Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age

[lovebwy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=auU3WxI0H-w#!

This trailer moves me. Check out the footage of Chita and Liza in Chicago. HOT STUFF.

I guess they're looking for funds to complete it. Too rich for my blood, but this movie MUST BE FINISHED AND SEEN!!!

http://www.broadwaythemovie.com/donate/bbga

[Jordan Catalano]

I you want to contribute, every single penny helps.

[lovebwy]

I guess I was a little intimidated by the $1000 suggestion, but yes I'll donate what I can. This movie is a very important document!!

[Jordan Catalano]

Thank you. As someone who has worked on this film for years, if anyone is reading this and is intimidated by that suggestion, ANYTHING will help get this film out. And I guarantee you that you'll be amazed with the footage in it. I promise you've never seen some of this stuff anywhere before!!

[blaxx]

What happens to the donation if the film can't be finished or released?

[lovebwy]

If it's even half as good as the first one it will be AMAZING!

Is it rights issues that are holding it up?

[Jordan Catalano]

The film will be finished and released. Don't forget that there is still part 3 being worked on, as well!

[blaxx]

How did I miss the first film? Where can I see it?

[lovebwy]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000649YA2/ref=nosim/broadwthegold-20

You can order it here. You are in for a rare treat. Laughs, tears, goosebumps- it's all there.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

i cannot wait to see this...i actually saw LIZA and CHITA in CHICAGO, on Broadway back in 1976, and got the chance to mention that to Ms. Minnelli when she stayed at the hotel where i was a Concierge in 2006...she was so sweet and so happy i mentioned that to her...and she thanked me for telling her about seeing the show...it was my LIZA MINNELLI moment...:)

[lovebwy]

My Liza moment was when I saw her at a Saturday matinee of Book of Mormon early in the run. I was struck by how much her looks and mannerisms were like her mother.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Glad this thread is up, and thanks for the web address, lovebwy. Your post just inspired me to buy the 2004 DVD. How did I miss this in the theaters?

Maybe Jordan can give us hints of some of the other rare footage that will be included in volume 2 beyond what's mentioned in the trailer?

[Jordan Catalano]

One hint - Footage from a show with the letters "S" & "E" in the title.

[Someone in a Tree2]

OMG Footloose??? Yay!

[The8re phan]

that actually sounds like a great title for a possible part 4 --- "My Liza Moment..."

Great job Jordan... the trailer looks amazing!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Wanda Reichert has pics from the Doc over on FB.

Sounds excitig. S & E?

[Someone in a Tree2]

Starlight Express would be such a letdown...

[uncageg]

When I rented the first one I spent an afternoon watching it twice. It is excellent.

[best12bars]

Any update on this?

[TheaterBoy7777]

Via a kickstarter update: They are making their festival premiere on April 7th at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. The plan is to do a select number of festivals throughout the spring/summer, and then open in limited art-house theaters in the fall, and go to DVD and TV for Christmas.

[best12bars]

Thanks for the update!

[HorseTears]

Can't wait! Jordan, what's your involvement with this project?

[Jordan Catalano]

I can't believe I've been involved with this for going on 10 years now. I've done a lot of stuff for it, including (but not limited to) finding a lot of the archival footage that will be used.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Wow Jordan, there's some really amazing stuff in that trailer. Not sure how I missed the first one. Definitely excited for this!

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Just saw the first screening of this documentary at Palm Beach Film Festival. In attendance were award honorees Rick McKay and Robert Morse. It was announced by Rick that this was a first cut and the final edition for theaters could have somewhat different material.

This differs somewhat from the first film (Broadway: The Golden Age)in that chapters are either broad themes or specific shows. There is some footage lifted from the first installment (Robert Redford talking about Sardi's on opening night and Liza filling in Chicago for Gwen Verdon, for instance).

Pippin is given a large amount of time and includes lots of backstage footage (rehearsals, parties, cast interviews). Also discussed is the commercial shot to boost early sales. I would like to have seen other show TV ads from that time as well.

The performance of A Chorus Line celebrating the achievement of longest-running show is also a highlight with lots of rehearsal and performance footage. All living cast members from Broadway and tours were included in the show which Bennett directed flawlessly.

One recurring theme was race. We see first hand accounts of black actors struggling for roles because they were either too light or too dark skinned. And it was a bit jolting to see actors from Aint Misbehaven and Dreamgirls discuss the difficulty of getting a cab after a show.

There were also brief chapters devoted to actors learning by watching from the onstage wings and a discussion of movie vs. stage acting.

The only inclusion from Sondheim was in a chapter about critics. He spoke about Frank Rich and the beginning of critics attending shows during previews rather than all attending on opening night. That was it. No mentions of the Sondheim/Prince collaborations from the 70's (Company, Follies, etc.).

The current running time of the film was 2 hours.