Yes Yes, No No - 1968 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 7

The audiences at Miller Outdoor Theatre got a big, fat welcome back to the early 1960s, where tall hair and bright, jarring outfits were all the rage, thanks to TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre's fun and boisterous production of HAIRSPRAY. With a pastiche score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman and witty book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan HAIRSPRAY is a faithful musical version of John Waters' 1988 film of the same name. The story follows larger-than-life Tracy Turnblad as she tries to secure a coveted spot on the famous Corny Collins Show -- no easy task thanks to the show's producer, Velma Von Tussle and her daughter, Amber. Backed by her doting father Wilbur, plus-sized and hesitant mother Edna, and sheltered best friend Penny, Tracy won't let anything stop her as she sets out to change Baltimore, and the world, for good. The stage was full of wonderful performers, so much so that it was difficult to choose whom to watch. 

When I first heard that Peter Quilter's End of the Rainbow, the story of the demise of Judy Garland during her gig in December, 1968 at Talk of the Town, London, was going to be produced at ICT, Long Beach, I remember thinking 'They'd better get a super dynamic actress. Not everyone can play Judy Garland!' Whether you believe that the events that happen onstage really did occur seems irrelevant in ICT's production; what is all wrong is the casting. Unfortunately, Gigi Bermingham, a fine actress/singer, just does not make the cut. Within five minutes of her first entrance, I saw a woman playing an actress/singer with emotional problems, but that woman might as well be herself; it is not Judy Garland.

the cell in association with The Furies will present a newly adapted version of Henrik Ibsen's GHOSTS entitled GHOSTS AFTER IBSEN written by Thomas Kilroy and directed by Austin Pendleton. Previews begin Monday, March 2, 2015 and the production will run until Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the cell, 338W 23rd St. The official opening will be on Friday, March 6th at 7:00 PM.

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

Gary Naylor sees a spectacular musical that has its heart, if not always its sense of humour, in the right place as the Essex Girls of 1968 come out on top.

This is one of the most fabulous, intimate musicals you will ever see: Metro Stage's revival of Janet Pryce and Thomas W. Jones II's Three Sistahs features a brilliant, gospel-inspired musical score by local composer William Hubbard and one of the strongest casts on the DC theatre scene; it all adds up to an unforgettable family portrait.

"I really, really miss high school theatre." This was the first thought I had as I entered, sat and watched, and exited McCallum Fine Arts Academy' production of The Producers. Because I first-handedly know how much work- and how much fun- it is to spend countless hours rehearsing (need to interject that these dedicated students spent their summer rehearsing for this show), running the show countless times, and making several costume and set changes, showstopping numbers, and putting on a beloved Broadway musical on their high school stage look easy. And MacTheatre pulled it off.

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

In 1968 'Hair,' dubbed the American Tribal Love-Rock musical, exploded on Broadway. It shocked the nation, but gave an accurate picture of a world rocked with chaos. The Vietnam war raged, the peace movement flourished, draft cards were burned, rebellion against traditional values exploded. 'Drugs, sex and rock and roll' became the mantra of the day and were clearly exposed on stage. The show's book was strong and the score was filled with top ten hits including 'Aquarius,' 'Good Morning Starshine,' 'I Believe in Love,' and 'Where Do I Go?' It became the seminal musical theatre offering illustrating 'theater representing the era from which it comes.'

"It was never going to be South Pacific. It's the same place at the same time - but it's not the same." It's a very different experience talking to Stuart Brayson, creator of From Here To Eternity. He's not a cautious, guarded first-time West End composer; he's outspoken, funny and honest.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present Ian Buchanan and Mariette Hartley starring in THE LION IN WINTER, written by James Goldman and directed by Stephanie Vlahos. THE LION IN WINTER will preview tonight, April 16; Thursday, April 17; and Friday, April 18 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, April 19 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, May 18 at The Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center Mall.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present Ian Buchanan and Mariette Hartley starring in THE LION IN WINTER, written by James Goldman and directed by Stephanie Vlahos. THE LION IN WINTER will preview on Wednesday, April 16; Thursday, April 17; and Friday, April 18 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, April 19 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, May 18 at The Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center Mall.

Max von Essen, Erin Davie, Alli Mauzey and other Bway stars will sing lesser-known tunes by the lyricist of 'Peter Pan' and 'Little Me'.

The Old Vic today announced its programme for Summer/Autumn 2014. The CQS Space, The Old Vic in the round, will be home to the whole season of productions, continuing after Other Desert Cities which opens this month. The plays will be performed in the round, a transformation of The Old Vic's auditorium first seen for the award-winning 2008 production of The Norman Conquests. The season of productions is supported for the fourth consecutive year by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Joe McGinniss, Sr., American author known for his best-selling The Selling of the President 1968 which described the marketing of then-presidential candidate Richard Nixon, has died at the age of 71. He authored eleven works, including his last bookwas The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin, an account of Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska who was the unsuccessful 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee.

BroadwayWorld recently had a chance to catch up with Jim Rado, co-writer of Hair, to discuss the show's history, its groundbreaking contribution to musical theatre, and the revisions made for the current touring production…

Ted Sod: Will you tell us about yourself? Where were you born and educated? When did you decide you wanted to direct?

In Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre's 'The Republic, or My Dinner with Socrates,' playwright/director Vit Horejs dramatizes the historic role of the renowned philosopher with toga-clad puppets, shadow figures and live music. The play's world premiere will be presented by La Mama E.T.C. in association with GOH Productions from tonight, November 29 to December 15 in its First Floor Theater at 74A East Fourth Street.

Sometimes, it's nice to be reminded that rules have exceptions.

In Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre's 'The Republic, or My Dinner with Socrates,' playwright/director Vit Horejs dramatizes the historic role of the renowned philosopher with toga-clad puppets, shadow figures and live music. The play's world premiere will be presented by La MaMa E.T.C. in association with GOH Productions from November 29 to December 15 in its First Floor Theater at 74A East Fourth Street.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the full schedule and complete lineup for the upcoming film series, Jean-Luc Godard - The Spirit of the Forms.

A high point of the first part of the play is when King asks Camae what she would say to the world if she were in his shoes, and she literally puts on his shoes (and coat) and launches into her own oratory, which is surprising and intelligent, if quite different from King's perspective on the conflict between the races.

Famed singer, actress and Broadway star Eydie Gormé has died at age 84. Spokesperson Howard Bragman said 'Legendary singer and performer Eydie Gorme passed away peacefully today at Sunrise Hospital following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her husband, son and other loved ones at the time of her death.' In his own statement, Steve Lawrence said: 'Eydie has been my partner on stage and in life for more than 55 years. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and even more the first time I heard her sing. While my personal loss is unimaginable, the world has lost one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time.'

The short Webber classic becomes a montage of stage dance history as Marc Robin reinterprets JOSEPH as a celebration of great choreographers

I suppose Richard Foreman doesn't have many talkbacks after performances of his plays because, really, how many times can you respond to an audience member asking, 'What the f***?'