Saturday, December 27, 2003

[ B ]  Stage Notes: 12/24/03 by Paul Wontorek

[ NYT ]  Paying Tribute, and Last Respects, on Gay Street by MICHAEL BRICK
posted at 12/27/2003 09:32:45 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ NYT ]  The Broadway Musical Is Changing Its Key by BRUCE WEBER
You can argue that this has been a good season for Broadway musicals. After all, five original shows have opened, more than in any other autumn in recent memory, and two of them, "Avenue Q" and "Wicked," appear to be hits. The former is expected to recoup its $3.5 million cost by the onset of the summer, its producers say; the latter has been raking in more than $1 million a week lately.

[ ZAP ]  Winslet Becomes Mother of Baby Boy
Kate Winslet's heart will go on -- to her new baby boy
Winslet, 28, and her husband Sam Mendes, 38, became the parents of Joe Mendes on Monday, Dec. 22, according to the AP.

I also have a sad note to pass on. Reader Steven J. Matay emailed to tell us that Raymond Lussa, a fixture in the Broadway souvenir books and merchandise for most of the major Broadway blockbusters of the 1970's and 1980's passed away this week. Some of the shows he worked on with his companies Raydell Publishing and Johnray Publishing were "Annie", the orignal production of "Chicago," "Pippin," "Evita," "La Cage Aux Folles" "Starlight Express," "The Tap Dance Kid," "Grand Hotel," "Me And My Girl," Both the Sandy Duncan and the 1991 Cathy Rigby "Peter Pan," Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "The Goodbye Girl," and "Biloxi Blues", just to name a few. Outside of the Broadway arena he worked on other major acts such as Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck and The Beatles. I did an IBDB search and found out that Mr. Lussa was a producer on the 1980 revival of The Music Man as well. Surely a man who touched so many on Broadway (fans and industry alike) will be missed.
posted at 12/27/2003 06:17:41 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Friday, December 26, 2003

Features:

[ NYP ]  'BOY' OH BOY! by MICHAEL RIEDEL
TIME to dole out some year-end awards to all those larger-than-life characters who make Broadway such fun to write about.

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Unable to put down the new biography of Joan McCracken, Filichia chats with the author.

[ P ]  DIVA TALK: A Chat with The Boy From Oz's Stephanie Block PLUS News of Peters and Burnett

[ TS ]  The remarkable Lynn Redgrave by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Chemotherapy couldn't keep her offstage this past spring

[ SUN ]  Denis O'Hare: The Exit Interview by JEREMY McCARTER
"Take Me Out" posted a closing notice, and I invited Denis O'Hare to lunch.

[ DN ]  'Last Supper' has its disciples by Robert Dominguez

[ DN ]  A show the crowd really gets intoby ROBERT DOMINGUEZ
Calling All Crooners: 'The Karaoke Show' invites audience participation.

[ BS ]  A Jolly Good Fellow
It might surprise people to see the classical actor hamming it up on a cartoon, but it turns out that what Sir Ian McKellen really wants is to show people his silly side, something he wasn't permitted to do at college.

[ CT ]  Gary Griffin directs revival of classic 'Little Night Music' by Lawrence Bommer

[ LAT ]  Drag drops its edgy persona for the mainstream by Sid Smith
The theatrical device is no longer viewed as subversive. Some say pop culture has raised the bar on what shocks.

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Dench Dons the Bard Once Again in All's Well at RSC

[ IS ]  Star's fantasy gift? Lost 1955 pageant kinescope by Peter Szatmary
Lee Meriwether wishes for Miss America triumph.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

News:

[ NYT ]  Fire in Storied Building Kills a Mainstay of Greenwich Village by SHAILA K. DEWAN
To David Ryan, Greenwich Village really was a wonderful town.

[ DN ]  Apt. blaze kills Village activist by KERRY BURKE and NICOLE BODE
Not much is left of basement apartment on Gay St. in Greenwich Village, where community activist David Ryan died yesterday in an electrical fire.

