A Life in the Theatre 1992 - Articles Page 29

Today we are talking to a five-time Tony Award-winning director/choreographer celebrated for her stupendous work on CRAZY FOR YOU, THE PRODUCERS, CONTACT, THE FROGS, THOU SHALT NOT, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and many more - the master musicals director Susan Stroman. In discussing a vast array of topics, Stroman and I touch upon many of her past projects as well as look ahead to her current and future endeavors - that is: the forthcoming Broadway bow of the new musical BIG FISH, starring Norbert Leo Butz, as well as the world premiere of Ahrens & Flaherty's LITTLE DANCER next year. Most importantly, Stroman shines a light on her enduring artistic partnership with Mel Brooks in bringing to life the screen-to-stage musical adaptations of both THE PRODUCERS and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, with BLAZING SADDLES on the way - their rich collaboration also being highlighted in this week's AMERICAN MASTERS tribute to Mel Brooks on PBS. Additionally, Stroman reflects on some of her lesser-known entities and casts a light on some of her foremost influences as well as candidly discusses her specialty work for a bevy of major stars - such as at SONDHEIM: A CELEBRATION AT CARNEGIE HALL in 1992 - and the finer points of working with Stephen Sondheim and Nathan Lane on Sondheim's most recent original Broadway musical, THE FROGS. Plus, Stroman shares first details of her upcoming collaboration with comedy master Woody Allen on the musical stage adaptation of Allen's Academy Award-winning BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and also offers the 411 on the upcoming Los Angeles and West End productions of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - including the real-life role the musical has played in the pardoning of the originally accused nine just last month. Stroman also comments on her work with Hal Prince on the career revue PRINCE OF BROADWAY, opening in Japan in 2015, and also touches upon her ongoing desire to pursue a film adaptation of her multi-Tony Award-winning and genre-redefining 2000 Best Musical, CONTACT. All of that and much, much awaits in this wide-ranging conversation!

Atlantic Theater Company welcomes Olivier and two time Tony Award winning playwright John Guare, who will make his Off Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production of his new play 3 KINDS OF EXILE, directed by Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe, featuring Atlantic ensemble members Peter Maloney and David Pittu and guest artists Alison Cimmet, Jeffrey Kuhn, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Martin Moran, Kate Rigg, Omar Sangare and Timothy Splain.

Those of us well versed in Broadway musicals and Hollywood films will certainly catch lots of references in RUTHLESS! And with its off-the-wall, farcical humor and schmaltzy songs, this musical comedy will definitely have you laughing in the aisles!

In this week's School in the Spotlight, we feature the Theatre Department at Louisiana State University (LSU in Baton Rouge). Read on to learn about their program and to see photos from past productions!

Yangtze Repertory Theatre's 20th anniversary production is 'The Empress Dowager,' a three-act epic examining 40 years of the reign of the Manchu empress who ruled China from behind the throne. It recounts the perilous journey of an ancient kingdom seeking a place in the modern world. The play is written and directed by Joanna Chan, Artistic Director, and will be performed by a cast of 25 in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., will present the piece May 31 to June 23.

Is it ever too late to find love? The answer is a resounding 'no' in The Last Romance, the heartwarming romantic comedy about the thrill and complications of love in the later years, now playing at The Public Theatre May 3 -12.

Atlantic Theater Company has announced that Olivier and two time Tony Award winning playwright John Guare will make his Off Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production of his new play 3 KINDS OF EXILE, directed by Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe, featuring Atlantic ensemble members Peter Maloney and David Pittu and guest artists Alison Cimmet, Jeffrey Kuhn, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Martin Moran, Kate Rigg, Omar Sangare and Timothy Splain.

In high school, a girl I was dating got the lead in the school musical. I didn't want her to be rehearsing all night with other guys, so I tried out for the show. Much to my surprise, I was given one of the lead male roles. I've always suspected that it was because I could sing on key. Anyway, that was 1960, and that's where my life in the theatre began.

Mamet Fest, a play festival celebrating the work of iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, opens this week, featuring OLEANNA and SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO in repertory at the Fifth Third Bank Theater, The Aronoff Center for the Arts, today and Saturday, March 22nd through April 6th at 7 PM (OLEANNA) and 9:15 PM (SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO).

Henry Goodman plys the role of Arthur Winslow in Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy, which will open at The Old Vic tonight, 19 March 2013. Directed by Lindsay Posner, Rattigan's compelling play is based on the true story of a father's fight to clear his son's name when he is expelled from Naval College after being convicted of theft.

