On this day in 1904, Giacomo Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" was poorly received during its world premiere at La Scala. Today's birthdays include: Kathleen Freeman, Hal Holbrook, Lou Diamond Phillips and Thomas J. Watson, Sr.

See How (and If) They Run by Ken Mandelbaum
Ken points out that Wildhorn's upcoming Dracula is not the first Dracula musical. There is one from our friends up north: Richard Ouzounian and Marek Norman, the musical was performed and televised in Canada. Richard now has Larry's Party playing to full houses and good reviews.

Rabe's Dog Problem Set for New York Premiere

Audra Gives Birth

Butz Saved In Bond Revival, Begins OB Performances Feb. 17

Second Play From Lane and Morehouse, St. Nick, Is on the Way

PBOL's Theatre Week In Review, Feb. 10-16: Wodehouse v. Gershwin

Ehle and Cumming Star in B'way Design For Living Feb. 17

Robert Woodruff Revives Edward Bond's Saved OB, Feb. 17

Drama Desk Announces 2001 Award Nominations May 1

Audra McDonald Gives Birth to a Girl

Jane Connell Comes Back to Broadway To Help Tom Sawyer's Pal by Michael Buckley

Tripp Phillips Tries to Trip Me Up by Peter Filichia

Is this the beginning of crossover between the theatre and the internet? The Fix Cartoon Novel. Ummm... maybe not yet.

posted at 2/17/2001 03:37:32 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Friday, February 16, 2001

On this day in 1893, Katherine Cornell, the American stage actress who was called "the first lady of the American theater", was born. Following her death on June 9, 1974, her obituary appeared in The Times. Today's birthdays include: Patty Andrews, Katherine Cornell and Giambattista Bodoni (Italian printer who designed several typefaces). We love fonts.

On Stage and Off: A British Butler Without a Home by Jesse McKinley

Chicago Tribune: A Chicago Rebel With A Cause

Following Workshop, Little Women, the Musical Plans to Resurface on Broadway

Janine Lamanna: A Childhood Fantasy Life Comes True in Seussical

Running Man Trio Stages New Jazz-Theatre Musical Fangs, Feb. 16 & 17

The Strange History of Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
Speaking of Jekyll, it is rumored that there is a little J&H in one of the J&Hs. Living the role may be a nightmare for this Titan.

Lloyd Webber's Beautiful Game Named Best Musical by London Critics Circle

Dan Futterman Makes His Directoral Debut with Private Life

Christopher Fitzgerald Will Be Your Waiter Tonight by Robert Viagas

New OB Company, Manhattan Ensemble Theatre, Bows with Idiot, Feb. 21

Jones and Schmidt's Roadside Gets World Premiere Feb. 16-March 3 in TX.

Lonergan's Lobby Hero Begins Previews Feb. 16 at Playwrights Horizons

Chamberlin Host BC/EFA Benefit "Broadway Jazz II," Feb. 19

Dafoe, McDormand, Roche and Valk Cast in Wooster's Phedre, Due in May

Hall's Streetcar w/ Cattrall Hopes to Dock at Jujamcyn Venue in Fall 2001

Toronto Stones in His Pockets Extends Through Feb. 25; Bway Starts March 23

Broadway Classroom to Offer New Teaching Lab

Musical About Tammy Wynette in the Works

London Critics' Circle Awards Announced

On Broadway by Michael Riedel
Reba Hits The Mark
Bull's-eye! That's what producers Fran and Barry Weissler have hit by putting Reba McEntire into "Annie Get Your Gun."The country-western singer stepped into the long-running revival last week, winning raves for her portrayal of sharp-shooter Annie Oakley. Since then, she has transformed a mildly successful show into a smash hit.

Flicks' $4 Tix Nixed As Worldwide Cinemas Closes
Manhattan's Only refuge from pricey $9.50 movie tickets, the Worldwide Cinemas, had its last picture show last night.
Oh No!

Sydney Morning Herald: Our Broadway and theirs are very different places
Australian musicals move to their own unique beat, and no-one else's, writes Peter Fleming.
This link brought to you by The American TheaterWeb.

Hey, anyone hear anything about "Kristin" on NBC yet? There was rumbling a month ago about it being a mid-season replacement, but it has since gone quiet...

posted at 2/16/2001 07:58:13 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Thursday, February 15, 2001

Today's birthdays include: Jane Seymour, Melissa Manchester, Matt Groening, Susan B. Anthony, Henry Steinway and John Barrymore.

