Saturday, February 21, 2004

There is a rumor going around the internet that Amanda Plummer has walked away from the new play Bug, which is scheduled to have it's first preview on Feb 24. The play, written by Tracy Letts also stars Michael Shannon at the Barrow Street Theatre, was to have begun previews on Feb 21, and was unexplainably delayed. Perhaps a we will hear more about this from our readers?
posted at 2/21/2004 11:40:49 PM by James Marino | Item Link

[ STARS ]  AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA - February 22, 2004 at 7 p.m.
posted at 2/21/2004 02:03:22 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

The New York Times' Spring Theater Preview Section:

[ NYT ]  A Leering King Lear Exorcises the Curse of Captain von Trapp by JESSE GREEN
Christopher Plummer has thrived in roles that reveal the human muck beneath the noblesse, which makes him perfect for the part of King Lear.

[ NYT ]  Rapper, Mogul, Designer, Runner. So Why Not Broadway Actor? by KELEFA SANNEH
In an era of fame for fame's sake, Sean Combs's role in a Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun" makes perfect sense.

[ NYT ]  Broadway Escapes From Escapism, Just in Time by BEN BRANTLEY
After all that entertaining silliness, the New York theater is finally poised to provide deliverance from triviality.

[ NYT ]  New Faces, New Ideas, New Cause for Optimism by MARGO JEFFERSON
Despite short runs and scant funds, off Broadway is still the place to discover fresh talent or experienced artists trying something new.

[ NYT ]  Audio Slide Show: Spring Theater Preview

[ NYT ]  Star Power
A celebrity can draw audiences to a Broadway show, and a stage role can enhance a celebrity's career. But it doesn't always work that way.

[ NYT ]  A Matter of No Small Change: 'Caroline's' Broadway Angels by JESSE McKINLEY

[ NYT ]  Eight to Watch, Onstage and Behind the Scenes
Profiles of up-and-coming theatrical talent: two actors, two actresses, two playwrights, a director and a composer.

[ NYT ]  ANNOTATED LISTINGS
The Lineup, from 'Fiddler' to 'Frogs' by BRUCE WEBER
This list of upcoming theatrical productions includes brief synopses and information on ordering tickets.

Features:

[ LAT ]  Whistle while you direct by Mike Boehm
Eric Schaeffer has gone from staging Sondheim at the Kennedy Center to 'Snow White' in Fantasyland. What will they say on Broadway?

[ LADN ]  It's off to work they go by Evan Henerson
A dream team of theater artists brings a 'sassy' 'Snow White' to Disneyland
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link.

[ NYT ]  CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK
The Public Faces Life Without Its Dynamo by BEN BRANTLEY
The director George C. Wolfe has had a significant hand in almost every memorable production at the Public Theater in the last ten years.

[ ND ]  Hard Acts to Follow by Linda Winer
Suddenly we are confronting the necessity of replacing leaders at three of our most vibrant cultural institutions.

[ B ]  Photo Op: Stars Embrace Matthew Shepard Foundation
This was a WONDERFUL concert.

[ JN ]  Wicked Witch of the Best by PETER D. KRAMER
L. Frank Baum created her. Gregory Maguire gave her a name. Stephen Schwartz gave her a voice. But Idina Menzel brings her to life.
Thanks to penguin on All That Chat for the link.

[ BG ]  Old pro, new con by Catherine Foster
Dreyfuss, 'Sly Fox' sneak into Boston before hitting Broadway

[ BS ]  Michael Rispoli: Crime Boss to Good-Hearted Lug
"That's what I play -- blue-collar Italian-Americans. You got to be typecast in order to work. I've been blessed." So asserts actor Michael Rispoli.

[ BS ]  London Calling
For our annual British Alternative issue, London correspondent Mark Shenton offers an insider's guide to living, working, and playing in London.

[ NYP ]  PAGE SIX
JOANNE Woodward had never seen the first act of "Can-Can," she explained to Kurt Vonnegut and Jill Krementz during the intermission of Encores! revival of the Cole Porter classic starring Patti LuPone.

[ B ]  Photo Op: Drowning Crow Makes a Splash on B'way

[ LAT ]  Exploring subtler shades of prejudice by Michael J. Ybarra
Dael Orlandersmith, no stranger to color issues, has a potent take on black-on-black bigotry.

