Julie Taymor News

Soho Rep presents the highly anticipated U.S. Premiere of debbie tucker green's landmark play BORN BAD Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer. Featuring a powerhouse cast that includes: Crystal A. Dickinson (RUINED, CLYBOURNE PARK), Heather Alicia Simms (GEM OF THE OCEAN, A RAISIN IN THE SUN), LeRoy McClain (CYMBELINE, THE HISTORY BOYS), Quincy Tyler Bernstine (RUINED, IN THE NEXT ROOM), Michael Rogers (JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, BREAKFAST WITH MUGABE), and Elaine R. Graham (Julie Taymor's 'Across the Universe,' PLAYBOY OF THE WEST INDIES)

The hits just keep on coming for SPIDER-MAN, but some help is on the way to the show. The New York Times is reporting and we've confirmed that the show has officially brought on Paul Bogaev, a multi-award winning music director-producer, arranger and composer to work on improving the show's many sound issues, including to 'help improve the performance, vocal and orchestration arrangements, and sound quality of the songs and numbers'. Word has also been coming from multiple sources that it's expected that the production will officially announce another delay later in the week (it's sixth) that might push the official opening as far forward as AFTER this year's Tony Awards. The Times is also reporting that 'Bono and Edge are writing new music for 'Spider-Man' now, but Mr. Miramontez said that Mr. Bogaev's role was far greater than adding that music once it is ready. No significant additions have been made to the score so far.'

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will offer post-show discussions following select performances of TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role.

It's Roger Friedman at Showbiz411 vs. Michael Riedel at the New York Post today. Friedman writes that 'I spoke to Julie Taymor this morning. She was working on some changes with her own co-writer, Glenn Berger. She told me she's had lots of input about changes from friends and colleagues. 'No one has been hired or is being hired,' Taymor said. 'The director they mentioned is a friend of Michael Cohl's. I'm sure he asked his opinion. When a show's in previews, everyone gives their opinion. Try this, that. And the other guy, I've never even heard of him.'

Lahr writes 'Taymor has a dynamic, painterly sense of space; she can marshal all the sensual elements of movement, light, and perspective into amazing stage pictures. (Two minutes after the show had ended, I couldn't recall a line of dialogue, a song lyric, or a melody, but I do remember any number of the show's images.) Before our eyes, for instance, the New York sky line is tipped ninety degrees, so that what begins at street level ends up a bird's-eye view, with buglike yellow cabs skittering below; in another scene, the spider chorines dance before us, with their eight syncopated limbs. In these moments-and there are plenty of them-the audience finds itself exactly where Taymor wants it to be: in a waking dream. The technicians of wonder are the real stars of 'Spider-Man': George Tsypin and his ravishing angular cityscape, with its monumental Cubist and Constructivist touches; Kyle Cooper and his ingenious projection design; Eiko Ishioka and her witty, beautifully made costumes (I loved Swarm, a one-man killer-bee hive, and the Green Goblin's scaly carapace). The stagecraft is about as good as it gets: all 'Spider-Man' needs now is a new book and new songs. Call me, Mister Mercury, this show will never be frozen.'

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, February 20, 2011 - Sunday, February 20, 2011.

Michael Riedel reported this morning in the New York Post that SPIDER-MAN producers had reached out to Philip Wm. McKinley to potentially join the production as co-director along with Julie Taymor. In response, a production spokesperson for SPIDER-MAN has issued a statement that 'There is no truth to the rumor of a co-director. The production has not brought anyone on and the original creative team remains firmly in place, with Julie Taymor at the helm.'

Some have compared the situation of SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK to that of a circus, so perhaps it's fitting today that Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post that the production has reached out to Phil McKinley, who has a background directing the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He is also known however, for directing THE BOY FROM OZ on Broadway along with THE DESERT SONG at the New York City Opera, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA and more.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is delighted to present The Arabian Nights, written and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Metamorphoses). The production, presented in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre Company, has been recognized as "Zimmerman's most theatrically complete and perfect creation" (Chicago Tribune).

