Today, we are talking to the creative team of the ten-time Tony-nominated revival of FENCES starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis playing to packed houses every night on Broadway. Last night, it won 3 Drama Desk Awards including Best Revival of a Play. In this first part of a three-part series, the team discusses what drew them to FENCES and August Wilson's work in the first place, hat his work means to them and the notion of collaboration. And so much more...
Today, in honor of the DVD release of Rob Marshall's film version of the 1982 Tony-winning Best Musical NINE, Maury Yeston was gracious and generous enough to grant me a few hours in which I could ask him intimate questions about his life, career and the future of theatre itself. Not one to mince words, Yeston is a veritable font of knowledge and it became clear during the interview that he may be as gifted and talented in his educational and mentorship skills as he is as a two-time Tony-winning composer and lyricist. His stage musicals include two Tony-winning Best Musicals, NINE and TITANIC, as well as: IN THE BEGINNING, GRAND HOTEL, PHANTOM, and the forthcoming DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, as well as a full-length ballet of TOM SAWYER premiering later this year. From the handwritten letter sent by Katharine Hepburn to Frederico Fellini after seeing the workshop of NINE thirty years ago to this very day when NINE hits DVD, we will take a look at this magnanimous maestro's starry career in this inaugural InDepth InterView. Enjoy!
Today, in honor of the DVD release of Rob Marshall's film version of the 1982 Tony-winning Best Musical NINE, Maury Yeston was gracious and generous enough to grant me a few hours in which I could ask him intimate questions about his life, career and the future of theatre itself. Not one to mince words, Yeston is a veritable font of knowledge and it became clear during the interview that he may be as gifted and talented in his educational and mentorship skills as he is as a two-time Tony-winning composer and lyricist. His stage musicals include two Tony-winning Best Musicals, NINE and TITANIC, as well as: IN THE BEGINNING, GRAND HOTEL, PHANTOM, and the forthcoming DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, as well as a full-length ballet of TOM SAWYER premiering later this year. From the handwritten letter sent by Katharine Hepburn to Frederico Fellini after seeing the workshop of NINE thirty years ago to this very day when NINE hits DVD, we will take a look at this magnanimous maestro's starry career in this inaugural InDepth InterView. Enjoy!
The Artistic Home, near the corner of Byron and Clark on the outskirts of Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood, is directly across the street from a cemetery. Well, three cemeteries, I think. And that is so appropriate, because, as you may know, that's where you end up at the end of this 1891 German dramatic classic by Frank Wedekind, being performed now through May 9, 2010 by the Promethean Theatre Ensemble.
Soulpepper presents the first mainstage production to feature the 2010 Soulpepper Academy members - 'Oh What A Lovely War.' BWW had the opportunity to sit down and talk with two of the members of the new members of the prestigious Soulpepper Academy about the selection process, the experience of being in the Academy, and of course, the new production of the Broadway Classic 'Oh What A Lovely War.'
In an industry as unpredictable as show business, it is truly a unique experience to meet one of the longtime greats - a performer who has done everything from Broadway to off-Broadway, film, television, children's specials and variety circuits, who been everywhere from London to Abu Dhabi and back over the course of a nearly 45 year career. It is particularly exciting to be sitting next to this same someone, who I personally grew up watching on T.V. in shows and specials like the unforgettable 'Roots,' and who created some of the most famous roles in show business that have been copied thousands of times by professionals, amateurs and students alike, including 'Judas Iscariot' in Jesus Christ Superstar (Tony nomination), and 'Leading Player' in Pippin (Tony Award). This is a man who has made almost as much of a a name for himself on stage as he has off as an activist for diabetes awareness and arts in education, a motivational speaker, acting coach, mentor, and lecturer in black history (amongst other things) throughout the country.
I can't say I've ever really associated important events in my life with what I was wearing. Oh sure, I remember the powder beige tux I wore to my 1977 senior prom (my date picked it out) but since moving to New York I think it's safe to just assume I was wearing black whenever anything significant happened. Not so for the ladies of Love, Loss and What I Wore, a show that my female guest assures me gives an accurate portrayal of how women tend to hold important memories in the stitches of their apparel. And though such sentiments may be foreign to my nature (or perhaps nurture) I found the ninety-minute evening warm, funny (often hilarious), cleverly written and terrifically performed.
'Oh, I get it. That one's Blanche and that one's Stella.'
'No, wait that one's Blanche and that one's... Maggie The cat?
'Hold on... I think they're both Blanche.'
These are some of the random thoughts that whizzed through my head while trying to see through the clutter of Zakiyyah Alexander's 10 Things to Do Before I Die, a game effort but a frustratingly unfocused piece receiving a well-acted premiere production via Second Stage Theatre Uptown.
In my 30+ years of Broadway theatergoing there have been a few special moments that I know will stick in my memory forever. Michael Jeter dancing his giddy Charleston in Grand Hotel, is one example. Jerry Orbach, in 42nd Street, proclaiming 'musical comedy' as, 'the most glorious words in the English language,' is another. I witnessed the newest addition to my little list at Wednesday night's performance of Soul of Shaolin, when Yu Fei stood on the Marquis Theatre stage, lifted his left leg straight up in the air with his foot to the ceiling, then leaned over and hit the floor in a perfect split, groin first. He did it again at curtain call.
