Bop Bop Bop, Bop to the top!

Hold onto your basketballs and grab your pom poms -- City Youth Players is presenting Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL at the Vaughn City Playhouse! Opening night is tonight -- Wednesday February 28 at 7:30pm.

Yes, the wonderful group who brought you HONK!, FOOTLOOSE, ANNIE WARBUCKS, A CHORUS LINE and THE WIZ are breaking all ticket sales records at the City Playhouse with the premiere of Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!

The writers did a great job adapting the movie for a stage production. It's a great ensemble piece with lots of singing, dancing, four-part harmony, and yes, even a basketball number! And my eldest, Myrna, is playing Kelsi Neilson, the "sawed off Sondheim" who pens the musical everyone wants to be in!

They are almost completely sold out but there might be a few single seats here and there so it's worth calling the box office at 905-882-SHOW (905-882-7469).

Here is the show schedule:
Wed Feb 28 @ 7:30pm
Thursday March 1 @ 7:30pm
Friday march 2 @ 7:30pm
Saturday March 3 @ 1pm and 7:30pm
Sunday March 4 @ 1pm and 4pm

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One step forward and two steps back!

Okay, I'm thrilled that Jennifer Hudson won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress (one step forward) but terribly disappointed that Eddie Murphy didn't win for his portrayal of James Thunder Early and none of the nominated DREAMGIRLS songs won (two steps back!).

Eddie Murphy's performance is my favorite in the whole movie!

I saw Little Miss Sunshine and loved it and loved Alan Arkin in it, but I really thought Eddie deserved the Oscar -- and apparently so did he, if leaving the ceremony right after he lost is any indication.

No offense, but I thought Melissa's Etheridge's song, "I Need To Wake Up", although passionately performed, was nowhere near as deserving of the Oscar as say, "Patience" (my favorite) or "Listen" or even "Love You I Do" from DREAMGIRLS!

Harrumph!

According to this article in Playbill:

She may have lost the "American Idol" competition, but Jennifer Hudson is now an Academy Award-winning actress. The celebrated singer won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar during the 79th Annual Academy Awards, which are currently being televised live from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

Hudson won the Academy Award for her performance as Effie White in the film "Dreamgirls," based on the Broadway musical of the same name. Hudson had previously won a host of awards for her work in the Bill Condon-directed film, including the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe Award. In one of the most emotional speeches of the night, Hudson thanked her late grandmother, who "was my biggest inspiration for everything because she was a singer and she had the passion for it, but she never had the chance, and that was the thing that pushed me forward to continue." In addition to her family, the cast and director of "Dreamgirls," Hudson also acknowledged Jennifer Holliday, who originated the role of Effie on Broadway.

Eddie Murphy, one of Hudson's "Dreamgirls" co-stars, had also been a favorite to win the Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar for his performance as the ill-fated James "Thunder" Early. The award, however, went to stage and screen star Alan Arkin -- a Tony winner for his performance in 1963’s Enter Laughing -- for his work as an unconventional grandfather in "Little Miss Sunshine."

"Dreamgirls," which received eight nominations -- the most of any film of the season -- also picked up an award for Achievement in Sound Mixing (Michael Minkler, Bob Beemer and Willie Burton).

The evening also included a medley of the three new (and Academy Award-nominated) songs penned for "Dreamgirls": "Listen," "Love You I Do" and "Patience." The segment, directed by Bill Condon, was performed by Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose. The Best Song Oscar, however, went to Melissa Etheridge for "I Need to Wake Up" from the "An Inconvenient Truth."

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Hopefully Johnny Depp won't take it literally when Tim Burton yells "cut!"

Well the film has been cast and they've begun filming the movie musical of Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD. Fingers crossed that this movie lives up to the stage version. Of course as much as I love Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman, I'm really going to see it because Sacha Baron Cohen is playing Pirelli. I bust a gut laughing my way through his film BORAT so I'm curious to see what he does with a Sondheim lyric...naked wrestling anyone?

According to this article in Playbill:

The Sweeney Todd film, in which Tim Burton will direct Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, has begun filming in London, according to an official announcement.

