Saturday, May 08, 2004

[ P ] A Streetcar Named Desire�with Patricia Clarkson�Begins May 8 at Kennedy Center

[ P ] Weaver and Lithgow End Run in Gurney Political Comedy Mrs. Farnsworth, May 8; Is There a Future for It?

[ P ] Off-Bway's Atlantic Theater Offers New Short Plays, On a Theme of "Chance," at Its New Black Box May 17-22

[ P ] All-Star Gala Salutes Paper Mill's Del Rossi May 8

[ P ] Never Gonna Dance Star Lemenager Joins Movin' Out as New Brenda May 8

[ NYT ] Shakespearean Diet: Pasta, No CoffeeBenefit for Theater for a New Audience

[ NYT ] Neil Simon, His Press Agent and the Kidney They Have in Common

[ NYT ] 'Homebody' Comes Home, a Mere 17 Drafts Later

Reviews

[ NYT ] Neil LaBute's Beasts, Two-Legged and Raging

[ NYP ] Giving Us The Creeps
The Distance From Here

[ NYT ] Rock 'n' Roll Just Right for the Milk and Cookies Set
Ben Brantley's review of Bye Bye Birdie

[ B ] We Love You, Conrad
Ken Mandelbaum reviews Bye Bye Birdie and Candide

[ AP ] AP REVIEW: 'Birdie' Still Has Appeal

[ DN ] Watch the 'Birdie' at Encores!

OK...so Tim makes it look neater...
posted at 5/8/2004 02:20:19 PM by the other James | Item Link

Friday, May 07, 2004

[ J-N ] Almost Famous by Whitney Pastorek
A Broadway cynic might say that somewhere beyond the revolving door of movie stars slumming on summer breaks, there is currently an opening for a Real Live Theater Star.

[ CSM ] Debating the existence of God - while doing backflips by Kim Campbell
Most theatergoers don't expect to get a lesson in moral philosophy with their Playbill. But one of Broadway's recent additions offers enlightenment - with a dash of three-ring circus.
posted at 5/7/2004 06:02:35 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Reviews:

[ TM ]  Bye Bye Birdie
Reviewed By: Marc Miller

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
The Normal Heart remains an explosive play; Margaret Curry exhibits great potential in her cabaret debut at The Duplex.

[ ND ]  Best of all possible worlds for 'Candide's' essentials BY JUSTIN DAVIDSON
Kristen Chenoweth, who seems to discover a few more high notes every time she opens her mouth, was born to be Cunegonde. When the show was last on Broadway, in 1997, Harolyn Blackwell made her a creature of indestructible innocence; Chenoweth gave her a raunchy soul.

[ SUN ]  This Is Still Our Youth by JEREMY McCARTER
Neil LaBute's new metaphor for suburban ennui, Kristin Chenoweth's new method of crowd control.

[ ATW ]  Hopeless Youths Seethe in LaBute's The Distance from Here
Review by Andy Propst

[ CU ]  The Distance From Here

[ CU ]  Bombay Dreams

Features:

[ B ]  Q&A: Shirley Jones & Patrick Cassidy by Tony Phillips

[ B ]  Photo Op: Dress Rehearsal of the Philharmonic's Candide

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Nominees for Drama Desk Awards Gather in NYC

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Broderick, Molina, Baldwin Help Bway Softballers Say "Play Ball!"

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: New LaBute Play Goes the Distance At MCC

News:

[ P ]  Tony Winners Dennehy and Plummer Are Catholic Priests in Showtime Sex Scandal Film "Our Fathers"

[ P ]  Molly Ringwald To Follow Alyson Hannigan In London When Harry Met Sally

[ P ]  New Philly Troupe Focuses on Resident Cabaret Artists and New Hybrid Musicals, Launching May 7

[ P ]  Wonderful Town and Wicked Scheduled for NBC "Weekend Today" Concerts

[ P ]  R&H Veteran Martin Vidnovic Is Royalty in New King and I Tour, Starting June 14

[ P ]  The Boy From Oz Reteams with The Bad Boy From Oklahoma! in "Van Helsing," Opening May 7

[ P ]  Studio and Director Commit to Rent on Film; "Harry Potter" Director Will Helm

[ ATW ]  Broadway and Beyond: 'Raisin', 'Jumpers' and 'Prymate' Among Last Entries for 2003-2004
XM Satellite Radio
posted at 5/7/2004 04:03:24 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ STARS ]  Brad Oscar: Having Fun Putting His Stamp On One Of Theater's Most Coveted Roles, Max Bialystock In THE PRODUCERS by ELLIS NASSOUR

[ NYT ]  ON STAGE AND OFF
Guilt by Association by JASON ZINOMAN
For an actor recently featured in one of the highest-grossing films of all time, Dario D'Ambrosi doesn't look very happy.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'THE DISTANCE FROM HERE'
Neil LaBute's Beasts, Two-Legged and Raging by BEN BRANTLEY
A more appropriate name for this less-than-subtle study of hope-starved American youth might be "The Crass Menagerie" or perhaps "The Naked Apes."

