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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

    [ LAT ]  Culture Monster: Who won L.A.'s Ovation Awards

    [ V ]  'Speed' bump at Broadway box office

    Broadway experienced a pre-Thanksgiving lull last week, with few tourists in town to help boost box office.

    [ B ]  Broadway Grosses: Box Office Down; Two New Shows Begin Previews

    [ P ]  Broadway Grosses: Nov. 10-16

    [ P ]  Kathleen Turner to Star Off-Broadway in Busch's Third Story

    [ NYT ]  Kathleen Turner Is Cast Off Broadway
    Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF

    [ P ]  Atkinson Joins Starry Cast of Broadway's Blithe Spirit Revival

    [ TM ]  Atkinson Joins Ebersole, Everett, Lansbury, et al. in Broadway's Blithe Spirit

    [ TM ]  Brent Spiner to Star in Reprise's Man of La Mancha

    [ P ]  Spiner Will Be the Man of La Mancha for Reprise Theatre Company

    [ FOX ]  FOX411 By Roger Friedman
    Richard Nixon Conjures Oscar Buzz From Grave | Sequel News: Mamma Mia, Jane Austen, 'fiction'

    [ P ]  ONSTAGE & BACKSTAGE: Benefits with Friends By Seth Rudetsky

    [ TONY ]  The TONY Blog

    24 hours worth of blog posts about the making of "The "The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway."

    [ NYP ]  CINDY ADAMS

    More on "The 24 Hour Plays."

    [ BN ]  Sondheim's 'Road Show' Ties Into Housing Bust After Long Run-Up
    Preview by Philip Boroff

    [ TB ]  Hairspray and Rock Doves
    Philadelphia Reviews by Tim Dunleavy

    "American Buffalo" - Features:

    [ USA ]  'American Buffalo' stars feast on diversity By Elysa Gardner

    [ B ]  Q&A : John Leguizamo

    [ NYP ]  John Leguizamo

    The die-hard Knicks fan has Spike Lee on speed dial.

    [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: American Buffalo Roams on Broadway

    "American Buffalo" - Reviews:

    [ TM ]  American Buffalo
    Reviewed by: David Finkle

    Robert Falls directs an effective if not explosive revival of David Mamet's career-making play about three small-time crooks.

    [ USA ]  Mamet's 'American Buffalo' just might steal your heart By Elysa Gardner (*** out of four)

    [ BR ]  Chuckleheads buffaloed, again BY ROBERT FELDBERG

    Under the direction of Robert Falls, the play is more balanced, funnier and more humane than the Broadway revival of 25 years ago.

    [ BN ]  Leguizamo Drops F-Bombs in Mamet; Woolf Goes Video: John Simon

    [ HC ]  Mamet's 'American Buffalo' Is Darkly Funny in Revival By MALCOLM JOHNSON

    [ ND ]  Review: 'American Buffalo' BY LINDA WINER

    Broadway's unofficial David Mamet festival and revival smack-down continued last night with an enjoyable if not revelatory "American Buffalo."

    [ CU ]  American Buffalo

    John Leguizamo's dynamic physicality makes for an eminently watchable Teach. Cedric the Entertainer is a credible Don. However, this revival could use more Mametian snap, crackle and pop.

    [ TB ]  American Buffalo
    Review by Matthew Murray

    So cunningly cast are the actors, and so adept are they at wringing a touching story of redemption from these men in their own personal economic crisis (which mirrors the current one facing the United States with haunting acuity), that it's a shame to have to report the work's grander colors are muted.

    [ NYT ]  A Junk Shop Breeding Best-Laid Plans By BEN BRANTLEY

    Robert Falls's deflated revival of David Mamet's "American Buffalo" evokes the woeful image of a sports car's flat tire, built for speed but going nowhere.

    [ V ]  American Buffalo
    Review By DAVID ROONEY

    Robert Falls' production drains much of the humor, urgency and anxiety from the piece, letting it amble along like an inflated actors' exercise in sustaining atmosphere without action.

    [ DN ]  'American Buffalo' not worth a wooden nickel by Joe Dziemianowicz (**)

    [ NYP ]  BARELY WORTH A PLUGGED NICKEL By BARBARA HOFFMAN (**)

    JUST how many f - - - ing David Mamet revivals do we need this season?

