Baldwin and Heche
posted at 12/4/2003 07:51:00 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

Features:

[ B ]  DVDs: GEN II by Ken Mandelbaum
I hear that Gretchen Mol, who was briefly mentioned for the role of Sally Bowles in the Broadway Cabaret, will soon make her Broadway debut as Roxie in Chicago.
DVD: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (MGM)

[ B ]  Photo Op: Children of Broadway Celebrate Schwartz's Eden
Eden was never like this!
My favorite photo of the year... but then again, I'm twisted. And horny. ;-)

[ B ]  Photo Op: Harmony Serenades Drama Dept. Benefit

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Oliver! Wants Some More as New Tour Begins

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: 20 Years? It's Not Nonsense; Anniversary Nunsense Tour in Rehearsals

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: White and Groener Like Jazz in Cy Coleman Musical at Mark Taper Forum

News:

[ B ]  Dokuchitz Set as Hairspray's Next Corny Collins
"I absolutely love the show, and it is good to know it isn't going anywhere," the Dokuchitz told Broadway.com. "After doing two shows that had such short runs last season, I was looking to be the sucker fish to the whale for a while."

[ B ]  Oscar Winner Chris Cooper to Star in Trumbo

[ B ]  Will Kidman Star in Philadelphia Story on B'way?

[ P ]  Royal Trio: Redgrave, Richardson and Sinden Star in RSC's Hollow Crown in Toronto; Tix On Sale Dec. 6

[ P ]  Robert Peterson, Utah Actor Acclaimed for Man of La Mancha and Camelot, Dead at 71

[ P ]  Jared Harris to Star in London Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Dec. 3

[ P ]  Lane, Broderick, Grey, Mitchell, Cruz, Kushner, Sondheim Join "TimesTalks," Jan. 9-11

[ P ]  Oscar Winner Chris Cooper Returns to Off-Broadway Play Trumbo, Jan. 6-11

[ P ]  Patrick Marber to Pen "What Was She Thinking" Screenplay for Judi Dench

[ P ]  Patrick Swayze to Join Broadway's Chicago

[ P ]  Casting Complete for Guthrie's Mounting of Crowns

[ P ]  Side Show's Longbottom to Direct Disney's On the Record

Reviews:

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
From baseball season to the holiday season, here are Yogi Berra (played by Ben Gazzara) and Michael Feinstein to help us celebrate.

[ B ]  Birdy
Review by Neil Parmar
posted at 12/3/2003 04:08:59 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ NYP ]  RAT ON 'HOT TIN ROOF' by MICHAEL RIEDEL
'TIS the season for peace on earth, good will toward men - except on Broadway, where there is rancor behind-the-scenes at several shows.

[ SLT ]  Acclaimed Utah actor Robert Peterson dies by Celia R. Baker
A remarkable voice was stilled Monday with the sudden death of Robert Peterson, Utah's most acclaimed actor.

[ KSL ]  Local Acting Legend Dies
Includes a video clip of Peterson performing in "Man of La Mancha."

[ IBDB ]  Robert Peterson's Broadway Credits

[ BG ]  Coen comedy strikes again; White Star burns out after 21 years by Carol Beggy & Mark Shanahan
Here's hoping three times is a charm for Larry Coen. The Boston actor has sold the film rights to "Epic Proportions," the play he wrote years ago with "Friends" creator David Crane.

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
Nicole Kidman in "Cactus Flower"? (second item).

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
Nicole Kidman in "The Philadelphia Story"? Can't wait to hear that accent...

[ P ]  Taboo Welcomes a New Big Sue Dec. 3

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 3

[ P ]  Steve Tesich's Square One Returns to New York Stage, Dec. 3

[ P ]  German Transvestite Is Singular Sensation of I Am My Own Wife, Opening Dec. 3

[ P ]  Trevor Nunn Directs World Premiere of Skellig, Dec. 3

[ P ]  Judi Dench Makes Stratford Comeback in All's Well, Dec. 3

[ P ]  Bill Irwin's Expanded Regard of Flight Takes Off Dec. 3, for Signature Theatre Co.

[ TM ]  Nine Revival to Close on December 14

[ DN ]  Tony winner 'Nine' bowing out
Broadway's season of woe claimed another victim yesterday.

