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
