Nominated for 15 Drama Desk Awards, the most received by a production in a single year, and four Tony Awards, including Best Score, 9 to 5: The Musical is a comedy about office politics that also strikes a chord for its invigorating story of friendship and female empowerment.
Today we are talking to Patricia Kelly, the widow of one of the most iconic and influential performers in entertainment history, Gene Kelly, all about her husband's incomparable career on Broadway and in Hollywood, in honor of his centennial. Tracing Gene Kelly's journey from his theatre roots starring in Cole Porter's LEAVE IT TO ME!, Rodgers & Hart's PAL JOEY and William Saroyan's Pulitzer Prize-winning THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE on Broadway to his unforgettable screen appearances in many of the greatest movie musicals ever made - COVER GIRL, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, THE PIRATE, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and many more included - Mrs. Kelly gives us a look into the life of one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. In addition to behind-the-scenes stories involving Kelly's frequent collaborators - such as esteemed director Vincente Minnelli, songwriter and producer Arthur Freed, arranger Saul Chaplin and others - Mrs. Kelly also shares candid anecdotes involving her husband's involvement with directing Rodgers & Hammerstein's FLOWER DRUM SONG on Broadway, helming the feature film adaptation of HELLO, DOLLY! starring Barbra Streisand, as well as his appearing in two idiosyncratic movie musicals later in his life, LES DEMOISELLES DE ROCHEFORT (THE YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT) for Jacques Demy, as well as his au revoir to movie musicals in form of the Olivia Newton-John roller disco starrer XANADU. Additionally, Mrs. Kelly fills us in on all the details about this weekend's two-night Gene Kelly retrospective celebration, which she leads and narrates, as part of GENE KELLY @ 100 and her future plans for the multimedia presentation - each evening titled AN EVENING OF GENE KELLY and CHANGING THE LOOK OF DANCE ON FILM, respective - as she begins to tour the show across the country. Plus, reflections on SINGIN' IN THE RAIN's 60th anniversary and the recent Fathom HD premiere presentation in theaters, the impact of Kelly's work behind the camera, his choreographic legacy, what a legend is like at home, memories of attending the opening night of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (starring HELLO, DOLLY! lead Michael Crawford), what the master would say about GLEE, SMASH, BUNHEADS and today's movie musical renaissance, as well as much, much more!
Today we are talking to a celebrated comedienne and actress known for her decades-spanning career on screens and stages large and small - from making her Broadway debut in the original Jerome Robbins production of GYPSY on Broadway in 1960 to her many musical roles throughout the 60s to her countless game show and variety show appearances following that all the way to creating an unforgettable character in MOONSTRUCK in the 1980s, as well as her subsequent oft-Neil Simon stage work; now, playing Tina Fey's sweet and daffy mom on NBC's 30 ROCK and, most recently, appearing in Nora & Celia Ephron's LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE and the Playwright's Horizons premiere production of THE BIG MEAL in the new millennium - the one of a kind Anita Gillette. Analyzing her nearly sixty-year career and sharing candid stories of her brushes with some of Broadway and Hollywood's brightest talents - Jule Styne to Ethel Merman to Irving Berlin to Burt Lancaster and beyond - Gillette paints a vivid portrait of the tail end of the Golden Age of Broadway and the heady game show days of TV in the 1960s and 70s to her lauded stage work with Neil Simon and many of the great comedy and musical writers in the years since. Additionally, Gillette and I discuss her current essaying of the role of Mae Peterson in the new Regal Music Theatre production of Charles Strouse and Lee Adams's BYE BYE BIRDIE in Massachusetts as she looks towards opening night tomorrow and relates her joy in participating in a production that has some behind-the-scenes help by her loving granddaughter (while another attends their summer camp). Plus, Gillette's observations on sharing a soundstage with Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Elaine Stritch and Buck Henry for a recent 30 ROCK shoot, reflections on her fondest and most celebrated comedy roles, hilarious memories of appearing in some short-running flops (JIMMY, SKYSKRAPER) as well as in some big hits (GYPSY), her upcoming series of master classes titled "Life In The Business", her return to Birdland with her concert show, AFTER ALL, her role in an upcoming Ed Burns film and maybe even a role in a new Alexander Payne film - all of that, all about attending the Diamond Jubilee celebration in the United Kingdom and much, much more!
Sharron Matthews is a beloved star of Toronto's cabaret and theatre scene, and she's about to embark on a world tour that will take her to Scotland, England, NYC and South Africa! She took a few minutes to talk to BWW about what cabaret means to her, why she's going around the world and what she's doing for Toronto before she leaves.
Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared on this morning's 'Today' show to promote her new movie ROCK OF AGES, a big screen adaptation of the long-running Broadway show. The actress told 'Today' anchor Matt Lauer that she 'loves any chance to sing and dance!' Check out the interview below!