This week, in honor of our InDepth Interview series of articles on the Public Theater Shakespeare LAB production of TIMON OF ATHENS featuring Richard Thomas and Barry Edelstein, we are setting out to prove that all the world's a stage and we are, indeed, merely its players with a collection of clips featuring the work of William Shakespeare. Leonardo Dicaprio to Anthony Hopkins to Russell Brand; Ian McKellen & Judi Dench and more await with many marvelous visions for weary eyes and ears to behold and be bequeathed. TITUS, ROMEO & JULIET, THE TEMPEST and MACBETH are merely a taste of the grand banquet!

The 2011 - 2012 FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America - Orlando subscription series is going to be a family affair in Orlando!

According to a report by Deadline.com, producers of SPIDER-MAN : TURN OFF THE DARK have asked Roberto-Aguirre-Sacasa to rewrite the book to the show. The original book was a collaboration between Julie Taymor and Glen Berger. THis time around, the show will be reworked by a Spidey expert, as Aguirra-Sacasa has written Spider-Man comics for Marvel in the past. Additionally, he penned the book for Dallas Theatre Center's IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN!

Yesterday, February 15, Yellow Sound Label released the debut CD of acclaimed Broadway's Christopher Jackson on iTunes, Amazon.com and other online outlets. The album hits stores on March 19. In the Name of Love is a new album of soulful and melodic contemporary R&B written and co-produced by Jackson. In honor of the online release yesterday, Jackson was joined by Lin-Manuel Miranda and other In The Heights alum at The Canal Room for a special concert. He was also joined by special guests Arthur and the Geniuses. Jackson co-produced the album with Michael Murphy, Bill Sherman and Michael Croiter.

John Douglas Thompson is playing the title role in Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth in Theatre for a New Audience's final and fourth show of its 31st Season. Directed by Arin Arbus, this production reunites Ms. Arbus and Mr. Thompson whom she directed in the title role of Othello two seasons ago. Mr. Thompson won OBIE and Lucille Lortel awards for his performance. Macbeth features Annika Boras as Lady Macbeth, Albert Jones (Theatre for a New Audience's Pericles and Oroonoko) as Macduff and Graham Winton (Theatre for a New Audience's Don Juan, Julius Caesar, Pericles, Othello and Measure for Measure) as Banquo. Macbeth begins previews Saturday, March 12 at 8:00pm, opens Sunday, March 20 at 7:00pm, and runs through Thursday, April 21 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project, 229 West 42nd Street. The production is sponsored by Deloitte.

Stage Entertainment ha abierto una nueva convocatoria de audiciones para buscar a los protagonistas infantiles del musical El Rey León, que llegará al Teatro Lope de Vega de Madrid en otoño de 2011.

Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center turns the spotlight on the newest hits from Broadway in its 2011-2012 season, announced today. Houston theater audiences will be captivated with new Broadway shows this season!

Reeve Carney performs songs by one iconic rock group every night with SPIDER-MAN, Turn Off the Dark's score being written by U2's Bono and The Edge, but he recently sang another famed group's song when he performed Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' for Rolling Stone. View Carney's performance below!

Disney Theatrical Productions and Victoria Theatre Association announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Saturday, February 12 at 7 AM. Dayton's most eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Benjamin & Marion Schuster Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 14 for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, July 10. The opening night is Thursday, June 16 at 8PM. THE LION KING is part of the 2010-2011 Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series.

So what does the SPIDER-MAN cast think of the harsh reviews the show received earlier this week? Click below to hear what Green Goblin Patrick Page had to say on MSNBC's Morning Joe earlier today.

The Geffen Playhouse's Backstage at the Geffen annual fundraiser, which recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising funds for the Geffen Playhouse's education programs, will honor Tony and Emmy Award winning actress Kristin Chenoweth and Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Barry Meyer. The event, which will be co-chaired by Alan & Cindy Horn and John & Marilyn Wells will be held March 22, 2010 at the Geffen Playhouse.