Saturday, July 17, 2004

[ NYT ]��An Island in New Jersey: An Actor's Commute, and All That Jazz by PENELOPE GREEN
CHRISTOPHER SIEBER'S commute home each night from his job on Broadway (he's playing the lawyer Billy Flynn in "Chicago" through Aug. 1) starts in a Lincoln Town Car and concludes in an aluminum rowboat.
posted at 7/17/2004 02:29:39 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Friday, July 16, 2004

News:

[ B ]  Brian d'Arcy James to Star in Christmas in CA

[ B ]  Choreographer Shake Up for All Shook Up

[ B ]  The RSC to Play in the West End for 22 Weeks

[ TM ]  Gay and Lesbian Theater Artists to "Act Out" in Columbus Festival, September 9-18

[ P ]  MTC Veteran Is New Managing Director at Atlantic Theater Company

[ P ]  Report: Vanessa Redgrave Hecuba to Head to New York in 2005

[ P ]  Complete Casting Announced for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Musical

[ P ]  John Cameron Mitchell to Portray First Lady Laura Bush in Benefit Reading of New Kushner Play, Aug. 2

[ P ]  PBOL'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, July 10-16: Blood, Sweat and Tiers

[ TM ]  Kilmer to Play Moses in Ten Commandments Musical

Reviews:

[ TM ]  MITF Roundup 1
Reviewed By: Dan Bacalzo
posted at 7/16/2004 04:33:40 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Preview 2004-2005: In the Middle of the World We Float by Ken Mandelbaum

[ B ]  Fresh Face: Jessica-Snow Wilson by Lara De Meo

[ P ]  Diva Talk "At Sea": The Man Column

Reviews:

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
There's much enjoyment to be had at the Delacorte Theater and at cabaret clubs all over town.

[ TB ]  Copito
Review by Matthew Murray
Daring to open another play featuring an actor portraying a gorilla, scant months after Prymate so spectacularly flopped on Broadway, is either an act of great courage or great foolishness.

[ TB ]  A Shining Love
Theatre Review by Matthew Murray

News:

[ B ]  Casting Complete for West End's Mary Poppins

[ P ]  Chenoweth, Menzel, Wittman Chat and Shaiman Sings on "Best of Theater Talk," June 17

[ P ]  Lucky Duck, Musical About a Dreamgirl Whose Feather Boa Is Permanent, Opens at Old Globe July 16

[ P ]  Val Kilmer Plays Moses Again for Upcoming The Ten Commandments Musical

[ P ]  Lily Savage Goes Head to Head With McKellen in London Battle of the Dames
posted at 7/16/2004 12:30:06 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ NYP ]  CHITA, CHITA, BANG, BANG By MICHAEL RIEDEL
BROADWAY legend Chita Rivera, following a path blazed a few seasons back by Elaine Stritch, is putting together an autobiographical show of her own.

"Picon Pie":

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Barbara Minkus, whose roles include Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, now slips into the shoes of Molly Picon.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'PICON PIE'
A Vintage Show Business Story With Songs and Yiddish Accent By LAWRENCE VAN GELDER
While this biographical salute to Molly Picon (1898-1992) has its nostalgic pleasures, it falls short of a satisfying treat.

[ TB ]  Picon Pie
Review by Matthew Murray
The single most clever, surprising thing about Picon Pie is its title.

[ CU ]  Picon Pie

"The Lion King" in Boston:

[ P ]  The Lion King Reopens Historic Opera House in Boston, July 16

[ BG ]  Menino's voice led to revival of Opera House By Maureen Dezell

[ BH ]  Masking an animal instinct By Robert Nesti
How do you play a lion, a hyena or one of the other jungle beasts seen in "The Lion King?"
That's the biggest challenge for cast members of the musical, which arrives at the renovated Opera House tonight for a five-month run.

[ BH ]  Meet the man who tends the menagerie By Terry Byrne
With more than 230 animal puppets in the company of Disney's "The Lion King," puppet supervisor Willie Wilson's job is a bit like a zookeeper's.

[ BH ]  Who's who on Pride Rock

Other Features:

[ CST ]  Spotlight on dark side of 'Oklahoma!' BY MARY HOULIHAN
Interview with Ted Chapin.

[ CST ]  Taylor loving every stage of her life BY JAE-HA KIM
For Renee Taylor, it had to be Joseph Bologna.

[ CSM ]  Tennessee Williams revisited By Tony Vellela
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

[ NJ ]  Play examines disparate types of 'Wildlife' BY PETER FILICHIA

[ B ]  Photo Op: Rent Has Much to Celebrate!

[ NYT ]  FAMILY FARE
Help Wanted: Fairy-Tale Types By LAUREL GRAEBER

News:

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
JUST ASKING

[ LAT ]  A frog among princes By Geraldine Baum
Being the novice amid Broadway royalty is no fairy tale. Just ask Chris Kattan.

