SOUND OFF SPECIAL: Revivals Galore! A Retrospective With FUNNY GIRL, SUPERSTAR, GODSPELL, EVITA, ON A CLEAR DAY & PORGY & BESS
by Pat Cerasaro
- Oct 8, 2011
Today, in an extension of the FLASH FRIDAY column, we are sharpening our focus on the six upcoming revivals of musicals that are soon to hit the boards in the next few months (post-FOLLIES) and battle it out for the Best Revival as the Broadway season heats up just when the weather begins to cool: the classic Jule Styne/Bob Merrill musical that originally starred that star-of-stars, Barbra Streisand - FUNNY GIRL; the groundbreaking rock opera that rewrote the theatrical rulebook thanks to young creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; the hippie, flower child take on the Christ story covering some similar Biblical ground to that of SUPERSTAR, with this one being the composing debut of WICKED songwriter Stephen Schwartz - GODSPELL; another Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice collaboration that won seven Tony Awards and acted as the vehicle for Patti LuPone's blazing Broadway debut in a starring role - EVITA; the significantly reworked, revised and rewritten new version of the beautifully scored time-travel musical by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner, this time starring a male movie star crooner - ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER; and, the landmark American opera composed by the Gershwins with DuBose Haywerd - PORGY & BESS. While each and every one of these entities has a huge hit song or two that nearly everyone on the planet knows by heart - "Don't Rain On My Parade", "I Don't Know How To Love Him", "Day By Day", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "On A Clear Day…" and 'Summertime' included - each of these revivals also comes after a film version (or two) that, in more than a few of these cases, will be relatively difficult to top as far as expectations of many audience members undoubtedly will go. So, by taking a listen to the smash hit crossover songs from these musicals as well as looking at their respective film version's trailers - as well as a couple of surprises, too - perhaps we can glean some insight into what makes these generally pretty terrific properties so well worth reviving on Broadway, here, now, today, in 2011. Furthermore, all of this crystal ball commentary is not even taking into account the starry assortment of performers that have already been announced for these productions so far - especially with FUNNY GIRL's Lauren Ambrose and Bobby Cannavale, GODSPELL's Hunter Parrish, SUPERSTAR's lauded Josh Young, EVITA's Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris, PORGY's Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald, as well as the leading man in what was once a leading lady's role (that of Barbara Harris) in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, Harry Connick, Jr.! What a tight race it is turning out to be for these new productions, particularly come Tony time in June! With rock to rhumba and borscht belt comedy to messianic hosannas and even full-out opera, seemingly every conceivable customer base is more than covered by this packed, potentially, well, awesome, season of shows - and many Broadway babies around BroadwayWorld are undoubtedly looking most forward to these six forthcoming revivals - with particularly good reason given the relative dearth of new musicals announced so far. So, let these revivals revive your flagging spirits as we leap into the 2011-2012 season with this comprehensive prospective and retrospective all about what makes them work so well in the first place and so worthy of another look!
Kerry O'Malley, Drew Gehling, et al. Join ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER; Full Cast Announced!
by Nicole Rosky
- Oct 6, 2011
The producers of the newly imagined production of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER have just announced the complete cast joining the previously announced stars: Grammy and Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick, Jr. as Dr. Mark Bruckner, David Turner as David Gamble and, in her Broadway debut, Jessie Mueller as Melinda Wells. With a Tony-nominated score by Burton Lane (music) and Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics), a new book by Peter Parnell based on the original book by Alan Jay Lerner, the musical is reconceived and directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER opens Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th Street; previews begin Saturday, November 12.
ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER Box Office Opens Today
by Kelsey Denette
- Sep 27, 2011
Grammy and Emmy Award winner, Tony Award nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Harry Connick, Jr. will star as Dr. Mark Bruckner in the newly imagined production of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER opening December 11, 2011 on Broadway at The St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th Street.
Apple Core Theater Co Presents By The Dawn's Early Light, Begins 8/11
by BWW News Desk
- Aug 11, 2011
As the tenth anniversary of September 11th approaches, Apple Core Theater Company presents By The Dawn's Early Light, two new one-acts by Mel Nieves illustrating the impact of that fateful day on three Latino families in New York City. Directed by Walter J. Hoffman, performances will begin on August 11th at the Studio Theatre on Theatre Row, located at 410 West 42nd Street.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for August 10th, 2011
by Paul W. Thompson
- Aug 11, 2011
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. 'West Side Story' on stage and screen, Darren Criss of 'Glee' in 3D, Amy & Freddy, another 'Evita,' 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!,' Jessie Mueller on Broadway and more....
Jessie Mueller, David Turner Join Cast of ON A CLEAR DAY
by Nicole Rosky
- Aug 4, 2011
The newly imagined Broadway production of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER starring Grammy and Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick, Jr. will open on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at The St James Theatre. According to the NY Times, Jessie Muellerwill star opposite Harry Connick, Jr. as Melinda Wells in the revival. Additionally, David Turner, will play gay florist David Gamble in the production.
ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER Launches Website!
by Nicole Rosky
- Jul 29, 2011
The newly imagined Broadway production of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER starring Grammy and Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick, Jr. will open on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at The St James Theatre. Previews are set to begin on November 12, 2011. The delightful Tony Award nominated score by Burton Lane (music) and Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics) is enhanced by classics from their film scores for On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) and Royal Wedding (1951). With a new book by Peter Parnell based on the original book by Alan Jay Lerner, the musical is reconceived and directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer.
Lincoln Center OUT OF DOORS Concert Series Begins
by BWW News Desk
- Jul 27, 2011
The 41st edition of one of the longest-running, free, outdoor festivals in the U.S.-Lincoln Center Out of Doors-opens on Wednesday, July 27 with two premieres that are a study in contrasts.
Lincoln Center OUT OF DOORS Concert Series Begins 7/27
by Caryn Robbins
- Jul 19, 2011
The 41st edition of one of the longest-running, free, outdoor festivals in the U.S.-Lincoln Center Out of Doors-opens on Wednesday, July 27 with two premieres that are a study in contrasts.
Review - Broadway Winners
by Michael Dale
- Jul 18, 2011
If I were delusional enough to think my scribblings could turn an unknown into a star overnight, then I'd be writing these words fully confident that by tomorrow morning every Broadway producer in town would want to sign a young musical comedy actress named Oakley Boycott. Yes, Oakley Boycott is her actual name and as a performer she's as unique as her moniker. I first saw her two years ago at one of Town Hall's Broadway's Rising Stars concerts, where she floored the place as a rhythmically-challenged singer awkwardly pounding her way through John Kroner's 'Where's The Beat.' Since then it seems her New York appearances have been limited to Scott Siegel's Town Hall concerts and doing concert musicals for Mel Miller's Musicals Tonight!
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