Features:

[ NYT ]  The Smell of the Greasepaint, the Roar of Those Third Graders by CLAIRE HOFFMAN
"Gypsy" co-star Patrick Garner is one of a growing number of actors who have looked beyond the footlights to a humble, yet meaningful sideline: developing educational shows on historical characters.

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia passes along readers' suggestions on how to improve some famous and not-so-famous musicals.

[ HC ]  The Bushnell Goes Hip-Hop by JEFF RIVERS
'Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam' Hits The Road After Success On HBO, Broadway

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ OCR ]  It's like, different by PAUL HODGINS
Neither revue nor musical nor concert, "Like Jazz" is like nothing you've seen, its creators contend.

[ LADN ]  Cameron Mackintosh wants some more by Evan Henerson

[ PPG ]  A dream comes true for local actors by Christopher Rawson
Anisha Nagarajan and Manu Narayan will play the romantic leads in "Bombay Dreams."

[ PPG ]  Upon further review, Broadway stumbles by Christopher Rawson
How many times have you heard it said about some local show, "It was better than Broadway"?

"Birdy" - Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'BIRDY'
Wartorn Fledgling Hides, to Fly Free in Friendship by BRUCE WEBER
Noami Wallace's stage adaptation of the novel invokes its original period beautifully with strong performances and direction.

[ YN ]  'Birdy' Soars in Off-Broadway Adaptation by PETER SANTILLI, Associated Press Writer

[ ATW ]  Waiting for This Birdy To Fly
Review by Andy Propst

[ TM ]  Birdy
Reviewed By: David Finkle

Other Reviews:

[ SUN ]  The Critics -- Exposed! by JEREMY McCARTER
Compared to the New York drama critics, the Masons look like the Girl Scouts. And this season's bad reviews are just the beginning.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'LYSISTRATA'
The Greeks Had Many Words for Sex, and Here They Are by D. J. R. BRUCKNER
The Jean Cocteau Repertory's production of a new translation leaves the core of the play intact and presents some inspired innovations.

[ ATW ]  Lysistrata: Women of Greece, Unite!
Review by Laura Shea

[ CU ]  Lysistrata
Review

[ BH ]  Kushner's 'Angels' swoops onto small screen with grace by Terry Byrne

[ DN ]  'Angels' looks heavenly by David Bianculli
Pacino, Streep star in a mini-miracle
posted at 12/3/2003 09:39:16 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Tuesday, December 02, 2003

News:

[ P ]  Revival of Nine To Close Dec. 14 on Broadway

[ B ]  Tony-Winning Nine Revival Shutters on 12/14
At the time of its closing, Nine will have played 23 previews and 285 regular performances.

[ P ]  Broadway Performers Star in Selected 2004 Sundance Festival Films

[ P ]  HHTC's 2004 Season to Include Struthers in Patsy Cline Plus Meshuggah-Nuns! and I Love My Wife

[ P ]  Elvis' Jailhouse Rock Set to Rock London March 26

[ P ]  Irish Rep's Fall Hit, Colleen Bawn, Finds a Home for the Holidays, Starting Dec. 17

[ P ]  Lea DeLaria to Play Once Upon a Mattress Princess in Dec. 2004 in San Francisco

[ P ]  Actors' Equity Wins Strike-Born Health Fund Fight with Producers

[ B ]  Mario Kombou Takes the Lead in Jailhouse Rock

[ B ]  Stage Stars Celebrate Great Joy December 15

[ B ]  Complete Cast Set for Fiddler on the Roof Revival

[ P ]  Director Steven Berkoff Takes on Jesus in Messiah, Dec. 2

[ P ]  Gem of the Ocean Playwright August Wilson Honored by Annual Heinz Awards

[ P ]  David Greenspan to Be Mephisto in Target Margin's Faust Adaptation, Jan. 4-25, 2004

[ ATW ]  It's a Wild Party as Andrew Lippa Debuts in New Series at Ars Nova 'Uncharted' Dec. 15

Features:

[ TM ]  Letter Perfect by: Brian Scott Lipton
Kathleen Chalfant plays a Holocaust victim in The Last Letter, a solo play by Frederick Wiseman based on the Russian novel Love and Fate.

