Or, would you like fries with that performance?

I was shopping in Times Square a couple of weeks ago, when I popped into the Virgin Megastore to get out of the heat. I came across a table of McDonald's "retro" merchandise, mostly t-shirts. To my utter joy I found a blue "Big Mac Attack, attack, attack..." t-shirt! To give you some background, I worked at a McDonald's when I was in high school. I did fries, and cash. For some reason they wouldn't let me cook! Hmmmm.

Needless to say I excelled at cash, and would often win the lunch hour challenge -- who had the greatest receipt total after the lunch rush was over. Of course, I was only able to do this by stealing other people's cheeseburgers and such, and by suggestive selling. No, not "hey big boy can I take your order", but "would you like fries with that". Almost all of the time, they did. But I digress. The reason I took the job was so I could afford to purchase dance lessons at Roland & Romaine dance studio (Mike Myers is an alumnus) so I could begin training for my life as a Broadway dancer. I never fulfilled that dream (I discovered that I don't care much for physical pain) but I can still time step with the best of them.

Anyhoo, I was working at Micky D's during the launch of their "Big Mac Attack" ad campaign, and hungry to perform. Our daring store manager thought it would be a good idea to really bring that campaign to life in our store, really bring it to the customers. No sooner had he said "maybe we could do a skit or something" than I shot up my hand and volunteered. Well, he decided to do more than just a skit -- we would do a full tilt "attack"! So I volunteered to dress up like Patty Hearst (hey, I was young and foolish) and was given a plastic shotgun. The plan was to burst into the McDonald's store and yell "This is a Big Mac Attack" and proceed to terrorize (as only I could -- if any of you out there know what I was like in high school, you should be on the floor laughing by now) the customers (yeah, the seniors and the kiddies) in search of Big Macs. Then I bounded up to the cash and demanded a bag of Big Macs from a "terrorized" cash person (they were in on it, but still a little shocked at my deep commitment to this role) and then leave in a getaway car.

Yikes. Looking back on it I shudder. It was a different time, I guess. Since I was speeding away in the getaway car I didn't get to see the full fallout of my tour de force, but let's just say we closed after one performance. I'm not sure what happened to that store manager, but I eventually left McDonald's to pursue my acting career more fully in Queen's Musical Theatre, where I would eventually play "killer diller" Velma Kelly. Hmmmm...coincidence? I think not.

So now I can remember the crazy days of my youth as I wear my "Big Mac Attack" t-shirt.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

The mini-interview!

Wow. Writing Blogway Baby certainly has its perks! I mean who knew that I'd get to interview Michael Feinstein! Well, by interview I mean posting sound clips I got from the PR firm on my blog. But still, if I write questions before each clip, then you could consider that an interview...no?

For those of you who don't know yet, Michael Feinstein has written an awesome song called "Give Me A Drum", which will be performed by six hundred (you heard me!) CAMP BROADWAY kids during the 80th Macy's Day Parade this November! (See my previous post) How cool is that!

Here's an excerpt from my infamous "interview":

BB: So Michael, tell me, what do you think of Camp Broadway?

Audio Link

BB: Really, wow. Camp Broadway sounds amazing! So tell me, how are you involved with Camp Broadway?

Audio Link

BB: Thanks very much Michael!

Well, you heard it here first! Check out the new CAMP BROADWAY Web site for all the details on how to audition for the Macy's Day Parade!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Or, Suzy learns to take the train!

I was in Chicago to do a table read of my musical revue NAKED IN AMERICA (co-written with Greg Silva) and I went to see ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY in Lincolnshire at the Marriott Theatre. The show is written by the wonderful Susan DiLallo (book and lyrics) and Stephen Weiner (music).

I was meeting Susan for dinner first, so I had to figure out how to get up there without paying a fortune for a car. So I was introduced to the joys of Metra, which is sort of like the GO Trains in Toronto. I'm not usually comfortable taking trains in strange cities (I know, I know, I'm neurotic!) but musical theatre was at stake! So I figured out the schedule, the fare, the zone etc. and hi-tailed it down to the Ogilvie Transportation Centre and caught the 4:35pm train out to the suburbs! And they are very nice, air conditioned, double-decker trains complete with a conductor who comes by and picks up your ticket. Both ways set me back a grand total of $6.90! I was very proud of myself.

Susan and I met for dinner before the show and then it was off to my second theatre in the round experience in one week! ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY is playing until September, and that night it was packed. ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY was directed and choreographed by Marc Robin, and stars Kathy Voytko (see my post on CARABOO) as Angie, Jim Weitzer as Vinnie, and Will Swenson as Rocco. The whole cast is terrific.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY is an original musical and what a joy it is. The story (fairytale...) takes place in Hoboken New Jersey 1956 (New Jersey seems to be a popular locale these days, what with JERSEY BOYS and THE WEDDING SINGER!).

From the Program Notes by Artistic Consultant Rick Boynton:

"So welcome to the world of 1956 when pop music was all the rage, the good guys were really good, and the bad guys swaggered with a Runyonesque charm. When life was a little simpler and the thought of believing the unbelievable was a joy to embrace".

I won't give a way the plot, but let me just say it involves love (both unrequited and happy ending love), exchanged identities, disguises, and calzone. In other words, Vinnie loves Angie, Angle is infatuated with Rocco, Rocco is infatuated with himself, and the dance instructor's husband is out to make Rocco an offer he can't refuse. The book is very funny, with lots of broad physical humour as well. The musical numbers are great -- engaging, charming, funny! My favorite continues to be Quando Scungilli.

So if you're in the Chicago area, just hop a train (hey, it's easy!) and go see ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

It's totally awesome, dude!

