BroadwayStars

Saturday, February 03, 2001

Today's birthdays include: Nathan Lane, James Michener, Norman Rockwell and Gertrude Stein.

Bright Lights, Big Thinkers
It has nothing to do with Paul Scott Goodman...

Cuckoo Cast and Dates Announced
Don't you think an article that is titled "Cuckoo Cast and Dates Announced" should include a cast list? Maybe it is just me. Anyway, here is the cast list of the Steppenwolf production. (Broadway.com's article quotes Richard Kornberg as saying that the production will be transferring with "almost the entire" Steppenwolf cast.")

By Jeeves Coming to Broadway This Season?
Has anyone really thought this out? Seems like a bad idea to me. Although the Broadway.com article mentions the Booth as a possible landing pad, talk around town suggests that the Hayes may in actuality be the home to Bertie.

3hree Joins Ahmanson Roster

Wolfe to Helm Top Dog

David Bowie Crosses the Line at ASCAP Showcase

Approaching First B'way Anniversary, Riverdance Makes Cast, Content Changes
All good things come to an end. I wonder if they will all do The Time Warp now?

Storm Theatre Stages As You Like It, Feb. 14-March 11, in NYC

Pre-Broadway The Gathering Moves Into L.A.'s Wadsworth, Feb. 3-28

Rodgers and Hammerstein Nets U.S. and Canadian Rights to Lloyd Webber
The most interesting part of this story is that "Aspects of Love" will be handled by R&H. Does this mean that every regional company in the US will be doing it next year? (I hope so!)

Of 3hree They Sing: L.A.'s Ahmanson Lands Short Musicals April 15-June 10

Wolfe to Direct Wright in Parks' Topdog/Underdog at Public in March

Broadway-bound 3hree Lands at the Ahmanson Theatre, April 3

Local Theatres Can Now Do Cats

David Shiner Returns to Seussical Feb. 14
Did Hell freeze over? Some may think it did. With this news, why, oh why did Rosie tell her audience at the taping of her show on Thursday that Donny Osmond was going into Seussical? Me thinks that a severance package could not be worked out...

Broadway USA! Kicks-Off "Martin Charnin" Season Feb. 26 by Forrest Mallard

Broadway Inspirational Voices Selected as a Semi-finalist in Pathmark Gospelfest by Forrest Mallard

SCENE AND HEARD: Inside Bells Are Ringing Rehearsals

The Absolutely, Positively Last Word on That Debate by Peter FIlichia

IN-Motion, Olsen twins ink on CDs. Soundtrack, compilation deal will last three years

Blind email received:

Not really a blind item, but I saw Meg Ryan tonight at BETRAYAL. Think it cut kind of close to home for her?Don't be messing with my Meg... (I knew I should have gone to BETRAYAL last night!)

posted at 2/3/2001 07:01:39 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Friday, February 02, 2001

Today's birthdays include: Elaine Stritch, and James Joyce.

On Stage and Off: 'Sea Gull' Among the Birds by Jesse McKinley

Philadelphia Inquirer: Laura Benanti: Remember that name by Clifford A. Ridley

How many times a day do I hear "I am madly in love with Laura Benanti." Will Laura be bigger than Kristin?

Does Your Mother Know by Ken Mandelbaum
We hear that the Louise Pitre deal (Mamma Mia/Broadway) is not a done deal.

Broadway Bootlegs Can Get You Banned
Jordan Roth, producer of The Rocky Horror show says in this article:

"...we don't want our artists to be taken advantage of."
Of course he doesn't want anyone else to take advantage of them... The article then goes on to say:

"Of course, what's really driven the mass swapping of Rocky files is the lack of an actual cast recording, which Roth swears is still on the horizon. "I know that people don't believe us," he said. "But the recording is coming."Hmmmm....

