Thursday, July 02, 2009
Follow Ray to London
Bay Area theatre dude, Ray Renati, who often sends me tips and link, may be the self-proclaimed "oldest dude" to ever do a summer internship with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, but his midlife crisis (kidding! kidding!) is our gain because he's going to blog about it, of course.
And here's his first post: R.A.D.A., London and London Theatre.
I'm going to enjoy following his journey.
And here's his first post: R.A.D.A., London and London Theatre.
I'm going to enjoy following his journey.
Labels: London, RADA, Ray Renati
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hits are in the air...for the Magic and San Jose Stage
Apparently Bay Area theatre goers enjoy attending theatre in May/June, because today I received two different emails about shows being extended past their original runs:
1. San Jose Stage Company is putting on a show that sounds...interesting...to say the least, namely:
THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL
Music and Lyrics by David Nehls
Book by Betsy Kelso
May 27 - July 5, 2009
There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres, and she wreaking havoc all over Florida's most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband, the storms begin to brew. The Village Voice calls it "a show that actually lives up to the hype of its title." and, according to Broadway.com, "a sparkling, sharp irreverence lights up this musical and makes it one of the most laugh-out-loud shows in town."
According to the audience reviews on Artsopolis, it's the best thing since sliced bread.
But hey, see for yourself, they've got a clip on YouTube:
2. The Magic Theatre has extended another intriguing piece, called Mauritius:
MAURITIUS
By Theresa Rebeck
May 23 – June 28, 2009
Who knew stamp collecting could be so dangerous? A young woman unknowingly discovers the rarest of stamps in her dead mother’s inheritance. Can she maneuver her way past scheming collectors, greedy dealers, and her own sister all the way to the bank? Pulitzer Prize nominated and Emmy Award winner Rebeck weaves a wickedly smart thriller that will keep your eyes on the prize!
Have you seen either of these hot hits?
1. San Jose Stage Company is putting on a show that sounds...interesting...to say the least, namely:
THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL
Music and Lyrics by David Nehls
Book by Betsy Kelso
May 27 - July 5, 2009
There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres, and she wreaking havoc all over Florida's most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband, the storms begin to brew. The Village Voice calls it "a show that actually lives up to the hype of its title." and, according to Broadway.com, "a sparkling, sharp irreverence lights up this musical and makes it one of the most laugh-out-loud shows in town."
According to the audience reviews on Artsopolis, it's the best thing since sliced bread.
But hey, see for yourself, they've got a clip on YouTube:
2. The Magic Theatre has extended another intriguing piece, called Mauritius:
MAURITIUS
By Theresa Rebeck
May 23 – June 28, 2009
Who knew stamp collecting could be so dangerous? A young woman unknowingly discovers the rarest of stamps in her dead mother’s inheritance. Can she maneuver her way past scheming collectors, greedy dealers, and her own sister all the way to the bank? Pulitzer Prize nominated and Emmy Award winner Rebeck weaves a wickedly smart thriller that will keep your eyes on the prize!
Have you seen either of these hot hits?
Labels: Magic Theatre, San Jose Stage
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Broadway coming back to San Jose
Team San Jose, the city organization that books the San Jose Center for Performing Arts, announced a partnership with the Nederlander organization to bring national tours of Broadway musicals back to San jose for the 2009-2010 season.
You can read all about it in the Merc.
While I'm glad, in general, to get more theatre to San Jose, it's still a shame for local actors and workers. Their inaugural season does look fun...including Spamalot, Avenue Q and Spring Awakening, any of which I would see.
But will future seasons be as current and interesting, or will we be back to tours of Sound of Music with Debbie Boone?
What do you think of this new plan?
You can read all about it in the Merc.
While I'm glad, in general, to get more theatre to San Jose, it's still a shame for local actors and workers. Their inaugural season does look fun...including Spamalot, Avenue Q and Spring Awakening, any of which I would see.
But will future seasons be as current and interesting, or will we be back to tours of Sound of Music with Debbie Boone?
What do you think of this new plan?
Labels: AMTSJ, broadway in san jose
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Are you watching the Tony's tonight?
Yet another year goes by in which I saw NONE of the nominated performances or productions. :(
I just spent all of last week in NYC and didn't have a spare evening to catch a show. I got some low-down from one of my local buddies about his thoughts (loved Hair, loved Alice Ripley).
The New York Times has a special Tony section, including a run-down of who has the best odds of winning.
Also, wrote a little post over at my green blog about how they're trying to "green" Broadway and the Tony Awards. If you're into the green movement at all, it's an interesting look at how even an old institution, working out of old buildings, with old traditions, can still work towards environmental responsibility.
But tonight I'll be watching as a complete outside observer, with no dog in the hunt, so to speak.
Except this (and feel free to call me a killjoy): I absolutely cannot wrap my head around this idea of nominating all three boys that play Billy Elliott to win the Best Actor in a Musical award.
See, there is a rule that you have to play a certain # of performances per week to qualify for a nomination. And since there are three of them splitting the role, none of them play it often enough to qualify.
To me, that should have been end of story, but no, they nominated all three to win the single award.
And I find it ridiculous. Anyone with me?
That's about all the pre-Tony commentary I got...how about you?
I just spent all of last week in NYC and didn't have a spare evening to catch a show. I got some low-down from one of my local buddies about his thoughts (loved Hair, loved Alice Ripley).
The New York Times has a special Tony section, including a run-down of who has the best odds of winning.
Also, wrote a little post over at my green blog about how they're trying to "green" Broadway and the Tony Awards. If you're into the green movement at all, it's an interesting look at how even an old institution, working out of old buildings, with old traditions, can still work towards environmental responsibility.