[ TS ]  Remembering the swordsman of Stratford by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Patrick Crean taught fencing to greatest actors of his time

[ NJ ]  Center stage by Peter Filichia
A few changes are afoot at African Globe TheatreWorks in Newark.

[ BG ]  For two companies, new spaces coming into play by Maureen Dezell
New Year will bring new venues

[ P ]  CBS Broadcasts "Kennedy Center Honors" Dec. 26; Burnett and Nichols Among Honorees

[ P ]  Lewis, Murney, Price, Shindle and Beach Take Part in Marcy & Zina Show in January 2004

[ P ]  Krakowski, Chenoweth, Wopat to Entertain at MTC Winter Benefit, Jan. 12

[ P ]  PBOL'S THEATER WEEK IN REVIEW, Dec. 20-26: Bye, Bye, "Bah" Show

[ P ]  Kim Fields and Ann Nesby Headline Musical Tour of Cover Girls in 2004

[ P ]  Former Rent-er Taye Diggs Joins Wife Menzel in Broadway's Wicked Dec. 25

[ P ]  Society of Singers to Honor Andrews, Bennett, Horne and More Jan. 27

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 25

[ P ]  Gerald Schoenfeld Named New Chairman of League of American Theatres and Producers

[ P ]  Elaine Paige to Launch "No Strings Attached Tour" in May

[ P ]  Jerry Springer Vocal Selections Now Available

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS � THE MUSICAL!'
The Hills Walk Alone in an Elephant's Eye by MARGO JEFFERSON
All a good parody needs is smart writers and winning performers. In the case of "The Musical of Musicals � The Musical!," two smart writers and four winning performers.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'THE LAST LETTER'
A Woman Faces the Inevitable While Refusing to Bow to It by BRUCE WEBER
A quiet reminder of the human capacity for cruelty and oppression is available in this monologue, which is taken from "Life and Fate" by the Russian novelist Vasily Grossman.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEWS
Recent Plays by LAWRENCE VAN GELDER
Reviews of "Sholom Aleichem � Now You're Talking!" at the DR2 Theater and "Schmaltz" at the 78th Street Theater Lab.

[ DN ]  A cook's tour of family beefs by Howard Kissel
Unappetizing: Jonathan Reynolds dishes his parents.

[ DN ]  Plaudits for audit of a heart by Howard Kissel
At the beginning of "Love and Taxes," the sequel to his hilarious "Red Diaper Baby," Josh Kornbluth announces the theme of his new piece with almost mathematical precision.

[ WP ]  'Cooking With Elvis': A Recipe Both Sordid And Satisfying by Peter Marks
"Cooking With Elvis" is in absolutely terrible taste. And I mean that in a good way.

[ NYP ]  LOOK TO 'Q' FOR QUALITY by CLIVE BARNES
THE year on Broadway was hardly the best of times. In fact, it came teeteringly close to the worst.

[ NYP ]  PLENTY OF ON-TARGET THEATER OFF-BWAY by DONALD LYONS
THE dramatic event of 2003 was "I Am My Own Wife," Doug Wright's investigation (now on Broadway) of the incredible life of transvestite Charlotte von Malhsdorf in the Berlin of, first, the Nazis and then the Commies.

[ CST ]  Local theater keeps growing in diversity
Here are a handful of observations from a year of theatergoing.
posted at 12/26/2003 12:31:32 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Thursday, December 25, 2003

[ NYT ]  CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK
The Broadway Musical Is Changing Its Key by BRUCE WEBER
Whither Broadway music?