So I finally saw THE WEDDING SINGER last Saturday night (Saturday night in the city!) with my eldest daughter Myrna. My husband and youngest daughter Trinity had seen it earlier in the week and totally loved it -- i.e. emerged from the theatre singing and dancing.

That is particularly hilarious since both of them started out not wanting to see it, and my husband had actually refused to listen to the CD.

THE WEDDING SINGER, with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, is a musical based on the popular movie that starred Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. In fact two of the songs written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, "Grow Old With You" and "Somebody Kill Me" are in the show.

Stephen Lynch and Laura Benanti play the title roles of Robbie and Julia brilliantly, with one of my Broadway favs, Amy Spanger, playing Holly.

The night I saw it Cara Cooper was on instead of Amy, and she was also fabulous. The whole cast is amazing, including Rita Gardner as Grandma Rosie, Mathew Saldivar as Sammy the bass player, and Kevin Cahoon as the hilarious Boy George look-alike member of "Simply Wed". I've already done a post on the cast recording, so you already know how much I love the music.

Needless to say, I loved the show itself. Great orchestrations by Irwin Fisch. Great book -- funny, concise, inventive (I loved the new scene at the Las Vegas wedding chapel) and fabola choreography! The sets and costumes were fun and very '80s (during the entracte, look at the projection on the curtains...).

I actually got nostalgic for the '80s -- after all, I got married in 1987! Stephen Lynch is very funny as Robbie -- especially in the "Casualty of Love" scene! And despite the fact that this is pop/rock music, the show wasn't too loud -- yeah! The audience loved the show, and literally lept to its feet at the end, which despite popular thought, does not happen at every Broadway show.

Myrna and I were treated to a special event at the end of the show. It was the 100th performance so Stephen Lynch made a little speech about how they were giving away a romantic dinner for two to somebody in the audience, and proceeded to pick a gentleman named "Mike", a police officer, who was sitting near the stage. After some pretending on Stephen's part that he couldn't remember that name of the restaurant (by this time TV cameras were up on stage) Mike revealed that he was actually proposing to his girlfriend who had joined him on stage!

Oh. My. God! Then he said, maybe he should ask her father's permission, and surprise, surprise, the father was seated in the balcony! She said yes! What a party! I could see that Laura Benanti was tearing up (well, so was I!). What a moment! My daughter turned to me and said "That's how I want to get engaged!"

What an amazing evening. I can't wait to see it again. Needless to say, on the long drive back to Toronto, our car was rockin' out to THE WEDDING SINGER CD!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Has it really been that long...

When I was getting married I told my husband-to-be that if CHICAGO ever came back to Broadway, I would absolutely have to go see it -- or else the marriage is off!

I had played Velma Kelly in 1985 at Queen's University, when it was just another forgotten show. CHICAGO quickly became one of my two favorite shows of all time (right up there with THE PAJAMA GAME). So of course flash forward to November 1996 and CHICAGO opens at the Richard Rodgers Theatre!

We got tickets for early February 1997 and ended up driving down through a blinding snowstorm to see Joel Grey! Bebe Neuwirth! and Anne Reinking! Of course I was 7 months pregnant at the time. We had seats up in the nosebleed section of the theatre and still remember huffing and puffing my way to my seat (I was very big at 7 months!) But boy, was it worth it! We even considered naming our daughter Trinity, "Velma" when she was born.

So if I want to go see them again, does that mean I have to get pregnant?

According to this article in Playbill:

Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton, Joel Grey and Marcia Lewis, who originated roles in the long-running revival of Chicago, will return to celebrate that show's decade on Broadway.

It has been confirmed that a special performance of the Kander and Ebb hit will be held Nov. 14 at 6:30 PM at the Ambassador Theatre to celebrate the show's tenth anniversary. In addition to the aforementioned performers, the evening will also feature several Chicago alumni who have been part of the cast since it opened on Broadway in November 1996.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Wow. What a week! My oldest daughter Myrna went to CAMP BROADWAY "CB2" (for teens) last week and thought it was totally awesome! ("totally awesome"? -- too much of THE WEDDING SINGER, I guess...)

Every morning she'd head off in her CB2 red and black t-shirt, with her dance shoes and come back at the end of the day and rate it a "10", with the exception of Wednesday.

That's when they spent the day at the Marquis Theatre and learned about and then saw THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. She gave that day an "11". After the show the CAMP BROADWAY kids and teens got to participate in a Q&A with members of the cast! Even Bob Martin and Beth Leavel came out to answer questions.

Then came Friday and the big performance! We headed down (through the torrential downpour) to the Fashion Institute of Technology's Amphitheatre at 27th and 7th for a 5:30pm performance.

All week long the CB2s had been working on putting together a production of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, with the help of director Tony Parise, choreographer Sue Delano and musical director Bill Newberry.

They were also putting together their gypsy mini-musicals -- each group would pick two musicals out of a hat and then have to combine them.

Myrna's group picked GYPSY and GUYS AND DOLLS, and ended up with GUYS AND GYPSIES! Sort of a dancers versus gamblers musical! CAMP BROADWAY invited two Broadway celebs -- Christian Hoff from JERSEY BOYS, and Mary Faber from AVENUE Q to judge the gypsy musical presentations.

Myrna's group won best musical performance! Christian gave an incredibly inspiring and motivating speech to the kids about hard work, commitment, family support and doing what you love. The kids were mesmerized -- what an unbelievable experience! Myrna had seen Christian Hoff in JERSEY BOYS earlier that week so it was quite the event!

Then came the performance of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS! Grad and Trinity and I had totally awesome front row seats. It was hard to believe that they put the production together in four days, complete with choreography, solos, blocking, costumes -- the whole nine yards. The focus of CAMP BROADWAY is on ensemble work so the two counsellors Sally Schwab and Dann Dunn played the leads. Myrna had a nice solo which she aced!