Knightsbridge Theatre Launches Four New Shows At Its Two Venues

New "135" Space Opens with Open-Ended FUNBOX Times Square Feb. 2

Brian d'Arcy James is Keen Company's Good Thief March 7-24

Bells Are Ringing Team Talks About Betty, Adolph, Ella and How the Party's Just Beginning

Michael McElroy and the Broadway Inspirational Voices have released a 25 Minute Music Sampler With Three Songs. Part of the proceeds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

'Seagull' flies free, Mac readies N.Y. attack. Prod'n to land at Delacorte in Central Park

Streep/Kline Seagull Headed for Central Park This Summer

Liev Schreiber May Take On Othello at Central Park
Okay everyone, you can stop swooning now...

Report: Disney Spurns Carnival Musical Revival

Rethinking the Great Theatre Debate by Peter Filichia

On Broadway by Michael Riedel
Shuberts pull the Lyceum from Bertelsmann's "Spirit of Broadway" to save its dignity. Now it can be saved for such great works as Wildhorn's upcoming "Dracula". BTW, Dracula is going into the studio next week to record a(nother?) concept recording.

posted at 2/2/2001 07:04:00 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Thursday, February 01, 2001

On this day in 1896, Puccini's opera "La Boheme" premiered in Turin. Today's birthdays include: Langston Hughes and Clark Gable.

Appellate Judge Overturns Lower Court, Theatre Air Rights Can Be Sold and Transferred

Look Out, Here Comes the Master Race: Bway-Bound Producers Starts in Chi-Town Feb. 1-25

Kate Levering is Peggy Sawyer in Upcoming 42nd Street; Elder Confirmed

Kander and Ebb to be Putting Up Curtains on Bway Next Season?

Rex Smith and Rachel York to Tour in Kiss Me, Kate

Minority theaters get coin infusion. St. Louis Black Rep., Penumbra, Bilingual Foundation chosen for Capital

Bushnell growth gets fund boost. Legit venue to use money for expansion

'City' dweller Parker eyes 'World' of stage. Thesp's commitment to HBO show is big snag

A Star Is Born: Levering Wins 42nd Street Lead

Sutton Foster To Star in Thoroughly Modern Millie on B'way this Fall

Rachel York and Rex Smith Topline 2001 Kiss Me, Kate Tour

Great Debate: Is the American Musical in a New Golden Age?

Sendroff To Send Off His Forties
It is not possible to get ANY project off the ground today without at least one call to Mark's office. It is true, all roads, including Broadway, lead to Mark Sendroff.

The Producers!!! Dress Rehearsal!!! [Warning: Spoilers]

AGYG is closing???????

Clinton close to signing office lease on W. 57th Street
The rental in this space is reported to be $650,000 per YEAR. What does he think he is? A big off-Broadway producer?

posted at 2/1/2001 07:59:06 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Wednesday, January 31, 2001

Today's birthdays include: Norman Mailer, Minnie Driver, Portia de Rossi and Jackie Robinson.

'Time and Again': A Flight of Fancy to Channel a Quirky Past by Ben Brantley
How long can you listen to a music box? Your answer should give a fair indication of your ability to sit through "Time and Again," the pallid, history-spanning romantic musical that opened on Tuesday at the Manhattan Theater Club.

SAG Movie Nominees Run Gamut

Manager mania takes the stage. Ovitz's AMG leads push into theater.
Lets hope Mr. Ovitz does a better job than he did with Livent.

Cassidy, Smith to tour. 'Aida' kicks off in Minneapolis, 'Kate' begins in New Haven.

Broadway grosses

MTC inches toward B'Way site Biltmore renovation approval could open door to White Way.