But tonight I'll be watching as a complete outside observer, with no dog in the hunt, so to speak.
Except this (and feel free to call me a killjoy): I absolutely cannot wrap my head around this idea of nominating all three boys that play Billy Elliott to win the Best Actor in a Musical award.
See, there is a rule that you have to play a certain # of performances per week to qualify for a nomination. And since there are three of them splitting the role, none of them play it often enough to qualify.
To me, that should have been end of story, but no, they nominated all three to win the single award.
And I find it ridiculous. Anyone with me?
That's about all the pre-Tony commentary I got...how about you?
Labels: Broadway, green, Tony Awards
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Guess who I just saw?
Why, Ms Patti LuPone sitting in first class as I boarded a Virgin America flight to NYC!
I did actually catch her eye (my staring, doubtless) and came theesclose to simply saying "I love your work" or "I'm a big fan", as opposed to saying "Oh my God, I saw you play Evita when I was like 14 years old, and you were so awesome!!!!"
But I kept quiet.
When I sat down, back in my seat many rows away in Coach, I did ask the guy sitting next to me if he knew who Patti Lupone was.
Turns out, out of probably 200 people on that plane, I was sitting next to someone who works for her. Color me red-faced. he was nice, though, and gave me the program from a show she's touring about with Mandy Patinkin. I, of course, rambled on to him about how I'd seen them in Evita, and he kind of nodded and then put on his noise-canceling headphones.
I tweeted it for a while, and considered showing Patti's person the power of Twitter, as people responded, but I thought better of it.
I saw her later at Baggage Claim, and she was being perfectly nice to people who approached her, but I had a brush with fame's handler, not fame itself :)
I did actually catch her eye (my staring, doubtless) and came theesclose to simply saying "I love your work" or "I'm a big fan", as opposed to saying "Oh my God, I saw you play Evita when I was like 14 years old, and you were so awesome!!!!"
But I kept quiet.
When I sat down, back in my seat many rows away in Coach, I did ask the guy sitting next to me if he knew who Patti Lupone was.
Turns out, out of probably 200 people on that plane, I was sitting next to someone who works for her. Color me red-faced. he was nice, though, and gave me the program from a show she's touring about with Mandy Patinkin. I, of course, rambled on to him about how I'd seen them in Evita, and he kind of nodded and then put on his noise-canceling headphones.
I tweeted it for a while, and considered showing Patti's person the power of Twitter, as people responded, but I thought better of it.
I saw her later at Baggage Claim, and she was being perfectly nice to people who approached her, but I had a brush with fame's handler, not fame itself :)
Labels: Patti Lupone
Saturday, May 23, 2009
One Night Only Cabaret Fundraiser for AIDS
If you like good entertainment and a good cause, sounds like the J’LaChic Theatre 39, on Pier 39 in San Francisco is the place to be this June 15th. Cast members from the touring companies of both Wicked and Spamalot will be on hand, and the fund raised will benefit The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF) and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
here are the deets as I know them to be:
WHAT: The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF) presents a special One Night Only Cabaret
WHO: With cast members from the casts of Wicked and Spamalot with special guest, TOP SHELF
BENEFITTING: REAF and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
WHERE: J’LaChic Theatre 39, on Pier 39 in San Francisco
WHEN: June 15th, 2009 at 7:30PM
HOW MUCH: $40 General Reserved and $65 Preferred Reserved.
HOW TO ORDER: Phone: 415-273-1620 or Online www.helpisontheway.org. A limited number of tickets are also available for the dessert party with the cast at the Hard Rock Café below the theatre on Pier 39 for an additional $25/person.
A little background info: The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation has worked with over 25 touring casts to date to produce "One Night Only Cabaret" events. To date, REAF has distributed well over $2 million to AIDS service agencies.
here are the deets as I know them to be:
WHAT: The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF) presents a special One Night Only Cabaret
WHO: With cast members from the casts of Wicked and Spamalot with special guest, TOP SHELF
BENEFITTING: REAF and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
WHERE: J’LaChic Theatre 39, on Pier 39 in San Francisco
WHEN: June 15th, 2009 at 7:30PM
HOW MUCH: $40 General Reserved and $65 Preferred Reserved.
HOW TO ORDER: Phone: 415-273-1620 or Online www.helpisontheway.org. A limited number of tickets are also available for the dessert party with the cast at the Hard Rock Café below the theatre on Pier 39 for an additional $25/person.
A little background info: The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation has worked with over 25 touring casts to date to produce "One Night Only Cabaret" events. To date, REAF has distributed well over $2 million to AIDS service agencies.
Labels: Benefits, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, REAF, Spamalot, Wicked
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Heading to the San Jose Rep tonight
Tonight the S.O., my folks and I are headed downtown to see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the San Jose Rep.
I actually saw the national tour of the show when it came through San Francisco a few years back, but it should be fun to see it again, especially with some local faves in the cast. Faves like Molly Bell and James Iglehart, among others. Kudos to SJ Rep for casting local!
Hopefully I'll have time to write a review and let you know what I think. In the meantime...did you see it? And what did you think?
I actually saw the national tour of the show when it came through San Francisco a few years back, but it should be fun to see it again, especially with some local faves in the cast. Faves like Molly Bell and James Iglehart, among others. Kudos to SJ Rep for casting local!
Hopefully I'll have time to write a review and let you know what I think. In the meantime...did you see it? And what did you think?
Labels: San Jose Rep
Saturday, May 09, 2009
A chance to represent for the Arts at San Jose City Hall this Tuesday
Got an interesting email from the San Jose Stage Company asking for our local community to stand up and represent for the arts at a San jose City Council meeting this Tuesday:
Please join San Jose Stage Company and fellow members of the San Jose Arts Alliance* to make a visual statement in support of Arts Funding at the 7pm session of the San Jose City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 12th at San Jose City Hall.
