Based on a 1969 book edited by Stephen M. Joseph
The collection of songs inspired by the stories of underprivileged New York kids.
On the occasion of what would have been her 75th birthday, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN opened a two-night engagement at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre, sharing with Boston the spirit of Janis and the blues vocalists who inspired her. Newton native Kelly McIntyre evokes Joplin with her body language, a rapid verbal patter, and a powerhouse voice that can go from zero to sixty. The show is at its best when focusing on the musical numbers, a generous offering from the singer's canon of hits.
If you're looking to get a definitive Janis Joplin biography/musical (in the vein of the Carole King musical BEAUTIFUL), then you may be disappointed with A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the short-lived 2013 Broadway musical. More akin to a tribute concert rather than actual musical theater, a new regional production of the show continues at the Laguna Playhouse through September 10. But wait… don't dismiss the show quite so fast. Despite a lack of a real narrative, the production boasts some incredible, standing ovation-worthy musical performances, particularly from Kelly McIntyre who plays the title role and her four 'muses' played by the ultra-talented foursome of Sharon Catherine Brown, Tawny Dolley, Carol Hatchett, and Amma Osei. These ladies alone are reason enough to go see this production!
Even if you've never heard a note sung by Ella Fitzgerald (and if that's the case, you should stop reading this review immediately and look up some of her recordings on YouTube) Andrea Frierson's duo-bio solo show, ME & ELLA, can be related to by anyone whose life was influenced by a popular artist they've never met.
GOOD MORNING, THEATERATI! Welcome to Thursday, May 18, 2017…It's #TheatreThursday! which begs the question: How do you propose to live life dramatically? And, while we're on the subject, what shows are on your agenda this weekend? Let us know what you plan to see and what led you to make your choice! We'll pass the word along to the powers-that-be!
Actress/LA theatre inaugurator, Penny Fuller has embarked on a new leg of her career as a cabaret artiste. Ms. Fuller will be bringing her solo musical play 13 THINGS ABOUT ED CARPOLOTTI to the Broad Stage beginning January 11. I had the most delightful opportunity to chat with the vibrant, vivacious Ms. Fuller. She possesses a memory of an elephant, effortlessly listing off names of cast compatriots and retelling intriguing incidents of her theatre highlights.
Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show.
Erica Garraffa is spellbinding as the brilliant and unique singer-songwriter responsible for some the best songs of the Sixties and Seventies.
Powerful, moving and ripe for revival, Inge's drama is not simply a breezy summer romance. Set in small town Kansas, this is a sexy world, dangerous and cruel, where residents keep each other in their place while longing to break free. At once sensual, passionate and delightfully funny, Picnic probes the sometimes tenuous line between restraint and desire.
Powerful, moving and ripe for revival, Inge's drama is not simply a breezy summer romance. Set in small town Kansas, this is a sexy world, dangerous and cruel, where residents keep each other in their place while longing to break free. At once sensual, passionate and delightfully funny, Picnic probes the sometimes tenuous line between restraint and desire.
Producer Bellanca Smigel Rutter (The Bridges of Madison County, Macbeth) will present an additional industry reading of The Me Nobody Knows in New York City on September 16 and 17, 2014 following a two-week dance lab helmed by director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Altar Boyz), choreographer Taye Diggs (Rent, "Private Practice"), and musical director Bryan Perri (Wicked). The presentations mark the next step toward a commercial production after a successful exploratory reading this past May 2014.
Producer Bellanca Smigel Rutter announced today that a working, industry reading of The Me Nobody Knows will take place in New York City on May 14 and 15, 2014 in anticipation of a commercial production. Director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Altar Boyz) will helm the creative team, which will also include musical direction by Bryan Perri (Wicked), and choreography by Taye Diggs (Rent, "Private Practice").
Toronto director, actor, producer, playwright and arts educator Tanisha Taitt has announced the debut presentation by the new community theatre youth collective, Teenage Graceland. Its first piece audiences will be Admissions, about a tutoring session that unravels unexpectedly and leaves a friendship potentially irreparable. Written by Taitt, who will also direct, Admissions will run for five performances from today, April 24th to 27th, 2014, at Artscape Youngplace.
According to his official website, Kevin Sharp passed away on Saturday, April 19th. The Country singer was just 43 years old. It was reported that he passed away from ongoing complications with past stomach surgeries and digestive problems.
