Making a name for herself as a model at a very early age set the stage for a career on screens large and small - as well as the Broadway stage itself many, many times over - for iconic beauty Brooke Shields. On April 24, she takes on the role of the Baroness in a starry Carnegie Hall concert mounting of Rodgers & Hammerstein's much-loved musical classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC, co-starring previous InDepth InterView participant Tony Goldwyn as Captain Von Trapp in addition the subject of next week's upcoming InDepth InterView as Maria, rising star Laura Osnes. Sharing her insights on her many notable Broadway appearances since her bow in GREASE in the 1990s - including thoughts on her stints in CABARET, CHICAGO, WONDERFUL TOWN, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and more - Shields opens up about her affection for the theatrical form and her desire to pursue plays and musicals in the future. Additionally, Shields comments on her role opposite Miley Cyrus on HANNAH MONTANA, as well as her sitcom days on SUDDENLY SUSAN and upcoming film appearance in HOT FLASHES. Plus, all about her impressions of THE SOUND OF MUSIC and her affection for the classic score, original film and its stars as well as the challenges she faces taking on the tricky role of the Baroness in the gala Carnegie Hall concert event. All of that and much, much more!
In a recent chat with BWW, Fankhauser spoke about why he believes NEWSIES is a timeless 'coming of age' tale of a group of boys who work together and make their voices heard.
Recently, noted DREAMGIRLS composer Henry Krieger was generous enough to take a comprehensive look back at his many accomplishments onstage and onscreen with me, turning back the pages of time and sharing memories of DREAMGIRLS, both on Broadway and in Hollywood, THE TAP DANCE KID, SIDE SHOW, KEPT, ROMANTIC POETRY and beyond, as well as discuss many aspects of his exciting new family-friendly musical opening next week at the New Victory Theater, LUCKY DUCK. Over the course of our compelling conversation, Krieger also revealed new details about the forthcoming 2014 production of SIDE SHOW, to be directed by DREAMGIRLS film director and TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN helmer Bill Condon - to premiere first at the La Jolla Playhouse and then at the Kennedy Center, as it makes its way towards Broadway - as well as first news on a musical collaboration with lyricist David Yazbek based on the life of television evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker set to star Tony and Emmy-winning Broadway and GLEE standout Kristin Chenoweth. DREAMGIRLS to LUCKY DUCK and much, much more awaits!
Actor, Jonathan Hadley back in Charlotte as Bob Crewe in 'Jersey Boys,' The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, Music by Bob Gaudio, Lyrics by Bob Crewe, Directed by Des McAnuff.
In a recent chat with BWW, Boykin shared his thoughts on what it was like to finally appear on the Broadway stage in a play that has literally been a part of his life since the time he was a little boy growing up in West Greenville, South Carolina.
"Seussical Jr." In this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza, Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, and Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo. 'Oh, The Thinks You Can Think' captures the show's spirit of imagination, as the colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Who's.
Meryl Streep Got Bleeped. So goes the 2012 GOLDEN GLOBES broadcast and its destined subtitle for all time. A gallon of gaffes and a ton of risque fun made the night more memorable for its moments of awkwardness amidst technical tomfoolery, and, the many, many surprises in the winning categories, to make it an award show worth watching - but, at what cost? THE ARTIST, THE DESCENDENTS and Harvey Weinstein productions in general were the cause celebre of the entire affair, all things considered, with everything from MY WEEK WITH MARILYN's Michelle Williams and THE IRON LADY's Meryl Streep to Madonna's W.E. taking home gold. Showtime's HOMELAND took many of the top wins in the TV categories, though some truly sensational and exceedingly superb fan-favorites got their due, too - AMERICAN HORROR STORY's Jessica Lange and GAME OF THRONES's Peter Dinklage both received their rightful trophies for their exceptional work on two of the finest dramas on television (both nominated, but unfortunately losing out to Showtime's tense war drama HOMELAND). Laura Dern's effervescent showing on Showtime's ENLIGHTENED and Kelsey Grammer's brusque and brilliant BOSS also unexpectedly ruffled some probably prognosticator's feathers, as well, with their wins. Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese were saluted for THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN and HUGO, respectively, showing clear evidence of not one but two long-standing titans of Hollywood remaining at the top of their field for decades with no foreseeable end in sight. While warm-heartedness was sporadic and spicier, spacier fare was more the special of the day, there was plenty of delectable dessert - a gold-flecked tart, let's say - to go around.
