On this day in 1965, Neil Simon's play "The Odd Couple," starring Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison and Art Carney as Felix Unger, opened on Broadway. Today's birthdays include: David Rabe and Clare Boothe Luce.

Portia Nelson, Songwriter and Club Performer, Dies at 80

ATW: CollaboAction's Digital Sketchbook Airs March 10 Noon - 8 PM EST
sketchbook 'one website

Peccadillo Opens Powell's Jig Saw in NYC, March 10-April 1

Playwrights Horizons Adds Canvas and Boom to Season

BTN's Jekyll & Hyde Airs One Night Only at Nat'l HDTV Venues, March 10
I can hardly refrain from making "This is the moment" comments...

Love, Janis to Begin Previews at Village Theater, April 3

Gossip Maven Liz Smith Raises Money for TX's Zach Scott March 10

Joan "Jetts" From Rocky Horror Show Cast Recording, March 12
[Note: You can see two other articles about this in yesterday's update (below), along with my comments.]

Nominees Announced for League's National Tour "Star" Awards
There was a handful of non-Equity shows nominated with the big boys. I am sure this is going to irk many. And it kind of dilutes the branding effort of The League in their campaign of "Live Broadway", which signifies a certain standard.

2001 Tony Awards to Be at Radio City, June 3

Backstage with Don Roy King: How Jekyll & Hyde Went Digital
I am looking for a term here: Is it "Editorial Independence"?

A Chat with Chita --- Will She ReVisit Broadway Any Time Soon? by Michael Buckley

That Cats Sign Is Still Up by Peter Filichia

Cathy Rigby by Paul Wontorek

Blind Email Received:

Isn't "Spring Forward" director Tom Gilroy doing a production of "Hamlet" at the NJ Shakespeare Festival starring Jared Harris and Lili Taylor, co-starring Richard Harris and F. Murray Abraham? And hasn't he been promised a move to NYC in the Fall?Over at Talkin Broadway, "All That Chat" has become "All About Follies" in the wake of the first preview and following positive buzz.

posted at 3/10/2001 08:15:35 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Friday, March 09, 2001

Jett Says "No" To Rocky Recording

Rocky Horror Records Cast Album Mar. 12

What is the point here? I say "Bravo!" for Jordan Roth. I don't think that the "weird has-been Joan Jett" was going to make much of an impact upon CD sales. Lord knows that she doesn't make an impact upon the Box Office. I would rather see the waaay talented Kirsten Lee Kelly do it anyway. The only person from the '80s more scary than Joan Jett is Michael Jackson.
posted at 3/9/2001 07:26:14 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Today's birthdays include: Bobby Fischer.

On Stage and Off: Racing to Beat a Tony Deadline by Jesse McKinley

On Broadway by Michael Riedel
THE Tony Awards telecast has been damaged goods of late - tarnished by low ratings, bad reviews, petty in-fighting and an unhealthy dependence on Rosie O'Donnell.

Rivera To Visit Chicago's Goodman

Aaron Carter Will Be Seussical's New JoJo
I know that some of you are wondering if Fran and Barry have really gone off the deep end while others are checking your calendars to see if we have reached April 1st already, the more astute reader will recognize that SFX, as the largest concert promoter in the world, may have had a hand in bringing in young Master Carter.

Field Trip: 42ND STREET Video

Queen to Rock the Stage

Success Lady by Ken Mandelbaum

Julia Murney Joins Cast of Crimes of the Heart at Second Stage; Begins April 3

OB's New Maverick Keeps its Dreams Simple w/ Gimpel, March 19

Stanek, White, Inkley, Mammana Are Three Musketeers in American Musical Debut March 9-25

MTC's Newyorkers Gets Three New Songs, Delays Opening to March 27

Teen Spirit: Aaron Carter Is New Kid on Seussical Block, April 4-May 6

Royal Family of Broadway Will Sing in March 13-19 Reading

High-Def Jekyll & Hyde on PPV and in Cinemas Mar. 10

A Grand Grand Hotel Opens in Cincinnati by Peter Filichia

AP: Donny Osmond May Be Game Show Host
He took this gig to get out of Seussical?

posted at 3/9/2001 08:05:01 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Thursday, March 08, 2001

Today's birthdays include: Lynn Redgrave, Micky Dolenz, James Van Der Beek, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Frederic Goudy.

'If It Was Easy...': So, a Tabloid Columnist Goes to a Producer...
"If It Was Easy . . . ," at the Douglas Fairbanks Theater, is a sloppy, witless comedy about a producer and a gossip columnist in the thrall of a moneyed mobster

BOURNE'S 'CAR MAN' TO GEAR UP AT ORDWAY
Steamy legiter to be presented by AMP

New Play to Shine at MTC

INTAR Celebrates with Nuyorican Voices

Tonys #2 by Ken Mandelbaum

Mack & Mabel Waits for Fall
... with Kristin?