The DreamWorks Studios/Warner Bros. film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical is penned by John Logan ("The Aviator," "Gladiator"). Work is underway at London's Pinewood Studios for the film, which is slated to be distributed domestically by Paramount for a late 2007 release and distributed internationally by Warner Bros.

"I've always wanted to do a musical and Sweeney Todd is my favorite," said Tim Burton in the release. "Stephen's blend of humor, horror and emotion is something that has always connected with me."

Sondheim joins the director in his enthusiasm. "Sometimes a story or stage production has to wait a long time until the right people come together to turn it into a motion picture. That's what has happened with Sweeney Todd and I'm excited as well as confident that it will be a first-rate and startling movie."

Sweeney Todd follows the story of a wrongfully imprisoned barber in Victorian England who sets out to seek revenge on the judge who imprisoned him. The stage work features a score by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler based on the play by Christopher Bond.

Burton returns to his familiar casting pool with Depp (the duo have previously teamed on "Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood," "Sleepy Hollow," "Corpse Bride" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") and Carter (seen in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Big Fish," "Planet of the Apes" and in voice on "Corpse Bride"). Depp takes on the title role with Carter as piemaker Mrs. Lovett.

The film will also feature Alan Rickman (Private Lives, the "Harry Potter" films) as Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall ("Harry Potter") as Beadle Bamford, Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat," "Talladega Nights") as Signor Adolfo Pirelli and Christopher Lee ("The Lord of the Rings") in the role of "the gentleman ghost."

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Yes, this is the same Colin Hanlon who did such a wonderful job singing on "Dancing on Air" on the new PLANE CRAZY demo! Congrats Colin!

According to this article in Playbill:

Colin Hanlon, who was seen Off-Broadway in I Love You Because, will return to the George Street Playhouse this spring.

Playbill.com has learned that Hanlon will play Whizzer in the New Jersey's theatre company's production of the award-winning William Finn-James Lapine musical Falsettos. Hanlon recently played that role in a November 2006 performance of Falsettoland to benefit Miracle House.

The George Street production of Falsettos, which features March of the Falsettos (Act One) and Falsettoland (Act Two), will be directed by artistic director David Saint. Performances will begin April 10 and run through May 6.

Colin Hanlon has been seen on Broadway in Rent and Off-Broadway in I Love You Because and The Pirates of Penzance. He starred in the George Street productions of The Last Five Years and tick, tick . . . BOOM!, and he has also performed at Syracuse Stage and the Prince Music Theatre. Hanlon was also involved in the workshops of Wicked, Taboo and Fanny Hill.

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A friend of mine, the very talented singer Kelly Vohn, sent me this press release about some vocal workshops she is holding with Vegas artist/vocal coach Heather Kefala, across North America. They have formed a company called the "Vegas Vocal Con-X-Shun". The next one is on March 25 in New York city, so check it out!

Oh, and Kelly has great taste in songs -- she recorded seven of my songs (including the title track) on her album "Kelly Vohn: A New Beginning"!

From their press release:

Vegas native recording artist/vocal coach, Heather Kefalas, joins forces with Canadian recording artist/performance vocal coach, Kelly Vohnn, to form the vocal company called the "Vegas Vocal Con-X-Shun". They will conduct vocal workshops across the US and Canada encouraging performers to bring out their best vocal and performance capabilities. Heather and Kelly have teamed up with several well respected talents in the entertainment industry to bring forth the best learning tools to amateurs and professionals alike. Anthony Crivello, Tony Award winner who is currently performing as The Phantom in “The Phantom of The Opera” at the Venetian in Las Vegas, recently joined them for an introductory Musical Theater Workshop held at Cool Blue Talent.

Vegas snatched Anthony away from Broadway to play the lead role of The Phantom. (If you haven’t seen the Vegas production of The Phantom it is definitely a must see!!) The first day of the intense two-day workshop consisted of Anthony's acting expertise. He taught all who attended how to relax during an audition and how to focus on landing the part! He critiqued the participants individually and they were absolutely thrilled with the learning experience.