[ NYP ]  'ASSASSINS' HITS MARK by MICHAEL RIEDEL
One of the great show queen questions of our time has been resolved: Stephen Sondheim's critically acclaimed "Assassins" is a revival and not a new musical.

[ NYP ]  VOLTAIRE'S INNOCENT ABROAD by SHIRLEY FLEMING
LEONARD Bernstein's "Candide" gets a siz zling, near-manic performance at Avery Fisher Hall this week with the New York Philharmonic, Kristin Chenoweth and Patti LuPone
posted at 5/7/2004 08:29:01 AM by James Marino | Item Link

"Candide":

[ NYT ]  MUSIC REVIEW | NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
Voltaire via Bernstein, Donald Trump Reference Included by ANTHONY TOMMASINI
The adaptation of Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" on Wednesday was vibrant and delightful, except for the tasteless jokes added by director Lonny Price.

[ DN ]  Least of all possible 'Candides' by Howard Kissel
Since Leonard Bernstein is the only dead conductor the New York Philharmonic still lists on the title page of its programs, you might imagine a respect for him would inform its current concert version of his 1956 "Candide."

[ AP ]  Groves shines in Bernstein's 'Candide' by MICHAEL KUCHWARA
Let's hear it for the cheeky, campy "Candide" that has buoyantly landed at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall for, lamentably, only a four-performance run.

[ NJ ]  'Candide' cultivates garden of delight BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
Leonard Bernstein's grandest of comical operettas, "Candide," might well be getting the best of all possible staged concert performances by the composer's old home team, the New York Philharmonic.

[ P ]  Chenoweth, LuPone, McElroy, LaManna and Herrera Featured on WNYC Candide Broadcast May 7

"The Distance From Here":

[ AP ]  'Distance' raucous, unsatisfying by JUSTIN GLANVILLE
There's so much chain-smoking going on in "The Distance From Here," Neil LaBute's new play, that simply sitting in the audience is like sucking down a pack of Marlboros.

[ B ]  The Distance from Here
Review by Eric Grode
The advance word on The Distance from Here was that it would display Neil LaBute's gentler side. Nothing doing: Several scenes rank among the playwright's darkest, including a climactic act that actually instigated screams from one audience.

[ ND ]  'Distance': dark tale of teen aimlessness BY LINDA WINER

[ TM ]  The Distance From Here
Reviewed By: David Finkle

Other Reviews:

[ NYT ]  MOVIE REVIEW | 'VAN HELSING'
Full Moon, Romance and a Demon Rustler
A. O. Scott says this monster movie often "feels like an especially lavish episode of 'Scooby-Doo.'"

Features:

[ BS ]  Spotlight
Promoting Your Career on Video, CD, and the Internet
Donna Lynne Champlin -- In Praise of Electronic Self-Promotion

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
At the office, Filichia searches for recent theater-related books.

[ ND ]  In her 70s, a new mom BY BLAKE GREEN
Doris Roberts, screen mother to many, including 'Raymond,' is meddling again

[ DN ]  Family fun on 42nd by PATRICIA O'HAIRE
There's a new "Lullaby of Broadway" - and with it Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy are making musical-comedy history.

[ P ]  DIVA TALK: Tonya's Turn PLUS Friedman and Akers on Disc

[ B ]  Photo Op: First Ball for Broadway Show League's 2004 Season

News:

[ NYT ]  Betty Miller, 79, an Actress in Weighty Roles on Broadway, Dies by WOLFGANG SAXON
Betty Miller played major roles on New York stages and was a familiar presence as a character actor on tour, in films and on television.

[ IBDB ]  Betty Miller's Broadway Credits

[ B ]  Rent Film Back on Track; Columbus Directing

[ B ]  Final Tony Decisions Made; Assassins a Revival

[ P ]  Tony Rulings: Assassins Deemed a Revival

[ B ]  Off-Broadway's Johnny Guitar to Close May 16

[ P ]  Johnny Guitar Will Pack Up Its Pistols May 16; Cast Album Planned

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: MAY 7

[ P ]  The Personal and the Political Collide in Baitz's New Play, Chinese Friends, Off-Bway May 7-June 13

[ P ]  Speak Low: Neuwirth, Rees and Reinking Create New Weill Show, Here Lies Jenny, in the Shadows of Off-Bway

[ P ]  Polly Holliday Is Matron in Premiere of "New" Robert Anderson Play, Free and Clear, in Florida May 7-30

[ P ]  Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy Can't Resist "Those Dancing Feet," Joining 42nd Street May 7

[ P ]  Voice of the City, a New Musical With an O. Henry Twist, Gets NYC Reading May 13 at York

[ P ]  Frayn & Blakemore Together Again on Broadway WhenDemocracy Reigns Nov. 18 at Atkinson
posted at 5/7/2004 08:25:15 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Thursday, May 06, 2004

Features:

[ P ]  The Big Jump to Broadway
Simon Russell Beale makes his Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's Jumpers.

