'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for February 8th, 2012

THE LATEST IN UNAUTHORIZED GOSSIP AND BUZZ

FROM THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S SHOWTUNE VIDEO BARS,

AND MUSICAL THEATER NEWS FROM CHICAGO TO BROADWAY

by Paul W. Thompson

Overheard last weekend under the showtune

video screens at Sidetrack and The Call:

And so, the “Smash” era has begun! The hour-long drama series about the world of the Broadway musical began its broadcast life Monday night on NBC-TV, garnering pretty good ratings and, to my ears, extremely good word of mouth! In fact, I don’t know of a single person who saw it (either on TV or via online media) who didn’t like the pilot/premiere episode. And a few people tremble at how good it was for them. Some folks hope it gets better, and others are afraid it won’t be able to sustain the plots lines or the justification for musical numbers. But everyone in the Mosh Pit and environs is STOKED for the possibilities this show brings. Congratulations to everyone involved.Chicago is on the “Smash” bandwagon--in a big way! The show continues next Monday, February 13, at9:00 pm Central Time. YAAAAAAAY. And will we be seeing video clips in our favorite bars? Stay tuned for that…..

SMASH

One of the most enduringly popular musical comedies from the Golden Age of Broadway is “Gypsy,” and we have a pretty well-received production of it playing now at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace (through April 1). The well-known, New York-based interpreter of the songs of Ethel Merman, KLea Blackhurst, is headlining as Rose, with one of Chicago’s newest musical stars, Andrea Prestinario, as Louise. And the production is garnering some national attention, as the bigger Equity shows in Chicago tend to do these days. However, this production has triggered a discussion on a BroadwayWorld discussion thread (the main board, not the Chicago one!), regarding the way that larger Chicago theaters frequently (or always, depending on whom you ask) hire New York talent for the biggest musical roles. Certainly that seems to be the case at the Drury Lane, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott and Goodman theaters, though it seems to be less so at Theatre At The Center, Court, Writers’ and the Paramount. And of course, Lyric Opera Of Chicago hires almost all its leads from out of town, and is applauded for bringing them here. What do you think? Is this a good or bad thing? And why? It’s an interesting topic.

Thread: KLea Blackhurst in GYPSY

Speaking of TATC, they’ve had a change in the leading lady (half the cast) of the upcoming “Always, Patsy Cline,” and I don’t know why. Michelle Duffy was announced as the show’s Patsy, with Janelle Snow as Louise, her fan and pen pal. However, last week the theater announced that Patsy would be played by Heather Beck, who recently assayed the same role in a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, production of Ted Swindley’s honky-tonk two-hander. Hmm. The show officially opens onFebruary 26, 2012, and runs through April 1.

Theatre-at-the-Center-Presents-ALWAYS-PATSY-CLINE

In touring news, we are now being visited by the national tour of “American Idiot,” the Grammy-winning musical based on the music of the band Green Day and helmed by “Spring Awakening” and “Smash” director Michael Mayer. It’s a two week stint, closing February 19 at the Oriental Theatre. This one will surely be popular with the college and career set, though most Baby Boomers can relate to its anti-war and suburban alienation themes. I actually saw it twice in New York, which means that on paper I liked it as much as I did “Cats,” “Into The Woods,” “Grand Hotel” and the “Chicago” revival. Also note that I saw the original “A Chorus Line” three times inNew York, but who’s counting…..

http://www.theatreinchicago.com's AMERICAN IDIOT listing

This weekend will see a concert reading of the new musical “Morality Play,” by Janet Burroway and Matthew M. Kiedrowski, on Sunday and Monday. But there’s a twist--it’s a touring reading! Sunday’s presentation will be at the Athanaeum Theatre on Southport, and Monday’s will be at the McGaw YMCA Child Care Center in Evanston. Set in 14th century England, the reading is brought to fruition by Midwest New Musicals, the writing workshop affiliated with Wilmette-based Light Opera Works. But I think the writers actually live inFlorida. I think!

Midwest-New-Musicals-Presents-MORALITY-PLAY

Speaking of the north shore suburbs, Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe is readying “A Little Night Music,” to run from May 1 through July 8 in the company’s mainstage space. William Brown will direct, with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. And it’s a fascinating cast! Deanna Dunagan (a Tony Award winner for “August: Osage County”) will be Madame Armfeldt, with Shannon Cochran (who starred in the national tour of the same play) as Desiree. Jonathan Weir (Fredrik), Brianna Borger (Petra), Brandon Dahlquist (Count Malcom) and Cory Goodrich (Malla) are among the others in the talented cast. Sounds like a trek northward is in order….

Writers-Theatre-Presents-A-LITTLE-NIGHT-MUSIC

A show that many Chicagoans hold dear will be coming up in early summer, “Floyd Collins,” the off-Broadway show by Tina Landau and Adam Guettel. Bohemian Theatre Ensemble is mounting the show at Theater Wit on Belmont Avenue from June 15-July 15. Auditions are this weekend, and director Peter Marston Sullivan will be hoping for the best from each of you….

http://bohotheatre.com/shows/floydcollins.php

Hell In A Handbag Productions, Chicago’s irreverent and somewhat fringe troupe of professional gender benders and satirists, has announced its 2012 season. First up, from April 26 through June 16, will be “Sexy Baby,” a “docu-musical” about the world of child beauty pageants by David Cerda and Scott Lamberty. Next will be “Scarrie,” a revival of the company’s very first production from ten seasons ago, by the same two writers plus Taylor E. Ross (September 28 through November 10). And back again for another holiday season will be “Rudolph The Red-Hosed Reindeer,” from November 29--December 30. Well done, you guys.

Hell-in-a-Handbag-Productions-Announces-2012-Season

And now, a question. What is the longest running musical currently in Chicago? If you answered “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Apollo Theatre onLincoln Avenue, I think you are correct! It’s still going strong after two and a half years, spawning the Broadway (now Off-Broadway) andWest End and touring productions of this bit of rockabilly lore. The currentChicago cast is a fascinating mix of locals and nationals, actors and musicians.

http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/chicago-cast.html

However, there’s a catch to my question. Is “Blue Man Group” a musical? There are cast albums full of their New Age rock music floating in the ether as we speak. However, most Mosh Pit peeps wouldn’t consider this performance spectacle a musical, if push came to marshmallow shove. It’s a good show, though! One with international reach and global impact. And one particular outpost of the Blue Man universe has been packing them in at the Briar Street Theatre, just down Halsted Street from our beloved Sidetrack, for an unbelievable 15 years. That’s fifteen. Years. Unbelievable.

http://www.blueman.com/tickets/chicago

That’s all for this week, folks. Keep the faith that winter won’t return, and I’ll treat you to the latest “Show Boat” news in one week’s time. Until then, make some amazing musical theater memories, and I'll see you under the video screens.....—PWT

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