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J.A.P. CHRONICLES Opens Off Broadway on May 3rd
 I received press tickets (oh, SNAP) to this one-woman musical (playing at the same theatre where I saw SAKE WITH THE HAIKU GEISHA) which I saw on Sunday April 30. One woman, six characters and nineteen songs! From this article in Playbill: J.A.P. Chronicles, the Musical, written, composed and performed by Isabel Rose, officially opens at the Perry Street Theatre May 3. Previews began April 17. Based on Rose's novel "The J.A.P. Chronicles" (DoubleDay), the production features direction by Carl Andress and will play a limited engagement through May 28. In the musical, "six former bunkmates reunite at Willow Lake Camp's 100th anniversary. Ali Cohen, the former 'ugly duckling' turned self-made swan, secretly hopes her teenage tormentors have grown into adult losers. As each woman steps into focus, however, she discovers that things are not quite so simple. Her expectations hilariously undermined, Ali reconsiders her subjects (not to mention herself) as whole, flawed and, finally, very human beings." Rose portrays all six characters.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL
 I was generously given two amazing tickets to see this wonderful play by my friend Jamibeth Margolis, who just happens to be the Assistant Director to Four-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks! Oh, and she was also the director of PLANE CRAZY at the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival! Too cool! THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL is playing at the Schoenfeld Theatre (previously known as the Plymouth). I have to admit there was a teensy-weensy part of me that was excited to see David Schwimmer (aka Ross from FRIENDS) and Timy Daly (...from WINGS) live on stage (hey, you can take the girl out of the TV culture but you can't take the TV culture out of the girl!). They were awesome, as was Zeljko Ivanek (of PILLOWMAN fame) who played Queeg. Needless to say I immediately recognized Joe Sikora, the actor who played Lt. Stephen Maryk, from GREY'S ANATOMY (he was the guy who played the pregnant man...) Actually, the whole cast was riveting. The cross examinations were compelling and very funny, and often received applause as each actor left the stand in turn. I particulary enjoyed Tom Nelis and Brian Reddy who played the two doctors. I have never read the book, and my only familiarity with the story was from the Humphrey Bogart film (I only remembered the strawberry scene). Seeing the whole play was marvelous, so well written and Herman Wouk is so efficient in his use of words, that the play seemed to zip by. Despite a great cast and a great play and the great seats, I have to admit that the highlight of the evening was seeing PLANE CRAZY in the Playbill! In Jamibeth's bio, she mentions my show. So I guess you could say PLANE CRAZY has made it to Broadway...sort of! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND Cast Announced!
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Boing Boing: Hypothetical and awesome US stamps
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Boing Boing: Library design from salvaged passenger jets
 It's been something like "aviation week" on Boing Boing. Here's a really cool post on the use of old fuselages to create a library. It's always good to see aluminum recycling! Architects Lot-Ek have designed a public library made from the reclaimed fuselages of 727/737 passenger jets. The fuselages are the one part on an airliner that is more expensive to recycle than it is to just junk. Hundreds of old jet bodies litter the countryside, and now someone finally found a use for them. Link to an architectural news website from Argentina (the architects' own website is all crudded up with Flash, with no direct linking possible to the library design images).
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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OCU "Stripped" A Huge Success!
 What an amazing, whirlwind day I had on Sunday. I felt like Cinderella going to the ball! Apparently, there isn't such a thing as a direct flight to Oklahoma City from anywhere on the planet! My mother-in-law, Genevieve Conn, generously drove me to Buffalo in the wee hours of the morning so I could catch a Southwest flight to Chicago (Southwest has a sit wherever you want policy, which is kinda cool and laid back!). Then I hopped on another flight to Kansas City and then on to Oklahoma City. When I arrived at the airport I was warmly and excitedly greeted by Roy Lightner and PLANE CRAZY cast members -- my first posse! I was presented with a vase of roses and a wonderful note welcoming me to OCU and Roy's mom drove me to my hotel to freshen up. The weather was sunny and in the 80s! Roy picked me up an hour later to go and see the final performance of PARADE put on by the OCU students on their mainstage (seats 1,200!). Again, I was warmly greeted by Dan Meagher the student producer of "Stripped". He had done such a great job I thought he was a full-time producer but he is also a performing arts student, graduating this year! There I met the writers of FLYER, THE MUSICAL, Diana Belkowski and Dan Tramon, as well as Carl Tramon, who had directed it previously. PARADE, with book and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and book Alfred Uhry, revolves around the murder of a young factory worker, Mary Phagan, in Atlantic Georgia, in 1913 and the sequence of events that followed this tragedy. This a very dark story, but with moments of humor and it was beautifully sung and superbly acted by the student cast. This production was directed by David Herendeen, and musical directed by Mark Parker. I thoroughly enjoyed the show! The entire cast was really wonderful but there were a few standouts for me -- John Jacob Lee as the reporter Britt Craig (who reminded me of a young Ray Bolger!), Solomon Johnson as Jim Conley, Tim Hausmann as Leo Frank and Tiffany Borelli as Lucille Frank. Boy, I'd love to come back next season to see the school do THE MUSIC MAN, which is scheduled for September 2006. Then it was off to a wonderfully catered Italian dinner with my fellow writers and Dr. David Herendeen, the Director of the Opera and Musical Theater Company since 1997. It was so much fun to chat about musicals, OCU and their plans for the future. Not only are they finishing up a $38 million expansion with amazing rehearsal and