Applause 1972 - Articles Page 5

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, actor and television personality, Terry Bradshaw, is taking his acclaimed stage production, 'Terry Bradshaw: America's Favorite Dumb Blonde…A Life in Four Quarters,' on the road. The show will make its first stop at the MontBleu Theater at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa in South Lake Tahoe, Nev. tonight, Dec. 13.

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, actor and television personality, Terry Bradshaw, is taking his acclaimed stage production, "Terry Bradshaw: America's Favorite Dumb Blonde…A Life in Four Quarters," on the road. The show will make its first stop at the MontBleu Theater at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa in South Lake Tahoe, Nev. on Friday, Dec. 13.

Columbus Children's Theatre (CCT) celebrated 50 years of live theatre on Sunday, September 22, 2013 with an incredible lineup of accomplished alumni, along with current casts, board members, and other featured guests. Performing were Josh Radnor of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Jessica Grove, Mike Milligan, Steve Boyer, Kristin Reitter, Valerie Accetta, Dionysia Williams, Camille Mancuso, Cherish Myers, Ryan Scarlata, Molly Camp, Jake Borelli, and the current casts of THE LITTLE MERMAID JR and SHREK THE MUSICAL.

Bobby Vinton, the entertainer Billboard Magazine has called 'the most successful love singer of the 'Rock-Era', appears at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa for one very special performance on September 7 at 8:00 pm. From 1962 to 1972 Vinton had more #1 records than any other solo male artist in the country and established himself as one of America's top concert performers and most versatile entertainers. His impressive list of hits includes renowned love songs such as Roses Are Red, Blue Velvet and Mr. Lonely, among many others. His songs are recognized as standards throughout the world and his music has retained its vitality and relevance through our changing times. I had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Vinton about his career, his upcoming concert and "all things Bobby Vinton". Here are some of the highlights from that interview.

Tackling a show like Pippin takes some major cojones. The original Bob Fosse production featured an iconic, Tony Award winning performance from Ben Vereen and was the first Broadway musical to feature the work of composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The current Broadway revival of Pippin just won four Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress, Best Actress, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Revival of a Musical. Pippin is certainly not a safe choice for a troupe of young performers like the High School and college age artists of SummerStock Austin. That said, the award-winning SummerStock Austin never takes the safe road, and their courageousness pays off with their exciting, enjoyable, and thrilling production of Pippin.

High school seniors of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) got the graduation ceremony of their dreams on Saturday, May 18, when Disney Theatrical Group President Thomas Schumacher delivered their commencement address, and the diplomas were presented by 'Mary Poppins' herself: UNCSA alumna Rachel Wallace. A 2009 college graduate, Wallace just completed a run in the national tour and the New Zealand company of the popular Disney show. Scroll down for photos from the ceremony!

As an undergraduate theater major in the early 1970s, I heard music everywhere. It seemed to pour out of every office and workspace around the department. (And in the LP era, if you wanted more than the radio, this meant schlepping a twenty pound record player and a dozen or so albums from your home to the campus, sometimes requiring back-and-forth trips from the car. If you go to that much trouble, you want to keep the music playing.) In the hushed costume shop with its quietly industrious all female staff, Broadway ruled, with Stephen Sondheim's recent Company and Follies in heavy rotation. It was 'men only' in the scene shop where I listened to male balladeers like James Taylor and Gordon Lightfoot while unhappily working off assigned crew hours. Jazz classes (my favorites) in the dance department were conducted to the pre-disco sounds of Isaac Hayes and the Temptations. And late night cast parties were never complete without spins of Bette Midler's first two albums.

Neil Simon is one of the best known, celebrated playwrights of our time and once again his sharp, skillfully written dialogue shines in the Carrollwood Players latest production of 'The Sunshine Boys'.

Just days after producers Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan announced that American Repertory Theater's 40th Anniversary production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN, directed by Diane Paulus, is headed to Broadway in Spring of 2013, the musical has created official pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Producers Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan present the American Repertory Theater's 40th Anniversary production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN, directed by Diane Paulus, on Broadway in the Spring of 2013.