[ NYT ]  ON STAGE AND OFF
Stage Fright Hits New Shows by JASON ZINOMAN
Though the Broadway box office has been picking up during the holidays, even the jolliest soul on the Great White Way must have noticed that some of the new shows look a bit vulnerable heading into the New Year.
posted at 12/25/2003 09:54:20 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ NY1 ]  Fire Kills Man In Historic Greenwich Village Building
The fire occurred just after midnight Thursday inside the basement apartment at 14 Gay Street.
Fire Department officials say the victim was dead when they arrived.
The building was once the home of Ruth McKenney, whose writings inspired the 1950's musical "Wonderful Town," currently running as a revival on Broadway.
Authorities have not released the identity of the man who died, but the 180-year-old building was featured last week in the Real Estate section of the New York Times. The article identified the apartment's tenant as 55-year-old David Ryan.
Thanks to Drum1870 on All That Chat for the link.
And here is the link to the article about Mr. Ryan and his apartment.

[ HC ]  'King Kong' The Musical Stomping To Goodspeed by Frank Rizzo
And what happened to the hot musical in Chester earlier this year? You know the one that had desperate fans ponying up $500 to see the show. The silence surrounding future plans for Frank Wildhorn and Nan Knighton's "Camille Claudel" is significant.
posted at 12/25/2003 12:43:56 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Merry Christmas, and thank you all for a great year! I leave you with this tidbit sent to us to gnaw on this Christmas Day:
Which producers are trying to bring Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe to Broadway in Barefoot In The Park?

posted at 12/25/2003 08:34:15 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Features:

[ B ]  Looking Back: A TV Christmas Trio by Ken Mandelbaum

News:

[ B ]  D'Amboise Returns as Roxie Hart for a Week

[ B ]  Off-Broadway's Trumbo to Close on January 18

[ P ]  Blacklisted Screenwriter Homage Trumbo Set to Close Off-Broadway, Jan. 18

[ P ]  Playwrights Guirgis and Orlandersmith Selected for Sundance Screenwriters Lab

[ B ]  Max von Essen to Step into the Spotlight Twice

[ P ]  Bryan Batt to Host Broadway Bears VII Feb. 15

[ P ]  Dretzin Featured in Free Readings of New Catlin Play

[ P ]  Rhapsody in Seth's Rudetsky Joins Plotnick for Mortification Theatre

[ P ]  Will Thomas Follow Springer With Streetwise Urban Opera?

[ P ]  Three Jerrys and a Harvey: Zaks and Mitchell Team Up for Revival of Herman-Fierstein La Cage
posted at 12/24/2003 02:23:44 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ DN ]��A Rao's razz led to killing
Say wiseguy blasted man who dissed singer
Um... well... a little holiday spirit for all.
posted at 12/24/2003 10:19:35 AM by James Marino | Item Link

News:

[ V ]  B'way giants rattle 'Cage'
Zaks to helm, Mitchell to choreograph revival
Two gay guys and two legit giants make for one Broadway revival. Clear Channel is joining with the Nederlanders to bring "La Cage aux Folles" back to Gotham next season. The musical version of the 1978 French film about a gay club owner and his transvestite partner opened in 1983.

[ NYT ]  Les Tremayne, a Leading Man on Radio Shows, Dies at 90 by BEN SISARIO
Les Tremayne was a honey-voiced leading man of radio's golden age. Among his credits were "The Thin Man," "The Falcon," "Betty and Bob" and "The Romance of Helen Trent."
But to me, he was Mentor, the guy who drove the van, on "Shazam!"

[ IBDB ]  Les Tremayne's Broadway Credits

[ CST ]  Theaters will spotlight France next fall
En garde! The French Cultural Services office of Chicago will be joining forces with 10 Chicago theater institutions next October and November for a festival designed to showcase the work of contemporary playwrights from France and other French-speaking nations.

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 24

[ P ]  Charles Dickens' Scrooge Humbugs Playhouses Across the U.S. in A Christmas Carol

[ P ]  Brenda Braxton Returns to Chicago Next Month

[ P ]  Armstrong's Shylock Makes N.Y. Debut Jan. 8 and 9

[ B ]  Broadway Grosses: Happy Holiday for Henry

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
What hit shows do Filichia's friends and relatives want to see during Christmas week?

[ BG ]  Waiting in the wings with their act together by Louise Kennedy
In Boston, there's one understudy this season who never got the call -- "thank God," he says.
"Can you imagine," asks Jeremiah Kissel, "standing stage left in the wings, listening to 880 people find out that Nathan Lane is not coming out tonight?"

