When Playhouse on the Square first showcased the musical version of the giddy John Waters' romp HAIRSPRAY a few seasons back, terpsichorean dynamo Courtney Oliver (as 'Tracy Turnblad') and theatre veteran Ken Zimmerman ('Miss Edna') left the stage each night with clamorous standing ovations for them and their colorful cohorts. I saw it more than once; it was the kind of theatrical experience that not only made you want to see it repeatedly, but one to which you longed to introduce others. I was thrilled to learn not only that HAIRSPRAY would return to end the current season at Playhouse, but that it would also reunite most of the original cast - and would be directed by the ever reliable Dave Landis.
It's 1962, the '50s are out, and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, 'The Corny Collins Show' and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray!
It's 1962, the '50s are out, and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, 'The Corny Collins Show' and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray!
The collaboration of Jules Stein and Stephen Sondheim on GYPSY provided the late Ethel Merman with a career boost into immortality. What isn't familiar about this material? Everyone knows the general outline of the play itself - 'Mama' Rose is 'Mommie Dearest' without the wire hangers; at the beginning of the play, she practically declares war on a quiet home life and, taking with her daughters June (the precocious and 'pretty' one) and Louise (the shy and recessive one), she practically declares war on domesticity and seeks to channel her dreams through their success.
The entertainment continues at Playhouse on the Square with the Tony award-winning musical Gypsy! Based on burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee's memoirs of life with the ultimate stage mother, Gypsy follows the dreams and efforts of Mama Rose as she pushes her two daughters into show business during the last days of Vaudeville. With famous Sondheim songs such as, "Everything's Coming up Roses," 'You'll Never Get Away From Me,' and 'Let Me Entertain You,' Gypsy is a shining American musical theatre classic.
Yesterday evening at five, Playhouse on the Square hosted a lively reception. Amid refreshments and trivia questions with prizes, Jackie Nichols unveiled the 2014-2015 Season. It's going to be grand!
In addition to being a sacred chalice, the Holy Grail is a metaphor for an ultimate ideal or reward. If hilarity is Spamalot's Holy Grail, the current production at Playhouse on the Square most certainly found it.
This Tony Award winner for Best Musical and Drama Desk Award winner for Outstanding New Musical is a comedy 'lovingly ripped off from' the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. King Arthur, so dubbed when the Lady of the Lake gave him Excalibur, travels England in search of knights for his Round Table who go on a search for the Holy Grail. With musical numbers like 'He Is Not Dead Yet' and 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life,' Monty Python's Spamalot 'raises silliness to an art form!' -The Sunday Times
Playhouse on the Square is accepting scripts for the Second 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 2014-15 season. After the six readings have been presented, Playhouse on the Square will select two that will receive full productions during the 2015-16 Season. These two new works will receive world premieres at Playhouse's third performance space, TheatreWorks.
This Tony Award winner for Best Musical and Drama Desk Award winner for Outstanding New Musical is a comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. King Arthur, so dubbed when the Lady of the Lake gave him Excalibur, travels England in search of knights for his Round Table who go on a search for the Holy Grail. With musical numbers like "He Is Not Dead Yet" and "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life," Monty Python's Spamalot "raises silliness to an art form!" -The Sunday Times
The musical version of the tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up is once again alive on the Memphis stage. Lindsey Roberts reprises the title role with aplomb.
Peter Pan with Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green and Music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne -- a musical based on the play by James M. Barrie -- will run tongiht, November 22, 2013 - January 5, 2014 at Playhouse on the Square. Special holiday schedule applies. Evening performances begin at 7:00 PM. Matinees begin at 2:00 PM.
Peter Pan with Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green and Music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne -- a musical based on the play by James M. Barrie -- will run November 22, 2013 - January 5, 2014 at Playhouse on the Square. Special holiday schedule applies. Evening performances begin at 7:00 PM. Matinees begin at 2:00 PM.
LES MISERABLES runs August 16 - September 15 at Playhouse on the Square Thursdays, Todays, and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The Pay What You Can performance is Thursday, August 22 at 8pm. Playhouse on the Square is located at 66 S. Cooper Street. For more information or to make reservations, please call 901-726-4656 or purchase tickets online at playhouseonthesquare.org.
LES MISERABLES, presented by ArtsFirst and Playhouse on the Square, will run at Playhouse on the Square, 66 S. Cooper St., August 16 - September 15, 2013, playing Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
LES MISERABLES runs August 16 - September 15 at Playhouse on the Square Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The Pay What You Can performance is Thursday, August 22 at 8pm. Playhouse on the Square is located at 66 S. Cooper Street. For more information or to make reservations, please call 901-726-4656 or purchase tickets online at playhouseonthesquare.org.
A top-12 finalist in Ford's 'Gimme the Gig II' nationwide search for the ultimate independent musician, Seattle pop singer and songwriter Rachel Wong will release her new album, "Letters to You," on iTunes and on Spotify May 28. CDs will be available, and a new music video of the album's single "Center Stage," directed by Jordan Nicholson, will premiere at a free album release show in Portland, OR, June 29. Wong will next perform in Seattle at the Wing Luke Museum's Jamfest, July 18, and at the Bellevue Festival of the Arts, July 27.
Casting for Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production of LES MISERABLES has been announced for the back-by-popular-demand Washington engagement at The National Theatre, beginning December 13 for three weeks only. The all-new production of LES MISERABLES features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.
Casting for Cameron Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables has been announced for the premiere St. Louis engagement at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. The all new production of Les Miserables features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.