performing facilities, but they are also becoming an Apple campus, completely wireless and Mac-based with all the latest streaming capabilities. All the textbooks will be downloaded to laptops. I guess the new pick up line will have to be, "hey, can I carry your laptop home from school for you?" Next season, OCU will be hosting and participating in the workshop of a brand new re-working of URBAN COWBOY The Musical, in preparation for a tour. This new version will follow the movie storyline very closely, done in the jukebox format. Then it was off to the Petree Recital Hall where we had reserved "guests of honor" seats. All the wonderful publicity Dan did generated a whopping 476 people in the audience! Wow -- PLANE CRAZY's biggest audience yet! Act 1 included WYATT EARP, and FLYER, THE MUSICAL which were awesome. The directors did such imaginative things with movement and choreography, using basic chairs and blocks as sets. And the voices and comedic talents were amazing.  Act 2 started off with THE GIFT, and last but not least PLANE CRAZY. I was so curious to see what Roy Lightner, our director, and the cast had done! Roy came out and gave a brief overview of the show's storyline and then the vamp started and the cast launched into the opening number, "Plane Crazy". Roy's imaginative staging was fantastic, funny and definitely very groovy! He managed to find new things in the show. I must say I will never forget the sound of 476 people laughing at my jokes! The segment song selections were introduced by narrations, and the cast continued with "I Wanna Get Married/Mr Right Now", "Turbulence", and finished off with "That Was Then This is Now", which had the audience clapping along. The cast and direction was superb -- everyone had great voices, and found new stuff in my material so even I laughed at bits I had seen a hundred times! And kudos to the band and musical director, Jonathan Hill! At the end everybody stood up and gave a very loud standing ovation (no, I didn't start this one...). After the show there was a VIP reception where I got to meet the University President, Tom McDaniel, and his lovely wife. Everyone was snapping pics of me I felt like a real celebrity. It was great to chat with the cast and meet other OCU students and parents. By 11:00pm my ego had inflated to twice its original size, and I was afraid I might not fit into the car/pumpkin, so it was time to call it a night... Thanks to everyone at OCU for such extraordinary hospitality, and a special thanks to Dan Meagher and Roy Lightner, and the great OCU cast of PLANE CRAZY: Faith: Lizette Cruz Janet: Selena Rosanbalm Trio: Heather Lilek, Sarah Moore, Kate Runnels Ensemble: Amy Collins, Shauna Hagan, Deven Kolluri, Sam Prince, Rachel Rhodes-Devey, and Josh Weschler Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Today's the BIG DAY in Oklahoma City!!!
 Well, I'm here in Oklahoma City, and I'm SUPER excited about tonight's "Stripped" Festival. On Sunday, the students at Oklahoma City University will be presenting their "Stripped" Musicals Project. This series will bring four new musicals to the stage. They don't use sets, costumes, props or an orchestra. Just the actors, a piano and the show itself. Submissions for this year's series were received not only from the U.S. but also Canada and England. The "Stripped" New Musicals Project will be presented on Sunday, April 23rd at 7PM in the Petree Recital Hall on the Oklahoma City University campus. The event is free and open to the general public. For further information, you can call 1-800-633-7242 extension 5410 or by email at strippedOCU@yahoo.com. They've been able to generate a ton of great publicity. Here's a rundown of the links: >> Broadwayworld.com >> National Alliance for Musical Theater (newsletter) >> XM Satellite Radio Channel 28 on the "Broadway and Beyond" >> Theatermania >> Oklahoman Newspaper "Living" section I'm particularly fond of the XM Radio AmericanTheaterWeb.com quote, in which the reviewer (Andy Propst) says: "One of these shows, "Plane Crazy," I actually saw last year at the New York Music Theatre Festival. The book, music and lyrics here are all by Suzy Conn. "Crazy" centers on two airline stewardesses in the 1960's when stews were required to be sexy and the world was sexist. It's a terrific lark of a show." ..."terrific lark of a show.": I LIKE IT!!!  I'm especially looking forward to meeting the owner of this PARTICULARLY CRAZY face, which you can see in context on my last OSU post. Now, THAT'S Crazy! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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City Youth Players 2nd Annual Fundraising Cabaret a BOFFO SMASH!!!
 City Youth Players had their 2nd Annual Fundraising Cabaret tonight and it was FANTASTIC!!! The event featured the casts of ANNIE WARBUCKS and A CHORUS LINE, and they put on a wonderful show. Additional fundraising was provided by a Silent Auction and a Draw. For me, the highlight of the show was Myrna's performance of "Wasn't That Me" from PLANE CRAZY. It was the first time that I'd seen my daughter perform one of my songs in front of an audience, and it blew my mind. Myrna totally sold the song, and she added emotional content to the song that I didn't even know was there. By the end of the song, my hair was standing up on the back of my neck and I had tears in my ears. Thank you Myrna! There was a really nice "Message from the Producers" in the Playbill for the Cabaret: This time last year we were looking at producing ANNIE and CHICAGO. Due to issues with the rights companies, we had to quickly change our plans. We had never heard of ANNIE WARBUCKS before, but instantly fell in love with the script and music. From the audition process in June, through the rehearsal process in the Fall and finally to the run of the show, this cast never ceased to amaze us with their teamwork and sense of family. The choreography of A CHORUS LINE required the bar to be raised in terms of the cast's ability to learn and execute the dances. We had only seven weeks of rehearsals to mount the show and we consequently worked the cast extremely hard. The process was intense (and sometimes tense), but they were all up to the challenge and all their hard work paid off. We salute both casts for their efforts this season and we look forward to working with them all again in the near future. Bravo! Megan and Wayne
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Comments Run Amok!