In Chicago, the City of Big Shoulders, Big Ideas and Modest Egos
That the theater has become a source of civic pride in Chicago is evident in the city's financial support for the construction of spiffy new buildings like the Shakespeare Repertory Theater.

From Vilar's Deep Well, a Wish for the Kennedy Center
The investor Alberto W. Vilar describes his latest gift, $50 million to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, as "a project that kills two birds with one stone."

Reinking to Join Vereen in Fosse

Will Bway Be Moonstruck by Shanley, Krieger and Birkenhead?

Lane and Morehouse's If It Were Easy Previews Feb. 15

Richard Rodgers Awards Go to Spitfire Grill and Heading East

Did we know that the Hasselhoff J&H will be available on DVD? I have not paid much attention to it, then I got this link...

Bway's Longacre Goes to Nuremberg w/ Schell, Keller, Feb. 15

San Diego's Globe Theatres Introduces The Woman in Black Feb. 15-March 18

Dirty Blonde Audience Up 18% After Recent "Last Weeks" Ads

Gerald Schoenfeld Guests on "Theater Talk," Feb. 15

Window of Opportunity Closing on By Jeeves; Gershwin Expected at Hayes

Previews Start Feb. 15 for Schell/Grizzard B'way Judgment at Nuremberg

Lloyd Webber's By Jeeves Keeps "Traveling Hopefully"

Lane/ Morehouse If It Was Easy Begins OB, Feb. 15

Lonergan's Lobby Hero Sets World Premiere at Playrights Horizons

The End of End of the World Party by Peter Filichia

posted at 2/15/2001 07:41:29 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Wednesday, February 14, 2001

On this day in 1895, Oscar Wilde's final play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," opened at the St. James' Theatre in London. Today's birthdays include: Florence Henderson, Alan Parker, Gregory Hines, Ken Wahl, Meg Tilly, Anna Howard Shaw, Jack Benny and Woody Hayes.

'Gladiator,' 'Crouching Tiger' and Soderbergh Are Oscar Nominees
"Gladiator" took away the most Oscar nominations, an even dozen. It was closely followed by 10 nominations for the Chinese-language martial arts fantasy "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Two Steven Soderbergh films received five each for "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic."

Oscars 2001: And The Nominees Are...

Noises Off: 'Bat Boy' and beyond
Bucchino, Dickstein among grant winners

Noises Off: Schaeffer moonlights. Adds creative director to resume.

Biz off; 'Annie' up. Grosses decline by 10.6%.

Globe goes all-Bard, ups thesp $. Kicks off with 'King Lear' starring vet Glover.

Steppenwolf puts 'Courage' first. 'Glengarry' revival to star Nussbaum.

'Producers' bows in Chi. Week 36 gains .6% to hit $13 mil.

A hullabaloo over hot air grinds on. Neighborhood activists, city battle over development issue.

Tour Jerry by Ken Mandelbaum

Wildhorn's Dracula to Premiere at La Jolla

Broadway Grosses: Star Power

It's Possible! David Shiner Returns to Seussical Feb. 14; New Sked Starts

New Dramatist's Writers' Benefit Raises $6,100 and a Dozen New Plays

A Class Act, a Valentine to Musical Theatre, Begins Bway Previews Feb. 14

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

La Jolla Season 2001 Includes Wildhorn's Musical Dracula, Onaatje�s Billy the Kid

Frank Wildhorn's New Dracula Musical To Awaken at LaJolla Playhouse, Oct. 2. Dracula was initially discussed for Las Vegas but, Wildhorn said, seemed likelier for Broadway.

Kleban's A Class Act Begins B'way Previews Feb. 14. Lonny Price and Randy Graff star in the new musical about A Chorus Line lyricist Ed Kleban, and featuring his songs.

Off-Broadway Revives Wasserstein's Isn't It Romantic?, Feb. 14. An early play about two post grad-school women looking to "have it all" in the early 1980s, by the author of The Heidi Chronicles

Medea Director Deborah Warner Attacks Ticket Prices and Theater Critics

New York Theatre Workshop to Stage Tupac Shakur Play, March 16
NYTW went the safe route choosing a play where the main character was dead and could not roam the stage during performance like in... say... Bright Lights, Big City... Or at least that is what they think. Little do they know that Tupac is not dead but being held by the US Government in an international plot to repress him and his music...

