Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that a musical based on the famed 1950s television series The Honeymooners. A reading directed by Jerry Mitchell will take place today starring Jim Belushi (Ralph), Peter Scolari (Norton), Rachel York (Alice) and Helene Yorke (Trixie). The Honeymooners follows Ralph (originally played by Jackie Gleason) as an everyman and an underdog who struggled to make a better life for himself and his wife, but who ultimately failed due to his own shortcomings.
Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that the Off-Broadway hit musical LYSISTRATA JONES, which closes on Friday at the Judson Memorial Church is hoping to move to Broadway (with a search led by General Manager Alan Wasser) in the fall with a budget between $6-7 million at a small house, ideally the Broadhurst or the Walter Kerr.
BroadwayWorld.com has learned that the new musical BONNIE AND CLYDE will open on Broadway this December at the Schoenfeld Theatre (currently home to The Motherf**ker With the Hat). The production, which held an industry reading earlier this month has been receiving great buzz from insiders, including the hard to please Michael Riedel in the New York Post.
Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post today that Kristin Chenoweth led a private industry reading of Rise last week about Christian fundamentalist Tammy Faye Bakker. Bakker and her husband, Jim, are best known for starting the evengelical television program, 'The PTL Club,' in the 1970s.
A priceless collection of Tony winners and nominees will be making this year's BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE a truly 'starry night' as they join more than 200 of Broadway's sexiest dancers in an auction-themed burlesque show that would make any art critic blush. BROADWAY BARES XXI: MASTERPIECE, which is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will be held Sunday, June 19, with two performances only (9:30 PM and midnight) at Roseland Ballroom (239 West 52nd Street).
Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that talks are underway for a potential performance by Bono, The Edge and cast members from SPIDER-MAN on this year's Tony Awards. The show, which hasn't opened yet would traditionally not be offered a performance slot, which are normally reserved for musicals nominated for Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical.
Riedel also reports that in addition to trying to find a spot for SPIDER-MAN, producers are also attempting to find a slot for PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT.
Also on the list? Much of the cast of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will reunite to perform 'Commencing in Chattanooga' and 'Go Back Home'.
Having directed a handful of the most acclaimed performances of the season - among them Al Pacino and Lily Rabe in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, as well as GOOD PEOPLE'S Frances McDormand- the last thing you would expect Daniel Sullivan to be doing would be taking on one of Shakespeare's most problematic plays - ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL - and putting it on in Central Park; yet, Mr. Sullivan soldiers on.
Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that The Book of Mormon's Andrew Rannells will perform the song 'I Believe' for the Tony Awards ceremony. This was reportedly a plan B for the production, which had wanted to open the telecast by knocking on the doors of nominated celebrities in character, hitting up Neil Patrick Harris last who would also emerge as a Mormon. This idea, according to Riedel, was reportedly nixed and Harris will simply open the show with a musical medley instead.
Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Carole King is at work on a new musical showcasing tunes from her legendary songbook entitled Natural Woman. The show, which has its sights on Broadway, according to the report, had an industry-only reading on Monday and features hits such as 'Chains,' Crying in the Rain,' 'Tapestry,' and 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow.' Interestingly enough, 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' was the song that put the Shirelles on the map, yet that song is noticebly absent from Broadway's current Baby It's You, as King refused to license the rights for inclusion in her own show. Music giant EMI is the show's backer.
In his column this morning, Michael Riedel suggests that Hugh Jackman, who just completed a two week run of his solo variety show at the Curran Theater in San Francisco is considering the starring role in an upcoming stage adaptation of Tim Burton's Big Fish. The new musical is being composed by Andrew Lippa. Jackman recently participated in a reading of the show with Laura Benanti.
Theatre Talk congratulates all of the 2011 TONY Nominees, including 14 of this year's Theater Talk guests: David Lindsay-Abaire, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Jez Butterworth, Bobby Cannavale, Colman Domingo, John Kander, Robert Lopez, Trey Parker, Mark Rylance, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, Matt Stone, Susan Stroman, and Alex Timbers.
On Monday, May 9th at 6pm New York Post columnist and theatre critic Michael Riedel will interview Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue).
As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Broadway producer Bob Boyett is planning to revive FUNNY GIRL on Broadway with famed director Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, Awake and Sing, The Light in the Piazza) at the helm. Though no official comment has been made on production plans, it has been reported that the pair are currently planning a six week out-of-town tryout in late 2011 prior to a swift Broadway transfer thereafter. This would be the first revival of the show on Broadway. Boyett currently secures the rights.
The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards nominees were announced by choreographer & director Lee Roy Reams at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards at Theater Row's Firebird Russian Restaurant,. The 'Astaires' are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Check out photos from the reception below!
at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards at Theater Row's Firebird Russian Restaurant,. The 'Astaires' are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film.
The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Award Nominees will be announced at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter, Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards at Theater Row's Firebird Russian Restaurant, 365 West 46th Street, New York 10036 on Tuesday April 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The 'Astaires' are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Actor, Choreographer , director and dancer Lee Roy Reams will announce the nominees.
Theater Talk, the series devoted to the world of the stage, is co-hosted by Michael Riedel, Broadway columnist for the New York Post and series producer Susan Haskins. This week on the show:
It is 1942. At the Falcon Hotel, on the edge of an airfield in Lincolnshire, Teddy, a young bomber pilot is celebrating a reunion with his actress wife Patricia. Events take an unexpected turn, when Peter a famous heartthrob film star arrives, and an urgent bombing mission over Germany is ordered.
In what The Daily Mail calls 'very serious' negotiations, producers are in talks to bring AFTER THE DANCE to the Great White Way with Benedict Cumberbatch.