Heather Kefalas and Kelly Vohnn were joined the following day by Kimberly Kanitz, another very well respected Vegas local vocal coach and Jolie Rand a former Broadway performer to sit on a panel to critique as well as advise each participant on how to bring out their best performing abilities. Each lady also shared their individual experiences in the business and completely wowed the audience.

Next on the agenda for Kelly Vohnn and Heather Kefalas and their "Vegas Vocal Con-X-Shun" will be Aaron Lazar who is presently performing in the production “Les Miserable” on Broadway. This vocal workshop will be conducted in New York City at the Ripley Grier Studios on March 25, 2007. Aaron will be focusing on the theatrical component of the Musical Theater and performing. His successful background promises to bring exceptional tools to the table.

The dynamic-duo have conjured up several celebrities for future workshops locally and abroad. Watch for the "Vegas Vocal Con-X-Shun" to announce the date and location of their next vocal workshop.

For more information, please contact us at kellyvohnn.com, 702-635-2240, or kvohnn@hotmail.com.

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Okay, I'll admit it. I've been watching the reality show "Grease -- You're the One That I Want" every week, and even voting online (for Derek of course!). And it was fun watching Andrew Lloyd Webber's reactions when he heard his songs belted by the aspiring Sandys. But really, it's my kids who are hooked on the show. And after all, Desperate Housewives is on right after...

But I also have to admit that what I enjoy even more is reading Seth Rudetsky's recap every week on Playbill! It is laugh-out-loud funny!

Here are some excerpts from his Feb 21 article "Is GREASE the word?" on Playbill:

"The show opened with a group version of "Born to Hand Jive." Each Danny and Sandy got his or her own chance to shine, and it was fascinating watching them not only try to oversell their individual solos but also show their acting chops with phrases like "I could barely walk when I milked a cow" and "the be-bop stork was about to arrive, Mama gave birth to the Hand Jive." I haven't seen such subtextual work since the Tony Awards had actors read signature lines from 50 years of Best Plays, and Bea Arthur turned to camera one and said, with no lead in whatsoever, "Attention . . . attention must be paid!" I've heard of doing 16 bars, but never from a play."

"Even though this is a Broadway reality show, all the duets were pop songs. Bring on the show tunes! Where was "If Mama was Married?" "All For the Best?" "Loathing"?

"The contestants also turned standard solo songs into duets, aka Kevin and Kathleen singing Melissa Etheridge's "Something to Talk About." Afterwards Kathleen Marshall told Kathleen the contestant that she wanted to see "more of the girl, less of the woman," a note that was once, unfortunately, given to me."

Too funny. But I do have to point out a mistake in this article -- Canuck Shirley Eikhard wrote "Something to Talk About", and Bonnie Raitt sang the most well-known version of that song, I believe. I'm not sure what connection Melissa Etheridge has to do with that song.

I still can't wait to read next week's recap!

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In honor of the momentous thirteenth birthday of my eldest daughter, I've taken the liberty of re-writing the lyrics to the chorus of "Dreamgirls" from the musical DREAMGIRLS:

It's your birthday, Myrna, we'll make you happy
It's your birthday, Myrna, oh yes it's true
It's your birthday, yes it's your thirteenth birthday
And all we really wanna say is we love you--ou!
Myrna
Myrna is going to have cupcakes
Myrna
Myrna has got just what it takes
Myrna keep on dreaming your whole life through
Cuz Myrna you know we believe in you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY -- You're a rock star!

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There's a Broadway page on AOL CityGuide. They have a new DROWSY CHAPERONE sweepstakes going on as well pictures and reviews of the latest Broadway shows.

There's also a photo gallery, including a short piece on Bebe Neuwirth, one of my favorites, who is returning to Broadway in CHICAGO, but this time in the role of Roxie Hart. Ooh...I'd like to see that!!!

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The Theatre Sheridan "Bold Strokes" program that produced PLANE CRAZY last year, is presenting MARATHON OF HOPE February 15 to 24, 2007.

