Last night, SMASH cast Marilyn Monroe in the big Broadway musical based on her life at the show's center. Or, did they? While Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) may have done whatever it took to make an impression on the show's lothario director, Derek (Jack Davenport), it was Ivy's long-standing friendship with the songwriting team of Julia & Tom (Debra Messing & Christian Borle) and the belief in her readily apparent talent by the lead producer, Eileen (Anjelica Huston), that really sealed the deal. So, where does that leave Karen (Katharine McPhee)? In the chorus, it seems - at least for now. The drama escalated and reached an early peak along with the crescendos of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's smashing "Twentieth Century Fox Mambo" showstopper - the musical highlight of the impossibly strong second episode - as the heated fully-staged and fully-choreographed audition gave way to a dream reality which finally showed us all out there in the audience what a Karen/Marilyn could potentially be: a true blonde bombshell to beat the band. Of course, nothing is quite so cut and dry as it may appear and Karen may get her chance in the spotlight on the actual Marilyn musical's stage after all. Yet, for the next few episodes at least, Ivy is the star of the show - and she is going to wring every last wiggle, coo and peck out of the role. Plus, who can put over a number in true Broadway fashion - as Marilyn Monroe, perfectly played, no less - than Megan Hilty? Did you hear her line in the newly envisioned 'Let Me Be Your Star'? In much the same way as Hilty with the Broadway pizazz, McPhee effortlessly puts over treacherously tricky pop songs with smoothness, sweetness and near-tangible sincerety and conviction. Which way will the score ultimately go - and, furthermore, what shall be of the show that contains it? Will the musical be more Norma Jean or more Marilyn, thus more befitting of Karen or Ivy, respectively? Who knows, perhaps there ultimately will be two Marilyns required - as was proposed in this very column last week at this time and seems the logical ultimate conclusion of the casting dilemma at the show's core. We will certainly have to wait and find out what happens next on SMASH and what the show ends up requiring of its incredibly talented cast of hoofers and stars-to-be. Plus, Nick Jonas, Uma Thurman and Bernadette Peters make guest star debuts in the next several weeks!
Blondie News
The Town Hall (123 West 43 Street) has signed Award-winning Jazz singer Marilyn Maye, Tony Award winner, Ben Davis (Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme), Dameka Hayes, Audelco Award Nominee for It Ain't Nothing But The Blues and Jessie Mueller, who made her Broadway debut in On a Clear Day…, to perform in THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1946 on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 8pm.
The Polish Cultural Institute and Culture Project present The Wild Finish written and performed by Monica Hunken and directed by Melissa Chambers.
Get SMASH-ed. Last night, NBC unveiled the most sparkling, dazzling jewel of many a TV season with the hotly anticipated debut of the new musical dramedy series SMASH. Hatched from an idea by mega-mogul Steven Spielberg and given life by playwright Theresa Rebeck, director Michael Mayer and songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, SMASH follows the journey of the auditioning actors and creative team of a new Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe from inception to final presentation on opening night and follows the highs and lows of making a hit show on the Great White Way. While I have only viewed the first four episodes, I can tell you that this show certainly knows where it is heading and heads will unquestionably turn with each new surprise and dramatic twist along the way - and that's to say nothing of the simply stupendous presentation of original songs by Shaiman & Wittman for the musical-within-the-show and spirited, inventive covers of pop hits, new and old, ranging from Adele to Blondie to Bruno Mars and beyond. In just the first four episodes alone, SMASH manages to pack more sheer entertainment value into its running time than virtually any other show on network TV - besides GLEE, that is. Ah, yes: GLEE. Comparisons will be made - and most critics have already made them - but, the truth of the matter really is that there is more than enough room on network TV for two music-themed shows that tell their story through song from time to time. After all, on SMASH, there are a lot dramatically justified reasons to break out into a song - or four. Plus, there's certainly a big enough audience out there to justify AMERICAN IDOL, THE VOICE, THE X FACTOR and AMERICA'S GOT TALENT - to name just the network reality competition shows focusing on performance-based entertainment - so why can't GLEE and SMASH happily co-exist on TV together? As SMASH shows, if there can be two Marilyns in a Marilyn Monroe musical, then anything is possible. The possibilities are as vast and numerous as the possible subjects for a new Broadway musical - endless. Endless, too, is the enjoyment and entertainment value SMASH potentially can provide for many more seasons to come. All that is needed, wanted and so desperately desired is an audience - so, let SMASH be your star.
The Town Hall (123 West 43 Street) has signed Award-winning Jazz singer Marilyn Maye, Tony Award winner, Ben Davis (Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme), Dameka Hayes, Audelco Award Nominee for It Ain't Nothing But The Blues and Jessie Mueller, who made her Broadway debut in On a Clear Day…, to perform in THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1946 on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 8pm.
The Polish Cultural Institute and Culture Project will present The Wild Finish written and performed by Monica Hunken and directed by Melissa Chambers.
Joe's Pub has announced the following upcoming performances.