Our goal is to mobilize as many Board members, staff, artists, and supporters of San Jose arts organizations to attend the Public Hearing on the Proposed Operating & Capital Budget for FY09-10.
At the May 7th Budget Study Session, District 3 Council member Sam Liccardo, who is also our Arts Commission Liaison, proposed that the City look for ways to shore up funding for arts organizations, like San Jose Stage Company and other members of the Alliance. Other council members supported this proposal.
As a follow-up we need to show a major presence at the 7pm session of the May 12th Council Meeting.Wear a black shirt We will provide a sticker with a red letter A that says "Support SJ Arts." If you really want to speak you can, but the main goal is to present a visual representation to the City Council regarding the number of constituents who support the arts.
Our message is simple -- the Arts add value to our city and we are requesting that the City find ways to shore up the declining TOT - Transient Occupancy Tax (hotel tax) to ensure our grants remain at the current levels.
Labels: San Jose Stage
Friday, May 08, 2009
It's a Wildcat Weekend!
So last Sunday's Board Dinner for the cast/staff of Wildcat was a lot of fun, and my vegan dinner from Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant went over like gangbusters!!
Along the way I got to see a bit of the show (which opens tomorrow, FYI) and it was not at all what I was expecting.
The one song I know from it is the quite perky "Hey, Look Me Over", but the scenes I saw being rehearsed on Sunday were a little darker than that song would lead you to expect.
I'm looking forward to seeing it all, and that perky song in context!
For a little more info, check out an interview with Wildcat's director, Kalon Thibodeaux, over at the 42nd Street Moon blog. And check out this article from the San Francisco Examiner.
Disclosure: I'm on the board of 42nd Street Moon
Along the way I got to see a bit of the show (which opens tomorrow, FYI) and it was not at all what I was expecting.
The one song I know from it is the quite perky "Hey, Look Me Over", but the scenes I saw being rehearsed on Sunday were a little darker than that song would lead you to expect.
I'm looking forward to seeing it all, and that perky song in context!
For a little more info, check out an interview with Wildcat's director, Kalon Thibodeaux, over at the 42nd Street Moon blog. And check out this article from the San Francisco Examiner.
Disclosure: I'm on the board of 42nd Street Moon
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, kalon thibodeaux, wildcat
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Tony Nominees Announced
You can see the full list here.
Apparently hair metal rock jukebox musical Rock of Ages, starring American Idol Season 4 6th place finisher Constantine Maroulis got a nod for Best Musical. And Maroulis himself got a nomination for Best Leading Actor in a musical! And if those aren't odd sentences, I don't know what would be.
Intrepid blogger and twitterer Jane Fonda got a nod for Best Actress.
In what may be a first, all three boys playing Billy Elliott have been nominated together as Best Actor in a musical. Frankly, I think seems that's incredibly lame. Granted, I haven't seen the show, but are they really saying all three boys are Tony caliber? Did they nominate all three so as not to hurt anyone's feelings? It's just weird. If they're all three just that good, then give them 3 of the 5 nominated slots.
Lots of star power not nominated for their performances this year. I'm sure someone will round that up. But nice to see that veterans like Angela Lansbury, Carole Shelley and Stockard Channing still got it.
Who's a surprise or who's missing in your book?
And congrats to all the nominees!
Apparently hair metal rock jukebox musical Rock of Ages, starring American Idol Season 4 6th place finisher Constantine Maroulis got a nod for Best Musical. And Maroulis himself got a nomination for Best Leading Actor in a musical! And if those aren't odd sentences, I don't know what would be.
Intrepid blogger and twitterer Jane Fonda got a nod for Best Actress.
In what may be a first, all three boys playing Billy Elliott have been nominated together as Best Actor in a musical. Frankly, I think seems that's incredibly lame. Granted, I haven't seen the show, but are they really saying all three boys are Tony caliber? Did they nominate all three so as not to hurt anyone's feelings? It's just weird. If they're all three just that good, then give them 3 of the 5 nominated slots.
Lots of star power not nominated for their performances this year. I'm sure someone will round that up. But nice to see that veterans like Angela Lansbury, Carole Shelley and Stockard Channing still got it.
Who's a surprise or who's missing in your book?
And congrats to all the nominees!
Labels: Broadway, Tony Awards
Monday, May 04, 2009
When blogging worlds collide: Theatre and Green??
Ultra-intrigued to see this Ecorazzi post about New York's first LEED-certified Broadway theatre!
The full text of the press release can be read here. There is a ton of great info about all the ways this theatre has been built to be green (and how the former building on the site was torn down and re-used, again to be green.
The Roundabout Theatre will be in residence there. They of the current celebrity-filled Waiting for Godot.
Cross-posted from my green blog...and it's not often I write those words!!
The full text of the press release can be read here. There is a ton of great info about all the ways this theatre has been built to be green (and how the former building on the site was torn down and re-used, again to be green.
The Roundabout Theatre will be in residence there. They of the current celebrity-filled Waiting for Godot.
Cross-posted from my green blog...and it's not often I write those words!!
Labels: Broadway, LEED-certified, roundabout theatre company
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Spending my Sunday at the Moon
Later this afternoon I'm heading up to see a run-through of 42nd Street Moon's newest show, Wildcat. The Moon has this nice tradition where the Sunday before Opening, two board members provide dinner for the cast and crew, who will be in the middle of a very long day.
