Monday, January 30, 2006
Cross-post from 42nd St Moon: Wendy Wassterstein dead at 55
Annette from the 42nd St. Moon office just sent me word that Wasserstein has lost her battle with cancer.
My S.O., folks and I were just talking abut her last night, because we had tix to what was going to be her first musical, presented by Theatreworks, later this year. The show had already been "postponed" due to her illness.
Perhaps the thing that has stick most in my mind about Wasserstien was the somewhat fairy-tale story of how a man, a NYC Transit cop, won Jeopardy by providing Wasserstein's name as the right answer in Final Jeopardy. Later they met and dated. As a fan of both the theatre and of Jeopardy, what could be a more romantic tale!
She was only 55, and I think it's a sad, premature loss for, obviously her family, including a 7 year old daughter, but also for the theatre world.
My S.O., folks and I were just talking abut her last night, because we had tix to what was going to be her first musical, presented by Theatreworks, later this year. The show had already been "postponed" due to her illness.
Perhaps the thing that has stick most in my mind about Wasserstien was the somewhat fairy-tale story of how a man, a NYC Transit cop, won Jeopardy by providing Wasserstein's name as the right answer in Final Jeopardy. Later they met and dated. As a fan of both the theatre and of Jeopardy, what could be a more romantic tale!
She was only 55, and I think it's a sad, premature loss for, obviously her family, including a 7 year old daughter, but also for the theatre world.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Cross-post: Thoughts on casting for the Dreamgirls movie
Well, I guess we can only hope that this trend in new movie musicals, spurred by the success of Chicago, will continue.
I don't think The Producers and its so-so reviews is going to help much.
Intrepid Annette sent me casting info on the impending Dreamgirls movie.
Most of the casting is movie/music-star casting that I think will probably work just fine:
Can't complain about Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor Jr., Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder Early" and Danny Glover as Marty. I'm not even going to question Beyoncé Knowles as Deena Jones.
Two pieces of casting are a little more interesting though. Young Tony-winning Anika Noni Rose (from Caroline or Change) is playing Lorrell. First of all, she's the only one with musical theatre pedigree involved, so good for her. but isn't she really young?
Lastly, American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson is going to play Effie. Lord have mercy. OK. Anyone who has read my American Idol recaps from Season 3 knows that I was never ever a Hudson fan. She may have belty chops, but she has no nuance and no vulnerability. Not only that, but she's not exactly the right physical type for Effie. Effie borders on the unlikable as it is because she ends up being rather self-pitying through the center section of the show. I really fear Hudson is just going to make that unbearably obnoxious.
Any Hudson fans out there to refute me?
I don't think The Producers and its so-so reviews is going to help much.
Intrepid Annette sent me casting info on the impending Dreamgirls movie.
Most of the casting is movie/music-star casting that I think will probably work just fine:
Can't complain about Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor Jr., Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder Early" and Danny Glover as Marty. I'm not even going to question Beyoncé Knowles as Deena Jones.
Two pieces of casting are a little more interesting though. Young Tony-winning Anika Noni Rose (from Caroline or Change) is playing Lorrell. First of all, she's the only one with musical theatre pedigree involved, so good for her. but isn't she really young?
Lastly, American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson is going to play Effie. Lord have mercy. OK. Anyone who has read my American Idol recaps from Season 3 knows that I was never ever a Hudson fan. She may have belty chops, but she has no nuance and no vulnerability. Not only that, but she's not exactly the right physical type for Effie. Effie borders on the unlikable as it is because she ends up being rather self-pitying through the center section of the show. I really fear Hudson is just going to make that unbearably obnoxious.
Any Hudson fans out there to refute me?
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
"Bounce" gets another chance...and I am obviously prescient
Stephen Sondheim's Bounce is finally going to get a reading, albeit a closed one, in New York. I'd just like to point out that Bernadette Peters is rumored to have been added to the cast, and that in my review of the CD I told the producers, and I quote:
I know Jay actually really liked Bounce, so I hope this means it's getting another chance so more of us can see for ourselves.
Note to producers: next time you want Bernadette Peters? Ask Bernadette Peters.
I know Jay actually really liked Bounce, so I hope this means it's getting another chance so more of us can see for ourselves.
