BWW Blogs: 'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 7th, 2010
By: Paul W. Thompson Jul. 07, 2010
THE LATEST IN UNAUTHORIZED GOSSIP AND BUZZ
FROM THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S SHOWTUNE VIDEO BARS,
AND MUSICAL THEATER NEWS FROM CHICAGO TO BROADWAY
by Paul W. Thompson
Overheard last weekend under the showtune
video screens at Sidetrack and the Call:
It's that time of year again! Every six months, we bring you the Mosh Pit "Top Ten Hot Topics," those subjects and shows that have kept you and me occupied for the not-too-distant past. And now, it's the first six months of 2010 that we have to look back on. So, as promised, let's get to it! Will your favorite gossip show or hot ticket make the cut? Let's have a look see.....
Oh, and there's a bonus at the bottom!
Out of 161 (or so) topics in the Mosh Pit, here's the Top Ten! Envelope, please.
10. Porchlight Music Theatre. The goings on at the Lakeview musical theater company seem to have grabbed our attention this spring. L. Walter Stearns, Eugene Dizon and company have been raising money (opening the newly-named Mayne Stage in Rogers Park with their "Chicago Sings Sondheim" benefit last month), announcing their upcoming season (can you say, "Sunday In The Park With George" and "The King And I," among others?), and putting together a very well-received mounting of "Into The Woods" this spring. Well done, you guys! We've noticed.
9. Marriott Theatre. This enormously important north suburban Equity venue (national stature, ya'll) maintains a vast subscription audience for its mainstage musicals (and puts on a pretty mean children's theatre series, too). The past few months have seen solid mountings of "Fiddler On The Roof" and "The Drowsy Chaperone," and "Once On This Island" is opening any second now. Whether new works, local or regional premieres of the latest titles released from national tour commitments, or re-imaginings of old standbys, Marriott rarely disappoints. And the casts are usually full of local all stars. Who wants a drive to the country?
Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire
8. "Chess." This oft-discussed but rarely seen title was given a very well-received mounting this spring by the intrepid band from Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre at Rogers Park's No Exit Café. And they were rewarded with a haul of seven non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards last month, more that any other musical production or theater company. It won for Production, Direction, Choreography, Musical Direction, and three of the acting awards (friends of the Mosh Pit Courtney Crouse, Maggie Portman and John B. Leen). Who could ask for anything more? I mean, heaven help my heart! (Their current Harold Arlen review isn't too shabby either.)
Home « Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
7. Northwestern University. We've been intrigued by a flurry of activity at Northwestern recently. A great production of "Tommy," a rare mounting of the opera "The Ghosts Of Versailles," the nationally known "Waa-Mu Show" and the retirement of showtune guru Dominic Missimi (complete with an all-star tribute show with Broadway stars and students rubbing elbows) piqued our interest. Oh yes, Dominic directed Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" before he went. Oh, he's still there, heading the summer American Music Theatre Project, with its concerts, lectures, productions and new works. Stephen Schwarz keeps dropping by. Yes, we are all Wildcats these days!
Northwestern University Newscenter
6. Tony Awards/Jeff Awards. The first two weeks of June saw Broadway's Tony Awards from New York's Radio City Music Hall, and Chicago's Jeff Awards (non-Equity wing) from the Park West. We love awards season! We dissesct, we predict, we hope and pray, we enjoy and we concoct trivia. We compare them to years past, and to each other. What would spring be without an awards show or five? From "Chess" to "Memphis," "La Cage Aux Folles" and Catherine Zeta-Jones' now-legendary performance of "Send In The Clowns," we were attentive. Don't say you weren't!!
5. "Billy Elliot." In the wake of the closing of Chicago's sit-down production of "Wicked," and the brave showing by our "Jersey Boys" in the wake of both the green girl and the economic downturn, we've put a lot of our big Loop dreams onto the shoulders of one quadruple-cast little boy. Sir Elton John's multi-Tony winning musical about the ballet boy from the mining town opened at the Ford Center For The Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre in March, in only its fourth international incarnation (down to three for now with the closing of the Australian production). So, we are lucky indeed to have the "Electricity" of this show, and some local talent is involved, have no fear. But, can it survive beyond Christmas? We're just not sure. Toronto looms. But we like it!
