Today, in an extension of the FLASH FRIDAY column, we are sharpening our focus on the six upcoming revivals of musicals that are soon to hit the boards in the next few months (post-FOLLIES) and battle it out for the Best Revival as the Broadway season heats up just when the weather begins to cool: the classic Jule Styne/Bob Merrill musical that originally starred that star-of-stars, Barbra Streisand - FUNNY GIRL; the groundbreaking rock opera that rewrote the theatrical rulebook thanks to young creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; the hippie, flower child take on the Christ story covering some similar Biblical ground to that of SUPERSTAR, with this one being the composing debut of WICKED songwriter Stephen Schwartz - GODSPELL; another Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice collaboration that won seven Tony Awards and acted as the vehicle for Patti LuPone's blazing Broadway debut in a starring role - EVITA; the significantly reworked, revised and rewritten new version of the beautifully scored time-travel musical by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner, this time starring a male movie star crooner - ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER; and, the landmark American opera composed by the Gershwins with DuBose Haywerd - PORGY & BESS. While each and every one of these entities has a huge hit song or two that nearly everyone on the planet knows by heart - "Don't Rain On My Parade", "I Don't Know How To Love Him", "Day By Day", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "On A Clear Day…" and 'Summertime' included - each of these revivals also comes after a film version (or two) that, in more than a few of these cases, will be relatively difficult to top as far as expectations of many audience members undoubtedly will go. So, by taking a listen to the smash hit crossover songs from these musicals as well as looking at their respective film version's trailers - as well as a couple of surprises, too - perhaps we can glean some insight into what makes these generally pretty terrific properties so well worth reviving on Broadway, here, now, today, in 2011. Furthermore, all of this crystal ball commentary is not even taking into account the starry assortment of performers that have already been announced for these productions so far - especially with FUNNY GIRL's Lauren Ambrose and Bobby Cannavale, GODSPELL's Hunter Parrish, SUPERSTAR's lauded Josh Young, EVITA's Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris, PORGY's Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald, as well as the leading man in what was once a leading lady's role (that of Barbara Harris) in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, Harry Connick, Jr.! What a tight race it is turning out to be for these new productions, particularly come Tony time in June! With rock to rhumba and borscht belt comedy to messianic hosannas and even full-out opera, seemingly every conceivable customer base is more than covered by this packed, potentially, well, awesome, season of shows - and many Broadway babies around BroadwayWorld are undoubtedly looking most forward to these six forthcoming revivals - with particularly good reason given the relative dearth of new musicals announced so far. So, let these revivals revive your flagging spirits as we leap into the 2011-2012 season with this comprehensive prospective and retrospective all about what makes them work so well in the first place and so worthy of another look!
William Wyler News
La penúltima película de William Wyler fue Funny Girl (1968).Con este film Wyler se enfrentó al género del musical que apenas había trabajado a lo largo de su carrera. La película está basada en la obra teatral de Isobel Lennart quien también escribió el guión de la adaptación cinematográfica.
AFI and TV Land announced today that Clint Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Sidney Poitier, Mike Nichols, Matthew Broderick and Rita Moreno are among the luminaries in film who will pay tribute to Morgan Freeman, the 39th AFI Life Achievement Award recipient.
Today, 5 November, tickets go on sale for Ian Rickson's production of Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour starring the previously announced Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' "Monday Nights with Oscar®" series returns with a screening of "Funny Girl" (1968), starring Barbra Streisand, on Monday, November 15, at 7 p.m. at the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International in New York City.
After completion of major renovations to the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International, the Academy celebrates the return of 'Monday Nights with Oscar' by presenting the crowd-pleasing movie musical FUNNY GIRL, based on the hit 1964 Broadway musical Monday, November 15 at 7:00 pm.
Today, 5 November, tickets go on sale for Ian Rickson's production of Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour starring the previously announced Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' "Monday Nights with Oscar®" series returns with a screening of "Funny Girl" (1968), starring Barbra Streisand, on Monday, November 15, at 7 p.m. at the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International in New York City.
After completion of major renovations to the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International, the Academy celebrates the return of 'Monday Nights with Oscar' by presenting the crowd-pleasing movie musical FUNNY GIRL, based on the hit 1964 Broadway musical Monday, November 15 at 7:00 pm.
As BroadwayWorld reported last week, Ian Rickson will direct Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss in Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour due to open in the West End in early 2011 for a limited run that will shutter in the spring. The New York Times suggests today that the production could be bound for Broadway in the fall of 2011, taking a hiatus to accommodate Knightley and Mosses respective filming schedules next summer.
Ian Rickson will direct Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss in Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour due to open in the West End early next year.
This year's spectacular fundraising gala, Hartt Celebrates 90 Years, will take place on Saturday evening, October 16, at the Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center in Hartford.
Morgan Freeman has been selected by the American Film Institute's (AFI) Board of Trustees to receive the 39th AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film, it was announced today by Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees.
This year's spectacular fundraising gala, Hartt Celebrates 90 Years, will take place on Saturday evening, October 16, at the Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center in Hartford.
Emily Bronte's gothic novel, 'Wuthering Heights,' adapted to a romantic musical by Paul Dick, will be presented June 11 to 27, 2010 by Passajj Productions at The Mint Theatre, 311 West 43rd Street, Manhattan, directed by Matt Gutschick. The show, titled 'Wuthering Heights, a Romantic Musical,' is a signature piece, of sorts, for author/composer Paul Dick, who has penned over 15 Off-off Broadway tuners between the 60's and now.
Emily Bronte's gothic novel, 'Wuthering Heights,' adapted to a romantic musical by Paul Dick, will be presented June 11 to 27, 2010 by Passajj Productions at The Mint Theatre, 311 West 43rd Street, Manhattan, directed by Matt Gutschick. The show, titled 'Wuthering Heights, a Romantic Musical,' is a signature piece, of sorts, for author/composer Paul Dick, who has penned over 15 Off-off Broadway tuners between the 60's and now.
The American Film Institute and TV Land announced today that many of Hollywood's finest will be on hand to salute acclaimed and beloved film, television and stage director Mike Nichols when he receives the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award on June 10, 2010 on the historic Stage 15 at the Sony Pictures Studios.
The American Film Institute and TV Land announced today that American film's finest performers Cher, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep are among the many in the arts and entertainment community who are scheduled to appear when AFI honors beloved film, television and stage director Mike Nichols with the AFI Life Achievement Award. The gala will take place on Thursday, June 10th in the historic Stage 15 on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, CA. 'TV Land Presents: The AFI Life Achievement Awards Honoring Mike Nichols' premieres on TV Land in June.
Metropolitan Playhouse, 'theatrical archaeologist extraordinaire' (Backstage), presents a revival of Dodsworth by Sidney Howard, adapted from the novel by Sinclair Lewis. First presented on Broadway in 1934, Dodsworth has not received a professional production in New York since, but will be revived at Metropolitan's home at 220 E 4th Street May 15th through June 6th, 2010.
The American Film Institute and TV Land announced today that many of Hollywood's finest will be on hand to salute acclaimed and beloved film, television and stage director Mike Nichols when he receives the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award on June 10, 2010 on the historic Stage 15 at the Sony Pictures Studios.
Videos