South Coast Repertory's 49th season will offer audiences an exciting blend of current hits and world premieres. The season begins with Alan Ayckbourn's hilarious farce, Absurd Person Singular, and will include new plays by some of the hottest writers on the theatre scene, including the world premiere of Noah Haidle's Smokefall and a second world premiere to be announced; Sarah Ruhl's comic tale of loss, Eurydice; the Southland debuts of Bill Cain's touching How to Write a New Book for the Bible, Amanda Dehnert's trailblazing musical take on Shakespeare, The Verona Project, and David Henry Hwang's hit comedy Chinglish; and the West Coast premieres of Samuel D. Hunter's poignantly funny The Whale and Stephen Adly Guirgis' Broadway hit The Motherf**ker with the Hat.
Thanks to the efforts of a cast of high school students under the direction of their artistic mentor Paula Y. Flautt (who's the fine arts director at CPA), I have to admit that Carousel is my favorite musical. It's always been my favorite among all the musical masterpieces created by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, but I found myself so completely moved, so thoroughly enchanted by the production in CPA's Events Center (where it continues through Saturday evening)-which boasts stellar production values, an amazing live orchestra and a production design that rivals some of the best professional mountings we've seen in Nashville-that Carousel has supplanted Gypsy on my list of all-time favorites.
Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth is the undisputed champ's first foray into live stage performance and, it turns out, it is funny, profane, moving and somewhat enlightening. People who see it expecting huge revelations or confessions of wrongdoing in, say, his tumultuous marriage to Robin Givens may be disappointed. But Tyson is nothing if not entertaining. He's got a great sense of humor and is pretty realistic about himself and his life.
Well, looky here, Gleeks - the hiatus is over and we've successfully survived yet another long and ever so ridiculous Glee hiatus? But, we were left with a huge cliffhanger - whatever has happened to Quinn? Did Finn and Rachel get married? Did ET phone home? All those questions (except maybe the ET one) will be answered!
Due to Quinn's accident, Finn and Rachel had postponed their wedding, and Finn brings up the possibility of having the wedding sometime around Nationals, which will be in Chicago this year, but Rachel is more concerned about Quinn - who shows up in the midst of conversation - in a wheelchair. After performing "Still Standing" with Artie - Quinn reveals that her spine was compressed in the accident, but with physical therapy - there's a chance of a full recovery, and she's determined to be out of the chair and dancing by Nationals - something that doesn't seem to sit well with Artie.
Sue is blindsided when Figgins makes Roz, the McKinley High swim coach, the co-captain of the Cheerios, leading to a showdown between the two ladies, after which Sue promises that she'll get the glee club to win Nationals get Figgins the sponsorships and money he so wants. After taking over Booty Camp, Sue is confronted by Will, who learns that Sue is once again up to her old tricks - beating down the glee clubbers to get what she wants, which doesn't sit well with Will. Emma and Will - after finding out that Sue will be finding out the sex of her baby - offer to go to the big doctor's appointment with her, knowing such a moment is one not to be shared alone.
Howe's rather fanciful memory play wears its heart on its crisp linen sleeve, offering audiences a glimpse into the life of Mabel Tidings Bigelow (played with such spirit by Allen that it's easy to fall just a little bit in love with both the actress and the beautifully written character she plays), a spirited 90-year-old former swimming champion who in her later years finds herself looking back over the multitude of events in her life that have shaped her and challenged her. As the story of Mabel's remarkable, though sometimes deceptively mundane and usual, life unfolds onstage before you, you are likely to find yourself thoroughly caught up in the minutiae of that life as the panoply of events and individuals move about-not unlike the ebb and flow of the tides that buffet the beaches of her hometown of Prides Crossing, Massachusetts, an upper crust enclave of Beverly, Mass.
The Toronto Symphony's Pops concert series continues this week with A Century of Broadway, a program that explores the last 100 years in Broadway music. Jeff Tyzik conducts Doug LaBreque and Christiane Noll in an evening that includes everything from operetta to Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Christiane Noll took a few minutes to talk to BWW about what people can expect from this concert, about how we should work to get young people back into the theatre and about her personal musical influences.
Drayton Entertainment has kicked off the 2012 Season at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse with 9 To 5: The Musical, the comedy based on the 1980 film starring Dolly Parton.
Dani Girl is a new musical by New York writing duo Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond, and it opens this weekend in Toronto. The show tells the story of a nine year old girl battling terminal cancer, and explores how she uses music and her imagination to handle her disease. BWW sat down to speak with Gabi Epstein (who plays 'Dani') about what the show means to her, the challenges associated with the difficult subject matter, and having Richard Ouzounian as her director.