Time Tries Again by Ken Mandelbaum

Hard to Be Diva by Ken Mandelbaum

Legal Battle over MONOLOGUES

Final Out for Cobb

Playwright Edward Albee Appears on "Theatre Talk," Feb. 1

Charo, Diller and Worley Visit Pete 'n' Keely, Feb. 6-March 4

Eight is Enough for O'Neill Conference Songwriters at NYC's Duplex, Feb. 9-11

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Awards $1M to A.R.T./NY

Blast! to Blast Broadway's Broadway, April 5; Open April 17

Love, Janis to Begin Performances Off-Broadway, March 29

Debra Monk on Board for Stroman-Connick Thou Shalt Not, Due in Fall

What's in a Name?: San Diego's Old Globe Becomes the Globe Theatres

Off-Broadway Cobb Plays Last Inning on Feb. 11

The American Musical Has Entered a New Golden Age by Peter Filichia

Hearn, Graae to Star in Ovations!' Promises Jan. 31 - Feb. 4

Women's Project Debuts Leaving Queens Musical, Feb. 25

SAG Award Nominations Laud Theater Personalities
The list of nominees for the Screen Actor's Guild Awards include some of Broadway's best

Work Delayed on New Times Square TKTS Booth

How Were the Reviews?: Off-Broadway's Time and Again

Hollywood Reporter: SAG-AFTRA split threatened / Performers Alliance considers move to end joint negotiations
A growing rift between SAG and AFTRA is threatening to erupt into a civil war on the eve of negotiations for a new film and TV contract.
This was in yesterday's edition of The Hollywood Reporter. I am surprised that none of the Broadway websites have mentioned it. Although it is SAG-AFTRA, this will have an impact upon Broadway.

posted at 1/31/2001 06:21:37 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Tuesday, January 30, 2001

To update James Galla's post below, Liev Schreiber had to cancel out of doing the reading at Symphony Space, which he was scheduled to do on Feb 14th. I'm still going - Robert Sean Leonard will be there, at least.
posted at 1/30/2001 02:52:58 PM by Catherine Skidmore | Item Link

Today's birthdays include: Harold Prince, Vanessa Redgrave and Charles S. Dutton.

With Vast Cultural Projects Planned in New York, Can Donors Keep Up?
There are plenty of construction plans at the city's cultural institutions, like the $1.5 billion redevelopment plan for Lincoln Center and $650 million expansion campaign at the Museum of Modern Art, and there is nary a public shudder when the price tags are mentioned.

McEntire, Osmond Sets Their Sights on Big Turnout at "Kids Night," Jan. 30

First "Great Theatre Debate," About American Musical, Is Sold Out for Jan. 30

Time and Again Finally Gets Its NYC Premiere, at MTC, Jan. 30

Woman In Black Checks Into Globe En Route to Off-Broadway Opening

Really Useful Launches Award for New Producers in London

B'way B.O. holds fort as 'Saigon' flies away. McEntire's 'Annie' pushes revs up.

Kennon's Time and Again Musical Opens OB Jan. 30
The time-travel musical creates yet another hot ticket for Manhattan Theatre Club

Arthur Laurents Plans a Trip to Venecia by Peter Filichia

Neil Simon Prepares 45 Seconds for Broadway in Fall 2001
After a decade-long dry spell, the author of The Odd Couple and Lost in Yonkers prepares to follow up his hit The Dinner Party

How Did the Gypsy Robe Tradition Start? by Jessica Browner

Saigon Slip At Final Performance
Little did the audience know that the actors playing the Vietnamese girls had been replaced with Frank Rich and John Simon. Michael Reidel was suppose to round out the ensemble but did not make it on stage as he could not get his wig on.

Anthony Warlow to finally come to Broadway? News from down under suggests that Anthony Warlow, Australian and West End star, may make his way to Broadway. He has rejected two offers in the past citing family and health reasons, but seems to entertain the notion in this article in Australia's The Age.
[Thanks to Andy at American Theater Web for the link]

There has been a convergence of my worlds I discovered on the plane ride back from London. As you probably know, I am a bit of a tech-geek. One of the technology trades that I read, Information Week, reviews Sondheim's new COMPANY DVD. (It is a rave!). And then I open The Industry Standard and see one of my coworkers. Now if we can only get Scholastic to enter the entertainment market... :-)

As much as I am a believer that The Darwin Awards could not be true, comes this story from The San Francisco Gate, which is a reputable media source: "Man accidentally saws off hand, then shoots nails into head."

posted at 1/30/2001 05:14:09 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Monday, January 29, 2001

There was a reading of Twelve Angry Men tonight done by The Roundabout. David Morse played the Henry Fonda part. Philip Bosco played the Lee J. Cobb part. The Twelve were all men; however, not all of them were angry.

