Gale Edwards News

Quintessence Theatre Group continues its second season with Jean Anouilh's 1943 adaptation of Sophocles' ANTIGONE, in a translation by Jeremy Sams, directed by Alexander Burns.

Quintessence Theatre Group continues its second season with Jean Anouilh's 1943 adaptation of Sophocles' ANTIGONE, in a translation by Jeremy Sams, directed by Alexander Burns.

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!

Quintessence Theatre Group launches its second season with two classic comedies: Carlo Goldoni's THE VENETIAN TWINS, in a translation by Ranjit Bolt, and William Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, to be presented in repertory and directed by Alexander Burns.

Quintessence Theatre Group launches its second season with two classic comedies: Carlo Goldoni's THE VENETIAN TWINS, in a translation by Ranjit Bolt, and William Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, to be presented in repertory and directed by Alexander Burns.

Since 1950, generations of Long Islanders have flocked to Bellport to see professional theater produced by The Gateway Playhouse.

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Hedda Gabler, written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted Christopher Shinn and directed by Azar Kazemi, as the second installment of the 2010-2011 New Directors Series.

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Hedda Gabler, written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted Christopher Shinn and directed by Azar Kazemi, as the second installment of the 2010-2011 New Directors Series.

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Hedda Gabler, written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted Christopher Shinn and directed by Azar Kazemi, as the second installment of the 2010-2011 New Directors Series.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) on Navy Pier opens the 2010/11 Subscription Series with an exhilarating new production of William Shakespeare's iconic Romeo and Juliet.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) inaugurates the 2010/11 Subscription Series with Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's iconic romantic tragedy, with Jeff Lillico and Joy Farmer-Clary in the title roles. World-renowned Australian director Gale Edwards, bringing her unique vision of Shakespeare to CST for the first time, has staged productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company, across America and around the globe.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) on Navy Pier opens the 2010/11 Subscription Series with an exhilarating new production of William Shakespeare's iconic Romeo and Juliet.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) inaugurates the 2010/11 Subscription Series with Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's iconic romantic tragedy, with Jeff Lillico and Joy Farmer-Clary in the title roles. World-renowned Australian director Gale Edwards, bringing her unique vision of Shakespeare to CST for the first time, has staged productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company, across America and around the globe.

As Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) finishes the run of its acclaimed world-premiere family musical The Emperor's New Clothes this month, it looks forward to the season ahead. Outlined in the 2010/11 Season Calendar below are CST's three-play Subscription Series, World's Stage productions from Scotland and Ireland, and a CST export to Australia.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) on Navy Pier opens the 2010/11 Subscription Series with an exhilarating new production of William Shakespeare's iconic Romeo and Juliet.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) inaugurates the 2010/11 Subscription Series with Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's iconic romantic tragedy, with Jeff Lillico and Joy Farmer-Clary in the title roles. World-renowned Australian director Gale Edwards, bringing her unique vision of Shakespeare to CST for the first time, has staged productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company, across America and around the globe.

Quintessence Theatre Group presents Shakespeare's MEASURE FOR MEASURE to be directed by Alexander Burns. The production will start previews on Wednesday, May 5 at 8pm and open on Friday, May 7 at 8pm.

Quintessence Theatre Group presents Shakespeare's MEASURE FOR MEASURE to be directed by Alexander Burns. The production will start previews on Wednesday, May 5 at 8pm and open on Friday, May 7 at 8pm.

Quintessence Theatre Group presents Shakespeare's MEASURE FOR MEASURE to be directed by Alexander Burns. The production will start previews on Wednesday, May 5 at 8pm and open on Friday, May 7 at 8pm.

Boyzone and Westlife performed the number one single 'No Matter What', originally seen in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman's WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND at a tribute concert to Gately.