I'm Still Here...Damn It! - 1998 - Broadway Articles Page 15

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Annie,' 'Mamma Mia!,' 'Dreamgirls,' 'Billy Elliot,' Michael Ingersoll, 'Parade,' more.....

The critically acclaimed GROOVALOOS captured the hearts of America when they were the winners of NBC's "Superstars of Dance."

With the strains of 'Auld Lang Syne' mere moments away, minds are apt to be caught up in reflection, remembering the year now ending as a new one awaits just over the horizon. Certainly that's what I've been doing lately, looking back over the past year in Nashville theatre as I pencil in dates in my new 2010 (Here's a question to ponder: Is it 'two thousand ten' or 'twenty ten'...think about it and get back to me) calendar for the shows set to open in the months ahead.

For the seven Washington-Baltimore based members of the RAGTIME cast who originated the production at the Kennedy Center and remained a part of its transfer to Broadway, the show's closing is bittersweet. In a feature out in the Washington Post today, Donna Migliaccio (Emma Goldman), Dan Manning (Grandfather), Sumayya Ali (Ensemble), Tracy Lynn Olivera (Ensemble), Christopher Cox (Narrator), Ben Cook (Narrator Understudy), and Sarah Rosenthal (The Little Girl) weigh in on just what Ragtime, and making their Broadway debuts, has meant to them.

The fall temperatures may be getting colder, but the DC area theatre scene is heating up with many musicals, including a new "intimate" production of a 1927 American classic, a Tony-Award Winning family saga, and so many choices - well - take a look for yourself at what this diverse theatre community has to offer in November. This is a great time to celebrate the upcoming holidays with your family, so bring the kids, grandparents, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins to see that Orphan girl and her dog, a Disney heroine, and enjoy an early Christmas, and many more shows to bring in the cheer and joy of the holiday season. We have so much to be thankful for this month, so come to our nation's capital and celebrate the joy of theatre with us!

This past Sunday, Bruce Weber penned a big review of Tiny Kushner in the new Bay Area section now appearing in West Coast editions of the Times.

Sandra Bernhard, singer, satirist and irreverent comic, brings her new show, 'Whatever It Takes' to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF for two weeks, the first set through October 17 and the second Oct 20-25.

Sandra Bernhard, singer, satirist and irreverent comic, brings her new show, 'Whatever It Takes' to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF for two weeks, October 13-17 and Oct 20-25.

Sandra Bernhard, singer, satirist and irreverent comic, brings her new show, 'Whatever It Takes' to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF for two weeks, the first set through October 17 and the second Oct 20-25.

Sandra Bernhard, singer, satirist and irreverent comic, brings her new show, 'Whatever It Takes' to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF for two weeks, October 13-17 and Oct 20-25.

Sandra Bernhard, singer, satirist and irreverent comic, brings her new show, 'Whatever It Takes' to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF for two weeks, October 13-17 and Oct 20-25.

Sandra Bernhard, singer, satirist and irreverent comic, brings her new show, 'Whatever It Takes' to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF for two weeks, October 13-17 and Oct 20-25.

Sandra Bernhard, singer, satirist and irreverent comic, brings her new show, 'Whatever It Takes' to The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF for two weeks, October 13-17 and Oct 20-25.

When a professional theater in suburban Chicago bills a lone actor above the title, expect great things. I mean, it doesn't happen very often. In the opening seconds of Theatre at the Center's production of the musical stage version of 'Footloose' now open in Munster, Indiana, the actor in question, Matt Raftery (starring as Ren), executes an impressive aerial move, half hip-hop and half gymnastics. The show explodes to an exciting start!

Two countries, three generations, 22 turbulent years-and a dynamic soundtrack ranging from Syd Barrett to The Plastic People of the Universe to U2-are at the heart of Rock 'n' Roll, a sweeping and passionate drama about love, music and revolution from Academy Award and four-time Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard.

Two countries, three generations, 22 turbulent years-and a dynamic soundtrack ranging from Syd Barrett to The Plastic People of the Universe to U2-are at the heart of Rock 'n' Roll, a sweeping and passionate drama about love, music and revolution from Academy Award and four-time Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard.

Young actor Zac Efron revealed to EW.com why he pulled out of the Footloose remake: He didn't want to be type-cast as the musical guy.

Sutton Foster's debut CD 'Wish' was released February 17th on Ghostlight Records. The album features 15 songs culled from the worlds of jazz, pop, Broadway and cabaret, and highlights Foster's eclectic choices, ranging from Patty Griffin's ?Nobody's Cryin' to Duke Ellington's ?I Like the Sunrise'...from Frank Loesser's ?Warm All Over' to John Denver's ?Sunshine on My Shoulders'. Tony-winner Foster also looks forward to a sold-out, February 19th, NYC appearance, as part of the popular Lincoln Center Songbook Series. On February 27th, Foster will perform and sign CDs at an In-Store appearance at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center, at 5 pm. Currently starring as Princess Fiona in Broadway's ?Shrek the Musical', Sutton Foster was given high praise by Ben Brantley of The New York Times, who compared her to musical royalty: 'She has emerged as an inspired, take-charge musical comedian in the tradition of Danny Kaye and Carol Burnett...' Foster's unique ability to be irreverent and respectful from moment-to-moment shines through on ?Wish', as her voice wallops through ?Oklahoma' (a bonus track,) only minutes after a delicate, warm delivery of Noel Coward's ?Come The Wild, Wild Weather.' She is a musical chameleon with a voice as appealing as her down-to-earth personality. ?Wish' was Produced by Joel Moss, and Co-Produced by Michael Rafter. Executive Producers are Kurt Deutsch and Sutton Foster. The CD package features original artwork by Sutton Foster.

Music arranger Angela Morley, who won Emmys for arranging two of Julie Andrews television specials has died at 84 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She's said to have passed away from complications of a fall and a subsequent heart attack. The three-time Emmy winner, also received Oscar nominations for adaptaing the songs in the musicals 'The Little Prince' and 'The Slipper and the Rose' This prolific woman also wrote her own official bio for her web site, which we reprint below. A very full life! Our thoughts and prayers go out to her partner Christine Parker, along with her son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during this difficult time.

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.

Mayumi, a 'Contact' alum, has been dancing on NYC stages since she was a teen and is now playing one.

One of the Farmboys really was a farmboy and has a background in ballet, cruise ships and 2 previous B'way shows.

Penguin Rep, a suburban Equity house formed in 1977 as a community theater, is presenting 'The Goldman Project' in NYC.

BWW salutes 'Beauty' in its final month on Broadway with a profile of the man inside one of the Enchanted Objects.

We got the chance to talk with Jim Brochu and Steve Schlachlin the creators, songwriter, book writer, and stars of the, relatively, new Off-Broadway show 'The Big Voice: God or Merman'. The discuss whether they are characters or not, and what happens when they are replaced... We also hear them perform two songs from the show in an exclusive, in-studio performance!