Unless you're a Marx Brothers fan, you may not be aware of this fun little Marvin Hamlisch creation.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Diane Paulus' upcoming production of Pippin might be heading to Broadway after it plays Cambridge's American Repertory Theater in December. Now the New York Times is reporting that Broadway favorites Patina Miller, Terrence Mann, and Charlotte d'Amboise are in talks to star in the production as 'Leading Player,' 'King Charles,' and 'Fastrada' respectively. Additionally, Damon Daunno, who recenty starred in Broadway's Brief Encounter is in talks to play the leading role.

REBECCA, the new musical based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel, has found its male and female leads: Jill Paice will play the role of "I" and Ryan Silverman the role of "Maxim de Winter." REBECCA will open on Broadway Sunday, November 18 at The Broadhurst Theatre. Previews will begin Tuesday, October 30.

According to the New York Times, Diane Paulus' upcoming production of Pippin might be heading to Broadway after it plays Cambridge's American Repertory Theater in December. Patrick Healy writes that producers Barry and Fran Weissler are looking into backing the show for a Broadway run. A spokesman told NYT: "It's a project that Barry and Fran are very interested in. They're huge fans of Diane. Right now they're just supporting the project."

A Memorial Tribute honoring Theodore Mann, Circle in the Square's Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and Co-Producer, who passed away on February 24 at the age of 87, will be held at Circle in the Square Theatre, 1633 Broadway, at 50th Street, today, May 1, at 1 p.m. Seating is open to the general public on a first come, first-served basis.

A Memorial Tribute honoring THEODORE MANN, Circle in the Square's Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and Co-Producer, who passed away on February 24 at the age of 87, will be held at Circle in the Square Theatre, 1633 Broadway, at 50th Street, on Tuesday, May 1, at 1 p.m. Seating is open to the general public on a first come, first-served basis.