Rubicon Theatre continues the company's 16th Not Your Typical Season with a special run of Love, Loss, and What I Wore -- a witty and wise celebration of womanhood adapted by Nora and Delia Ephron, creators of such hits as 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'Sleepless in Seattle,' 'You've Got Mail,' 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' and 'Silkwood.'
Toronto director, actor, producer, playwright and arts educator Tanisha Taitt has announced the debut presentation by the new community theatre youth collective, Teenage Graceland. Its first piece audiences will be Admissions, about a tutoring session that unravels unexpectedly and leaves a friendship potentially irreparable. Written by Taitt, who will also direct, Admissions will run for five performances from April 24th to 27th, 2014, at Artscape Youngplace.
Rubicon Theatre continues the company's 16th Not Your Typical Season with a special run of Love, Loss, and What I Wore -- a witty and wise celebration of womanhood adapted by Nora and Delia Ephron, creators of such hits as 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'Sleepless in Seattle,' 'You've Got Mail,' 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' and 'Silkwood.'
Stage and Television stars Gavin MacLeod, Joyce Bulifant and G.W. Bailey lead a cast of twenty professional actors and singers in Dezart Performs fundraising gala, 'ON THE AIR! An Evening of Live Radio Show Classics,' tonight, March 13, 2014 at The Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. I had the chance to chat with MacLeod about his life and career and participating in the ON THE AIR benefit. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation.
Stage and Television stars Gavin MacLeod, Joyce Bulifant and G.W. Bailey lead a cast of twenty professional actors and singers in Dezart Performs fundraising gala, 'ON THE AIR! An Evening of Live Radio Show Classics,' on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at The Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. The live show with post-performance VIP reception will take the audience back in time to radio's golden age of the 1940s and 1950s with all of the stage gimmicks in tact including sound effects created right on stage, applause signs-and even commercials with original jingles for the modern-day companies sponsoring the special event. The radio shows to be vividly recreated are 'The Bickersons,' 'Sherlock Holmes,' and 'My Favorite Husband.' I had the chance to chat with MacLeod about his life and career and participating in the ON THE AIR benefit. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation.
Mary Bridget Davies provides powerful full-throated vocals and an empathetic performance in Randy Johnson's concert-style bio-musical.
The Theater Company of Hoboken (TTC) will close out it regular season with the musical THE ME THAT NOBODY KNOWS. TONY-nominated and OBIE Award-winning, THE ME NOBODY KNOWS is a ground-breaking musical adapted by Robert H. Livingston and Herb Shapiro, with music by Gary William Friedan, and Lyrics by Will Holt and Shapiro, as directed by veteran TTC director Margaret Leone. Performances will be June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 &16.
Three Europeans are isolated on the construction site of a western company in the heart of Africa, surrounded by barbed wire fences. High up on the watchtowers above, African security guards call out in the night to one another in throat songs to keep awake. As evening falls, a mysterious man, Alboury, penetrates the camp. When it emerges that he has come to demand the body of his brother who died that day in unknown circumstances, the ensuing action leads to a disturbing twist of events.
Liza Minnelli took a moment out of her busy schedule to speak with BWW about her upcoming concert, her favorite Broadway memories and the real story behind those 'wild nights' at the legendary Studio 54 nightclub during the 1970's.
THE ME NOBODY KNOWS is a musical plea for understanding by a group of underprivileged children that's set in one of the poorer neighborhoods of New York City. It's an indictment of our current social and economic conditions that this show, written in 1970, explores themes and issues that still resonate with audiences today. The current production by the Black Rep is a rousing and entertaining show that features a young and talented cast.
Joseph Lotito, one of the pioneers of Syracuse's community theater scene and Founder/Executive Director of Salt City Center for the Performing Arts, died of heart failure at the age of 82 on Sunday.
The Tony Award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) dedicated its Broadway theatre the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' on Thursday, September 4. The ceremony began at the theatre (261 West 47th Street at 8th Avenue) . MTC previously announced that it was renaming its Broadway home, until now known as the Biltmore Theatre, the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in recognition of the pioneering Broadway publicist.
1970 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
1970 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
1970 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Broadway |
1973 | London Fringe |
London Production London Fringe |
2005 | New York |
Reading New York |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
1970 | Obie Awards | Best Musical | Will Holt |
1970 | Obie Awards | Best Musical | Robert Livingston |
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