On July 5th, 1962, twenty-five year old aspiring playwright Lanford Wilson arrived in New York City. He would soon find a home at the legendary Caffe Cino, the birthplace of Off-Off Broadway and American Gay Theatre, where his first one-act plays were performed. But on this particular night he was homeless, so he slept in Central Park. The date was eventually immortalized as the title of his 1978 comedy The Fifth of July, which would come to Broadway in 1980 and earn the playwright his first Tony nomination. The distinguished playwright Robert Patrick once said to me, “Above all, I was doorman at The Caffe Cino, of which I am very proud. I let Lanford Wilson into The Cino for the first time.” Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Friday, July 05, 2013 @ 12:05 PM Posted by: Michael Dale
Some very popular Broadway songs began their lives being cut from the musical they were written for. Cole Porter cut “Easy To Love” from Anything Goes because William Gaxton was having trouble singing it. Stephen Sondheim cut “Can That Boy Foxtrot” from Follies when he was inspired to write the more potent “I’m Still Here.” But there can be no doubt that the most popular song ever cut from a Broadway musical was the tune Irving Berlin dropped from his 1918 military revue, Yip, Yip, Yaphank, because he felt it was “too sticky.” The song? “God Bless America” Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Thursday, July 04, 2013 @ 07:56 PM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
"My conduct, this day, I expect will give the finishing blow to my once too great, and my integrity considered now, too diminished popularity. It will be my lot to know that I had rather vote away the enjoyment of that dazzling display, that pleasing possession, than the blood and happiness of my countrymen—too fortunate, amidst their calamities, if I prove a truth known in Heaven, that I had rather they should hate me than that I should hurt them. I might indeed, practice an artful, an advantageous reserve upon this occasion, but thinking as I do on the subject of debate, silence would be guilt." – John Dickinson, before congress, on his refusal to vote for independence, July 1, 1776 While the rest of the country celebrates Independence Day with barbeques and fireworks, musical theatre lovers like me will gather around their television sets for the traditional viewing of what I and many others call the finest film ever made from a Broadway musical, 1776. Movie lovers hate this one because it's so stagy, but that's exactly what I love about it. With Broadway director Peter Hunt serving the same duties behind the camera and bookwriter Peter Stone adapting his work and Sherman Edward's score for the screen, plus a congress of stage actors, many of them repeating roles they originated on Broadway, 1776 comes about as close as you can get to recreating the live theatre experience on film without simply sticking a camera in row G center orchestra. But while 1776 is often cited as having one of, if not the best book ever written for a musical (everyone knows the story will end with congress voting for independence and yet Stone brilliantly makes you wonder how the devil its going to happen), I'd like to take a moment to address a gross historical inaccuracy. One that makes a villain out of a true American hero. I'm talking about the musical's depiction of the delegate from the colony of Pennsylvania, Mr. John Dickinson. While the authors paint Dickinson, especially memorable in Donald Madden's film portrayal, as a sneering elitist man of property who objects to independence for fear of the harm it may cause his personal economy, the actual John Dickinson is remembered by historians as one of the great heroes of the revolution. But what separates him from the other famous founding fathers is that, married to a devout Quaker and influenced by the practices of that society for most of his life, Dickinson was a pacifist. Oh sure, he once got into a fight in the middle of Pennsylvania's general assembly during a particularly spirited debate and he did recognize that circumstances may sometimes dictate war as a means of defense, but when Stone has the character calling for "a gentler means of resolving our grievances than revolution" it accurately conveys the man's passionate belief in diplomacy and non-violence as means of settling disputes. (Though when Stone has Dickinson derogatorily calling John Adams, "Lawyer!" it doesn't make much sense since he was one himself.) The musical has Adams saying Thomas Jefferson writes "ten times better than any man in congress," but in actuality it's John Dickinson who was known as "The Penman of the Revolution." His 12-part essay, Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies, was considered a major influence in convincing colonists to unite against Parliament's taxes levied by the Townshend Acts, and so impressed Benjamin Franklin that he published it for distribution in England. In the musical, when John Adams pressures Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence by quoting his work in the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, he is actually repeating the words of John Dickinson. Though congress gave Jefferson the first crack at drafting the document meant to explain to the world why blood was being spilled between colonists and the army of their mother country, his version was considered too forceful, so Dickinson was asked to write a new version using softer language. It was he who penned, "…the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves." (Did Stone just mess up here or was he perhaps having Adams playing a mind game with Jefferson? No, I think he just messed up.) (Oh, and speaking of slaves, Dickinson was the only founding father to free all of his slaves in his own lifetime, beginning the expensive legal process in 1777.) Jefferson also wrote the first draft of the Olive Branch Petition in 1775; a letter directed to King George III stating that the colonies favor reconciliation over revolution but again Dickinson was brought in to make revisions. And while Jefferson was busy scribbling his parchment with what would become the Declaration of Independence, Dickinson was assigned, at the same time, to head the committee that would write the Articles of Confederation, reasoning that the colonies couldn't declare anything as a whole without an outline for how they would unite. When the declaration was debated and accepted, John Dickinson stood quietly in the back and refused to vote. He could see the inevitable, but stood by his convictions and was the only member of congress to not sign. Many considered him a traitor for his inaction while others admired his courage in sticking with his unpopular beliefs. When the musical's Hancock remarks that they are about to "brave the storm on a skiff made of paper" he is actually quoting Dickinson's argument against sending his ill-prepared countrymen to fight against what was then the world's greatest army. Dickinson did serve briefly in the Continental Army and was a member of the Constitutional Convention, putting his writing skills to further patriotic use by authoring a series of letters, under the penname "Fabius," calling for ratification. Perhaps 1776 would not have grabbed audiences so strongly if the main conflict was between the rebellious John Adams and an eloquent proponent of non-violence who was working hard to help his country through diplomacy. Sometimes people like having good guys and bad guys clearly defined for them. Nevertheless, on the day when we honor American patriots, let's not forget those who strived to win battles with words instead of guns. Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Thursday, July 04, 2013 @ 03:09 AM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