[ P ]  A Range of Change
Caroline, or Change, a new musical from Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori, reflects Kushner's attraction to the events, little and large, that define us.

[ TM ]  Giuliani Time by: Gerard Raymond
Playwright Christopher Shinn takes a long, hard look at life in NYC circa 2001 in his latest play, Where Do We Live?

[ B ]  Photo Op: A Primo Party for Broadway's Prymate

[ P ]  PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT: Prymate Tackles Issues, Poses Challenges

Reviews:

[ TB ]  The Beauty of the Father at Seattle Repertory Theatre
Review by David-Edward Hughes

[ TB ]  John Mahoney and Kevin Anderson in I Never Sang For My Father
Chicago Review by John Olson

News:

[ MSNBC ]  Summer concert kickoff!
NBC's 'Saturday Today on the Plaza' schedule, including 'Wonderful Town' and 'Wicked.'
Thanks to SQ on All That Chat for the link!

[ P ]  Never Gonna Dance Will Sing and Dance in Japan in 2005

[ B ]  Kennedy Center Pulls Birdie from Season

[ P ]  Casting Complete for Kennedy Center Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
posted at 5/6/2004 04:29:32 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

"Prymate" - Reviews:

[ B ]  Did Broadway Critics Go Wild for Prymate?

[ DN ]  How many monkeys typed up 'Prymate'? by Howard Kissel
In nearly three decades of professional theatergoing, I don't think I've ever seen a play worse than Mark Medoff's "Prymate."
Admittedly, and to my eternal regret, I missed "Moose Murders."
But, reportedly, that at least provided amusement. "Prymate" just stuns you with its awfulness.

[ JN ]  Season-ending stinker by JACQUES LE SOURD
"Prymate" fittingly ends our 29th season of reviewing plays on Broadway, and we can affirm that it is the very worst thing we have seen in 29 years.
The legendary "Moose Murders" � the one-night disaster that made Broadway history in 1983 � has nothing on this show.

[ NYP ]  FRIED CHIMP by CLIVE BARNES
THE 2003/2004 Broadway season officially closed last night with the arrival of Mark Medoff's "Prymate" at the Longacre Theatre.
Apparently, they saved the worst till last.

[ NJ ]  Drama borders on Neanderthal BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
That big, resounding thud you heard last night was "Prymate," which opened yesterday as the final drama of the 2003-04 Broadway season.

[ AP ]  'Prymate' strange and overwrought by MICHAEL KUCHWARA
Oh, my. What is one to make of Mark Medoff's "Prymate," the strangest play of this waning Broadway season?

[ R ]  Theater Review: Prymate by Frank Scheck (Hollywood Reporter)

[ INQ ]  About doing the humane thing by Howard Shapiro

[ HC ]  It's All Downhill In 'Prymate' by MALCOLM JOHNSON

Other Reviews:

[ B ]  DVDs: Life With Arnold by Ken Mandelbaum
TORCH SONG TRILOGY (New Line)

Features:

[ B ]  Photo Op: A Broadway Fete for Frozen

News:

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

[ P ]  Off-Broadway-Bound Jewtopia Extends Again in Los Angeles to June 27

[ P ]  The Best of Times Is Soon: Broadway La Cage Aux Folles Previews Begin November 2004

[ P ]  Tony Awards Tickets Go On Sale Morning of May 10

[ P ]  Mamma Mia! Continues Worldwide Expansion

[ P ]  Daryl Roth and Wendy Wasserstein Among Honorees in 2004 Jewish Cultural Awards June 7

[ P ]  Assassins Co-Stars Guest on "Theater Talk" May 7

[ P ]  Kennedy Center Says Bye Bye to Birdie Revival

[ P ]  Theatre for a New Audience Extends Engaged to May 23

[ P ]  Taboo's Original Broadway Cast Recording Due in July

[ P ]  The Tarnish in Tinseltown: Rabe's Hurlyburly Gets Staging by NYC's T. Schreiber Studio
posted at 5/6/2004 12:59:03 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Stage Notes: 05/05/04 by Paul Wontorek

[ TM ]  Loose Lips by: Brian Scott Lipton
Linda Emond remains a Homebody, Shuler Hensley reunites with Hugh Jackman in Van Helsing, and Colin Hay makes hay in Man @ Work.

[ B ]  Photo Op: Guinea Pig Solo Celebrates Pre-Opening

"Prymate" - Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'PRYMATE'
Ape Inspires Maternal Feelings, and Ambition by MARGO JEFFERSON
Of the passion-stirring issues Mark Medoff's play takes up, the most genuinely affecting is the relationship between humans and animals.

[ B ]  Prymate
Review by Celia Wren

[ TM ]  Prymate
Reviewed By: David Finkle

[ SUN ]  Gorillas To Be Missed by JEREMY McCARTER
For lack of anything better to do, I imagined what I would make of "Prymate" if, like some of the characters, I could only see the action, and not understand the words. Also "Frozen" and "Antigone".