This is a new Canadian musical based on the story of Terry Fox, written by John Connolly, musical directed by Michael Mulrooney, and directed by Jim Betts.

Click here for tickets and information.

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Here's another photo taken at the tech rehearsal for DANCEBREAK (see my previous post).

Way to go guys!

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This sounds like a great evening. I've been to the Duplex and it's a really cool intimate space down on Christopher Street.

One of the singers appearing is Anna Bergman and she just finished singing the part of Faith on the latest PLANE CRAZY demo! So I know she's awesome and not to be missed! And of course Jenn is amazing! Wish I could be there to cheer them on!

According to this article in Playbill:

The third season of the acclaimed Monday Nights, New Voices series continues Feb. 19 at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre.

Jenn Gambatese, who stars in the new Disney musical Tarzan, hosts the evening, which features the talents of Matthew John Kacergis, Reymundo Santiago, Nicholas Rodriguez, Christy Morton, Anna Bergman and Alysha Umphress. Show time is 7 PM.

Jeff Blumenkrantz, who received a Tony nomination for his contributions to the score of Urban Cowboy, is the evening's guest composer and will accompany the singers on selections from his songbook. Barbara Anselmi is the musical director.

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I got an e-mail from Tanya Wills, the very talented singer who sang (and spoke!) on the latest PLANE CRAZY demo (see my previous post). Sounds like Tanya and the always fabulous Seth Weinstein have cooked up some musical merriment with NOT ANOTHER SHOWCASE, not to be missed:

Here is the e-mail I got:

Come see this and LAUGH!

Yes, S is still for Stupid, Showcase, and George Bush and now ... snow coverage on the news!

In case you don't know, Not Another Showcase is our sketch comedy which makes fun of the entire retarded world of "actor showcases". I've written two songs in the show. The rest of the music (the good stuff) is written by Seth Weinstein. Still offensive. Still makes fun of our Japanese music director -- don't we all?

Make your reservations now -- this WILL SELL OUT, as we have at every show! Only one more until we head to L.A.! RESERVATIONS -- 646-402-1953 or e-mail grandmasmoustache@gmail.com Make sure you mention my name.

Grandma's Moustache in association with Andrew Shaifer Presents:
Not Another Showcase
Tuesday, February 27 at 8:00pm
Wings Theatre
154 Christopher Street
New York, NY

Written/Directed by Andrew Shaifer
Music by Seth Weinstein & Tanya Wills (see -- we don't just drink together!)
Music Direction by Justin Hatchimonji (he's Japanese)

"Refreshments" afterward -- that means booze, cheese & crackers and cookies for free
Admission is $10
Industry tickets are complimentary of course.
RESERVATIONS: 646-402-1953 or grandmasmoustache@gmail.com

Featuring:
Kevin T. Collins (looks like Steve Buscemi)
Abdel Gonzalez (he's Puerto Rican)
Lesley Henderson (pretty one)
Michael Mattera (cute Italian boy)
Jane Montosi (cute Peter Pan girl)
Rebecca Pappa (she's the hot one)
Katherine Stults (pretty serious actress)
Adam Wagner* (funny pretty boy)
Tanya Wills* (need I say more?) (plays the guitar -- hottest woman in the world with six toes)

* Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association

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I received some photos taken at the tech rehearsal for DANCEBREAK (see my previous post). Boy I wish I had seen Stas's work that night. The number he did from ZORBA sounds very exciting:

According to Stas:

I had some incredible a dancers from Movin' Out, Chicago, Sweet Charity (both revivals), Fosse, and Dancin'. Dana Moore who is on the Fosse DVD, was great.

My ZORBA number sparked lots of interest and even revival interest. I reformed the number to make it a production number and changed the ending to be upbeat and exciting. With the musical director, Michael Rice, I took the dance music from the original and revival (both different), combined them, changed tempos, changed styling and even added a solo drum section.

Very cool!