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Wicked Personalities Meet and Greet Fans at CD Signing

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK
First Person Plural: Two Onstage Autobiographies by BRUCE WEBER
Josh Kornbluth and Mark Lundholm are both performing autobiographical pieces Off Broadway at the moment, but they don't have a great deal else in common.

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
Barbara & Scott on Rose's Dilemma, The Regard Evening, and a clutch of cabaret Christmas shows.
posted at 12/24/2003 08:29:22 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

Features:

[ TM ]  The Scoop on Scalping
David Finkle takes a hard look at one of the world's oldest professions.

[ P ]  A Gamut from B to A
Beckett/Albee reunites two distinguished playwrights with equally distinguished players, Marian Seldes and Brian Murray

[ B ]  Photo Op: Carols for a Cure Raises Holiday Spirits

Reviews:

[ VV ]  Winter's (Moral) Tales
Wallace Shawn asks unpleasant questions; Kathleen Chalfant lives the heartfelt answer by Michael Feingold
The Last Letter at Lucille Lortel Theatre; Aunt Dan and Lemon at Harold Clurman Theatre

[ VV ]  The Parody of Parodies That Broadway Musicals Deserve by Michael Feingold
The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at Theater at St. Peter's Church

[ VV ]  Sightlines by Michael Feingold
The Regard Evening at Signature Theatre

[ VV ]  Holiday Humbug by Charles McNulty
Yes, Virginia, there is a limit to Christmas pageantry
I liked the line about "the obsessive-compulsive humorist Seth Rudetsky"...

News:

[ P ]  Broadway Grosses: December 15-21
posted at 12/23/2003 05:21:08 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Fresh Face: Margo Martindale by Beth Stevens

[ B ]  Photo Op: Broadway and Soap Stars Toast Hairspray's Brier

News:

[ P ]  Broadway Revenue Slightly Up in 2003 to $730 Million

[ TM ]  Neuwirth and Rees to Sing Weill With Collegiate Chorale
posted at 12/23/2003 03:24:01 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Reviews:

[ B ]  2003 on Disc--Part Two by Ken Mandelbaum

News:

[ P ]  Taye Diggs Makes Early Appearance in Wicked
Former Rent-er Taye Diggs surprised audiences at the Dec. 22 performance of Wicked.

[ B ]  Taye Diggs Gets Early Start as Wicked's Fiyero

[ P ]  Larry David Offered Bialystock Role in Broadway's The Producers on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

[ P ]  Hope Lange, Film and Stage Actress, Is Dead at 70

[ P ]  Museum of Television & Radio Offers Original Russell Wonderful Town, Dec. 26-Jan. 4
posted at 12/23/2003 11:57:45 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Reviews:

[ TIME ]  2003: The Best Theater by Richard Zoglin

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'HANDY DANDY'
Cold War of Words: Heart Meets Mind in a Debate Over Justice by MARGO JEFFERSON
William Gibson's predictable protest play at the Neighborhood Playhouse that sets a judge against a nun is filled with schematic, smug prose.

[ NYT ]  CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK
A Shrew and Her Tamer: Two Views, One Famous by BRUCE WEBER
Gregory Doran directs the inspired coupling of "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Tamer Tamed" with extravagant comic flair at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

[ WP ]  Star-Quality Shakespeare: 'Henry IV' Worthy of the Title by Peter Marks

[ ATW ]  Musical of Musicals Comical Valentine to the Art
Review by Andy Propst

News:

[ B ]  Byron Jennings Joins the Cast of Sight Unseen

[ YN ]  Attendance Down, Grosses Up on Broadway by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Writer

[ V ]  Equity slots legit talks
URTA pact discussion to begin next month

[ P ]  Aida Star Sings on TV Dec. 24

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 23

Features:

[ SMH ]  Mad about the Boy
Word of mouth and Hugh Jackman's stunning performance defy negative reviews, writes Phillip McCarthy in New York.
Gannon says the producers are looking at replacement possibilities but admits duplicating Jackman's star wattage will be a challenge.