Other Reviews:

[ TS ]  Hairspray holds up wonderfully by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
This is the hit that Toronto has been waiting for.

[ NYT ]  CABARET REVIEW | BOBBY SHORT
Bobby Short, Displaying a Little Bit of Soul by STEPHEN HOLDEN
At Tuesday's opening-night show of his 36th spring season at Cafe Carlyle, Mr. Short carried "Romance in the Dark" to a new level of soulful exuberance.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'IN TOKEN OF MY ADMIRATION'
Hawthorne and Melville Have it Out in a Basement by ANITA GATES

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'FROM DOOR TO DOOR'
Three Generations of Advice From Mothers to Daughters by ANITA GATES

News:

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: MAY 6

[ P ]  Is This Our Youth? LaBute Disturbs Anew With The Distance From Here, Opening May 6

[ P ]  Primary Stages Ends Season with Julia Jordan's Boy, May 6-June 27

[ P ]  Put on a Happy Face: Bye Bye Birdie Gets Starry Encores! Concert With Ziemba, Roberts and Jenkins May 6-10

[ P ]  Improbable Theatre's Lifegame Opens at London's National May 6

[ P ]  An Artist Looks at His Own Portrait in Bway Bow of Sight Unseen, From Manhattan Theatre Club

[ P ]  The Tarnish in Tinseltown: Rabe's Hurlyburly Gets Revival by NYC's T. Schreiber Studio

[ P ]  Adam Rapp's Gompers, Tale of a Steel Town, Features Anthony Rapp, In Pittsburgh

[ P ]  Les Miz Star Is 'Slay Miz' in Massachusetts Premiere of Lizzie Borden: The Musical
posted at 5/6/2004 07:52:06 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Wednesday, May 05, 2004

[ B ]  Newsday Editor Shrugs at Premature Reviews

Reviews:

[ ND ]  Review: "Prymate" BY LINDA WINER

[ TB ]  Prymate
Review by Matthew Murray
For all that's misguided in Prymate, there actually is the germ of a provocative story longing to get out. And while we see very little of it during Prymate's intermissionless 100 minutes, Medoff at least makes sure that, while we're shocked, horrified, and amazed, we're never, ever bored. That's some consolation.

[ TB ]  Immoral Imperatives
New Jersey Review by Bob Rendell

News:

[ B ]  Aida's Will Chase Tapped for A Little Princess

[ ND ]  Leather, blindfolds, audiences of one by Gordon Cox
You've probably heard Nicole Blackman's voice hundreds of times and never known it. Her day job is doing voiceovers in commercials for the likes of Chrysler, Cheerios and Turner Classic Movies.
"The Courtesan Tales" gives theatergoers a chance to hear that voice in far more intimate circumstances.

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
Joel Grey item.
Thanks to Wayman Wong on All That Chat for the link!

[ TM ]  Smithsonian Institution-Flushing Arts Council Affiliation Will Launch With Seven-Week Musical Theater Festival

[ TM ]  Marymount Manhattan College and York Theatre Company to Offer Musical Theater Intensive

[ P ]  New Public Theater Season Shapes Up with Richard III, Dirty Tricks and LaBute's This Is How It Goes

[ P ]  The Boy From Oz, Hugh Jackman, Hits Small Screen with TV Appearances

[ P ]  Assassins Star Neil Patrick Harris Appears on "Last Call with Carson Daly," May 6

[ P ]  Original "Wizard of Oz" Munchkin Gets Wicked May 13

Features:

[ ND ]  Big, bold, a bit racy BY BLAKE GREEN
Andre De Sheilds stars as a gorilla in 'Prymate,' Mark Medoff's new work that challenges stereotype

[ B ]  Photo Op: Lenny and Squiggy--Together Again!

[ P ]  PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT: A Freeze Frame in Frozen

[ TM ]  Photo File by: Michael Portantiere and Joseph Marzullo
TM is there for Sheldon Harnick's 80th birthday celebration, the 2004 Lucille Lortel Awards, and a stampede of end-of-the-season Broadway openings.

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Chenoweth Greets Her Celebrity Fans at Invite-Only Rehearsal for Candide Concert
posted at 5/5/2004 08:02:30 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ WIRE ]  Photos: New York Philharmonic's Candide Dress Rehearsal
Thanks to Cristin on the Kristin Chenoweth Online Forum for the link!
posted at 5/5/2004 01:23:29 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ NYP ] TIMES 'CHANGE' by MICHAEL RIEDEL
PRODUCER Rocco Landesman - who is currently administering castor oil to theatergoers in the form of Tony Kushner's "Caroline, or Change" - is furious with The New York Times for giving the show the back of its hand.
posted at 5/5/2004 12:53:36 PM by James Marino | Item Link

[ B ]  Aida Closes Sept. 5; Adam Pascal to Return
Disney Theatricals has confirmed that Aida will end its run at the Palace Theatre on Sunday, September 5 after playing 1,852 regular performances.