"Fiddler On the Roof":

[ ND ]  Redefining 'Fiddler' for Broadway by Blake Green

[ ND ]  Alfred Molina Takes on Tevye by Blake Green

[ ND ]  Top Tevyes by Blake Green

[ ND ]  Photo Gallery: Tevye Through the Years

Reviews:

[ SUN ]  Do Not Resuscitate by JEREMY McCARTER
"Drowning Crow", "Pericles", and Sarah Jones

[ NJ ]  'Drowning Crow' produces dead meat BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
"Drowning Crow" is one very dead duck, so let's not carry on too much -- carrion indeed -- and instead simply warn everybody away from the wretched thing.
Who expected the dread avian flu to strike Broadway?

[ NJ ]  Versatility makes 'bridge & tunnel' toll free BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ ND ]  Soloing the Roles of Everyimmigrant by Gordon Cox
"Bridge and Tunnel" may not add up to much of a revelation, but when so many of its parts radiate so much warmth and intelligence, that's easy to forgive.

[ CU ]  bridge & tunnel

[ CU ]  Pericles

[ ND ]  The Magic of 'Pericles' by Gordon Cox
BAM showcases an obscure Shakespeare romance

[ NYT ]  PUPPET REVIEW
Odysseus Goes Home. Slowly. By NEIL GENZLINGER
Theodora Skipitares's "Odyssey: The Homecoming" at P.S. 122 stars a colorful collection of shadow and other puppets, and lots of slow motion.

[ TS ]  Smoochy musicals: Winsome, lose some by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
Reports on A Little Night Music and Light In The Piazza.

[ LAT ]  Internment-camp life has resonance today by Daryl H. Miller
A new theater piece about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII reanimates history with breathtaking immediacy.

News:

[ B ]  First Preview of Off-B'way Bug Bumped to 2/24

[ B ]  Gets to Join Errico in Irish Rep Finian's Rainbow

[ SD ]  McAnuff calls a New York report 'pure speculation' by Anne Marie Welsh
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link.

[ LAT ]  Joanne Gordon to lead Cal Rep by Don Shirley
California Repertory Company, the professional theater company based at Cal State Long Beach, is no longer the Howard Burman Repertory Company.

[ LAT ]  Broadway/L.A. season to include nonunion musicals by Don Shirley
Broadway/L.A. has announced a season of musicals that includes the local premiere of the Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp collaboration "Movin' Out" and six revivals, at least two of which will be tours that do not use Actors' Equity contracts.

[ DN ]  TV Tonight by DAVID BIANCULLI
9:00 p.m. (CBS) "Hack." One of my favorite actresses, Jane Krakowski, guest-stars, in an episode of "Hack" that's essentially an extended flashback - and casts her as a femme fatale from, and in, Mike's past. David Morse stars.

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: FEBRUARY 21

[ P ]  Alan Campbell's "Beyond Broadway Performance Series" Continues in April

[ P ]  Millie's Ralph to Host Black 2 Broadway Concert; Tony Winner White to Perform

[ P ]  Avenue Q's Tartaglia to Host All-Star Snoopy! Concert

[ P ]  More Amour: Malcolm Gets Is Hormonal Leprechaun in Off-Bway Finian's Rainbow With Errico

[ P ]  Wonderful, Wonderful! Yeston Rewrite of Loesser's Hans Christian Andersen Aiming for London

[ P ]  Broadway Vets Mulgrew, Kimbrough, Seldes To Star in The Royal Family in Los Angeles

[ P ]  Injured Cat Star Judd to Miss Feb. 21 Matinee; Producers Monitoring Situation

[ P ]  Time Out Critic Cote Joins NY1 as Theatre Correspondent, Feb. 21

[ P ]  Audrey II Sprouts Up in Los Angeles as Zaks' Little Shop of Horrors Set for Ahmanson

[ P ]  Blossom Time: The Chalk Garden Gets Concert Reading by TACT in NYC March 13-15

[ P ]  Ricky Jay Sidelined from Mamet's World Premiere Dr. Faustus at CA's Magic
posted at 2/21/2004 12:25:19 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Friday, February 20, 2004

