Writer/actress/cabaret performer Shelly Goldstein is very popular worldwide and is in a constant state of motion. In our interview she talks about her work and how she cannot live without it. Not a moment passes without a sprinkling of her extraordinary humor.
First, tell our readers about your background. How did you get interested in comedy and then musical cabaret?
It never ceases to amaze me how prolific and creative the theatrical community is here in Connecticut. With 80 + theatrical companies (at my last count) in the state, you don't have to go far to take in some amazing theatre. From professional, equity houses to community theatres, the variety, and unique offerings from each company is truly amazing. And speaking of unique offerings, I had the pleasure of attending my first performance at The Arts at Angeloria's in Southington for their production of Larry Gelbart, Cy Coleman, and David Zippel's musical CITY OF ANGELS, which also served as the premiere production in their new 100-seat "Art Barn." For those familiar with the musical, you will know that this is not an easy show to mount, especially in a smaller theatrical space. But for the company who performed THE WHO'S TOMMY in their small 50-seat black box space, if anyone was up to it, they were. As for CITY OF ANGELS? It is a valiant attempt with some high points that mostly overshadow any challenges that come from the limitations of the space.
Metropolis presents Stephen Sondheim's classic musical farce A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum through June 29, 2019. Broadway's greatest farce promises to have audiences rolling in the aisles. This fast-paced, witty, and irreverent comedy is one of the funniest musicals ever written.
11th Hour Theatre Company heats up the city with a three-show concert performance of City of Angels. This TONY Award winning musical will feature a cast of musical theatre stars and the 17-piece Big Band from The Summer Club. City of Angels has a book by Larry Gelbart, Music by Cy Coleman, and Lyrics by David Zippel. It is directed by 11th Hour Resident Director Megan Nicole O'Brien with Music Direction by Dan Kazemi. Larry Lees is conducting the Big Band. The concert will be Friday, June 7(8 p.m.) and Saturday, June 8 (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.) at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street. Tickets cost $19-$39. They are available online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at 267-987-9865.
The 11-Time Tony Award-nominated musical, TOOTSIE, will launch a North American Tour at Shea's Buffalo Theater in Buffalo, New York, in Fall 2020, announced producers Scott Sanders and Carol Fineman. Casting, exact dates and additional cities will be announced at a later date.
Tootsie, which opens tonight at the Marquis Theatre, tells the story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime - as the star of a new Broadway musical.
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" runs at the Royal Theatre April 4-14. Often called Broadway's greatest farce, this musical by Stephen Sondheim is a joyous, musical romp through Rome filled with desperate lovers, scheming neighbors, and secrets behind every toga. This production is directed by Bob Bidewell and sponsored by W.W. and Anne Jones Charitable Trust. Assistant director is Savanah Price; choreographer is Travis Clark.
New Theatre and Restaurant's production of Neil Simon's 'Biloxi Blues' transports its 2019 audience back to Army boot camp during the closing days of World War II. Simon has been mostly recognized for plays that depend on situations producing comedy and quick laughs. 'Biloxi Blues' is more serious.
TheaterWorks has a long-standing, credible connection to Stephen Sondheim musicals. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a pure crowd-pleaser chomping on the TheaterWorks stage.
BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature MY VERY OWN BRITISH INVASION, THE MUSIC MAN, and More!
As the opening number 'Comedy Tonight' states, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, the classic musical from Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, aims to have 'something familiar, something peculiar, and something for everyone.' And while, in 2019, this remains mostly true, the bawdy farce, written almost 57 years ago, does raise some eyebrows in today's #metoo world. That said, the production of FORUM currently being produced by the Opera House Players at the Enfield Annex (their temporary home in Enfield, CT) is fun, energetic and high-spirited.
Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional regional theater, travels back to Ancient Rome for its second production of the 2018-19 season, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The Tony Award-winning farce written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, takes the stage Nov. 17 to Dec. 30.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company may be celebrating its 25th anniversary, but it is still breaking new ground as a company! In its second year at The Otto M. Budig Theater in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati's home for the classics is turning to a new genre of classics: the classic musical. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, September 7-29, 2018 with a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by CSC's Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features longtime ensemble member Matthew Lewis Johnson in the principal role. The production is generously sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Construction Process Solutions Limited.
BroadwayWorld was on site when the cast and creative of the new comedy musical, Tootsie, which will play a pre-Broadway engagement at Broadway In Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre from September 11th - October 14th, met the press! Watch stars Lilli Cooper and Santino Fotana, as well as composer/lyricist David Yazbek talk about bringing the production from the silver screen to the stage in the video below!
BroadwayWorld was on site this morning when the cast and creative of the new comedy musical, TOOTSIE, which will play a pre-Broadway engagement at Broadway In Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre from September 11th - October 14th, met the press! See the photos below!
Bay City Players announces the cast for the musical A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company may be celebrating its 25th anniversary, but it is still breaking new ground as a company! In its second year at The Otto M. Budig Theater in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati's home for the classics is turning to a new genre of classics: the classic musical. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, September 7-29, 2018 with a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by CSC's Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features longtime ensemble member Matthew Lewis Johnson in the principal role. The production is generously sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Construction Process Solutions Limited.