Musical theatre, at least in the popular denominations practiced here in Gotham, has long been known to preach a message of gay rights to an eagerly accepting congregation, and those who would deny the natural occurrence or the legal acceptance of homosexuality have been generally depicted as hateful, ignorant or, at the very gentlest, misguided. Now we have Saved, a buoyant new musical that tackles issues of friendship, trust and adolescent homosexuality among students at a Christian high school. And while I wouldn't say its message of 'love the judgmental, hate the judgment' would be completely appreciated by those who would fight for what they believe to be the sanctity of marriage, Saved removes the satirical fangs of its source 2004 movie and comes out a musical that can celebrate gay acceptance without making those who put their faith in a church that preaches otherwise look completely heartless or foolish. For all its snap and cleverness, Saved is refreshingly square in that, aside from a few spurts of adolescent nastiness, it depicts a community where everyone is truly concerned with what they believe to be the well-being of their neighbor.
Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the 2nd production in their season, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" starring American Idol Finalist Anthony Fedorov in the title role. Now there are those that say this show is overdone and nothing really new or fresh can be done with it. I was one of those people. To them (and to myself) I say, "Then you haven't seen the production at the 5th Avenue yet."
Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the 2nd production in their season, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" starring American Idol Finalist Anthony Fedorov in the title role. Now there are those that say this show is overdone and nothing really new or fresh can be done with it. I was one of those people. To them (and to myself) I say, "Then you haven't seen the production at the 5th Avenue yet."
Diana DeGarmo, Season 3 'American Idol' runner-up and Broadway vet has returned to the New York stage where, beginning Friday, August 14th, she assumed the role of Sarah, the sexy, blind librarian in The Toxic Avenger - named the 'Best New Off-Broadway Musical' by the Outer Critics Circle.
Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Friday, May 29, 2009.
Harvey Returns! Welcome to The Return of special new series on BroadwayWorld.com - four time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein's personal MySpace blog of bringing his brand new musical, A Catered Affair to Broadway. We'll be exclusively picking up Harvey Fierstein's blog as he shares his first hand reports from rehearsals to Opening Night (and beyond). Check back for updates as rehearsals get underway!
Alanna Ubach may be celebrated as a film actress with a distinctive comic flair and energy, but she began and would still be happy to be thought of as a stage actress, one with something funny, and important to say. She takes a moment away from her successful film career to bring herself, her colorful array of characters and her critically acclaimed one woman show, Patriotic Bitch to the Clurman Theatre. She took a break from rehearsal to give us at BroadwayWorld.com a little peek at what's in store for audiences…
We talk to, and hear from, the wonderful Stephanie Block! Most recently seen as Grace O' Malley in The Pirate Queen, you might also remember her as Liza Minnelli from The Boy from Oz, with Hugh Jackman. Add to that a 2006 Helen Hayes award for Outstanding Actress for her performance as Elphaba in the First National Touring Company of Wicked, Stephanie is it -- what we love about our leading ladies: ever graceful, humble, and sharp as a tack. Oh yes, and she can sing pretty well, too
We also play songs from two of her shows: 'She Loves to Hear the Music' from The Boy from Oz, and 'Woman' from Pirate Queen
We talk to Julia Murney, who is currently starring as Elphaba in the hit Broadway musical, Wicked. We also listen to two songs from her solo CD, I'm Not Waiting: The title track, 'I'm Not Waiting' by Andrew Lippa, and 'Perfect' by Tom Kitt.
Happy Holidays Everyone! Well ... here it is ... our BIGGEST CD coverage EVER and just in time for some last minute 'stocking-stuffer' inspiration ... even though a few of these are better used as coal, if you know what I mean.
We talk to Tony Nominee for best lighting design: Kevin Adams of Spring Awakening. Kevin is a self-taught lighting designer with a style and theory al his own, with many of his lighting designs often doubling as set 'installations'. Oh, and he enjoys gardening...
We profile the new musical 'Time Being' that is being presented by the Fildwith Ensemble Theatre, and speak with authors and creators Erika Stadtlander and Ion Ionesceu. Plus, actors Catia Ojeda and Marc Ginsburg perform 'This is the Deal,' and actor Lauren Orlando performs 'I Spend My Days.' Both songs were performed exclusively for Broadway Bullet in-studio.
This week we interview Alan Tudyk who is currently staring in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Craig Lucas' 'Prelude To A Kiss.' Alan also discusses his crazy film persona, 'Spamalot', The 24 Hour plays, 'I Robot', and the fan base of 'Firefly'.
I don't think that we've ever given out so many four and five star reviews and there's a lot of exciting reading and buying of books, as well as gift-giving ahead...
Steve Solomon discusses his new show My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm in Therapy
BroadwayWorld.com and DRG Records invited you to come up with a parody in the style of Forbidden Broadway and here are the winners!
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