[ P ]  Broadway's Smash Musical, Aida, Will Close Sept. 5

[ TM ]  Broadway Production of Aida to Close on September 5

[ B ]  Assassins Looks to Oct. Extension at Studio 54
Broadway.com has learned that the non-profit plans on keeping the show open at Studio 54 until October 17.

"Frozen":

[ NYT ]  The Stars of 'Frozen' on Fire, Ice and Getting Inside a Nightmare by WILBORN HAMPTON
In Bryony Lavery's extraordinary play, a grieving mother (Swoosie Kurtz) visits a prison to talk to the man (Brian F. O'Byrne) who kidnapped, raped and murdered her 10-year-old daughter.

[ B ]  Were Broadway Critics Warm to Frozen?

[ TB ]  Frozen
Review by Matthew Murray
The MCC Theater production of Bryony Lavery's play, which just transferred to Circle in the Square, is a welcome glimmer of something unique and different in an otherwise fairly stolid season. But it is ultimately a wispy affair - it makes a strong impression while it's present, but once it's moved on, you might question whether it was ever there at all.

[ USA ]  Intelligent portrayals reveal play's chilling complexities by Elysa Gardner
* * * out of four

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'FROZEN'
Reasonable Discourse After a Child Is Murdered. Is That Reasonable? by BEN BRANTLEY
For a play centered on a serial murderer of little girls, Bryony Lavery's humane, intelligent drama is striking for its sustained aura of ordinariness.

[ NJ ]  A chilling tale: 'Frozen' moves to B'way, and doesn't break a sweat BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ DN ]  Solid performances in a soggy 'Frozen' by Howard Kissel

[ NYP ]  COMPELLING TRIO IN DRAMATIC DANCE OF DEATH by CLIVE BARNES

[ AP ]  'Frozen' still engages the mind by MICHAEL KUCHWARA

[ HC ]  A Mother Meets Her Child's Killer In Taut 'Frozen' by MALCOLM JOHNSON

[ B ]  Frozen
Review by Eric Grode

[ TM ]  Frozen
Reviewed By: David Finkle

Other Reviews:

[ TM ]  Tunes, Tomes, & Videos
Matthew Murray reviews the original cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's Bounce on the day of its release.

[ ATW ]  A Sizzlin' Salute to Brooklyn at Town Hall
Review by Andy Propst

[ ATW ]  'As I Lay Dying':The Journey to Jefferson
Review by Laura Shea

[ CU ]  Five by Tenn

[ CU ]  Caroline, or Change

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Memorable theater moments can occur when you least expect them. Filichia shares several.

[ B ]  First Person: Killer Instinct by Mary Catherine Garrison

[ B ]  Obscure Recordings: Broadway Hits on TV by Ken Mandelbaum

[ TS ]  The godfather of trash
John Waters: the original Jackass, and proud of it by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Tacky Hairspray movie inspired hit stage musical

[ B ]  Photo Op: Hairspray Welcomes New Edna and Tracy

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Young Stars May and Butler Rejoice in "Making It On Broadway"

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Rivera and Daniele Honored by Ballet Hispanico

News:

[ B ]  Vidnovic to Join Duncan on King and I Tour

[ B ]  Dundas Set for Kennedy Ctr.'s Glass Menagerie

[ P ]  Dundas is Laura in Kennedy Center's Glass Menagerie

[ P ]  Avenue Q's D'Abruzzo and Rent's Davis Go Head-to-Head May 10
Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who plays Kate Monster in the hit new musical Avenue Q, and recent Rent star Frenchie Davis will be seen on an upcoming airing of "Pyramid."

[ P ]  King Lear Signs for New Pocahontas Film

[ P ]  Jumpers Star Makes New York Cabaret Debut May 30

[ P ]  Crumb, Fuller, Morrison and York Celebrate Charles Strouse May 10

[ P ]  "Glitter and Be Gay": Chenoweth and LuPone Co-Star in Candide Concerts, May 5-8

[ P ]  Oh, Canada! Toronto Hairspray Opens May 5, with "American Idol" Veteran

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: MAY 5

[ P ]  Mark Medoff's Prymate Opens on Broadway May 5

[ P ]  CT's White Barn Chooses Bohemia Over Arcadia This Summer, Presenting Shows in Greenwich Village, June 4-26

[ P ]  Goodman Latino Theater Fest to Present Alfaro One-Man, Culture Clash and Chavez Musical

[ P ]  Gurney's Musical House of Mirth, Plus New Dead Puppet Piece, Find Home at White Oak Sundance Lab in FL

[ P ]  Adam Pascal to Return to Aida in June; New Solo Album in Works

[ B ]  Broadway Grosses: Sly Drop
Sly Fox star Richard Dreyfuss star was out sick for four out of eight performances last week (with Rene Auberjonois filling in for him as Foxwell J. Sly) and the show's box office seemingly suffered because of it.

