February 2011 Archives

For a full list of the nominations, special and honorary awards given out, the Countdown to Oscar feature, a printable ballot, video clips, trailers of the 10 nominated "Best" and play-along games visit www.oscar.go.com.

Fraver Design Fever  

Lincoln Center's New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln pays tribute to theatrical advertising artist Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo with Design: Fraver, in the Cullman Center [through April 30], an exhibition of some of his  memorable poster designs [for over 300 Bway and Off Bway productions. Admission is free.

Fraver received a 1987special  Drama Desk Award for "inspired artwork for theatrical productions," an honor never before bestowed in the area of theatrical advertising. Among his poster art on display will be Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, The Lion King and Deathtrap.

Musical Tributes to Show Biz Greats

Musical Legends, a series of four 70-minute tributes performed in rep celebrating the careers of Pearl Bailey, Kaye Ballard, Marlene Dietrich and Nat 'King' Cole will be presented by Urban Stages [259 West 30^th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues] February 24 - March 13.

In Grand Illusions: The Music of Marlene Dietrich, Janice Hall, directed by Peter Napolitano, will perform her well-received cabaret act where, rather than impersonating Dietrich, she reinterprets many of the songs Dietrich made famous.

In her tribute, Pearl Bailey...By Request, Roz White, directed by Tom Jones, channels Bailey's infectious sultry tones and wit in the act she originated in the D.C. area, performing 16 tunes Bailey recorded at the height of her career.

Nat 'King' Cole: Unforgettable Smooth Grooves, stars Cleve Douglass, directed by Lee Summers, whose voice the NYTimes described "as silky as the lapels of his tuxedo."
 

And the still alive and kicking haven't been forgotten. Nightlife, Bistro and MAC Award winner Gretchen Reinhagen headlines Special Kaye: A Tribute to the Incomparable Kaye Ballard, directed by Barry Kleinbort, which mines more than five decades of material performed by Ballard onstage, screen and TV.

Tickets are $25 or $40 for two shows in one night and are available at Smarttix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444. For show schedules and more information, visit www.urbanstages.org.

Harry's Back

Tom Jones to Play House

Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center [129 West 67th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue] introduces its first scene-writing contest with four NYC public schools with the presentation Broadway Playhouse: Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt on March 6 at 11 A.M. Tom Jones will be guest of honor.

The concerts, directed by Sean Hartley, introduce the next generation of musical theater fans, age four - 11 to Bway's great musicals. Jones and Schmidt are creators of The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade and I Do! I Do!

The concert includes sing-alongs, medleys, games celebrating the theme of "Imagination" and songs and scenes from The Fantastiks and I Do! I Do! Scene writers from P.S. 84, 124, 152 and 859 [Kaufman Center's Special Music School] submitted one-page scenes. The winner's work will be performed by Broadway Playhouse cast members Jason Robinson, Kathryn Markey, Martin Landry, Christina Bianco and Sean Hartley.

Tkts are $20 and available by calling (212) 501-3330 or online @ www.kaufman-center.org.

More Classic Movie Scores

Today's movie scores just don't compare to those from classic films. But movie buffs can relive some of those sweeping themes in new releases from the Classic Film Series treasure trove [Sony Masterworks; SRP, $13 and change].

The scores are by musical geniuses Bernard Herrmann, Citizen Kane; Erich Wolfgang Korngold, The Sea Hawk; Max Steiner, Now, Voyager/King Kong; David Raksin, Laura/The Bad and the Beautiful; Miklós Rózsa, , Spellbound; and Franz Waxman, A Place in the Sun/Sunset Boulevard. There's also a CD devoted to films starring Bette Davis, Now, Voyager, composed by Steiner. Included themes are from The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex and Jezebel.

All titles are conducted, using original orchestrations, by Charles Gerhardt and the National Philharmonic Orchestra and recently remastered for CD. Each contains a photo book containing extensive original liner notes. 