The 1972 Bob Fosse dance spectacle and play-within-a-play "Pippin" (which produced a legendary Motown Records cast album, no less) opened in Lakeview this past October, courtesy of the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. And now we have a "Pippin" for the north lakeshore, as The Music Theatre Company of Highland Park has mounted an enjoyable revival of its own, opening last weekend and running through May 6, 2012.Stephen Schwartz, one of the most popular Broadway composer-lyricists of the last 40 years, is riding high these days, with the continued mega-success of "Wicked," a late-career surprise for a guy who made his first big impact when he was just out of college in the very early 1970s. There's a revival of his "Godspell" playing on Broadway right now, directly adjacent to where "Wicked" is still selling out after 8 years, and two rival revivals of "Pippin" have been vying for Main Stem viability in recent months. Here in Chicago, we had a re-working of "Working" last spring, in a major production at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, and a Schwartz career retrospective revue called "Snapshots" premiered at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie last fall. Schwartz himself was in town for both productions, rumored to be in love with our Chicago acting scene. The 1972 Bob Fosse dance spectacle and play-within-a-play "Pippin" (which produced a legendary Motown Records cast album, no less) opened in Lakeview this past October, courtesy of the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. And now we have a "Pippin" for the north lakeshore, as The Music Theatre Company of Highland Park has mounted an enjoyable revival of its own, opening last weekend and running through May 6, 2012. Directed and choreographed by the company's founder and artistic director, Jessica Redish (how many hats IS that?), and music-directed by her "Merrily We Roll Along" partner, Ian Weinberger (their production of that problematic Stephen Sondheim show was very well received last year), this production utilizes Equity leads and a non-Equity ensemble, to interesting advantage. Many of the dance sequences look great, especially the opening number, "Magic To Do," the "Glory" sequence, the thrilling "Morning Glow" and several opportunities where Fosse trios are utilized (a lead dancer in front, flanked by a supporting dancer on each side). The women of the ensemble (Sasha Kostyrko, Kristin O'Connell, Emily Rogers and Lucy Zukaitis) are especially sexy, and the men (Brian M. Duncan, Tommy Rivera-Vega and Jeremy Sonkin) dance their socks off and carry out their small acting bits with verve. And the leading characters are played by actors with formidable singing chops, made all the more impressive by the fact that the cast is entirely unamplified. Leading Player Joey Stone has an extremely impressive, beautiful and flexible R&B voice, all runs and trills and idiomatic inflections that are very satisfying throughout (he's worked all over town since landing here five years ago, and it's easy to hear why). His stage presence is unmistakable, and you need to hear him sing these songs. You really do. The titular hero of the piece is embodied by the elfin, vaguely quirky-looking Andrew Keltz, who looks to be about 15 until you spy a little chest hair poking its way out of his shirt collar. His is not the most resonant vocal instrument, but he sounds entirely conversation and convincing every time he sings, and he too works all over the place. And he is not a conventional juvenile lead, but he plays them constantly, gifted with the innate ability to convey a searching, restless contemporary spirit, adrift in a society he doesn't understand. James Rank is the Charlemagne here, enacting all the hoary bluster and inner struggle of a man who is admittedly not a brain type of guy. His singing is a combination of exemplary Gilbert and Sullivan patter and baritonal bravado. However, he is saddled with the thankless number, "Welcome Home," which seems to always drag down the action with tons of exposition and not enough flash, so that all "Pippin" productions struggle in the early going. Thankfully, his prayer scene was remarkably nuanced. The veteran Peggy Roeder, playing Berthe until April 13 (she will be replaced by Cindy Gold, faculty member at Northwestern University and recently in "Show Boat" at Lyric Opera of Chicago), is hilarious and sings like the character actress she is, every note and word perfectly produced. And Angie Stemberg (Fastrada) and Jess Godwin (Catherine) are providing a school for contemporary musical theater singing in this production, with personalized stylings couched within perfectly placed belt techiques. If Zach Zube is not the ideal physical type for the character of Lewis, he nonetheless brings energy, focus and excitement to the role. However, young Theo is here portrayed by the pleasant commitment of young Isabelle Roberts, in a fascinating bit of pre-pubescent gender-bent casting. The orchestra of five, conducted by Weinberger and playing his orchestral reduction of the score, plays as softly as one could imagine a pop-rock score could be played, to their credit and the credit of sound designer Christopher Kriz. In addition to the songs I've already mentioned, I loved "On the Right Track," for its perfect blend of choreography, acting moments, use of the playing space and the singing of the two male leads, the lovely and still "Love Song" by Keltz and Godwin, and, especially, Roeder and Company's delivery of "No Time At All," complete with audience sing-along and hitting all the right showbiz mastery this number requires. Can I discuss the ending of the show for a bit? I know this show's coup de theatre ending is supposed to be a secret surprise, but it's over 40 years old, and fairly well known to the readers of BroadwayWorld. So, here I go. When the Leading Player proposed to Pippin that he should end his life in a glorious blazing bonfire and Pippin refuses, prompting the Leading Player to order the removal of all "theatrical" elements (lights, costumes, music) from Pippin and Catherine, I'm never quite sure that it ever truly works. First of all, is Pippin the character rebelling, or is the unnamed actor playing him in the Leading Player's troupe rebelling? And why does the L.P. get so upset? This is not set up very well by bookwriter Roger O. Hirson (was it Fosse's idea?), nor is it really explained--this oversized, childish reaction to an actor (or character) refusing to follow the script. If you don't know it's coming, it's shocking and unique and interesting. But once you think about it, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It makes a point, but it isn't as perfect an ending as I wish it were. Oh, well. Small quibble. That being said, this particular production handles it pretty well. The lights and flashiness of the show do indeed reach their peak just before the unforeseen turn of events, and the final image of Pippin, Catherine and Theo in their underwear does carry the meaning it is intended to convey. Actually, the lighting for this show (by Charles Cooper) is one of its best aspects. The lights change constantly, directing the eye and conveying the mood and creating the time and place. I was extremely impressed. I don't think the workable scenic design (Stephen M. Carmody), properties design (Nick Heggestad) or costume design (Jessica Snyder) of this production would come off near as well, were the lighting not so perfect. So, kudos to Reddish and TMTC for a fun, meaningful and stylistically appropriate "Pippin," with moments of real creativity. The level of vocal excellence here is not always heard in other small, intimate theaters, and speaks to the priorities of this still-young company. If you love that legendary cast album, you'll enjoy this production, even with a small orchestra. And the show's theme of staying true to oneself, while looking for love and finding joy and meaning in the simple things of life, is a timeless one, well worth revisiting. Applause for the company of "Pippin!" The Music Theatre Company's production of "Pippin," by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson, plays March 22-May 6, 2012 at the Karger Center, 1850 Green Bay Road in Highland Park, directed and choreographed by Founding Artistic Director Jessica Reddish. Tickets are available by calling 847.579.4900 or by visiting www.themusictheatrecompany.org. PHOTOS: (top) Andrew Keltz as Pippin with (L to R) Emily Rogers, Lucy Zukaitis and Sasha Kostyrko in "Pippin" at The Music Theatre Company; (bottom) Joey Stone as the Leading Player with cast members of "Pippin" at The Music Theatre Company PHOTO CREDIT: www.jonathansportraits.com