"Bounce" gets another chance...and I am obviously prescient
Stephen Sondheim's Bounce is finally going to get a reading, albeit a closed one, in New York. I'd just like to point out that Bernadette Peters is rumored to have been added to the cast, and that in my review of the CD I told the producers, and I quote:
I know Jay actually really liked Bounce, so I hope this means it's getting another chance so more of us can see for ourselves.
Note to producers: next time you want Bernadette Peters? Ask Bernadette Peters.
I know Jay actually really liked Bounce, so I hope this means it's getting another chance so more of us can see for ourselves.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Foothillers loves them some Diana De Garmo
Well, I can't ignore this: two Foothillers, Alicia Teeter and Ray Renati, sent me items about American Idol runner-up Diana De Garmo joining the Broadway cast of Hairspray as best friend Penny Pingleton.
This is probably a much better role for De Garmo than Maria in West Side Story.
So Ray was in WSS with De Garmo, so I know why he pointed me to this. Alicia...what's your excuse?
This is probably a much better role for De Garmo than Maria in West Side Story.
So Ray was in WSS with De Garmo, so I know why he pointed me to this. Alicia...what's your excuse?
Monday, January 16, 2006
A message of Hope
OK, well, really, a message from Hope...or to be even more precise, from Alicia Teeter who is playing Hope in Urinetown. I asked her how the show was going and got this message:
The show is going very well. They were staging "Privilege to Pee" this Saturday, and Old Man Strong (Todd Wright) was making me laugh so hard that I had tears in my eyes.
I've spent the last few blocking rehearsals tied to a chair, so it hasn't been *too* eventful for me, but its great fun watching the show come together!
And if you don't know the show, and don't know why she was tied to a chair, I'm certainly not going to spoil it for you!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Depp as Todd?
Rumors are flying that Tim Burton will direct Johhny Depp as Sweeney Todd in an impending movie of the Sondheim musical.
I'm a little scared of the singing, it's true. But I will say this: when I saw the original Sweeney with Len Cariou one of the most compelling aspects of the show was how truly sexy Cariou's Sweeney was. Even as you were scared of and loathed him, you kinda wanted to do him. Which made it pretty easy to understand how the horny, amoral Mrs. Lovett could join him in his really macabre mission.
Dangerously sexy: yeah, the Depp's got it, IMHO.
Hat tip: Alicia Teeter
Thursday, January 12, 2006
See how the Urinetown publicity poster developed
Hat tip to Reynaldi Lolong from Encore Theatre Company for sending me this.Check out this site to see how the publicity poster for Urinetown developed, from initial sketches to final product. I have to say the poster is cool, but I am just a tiny bit partial to the mischievous bunny concept. I understand it's a little too abstract to really pull people in, but it's undoubtedly cuuute!
And definitely also represents a major catchy theme from the show. (And no, I won't spoil it for you, if you haven't see the show before.) Anyway. it's a unique look at how designers work.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Foothill Alum out in the World: Wendell Wilson
Come see Foothill alum Wendell Wilson playing Able in the The Ross Valley Players production of Sly Fox, Larry Gelbert’s bawdy comedy.
To tickle the humor of today’s audiences, Ben Jonson’s 17th century Volpone has been transported to 1890’s San Francisco. Though Volpone’s name has been changed to Foxwell J. Sly, he remains the same scheming, rapacious faker, bent on extracting fortunes from a group of greedy opportunists. There can only be one winner in this uproarious war of avarice and duplicity. Come and find out who-and laugh along the way.
Directed by Phoebe Moyer
Featuring Alan Bruce, Thom Calandra, Adrianna Dinihanian, Norman A. Hall, Christopher Hammond, David Alan Moss, Jennifer Reimer, Maureen O’Donoghue, Alex Ross, Bruce Vieira, Victoria Lee Williams and Wendell Wilson.