[ Y ] Students pull all-nighter to read Shakespeare's complete works
A college drama group with a soft spot for William Shakespeare began a marathon session Sunday evening to read all the legendary playwright's works in 24 hours. Unabridged.
Just a fluff story for a lazy Friday afternoon. Oh yeah, random trivia of the day: does anyone know what Laura Benanti's tatoo is of?
posted at 2/20/2004 06:01:51 PM by James Marino | Item Link

[ B ]  Is Judd Departing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on 2/22?
Will February 22 be the last chance to catch Ashley Judd's Maggie the Cat? Although a production spokesperson for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof told Broadway.com that the actress, who injured herself during the Tuesday night performance, is, as of now, expected to remain with the show, Judd herself said on Good Morning America that Sunday will likely mark the end of her run.

Features:

[ B ]  Replacements: The Early '70s by Ken Mandelbaum

Reviews:

[ TM ]  The Siegel Column
Huzzahs for Fighting Words, zzzzzzs for Roulette, and it's diva time with Ellen Greene and Christine Ebersole.

[ P ]  DIVA TALK: LuPone Can and Does, Greene Ignites a Torch! and Ebersole Plays it Cool

News:

[ B ]  Cast Confirmed for Pardon My English at Encores!

[ P ]  The Boy From Oz's Keating Voices Garland for PBS' "American Masters," Feb. 25

[ P ]  Culkin Joins Starry Cast of LaBute's MCC Autobahn Benefit, March 8
Kieran Culkin ("Igby Goes Down") joins Susan Sarandon, Brian Dennehy, Amanda Peet, Paul Rudd and Christopher Meloni in the MCC Theatre one-night benefit Autobahn, featuring five one-acts by Neil LaBute, set for March 8 at The Little Shubert Theater.

[ P ]  PBOL'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, Feb. 14-20: Good Times, Bad Times

[ P ]  Cast Set for Off-Broadway's Intimate Apparel, Launching Laura Pels Theatre, March 17

[ P ]  Chicago Cabaret Singer Beckie Menzie is "Real Emotional Girl" on New CD

[ P ]  Starry Cast Sings Revised First Lady Suite Off-Off Broadway April 1-17

[ P ]  Little Shop, Lion King and Millie Part of Broadway in Baltimore's 2004-2005 Season

[ P ]  D'Arcy James, Skinner, Bartlett, Thompson Set for Encores! English

[ P ]  Chicago, Avenue Q and Wonderful Town Take Part in Educator's Night on Broadway

[ P ]  "Dawson's Creek" and "X-Men 2" Stars Set for Shinn's Where Do We Live

[ P ]  World Premiere of Nicky Silver's Beautiful Child Extends Off-Broadway to March 28
posted at 2/20/2004 01:31:28 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

News:

[ NYP ]  THEY'LL LOVITZ! by MICHAEL RIEDEL
GRAMMER out, Lovitz in.

[ NYT ]  ON STAGE AND OFF
The Boys Include a Girl by JASON ZINOMAN
In Ken Ludwig's adaptation of "Twentieth Century" at the American Airlines Theater, a business associate, once Oliver Webb, has become Ida Webb.

[ B ]  Mantello to Helm Glengarry on B'way in 2005

[ B ]  Lithgow to Join Weaver in Mrs. Farnsworth at Flea

[ B ]  Manilow & Sussman Win Back Rights to Harmony

[ B ]  Stanford & Williams to Star in Where Do We Live

[ P ]  Glengarry Glen Ross Again Broadway Bound

[ P ]  Manilow and Sussman Control Harmony Musical Again; Is It Broadway-Bound?

[ P ]  John Lithgow Joins Sigourney Weaver in Gurney's Mrs. Farnsworth

[ P ]  Injured Ashley Judd Out Feb. 19 Performance of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

[ BG ]  Huntington fest gives a read on new plays by Maureen Dezell
The readings kick off on March 18, with "Stabbing," a Calderwood-commissioned work by Stephen Belber, a playwright and screenwriter whose new play "Match," directed by Huntington artistic director Nicholas Martin, opens on Broadway this spring.

