'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 20th, 2011

 

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:

Were you there on Sunday night? I'm talking about Sidetrack, of course, which received a promotion appearance from the one and only Kristin Chenoweth at 8:00 pm, to a packed and enthusiastic crowd. Entertainer and bartender Bradley Thomas introduced the "Wicked" and "Promises, Promises" star, a Tony and Emmy winner with a new TV show and recording to publicize, with a speech that Chenoweth then called the best introduction she has ever received. She was there to let us know about her current single, "I Want Somebody (To Bitch About)", her album, "Some Lessons Learned," and her upcoming ABC-TV series, "Good Christian Belles" (original title: "Good Christian Bitches"), co-starring Annie Potts. She didn't sing (as originally rumored) or really even say much, but was charming, gracious, and seemed genuinely overwhelmed at the monstrously loud ovation she received in the middle of Show Tune Sunday. The crowd was thrilled, a sea of iPhones recording everything. Then, a new edit of the "I Want Somebody" video by Sidetrack video editor Russell Daughtery was screened, to Chenoweth's great delight. Soon it was over, but those who were there will not soon forget the outpouring of love showered upon a diminutive star of multiple show business platforms, standing tall on a tiny platform in one of the world's most important video bars. 

http://www.kristinchenoweth.com/ 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Miss Chenoweth has been nominated for another Emmy this year, for her work on "Glee." The show is also honored in that co-star Jane Lynch will be hosting the Emmy telecast in September. Now, there are rumors abounding that "Glee" will be canceled after next season, its third, based no doubt on news from creator (and Chicagoan) Ryan Murphy that Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer will not be series regulars after three years, as their characters will be graduating. But has anyone seen hard evidence that the show will not continue after next season? With a 3D concert film coming out this August? Bueller? Bueller? I thought not. 

http://www.fox.com/glee 

The Sunday night event was in many ways the culmination of an exciting week for me, marking my 50th birthday. Thanks to the many well-wishes I received, online and in person! I managed a personal first, attending three different outdoor concerts on back-to-back-to-back evenings, in absolutely PERFECT weather, I should add. Not a drop of rain, and warm but bearable temperatures. The triduum began last Wednesday, with the "Broadway Rocks!" concert at Millennium Park, featuring the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Broadway performers Christiane Noll, Capathia Jenkins, Rob Evan and Doug LaBrecque, backed by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus in their Pritzker Pavillion debut. Many who were there know that Rosie O'Donnell was in attendance too (on the lawn, mind you) and seemed to have a great time! The concert seemed to many to be too short (about an hour and fifteen minutes), as the sun had not set and the crowd clearly wanted more. And the sound mix on the lawn reportedly hid the chorus, and even the soloists, at times. But at a rumored maximum capacity crowd of 15,000, with entrances closed to all newcomers except members of groups already inside, the evening was certainly a success! And "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" burned it down!! 

After the show, a group of CGMC members joined me at The Call in Andersonville for a night of Showtunes, as regularly scheduled. What we didn't know was that it was the second to last Wednesday that Mark Seconsky would be tending bar! Tonight is his last Wednesday there, and I know he would appreciate a nice send-off. Mark, you will be missed! 

Welcome to The Call 

Last Thursday, I attended a concert at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, where the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and guest piano soloist Emmanuel Ax provided a perfectly lovely evening of music by Johannes Brahms. I then retreated to Sidetrack for comedy videos. Brahms isn't your cup of tea, maybe? Is that why you probably were at Ravinia on Saturday or Sunday night, for capacity concerts by Chicago's very own Oscar and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson? I understand she was great, and the diverse and appreciative crowd was, well, diverse and appreciative. I'm told that "Dreamgirls" provided the capper for the night. Fabulous. 

Ravinia.org 

And on Friday night, I had the unexpected pleasure of attending a performance of "Carousel" at the Wallace Bowl in Gillson Park in Wilmette (just off Sheridan Road), presented by the Wilmette Park District's Starlight Theatre. Clocking in at three hours on the dot, I think this is about as complete a performance of "Carousel" as you will likely see anywhere (it continues through July 23). They even include the dances after "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and "Blow High, Blow Low," which are almost always cut. And, according to the program notes and the night's introductory speech, choreographer Kirsten Markham recreated Agnes De Mille's 66-year-old original Broadway choreography for the show! For this fact alone, this community theater production should be lauded and witnessed. Call me conservative (heck, call me old), but this stuff is important! 