At the end of the show, Tony Parise came out wearing the fabulous Gypsy Robe (see my previous post). It was adorned with all the decorated squares of fabric, not just from Myrna's camp, but from all the camps they had done so far across the country. They introduced all the campers by name, and the camper who had been the most times to CAMP BROADWAY got to wear the robe.

Then it was the finale number with the whole gang on stage singing a medley of classic Broadway tunes -- "...they say the neon lights are bright on Broadway, Camp Broadway". I didn't want the show to end! Myrna had an incredible week, worked hard, did her favorite thing (being choreographed!) and made new friends. Not bad for five days. Can't wait 'til next year!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

From the "it seemed like a good idea at the time" file...

Our last show of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND was on Saturday July 15 at 4pm. It was sold out (we actually turned away 25 people, regrettably), and by the time the dust settled on putting the set into the car and saying tearful goodbyes to the cast it was time to go home and...pack the car for the road trip to New York! Yeehah!

We had planned this in advance (i.e. it seemed like a good idea when we were planning) but all I really wanted to do was go home and put my feet up and have a glass of wine. We finally hit the road around 8pm with our goal being Syracuse before bedtime! We rolled in around 1:30am. We were back on the road in the morning with the goal of getting into New York in time for a 3pm show of TARZAN! Well, we made it with time to spare for a quick lunch before the show!

TARZAN, with book by David Henry Hwang and music and lyrics by Phil Collins, is playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. It is directed by Bob Crowley (who also did the scenic and costume design) and choreographed by Meryl Tankard. We had great seats and the theatre was packed with lots of families and lots of little kiddies. I have to say the stagecraft and acrobatics were fun to watch. There are lots of swinging monkeys and flying moths, and the way the leopard slinks and pounces is quite striking. The overhead view at the beginning was very cool. I really liked the way fabric was used in the set -- it gave the show a very natural, organic feel, which I thought worked well with the subject matter. For example, a waterfall was executed by having a dancer (gymnast?) pull blue and white fabric into the hole in the stage floor.

Now I don't like to be negative, but I have to say -- THIS SHOW IS TOO DARN LOUD! I mean, I could understand why a show like THE WEDDING SINGER could be guilty of being too loud (but I know first hand that it isn't!) since it is about an '80s rock band.

But TARZAN is all about the jungle, and nature...so what's with the earsplitting decibel level guys? Seriously, I had to literally cover my ears. Both my husband and I emerged at the end of the show, our ears ringing, in desperate need of aspirin! And the TARZAN audience is filled with young kids so why the need to crank the volume? THE LION KING and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST are fine so what suddenly happened at Disney? This is the wrong message to send -- this is musical theatre, not an ACDC concert (no offense intended!).

So endeth the rant.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Or, does four times make me a stalker?

I went to see [title of show] for my fourth time! This time I brought my husband and two kids.

BTW -- does that make me a bad mother? Or just a bad motherf#%&er?.

The evening got off to a great start when I phoned to make a dinner reservation for us at the Union Square Cafe. The lady assured me they were very fully booked, so I asked if I could get on the waiting list for an early table since I was going to the theatre. "Oh, what are you going to see" replied the lady on the other end of the phone. "[title of show] at the Vineyard" I said, feeling very theatre chic. "Well, I think I can get you a table at 5:30pm then!"

So it looks like Jeff and Hunter's influence has expanded beyond the stage and into the dining room! Forget dropping Madonna's name, from now on "I'm with [title of show]!"

After a wonderful dinner, we headed over to the theatre where I was overjoyed to see they were offering glossarys or [tos]sarys! I always thought that this was a good idea and it is not only useful, but hilarious as well!

For example, my oldest daughter was chuckling heartily over the definition of Mexcellent -- "when something is both Mexican and excellent. Used like "My travel agent Eileen said Cancun was Mexcellent this time of year."

To top it off we spotted Bob Martin (aka Man In Chair) from THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. We went up to him and told him how we've been following DROWSY since it's earliest days at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, and of course on Blogway Baby since NAMT. Too cool!

We had great seats and I kept looking over at my daughters to see if they were enjoying it (needless to say they were the only kids in the theatre -- I can't believe how liberal we are!). Both were laughing and smiling and loving it. My youngest daughter's favorite part was the vampire song ("Die Vampire, Die!") and "An Original Musical", which reminded her of SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK.

I also think she liked the fact they say "bi-atch" so much! Don't get the wrong idea, this ain't THE LION KING, but my kids are theatre nerds so they absolutely adored it! And got most of the references, I might add! My hubbie Grad loved it and so did I. After four viewings I still found it hilarious, fun, fresh and touching...and yes, as if they had written the show just for me.

Of course after the show we bought a CD (how cool is it that I know somebody who has their own cast recording!) and got it signed by Jeff and Hunter. Totally awesome -- I think Jeff and Hunter are turning into shiny people. Word.

For actual evidence, read their awesome blog.

[title of show] is playing at The Vineyard Theatre for a limited 8 week off-Broadway commercial run. If you bitches haven't seen it yet, go now! If you have, go see it again!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Here's a wonderful post on Ward-o-Matic (also carried on Boing Boing) about "The Day the Cow Sneezed," a hard-to-find children's book from 1957 written and illustrated by the late, great James Flora. Along with some scans from the book featuring the wild and wacky illustrations of Flora, Ward-o-Matic also features a rare treat -- scans of original mock-ups for the book, which have never been seen publicly until now. It's a fascinating account to see the creative process of putting together a children's book, especially when the artist is the brilliant James Flora.