 Okay kids, don't make me come back there! Ever since my March 26 post on HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, I've been inundated with comments. Most of them are blatant pre-teen expressions of undying love (and lust) for Zac Ephron complete with caps and multiple exclamation points (I thought there was a legal limit on the number of exclamation points you could use). I know I'm not one to lecture on musical theater obsessions (I might have gone a wee bit overboard in my admiration for Hugh Jackman...ahem...) and God knows I appreciate the traffic! But do I really want Blogway Baby to turn into a cyber version of Tiger Beat magazine?  So let's keep it clean kids. And stay in school...and I promise to bring you all the HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL news that is fit to print! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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DROWSY CHAPERONE in Previews NOW...
 Well, as any dedicated Blogway Baby reader knows, we've been following THE DROWSY CHAPERONE for a long, long time. Like since the Toronto Fringe Festival in 1999 long time! Well, I haven't seen it yet (another 10 sleeps), but my trusty "masked theatregoer" managed to score a ticket on Tuesday night. And here's his "review", and, um, thanks...I guess: ***** THE MASKED THEATREGOER: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE MINI-REVIEW  DROWSY CHAPERONE KILLED!
I laughed 'til I cried! Seriously, I haven't laughed this hard in the theatre in a long, long time. It's wonderful how the piece gives you permission to laugh at 1920s slapstick that would land flat if it were presented out of context. I felt like a kid again, enjoying theatre through more innocent eyes. While walking home, I reflected on the show and I had these observations: 1. WOW, HAS IT EVER CHANGED!
I *guess* it's the same show...but is it? It's a good lesson on the evolutionary nature of the musical art form. This show is almost unrecognizable from its Toronto incarnations, from the songs, the dynamics, and the staging. Bob is sorta the same, but he interacts with his imagination in a much more satisfying way. I loved the changes, and in particular I love the fact that the whole show happens inside his apartment, and the introduction of the super is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. I also really enjoyed the lack of intermission, which keeps the magic alive. The Passe Muraille version had an intermission, and it really killed the show... 2. OH MY GOD, I'M IN LOVE WITH SUTTON FOSTER. I SAW HER LOOKING AT ME FROM THE STAGE, AND I THINK SHE LOVES ME TOO...
That face, that face, that wonderful face. And those legs, that voice, WOW. Sutton is a force of nature, and she owns the stage in DROWSY. Is she married? 3. DID I MENTION THAT I THINK SUTTON FOSTER HAS A "THING" FOR ME?
OK, so I've checked, and Sutton IS NOT MARRIED. However, she's IS engaged to marry SPAMALOT star Christian Borle in September, so I've gotta work fast... 4. GEORGIA ENGEL IS BRILLIANT!
OK, so if the Sutton Foster thing doesn't work out, I've always had a thing for Georgette, and Georgia Engel delivers in spades. I'm currently re-watching all the old MARY TYLER MOORE shows, and I've fallen in love all over again. Ah, spring! 5. THIS SHOW IS FUN, FUN, FUN AND ALL THE "TALKIN' BROADWAY" PISSY PANTS CAN GO SCREW THEMSELVES...
Finally, theatre designed for escape. It's appropriate that DROWSY is taking to the same stage that hosted the sonorous THE WOMAN IN WHITE...talk about your opposites! Go see this show while it's still in previews and still cheap. Once the reviews and Tonys come out, this thing will be running at full-price and 100% capacity. You've been warned! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Boing Boing: Armchair incorporates 5m of bookcase
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CAMP BROADWAY NYC Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2006!
 Boy, do I ever wish they had Camp Broadway back when I was a tween! Well, at least they also offer special classes for parents (so I don't have to just live vicariously through my children...) Here it is -- Hot off the Camp Broadway "P.R. Presses": New York, NY: Broadway's owns CAMP BROADWAY is now accepting applications for its 5-day all singing, all-dancing summer camp program for theatre loving kids ages 6-17 at www.campbroadway.com or by calling 212.575.2929. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited. "CAMP BROADWAY opens a door into the authentic world of Broadway by enabling theatre-loving kids to work directly with Broadway professionals," says Artistic Director Tony Parise. "Each camp week is tailored to the interests and skill level of the specific age group in order to provide every performer with a fulfilling and memorable learning experience." The 2006 program line-up is as follows: AGES 6 to 8: SHINING STARS
July 17 to 21, 2006
and
August 7 to 11, 2006 SHINING STARS features five half-days of classes in singing, dancing and theatre games, as well as workshops in mask and costume, and storytelling. The week culminates in the "Shining Stars Spectacular," a final musical presentation for family and friends.
AGES 9 to 12: CAMP BROADWAY
July 17 to 21, 2006
and
August 7 to 11, 2006 CAMP BROADWAY is 5-full days of singing, dancing and fun. Working with Broadway directors, choreographers and musical directors, young performers receive training in voice, dance, movement, solo and ensemble singing while rehearsing dialogue, musical numbers and dance routines for the Broadway musical of the week. Guest artists offer master classes in specific dance styles, stage combat, theatrical makeup and improvisation. The program also includes a "field trip" to Times Square for a behind-the-scenes look at a current production, a pre-show luncheon with the cast and a Broadway show. The week culminates with the Camp Broadway Family Finale, where campers showcase the skills they have honed throughout the week for friends and family.
