I finally got to see HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD AND FIND TRUE LOVE IN 90 MINUTES and I loved it! Produced by Lawrence Anderson and The Singing Comedians, directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, with book and lyrics by Jonathan Karp and music by Seth Weinstein (he also music directed), this show is the most fun I've had Off-Broadway in a long, long time.

I sat in front row center in Theatre 5 at New World Stages so I was "up close and personal" with the cast on stage! And what a cast. The one and only fabulous Hollie Howard appeared as Violet Zipper, the sexy diplomat in love with a terrorist (yes, she has issues!). She is absolutely amazing with a killer voice and body -- and boy can that woman dance! She is mesmerizing to watch, and wow, is she ever flexible!

Anika Larsen was fabulous as Julie Lemmon the yoga-loving love interest, and Michael McEachran was hilarious playing both Miles Muldoon, the hero, and "He", the terrorist! Natalie Joy Johnson, Kevin Smith Kirkwood and Stephen Bienskie made up the hardest working Greek chorus in showbiz! Stephen Bienskie looked very familiar to me -- then I remembered, I saw him as Mr. Fitzpatrick in TOM JONES at NYMF 2005 (he was awesome). The whole cast was totally high energy and looked like they were having a ball. The music was really great and I hear they are recording a cast album in January so I'm definitely going to buy it.

I've never seen a show that takes place at the United Nations -- what a great idea! My husband and I laughed all the way through, especially at the end when Miles is battling "He"! It reminded me a bit like something I might see in a Carol Burnett Show skit, so no wonder I loved it. Too bad it's closing tonight, but like I said, you'll be able to buy the cast album!

BTW: Who are Lawrence Anderson and The Singing Comedians?

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And I am telling you I'm seeing it again and again!

Wow. What a movie! I took the family to see DREAMGIRLS yesterday (we tried on Boxing Day, but it was sold out). What a blast. I had purchased the original Broadway cast recording of DREAMGIRLS (produced by David Foster, it won a 1982 Grammy!) about a month ago, so I've been groovin' to the tunes for a while.

For some reason DREAMGIRLS had never really been on my radar. I had heard of it obviously, but was never really that familiar with it. Since the movie has been out I've been reading about the musical (originally directed and choreographed for the stage by none other than Michael Bennett) which opened exactly 25 years ago in 1981 (hey, what did I know, I was still in high school...). Bill Condon, who wrote the screenplay for the movie version of CHICAGO, was in the audience on opening night.

In an article in the January 2007 issue of Vanity Fair magazine, Bill Condon says Michael Bennett was:

...like George Lucas coming along. It was the return to an embrace of showbiz, in a more loving and innocent and naive way, but with incredibly brilliant savvy and a modern sensibility. That moment in Star Wars when they go into hyperspace? That's what seeing Bennett shows was like. DREAMGIRLS was one of the major stagings of that era. It was completely abstract. It was just a bunch of lighting towers that moved around to create different settings. Like a movie. It was always described as cinematic staging.

Finally, someone (other than my husband and myself) who likes Star Wars and musicals!

DREAMGIRLS, the movie, stars Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (she won Best Featured actress in a musical for CAROLINE, OR CHANGE), Danny Glover, and newcomer and American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson. I have to say Eddie Murphy does an amazing job and he was a unanimous favorite amongst the Conn family. Everyone is fabulous (I wish I could have hear Anika Noni Rose sing more!) and I thought they made a great ensemble.

Although most of the songs are performed as performances (on stage or in a recording studio) there are moments of people just singing their feelings/actions to one another like they do in a stage musical, with no apparent attempt to hide that they are, in fact, doing just that. I really liked that a lot. But then again, I've never had a problem with people bursting into song, since I tend to do that myself...

And of course I absolutely loved the sets and costumes as they moved from the sixties into the seventies. During the scene where they are pitching the song "Patience" to Curtis, both my husband and I pointed to the screen and said (quietly of course), "ooh, nice lamp". Curtis might have been a meanie, but he had great taste.

I have a confession to make -- I preferred the disco version of "One Night Only"! I can't help it, I like disco!

There, I said it.

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OK -- I need a break!

I'll be on "holiday" until December 30th -- just in time to ring in the new year!

During this holiday I'll be doing a reading for PLANE CRAZY, preparing for NAMT 2007, and doing the Christmas thang with the family.

The "Christmas thang" should include lots of movies and DVDs -- including the much-anticipated DREAMGIRLS and Volume One of DONNY AND MARIE.

I hope that y'all have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday!

