Jigsaw Puzzles IV: Follies Edition

Here are some more puzzles for you to enjoy this weekend.  CAUTION:  These two are much more difficult!  Have fun!

Jigsaw Puzzle #10  (198 pieces)

This is FRAVER's interpretation of the show - the 2011 revival window card!

Jigsaw Puzzle #11 (260 pieces)

The original poster is a Broadway icon - as famouws as the show it is advertising.

Rate this blog below, and leave your comments here, or by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!
Jeff
3.031

Broadway Jigsaw Puzzles III: Goodbye!

Here are three more theatre-related jigsaw puzzles, this time with the common theme that they are from shows that close today.  Click on the links to start each puzzle.  Enjoy!

Jigsaw Puzzle #7 (70 pieces)

The Off-Broadway cast of Death Takes a Holiday.  The Roundabout Theatre Company production was preserved on an original cast recording, due to be released later this fall.

Jigsaw Puzzle #8 (100 pieces)

Baby It's You told the story of Florence Greenberg and The Shirelles.  Oldies but goodies flowed in this jukebox musical, which closed at the Broadhurst Theatre today.

Jigsaw Puzzle #9 (117 pieces)

Catch Me If You Can, which closes today, featured a slick and sleek logo on its Playbill cover.

Rate this blog below, and leave your comments her, by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!

Jeff

3.006

Broadway Jigsaw Puzzles II

Here are three more Broadway related "jigsaw puzzles."  Enjoy!
Click on each link to do each puzzle. It is pretty self explanatory. Click and drag the pieces. When they fit, you'll hear a "click". Enjoy!

Broadway Jigsaw #4 (56 pieces)

Pippin logo by Tony Walton, from the original Broadway production.

Broadway Jigsaw #5 (60 pieces)

The Original Broadway Cast  Into the Woods.  Photo by Martha Swope.

Broadway Jigsaw #6 (99 pieces)

The marquee of the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, featuring The Book of Mormon.  Photo by mormonfan20.



Rate this blog below, and leave your comments here, by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.359

Broadway Math

All the "back to school" ads on TV have inspired me to think "academically."  Below are 10 "math problems" where the numbers are made up numbers that have to do with Broadway songs, show titles and other show numbers.

HINT: Remember to do the math inside the parentheses FIRST!

The odd ones compute to "Broadway answers."  For the even ones, you just compute for a correct, if random, answer.  Good luck!

1.  Jason Robert Brown musical title multiplied by Val's "Looks" score equals The number of steps in the hit Hitchcock comedy thriller

2.  (Jean Valjean's number minus the number of Roger's "Glory" Song) divided by the number of Jacob's sons

3.  The number of short days in Emerald City plus the number of singular sensations plus the number of Freddie's nights in Bangkok plus the number of "kinsmen" in Drood equals the number of Guys Named Moe

4.  The time, as a whole number, the Grey Gardens train is due to arrive from Manhattan plus (the number of Brides times the number of Billy Crystal Sundays)

 5.  The number of Degrees of Separation multiplied by the number of "worlds" in a Tarzan song equals the number of Angry Men

 6.  ((The number of minutes in a Rent year divided by the number of Little Indians) plus the year Big River won the Tony for Best Musical) divided by the last number in the Dolly Parton musical title

 7.  The year song title in The Story of My Life minus the title of 1969's Best Musical equals the number of people who just got off of the train

8.  The year La Cage aux Folles most recently won the Best Musical Revival Tony minus the year La Cage aux Folles first won the Tony for Best Musical Revival plus the year La Cage aux Folles won the Tony Award for Best Musical

9.  (The number of languages Marcy Park speaks multiplied by the number "it takes" in Into the Woods) multiplied by (The Best Musical of 1982 minus the last digit in Valjean's number) multiplied by (the number of "posters" in the I Do, I Do bed multiplied by which Spelling Bee is being held in Putnam County) multiplied by Val's "Dance" score equals the amount of the winnings of the Lottery in In the Heights

10.  The total number of Tony Awards won by Hairspray multiplied by (the year In the Heights won Best Musical minus the year Contact won Best Musical)

Rate this blog below, and leave your comments below, by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!

Jeff
2.353

Broadway Jigsaw Puzzles

I thought it might be fun to do some Broadway-related jigsaw puzzles.  Here are three.  One is a production photo.  One is a show logo.  And the third is a New York City candid.

Click on each link to do each puzzle.  It is pretty self explanatory.  Click and drag the pieces.  When they fit, you'll hear a "click".   Enjoy!

Broadway Jigsaw #1  (54 pieces)

Production photo: Hair at the St. James Theatre.  Photo by Joan Marcus.

Broadway Jigsaw #2  (54 pieces)

Show Logo: Godspell coming soon to the Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway. Image is copyright 2011 held by the Godspell Company.

Broadway Jigsaw #3  (54 pieces)


New York City Candid: Taxi on 46th Street.  Photo by JK's TheatreScene.