Today, as a special corollary column to this weekend's extensive InDepth InterView with Tony-nominated stage and screen star Constantine Maroulis, we are shining a special spotlight on his career trajectory as he has risen up through the ranks to become one of the most successful alumni of AMERICAN IDOL from humble beginnings in the non-Equity tour of RENT. Since that landmark Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, Constantine has carved out a unique niche in the Broadway landscape as one of most charismatic and compelling performers of rock-based musical theatre, who has also shown considerable skills tackling the more diverse scores of shows such as JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, THE WEDDING SINGER, and, now, THE TOXIC AVENGER, co-composed by the Tony-winning team behind MEMPHIS comprised of Bon Jovi's David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. Of course, no Constantine-centric conversation would be complete without a thorough look at his unforgettable turn in the hit 80s rock jukebox musical ROCK OF AGES, the expanded film adaptation of which he will be taking to the big screen later this year. RENT to IDOL to TOXIC AVENGER and beyond, Constantine Maroulis is one of the brightest shining new Broadway stars of the 21st century and it will be a treat to see and hear TOXIC AVENGER as it sets its sights on the Great White Way.
The Town Hall has just announced the 12th Season of their acclaimed BROADWAY BY THE YEAR® concert series which kicks off with THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1946 on Monday, February 13, 2012. The show is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Initial casting includes Alice Ripley, the Tony® Award winning star of Next to Normal, Tom Wopat (Tony® Award nominated for his role of Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun revival/Catch Me if You Can), Kerry O'Malley (On a Clear Day…Annie Get Your Gun revival) and Noah Racey (Curtains), who will also choreograph. The evening will feature songs and dance from Irving Berlin's classic Annie Get Your Gun and other musicals including Call Me Mister, St. Louis Woman and Park Avenue. Ross Patterson is the musical director.
The Polish Cultural Institute and Culture Project will present The Wild Finish written and performed by Monica Hunken and directed by Melissa Chambers.
ABC will be presenting a pre-New Year's celebration when it marks the 40th Anniversary of it's 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' television broadcast.
The Record gives Broadway performers an outlet to discuss their solo music. We love and support our favorite stage performers but this will be your first chance to really find out what their music is all about. You can learn about their CD's, concerts, influences, upcoming projects and much more. Broadway performers are officially now on The Record. Our fifth subject is fan favorite, Alice Ripley, who closes in MCC's WILD ANIMALS YOU SHOULD KNOW December 11 and is playing a concert show, Daily Practice (named for her eponymous sophomore album), at the Laurie Beechman Theatre through December 16.
The Town Hall, Broadway's landmark theatre and concert venue, (123 West 43rd Street) announces its 91tst Anniversary season with a star-studded lineup that includes some of the biggest names in television, theatre and music.
The Town Hall, Broadway's landmark theatre and concert venue, (123 West 43rd Street) announces its 91tst Anniversary season with a star-studded lineup that includes some of the biggest names in television, theatre and music. Headliners include Grammy nominated musician David Bromberg with the legendary Allen Toussaint as a special guest, the acclaimed musical comedy troupe Capitol Steps, The Soul of Cuba: Sierra Maestra, Tony Award® winner Lea Salonga, Tony Award® Winner and 30 Rock star Jane Krakowski, Grammy Award® Winners Loudon Wainwright III, Judy Collins and Madeleine Peyroux.
Highline Ballroom is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.
The fine art of the mash-up has been a hallowed tradition that has been explored to a significant extent on GLEE since the very beginning, so a night filled with only such two-stack tracks would seem to be the ideal way to celebrate the show's 300th musical performance to date, which came in last night's "Mash-Off" episode. The mash-ups blasted off in a grand manner and the carefully-constructed couplings were often quite brilliant twists on the sounds of the original singles - the spectacular 300th performance showcase of Adele's "Rumor Has It' and "Someone Like You" acting as the musical apotheosis of the evening. Mixing disparate elements from the incredibly diverse musical catalogs of Adele, Lady Gaga, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Blondie, Van Halen, Eddie Rabbit and Crystal Gayle, "Mash-Off" managed to shine a light on the couples singing the musical mergings, as well as provide the high entertainment value implicit in any episode so far on the resoundingly strong third season of GLEE.
Today we are talking to a Broadway stalwart with a string of hit shows on his resume - CATS, A CHORUS LINE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, THE WHO'S TOMMY, CHICAGO and more included - as well as hit solo albums of his own, such as his new release CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME; the one and only Matt Zarley. He also shares all about the shoot for the three music videos for the songs on his new dance album - "WTF" and "Forgive Me" included. Additionally, he shares his thoughts on Broadway now versus when he started out in the late-80s, Gillian Lynne versus Michael Bennett, as well as opinions on GLEE, his own favorite shows and scores, co-stars' careers and much, much more!
THE TOWN HALL'S Seventh Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival concluded with A TRIBUTE TO Judy Garland AND THE ART OF AMERICAN DANCE on Friday, October 28th. Produced by The Town Hall,, the festival wass created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel. The evening was also co-hosted by Lorna Luft, Susan Stroman.
