Saturday, February 10, 2001 Today's birthdays include: Robert Wagner, Roberta Flack, George Stephanopoulos, Dame Judith Anderson, Stella Adler and Bertolt Brecht. R.A.T.M.: THE FANTASTICKS a victim of the Movie Curse? Fantasticks box office takes a nose-dive and the institution on Sullivan Street may be in trouble. Between Gigs There's the Job Lisa Richard Is an Executive by Day, a Singer by Night, but 'I Don't Mix My Worlds' All those power outages on the west coast? All Lisa Richard and Susan Egan's fault. 'A Connecticut Yankee': Hartford's Sassy Time Traveler, Still Wandering The 20th century meets the sixth century in "A Connecticut Yankee," the Rodgers and Hart show inspired by Mark Twain's novel of colliding cultures. Bryan Batt Schaeffer Lands New Post at SFX Feb. 10 is "V-Day" as Ensler and Friends Pack Madison Square Garden. Glenn Close and Julianna Margulies and a host of other stars take part in this violence-against-women awareness event, featuring a performance of The Vagina Monologues. This is definitely going to be a great event. Rex Reed Hosts Jule Styne "Lyricists" Tribute at 92 Street Y, Feb. 10-12 The Beat Goes Off: Plans for Bearde-Blye's Bono-Based Bway Tuner Go Bust Bay Area's TheatreWorks Premieres Russell-Krieger Kept in 2002 SCENE AND HEARD: Inside the Tom Sawyer Rehearsals Burke Moses Is "So in Love" with Kiss Me, Kate by Michael Buckley Berlin Festival Screens Audra McDonald/Emma Thompson Wit Film After Tom Sawyer, Ken Ludwig Has Two New Farces Up His Sleeve Report: South Pacific Revival Headed for U.S. Tour How Are Broadway Shows Doing at the Box Office? I Like to Recognize the Tune by Peter Filichia 'Tom' Foolery $8 million musical 'Adventures' gets ready for B'way The Full Monty finally went live with their website: www.thefullmontyonbroadway.com. It opens with a ridiculous flash presentation and is constructed with Microsoft Front Page. Why do producers spend millions of dollars on Broadway productions and then skimp on the website that more people have access to than will ever see the show? If you want to skip the flash opening, click here. The following stories are links gathered by American Theater Web Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Stage Review: 'By Jeeves' a sweet treat of comedy, memorable music The Plain Dealer (Cleveland):Ayckbourn leads, Lloyd Webber follows in a musical that’s simply charming Pittsburgh Tribune Review: 'By Jeeves' triumphs as a jolly good show The Boston Globe: Wheelock does 'Prince' a royal turn posted at 2/10/2001 10:28:42 AM by James Marino | Item Link Friday, February 09, 2001 On this day in 1964, The Beatles made their first live American television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Today's birthdays include: Carole King, Mia Farrow and Judith Light. Annie's Got Her Gun Again, and Hits the Clay Pigeons by Ben Brantley Making her Broadway debut, Reba McEntire glides into the title role of "Annie Get Your Gun" like a seabird landing on water. On Stage and Off: Stepping In for the Stars by Jesse McKinley Buzz - as judged by usually catty Internet gossips and even nastier Broadway types - has been almost uniformly good, meaning, of course, that New York producers are cooing but cautious. "I think it's great but I'm biased," said Rocco Landesman, one of the show's producers. "And there's nothing more dangerous than a show that's overhyped." "... catty Internet gossips..."? Hmmm.... On Broadway by Michael Riedel Losing Its Rosie Glow AND now the end is near, and so they face the final curtain... "Seussical, the Musical" is, I'm afraid, a terminal case. I say this with great regret, since, for a gossip-mongering theater columnist like myself, this show has been a gift that keeps on giving. Oh! Now I get it. Except for one thing... Fran and Barry are not the only ones above the title. There is SFX and Universal. I would think that SFX has an interest in keeping the show open so that it can run on the road... Schaeffer adds job as SFX creative head. Director to lead young artists program Signature Theater's Eric Schaeffer now has two jobs, maybe three. Beth Williams, president of SFX's Theatrical Group Prods. North America, announced Schaeffer has come onboard as the division's new creative director. What the Variety article did not mention is that Beth Williams is the producer of The Rhythm Club, which started at Signature with Schaeffer at the helm. Knowing that information does not make this appointment all that much of a surprise. Congrats to Eric, it is well deserved after all that he has done with Signature. Weitzenhoffer tries hand at Vaudeville. 