[ BS ]  Taking Charge
Melissa Leo made the casting process work for her, with an active role in getting herself seen

Reviews:

[ VV ]  Southern Composure
In Kushner and Tesori's new musical, it's the appliances, not the hearts, that do the singing by Michael Feingold
Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline, or Change

[ VV ]  Sightlines by Charles McNulty
Eduardo Machado's The Cook

[ VV ]  Lifetime Portraits
I am women, hear me roar my most personal confessions by Francine Russo
Irene O'Garden's Irene O'Garden's Women on Fire

[ VV ]  Co-Ed Blues
Scholarship student learns she shouldn't go home again by Alexis Soloski
Lucy Thurber's Where We're Born
posted at 12/2/2003 06:26:13 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Fresh Face: Jefferson Mays by Beth Stevens

Reviews:

[ B ]  CDs: Here She Is, Boys, Here's Roz (and Lisa)! by Ken Mandelbaum
GYPSY (Rhino/Warner Bros.)

News:

[ B ]  Broadway Grosses: Holiday Feast
After feasting and officially commencing the holiday shopping season, theatergoers spent the rest of the Thanksgiving weekend taking in shows on the Great White Way. Four shows grossed over $1 million, including family favorites like the bewitching Wicked, which came in only second to The Lion King.

[ P ]  Len Cariou to Star in Reprise! Kismet

[ P ]  Report: Jerry Mitchell to Choreograph Legally Blonde

[ P ]  Naomi Wallace's Adaptation, Birdy, Takes Wing Off-Bway Dec. 2

[ P ]  Margo Jefferson Replaces Bruce Weber as New York Times Second String Critic

[ P ]  Irish Brothers Fight to the Death in World Premiere of Restitution, in Toronto Starting Jan. 2, 2004

[ P ]  Disney Theatrical Productions to Celebrate Musicals with Stage Revue

[ P ]  Christine Andreas Offers Bewitched. . . Again! Dec. 27-31

[ P ]  Headley, Williams, Molina and Rubin-Vega Join All-Star Great Joy! Concert
posted at 12/2/2003 12:08:50 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ NYT ]  Actors in All-Latino Cast Savor a 'Historic Moment' by MIREYA NAVARRO
All seven actors of "Anna in the Tropics" seem to share the same emotional connection to the play, the first Pulitzer Prize-winning drama written by a Latino.

[ NYT ]  CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK
Pardon Me, Sir, but Your Auricular Instrument Is Flat by ANTHONY TOMMASINI
How to handle the delicate situation of having to tell a hard-of-hearing member of the audience to turn down the hearing aid.

[ TS ]  Musical theatre fans brave cold air and teased hair by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Hardy souls spend hours lined up for Hairspray tickets; Leading roles still have not been cast for Mirvish show

[ OCR ]  Growing up with 'Oliver!' by PAUL HODGINS
The musical changed the genre and shaped famous careers, but almost didn't get made.
Interview with Cameron Mackintosh.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

[ * ]  Hazelnut New Orleans
A new store owned by Bryan Batt.

News:

[ V ]  Jefferson in for Weber at N.Y. Times
Pulitzer Prize winning critic steps into footlights
Effective Jan. 1, Margo Jefferson will replace Bruce Weber as a theater critic at the New York Times. Weber, who has held the second-string position since March 2000, will return to his reporter duties.

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
'CAT' STAR MEOWS TOO MUCH
Ned Beatty.

[ PTR ]  Heinz Foundation taps August Wilson for $250,000 arts award by Alice T. Carter
On Nov. 23, his most recent play, "Gem of the Ocean," the ninth in his 10-play chronicle, received the 2003 Ovation Award for World Premiere Play from the LA Stage Alliance in Los Angeles. "Gem of the Ocean" is expected to begin previews on Broadway on Oct. 25, 2004.