It's a way to let the cast and crew know that the theatre supports them and is invested in their success. This will be my first time providing dinner, and I'm hoping everyone will be cool with the fact that I'm providing a vegan dinner from Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant. (Of course I told management that I was bringing the vegan.)
I've never worked at another theatre where they did this, and in fact I don't think they did this back in the 90s when I did shows there. It's a nice touch.
The 42nd Street Moon blog has an interview with Wildcat star Maureen McVerry up right now, and she points out something else that has become rare amongst theatre companies:
I think some community theatres must still do group warm-ups, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Moon is a rarity amongst professional theatre companies.
Anyway, I've never seen Wildcatand know very little about it except that it features the famous song "Hey, Look Me Over!". Looking forward to a fun afternoon/evening getting an early look at it!
It's a way to let the cast and crew know that the theatre supports them and is invested in their success. This will be my first time providing dinner, and I'm hoping everyone will be cool with the fact that I'm providing a vegan dinner from Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant. (Of course I told management that I was bringing the vegan.)
I've never worked at another theatre where they did this, and in fact I don't think they did this back in the 90s when I did shows there. It's a nice touch.
The 42nd Street Moon blog has an interview with Wildcat star Maureen McVerry up right now, and she points out something else that has become rare amongst theatre companies:
"The Moon is such a positive company. It has a very refreshing attitude about putting on shows and retains a sense of joy and community that other theater companies don’t have. Come to think of it, I don’t know of other companies that even practice communal vocal warm-ups."
I think some community theatres must still do group warm-ups, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Moon is a rarity amongst professional theatre companies.
Anyway, I've never seen Wildcatand know very little about it except that it features the famous song "Hey, Look Me Over!". Looking forward to a fun afternoon/evening getting an early look at it!
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, maureen mcverry, wildcat
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Cool to use Facebook, but how about more info please?
Got an email today about the next show at the Pear Avenue Theatre in Mountain View, William Congreve's Way of the World. The email was an invite from the show's Facebook page. It's playing May 8-31 at their Mountain View space.
I haven't seen a good Restoration comedy since I was in college probably, when I was in a production of the The Country Wife.
The Facebook page has a nice synopsis of the play, but what neither it, nor the theatre's web site, have more info...like a cast list! Or photos.
I love a cast list, personally. I want to know who I know.
In the rush to use social media tools, which can be so highly customizable and personalized, sometimes traditional web sites are stripped down before the social media site is beefed up!
Maybe they were never providing this info anywhere, but if so: We love to see cast lists, don't we?
Or is it just me?
[UPDATE: Just got a note from Ray Renati who, it turns out, actually helps Pear Avenue Theatre with their web site. He told me the following: "The site got hacked last week and I had to pull it down completely and rebuild it from scratch. I am putting up a detail page about the show and the cast today. Just FYI." Editor's comment: Yay!]
Labels: Facebook, Pear Avenue Theatre
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Nice run-down of the 42nd Street Moon '09-'10 season
Playbill.com has a nice run-down of next season at 42nd Street Moon here. Although, you gotta love the typo in the headline! ouch.
Disclosure: I'm on the board of 42nd Street Moon
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, playbill.com
Friday, April 17, 2009
42nd Street Moon revives blog, hooray!
Of course I'm biased because:
a. I'm now on the board of 42nd Street Moon and
b. I used to write their old blog
But I'm quite happy to see that they've brought someone on board to revive their new blog, and their Facebook fan page too.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Emily Goligoski brings to the table as she helps get the word out about 42nd Street Moon.
Labels: 42nd Street Moon
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Next trip to the theatre: Shadows of Pompeii, again
Some weeks ago, a friend and I made a trip to the Moon Space to see an early concert reading of a new musical form the composer of Romance, Romance. It needed work, to be sure, but it had but a short time frame in which to do that work, considering it's opening tomorrow at 42nd Street Moon!
I'm going back this Sunday to see it in this new, staged incarnation, and I'm anxious to see what they've done.
According to the book author, RC Staab, "The main love relationship has been strengthened, clarified and intensified, lyrics have been rewritten, songs have been re-ordered, a new opening has been written and, importantly, the volcano Vesuvius appears as a major character in its own right."
Staab also sat down with Chad Jones to describe his perspective on that fateful reading:
I can see that. We were, indeed, brutal.
But we're going back for seconds, so that's gotta mean something, right?
Disclosure: I'm on the board of 42nd Street Moon
I'm going back this Sunday to see it in this new, staged incarnation, and I'm anxious to see what they've done.
According to the book author, RC Staab, "The main love relationship has been strengthened, clarified and intensified, lyrics have been rewritten, songs have been re-ordered, a new opening has been written and, importantly, the volcano Vesuvius appears as a major character in its own right."
Staab also sat down with Chad Jones to describe his perspective on that fateful reading:
“That audience was brutal,” Staab says over coffee in his downtown San Francisco neighborhood. “One guy wanted us to change the location of the show from Pompeii to Herculaneum. Another wanted the volcano to erupt at the beginning of the show. I was fairly depressed the next day.”
I can see that. We were, indeed, brutal.
But we're going back for seconds, so that's gotta mean something, right?
Disclosure: I'm on the board of 42nd Street Moon
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, Keith Herrmann, RC Staab, Shadows of Pompeii
Another stellar review of High Spirits, even after the fact
Chad Jones delivered some high praise indeed for 42nd St. Moon's production of High Spirits in this post:
Wow, pretty nice!
I saw it last Saturday, the day before they closed, myself, and enjoyed it very much. Chad brings up the point that there's not much commercial point to reviewing it so late, but I suppose I will eventually get around to it anyway!