Coincidentally, I have been listening to The Fields of Ambrosia, a musical about an executioner. The title song is, well, heavenly.

Stars Shine for Elegies... AIDS Benefit

Douglas Sills Heads SCR Cast for Much Ado, Feb. 23
What does this mean for the April 23 opening of Mack and Mabel?

Nixon, Jones, Channing Featured in NYC's "Selected Shorts," Beginning Jan 31
Catherine, Liev Schreiber alert !

There is a strange shortage of Caffeine Free Diet Coke at all the stores in my neighborhood.
posted at 1/29/2001 09:53:34 PM by the other James | Item Link

Brandy hip-hops to see wizard in Fox TV's 'O.Z.'
"In the new take on the "Oz" story, Dorothy will be a successful but lonely hip-hop musical producer in Los Angeles. After a massive earthquake, she and her sidekick Toto find themselves in a strange, wondrous land called the Big O.Z."
Obviously, this is just in the talking stages. But a cast that includes Little Richard (as the Wizard!), Busta Rhymes and Queen Latifah? Bring it on, baby.
posted at 1/29/2001 09:32:15 PM by Bill Jennings | Item Link

So I went to a reading for the new musical, Houdini, by Michael Martin and Brian Bazala. I think it has a lot of potential - if you can get over the fact that most people have had enough Houdini to last a lifetime after Ragtime. The music was very good, and I'd love to hear more of the book (it was edited for the reading). Watching the actors (including the talented Kristoffer Lowe in the ensemble, who looks just like Harry Houdini!) reminded me of the big difference between those singers who are classically trained - as was the actor singing Arthur Conan Doyle, whose name I can't recall - and those who need a mic to amplify their voice into something listenable - as was the lead, whose name I CAN recall. Overall, I really enjoyed it and wish them all luck for the future.
posted at 1/29/2001 09:18:04 PM by Catherine Skidmore | Item Link

Broadway Grosses Jan. 22-28, Part 1

Broadway Grosses Jan. 22-28, Part 2
posted at 1/29/2001 08:58:31 PM by Susan Heim | Item Link

*I* didn't watch the Superbowl. I don't follow basketball. :)
posted at 1/29/2001 07:19:46 PM by Robbie | Item Link

Andrew Lloyd Webber to Attend By Jeeves Rehearsals Jan. 31
For all the Pittsburghers out there!

The Making of THE BODY by Forrest Mallard

Idina Menzel Puts Heart, Songs on Her Sleeve at Joe's Pub

posted at 1/29/2001 05:30:10 PM by Susan Heim | Item Link

Stritch on Strich: A true Broadway original, Elaine Stritch talks candidly about teaching, touring, and teetotaling by Michael Portantiere
posted at 1/29/2001 04:45:58 PM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

The Fall of Saigon by Ken Mandelbaum
posted at 1/29/2001 04:42:15 PM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

See? "The closing [of Miss Saigon] will free up the Broadway Theatre at 53rd Street and Broadway -- one of the most desirable of the musical-sized theatres in the Times Square area. Mackintosh blamed a lack of such theatres for not bringing Boublil & Schonberg's Martin Guerre to Broadway in spring 2000, as scheduled."
posted at 1/29/2001 12:26:27 PM by Catherine Skidmore | Item Link

Biltmore Bid Runs Gauntlet.......Apartment building is major stumbling block

Uriarte Berry, Stadlen, Gallagher Tapped for Jan. 29 Disney Carnival Reading

Allergist's Wife Presents Actors' Fund Benefit Show, Jan. 29

Fugard, Fryer, Jory n' June Inducted Into Theatre Hall of Fame, Jan. 29

Joel Grey and Blythe Danner To Commit Little Murders at NY City Center Jan. 30
posted at 1/29/2001 09:04:18 AM by Susan Heim | Item Link

The Most Popular Musical Theatre Lyric by Peter Filichia
posted at 1/29/2001 07:53:13 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Today's birthdays include: Anton Chekov and W.C. Fields.
posted at 1/29/2001 12:15:26 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

All I have to say is that I really hope Catherine was kidding about Martin Guerre.
posted at 1/29/2001 12:12:57 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

I've got to tell you, that Superbowl was the least exciting thing I've seen in years. The commercials didn't even do it for me - sorry Robbie.