Let's Have a Cellini Musical by Peter Filichia

GERALD SCHOENFELD to guest on Theater Talk Thurs. 2/15

My favorite internet theatre grrl, Catherine Skidmore, took over the conductor's baton last night at The Music Man as part of last fall's winning bid in the BC/EFA Auction at the Flea Market. She's got rhythm, she's got music, who could ask for anything more. I am sure that she will give you a much better review than I could, so check out her website for more info.

posted at 2/14/2001 07:37:44 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Tuesday, February 13, 2001

On this day in 1914 The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, known as ASCAP, was founded in New York City. Today's birthdays include: Kim Novak, George Segal, Stockard Channing, Mena Suvari and Giovanni Battista Piazzetta.
One year ago today, producer Doug Mayo from Australia, now living in London, ripped off the entire cast, creative team and crew of Sweeney Todd on the West End by walking away with the entire box office and not paying anyone. This production was to benefit Crusaid, which is an organization like Broadway Cares. Crusaid received no money from Doug Mayo. For the list of people owed money in regards to this Sweeney Todd production, click here.

Sheik-Sater Musical Spring Awakening May Play NYC in 2002

SFX Parent Clear Channel to Announce 4Q and Year-End Earnings, Feb. 13

Broadway Grosses: February 5-11 - Part 1

Report: Cattrall to Star in Hall-Directed Broadway Streetcar in Fall 2001

Another Broadway-bound Little Women Musical Goes into Workshops
They really ought to get Julia Murney in one of these productions...

Signature's Eric Schaeffer Joins Broadway's SFX

George Gershwin Alone Angling for Helen Hayes on Broadway

Ziemba, Bacall, Mazzie, Neuwirth Among Stars of "Nothing Like a Dame 2001" March 12

Alton Fitzgerald White Wraps Fish

A Class Act Is Just That by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Seussical: It's Possible by Sean Patrick Flahaven

Ludlow29 Sets Me Straight by Peter Filichia
Ludlow29 (Michael Colby) sets many people on the right track. Aside from being a wealth of knowledge, he is an accomplished writer with many of his shows produced in NYC and internationally. And a very nice person.

'Gun' hits target as B'way B.O. eyes upswing. McEntire helps boost gain.

Stratford board ends director's contract. Best known for '89's 'Meet Me in St. Louis'.

Mask Mom by Ken Mandelbaum

Broadway Grosses: Star Power

Popping the Question at I Love You...

Can't Keep Critics Out Of Connecticut Bells

Verdon Memorial Planned

Orbach Will Return to The Producers
Glad to hear it.

Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley by Paul Wontorek

The Judgment At Nuremberg website has just gone live. In my crystal ball I see all future Broadway websites moving away from Theater.com to the new, hip, Tarantula...

posted at 2/13/2001 07:52:33 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Monday, February 12, 2001

On this day in 1924, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" premiered in New York City. Today's birthdays include: Franco Zeffirelli, Judy Blume, Christina Ricci, Roy Harris and Peter Cooper.

Ayckbourn Plays Raise the Curtain on New Chicago
The Goodman Theater's staging of "House" and "Garden," the twin plays by the prolific British playwright Alan Ayckbourn that are meant to be performed simultaneously by the same cast, is a real coup for Chicago.
I am surprised that this article did not even mention in passing about Ayckbourn's "By Jeeves" playing successfully in Pittsburgh...

A Rave from the Road for Ron (The Pimpernel in Florida)

Thesps 'Desire' B'way run. Hall signed to direct show, slated for fall.
In what house? Hmmm....

Spending the Day with Rodgers and Hart by Peter Filichia

Idina Menzel Puts Heart, Songs on Her Sleeve at Joe's Pub Feb. 12

Reg Rogers Sculpts Title Role in Shanley's OB Cellini at Second Stage Feb. 12

Hear Bock Fiddling Around with Fiddler by Peter Filichia

Vaudeville is Not Dead... It's Just Under New Ownership

New Musical, The Bride, Continues Thru March 4 in L.A.

New Off-Broadway Company to Pick Up Where Blue Light Left Off

Blank Theatre Company Announces Ninth Annual Young Playwrights Festival

Kimberly Grigsby
The person with the best seat in the house at Full Monty... eight times a week. (Did I mention that we love Grigsby?)

Today Jack starts Flying on 44th Street. Perhaps he will land on 42nd Street in April...