Disclosure: I am now on the board of 42nd Street Moon
If you happen to be in New York these days, you can pop in on the revival of Blithe Spirit and see Rupert Everett, Jayne Atkinson, Christine Ebersole and the redoubtable Angela Lansbury in the roles, and lucky you. But it’s hard to imagine that starry foursome being funnier or more charming than the 42nd Street Moon crew.
Wow, pretty nice!
I saw it last Saturday, the day before they closed, myself, and enjoyed it very much. Chad brings up the point that there's not much commercial point to reviewing it so late, but I suppose I will eventually get around to it anyway!
Disclosure: I am now on the board of 42nd Street Moon
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, Chad Jones, High Spirits
Thursday, April 09, 2009
When blogging worlds collide
Over on my personal blog I like to publish recaps of American Idol, and have been doing so since Season 3. On this blog I talk theatre.
Today these worlds collide, as the Broadway musical Rock of Ages opens, starring American Idol Season 4 contestant, Constantine Maroulis.It is basically a Jukebox musical, featuring the glam rock music of the 80s.
Imagine my surprise when the New York Times, of all publications, gave it a rave review!
Don't know if that will get me to the theatre, but I guess judos to them.
So, is Rock of Ages the kind of show you'd see if you only had one night in New York?
Today these worlds collide, as the Broadway musical Rock of Ages opens, starring American Idol Season 4 contestant, Constantine Maroulis.It is basically a Jukebox musical, featuring the glam rock music of the 80s.
Imagine my surprise when the New York Times, of all publications, gave it a rave review!
Don't know if that will get me to the theatre, but I guess judos to them.
So, is Rock of Ages the kind of show you'd see if you only had one night in New York?
Labels: Broadway, Constantine Maroulis, New York Times, Rock of Ages
Friday, April 03, 2009
Patty Duke, currently appearing as Madame Morrible in Wicked, has been added to the line-up as MC of the upcoming ne-night only benefit to raise funds for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The benefit cabaret evening will also feature performers from the casts of Wicked, Grease and Burn the Floor.
WHEN: Monday, April 13, 7:30 pm
WHERE: Club Fugazi, home of Beach Blanket Babylon, 678 Green Street, SF
The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation has worked with over 25 touring casts to date to produce "One Night Only Cabaret" events and looks forward to another successful evening benefiting these worth-while charity organizations. To date, REAF has distributed well over $2 million to AIDS service agencies.
Tickets for this "One Night Only Cabaret" range from $25 to $100. Tickets are available by phone by calling the Beach Blanket Babylon box office at 415-421-4222. A limited number of tickets are also available for the dessert party with the cast at nearby Joey & Eddie’s Restaurant at 1652 Stockton Street for an additional $20/person.
For additional information, please contact Ken Henderson, Executive Director, The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation, at:
415-931-2515 or
ken@richmondermet.org.
The benefit cabaret evening will also feature performers from the casts of Wicked, Grease and Burn the Floor.
WHEN: Monday, April 13, 7:30 pm
WHERE: Club Fugazi, home of Beach Blanket Babylon, 678 Green Street, SF
The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation has worked with over 25 touring casts to date to produce "One Night Only Cabaret" events and looks forward to another successful evening benefiting these worth-while charity organizations. To date, REAF has distributed well over $2 million to AIDS service agencies.
Tickets for this "One Night Only Cabaret" range from $25 to $100. Tickets are available by phone by calling the Beach Blanket Babylon box office at 415-421-4222. A limited number of tickets are also available for the dessert party with the cast at nearby Joey & Eddie’s Restaurant at 1652 Stockton Street for an additional $20/person.
For additional information, please contact Ken Henderson, Executive Director, The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation, at:
415-931-2515 or
ken@richmondermet.org.
Labels: BC/EFA, Benefits, Patty Duke, REAF
Thursday, April 02, 2009
San Jose Rep: The Kite Runner extends
According to the Merc the Kite Runner will run through April 26th.
Good for them...happy they have a hit on their hands, and one generated by local talent!!
In case you missed it, here's my review.
Good for them...happy they have a hit on their hands, and one generated by local talent!!
In case you missed it, here's my review.
Labels: kite runner, San Jose Rep
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Reviews For High Spirits Are In...
...and they are quite gushy!
The San Francisco Examiner exclaims:
Wow.
The Examiner also seems to be saying that there will be a Broadway revival of High Spirits soon, starring Angela Lansbury, Christine Ebersole and Rupert Evertt...that's quite a cast!
The Contra Cost Times raves:
Nice.
I'm not going myself until the second-to-last performance on April 11th, but if you're interested in beating me to it you can visit the 42nd Street Moon Facebook page for more info, and go here for the online box office.
Let me know what you think.
The San Francisco Examiner exclaims:
Those in charge of opera houses and Broadway productions should flock to 42nd Street Moon’s tiny Eureka Theatre on Jackson Street to learn about doing a better job.
It’s where the 1964 Hugh Martin-Timothy Gray musical “High Spirits” (based on the 1941 Noel Coward play and 1945 film “Blithe Spirit”) opened Saturday, in a production that stands as a shining example of good judgment, judicious use of available resources and artistic excellence.
Wow.
The Examiner also seems to be saying that there will be a Broadway revival of High Spirits soon, starring Angela Lansbury, Christine Ebersole and Rupert Evertt...that's quite a cast!
The Contra Cost Times raves:
Cavanagh is just stunning in the Arcati role — extremely funny and worth the price of admission on her own. Gaffney, McBride and McVerry are a hilariously confused love triangle. The highlight of the show is the role of the maid, played by Rena Wilson who stumbles zanily through the house in her ill-fated attempts to please.
Nice.
