Let's Put On A Show - 2004 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 5

Mary Poppins, which opened at the Ahmanson on August 10 and runs through September 2, proves to be the perfect film to turn into a show. Flashy, whimsical, and packed with songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Feed the Birds, "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Let's Go Fly A Kite" that had America humming in 1965, the film provided Julie Andrews with her movie debut and an Oscar to boot. In its present incarnation, it is a splashy riot of color, comedy and song that had the audience I saw it with fairly rapturous after every big number.

The 2012-2013 Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre season was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie. The new season, the 46th season at the Music Center of Los Angeles, will include Jeff Goldblum in the West Coast premiere of the smart, sexy, new Broadway comedy "Seminar," Rachel York in the beloved 1930s musical romp - Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," the American premiere and pre-Broadway presentation of the dramatic musical "Backbeat" which features classic rock 'n' roll in its story of the birth of the Beatles, Tracie Bennett starring as the iconic Judy Garland in the West Coast premiere of the acclaimed play with music - "End of the Rainbow," and the daring new musical that explores a shocking event in American history - Kander and Ebb's "The Scottsboro Boys." In addition, the exuberant musical "Fela!" will return for a limited engagement as a bonus option to the season subscription.

A few days shy of the holiest week of the year for Christians - aptly named Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter (with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the most sacred events on the calendar coming between) - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's seminal rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was resurrected on Broadway by TOMMY and JERSEY BOYS director Des McAnuff - modeled after the hit Stratford Shakespeare Festival production last year and comprised of many of the same cast members, including all three leads - to hails of praise and hosannas, mostly. While JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR itself will always divide audiences and critics alike - and not merely because of its controversial content and its button-pushing treatment of the hallowed tale it tells - the magnetism and sheer power that Lloyd Webber's propulsive, throbbing rock score imbues gives the show an energy, vitality and life rare to find in even the most earnestly effervescent and energetic of comparable entities - the recently revived and similarly-themed GODSPELL in a revival a few blocks away included. Then, there are Tim Rice's lyrics - oh-so-spot-on in 1970, but still biting and edgy today in McAnuff's hi-tech and elaborately presented new Broadway production. Using the book of John as the jumping off point, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ (Paul Nolan) and his subsequent betrayal by Judas (Josh Young) and sentencing to death at the hands of King Herod and Pontius Pilate (Tom Hewitt). The twelve apostles, Mary Magdalene and her female companions, lepers, Pharisees, priests and others populate the grand story told almost entirely through song - the show is 90% music - and Webber and Rice's score never, ever lets up. While this may not be the most faithful rendering as far as the Bible is concerned, nor the most historically accurate, SUPERSTAR is now available to experience for a whole new generation thanks to this new revival and the timing could not be more ideal. The time is ripe for a revival of SUPERSTAR, and, as Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has recently related, this new production of the show is the best ever as far as he is concerned. High praise indeed - coming from no less than the Lord.

The April 2012 at the B. B. King Blues Club and Grill, NYC, has been announced, featuring Melanie and Oleta Adams.

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) announces the following concerts going on sale this week.

While Broadway fans know full well of Peter Filichia's prowess as a theatre columnist and critic, some may not be aware that he is one of those cliché-defying gents who can define both the infield fly rule and an 11 o'clock number. So in his terrific new book, Broadway Musical MVPs, he borrows a page from the sports section and picks a Most Valuable Player for the past 50 Broadway seasons.

Playwright Michael Patrick Flanagan Smith focuses on the last thoughts of Woody Guthrie in his new play with music, 'Woody Guthrie Dreams,' directed by Isabel Milenski, that will be presented by Theater for the New City from September 8 to October 1, 2011.

The Guthrie Theater's splash-hit production of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore boasts new musical arrangements by Andrew Cooke that borrow inspiration from disco, jazz and rock opera, which he argues help modern audiences appreciate the humor in the libretto. Captained by Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling, and featuring 'sumptuous costumes' by Fabio Toblini and 'arresting choreography' by David Bolger, the Guthrie's production of H.M.S. Pinafore has entertained audiences and critics alike with its 'continuous parade of stunning song-and-dance sequences.' The creative team also includes Frank Hallinan Flood (Set Designer), Malcolm Rippeth (Lighting Designer) and Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer).

Playwright Michael Patrick Flanagan Smith focuses on the last thoughts of Woody Guthrie in his new play with music, 'Woody Guthrie Dreams,' directed by Isabel Milenski, that will be presented by Theater for the New City from September 8 to October 1, 2011.

Pepsi, the premier partner of The X Factor, today announced that the winner(s) of the singing competition will be featured in a Pepsi commercial scheduled to air on NBC during Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012.

Legendary television writer/producer and composer Samuel Denoff died July 8, 2011 at his home in Brentwood, California. He was 83 and suffered from Alzheimers' Disease. Services will be held Monday July 11 at 11AM at the Groman mortuary at Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills, California.

The Rewind Show is a vision we have had for as long as we have been in the business of night clubs and event planning. We are tired of the same concept that every night-club in NYC has been stuck with over the years and think that it's time to change the way to party!

