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Saturday, December 25, 2004 [ B ] Personal Favorites: The '40s by Ken Mandelbaum [ NYT ] Play Furor Exposes Deep Rifts in Britain By ALAN COWELL Since the cancellation of a contentious play in the face of violent religious protests, British theater has been grappling with questions about censorship, freedom and faith. [ NYT ] Playwright Returns to His 1960's Musical With a New Vision and Voice By TREY GRAHAM At 87, Arthur Laurents is part of a revival of his once-dimissed play "Hallelujah, Baby!" [ LAT ] A familiar face takes center stage By Irene Lacher Actor Lawrence Pressman has been left behind from many Broadway-bound plays. He's over it. At 65, he's exulting in a great role in "The Paris Letter." [ LAT ] Faces to watch By Don Shirley and Mike Boehm The incoming Michael Ritchie, Critical Mass' Nancy Keystone and playwright Noah Haidle. [ LAT ] A venue in search of Latino artists By Don Shirley [ NYT ] THEATER REVIEW | 'THEY ALL KNEW' On a Lonely Quest, With Lots of Company By ANDREA STEVENS Robert Mitchell's production is an overstuffed panettone of a musical mystery (whose solution is quickly obvious). Merry Christmas! posted at 12/25/2004 10:48:14 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Friday, December 24, 2004 [ B ] Sarah Jones' Bridge & Tunnel to Land at B'way's Circle in the Square in April [ P ] All I Want For Christmas: Songstress Mariah Carey Planning a Holiday Broadway Show for 2005 Features: [ CST ] 'Holy Grail' vs. 'Spamalot' BY JEFF VRABEL Here's a brief sampling of what "Grail" fans might find inside this can of "Spamalot" (bearing in mind that this report is based on an early preview; the material in the show could be altered). [ NYT ] When the Mask Is White: Inverting a Fraught Legacy By DAVID COTE Two Broadway productions have reversed the race equation by using exaggerated, nightmarish representations of whites. [ TM ] Peter Filichia's Diary As he cleans house for the holidays, Filichia offers us a column full of tasty tidbits. [ NJ ] 'Black Nativity gives 'nomads' stability BY PETER FILICHIA The Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick is starting to feel like home to Kabu Okai-Davies. [ NYP ] SPREADING HOLIDAY JEER By MICHAEL RIEDEL [ P ] DIVA TALK: A Chat with Four-Time Tony Winner Audra McDonald [ TM ] Loose Lips Brian Scott Lipton gets down with divas Audra McDonald and Joyce Castle, and tells us that Mary-Louise Parker will soon be going to pot on television. [ B ] FRESH FACE Avenue Q's Ann Sanders chats about filling in as Christmas Eve during the holiday season. [ BSUN ] A temporary role in 'Superstar' now seems everlasting By Sam Sessa Eric Kunze was asked to fill in for three weeks [ R ] NY Play 'Fat Pig' Tackles What May Be the Last Taboo By Claudia Parsons [ TS ] If There's Music, She's On The Boards by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN Elizabeth Beeler, ingenue of Toronto productions of Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast and Show Boat, now enters the world of operetta. [ BG ] CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK Good theater should be a communal experience By Louise Kennedy [ B ] PHOTO OP: La Cage's Gary Beach Gets into the Holiday Spirit "The Phantom of the Opera": [ NYT ] In the 'Phantom' Movie, Over-the-Top Goes Higher By PHOEBE HOBAN If Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical is a chestnut, Joel Schumacher's new film is a chestnut flamboyantly roasting on a backlot fire. [ TM ] The Siegel Column Low marks for the movie version of The Phantom of the Opera but high marks for featured actors in four plays recently seen. [ WP ] Film Notes: 'Phantom,' From Stage to Screen Reviews: [ NYT ] CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK | 'MARY POPPINS' Poppins on the Loose: Lock Up Your Children By VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN Disney's nanny now resembles one of those slightly dangerous American baby sitters who creates a world so colorful and fun that children need no supervision in it. [ NYP ] ALL THE WHIRL LOVES A CLOWN By FRANK SCHECK ENVIRONMENTALISTS, be advised: Many trees are dying for the sake of children's amusement. [ NYP ] FREDDIE CROONER By FRANK SCHECK FRED Astaire is best known to the world as a dancer � but the lesser known fact is that, as a singer, he