Bailey Hanks is blonde. She's Beautiful. And she's here in the bay area reprising her role Elle Woods in the hit musical comedy Legally Blonde, the Musical! Hanks talked with BWW's Linda Hodges about what it was like to be in the MTV spotlight, how she handles the challenges in her life and what scrumptious thing she and Elle have in common - besides being blondes!
Let's just say, for the moment, that I owned the Venus de Milo. I don't know how it happened. Maybe some ancient Greek stone cuttings were found that led to a Middle Ages parchment that inspired someone to do some research on ancestry.com, but in any case, it has been indisputably determined that I am the sole owner of sculptor Alexandros of Antioch's Venus de Milo.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre delivers a heartwarming production of an old chestnut. The 1943 wartime classic reminds us how sweet it is to live in the moment and grab the brass ring when it comes along.
With obsessed fans around the world, larger-than-life careers and booming bank accounts, it's hard to imagine that some of Hollywood's biggest names - such as Justin Bieber, Will Smith and Cameron Diaz - were at one point complete unknowns. In the all-new thirty-minute special 'Scouted to Stardom,' E! explains how these mega-stars happened to be at the right place at the right time and were thrust onto the rollercoaster of celebrity life.
With obsessed fans around the world, larger-than-life careers and booming bank accounts, it's hard to imagine that some of Hollywood's biggest names - such as Justin Bieber, Will Smith and Cameron Diaz - were at one point complete unknowns. In the all-new thirty-minute special 'Scouted to Stardom,' E! explains how these mega-stars happened to be at the right place at the right time and were thrust onto the rollercoaster of celebrity life.
This is it - The clash of the musical titans we've all been waiting for. No, not Gaga vs Katy Perry - the other clash of the musical titans - New Directions vs The Troubletones for the Sectionals glory. Who will rise and who will fall? Without a Berry to their name, New Directions goes into the battle without their lead diva. Sit back and prepare for a musical battle to end all musical battles!
Quinn informs Rachel that Puck and Shelby are having sex, and how she plans to tell Principal Figgins and get Shelby fired, which would eliminate The Troubletones from Sectionals. Rachel attempts to rationalize things for Quinn, but Quinn seems far too content with her plans - until Rachel brings Beth into it, leaving Quinn slightly deterred, but not for long. Finn and Mr. Schuester discuss Sectionals, which will be held at McKinley for the first time in years, but Finn fears they lack star power - thus bringing up the idea of tracking Sam down, who is currently living in Kentucky. At the Lima Bean, Kurt continues to lament his and Rachel's bleak future, while Blaine laments over how Finn continues to put him down - only to be interrupted by Sebastian. The claws come out when Blaine leaves, Kurt and Sebastian reveal their dislike for each other - Kurt not backing down as Sebastian attempts to do what Sebastian does best. Rachel and Finn track down Sam - secretly working at a strip club - under the name - White Chocolate to provide for his family.
As 'Chicago' celebrates 15 years on Broadway, we profile its longest-running cast member.
Encore Players are set to host auditions at KVPAC for Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.
Encore Players are set to host auditions at KVPAC for Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.
A young captain loves a woman who loves an ensign who doesn't exist...or does he? A hair-trigger-tempered Irishman, an over-coiffed country bumpkin, a lover who'd cut off his heart to spite his own happiness, an overbearing father, a romance-loving lady, and a bubble-headed 'she-dragon' who never met a word she didn't mangle, all join forces in 'The Rivals.'
Encore Players are set to host auditions at KVPAC for Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.
Today we are talking to the new Roxie in CHICAGO on Broadway best known for her status as one of the most successful songwriters of the twenty-first century, having had hundreds of songs featured on albums by the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Pink and many, many more - with a significant number of them topping the charts in a variety of genres from pop to rock to country and beyond. In this all-encompassing conversation, DioGuardi and I dissect her career thus far - in front of millions and behind the scenes - and she generously sheds some light on how some of her most famous songs came to be - including the modern-day Gwen Stefani classic "If I Were A Rich Girl", famously sampling a song from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Additionally, we talk about her two-year stint on AMERICAN IDOL and what working with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul was like, as well as her opinions on Simon's new talent competition premiering later this year, THE X-FACTOR, and how she looks back on her experience doing the hit show and her own reality series, PLATINUM HIT. Additionally, we discuss DioGuardi's Broadway baby roots and her formative theatrical experiences, as well as what taking the stage at this point in her career means to her - and, all about wearing Ashlee Simpson's costume. Plus, DioGuardi's thoughts on entertainment legends ranging from CHICAGO composer John Kander to rock icon Jim Steinman to Broadway legends like Liza Minnelli, Gwen Verdon, Stephen Sondheim and many, many more. We also have news on her upcoming songs and collaborations to look out for, featuring a vast array of artists such as Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo and more - many featured through her music publishing company, Arthouse Entertainment. As if all of that weren't enough, DioGuardi also shares her affection for GLEE, Broadway song craftsmanship and gypsies!
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