Reflections, songs and scenes from the past offered by Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence.
In the smallish pantheon of shows that followed in the footsteps of "Forever Plaid," that early 90s ode to the boy bands of the 1950s and 60s that uses a small cast, one set and a "juke box" of Baby Boomer radio hits, many of them quite naturally feature girls. ("Beehive" comes to mind, as does the recent "Shout.") And now comes "The Marvelous Wonderettes," ....
One of the most memorable shows in musical theatre history, Annie Get Your Gun is Irving Berlin's masterpiece, including some of the best songs ever written for the stage; unfortunately, it also has one of the creakiest books ever written to accompany those wonderful tunes. Although that script was updated and re-tooled for the 1999 Broadway revival, SCA decided to go with the older (probably from the 1966 revival), lamer and (we hate to say it) more racist version. It was not a good choice, particularly when the 1999 revival script is available; its judicious editing resulted in a tighter script and a quicker pace to make the show more palatable to contemporary audiences-especially in 2009.
South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2009-10 Season with Putting It Together, a compilation of Stephen Sondheim songs, that the composer put together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, creating a narrative set at a cocktail party in an elegant Manhattan condo. The non-traditional musical, led by Broadway and television star Harry Groener, has a cast of five (a glamorous but slightly jaded couple, a starry-eyed younger couple and a savvy observer) who sing more than 30 songs that reflect their lives, lifestyles and moods of the moment. Some of the songs will be familiar, some less so, a few were even cut from their original musical scores, but they are all sophisticated, smart and drop-dead droll. All, in other words, Sondheim.
On September 14th, The Marvelous Wonderettes? one-year anniversary will mark their 418th performance, surpassing the runs of landmark off-Broadway productions
Twiggy celebrates the music of the Twenties, Thirties and Forties with this impressive collection of melodies from the golden age of song. Performing the songs of Noel Coward, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers in her own inimitable style, Twiggy recaptures the essence and originality of these timeless classics. Released to coincide with Twiggy's 60th birthday - this album showcases Twiggy as a song stylist and torch singer.
On September 14th, The Marvelous Wonderettes? one-year anniversary will mark their 418th performance, surpassing the runs of landmark off-Broadway productions
South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2009-10 Season with Putting It Together, a compilation of Stephen Sondheim songs, that the composer put together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, creating a narrative set at a cocktail party in an elegant Manhattan condo. The non-traditional musical, led by Broadway and television star Harry Groener, has a cast of five (a glamorous but slightly jaded couple, a starry-eyed younger couple and a savvy observer) who sing more than 30 songs that reflect their lives, lifestyles and moods of the moment. Some of the songs will be familiar, some less so, a few were even cut from their original musical scores, but they are all sophisticated, smart and drop-dead droll. All, in other words, Sondheim.
South Coast Repertory kicks off the 2009-10 Season with Putting It Together, a compilation of Stephen Sondheim songs, that the composer put together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, creating a narrative set at a cocktail party in an elegant Manhattan condo. The non-traditional musical, led by Broadway and television star Harry Groener, has a cast of five (a glamorous but slightly jaded couple, a starry-eyed younger couple and a savvy observer) who sing more than 30 songs that reflect their lives, lifestyles and moods of the moment. Some of the songs will be familiar, some less so, a few were even cut from their original musical scores, but they are all sophisticated, smart and drop-dead droll. All, in other words, Sondheim.
Twiggy celebrates the music of the Twenties, Thirties and Forties with this impressive collection of melodies from the golden age of song. Performing the songs of Noel Coward, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers in her own inimitable style, Twiggy recaptures the essence and originality of these timeless classics. Released to coincide with Twiggy's 60th birthday - this album showcases Twiggy as a song stylist and torch singer.
One of the stars/directors of Crown City Theatre's smash hit The Apple Tree - Matt Williamson -shares his love of theatre with us.
Ten actors, 24 performances, five sets of personalities and creative interpretations. It's almost as if the Willows Theatre Company were bringing in a different cast every night.
In a 1999 Entertainment Weekly article, writer Rob Brunner explained ABBA perfectly: 'They sang. they danced. they dressed like members of a cult, talked like a slightly more fluent version of the Swedish Chef, and were so into themselves they actually married each other. As the biggest international pop phenomenon of the '70s, ABBA were a triumph of vapid charisma, the era's ultimate smiley-faced pop group. 'You look at ABBA clips and you know that's the '70s,' says John Tyrrell, founder of the London-based ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again. 'It's the music, the dancing, the long white boots.' Not to mention the songs: Who could resist saccharine masterpieces like S.O.S. and Fernando?