"Seussical Jr." In this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza, Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, and Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo. 'Oh, The Thinks You Can Think' captures the show's spirit of imagination, as the colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Who's.
The ultra-starry cast for the upcoming feature film version of the international smash musical sensation LES MISERABLES finally got one step closer to finding its Eponine and Cossette this week, as offers have gone out to pop music superstar Taylor Swift and breakout screen starlet Amanda Seyfried for the hotly anticipated Tom Hooper adaptation of the tuner which will also star Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as Jean Valjean and Javert, respectively, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Tony-winner Eddie Redmayne as Marius. While Seyfried is perhaps best known to Broadway babies for her lovable and memorable turn in the role of Meryl Streep's daughter in the ABBA jukebox movie musical MAMMA MIA!, Swift has displayed her ample affection for all things theatrical with her recent Broadway-themed SPEAK NOW tour as well as her memorable appearance on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and on concert stages around the world. Both ladies certainly have the musical chops to take on these much-beloved Broadway roles - even if the soundtrack is to actually be recorded live on set, as the director himself has confirmed he intends to do - and, while neither Swift nor Seyfried has been officially confirmed by the producers as of this writing, both appear to more than merely satisfy the complex casting necessities for the standout roles and the overall younger-sided casting of the feature film adaptation so far. Yet, no matter how fantastic they may turn out to be in the finished final film, it sure will be difficult to manage to make much of an impression with a cast as impossibly accomplished as the one assembled for this film up until now - Jackman, Crowe, Hathaway, Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen included! Plus, who knows what new musical numbers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Shonberg are cooking up - and what characters shall sing them?! Whatever comes to pass, Christmas 2012 will be all about LES MISERABLES: THE MOVIE MUSICAL for Broadway babies everywhere - many of whom who have been waiting for this moment (and this movie) to arrive for over 20 years! Let's hope it was worth the wait! Until then, we have this look and listen to what made these ladies oh-so right for the roles. After all, less than 360 days remain until the big 24601!
Sam Harris has perfected a pretty good stand-up act over the years. He loves to expound on everything from show business and Liza Minnelli ... to surgeries and artificial body parts ... to dieting and even whine about how a toddler can radically alter one's comfortable lifestyle...he's into sharing news, issues, trends, gossip...take his New Year's resolutions over the course of three years: 'Don't look back!...Don't look!...Don't.' In there somewhere is a valuable lesson on how to downsize. Wait a minute, does all this jabber need a point? Even if he says absolutely nothing, Harris' greatest talent is to entertain, to put on a show. And that he blessedly does. As witnessed by Saturday evening's joyful Sam Harris & Friends on the El Portal Mainstage, boy oh boy, he can also still SING! So can all of his guests: Tony winner Levi Kreis, David Burnham, Todd Schroeder and Olivier/Ovation winner Lesli Margherita. It's been a while since I've seen this much overwhelmingly glorious talent assembled on one stage.
Remember your first time? He was wearing that half mask, you were wearing your favorite Opera dress, all while you were sailing on a boat through the -
Oh wait, that was Christine from Phantom of the Opera.
But, tonight - relationships will be taken to the next level as it's time for two of our favorite couples to face the music of the night and take their own journey - sans the opera dress, the mask, and the boat - well - maybe.
Artie takes his role of director of West Side Story to heart and proposes an interesting question to his stars Rachel and Blaine - if "Tonight" is about sexual awakening - what was yours like? Both are flustered - but take the question into account with their boyfriends. Blaine makes a visit to Dalton to invite the Warblers to opening night of West Side Story and encounters a rehearsal of "Uptown Girl" sung by Nick and a new Warbler, named Sebastian. Artie - after watching Coach Bieste run out of rehearsal upon his question to Rachel and Blaine - confronts her about her first time - to find she's interested in someone, but unsure how to pursue it. Also in pursuit - Sebastian chats up Blaine, clearly walking the line between flirtation and walking over the line.
