Aspen, Colorado (October 20, 2014) Theatre Aspen announced today that the organization has received seven nominations for the Colorado Theatre Guild (CTG) Henry Awards, for their 2014 summer season of productions, which included The Full Monty (by Terrence McNally and David Yazbek), Little Women, the Musical (by Mindi Dickstein, Jason Howland and Allan Knee) and the new play, The Cottage, by Sandy Rustin.
For its spring musical, Playhouse on the Square has reached several decades back and produced -- not an 'old warhorse of a musical' (sorry, Rodgers and Hammerstein) -- but a true thoroughbred, Cole Porter's sparkling, innovative (at the time) KISS ME, KATE. Just as Shakespeare himself created enduring plays by utilizing the best plots and characters of other works, so did Porter and his collaborators, Bella and Samuel Spewack -- they went right to the Bard himself, and in building their own superb entertainment around the rollicking THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, they created such a witty, enjoyable romp that would cause even the immortal Shakespeare to set aside his pen, smile, and snap his garters.
Kiss Me, Kate is Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew set to Cole Porter's greatest score. Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, two divorced and flamboyantly egocentric performers, find themselves starring opposite each other in this fun, melodious, and sophisticated musical that is a tribute to theatre in all its greasepaint and glory. The score features famous songs such as 'Another Op'nin', Another Show,' 'Too Darn Hot,' and 'Always True to You in My Fashion.' This classic musical adventure is sure to be something that everyone can enjoy.
Kiss Me, Kate is Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew set to Cole Porter's greatest score. Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, two divorced and flamboyantly egocentric performers, find themselves starring opposite each other in this fun, melodious, and sophisticated musical that is a tribute to theatre in all its greasepaint and glory. The score features famous songs such as "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "Too Darn Hot," and "Always True to You in My Fashion." This classic musical adventure is sure to be something that everyone can enjoy.
Kiss Me, Kate is Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew set to Cole Porter's greatest score. Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, two divorced and flamboyantly egocentric performers, find themselves starring opposite each other in this fun, melodious, and sophisticated musical that is a tribute to theatre in all its greasepaint and glory. The score features famous songs such as "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "Too Darn Hot," and "Always True to You in My Fashion." This classic musical adventure is sure to be something that everyone can enjoy.
It's an interesting and unintentional coincidence: PETER PAN, which wrapped up Playhouse on the Square's Holiday Season, offered the younger set its first taste of transvestism, with musically gifted actresses alternating in the role of 'Peter' (talk about the incipience of gender confusion); now, as the New Year has begun, the older set has its exposure with Jim Sharman and Richard O'Brien's THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. This isn't the first time Playhouse has allowed a cast and crew to indulge themselves in fishnet hose and makeup; I can recall previous performances of this guilty pleasure with the remarkable Mark Chambers (anyone who ever saw him 'strut his stuff' is not likely to forget his performance - 'boomers' who 'time warped' in the aisles still talk about it). I imagine that everyone involved in this production dived headfirst into their costume fittings with all the giddy zeal of children glamming it up at Halloween.
A satirical tribute to the science fiction and B-list horror movies of the 20th century, the show centers around two naive lovers, Brad and Janet, who seek shelter from a thunderstorm in an old castle.
It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Memphis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!
Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Memphis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!
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.
Playhouse on the Square, now in its 45th Season, is accepting scripts for the 3rd Annual 'NewWorks@TheWorks' Competition. A panel of local directors, actors, and designers will review all submitted scripts and select six to receive staged readings during the 2015 - 16 season. After the six readings have been presented, Playhouse on the Square will select two that will receive full productions during the 2016 - 17 Season. These two new works will receive world premieres at Playhouse's third performance space, TheatreWorks.
The boy who won't grow up is flying back to the Memphis stage! Wendy, John, and Michael Darling's world is turned upside down when Peter Pan swoops into their nursery. He leads them to Neverland where they encounter the cunning and evil Captain Hook, villainous pirates, a crafty crocodile, and the sprightly fairy Tinker Bell. Featuring classic songs such as 'I Gotta Crow,' 'Neverland,' and 'I'm Flying,' Peter Pan promises to touch, inspire, dazzle, and charm all generations.
The boy who won't grow up is flying back to the Memphis stage! Wendy, John, and Michael Darling's world is turned upside down when Peter Pan swoops into their nursery. He leads them to Neverland where they encounter the cunning and evil Captain Hook, villainous pirates, a crafty crocodile, and the sprightly fairy Tinker Bell. Featuring classic songs such as 'I Gotta Crow,' 'Neverland,' and 'I'm Flying,' Peter Pan promises to touch, inspire, dazzle, and charm all generations.
Just a few weeks ago I was dodging a falling chandelier at the Orpheum's staging of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA; at the 'Phantom Event' held prior to the play, I was reminded of all the physical (as well as fiscal) requirements for properly staging this production. I kept thinking, 'How many small, financially strapped towns would breathe a sigh of relief if the proceeds from such a production were to come their way?' Well, that's one extreme of theatre. Tonight I was exposed to the opposite; Circuit Playhouse's production of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones' allegorical THE FANTASTICKS reminded me of Thornton Wilder's minimalism in the staging of OUR TOWN. If musicals like PHANTOM and LES MISERABLES are the 'central air' of theatre, THE FANTASTICKS is rather like a quaint little oscillating fan. Yet, its breeze can be refreshing.
Follow us into a world of moonlight and magic as we celebrate our 45th anniversary with the musical that started it all for Circuit Playhouse, Inc. The Fantasticks tells the story of Matt and Luisa who fall in love at the hands of their meddling fathers, grow apart, and find their way back to each other. With a timeless score that includes the songs 'Try To Remember' and 'They Were You,' The Fantsticks is a musical gem that will delight all ages.
Follow us into a world of moonlight and magic as we celebrate our 45th anniversary with the musical that started it all for Circuit Playhouse, Inc. The Fantasticks tells the story of Matt and Luisa who fall in love at the hands of their meddling fathers, grow apart, and find their way back to each other. With a timeless score that includes the songs "Try To Remember" and "They Were You," The Fantsticks is a musical gem that will delight all ages.
