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.
The Collegiate Chorale presents the New York City premiere of Eric Idle and John Du Prez's Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) at Carnegie Hall, December 15-16, 2014 at 8pm.
The Collegiate Chorale presents the New York City premiere of Eric Idle and John Du Prez's Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) at Carnegie Hall, December 15-16, 2014 at 8pm.
It's a Halloween show that you take your friends to, get tipsy, then curse and throw things at the people on the stage. On the other hand, I don't drink, I go to bed at 9 pm, and I still had a good time.
In this interview, I talk to the director of Island ETC's ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Kim Mytelka, and to the one and only Dr. Frank-N-Furter, actor Kyle Crawford.
Seattle Musical Theatre is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the American premiere of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, music, lyrics, and book by Richard O'Brien. With Director Steven Fogell at the helm and with music direction by Kim Dare, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW runs today, October 9-18, 2014 at Magnuson Park.
What a way for Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah to open Center Stage's 52nd Season. He directs Peter Shaffer's brilliant play AMADEUS with an impeccable cast.
Seattle Musical Theatre is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the American premiere of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, music, lyrics, and book by Richard O'Brien. With Director Steven Fogell at the helm and with music direction by Kim Dare, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW runs October 9-18, 2014 at Magnuson Park. Tickets ($25) are available at www.seattlemusicaltheatre.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006.
Theatre Out is set to open their revival of the controversial drama, Beirut by Alan Bowne as its 5th 2014 main stage production tonight, August 29, 2014.
Megastar Brad Paisley teams up with the ANNOYING ORANGE in a hilarious new video to tease a brand new song 'Limes' off his upcoming album Moonshine in the Trunk.
Monty Python has stormed the beach - Beach Haven, that is - with an exceptional new production of SPAMALOT at Surflight Theatre, New Jersey's 65 year-old summer stock institution.
Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the madcap Tony Award-winning musical continues Surflight Theatre's 65th Anniversary Season from today, July 30, through August 24. Directed by Charlie Siedenburg and choreographed by Jenn Rapp, with music direction by Henco Espag, Monty Python's SPAMALOT will have a press opening on July 31 at 8pm.
Join the quest for the Holy Grail today, July 29-August 3 with Monty Python's Spamalot. Based on the classic film comedy 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' Spamalot is the award-winning Broadway musical that took the Tony Awards by storm in 2005.
Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the madcap Tony Award-winning musical continues Surflight Theatre's 65th Anniversary Seasonfrom July 30 - August 24. Directed by Charlie Siedenburg and choreographed by Jenn Rapp, with music direction by Henco Espag, Monty Python's SPAMALOT will have a press opening on July 31 at 8pm.
Join the quest for the Holy Grail July 29-August 3 with Monty Python's Spamalot. Based on the classic film comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," Spamalot is the award-winning Broadway musical that took the Tony Awards by storm in 2005.
Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the madcap Tony Award-winning musical continues Surflight Theatre's 65th Anniversary Seasonfrom July 30 - August 24. Directed by Charlie Siedenburg and choreographed by Jenn Rapp, with music direction by Henco Espag, Monty Python's SPAMALOT will have a press opening on July 31 at 8pm.
Avon Players continues its sixty-seven year tradition of offering high quality productions at affordable prices with a season that will delight audiences of all tastes and may evoke some fond memories of favorites from the silver screen.
SPAMALOT may be based on the Monty Python film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but the musical differs greatly from the film on which it is based. While both the musical and film have hilarity in common, the story's transition onto stage provides some interesting differences. The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2005 has since graced stages internationally and garnered three Tony awards. The original Broadway cast of the show that spoofs the Arthurian legend boasted Sara Ramirez, Christian Borle, Tim Curry and more! This may be quite the act to follow, but the Lower Ossington Theatre's current production of the laugh-out-loud show does a good job at creating a similar atmosphere and staying true to the overall show.
Hailed by the New York Times as one of 'Broadway's electric conductors,' Todd Ellison is one of the most accomplished and sought after Music Directors working today.