From Ward-o-Matic:

"The Day the Cow Sneezed" was first published in 1957, and was Flora's second children's book (his first being "The Fabulous Firework Family" in 1955). Working in the children's book format was a change for him. Most of his career had been devoted to illustrating album covers for RCA Victor and Columbia, as well as a burgeoning freelance business providing spot illos for magazines. Flora had children at this point, and had hand-painted some rudimentary kiddie books, but he had not seriously pursued publication. Margaret McElderry, one of the top editors of children's books at the time, liked what she saw in Flora's portfolio, and asked him if he could write a book for her. This proved to be a challenge for the mostly visual guy. In the "Something About the Author Autobiography Series," published by the Gale Group (some of which is featured in "The Mischievous Art of Jim Flora"), Jim reminisces:

"I found it very difficult at first to write a book because I had been trained to see an idea, not write about it. Facing a blank sheet of paper and writing a story was something I found I could not do. So I devised a new way to write my story. During the day I would think about the book. I would see it in pictures in my head. At night, as I lay waiting for sleep, I would run the story through my head like an animated cartoon one sees in theaters and on television. When finally the complete story was arranged in my head I drew a seres of pictures of what I saw there. In films they call this 'making a storyboard.' With this storyboard at hand all I had to do was describe what was taking place in the drawings. That's how I wrote my first book and all of the sixteen others that followed." -- James Flora, 1988.

After "The Fabulous Firework Family" was published it received great reviews, prompting Flora to think about the next one. "In my new role as author I thought it best to write another book just to prove that the first one was not an accident."

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Wow, I was shocked when I saw this (don't ask how I found it...)

Maybe Barbra would be interested in appearing in the nudie musical I'm writing as part of my Chicago BMI workshop -- NAKED IN AMERICA?

Here are the details from the original eBay post, which has now been removed (last I looked the bid was up to $250K):

This film is in it's original box and canister. There is no smell of vinegar which indicates good shape for viewing. There is a leader for threading into the projector. Having viewed the film I am convinced of it's authenticity.There is NO copywrite that I can find pertaining to this film. It was originally released in the early 1960's to the public viewing audience, and is one of about 200 released at the price of $50.00 which is clearly marked on the bottom right hand corner of the packaging. As I understand it the release date was before the ratings system was set up as it is today, and there is no rating for it, unless it is "X". It is silent and in Sepia Tones, which is a sort of romantic shade of light orangish. The film is very clear and filmed in a sort of intimate setting, with some scenes taking place on a couch.

The male CO-STAR is unknown to me. The actress/singers' face is VERY CLEAR in many scenes, as are her very recognizable hands, though this appears to be before she grew her nails so long.

This pornographic film was bought in the 60's at a garage sale and has been stored very well for all of these years.

The leading player in this film is at the approximate age of 22 and there is no doubt in my mind or others' who have viewed it about who this actress is. Serious bidders only.

Before the payment for the sale is complete serious bidders may request a viewing of a portion of this film until 12 hours prior to closing of the auction. The time and place of preview to be set during negotiations during the bidding. Negotiations and any pre-viewing of the film should be finished 12 hours before the end of the auction.Sellers offer to allow a preview of the film before end of bidding will be considered to be withdrawn 12 hours prior to end of auction. All costs of the travel, time and expenses associated with the preview to be paid for by the interested partie(s). Anonymity of the bidders will be honored to the best of my abilities.

This film was made after Ms. "Streisand" was all ready a rising star in Hollywood, and had made several general audience movies.

Due to the graphic sexually explicit material contained on the film no other photos (except for the one in this ad) or material will be provided in any manner to any bidder except by appointment for a preview before the sale is final and made at the bidders' request.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Today's the final show for THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND. I can't believe it! The time has flown by!

I'll do a wrap-up post in a few days, but I want to thank our wonderful and dedicated cast, our fantastic Director Marc Richard, and my gifted collaborator (and Musical Director) Mitchell Kitz for turning this into such a creative and energizing experience.

I'm so proud of everyone involved in the show -- we've done a great job, and our sell-out audiences are a great testament to what we've created.

I've talked to a bunch of people who have seen the show again and again -- thank you to all you honorary PIGLETS.

It looks like you'll need to be at the Palmerston Library at least an hour before showtime today to get a ticket. Don't miss it!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

I never read reviews...I just post them on my blog!

Well it's been a crazy week of sold-out shows for THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND down at the Palmerston Library Theatre! I wish the theatre were bigger, 'cuz I hate it when we have to turn away parents with kids!

Check out our nifty reviews! Congrats to the cast and musicians and crew!

From NOW Magazine's "Best and Worst of the Fringe" issue July 13 -19 page 75:

Rated: NNNN [Ed: Yeah! We rock!]

Adapted from a Beatrix Potter tale, this bright and entertaining kids' musical follows the adventures of an innocent pig sent to market. Marc Richard's sharp direction enlivens the production, as do the talents of a group of committed young performers, including Daniel Greenberg in the title role. You have to love a show that opens and closes with a chorus about stinky pigs, features a chorus line of cleaver waving butchers and gives the three piece orchestra porcine snouts.

From EYE WEEKLY Best of The Fringe edidition July 13, 2006 page 44:

Rated: *** [Ed: Hmmm...]

Daniel Greenberg is fabulous as the very personable Pigling Bland in this solid musical adaptation of the Beatrix Potter classic...the piggy behaviour is well-rendered and the portrayals of (and costumes for) the other animals are brilliant. Farmer Piperson...is not overly scary for young children. Well-sung, and with live instrumentation from the side of the stage, the production's music contributes well to the tale.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

How sad. I remember the very first time I saw her sing and dance on screen, when I went to see THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT at the movies. I loved her renditions of "Thou Swell" and "Varsity Drag" with Peter Lawford! And I still remember crying during THE GLENN MILLER STORY...