introduced more songs to the standard repertoire than Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra. [ ATW-XM ] Broadway and Beyond: 3 Recent Theatergoing Treats - 'Souvenir', 'A Number', 'Fat Pig' [ ATW ] ATW Reviews: Vivien Leigh, The Last Press Conference, Vital Signs, Series Three, Rattlesnake, A Likely Story Review by Andy Propst [ ATW ] CDS - Four Recent Releases:Golf, Johnny Guitar, NEWSical, Sundown Review by Andy Propst [ CU ] The Rivals [ CU ] Counting Our Theatrical Blessings for the Year 2004 By Elyse Sommer News: [ NYT ] Arts, Briefly By LAWRENCE VAN GELDER Support for a Playwright [ TS ] U.S. is trying Overcoat on for size by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN Groundbreaking production already a worldwide hit [ TS ] A good chance Mirvishes could still rock Toronto by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN News on "We Will Rock You", the tour of "Wicked" and the Stratford Festival. [ TM ] MITF Accepting Submissions Now Through February 21 [ P ] Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 24 [ P ] Julia Murney, Stephanie J. Block and Christine Ebersole Set for Birdland's 2005 Season [ P ] Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens' "A Christmas Carol" TV Musical Plays on NBC Once More, Dec. 24 [ P ] Pacific Overtures' Star B.D. Wong Appears on NY1's "On Stage," Dec. 25 [ P ] PBOL'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, Dec. 18-24: The Good Shepards [ P ] Soho Rep Hit Frankenstein Extends to Jan. 16 [ P ] Googlewhack! Guy Gorman Appears on"Breakfast With The Arts" and "Today Show" [ P ] Ithaca's Kitchen Cooks Up a New Musical by Gilbert & Sullivan, Precious Nonsense [ P ] Upcoming Hurlyburly Star Inks Deal for New NBC "French Connection" Drama [ P ] Cast Recording of The Frogs to Hit Stores Jan. 25 [ P ] Mamma Mia! Is a Billion-Dollar Baby [ P ] Brooklyn's Espinosa Makes Christmas-Morning TV Appearance [ P ] Cy Coleman To Be Remembered at Jan. 10 Tribute at Majestic Theatre [ P ] Song List Announced for Carnegie Hall Concert with Wicked's Chenoweth and Cincinnati Pops [ P ] Broadway's Funny Girl Cast in Reprise! Pippin [ P ] Is Brooke Shields Bound for London's Chicago? [ B ] Will Town Star Brooke Shields Become the West End's Next Roxie Hart? [ NJ ] It's curtains in January BY MICHAEL SOMMERS As year ends, countdown begins to some exits on and off Broadway posted at 12/24/2004 10:04:49 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Thursday, December 23, 2004 [ ONION ] Psychiatrists Treating Phantom Of The Opera Viewers For Post-Melodramatic Stress Disorder Hee hee... [ FOX ] Brooke Shields the Unlikely Broadway Star By Roger Friedman Starting in early spring, when "Wonderful Town" closes, Shields will take over the role of Roxy Hart in the London West End production of "Chicago." Features: [ B ] Stage Notes: Looking Back (Way Back) Before the New Year by Paul Wontorek Looking back on some long-lost Broadway.com video highlights featuring Sutton, Patrick and more! [ CST ] Five question with Emmy Rossum BY CINDY PEARLMAN [ DN ] 'Venice,' Anyone? By JOE NEUMAIER After godfathers, lawyers and devils, Al Pacino tackles Shylock [ NYT ] PUBLIC LIVES A Christmas Hope for a Troubled Country By CHRIS HEDGES Jean Jean-Pierre's work as a journalist, musician, composer and playwright has made him a leading Haitian activist. [ WP ] Curtain Goes Up on Punk Theater By Jonathan Padget It's an odd intersection of passions -- punk rock and classical theater. [ LAT ] A canine chorus unleashed By Don Shirley "Bark!" is a musical homage to dogs and their endearingly "human hearts." Reviews: [ NYT ] THEATER REVIEW | 'THE TRIAL' Crime, Law and Desire: 'The Trial' as Film Noir By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON Seductive redheads, fast-talking guards, lecherous codgers; this is pulp Kafka and, as such, true to the spirit of the original. [ NYT ] THEATER REVIEW | 'LOBSTER FACE' No Apples for Knuckle Rappers By MIRIAM HORN Magdalena G�mez's play is morally confused and often leaden with clich�, but darkly wonderful whenever its villains dominate. [ MH ] The Great American Follies: Cast hoofs and puffs, but doesn't bring house down BY CHRISTINE DOLEN Thanks to American Theater Web for the link. [ NYP ] OFF-KEY TALE NOT IN TUNE WITH SUCCESS By FRANK SCHECK THE worst singing in New York can be heard onstage at the