[ P ]  Hannigan and Perry's Harry and Sally Set to Face the London Press

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: FEBRUARY 20

[ P ]  "Theater Talk" Welcomes Fiddler's Creative Team Feb. 20

[ P ]  Fox Set Loose in Boston Feb. 20 Prior to Broadway Run

[ P ]  Fire on the Mountain Musical Gets Denver Run in 2005; Gem of the Ocean Dry-Docked

Features:

[ BH ]  'He ain't that different from us': Brian Dennehy digs for the universal in O'Neill's tormented 'Hughie' by Terry Byrne

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia makes three wishes to mark the opening of Primary Stages' new home.

[ NJ ]  Proud Zionist 'Chosen' to play foe BY PETER FILICHIA
In "The Chosen," opening Sunday at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Theodore Bikel plays against his own personal history as Reb Saunders, a Hasidic rabbi who is threatened when his son befriends a boy whose father is a Zionist.

[ B ]  Stage Notes: 02/18/04 by Paul Wontorek
Can-Can; Ellen Greene; Sutton Foster; Revisiting Mamma Mia!

[ TM ]  Follow Spot
Michael Portantiere prays to see Patti LuPone in Gypsy, flips over NYU's Ragtime, and wonders what's going on at Manhattan Theatre Club.

[ CST ]  No trouble in River City as kids lend special skills to 'Music Man' BY MISHA DAVENPORT
It looks like any other children's theater. Sets, costumes and children onstage, beaming parents in the sold-out audience.
But look closely and you'll see the troupe performing Meredith Willson's classic musical "The Music Man" consists of children with special needs -- everything from autism to cerebral palsy.

[ DN ]  For arts, think Tank BY REBECCA LOUIE
A ground-floor storefront looking onto 42nd St. has been transformed into a hotbed of underground theater, music and art.
And tickets for the events never exceed $10.

[ DN ]  S. Asia's on theater map by ROBERT DOMINGUEZ
Before Broadway meets Bollywood in April with the India-set musical "Bombay Dreams," a new company is giving New York audiences a taste of South Asian theater.

[ SFE ]  Managing Mamet
Stage manager must juggle vital duties. By Sarah Joynt-Borger
This is the fourth in a five-part series that goes behind-the-scenes and details what it takes to get the world premiere of David Mamet's "Dr. Faustus" up and running at San Francisco's Magic Theatre.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link!

[ BS ]  Nonprofit Groups to Consider New 'Code of Ethics'
If your theatre company's bank account hasn't been balanced in recent weeks or months, consider what a Washington, D.C.-based coalition of philanthropic organizations has done.

[ LAT ]  Repeating the history by Mike Boehm
Playwright Chay Yew thought the story of the Japanese internment of World War II needed no more telling. Then came 9/11.

"Drowning Crow" - Reviews:

[ B ]  Did Drowning Crow Sink or Swim With Critics?

[ TB ]  Drowning Crow
Review by Matthew Murray
Drowning Crow is not the worst play of the season, but it's likely to prove the most unnecessary.

[ NYP ]  'DROWNING CROW' JUST DOESN'T FLY by CLIVE BARNES
GURGLE, gurgle . . . Regina Taylor's contemporary rewrite of Chekhov's "The Seagull," which she calls "Drowning Crow," opened last night at the Manhattan Theater Club's splendidly restored Biltmore Theater and promptly sank.

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'DROWNING CROW'
Chekhov Shows He Can Rap by BEN BRANTLEY
The desperate updating of Chekhov's "Seagull" at the Biltmore Theater, despite its talented cast, fails to convey the play's themes and is weighed down by gimmicky references.

[ USA ]  'Crow' soars on wings of 'Seagull' by Elysa Gardner
*** out of four

[ Y ]  Taylor Presents Ambitious 'Drowning Crow' by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic
One of the problems with the production is the conflict between mother and son. It never catches fire, barely smoldering because of Alfre Woodard's sparkless portrayal of Josephine.

[ DN ]  Cast can't resuscitate 'Drowning Crow' by Howard Kissel

[ TM ]  Drowning Crow
Reviewed By: David Finkle

[ ATW ]  An Eddy of Confusion Consumes Drowning Crow
Review by Andy Propst

[ B ]  Drowning Crow
Review by Eric Grode

"bridge & tunnel" - Reviews:

[ NYP ]  DAZZLING LIVE POETS' SOCIETY by DONALD LYONS
THE brilliant poet- dramatist Sarah Jones delivers an exciting, explosive, funny evening in her one-woman show, "Bridge & Tunnel."

