Just So 1990 - Articles Page 21

Since 1990 Meredith has originatied and recorded such roles as 'Betty Schaeffer' in 'Sunset Boulevard', 'Lily' in the RSC's 'The Secret Garden' and playing the iconic roles of 'Eponine' in 'Les Miserables' and 'Christine' in 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

At the peak of its success and influence during the 1980s and '90s, New York-based indie label Profile Records boasted an artist roster that read like the Who's Who of hip-hop and rap stars - from Run-D.M.C., Dana Dane, Special Ed and Rob Base, to DJ Quik, Nine, Poor Righteous Teachers, and Onyx, to name just a few.

Modern-day master of musical theatre Stephen Sondheim is about to release the second book of his complete collected lyrics - covering mostly everything written in the last three decades and in this one so far - titled after a line from what may very well be his ultimate masterpiece, the Pulitzer Prize-winning SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - LOOK, I MADE A HAT; Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany. So, today, we are going to be taking a look at a litany of the finest moments from Sondheim's post-SWEENEY TODD musicals that are highlighted in LOOK, I MADE A HAT and perhaps discover a few of the many reasons why Sondheim's musicals - whether late-period or early on- are the best of the best Broadway has to offer - now or ever. And, what an absolutely mind-blowing list it is - and what a masterpiece of a book!

Conceived and directed by 9 time Tony-winner Tommy Tune and written by Mark Saltzman, FIFTY FOUR FOREVER, is currently receiving its world premiere at The University of Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, from November 9 to 19. South Florida theatre audiences are the first to experience this exciting new musical and so far, they've all been raving about the production.

Like a warm Snuggie on a cold winter night or a decadent dessert to a calorie counter, sometimes we all just want to cater to our own basest pleasure centers that simply crave comforting, entertaining shows full of good ol' plain, silly fun. This same idea explains why macaroni and cheese makes for a great combo... why the excitingly mindless 'Summer Movie' was invented... and why SHREK THE MUSICAL made me laugh for most of its two-and-a-half-hour running time. Now playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through October 16, this amusing, big-kid-friendly musical based on the popular 2001 DreamWorks animated film delivers the laughs not with beguiling snark but, rather, with fart battles, cheeky sight gags, and a sassy attitude that intermittently seeks to distract you from its flaws. Entertaining, yes, but hardly groundbreaking.

American Theater Company (ATC), together with About Face Theatre, announced today that David Cromer will direct the spring 2012 production of Jonathan Larson's Rent. The co-production is slated to open June 7, 2011 at ATC, 1909 W. Byron, and will close the company's 27th season.

In just two weeks, on September 22nd, Performance Network Theatre will launch its 30th anniversary season with a Gala cabaret featuring a variety of beloved local acts. Entertainment for the event was announced today with popular singing trio The Chenille Sisters and Grammy winner Bill Bolcom and Joan Morris at the top of the list. Each act will perform a cabaret set on the evening's theme 'Diamonds and Pearls' to coincide with the modern and traditional gifts for a 30th anniversary.

If the Oscars need a host, Billy Crystal, who hosted the show eight times between 1990 and 2004, would be willing. At the 20th anniversary screening of ‘City Slickers' in Santa Monica, a fan asked Crystal a question about the Academy Awards and he admitted that he got 'itchy' after his cameo during last year's ceremony.

It's just been announced that Lauren Ambrose will star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL, in the first Broadway production of the musical since it originally opened in 1964. FUNNY GIRL, which features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, will be directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher.

CLANCY O'CONNOR (TV - John Adams; Stage - The Listener, Edward II) will participate in the upcoming reading of the first evening-length act of RYAN TRACY's marriage epic, ALL ABOUT MARRIAGE during the HOT! Festival, Dixon Place's annual summer queer performance series.

There's a lot of 'steam heat' on DC area stages and outside, so if you're visiting DC for the annual July 4th fireworks extravaganza, stop by and see a show before you roast on the Mall waiting for the concert and loud "booms" to fill up the sky. And if you couldn't get into the sold-out Oklahoma!, Aquarium, Clybourne Park, or The Importance of Being Earnest - earlier this year - you have a chance now! And then there's The Capital Fringe Festival with dozens of new shows to choose from.

As a super-special Spring extension of BroadwayWorld's SOUND OFF column, every day until the Tony Awards on June 12 we will be presenting a spectacular new entry in the SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2011 TONY AWARDS series featuring a particularly entertaining, interesting, relevant and exciting Tony Awards-related clip from the last sixty-three years of the ceremonies (and subsequent seasons on Broadway) with a rundown and commentary on the sights, sounds and showmanship on display in each carefully chosen selection - all, of course, coming in anticipation of Broadway's biggest night, which will be broadcast on CBS this year, as always. Once again this year, BroadwayWorld is the official home of the 2011 Tony Awards and we will also be featuring exclusive interviews, articles, photos, video content, interactive features and more in the coming days and weeks leading up to the event so be sure to check back daily for your theatre fix!

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance.