4. "Ragtime." This stupendous production of a show close to Chicago's collective heart amassed amazing reviews and word of mouth during its run in early spring out at the Drury Lane Theatre in west suburban Oakbrook Terrace. That's what happens when you bring in folks who've performed their roles on Broadway, and combine them with a large assortment of the best singers and actors working locally. Oh, and with Rachel Rockwell and her concept at the helm, and some pretty awesome scenic effects, you have a production which will surely be remembered this fall at the Equity Jeff Awards. It was not to be missed, and I hope you didn't!
3. "Million Dollar Quartet." The little show that could is still doing it! Almost two years after this show first opened its Chicago production (in a rental arrangement at the Goodman Theatre, quickly transferring to the Apollo Theater), it is still going strong here, now selling tickets through January of 2011. And the stars of our production made their way to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre, where they snagged a Tony nomination for Best Musical, and where Levi Kries won the award as Best Featured Actor! He didn't win the Jeff for the same performance, but who's talking? We love a success story from mid-America, no matter which side of the Mason-Dixon line it represents. However, in this case, it represents both!
Million Dollar Quartet - Official Site
2. "Glee." Yes, it's true, we are all Gleeks now! This FOX-TV show has been a national sensation among young show music fans since it's teaser/pilot episode aired a little over a year ago. When the second half of the show's first season aired in April and May, we couldn't get enough! Between character intrigue, song selection, fashion choices, guest stars and rumors of stars, and storylines either heartwrenching or silly, we talked about it and talked about it. And we cheer each and every video we see in the bars. Not to mention the FIVE albums the show has issued, and the concert tour which played here at the Rosemont Theatre. And rumors about the show's cast appearing in future Broadway shows. And those Tony Awards appearances. Well, enough said. The runner-up spot to the TV show we love, and it had better win some Emmys!
1. Broadway In Chicago. And there it is. Your number one topic for the last six months was: What are they doing down at Broadway In Chicago? Where is "Next To Normal?" Why is "Rock Of Ages" not a sit-down? How many circus shows are there? Why didn't "Dreamgirls" stay longer? "101 Dalmatians," really? When for "Memphis" and "Fela!," exactly? And on and on. So, whether we like it or not, we are enslaved to pretty much the only game in town when it comes to national tours of the productions we really do want to see. BIC, don't let us down! Don't mess up the Drury Lane Water Tower Theatre. Bring us "Hair!" Bring us "West Side Story!" Don't bring us the "Chinese Canadian Acrobats Wearing Funny Clothes Show." I'm sure they're talented, but please!
And there you have it.
But wait! I promised you a bonus. It arrived Monday night in the person of internet personality and television actor Ryan O'Connor, who visited the Mosh Pit at Sidetrack based on its international reputation. That, and he had a night off from his tour of the one-man cabaret show, "Ryan O'Connor Eats His Feelings," which he is performing at 8:00 this Thursday, July 8, 2010, at Davenport's Piano Bar in Wicker Park, on his way to Joe's Pub in New York. He comes with a recommendation from Tony-winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, and he peddles his own brand of music and comedy in cyberspace, West Hollywood, and now, coast to coast. Songs by William Finn and Scott Alan are featured, among others. And he made a pilgrimage to Sidetrack! Come on, you gotta respect that, Chicago. He had heard of us!!
Ryan O'Connor Eats His Feelings
So, as we sweat out midsummer by the Great Lakes (at least we're having one- -remember last year?), I will leave to your own devices, and leave you wondering what next week's return to daily programming will bring for "The Showtune Mosh Pit." Until then, keep either cool or hot, and let me know what you think about the "Top Ten Hot Topics!" I want an answer, when I see you next weekend under the video screens.....--PWT
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