[ NYP ]  CINDY ADAMS
Vanessa Williams (second item).

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
LIZA'S PLATE IS FULL
Plus Jim Dale.

[ B ]  Val Kilmer to Star in Commandments Musical

[ CT ]  Unexpected romance in 'Frankie and Johnny' By Lawrence Bommer
With Laurie Metcalf.

[ LAT ]  OCPAC Hits Fundraising Record By Mike Anton
ORANGE COUNTY: Nearly $8 million is raised for operations, but funds to cover the expansion are lagging.

[ HR ]  Newman back onstage for brief 'Trumbo' run By Robert Osborne
Plus an item on the Music Theatre of Wichita.
Thanks to Wayne for the link!

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 16

[ P ]  Stage Stars Appear in New Plays at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Summer Fest, July 16

[ P ]  Martha Plimpton Sings with Julian Fleisher in Together Again for the Third Time!, July 16

[ P ]  Diahann Carroll Stirs Bubbling Brown Sugar at Atlanta's Fox Theatre July 16-26

[ P ]  Cast of Mary Poppins to Feature Haig and Hateley as the Banks

[ P ]  Michael O'Keefe Joins Broadway's Reckless

[ P ]  Arlene Kriv Hired as Public Theater's New Publicist

[ P ]  Keith Sherman Ends Long Run as Tony Awards Publicist

[ P ]  Veteran Press Rep Max Eisen, Claiming He Is Owed Money, Files Suit Against Goodspeed Musicals

Reviews:

[ NYP ]  NOT FIT FOR A 'KING' By FRANK SCHECK

[ NJ ]  Small cast brings Kipling tale to life BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ TB ]  Country Dark
Review by Matthew Murray

[ NJ ]  Nimble young feet keep 'Cats' moving BY PETER FILICHIA
Surflight's summer stock hopefuls perform with feline grace and agility

[ CST ]  Marriott's joint is jumpin' with 'Ain't Misbehavin' BY HEDY WEISS

[ BH ]  Beauty of 'Beast' radiates at NSMT By Robert Nesti

[ NYT ]  MUSIC REVIEW | RUTH BROWN
A Shouter Is Showing Her Bluesy Balladeer Side By STEPHEN HOLDEN
The rhythm-and-blues legend exhibited a flamboyant showmanship in her performance of uptempo numbers at Le Jazz au Bar on Wednesday.
posted at 7/16/2004 08:43:11 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Thursday, July 15, 2004

News:

[ B ]  Michael O'Keefe Joins the Cast of Reckless

[ B ]  Billy Crudup Tapped for McDonagh's Pillowman

[ B ]  Stars Drawn to Miller's Picture at the Goodman

[ P ]  Masada Musical Is a Molehill; Pre-Bway Chicago Dates Canceled

[ P ]  Bill Irwin Is Trumbo for Philadelphia Theatre Company Oct. 8-Nov. 14

[ P ]  New Musical Africa & Plumbridge Gets Chicago Run With Richard White & Susan Powell Prior to NYC Fringe

"Much Ado About Nothing":

[ B ]  Photo Op: Celebs Head to the Park for Much Ado

[ TM ]  Much Ado About Nothing
Reviewed By: David Finkle
posted at 7/15/2004 04:06:11 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ BN ]  Stephen Sondheim Talks About 'Assassins,' Politics, New Project
Thanks to Ann for the link!

[ TM ]  Loose Lips By: Brian Scott Lipton
Brad Oscar to the Max! Plus: Paul Newman returns to the stage in Westport and Kiki & Herb are set to play Carnegie Hall.

[ TS ]  The importance of being Irish
Ben Barnes directs Friel's Translations by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Abbey artistic director calls it an instant classic

[ P ]  Diva Talk "At Sea": The Charms and Comedy of Christine Ebersole

News:

[ B ]  HBO's Angels in America Nabs 21 Emmy Noms

[ P ]  "Broadway in Bryant Park" Canceled July 15; Beauty's Romano, Little Shop's Fatone Added

[ P ]  Keach, Lang, Lavin and Modine to Star in Arthur Miller Premiere at Goodman Theatre

[ P ]  Tomorrow for Him: "Queer Eye" Guy Returns to Rent in August

[ P ]  Times Square Theatre of 42nd Street Finds a Tenant

[ P ]  RSC Announces Season At London�s Albery, With New Writing Fest at Soho Theatre

[ P ]  Three Knights and a Lady Join Monty Python's Spamalot Round Table
posted at 7/15/2004 12:33:00 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ V ]  Press rep suing Goodspeed by FRANK RIZZO
Eisen filed suit last week in Middletown, Conn.
A veteran New York press rep is suing the Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, Conn., for breach of contract and nonpayment of services.
Not paying an 85 year old man his salary? Max Eisen is a legendary Broadway press rep! Who is running Goodspeed? Rooster Hannigan? Surely not Daddy Warbucks.

