'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for May 2nd, 2012
By: Paul W. Thompson May. 02, 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:
In case you were under a rock yesterday, you already know that a little event took place in New York--the announcement of the 2012 Tony Award nominees. And you probably know, as a loyal Mosh Pit peep, that Chicago’s very own Jessie Mueller, winner of the 2011 Joseph Jefferson Award here for her work in Writers’ Theatre’s production of “She Loves Me,” was nominated for a 2012 Antoinette Perry Award for her role as Melinda Wells in the unsuccessful revival/revisal of the 1965 Burton Lane/Alan Jay Lerner musical, “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever.” She was, in fact, the only nominee coming from that Harry Connick, Jr. theatrical project. The entire Mueller clan (father, mother, sister and brother) and the Chicago musical theater community were elated by the news of her nomination, and for those lucky enough to see her performance (yours truly among them), no one was that surprised. She’s nominated for a Drama Desk Award, too. Sometimes, talent is obvious, and is in the right place at the right time. This leaves only one unanswered Tony question for this year--will there be a national tour of “Newsies,” or will the rights be made available for regional and school productions right off the bat (as I think was originally planned)? With this show coming on the heels of “The Book Of Mormon,” there has never been a better time to be a young-looking male dancer who sings. Just sayin’! And congratulations, Jessie!
Speaking of dancers, and of shows that won Tony Awards, “Cats” is in town this week, through Sunday, May 6, 2012 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre on Randolph Street. The cast may be young, but they are truly putting it all out! (See my review elsewhere on this very website.) I didn’t see last season’s Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater BroadwayWorld Chicago Award-winning production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s second most-popular musical, but for those who did, the comparisons will be interesting, no?
One of the women who sang “Memory” in the Broadway production of “Cats” (it lasted 18 years, you remember?) was Liz Callaway, whose performance of “The Story Goes On” in the musical “Baby” helped revolutionize the sound of women’s contemporary belt voices in musical theater. Liz and her sister Ann Hampton Callaway, both Chicago area natives, performed at the North Shore Center For The Perfoming Arts in Skokie back on April 21st. Their show is called, “Boom!” You were there, right?
Just down the hall from the Callaways’ concert is the Northlight Theatre, where rehearsals have been underway for the highly anticipated Chicago-area premiere of “[title of show],” the meta-musical about writing a musical for your own self to star in. The guys who did write it, and did star in it in New York (Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell), aren’t in it here, so it’s not as meta as it used to be. I guess. But it’s got an illustrious local cast, with national credits to boot, nonetheless (Matthew Crowle, Stephen Schellhardt, McKinley Carter and Christine Sherrill). And it’s being directed by Peter Amster, with musical direction by Doug Peck. Not a shabby team at all! It’s hilarious, and it’s stirring, and it runs May 4-June 10.
Another highly anticipated production in town, though not a local premiere, is generating its own buzz. It’s the Pulitzer Prize-winner and game changer “Rent,” directed for the first time anywhere by Broadway director and MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant recipient David Cromer. The American Theater Company/About Face Theatre co-production is previewing now, with an official run from May 7-June 17. And don’t forget--like “Cats,” it’s a Tony-winning rock opera. See how this column is all unified and stuff?
Speaking of rock music in a theatrical context, the new glam-rock theatrical concert event, “Rise Of The Numberless” is also a co-production, of Bailiwick Chicago and The New Colony. It’s open, and running on weekends through May 26 at the Flat Iron Building in the Bucktown neighborhood. Harmony France and Ryan Lanning are reportedly kicking ass with the music of this show. And have you checked out the show’s innovative website?
If you’re more into the pop side of things, and like a little choreography on the side with that early-70s groove, you will be pleased to note that “Pippin” at The Music Theatre Company in Highland Park has been extended one week, to May 13. Northwestern University professor and Lyric Opera Of Chicago “Show Boat” alumna Cindy Gold has replaced Peggy Roeder as Berthe, as originally announced. And, no, vaudeville and television star Irene Ryan didn’t die onstage as Berthe in the Broadway production of the show, that’s an urban legend. Trust me on this one….
http://www.themusictheatrecompany.org/
Dusty soul music will be the meat and potatoes of the next production at the impressive new Black Ensemble Theater facility on Clark Street in western Uptown, when “The Marvin Gaye Story” begins performances on May 11, with a run scheduled from May 20-June 19. (Note, however, that most BET shows extend.) Subtitled, “Don’t Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend,” the show deals head-on with the fact that the music superstar (“How Sweet It Is,” “Sexual Healing”) was shot and killed by his own father on April 1, 1984, after a troubled life and a legendary music career.
http://www.blackensembletheater.org/
Another view of the price of fame and its effect on those who seek it is, well, “Fame,” the popular film that was turned into a successful television series, an Off-Broadway musical and an unsuccessful film remake. Chicago’s Real Clear Productions is in rehearsal now on that very same stage musical, directed by its artistic director, Joe Marabotti, with choreography by Alana Stephens. With performances slated for the last half of July at the Ruth Page Center For The Arts on the Near North Side, the company has let me know that it has lost the actor cast in the role of Nick Piazza, and is seeking an immediate replacement. The role calls for an actor who sings tenor and moves well. They are seeking additional ensemble performers as well. Check out the details on the casting, the cast and the performances! And tell ‘em that the Showtune Mosh Pit sent ya….
http://www.realclearproductions.org/fame-2012.html
And last, but certainly not least, is the event taking place this very evening, May 2, 2012, at The Call Bar in Andersonville. The cast of Chicago’s hit production of “Jersey Shore: The Musical” is doing a promotional performance at around 10:00 pm, as part of The Call’s “Curtains Up! Wednesday,” – Andersonville’s Showtune night! The show, developed by the sketch comedy troupe 4 Days Late, opened July 22, 2011 at Studio BE, but has just transferred to the Greenhouse Theatre Center, performing through May 26. And at The Call, 1547 W. Bryn Mawr, at Clark Street, you can see them for free, assuming you’re at least 21. What’s not to love? Satire, songs and saturation. All on Hump Day. Tell tell ‘em that the Showtune Mosh Pit sent ya….
The-Call-Hosts-Appearance-by-JERSEY-SHORE-THE-MUSICAL
So, it’s another month! Shows come and go so quickly here, too. I’ve already got enough material for next week’s column, I tell ya. So, your mission for the week is to create so many interesting factoids, productions and social networking trends that I have to amend my planning! And how will you let me in on all you and your cohorts are planning and thinking of? Of course! I'll see you under the video screens.....—PWT
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