[ TM ]  Brooklyn to Open on Broadway in October

[ ATW ]  Broadway and Beyond: S.F.'s Best of Broadway Has 2 World Premieres and the American Debut of 'Springer'
XM Satellite Radio
posted at 5/5/2004 12:43:58 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

Reviews:

[ ND ]  Review: "Frozen" BY LINDA WINER
For reasons best known to the many investors listed above the title in the program, this spare and harrowing play opened last night at Circle in the Square, which is way too big and ungainly for such a delicately observed experience.

[ TB ]  Parade
Chicago Review by John Olson

[ CU ]  From Brooklyn to Hollywood

Features:

[ B ]  Ask a Star: Marc Shaiman

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Nixon, Bacon, Benning Help Toast 25 Years of Second Stage

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Glitz and Glamour at Off-Broadway's Lortel Awards

News:

[ P ]  Broadway Grosses: April 26 - May 2

[ P ]  Macy's "Be a Tony Superstar!" Contest Offers Chance to Win Tony Awards Tickets

[ P ]  Spinella, Mendoza, Brown Read New Lucas, Ruhl, Greenberg at Pacific Playwrights Fest, May 7-9
posted at 5/4/2004 04:27:55 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ B ]  La Cage to Replace Aida at the Palace in Fall
Broadway.com has learned that La Cage aux Folles, which first opened at the Palace Theatre in 1983, is coming back to its original home. The upcoming revival of the tuner, directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, is slated to open at the Palace on December 9.

[ B ]  Tonys 2004 #7 by Ken Mandelbaum
It appears that John Lithgow could be taking on one of the leading roles in the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

[ P ]  Two Protestors Attack Actor and Playwright During Show in Attempt to Set Fire to Madrid Theatre

[ P ]  Mark Swain Upchurch, Talent Agent, Dead at 47

[ P ]  Pennebaker and Hegedus' Elaine Stritch Documentary Makes May HBO Premiere

[ P ]  Karen Akers' "If We Only Have Love" to Hit Stores June 8; Song List Announced

[ P ]  O'Donnell Returns to the Small Screen with "Riding the Bus" Movie

[ P ]  Adam Pascal and Everett Bradley to Perform at Our Time Theatre Company Gala

[ P ]  2004 MAC Awards to Feature Cantone, Flowers, Gold, Hoffman, Wallowitch and More

[ P ]  Hairspray Authors Head to the Chatterbox May 6

[ TM ]  Lucille Lortel Awards Bestowed at Minetta Lane Theatre

Reviews:

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
Broadway tries too hard with Bombay Dreams and Jumpers but a little musical called The Two Svengalis has its charms.
posted at 5/4/2004 12:54:09 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ INDIA ]  The nightmare of Bombay Dreams
Bombay Dreams, the much-ballyhooed Bollywood saga transported to Broadway stage, looks in danger of closing like a 99 cent mousetrap - unless it can be rescued...

[ PAK ]  Bombay Dreams goes belly up in New York by Khalid Hasan
Going by the reviews which if bad, can sink a show, the much-hyped Bombay Dreams which opened on Broadway...

I got the two links above from Google News. Interesting to see the picture those newspapers are painting for their readers in India and Pakistan.

[ B ]  Bug, Caroline Big Winners at 2004 Lortel Awards

[ P ]  Caroline, or Change, I Am My Own Wife, Bug Among 2004 Lucille Lortel Winners

[ B ]  Michael Frayn's Democracy Sets Broadway Dates

[ NYT ]  Republicans Lure the Arts to Politics and Protests by JULIE SALAMON
Dozens of arts groups are organizing events during the Republican National Convention at local clubs, theaters and the streets.

[ TM ]  Schedule of Events Listed for Ninth Annual International Festival of Arts & Ideas

[ TM ]  Jim Caruso's Cast Party to Reopen at Club Black

[ FOX ]  One Charge Dropped Against Jason Patric

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: MAY 4

[ P ]  London and Off-Broadway Hit Frozen Opens on Broadway May 4

[ P ]  "Soap" Star Jay Johnson Is No Dummy in Off-Bway's The Two and Only, Starting May 4

[ P ]  Kern, Wodehouse & Bolton Together Again When 1917 Musical, Have a Heart, Is Sung in NYC, May 4-16

[ P ]  Fans Expected to Pounce on Bounce Cast Album, May 4

[ P ]  Michael Cumpsty and Kate Fry Star in McCarter's My Fair Lady

[ P ]  Pop, Jazz and Theatre Artist Jack Donahue Sings "Strange Weather" on PS Classics CD, In Stores May 4

[ P ]  Ian McDiarmid Stars in Henry IV, Opening at London�s Donmar May 4

[ P ]  Big Pumps to Fill: Michael McKean Is Edna in Bway's Hairspray, With Jibson Under His Wing, May 4

[ P ]  Matt & Ben to Close in New York; Tour Headed for Chicago, Toronto, Beyond

[ NYT ]  John Hess, 85, Noted Writer Who Created an Early Soap Opera, Dies by DOUGLAS MARTIN
His play "The Grey-Eyed People" opened on Broadway in December 1952 and closed after five performances.

