Play Yourself - 2002 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 14

Culled from as A-list a list as you are ever likely to acquire - Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Michael Mayer, Theresa Rebeck and Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman onwards - SMASH is the adult answer to riveting dramatic musical entertainment coming with heart, laughs, unforgettable characters and some of the biggest twists this side of the starry stages on the Great White Way. Oh, yeah, and those hallowed Broadway halls, too. Plus, SMASH provides a great new opportunity to showcase the unbelievable talent on display on the stages of Broadway and Off-Broadway and beyond, particularly given the fact that it is shot in New York and it is being cast by the biggest casting director on Broadway, Bernie Telsey. Consider the theatre-centric casting LAW & ORDER times seventy six (trombones). All of New York is the talent pool from which the stage of SMASH shall be set. And, what exactly is SMASH about, anyway? Well, SMASH is all about Broadway and what makes a musical tick - from the very inception of the show's idea by the songwriters, through writing, rehearsals and the road; all the way to the big Broadway opening where dreams are made - and nightmares born - on one magnificent, momentous night. As viewers, we are taken inside the ticking clock of the show and we experience each and every one of the multitude of machinations enacted by everyone from the stars - Marilyn Monroe, and the actress playing her, Ivy; and, more importantly, her alternative, Karen - to the overworked director (Derek), harried songwriters Tom and Julia, and the speculative and cutthroat producer behind it all, Eileen.

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 John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 16th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Festival will present "Corky Hale And Friends," featuring Corky Hale, the critically acclaimed and renowned Jazz Harpist, Pianist and Vocalist on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Terrace Theater of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; 2700 F Street, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20566.

Today we are talking to the composer of the new Broadway musical WONDERLAND, who is the only American composer to have had three of his shows running concurrently on Broadway - JEKYLL & HYDE, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL and THE CIVIL WAR - and has since solidified himself as one of the most successful international musical theatre composers of the 21st century, with his globe-spanning productions of everything from THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO in Switzerland to CYRANO in Tokyo to TEARS OF HEAVEN in Korea to the forthcoming Broadway production of BONNIE & CLYDE - the warm and gracious Frank Wildhorn. Over the span of our considerable discussion last week we touched on everything from his pop music roots writing hits for Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers, to his tenure at Atlantic Records and his series of recordings, shows and concerts with muse Linda Eder, as well as a thorough discussion of his compositional process, what inspires him in a story, his own favorite musicals, what the future holds - EXCALIBUR with Jim Steinman, perhaps? The world premiere of the long-awaited HAVANA? JEKYLL & HYDE: THE MOVIE MUSICAL? - and much, much more!

Supremely gifted. Stupendously stunning. Stupefying in her ability to hold magnetic sway over an audience. Kerry Ellis simply has it all and, now, following the worldwide success of her truly awesome collaboration with Queen's Brian May on their epic rock album ANTHEMS, May and Ellis are hitting the road for a UK tour kicking off at the Royal Albert Hall later this month. Over the weekend Kerry was kind enough to take a look back at her career with me - which includes her earth-shattering turns in WICKED in both the West End and on Broadway, plus her unforgettable turns in CHESS: LIVE IN CONCERT, on CD and DVD, as well as OLIVER and more - plus, we take a look ahead to what she would like to tackle next: a one-woman-musical ala TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, perhaps? Whatever she chooses to do, judging from her track record it is clear she will knock it clear out of the park.

Florida Repertory Theatre presents A Little More Than You Wanted to Spend, a new play written and performed by Florida Rep Associate Artistic Director, Chris Clavelli. Spend is a one-man tour-de-force that leads the audience down a harrowing, darkly hysterical journey of despair and spiritual triumph, playing in the Florida Rep Studio Theatre on March 20 and 21 at 8pm. Dennis Cunningham of CBS News called A Little More Than You Wanted to Spend 'a riveting human experience played out in an amazing performance by the urgent and compelling Chris Clavelli.'