AGES 13 to 17: CB2
July 17 to 21, 2006
and
August 7 to 11, 2006 CB2 is for teens seeking more intensive training in presentation and performance along with several performance enriching workshops, guest lecturers and theatergoing. This group has their own "act" in the annual Family Finale.
CB MASTERCLASS
August 7 to 11, 2006 MasterClass Career Discovery Program, offers teens a technique-based experience through one-on-one training with Broadway teaching professionals in all areas of musical theatre including scene study, vocal technique, song interpretation, improvisation, voice/speech, monologue coaching, audition technique, duet/ensemble singing and dance including jazz, tap and ballet. Teens also learn the business side of "show business" through seminars with casting directors and agents who discuss future training opportunities and tips on creating a perfect headshot and resume. Each performer receives written and oral comments on their final performance. This program is designed for teens interested in a career in the theatre.
"There is something for every one at CAMP BROADWAY," says Tony Parise, "We even offer classes for parents and grandparents. Whatever the age, CAMP BROADWAY is for people who love the theatre -- our job is to allow every person, young or young, to feel like a star by encouraging their individual creative spirit. Like a great Broadway show, we strive to provide a special moment that they will remember for a lifetime." About CAMP BROADWAY
CAMP BROADWAY provides life-long learning through theatre related special events, youth activities, educational programming, professional development and corporate training, as well as its published study guide series, StageNotes. The company serves as a vital link between Broadway's many theatrical productions, estates and libraries to families, schools and social organizations. In its first 10 years, CAMP BROADWAY has enabled over 200,000 school children to attend a Broadway show through its educational programs and has hosted over 5,000 theatre-loving kids from every state and over 40 countries at its annual summer camp in New York. CAMP BROADWAY is the recipient of the 2002 Standing Ovation Award from the Educational Theatre Association for program excellence and has been featured on Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Telecast for the last four years. For more information, email info@campbroadway.com or call 212-575-2929. Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Manhattan Transfer at Casino Rama
 Road Trip to Orillia! Well, we finally bit the bullet and drove up to Casino Rama, the big gambling resort in Orillia about 1 1/2 hours north of Toronto. I'd been thinking of going for a while now, first to the Bernadette Peters concert and then to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons concert, but I was out of town for both. Having been a huge Manhattan Transfer fan back in the '70s and '80s (I still have all my albums!), I was intrigued to see they were booked in for Good Friday. Casino Rama appears to cater to a specific audience since the majority of acts they get up there are mainstream country acts, like Alan Jackson and Marina McBride. I don't gamble (due to a nasty incident at the CNE midway back in junior high where I lost all my precious life savings of $25 trying to throw a hoop around a bottle...) so I didn't know what to expect. Well, just down Rama Road, past the decrepit Atherly Hotel (which looks like it was the place where pole dancing was invented...ick!) in the middle of nowhere is this large, Indian-themed brick teepee like structure -- Casino Rama. It looked sort of like it was the original prototype for the Canada pavilion at EPCOT in DisneyWorld. Lots of free parking -- yeah! The interesting thing about the whole complex is the juxtaposition of all the Indian-themed decorations, and spiritual philosophies, and this huge smoke-filled casino where people gamble and drink 24/7. Literally on the wall adjacent to the casino entrance (and right next to the credit office...) are printed the guiding philosophies of of the "Seven Grandfathers" .  We checked into the hotel, which although it's attached to the casino and entertainment complex, it's not part of it, so kids are welcome. We had a nice "suite" room which had windows that really opened! I neglected to make dinner reservations only to find out all the a la carte restaurants were booked (there were plenty o' buffets available in the casino) so my husband and I settled for a pre-show beer and made reservations for a late post-show dinner. The entertainment complex is a huge 5,200 seat venue which was partially closed off, revealing only 3,000 seats for the Manhattan Transfer concert. By the time the show started the place was full! I think Manhattan Transfer was more surprised than I was when they came out on stage! The audience was clearly made up of fans, as well as gamblers out to see a show, any show, and unaware of exactly who was up on stage. Apparently high rollers get free tickets all the time to shows. Well, let me say that the show was TOTALLY AMAZING. Manhattan Transfer was in amazing form. They looked great, they sounded great, and they seemed genuinely happy to be there! They did all my favorite songs ("Trickle Trickle", "Operator", "Route 66", "Java Jive", etc.) as well as some solo numbers, and material from their latest CD VIBRATE. They even did an encore of "Birdland"! And the sound was unbelievably amazing. They had a HOT band of piano/keyboards, bass and drums and everything sounded clear, sharp and exciting. The best sound I have heard in a very, very long time. Why can't Toronto have sound like that? I still remember bleeding from my ears when I went to the Juno Awards one year... We had a very nice late dinner, in a surprisingly empty restaurant. I would have thought the joint would have been jumping, but we closed the place down. All in all it was a very bizarre -- but very fun -- getaway! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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SiteShuffle Wins as March's "Next Big Web Thing"