[ BS ]  Character Studies: Marcia Gay Harden
Always consistent, always versatile, Marcia Gay Harden was destined for greatness because she always understood how to make the most of every role, and she had the hunger to go the distance long before meeting Mr. Oscar.

[ BS ]  Nilo Cruz: When Doors Start Opening
"I've often wondered how one play gets to Broadway and another, that's equally good or better, does not. I'm still not sure," asserts playwright Nilo Cruz.

[ WP ]  Backstage: 'Jumpers,' Posing An Intellectual Leap by Jane Horwitz

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: His Dark Materials Begins in London

[ P ]  Playbill On-Line Looks Back at Theatre 2003: A Year in Images

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Broadway Audiences Stroll the Avenue

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: The Great White Way Falls Dark and Silent

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: A Broadway Legend is Born

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Everything's Comin' Up Bernadette

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Husband and Wife Leave Hollywood for Broadway

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Kline Chimes in on Shakespeare

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Boy Meets Rosie

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: They're Not in Kansas Anymore

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Broadway's Past Comes to Life Again

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Playwright, or Librettist?

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Playbill Goes eBay

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Big River Shows Big Heart

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Dennehy Triumphs in Another American Classic

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Jerry Springer Finally Went to Hell... in London

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Broadway Bids Farewell to an Old Friend

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: A Telecast for the Twenty-First Century

[ P ]  PHOTO RECALL: Krakowski Unravels for Nine Audiences
posted at 12/23/2003 07:45:28 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Monday, December 22, 2003

News:

[ P ]  More Casting Announced for World Premiere of Beautiful Child Off-Broadway
George Grizzard, Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros and Kaitlin Hopkins will join Penny Fuller in the upcoming world premiere of Nicky Silver's Beautiful Child at Off-Broadway's Vineyard Theatre.

[ P ]  Kushner's Caroline, Angels Top 2003 Best Lists, Six Nixed

[ P ]  Susan Egan in Talks to Replace Tony Winner Sutton Foster in Thoroughly Modern Millie

[ P ]  National Theatre Revival of Jumpers to Begin Broadway Previews in April

[ P ]  Bill Irwin's The Regard Evening Extends Off-Broadway to Feb. 1

[ P ]  Alyson Hannigan Will Be London Sally to Luke Perry's Harry

[ P ]  McGovern and Ross Receive 2004 Nightlife Awards; Complete Winners List Announced

[ P ]  Thou Shalt Not Composer Harry Connick, Jr. to Star in Movie Musical "Ben Invention"

[ B ]  Bill Irwin's The Regard Evening Extends Off-B'way

[ B ]  Alyson Hannigan to Star in When Harry Met Sally

[ TM ]  Maureen McGovern, Sharon McNight, Steve Ross, and Phillip Officer Among Nightlife Award Winners

Features:

[ ND ]  Rockin' the Boat for a Loesser Revival by Blake Green
Marcovicci show and composer's widow focus on his life and work

[ B ]  Photo Op: A Bash for Aunt Dan and Lemon's Opening

[ IS ]  Sister silliness by Peter Szatmary
'Nunsense' star Engel has appeared in several tours.

[ IS ]  IRT staffer's advice aided Engel by Peter Szatmary
Thanks to American Theater Web for the Indy Star links.

Reviews:

[ TM ]  Tunes, Tomes, & Videos
Matthew Murray has a great time poring through The Complete Lyrics of Frank Loesser, new from Knopf.