[ NYT ]  Hip-Hop Store to Open in Times Square Theater
Another sign of the apocalypse...

[ B-S ]  Festival presents a promising new playwright
posted at 7/15/2004 09:22:13 AM by James Marino | Item Link

"Much Ado About Nothing":

[ NYT ]  Father and Daughter, in Life and in Shakespeare By DINITIA SMITH
Sam and Elisabeth Waterston share the stage in "Much Ado About Nothing" in Central Park. But the casting wasn't nepotism, says the play's director.

[ P ]  PLAYBILL ON-LINE'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Sam Waterston
Actor Sam Waterston reunites with play, theatre and daughter in the current Shakespeare in the Park rendition of Much Ado About Nothing.

[ HC ]  'Much Ado' a true summer pleasure By MALCOLM JOHNSON

[ DN ]  Park production gives 'Ado' its due by Howard Kissel

The Strike:

[ NYT ]  NEWS ANALYSIS
Close Call on Broadway Had Its Roots on the Road By JESSE McKINLEY
Broadway almost went on strike this week over an issue that had almost nothing to do with Broadway.

[ ND ]  A bit of give and take BY ELIZABETH SANGER

[ Y ]  Flexibility Helped Broadway Labor Crisis By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Writer

[ BG ]  Broadway deal creates tiered wage scale for tours By Don Shirley

News:

[ NYP ]  LIZ SMITH
KATTAN STILL KICKING

[ MP ]  Eisen suing Goodspeed for back pay by Josh Mrozinski
Max Eisen, a former press representative for the Goodspeed Opera House that brought major newspaper critics to the theater, is suing because he hasn't been paid.

[ V ]  Tonys lower curtain on rep
Single press agent to be announced in four to six weeks

[ B ]  Masada Musical's Chicago Mounting Called Off

[ B ]  Sills, McGrath & Rosen Join B'way's Spamalot

[ DN ]  No fuss in Felix will BY HELEN PETERSON
The actor best known for his fussbudget role in TV's "The Odd Couple" left the bulk of his estate to his wife and children - and remembered two arts groups dear to him.

[ Y ]  Bergman: My Heart Remains With Theater
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Ingmar Bergman, one of the great masters of modern cinema, celebrated his 86th birthday Wednesday with a sour gift for fans � an announcement that he's retiring from the stage.

[ NJ ]  Theater names head BY PEGGY McGLONE
Stephen Klein, a veteran arts administrator with experience in orchestra and theater management, is the new managing director of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.

[ HC ]  O'Neill center continues conferences by ANNIE ROHRS

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 15

[ P ]  Box Office Blues: Broadway Treasurer Tells Tales in Do You Have Anything Closer?, July 15-Aug. 1

[ P ]  Cahoon, Reinders, Litzsinger Star in Musical Nerds at New York Stage and Film, July 15-18

[ P ]  Yiddish-American Pie: Molly Picon Bio Play Begins Off-Broadway July 15

[ P ]  Emmy Award Nominations to Be Announced, July 15; HBO "Angels in America" Expected to Soar

[ P ]  Got Bruce! Vilanch Will Be Broadway's New Edna in Hairspray in October

[ P ]  I Sing! Concert Cast Album in Stores; Bogart, Kennedy, Kimball, Kritzer and Gurwin Croon

[ P ]  Boston Play The Lepers of Baile Baiste Set for NY Premiere in September

[ P ]  After The Fall Star Peter Krause Appears on "Today Show," July 15

[ P ]  NYC's Aquila Announces Musical Comedy Version of Aristophanes' The Clouds for 2004-05

Reviews:

[ NJ ]  Pair make magic with 15 roles BY PETER FILICHIA
The movie extras who take center stage in the 2001 Olivier Award-winning Marie Jones play "Stones in His Pockets," now at Cape May Stage, are stars indeed.

Features:

[ ATU ]  'Midsummer' theatrics mirror festival spirits By MICHAEL ECK
Interview with Michael Ritchie and Kate Burton.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

[ NYT ]  BOLDFACE NAMES
We Hear That the Fan Club Is Pretty Big Actually By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON
It was picture time after Monday night's performance of "Rent," with two of the newest cast members.
posted at 7/15/2004 08:13:31 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

News:

[ B ]  Jennings & Morton Set for Hare's Stuff Happens

[ P ]  Joe Morton to Play Colin Powell in Hare's Stuff Happens at National Theatre

[ B ]  Vilanch to Star in B'way's Hairspray on October 5

[ TM ]  Highlights of New Equity/League Contract Released

[ P ]  New Equity Production Contract Features Tiered Touring Program, Increased Health Fund Contributions

[ TM ]  Encores! Cast Album of The New Moon Is Recorded

[ P ]  NYC's Aquila Announces Musical Comedy Version of Aristophanes' The Clouds for 2004-05

[ P ]  Thoroughly Modern Millie Star Begins in China-Set Drama Red in CA, July 14

[ P ]  Abbey Theatre's Playboy Heads to the Western World of New York, Oct. 26-31

[ P ]  Cady Huffman and Julie White Star in Film of Rebeck's Sunday on the Rocks

Reviews:

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
Barbara & Scott on Wrestling Porcelain and cabaret shows featuring Mark Nadler, Steven Ray Watkins, Alexandra de Suze, and Hector Coris.