 Congrats to all my friends at SiteShuffle, who scored a resounding victory as March's "Next Big Web Thing". According to "The Next Big Web Thing": We Have A Winner!  The March vote has now finished, and we're happy to announce that the site with the big red launching button, SiteShuffle, is the winner. Obviously the simple start page and social bookmarking aspects wooed our voters as it was a clear winner. In second place, Aric McKeown's Make Me Watch TV appealed to a number of our voters, and is Aric's second second place in our poll, his Stuff And Me was runner up last month as well. In third place, the excellent idea sharing blog Roundtuit. Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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WANTED: Technical Staff for THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND
 Note: Technical Staff Required THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND
A New Musical Comedy based on the book by Beatrix Potter
Book and Lyrics by Suzy Conn
Music by Mitchell Kitz Directed and Choreographed by Marc Richard To be presented in The Toronto Fringe Festival July 5-16 (KidsVenue at the Palmerston Library) Rehearsals will take place in Toronto during the last two weeks of June and first week of July (approx. 40 hours in total, spread out over three weeks). Please note: this is a non-paying gig but there will be a $225 honorarium and the chance to perform in Toronto in a well-known Festival, with the opportunity to be seen by countless agents and other industry people. THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND is a brand new children's musical based on the Beatrix Potter story of the same name. It tells the story of the adventures of a young pig (Pigling Bland) who sets off to market with his younger brother, is interrogated by a policeman, pignapped by a farmer, teased and tormented by a cat and dog and eventually (7 songs later) falls in love with a beautiful female pig (also in captivity). The two escape and live happily every after. We are looking for the following technical staff: 1. Stage Manager/Props Person 2. Set Designer/Builder 3. Costume Designer/Wardrobe Co-ordinator If you are interested please contact Marc Richard at marc.richardo@sympatico.ca or drop of your resume and cover letter in Marc's mailbox in E101 at Sheridan College. Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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My Life and Other Meaningless Drivel
 Here's a great theatre blog I ran across the other day: my life...and other meaningless drivel I've posted my thoughts and memories of my maternal grandmother, Mamo all over my blog. I was named after her and it is my honor and privilege to share that with her. She was Chizuko, I am Chizue...both have something to do with the meaning of "1,000 cranes" which is considered "good luck" in Japanese. There have been times when I've even considered telling people to refer to me as Chizue versus Lisa (in part to honor Mamo, but also because Lisa is such a plain ordinary name). Unfortunately nobody and I mean nobody can pronounce it correctly (except for people who actually speak Japanese and know how to pronounce it the right way), so I decided to stick with Lisa. In case anyone was wondering, it's pronounced chee-zoo-eh.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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The Crazy Cast of PLANE CRAZY in rehearsal for OCU's "Stripped" Festival
 Now aren't they a good looking bunch of guys 'n' gals! I got some high energy rehearsal pics from Roy Lightner, the director of PLANE CRAZY at Oklahoma City University's "Stripped" production. The performance is just around the corner on Sunday April 23. Roy is the smiling guy in the blue striped t-shirt, Lizette (who is playing Faith) is holding the sign, Selena (who is playing Janet) is on the far left in black, and Heather (who is playing Holly) is the blond on the right. Hi right back atcha! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Broadway in Vegas Good for Live Music!
 On the cover of the April 2006 issue of International Musician (Official Journal of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada) is a big colorful picture of the Vegas HAIRSPRAY musicians decked out in campy '60s tuxedos, with the headline "HAIRSPRAY -- Vegas Goes Broadway". The article, "The Strip Meets The Great White Way", talks about the potential for more live music in Vegas due to the influx of Broadway shows. The article traces the battle between live and taped music back to 1989 when the Tropicana Hotel used taped music during their production of FOLLIES BERGERE. About 1,500 members of Local 369 went on strike. Despite a settlement, this is considered the moment canned music got a foothold in Vegas, and over the next several years The Strip became a less desirable place for working musicians. Many lounge acts were eliminated and live music was replaced by tapes and disc jockeys. Apparently things began to change when MAMMA MIA! Came to town and did so well that the hotel owners started thinking about bringing New York musicals to the desert. A high profile example is HAIRSPRAY, which has begun an open ended run at The Luxor. HAIRSPRAY has been re-tooled and cut down to 90 minutes. The article goes on to say: From a musician's point of view, this show represents more than just a steady gig working in a pit. In fact, HAIRSPRAY is proof of the value of live music to Broadway musicals. Because the band is so essential to the plot, it climbs out of the pit and takes the stage for the show's grand finale.
Say what? Climbs out of the pit? With five minutes remaining in the production, a wall of lights at the back of the stage parts, revealing an opulent grandstand filled with musicians, set to deliver a rousing, no-holes barred conclusion.
Michael Gill, the show's producer and general manager, is quoted as saying "The challenge we gave to the creative team was to create a wild finish. And they delivered. We have an unbelievable finale. It's a lot of fun to see the musicians come out." The article goes on to say: Some people seeing the show won't know we're there until the end, says HAIRSPRAY's trumpet player Daniel Falcone of Local 369. But they'll know then that they weren't hearing taped music.
And further: Not even the New York City musicians get to take the spotlight in this way. In order to make this surprise ending work, the musicians have to race from the basement, up the stairs, and hop onto the set piece for an onstage moment that can only be seen in Las Vegas. The musicians' loud introduction to the Broadway stage is an appropriate metaphor for their shifting role in Vegas. After a drought of several years, live music is making a comeback and union musicians are finding more gigs.