York Theatre � but that's a good thing. [ BSUN ] Watching as kids put on show by J. Wynn Rousuck Documentary follows students in Sondheim musical News: [ BS ] Prerecorded Theater Music Plan Protested Musicians demonstrated Tuesday outside the opening-night performance of the musical "Oliver!" at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. [ NJ ] Center stage by Peter Filichia The actor who'll always be known as Andy Hardy is still hardy enough to be performing. [ HC ] Gore Vidal's New Play Gets Reading At Duke Next by Frank Rizzo [ P ] Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Plays at Stages Across the U.S. [ P ] Showtime Picks Up Mary-Louise Parker Series, "Weeds" [ P ] Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 23 2004 � The Year in Review: [ Y ] Notables Who Died in 2004 in the Arts By POLLY ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer [ P ] Best in Show: Doubt, Bug and Frozen Lead2004 "Best Of" Lists [ NYO ] The 2004 John Heilpern Awards�And the Envelope, Puh-leeeeze! by John Heilpern Our annual Foot-in-Mouth Award has always been won by Ben Brantley, chief drama critic of The Times. Thanks to American Theater Web for the link. [ P ] Playbill On-Line Looks Back at Theatre 2004: A Year in Images [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: And Then There Were Two... [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: A Raisin in the Sun Yields A Rap Star in the Spotlight [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Lloyd Webber and Crawford Try to Make it Two for Two [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Plummer Loses His Mind For Cheering Audiences [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Rod Bless America...Avenue Q's Tony Politics Pay Off [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Sondheim, Weidman, Mantello Become Assassins for Roundabout [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Unexpected Laughs at the Tony Awards Ceremony [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: The Frogs Head for Dry-Land at the Vivian Beaumont [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Now Is The Winter of Our Discontent...A Winter Without Dinklage's Richard [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: The Public Theater Wins an Oskar [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: National Presents a Hare-Raising Politcal Play [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Six Plays, Six People, Six Theatres [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Broadway Weeps, Then Celebrates the Lives of Coleman and Ebb [ P ] PHOTO RECALL: Never a Doubt About It posted at 12/23/2004 07:50:12 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Wednesday, December 22, 2004 [ TM ] In Brief David Finkle ponders the proliferation of short, intermissionless plays in today's theater. [ B ] 2004 on Disc by Ken Mandelbaum [ S ] Joel Schumacher's Symphony By David Edelstein Reportedly a fine stage actor, Butler is a less-than-agreeable vocalist. During his high notes, I covered my ears and then checked my hands for blood. Thanks to MockingbirdGirl on All That Chat for the link! News: [ P ] Norman Allen's Romantic Comedy, Fallen From Proust, Gets World Premiere by DC's Signature Jan. 11 [ P ] A Sad Tale's Best for Winter: La MaMa Stages Mamillius, Reinventing Shakespeare Romance [ P ] Popular: Wicked Cast Album Among iTunes "Top 100 Albums of 2004" [ P ] Tickets to Light in the Piazza Go on Sale Jan. 30 [ P ] Cultural Summit Planned After Riots in Birmingham Cause Cancellation of U.K. Play [ P ] York Theatre Postpones Lingoland Revue Opening [ P ] Wicked's Deitch Part of New Voices, New Music Evening at Duplex [ P ] Bosco, Harris, Hecht and Whitehead to Be Part of 92nd Street Y's "Don Juan in Hell" [ B ] Will Uma Thurman Flaunt It as Ulla in The Producers Movie? [ B ] Dallas Roberts to Play Tom in B'way's Upcoming The Glass Menagerie [ P ] Ernie Sabella to Play Herman in New Revival of Sweet Charity [ P ] Showtime's "Dead Like Me" � with Mandy Patinkin � Canceled posted at 12/22/2004 04:23:13 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link [ STARS ] THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: HOW THE FILM WAS MADE by ELLIS NASSOUR The critics and movie-going public are weighing in -- not all positively -- on the fate of the $70-million