[ NJ ]  Young cast in 'Black Nativity' gives a reason to believe BY PETER FILICHIA

[ ATW ]  Finding the Humor of Addiction in Recovery
Review by Andy Propst

[ ATW ]  Rose's Dilemma:A Humorless, Haunted Situation
Review by Andy Propst
Andy Propst
posted at 12/22/2003 05:47:47 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Reviews:

[ B ]  2003 on Disc--Part One by Ken Mandelbaum

News:

[ B ]  James Naughton Returns as Chicago's Billy Flynn

[ P ]  Tony Winner James Naughton to Return to Broadway's Chicago

[ P ]  London's Stones in His Pockets To Close Feb. 21

[ P ]  Playbill Editor Judy Samelson Looks Back at Broadway�s 2003 on "Radio Playbill" Dec. 22-Jan. 3

[ P ]  Bernadette Peters, Carol Burnett and Nathan Lane to Appear on Sherry! Recording
posted at 12/22/2003 12:13:41 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ MH ]  For Raul Esparza, there's one 'Taboo' BY CHRISTINE DOLEN

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia argues that he's not a weirdo because he likes musical theater -- and neither are you!

News:

[ NYT ]  Hope Lange, Versatile Actress and Emmy Winner, Dies at 70 by LYDIA POLGREEN
Hope Lange was a film, television and stage actress noted for her comedic style and portrayals of women in difficult circumstances.

[ IBDB ]  Hope Lange's Broadway Credits

[ NYT ]  Gladys Shelley, 92, Songwriter for Cabaret and Advertising, Dies by PETER KEEPNEWS
Gladys Shelley was a prolific songwriter whose jingle for Palisades Amusement Park once saturated the airwaves in the New York area.

[ B ]  Gladys Shelley's Broadway Credits

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
WHAT WOULD you say to a musical starring Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, Carol Burnett and Tommy Tune, with a special appearance by Mike Myers?
Is this a dream? Well, kind of, but much of this story is a regular nightmare. Here's a showbiz tale that could only happen in . . . well, showbiz.

[ NYT ]  For 'Angels,' High Marks, but Fair Ratings by BILL CARTER
HBO's ambitious six-hour movie version of "Angels in America" has attracted effusive critical praise, but the ratings so far have been more modest.

[ BG ]  Children's Theatre gets gift from a 'King'
A LION'S SHARE: Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor hasn't forgotten her roots.

[ V ]  'Allegro' gets 2nd chance
Prod'n opens Jan. 11; 14 actors may play multiple roles

[ V ]  Viennese space vixen
'Barbarella'-based tuner sets March bow
It's not only movies that are latching onto the current comicbook craze.

[ V ]  Tuner to depict soccer star's ups and downs
Maradona play to bow Jan.7, then go int'l

[ P ]  Ripley, Murney, Harada and Von Essen Celerbate Xmas in Manhattan Dec. 22

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 22

[ P ]  Playbill On-Line Selects the Top Theatre Stories of 2003

[ P ]  Arts Council England Wields Axe at Hampstead

[ P ]  Talk Show Watch: Jimmy Smits on "Today," Patrick Swayze on "Good Morning America," Michelle T. Williams on "Regis"

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN'S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT'
Crayon-Colored Excursion Into Positive Thinking by BEN BRANTLEY
By telling the story of Scientology through young children, "Pageant" at the John Houseman Theater becomes a spooky, sharp-toothed smile of a show.

[ NYP ]  JUNKIE BECOMES 'ADDICTED' TO LIFE by DONALD LYONS
This is a show that stays with you.

[ NYP ]  ANTI-WAR TALE A REAL 'LEMON' by DONALD LYONS
This nonsense, put forward in 1985 by Wallace Shawn as a slightly exaggerated American rationale, is now being revived by director Scott Elliott as relevant to the Iraqi war.

[ CU ]  Rose's Dilemma
Review
posted at 12/22/2003 07:44:23 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Sunday, December 21, 2003

Features:

[ NYT ]  Act I, Scene 1: A Basement in the Village by PENELOPE GREEN
David Ryan has the sometimes unsettling privilege of living in a literary artifact. His mostly subterranean apartment is the onetime home of Ruth McKenney.