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'BRIDGE & TUNNEL'
One Woman, Cooking Up the Melting Pot by MARGO JEFFERSON
Sarah Jones's ability to change sex, race and personality in an instant and portray humor and compassion is proven in her solo performance at 45 Bleecker Street.

[ B ]  Bridge & Tunnel
Review by William Stevenson

[ ATW ]  bridge & tunnel:One Woman as Many Steps Up to the Mike
Review by Andy Propst

[ TM ]  bridge & tunnel
Reviewed By: Dan Bacalzo

Other Reviews:

[ B ]  Magic Hands Freddy
Review by Ron Lasko

[ DN ]  'Roulette' a deadly misfire by Howard Kissel
WARNING: this review opens by giving away the ending of another play, "The Stendhal Syndrome."

[ CU ]  Roulette

[ NYT ]  CRITIC'S CHOICE | 'MOVIN' OUT'
A Transfusion of Energy to the Music of Billy Joel by BEN BRANTLEY
More than a year after its Broadway opening, this kinetically told tale of the Vietnam era is in taut, muscular and deeply satisfying shape.

[ NYT ]  MUSIC REVIEW | CHRISTINE EBERSOLE
The Kid From Winnetka, Dispensing Merriment by STEPHEN HOLDEN
Ms. Ebersole's new cabaret show at Feinstein's at the Regency is an engaging work in progress filled with fusions of humor and music.
posted at 2/20/2004 08:23:28 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Thursday, February 19, 2004

Reviews:

[ ND ]  'Drowning Crow' Falls Under Its Own Weight by Linda Winer

[ TB ]  Dreamgirls
Seattle Review by David-Edward Hughes

[ B ]  CDs: '50s London by Ken Mandelbaum
THE KING AND I & GOLDEN CITY / LOVE FROM JUDY: London Cast Recordings (Sepia)

News:

[ TM ]  Loose Lips by: Brian Scott Lipton
Phyllis Newman gives BSL the lowdown on the lineup for this year's Nothing Like a Dame event.
Includes some terrific "Finian's Rainbow" casting news.

[ P ]  Rando Directs "Simpsons" Star Castellaneta in Steve Martin's The Underpants in L.A., March 9-April 18
Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown) is set to direct Dan Castellaneta ("The Simpsons"), Meredith Patterson (42nd Street) and Anthony Crivello (Kiss of the Spider Woman) in the Geffen Playhouse staging of Steve Martin's The Underpants.

[ P ]  Irish Rep's Eden, a Seriocomic Portrait of a Marriage, Extends to March 21

[ P ]  Dvorsky and deBenedet Wander "The Heather on the Hill" in TUTS' Brigadoon in Houston

[ P ]  Denis O'Hare to Read Soldier's Letters at Anti-War Group Benefit March 2

[ P ]  Brian Dennehy Hughie/A Pound on Demand Double-Bill Extends to April 4

[ TM ]  O'Hare and Others to Read Iraq Soldiers Letters for THAW

[ P ]  Halle Berry Joins Wright, Schreiber, Perez in Wolfe-Directed Lackawanna Blues for HBO
Halle Berry, Jeffrey Wright, Liev Schreiber and Rosie Perez will star in the HBO screen adaptation of Lackawanna Blues with the playwright-actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

[ P ]  Second Stage May Team with Manhattan Theatre Club to Bring Reckless to Broadway

[ P ]  Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett to Team for Fourth TV Special

[ P ]  World Premiere Staging of The Wanderer Postponed Until Summer

[ P ]  Matt & Ben Stars Jet to Yale Rep for One-Night Performance, April 21

[ P ]  Patti LuPone to Reopen Plush Room; Marcovicci and Mac Rae to Sing, Too

[ P ]  Charles Busch Hosts Feb. 19 Embrace! Concert; Esparza and Benanti Among Performers
posted at 2/19/2004 03:57:47 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