I'm not going myself until the second-to-last performance on April 11th, but if you're interested in beating me to it you can visit the 42nd Street Moon Facebook page for more info, and go here for the online box office.
Let me know what you think.
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, High Spirits
Quite a rave review for Broadway revival of Hair
I'm not remembering the last time I heard Ben Brantley axing quite so rhapsodic as in his review of the revival of Hair. This is a production that started at the Public this summer and has moved to Broadway, apparently to singlehandedly revive it.
In my crowd in high school, we didn't go see Rocky Horror at the midnight movies. We went and saw Hair. I've seen that movie many times and could practically replay the entire thing in my head. The only time I have ever seen it live and in its original incarnation was at my alma mater. SJSU did a production back in the 90s, I believe. I was so struck by how different the musical actually is than the movie, it was distracting. (Sort of like Wicked: If you love the book, you will realize after 5 minutes that Wicked, the Musical! is certainly inspired by the book, but it's not trying to present the book in musical form.)
So, normally, Hair wouldn't be tops on my list of Broadway musicals I need to see.
Brantley's review makes me re-think that, what about you?
In my crowd in high school, we didn't go see Rocky Horror at the midnight movies. We went and saw Hair. I've seen that movie many times and could practically replay the entire thing in my head. The only time I have ever seen it live and in its original incarnation was at my alma mater. SJSU did a production back in the 90s, I believe. I was so struck by how different the musical actually is than the movie, it was distracting. (Sort of like Wicked: If you love the book, you will realize after 5 minutes that Wicked, the Musical! is certainly inspired by the book, but it's not trying to present the book in musical form.)
So, normally, Hair wouldn't be tops on my list of Broadway musicals I need to see.
Brantley's review makes me re-think that, what about you?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Review: San Jose Rep's The Kite Runner
A moving night at the theatre. Explained as best I can without giving away any plot spoilers, over at my personal blog.
Anyone else seen it?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
My theatre schedule: Foothill, SJ Rep, Lyric Theatre, 42nd Street Moon
OK, after months of being in a live theatre desert, I'm hitting a busy two week period, filled with theatre-going opportunities.
Last night we went and saw Bat Boy at Foothill Music Theatre. It closes today, so unless you movie quickly, you've missed your chance, but we really enjoyed. it. I saw it at TheatreWorks a few years ago, and really wasn't that into it...I felt it lacked the inherent heart that a show of similar style and tone (LIttle Shop of Horrors) had. BUt last night's production convinced me that this was a problem of direction and acting approach, not the piece itself. When you take your characters absolutely seriously in the face of completely absurd comedy, it's the only way to make the audience care from curtain to curtain. Foothill and Jay Manley excel at that approach, which is why I've typically enjoyed Foothill productions of such shows more than TheatreWorks.
Next Saturday night we're seeing The Kite Runner at San Jose Rep. Great book, local connections, world premiere. Fascinated to see how they adapt this to the stage. I didn't see the movie, so only have the book in my head.
On April 11th, my birthday, I'll be seeing High Spirits at 42nd Street Moon. This is the musical adaptation of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, which I've never seen. This will be the first show I've seen there in a while, and since I joined their board. Last time I went they were still holding binders and doing staged concerts, so it should be quite fun to see them to more traditional stagings. I love the glamour of this photo of Dyan McBride as Elvira.
That leaves only one question mark. A good friend is playing Guenevere in the Lyric Theatre's production of Camelot. I don't understand these theatres that do runs of only two weekends. We lead busy lives, people, come on!! I don't know if I can make it. There is literally only one date that I can make, and I need to check with the S.O., but it's on a week night...which he usually totally shuns for social activities (this is a night owl software engineer, folks.) I'll have to play it by ear :(
So, seen any of those? What's on your March/April theatre agenda?
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, Foothill Music Theatre, Lyric Theatre, San Jose Rep, TheatreWorks
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Although she doesn't read them, Jane Fonda's reviews look good
As I blogged a few weeks ago, Jane Fonda is blogging and tweeting up a storm, which is how I know that she decided not to read her reviews of her first Broadway performance in 46 years: 33 Variations.
Too bad, because the NY Times review was very kind indeed.
So, do you read your reviews?
I could never resist.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Hey, I totally forgot to blog: I've joined 42nd Street Moon's Board!!
Can't believe I forgot to blog this, but last month I joined the Board of Directors of 42nd Street Moon, a very fine purveyor of "uncommon musicals" in San Francisco.
Back in the 90s I did about five shows with Moon, and they have come a long way since then. They no longer do only "staged concerts". Back in my day we held binders containing the scripts, and we just wore some nice outfit of our own as a costume. The best we really went for was that it was somewhat evocative of what kind of costume the character might wear. These days 42nd Street Moon is doing more full-fledged productions.
Why did they want me on the board? Well, they did know me from not only my acting days, but from my Worker Bees days, as I did some marketing and social media consulting for them.
They wanted to grow and diversify the board. I think I'm the only Silicon Valley type, the only entrepreneur type, the only Internetty type. They also wanted help, at a high level, re-thinking how they market and brand themselves, and how they get their word out.
One new way they're getting their word out is their Facebook fan page.
You can also check out their impending productions on Facebook. Sure you could check out the season on their web site too, but isn't it fun to check it out somewhere interactive where you could leave a little comment if you wanted too?
The next show is High Spirits (a musical version of the Noel Cowad play, Blithe Spirit.)
Gotta figure out when I'm going, because it starts previews this coming week (Thursday to be exact)! And only runs through April 12th.
Hmmm. It closes on my birthday weekend. Maybe I'll talk to the S.O. about spending the weekend in Sn Francisco!