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I saw the new animated/live action movie Happy Feet last night (not to be confused with Steve Martin's "happy feet") and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Actually, I wanted to see it ever since I found out Hugh Jackman was voicing one of the characters! He plays Memphis, Mumble the Penguin's father. True to his name, Memphis has a southern, Elvis-like drawl and sings like the King! Nicole Kidman plays his wife Norma Jean, and hence sings with a Marilyn Monroe-like voice.

Of course, Mumble can't sing (no reflection on Elijah Wood who voices him, I trust) a note but can only tap dance. Who knew it would be so much fun watching a computer animated penguin tap dance! Of course when the dancing is choreographed by the great Savion Glover (I loved him in BRING IN 'DA NOISE, BRING IN 'DA FUNK) who wouldn't love it! Apparently, using motion-capture techniques, the animators filmed Savion Glover's steps and then penguin-ized them. Very cool.

Robin Williams appears both as the Barry White-like Lovelace and also as one of Mumble's sidekicks, Ramon, and is in top "Genie" improvisational form -- very funny. I laughed all through the movie and left the theatre tap dancing (along with my two daughters, of course). There is lots of cool singing and dancing in the film, and I particularly liked the use of real humans instead of computer-animated humans.

Anybody for a flap-ball-change?

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Well, okay, maybe not the world, but four musicians rule in the US Congress...

In the 2006 American Congressional election four American Federation of Musicians (AFM) members were elected to Congress, according to an article in the December 2006 edition of "International Musician".

In New York's 19th Congressional District (the fightin' 19th!) Democrat John Hall of Local 802 won. I saw John Hall twice on The Colbert Report and John, formerly of the band "Orleans", sang "Dance With Me" and the US national anthem with Stephen Colbert. Anyone who can sing harmony must be good for promoting world harmony, no?

In New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District (the fightin' 2nd!) Democrat Paula Hodes of Local 374 won.

In Minnesota's 7th District (the fightin' 7th!) incumbent Democrat Collin C. Peterson of Local 382 won.

And incumbent Hawaiian Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka of Local 677 won.

Hey, maybe they should start a band! Perhaps they could do covers of some School House Rock classics like "I'm Just a Bill"

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Starting December 18, Hollie Howard (who played Holly Banks in PLANE CRAZY at NYMF 2005) takes over the role of Violet Zipper in HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD AND FIND TRUE LOVE IN 90 MINUTES at New World Stages.

"Hollie Howard...mixing the madcap exhibitionism of Lucy Ricardo with the uncorked sexuality of Goldie Hawn." -- The New York Times

Christopher Gattelli -- of ALTAR BOYZ fame -- directed and choreographed HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD, which features Michael McEachran, Anika Larsen, Hollie Howard, Stephen Bienskie, Natalie Joy Johnson and Kevin Smith Kirkwood.

With book and lyrics by Jonathan Karp and music by Seth Weinstein, HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD, according to press notes, is set at the United Nations and concerns the "a cowardly bookshop clerk, a sexy diplomat (Violet) and an idealistic slacker [who] confront their deepest fears when an office romance leads to international crisis."

The creative team for the musical comprises Beowulf Boritt (set design), David Murin (costume design), Jeff Croiter (lighting design) and Peter Hylenski (sound design).

HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD AND FIND TRUE LOVE IN 90 MINUTES Tickets, priced $25-$75, are available by calling (212) 239-6200. New World Stages is located at 340 West 50th Street.

For more information visit www.HowToSaveTheWorldAndFindTrueLove.com.

Show schedule:

Monday, Dec 18: 8pm
Tuesday, Dec 19: 8pm
Wednesday, Dec 20: OFF
Thursday, Dec 21: 8pm
Friday, Dec 22: 8pm
Saturday, Dec 23: 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, Dec 24: OFF
Monday, Dec 25: OFF
Tuesday, Dec 26: OFF
Wednesday, Dec 27: 2pm & 8pm
Thursday, Dec 28: 8pm
Friday, Dec 29: 8pm
Saturday, Dec 30: 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, Dec 31: 3pm & 7pm (final show)

I'm seeing the show on December 21 and I can't wait! There's still time to see the amazing Hollie Howard in this great show so go out and buy your tickets today!

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It's that time of year again!

It's been a tradition ever since my oldest was in Junior Kindergarten, to bring in a Christmas carol with new grade-specific lyrics reflecting what they studied in first term, to share with the class. I've done it for both girls each year, and this will be the first year that I'm only doing it for my youngest. My oldest daughter is now in grade 7, so alas, I fear it isn't cool anymore! Here is what I wrote for my youngest, in grade 4. I can honestly say it's the first time I've rhymed "Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic" in song before:

The ACLU sent out a very funny holiday great to all of us red-blooded card-carrying ACLU members. Enjoy!

