Having witnessed the stultifying, bloated NBC production of PETER PAN LIVE (what were the 'powers that be' thinking would hold a child's attention span for three hours, however padded with yet more Peter Pan plugs from Walmart?), I was reluctant to attend Playhouse on the Square's annual production of the James Barrie children's classic. I am probably one of the handful of reviewers to recall the 1955 NBC production (and later one as well) with the legendary pairing of Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard (whose fruity, overly ripe 'Captain Hook' would make Johnny Depp's 'Jack Sparrow' seem more like a white collar executive). As an IPad-free child inured to black and white fare, it hardly mattered that Mary Martin was, to put it politely, mature; that the production values were clunky; that the wires and 'Tinker' herself were glaringly apparent. In short, I was captivated. Yet, Martin possessed the kind of spunk and spontaneity that made us children believe (not to mention that she had the kind of singing voice that made her a legendary Broadway performer, as evidenced by SOUTH PACIFIC and SOUND OF MUSIC). She could make a child want to fly. Allison Williams, last evening's 'Peter,' lacked that optimistic boyishness (though she had the tomboyish Hilary Swank look 'nailed') and, despite having a pleasant enough voice, often seemed out of breath; but Chrisopher Walken, whom I like and who I initially thought would be inspired casting, seemed to have wandered in from a cocktail party hosted by zombies. His dancing made that of the Monster in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN seem as nimble as that of Fred Astaire. Despite the wonderful lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and despite the 'ear candy' musical score by Mark Charlalp and Jule Stein, those long, middle stretches in Neverland made me wonder if it would Neverend.
Today we turn our attention to a Golden Age master who was celebrated earlier this week via PETER PAN LIVE! and rightly so given this is now his centennial year, Adolph Green.
Growing up, my brother, sister, and I wore out our VHS recording of one of Mary Martin's TV productions of PETER PAN. Mixed in between viewings of APOLLO 13 and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, we learned every word to every song, and while I don't remember dancing along with the Lost Boys, there is no doubt that we could have, if asked. I've never seen the musical on stage, so, for me, PETER PAN simply belongs on TV; and producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan spared no fiary dust in creating a magical PETER PAN that reinforced why this holiday tradition should never grow up and fly away. Despite a handful of hiccups that befall many live productions, simply put, PETER PAN LIVE! is a triumph for children young and old.
Der Winter hat gerade erst begonnen, aber die Freilichtbuhnen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz blicken schon auf den nachsten Sommer. Viele der Openair-Theater in der Region fuhren auch 2015 wieder Musicals auf und haben bereits die Spielplane fur den kommenden Sommer veroffentlicht. Auf dem Programm stehen Klassiker wie Cabaret und Singin' in the Rain, aber auch Deutschlandpremieren wie Zorro und selten gespielte Musicals wie Der Geheime Garten und Das Lacheln einer Sommernacht. Vielerorts auch hat bereits der Vorverkauf begonnen. Damit ihr euch die besten Platze sichern und Ausfluge planen konnt, gibt es hier eine Übersicht uber einen Großteil der Freilicht-Musicals im Sommer 2015.
Roundabout Theatre Company has announced additional casting for the new Broadway production of the classic musical On the Twentieth Century starring Tony & Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, Golden Globe & SAG Award winner & Tony nominee Peter Gallagher, Tony nominee Andy Karl, Mark Linn-Baker, Tony winner Michael McGrath and Tony winner Mary Louise Wilson. On the Twentieth Century will be choreographed by Tony winner Warren Carlyle and directed by six-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis, and features music by Cy Coleman and book & lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. On the Twentieth Century is based on plays by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur & Bruce Millholland. The original Broadway production was directed by Harold Prince.
The York Theatre Company will honor Tony Award-winning collaborators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 23rd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala to be held tonight, November 24, 2014 at Park Avenue's Racquet & Tennis Club (370 Park Avenue).
Join Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, and John in the high-flying timeless Broadway musical that will whisk you away to a place where dreams are born and no one ever grows up! On November 28th running through December 14th Centenary Stage Company will venture into 'Neverland' for their holiday production of Peter Pan.
The cast and creative team of NBC's highly anticipated live broadcast of the classic musical PETER PAN LIVE share their thoughts, just weeks before the upcoming December 4th telecast.
Join Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, and John in the high-flying timeless Broadway musical that will whisk you away to a place where dreams are born and no one ever grows up! On November 28th running through December 14th Centenary Stage Company will venture into 'Neverland' for the family holiday production of Peter Pan. Based on J.M. Barrie's classic tale and featuring an unforgettable score by Morris 'Moose' Charlap and Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Peter Pan is one of the most beloved family favorites of all time.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported: in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Broadway composer Amanda Green and PETER PAN LIVE executive producer Neil Meron chat about expanding the lyrics to classic songs such as 'I Won't Grow Up' and 'I'm Flying,' for NBC's upcoming live broadcast of the musical classic. Green is the daughter of one of Peter Pan's original lyricists, Adolph Green, and has an impressive list of theater credits of her own, including the recent Broadway musical 'Hands On a Hardbody.' Commenting on choosing Green for the job of adding new lyrics to familiar numbers, Meron explains, 'It fleshed out the show. It deepened the characters, it kind of drove plot more-which good songs do in musicals. Amanda was just wonderful in capturing the spirit of her father and [Green's partner] Betty Comden.'
This week's New York Times In Performance video features actress Alysha Umphress and pianist Brett Rowe performing 'I Can Cook, Too' from the Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN.
Today in 1991, the second Broadway revival of Peter Pan opened at the MInskoff Theatre, where it ran for 48 performances. Peter Pan is a musical adaptation of J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan and Barrie's own novelization of it, Peter and Wendy. The music is mostly by Mark 'Moose' Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne, and most of the lyrics were written by Carolyn Leigh, with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The original 1954 Broadway production, starring Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook, earned Tony Awards for both stars.
The York Theatre Company will honor Tony Award-winning collaborators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 23rd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala to be held Monday, November 24, 2014 at Park Avenue's Racquet & Tennis Club (370 Park Avenue).
The Lilly Awards Foundation with the Broadway at Birdland Series proudly presents The Lilly Awards Broadway Cabaret: An evening of showstoppers written by women and performed by Broadway's Best to benefit The Lilly Awards Foundation whose mission is to promote gender parity at all levels of theatrical production, and develop and celebrate the work of women in the theater.
Anyone can be a star - for a price! The annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION is a unique opportunity for non-professionals to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production. Bailiwick Chicago will be auctioning off over 40 roles for this season's musical production, Wonderful Town, tonight, November 8, 2014 at this year's new venue, Michelle's Ballroom, 2800 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. THE CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION will also feature live entertainment, a silent auction, delectable hors d'oeuvres, an open bar with signature cocktails and a professional photo booth to ham it up!