[ B ]  Alex Jennings & Janie Dee Offered Mary Poppins

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 2

[ P ]  A Funny Girl Makes Joe's Pub Debut Dec. 2

[ P ]  Gershwins' Obscure Primrose Blooms in NYC Concert by Musicals Tonight!, Dec. 2-21

[ P ]  York Theatre Co. Stages One Musical in Five Different Flavors in Musical of Musicals, Starting Dec. 2

[ P ]  Beauty and the Beast Stars Part of Lincoln Center Tree Lighting Ceremony

[ P ]  Charles Evered's Clouds Hill Gets MTC Reading Under Direction of David Auburn

[ P ]  Broadway Grosses: November 24-30

Reviews:

[ USA ]  Kushner's 'Caroline' gives voice to Jews and blacks by Elysa Gardner
Tony Kushner's first musical, Caroline, or Change (***1/2 out of four), opened at the Public Theater Sunday.

[ DN ]  This 'Change' not for the better by Howard Kissel
Though "Caroline" has been handsomely mounted, the simple story gets drowned in tiresome cleverness.
posted at 12/2/2003 07:46:26 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Monday, December 01, 2003

News:

[ P ]  Randy Graff, Barbara Barrie, Sally Murphy Join Alfred Molina in Fiddler on the Roof

[ P ]  Soundtrack for Kushner's Angels in America HBO Film Released Dec. 2

[ P ]  Dates for Sondheim-Stroman-Lane Frogs Set

[ TM ]  Lincoln Center's Henry IV Extends to January 18

Features:

[ CST ]  How HBO's selling 'Angels' to America BY LEWIS LAZARE

[ BS ]  Spotlight on Agents: Reality Check
Agent H. Shep Pamplin of Agents for the Arts said he couldn't stand it when an actor calls him and asks, "'Can I send you a picture?' I'm not the post office. I can't stop you," Pamplin quipped.

Reviews:

[ SUN ]  A Story, or History by JEREMY McCARTER
"Caroline, or Change"

[ ATW ]  Ambitious Caroline, or Change Exciting New Musical
Review by Andy Propst

[ ATW ]  Two Midtown Revues:Golf Sinks Hilariously Into the Cup; Our Sinatra a Bit in the Rough
Review by Andy Propst
posted at 12/1/2003 05:23:52 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ P ]  PLAYBILL ON-LINE'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Joel Grey
Broadway somehow seems complete again now that Joel Grey is back on the boards.

[ P ]  Blue Man Coup
This month, those manic men in blueface celebrate another spectacular feat�12 years Off-Broadway and still going strong

[ P ]  THE LEADING MEN: Hot & Racey
Santa Claus isn�t the only guy in town loaded with gifts. Just take December�s"Leading Men": Noah Racey (Never Gonna Dance), Adam James (Our Sinatra) and Tom D�Angora (Divas I�ve Done).

News:

[ P ]  Brad Van Nostrand, a Performer Who Ballyhooed Shows at TKTS Booth, Dead at 40

[ B ]  Luke Perry Set for London's When Harry Met Sally

[ B ]  LCT's Henry IV Extends Through January 18

[ B ]  Swayze to Play Billy Flynn on B'way in December

[ B ]  Debbie Gravitte Returns to Broadway in Chicago

[ TM ]  Talk Amongst Yourselves: Rosie O'Donnell Will Not Spell Liz McCartney in Taboo

[ TM ]  Drama Book Shop Lists December Events

[ P ]  Lee Blessing's Down the Road Finds Destination at Off-Broadway's Blue Heron

[ P ]  Jon Robin Baitz's Paris Letter Forwarded to New York

[ P ]  King Lear Tickets Go on Sale to LCT Members Dec. 1

[ P ]  Seattle's Intiman Has Lucas World Premiere and Launches New "American Cycle" in 2004

[ P ]  Debbie Gravitte Returns to Broadway in Chicago

[ P ]  The Glass Menagerie to Reach Broadway in 2005; Streetcar Also Expected

Reviews:

[ TM ]  Caroline, or Change
Reviewed By: Brooke Pierce
posted at 12/1/2003 04:26:13 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ B ]  Looking Back: Mary in the '50s by Ken Mandelbaum
Mentioned as a possibility for a Broadway revival: Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy, starring John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Secret Garden, Six Degrees of Separation).