film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Here's the inside story of how it got to the screen, from ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER. Plus a visit with lyricist CHARLES HART. [ TB ] The Phantom of the Opera: From Stage to Film by Matthew Murray Late last week Matthew Murray was dispatched to the Majestic Theatre and then to a private screening of the new Phantom of the Opera film to give us a report on the differences between the two versions. [ P ] PLAYBILL ON-LINE'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Angela Christian Angela Christian's title character in The Woman in White couldn't be more different than Miss Dorothy, the downwardly-mobile rich girl she created in Broadway's Thoroughly Modern Millie. News: [ B ] Arliss Howard to Replace Sam Shepard in Off-B'way's A Number [ P ] Arliss Howard to Replace Sam Shepard in A Number [ P ] Will Uma Play Ulla in "Producers" Movie? posted at 12/22/2004 10:23:28 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link [ NYP ] THE PLOD 'COUPLE' By MICHAEL RIEDEL CONTRACT negotiations for the eagerly awaiting Broadway revival of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" � starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick � are proving to be messier than Oscar Madison's bedroom. [ NYP ] PAGE SIX UMA PLAYS ULLA [ TM ] Peter Filichia's Diary Filichia's stereo amplifier is still on the fritz, so he's still listening to mono cast albums. "The Phantom of the Opera": [ ND ] No wonder he wears a mask BY JAN STUART A smash-hit show that has run longer than a prison sentence for manslaughter has been transformed into a movie that crawls like a lifetime on death row. [ CST ] 'Phantom' merits a look, but don't bother listening by Roger Ebert This has been, I realize, a nutty review. I am recommending a movie that I do not seem to like very much. But part of the pleasure of moviegoing is pure spectacle -- of just sitting there and looking at great stuff and knowing it looks terrific. [ WP ] 'Phantom': This Time, The Camera Is the Mask By Philip Kennicott A bad novel that became a bad musical lives on as a gleefully bad movie. [ NYP ] HOARSE 'OPERA' By LOU LUMENICK JOEL Schumacher has not so much directed the movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hugely successful "The Phantom of the Opera" as embalmed it. [ NYT ] MOVIE REVIEW | 'THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA' Back With a Vengeance: The Music of the Night By A. O. SCOTT The screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical lacks both authentic romance and the thrill of memorable spectacle. [ USA ] 'Phantom' is lavishly escapist By Claudia Puig Those who enjoyed Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera on stage surely will like the movie version ( * * * out of four). [ MSNBC ] �Phantom of the Opera� is no �Chicago� by John Hartl Joel Schumacher doesn�t quite bring Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical to life [ BG ] A fright at the 'Opera? A wooden 'Phantom' provides neither genius nor madness, just irritation By Wesley Morris Today, "The Phantom of the Opera" lurches from Broadway to the megaplex, and it has a little something to irritate everybody. [ DN ] This 'Phantom' doesn't sing by Jack Matthews ** [ NYP ] MUSIC OF THE NIGHT THERE are two kinds of love in my new film," says Joel Schumacher, director of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera." "One is wholesome, romantic, loving. The other is dark, mysterious, obsessive. You know - the good kind." Fans who like the good kind should journey to the Parisian haunts of the Phantom himself. Here's where to go. [ P ] "The Phantom of the Opera" Film Opens in Several U.S. Cities Dec. 22 Other Reviews: [ TM ] Tunes, Tomes, & Videos Matthew Murray enjoys the "live" cast recording of Brooklyn every bit as much as he enjoyed the show itself. [ NYT ] THEATER REVIEW | 'AFTER THE BALL' The Wit of Wilde Set Against the Melodies of Coward By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON No�l Coward's operetta, based on Oscar Wilde's play "Lady Windermere's Fan," doesn't quite come together as drama. [ DN ] A Noel gift for Coward lovers by Howard Kissel [ TM ] Once Upon a Mattress San Francisco Review By: Michael Portantiere [ Y ] Top Characters in New York Theater in 2004 