    [ CT ]  Mamet revival on Broadway leaves Chicago setting far behind By Chris Jones (**1/2)

    [ LAT ]  Culture Monster: One Mamet revival is genuinely reviving by Charles McNulty

    The cast - the interesting if disparate threesome of John Leguizamo, Cedric the Entertainer and Haley Joel Osment - works hard to contain Mamet's verbal vitriol with a realistic style that might be better suited to TV than the stage.

    [ BS ]  American Buffalo - Reviewed by DAVID SHEWARD

    There are plenty of laughs at the excessively foul language and the gang's goof-ups, but how much richer this "American Buffalo" would have been had two-thirds of the cast concentrated on connections rather than comedy.

    [ YN ]  A tension-free 'American Buffalo' arrives on B'way By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic

    The four-letter words are intact but just about everything else is amiss in the slack, unsatisfying Broadway revival of David Mamet's "American Buffalo."

    [ JN ]  'Buffalo' actors go their own way By Jacques le Sourd

    The casting approaches a stunt, and the stunt doesn't quite work.

    [ AMNY ]  Review of American Buffalo by Matt Windman (2 Out of 4 Stars)

    You know that you're watching a David Mamet play when the pre-show announcement instructs you to "turn off your f***ing cell phones."

    Features:

    [ V ]  Stage-to-screen scores pose challenges

    Composers use restraint with 'Doubt,' 'Frost/Nixon'

    [ CST ]  Two Chicago legends get rousing sendoffs BY HEDY WEISS

    STEPPENWOLF | Performers honor Terkel, Arpino

    [ AP ]  New Generation Pays Tribute to Leonard Bernstein By MARTIN STEINBERG

    Leonard Bernstein was as much a teacher as a conductor and composer. Now, the post boomer generation -- Bernstein's musical grandchildren -- have taken the stage, and perhaps just in time for classical music.

    [ DN ]  Cast frets about loosing "Pushing Daisies" by Joe Dziemianowicz

    [ P ]  PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Penny Fuller

    Penny Fuller - who co-stars in Broadway's Dividing the Estate - fills out Playbill.com's questionnaire with random facts, backstage trivia and pop culture tidbits.

    [ LAT ]  Julie White and the power of persuasion By Patrick Pacheco

    The Tony Award winner for 'The Little Dog Laughed' reprises her role as a smooth and seductive Hollywood agent.

    [ LAT ]  PERSONAL FILE: Sandra Tsing Loh

    L.A. school system doesn't sap all of her energy

    [ BS ]  Elaine Stritch: An Actress for Any Time by Heather Langone

    [ YN ]  Harvey Fierstein ponders his return to 'Hairspray' By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Writer

    "It takes a village to put Edna together," says Harvey Fierstein, back on Broadway for the final weeks of "Hairspray."
    "But the people who help put me together can now do it faster."

    [ B ]  My New York: MARISSA PERRY: Hairspray's Tracy can't stop the NYC beat!

    [ DCTS ]  Andrew Baughman as President Harding

    New York playwright and composer Kyle Jarrow's zany musical President Harding Is a Rock Star found its perfect match - and got its first full orchestrations - in Landless Theatre's DC production. Hear musical clips and Joel Markowitz' interview with the equally zany star of the show Andrew Baughman.

    [ V ]  'Billy Elliot' opens on Broadway

    Elton John, Stephen Daldry attend premiere

    [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Neuwirth Helps Chicago Celebrate 12th Year and 5,000th Show

    [ B ]  PHOTO OP : Chicago Celebrates a Double Whammy of Happy Occasions

    [ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Stanley and Von Essen Bring Xanadu to West Coast

    Thanks to American Theater Web for the following articles:

    [ PPG ]  August Wilson protege returns for play reading By Christopher Rawson

    [ FJ ]  David Ogden Stiers draws from his Michigan roots for his role in a Christmas classic by Carol Azizian

    [ SHT ]  'Barnum' is a circus of fun at Asolo Rep by Jay Handelman

    Other Reviews:

    [ CU ]  My Vaudeville Man!

    For vaudeville and musical theater buffs, this gutsy little musical with a big heart pays a welcome and overdue homage to an entertainer who is now virtually forgotten.

    [ TM ]  My Vaudeville Man!
    Reviewed by: Brian Scott Lipton

    Shonn Wiley and Karen Murphy bring their considerable talents to this slight entertainment about a young dancer and his worried mother.