OK, enough real-time life planning on my blog. This was big news, and I can't believe I didn't share it until now. I hope I'll see y'all at a 42nd Street moon show soon (or every 42nd Street Moon show, I should say.) Like any arts organization right now, they are feeling the pinch of the bad economy. I hope I can help them get through this with flying colors!
Back in the 90s I did about five shows with Moon, and they have come a long way since then. They no longer do only "staged concerts". Back in my day we held binders containing the scripts, and we just wore some nice outfit of our own as a costume. The best we really went for was that it was somewhat evocative of what kind of costume the character might wear. These days 42nd Street Moon is doing more full-fledged productions.
Why did they want me on the board? Well, they did know me from not only my acting days, but from my Worker Bees days, as I did some marketing and social media consulting for them.
They wanted to grow and diversify the board. I think I'm the only Silicon Valley type, the only entrepreneur type, the only Internetty type. They also wanted help, at a high level, re-thinking how they market and brand themselves, and how they get their word out.
One new way they're getting their word out is their Facebook fan page.
You can also check out their impending productions on Facebook. Sure you could check out the season on their web site too, but isn't it fun to check it out somewhere interactive where you could leave a little comment if you wanted too?
The next show is High Spirits (a musical version of the Noel Cowad play, Blithe Spirit.)
Gotta figure out when I'm going, because it starts previews this coming week (Thursday to be exact)! And only runs through April 12th.
Hmmm. It closes on my birthday weekend. Maybe I'll talk to the S.O. about spending the weekend in Sn Francisco!
OK, enough real-time life planning on my blog. This was big news, and I can't believe I didn't share it until now. I hope I'll see y'all at a 42nd Street moon show soon (or every 42nd Street Moon show, I should say.) Like any arts organization right now, they are feeling the pinch of the bad economy. I hope I can help them get through this with flying colors!
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, High Spirits
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Once on This Island in Berkeley
One of my favorite musicals is actually a fairly rarely produced one: Once on This Island, by Ahrens and Flaherty, the pair who brought you another favorite musical Ragtime. The score is especially tuneful, and the story is sweet and poignant.
Turns out The Berkeley Playhouse is producing the lovely show, but I only heard about it now, when it ENDS this weekend, March 13,14 and 15. I leave tomorrow morning for Austin, TX, for the annual geek fest SXSW.
For those of you who are in town, you might want to check it out, especially if you've never seen it. The production is directed by Kimberly Dooley, with musical direction by Phil Gorman and choreography by Dane Paul Andres.
Showtimes: Friday 7:30, Saturday 3 and 7:30; and Sunday 1 and last show @ 5. Tickets are $22/$28 available online at www.berkeleyplayhouse.org
If you go, let me know how it is. So I can be more jealous.
Turns out The Berkeley Playhouse is producing the lovely show, but I only heard about it now, when it ENDS this weekend, March 13,14 and 15. I leave tomorrow morning for Austin, TX, for the annual geek fest SXSW.
For those of you who are in town, you might want to check it out, especially if you've never seen it. The production is directed by Kimberly Dooley, with musical direction by Phil Gorman and choreography by Dane Paul Andres.
Showtimes: Friday 7:30, Saturday 3 and 7:30; and Sunday 1 and last show @ 5. Tickets are $22/$28 available online at www.berkeleyplayhouse.org
If you go, let me know how it is. So I can be more jealous.
Labels: Berkeley Playhouse, Once on This Island
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Not Just Jane Blogs...
I totally meant to post this on this blog before I left on vacation, and instead I posted it on my Worker Bees blog about social media marketing and business. (Good thing it was somewhat relevant there too.)
Anyway, what I meant to post was:
NewYorkology has a list of other Broadway shows that are blogging or otherwise participating in social media.
See, my Worker Bees business (originally started to help arts and non-profit organizations leverage blogging etc.) was totally ahead of its time!
Anyway, what I meant to post was:
NewYorkology has a list of other Broadway shows that are blogging or otherwise participating in social media.
See, my Worker Bees business (originally started to help arts and non-profit organizations leverage blogging etc.) was totally ahead of its time!
Labels: Broadway, worker bees
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Jane Fonda and her Broadway Blog
Have you heard that Jane Fonda is back on Broadway (after 45 years) and that she's blogging it?
Now, it's not such a surprise as you may think. Fonda has always been plugged into media. Not just because of her marriage to Ted Turner. No, she also has been either a founder or founding board member of a couple of women's oriented media companies...the late Greenstone Media and the current Women's Media Center, most notably.
The site includes various features, including a slide show of personal photos you likely haven't seen before, but the intriguing part for this blog's audience is her blog from backstage of her new Broadway show, 33 Variations.
I think Fonda has taken to her blog like a duck to water...now will she keep it up? Come raves or pans? Come closing night? Who knows, but I'm enjoying it.
Now, it's not such a surprise as you may think. Fonda has always been plugged into media. Not just because of her marriage to Ted Turner. No, she also has been either a founder or founding board member of a couple of women's oriented media companies...the late Greenstone Media and the current Women's Media Center, most notably.
The site includes various features, including a slide show of personal photos you likely haven't seen before, but the intriguing part for this blog's audience is her blog from backstage of her new Broadway show, 33 Variations.
I think Fonda has taken to her blog like a duck to water...now will she keep it up? Come raves or pans? Come closing night? Who knows, but I'm enjoying it.
Labels: Broadway, Jane Fonda
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Graduating Seniors, here's a chance for $500 for college
Got the following little note from Jay Sternin from the West Valley Light Opera Association.
WHAT: The 7th annual Gene Pincus Memorial Theater Arts Scholarship for 2009.