Finn goes to Puck for advice about garnering protection for his night with Rachel, while Kurt and Blaine discuss Kurt's bucket list of things - which prompts Blaine to ask about being adventurous while they're young, causing Kurt to question his words. Blaine goes to meet with Sebastian, who once again pushes the line - but Kurt arrives and instantly pushes back on the boy's advances, but agrees to sneak into a gay bar with him - shocking Blaine. Artie pushes the man who Bieste is interested in to ask her out - making it very obvious - while Rachel pushes Finn to commit, only to offend him when she lets slip why she wants to do it so badly.
Cooter steps up to the plate to ask Bieste out, but her insecurity almost derails it - but things click and go on track for a date. Rachel, desperate to figure out what she did wrong - calls on the girls of glee club and becomes inspired by Tina's words about her first time with Mike. Meanwhile, Mike and his father come to words about his involved with West Side Story - both men saying things they will likely regret.
Blaine and Kurt head to the gay bar - which reveals Sebastian once again attempting to push the line, while Kurt surprisingly runs into Karofsky, whose doing well while at his new school, seemingly putting a real truce to the events of the past. Kurt rains on Sebastian's parade by claiming Blaine on the dance floor, only to have an argument with Blaine after he gets too handsy as they get ready to leave - Blaine storms off, leaving Kurt hurt.
Opening night of the musical comes and Artie is nervous, but his cast makes him feel like a grown man for the first time with their support. Santana, Puck, and the Sharks sing "America" - while Mike and the Jets crash the party. Backstage, Blaine and Rachel grow more nervous for being realistic about their roles, but agree - they can truly do this.
After the show, Kurt meets Blaine on stage and they share a tender moment before leaving to go to Blaine's. Finn freaks out over the recruiter not looking at him seriously, his frustration about his future reaching a peak - which Rachel attempts to bring him down from. As "One Hand, One Heart" is recalled - both couples share their special first time.
No opera dresses, no boats - but lots of love. Until next week, Gleeks.
Today we are talking to the songwriter responsible for the new collection of songs culled from his many musical theatre ventures, both new and old - oh-so-appropriately titled OUT OF CONTEXT - who perhaps is best known to Broadway babies as the composer/lyricist of the mid-00s Off-Broadway smash boy-band spoof musical ALTAR BOYZ - the versatile and fiercely committed Michael Patrick Walker. Talking all aspects of OUT OF CONTEXT - including working with the tremendous talent featured on the multi-faceted and highly entertaining album (many of whom are also InDepth InterView participants themselves), such as Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara, Lisa Howard and many more - as well as describing the shows from whence these songs derived (such as THE DISTANT BELLS, which recently was work-shopped starring Chita Rivera and Ana Gasteyer, among others) Walker and I attempt to paint a picture of the career of a rising star composer such as himself and what we can look forward to from him in the future, near and far - and, of course, what is in the ether for the release party performance concert at Birdland on Monday night featuring Ann Harada, Lauren Kennedy, Peter Friedman, Kenita Miller, John Tartaglia, Julie Foldesi, Noah Galvin, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard, Andy Mientus, Jim Stanek and Betsy Wolfe. Additionally, he shares his experiences working on screen-to-stage adaptations of KINKY BOOTS and SOAPDISH, as well as shares news of his upcoming musical with Rick Ellis of JERSEY BOYS fame and the Rockettes musical number that will be premiering this season at the annual Radio City Music Hall Christmas spectacular. Plus, we also discuss his compositional and lyrical inspirations, favorite scores and composers, thoughts on GLEE and much, much more!