From this article in Playbill:

June Allyson, the wholesome, sweet and utterly apple pie star of a series of popular MGM movie musicals in 1940s, died July 8 at her home in Ojai, California. She was 88.

Blonde, petite, sweet-tempered, and attractive in an unthreatening way, June Allyson was perhaps the most anodyne star in the MGM musical camp. (Her most provocative feature may have been her throaty voice.) She had none of vivaciousness of Ann Miller, or the commanding singing voice of Judy Garland (who was a friend). But she appealed to audiences, who flocked to the many films that paired her with the equally homespun Van Johnson. These included "High Barbaree," "Two Girls and a Sailor," "Too Young to Kiss" and "Remains to Be Seen."

She never thought much of her musical talents. According to the New York Times, she told an interviewer 1951, "I couldn't dance, and, Lord knows, I couldn't sing, but I got by somehow. Richard Rodgers was always keeping them from firing me."

Nonetheless, it was in musicals where she got her start. She landed a chorus job in Broadway's Sing Out the News in 1938. That job led to the musicals Very Warm for May (1939) and Higher and Higher (1940). She understudied Betty Hutton in 1940's Panama Hattie, a job which led to her big break. When Hutton contracted the measles, Ms. Allyson went on. Producer-director George Abbott caught one of her performances and cast her in his next project, Best Foot Forward. When that musical was bought by MGM, Ms. Allyson went with it to Hollywood.

Prior to Mr. Abbott's arrival, however, the young actress already knew how to get attention. Actress Betsy Blair, who was also in the Panama Hattie chorus, wrote in her biography that Ms. Allyson would sometimes contrive to trip and fall while dancing on stage. "She'd leap up in charming confusion and get a hand," Blair wrote. June Allyson returned to Broadway on only one occasion, for the 1968 comedy Forty Carats.

Once she outgrew her musical roles, Ms. Allyson was most frequently cast as an ideal wife, very often co-starring with James Stewart. Their films together include "The Stratton Story," "The Glenn Miller Story," and "Strategic Air Command." Other significant roles include a 1949 film version of "Little Women," in which she played Jo, and "The Shrike," where she was cast against type as Jose Ferrer's shrewish wife.

Her sunny screen persona notwithstanding, June Allyson was raised in near tragic circumstances. Born Ella Geisman on Oct. 7, 1917, in the Bronx, her father, a drunk, left before she turned one. At the age of eight, an accident left her in a back brace for four years. Treatments designed to bring her back to health plunged the family into further poverty, forcing them to move several times.

Ms. Allyson would later refer to MGM as her first real home. "MGM was my mother and father, mentor and guide, my all-powerful and benevolent crutch. When I left them, it was like walking into space."

She was married four times: to actor Dick Powell (1945 to 1963, his death); twice to Glen Maxwell, who was Powell's hairdresser (1963-65, 1966-70); and lastly to David Ashrow, who survived her, as does her daughter, Pamela Allyson Powell.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

An unusual sunset in Manhattan. Snip from NASA "astronomy pic of the day":

Today, if it is clear, Manhattan will flood dramatically with sunlight just as the Sun sets precisely on the centerline of every street.

Usually, the tall buildings that line the gridded streets of New York City's tallest borough will hide the setting Sun.

This effect makes Manhattan a type of modern Stonehenge, although only aligned to about 30 degrees east of north. Were Manhattan's road grid perfectly aligned to east and west, today's effect would occur on the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox, March 21 and September 21, the only two days that the Sun rises and sets due east and west.

If today's sunset is hidden by clouds do not despair -- the same thing happens every May 28 and July 12.

Link. Image: 2001, Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Oh, I wish I were 12 again...

CAMP BROADWAY is holding New York auditions on Saturday July 22nd and August 12th and looking for 600 performance-loving kids, ages 11-14, to perform an original opening number written by Michael Feinstein -- entitled "Give Me A Drum" -- live in the Opening Number of the 80th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The NEW YORK AUDITIONS will be held at Theatreworks/Chelsea Studios, New York, NY, 151 West 26th Street, between 6th and 7th Ave at 10:00am on Saturday July 22nd and August 12th.

Here are the details on the program and on how to audition for the Macy's Day Parade straight from the press release:

SEEKING 600 ACTORS, SINGERS & DANCERS TO BE IN PARADE OPENER, "GIVE ME A DRUM"

Opening number by Michael Feinstein
Choreographed by Tony Parise

CAMP BROADWAY, the award-winning theater arts education company, is auditioning and looking for 600 performance-loving kids, ages 11-14, to perform an original opening number -- entitled "Give Me A Drum" -- live in the Opening Number of the 80th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will be televised on NBC-TV on November 23 beginning at 9 a.m.

The New York auditions will be held at Theatreworks/Chelsea Studios, New York, NY, 151 West 26th Street, between 6th and 7th Ave at 10:00am on Saturday July 22nd and August 12th. Those auditioning in New York City need to bring 16 bars of a song to sing (an accompanist will be provided) and should bring a completed application (this can be downloaded from www.campbroadway.com), wear dance shoes and comfortable clothes and be ready to dance. The children will learn a combination by a Broadway choreographer. CAMP BROADWAY is also seeking approximately 100 experienced tap dancers. Children with more than two solid years of tap dance experience should bring tap shoes and may be asked to stay after the general audition and learn a tap routine.

