ggersten said: "I read a story once by San Francisco actors who got tickets to the first A.C.T. show there in 1967 which was Tartuffe. They planned to interrupt the show as a protest against "corporate theatre" or some such. But Auberjonois came on to the stage with such power and flash and entertainment that they watched the show and forgot about the protest."
That’s a lovely story. I’ve always admired his work so very much from Benson to S
1990 television Aladdin musical starring Barry Bostwick Nov 29
2019, 06:06:02 PM
I watched it out of sick curiosity . This cast is seriously OVERqualified for the show; the lyrics and music are so simple that it honestly feels like they’re talking down to the audience, even though it’s intended for children. Micky really should have told Barry to lighten his touch, he’s mugging a lot. The only good thing I can say about this (culturally insensitive) production is that they did stick pretty close to the original story.
Favorite Flop? Nov 20
2019, 09:19:26 AM
Definitely the revival version of “Side Show.” The original has some lovely things in it as well. I’m also a big fan of the score to “Carrie”, and to “Lolita My Love”, which inspired my username.
Little Shop of Horrors (PREVIEWS) Nov 20
2019, 09:12:09 AM
I might as well put in my two cents. This show is a favorite of mine. (Obvious) I saw Gideon Glick and the rest of the regular cast. I realize my icon shows some bias and I did see Ellen do the role at Encores, but I was not about to let that stop me from enjoying the show. First off I have seen Tammy as Judy Garland and Sybil and I do think she is a good actress. I like that she tried to play a more hard-boiled Audrey. My main concern is sadly that sometimes it is difficult make out what she i
Angela Lansbury Sep 23
2019, 08:34:56 AM
Everyone on the planet has the chance of dying in a random accident “in the not too distant future”, Steven. If people don’t want misinformation to spread, fine.
Different shows with similar plots Aug 19
2019, 09:36:42 AM
All Shook Up seems like it tried to mirror the plot of Hairspray. Originally Wicked was going to be like Aida in terms of the love triangle and the contrasting female characters. You can still see a bit of that influence if you look hard. Interestingly, my mom compared Rigoletto to Little Shop of Horrors, namely the idea that seeking revenge causes you to lose what you love (Audrey 1 vs Rigoletto’s Daughter, Gilda).
I'll be there, was just wondering who else would be.
Broadway Coffee Table Books Jul 31
2019, 08:43:32 AM
The Great Comet and Tommy books are great! There’s a wonderful book if you like poster art called A Must See that talks all about theater posters and includes some interesting flop ones that didn’t even open like Colette and Alice starring Debbie Allen. I would love a coffee table book about Carrie (from the RSC version to the version that played at the Lortel) and one about Little Shop of Horrors. There is “The Little Shop of Horrors Book” but it could have used a lot more pics and some color,
Saddest musical? Jul 29
2019, 09:22:00 AM
Bat Boy has one of the bleakest endings I can think of.
Urinetown’s ending is very bleak. If the show is performed in the right way it can be very hard-hitting.
FAYE FIRED Jul 26
2019, 09:16:09 AM
Agree with Joe. If you want more on how Faye really doesn’t play well with others, read Rutanya Alda’s book on the making of Mommie Dearest. Even Irene Sharaff couldn’t stand her.
Again, remember this is all perception and not gospel, but it seems like many people do find Faye difficult to work with, and not just in recent years. Personally I want to hear more about her in Sunset.
Favorite Short Lived Musicals? Jul 23
2019, 02:29:22 PM
1. Side Show, original and revival (I like the score in the revival better) 2. Great Comet 3. Carrie (the good, the bad, I love it all!)
GavestonPS said: All that being said, I admit that despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Bette Midler fan, I found the film mostly tedious when she wasn't singing. And to me, "The Wind Beneath My Wings" has always sounded condescending, if not an actual song about farting.
Farting...(snickers) this is a side of you we don’t often get to see, Gaveston. I like it! Yes, it’s a condescending song
Denise Nickerson Has Died Jul 11
2019, 02:51:02 PM
Wow, Ethel, I did not know that. That is indeed a tragic situation but I thank you for telling me and everyone else here. It is always difficult when an older family member needs full time care, I know that from personal experience. I’m going to make my donation now.
Violet of Willy Wonka fame has passed after a seizure at age 62. Im the weirdo who loves the score to Lolita my Love so here comes my tribute. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2w53HG7K3gA
I wonder what it was like for her to play this very difficult role at such a young age. Sometimes the recording is hard to listen to because she sounds so young, and we associate her with the very childish character of Violet. I always wanted to ask her about her role here but I guess that
Least Favorite Characters Jul 1
2019, 04:21:26 PM
Gussie and Curley definitely earned a spot here. Poor Jud is Dead makes Curley sound like a total sociopath. Nice observations on Morticia and Grandmama, especially when you consider how people love earlier versions of the characters. I remember sitting there wondering why Grandma was suddenly a drug-dealing hippie. Lucas and Mal also earn a spot here for being bland and adding nothing to the story. Alice ALMOST has a personality and something resembling an arc (telling everyone your creepy feti
Catholic High School Musical Choices Jun 24
2019, 07:46:27 PM
I like Superman’s score. I was a Catholic school kid and I know this can be a tough nut to crack; for example we were banned from doing “Lucky Stiff” because my friend and I would have had to do a scene in bed together.
My personal disappointments were the Addams Family (as many have said, it is big regionally and it made money, but what a dull book and score) and good lord, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. When you ADD body horror and murder to something by Roald Dahl, and STILL aim it at children, maybe it’s time to rethink things.
re: Book, Music, and Lyrics by One Person? Jun 18
2019, 08:50:20 AM
What’s this about It Happened In Key West? Could you elaborate on this controversy and her hand wave of it? This sounds like a whole ‘nother story...pm me if you don’t want to derail the thread.
Hey, Dramamama, thank you for clarifying! It’s all good. Yeah I didn’t mean like meeting people on an elevator, I did mean professionally. but if people want to talk about that, they’re welcome to do so. I hope Michael leaves the bathroom and gives someone else a chance! Other people are waiting!
Thanks JBroadway...
BWAY actors in unexpected places Jun 14
2019, 11:49:22 AM
Dramamama, i’m not looking down on people (maybe i’m a little skeptical about using English music hall to sell computers) for taking a job when work is hard to come by. They need to earn a living. I’m not criticizing anyone. It’s just stuff that is surprising or unusual, often in hindsight. If it seemed like I was looking down on anyone then I apologize, that was not my intention.