By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Writer An authoritarian nun. A paranoid young man and his willing helpmate. A delightfully interfering mother. A firebrand AIDS activist. A low-comedy Greek god. A serial killer and the mother of one of his victims. Features: [ BS ] Finding the Comic Voice in Performance The recent American Theatre Wing seminar "Humor in Performance" brought together comedic performers Julie Halston, Michael McKean, Mario Cantone, and Judy Kaye. [ DN ] Hocus-pocus' new focus By ROBERT DOMINGUEZ "Phenomena" features magician Belinda Sinclair. "The Mentalizer" stars Israeli mentalist Ehud Segev. [ INQ ] Chamberlain connects with Scrooge By Desmond Ryan Coming out has freed the actor, just as the famous miser he plays is freed by finding his humanity. [ B ] PHOTO OP: Eder Celebrates the Holidays at the Palace [ B ] PHOTO OP: 'Tis the Season for Times Square Angel News: [ NYT ] Arts, Briefly By LAWRENCE VAN GELDER A Playwright Threatened; Dallas Roberts joins "The Glass Menagerie"; Arliss Howard joins "A Number." [ P ] Dallas Roberts Is Tom in Glass Menagerie, Starting in February at Barrymore [ P ] Today in Theatre History: DECEMBER 22 [ P ] Broadway Divas Sing Dec. 22 for Actors' Fund Benefit [ P ] Melba Moore Sings at Avery Fisher Hall, Dec. 22-23 [ P ] Brian Lowdermilk Takes to The Open Road , a Concert of His Tunes, in NYC Jan. 3-4, 2005 [ V ] Actors Studio names trio as co-artistic directors The Actors Studio has appointed board members Carlin Glynn, Lee Grant and Stephen Lang to serve as co-artistic directors of the 60-year-old nonprofit dedicated to the development of actors, playwrights and directors. [ V ] Funds reap 'Fine' royalties Book takes on love-hate relationship of H'wood, B'way [ Z ] Showtime Euthanizes 'Dead Like Me' [ ATW ] Broadway and Beyond: A Look at Circle Theatre's 2005 Season posted at 12/22/2004 08:29:59 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Tuesday, December 21, 2004 News: [ B ] Sabella and George Join the Cast of the Upcoming Sweet Charity [ B ] Glass Menagerie Revival to Play the Ethel Barrymore Theatre [ B ] Broadway Grosses: Goodbye to The Good Body [ P ] Best in Show: Doubt and Frozen Lead2004 "Best Of" Lists [ P ] The Lion King Director Headed Back to New York with New "Grendel" Opera [ P ] The Thing About Men Gets Chicago-Area Debut Jan. 20, 2005; Pullinsi Directs [ P ] Anjelica Huston and Carol Kane Bring Belfast Blues to Off-Broadway [ P ] O'Connell and Thornton to Headline Keen's Pyretown, Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2005 [ P ] John Rubenstein Stars in Counsellor-at-Law at St. Clement's in NYC Beginning Jan. 25 [ P ] Original Broadway Frozen Star Returns for Los Angeles Run [ P ] Witchy Business: Wicked's Shelley Joins Chenoweth on "Bewitched" Film [ P ] Albee, McNally, Childs and Others Discuss Race and Politics at Panel [ P ] McKellen�s Widow Twanky in Aladdin a Hit With London Critics [ P ] Ruby Wax to Star in The Witches in London, Though Not Production�s UK Tour [ TM ] Green, Murney, Block, et al. Slated for Concerts at Birdland [ TM ] Bosco, Harris, Hecht, and Whitehead to Perform Don Juan in Hell at 92nd Street Y Features: [ B ] Video: Opening Night: The Rivals Reviews: [ VV ] The Phantom Menace by Jorge Morales The saddest musical in the world: A Lloyd Webber revival that proves the show musn't go on [ TM ] Best of Both Worlds Reviewed By: Adam Klasfeld [ VV ] Romancing The Stone Shakespeare's Winter's Tale transformed into a funk dream by Alexis Soloski The Best of Both Worlds [ VV ] Colonial House Lauwers conjures a personal vision of an imperialist past by Charlotte Stoudt Isabella's Room [ VV ] Polished Jokes Aiming for style, director Mark Lamos can almost convince you that it equals substance by Michael Feingold The Rivals [ VV ] Neil LaBute finds there's more to love and hate with full-figured characters by Ed Park Fat Pig [ VV ] Sightlines by David Ng Frankenstein [ TB ] The Immigrant Chicago Review by John Olson posted at 12/21/2004 05:21:51 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Features: [ CST ] Keeping his knight job BY KEVIN NANCE Although "Spamalot" is a new musical, designer Tim Hatley hasn't been able to start exactly from scratch. [ NYP ] THE KINGS OF BROADWAY QUEENS By LETITIA ROWLANDS With no fewer than four shows currently featuring men in dresses (well, maybe five, if