Ten actors, 24 performances, five sets of personalities and creative interpretations. It's almost as if the Willows Theatre Company were bringing in a different cast every night.
Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
Vanishing Point is a Scottish company who have stormed into London with a truly mesmerising new production called Interiors?. Imagine being witness to a dinner party where the participants are walled inside a clear plastic 'case' on all sides. You hear none of the spoken words as such, just their exchanges and the narrative told through innovative and visually inventive ways. Suddenly you are allowed as the audience to hear and see what's inside their heads as drama unfolds.
Peter Nero and the Philly Pops has pulled out all the stops for its 30th anniversary concert on Friday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. Two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist/conductor Peter Nero is joined by special guests Jack Jones, Lucie Arnaz, Ann Hampton Callaway, and Christiane Noll for an unforgettable night of music. Celebrate 30 years of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and toast 'the best orchestra of its kind in the entire cosmos!'
Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
Celebrated jazz vocalist Diane Schuur joins Grammy Award-winning pianist/conductor Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for an extraordinary concert program entitled 88 Keys, a Big Band, and a Voice. These performances mark Ms. Schuur's debut with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Between them, Peter and Diane have four Grammy awards and recording careers that combined span more than five decades. Now, take all of that brilliant talent and imagine it together on stage at Verizon Hall!
Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of ALT, has announced that the company has commissioned The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In his announcement, Edelson explained that all of Dahl's beloved characters find a unique voice in this exciting new opera. 'If thoughts of Augustus Gloop being swept away in the Chocolate River, Violet Beauregarde inflating like a giant blueberry, Mike Teavee being demagnified into the tele-dimension, and Veruca Salt being thrown down the rubbish shoot by a gang of nut-inspecting squirrels sound like your idea of a fun night at the opera - or better yet, unlike any night at the opera or theater you've ever experienced - The Golden Ticket is....just the ticket!'
Asolo Repertory Theatre announces Tome' Cousin as Director/Choreographer for its 09-10 season production of Susan Stroman's Tony winning musical, Contact. Cousin performed in and helped to develop Contact as part of the original Lincoln Center ensemble, both off-Broadway and on, from 1999-2002. As Supervising Director for Susan Stroman Productions of Contact, he is the only person sanctioned by Stroman to direct the production.
Celebrated jazz vocalist Diane Schuur joins Grammy Award-winning pianist/conductor Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for an extraordinary concert program entitled 88 Keys, a Big Band, and a Voice. These performances mark Ms. Schuur's debut with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Between them, Peter and Diane have four Grammy awards and recording careers that combined span more than five decades. Now, take all of that brilliant talent and imagine it together on stage at Verizon Hall!
Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of ALT, has announced that the company has commissioned The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In his announcement, Edelson explained that all of Dahl's beloved characters find a unique voice in this exciting new opera. 'If thoughts of Augustus Gloop being swept away in the Chocolate River, Violet Beauregarde inflating like a giant blueberry, Mike Teavee being demagnified into the tele-dimension, and Veruca Salt being thrown down the rubbish shoot by a gang of nut-inspecting squirrels sound like your idea of a fun night at the opera - or better yet, unlike any night at the opera or theater you've ever experienced - The Golden Ticket is....just the ticket!'
There is an excitement in the air on the opening night of HAIRSPRAY, as both Amy Toporek (Tracy Turnblad) and Michael Walker (Edna Turnblad) take a seat on the comfy couch in the green room at the Walnut Street Theater. It is ninety minutes before curtain and this talented pair is all smiles, each overflowing with wonderful things to say about one another.
Rosemary Prinz will star in Kari Floren's new drama 'Voices of Swords', directed by Spider Duncan Christopher, presented by Right Down Broadway Productions at off-Broadway's Urban Stages (259 W. 30th St.) for a strictly limited engagement from June 18 through 22.
1983 | London Fringe |
Original London Production London Fringe |
1986 | West End |
London Revival West End |
1993 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
1998 | Regional (US) |
Regional Revival Regional (US) |
1999 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
1999 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
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