[ TS ]  Evil Dead as good as gothic gets by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN

Features:

[ B ]  Photo Op: Hugh Jackman Visits Barbara Cook's Broadway

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Public Gives Much Ado About Shakespeare with Opening of Summer Show in Central Park
posted at 7/14/2004 04:09:47 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ B ]  DVDs: I Will Wait for You by Ken Mandelbaum
Sarah Uriarte Berry has been mentioned for the cast of Little Women, reuniting her with Sutton Foster, with whom she performed in the La Jolla Thoroughly Modern Millie.
DVD: THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (Koch Lober)
DVD: THE ONE AND ONLY, GENUINE, ORIGINAL FAMILY BAND (Buena Vista)

News:

[ P ]  Fairy Tale Spin: Wicked Star Chenoweth Up for Disney's "Rapunzel" with Tesori Songs
The trade magazine purports that the Broadway blonde would voice the long-locked, tower beauty opposite film's "Legally Blonde" actress Reese Witherspoon.
Actually, they won't be "opposite" each other � Reese will be Rapunzel's speaking voice, and Kristin will be the singing voice.

[ P ]  Savion Glover Makes Directorial Debut With New Musical Timmy the Great in NYC Industry Reading

[ P ]  Tech Rehearsals Bump Dracula's First Preview to July 28

[ P ]  Bat Boy Flying to London�s Shaftesbury, Aug 18

[ P ]  Off-Broadway's Menopause The Musical Hits 1,000 Performances, Aug. 3

Features:

[ P ]  Diva Talk "At Sea": Taboo�s McCartney Joined by Morton

Reviews:

[ TB ]  Insomnia
Review by Matthew Murray

[ CU ]  Much Ado About Nothing

[ SUN ]  Smiles of a Summer Night by JEREMY McCARTER
If it had a roof, this show would be in trouble.
posted at 7/14/2004 12:30:13 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ NYP ]  SEAN: I DIDDY IT! By MICHAEL RIEDEL
IT may be that the toughest critic Sean Combs faced during his four-month run in "A Raisin in the Sun" was . . . Sean Combs.

[ LAT ]  Theater pact tackles thorny issue of tours By Don Shirley
Tentative agreement between Actors' Equity and Broadway producers calls for a seven-tier wage scale.

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
We all know Cole Porter's standards but what are some of his lesser-known songs like?

[ BS ]  Macbeth and the Beer Shark
This week, we were thrilled to discover that one of our fave NYC venues has finally emerged from its gov't-induced wilderness.

[ BS ]  Celebrating the Risk
Improv classes offer the working actor a variety of handy skills.

"Much Ado About Nothing" - Reviews:

[ TB ]  Much Ado About Nothing
Review by Matthew Murray

[ ATW ]  A Lovely, Bittersweet 'Ado' in the Park
Review by Andy Propst

[ NJ ]  Waterston leads stellar cast in 'Much Ado' BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ JN ]  'Much' to like By JACQUES LE SOURD

[ Y ]  'Much Ado' Makes Magic By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic

Other Reviews:

[ WP ]  Festival of New Works Traces Our Fault Lines By Peter Marks
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- It is easily the most disturbing image of the 14th annual Contemporary American Theater Festival.

[ NJ ]  Bad acting cools off 'Jealousy' BY PETER FILICHIA
When a play is entitled "Jealousy," can theatergoers expect it will be at all subtle?

News:

[ HC ]  O'Neill's Latest Artistic Director Resigns By FRANK RIZZO
J Ranelli - the O'Neill Theater Center's first artistic director following last year's leadership turnarounds - has quit abruptly one week into his first set of summer theater conferences.

[ BH ]  'Our goal is to be here forever': Wang Center confronts new competition from Opera House By Terry Byrne

[ ATW ]  Broadway and Beyond: New Play Showcase Brings 18 New Scripts to Stage - July 16-23
XM Satellite Radio

[ ATW ]  Broadway and Beyond: Topical, Comedic and Musical All Part of Shepherdstown Fest
XM Satellite Radio

[ ATW ]  Broadway and Beyond: Extensions in NY and Chicago, Shakespeare & More at Old Globe...
XM Satellite Radio

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 14

[ P ]  New Miss Saigon Production Begins UK Tour, July 14

[ P ]  Burton, Martin, Fitzgerald Dream On at Williamstown, July 14-25

[ P ]  Junie B. Jones Navigates First-Grade Perils in New Musical by Theatreworks/USA, July 14-Aug. 20

[ P ]  Charles Busch Auntie Mame Makes Second Summer Stop, at Bay Street Theatre, July 14
posted at 7/14/2004 07:46:53 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING'
Sparks Are Flying With Beatrice and Benedick in Central Park By NEIL GENZLINGER
The main event at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park is the wonderful war between Kristen Johnston and Jimmy Smits, who vie for the title of crowd favorite.