Starlight Theatre & Mallinckrodt Concerts | Wilmette Park District 

The big news from downtown is the arrival of one of the summer's most anticipated Broadway tours, one we watched for with great anticipation. "West Side Story" is here, direct from its Broadway engagement, arriving last week and playing through August 14, 2011 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Whatever you think about the use of Spanish dialogue in this version of the show (the last Broadway work of its late director and bookwriter, Arthur Laurents) and whether or not you agree with me that the show's parts are always greater than its sum, this ridiculously difficult-to-cast show should definitely be seen by all residents of the Mosh Pit. On top of that, members of the cast will be performing in a cabaret setting next Monday night at Petterino's, just down the street from the theater at Dearborn and Randolph. Welcome to Chicago, you guys! 

West Side Story | Broadway in Chicago

South of town, in Park Forest, the Illinois Theatre Center is presenting that perennial favorite, "Cabaret," weekends from July 22-31, starring Jeny Wasilewsky, Scott Mills and Jeff Weingartner. Michelle McKenzie-Voigt is Fraulein Schneider. David Boettcher directs a cast of 18. 

Cabaret at ITC 

In northeastern Chicago, "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" makes a return visit to the Mayne Stage venue in Rogers Park, on Wednesday, August 3rd. Liza Minnelli's favorite accompanist, Billy Stritch, is at the keyboard, with Caruso as host. A Monday mainstay at Birdland in New York, this night of guest stars and classic show business wit was here once before, and they got themselves a re-booking! I understand that the first time was awash in Chicago stage star talent, and I wouldn't expect anything less from these two guys this time. It sounds so glittery! 

Mayne Stage Presents - Jim Caruso's Cast Party 

Even further north, and a little further off in time, is the world premiere of the stage version of "For The Boys" at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Based on the Bette Midler/James Caan film, Aaron Thielen, Ryan Nelson, David Siegel and Marc Robin are teaming up to write, assemble music for and stage this work, onstage beginning August 17 and running through October 16. And the cast was announced just last week! As big band singer Dixie Leonard, we will see Michele Ragusa, with Timothy Gulan as entertainer Eddie Sparks.( They've both starred on Broadway, on tour and on television.) Local talent joining them are Anne Gunn, two-time Jeff Award winner Summer Smart, Michael Lindner, the ubiquitous Bernie Yvon, Johanna Mckenzie Miller, Holly Stauder, Michael Weber, Melissa Zaremba, Katheryn Patton, Rod Thomas and Jameson Cooper, heading a cast of 22. Will this be the next jukebox musical to take over Broadway? 

Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire's For The Boys

The Chicago Children's Theatre announced its upcoming season this week, and it starts of with two musicals! From October 27-December 23, at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, the company will present a new musical version of the beloved children's book, "Goodnight Moon," with book, music and lyrics by Chad Henry and new arrangements by Chicagoan Mark Messing. David Kersnar will direct and Tommy Rapley will choreograph, and Alex Goodrich, Sara Sevigny, Becky Poole and Aaron Holland will star. And January through March, CCT will present a world premiere version of the book "The Houdini Box," with book and lyrics by Hannah Kohl and music by Messing. Those performances will be at the Mercury Theater on North Southport. Awesome! 

Chicago Children's Theatre | Home 

And lastly, I know I have talked about it before, and it may not actually air on NBC on Monday nights at 9:00 pm Central Time until after Christmas, but the TV show "Smash," about the creation of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe, could indeed be the cat's pajamas. Sure, it may not get all the details of New York theatre correct, but it looks like it gets a LOT of them right. And sure, publicity for the show features Katharine McPhee, Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston, when readers of the Mosh Pit might rather know that it features Megan Hilty, Brian d'Arcy James, Christian Borle and the music and lyrics of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. But still, when all is said and done, there will have been a TV series about Broadway, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and the team of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. In our lifetimes. And have you watched the extended trailer? It's required viewing!! 

Smash's Website 

So that's it for now! Stay cool by all means, as this week is going to be a hot one! Thanks again for saying "hey" last week- -it's much appreciated! And next week, or next weekend, I'll see you once again under the video screens.....-PWT 

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Photo Credit: cellphone photos courtesy of Lee Townsend

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