Theatrefan

“Vicky Christina Barcelona” Screening Party

Jessica Vachal — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:01:13 +0000

Woody Allen

A new Woody Allen film has arrived, titled, “Vicky Christina Barcelona” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and the screening party was a huge success - with the photos making it up on Broadwayworld.com the place where all Broadway fans go to get all their Broadway performers fixes.

Telling the story of two American tourists and a painter who begins a relationship with them, “Vicky, Christina Barcelona” continues as things get complicated when the painter’s ex-girlfriend gets jealous. Starring Penelope Cruz, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Patricia Clarkson and Scarlett Johansson.

New York Pops 25th Birthday Gala

Jessica Vachal — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:47:37 +0000

Michael Cavanaugh

“Play To Win” was the theme of this year’s New York Pops Birthday Gala - it’s 25th! - and you can rest assured that the night included a slew of performances from some of Broadway’s favorite artists. Taking place on April 28, the photos from the event are finally available and posted on Broadwayworld.com so you can look at all your Broadway favorites as they celebrated together on that eventful night.

From Michael Cavanaugh playing and singing “Movin’ Out” from that Billy Joel Musical of the same name, to Jason Danieley performing Jerry Herman’s moving, “I Am What I Am,” the talent was endless and the jovialty was tangible.

“Sweeney Todd” Tour: Gore and So Much More!

Jessica Vachal — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:34:06 +0000

Stephen Sondheim. The name has been adored and dreaded, embrace and mocked, but the work behind that name always leaves an impression. With a slew of award-winning productions from “Into The Woods” to “Follies,” “A Little Night Music” and “Anyone Can Whistle,” Sondheim has the talents and prowess that have made him deserving of the success he has maintained for so long. In the midst of all this success is what many fans consider to be one of his strongest achievements – a musical by the name of “Sweeney Todd.”
Telling the tale of “the demon Barber of Fleet Street” who exists in English lore and may or may not have been a real criminal, “Sweeney Todd” contains some of the most swelling music and spine-tingling lyrics of Sondheim’s career. It comes as little surprise that this musical has been affectionately nicknamed “a musical of the macabre,” but it is refreshing that the 2006 revival of the show, which is now touring across the United States after a successful run on Broadway, adds a new dimension beyond gore.
With John Doyle helming this revival as director and acting as designer for the show, “Sweeney Todd” takes on a whole new dimension of insanity that was not present in the original staging of Sondheim’s musical. This take on the storyline – switched from a narrative account of Sweeney Todd’s revenge spree to a story told by patients in an insane asylum – breathes an entirely new feeling of eeriness into the storyline.
Doyle’s breathtakingly simplistic staging adds another dimension of clarity to Sweeney Todd’s murderous rage. With the single shelving unit running up the back of the stage, highlighted with a spot on objects relative to the characters being showcased, Doyle uses the set design to emphasize the characters that bring this story to life. Add to this the fact that Doyle did away with an orchestra and replaced it with each character playing their own definitive instrument and you not only get the same music for which Sondheim has been lauded, but you also get to see his characters defined in a new light.
This innovative staging of “Sweeney Todd” allows the vocal prowess of this cast to shine more brightly than it might have in a more lusciously-staged version. With the attention focused not only on the actors’ abilities to play their given instruments but also on their singing abilities, the cast inclusions of Judy Kaye as Mrs. Lovett and David Hess as Sweeney Todd truly stand out. Following Patti LuPone’s tremendous take on Mrs. Lovett in the Broadway revival of “Sweeney Todd,” Judy Kaye’s character stands solidly on her own merits and makes for a truly thrilling female accomplice.
The rest of this touring cast stands just as strongly, especially Edmond Bagnell who, in the role of Tobias, acts as the primary story-teller in this innovative retelling of the Sweeney Todd tale. However a cast, no matter how strong, cannot carry a show alone. The music behind their voices is key, especially to a Stephen Sondheim show. Thanks to the strength of this cast, an already thoroughly enjoyable show is made even better, as the actors become one with the instruments they play. A huge credit must, once again, be given to John Doyle for taking an already strong show and making it even more breathtaking with his fresh take on its potential.
Of course, it would only be fair to also highlight the strengths of the Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator, Sarah Travis, as it was she who allowed for Doyle’s vision to become a reality – and a cognizant and emotional one at that. It should come as little surprise that she won the 2006 Drama Desk Award and the 2006 Tony Award for her orchestrations on the Broadway production of this Sweeney Todd revival. Keeping Sondheim’s soaring score and eerily grating soundtrack alive and breathing without an orchestra was undoubtedly a daunting task, and she successfully managed the transition not only for Broadway, but also for the doubly-demanding touring production.
Richard G. Jones’ lighting design brought the fourth and final dimension of power for this touring production of “Sweeney Todd” as it was he who turned what could be a fully enjoyable production of music and voice into a full-fledged theatrical production, adding dimension and emotion to a single set piece and a non-changing stage. As actors moved about the stage, creating new locations within their group, it was Jones’ lighting that allowed for the play to move from an assumed suspension of disbelief to a full-fledged immersion in the happenings onstage. Sunlight filtered through windows, shadows scurried through the pie shop, blood poured forth by the bucket.
With clear conscience can the assurance that even non-theater-fans will be blown away by this show be given. You are not going to want to miss this “Sweeney Todd;” it will be a night out that you will remember for years to come.