PERFORMANCES:
OPENS FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
PLAYS THROUGH FEBRUARY 19
Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm, Thursdays (Feb 2, 9 & 16) 7:30pm, Sundays (Jan 29, Feb 12 & 19) 2pm
TICKETS:
$19 General Admission, $16 Youth & Seniors, $15 for all on Thursdays
“Pay What You Will” on 1/20 (tickets available at the box office from 7-7:20 on the night of the performance)
RESERVATIONS: 415-456-9555
LOCATION: The Barn Theatre - Marin Art & Garden Center, Sir Francis Drake Blvd at Lagunitas, Ross
Friday, January 06, 2006
Dean Goodman showers Foothill with Choice Awards
Both Foothill Music Theatre 2005 shows received a slew of Dean Goodman Choice Awards. Check it out:
Sweeney Todd
Principal Performance – Diana Torres-Koss
Principal Performance – James Monroe Iglehart
Supporting Performance – Lane McKenna
Supporting Performance – Martin Rojas-Dietrich
Supporting Performance – Sean Patrick O'Connor
Supporting Performance – Austin Ku
Costume Design – Amy Zsadanyi-Yale
Musical Staging – Joe Duffy
Musical Direction – Brandon Adams
Direction – Jay Manley
Brigadoon
Principal Performance – Tim Reynolds
Supporting Performance – Karen DeHart
Supporting Performance – Matthew Brandon Hutchens
Scenic Design – Joe Ragey
Costume Design – Janis Bergmann
Lighting Design – Kurt Landisman
Musical Direction – Brandon Adams
Choreography – Tyler Risk
Direction – Jay Manley
Congratulations everyone!!!
Sweeney Todd
Principal Performance – Diana Torres-Koss
Principal Performance – James Monroe Iglehart
Supporting Performance – Lane McKenna
Supporting Performance – Martin Rojas-Dietrich
Supporting Performance – Sean Patrick O'Connor
Supporting Performance – Austin Ku
Costume Design – Amy Zsadanyi-Yale
Musical Staging – Joe Duffy
Musical Direction – Brandon Adams
Direction – Jay Manley
Brigadoon
Principal Performance – Tim Reynolds
Supporting Performance – Karen DeHart
Supporting Performance – Matthew Brandon Hutchens
Scenic Design – Joe Ragey
Costume Design – Janis Bergmann
Lighting Design – Kurt Landisman
Musical Direction – Brandon Adams
Choreography – Tyler Risk
Direction – Jay Manley
Congratulations everyone!!!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
First look at the entire cast of Urinetown
This is a shot reminiscent of the broadway production's publicity poster, featuring Robert Brewer (playing Bobby Strong) and the entire cast:
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Rehearsals underway for Urinetown
No rest for the wicked, so the small, but plucky cast of Foothill's Urinetown was off to the races the moment the New Year passed.
Here's the basic info you need to know:
Opens: Friday, February 17
Closes: Sunday, March 12
Performances:
Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm
Sunday at 2pm
PLUS Additional matinee Saturday, March 11, 2pm
$24 general; $22 seniors; $18 students; $10 children under 12.
For tickets, call the box office at 650-949-7360 (open Thursday-Saturday, 5-9pm; Sunday, 12-4pm), 24-hour charge-by-phone hotline at 650-949-7414. Online ticketing isn't up and running yet.
Stay tuned for a first look at pictures from the show.
Here's the basic info you need to know:
Opens: Friday, February 17
Closes: Sunday, March 12
Performances:
Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm
Sunday at 2pm
PLUS Additional matinee Saturday, March 11, 2pm
$24 general; $22 seniors; $18 students; $10 children under 12.
For tickets, call the box office at 650-949-7360 (open Thursday-Saturday, 5-9pm; Sunday, 12-4pm), 24-hour charge-by-phone hotline at 650-949-7414. Online ticketing isn't up and running yet.
Stay tuned for a first look at pictures from the show.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Cross-post from 42nd St. Moon: Barbara Cook podcast
I already knew I loved Barbara Cook, but I've fallen in love all over again listening to her podcast interview with the American Theatre Wing. I've mentioned these before, and I'm working my way slowly through them, but this one is a must-listen.
I love her comments about song interpretation, about the invasion of melisma into singing in general and Broadway in particular. I also love her purist perspective. Which I have to say I agree with. Example: early Sinatra? pure and beautiful. Later Sinatra? It put her off with all his added "Baby"s etc.
Cannot believe she is 77 years old! She sounds pretty much the same as ever.
Enjoy.
I love her comments about song interpretation, about the invasion of melisma into singing in general and Broadway in particular. I also love her purist perspective. Which I have to say I agree with. Example: early Sinatra? pure and beautiful. Later Sinatra? It put her off with all his added "Baby"s etc.
Cannot believe she is 77 years old! She sounds pretty much the same as ever.
Enjoy.