Today we are talking to one of the brightest lights in the Broadway galaxy who has wowed West End and Broadway audiences alike with her tour de force performances in MISS SAIGON and LES MISERABLES, sold out stadiums the world over with her acclaimed concert appearances - many of them also available on CD and DVD - and, now, Lea Salonga tells us all about her experiences with LES MISERABLES over the years - the star-studded 10th Anniversary Concert Dream Cast performance, to essaying the role of Fantine in the Broadway revival opposite Norm Lewis and Aaron Lazar, among others, to preserving her take on the show‘s most famous song, 'I Dreamed A Dream', and the role of Fantine, for all time in the stunning 25th Anniversary LES MISERABLES: LIVE IN CONCERT, available now on DVD and Blu-ray. In addition to all things LES MIZ, including some fantastic behind-the-scenes stories, Lea and I also discuss her favorite moments in the show, its themes, how she got into the role every night - and, again, anew, for the concert celebration - and the unmistakable power and sweep of the concert as presented in full HD on Blu-Ray. Additionally, we touch on her favorite cast-mates, future roles, preferred performers, current obsessions and, even, a little GLEE - including her cross-Pacific flight with new breakout star Darren Criss. Most importantly, she shares her most pressing political and moral concerns as they pertain to our thorough consideration and discussion of the prescient themes at the core of Victor Hugo's classic tragedy and what message the novel and the show have for audiences today around the world - as well as much, much more! And, just what did Lea think of Anne Hathaway's take on 'On My Own' from LES MIZ at this year's Oscars? The LES MISERABLES: LIVE IN CONCERT DVD and Blu-ray are available now to own and can be purchased here.

The DC area is full of spring splendor with so many gorgeous trees and azaleas in full bloom, and our local theatres are filled with new colorful productions. So come visit the Nation's Capital and bask in the city's beauty and the power and joy of our local theatres.

In preparation for my family's visit to Dreamworks Theatricals' MADAGASCAR LIVE, now showing at Radio City through April 24th, I rented the original film from an actual Blockbuster store. This was because I couldn't find it on-demand or instant streaming from Netflix or Amazon or even for purchase on iTunes. I couldn't even find a copy of MADAGASCAR at my local Blockbuster Express kiosk. I had to put on shoes and walk to an actual Blockbuster store where I nabbed up one of only two available copies of this apparently now classic film. It was all so very 1990's (except I was in my 2011 body....darn it).

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater debuted in October 1998 and has quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance.

Cats is best viewed through fresh eyes, probably, when the wonder of the spectacle is first encountered. The show's technical wizardry, in its time mind-boggling and perhaps even revolutionary, is now old hat (although I can certainly let go of my own cynicism long enough to appreciate the very theatricality of the show) and expected. But, imagine if you will, if you know nothing about the show at all and you settle into your seat and give yourself over to the experience. Chances are - no matter how worldly or sophisticated you are - you'll find yourself just a little awestruck by Cats. It remains an important milestone in musical theater history, despite the derision of theater snobs the world over.

While the cherry blossoms are blooming - over 30 productions will be taking root on DC area stages in April. So come visit the Nation's Capital and see a show or two or more. There's something playing for everyone.

Universally hailed as the reigning King of the Blues, the legendary B.B. King will perform three UK concerts in Manchester, Edinburgh and London in June 2011.

With over 30 new productions opening on DC area stages, 4 large festivals, and 2 world premiere musicals, it may still be chilly outside, but DC area stages are sizzling and bursting with great theatre. So come visit the Nation's Capital and visit our vibrant theatre scene.

With over 30 shows opening on DC area stages, there's lots to choose from for local theatregoers and visitors in February. There's a 'mash-up' festival, a puppet 'slam!', a Tom Stoppard play, the beginning of The Edward Albee Festival, and so much more! So come visit the Nation's Capital and join us for some outstanding theatre.

As we welcome in a new year of great theatre in the nation's capital, I thought it would be fun to do one of those “Best of 2010' lists as well as preview what's opening in January on DC area stages. So let's raise our glasses and offer a toast to all those theatre companies who gave us great productions in 2010, and to the upcoming 2011 theatre season!

Happy Holidays everyone! Come visit our Nation's Capital during the holiday season. It's such a beautiful time of the year here, with so many lights shimmering on the monuments, The Mall, and on The White House. As we await the first snow flakes, DC area theatres are chocked full of productions for the whole family filled with elves, reindeers, Santas, and Scrooges.

Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota presents Paul Taylor Dance Company on Tue, Nov 30 at 7:30 pm at Northrop. Paul Taylor is the last living member of the pantheon that created modern dance. At 80, he is still acclaimed for the relevance and power of his current work, as well as his classics. His world-renowned company returns for a specially-selected program that spans his life's work. Cloven Kingdom (1976) reveals the primal beast lurking just below mankind's sophisticated veneer, while Brief Encounters (2010) tracks men and women converging at a secret trysting place in the dead of night to satisfy pure animal instincts. Esplanade's (1975) pedestrian, 'found' movement displays the exuberance of youth, the sadness of a dysfunctional family, and the romantic interplay of lovers.