Michael Blakemore News

One of the many delights of director Michael Blakemore's revival of Noel Coward's giddily funny 1941 froth, Blithe Spirit, is that this 2009 production looks like it could have been seen in the play's premiere year. No doubt contemporary Broadway theatre can provide more spectacular ways for an actress playing a ghost to enter a room than to just have her walk through the French windows. And certainly if an invisible spirit chooses to destroy her husband's drawing room, modern technology can whip up a few tricks more gasp-inducing than simply having a picture frame fall and a bookshelf topple over. But when you have one of the English language's great comedies played by a company that excels in the verbal dexterity of the playwright's wit, there's no need for such distractions.

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center today announces several additions to the creative team for Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure. According to producer Judith Lisi, president and CEO of TBPAC, Marguerite Derricks will choreograph the production and Ron Melrose will serve as music supervisor and provide vocal and dance arrangements as well as incidental music. Susan Hilferty, Neil Patel and Paul Gallo will design the costumes, sets and lights respectively, while Jon Weston will design the sound and Sven Ortel will design video and projections.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit completed its limited Broadway run at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street) on Sunday, July 19th, 2009.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit completes its limited Broadway run at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street) today July 19th, 2009.

Variety reports that the current Broadway revival of 'Blithe Spirit' has recouped its investment cost of $2.68 million. Producers of the revival of the 1941 Noel Coward comedy, which opened in March, announced that it made its money back just before it finishes off its limited run this Sunday.

A new production of The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso, the musical that has been seen by audiences of over 250,000 worldwide, will return to London for twenty five performances only at the Garrick Theatre from 11 September - 3 October, with press night on 15 September.

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce that its critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE; LA Weekly GO!; Backstage CRITIC'S PICK), smash-hit production of TRAFFICKING IN BROKEN HEARTS, written by Edwin Sanchez, produced by Larry Reitzer and directed by Efrain Schunior will be EXTENDING through SUNDAY, JUNE 28 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood.

Due to circumstances beyond production's control, the May 8 opening of Celebration Theatre's TRAFFICKING IN BROKEN HEARTS has been pushed back a week and will now open on Friday, May 15 and will close on Sunday June 14.

A new production of The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso, the musical that has been seen by audiences of over 250,000 worldwide, will return to London for twenty five performances only at the Garrick Theatre from 11 September - 3 October, with press night on 15 September 2009.

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce that its critically-acclaimed (LA Times CRITICS' CHOICE; LA Weekly GO!; Backstage CRITIC'S PICK), smash-hit production of TRAFFICKING IN BROKEN HEARTS, written by Edwin Sanchez, produced by Larry Reitzer and directed by Efrain Schunior will be EXTENDING through SUNDAY, JUNE 28 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood.

RACE, the new play written and directed by David Mamet, is proud to announce that RICHARD THOMAS will co-star with previously announced James Spader in this world premiere production on Broadway. THOMAS, who was recently seen on Broadway in Democracy directed by Michael Blakemore and who is beloved for his role as John-Boy Walton in 'The Walton's' will be celebrating his 50th year as a stage actor.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Producing Director Richard M. Parison, Jr., presents a workshop of a new play, I Got Sick Then I Got Better by Jenny Allen, directed by James Lapine and Darren Katz, as part of the theater's 15th Anniversary Season. Performances will take place at BSC's Stage 2 space, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield, on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 8pm, with a Sunday matinee May 17 at 3pm.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Producing Director Richard M. Parison, Jr., presents a workshop of a new play, I Got Sick Then I Got Better by Jenny Allen, directed by James Lapine and Darren Katz, as part of the theater's 15th Anniversary Season. Performances will take place at BSC's Stage 2 space, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield, on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 8pm, with a Sunday matinee May 17 at 3pm.

Due to circumstances beyond production's control, the May 8 opening of Celebration Theatre's TRAFFICKING IN BROKEN HEARTS has been pushed back a week and will now open on Friday, May 15 and will close on Sunday June 14.

Nominations for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club by Faith Prince and Jim Dale, multi-award winning stage stars. They were joined for the announcement by William Wolf, Drama Desk President, Barbara Siegel, Chairperson of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee, Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards ceremony, and Randie Levine-Miller, Director of Special Events for the Drama Desk.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Sunday, March 22, 2009.

The Life opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in the spring of 1997 under the direction of Michael Blakemore. It ran for 450 performances and won several awards for 'Best Musical' of 1997, including the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Award, and the Drama League.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, March 16, 2009.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and opened on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). BroadwayWorld and Broadway Beat were there to capture all the excitement of Opening Night with clips from the show and interviews with the starry cast! Led by two time Tony Award winner directore Michael Blakemore (Kiss Me, Kate; Copenhagen, City of Angels, Noises Off!) leads the cast of this newest addition to the Great White Way which stars 4 time Tony-award winner Angela Lansbury (Sweeney Todd,Gypsy, Dear World, Mame), Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding, An Ideal Husband), two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street), and two time Tony nominee Jayne Atkinson ('24', 'Recount' Enchanted April). Simon Jones (Waiting in the Wings, The Real Thing), Deborah Rush (Noises Off!) and Susan Louise O'Connor (Walk Two Moons) round out the cast.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit began preview performances on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and opened on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (West 44th Street). We were of course there to bring you all the excitement of the opening night party!