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Never Gonna Dance Swings Its Way to Broadway Dec. 4

[ P ]  Disney Begins Casting Stage of Mary Poppins

[ P ]  Elvis Presley Songs Will Fuel New Broadway-Aimed Musical, All Shook Up

[ P ]  Luke Perry�s Harry Meets His Sally In London�s West End

[ P ]  Sian Brooke to Play Juliet to Matthew Rhys� Romeo at RSC

[ P ]  Another Op�nin For London�s Kiss Me Kate�on DVD

[ P ]  B.D. Wong and Lou Diamond Phillips Honored at Third Annual Concert of Excellence Dec. 1

[ P ]  Broadway's Bernheim Joins Paper Mill's Allergist's Wife; Casting Complete

[ P ]  Marroquin Replaces d'Amboise in Broadway's Chicago

[ P ]  Marcovicci Cancels Perfs. Due to Vocal Injury; Mac Rae Fills In
posted at 12/1/2003 11:43:08 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

"Caroline, or Change" - Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'CAROLINE, OR CHANGE'
Outsiders Bond in a South of Roiling Change by BEN BRANTLEY
In ambition and achievement, this opera about integration in the early 1960's as shown at the Public Theater handily tops any new musical this fall.

[ NYer ]  UNDERWATER BLUES by JOHN LAHR
There are moments in the history of theatre when stagecraft takes a new turn. I like to think that this happened for the American musical last week, when "Caroline, or Change" bushwhacked a path beyond the narrative dead end of the deconstructed, overfreighted musicals of the past thirty years.

[ NJ ]  Musical evokes changing times BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
"Beulah" without a sense of humor, that's "Caroline, or Change," a tuneful if dour new off-Broadway musical opening yesterday at the Public Theater

[ ND ]  A '60s Culture Clash Is Subject to 'Change' by Linda Winer
Kushner's first musical: a smart but mixed bag of mixed ethnicities

[ YN ]  'Caroline' a Somber, Earnest Show by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic
Nothing else in this musical quite equals Pinkins' haunting display of emotion. And that's a puzzlement, not to mention a disappointment.

[ NYP ]  CHANGE FOR THE WORSE by DONALD LYONS
Here lies the problem with "Caroline, or Change." There's no plot. There's only resentment and anger and grievance that never get spoken.

[ TB ]  Caroline, or Change
Review by Matthew Murray
You've never seen anything quite like Caroline, or Change, the new production at the Public Theater, and you likely won't again any time soon.

[ B ]  Caroline, Or Change
Review by Eric Grode
Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's new musical is a curious blend of spunk, soul, rage and redemption that features some of Kushner's least virtuosic but most ingratiating writing.

[ CU ]  Caroline, or Change
Review

"Angels in America":

[ TIME ]  Heaven on Earth by JAMES PONIEWOZIK
In the dazzling HBO mini-series Angels in America, the politics and crises of the '80s feel close to home

[ NYer ]  AMERICA, LOST AND FOUND by NANCY FRANKLIN
Mike Nichols and an all-star cast tackle Tony Kushner�s masterwork.

[ NYer ]  Tony Kushner�s Paradise Lost by Arthur Lubow
This article on Kushner, by Arthur Lubow, appeared in The New Yorker in November, 1992, shortly before "Angels in America" opened in New York.

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
A talk with Helen Gallagher, who's getting back into the theater habit with Handy Dandy.

[ NYT ]  Out on the Heath, Storm Still Raging by ALAN RIDING
The Royal Shakespeare Company's new director has been given the difficult task of finding the troupe a new London theater and improving attendance rates.

[ B ]  Photo Op: Life is a Banquet with Auntie Mame BC/EFA Benefit

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Angels Prepares to Take Flight on HBO

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ CCT ]  Waters dives into his art by Robert Taylor
Filmmaker cultivates another form of expression

[ DFP ]  The musical hit that just won't quit BY MARTIN F. KOHN
Mel Brooks holds forth on 'The Producers,' his old plays, and what's up next

[ MH ]  For Agathe Von Trapp, new life begins in her 90s BY SARA NEUFELD, The Baltimore Sun
Agathe von Trapp is trying to set the record straight about her relatives, whose family name was memorialized by The Sound of Music.

Reviews:

[ NYP ]  RIDICULOUS IS SUBLIME OFF-B'WAY by DONALD LYONS

News:

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
"Taboo" (third item).