They join the recently remastered complete score for Gone with the Wind [Steiner], and compositions from the films of Humphrey Bogart [including Casablanca], Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, and Tyrone Power and other themes from Korngold and master composers Alfred Newman and Dimitri Tiomkin.

Celebrate Valentine's Day in memorable fashion as Town Hall and Scott Siegel begin Broadway by the Year's 11th season February 14 at 8 P.M. with Broadway Musicals of 1921. "And it's going to be a really big show," states Siegel, uncategorically. "It's a perfect Valentine Day date night!"

The acclaimed concert series will highlight that bygone, golden era of revues, such as the Ziegfeld Follies, George White Scandals and Music Box Revues, which were crammed with song, comedy, dance and beautiful girls. 
"It was quite an exciting time," notes Siegel, "because that's when Broadway, as we know it, was taking shape."
 
The show created, written and hosted by Siegel will features the largest cast in the history of the BBT Y series. Headliners will include Kate Baldwin, Erin Davie, Erin and Jeffry Denman, Kevin Earley, Stephen Mo Hanan, Kendrick Jones, Liz Lark Brown, Bobby Steggert and the "Siegfeld" Follies Girls, 10 chorines who'll  recreate the look and style of the Bway that existed 90 years ago.

"The ladies aren't just showgirls," Siegel says. "They are among the best of Broadway gypsies." The ladies are Elizabeth Clinard, Jaime Lyn Frola, Naomi Hubert, Angela Kahle, Bethany Moore, Lauren Pastorek, Amanda Paulson, Jennifer Rias, Kiira Schmidt and Hilary Thompson. 
 
"One of the special treats of 1921," notes Siegel, "is Tony nominee Stephen Mo Hanan, one of the original stars of Cats [Bustopher Jones], who did a masterful impersonation of singing sensation Al Jolson in Jolson & Company. We're introducing Nightlife Award-winner Liz Lark Brown to the Broadway community; and delighted to introduce another newcomer, Los Angeles actor/recording artist Kevin Earley, who's been making his mark here."

These artists join Tony noms Baldwin and Steggert. The Denman duo are co-directing/co-choreographing.
 
Among the classic songs first performed in '21 are "My Man" and "Second Hand Rose," signature tunes for the legendary Fanny Brice in the Ziegfeld Follies; "April Showers," "Avalon," "California, Here I Come" and "Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goo'bye," all introduced by Jolson; Eubie Blake's "I'm Just Wild about Harry" from Shuffle Along; and, in a salute to Irving Berlin's first Music Box Revue [at his Music Box Theatre], there'll be "Say It with Music" performed by Davie, and a tap number to Berlin's "Everybody Step" by dancer extraordinaire Jones.
 
Davie and Earley will perform duets from Romberg's Blossom Time, one of the most famous operettas of the era - so popular that it toured for a quarter of a century.

The BBTY season kick off will also be a love letter to Town Hall, the "people's hall," which is beginning a year-long celebration of its 90th birthday. Under A.D. Lawrence Zucker, this non-profit org serves the City with concerts, dance, lectures, film classes and education in one of its most acoustically-sound venues.
 
Upcoming at BBTY: Broadway Musical of 1932 , March 21; Broadway Musicals of 1982, May 16; and Broadway Musicals of 1997, June 20. The majority of the BBTY concerts are available on CD from Original Cast Records [available at the kiosk in the T.H. lobby].
 
Season subscriptions are available at www.the-townhall-nyc.org. Single tkts, $45-$55, are available at the box office, through Ticketmaster, (800) 982-2787 or @ www.ticketmaster.com. BBTY lead sponsors are Bank of America and the Edythe Kenner Foundation.


Star-Studded Cast Party

Impresario Scott Siegel strikes again, this time with the masterful M. C. Jim Caruso. Together they'll will be putting on the ritz - well, certainly one of the ritziest shows with one of the most stellar star lineups in years. The Best of Jim Carouso's Cast Party, a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on February 17 at 8 P.M. at Town Hall, will long be remembered for it's amazing roster of headliners. And the bargain-priced tkts! 