'I wanted to have a theater,' he sez Larson fund composes winners. '3hree's' Bucchino, 'Women's' Dickstein, others to receive grants By Jeeves Tix Scarce in Pittsburgh; Feb. 9 Opening in PA May Lead to Bway It's a Blast! for the NBA Feb. 10 and 11 Report: Landau-Disney Project to Draw on Existing Movie Songs Report: National Tours to Have Their Own Awards Erin Dilly Replaces Kate Jennings Grant in Roundabout Revival of Follies Bucchino, Dickstein, Theatreworks/USA Win 2001 Larson Awards Outer Critics Circle Noms Named April 16; Winners Announced April 30, Awards Held May 24 Ben Brantley Featured on Feb. 8 "Theater Talk" Rent Author's Rarely-Seen tick, tick... BOOM! Angling for Off-B'way. This was mentioned vaguely on January 9th's update. A song from the show called "Why" has been recorded by Gilles Chiasson for his forthcoming solo CD SLOW DOWN, which should be out soon. The 31 Lessons of Beauty and the Beast by Peter Filichia Rhythm Club Composers Adapting Heaven Can Wait into a Musical Erin Dilly Joins Sondheim's Follies, on Broadway Mar. 8 Blast! Explodes on NBA All-Star Weekend Feb. 10-11 How Were the Reviews?: Reba McEntire in Annie Get Your Gun Burke Moses Is "So in Love" with Kiss Me, Kate by Michael Buckley Memorial Fund Established for Tad Tadlock by Forrest Mallard Jelly to Roll on Film Scissorhands Looks to London Stage New Award Honors Touring Productions My Defenses Are Down by Ken Mandelbaum Yesterday's comments about the National Theatre Broadway Awards website not being ready must be updated. It was not ready yesterday at 7AM when I checked it, but it went live later in the day. There are still some "holding" pages, but you can get the feel for what they are doing. You can visit it for yourself at www.NationalBroadwayAwards.com. (Will we be referring to them as the NBA?) Spotlight on Seth Rudetsky posted at 2/9/2001 07:03:27 AM by James Marino | Item Link Thursday, February 08, 2001 Theatre Under The Stars (Houston, TX) will be the first company in the U.S. to do MISS SAIGON (March 20-April 1). They are in the midst of signing contracts and will be making an announcement of its cast soon. Following is a list of the creative team. Bruce Lumpkin - Director/Choreographer Raydelle Robbins - Costume Designer David Neville - Lighting Designer John Farrell - Set Designer Beth Berkeley - Sound Designer Catherine Tucker - Wig Designer The show is based on the Broadway production. The Arena Theatre, the venue for the production, is theatre-in-the-round. This theatre does not allow for operation of major transportation devices... like, say... a helicopter, but it will provide the designers the opportunity to play with sound and lighting to create the feel of a helicopter. They may even have wind effects! Tickets are available online (see the link above) or by calling (800) 678-5440. posted at 2/8/2001 12:24:48 PM by James Marino | Item Link Today's birthdays include: Jack Lemmon, John Williams, Brooke Adams, Mary Steenburgen, James Dean and Lana Turner. Theater org launches award for road shows. Ballot conducted via Web, regular mail. NEW YORK -- The League of American Theatres and Producers has announced the creation of the National Broadway Theatre Awards, to honor achievement in touring shows. Winners will be announced May 21 in New York City. [more] Is this a play by the League to move away from the Wing? If these awards gain acceptance can they be expanded to include New York shows? Or are these awards nothing more than another marketing ploy for the road presenters? I wonder if non-Equity shows such as Troika's "Sound of Music" will be eligible? On another note, and very minor: If they are going to announce their website (www.nationalbroadwayawards.com) in the article, the website really should be ready for people to visit it. It is not. 'Pacific' pair planned. National tour, Brit prod'n in talks, Nunn to helm Stateside The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is in negotiations with both the Weisslers and the Royal National Theatre of London for rights to produce two different productions of "South Pacific." [more] Schreiber Studio salute. After double fete, auction brought $1,800 bid for lunch with Liz Smith. 