Date of Death: May 12, 2001 (88)
Birth Place: Canonsburg, PA, USA
Stuart Ross’ 1989 jukebox homage to boy bands of the 1950’s is a pleasant whiff of nostalgia sure to remove you from the stress of today’s less naïve and chaotic present. Forever Plaid follows The Plaids, a youthful quartet with stardom in their eyes killed in a car accident in 1964. Like the baseball players in Field of Dreams, they return to perform one final concert and we’re here to bear witness.
It’s a boy! It’s a girl! No, it’s BEING RICHARD GREENE, a laugh-‘til-you cry intimate exploration of one “person’s” intimate journey of gender identity.
On Saturday, March 2nd, I had the pleasure of seeing another phenomenal performance put on by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT, FOREVER PLAID, a comedic jukebox musical written by Stuart Ross. Director Melanie Del Sole, with help from musical director Nick Ciasullo and choreographer Stephen Koehler bring out the best in this amazing cast featuring Henry Tobelman, Stephen Koehler, Jeffrey Rizzo and Brandon Gregoire, accompanied by David Marottolo on piano. The show reflects the music of the male 1950s harmony groups, placing it into a highly entertaining storyline! The actors have incredible stage chemistry with each other, and amazing vocal harmony. Their dance maneuvers are performed with sharp synchronicity. Most importantly, it is clear that they are having an excellent time performing their roles, radiating positive energy throughout the audience.
The journey through these two discs, though, is not only enjoyable, it is an education.
What did our critic think of GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES AND RARE BONUS TRACKS at A?
The historic Newtown Theatre will present The Crooners: From Nat King Cole to Michael Bublé on Wednesday, January 10 at 3 PM. Learn more about the event here!
Enjoy an evening filled with some of the most beloved songs of the last five decades with What The World Needs Now, a powerful tribute to the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Learn more about the performance and how to get tickets here!
Writer/reporter Amy Woods is celebrating the publication of her informative new guidebook, 100 Things to Do in Jupiter Before You Die from Reedy Press. A longtime player in the South Florida media market, her byline is very familiar to readers of The Palm Beach Post, Jupiter Magazine, The Coastal Star, and Florida Weekly.
The Lexington Theatre Company (The Lex) brings Broadway and Rising Stars together for Memphis, playing August 3-6 in Lexington, Kentucky. See photos from the production!
The point of musical theater (for most people) is pure entertainment, and the New Theatre & Restaurant original production of 1981’s DREAMGIRLS hits the bullseye. DREAMGIRLS is directed by Jerry Jay Cranford and stars a comparatively large, twenty-one member cast backed by an eight-piece orchestra. Cranford has assembled a cast of Broadway belters and fine dancers to tell the tale of a Supremes-like black female singing trio around 1960 and in the decade to follow.
The show is flashy and impeccably costumed. The set, while relatively simple, is technically superior. LED screens are used across the background to simulate locations. Not much was spared when the producer was asked to fund this production. Choreography by Courtney German is frenetic, well drilled, and perfectly appropriate for this genre. The musical score is spectacular by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen. Several numbers (including the title track) became number one hits outside the show.
An all new video has been released featuring the Emcees of London’s Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club celebrating John Kander and Joel Grey’s Tony Lifetime Achievement Awards!
Jerry Mayer, a nonagenarian from St. Louis has written and/or produced for many classic TV shows and specials. In 1986, his first play, Almost Perfect, debuted at Santa Monica Playhouse which has led to almost a dozen more - so far! I decided to speak with him about his latest comedy, Jews R 2 Much Fun, at the Santa Monica Playhouse as well as his long-running and extremely successful TV writing career.
Joel Grey and John Kander will each receive the 2023 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
If you had to pick a celebrity that exemplifies the history and entertainment eminence of Café Carlyle, Tony Danza, who just began his engagement ( May 2-6) in the legendary supper club would surely be high on your list.
What did our critic think of FOREVER PLAID at Elmont Memorial Library Theatre?
The 23rd Annual Provincetown CabaretFest “Sondheim By The Sea” festival will be held June 5 – June 11 , 2023 at : The Commons, Brasswood Inn and The Crown & Anchor Inn. In Provincetown, MA.
Why Worry? Jews R 2 Much Fun! world premiere engagement of a new comedy, written by Jerry Mayer and directed by Chris DeCarlo, has been announced at Santa Monica Playhouse.
Reviewer Peter Nason ranks his choices for Burt Bacharach's top 50 tunes.
Desde Jule Styne a Irving Berlin, llevas cantándolas toda la vida.
Forever Plaid is an Off-Broadway Musical Revue that was first performed in 1989 in New York, and was written by Stuart Ross. Now the show is performed Internationally. The show itself featured Stan Chandler, Guy Stroman, Gabriel Barre, and Jason Graae in the 1989 New York Cast. While James Raitt was responsible for the Musical arrangement, vocal arrangements and music direction, the show was Directed and Choreographed by its writer Stuart Ross.
The Musical Revue was produced into a feature film, which was released in 2009 starring two of the original cast members (Chandler, and Engel)and Larry Raben and Daniel Reichard as Sparky and Frankie respectively. Fans of the show will notice that in the film adaptation, “The Golden Cardigan,” and “Catch a Falling Star,” were omitted.
Perry Como has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.
Perry Como has not appeared in the West End
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