An Overdue Visit

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the nation
Friends of Freedom knew it was a special occasion.
Lady Liberty stood taller just off the shore
Her torch shining brighter than a few weeks before

But it wasn't the flame turning her cheeks all rosy
It was thoughts of Snowe, Feingold and Nancy Pelosi
And leaders from every side of the aisle
Who would soon bring the Bill of Rights back into style.

The Amendments had all hurried out of their beds -
Which was no easy task, they were nearly in shreds -
And they rushed to the window on papery feet
As a jolly old man flew right over their street.

"Could it be!?" they inquired as the roof shook and trembled
And they crept toward the mantle, peaceably assembled,
Just as someone emerged from the chimney with flair
In a shiny red suit, with a shock of white hair

And a top hat, and pants all in red, white and blue -
"Wait a minute," the Amendments exclaimed, "Who are you?"
"Don't be frightened my children," he said, "it's no scam.
"You can't have forgotten your old Uncle Sam!"

"Holy crap!" said Free Speech. "Stop right there!" yelled Bear Arms
And Privacy cried "Who shut off the alarms?!"
The Fifth remained silent, but Uncle Sam said
"We've been having some trouble, but Freedom's not dead."

The Amendments were cautious. "It's just been so long
"We've seen Liberty lost, we've seen so much go wrong.
"The President's trying to mangle and warp us,
"The Fourth is in tatters, so's Habeas Corpus!"

The old man sat down - he had had quite a ride -
But he told them "Don't worry, the Law's on our side,
"'Cause the nation's fed up and more people are crying
"For Justice and an end to illegal spying,

"And secret abductions by the CIA,
"And laws that would take women's choices away,
"And Gitmo tribunals and secret detention,
"And other intrusions too numerous to mention - "

"Not so fast," said a grinchity voice from above
And Don Rumsfeld pushed past the Fourteenth with a shove.
He was covered in soot and he looked kind of scary.
It seemed like his Christmas had not been so merry.

The Amendments said they weren't happy to see him:
"You tried to throw all of us in the museum!
"You've done so much the Constitution forbids!"
"And I would have gone on, but for you meddling kids!"

Uncle Sam told him "Rummy, your plans just won't do,
"So we've got a brand new timetable for you!"
And as Rumsfeld retired and crept into the night
The Amendments cried out "Have a good secret flight!"

From the distance they heard him reply with a snort.
"Bye-bye, Rummy!" they answered, "we'll see you in court!"
Uncle Sam rode the chimney up out of the room
And, like Frosty, he said "I'll be back again soon."

But they heard him exclaim "Oh, and just one more thing!
"This year, when the holiday bells start to ring,
"Try to honor religion. Honest faith can't be wrong.
"It's America, can't we all just get along?

"So, on Christian," he cried, "Muslim, Hindu, and Jew!
"On Quaker! On Shaker! And Atheist too!
"On Buddhist! On Taoist! And to show we're not chickens
"We'll file a few lawsuits defending the Wiccans!

"Your belief is your right, so get out there and savor it.
"Uncle Sam's not a preacher, and he doesn't play favorites!"
So this holiday season, whatever you do,
Warmest wishes for Freedom, from the ACLU.

To get involved and stay informed, join the ACLU today!

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Oh What a Night! (I promise that's the last time I use a JERSEY BOYS reference in a subhead...)

I guess I'm going to have a Blue Christmas since I can't see Daniel Reichard's Black and White Christmas. I can't believe I'm going to miss this concert by two days! I grew up watching those "great old black-and-white television specials". Actually everything I watched was in black and white because we didn't own a color TV until I left for university! If you're in town go and see it -- Daniel is fabulous in concert.

From this article on Playbill:

Daniel Reichard, who co-stars in the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys, will present Christmas in Black and White Dec. 18 at the Metropolitan Room.

Reichard's latest concert, described as "a throwback to those great old black-and-white television specials," will feature a mix of standards and holiday tunes from the forties, fifties and sixties. The singing actor will be backed by a chamber band, and the 10 PM evening will also feature several surprise guests.

About his upcoming show, Reichard writes on his myspace profile, "It's going to be a fun night of standards and beautiful holiday music. This is a bit of a change from my normal rock 'n' roll stuff. It's going to be a black and white evening -- from the clothes on everyone's backs to the period of television the songs come from."

Daniel Reichard plays Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys, a role he created at the La Jolla Playhouse. The actor made his New York debut in Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Celebration and then played Keith Haring in the Public Theater's Radiant Baby. He appeared Off-Broadway in The Thing About Men, and his regional credits include productions of Brigadoon and Blood Drive.