[ B ]  Much Ado About Nothing
Review by Eric Grode

News:

[ P ]  Richard Dreyfuss Due Back in Broadway's Sly Fox July 14

[ P ]  Plums in New York and Strindberg in Your Soul When Icelandic Play Reaches Off-Broadway Aug. 5

[ TM ]  Boston Opera House Reopens This Week After $38 Million Restoration
posted at 7/13/2004 07:58:44 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Q&A: Michael McKean by Cara Joy David

[ P ]  Diva Talks "At Sea": Rosie�s Variety Hour

[ TM ]  Much Ado About David By: Gerard Raymond
A chat with David Esbjornson, director of The Public Theater production of Much Ado About Nothing in Central Park.

Reviews:

[ ND ]  Small-screen stars make a big showing in the park's 'Much Ado About Nothing' BY LINDA WINER

[ TM ]  Tunes, Tomes, & Videos
Charles Wright reviews Alexis Greene's Lucille Lortel: The Queen of Off Broadway, a new biography from Limelight Editions.

[ TB ]  The Baby Monitor
Review by Matthew Murray

[ TB ]  Ed the Fourth
Review by Matthew Murray

[ TB ]  Cosmic Wonders, Cosmic Blunders
Review by Warren Hoffman

News:

[ B ]  Broadway Grosses: Raisin's Week in the Sun

[ P ]  Broadway Grosses: July 5-11

[ P ]  Frances Hyland, Canadian Actress Who Played Stratford, London and Broadway, Dead at 77

[ IBDB ]  Frances Hyland's Broadway Credits

[ B ]  Anouilh's Becket to Play the West End

[ B ]  Jai Rodriguez to Return to Rent in August

[ TM ]  York Theatre Company to Present Thrill Me in Concert

[ P ]  Timberlake Has No Plans for Film Version of "Rent"

[ P ]  Marianne Faithfull and Matt McGrath Set for Tom Waits Musical The Black Rider in CA

[ P ]  Detroit's Theatre Co. Has Moonlight Room, Cycling Past the Matterhorn, A Patch of Earth in 2004-05

[ P ]  Paul Newman Is Blacklisted Screenwriter in Westport Country Playhouse's Trumbo, July 13-21

[ P ]  Guys and Dolls Tony Nominee to Make NYC Cabaret Debut

[ P ]  Terra C. MacLeod Becomes Chicago's New Velma, July 27
posted at 7/13/2004 05:26:18 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

The Strike:

[ NYT ]  Broadway Actors and Producers Reach Tentative Accord By JESSE McKINLEY
The Actors Equity and the League of American Theaters and Producers brokered a tentative agreement on Monday to avert the industry's second labor stoppage in 16 months.

[ DN ]  New B'way deal strikes a chord BY ROBERT DOMINGUEZ and LEO STANDORA
Now that's the ticket.

[ ND ]  Broadway deal averts a strike BY ELIZABETH SANGER
Broadway's latest production - "A Tentative Agreement" - opened to generally positive reviews last night.

[ BS ]  Equity: Regards to Broadway
Union, League Tentatively Agree to Pact

[ NYP ]  DEAL ENDS B'WAY STRIKE DRAMA by Michael Riedel

Features:

[ ND ]  Much ado about much BY BLAKE GREEN
For the father-daughter Waterston duo, Shakespeare's comedy is a 'big deal'

[ NYT ]  A Haven for the Arts, Divided by Genre By DAVID GONZALEZ
Those battling over the fate of a graffiti-slathered city-owned building on the Lower East Side have been fighting for years.

[ DN ]  Singer & spotlight together again By DAVID HINCKLEY
When Ruth Brown opens a two-week run at Le Jazz Au Bar tomorrow, she brings a lot of city history to the microphone.

[ BH ]  This old (Opera) House: Magical memories will fill seats of majestic theater By Terry Byrne

[ PTR ]  Audience's love affair with 'Mamma Mia!' buoys star of touring production By Alice T. Carter
Lauren Mufson.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

Reviews:

[ NYT ]  LONDON NOTEBOOK
Pinter Is Still Pointing the Way, With Shadows and Darkness By BEN BRANTLEY
The best new plays to come out of London in the past several years share Harold Pinter's respect for the unknowability of people.