However, Miss Saigon today was pretty exciting. I must've run into twelve people there that I knew. Cameron came onstage at the end, with Claude-Michel Schonberg, to thank the cast, crew and fans - and the twelve musicians in the pit who've been with the show since the beginning. And for those who missed the show, never fear. Cameron says they're putting the helicopter in mothballs - and the show will be back! Perhaps they can revive it in ten years or so... if they can do it with 42nd Street...

And yours truly was interviewed by 1010 WINS radio at intermission, go listen for my words of wisdom ("Yes, I've seen the show about 20 times in the past 10 years, sure I'll miss it, but most shows are lucky to run for only a year or two. Maybe they can bring in Martin Guerre now, blah blah blah.")
posted at 1/29/2001 12:07:44 AM by Catherine Skidmore | Item Link

Sunday, January 28, 2001

I just figured out why my name never appears at the end of one of my posts. Robbie Rozelle is a retard no longer!
posted at 1/28/2001 11:24:52 PM by Robbie | Item Link

I won't give away the ending, but the Super Bowl commercials became more interesting than the game. I liked the eTrade commercial the best, as the monkey walked through a cemetary of dead .com's. A little too close to home, but funny. And the "wassup" commercial. Missed the one with Dole.

Reba McEntire Does What Comes Natur'lly in Her Broadway Debut
Reba wants to do more Broadway. There are also pictures of the after-party. Sadly, Matthew and I were not invited.

Kids Night on Broadway is Tuesday January 30 and February 6.

Boy Meets Girl begins performances at MTC on Tuesday January 30.

Spike Heels - Theatre Review by Matthew Murray
Matthew is too modest to post this link, so he asked me to do it.

posted at 1/28/2001 09:52:09 PM by the other James | Item Link

Diva Talk by Andrew Gans

"Do you know what they're naming the old-age home for theatre queens?"

"Karen Akers."

All this and more in this week's Diva Talk...
posted at 1/28/2001 08:38:43 PM by Robbie | Item Link

Off-Broadway Hit Becomes Multi-Media Juggernaut by Stephan C. Friedman

I don't "get" the Blue Man Group. But then, I liked Seussical. A lot.

I hope I link it right this time-- this html is harder than what I do for Diva Dish.
posted at 1/28/2001 08:32:05 PM by Robbie | Item Link

Kristin Chenoweth: Let Yourself Go by Sean Patrick Flahaven
Are you going to stay up and watch the Super Bowl?

posted at 1/28/2001 11:00:13 AM by Susan Heim | Item Link

"Miss Saigon" closing
Will you miss Saigon? I've gotta be honest with you, I won't. While I found a few of the songs good, when I saw the show about 2 years ago, I couldn't stand it....
posted at 1/28/2001 10:02:22 AM by Jennifer | Item Link

So Who's the Musical Theatre Survivor? by Peter Filichia
The new season of Survivor starts and Miss Saigon closes all in the same day! Who'd have thought? I've also heard rumors of some big sports event, but have been unable to confirm.
posted at 1/28/2001 06:44:36 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Reba McEntire Does What Comes Natur'lly in Her Broadway Debut by Elaina Fusco
posted at 1/28/2001 06:41:39 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Today's birthdays include Alan Alda.
posted at 1/28/2001 06:38:59 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Laura Benanti:: With a Song in Her Heart, Taking On the Stage (Again)

Albee, Directing Albee, Is Impish About the Baby

posted at 1/28/2001 01:13:23 AM by Susan Heim | Item Link

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