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My friend and NAKED IN AMERICA -- THE MUSICAL co-writer Greg Silva is directing and music directing an upcoming Grove Players production of PROMISES, PROMISES (Wikipedia and Amazon). They are looking for people to audition for this, so if you live in the Chicago area, read on:

Hello,

I’m directing and music directing a production of “Promises, Promises”, a swinging '60s musical by Burt Bacharach and Neil Simon.

I would love for you to audition or send someone you know who wants to sing, dance and act.

Auditions are Feb. 25th (Sun.) and Feb. 26th (Mon.), with possible call-backs on Mar. 1st (Thu.). Performances run from end of April-early May. Please click on this link for details.

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Well, I just had one of my most interesting nights of theatre, ever.

Last night was the official opening night for BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at the fabulous 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA.

I always love going to the 5th, and this is my third show there in the last four months -- previous productions of COMPANY AND WHITE CHRISTMAS were consistently excellent and wonderfully produced.

BUDDY features local Seattle musicians (Billy Joe Huels (Buddy) of The Dusty 45s and Matt Weiner & Mike Daugherty (The Crickets) of Casey MacGill's Blue 4 Trio.

5th Avenue describes the show as:

Northwest premiere! This smash hit musical charts the meteoric rise of the legendary Buddy Holly, from his country roots in Lubbock, Texas, to his groundbreaking debut at Harlem's Apollo Theatre and, finally, to the fateful concert with Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba") and the Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace") in Clear Lake, Iowa. With over 20 sensational hits -- including "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be The Day," and "Maybe Baby," Buddy proves the music never died. Packed with raw energy and an infectious beat, this rollicking tribute to one of the giants of popular music is sheer unadulterated fun. No wonder Buddy is called the "World's Most Successful Rock 'n' Roll Musical!"

Opening night festivities included before show, intermission, and after-show parties in the fabulous 5th Avenue members lounge. All the waiters were dressed '50s-diner style, with white aprons and little paper hats. The h'orderves including little mini-burgers, mini grilled cheese, and little tiny corn dogs. Fun!

The show was great -- the musicianship was excellent, and the numbers really rocked. I went with my Mom, and it was fun to see the show with someone who had been there when these songs were playing on the radio for the first time.

But the end of the show was magical. During the standing ovation for Billy Joe Huels (Buddy), he stepped to the mic and said, "I'd like to introduce Maria Elena Holly (who is, of course, the widow of Buddy Holly and a central character in the show, beautifully played by the gorgeous Jennifer Paz). Anyway, Maria Elena Holly came onto the stage, and then proceeded to boogie her way through a rocking overture of "That'll Be the Day", featuring the whole cast.

That was certainly something special. They writers of the show -- Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson -- were also on hand. The 5th made a real night of the opening -- all I can say is "Oh Boy"!

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Theatre Building Chicago does it again...

Friends of mine, and fellow alumni of the Theatre Building Chicago Musical Theatre Writers Workshop, Myrna Petlicki (Lyrics), Craig Wilson (Music) and Luther Goins (Book) have a new musical opening at TBC in March! This is so cool. They wrote it during the second year of the workshop so I got to see it progress, as they presented bits and pieces of it in our workshop. I even sang one of the songs in one of the presentations. I can't wait to see how it all came together. Congrats guys!

From the press release I got:

Theatre Building Chicago celebrates its 30th Anniversary season with BLACK, WHITE AND GRAY -- a world premiere new musical, opening March 19, 2007

Previews: March 16 to 18
Opens: March 19
Closes: April 22

With a sharp comedic honesty and a pop musical score, BLACK, WHITE AND GRAY dares to suggest black and white Americans have more in common than either will admit. The day-to-day struggles and concerns we experience are less about color and all about being human. Taking place both on heaven & earth, the story is grounded in the reality of today's urban truth. BLACK, WHITE AND GRAY is a dramatic musical with comedic highlights and a catchy musical score. Authors Petlicki and Wilson are members of Theatre Building Chicago’s Musical Theatre Writers Workshop.

For tickets call the Theatre Building Chicago box office at (773) 327-5252, or go to Ticketmaster.com.