[ TB ]  Corporate Rock
Review by Matthew Murray

[ TB ]  Beyond Therapy
Review by Matthew Murray

[ CU ]  The Wanderer

[ BG ]  In this staging of 'Beauty,' bright touches are all around By Gina Perille

[ NJ ]  Car sick: Baryshnikov's moves drive offbeat play BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ ND ]  A 'Patient' in search of greater virtues BY LINDA WINER

[ CU ]  Forbidden Christmas or the Doctor and the Patient

[ TB ]  A Little Night Music
Los Angeles Review by Sharon Perlmutter

News:

[ NYP ]  RIBBIT! HE'S OUT By BARBARA HOFFMAN
An interview with Chris Kattan.

[ DN ]  Actor is off 'Frogs' lily pad By JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ
"We felt that things weren't working out with Chris," said Gersten, referring to himself, Lincoln Center artistic director Andre Bishop, Lane and Stroman.

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 13

[ P ]  Love and Hate Reign at the Delacorte Theatre, as Much Ado Opens July 13

[ P ]  Three Actors Bring Aquila Theatre's Man Who Would Be King to Life in NYC July 13-Aug. 8

[ P ]  J Ranelli Resigns as Artistic Director of Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

[ P ]  Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story Gets Concert Presentation Aug. 1 at York Theatre

[ P ]  Eric Millegan Is Harold to Estelle Parsons' Maude in New Paper Mill Musical

[ LAT ]  Bowl is alive with theater By Lynne Heffley
Renovations allow for theatrical programs. Leonard Bernstein's 'Mass' is among the offerings.

[ P ]  Isabel Sanford, Emmy-Winning Actress Who Created "Weezie" Jefferson on TV and Stage, Dead at 86

[ NYT ]  Isabel Sanford, 86, Actress Who Portrayed Mrs. Jefferson, Dies By KATHRYN SHATTUCK
Isabel Sanford was the stoically beleaguered better half to Sherman Hemsley's reactionary in "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons."
posted at 7/13/2004 09:37:09 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Monday, July 12, 2004

[ P ]  Bulletin: Day of Drama Ends with Tentative Agreement Between Equity and Broadway Producers
Following a day of numerous press statements from Equity and Broadway Producers and a rally of phone calls between both parties, a tentative agreement on a new four year Production Contract has been reached.

[ B ]  Equity & League Reach Agreement; No Strike

[ TM ]  Strike Apparently Averted as League and Equity Reach Tentative Agreement; Ratification Pending
posted at 7/12/2004 06:36:18 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ Y ]  Isabel Sanford of 'The Jeffersons' Dies By RYAN PEARSON, Associated Press Writer

[ IBDB ]  Isabel Sanford's Broadway Credits

[ P ]  Ron Milner, Detroit Playwright of Don't Get God Started and Broadway's Checkmates, Dead at 66

[ IBDB ]  Ron Milner's Broadway Credits

[ WOS ]  Bat Boy Adds Three Songs for West End Premiere
Thanks to Doug Storm for the link!

[ Y ]  CBS Fills Out 'Christmas,' 'Vinegar' Casts By Nellie Andreeva
Peter Falk, Tammy Blanchard and Katey Sagal have been tapped to star in "A Christmas Without Ornaments," while Tom Skerritt, Tim Guinee and Betty Buckley have joined Mary-Louise Parker in "Vinegar Hill."

[ B ]  Terra C. MacLeod to Take on Chicago's Velma

[ P ]  Full Cast Announced for Broadway's Brooklyn

[ B ]  Kevin Anderson Joins Cast of B'way's Brooklyn

[ P ]  Liev Schreiber to Be Roma in Broadway Glengarry

[ B ]  Frederick Weller Eyes Part in Glengarry Revival

[ P ]  Doris Day Film Turns Musical as Randy Skinner Signs on for Calamity Jane

[ P ]  Carol Channing, Gay History of the World, TKTS Tale and Dell Guy Play in Midtown Fest, July 12-Aug. 1

[ P ]  Phoebe Brand Carnovsky, Actress of The Group Theatre, Dead at 96

[ P ]  Talk to a Dummy? The Two and Only Offers Post-Show Chats Wednesdays and Thursdays

Features:

[ B ]  Photo Op: Stars Come Out for Broadway Barks! 2004

[ TM ]  Bark It Here! By: Joseph Marzullo and Michael Portantiere
The stars turn out to offer dogs and cats for adoption at the sixth annual Broadway Barks! event in Shubert Alley.
posted at 7/12/2004 04:34:37 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

The Strike:

[ TM ]  Equity Holds Emergency Meeting to Determine Whether or Not to Strike; Interim Deals Reached with Broadway's The Boy From Oz and the Kennedy Center's Glass Menagerie

[ P ]  Oz Producers Strike Deal With Equity, Breaking Ranks with League

[ B ]  The Boy from Oz Strikes Deal with Equity

Features:

[ B ]  Preview 2004-2005: A Girl Named Brooklyn by Ken Mandelbaum

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: It's the Dogs Versus You at Broadway Barks 6!