CAMP BROADWAY has been selected to perform the parade's opening number, "Give Me A Drum", written by Michael Feinstein with lyrics by Bill Schermerhorn, Macy's Creative Director; which celebrates kids being in the Parade and the fantasy world of the 80th Anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The opening number will be choreographed by Tony Parise, Camp Broadway's Artistic Director and a veteran -- as performer and/or choreographer -- of many musicals. CAMP BROADWAY has created a special one-week program leading up to the parade performance, including a series of Broadway workshops, classes and rehearsals to prepare the kids for the nationally televised performance.

For 11 years, CAMP BROADWAY has offered theater-loving kids across America the opportunity to participate in exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in live theare. Working collaboratively with Broadway's most distinguished performers, writers and designers, CAMP BROADWAY has hosted more than 65,000 students at pre-theater workshops and special events. The company has provided tens of thousands of children the opportunity to work side-by-side with Broadway professionals at year-round performing arts programs. CAMP BROADWAY's participation in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the highlight of a busy year.

The CAMP BROADWAY "Give Me A Drum" program includes:

- All rehearsals and run-throughs
- Broadway dance workshop
- Herald Square camera blocking rehearsal
- Cast Party pizza party
- Parade Costume
- Costume fitting and make-up tips
- Professionally choreographed musical routine
- Nationally televised performance
- Commemorative CD recording of original song
- Commemorative t-shirt
- Commemorative Macy's Parade Pin
- Snacks and drinks

CAMP BROADWAY, recipient of the 2002 Standing Ovation Award from the Educational Theatre Association, is a theatre arts education and audience development company dedicated to helping educators, students and families to experience theatre in creative and meaningful ways. Programs are designed to serve the unique needs of both the education and theater industry by connecting professional artists with young audiences, ages 6-17, throughout the year.

Michael Feinstein, one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song, has been a household name since the success of his 1988 one-man Broadway show, ISN'T IT ROMANTIC. He enjoys an active performance calendar, including major concert halls, symphony orchestras, intimate jazz clubs and college campuses. More than a mere performer, he is nationally recognized for his commitment to the American popular song, both celebrating its art and preserving its legacy for the next generation.

Visit www.campbroadway.com for additional information or e-mail info@campbroadway.com or call 212-575-2929.

For more information on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, please visit or call the Macy's Parade Hotline at 212-494-4495.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

I guess I'm just a party animal...

Whew, what a weekend. We started off on Saturday with a 12:45pm show of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND at the Palmerston Library Theatre. We had a really good crowd, with lots of kids. What a thrill to see the kids get so involved with the show. One little girl said out loud for everyone to hear "He's the bad guy" as grizzled old Piperson walked out. And when Pigling said "look at that farm over there" in the direction of the back of the theatre, all the kids heads turned to look for thismysterious farm! What fun!

Then off to the Fringe Club tent where we checked our stock of postcards and of course, had a beer in the Fringe tent (the kids had a coke of course...). Then, it was off to the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace to see "WELCOME TO EDEN, POPULATION 2", with music by the wonderful Mark Selby! My husband Grad worked the lines masterfully convincing everybody to see THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND and take a postcard! Props to Grad!

Then, it was dinner at the Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar where we actually got a table right away! It's actually a fun place to take kids cuz they always have French fries on the menu!

We got an early start on Sunday because we had to get to the Performing Arts Stage at Dundas Square at 11am for the Celebrate Toronto Street Festival! No rain, but about 150 degrees in the shade! W00h00! The cast arrived in costume at 11:45am (pretty brave I must say to walk through the Eaton Centre dressed as a pig...) and we did a sound check at noon. We even got buzzed by three F-18 fighter jets who were (I hope) flying in an air show!

Then at 12:30pm the party started with FLAMENCO CONFUSION, a really cool Spanish guitar with flamenco and hip hop dancing. Then came THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF, and finally THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND. The whole gang did "We're Pigs" and then Daniel soloed on "Little Patch of Potatoes". Of course Grad and I were pounding the pavement accosting people with postcards!

Then off to see GIANT KILLER SHARKS THE MUSICAL at 3:30pm and work the lines. What a hilarious musical! Perfect Fringe Fare!

Then back to the Fringe Club tent to re-stock our cards, and of course, have a beer in the Fringe tent! It really is fun to hang out there and talk to other fringers.

Finally, we headed over to the Palmerston Library Theatre for our 6:15pm show of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND. Another great show!

Suntanned and bleery-eyed, we headed home for Sunday sushi!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Do you need a better reason to go to Kincardine?

Fresh off his four-star direction of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND at the Toronto Fringe Festival, director extraordinaire Marc Richard is heading north to direct MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA at the Bluewater Summer Playhouse! As all Blogway Babyreaders know, Marc Richard also directed the wildy successful run of PLANE CRAZY at Sheridan College in Februrary 2006.

From the Bluewater Summer Playhouse Web site:

MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA

Dates: July 27th to Aug 19th

It's "Coolsville", Hip, Cranked, Crazy, It's "My Way". Frank Sinatra's musical styling defined and inspired and entire generation of crooners. This review is not an imitation of the "Chairman of The Board", but a tribute to the essence of the man.

You'll be treated to an evening of amazing music, great voices and some of the most popular songs every written. Included are over 50 songs recorded by Ol' Blue Eyes including; "Fly Me to the Moon", "The Lady is a Tramp", "New York, New York", "That’s Life", "It Was A Very Good Year", "Witchcraft", "My Way" and many more! Great for the whole family!

Created by David Grapes & Todd Olson
Directed by Marc Richard
Featuring: Michele Doyle, Michael Lomenda, Rick Kish & Alison Woolridge

Ticket Information
Evening $22.00 / Matinee $20.00
Box office: 1-877-396-5722

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Give my regards to Broadway, Remember me to Dundas Square!

THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND was one of four Toronto Fringe shows asked to perform at the City of Toronto's Celebrate Toronto Street Festival on Sunday, July 9!

That's right -- on Sunday July 9 between 12:30pm and 1:00pm the cast of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND will be performing a short segment from the show on the Performing Arts Stage (located in the heart of the Festival, on Yonge St. just south of Dundas Square on the west side of the street). We promise to sing loud enough to drown out the Indy cars, and the World Cup parties. OK -- let's be realistic -- we'll drown out the Indy cars, but we may have a challenge with the Italian soccer fans.

Come on down -- it's free and promises to be a piggy good time!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Congratulations to Marc Richard, our fantastic director and the wonderful cast of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND which got Now Magazine's highest rating: "NNNN" from a review of yesterday's opening. And hey -- that was our FIRST SHOW -- it's only going to get better!

Here's the capsule review by Jon Kaplan:

THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND
Presented by: M Kitz Productions
Rating: NNNN
Venue: KidsVenue -- Palmerston Library Theatre

Reviewed by: Jon Kaplan

Adapted from a Beatrix Potter tale, this bright and entertaining kids' musical by Suzy Conn and Mitchell Kitz follows the adventures of a young pig sent to market. Marc Richard's sharp direction enlivens the production, as do the talents of a group of committed performers.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

This little Piggy is a hit at the Toronto Fringe Festival!

We had our Fringe debut yesterday afternoon at the Palmerston Library Theatre. How exciting! We had done our tech rehearsal about a week ago, and had done some re-writing over the course of the week, so I didn't know what to expect!

The cast and crew were like a well-oiled machine! By the time I got there with my youngest daughter everone had unloaded my husband's car and they were warming up, waiting to get into the theatre. My husband and oldest daughter were there with 100 beautifully designed and folded "PIGBILL" programmes (thank you Michael Karst!), ready to hand out.

Once the doors opened everything went like clockwork -- the backdrop was hung, the set pieces arranged on the spiked floor and everyone in make up and costume. The cast then came out into the audience in costume and chatted with the kids, warming up the crowd with piggy hijinks!

At exactly 3:45pm the house lights went down and the show began! Fortunately, the band (accordian, clarinet and baritone) had stand lights so they were able to read their music (always handy!).

What an amazing first show. Everybody hit their marks, props, notes, cues, quick changes, lighting and lines! And the magic that happens when everything pulls together with everybody together -- cast/crew/band/audience -- began. I like to sit at the back and watch the audience. The kids were mesmerized! What a great show (if I do say so myself!).

We have shows coming up this weekend, all next week, and next Saturday. Tickets are going fast -- we've sold out most of our pre-sells but there are still 50% of the tickets held for day-of-show sales so come and drop by!

Oink!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Boing Boing put up this nice post about the opening of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND. Thanks Cory!

Beatrix Potter musical opens at Toronto Fringe Fest today

My friend Suzy Conn is opening her new children's musical called THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND today at the Toronto Fringe Festival. It's based on the classic Beatrix Potter story of the same name, and it's a good example of why copyright needs to revert back to the public domain.

Beatrix Potter herself was able to make a great living off her books, and she provided for a number of charities after her death. However, now that the stories have reverted to the public domain, Suzy has been able to add her own art to the stories, and bring an entirely new dimension (music and choreography) to Beatrix Potter's original creation. Link (Thanks, Grad!)

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND opens TODAY at the Toronto Fringe Festival!!

We've been working hard to bring everyone a great show! It's a big cast (8) with full costumes, sets, and band. Everyone will be guaranteed to have a GREAT time.

Just in case you need the details -- here's a reminder of when we're playing and the ridiculously low ticket price. And remember, the Fringe only allows 50% of a show to be pre-sold, so if you don't have time to buy ahead -- show up!

BUY TICKETS
Toronto Fringe Tickets
Call: 416.967.1528

Children: $5
Grown-ups: $10

PERFORMANCES
Thursday, July 6 @ 3:45pm
Saturday, July 8 @ 12:45pm
Sunday, July 9 @ 6:15pm
Monday, July 10 @ 2:15pm
Tuesday, July 11 @ 4:15pm
Thursday, July 13 @ 5:30pm
Friday, July 14 @ 12:45pm
Saturday, July 15 @ 4:00pm

LOCATION
Palmerston Library Theatre

560 Palmerston Avenue (Near Bathurst and Bloor)
Google Map

Please note that the Fringe is REALLY strict on latecomers. Even if you're 10 seconds late, they won't let you in once the door is closed, which happens promptly at start time. They have to do this because so many shows share the same space, so they have to rigidly adhere to start and stop times.

The show is directed by Marc Richard, who also directed our PLANE CRAZY production at Sheridan College.

This show fulfills a long-held theory of mine, backed up by years of experimentation on my own children, that in our society, too often, we subject our young ones to mindlessly simplistic "hop and skips", when they are capable of understanding and enjoying more sophisticated fare.

And, the hard-rhyming convention of Broadway is a wonderful tool for teaching language skills.

See you there! Oink, oink...

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

OK, today's the big day -- the opening of the 2006 Toronto Fringe Festival!

I'm so excited to be participating in my first FRINGE, and I can't wait to see THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND up on stage. It's going to be a ton of fun.

We've got some fun PR events lined up this week -- tomorrow we're going down to the CBC to record a "Fringe Flash" which is a 60-second promo for the show. We've got a 44-second duet between Pigling Bland and Pigwig that will be just perfect!

On Sunday, July 9 we'll be performing at the "Celebrate Toronto Street Festival" down at Dundas Square. We'll be performing at 12:30, with our flak jackets on...