The Public Eyes Stritch

Photo Op: 42nd Street Rehearsal

Mack & Mabel Now Aiming for Bway in November 2001

NYTW Premieres Winn's Tupac Shakur Portrait, Up Against the Wind March 16

Dirty Blonde's Bob Stillman Goes Into the Sh-K-Boom Room March 8

Rodgers' 100th May Beckon UK Oklahoma & Roundabout Syracuse in 2002

Rigby Says She'll Somersault Into Seussical; Shiner Leaves March 11

Portia Nelson, Actress, Singer and Songwriter, Dead at 80
For more information on Ms. Nelson, please see
The Portia Nelson Home Page.

Sondheim's Follies Returns to Broadway March 8
I wonder if we will get a report about Follies at intermission... yes, this production does have an intermission...

New Musical Will Use Songs of the Rock Group Queen

Open a New Window (Card) by Peter Filichia

"Over the Rainbow" Named Top Song of 20th Century

posted at 3/8/2001 12:07:46 PM by James Marino | Item Link

Wednesday, March 07, 2001

Today's birthdays include: Michael Eisner, Daniel J. Travanti and Taylor Dayne.

Cathy Rigby To Don Hat March 15
The "Shiner-package" was finally worked out. One day we will have to dig out all those Seussical stories and put them on one page and see how this event really took place.

Broadway Grosses: No Joy in Whoville
Am I the "kiss of death", or what? Just the other day I mentioned how well Seussical seemed to be doing...

Q&A: Gina Gershon

First Person: "Standing by on Broadway" by Jana Robbins

The Forgotten ABBA Musical by Ken Mandelbaum

Onstage and Backstage, a Meeting of Minds (and Hearts)

A Star Vehicle Sputters: CBS Cancels 'Bette'

B.O. UP; 'PROOF' 345G
Broadway grosses - Week 39 (Feb. 19-25)

BIZ BOOMS; 'EDNA' 405G
Road grosses - Week 39 (Feb. 19-25)

TVT RECORDS COURT WIN IN MP3 BATTLE
Judge affirms that co.'s musical c'rights were violated

Star Sought to Join Roger Hall's Book Club Before Possible Bway Bow

Nicolette and Aucassin Now Have Nothing in Common as Musical Preps for Next Season
Peter Kellogg and David Friedman's new musical.

Will Woody's Bullets Fly Over Broadway?

"Theatre Talk" to Begin Taping a Series of Live Programs, April 9

New Federal Theatre Annouces Further Details of March 25 Benefit

Five Directors Plus One Play Equals Tempest; Experimental Production Run March 7-11

Brian d'Arcy James is Keen Company's Good Thief March 7-24

Broadway Grosses: February 26 - March 4 - Part 1

Cathy Rigby Flies Into Seussical as Cat in the Hat, March 15

Estimated at $16-20M, MTC's Biltmore Plans Mirror Roundabout's at AA Theatre

B'way Mack and Mabel Revival Postponed to Fall 2001

Flaherty, Ahrens, Mantello to Workshop A Man of No Importance at Lincoln Center

Mackintosh Oklahoma! May Be OK for Winter 2002

Lane/ Morehouse If It Was Easy Opens OB, Mar. 7

MD Hears New Danny Kaye Musical First -- for One Weekend Only

An Ideal Opening by Forrest Mallard

"Rosie's" John McDaniel Tickles The Ivories by Sean Patrick Flahaven

You React to My List of Tony-Losers by Peter Filichia

posted at 3/7/2001 08:21:12 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Tuesday, March 06, 2001

On this day in 1853, Verdi's opera "La Traviata" premiered in Venice, Italy. Today's birthdays include: Michelangelo and Cyrano de Bergerac Savinien.

'The Idiot': Just Too Saintly for His Own Good
The Manhattan Ensemble Theater, a brand-new SoHo-based company with the stated mission of dramatizing classic novels, staged a theatrical version of Dostoyevsky's "The Idiot," for its inaugural offering.

Tony Awards To Broadcast from Radio City Music Hall June 3

"Town" Doesn't Rhyme With "Found" by Peter Filichia

Field Trip: Bat Boy Flies Into NYC
Reminding me of "Little Shop", this excellent video spot gives a good insight to the new show playing Union Square. It may be a little heavy on download, so watch this one at work if you don't have a DSL or cable modem.

Young Playwrights Announces Winners

Berkeley Repertory Theatre Inaugurates New Theatre March 6

Ted Chapin, Onetime Gofer, Pens Book About the Making of Follies

Porter's Lesser-Known You Never Know Gets Studio Recording
[A Fynsworth Alley Project]

Producer Morphos Says Long Wharf Actors Prompted Moving Dog to Atlantic

Gloria and The Lady Cavaliers May Ride Again, Backers' Show March 5-7
My favorite off-Broadway show, subtitled "Babes with Blades", moves to the next stage of a commercial run.

Eyre Talks Subsidies and Contracts at Theatre 2001
That is former National Theatre artistic director, Sir Richard Eyre -- not Jane.

What's Up With Kristin Chenoweth's Career?
It seems as though Kristin's show and CD have been pushed back to that enviable debut of May.

posted at 3/6/2001 08:03:10 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Monday, March 05, 2001

Today's birthdays include: James B. Sikking, Dean Stockwell, Penn Jillette and Sir Rex Harrison.

