It's Labor Day, and the people of a small Kansas town are busy preparing for their annual celebration. A handsome young drifter, Hal Carter, shows up unexpectedly, hoping an old fraternity brother can help him with a job. Hal's dynamic presence and brash personality creates excitement, uncertainty, and conflict that makes everyone in town to question their heretofore predictable and comfortable lives. When he meets local girl Madge, their fireworks rival those of the Labor Day celebration.
William Inge's Pulitzer-Prize-winning Picnic depicting a small Kansas town in 1952, its strict code of morality and the inner longings of its people to break away, is perhaps his finest. Now in a stunning production at Antaeus directed ever so lovingly by Cameron Watson and boasting a superlative ensemble - actually three alternating casts: 'Deviled Eggs', 'Stuffed Peppers' and 'Pork Chops', Picnic still holds up some 60 years later, proving the omnipotence of human fragility. My visit was with the 'Deviled Eggs'cast.
The music, the clothes, the hairstyles, and the cars are distinctly 50s, but goals, motivations and emotions remain the same. For those unfamiliar with the play or the uber popular 1956 film Picnic starring William Holden and Kim Novak, let's recap the plot briefly.
Today in 1976, the second Broadway revival of Pal Joey opened at the Circle in the SquareTheatre, where it ran for 73 performances. Pal Joey is a musical with a book by John O'Hara (from his novel of the same title) and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart based on a character and situations O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker. The original 1940 Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. There have been several revivals since, including a 2008-09 Broadway run, and a 1957 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. The 1976 cast featured: Christopher Chadman (Joey), Harold Gary (Mike), Terri Treas (Kid), Janie Sell (Gladys), and Gail Benedict (Gail).
Powerful, moving and ripe for revival, Inge's drama is not simply a breezy summer romance. Set in small town Kansas, this is a sexy world, dangerous and cruel, where residents keep each other in their place while longing to break free. At once sensual, passionate and delightfully funny, Picnic probes the sometimes tenuous line between restraint and desire.
Powerful, moving and ripe for revival, Inge's drama is not simply a breezy summer romance. Set in small town Kansas, this is a sexy world, dangerous and cruel, where residents keep each other in their place while longing to break free. At once sensual, passionate and delightfully funny, Picnic probes the sometimes tenuous line between restraint and desire.
Gillian Holroyd is a witch. She can cast spells and perform feats of magic, but she can't fall in love. And when she casts a spell over her attractive neighbor - partly to keep him away from an old rival, and partly because she is attracted to him - this slight 'imperfection' leads to a number of unintended and somewhat tricky situations. Although when John Van Druten's supernatural hit, Bell, Book and Candle debuted on Broadway in 1951 it was billed as, and thought of as a light comedy, it delivers a message that is still relevant today. The play touches on the importance of appearances, on the dynamics of a close circle of friends, on pretending and secrets, and on passing as something one is not. Bell, Book and Candle will open at Stage Door Theatre on May 15th, and run through June 21st.
Gillian Holroyd is a witch. She can cast spells and perform feats of magic, but she can't fall in love. And when she casts a spell over her attractive neighbor - partly to keep him away from an old rival, and partly because she is attracted to him - this slight 'imperfection' leads to a number of unintended and somewhat tricky situations. Although when John Van Druten's supernatural hit, Bell, Book and Candle debuted on Broadway in 1951 it was billed as, and thought of as a light comedy, it delivers a message that is still relevant today. The play touches on the importance of appearances, on the dynamics of a close circle of friends, on pretending and secrets, and on passing as something one is not. Bell, Book and Candle will open at Stage Door Theatre on May 15th, and run through June 21st.
Out of more than 58 films that Alfred Hitchcock directed in his lifetime, "Vertigo" stands out as one of the best for its suspense, innovative camera use and haunting memorable score, making it an ideal choice for Pacific Symphony Pops to reinvigorate by performing the soundtrack live! During a symphonic night at the movies, the colorfully enhanced 1958 film plays on the big screen as Bernard Herrmann's hypnotic score is recreated by the orchestra, led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman. Set in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco in the late 1950s, the romantic thriller stars James Stewart and Kim Novak, who were both praised for their performances. (Stewart won multiple awards for his role.) Driven by the motif of obsession, the film follows the life of retired detective John "Scottie" Ferguson, who suffers from a fear of heights and vertigo. After being reengaged to follow his friend's wife, Ferguson begins to fall dangerously in love with her.
getTVhonors the legacy of actress Rosalind Russell with 11 of her finest films, every Thursday in June at 7 p.m. ET. The month-long roster includes the Howard Hawks' classic HIS GIRL FRIDAY
Orange County, Calif.—April 2, 2015—Out of more than 58 films that Alfred Hitchcock directed in his lifetime, “Vertigo” stands out as one of the best for its suspense, innovative camera use and haunting memorable score, making it an ideal choice for Pacific Symphony Pops to reinvigorate by performing the soundtrack live! During a symphonic night at the movies, the colorfully enhanced 1958 film plays on the big screen as Bernard Herrmann's hypnotic score is recreated by the orchestra, led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman. Set in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco in the late 1950s, the romantic thriller stars James Stewart and Kim Novak, who were both praised for their performances. (Stewart won multiple awards for his role.) Driven by the motif of obsession, the film follows the life of retired detective John “Scottie” Ferguson, who suffers from a fear of heights and vertigo. After being reengaged to follow his friend's wife, Ferguson begins to fall dangerously in love with her.
Celebrating 82 Years, The Bergen County Players (BCP) presents Bell, Book and Candle. In a nutshell: Girl meets Boy. Girl loses Boy. Girl gets Boy. Sure, that's a classic plot device, but what's so special about it? Well, how about because the girl is a witch and the boy is a mortal? Sound familiar? It should, because this magical rom-com, which originally starred Rex Harrison on Broadway and then Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak in the popular film, eventually became the genesis of television's memorable comedy "Bewitched".
Today in 1940, Pal oey opened at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Pal Joey is a musical with a book by John O'Hara (from his novel of the same title) and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart based on a character and situations O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker. It includes two songs that have become standards: 'I Could Write a Book' and 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered'.
Today in 2008, the third Broadway revival of Pal Joey opened at Studio 54, where it ran for 85 performances. Pal Joey is a musical with a book by John O'Hara (from his novel of the same title) and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart based on a character and situations O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker. The original 1940 Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. There have been several revivals since, including a 2008-09 Broadway run, and a 1957 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak.
Get into the holiday spirit with getTV this December, as the network delivers a loaded lineup of marathons, stunts, and festive favorites, headlined by the rarely-seen Christmas special HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH BING AND FRANK.
TheatreWorks recently announced its 2015 line-up of theatrical productions to a sold out house of donors, patrons, and friends of the Theatre, located at 5 Brookside Avenue, in New Milford.
Trick or Treat with getTV this Halloween, as the network conjures a monster marathon loaded with witches, ghosts, vampires, and a slew of genre icons, today, October 31.
Bell, Book and Candle, a lovely little light comedy by John Van Druten, opened this weekend at Wichita Community Theatre under the direction of Dan Schuster. If you're looking for some Halloween fun without the horror, Bell, Book and Candle is the right choice.