The Metropolitan Room is located in Manhattan at 34 West 22nd Street. There is a $20 cover charge and a two-drink minimum; call (212) 206-0440 for reservations.

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Barry Ivan, the director/choreographer who did such a great job on HAIRSPRAY at North Shore Music Theatre this past fall was featured in The New York Times on Sunday. Not in the Arts & Leisure section, but in the N.Y./Region section -- the article talks about the phenomenon of hiring professionals to decorate your house for the holidays.

From the article "When A Hired Hand Does the Holiday Trimming" in the Sunday December 3, 2006 edition of The New York Times:

For Mr. Fancher, the pleasure comes in creating unusual displays, as he is this year for Barry Ivan, a theater director and choreographer whose most recent production was "Hairspray" at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, Mass. For Mr. Ivan's vintage country home in Brookfield, Conn., Mr. Fancher will use the theme of bringing the outside in and the inside out. For example, trees just outside the house will be lighted so they are visibly incorporated into the decorating inside.

"Friends have come to expect something rather theatrical when they come to visit me at the holiday," Mr. Ivan said. "I'm used to working with sets, lights, costumes and hair designers, and I began to work with him that way. We got into this mode of collaboration."

Mr. Fancher said: "It's neat working with him. I almost feel like we're choreographing the house."

That sounds really cool!

Let's do the whole combination facing away from the evergreen!

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There's no place like the City Playhouse!

I went to see the City Youth Players production of THE WIZ at the City Playhouse. Actually, I have to admit that since my daughter Myrna was in it, I saw it four times! I'd never seen the show before, only the deeply flawed movie starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Of course I was familiar with "Ease On Down The Road" but there were a bunch of songs I knew, but didn't know they came from this show ("Can You Feel A Brand New Day" and "No Bad News", for example).

What a cool show! THE WIZ ran for over 1,600 performances on Broadway in 1975, and won seven Tony awards, including Best Musical. I remember seeing a lot of Stephanie Mills on TV back then (she played Dorothy on Broadway). Obviously, the score is very '70s, which I love and has some great background vocal arrangements sung by a trio of lovely ladies. I also loved the use of dancers to portray the Yellow Brick Road and the Poppies and the Tornado! That's the magic of theatre for ya! When I went with my younger daughter's grade four class, the Tornado Ballet was a real favorite with the kids. This just reinforces my belief that kids should go to live theatre more often.

As usual, the music and vocal performances of this group were outstanding. But it was the scope of the production that blew me away. The intricate dance numbers, the special effects used for the wizard, the original use of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" number for the Kalidah Battle, complete with blacklight! Congrats to cast and crew and Megan, Wayne and Sid!

Of course I can't wait to see what they do with HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL which will play at the City Playhouse March 1 - 4. Get your tickets now -- they're selling out fast!

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Here they go again! My, my how can I resist it?

I just heard on the radio today about the impending movie musical version of MAMMA MIA! The following article came out in April, so I'm a tad behind the times:

Mamma Mia! First the musical, now a movie
Independent, The (London), Apr 20, 2006
by Louise Jury Arts Correspondent

When Abba fan Judy Craymer persuaded Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus to let her turn their back catalogue into the musical Mamma Mia!, no one predicted it would become a multi-million-pound international hit.

And now the blockbuster show is set to win an even wider audience on the big screen, after it caught the imagination of the actor Tom Hanks and his production business partner Gary Goetzman. Their company, Playtone, has signed a deal with Craymer and the Abba songwriters for a film version, scheduled for release late next year.

Catherine Johnson, who was an impoverished single mother when she wrote the original script, is to produce the screenplay, which will stick closely to the stage plot, Variety magazine reported yesterday.

The show tells the story of a young woman who, on the eve of her wedding, invites three men from her mother's past, any one of whom could be the father she has never known, back to the Greek island where she has been brought up. In a riotously entertaining evening, a couple of dozen Abba hits including "Dancing Queen" and "Take a Chance on Me" propel the narrative along.

Tom Hanks! Go figure! I'm betting Playtone will do a great job ("That Thing You Do" is one of my all-time favorite movies). And what is it with impoverished single mothers from England? First J.K. Rowling and now Catherine Johnson!

I was a humongous ABBA fan in high school, but didn't fall in love with the musical when I saw it in Toronto. The cast, including Louise Pitre, was great, but perhaps the ear-splitting volume dampened my enthusiasm. Maybe I just missed hearing ABBA sing their hits. Who knows? But I’m willing to give the movie version a chance to win me over...as long as they don't cast Uma Thurman as Donna!

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