Enjoy!


Rate this blog below and leave your comments here, by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.346

Name-Droppers

Some of the snootier set of theatregoers love to name-drop to all of their friends about all of the celebrities they've see onstage and in the house.  It usually goes something like this: "I stage-doored at Spring Awakening, and Lea Michele was so sweet!  She signed my poster and even posed for a picture!  We're Facebook friends now!"  I'll admit that some of the fun of the "Broadway experience" is seeing famous people work and/or enjoy a show.
Theatre composers sure aren't immune to the name-drop, either.  Many times, it happens because the show has real-life people in them.  Look at Titanic, The Jersey Boys, Ragtime and even this season's Catch Me If You Can.  But even shows that are purely fiction will have songs and books that name-drop to add a certain ring of authenticity.  This season's upcoming revival of Annie has both!  FDR appears in the show and the song "We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover!" name-drops in the title and throughout the catchy tune.

Here are just a few lines from songs that include the names of the famous.  Can you match the line to the show and to the description of the person named?

A lucky fan gets her picture with Aaron Tveit

outside the Booth Theatre at next to normal

NAME-DROPPING SONGS:

1. "Now gifted humans like Vincent Youmans might think that your song is bad..."


2. "I did it so there'd be a trial, and Charlie would get to be a witness, and he'd be on TV, and he'd save the world!..."


3. "I want to be Mother Teresa, Sally Ride, Lucille Ball..." (3 answers below)


4. "Like they're in a movie and never forget that what they want is - half smile - demi sourire - David Niven.  Put on a bold countenance, both tragic and amused."


5. "He was famous in proverb and famous in rhyme, a long while before Queen Victoria's accession."


6. "And when the beef comes out you do the carvin'.  You hate Tom Cruise but you love Lee Marvin." (2 answers below)


7. "As for you, Troy Donahue, I know what you wanna do.  You got your crust, I'm no object of lust..."


8. "So we call upon you all to hold your horse's reins before you solve this Dickens of a crime!"


9. "I'll always be Alice Toklas, if you'll be Gertrude Stein." (1 answer below)


10. "Robert Goulet, Robert Goulet!  My God, Robert Goulet!"

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

A.  British actor known for his thin moustache, The Pink Panther, and for being a suave, international star.
B.  Gravelly voiced American actor known for Westerns (including Paint Your Wagon) and tough guys.
C.  "Helter Skelter" murderer.
D.  The first American woman in space.
E.  American actor and future star of the film version of Rock of Ages.
F.  Classic British author, responsible for the basis at least 3 Broadway musicals.
G.  Lesbian lovers and American expatriots in turn of the century Paris.
H.  Nobel Prize winning nun, known for her work in Calcutta.
I.  A Broadway composer and producer who wrote "Tea for Two."
J.  Deep-voiced baritone and star of Camelot.
K.  The First Lady of American Television Comedy.
L.  Monarch of Britain at the end of the 19th Century.
M.  1950's heart throb and film star

SONGS AND SHOWS:
a.  "Man" from The Full Monty
b.  "Bosom Buddies" from Mame
c.  "Off to the Races" from The Mystery of Edwin Drood
d.  "I Want It All" from Baby
e.  "Hello: Twelve, Hello: Thirteen" from A Chorus Line
f.  "Give Them What They Want" from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
g.  "You're the Top" from Anything Goes
h.  "Old Deuteronomy" from Cats
i.  "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" from Grease
j.  "Another National Anthem" from Assassins

Look for the answers next Sunday!

Rate this blog below, and leave your comments here, email them to jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!

Jeff
2.345

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a professional baseball game.  Which game and where isn't all that important, but that I had never been to this stadium before and that it was something I haven't done in years is what matters the most here.  You see, the experience opened my eyes to the fact that the world of sports and the world of theatre aren't as far apart as I had always thought.

I guess this epiphany isn't really all that new - I had similar revelations about these two worlds colliding after seeing Lombardi.  And, yes, baseball fans have as much in common with theatre fans as football fans do.  But actually attending a game reminded me so much of going to a Broadway show.  There are many similarities!

The pre-game excitement is the same.

• Theatre Fans: We buy tickets in advance for our favorite shows and all of the exciting new ones.  We look forward to it for weeks, gobbling up every tidbit of news and gossip we can get our hands on.  Sometimes we prep for the show by listening to the cast recording or watching show clips on YouTube.
• Baseball Fans: They buy tickets in advance for their favorite opposing teams.  They look forward to it for weeks, gobbling up every tidbit of news and statistics they can get their hands on. Sometimes they prep for the game by studying the box scores or by watching game clips on SportsCenter.

Arriving at the game is the same.

• Theatre Fans: We get to the theatre a little early, checking out the marquee, reminiscing about previous trips to the same place, getting a pre-show drink and checking out the merch booths.  There is a buzz in the place as people scurry to their seats.
• Baseball Fans: They get to the stadium a little early, checking out the banners and posters featuring the home team, reminiscing about previous exciting games at the same stadium, getting pre-game beers, hot dogs and sodas, and checking out the merch booths. There is a buzz in the place as people scurry to their seats.