[ NYT ]  'Sister Eileen' to Daughter, Eileen, a State Judge by MERVYN ROTHSTEIN
RUTH McKENNEY'S sister, Eileen, died in 1940 at age 26 in an automobile accident in California, two years after "My Sister Eileen" was published and four days before its first stage version opened on Broadway. Ruth McKenney's daughter, Eileen, was born a year and a half later. She is a State Supreme Court justice in Manhattan.

[ P ]  CHANNELING THEATRE: A Chat with Mary Testa and the 1953-54 TV season
This month we chat with two-time Tony nominee (On the Town, 42nd Street) Mary Testa, who plays the recurring role of Sophia in the Whoopi Goldberg sitcom, "Whoopi" (NBC, Tuesday, 8:30 PM ET), and we also look back at what was happening on television 50 years ago, and how it related to Broadway.

[ P ]  The Sting of Truth
John Kani's Nothing But the Truth is a searing look at a people in turmoil in the aftermath of apartheid

[ CT ]  What's in store for small theaters? by Michael Phillips
Years from now, 2003 may be remembered as a year not unlike 1999, a year in which the city cracked down, hard, on small theaters operating without a license.

[ CT ]  'The Dead' star takes theatrical successes in stride by Lucia Mauro
Deanna Dunagan prefers crediting her fellow players

[ ND ]  She's Living A Dream, Girl by Andy Edelstein
There are no second acts in American life, F. Scott Fitzgerald observed many years ago.
Frenchie Davis most likely would disagree with the author of "The Great Gatsby."

[ BG ]  ART, for its new production, creates the ultimate snow job by Catherine Foster
CAMBRIDGE -- The snow in the American Repertory Theatre production of "Snow in June" drifts down as lightly as Colorado powder, only it's not wet and it's not actually snow.

[ B ]  Photo Op: Wicked Fans Get Their Favorite New CD Signed

News:

[ NYT ]  Weddings and Celebrations: Terrence McNally, Thomas Kirdahy
Terrence McNally, the playwright, and Thomas Joseph Kirdahy, a public-interest lawyer, affirmed their partnership last evening at the Inn at Sawmill Farm in West Dover, Vt.

[ V ]  B.O. off; 'Nine' exits
Broadway grosses

[ V ]  'Producers' hits Toronto
Road grosses

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 21

[ P ]  Women on Fire to Be Relit at Cherry Lane Jan. 7, 2004

[ P ]  Praised New Newspaper Drama, The Story, Closes Dec. 21 at The Public; Moves to Long Wharf in 2004

[ P ]  The Violet Hour Wanes at Broadway's Biltmore Dec. 21

Reviews:

[ NJ ]  From Beckett to the Bible found on London stages BY SCOTT FOSDICK

[ WP ]  Essay
Reagan's Legacy, Where 'Angels' Dares to Tread by Philip Kennicott

[ LAT ]  Hope springs eternal by David C. Nichols; Daryl H. Miller; Don Shirley; Reed Johnson; Michael Phillips; Patrick Pacheco; Lynne Heffley
Expectations were high for this year's crop. Then the curtains began to rise, and reality set in. Which shows delivered, and which ones fell short?

[ LAT ]  L.A. to N.Y. a bumpy flight by Don Shirley
This season's reports from New York are full of sneering reviews, projects that closed before they opened and actors walking away from shows.
posted at 12/21/2003 09:52:52 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

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[Past News]

BROADWAYSTAR'S FIVE DAY FORECAST

2007-08
Broadway Season

June 28 - Old Acquaintance (AA)

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

Aug 19 - Grease (Atkinson)

Oct 4 - Mauritius (Biltmore) [MTC]

Oct 11 - The Ritz (54)

Oct 18 - Pygmalion (AA)

Oct 25 - A Bronx Tale (Kerr)

Nov 1 - Cyrano de Bergerac (Rodgers)

Nov 4 - Rock 'N' Roll (Jacobs)

Nov 8 - Young Frankenstein (Hilton)

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

Nov 10: Local One Strike Begins

Nov 28: Local One Strike Ends

Dec 2 - Cymbeline (Beaumont)

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

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

Dec 6 - The Seafarer (Booth)

Dec 9 - Is He Dead? (Lyceum)

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

Jan 10 - The Little Mermaid (Lunt)

Jan 15 - The 39 Steps (AA)

Jan 17 - November (Barrymore)

Jan 24 - Come Back, Little Sheba (Biltmore)

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

Feb 28 - Passing Strange (Belasco)

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

Mar 9 - In The Heights (Rodgers)

Mar 27 - Gypsy (St. James)

Mar 29 - Macbeth (Lyceum)

Apr 3 - South Pacific (Beaumont)

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

Apr 24 - Cry Baby (Marquis)

Apr 27 - The Country Girl (Jacobs)

Apr 30 - Thurgood (Booth)

May 1 - Les Liaisons Dangereuses (AA)

May 4 - Boeing-Boeing (Longacre)

May 7 - Top Girls (Biltmore)

TBA - Godspell

2008-09
Broadway Season

Oct 16 - Billy Elliot (Imperial)

Nov 08 - Dividing the Estate (a Shubert theater)

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

Talked About
Not Scheduled Yet

TBA - 50 Words

TBA - Addams Family (Elephant Eye)

TBA - American Buffalo

TBA - An American Vaudeville [Farrell, Perloff]

TBA - The Beard of Avon [NYTW]

TBA - Being There [Permut]

TBA - Benny & Joon [MGM]

TBA - Billy Elliot

TBA - Brave New World [Rachunow]

TBA - Breath of Life [Fox]

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

TBA - Broomhilda

TBA - Bye Bye Birdie [Niko]

TBA - Camille Claudel [Wildhorn]

TBA - Camelot

TBA - Carmen [Robin DeLevita and The Firm]

TBA - Catch Me If You Can

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

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

TBA - Designing Women [Alexis]

TBA - Don Juan DeMarco [New Line]

TBA - Dreamgirls [Creative Battery]

TBA - Duet

TBA - Equus

TBA - Ever After [Adam Epstein]

TBA - Fallen Angels (Shubert) [Kenwright]

TBA - Farragut North [Richards]

TBA - Father of the Bride

TBA - The Female Of The Species (TBA)

TBA - Fool For Love (AA) [Roundabout]

TBA - Girl Group Time Travelers

TBA - Golden Boy

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

TBA - Hitchcock Blonde

TBA - The Importance Of Being Earnest

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

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

TBA - Josephine [Waissman]

TBA - Leap of Faith

TBA - A Little Princess [Ettinger, Dodger]

TBA - Midnight Cowboy [MGM]

TBA - The Minstrel Show - Kander and Ebb and Stroman

TBA - Moonstruck [Pittelman, Azenberg]

TBA - Mourning Becomes Electra [Haber, Boyett]

TBA - Monsoon Wedding

TBA - The Night of the Hunter

TBA - The Opposite of Sex [Namco]

TBA - Orphans

TBA - Pal Joey [Platt]

TBA - Paper Doll

TBA - The Paris Letter

TBA - The Philadelphia Story

TBA - Peter Pan

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

TBA - The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

TBA - The Princess Bride

TBA - Princesses [Lane, Comley]

TBA - Poe the Musical

TBA - Rain Man [MGM]

TBA - Robin Hood

TBA - Secondhand Lions

TBA - South Pacific

TBA - Speed-the-Plow

TBA - Stalag 17

TBA - Starry Messenger

TBA - Syncopation

TBA - A Tale Of Two Cities

TBA - Torch Song Trilogy

TBA - Turn of the Century

TBA - West Side Story

TBA - The Wall [Weinstein, Mottola, Waters]

TBA - Will Rogers Follies [Cossette]

TBA - The Wiz [Dodger]

TBA - Zanna [Dalgleish]

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

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2007-08Broadway Season

2008-09Broadway Season

Talked AboutNot Scheduled Yet

2007-08
Broadway Season

2008-09
Broadway Season

Talked About
Not Scheduled Yet