Reviews:

[ CU ]  110 in the Shade - Los Angeles

[ CU ]  A Little Night Music - Los Angeles

News:

[ P ]  The Ten Commandments Musical Set for Hollywood Stage, Starting Sept. 18

[ P ]  Diva Talks "At Sea": Dawn of the Norwegian

[ P ]  Night Music: New Musical Insomnia Gets NYC Bow in Midtown Fest July 12-31
posted at 7/12/2004 12:37:32 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

The Strike:

[ NYT ]  Deal Reached With One Show on Broadway By JESSE McKINLEY
The executive director of Equity, Alan Eisenberg, said yesterday that the producers of the musical "The Boy From Oz," starring Hugh Jackman, had agreed to a deal that assured the show would be exempt from any work stoppage in exchange for accepting a temporary contract with the union.

[ NYP ]  'OZ' STRIKES ITS OWN DEAL by Michael Riedel

[ Y ]  Broadway Show Reaches Deal With Union
Whatever the outcome of the ongoing dispute between Broadway producers and the actors' union, at least one show will survive.

[ USA ]  Theater strike looms By Elysa Gardner

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
How does the new Cole Porter biopic stack up against the 1946 effort?

[ TS ]  Always the Downtown girl by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Petula Clark still loves place where lights are brighter

News:

[ P ]  Roger Bart to Replace Chris Kattan in The Frogs

[ TM ]  The Frogs: Chris Kattan Out, Roger Bart In

[ NYT ]  Phoebe Brand, 96, Actress and Group Theater Co-Founder, Is Dead By LIA MILLER

[ IBDB ]  Phoebe Brand's Broadway Credits

[ NYP ]  CURTAINS FOR 'RAISIN'
The teary-eyed Broadway cast of "A Raisin in the Sun," led by rapper-turned-thespian Sean Combs, joined in prayer together behind the curtains before heading out for yesterday's final show.

[ R ]  Afraid of Fines, PBS Bleeps Words in Dreyfuss Show By Barry Garron
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Three foul words, including the F-word, have been bleeped from a new PBS drama, much to the chagrin of Richard Dreyfuss, its star and executive producer.

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 12

[ P ]  Cast Set for Doug Hughes-Directed Husbands at Westport, July 29 Aug. 14

[ P ]  Avenue Q's Foa Is Love God in July 12 Reading

[ P ]  David Soul Springs Into Springer July 12

[ P ]  Cerveris, Linn-Baker, Frechette, Sisto and Rogers Are Bach at New York Stage and Film, July 14-17

[ P ]  Jealousy, of New Jersey's East Lynne Company, May Reach Off Broadway

[ P ]  Assassins Stars Cerveris, Gemignani, Kassebaum Perform at Joe's Pub, July 12

[ P ]  Dreams of Apollo Theatre Glory Fuel From My Hometown, New R&B Musical Starting July 12

Reviews:

[ Y ]  A Little Night Music
Review by Joel Hirschhorn, Variety
Victor Garber was born to play the role of Fredrik Egerman, a middle-aged lawyer whose naive 18-year-old bride, Anne (Laura Benanti), refuses to consummate their marriage.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'FORBIDDEN CHRISTMAS, OR THE DOCTOR AND THE PATIENT'
A Chaplinesque Character, Tripped Up by a Delusion By NEIL GENZLINGER
This play about sanity and insanity starring Mikhail Baryshnikov cannot quite escape its gimmickry to achieve true poignancy, though it comes close.

[ DN ]  Cute, but a bit of a clunker by Howard Kissel
"Forbidden Christmas..."

[ NJ ]  Romanian comedy strikes a chord BY PETER FILICHIA

[ CCT ]  Cast, energy propel 'Noises' By ALICIA BLAISDELL-BANNON
"Noises Off" at the Cape Playhouse.

[ CCT ]  Of hot rods and cold truths By FREDERICK MELO
Peggy Shaw may be the most masculine grandmother you�re ever likely to come across, but her maternal-paternal instincts shine as brightly as her love for the steel-frame chassis on her 1971 Ford Torino.

[ CU ]  We Happy Few
London Review by Lizzie Loveridge
posted at 7/12/2004 07:51:25 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Sunday, July 11, 2004

[ B ]  Roger Bart Replaces Chris Kattan in The Frogs

[ Y ]  'Angels in America' Wins Humanitas Prize
posted at 7/11/2004 09:22:01 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

The Strike:

[ NYP ]  B'WAY HOLDING ITS BREATH By MICHAEL RIEDEL
Theater sources told the Post yesterday the two sides were not far part on salaries and per diems � in some cases it's only matter of $100 or less � but neither side was willing to make any more concessions.