Chrisine Ebersole Sings Gershwin

Jessica Vachal — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:28:37 +0000

Christine Ebersole

All of you who are fans of the music of George Gershwin can surely appreciate the fact taht Christine Ebersole took to the stage on Thursday, May 15 to celebrate the music of Geroge Gershwin as well as the music of his lover, Kay Swift. Swift herself, as the night celebrating these two songwriters taught audience members, transcribed and arranged Gerhswin’s music on top of writing her own Broadway scores making her a very ambitious woman.

The evening, which was headlined by Christine Ebersole, also showed off television and radio clips telling the story of Swift and Gershwin’s relationship and their work. With Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” and Swift’s “Can’t We Be Friends,” the slew of songs covered in the evenign was truly dramatic, and you can rest assured that fun was had by all!

Broadway Barks Was a Hit!

Jessica Vachal — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:28:40 +0000

Bernadette Peters has written her first book, entitled, “Broadway Barks” and the launch party for said book was held on Monday, May 12 and was attended by adoring fans and friends of the performer, and you can bet it was a lot of fun! To showcase just how much fun it was, Broadwayworld.com has provided the pictures for us to enjoy!

No, No Nanette Is Gone

Jessica Vachal — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:20:39 +0000

Ah yes theater fans, for those of you who kept thinking that you had a little bit more time left to see your favorite shows, the clock has run out on “No, No Nanette” which closed on Monday, May 12 at New York City Center located at West 55th Street between 6th and 7th avenues. There was a special gala benefit performance for New York City Center, but now the show is closed for good for all those eager would-be audience members who waited too long for tickets.

This comedy was a “lighthearted tale of millionaires, misunderstood wives, bathing beauties, wanton women and flappers” according to Broadwayworld.com and was surely a great night out for everyone who was lucky enough to get tickets to see it!

Celebrity Autobiography Final Performance!

Jessica Vachal — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:18:04 +0000

Sorry friends, if you had been hoping to catch a performance of “Celebrity Autobiography,” then I am sad to tell you that this comedy sensation that hails from Los Angeles and has taken New York by storm, enjoyed its last performance on Monday, May 12 at The Triad Theatre located at 158 West 72nd Street.

Produced by Angelo Fraboni, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel and Peter Martin this show rotated its cast and was able to draw immense talent to its cast each night that it played to sold-out audiences. The final performance included the likes of B.D. Wong, Susie Essmen, Rachel Dratch, Judy Gold, Richard King, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, Seth Rudetsky and Sherri Shepherd.

Mary Bacon Becomes Alma!

Jessica Vachal — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:18:03 +0000

TACT in New York City is putting on a production of “Eccentricities of A Nightingale” and this is the first time the production has been performed in New York in thirty years. Understandably the theatrical community is more than a little excited, and also understandably, the actress playing the lead role - Mary Bacon - is thrilled to have been given the chance to take on such a character.

With the moving story that drives this play we find Alma struggling with ostracization by her community and a lack of love from her father. She turns instead to her music and a lifelong love for the boy-next-door who soon grows up. When the love for this man is finally confessed, a modern and undeniably compelling storyline is brought to life, and that is one showcase you are not going to want to miss!

New “Rent” Castmember!

Jessica Vachal — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:14:31 +0000

It is true that Rent has ended its long run on Broadway, but the show is far from dead as can be discerned from the fact that Renee Elise Goldsberry has just joined the cast of this show in the role of “Mimi.”

Soap opera fans may know Renee Elise Goldsberry for her four year stint playing the role of Evangeline Wliliamson on “One Life to Live” but Goldsberry created the role of Nettie in “The Color Purple” on Broadway and won accolades for her portrayal of Silvia in “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” You know you aren’t going to want to miss this chance to see her play Mimi through June 15.

August Osage to Big Screen?

Jessica Vachal — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:11:05 +0000

It’s hard to say for sure but rumors are being swirled that Tracy Letts’ play “August: Osage County,” which is currently enjoying a run on Broadway, may be slated to be made into a feature film. According to Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood Elsewhere, and as reported on Broadwayworld.com, “I’ve been told that producer Jean Doumanian is partnering with the Weinstein Co.” Time will tell whether or not this is a truth or a lie, but it is an exciting thing to think about nonetheless!