Based on Pedro Almodóvar's internationally acclaimed 1988 film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is a new musical set in Madrid in the 1980s. It tells the story of the intertwining lives of a group of women whose relationships with men lead to a tumultuous 48 hours of love, confusion and passion.
Mr. Yazbek's Spanish-inflected music is upbeat and catchy, and his smart lyrics are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. The costumes (by Catherine Zuber) are awesomely bright and zany (her leopard-print Spy-vs.-Spy ensemble for Ms. LuPone's entrance deserves its own Tony), and the sets (by Michael Yeargan) are similarly spectacular.
Like, say, its recent Broadway predecessor '9 to 5,' the show gets hopelessly trapped in the succession of very short scenes - in this case, set everywhere from taxi cabs to Telefono boxes - that make up farcical films. By midway through the second act, the audience can no longer track the multicharacter action through chaos suited only for film, and palpably checks out of the entire proceedings.
Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher opened on November 4 at The Belasco Theatre on Broadway 111 West 44 Street and Broadway Beat was there to talk to the cast!
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that its production of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, the new musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will end its run this Sunday, January 2 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). The musical, which was originally scheduled to run through Sunday, January 23, will have played 30 previews and 69 performances.
Critically Acclaimed and Tony Award winner, Laura Benanti is currently starring in WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. BroadwayWorld sat down with Laura as she was getting ready for an evening performance to speak candidly about playing Candela, working with Barlett Sher, her back injury (and the gossip that followed), how to get her to sing on your answering machine, and more! Click now to watch this entertaining interview!
While there's certainly plenty to enjoy in the new musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's 1988 film, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown - David Yazbek's jaunty Latin-based score, the winning performances of a star-studded cast (three Tony winners and four other nominees) and the kinetic flashiness of Bartlett Sher's kicky production - the show is also a prime example of how the sum of the pieces can add up to more than the whole when the missing ingredient is a strong book. Not that the talented Jeffrey Lane doesn't make a game try at it. Sticking closely to the source, his work is frequently clever and he and Yazbek concoct some quirkily fun musical scenes, but the odds are working against him in this one.
The all new 21st Season of Broadway Beat is here! This week catch up with Broadway Beat at Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, The Divine Sister and Pee-Wee Herman!
This month, Broadway World is showcasing actor and recording artist Justin Guarini, who is making his Broadway debut as Carlos in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, based on the 1988 film of the same title.
BroadwayWorld.com is pleased to present illustrator Ken Fallin, who brings you original illustrations of everyone's favorite theatrical stars each week. This week's feature: Patti LuPone in WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN!
Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher opened last night November 4 at The Belasco Theatre on Broadway 111 West 44 Street and Broadway Beat was there to talk to the cast!
Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher opened last night November 4 at The Belasco Theatre on Broadway.
A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, Julio Agustin was the given the robe.
Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher opened last night (November 4) at The Belasco Theatre on Broadway (111 West 44 Street) and BroadwayWorld.com was there!
Based on Pedro Almodóvar's internationally acclaimed 1988 film, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN is set in late 20th-century Madrid and tells the story of the intertwining lives of a group of women whose relationships with men lead to a tumultuous 48 hours of love, confusion and passion and now it's come to Broadway!
Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher opens tomorrow night (November 4) at 6:45pm at The Belasco Theatre on Broadway (111 West 44 Street).
Lincoln Center Theater's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodovar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher opens tomorrow night (November 4) at 6:45pm at The Belasco Theatre on Broadway (111 West 44 Street).
Nina, who's danced with many pop stars, goes from the Heights to the verge for her 4th Broadway show.
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) began performances of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN on October 8 at the Belasco Theatre. Opening night for the musical, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, is set for November 4. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the official production photos!
Lincoln Center Theater has announced the postponement of the opening talk of their Platform Series, a forum for public discussion between Lincoln Center Theater artists and interested theatergoers.
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that it's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, will now begin performances on Friday, October 8 at 8pm at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). Opening night for the musical, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will remain as originally scheduled on Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm.
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of André Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that it's production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, will now begin performances on Friday, October 8 at 8pm at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). Opening night for the musical, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will remain as originally scheduled on Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm.
Lincoln Center has released the first radio spot for WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN! The organization also announced today that in order to give the creative team additional technical stage time, it has rescheduled the first performance of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. Previews, originally scheduled to begin on Saturday evening, October 2, will now begin on Tuesday evening, October 5 at 8pm at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). Opening night for the musical will remain, as originally announced, Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm.
Lincoln Center has released a full set of promo shots of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN! The organization also announced today that in order to give the creative team additional technical stage time, it has rescheduled the first performance of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. Previews, originally scheduled to begin on Saturday evening, October 2, will now begin on Tuesday evening, October 5 at 8pm at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). Opening night for the musical will remain, as originally announced, Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm.
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced, in order to give the creative team additional technical stage time, that it has rescheduled the first performance of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. Previews, originally scheduled to begin on Saturday evening, October 2, will now begin on Tuesday evening, October 5 at 8pm at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street). Opening night for the musical will remain, as originally announced, Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm.
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Justin Guarini will join de'Adre Aziza, Laura Benanti, Danny Burstein, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mary Beth Peil and Sherie Rene Scott in the cast of its upcoming production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher. This world premiere production will begin previews on Saturday, October 2 at 8pm and open on Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 W. 44 Street).
As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Lincoln Center Theater will present the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher. This world premiere production will begin previews on Saturday, October 2 at 8pm and open on Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 W. 44 Street). The production stars Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Laura Benanti and Sheri Rene Scott. The marquee is in its first stages of going up at the Belasco Theatre and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!
Lincoln Center Theater has announced the roles to be played by the leading cast members of the upcoming musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher. This world premiere production will begin previews on Saturday, October 2 at 8pm and open on Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 W. 44 Street).
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Laura Benanti will join de'Adre Aziza, Danny Burstein, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mary Beth Peil and Sherie Rene Scott in the cast of its upcoming production of the new musical WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with a book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher. This world premiere production will begin previews on Saturday, October 2 at 8pm and open on Thursday, November 4 at 6:45pm on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 W. 44 Street).
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