According to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof's press office, Ashley Judd is not out of the show; she'll be staying off her foot otherwise. So, if you're really interested in seeing Judd, you should still get your chance.
posted at 2/19/2004 11:06:02 AM by Matthew Murray | Item Link

Ashley Judd appeared on "Late Show with David Letterman" last night wearing a cast on her left foot, the result of an injury suffered onstage during CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. She said that she made it through the first two acts of Tuesday night's performance but had to sit out Act Three. She also said that she's been instructed to stay off her feet for the next six weeks or risk permanent damage, so she's not sure what her future in the show will be.
She also had praise for her co-star Ned Beatty, saying that he had both positive and negative things to say about the cast, but that the Times reporter who interviewed him blew his negative comments out of proportion.
Developing...

Features:

[ DN ]  'Raisin' Cain over Combs by JOE NEUMAIER
Omar Epps plays a boxer in his new movie - and he's ready to rumble with P. Diddy.
About acting, that is.
The Brooklyn native thinks that Sean Combs' upcoming Broadway debut as the lead in "A Raisin in the Sun" in April won't be a knockout.

[ DN ]  Tayloring Chekhov by ROBERT DOMINGUEZ
Actress Regina Taylor doesn't mind that someone else is playing the lead in the Broadway drama "Drowning Crow."
She's perfectly content with being the play's author.

[ BH ]  Stoltz relishes career that's crazy like a `Fox' by Robert Nesti

[ BR ]  An interview that changes all by JOHN PETRICK
Frank Langella thought it was about time for him to play a 21st century man.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link.

[ NYT ]  3 Leaders Wanted: Arts Lovers/Math Skills/Charisma. Thick Skin Reqd. by ROBIN POGREBIN
This is an unusual moment in the cultural life of New York — three major jobs have opened in the top ranks of the city's arts institutions.

[ WP ]  Appreciation: Madge, Hands-Down A Cultural Winner by Hank Stuever
Jan Miner played Madge the Manicurist in an age of blissful, new-and-improved consumer disbelief.

News:

[ NYT ]  Doris Troy, Pop Singer Whose Life Inspired a Show, Dies at 67 by BEN SISARIO
Doris Troy, the big-voiced soul singer of the 1963 hit "Just One Look," was the inspiration for the long-running musical "Mama, I Want to Sing."

[ TS ]  Theatre funds diverted to hide deficit
Alliance loses control of fund by RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
The provincial government has taken the Commercial Theatre Development Fund out of the hands of the Toronto Theatre Alliance after an internal forensic audit revealed $161,000 from the fund was diverted into the budget of the TTA to hide an ever-growing deficit.

[ SIA ]  Asked to resign, president of Snug Harbor still on job
There is no hurry about Paul Goldberg's departure, cultural center trustee says By MICHAEL J. FRESSOLA
Lauria said that financial losses associated with the Harbor's recent $200,000 production of the musical "Fiorello!" were not part of the decision to seek Goldberg's resignation.
Thanks to American Theater Web for the link.

[ B ]  Parker in Reckless May Be at Biltmore in Fall

[ NJ ]  Center Stage by Peter Filichia
Move over, James Brown.
You're no longer the hardest- working man in show business.
Ames Adamson is.

[ HC ]  Gospel Musical `Crowns' Set For Hartford Stage by Frank Rizzo
Yale Rep's production of "King Lear" got off to a rocky start. Last Friday and Saturday's performances were canceled; the show went on as planned Monday and Tuesday.
Third item.

[ ND ]  Lipton Gets a Toast Of Vintage 'Sherry!' by Gordon Cox

[ BSUN ]  Big shows coming to new venue by J. Wynn Rousuck

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: FEBRUARY 19

[ P ]  Ron Orbach Is David O. Selznick in Goodman's Moonlight, May 15-June 13

[ P ]  Regina Taylor Gives Chekhov New Wings With Drowning Crow, Opening Feb. 19

[ P ]  Sarah Jones Journeys bridge and tunnel as Meryl Streep-Produced Solo Opens, Feb. 19

[ P ]  Brother vs. Brother: Magic Hands Freddy with Rispoli and Macchio Opens, Feb. 19

[ P ]  The Dybbuk Is Now Adult Puppet Play, Making NYC Premiere, Feb. 19-22

"Roulette" - Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | 'ROULETTE'
A Little Gunpowder Along With His Eggs by BEN BRANTLEY
"Roulette," written by Paul Weitz, the co-director of the first "American Pie" gross-out movie, is a sharp-tongued, broken-hearted and seriously funny new play.