Features:

[ NYT ]  So These Two Jewish Guys Walk Into a Theater . . . by BERNARD WEINRAUB
"Jewtopia," a play in which a gentile slips into the world of Jews, has become one of the most improbable theatrical hits in Los Angeles.

[ TS ]  A buffed vampire slayer: Hugh Jackman flexes his muscles as Van Helsing by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Indiana Jones-like series unlikely as he seeks variety

[ B ]  Photo Op: Harvey Fierstein Bids Farewell to Hairspray

[ B ]  Photo Op: A Showy Shindig for Caroline, or Change

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'ENGAGED'
A Proper Victorian Battle With Greed by MARGO JEFFERSON
In the Theater for a New Audience production of W. S. Gilbert's farce on British society, there is a depressing gap between conception and execution.

[ NYT ]  Fooling Audience Ears With Some Golden Oldies by LAWRENCE VAN GELDER
Just when the musicians' union is battling the advent of the virtual orchestra and conductors are facing a future populated by baton-wielding pint-size robots, along comes "Toxic Audio in Loudmouth."
Thanks to Terence for the link.

[ TB ]  An Evening with Sammy Cahn: It�s Almost Magic
New Jersey Review by Bob Rendell

[ TB ]  Yankee Doodle Dandy
Seattle Review by David-Edward Hughes

[ CU ]  Rite of Return

[ CU ]  The Brits Off Broadway Dramafest at the 59E59 Theaters

[ ATW ]  Broadway and Beyond: 'Finian's Rainbow' and 'Bare' - Two Off-Broadway Musicals to Keep in Mind
XM Satellite Radio

[ ATW ]  'Merrily' an Admirable, if Uneven, 'Roll Along' a Difficult Sondheim Musical
Review by Andy Propst

[ ATW ]  Dobrish's Superpowers: Exploring Second Chances
Review by Andy Propst

[ ATW ]  A Dreamy Antigone That's Beautiful to Look at Will Undoubtedly Cause Debate
Review by Andy Propst
posted at 5/4/2004 09:20:17 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Monday, May 03, 2004

News:

[ B ]  Deutsch and Scott Welcome Sh-K-Baby
Broadway star Sherie Rene Scott and husband Kurt Deutsch, the "Sh" and "K" of the Sh-K-Boom record label, welcomed their first child into the world over the weekend. Elijah Mack Deutsch was born on May 1 at 2:38pm at a Manhattan hospital, weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces.
And there was much rejoicing.

[ B ]  Comedic Tuner Zipp! Readies for Off-Broadway

[ P ]  Assassins Star Neil Patrick Harris Appears on "Last Call with Carson Daly," May 5

[ P ]  "At Liberty," "Company," "Stage Beauty," "Tony n' Tina" Featured at Tribeca FilmFest, May 3-9

[ P ]  DeLaria, Mason, Moore, Thompson, Shindle and Walsh Join Girly Show May 17

Features:

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Hoffman, Guirgis, Wolfe Celebrate LAByrinth's Guinea Pig Solo

[ P ]  PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT: Raised by Wolfe, Caroline, or Change, Moves Uptown

[ TB ]  What's New on the Rialto? Interview with Stewart F. Lane by Nancy Rosati

Reviews:

[ ND ]  'Caroline' shortchanges its lauded creators BY LINDA WINER

[ NYT ]  A Tough, Sad Maid Comes to Broadway by BEN BRANTLEY

[ USA ]  Music, emotion unite in 'Caroline, or Change' by Elysa Gardner

[ NJ ]  When every penny counted BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ DN ]  B'way should have spared us 'Change' by Howard Kissel

[ NYP ]  SHORT 'CHANGE' by CLIVE BARNES

[ AP ]  Kushner's 'Caroline' is fitfully realized by MICHAEL KUCHWARA

[ SFC ]  Kushner's 'Caroline' a lament for love, family, courage by Steven Winn

[ TM ]  Merrily We Roll Along
Reviewed By: Michael Portantiere

Sorry for the delay getting "Caroline" reviews posted - sometimes a virus can really wipe you out! Especially if you get it early, before McAfee can post a fix.
And thanks for the sympathy letters...
posted at 5/3/2004 04:23:44 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Tonys 2004 #6 by Ken Mandelbaum

Reviews:

[ B ]  Critics Take Another Look at Caroline, or Change

[ TS ]  Laundry list of faults stains ambitious musical by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Caroline, Or Change is a show that you want to like a lot more than you actually do and figuring out why is the most interesting part of the process.