you count the guys in kimonos in "Pacific Overtures"), The Post decided to send two real New York drag queens along to judge how the productions measure up. [ BH ] Lead role in 'Opera' is high note for Butler By Stephen Schaefer [ WP ] Backstage: Joyce Carol Oates, Venturing Into Parallel Universes By Jane Horwitz Stephen Adly Guirgis interview (second item). [ BS ] Red Eyes on Showtime Over 'Reefer Madness' By Cynthia Littleton [ BS ] Hall the Humanizer By Cassie Carpenter As the HBO series Six Feet Under enters its fifth and final season, Michael C. Hall will begin to explore life after the hit show about death. [ NJ ] From HBO to 'L&O' in a New York minute by Matt Zoller-Seitz Many working actors choose to live in the New York area because it's the center of America's live theater scene, and they like to be close to that energy. [ Y ] Doing it up in downtown D.C. by PAUL HARRIS (Variety) With the recent proliferation of political plays showing no sign of stopping, it seems appropriate that there are new stages in the center of national politics getting ready to receive them. Reviews: [ NYT ] THEATER REVIEW | 'FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT' Retribution for Suffering Theatergoers By BEN BRANTLEY The most gratifying and freshest "Forbidden Broadway" in years offers an acute list of grievances about the sickly state of the Broadway musical. [ DN ] My 'Forbidden' love must include the cast by Howard Kissel [ Y ] Noel Coward Rarity Arrives in NYC By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic The Irish Rep production is tiny and not particularly well-acted or sung, so it is hard to judge Coward's score or book, which has been edited and condensed by Barry Day. [ Y ] It's 'Poppins' fresh by MATT WOLF, Variety [ Y ] Witty wordplay still sparkles in 'Rivals' by DAVID ROONEY, Variety [ NYT ] MUSIC REVIEW | MAUDE MAGGART Her Sighs Evoke the Ghosts of Broken 30's Dreams By STEPHEN HOLDEN Beautiful, intelligent and gently humorous, Ms. Maggart delivers songs as sustained ethereal sighs in her enlightening new cabaret show at Danny's Skylight Room. News: [ NYT ] 'Wicked' Reaches Financial Nirvana By JESSE McKINLEY After nearly 14 months of flying monkeys, bickering witches and sold-out houses, the musical "Wicked" has recouped its $14 million capitalization. [ P ] Wicked Within Days of Recouping Investment [ NYT ] Arts, Briefly By LAWRENCE VAN GELDER Protests Close Play in England [ Y ] Old Vic Theater Apologizes for No-Show [ B ] Patrick Heusinger to Join Cast of Fiddler on the Roof [ BS ] Two New York Theatres Tapped for NEA Grants [ Y ] B.O. soars; 'Millie' 606g (Variety) Road grosses bounced up 18.1% to $15,936,162 during Week 28 (Dec. 6-12). [ Y ] Standard fare by MATT WOLF (Variety) London's sequence of theatrical gong-giving for 2004 began Dec. 15, with the 50th annual Evening Standard Theater Awards, whose winners were a mixture of the tried (veteran scribe Alan Bennett, whose "History Boys" was named best play) and the true (actress Victoria Hamilton for her heart-stopping turn in "Suddenly Last Summer"). [ ATW-XM ] Broadway and Beyond: After 'Spamalot', 'Shook Up', 'Charity', Pan' and Audrey II Come to Chicago [ NYP ] DAME MOVES TO 'SEVILLE' By BARBARA HOFFMAN [ P ] Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 21 [ P ] Monty Python's Spamalot Launches Quest for the Holy Grail in Chicago Tryout Dec. 21 [ P ] Easter Rises at Joe's Pub � with Arden, Butler and Pasquale � Dec. 21 [ P ] "Kennedy Center Honors" Broadcast on CBS Dec. 21 [ P ] Richard Kind Bites Into a Bialy in Broadway's The Producers Dec. 21; Ruck Will Bloom in January [ P ] Altar Boyz Tix On Sale; Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham Are Cast, But Whither Matthew? [ P ] Broadway Grosses: Dec. 13-19 [ P ] Burke Moses Is a Beast in Theater of the Stars' Beauty Jan. 8-16, 2005 [ P ] Cast Set for World Premiere of Charles Mee's Fêtes de la Nuit in California [ P ] Liam Neeson and Kaitlin Hopkins Expected in Roundabout's Broadway A Touch of the Poet posted at 12/21/2004 10:41:14 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Monday, December 20, 2004 Features: [ TM ] Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening? By: Michael Buckley Dame Edna, Philip Bosco, Judy Kaye, Kevin Cahoon, and Maureen McGovern share their memories of holiday seasons past. News: [ B ] Robert Foxworth to Replace Philip Bosco in Twelve Angry Men [ B ] Liam Neeson Eyes B'way Return in A Touch of the Poet Kaitlin Hopkins would also be featured in the production, directed by Edward Hall (who is working with Neeson's wife, Natasha Richardson, in the spring's Roundabout mounting of A Streetcar Named Desire). [ P ] Disney's On the Record to Be Recorded in January 2005 Kaitlin Hopkins, who is set to replace Emily Skinner in the touring production, will be featured on the CD. [ P ] Nothing Like a Dame Set for March 2005 [ P ] Thom Pain (based on nothing) with Urbaniak Sets Off-Broadway Dates at DR2 Theatre [ P ] "Phantom" Stars Visit "Good Morning America," "The View," "60 Minutes Wednesday" and "Breakfast with the Arts" [ P ] Two Original Cast Members Reunite in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change [ P ] HBO Takes a "First Look" at "The Phantom of the Opera" Dec. 20 [ P ] RSC Plans $7.8 Million Temporary Stratford Home [ P ] Gore Vidal's New Civil War Play, On the March to the Sea, Gets Premiere at Theater Previews in NC, Feb. 22, 2005 Reviews: [ TB ] Hallelujah, Baby! Washington, D.C. Review by Tracy Lyon posted at 12/20/2004 04:02:29 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Reviews: [ B ] CDs: Once Upon a Time by Ken Mandelbaum BROOKLYN (Razor & Tie) THE MAGIC OF DIAHANN CARROLL (DRG) Features: [ B ] Photo Op: A Fittingly Fine Fete for The Rivals News: [ P ] Three Dance Musicals-The Studio, Sport and The Game-May Be Broadway Bound [ P ] Pippin's Arden Joins Cast of Reading of Easter Rising Musical [ P ] Nicholas Hytner Keeps Score for National Theatre Quiz Dec. 20 [ P ] Elaine Paige, Eartha Kitt and Ann Reinking Featured in "Night on the Town" DVD [ P ] Dame Edna Everage to Play the Met [ P ] Woman in White to Offer Signed Performance in February 2005 [ P ] BBC Radio to Rebroadcast Petula Clark-Michael Ball Sunset Boulevard [ P ] Souvenir - with Tony Winner Judy Kaye - Announces Extension posted at 12/20/2004 01:23:18 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link [ NYT ] Arts, Briefly By BEN SISARIO The drama onstage at the Metropolitan Opera on Friday night was "Katya Kabanova," by Janacek. In the audience, it was opera buffa, written in part by the actor and playwright Wallace Shawn. Features: [ TM ] Peter Filichia's Diary How might some of America's most ridiculous laws affect musical theater? Filichia speculates. [ DN ] Rashad finds a role of historic proportions By CELIA McGEE [ ND ] The butler donned it BY BLAKE GREEN Michael Benjamin Washington is no drag as a self-made maid in 'La Cage aux Folles' [ BG ] 'Phantom' fans are either 'love it' or 'leave it' about the new movie By Tatsha Robertson [ TS ] Why the Phantom's Spirit Still Moves Us by Richard Ouzounian Memories of Hal Prince and Andrew Lloyd Webber from the 1989 Toronto production. Reviews: [ NYT ] THEATER REVIEW | 'MARY POPPINS' Now Say It, Children: Supercalidarkrevisionist By BEN BRANTLEY The stunningly staged, bizarrely ambivalent new musical is a sentimental yet sinister show steeped in Jungian shadows as seen at the Prince Edward Theater in London. [ DN ] Let the 'Honors' roll! by David Bianculli A rare touch of TV class [ WP ] Artificial Resuscitation By Peter Marks 1967's 'Hallelujah, Baby!' Barely Revives [ BSUN ] 'Hallelujah' deserves few shouts; lead actors shine By J. Wynn Rousuck [ TB ] Vital Signs: New Works Festival, Series Three Review by Lindsey Wilson [ NYP ] FRESH FARE By FRANK SCHECK A refreshingly vicious corrective to the current holiday cheer, "Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit" once again serves as a welcome palate cleanser after a less-than-stellar theater season. [ NYP ] LIZ SMITH I HAVE had a great time reading "How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 years," which claims to be the life story-memoir-autobiography of one Miss Kaye Ballard, for whom I toiled as a road manager back in the '50s � the Dark Ages when dinosaurs roamed the earth. [ ATW-XM ] Broadway and Beyond: A Last Minute Shopping Tip: Try a New Release from Ghostlight Records News: [ V ] Musical artists guild outlines agent code First step in three-part strategy The American Guild of Musical Artists has enacted a voluntary code of standards for agents and managers representing AGMA members with the goal of preventing what it claims is a "plethora" of