'Focus!': Searching for an EntrÈe on a Menu of Composers The Saddest Words Found in Any Ad by Peter Filichia Will Chita Rivera Make a Visit to Broadway? Off-Broadway Updates, Revives Starmites March 14 Kia Corthron's Force Continuum Reveals Trials of Black NYC Cops Feb. 8 Original Fantasticks Star in Workshop of Little Women Musical Feb. 8 Winfrey, Fonda, Tomlin, Flockhart to Read Vagina Monologues on Feb. 10 V-Day Broadway Chatterbox Plans "Eyre-Head Week" Feb. 8 by Forrest Mallard Saving The Last Dance For Us: Doc Pomus Musical to Workshop in MN in Summer Public Memorial for Jason Robards Set for Feb. 26 at Broadhurst Little Women Takes Big Step at NC's Duke, Feb. 8-18 Art Center Wins: NYC Jury Felt CHARAS Landlord Opposed Use Restrictions Revised Starmites 2001 Will Save Universe, Off-Off-Broadway, March 14-April 8 Benefit Clothing Drive at Spa Features New "Rockywear," Feb. 7 Off-Broadway's Blue Light Theatre Suspends Operations After Six Years Visit Producer Brown Says He and Goodman Are "Exploring" Not "Signed" Lining Up This Year's Dames Blue Light Burns Out Erin Dilly Steps Into Follies Ben Brantley Meets Michael Riedel, Thursday on THEATER TALK posted at 2/8/2001 07:00:09 AM by James Marino | Item Link Wednesday, February 07, 2001 Today's birthdays include: Gay Talese, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Charles Dickens. Jane Eyre is James Barbour's last show Mr. Barbour is looking to producing. Dancin' Man by Ken Mandelbaum Lessons of the Season #6 by Ken Mandelbaum Broadway Sweet Smell Aims For January 2 Start Taking The Visit To Chicago Dirty Blonde Enters Final Weeks Hey look at that, the Hayes is going to be available. I wonder if By Jeeves is going to end up there... as mentioned first on Talkin' Broadway. (Broadway.com was the first to report that By Jeeves was coming to Broadway.) Is By Jeeves a Possibility For the Helen Hayes? IBID High Five $5 Tickets Now Available for Second Stage, CSC, City Center Encores! Jule Styne Feted as Rex Reed Hosts 31st Lyricists Tribute at 92 St. Y, Feb. 10-12 The Visit a Go at the Goodman; Rehearsals to Begin in July Cast Set for Limited Run Steppenwolf Cuckoo on Bway; Begins March 16 Purple Rose dawns as Daniels' Pleasantville Thesp pumps local talent, coin into revamped hometown venue 'Swing!' stops, 'Opera' rocks [Road grosses] 'Saigon' shutters [Broadway grosses] O'Neill center goes national New moniker used to show solidarity of programs Disney earnings drop ABC's soft on ads, Internet losses continue Thesps reverse lifetime ban penality Nat'l board had OK'd lifetime punishment in October B'way misses 'Saigon' as B.O. dips 'Betrayal,' 'Annie' among handful of shows that improved Cambridge's Brattle goes nonprofit Facility had been operated by White, Lampke since '86 'Allergist' tells tale of B'way profit 'Proof' of money at 'Dinner Party' A Look at Edward Albee's Newest by Peter Filichia Tony Award-Winning But Debt-Ridden Black Troupe May Soon Be Back on Boards 'Seussical' Purrs With Rosie John Barlow once again confirms that David Shiner will return on Valentine's Day. Long-gone Go casts shadow over Mouse Disney's profit grew 23% to $341 mil, before new regs took effect posted at 2/7/2001 08:58:57 AM by James Marino | Item Link Erin Dilly is Young Phyllis in Roundabout's FOLLIES? I thought that Kate Jennings Grant was... And hey Sebastian... in just seven days, we can make you a toe. posted at 2/7/2001 12:33:03 AM by James Marino | Item Link Tuesday, February 06, 2001 Sound of Music's Barry Williams Says Equity's $50K Fine Is Political posted at 2/6/2001 04:01:46 PM by James Marino | Item Link Today's birthdays include: Tom Brokaw, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Rip Torn and Axl Rose. V-Day is coming up and it is not at all what you think. Saturday 2/10 @ 7pm -- Madison Square Garden... Oprah, Jane Fonda, Calista, Queen Latifah, Claire Danes,  lots o folks... What is it about? From the V-Day website: V-Day is a global movement to end violence against girls and women. V-Day is a decision, an energy, a spirit, a day -- Valentine's Day -- for which annual theatrical and artistic events are produced in local, national and international venues to raise money and to transform consciousness. To date, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning play, "The Vagina Monologues," has been the centerpiece of these events. In order to translate its mission into action, V-Day established the V-Day Fund in 1998. The V-Day Fund allocates resources to global grassroots groups that work to end rape, battery, incest and genital mutilation. Contributions to the V-Day Fund come from many different places: individuals, corporations, foundations, product and book sales, benefit and commercial performances of "The