[ ND ]  As a Clever Farce, 'Roulette' Misfires by Linda Winer
'American Pie' director aims low with silly sitcom

[ TM ]  Roulette
Reviewed By: David Finkle
A totally unbelievable dysfunctional-family comedy (??), it huffs and puffs for two mercifully short acts.

[ NJ ]  Off target: Pistol 'Roulette' sets up as a dark comedy but director doesn't take off the safety catch BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ TB ]  Roulette
Review by Matthew Murray
Paul Weitz has written what's turned out to be one of the best plays of the season; connoisseurs of surprising, meaningful plays are advised to get to the John Houseman before March 14 to catch this one before it's gone.

[ Y ]  'Roulette' Is Uneven Yet Intriguing Play by MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic

[ B ]  Roulette
Review by Eric Grode

Other Reviews:

[ NYT ]  THEATER REVIEW | YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
Playwrights Still in Dewy Youth View Humanity With Dry Eyes by ANITA GATES
This year the Young Playwrights Festival, which Stephen Sondheim founded in 1982, offers three intriguing, highly enjoyable plays about taboos.

[ TB ]  Toby
Review by Matthew Murray

[ ATW ]  Toby:Waiting and Waiting
Review by Laura Shea

[ ATW ]  Puppets, Performers Bring 'Farm' to Life
Review By Andy Propst

[ ATW ]  1984 and Counting
Review by Laura Shea

[ CU ]  The Orwell Project

[ ATW ]  Lips Together, Teeth Apart: Sadness, Fears and Muted Hatred at a Fire Island Beach House
Review by Andy Propst

[ ATW ]  Waiting for My Man: Addiction in a Beckettian Ghetto
Review by Andy Propst

[ NJ ]  Pericles gets stirred rather than shaken BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

[ CST ]  'Necessary Targets' BY HEDY WEISS
We've all heard of "the white man's burden" of an imperialist past; here, Ensler has created her own version of "the white woman's burden."
posted at 2/19/2004 08:56:36 AM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

[ C ] Witches of Oz work their magic
Sleeper hit `Wicked' conjures crowds, even as Broadway attendance drops
posted at 2/18/2004 07:43:47 PM by the other James | Item Link

Features:

[ P ]  A Wonder-Filled Wiz
When Joel Grey takes to the stage in Wicked, every night’s a musical comedy master class

Reviews:

[ TB ]  Canny Meshuggah-Nuns! Extends Nunsense Franchise
New Jersey Review by Bob Rendell

News:

[ P ]  Hal Linden and Brian Murray Star in U.S. Premiere of Halpern & Johnson in Miami

[ P ]  Train Service Advisory: Broadway's Twentieth Century Shuffles for Oscar Nominee Baldwin

[ P ]  Work on Broadway's Henry Miller to Begin in Spring

[ P ]  Off-Broadway's MET Follows Up Hank and Golda with Myler's Fire on the Mountain

[ P ]  Christopher Durang's Adrift in Macao to Drift Into Off-Broadway in Summer 2004
posted at 2/18/2004 07:06:48 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

Features:

[ B ]  Looking Back: '64-'65 by Ken Mandelbaum

[ SUN ]  The First Lady: A First Draft by JEREMY McCARTER
Tony Kushner's surprising new take on Laura Bush.

[ B ]  Photo Op: Saluting Group Leaders at Broadway Festival 2004

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: The Fox is Sly in Boston, then NYC

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: When Luke Met Alyson: Harry/Sally Prepares for West End Bow

News:

[ B ]  Broadway Grosses: A Bootylicious Final Bow
Last week was one of warmer temperatures and building box office. All Broadway shows other than Drowning Crow showed an improvement in the grosses as compared to their take the previous week. Aida in particular scored big.