So that's why the trombone player crossed the road...to get to The Strip! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Keira Knightley to Star in MY FAIR LADY
 Fair? It should probably be retitled MY REALLY HOT LADY. Keira Knightley has signed on to play Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY...but where? On stage or on the screen? Or will they skip both and go straight to the merchandise (How about a Keira Knightley "Eliza" chocolates or lunch box or trading cards? Do you think she can hit that really high note in "I Could Have Danced All Night?" If not, will she have the good sense to be dubbed? According to this article in Broadwayworld.com: According to the London News Telegraph, Oscar-nominated actress Keira Knightley -- a self-professed fan of musicals -- will play the feisty Cockney flower girl tutored by Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY. "Knightley...is said to be 'thrilled' at the prospect of taking the role made famous on film by Audrey Hepburn in the 1960s," states the article. Cameron Mackintosh -- who was also behind the hit 2001 London revival starring Martine McCutcheon and Jonathan Pryce -- will produce, and that same production's director Trevor Nunn will helm the new MY FAIR LADY. However, both are as of yet unsure whether they will be taking on MY FAIR LADY as a stage production or as a movie musical. Knightley -- who will soon be meeting with the Mackintosh's musical director and who was seen "studying the script madly" while filming Pirates of the Caribbean 2 in the Bahamas -- is reportedly prepared to star in MY FAIR LADY on either stage or screen.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Vote for SiteShuffle as the Web's Next Big Thing...
 SiteShuffle has been nominated as one of March's "Next Big Web Thing" applications, and they're running a close second behind the "roundtuit" blog. SiteShuffle is one sweet application. Without getting technical -- it's an RSS aggregator for Moms -- a simple way to browse your favorite sites. And with SiteShuffle's new "NANOSITE" functionality, you can interact with your favorite sites without ever leaving your homepage. Click here and vote for SiteShuffle! It IS the Web's Next Big Thing! Organising links can be a chore, building folders, optomising the space on your link tool bar, remembering where you left bookmarks, etc. The modern web offers many easy and fun ways of organising your links. Many of these ways offer even more functionality around link organisation -- the ability to share them with others, the ability to pick up suggested links, etc. Site Shuffle is the latest in a line of useful link related sites. Its simply a fun way to navigate your favourite links, and also its good for suggesting links to you by recommendations based on the links you've already choosen. Set it as your homepage, add a few of your most frequent links, pick some of the one suggested to you then navigate them with the funky and eye catching interface. Big left and right buttons spin your link selection before your eyes, and nothing can be more satisfying than launching a favourite site by pressing the big red launch button.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Gregory Peck Would Have Turned 90 Today
 Gregory Peck -- one of my favorite actors -- would have turned 90 this week. Mr. Peck is also the author of one of my favorite quotes: "You have to dream, you have to have a vision, and you have to set a goal for yourself that might even scare you a little because sometimes that seems far beyond your reach. Then I think you have to develop a kind of resistance to rejection, and to the disappointments that are sure to come your way." -- Gregory Peck Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Disney's High School Music To Receive Stage Production!
 This thang is unstoppable! Given that HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is probably already being "staged" by keen tweens in slumber parties all across North America, it's not a big surprise that Disney is creating a stage version of the TV movie musical HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, to be licensed by MTI. So which part would I want to play? Sharpay all the way! According to this article on Playbill: Disney Theatrical Productions (DTP) announced April 6 that it will release a stage version of the Disney Channel's wildly successful TV musical, "High School Musical," for local productions beginning this fall. The script and score, borrowed from the wildly popular Disney Channel movie will be modified for the stage (no librettist has been announced), and licensed via Music Theatre International (MTI). Steve Fickinger, Disney Theatrical Productions vice president responsible for the DTP/MTI relationship, said, "The response to 'High School Musical' has been phenomenal. Television audiences are connecting with the show and its music on an unprecedented level. We wanted to make the rights available for local productions across the country." "High School Musical" set viewership records when it debuted on the Disney Channel Jan. 20, 2006 and to date has been seen by over 30 million unique viewers. Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions said, "I'm thrilled that we are able to have High School Musical join Beauty and the Beast, Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, and our other Disney Collection titles available through MTI." Developed through "a unique collaboration with Disney Theatricals, MTI's Musicals from the Disney Collection also includes musicals developed especially for students," according to Disney. Aladdin Junior is a 60-minute show appropriate for middle-schoolers to perform. Cinderella Kids, 101 Dalmations Kids and The Jungle Book Kids are 30-minute stage versions of classic Disney films "aimed to introduce elementary school children to the joys of putting on a live musical." "The response to The Disney Collection has been overwhelming," Schumacher said. "In fact, Disney's Beauty and the Beast was the most successful first-year licensing launch in history, and Disney's Aladdin Jr. has been performed by over 1,000 schools across the country." More titles will be added to the Junior and Kids Collections in the coming year.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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HANA'S SUITCASE at Lorraine Kimsa's Theatre For Young People
 I was lucky enough to accompany my daughter's grade six class on a trip to see HANA'S SUITCASE at the Lorraine Kimsa's Theatre For Young People (the theatre formerly known as YPT). The play was written by Emil Sher, based on the book, "Hana's Suitcase", by Karen Levine. From the theatre Web site: It's March 2000. A child's suitcase arrives from Auschwitz at the tiny Children's Holocaust Centre in Tokyo. Painted on the side are a name, Hana Brady, a birthdate and the word "Waisenkind" (Orphan). Spurred on by children at the Centre, the curator embarks on a relentless search from Tokyo to Prague to Toronto to uncover the story of Hana and her fate at the hands of the Nazis.