Useless information of the day:

Milling is the primary difference between brown and white rice. The varieties may be identical, but it is in the milling process where brown rice becomes white rice. Milling, often called "whitening", removes the outer bran layer of the rice grain.If you really want to read the rest of this, click here.

posted at 2/12/2001 07:27:30 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Sunday, February 11, 2001

Today's birthdays include: Burt Reynolds, Leslie Nielsen, Tina Louise, Catherine Hickland, Jennifer Aniston, Eva Gabor, Otto Ludwig and Thomas Alva Edison.

Hartford Courant: Producers Ask Critics Not to Review 'Bells Are Ringing'
[Thanks to AmericanTheater Web for the link.]

"Last Five Years," "Rhythm Club" and Lauren Kennedy...

Strike the Band: Pop Music Without Musicians
More and more pop music is created not by conventional musicianship by using computerized tools to stitch together prerecorded sounds.

The Brothers Viertel, a Theatrical Tag Team
Two brothers, Jack and Tom Viertel, have always been drawn to the footlights, but recently they have been appointed to new roles that will surely allow them more influence in the theater world

When the Author Insists on Directing the Play, Too

The Camelot Samba by Ken Mandelbaum

Phil Ramone

Bway's Rent Celebrates 2,000th Performance at Feb. 11 Matinee

Steven Suskin ON THE RECORD: Old Demos, Peter Pan and Company

Richard Simmons To Host "Broadway Bears IV" Feb. 11

Madonna Pop Flick In Works
Material mom Madonna and former pop princess Deborah Gibson are reportedly dreaming up a joint movie project about rival teen singers.
I am frightened. Will they both star as teens? Does this mean that Deborah has given up her dream to be in CHICAGO on Broadway?

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Local Boy Strips On Broadway Makes Good
'Monty' actor reveals naked truth about his love of acting
Profile of John Ellison Conlee.

Star Tribune (Minneapolis): It's true: This really is a 'theater town'
You hear it over and over: The Twin Cities have more theater companies per capita than any metro area in the country; outside of New York City, this is the best metro area in terms of theater activity.

Boston Globe: Women on NY stages ask the big questions

The Washington Post: On V-Day, an Insistent Chorus of 'Monologues'
Controversial Play Sparks Anti-Violence Efforts

Last night 18,000 people were expected to attend a celebrity-packed performance of "Monologues" at Madison Square Garden, just one of 50 observances nationwide of V-Day, the anti-violence movement Ensler developed to put her feminist words into action. My question here is "Why do I have to look to Washington DC and Boston papers to find coverage of this event?"

posted at 2/11/2001 09:18:38 AM by James Marino | Item Link

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[Past News]

BROADWAYSTAR'S FIVE DAY FORECAST

2007-08
Broadway Season

June 28 - Old Acquaintance (AA)

July 10 - Xanadu (Hayes) [Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith/B. Swibel and Sarah Murchison/Dale Smith]

Aug 19 - Grease (Atkinson)

Oct 4 - Mauritius (Biltmore) [MTC]

Oct 11 - The Ritz (54)

Oct 18 - Pygmalion (AA)

Oct 25 - A Bronx Tale (Kerr)

Nov 1 - Cyrano de Bergerac (Rodgers)

Nov 4 - Rock 'N' Roll (Jacobs)

Nov 8 - Young Frankenstein (Hilton)

Nov 9 - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (St. James)

Nov 10: Local One Strike Begins

Nov 28: Local One Strike Ends

Dec 2 - Cymbeline (Beaumont)

Dec 3 - The Farnsworth Invention (Music Box) [Dodger Properties with Steven Spielberg, Dan Cap Productions, Fred Zollo, Latitude Link and the Pelican Group]

Dec 4 - August: Osage County (Imperial) [Jeffrey Richards, Jean Doumanian, Steve Traxler, Jerry Frankel, Steppenwolf]

Dec 6 - The Seafarer (Booth)

Dec 9 - Is He Dead? (Lyceum)

Dec 16 - The Homecoming (Cort) [Richards, Frankel]

Jan 10 - The Little Mermaid (Lunt)

Jan 15 - The 39 Steps (AA)

Jan 17 - November (Barrymore)

Jan 24 - Come Back, Little Sheba (Biltmore)

Feb 21 - Sunday In The Park With George (54)

Feb 28 - Passing Strange (Belasco)

Mar 6 - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Broadhurst) [Stephen C. Byrd]

Mar 9 - In The Heights (Rodgers)