The original Jersey Boy Frankie Valli will headline a one-night-only concert for his first-time-ever appearance at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. With his three-and-a-half-octave vocal range, over 100 million records sold and a multi-decade career, iconic Frankie Valli, along with his The Four Seasons, demonstrate why they are still the hottest ticket in town with a catalog of hits like: 'Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You,' 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' 'Rag Doll,' 'Grease,' 'Dawn,' 'Let's Hang On,' 'Sherry,' 'December 1963 (Oh What a Night)' and so many more.
Hello again, Broadwayworld! It's Lourds Lane, book/music/lyrics writer of CHIX 6, and also performing as the violin playing misfit, RISE, in the show. We've had 3 weeks of shows and it's clear that CHIX 6 is resonating with audiences. We've received standing ovations every single show. This is more of an accomplishment than you might realize since we've played many shows to the Queens Theatre subscription audience where the average age was 80. No joke. In the first two weeks of performances, it felt like the Saturday matinee crowd would tell their parents to see the show which made Sunday matinee crowd even OLDER. The cast, who are mostly all Broadway veterans, have schooled me that typically, old folks don't stand up, even if they like the show. But with our show, these octogenarians jump to their feet without fail. 'Oh my gawsh, these kids are so tehhhlented!' As for the teenagers in the crowd, who've been showing up this past week, both girls AND boys have become rabid repeat fans. People wait outside the stage door weeping. Something is clearly working.
Hugh Jackman is everywhere this week and it appears he has really arrived in a big way, both in Hollywood and on Broadway - announcing his return to the Great White Way later this season in a solo musical; starring in a new Dreamworks action CGI extravaganza opening in theaters soon, REEL STEEL; as well as the biggest news of all (which is saying something), his being cast in the lead role of Jean Valjean in the big screen version of the international musical sensation LES MISERABLES, opposite Russell Crowe as Javert. Broadway babies have known since his Tony-winning work in the Peter Allen musical THE BOY FROM OZ that Hugh can cut up a carpet and knock out a tune like the best gypsies in town, but it is his immediate and lasting rapport with the audience and his eminently likeable manner that seems to pour forth from every orifice that make him perhaps the greatest Broadway leading man of the twenty-first century. With these new endeavors offering ample opportunities for Hugh to sing, strut and show his stuff for an international audience in a major way, his one-man-musical and LES MIZ are the ideal way to showcase his significant triple-threat talents in full while REEL STEEL fulfills his action star ascent. So, today we are going to take a look at some of Hugh's best filmed stage work as available on YouTube, complete with his equal parts rousing, exhilarating and phenomenal Tony Awards performances over the last few years - including this year's unforgettable duet with Neil Patrick Harris; as well as his inimitable take on the disco DREAMGIRLS knock-out "One Night Only", and, of course, a glimpse at his actual Tony-winning role itself as the Boy From Oz. In addition to all of that, we also have his pseudo-audition for LES MIZ in the form his duet with Anne Hathaway at the Oscars - and rumors are flying that Hathaway has been cast in the role of Fantine in the film after all, the character who sings the song they share in one of today's featured clips, the classic "On My Own". We also take a look at REEL STEEL and his brand new stage show in its tryout form in both Toronto and San Francisco, plus his live in-character retort to a cell phone while starring with Daniel Craig in A STEADY RAIN and much, much more!
Female impersonators dress in drag and sing or tell jokes, and that's the show. Jim Bailey sings. Charles Pierce was funny in a dress with a joke or anecdote. Peter Mac is much more. His impersonation becomes theatre with a mission. Becoming Judy allows him to portray Judy Garland and also to sing as himself, but way more than that, it offers a message of hope for all gay men trying to cope and make sense of their lifestyle.