Stars at press time are Lucie Arnaz, Hinton Battle, Klea Blackhurst, William Blake, Natalie Douglas, Jenna Esposito, Larry Gatlin, Hilary Kole, Marilyn Maye, Sally Mayes, Liza Minnelli, Lisa Mordente, Chita Rivera, Christopher Sieber, Aaron Weinstein and Karen Ziemba. 

Artists are still being added and, according to Siegel, there're going to be some surprise guest appearances. "Nope, can't tell," he states, emphatically. "Top secret!" 

However, he does say, "This'll be the Cast Party of all Cast Parties! The talent onstage is a Who's Who of show business. Jim and I are proud so many stars stepped up to the plate to perform on behalf of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs. It's also the most reasonably-priced, star-studded benefit ever with tickets starting at $25. It's a bargain beyond measure because where can you see the likes of Broadway royalty Chita, Liza, Karen and Hinton? The icing on the cake will be appearances by Larry, Lucie and Marilyn."

"I'm over the moon presenting these superstars on the Town Hall stage, all in one night," Caruso states. "Everyone I called said 'Yes.' That's a testament to the respect we have for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. I feel like a modern-day Ed Sullivan!

"When will you ever see Liza sharing a stage with Countess Luann of Real Housewives of New York City?" he continues, "or Chita on the same bill as YouTube sensation 'Miranda Sings' [the alter ego of comedienne/singer Colleen Ballinger] and ]rock violinist duo] the Dueling Fiddlers [Adam DeGraff/Russell Fallstad]? All we need is Topo Gigio and a plate-spinner or two! I can't wait to gather our shockingly unique and brilliant cast into one room to thank them all for making a dream come true!"

[Hmmmm, did someone just let a couple of surprise guest stars out of the bag?]

"Jim is, indeed, a modern day Ed Sullivan," claims Siegel. "The only difference is Jim has talent. He's going to put on a show that won't be forgotten. The talent line-up is jaw-dropping. The applause will be deafening! Be there or be square."

The Best of Jim Caruso's Cast Party, part of T.H.'s "Siegel Season," sponsors include  ASCAP, TheaterMania.com, Berkshire Theatre Festival Thoroughbred Records and Jill and Irwin Cohen.

Tkts are $25 - $75 and available at the Town Hall box office, through TicketMaster.com or by calling (800) 982-2787.

Linda Lavin Sings

TV legend, Tony/DD-winner Linda Lavin, currently starring in LCT's Other Desert Cities, will officially launch her CD of jazz standards, Possibilities, with a Broadway at Birdland concert  February 21 at 7 P.M. Jim Caruso will be presenting.

Ms. Lavin burst on the Bway scene in 1962 in John Kander and James and William Goldman's short-lived A Family Affair, then joined the cast of On a Clear Day ... Stardom followed in ... Superman, Little Murders [DD award] and Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Then, TV beckoned. She had a recurring role on Barney Miller before winning Alice, the TV adaptation of Martin Scorsese/Robert Getchell's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore [1974] - and becoming a household name - nine seasons, two Golden Globes and an Emmy nom.

On her return to the stage, she replaced Tyne Daly in Gypsy [1989 revival] and went on to Simon's Broadway Bound [Tony/DD awards], The Sisters Rosensweig, Death Defying Acts [DD nom, Obie], The Diary of Anne Frank [Tony/DD noms], Hollywood Arms, The New Century [DD] and Collected Stories [Tony nom]. She'll be long-remembered for her hilarious and shrill turn in Charles Busch's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife [Tony nom]. She's been in over 20 features and sit-coms.   

Tkts for Linda Lavin at Birdland are $30 and $40 with a $10 food/drink minimum. To reserve, call (212) 581-3080.