Vagina Monologues." V-Day is a project of the Tides Foundation and is a 501(c)3 organization. vday.org Broadway Caught In Tarantula's Web I am glad that others have recognized the talent of David Risley and Tarantula... and thank God the Rocky Horror site is going to relaunch. I am looking forward to it. Speaking of Rocky, there is a launch of a new line of "Rocky" clothing this Wednesday. I wonder if it will do better than the "Rent" clothes... Bat Boy Cast Ready To Fly Ron Orbach Misses Producers Chicago Engagement Broadway Grosses: Still Chilly Broadway Grosses: January 29 - February 4 - Part 1 David Shiner Still in Line to Return to Seussical; New Sked Begins Feb. 14 Lily Blooms Through Spring at the Booth; Search Extends at Least to April 1 "South Park" Creator Behind New Off-B'way Cannibal Musical Actors' Equity Arranges Special Agreements to Combat Rise of Non-Equity National Tours Sinise Cuckoo's To Nest at B'way's Royale Mar. 16 Robbins the Standby Stands Tall by Peter Filichia Louise Pitre looks like a "go" for Broadway's Mamma Mia right now. It will probably be announced for the LA opening (Feb. 26). posted at 2/6/2001 06:32:49 AM by James Marino | Item Link Monday, February 05, 2001 On this day in 1887, Verdi's opera "Otello" premiered at La Scala. Today's birthdays include: Stephen J. Cannell, Michael Mann, Christopher Guest, Barbara Hershey, Jennifer Jason Leigh and John Carradine. The News & Observer: Incubator theater A musical version of 'Little Women' will take its first steps toward Broadway during a run at a Duke workshop. Casting's Cat & Mouse Game by Mitchell Fink Cabaret, Old Chums: BackStage Bistro Awards Announced, Ceremony on March 5 Mary Louise Parker, Gerald Schoenfeld Honored on Feb. 5 Volpe's Stars Workshopped at Soho Rep, March 7-10 More on the Most Used Musical Theatre Rhyme by Peter Filichia Gershwin tuner fuels Goodspeed season 'Brigadoon' to open 2001, 'Laughed' spotlights slate Simply Irresistible Contacting London... Making Whoopi for Westport's theater. Perf underwritten by Putnam Trust New York Times Critic BEN BRANTLEY on THEATER TALK Thursday, Feb. 8 Masked Men by Ken Mandelbaum Ken lets us know that word-on-the-street is that The Producers is a hot ticket. Speaking of The Producers... Blind Email Received: There is a STONG possibility that Ron Orbach will not come to Broadway in THE PRODUCERS. Look for Brad Oscar to play the Nazi Fraz Leibkind instead. posted at 2/5/2001 07:56:26 AM by James Marino | Item Link Sunday, February 04, 2001 On this day in 1938, the Thornton Wilder play "Our Town" opened on Broadway. Today's birthdays include: Rosa Parks. Theater - An Equal Opportunity Obsession by Rosalyn Butt When you are blind from birth, and you profess to sighted friends and acquaintances a love of the theater, especially musicals, you can expect plenty of questions. "Don't you miss a lot, not being able to see the dancing, the scenery, the lights, the costumes?" "How did you get involved, and what do you appreciate most?" "Does your guide dog attend the theater, and what's that like?" On and on the questions go. I hope that in this column I provide people with some answers. [To read the rest of this article, click here] Once again, Talkin' Broadway leads the Broadway experience on the internet with a point of view not often heard. Bravo. Screenwriters, Producers in Talks Kia Corthron: A Playwright Who's Unafraid to Admit She's Political Medea, Witch and Woman, Takes Paris and London 1,000 Star Clients by Mark Sendroff Roundabout's Betrayal Closes Feb. 4 at American Airlines Theatre Pre-Bway Gathering Opens at L.A.'s Wadsworth, Feb. 4-28 Here's A Tasty Cherry Orchard by Peter Filichia Design for Living Introduces Dominic West to Broadway by Michael Buckley Chicago Tribune: The Funny Thing About Mel.... He May Be Considered A Comic Genius, But His `Producers' Movie Was No Sure Thing [Thanks to Kimberly for the link] Old Theater's Latest Drama Philadelphia Inquirer: Child's plays are a lesson for adults Good theater is possible even when themes are aimed at children. How else will they come to love it? Hartford Courant: O'Neill As A Brand Name Orange County Register: Egan and Richard Are At It Again... Overheard at Mark Sendroff's "Night of 1000 Star Clients" at Laura Belle last night... "It's a musical version of The Vagina Monologues..." You Oughta Know... posted at 2/4/2001 06:48:07 AM by James Marino | Item Link BroadwayStars is powered by Blogger Pro! [Past News]
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