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NSMT is a really special place. I've seen SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and HAIRSPRAY there and it is definitely a not-to-be-missed experience. Best wishes to Jon Kimbell, and congrats to John La Rock who has been named producer. I wonder who will be the new Artistic Director? In the meantime, one thing is for sure -- I'm sure we'll be able to hear the screaming throngs descend on NSMT for the July 2007 production of Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, directed by Barry Ivan!

According to this article in Playbill:

Jon Kimbell is stepping down after 25 years as artistic director and executive producer at North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts.

Kimbell will assume the title of artistic director emeritus beginning with the 2008 season, and will focus on the development of new works.

John La Rock, the associate producer at NSMT, has been named producer. He will serve alongside the new artistic director, and will oversee the day-to-day programming and production duties. La Rock has been associate producer at NSMT since 1998.

NSMT is now beginning a search for a new artistic director, and is looking to complete the search by this summer.

Kimbell has directed or produced many major musicals and Shakespeare plays for NSMT, plus the premieres of 41 plays and musicals.

"It has always been my vision to establish North Shore Music Theatre as a leading institution in the development of new musicals," Kimbell said in a statement. "After 25 years, I have seen many of my goals come to fruition and now it’s time for me to take on a larger national role in finding new talent and helping to further develop the musical theater art form."

Founded in 1955, NSMT's programs include a seven-show subscription musical season, education productions and new musical development commissions. For more information visit www.nsmt.org.

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"Oh what a..."

No, I'm not going to say it! (okay just once more: "Oh What A Night"!)

Yeah! I totally love this CD!

According to this article in Playbill:

The original cast recording of Jersey Boys -- on the Rhino label -- won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, besting recordings of The Color Purple, The Drowsy Chaperone, and the revivals of The Pajama Game and Sweeney Todd.

The complete list of nominees in the Best Musical Show Album category follow:

THE COLOR PURPLE
Jay David Saks, producer; Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell & Allee Willis, composers/lyricists (Original Broadway Cast With LaChanze, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes & Others) [Angel Records]

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
Kurt Deutsch, Joel Moss & Phil Reno, producers; Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison, composers/lyricists (Original Broadway Cast With Bob Martin, Sutton Foster, Beth Leavel & Others) [Ghostlight]

JERSEY BOYS
Bob Gaudio, producer (Bob Gaudio, composer; Bob Crewe, lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast With Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, J. Robert Spencer, John Lloyd Young & Others) [Rhino]

THE PAJAMA GAME
Harry Connick, Jr. & Tracey Freeman, producers (Richard Adler & Jerry Ross, composers/lyricists) (New Broadway Cast With Harry Connick, Jr., Kelli O'Hara & Others) [Columbia]

SWEENEY TODD -- THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Tommy Krasker, producer (Stephen Sondheim, composer/lyricist) (Broadway Cast With Patti LuPone, Michael Cerveris & Others) [Nonesuch]

The 49th Annual Grammy Awards were presented Feb. 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. For a complete list of nominees and winners visit www.grammys.com.

Of course, I didn't actually watch the show (since I was confident that JERSEY BOYS would win). Instead I watched (actually, was forced to watched by my two daughters) GREASE -- YOU"RE THE ONE THAT I WANT! to cheer on our favorite for "Danny" -- Derek Keeling (Go Derek!) who wowed Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kathleen Marshall with his singing and dancing of "Footloose"!

Of course the real stars of that show are the wacky camera shots of swaying audience arms...

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Now safely embedded in Seattle!

I just saw my very first Seattle Civic Light Opera production, and I loved it!

The Civic Light Opera was founded 29 years ago as an alternative opera venue, but it soon turned into a musical theatre company. They produce 5 shows a year, each running for a total of 10 performances to 2,300 patrons, of which 1,500 are subscribers. They are based in the Magnuson Park Community Center, which is an old movie theater on a de-commissioned Naval base in North Seattle. CLO is a non-profit.

I think the best way to describe it would be as a "professional community theatre".