Mar 27 - Gypsy (St. James)

Mar 29 - Macbeth (Lyceum)

Apr 3 - South Pacific (Beaumont)

Apr 17 - A Catered Affair (Kerr) [Jujamcyn Theaters, Jordan Roth, Harvey Entertainment / Ron Fierstein, Richie Jackson and Daryl Roth]

Apr 24 - Cry Baby (Marquis)

Apr 27 - The Country Girl (Jacobs)

Apr 30 - Thurgood (Booth)

May 1 - Les Liaisons Dangereuses (AA)

May 4 - Boeing-Boeing (Longacre)

May 7 - Top Girls (Biltmore)

TBA - Godspell

2008-09
Broadway Season

Oct 16 - Billy Elliot (Imperial)

Nov 08 - Dividing the Estate (a Shubert theater)

Dec 14 - Shrek: The Musical (Broadway) [DreamWorks]

Talked About
Not Scheduled Yet

TBA - 50 Words

TBA - Addams Family (Elephant Eye)

TBA - American Buffalo

TBA - An American Vaudeville [Farrell, Perloff]

TBA - The Beard of Avon [NYTW]

TBA - Being There [Permut]

TBA - Benny & Joon [MGM]

TBA - Billy Elliot

TBA - Brave New World [Rachunow]

TBA - Breath of Life [Fox]

TBA - Busker Alley [Margot Astrachan, Robert Blume, Kristine Lewis, Jamie Fox, Joanna Kerry & Heather Duke]

TBA - Broomhilda

TBA - Bye Bye Birdie [Niko]

TBA - Camille Claudel [Wildhorn]

TBA - Camelot

TBA - Carmen [Robin DeLevita and The Firm]

TBA - Catch Me If You Can

TBA - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [Bob and Harvey Weinstein]

TBA - Cry Baby [Grazer, Gordon, McAllister, Epstein]

TBA - Designing Women [Alexis]

TBA - Don Juan DeMarco [New Line]

TBA - Dreamgirls [Creative Battery]

TBA - Duet

TBA - Equus

TBA - Ever After [Adam Epstein]

TBA - Fallen Angels (Shubert) [Kenwright]

TBA - Farragut North [Richards]

TBA - Father of the Bride

TBA - The Female Of The Species (TBA)

TBA - Fool For Love (AA) [Roundabout]

TBA - Girl Group Time Travelers

TBA - Golden Boy

TBA - Harmony [Guiles, Karslake, Smith, Fishman]

TBA - Hitchcock Blonde

TBA - The Importance Of Being Earnest

TBA - Jerry Springer: The Opera! [Thoday, McKeown]

TBA - Jesus Hopped The 'A' Train (Circle)

TBA - Josephine [Waissman]

TBA - Leap of Faith

TBA - A Little Princess [Ettinger, Dodger]

TBA - Midnight Cowboy [MGM]

TBA - The Minstrel Show - Kander and Ebb and Stroman

TBA - Moonstruck [Pittelman, Azenberg]

TBA - Mourning Becomes Electra [Haber, Boyett]

TBA - Monsoon Wedding

TBA - The Night of the Hunter

TBA - The Opposite of Sex [Namco]

TBA - Orphans

TBA - Pal Joey [Platt]

TBA - Paper Doll

TBA - The Paris Letter

TBA - The Philadelphia Story

TBA - Peter Pan

TBA - Porgy and Bess [Frankel, Viertel, Baruch, Routh, Panter, Tulchin/Bartner]

TBA - The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

TBA - The Princess Bride

TBA - Princesses [Lane, Comley]

TBA - Poe the Musical

TBA - Rain Man [MGM]

TBA - Robin Hood

TBA - Secondhand Lions

TBA - South Pacific

TBA - Speed-the-Plow

TBA - Stalag 17

TBA - Starry Messenger

TBA - Syncopation

TBA - A Tale Of Two Cities

TBA - Torch Song Trilogy

TBA - Turn of the Century

TBA - West Side Story

TBA - The Wall [Weinstein, Mottola, Waters]

TBA - Will Rogers Follies [Cossette]

TBA - The Wiz [Dodger]

TBA - Zanna [Dalgleish]

This list is compiled from various sources. If you have corrections to the Broadway Season, please contact us.

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2007-08Broadway Season

2008-09Broadway Season

Talked AboutNot Scheduled Yet

2007-08
Broadway Season

2008-09
Broadway Season

Talked About
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