[ CU ]  Antigone

[ CU ]  Oleanna (London)

News:

[ P ]  Give Us Your Money! Musical Avenue Q Recoups Investment on Broadway

[ P ]  Brooklyn Begins Broadway Previews in September

[ B ]  Brooklyn Musical Sets Broadway Dates

[ B ]  Tribeca Theater Festival Plans Fall 2004 Debut

[ P ]  Sin, Pinafore!, Dr. Sex, Kurt Weill Review Among 2004 Jeff Citations Nominees in Chicago

[ P ]  Time of My Life and Eureka Musicals to Debut in Australia

[ P ]  Songs From Caroline, Or Change on "Radio Playbill" May 3-16

[ P ]  R. Bean Returns to Broadway's Chicago May 17

[ P ]  Paul Williams at Work on Happy Days Musical; Feinstein's Gig, Too

[ P ]  Foster Kids�Sutton and Hunter�Part of 92nd Street Y's All-Star Gala
posted at 5/3/2004 01:13:29 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ BS ]  Rediscovering Classics
Why Theatres Unearth Neglected Works and How They Give Them New Life by Leonard Jacobs

[ BS ]  As Philanthropic Giving Falls, Foundations Urged to Shift Priorities by Leonard Jacobs

[ BS ]  Schwartz, Sondheim, Shakespeare Top Drama Desk Noms by Leonard Jacobs

[ BS ]  SAG Board Sees No Conflict in Pisano-Netflix by Roger Armbrust

[ BS ]  States and Localities Continue Angling for Arts Allocations by Leonard Jacobs

[ BS ]  Goodspeed Trims Season at Chester
Decision Now a 'Month or Two' Off on Site for New Venue by Leonard Jacobs
posted at 5/3/2004 11:46:11 AM by James Marino | Item Link

[ TIME ]  Raisin and the Rapper by RICHARD ZOGLIN
Can P. Diddy freshen up a groundbreaking African-American drama? Only with a lot of help.
posted at 5/3/2004 10:06:36 AM by James Marino | Item Link

[ NYer ]  PUFFY AND FLUFFY by JOHN LAHR
"A Raisin in the Sun" and a Bollywood lemon.

[ NYM ]  Theater Review
Stereo Types by John Simon
A pair of Broadway revivals stirs up an old debate about British versus American drama�brain candy or matters of the heart.

Thanks to all our readers who send in links to us (like the two above!). It really helps us give you relevant links rather than just a batch of stuff. We appreciate it. You may have noticed that we did not have an update this weekend, sorry for that. The Sasser virus took out Tim's computer this weekend. Be sure to update your virus software.
posted at 5/3/2004 09:21:22 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Features:

[ NYT ]  Lincoln Stood Here, and Was Heard by GLENN COLLINS
Actor Sam Waterston will recreate Abraham Lincoln's 1860 speech at Cooper Union at its original interminable length in its original locale.

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
What show's recent opening had an apopleptic Filichia melting phone lines from New York to Boston?

[ P ]  THE LEADING MEN: Bolly High by Wayman Wong
If this is the month for May flowers, here are three "Leading Men" who are having a bloomin' good time: Manu Narayan (Bombay Dreams), Jack Donahue ("Strange Weather") and Chad Kimball (Baby).

[ TM ]  Jewish Problem Plays by: Adam Klasfeld
Adam Klasfeld examines some of the challenging plays about Jewish lives and politics that have filled New York stages this season.

Reviews:

[ TB ]  Caroline, or Change
Review by Matthew Murray
Never let it be said that Broadway cannot still be a magical place. Somewhere in the 40 or so blocks between The Public Theater and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, something amazing happened to Caroline, or Change: it became a full-fledged musical.

[ SUN ]  Maid in America by JEREMY McCARTER
Tonya Pinkins's Caroline is unbending, relentless: a Coriolanus in white stockings.

[ TM ]  Caroline, or Change
Reviewed By: David Finkle

[ B ]  Caroline, or Change
Review by Eric Grode

[ TB ]  Antigone
Review by Matthew Murray

[ B ]  Antigone
Review by Michael Bracken

[ CU ]  Follow My Leader

[ TS ]  Assassins a killer of a Broadway musical by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN

[ CU ]  Jailhouse Rock

[ P ]  ON THE RECORD: Rosemary Clooney, Dinah Shore and Julie Wilson

News:

[ B ]  Wicked, Wife & Town Are Tops with Outer Critics
The hit musical Wicked picked up the most 2004 Outer Critics Circle Award Awards with four, including Outstanding Broadway Musical, when the winners were announced on May 2. Wonderful Town followed closely behind with three awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

[ TM ]  Outer Critics Circle Names 2003-2004 Award Winners

[ P ]  Wicked, Wonderful Town, I Am My Own Wife Top 2004 Outer Critics Circle Awards

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: MAY 3

[ P ]  Frozen, Valhalla, Johnny Guitar, I Am My Own Wife Nommed for May 3 Lucille Lortel Awards

[ P ]  Understudies Shine in the Broadway Spotlight May 3

[ P ]  MTC Has New Works in "6@6" Reading Series Starting May 3; Daisey, Rapp, Rebeck Among Writers

[ P ]  Harnick, Schwartz, Strouse and More to Appear in Forum About Musicals for Family Audiences, May 3

[ P ]  Golda's Balcony Offers Actors' Fund Performance May 16

[ P ]  Maltby and Shire's Take Flight to World Premiere June 2005 in Australia

[ P ]  The Normal Heart Beats On, Extending to May 30
posted at 5/3/2004 08:01:19 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