Their production of THE BAKER'S WIFE was real old-timey musical fun. Joyous and raucous, and with a large cast, the show reads and was presented as a big musical.

Old World charm permeates every moment of the bittersweet, wise and gently off-beat fable of life, love and bread by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof) and Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Children of Eden, Pippin). Schwartz is at his romantic best in this rich, melodic score.

I'd never been to a CLO production, but I felt like a musical so on Saturday afternoon I bought two tickets at the half-price booth at Pike Place Market (the "Public Market") and took a shot. I thought "...for $18, how bad can this be?"

I'll admit to some nervousness as I drove onto a de-commissioned Naval base, and walked into a 1950s-vintage movie theater with a temporary proscenium erected as scaffolding. Gulp. But then the show started (there was no, um, "curtain") and I immediately relaxed.

The opening number, with 18 cast members, was a fun, raucous look at a small town in France that had lost its Baker. I was impressed with the talent on the stage, as well as the sets and costumes which significantly exceeded my expectations for a 10-show non-profit theatre.

By the end of the First Act I was thoroughly enjoying myself, and the only thing which marred 100% enjoyment were the people behind me who were providing a running translation, in Russian, OF THE ENTIRE SHOW to their non-English speaking friend. Yikes. When I turned to look at them at one disbelieving point, they shrugged as if to say "...hey, how were we supposed to know the show wasn't in Russian?" Never did trust them Ruskies.

The Second Act was particularly strong, helped by a new pair of seats closer to the stage and without the whispered Slavic translation hanging in the air.

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A friend of mine, Sheryl Kaller, is directing the current Off-Broadway run of ADRIFT IN MACAO at Primary Stages.

From this article in Playbill:

Christopher Durang and Peter Melnick's musical Adrift in Macao makes its New York premiere Off-Broadway Feb. 13 at Primary Stages.

Sheryl Kaller (Jayson with a Y) directs and Christopher Gattelli (Altar Boyz, Bat Boy) choreographs the work that began previews Jan. 23 for a limited engagement through March 4 at 59E59 Theaters. Musical direction is by Fred Lassen (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

Featuring a book and lyrics by Durang set to Melnick's music, the film-noir musical parody is set in a world that spans "from the opium dens of China to the lowlife bars of New York [where] the leading lady can always get a job singing in nightclubs no matter how she sings, and the leading man is always mysterious and can't go home for murky reasons he won't explain."

And this review from Theatermania:

"...Sheryl Kaller's direction is playful, and Willa Kim's costumes are colorful and fun. Melnick's music is bouncy and, as it should be here, generically familiar. Durang's lyrics are cute and comically self-aware, sometimes to a fault. Still, the songs are what makes this particular show worth catching."

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Okay, this is almost enough to get me to watch football! My only complaint is that he doesn't sing in this fantastic Superbowl ad...

Bob Garfield in AdvertisingAge made this Superbowl ad his top-rated ad (4 stars). He said:

4 stars

Diamond Emerald Nuts
Goodby Silverstein & Partners
San Francisco
At 3 p.m., when your blood sugar is low, Robert Goulet sneaks into your cube and messes with your stuff -- so eat nuts at 3 p.m. every day. Robert Goulet! Putting aside the absurd genius of the premise, here's an ad that creates not just a USP but an entire new market. Hilarious and brilliant.

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How exciting. I recorded my first demo in New York!

I couldn't put it off any longer. I had to get a new demo done for PLANE CRAZY. The show has evolved so much since I did my very first six-song demo in Toronto a few years ago (songs have changed, been eliminated, lyric changes etc.) that, although it served me well, it no longer accurately reflected the current state of the show.

So working with the fabulous Seth Weinstein and his friend (now my friend!) Marc Lewis, we were finally able to book time in the studio where everyone was available (no easy feat, let me tell you).

We rehearsed at Ripley-Grier and recorded and mixed with Chip at P.P.I. Recording (thank you Chip!!) down at 32nd and Broadway. We set an aggressive goal (eight songs, including the full opening number which runs about 8 minutes, so it is really like 2 songs!). It is so great to finally have the full opening number with dialogue.