I had already read the book, and had attended a talk on the subject given in March at the North York Public Library. The talk was given by Karen Levine, the author of the book, Fumiko Ishioka, the Japanese lady who runs the Holocaust Centre in Japan, and Hana's brother, George Brady. Karen had talked about her life-long interest in the Holocaust, the atrocities committed, and why she wrote the book. Fumiko spoke about desperately wanting to enlighten the students in Japan, who knew absolutely nothing about the Holocaust (a fact which the audience found astonishing), and how Hana became someone they were desperate to know. George, who was there with his daughter, spoke very emotionally about his life with Hana before the Nazis, after their parents were sent away, their time in Terezinstadt and their final journey to Auschwitz. He spoke of how he managed to survive both on luck and initiatve. He now takes comfort in the fact that Hana's dreams of becoming a teacher are being realized, as children all over the world are being taught by her story. It was an extremely powerful and compelling hour that I still think about. Back to the play -- it was really well done for a young audience -- very clear, and very accessible. What might have been a complicated story, what with the different locations (Japan/Canada/Czechoslovakia/Germany) and timelines was easy to follow. They even managed to put some humor in the story which delighted the younger members of the audience. The whole story is told using Fumiko and her students at the Japanese Holocaust Center. In the first act Hana and her family are present, but don't say anything. It's only in the second act, once George's letter to Fumiko is received that the young Hana and her family start to speak. The sets include projections and movie footage of Hana as a young girl, as well as some of the pictures she drew at Terezinstadt. That was very powerful, to see real pictures drawn by a real girl. It was a very packed house, and a fairly rowdy one at that. But once the play started you could have heard a pin drop. My only complaint is that they didn't give out programs for the play. Come to think of it I never get programs when I see theatre on a school trip! Why is that? Don't miss it -- HANA'S SUITCASE runs only until April 27. If you do miss it, go and read the book! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Audition Notice: THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND
 Audition Notice THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND
A New Musical Comedy based on the book by Beatrix Potter
Book and Lyrics by Suzy Conn
Music by Mitchell Kitz Directed and Choreographed by Marc Richard To be presented in The Toronto Fringe Festival July 5-16 (KidsVenue at the Palmerston Library) Rehearsals will take place in Toronto during the last two weeks of June and first week of July (approx. 40 hours in total, spread out over three weeks). Please note: this is a non-paying gig but there will be a $225 honorarium and the chance to perform in Toronto in a well-known Festival, with the opportunity to be seen by countless agents and other industry people. THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND is a brand new children's musical based on the Beatrix Potter story of the same name. It tells the story of the adventures of a young pig (Pigling Bland) who sets off to market with his younger brother, is interrogated by a policeman, pignapped by a farmer, teased and tormented by a cat and dog and eventually (7 songs later) falls in love with a beautiful female pig (also in captivity). The two escape and live happily every after (oops, we gave away the ending!). The characters are: Pigling Bland: Our hero, he is young and naive, and should be someone of smaller build (Tenor) Pigwig: Pigling's love interest, she is young and beautiful with big dreams, and should be someone who is smaller in size (Soprano) John Piperson: A grizzled old bacon-eater, the villain of the piece, should be tall and able to play mean-looking, haggard and scruffy (Bass/Baritone) Aunt Pettitoes: Pigling's aunt, she is busy and overbearing, a larger woman with a big heart and a big voice, she should be able to play older than her age (Alto) Alexander: Pigling's brother, he is younger and mischievous, should be smaller build (Baritone) Cat: Piperson's smart minion, this female should be able to move well (Alto) Dog: Piperson's dumb minion, this male should be cute, kinda dopey looking and move well (Baritone) Mr. Policeman: The law in these parts, should be tall, able to play stern and kind of kookie (Baritone) We are looking for a company of actors who are keen and eager to work on a new musical. All should move and sing well and be able to play character roles (most characters also play chorus roles such as pigs, hens, and butchers). Auditions will be held at Sheridan College on Trafalgar Road in Oakville on Wednesday, April 19 in the morning, and in Toronto (Location TBD) on Tuesday, April 18 between 7 pm and 10 pm. If interested, please submit your picture and resume to Marc Richard (mailbox in E101 at Sheridan College) or e-mail it to marc.richardo@sympatico.ca Deadline: April 13 Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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PLANE CRAZY OCU Performance on Broadwayworld.com
 Here's a nice article on Broadwayworld.com about the upcoming OCU "Stripped" Festival in Oklahoma City. I've never been to Oklahoma City, and I can't wait to go! PLANE CRAZY--previously seen at this year's New York Musical Theatre Festival--was one of four shows selected to be presented in April by the Oklahoma City University musical theater students. The public presentation will occur on Sunday, April 23rd starting at 7 PM. The show will be presented as part of the "Stripped" New Musicals Project. "Stripped" is the student-run theatre company at OCU; "they are known for presenting projects in a 'stripped' manner...meaning no sets, costumes, props, sets, orchestra or choreography. Just actors, a piano, and the show," state press notes. For the New Musicals Project, the shows will be presented in concert style with narration provided between songs. After receiving numerous submissions from composers in the United States, Canada and England, the "Stripped" judging committee selected four shows for the presentation. Each show will be represented by four songs and sections of the show's libretto. PLANE CRAZY features book, lyrics and music by Suzy Conn. The show is "the comedic and touching story of two airline stewardesses in the 1960s when stews were sexy and the world was sexist.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Happy Birthday Trinity!
 Trinity Conn turns 9 today! Happy Birthday! One of Broadway's biggest boosters is my daughter Trinity. She is an avid theatregoer, and listens to cast albums all the time -- in the car, falling asleep and just hanging around. Some of her favorites include SWEENEY TODD, INTO THE WOODS, LI'L ABNER(we sing the "I'm Past My Prime" duet together), URINETOWN, GODSPELL, WICKED, THE PRODUCERS, HAIRSPRAY, FLORA THE RED MENACE, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, PLANE CRAZY, TOM JONES, and most recently A CHORUS LINE. She loves the melodies and word play and the humor. It also spurs some great conversations and educational discussions when she asks questions about the shows and what they are about. So Trinity, this one is for you: (Sung to the tune of "Springtime for Hitler") Planning a birthday for Trinity (yes a birthday!)