If you need any instructions on how to see the show or how to buy tickets, visit the PIGLING Web site, or drop me a Comment.

Please note that the Fringe is REALLY strict on latecomers. Even if you're 10 seconds late, they won't let you in once the door is closed, which happens promptly at start time. They have to do this because so many shows share the same space, so they have to rigidly adhere to start and stop times.

All performances are at the Palmerston Library Theatre 560 Palmerston Avenue (Near Bathurst and Bloor).

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Hey, today is the 60th birthday of the bikini. According to legend, the bikini is named after the famous site of atomic and hydrogen bomb tests -- which is sort of how we named our daughter Trinity, who is named after the site of the first atomic bomb test, near Los Alamos.

From Answers.com:

The bikini made its debut on this date in 1946. An engineer named Louis Reard named his two-piece women's bathing suit after the Bikini Atoll, the place in the Marshall Islands where four days earlier the US had begun a series of atomic and hydrogen bomb tests, with the hopes that his bikini would "explode" upon the world. It took several years before women began to be brave enough to don the suits; the trend really caught on with the 1960 Brian Hyland song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." Reard once said of his creation, "A bikini is not a bikini unless it can be pulled through a wedding ring."

Quote: "Women shop for a bikini with more care than they do a husband. The rules are the same. Look for something you'll feel comfortable wearing. Allow for room to grow." -- Erma Bombeck

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

On July 4, 1776, 230 years ago today, the Second Continental Congress adopted its Declaration of Independence from Britain. With that, the United States of America was born.

Some fun July 4 facts from Answers.com:

US President Calvin Coolidge was born on this date in 1872, and three presidents died on this date: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, in 1826, and James Monroe, in 1831.

The Statue of Liberty was presented to the US in Paris on this date in 1884 and Katherine Lee Bates published "America the Beautiful" on July 4, 1895.

And on this date in 1960 America's current fifty-state flag was first waved, as Hawaii had achieved statehood the previous summer.

Quote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -- Declaration of Independence

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

Here's another great post from Boing Boing, with classic Disneyland photos from the '60s to the '80s...

My first Disney experience was a trip to Disney World in the late '80s, and ever since I've been hooked!

My husband and I have a paving stone with our names on it on the "Walk Around Lagoon" path outside the main gates of the Magic Kingdom.

I loved all the times we went to Disney World, mostly before we had children, because it was such a wonderful place to walk, to talk, to dream, and to ignore the rest of the world. I can't wait until we can start going back...

Isaac sez, "This Flickr user has posted some vintage Disneyland pix from her parent's honeymoon! many of the photos show their edges, and have wonderful comments like "Matterhorn -- late afternoon" (does the tme of day really change the look of a papier-mache mountain?)."

See also this collection of Disneyland Postcards. Link

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

I don't remember the '80s being this much fun...

Okay, I've gotten down off my high horse. Permanently. Every time I make a snobbish pronouncement such as "movie stars aren't good enough for Broadway" or "jukebox musicals aren't real musicals" or "the trend of making musicals out of movies is silly" I end up eating my words -- first Hugh Jackman (2004 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical; 2004 Theatre World Award; 2004 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical), then JERSEY BOYS and now THE WEDDING SINGER.

Mind you, I haven't seen THE WEDDING SINGER yet, but I've been listening to the cast recording non-stop (partly because both my daughters have fallen in love with it!) and I have to admit it -- I love it! It's just so much darn fun! It's totally pastiche (don't you just love throwing that word around?) '80s fare, but pumped up for Broadway, just like the JERSEY BOYS score (when I hear the original "Rag Doll" or "Oh What A Night" on the radio they feel like ballads (well almost)!

With music by Mathew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, THE WEDDING SINGER stars Stephen Lynch in the Adam Sandler role of Robbie Hart, and Laura Benanti in the Drew Barrymore role of Julia Sullivan.

The songs are super catchy, and make me want to get up and dance. I thought they did an excellent job at the Tonys performing "It's Your Wedding Day" -- that song totally rocks (Oh. My. God. I've started using the word "totally" again!).

All the arrangements are reminiscent of '80s artists, but since I wasn't always into '80s music, I don't recall which artists exactly, but it is very familiar. I'll hear strains of Madonna, Billy Joel, songs from FAME and others that I can't always put my finger on (Boz Scaggs? Hall and Oates? Huey Lewis? Spandau Ballet? Boy George? Whatever...) but hearing that stuff again, I can't help but smile. I'm so easy...but not cheap!

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that they kept two of the songs from the movie, (written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy) -- "Somebody Kill Me", and "Grow Old With You". Stephen Lynch does a hilarious rendition of "Somebody Kill Me"!

My favorite, totally awesome songs are "Come Out Of The Dumpster", "It's Your Wedding Day", "Single" (love the groove on that one!), "Pop!" and "Casualty of Love".

I'm seeing the show in a couple of weeks and I can't wait! But I am going to take earplugs just in case the music "is just too darn loud"!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment

This post from Boing Boing details the absolute treasure trove of backdrops available at the CBC.

We'll be there on Thursday recording a promo for THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND -- maybe we should try to find a farm backdrop while we're there!

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has a great selection of "scenic backdrops" you can rent for your next low-budg film-shoot: these include street-scenes and nature bits from all around Toronto (and elsewhere) printed at very high resolution on banners big enough to drape behind your marionettes, porn shoot, or conspiracy video. Link (via Inside the CBC, an excellent new CBC blog)

Update: Lisa sez, "I belive that many of these images which you describe as being printed are actually hand painted. Certainly the ones in the 'theater' area of this website would seem to be.

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment