Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director)'s first main stage production of its 2010-2011 season, THE COLLECTION & A KIND OF ALASKA: TWO PLAYS BY HAROLD PINTER has been extended in advance of officially opening later this month.
Ginger Rogers danced her way into our hearts in the arms of Fred Astaire, setting the gold standard for grace and elegance on the silver screen. Backwards In High Heels tells the captivating story of the star's journey from her hometown to Hollywood and from one love affair to another. San Jose Repertory Theatre's production of this sure-to-be holiday favorite has been called 'an enchanted evening...the melody is flowing and the tap shoes are chattering away, all is nirvana' (Florida Sun-Sentinel).
Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the 2010-11 Season lineup - the final one at the historic venue on 85th and Euclid Avenue before relocating to downtown Cleveland's Theater District in the fall of 2011. A re-imagining of an American classic by Horton Foote, Midwest premieres of acclaimed literary adaptations, modern musicals and clever comedies are all contributing to the wide variety of entertainment Bloom has designed for The Play House's 95th consecutive season.
Anson Mount will assume the role of Solyony in the forthcoming production of Anton Chekhov's THREE SISTERS at Classic Stage Company, replacing Glenn Fitzgerald, who is withdrawing from the production due to a television project. Mount joins a cast that includes Gabe Bettio, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Josh Hamilton, Jessica Hecht, Marin Ireland, Paul Lazar, Roberta Maxwell, George Morfogen, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, James Patrick Nelson, Juliet Rylance, Peter Sarsgaard and Louis Zorich. Rehearsals begin tomorrow, Tuesday, December 14.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting a brand new addition to holiday theater offerings with the new adaptation of the classic 1983 film, "A Christmas Story: The Musical". And while half the show harkened fond memories of the film and left me with a wonderful sense of hope for this new piece of musical theater, the other half fell into old familiar musical traps and left me wanting as it shot its eye out. In case you haven't seen the movie that is shown incessantly over the holiday season (sometimes for 24 hour periods nonstop) here's a brief rundown. We follow the quest of young Ralphie Parker as he plots and schemes to convince his parents (and Santa) to get him the best Christmas present in the world, a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. The problem is he keeps running into obstacles of his Mother, his teacher and even Santa as they warn him away from the gift with the familiar, "You'll shoot your eye out." But Ralphie is tenacious and will have his prize. Meanwhile we also get to know the rest of the Parkers and their neighbors as we dive into the world of story originator Jean Shepherd. Complete with bullies, major awards and triple dog dares, the story harkens back to a simpler time when the biggest thing kids had to worry about was what Santa was bringing them. The show itself is a charmer with book by Joseph Robinette who manages to keep the feel of the original material intact and still hits all the points and jokes that have become so familiar. The problem I ran into was with the songs. As I said, half of the show worked great. Act One was filled with wonderful tuners that captured the tone perfectly. And composers/lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul seemed to show that someone understands the structure of musical theater. The songs were either perfect for moving the story along or emphasizing through song what a character couldn't do any other way. And the songs "Ralphie to the Rescue" and "A Major Award" were both complete show stoppers and crucial to the story. Then we hit Act Two and suddenly it was like a completely different writing team as the songs ceased being essential as every single moment in the play got one right up to the end. So many superfluous numbers that could have been forsaken for just telling the story weighed down the second half until it finally ended with a whimper of exhaustion. The cast however is superb and has the perfect style for the period. Clarke Hallum plays the scheming Ralphie and even though he was a bit presentational at times, his voice is right up there with any of the adults on stage. Anne Allgood is endearingly lovely as Ralphie's Mother and her moment in Act Two where she covers for Ralphie had me in tears. Frank Corrado is spot on as the narrator Jean Shepherd as he weaves this wonderful tale for us in the guise of a radio drama. And special kudos to John Bolton as Ralphie's "Old Man" who practically steals the show with is antics and especially with his overly zealous "Major Award" number. With a gorgeous set from Walt Spangler and costumes that look like they were transported right from the movie by Elizabeth Hope Clancy, this show could have been the new theatrical holiday standard by which all of the "Elf"s, and "Grinch"s would be judged. I only wish the writers had realized what they were doing so right in the first half and could have kept it up in the second. "A Christmas Story: The Musical" plays at the 5th Avenue Theatre through December 30th. For tickets or information contact the 5th Avenue Box Office at 206-625-1900 or toll free at 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849) or visit them online at www.5thavenue.org. Photo Credit: Chris Bennion
The deadline is almost here! Monday, December 20, 2010, is the final date you can cast your vote for the first ever Theatre Fans' Choice Awards from BroadwayWorld Chicago. We're honoring productions which opened between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 with awards in 25 categories, all voted on by you!
Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen announced today that acclaimed actresses Marin Ireland (Tony nominee for reasons to be pretty) and Juliet Rylance (Obie winner for The Bridge Project's As You Like It) have joined the cast of the company's highly-anticipated upcoming production of Anton Chekhov's THREE SISTERS. Ireland will play Natasha and Rylance Irina, joining 2010 Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal (Masha), Josh Hamilton (Andrey), 2010 Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht (Olga) and acclaimed film and stage actor Peter Sarsgaard (Vershinin). Also featured in the cast are Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Tuezenbach), Glenn Fitzgerald (Solyony), Roberta Maxwell (Anfisa), Louis Zorich (Chebutykin), George Morfogen (Ferapont), Paul Lazar (Kulygin), Gabe Bettio (Rohde) and James Patrick Nelson (Fedotik).
The Guthrie Theater's all-new production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol received rave reviews, opening November 25 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage in Minneapolis.
The Guthrie Theater today announced that British theater, television and film actor Daniel Gerroll will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 2010 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank.
Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the 2010-11 Season lineup - the final one at the historic venue on 85th and Euclid Avenue before relocating to downtown Cleveland's Theater District in the fall of 2011. A re-imagining of an American classic by Horton Foote, Midwest premieres of acclaimed literary adaptations, modern musicals and clever comedies are all contributing to the wide variety of entertainment Bloom has designed for The Play House's 95th consecutive season.
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director)'s first main stage production of its 2010-2011 season, THE COLLECTION & A KIND OF ALASKA: TWO PLAYS BY HAROLD PINTER has been extended in advance of officially opening on Monday, November 22. The limited engagement will now play through Sunday, December 19 2010. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening and brings you photo coverage below.
Ginger Rogers danced her way into our hearts in the arms of Fred Astaire, setting the gold standard for grace and elegance on the silver screen. Backwards In High Heels tells the captivating story of the star's journey from her hometown to Hollywood and from one love affair to another. San Jose Repertory Theatre's production of this sure-to-be holiday favorite has been called 'an enchanted evening...the melody is flowing and the tap shoes are chattering away, all is nirvana' (Florida Sun-Sentinel).
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce that Atlantic Theater Company members Larry Bryggman and Matt McGrath and guest artists Lisa Emery, Rebecca Henderson and Darren Pettie will star in its first main stage production of the 2010-2011 season, THE COLLECTION & A KIND OF ALASKA: TWO PLAYS BY HAROLD PINTER, directed by Atlantic founding member Karen Kohlhaas.
The Guthrie Theater today announced that British theater, television and film actor Daniel Gerroll will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 2010 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank.
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director)'s first main stage production of its 2010-2011 season, THE COLLECTION & A KIND OF ALASKA: TWO PLAYS BY HAROLD PINTER has been extended in advance of officially opening later this month.
Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the 2010-11 Season lineup - the final one at the historic venue on 85th and Euclid Avenue before relocating to downtown Cleveland's Theater District in the fall of 2011. A re-imagining of an American classic by Horton Foote, Midwest premieres of acclaimed literary adaptations, modern musicals and clever comedies are all contributing to the wide variety of entertainment Bloom has designed for The Play House's 95th consecutive season.
Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present Anton Chekhov's THREE SISTERS, featuring 2010 Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal (Masha), Josh Hamilton (Andre) 2010 Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht (Olga) and acclaimed actor Peter Sarsgaard (Vershinin).
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director)'s first main stage production of its 2010-2011 season, THE COLLECTION & A KIND OF ALASKA: TWO PLAYS BY HAROLD PINTER has been extended in advance of officially opening later this month.
Ginger Rogers danced her way into our hearts in the arms of Fred Astaire, setting the gold standard for grace and elegance on the silver screen. Backwards In High Heels tells the captivating story of the star's journey from her hometown to Hollywood and from one love affair to another. San Jose Repertory Theatre's production of this sure-to-be holiday favorite has been called 'an enchanted evening...the melody is flowing and the tap shoes are chattering away, all is nirvana' (Florida Sun-Sentinel).
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce that Atlantic Theater Company members Larry Bryggman and Matt McGrath and guest artists Lisa Emery, Rebecca Henderson and Darren Pettie will star in its first main stage production of the 2010-2011 season, THE COLLECTION & A KIND OF ALASKA: TWO PLAYS BY HAROLD PINTER, directed by Atlantic founding member Karen Kohlhaas.
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