Presents and cupcakes for her
We're blowing up balloons again
We're singing happy tunes again Planning a birthday for Trinity (yes a birthday!) Eighth year's a great year no more Planning a birthday for Trinity There's exciting And big things in store! Happy Birthday Trinity! Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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LIZA WITH A "Z": And Liza's Still Hanging In There...
 I've always been a HUGE Liza Minelli fan...I even saw VICTOR/VICTORIA a second time just to see Liza on the Broadway stage. It was a complete train wreck, but it was a FUN train wreck! She has an oddly mesmerizing personality. Now, freshly off a LARRY KING interview in which by all accounts she appeared completely unhinged, here's a GREAT interview with Liza by Gia Kourlas of TIME OUT NEW YORK: And Liza sounds completely cool: TONY: That's because you don't take yourself so seriously. LM: No, I don't! I can't stand anybody who does. They drive me apeshit. It's show business. We're not curing cancer. And yet sometimes, you have to come at it seriously to get what you want, like in "It Was a Good Time." What a piece! And that's Fred Ebb. He chose all the songs, and that piece was a hard sale with Fosse. At first, Fred asked Marvin to orchestrate the nursery rhymes within "It Was a Good Time" as nursery rhymes. Fosse says, "I'd like to see what you're working on." So we come in and Marvin sits down; it's 5pm, and the dancers have gone home and I am determined to do this right, and I do it great, I think. All the emotion is there. We finish and Bob says [Unenthusiastically], "What?" I went, "What?" Fred said, "Excuse me?" Fosse said, "I find this predictable -- I know exactly where it's going, I know what she's going to do and I don't know why everybody is so excited." I saw Freddy start to well up. Here's where my job came in. I said, "All right, what don't you like about it? How can we make it work? What's predictable? What do you mean?" [Martin and Fred] were over there, having had the wind punched out of them. He said, "I know where you're going." I said, "Well, what if you didn't? What if the music is unpredictable, and I'm telling you what I feel on the inside?" He said, "Well, what do you mean?" I said, "Marvin, play this like Stravinsky!" And finally Fosse said, "I still don't know." I said, "I do. I'll make it work for you." He said, "Well, I don't know..." and I looked at him and I saw that smile and I thought, He knows exactly what he's doing and I'm going to have to work my ass off and he is going to challenge me on this until it's perfect. It was like in Cabaret. We needed a song, and I sang "Maybe This Time" for him; he went, "I don't know." [She laughs] I said, "Bobby! What don't you know?" He said, "It's kind of the martyr." I said, "Not if you smile when you sing it! If you're happy when you're singing it, it's a whole different thing! It's not predictable if you're not predictable, right?" He said, "Show me." I'll tell you one story because you'll understand it. We are at show time. It is 8pm. I'm standing onstage with the white suit and the hat on, and it's the last minute and people are yelling backstage and Fred Ebb comes in across the stage. I said, "Freddy, tell me the story of 'It Was a Good Time.' We used to work this way: What's the story, what's the progression, who is the woman? And he said, "I can't." I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "Somebody just gave me a Valium and I gotta sit down." [Shrieks] He was nervous and stoned! And Fosse comes across the stage from the other direction. I say, "Bobby, tell me the story of 'It Was a Good Time' -- just center me." He said, "All right. It's about a woman who has a daughter and it's about a marriage..." And I noticed that he was welling up and getting really upset. He's going through a divorce with Gwen [Verdon]. And there's [their daughter] Nicole! So I said, "Never mind!" [Laughs] When it comes down to the second, you're on your own broom. But I had such wonderful support from them. They were so nervous. You know what I knew in that moment? That what I did was all the wonderful things they had thought of. At the last minute, it was put in my hands. I am the worker. The dancer. The intention. I really do feel that Fred Ebb invented Liza with a "Z." He really did.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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Another Record Month on Blogway Baby
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Really, Really Amusing...
 To add to my "Great, Tortured Stephen Sondheim" series, this great April Fool's Day article from Broadwayworld.com "by" Stephen Sondheim on "Songs I Wish I'd Never Written". My favorite excerpts: "Send In The Clowns" from A Little Night Music: For the next eight and a half years I kept on being introduced at all these parties and social functions as "Stephen Sondheim, the man who wrote 'Send In The Clowns.'" Then I wrote "Merrily We Roll Along" and they stopped inviting me.
and "Giants In The Sky" from Into The Woods: Fellas, a bit of advice. If you're over eighteen you should not be singing this song at auditions. Really. Go back to "Corner of the Sky" or something.
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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My Next Modernist Vacation
 Boy, do I ever need a VACATION!!! And this awesome modernist hotel is where I want to go. From the ORBIT IN Web site: ORBIT IN to the Palm Springs modern vibe, and leave your worries behind as you lounge in luxurious mid-century style. Breathtaking mountain views, poolside breakfast and cocktails, cruiser bikes and spa services -- all served up at a small boutique hotel called the ORBIT IN, where vintage modernism meets the 21st century. Whether you prefer the social atmosphere of the OASIS, with its intimate poolside bar & courtyard, or the peaceful seclusion of the HIDEAWAY'S expansive grounds, these bastions of hip sensibilities with their premier location, designer furnishings, fun amenities, and friendly staff will have you coming back for more!
Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment
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