A new spin on the classic story of Alice and her Looking-Glass world, WONDERLAND is about a modern-day woman who goes on a life-changing adventure far below the streets of New York City, where a colorful cast of strange but familiar characters help her rediscover what's really important. So, what did the critics think? Let's find out...

Highline Ballroom located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue is pleased to announce it's upcoming shows. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketweb, online at ticketweb.com or at the Highline Box Office from noon until doors close at 866-468-7619.

Simon Cowell, Sony Music, FremantleMedia North America and FOX announced today that the highly anticipated singing competition series THE X FACTOR will award the show's winner with a record-breaking $5 million record deal - the largest guaranteed prize in television history - with Syco, a joint venture between Sony Music and Cowell.

The year 1921 was a busy one. Albert Einstein was lecturing in New York about his new Theory of Relativity, Charlie Chaplin's movie The Kid was released, Babe Ruth became the all time HR champ with #120, New York's Walter Kerr Theater opened, Turkey made peace with Armenia, President Harding dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie received its premiere on the Great White Way and on January 31st in California, Broadway legend Carol Channing was born. That's right. This inimical Broadway personality is celebrating her 90th birthday these days!

Rochelle Slovin, Director of Museum of the Moving Image, today announced the complete schedule for the screenings and programs that will celebrate the grand re-opening of America's only museum dedicated to film, television, and digital media.

Given the odds, for one to have been involved with a singular Broadway success would be impressive. To have been involved with two would solidify one's status as a true Broadway 'player.' How about 4, running at the same time? Only two artists have been able to boast such an accomplishment, the first being Susan Stroman, whose productions of Contact, The Producers, The Music Man, and Thou Shalt Not all ran simultaneously for a short time in 2001. Last season, Broadway's go-to choreographer, Sergio Trujillo, joined her company with his superfecta of Next to Normal, Jersey Boys, The Addams Family and Memphis. It appears that like Jersey Boys, Memphis, and The Addams Family, Trujillo is showing no signs of breaking his streak, or going anywhere, with new projects in the pipeline incoming.

Rochelle Slovin, Director of Museum of the Moving Image, today announced the complete schedule for the screenings and programs that will celebrate the grand re-opening of America's only museum dedicated to film, television, and digital media.

Legendary stage, film and television star Dick Van Dyke brings Step In Time! A Musical Memoir to the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre @ the Geffen Playhouse opening December 16. He has much to say in our interview about his career and the people he's worked with.

Ever since Carly discovered the voice of Freddie Mercury, she has been in love with his theatrical, rocker glam persona. Freddie Mercury could sing anything...in any style, and that alone is an art to celebrate. After covering and loving his music for years, Ms. Ozard and musical director Joe Wicht are creating 'Somebody To Love: My Musical Tribute to Freddie Mercury.' Carly will be Queen for a day, paying homage to her idol, and sharing historic and interesting facts about Mercury's public and intimate lifestyle. Carly relates to Mercury's flair for theatrical and dramatic performing, incorporating his work into a night of fabulous cabaret.

Peter Filichia the author of the new informative and entertaining book: Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit and the Biggest Flop of the Season - 1959 to 2009 will be the guest of Michael Bourne on the WBGO Journal, 7:30 PM this Friday, October 15th, 88.3FM or streaming on wbgo.org.

Peter Filichia the author of the new informative and entertaining book: Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit and the Biggest Flop of the Season - 1959 to 2009 will be the guest of Michael Bourne on the WBGO Journal, 7:30 PM this Friday, October 15th, 88.3FM or streaming on wbgo.org. The entire interview will be available after 8:00 pm at wbgo.org/news/journal. Michael Bourne has been a New York theatre critic going on 30 years,. He is a member of the Outer Critics Circle. Mr. Bourne is the arts critic-at-large for the WBGO Journal, as well as the everyday afternoon 'drive jock' (2:00 -6:30 PM) on WBGO (the jazz station) and also the Sunday (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM) host of 'Singers Unlimited' for 25 years.

Peter Filichia the author of the new informative and entertaining book: Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit and the Biggest Flop of the Season - 1959 to 2009 will be the guest of Michael Bourne on the WBGO Journal, 7:30 PM this Friday, October 15th, 88.3FM or streaming on wbgo.org.

Peter Filichia the author of the new informative and entertaining book: Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit and the Biggest Flop of the Season - 1959 to 2009 will be the guest of Michael Bourne on the WBGO Journal, 7:30 PM this Friday, October 15th, 88.3FM or streaming on wbgo.org. The entire interview will be available after 8:00 pm at wbgo.org/news/journal. Michael Bourne has been a New York theatre critic going on 30 years,. He is a member of the Outer Critics Circle. Mr. Bourne is the arts critic-at-large for the WBGO Journal, as well as the everyday afternoon 'drive jock' (2:00 -6:30 PM) on WBGO (the jazz station) and also the Sunday (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM) host of 'Singers Unlimited' for 25 years.