[ ND ]  Broadway strike looms BY ELIZABETH SANGER
The Actors' Equity Web site tells its members to "take all personal items with them at the end of each performance."

[ NYT ]  Producers and Actors Differ on Status of Broadway Talks By JESSE McKINLEY
However, both sides agreed that they had yet to settle on their central point of contention: the producers' licensing of nonunion tours, which the union wants to eliminate.

[ Y ]  Theater Talks Stall; Strike Possible By VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press Writer

[ B ]  Equity/League Talks Off Again; Shows Go On

[ P ]  Equity Talks Break Down; Equity Council to Meet July 12

Features:

[ ND ]  Success is not a drag BY BLAKE GREEN
After going mainstream with his 'Tale of the Allergist's Wife,' Charles Busch dresses up for 'Auntie Mame' in Bay Street revival

[ LAT ]  America, seen in a 'Hairspray' haze By Bruce Vilanch
Give me high heels, big wigs, a fat suit and a song, and the country is mine.

[ HC ]  A Leaner 'Lady' By FRANK RIZZO
For Scaled-down Musical, More Intimate Setting At Hartford Stage Is Simply Loverly

[ BG ]  The lion queen By Catherine Foster
Wildly creative Julie Taymor brings a fierce vision to theater

[ CT ]  Latino Festival doing its part to diversify city's theater scene By Michael Phillips

[ NYT ]  SUITS
Gates and Jobs, Together at Last By JANE L. LEVERE
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have been celebrated in books, magazines, newspapers, even a television movie. Now comes musical theater.

[ NYT ]  First Thing We Do, Let's Seat All the Lawyers By JASON ZINOMAN
Free Shakespeare in Central Park is a nice idea, says the parks commissioner, but not a practical one.

[ NYT ]  EXCERPT
'Guant�namo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom'
In this excerpt from a startling docudrama currently playing in the West End in London, a detainee describes life in confinement at the United States naval base in Cuba.

[ BS ]  2004 Last Frontier Conference Attracts 600, Pushes Boundaries
More than 600 actors, directors, playwrights, producers, and ardent theatregoers participated in this year's Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska.

[ BS ]  Location Report: New York By Minju Pak
It's not just about the Big Apple anymore -- meet Hollywood-on-the-Hudson

Reviews:

[ BG ]  Passive performances muffle 'Noises' By Sandy MacDonald
"Noises Off" at the Cape Playhouse, with Debra Jo Rupp, Edward Staudenmayer, Jeff McCarthy and Paul Benedict.

[ NYT ]  CABARET REVIEW | 'WRITE NOW! (SONGS BY PEOPLE WHO AREN'T DEAD)'
Seeing Today as a Golden Age BY STEPHEN HOLDEN
In his one-man show, Mark Nadler, a strong and compulsive entertainer, interweaves songs by living composers with show business lore.

[ TB ]  The Greeks
Review by Matthew Murray

[ CU ]  The Vomit Talk of Ghosts

[ WE ]  Adding life to 'Me and My Girl' BY BUD NORMAN
Music Theatre of Wichita's lively production overcomes the dated material.

[ P ]  ON THE RECORD: Fiddler on the Roof and Barbara Cook's Broadway

News:

[ B ]  Cast Set for Harold & Maude at Paper Mill
Eric Millegan will play Harold opposite Estelle Parson's Maude. Also appearing will be Danny Burstein, Donna Lynne Champlin and Donna English.

[ LAT ]  Management of LATC is 'on hold' by Don Shirley
ARTS NOTES: Another turning point in the history of Los Angeles Theatre Center is approaching.

[ TM ]  PBS Will Air Broadway's Lost Treasures II in August

[ P ]  "Broadway's Lost Treasures II" � with LuPone, Rivera and Lansbury � to Premiere in August

[ TM ]  Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to Play Boston Pre-Broadway

[ TM ]  Caroline, or Change Announces Open Casting Call for Boys

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History: JULY 11

[ P ]  Jump Back: Broadway Revival of Stoppard's Jumpers Ends Run July 11

[ P ]  Sean Combs' Golden Raisin Wraps Up Broadway Run July 11

[ P ]  Sirius Satellite Radio: Susan Stroman of Frogs on "Radio Playbill"

[ P ]  New Musicals with Broadway Stars Launch O'Neill Theater Center Summer Fest, July 11

[ P ]  Forbidden Fruit Returns with Limited Run at Wings Theatre

[ P ]  More About Nothing: Boston Starts Much Ado "Shakespeare on the Common," July 10

[ P ]  Complicite to Set Up Shop at London's Alexandra Palace

[ P ]  Lou Diamond Phillips Is Once and Future King of Siam, in North Carolina July 10-18; Patty Goble Is Anna

[ P ]  Mitch Albom's New Play, Duck Hunter, Is an Instant Hit in Michigan; Three Weeks Added
posted at 7/11/2004 10:07:19 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