[ P ]  Bill Irwin Conjures the Ghost of American Clown, Mr. Fox, at Signature March 24; Hoyle & Harnar Cast

[ P ]  Movin' Out's John Selya Appears at Drama Book Shop, Feb. 18

[ P ]  Controversy Surrounds This Year's Olivier Awards

[ P ]  Busch and McGillin to Take Part in Drama Dept.'s Bell, Book and Candle Reading

[ P ]  Jesse L. Martin, La Chanze, Anika Noni Rose Star in Reading of The Color Purple Musical

[ P ]  Ashley Judd to Miss Feb. 18 Matinee of Cat

[ P ]  Little-Known Robert Anderson Play, Free and Clear, Surfaces at Florida's Asolo Theatre May 7-30

[ P ]  Tony Winner Robert Sean Leonard Cast in TV Medical Pilot

[ P ]  A Lotta LaChiusa: Composer-Lyricist Will Chat and Stars Will Sing in Transport Group Benefit Feb. 22

[ P ]  Recent Wicked Star Diggs Cast in UPN Drama Pilot

[ P ]  Roulette Opens Off-Broadway Feb. 18; Extends to March 14

Reviews:

[ TM ]  Fighting Words
Reviewed By: David Finkle

[ TM ]  The Orwell Project
Reviewed By: David Finkle
posted at 2/18/2004 04:02:18 PM by Tim Dunleavy | Item Link

[ NYP ]  SHTETL SHOCK by MICHAEL RIEDEL
IT was a little rocky on the roof last weekend. On Sunday, Barbara Barrie, the veteran actress who was playing Yente the Matchmaker in the revival of "Fiddler on the Roof," was fired from the show.

Here is the LA Times article that Riedel's article refers to (a fee is required for registration on the Times' site):

[ LAT ]  A legacy cut loose by Thane Rosenbaum
Unmoored from the dark particulars of history, a new "Fiddler" has become an Everyman saga — and seems to have lost its soul.

[ P ]  Today In Theatre History: FEBRUARY 18
1859 Sholem Yakov Rabinowitz is born in the Ukraine. Under the pen name Sholom Aleichim (1859-1916) he will write many stories in Yiddish, several of which will be adapted as plays, most notably Fiddler on the Roof.

Features:

[ TM ]  Peter Filichia's Diary
Filichia reports on readers' experiences with family members and friends who won't see shows they're in.

[ NJ ]  Jersey playwright takes another shot at New York BY PETER FILICHIA
Marlton resident Arje Shaw is the executive director of the YM-YWHA in Highland Park. He's also a playwright.

[ BH ]  Richard Dreyfuss plays a king con in Broadway-bound 'Sly Fox' by Terry Byrne
"Sly Fox," says award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, "is literally spit-your-milk-up funny."
And for an actor who wants an opportunity to make people laugh, "it's a blessing," he says.

[ NYT ]  A Texan's Accent for French Fables by ALAN RIDING
How Robert Wilson, a Texas-born director, managed to stage Jean de la Fontaine's "Fables" at the Comédie Française, the shrine of French literary classicism in Paris.

[ DN ]  All the world is Sarah Jones' stage by REBECCA LOUIE
Playwright and performer Sarah Jones fills the 45 Bleecker Street Theatre with the voices of New York and beyond in her new one-woman show, "bridge and tunnel."

[ NYT ]  It's Time to Send in the Clubs, With Grace and Nonchalance by ALAN TRUSCOTT
Many bridge enthusiasts hardly ever sit at a card table and are content to read a book or a newspaper column occasionally. Some of these play very well when opportunity offers. In this category is Stephen Sondheim, who spends his time, as he has for nearly half a century, creating major works for the Broadway musical theater.
Thanks to LoLo on All That Chat for the link!

[ BSUN ]  Actress visits school after roaring success by Liz Boch
A Severn fifth-grader shares her story of life on the road and stage as Nala in 'The Lion King' production.

[ NYT ]  A Sidekick Gets a Chance to Take Center Stage by BERNARD WEINRAUB
This profile of David Paymer is notable for his description of how he got his first role on Broadway, in 1975:
"At that time if you could carry a tune and you were in your early 20's, you'd be in `Grease,' " he said. "Richard Gere was doing it, and Patrick Swayze and Treat Williams and Peter Gallagher, and it goes on and on."

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