HOW MUCH: $500
DETAILS: The scholarship will be awarded, on a competitive basis, to a Santa Clara County graduating high school senior who intends to pursue a career in Theater Arts and who has demonstrated a high degree of involvement in the performing arts throughout his/her high school career. The applicant must be a graduating high school senior going on to a 2 or 4 year college; their intended college major must be in the Theater Arts; this includes Acting, Music (vocal), Dance, or Stage Production; they must be a Santa Clara County resident.
DEADLINE: Application materials must be postmarked no later than Tuesday March 10, 2009. For application details please see www.wvlo.org. Or email questions to WVLO@WVLO.org.
WHAT: The 7th annual Gene Pincus Memorial Theater Arts Scholarship for 2009.
HOW MUCH: $500
DETAILS: The scholarship will be awarded, on a competitive basis, to a Santa Clara County graduating high school senior who intends to pursue a career in Theater Arts and who has demonstrated a high degree of involvement in the performing arts throughout his/her high school career. The applicant must be a graduating high school senior going on to a 2 or 4 year college; their intended college major must be in the Theater Arts; this includes Acting, Music (vocal), Dance, or Stage Production; they must be a Santa Clara County resident.
DEADLINE: Application materials must be postmarked no later than Tuesday March 10, 2009. For application details please see www.wvlo.org. Or email questions to WVLO@WVLO.org.
Labels: scholarships, WVLO
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Going to see staging of a new musical tonight
Tonight a friend and I are going to see a staged reading of Shadows of Pompeii, a new "dramatic musical" from the Broadway composer Keith Hermann (Romance, Romance).
Tonight the show will be performed with actors holding scripts, and they'll be looking for feedback, but the show will be presented in a fully staged workshop production in April at the Eureka Theater, and there are plans to submit to a major new works festival in NYC. Tonight's reading is booked beyond capacity, but I've got an in because 42nd Street Moon is helping with backing.
Led by Director Dianna Shuster, former artistic director of American Musical Theatre of San Jose, "Shadows of Pompeii" features nine local actors (see cast list below). The show features a score by the afore-mentioned Tony-nominated composer Herrmann and libretto by Bay Area playwright R.C. Staab.
STORY: Shadows of Pompeii is a full-length, fully-staged workshop production of a dramatic new musical that that tells a story of a young female artist's desire to express herself and to live life to the fullest in the shadow of the male-dominated Roman Empire in Pompeii 79AD. Lila is a young woman fervent about painting, despite Roman society restrictions. She paints a mural of Pompeii's governor, Tiberius, who is furious at the artist's treatment and imprisons her. Yet, he is enticed by her fervor and passion. When Lila paints his portrait in prison to appease Tiberius' wife, they slowly discover their attraction for each other. Will Lila and Tiberius' love be fulfilled? The musical echoes our fast-paced world where tragedy can happen at any moment or the eruption of a volcano can alter lives forever in an idyllic seaside town.
CAST
Juliet Heller
Russ Lorenson*
Lane McKenna*
Sean Patrick Murtagh
Lillian Askew
Alex Rodriguez
Mike Figueira
Mauricio Villa-Lobos*
Stephen Vaught
*Actors indicated with an asterisk are members of ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, the union of professional actors in the United States.
I'll let you know what I think after I see tonight's production.
Tonight the show will be performed with actors holding scripts, and they'll be looking for feedback, but the show will be presented in a fully staged workshop production in April at the Eureka Theater, and there are plans to submit to a major new works festival in NYC. Tonight's reading is booked beyond capacity, but I've got an in because 42nd Street Moon is helping with backing.
Led by Director Dianna Shuster, former artistic director of American Musical Theatre of San Jose, "Shadows of Pompeii" features nine local actors (see cast list below). The show features a score by the afore-mentioned Tony-nominated composer Herrmann and libretto by Bay Area playwright R.C. Staab.
STORY: Shadows of Pompeii is a full-length, fully-staged workshop production of a dramatic new musical that that tells a story of a young female artist's desire to express herself and to live life to the fullest in the shadow of the male-dominated Roman Empire in Pompeii 79AD. Lila is a young woman fervent about painting, despite Roman society restrictions. She paints a mural of Pompeii's governor, Tiberius, who is furious at the artist's treatment and imprisons her. Yet, he is enticed by her fervor and passion. When Lila paints his portrait in prison to appease Tiberius' wife, they slowly discover their attraction for each other. Will Lila and Tiberius' love be fulfilled? The musical echoes our fast-paced world where tragedy can happen at any moment or the eruption of a volcano can alter lives forever in an idyllic seaside town.
CAST
Juliet Heller
Russ Lorenson*
Lane McKenna*
Sean Patrick Murtagh
Lillian Askew
Alex Rodriguez
Mike Figueira
Mauricio Villa-Lobos*
Stephen Vaught
*Actors indicated with an asterisk are members of ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, the union of professional actors in the United States.
I'll let you know what I think after I see tonight's production.
Labels: 42nd Street Moon, Keith Hermann
Sunday, January 11, 2009
In case you were wondering what's up with the Magic Theatre
Per my earlier post the Magic Theatre joined other local theatres in being in dire straits.
They are very very close to their $350K goal (only $39,500 away), and if they reach it an anonymous donor will give them another $100K.
But KCBS is reporting that it is far from a done deal that they'll raise that last remaining piece.
They've gone into rehearsal on their next play assuming they will make it.
I've given a bit, how about you?
They are very very close to their $350K goal (only $39,500 away), and if they reach it an anonymous donor will give them another $100K.
But KCBS is reporting that it is far from a done deal that they'll raise that last remaining piece.
They've gone into rehearsal on their next play assuming they will make it.
I've given a bit, how about you?
Labels: Magic Theatre
