In the upcoming concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 very different, very funny and somehow uniquely qualified women to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice, first brought to national, then worldwide, acclaim by the inimitable Barbra Streisand. We're giving you a chance to get to know all of Nashville's Funny Fannys, one by one, and today we were forced to sit down with Laura Thomas Sonn, the very personification of diva - as everyone in town knows, she's so demanding and rude (that gracious, kind and sweet act is just that: an act! I have the bruises from the phone she threw at me when last I saw her - and she was onstage at the time and I was in the audience, but didn't have my eyes cast downward when she looked in my direction) and not at all one of the most beautiful women you've ever seen! (I bet that'll get those Fannys in an uproar, just in time for our final two interviews this week). So, read on, gentle readers...oh, yes, she is most definitely my favorite. Well, today.
Welcome to BroadwayWorld's newest feature: GETTING SIRIUS WITH SETH, a sneak peek preview of Rudetsky's weekly popular Sirius Radio program. Each Thursday, we'll be bringing you highlights from the program, which airs nationally on Fridays. Want the scoop before the rest on your favorite stars in entertainment? Check GETTING SIRIUS WITH SETH each week here!
In the upcoming Keeping Scores' concert version of Funny Girl, set for April 29-May 1 at Boiler Room Theatre, director Scott Logsdon has cast 12 different, yet very funny and somehow uniquely qualified actresses to take on the iconic role of Fanny Brice. First brought to national, then international, acclaim by the legendary Barbra Streisand, the role of Fanny Brice is a coveted role among musical theater performers. The buzz from rehearsals tells us that things are going swimmingly, egos are being kept at-bay and all the cast members gather around the campfire to toast marshmallows and sing 'People' at the end of the evening (thus proving untrue my contention they were singing 'Kumbaya' every night). The dozen Fannys, of course, are my current 12 favorite singing actresses (I remind you, gentle reader, that I am contractually required to make that statement at least 12 times a day), and as you've gotten to know each Fanny one-by-one, we continue that tradition, today offering up the case of one, Ms. Bonnie Keen (who really is my favorite, but please don't tell Cori, Corrie, Sondra, Laura, Heather, Joann, Catherine, Alex, Nancy, Lindsay or Erica, they'll take it personally). So, here is today's interview with a Funny Fanny who, interestingly enough, has a funny fanny...read on to find out what I mean...
You may think you know that big, green, grumpy-but-loveable ogre, Shrek, from the hit movies, but when Shrek The Musical takes the stage at The Fabulous Fox Theatre, audiences will be introduced to Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona and all their fairytale friends in a new and exciting way - on stage and in song. Behind the green makeup and ogre-worthy costumes will be Eric Petersen, who shared with us a little about his journey to this production, what it's like transforming into an ogre and how the important message of loving yourself can be heard loud and clear in this exciting telling of that well-loved story.
Nancy Allen's calendar has been rather full, of late, much to the delight of Nashville theater audiences who've been immensely entertained by her most recent performances - she recently starred (along with Jennifer Richmond and Melodie Madden Adams) in Lydia Bushfield's World War II-era musical revue I'll Be Seeing You at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and now she's holding forth as the mad, bad and dangerous (with apologies to Lord Byron) to know Velma Von Tussle in Street Theatre Company's production of Hairspray. Later this month, she'll take to the stage of Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre as one of the assembled Fanny Brices in director Scott Logsdon's concert staging of Funny Girl, the first offering in the Keeping Scores concert series.
In recognition of the centennial of Williams' birth, I conducted a very unscientific survey among Nashville theater folk to determine which of his plays are the most popular and the best loved. Perhaps surprisingly, the top vote-getters in our informal survey were A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and Summer and Smoke, shows that have been given memorable (so memorable, in fact, that people continue to talk about them) productions in Music City in the last century. Members of the Nashville theaterati have definite ideas where Williams' plays are concerned.
Each month, BroadwayWorld shines the spotlight on stage actors making their Broadway debut as part of our 'Debut of the Month' series.
This month, BroadwayWorld is showcasing 25-year-old actress Sheila Vand, who is making her Broadway debut, reprising her roles as Hadia and the Iraqi Teenager in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, starring Robin Williams.
As soon as Max Raabe & Palast Orchesterenter the stage, 1920s Berlin comes to life in their tour Berlin Nocturne that pays homage to the legendary nocturnal flair of the Weimar Era. "Max Raabe and his 12-piece Palast Orchester are re-creating the music of the Weimar era with verve and class" (Time Out New York).
Billy Elliot has taken over Toronto! Opening night was March 1st and the city has clearly fallen in love with this show. BWW is thrilled to be bringing you interviews, photos and behind the scenes fun as Billy Elliot settles into our city. Today we speak with Patrick Mulvey, who talks about his role as the older brother, and also provides insight into the historical background of the show.
This Tony winning Best Musical, simply gets everything right. I would never have imagined that the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, would bring together a creative team that would helm a theatrical landmark. After this show, I will certainly never think of juke box musicals as something to fear. Greatness can happen in juke box musicals, and it is on display in JERSEY BOYS.
Luna Theater Company is set to take audiences into a quaint hotel room in a war-torn land as it closes its season with the Philadelphia Premiere of a dark modern classic.
To see Erin Spencer dance is to fall a little bit in love with her. Talented and determined, ambitious and creative...she's kind of a force of nature. One of the growing number of dancers in the Nashville area who focus on theatrical performances - she has a heady resume of performance with several theater companies here - she's gaining a much-deserved reputation as an exceptional performer with an amazing work ethic.
With over 30 new productions opening on DC area stages, 4 large festivals, and 2 world premiere musicals, it may still be chilly outside, but DC area stages are sizzling and bursting with great theatre. So come visit the Nation's Capital and visit our vibrant theatre scene.
Academy Award®-winning producer Bruce Cohen and acclaimed television producer/director Don Mischer will produce the 83rd Academy Awards telecast, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announced this evening. Mischer will also serve as the telecast's director.
Actor/singer Jim J. Bullock, best remembered for the role of Monroe in the 80s sitcom Too Close for Comfort will be appearing @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's Saturday March 5 with his all new cabaret act. Jim has had a varied career in television over the last twenty-five years, also making regular appearances on Hollywood Squares and doing a talk show with Tammy Faye Baker. He has always gone back to his theatre roots and recently did the Broadway and cross country tour of Hairspray. In our chat he talks about what inspired him to do the club act at this point in time and his overall love of the theatre. His great off-the-wall sense of humor is still in tact, as he had me laughing throughout.
ACT's annual Young Playwrights Festival returns March 10-12 for its ninth year, featuring an inspired mix of dramatic and comedic new works from talented student writers ages 13 to 18.
William Atherton, Matt Cavenaugh, Lisa O'Hare, Carol Lawrence, Millicent Martin and Jason Graae are the acclaimed film, Broadway and West End stars who will lead the cast of Reprise Theatre Company's second production of the 2010-2011 season, 'Gigi', playing February 15 to February 27, 2011 (press opening February 16, 2011) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The musical - with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe -- will be directed by veteran musical theatre director David Lee, with choreography by Peggy Hickey and musical direction by Steve Orich.