Having racked up multiple top ten hits while still a mere teenager since he burst upon the music scene in 1999, songwriter and performer Shad Moss was once known as Lil Bow Wow and now goes by just Bow Wow, though he is building up a considerable enough film resume to consider now using only his Christian name to differentiate his various talents. Between LIKE MIKE, ROLL BOUNCE, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, Tyler Perry's MADEA'S BIG HAPPY FAMILY most recently, and, now, his villainous new role in THE FAMILY TREE, Moss has transitioned from rapper to leading man in much the same way that he seamlessly moved from boy wonder to the man behind his own music at Cash Money Records. With news on his forthcoming album UNDERRATED featuring collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj, among others, as well as a look back at his past albums and appearances - such as his movie musical debut in MTV's CARMEN: A HIP-HOPERA co-starring Beyonce Knowles, Mekhi Pfeiffer and Mos Def; as well as his memorable stint on ENTOURAGE - Moss also shares his individual observations on how the music industry has changed and morphed in the last fifteen years since he started out as Jermaine Dupri's protégé, as well as all about his upcoming film thriller RECALLED and working with the cast, crew and creatives of THE FAMILY TREE - Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney and Chi McBride included - and much, much more!
THE FAMILY TREE opens in select cities today.
Swooning baby boomers flock to the Ohio Theatre on opening night to follow the private lives of four blue-collared dropouts from New Jersey on their rise to stardom. A stellar cast, provoking story, and familiar songs will have you cheering these boys on as they climb up the charts and into your hearts.
Tony Award-winning actor Hal Holbrook will soon be releasing a memoir called HAROLD: The Boy Who Became Mark Twain (FSG; September 20, 2011).
Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the full cast joining star and three-time Tony Award winner Frank Langella as 'Gregor Antonescu' in Terence Rattigan's drama Man and Boy, directed by Maria Aitken.
In the late '60s, the late British guitarist and songwriter John Martyn broke ground by leaping from acoustic folk into highly successful experiments with tape delay, wild recording scenarios, and jazz-inspired arrangements. He became a cult figure among British musicians. A list of his admirers reads like a who's-who of rock, pop, and even trip hop: Eric Clapton, The Band's Levon Helm, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, The Cure's Robert Smith, Beck, Morcheeba.
York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) has announced the casts for Oh, Coward! and The Mad Show, the next titles in its Summer 2011 Musicals in Mufti Series-the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances.
The original Jersey Boy Frankie Valli will headline a one-night-only concert for his first-time-ever appearance at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. With his three-and-a-half-octave vocal range, over 100 million records sold and a multi-decade career, iconic Frankie Valli, along with his The Four Seasons, demonstrate why they are still the hottest ticket in town with a catalog of hits like: 'Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You,' 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' 'Rag Doll,' 'Grease,' 'Dawn,' 'Let's Hang On,' 'Sherry,' 'December 1963 (Oh What a Night)' and so many more.
Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is in over five hundred movie theaters starting on Wednesday and that simple fact is enough to make one want to celebrate with a thousand vodka stingers - and imbibe in the delectable Sondheim zingers. I was lucky enough to see COMPANY last week and I can tell you that not only is it the best live representation of the show that any audience could ask for - Broadway babies, Sondheim neophytes and everything in between and far, far beyond - but a considerable reexamination of the themes, elements, emotions and the steely, chrome machinations ringing within the heartbeat of the show's cynical core. Lonny Price's COMPANY is something unique in modern entertainment, on Broadway, on film or anywhere else - it is multi-dimensional in a revolutionary way that is, frankly, unprecedented. This is Broadway in the 21st century at its best with a cast led by the brightest stars in the Broadway and TV universe on full display for a film audience and if this enterprise is successful, the mind marvels at the endless possibilities this format could afford in the future, both near and far. Yes, this is what you have been waiting for - whoever you are. If you love music, if you love wit, if you love comedy, if you love to laugh and think simultaneously - COMPANY is for you. Yes, this is that kind of review - and, thank goodness it is. It's due all the praise of a birthday boy like Bobby - with a generous dose of icing black as death; or, night.
Icing
First Night: The Tony Concert, presented by Keeping Scores Concerts at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre on Monday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Featuring some of Nashville's biggest and brightest theater stars performing songs from Tony Award-winning musicals, the concert is the kick-off of the 2011 First Night Season, culminating with First Night, The Nashville Theatre Honors, which will be presented at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre on Sunday, September 4.
| 1917 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1919 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 1985 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Concert Off-Broadway |
| 2003 | Off-Broadway |
Musicals in Mufti Concert Off-Broadway |
Videos