Mamet Fest, a play festival celebrating the work of iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, opens this week, featuring OLEANNA and SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO in repertory at the Fifth Third Bank Theater, The Aronoff Center for the Arts, on Friday and Saturday, March 22nd through April 6th at 7 PM (OLEANNA) and 9:15 PM (SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO).

Award winning choreographers Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos are teaming again to co-choreograph A Light in the Dark, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, their second full-length contemporary story ballet, this time telling an intimate family story about the extraordinary woman who was deaf and blind yet went on to become a world-famous writer, political activist and inspiration to all.

Award winning choreographers Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos are teaming again to co-choreograph A Light in the Dark, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, their second full-length contemporary story ballet, this time telling an intimate family story about the extraordinary woman who was deaf and blind yet went on to become a world-famous writer, political activist and inspiration to all.

According to the Daily Mail, Henry Goodman will star as 'Arthur Winslow' in The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan, which will open on March 19, 2013 at the Old Vic.

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart will star on Broadway in a limited season repertoire of Harold Pinter's No Man's Land and Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, directed by Sean Mathias, in the fall of 2013.

MacArthur "genius" and Obie-winning, actress-playwright-professor, Anna Deavere Smith, transforms herself into a cast of colorful, intriguing characters on The Eccles stage, Saturday, January 12. "An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith" features a selection of poignant, hilarious and heart-wrenching pieces from Smith's award-winning, one-woman shows. The theatrical tour-de-force begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Santaland Diaries will open Parade Productions' second season tonight, December 13th, and run through December 23rd at the Studio Theatre at Mizner Park in Boca Raton.

Following its triumphant and universally acclaimed run at The Old Vic and then at the Novello Theatre in the West End, Michael Frayn's multi award-winning backstage comedy Noises Off will tour theatres across the UK from 27 March 2013.

The Santaland Diaries will open Parade Productions' second season on December 13th, and run through December 23rd at the Studio Theatre at Mizner Park in Boca Raton. The Santaland Diaries hilariously relates David Sedaris' experiences when he reluctantly worked as an elf in Macy's Christmastime Santaland display, and offers an uproarious behind-the-scenes look at how department stores manufacture Christmas spirit.

This autumn Ken Stott, Anna Friel and Samuel West are united together on stage for the first time in one of Anton Chekhov's undisputed masterpieces, Uncle Vanya. Adapted by Christopher Hampton, Uncle Vanya uniquely blends sparkling wit and earthy humour to brilliant comic effect. Directed by Lindsay Posner with designs by Christopher Oram, this new production opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on 2 November 2012 with previews from 24 October.

Villanova University President (and Barrymore Award-winning director) the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD returns to Villanova Theatre with the Philadelphia premiere of The Drowsy Chaperone, on stage November 6 - December 2, 2012. The darling of the 2006 Tony Awards, this hilarious show-within-a-show begins when a die-hard musical theatre fan puts on his favorite record - the cast album of the (fictional) 1920s musical The Drowsy Chaperone. From the scratchy crackle of his phonograph, a madcap musical magically bursts to life, transforming his humble apartment into a dazzling world of song, dance, and comic ingenuity.

This autumn Ken Stott, Anna Friel and Samuel West are united together on stage for the first time in one of Anton Chekhov's undisputed masterpieces, Uncle Vanya. Adapted by Christopher Hampton, Uncle Vanya uniquely blends sparkling wit and earthy humour to brilliant comic effect. Directed by Lindsay Posner with designs by Christopher Oram, this new production opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on 2 November 2012 with previews from tonight, 24 October.

Laura Carmichael joins Ken Stott, Anna Friel and Samuel West in Anton Chekhov's masterpiece, Uncle Vanya. Adapted by Christopher Hampton, Uncle Vanya uniquely blends sparkling wit and earthy humour to brilliant comic effect. Directed by Lindsay Posner with designs by Christopher Oram, this new production opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on 2 November 2012 with previews from 25 October.

Artistic Director Robert Falls' major revival of Eugene O'Neill's nearly five-hour, 18-character epic broke box office records and played to 100% of capacity at the Goodman-officially concluding its 50-performance extended run as the most successful show in the Goodman's 87-year history.

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this week, David Mamet's 1984 play Glengarry Glen Ross is heading back to Broadway, this time starring Al Pacino as leading man, 'Shelly "The Machine" Levene.' Pacino previously played 'Richard Roma' the the 1992 film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Daniel Sullivan is attached to direct the project. The New York Times has confirmed that the show will begin previews on October 16 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater. Opening night is set for November 11.