Tense moment tonight at Marie's Crisis. Someone referred to The Sound of Music as a movie. Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Thursday, July 04, 2013 @ 12:44 AM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
The title character of his 1904 musical comedy Little Johnny Jones may have proudly sung that he was born on the Fourth of July, but the baptismal certificate of one George Michael Cohan clearly states that the beloved entertainer came into this world on the third. If you happen to be around Times Square today, drop by his statue and give him your regards. Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 @ 11:47 AM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
These days a lot of young theatre fans go to their favorite shows 20, 30 or more times. When I was their age I saw my favorite shows only once. Because they usually closed on opening night. #OnwardVictoria #DanceALittleCloser #TeaneckTanzi:TheVenusFlytrap Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Monday, July 01, 2013 @ 12:15 AM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
“This is the part where people usually start walking out,” says Abigoliah Schamaun after cracking a joke about the two things her fellow people of German ancestry are best known for. “I’m going to put it at the 35 minute mark because by that time they can’t demand a refund.” I’ve become a quick fan of her monthly variety showcase at the C&C, Abigoliah’s Bizarre Bazaar with Matteo Lane; a kind of stand-up comedy show dipped in a family un-friendly carnival, where she practices her deliciously rude brand of humor. In fact, her bits about abortion, female body image and lesbian sex might be stirring up the same kind of protests that some of her male colleagues have been getting, if not for her gender. Her punch-line about being asked to pose for porn photos comes with a sweet smile that delights in the fact that she can get away with saying it. Her co-host, Matteo Lane, who probably looks better in skinny jeans than any comic in the tri-state area, can sing Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro in dramatic soprano (“That’s how I came out to my father.”) and hilariously spoof Britney Spears giving voice lessons. He also swirls up a mean cotton candy, which is given away free to all audience members, and is an accomplished illustrator whose talent as a portrait artist is offered as a raffle prize. Last week’s eclectic gang of performers included contortionist Kyoko Katsura, boy-lesque strip-teaser Matt Knife and high-speed comic Bob Hansen, who broke an official Guinness world record by telling 24 jokes in one minute. Our hostess, who is also known to eat light bulbs and flaming torches, then challenged a human pin cushion known as “The Goon” to a needle-off, where they took turns sticking the long pointy things through their bodies, climaxing with The Goon pushing one into his mouth that came out through his jaw. Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Sunday, June 30, 2013 @ 10:22 PM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
Click here for a terrific story that's been circulating around Facebook for the past several hours, where Jesse Tyler Ferguson describes how the cast of Shakespeare In The Park's The Comedy of Errors performed unplugged after their rain-soaked sound system went on the fritz. Old School Theatre! Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ 12:05 PM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 10 Greatest Musicals of all time includes The Book of Mormon but not My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Kiss Me, Kate, Company, In My Life*, Chicago, South Pacific or Dreamgirls. *Just checking to see if you’re paying attention Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ 11:55 AM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
The Mint Theater Company, one of the real jewels of Off-Broadway, revives N.C. Hunter's funny and touching, A Picture of Autumn. My review here. Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ 12:32 AM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
Does anybody else remember Needleheimer's? It was a nice little cafe/ice cream shop that Martin Charnin opened in the theatre district that was named after the way Elizabeth Taylor mispronounced James Nederlander's name at the Tony Awards. I used to go there a lot after shows. Their menu had a Two Cents Plain that actually cost two cents and a dessert called "The Annie: Have One Today, The Hell With Tomorrow." I can't find any info about it on the Internet. Click here to follow Michael Dale on Twitter.
Posted on: Friday, June 28, 2013 @ 01:57 PM Posted by: Michael Dale | Leave Feedback
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Nevertheless, as a composer, lyricist, bookwriter, performer, director and producer, Cohan is regarded as the one most responsible for evolving the European-style musical entertainments that dominated American stages during our country’s first century and a quarter into the brash, presentational form we now recognize as the Broadway musical comedy.
The self-proclaimed “Fattest Yoga Instructor in New York City” (Her stand-up act sometimes includes impressive demonstrations of flexibility, which are usually followed by remarks about her own promiscuity.) is refining material to be used in her return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; a one-woman show titled Subtle. New Yorkers can get a free sneak preview at 
About Michael: After 20-odd years singing, dancing and acting in
dinner theatres, summer stocks and the ever-popular
audience participation murder mysteries (try
improvising with audiences after they?ve had two hours
of open bar), Michael Dale segued his theatrical
ambitions into playwriting. The buildings which once
housed the 5 Off-Off Broadway plays he penned have all
been destroyed or turned into a Starbucks, but his
name remains the answer to the trivia question, "Who
wrote the official play of Babe Ruth's 100th
Birthday?" He served as Artistic Director for The
Play's The Thing Theatre Company, helping to bring
free live theatre to underserved communities, and
dabbled a bit in stage managing and in directing
cabaret shows before answering the call (it was an
email, actually) to become BroadwayWorld.com's first
Chief Theatre Critic. While not attending shows
Michael can be seen at Shea Stadium pleading for the
Mets to stop imploding. Likes: Strong book musicals
and ambitious new works. Dislikes: Unprepared
celebrities making their stage acting debuts by
starring on Broadway and weak bullpens.
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