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 1

[ P ]  Mamma Mia! Star Offers Evening of New Composers Dec. 1

[ P ]  New Comedy, Dalliance in Vienna, with Christine Pedi, Presented Off-Broadway Dec. 2-21

[ P ]  John Kani to Appear in Lincoln Center's Dec. 2 "Platform" Event

[ P ]  Dinner and a Pinter; New York City Chefs Season Drama Ashes to Ashes in NYC, Dec. 3-21

[ P ]  Let There Be: Children of Eden Gets Starry Benefit Concert Dec. 1 in NYC

[ P ]  Institution-Bound Woman's Secrets Unlocked in Springvale Armadillo Reading Dec. 1-3

[ P ]  NYC Gay Men's Chorus Offers a "Twisted Holiday" Dec. 12

[ P ]  Bebe Neuwirth Hosts All-Star American Songbook Concert Dec. 1
posted at 12/1/2003 07:56:03 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Sunday, November 30, 2003

"Angels in America":

[ BG ]  Spectacular visions by Ed Siegel
Tony Kushner's play broke new ground, but it hasn't transformed Broadway as hoped

[ CT ]  How `Angels' translates from stage to small-screen by Michael Phillips
If getting a major play even halfway right in front of the cameras were an easy prospect, we'd all have fond memories of the 1950 movie version of "The Glass Menagerie," or the 1951 "Death of a Salesman," or the 1962 "Gypsy."

[ NYT ]  Hurricane Kushner Hits the Heartland by ALEX ABRAMOVICH

[ NYT ]  Finally, TV Drama to Argue About by ALESSANDRA STANLEY

[ CT ]  'Angels' in a strange new world by Chris Jones
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play arrives on HBO with an all-star cast but a new set of issues under its halo

[ CT ]  FACES Of AIDS by Sid Smith
The arts have portrayed AIDS victims over the past two decades with varying degrees of tragedy, comedy, beauty and truth

[ CCT ]  A heavenly production by Chuck Barney
"The fact that it's on television preserves the kind of (stage-like) intimacy," says Kushner.

[ SFC ]  ANGELS REBORN by Steven Winn
No one who was there could possibly forget it. On a very warm night in May 1991, in a converted warehouse at 16th and Harrison streets in San Francisco, a major new chapter in American theater history opened to a packed house.

[ SFC ]  AWED BY ARTISTRY BY HUGH HART
Mike Nichols is describing the pressures involved in directing the six-hour, $60 million maxi-movie adaptation of "Angels in America."

[ SFC ]  A WORLD OF WORDS by Christopher Hawthorne
Interview with Kushner.

[ HC ]  A Dramatic 'Feast' by ROGER CATLIN
Quotes from Kushner, Nichols, Pacino and Streep.

[ WP ]  HBO's 'Angels': Glory Be! by Tom Shales
Adaptation of Tony Kushner Play Soars With Visual, Emotional Splendor

Features:

[ ND ]  Fast Chat: Robert Sean Leonard by Blake Green
Interesting interview, with tidbits on Violet Hour, Long Day's Journey and his failed musical auditions.

[ ND ]  Music Maker by Blake Green
Jeanine Tesori explores new territory on Broadway as she teams up with Tony Kushner

[ ND ]  Bogosian Gives the Crowd His 'Worst' by Peter Goodman

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
Julie Harris.

[ INQ ]  Henry James' shame, set to music by Douglas J. Keating
Polly Pen and Laurence Klavan on "Embarrassments."

[ TS ]  North Bay to New York by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Tamara Bernier debuts on Broadway, steps into vamp role in musical Mamma Mia!

[ TS ]  For Shields, Broadway became Tabootylicious by RITA ZEKAS
Former Torontonian Cary Shields plays Boy George's lover in the Broadway musical Taboo. He went from Broadway virgin to appearing in two shows at the same time.

[ ND ]  Sibling Revelry Isn't 'Taboo' by Genetta M. Adams
As rumors swirl around on how long the musical "Taboo" will stay open on Broadway, Sarah and Megan Smith of Wallingford, Conn., are doing their part to make sure Boy George's autobio tribute to 1980s London doesn't fade away like a Flock of Seagulls hairdo.

[ NYT ]  Following in Fred and Ginger's Steps by VALERIE GLADSTONE
With a musical based on "Swing Time," Broadway's busiest choreographer, Jerry Mitchell, finally has a show that's all about dancing.