It was so much fun to work with everyone, and great to see the guys in the band again (John Bell on piano and James Bettincourt on bass both played at the NYMF performances, and Brian Woodruff on drums, played in a rehearsal session for NYMF, and of course Seth music directed and played keyboards).

We recorded PLANE CRAZY, I WANNA GET MARRIED/MR RIGHT NOW, THIRTY IS A DIRTY WORD, DANCING ON AIR, TURBULENCE. WASN'T THAT ME, LISTEN TO MY HEART, and THAT WAS THEN THIS IS NOW. The cast was amazing -- learning all that material in such a short time and delivering the goods in the studio!

A great big thanks to the performers, including:

Hollie Howard
Jodie Langel
Anna Bergman
Colin Hanlon
Tanya Wills
Monique Alhaddad
Chuck Ragsdale
Todd Thurston

I can't wait to go back in to record the rest of the score!

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I got an e-mail from my friend Raymond Zilberberg, who helped me on the 2005 NYMF production of PLANE CRAZY. He is assistant directing on the show WORKING at The Zipper Theatre! Gordon Greenberg is directing (he directed the JACQUES BREL revival which is still at the Zipper). It sounds like a great line up. Congrats Ray!

Here is the email I got:

It's taken 2 and a half years since moving to New York but I'm finally Assistant Directing my first Off Broadway show and I'd love for you to come see it. Gordon Greenberg directs a one night Actor's Fund Benefit production of WORKING. Original songs by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead and James Taylor.

Here's the link to Theatremania.com where you can purchase tickets. Apparently they're selling well so if you're planning on coming get a move on!

Here are some more details:

WORKING
Monday February 19th 2007
8:00 pm
Zipper Theatre (37th between 8th and 9th avenue)
Tickets: $33-$50
Directed by: Gordon Greenberg
Choreography: Warren Carlyle
Music Direction by: Steve Marzulo

Cast:
Celia Keenan-Bolger (LES MIZ, SPELLING BEE)
Will Chase (HIGH FIDELITY)
Mary Testa (42ND STREET, ON THE TOWN)
Ed Dixon (Original Cast of LES MIZ)
Merle Dandridge (TARZAN)
Roderick Hill (BUTLEY)

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

Used to be you only had to be a triple threat -- sing and dance and act. Then John Doyle's productions of SWEENEY TODD and COMPANY meant you had to be a quadruple threat -- be able to play an instrument very well, as well! Now Disney has added a new requirement: The ability to work harnessed -- either upsidedown or suspended 100 feet in the air! Yikes!

I saw MARY POPPINS last week at the New Amsterdam Theatre and enjoyed it very much. And yes Bert walks up the side of the stage and proceeds to tap dance upsidedown! And as you might expect, Mary does some flying of her own!

But what I really enjoyed about this production was that if you took away those "anti-gravity effects", the show would still be very entertaining.

Top notch cast all around (Ashley Brown as Mary and Gavin Lee as Bert are fab) and I was pleasantly relieved to find that the kids (Mathew Gumley as Michael Banks and Katherine Leigh Doherty as Jane Banks) are very engaging and funny and not at all too sweet.

Daniel Jenkins plays George Banks and Rebecca Luker plays a much more relaxed Winnifred Banks than the character in the movie version! I recognized Mark Price, who plays Robertson Ay, from ALL SHOOK UP, and I spent the first act trying to figure out why Jane Carr who plays Mrs. Brill looked so familiar to me. Then I read her bio and I remembered her as the British character in the TV sitcom "Dear John"!

It's a book musical more along the lines of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and not TARZAN. Yes, there are wonderfully changing, colorful sets, but it is the story and the songs that make this show worthwhile.

MARY POPPINS is "a musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film" with book by Julian Fellowes, original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, and new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. It is directed by Richard Eyre and co-directed/choreographed by Mathew Bourne. I really like the new songs (especially "Practically Perfect") and I think they fit really well with the original Sherman Brothers songs.

Chim Chim Cher-ee!

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