    [ TB ]  My Vaudeville Man!
    Review by Matthew Murray

    Though the show possesses no original laughs and no real insights into the eternally complicated subject of mother-son relations, Murphy and Wiley shine as personality-rich stars of the kind you might have once seen headlining a bill filled out by the likes of Fink's Mules.

    [ BS ]  My Vaudeville Man! - Reviewed by ANDY PROPST

    There's plenty of material in dancer Jack Donahue's life for a musical, from the future stars who appeared alongside him to his battles with alcoholism. The two-person "My Vaudeville Man!" is a valiant and tuneful first step in telling his story. Now it's time to bring in the chorus.

    [ V ]  My Vaudeville Man!
    Review By STEVEN SUSKIN

    The two-character musical has plenty of charm, personable acting and great tapping from Shonn Wiley, but overall the effect is more pleasantly enjoyable than rousing.

    [ CT ]  "Ruined" by Lynn Nottage: An African whorehouse that serves all sides, profits from none by Chris Jones

    [ CST ]  Congo war's atrocities hit home with 'Ruined' BY HEDY WEISS

    Profiles in courage emerge in brutal tale

    [ TE ]  Dear Edwina - a musical comedy for kids by Oscar E Moore

    Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler's show will help instill the love of musical comedy for all newcomers and delight those already hooked.

    [ V ]  Dear Edwina
    Review By STEVEN SUSKIN

    The characters are kids, the subject matter is kid-friendly, but there's enough musical comedy for general audiences in this darling little show, filled with songs and laughs.

    [ TM ]  Dear Edwina
    Reviewed by: David Finkle

    Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich' s cute kids musical is about a Michigan girl who gives advice via her own weekly front-of-garage musical revue.

    [ BS ]  Dawn - Reviewed by JERRY PORTWOOD

    With provocateur Thomas Bradshaw's latest play in the very capable hands of director Jim Simpson, it's finally possible to see a glimmer of the human comedy in Bradshaw's stylized, absurdist queries into morality.

    [ CU ]  Dawn

    Despite being a little rough around the edges, the playwright, director and cast all make a great team.

    [ NYT ]  Dad Drinks, and His Son Has Demons of His Own By NEIL GENZLINGER

    With "Dawn," a tale of alcoholism and incest, Thomas Bradshaw is to some extent a victim of his own notoriety.

    [ NYT ]  Post-Yearbook Snapshots: Buddies at a Bar, Catching Up By ANITA GATES

    Blair Singer's artful comic drama "The Most Damaging Wound," at the Manhattan Theater Source, confirms what many women have long feared: that male bonding is all about grown men behaving like little boys.

    [ BS ]  Catalpa - Reviewed by KARL LEVETT

    Donal O'Kelly as playwright has created his movie narrative as a stage poem, heavy on the lyrical aspirations and awash in painterly impressionistic pictures. At times it seems as if the act of painting is more important than the picture created.

    [ BS ]  Mary the Third - Reviewed by KARL LEVETT

    Rachel Crothers' 1923 play shows us what it is like to be a young, vibrant American woman in that year. Forget "Millie"; this is "Thoroughly Modern Mary," and there's a lot more to her than her musical sister.

    [ BS ]  Amerissiah - Reviewed by A.J. MELL

    This overstuffed, scattershot, but potent black comedy springs from the fevered brain of Derek Ahonen, playwright, director, and co-founder of the troupe known as the Amoralists.

    [ CU ]  The Pan Asian Repertory Theatre's Shogun Macbeth & Roust Theatre Company's Macbeth

    Two new productions of Shakespeare's shortest and bloodiest tragedy have arrived in town. Both are departures from the expected.

    [ NYT ]  Cheek to Cheek With Fred Astaire and Other Hollywood Royalty By STEPHEN HOLDEN

    Andrea Marcovicci's new show, "Marcovicci Sings Movies II," at the Oak Room, is an extensively altered and improved revival of one she performed there 21 years ago.