New Musical in Pasadena

Recording artist/veteran actress Amanda McBroom [Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris], who wrote the Janis Joplin classic "The Rose," has written the lyrics for the musical Dangerous Beauty, based on the 1998 film of the same name from Margaret Rosenthal's novel The Honest Courtesan. Jeannine Dominy, who adapted the screenplay, has written the book. Music is by Michele Brourman [The Land Before Time]. It plays through March 6 at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Based on a true story in16^th Century Venice, it's set against the infamous period of the Catholic Church's inquisition, Dangerous Beauty tells of the tumultuous love affair of Veronica Franco and wealthy Marco Venier, but his father won't allow marriage. Veronica's mother urges her to become a courtesan. She also becomes a popular poet and firebrand, who "launched a hundred ships into battle, challenged kings and clergy and fought for the truth - even when her life was at stake after being accused of witchcraft. 

Tony nom Sheryl Kaller [Next Fall] directs a cast of 20, headlined by Jenny Powers [Grease, Little Women] as Veronica , James Snyder [Crybaby] as Marco, Bryce Ryness [DD nom, Hair revival], Laila Robins [Heartbreak House, Frozen] and Michael Rupert [Tony, DD Awards, Sweet Charity '86 revival].

M.D. is Fred Lassen [South Pacific], with orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin [Tony, Light in the Piazza] and Ben Butler. Benoit-Swan Pouffer, A. D. Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, is choreographer. Costumes are by Soyon An [two-time Emmy winner for Fox's So You Think You Can Dance.]

"A while back," says McBroom, who made her Bway debut in Seesaw, "I was looking for a good Saturday afternoon movie to enjoy with a big bag of popcorn and discovered Dangerous Beauty. I'm a Rufus Sewell addict, so it was a perfect way to stare at his face for two hours. Within five minutes, I was smacking myself, thinking, 'This is a musical! A big, old honking romantic sexy musical.'"

She called writing partner Brourman and insisted she "run, don't walk!" to rent the film. "She called the next morning," recalls McBroom, "and said  'Yes! Yes! and Yes!'"

McBroom bought a DVD and plunked it down on the desk of  producer pal Suzi Dietz. "I insisted that she watch it immediately. She agreed this could be an astounding musical. And so Dangerous Beauty was launched as a theater piece."

The musical was selected for the 2004 West Coast ASCAP Workshop. In 2005, it workshoped at Vassar's New York Stage and Film, followed a year later by a production in NAMT's Festival of New Musicals. 

McBroom describes the musical as "a beautiful, intelligent, seductive piece about an astounding woman - with book, music and lyrics by women, directed by quite a talented woman and  produced by two  powerful women [Dietz and Tara Smith]. This couldn't have happened 20 years ago."

The musical, she adds, "is totally in synch with today's women - and men don't have to be afraid. It's as sexy as it gets in musical theater!

Kaller said the show has been one of the most joyous experiences of her career, due especially to the incredible support from P. P. A.D. Sheldon Epps and exec director Stephen Eich. "The cast is anchored by Broadway, national tour, regional and West End actors, bu the richness of musical theater talent in L.A. is stunning." 

For additional information visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org and www.DangerousBeautyTheMusical.com.

Trivia: When told the Joplin biopic was looking for a title tune, McBroom, who'd never submitted a song "because I didn't consider myself a songwriter," took a leap of faith. When she turned "The Rose" in, "the producers hated it. They said it was totally wrong, dull and a hymn. Not rock 'n roll." However, music supervisor Paul Rothchild, who'd been Joplin's producer, asked them to reconsider. "Again," says McBroom, "they said 'No.' So he mailed it to Bette [Midler]. She liked it! And that's how my life changed forever!"

McBroom laughs, "Originally, the film was called The Pearl, after Janis' nickname, but her family refused permission to use that name. Lucky for me. Pearl is much harder to rhyme."


You, Too, Can Be a Star

New to DVD