Today we are talking to one of the most influential musical theatre writers of all time, having written the book and lyrics for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, CHESS and many more, as well as contributing lyrics to the stage adaptation of Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST and winning Oscars for his work on Disney's ALADDIN with Alan Menken and THE LION KING with Elton John - as well as sharing a Tony for Best Score with Elton John for AIDA in 2002 - who is now preparing for the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ for which the superstar composing team has rejoined once again to pen five new songs - Sir Tim Rice. Discussing everything from his 70s Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborations to CHESS to the first news on his new musical version of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, to GLEE and beyond, plus a look at his roots - all with an emphasis on his commitment to craft and bringing new audiences to the theatre. Sir Tim was kind and generous enough to illuminate his illustrious career in Hollywood, the West End and on Broadway exclusively for BroadwayWorld.

The final week of the Midsumma Identity exhibition and following the huge success of the Midsumma theatre events, February kicks off with the Melbourne premiere of Skin Tight by Gary Henderson.

The final week of the Midsumma Identity exhibition and following the huge success of the Midsumma theatre events, February kicks off with the Melbourne premiere of Skin Tight by Gary Henderson.

With Spidey's official opening postponed yet another month, we get a peek inside the Foxwoods Theatre with Dana.

Huntington Theatre Company presents a gripping production of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning play that takes an unflinching look at the savagery of war and sees survival

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.

Arguably one of Broadway's most beloved, sought-after talents, Tony Award winner Sutton Foster is returning to Southern California this week to make her Orange County Performing Arts Center debut for a series of intimate concerts. Performing at the Samueli Theater from January 6 through January 9, Foster's intimate set will feature many of her hits from her stellar Broadway career as well as a few personal favorites and selections from her debut solo album Wish, available on Ghostlight Records. She will soon star in the Kathleen Marshall-helmed Broadway revival of ANYTHING GOES this spring.

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.

The Firehouse Theatre Project proudly announces a very special Readers' Theatre Series event, Scott Organ's 'Phoenix', to be performed Sunday, December 5, 2010.

The Firehouse Theatre Project proudly announces a very special Readers' Theatre Series event, Scott Organ's 'Phoenix', to be performed Sunday, December 5, 2010.

This month, Broadway World is showcasing actor and recording artist Justin Guarini, who is making his Broadway debut as Carlos in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, based on the 1988 film of the same title.

THE CORNELIA STREET CAFE has announced an exciting schedule of events for the month of November full of diverse musical styles for all kinds of musical tastes!

THE CORNELIA STREET CAFE has announced an exciting schedule of events for the month of November full of diverse musical styles for all kinds of musical tastes!

Denise--who's always in pop/rock musicals, whether on B'way, tour or regionally--costars in the new a cappella show.

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will open its 2010-2011 season with Matthew Lombardo's HIGH, starring movie and stage actress Kathleen Turner. After its Cincinnati run, HIGH will move to Broadway early in 2011. This powerful and gripping adult drama begins previews in the Playhouse's Robert S. Marx Theatre September 4 and continues through October 2.

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. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe's Pub gives voice to a world of varied and stellar artists.

Carmen Pavlovic, C.E.O. of Global Creatures, the company behind the phenomenal world-wide success, Walking with Dinosaurs - the Arena Spectacular, has announced that a creative team has been assembled and work has begun on KING KONG - Live on Stage, an entirely new production conceived for the Broadway stage. KING KONG - Live on Stage is authorized by the estate of Merian C. Cooper (Creator of KING KONG and director of the 1933 film).

Highline Ballroom is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will open its 2010-2011 season with Matthew Lombardo's HIGH, starring movie and stage actress Kathleen Turner. After its Cincinnati run, HIGH will move to Broadway early in 2011. This powerful and gripping adult drama begins previews in the Playhouse's Robert S. Marx Theatre September 4 and continues through October 2.