    [ USA ]  Christopher Plummer gets wordy, naughty and nice 'In Spite of Myself' By Elysa Gardner

    News:

    [ P ]  Ford's Theatre Receives 2008 National Medal of Arts; Sherman Brothers Also Honored

    [ NYT ]  Arts, Briefly: Arts Medals Awarded
    Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF

    [ P ]  Sunset Boulevard Will Return to the West End in December

    [ TM ]  Full Cast, Creative Team Set for London Revival of Sunset Boulevard

    [ P ]  Birkett, Gillespie, Lindars, Field and More Join Cast of West End's Priscilla Queen of the Desert

    [ TM ]  Full Cast Announced for West End's Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

    [ P ]  Minnelli Will Guest on "Rosie Live" Variety Special

    [ TM ]  Griffin, Krakowski, Minnelli, Morisette, et al. to Join O'Donnell for Rosie Live

    [ P ]  Tony Winner Dennehy Cast in TNT Pilot "Bunker Hill"

    [ P ]  Mallory, Cahill, Conte and Robinson Cast in Irish Rep's A Child's Christmas in Wales

    [ TM ]  Victoria Mallory to Star in Irish Rep's A Child Christmas in Wales

    [ B ]  Cheyenne Jackson Signs On for Mormon Musical, from South Park Creators

    [ P ]  Jackson to Star in Workshop of Mormon Musical

    [ P ]  Annual Out 100 List Celebrates Jackson, O'Hare, Bell, Bowen, Albee, Arias and More

    [ StL ]  Muny announces most of '09 season By Judith Newmark

    [ V ]  Writers tapped for Keen Teens

    Trio to pen plays for education program

    [ NYT ]  Corrections

    [ P ]  Engeman Theatre's Oliver! to Star DeJean, Benari and Kleeman

    [ TM ]  Full Cast, Creative Team Set for Engeman Theater's Oliver

    [ B ]  Christine Ebersole and Donna Murphy to Host 2009 Drama League Gala

    [ P ]  Ebersole and Murphy to Host Drama League Benefit Honoring Lane and Comley

    [ TM ]  Ebersole, Huffman, Murphy Set for Drama League Benefit Gala

    [ CST ]  'Wicked' dream may come true

    [ TM ]  Butler, Hoff, Jackson, O'Hara, Rupert, Spirtas, et al. Set for Bacharach to the Future

    [ TM ]  Producers to Participate in November 18 Panel Discussion on Tight Economy

    [ TM ]  Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich to Speak in New York and Philadelphia

    [ TM ]  Lea Delaria, Judy Gold to Appear at Boston's Huntington Theatre

    [ P ]  Complete Casting Announced for Stages St. Louis' Little Women

    [ P ]  Frost/Nixon Film Will Open Nationwide Christmas Day

    [ P ]  Reiber, Richards, Kristen and Summers Set for Jazz on Broadway Concert

    [ P ]  Gruber, Ward, MacInnis and Kelly Will Have a White Christmas at TUTS

    [ P ]  New Musicals Will Tune Up in BMI's "Fall Smoker" Showcase Nov. 20

    [ P ]  Wicked's Bean to Celebrate New CD at Stonewall Inn Nov. 26

    [ P ]  Quentin Crisp's Centenary to Be Marked By Return of Resident Alien

    [ P ]  Seldes and Copeland Will Be Part of An Evening of Theater: Three Short Plays

    [ P ]  Today In Theatre History: NOVEMBER 18

    [ P ]  Harriell Is New Girl In the Heights, Starting Nov. 18

    [ P ]  Itamar Moses' Baseball Play, Back Back Back, Is Up at Bat in NYC, Opening Nov. 18

    [ P ]  Sardelli and Taylor-Corbett Named 2008 Callaway AwardWinners

    [ P ]  Chita Rivera Returns to Feinstein's Nov. 18

    [ P ]  George Street's Seafarer, with Cuccioli and Schramm, Begins Performances Nov. 18

    [ P ]  Dust Settles Off-Broadway Nov. 18 with Foster and Masur

    [ P ]  Dramatists Guild Honors Stein, Letts, Miranda, Lucas Nov. 18; Harnick and Irving Perform

    [ P ]  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Launches National Tour in Florida Nov. 18

    [ P ]  Chicago's "Talkback Tuesdays" Series Offers D'Amboise & D'Amboise Nov. 18

    [ P ]  "Brotherly Love": Sondheim and Weidman's Road Show Opens at the Public Nov. 18

    [ TM ]  NYC's Town Hall Announces 2009 Season

    [ B ]  Kathy Bates, Richard Thomas & More Set for The Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony

    [ P ]  Early Draft of Williams' Camino Real Will Receive Target Margin Production in 2009

    [ TM ]  Target Margin to Present Ten Blocks on the Camino Real

    [ P ]  Didion and Linney Aligning for HBO Film on Life of Katharine Graham

    [ P ]  Dominic Cooper to Return to London's National in Mirren Phedre

  • Posted by Tim Dunleavy at 9:19 AM | Item Link


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