American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) has announced that it will present the musical Pippin as part of its 2012 - 13 Season. The production will be directed by Diane Paulus with choreography by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main, also known as 7 Fingers. Performances will begin in December 2012 at the Loeb Drama Center, Cambridge.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Theodore Mann, who passed away today. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory tonight, February 24th, at exactly 8:00 p.m. for one minute.

It was a night of new victors and returning champions at 'The 45th Annual CMA Awards' Wednesday night in Nashville. Taylor Swift won her second CMA Entertainer of the Year trophy. Newlyweds Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton won Female Vocalist and Male Vocalist for the second consecutive year. Jason Aldean won his first two CMA Awards for Musical Event of the Year with Kelly Clarkson, and Album of the Year for My Kinda Party.

Producers Ben Sprecher, Louise Forlenza, The Shubert Organization, Peter Bezemes, Tony Fusco, Larry Feinman, Nanda Anand and Peter Bogyo by special arrangement with/and based on the Vereinigte Buhnen Wien GmbH production, announced that the new musical REBECCA, based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel, will open on Broadway Sunday, April 22 at The Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, March 27. Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid, Love Never Dies, Master Class and as Christine in last month's 25th Anniversary Concert of The Phantom of the Opera in London) will play the lead role of 'I'. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

J.D.'s varied career has encompassed Broadway, opera, concert work and 17 Encores! shows.

Hugh Jackman, whose year thus far includes announcements that he'll be returning to Broadway and starring in the upcoming LES MIS film, has also penned a forward to the late Gerald Schoenfeld's memoir. The book, entitled 'Mr. Broadway,' is set for an April 2012 release.

KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Celebrates 20th Anniversary Season A Sizzling Line Up of Smash Broadway Hits, Comedy Giants and Rock, Pop & Classical Music Superstars Joshua Bell, Chris Botti, Cleveland Orchestra, Larry King, Kings of Salsa, Patti LaBelle, Larry the Cable Guy, Huey Lewis & The News, Matisyahu, Dennis Miller, Bernadette Peters, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman, Diana Krall, Martin Short, Wanda Sykes, & THE ADDAMS FAMILY, DAMN YANKEES, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FOREVER TANGO, HAIR, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, LES MISÉRABLES, MAMMA MIA!, MY FAIR LADY, SOUTH PACIFIC And So Much More!

KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Celebrates 20th Anniversary Season A Sizzling Line Up of Smash Broadway Hits, Comedy Giants and Rock, Pop & Classical Music Superstars Joshua Bell, Chris Botti, Cleveland Orchestra, Larry King, Kings of Salsa, Patti LaBelle, Larry the Cable Guy, Huey Lewis & The News, Matisyahu, Dennis Miller, Bernadette Peters, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman, Diana Krall, Martin Short, Wanda Sykes, & THE ADDAMS FAMILY, DAMN YANKEES, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FOREVER TANGO, HAIR, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, LES MISÉRABLES, MAMMA MIA!, MY FAIR LADY, SOUTH PACIFIC And So Much More!