unethical practices. [ NYP ] PAGE SIX WE HEAR . . . WE HEAR [ Y ] Guthrie Theater's New Home Taking Shape By KARREN MILLS, Associated Press Writer [ P ] Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 20 [ P ] Beach Boys Give Broadway "Excitations" as Good Vibrations Begins Performances Dec. 20 posted at 12/20/2004 08:55:31 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link Sunday, December 19, 2004 [ STARS ] SHOWSTOPPING HOLIDAY GIFT SUGGESTIONS, Part Two by ELLIS NASSOUR There's never been a holiday season with so much theater-related product. You'll have no problem finding a theater or arts gift for that special someone - or yourself! There's something for everyone! Features: [ P ] CHANNELING THEATRE: Chatting with "Sopranos" and Second Hand Memory Star Dominic Chianese [ HC ] Play Is For Kids; Many Plays Are Not by Frank Rizzo Sometimes it takes more than a spoonful of sugar to get some young audience members to stay down. Sometimes it takes an outright ban. [ HC ] Shift At The Shubert By FRANK RIZZO Once-Legendary Pre-Broadway House Needs New Business Plan To Survive [ NYP ] SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE By BARBARA HOFFMAN Thirty years later, Alan Zweibel remembers the potato chips. He and Billy Crystal were playing Manhattan's comedy clubs back then - driving in from Long Island together in Billy's VW - when Crystal pulled out a bowl of chips on stage. [ NYP ] THE MAN BEHIND THE CLASSICS By BARBARA HOFFMAN LET'S see: "Saturday Night Live" or ... "Hollywood Squares"? That was the choice facing Alan Zweibel in 1975, "and believe it or not," he says, "back then, that was a dilemma." [ DN ] A light at the opera BY SEAN DALY Actress Emmy Rossum glows amid 'Phantom's' Gothic gloom [ NYP ] THEATER BUFF By SARA STEWART Can "the music of the night" stay in key on the big screen? [ CT ] A king-of-rock musical, sans king By Michael Phillips "Monty Python's Spamalot" isn't the only $11 million Broadway-bound musical in the throes of an out-of-town tryout in Chicago. [ NYP ] IN LIKE LYNN By TOM SYKES The year 2004 has been a spectacularly good one for actress Lynn Collins. The beautiful, 22-year-old New Yorker has suddenly found herself thrust into the limelight, playing Portia, the female lead, in director Michael Radford's skillful adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." [ NYT ] F.Y.I. It Isn't Just a Smoke By MICHAEL POLLAK Q. The other night I went to see "Twelve Angry Men" at the American Airlines Theater, and saw a sign in the lobby saying vegetable cigarettes would be used in the performance. What are vegetable cigarettes, and why are they used? [ ND ] TAKE 5: Sound of trivia by ANDY EDELSTEIN 'The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, gets a special "Wonderful World of Disney" airing Christmas night at 8 on ABC/7. Here are five things you might not have known about the classic 1965 movie. Thanks to American Theater Web for the following articles: [ PP ] Disney movie hits should make a bibbidi-bobbidi-boo-tiful show BY DOMINIC P. PAPATOLA [ HChron ] Gold standards and overlooked gems By EVERETT EVANS Jessica Molaskey's 'Make Believe' makes believers with its stunning mix of recut Broadway jewels [ OCR ] And now, Half-Baked Honors Paul Hodgins looks at the worst of Southern California theater in 2004 Most brazen use of a TelePrompTer: Val Kilmer. "Let my people, um ... LINE!" Reviews: [ CT ] THE YEAR'S BEST: THEATER By Michael Phillips 'American Dead' leads pack of strong productions [ CT ] THE YEAR'S BEST: THEATER By Chris Jones Interesting that both of the Tribune's critics made top ten lists, with only one show in common: "The Light in the Piazza." [ CU ] La Cage aux Folles News: [ P ] Today In Theatre History: DECEMBER 19 [ P ] Arden, Bean, Clark, Guarini and More Sing at Kitchen Sink Benefit Dec. 19 [ P ] Von Essen and Nevins Host Dec. 19 Miracle on Lafayette Benefit [ P ] All Shook Up Rumbles Into Chicago Dec. 19 Prior to Broadway [ P ] Eve Ensler's The Good Body Closes on Broadway, Dec. 19 [ P ] Off-Broadway's Guantánamo Ends Run Dec. 19 with Danny Glover [ P ] Sirius Satellite Radio: Preview of 2005 Broadway on "Radio Playbill" posted at 12/19/2004 09:31:26 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link BroadwayStars is powered by Blogger Pro! [Past News] |
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