Q&A: Burke Moses

Fresh Face: Sarah Litzsinger

Photo Op: A CLASS ACT Recording/Party

Photo Op: SUBURB Opening

SEUSSICAL CLOSING?!!!!
Seussical played a 75%+ house and about $450,000 last week. I don't think it is going anywhere until the second week in June.

A Trend Toward Personal, Off-Beat Comedy at Aspen Festival

David Yazbek: A Daring Man on the Cleverness Tightrope

In Hollywood, Strike Planning Turns From 'If' to 'When'

'Storm' Unleashed At Mandalay Bay. Event a blend of 'musical energy with acts of nature'
Here and I thought that Storm was in NYC doing 'Bat Boy' causing more problems than last night's storm...

Tapping For Tickets on 42nd Street Mar. 5

NY Post Theatre Reporter Turns His Life Into an Off-B'way Play

Seattle Theatre: In the Wake of the Quake

Staged Reading for Musical Comedy Rose and the Ring Set for March 5

Elegies: The Event Launch by Forrest Mallard

Why I Got Divorced by Peter Filichia

Shakespeare & Co. and Wharton Estate Come Asunder Peacefully, Dec. 31

Costumer Ann Hould-Ward Named First Zipprodt Award Recipient

Equity Celebrates Werner Klemperer's Life, March 6

Volpe's Stars Workshopped at Soho Rep, March 7-10

PBS TV's Village Walk Looks at Downtown NYC Theatres, March 5

Washington Post: Brian Stokes Mitchell, Fit for a 'King'
Master of Musicals Toils to Conquer A Challengingly Dramatic Role
[Thanks to Wendy G for the link.]

Our roving, undercover spy, known only as "Teal", went to London to check out the issues raised by ALW and CM last week about the downward spiral of the West End. Here are "Teal's" conclusions:

The English are stil allowed to bring ice cream into the theater, whereas Americans are not. However, the ice cream has changed; whereas it was once Mr. Whippy (Motto: Often licked, but never beaten!), it is now Ben & Jerry's.

posted at 3/5/2001 07:08:56 AM by James Marino | Item Link

Sunday, March 04, 2001

'Dogeaters': Filipino Life, Seen Through a Pop Culture Prism

Marcia Gay Harden's Long Road to Hollywood Recognition

Oscars, That East Coast Ritual

Ma-Yi Theater Company: A Troupe That Sought an Asian-American Role

A 'Sopranos' Secret: Given the Choice, We'd All Be Mobsters
Does anyone else think that The Sopranos is just right for adaption to a musical?

Nuthin' Has Country Boy Facing Demons in New Cabaret Show, March 4-25 in NYC

A country boy with low self-esteem, a taste for hooch and a penchant for 12-step programs sings about his crowded life in a cabaret version of the new musical, Nuthin', playing scattered dates March 4-25 at Don't Tell Mama in Manhattan.Although I usually don't cover cabaret, this lede was too much to pass up.

OB's Irondale Ensemble Brings Arts to Brooklyn's Own Famed High School

Theatrical Scenic Artist Don Geyra Broadens Horizons with New Show

Pittsburgh Public�s By Jeeves, Still Aiming For Bway, To Be Preserved on Video

Broadway Braces for Blizzard Mar. 5

Public Theatre's Dogeaters Tells a Saga of the Marcos Era, Mar. 4

Ann-Margret to Return to Whorehouse for Philadelphia Stop, March 6

Kitt-Gibson Cinderella Tour Headed for New York May 3

Mary Testa and Jonathan Freeman Bring Laughter to 42nd Street by Michael Buckley

A New Look at Promises, Promises by Peter Filichia

Now, for a few views that are not mine:

As a former opera diva - YES, DIVA - I was interested in your comment re the recent Rigoletto item. �I don't think it's that opera is considered more important than musicals - I first of all don't think that's true in this country. �It's more INFREQUENT, that's for sure - I don't have a City Opera schedule, but Rigoletto probably plays twice a week. I would venture to say covers, they don't use the term understudy in opera, go on probably more than understudies do in musicals. Here's the deal with the newspaper item: it was the opening of the spring season, the opening night of Rigoletto and was most probably going to be reviewed; therefore, a reporter/reviewer attended. �I can promise you if Heather Headley had not done the opening night of Aida, it would have hit the paper.That is fair. I agree.

And on another front, I got this from another reader:

L.A. Times: A Tribute to Broadway Love Songs

This closes out our section of opposing views.

The following links are from AmericanTheater Web's daily headlines from around the country.

L.A. Times: She's the Troublemaker on the Balcony
When Sir Peter Hall sought a rebellious Juliet for his Ahmanson production, Lynn Collins came on strong--a little too strong at first.

Tribune Review: 'Seussical' lyricist makes point with amusing verse

Chicago Tribune: Do Musicals And Opera Mix? We Hope So

Philadelphia Inquirer: Critic to colleagues: Try more analysis
The professionals gather in New York for their annual self-analysis on how to better handle theater coverage.

posted at 3/4/2001 09:44:49 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
Not Scheduled Yet