[ BG ]  A dream of a dynamic new stage crystallizes in 'Snow' by Louise Kennedy
With "Snow in June," an adaptation with text by Charles L. Mee of a 13th-century Yuan dynasty play, Chen Shi-Zheng says he wanted "to force this ancient, classic text into modern American theater and to see if it could blossom into something new."

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Rashad Gives Public Theatre The Scoop in The Story, Now In Previews

Thanks to American Theater Web for the following features!

[ OCR ]  An acting talent is lost much too soon by PAUL HODGINS
Kellie Waymire died suddenly earlier this month; she was only 36.
Reading the online appreciations that hit the Internet this week, I was disappointed to see little written about her stage roles.

[ HChron ]  Dorothy Loudon lives in memories by EVERETT EVANS

[ FW ]  Solo in the spotlight by Mark Lowry
One-person plays are on the rebound, allowing actors to show their stuff -- and a bit of history, too
Includes quotes from Frank Gorshin, Rupert Holmes and Frank Ferrante.

[ CE ]  The musical glue in Hairspray by Jackie Demaline
Good morning Baltimore! "Where every street's like an open sore?" laughs Marc Shaiman.

[ CE ]  Do you wanna dance? Here's how by Jackie Demaline
Move along with cast of 'Hairspray' by following these quick instructions

[ CE ]  Cincinnati producer busy on Broadway by Jackie Demaline
Rick Steiner of North Avondale is part of the producing team for three shows on Broadway.

[ LCJ ]  And here's your Q, Mrs. Robinson by JUDITH EGERTON
'The Graduate's' Linda Gray dishes on life, Sue Ellen and getting naked

Reviews:

[ P ]  ON THE RECORD: The Boy From Oz and Frank's Business
This week's column examines the new cast recording of The Boy From Oz, the reissue of the original cast recording of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and the new tome, "The Complete Lyrics of Frank Loesser."

[ WP ]  Cradle of a Great 'Democracy' by Peter Marks
On London Stages, Frayn Play Leads A Winning Ticket
Plus reviews of The Pillowman, Mourning Becomes Electra, Jumpers, and Jerry Springer: The Opera.

News:

[ HC ]  Finding Its Place On The River by Frank Rizzo
Sometimes it comes down to which side of a river you want to call home.
Goodspeed Opera House sits on the banks of the east side of the Connecticut River in East Haddam, a New England hamlet of immense charm and beauty.

[ TM ]  Andrea Marcovicci's Algonquin Engagement Cut Short
Due to a hemorrhaged vocal cord, Andrea Marcovicci has been forced to cancel the December 2-6 performances of her show If I Were A Bell: The Songs of Frank Loesser at the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room.

[ Z ]  WB Holds on to Jon Tenney

[ Z ]  ABC Is Suite on Corbett
John Corbett has signed on to an untitled ABC pilot set in a luxury hotel in the Bahamas, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He'll play the hotel's manager.
Michael Rispoli ("The Sopranos"), Laura Jordan, Jenny Wade and Sara Ramirez ("As the World Turns") have also joined the cast.

[ V ]  Indie presenters rewrite road rules
Operators turn new markets, non-Equity tours
Times are tough for the solo road presenter -- so tough that some drastic measures are being taken by independent operators. Over the past five years, Clear Channel Entertainment has moved to the forefront of the Broadway touring business, snapping up more theaters and becoming the road's biggest presenter, by some measure.

[ V ]  B.O. off; 'Anna' 244g
Broadway grosses

[ V ]  Biz up; Cincy 'Millie' 706g
Road grosses

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: NOVEMBER 30

[ P ]  Sweet Caroline: New Kushner-Tesori Musical Opens Off-Broadway

[ P ]  Omnium Gatherum No More at Variety Arts Theatre as 9/11 Play Closes Nov. 30

[ P ]  "Everything Old Is New Again" Celebrates Nancy LaMott Nov. 30; Composer David Friedman, Too

[ P ]  Jackie Mason's Laughing Room Only Closes on Broadway, Nov. 30

[ P ]  Michael Greif, Karen Ziemba and Cast of Never Gonna Dance on "Radio Playbill" Dec. 1-13
posted at 11/30/2003 11:38:23 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

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2007-08
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