Being shown to your seat is the same.

• Theatre Fans: We hand the tickets to the ticket taker, who then scans the tickets and directs us to the appropriate section.  An usher takes our tickets and shows us to our row, hands us our Playbills, and grumbles something about how many seats down the row we have to go.  Sometimes we see people selling drinks and snacks in the aisles - over-priced candy and a variety of beverages.
• Baseball Fans:  They hand the tickets to the ticket taker, who then scans the tickets and directs them to the appropriate section. An usher takes the tickets and shows them to their row, wipes off the seats and hands back the tickets.  All over the stadium, people are selling drinks and snacks in the aisles - over-priced cotton candy, hot dogs and a variety of beverages.

Before the event starts is the same.

• Theatre Fans: We chatter about what we are going to see, including the understudy slips, other shows that are featured in the Playbill, and we eye the show curtain.
• Baseball Fans:  They chatter about the line up, including injured players, the game they are going to see, other games that are featured on the Jumbo-Tron, and they play along to games on the screens around the stadium.

During the event, behavior is the same.

• Theatre Fans: We listen intently when it is good, we (rudely) whisper to our companions about things we like and things we don't, we cheer and "woo hoo" our favorite moments and stars, and we stand up when the performance is exceptional.  The actors and dancers are in top form.
• Baseball Fans: They stare intently when each batter is up and at each pitch and fielding play, they(sometimes rudely) yell to their companions about things they like and things they don't, they cheer and "woo hoo" their favorite moments and stars, and they stand up when the performance is exceptional.  The players are at their peak of performance, executing difficult plays with finesse.  (Damn Yankees barely scratches the surface compared to what real ball players do.)

Leaving the event is the same.

• Theatre Fans: We slowly shuffle out, stop to buy a t-shirt, and loudly chatter excitedly as we re-live the entire thing we just saw.  Or, if we hate the show, we loudly proclaim our disappointment, and loudly rip it to shreds.
• Baseball Fans: They slowly shuffle out, stop to buy a t-shirt, and loudly chatter excitedly as they re-live the entire game they just saw. Or, if the home team loses, they loudly proclaim their disappointment, and loudly rip the game and the players to shreds, inning by inning.

Sure, I could probably list 50 things that aren't the same about going to a ballgame.  But at its root, attending a game or a show is the same thing for the most passionate fans of both.  Maybe the gulf between jocks and theatre geeks isn't as wide as we thought it was in high school, after all.

FOLLIES TICKETS CONTEST!
TRIVIA QUESTION #4

Jan Maxwell appeared in all of these musicals on Broadway EXCEPT:

A.  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
B.  City of Angels
C.  Crazy For You
D.  The Sound of Music

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE CONTEST RULES AND TRIVIA QUESTION #1.

Question #2 is with Tuesday's blog, and question #3 was with yesterday's blog and #5 will appear in Friday's blog.

Rate the blog below and leave your comments here, or via email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.341

Broadway Vocabulary Quiz #2

"Ululating" is the word that started it all.  That little gem of a word always makes me smile, as does a smart lyric in a Broadway musical.  Apparently, a lot of you enjoyed the first of this type of blog - thanks for all of the interest.  Seems you all like a quick mind-bender during a break at work or at the beach!

Well, Mike and I put our heads together and came up with 10 more Broadway lyric vocabulary words.  Some are relatively easy, others a little more challenging.  Your job is to match the word with the definition, and then with the song and show it comes from.

Example: "Shut up! Or Not. Let go, and pretty soon you're ululating like a banshee..."  Ululating - howling, wailing.   "On the Verge" - Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

WORD IN A SENTENCE

1. "I'm filling up the room, our secret room, with every flower in bloom.  I'll have the fire lit, the table set, I'll wear the blue chemise."
2. "We've got a lot to thank you for - Geordie you're a corker - a nice extension on the house and a fortnight in Majorca!"
3. "Overthrow the effigy!  The vast majority burning down the foreman of control!"
4. "Reports of my fame are greatly exaggerated, exacerbated by the fact that my syntax is highly complicated."
5. "If we're not one, but two, are we evil or good?  Do we walk the fine line that we'd cross if we could?  Are we waiting to break through the façade?"
6. "It's loosey goosey time! She was a gadabout, but she's back again!"
7. "But her single most disturbing feature was the coarse black hair on her face. Maybe she was menopausal. Lack of estrogen will cause a lot of odd conditions, some acute! The irony would never faze her namesake of a famous razor. And to be so facially hirsute!"
8. "But! What I've left behind looks trifling. What's ahead... looks black! Am I doomed to spend my life a-lingering on...Lingering on! Just lingering on...malingering on?"
9. "Raoul and the soubrette, entwined in loves' duet.  Although he may demur, he must have been with her."
10. "Soon learned power of the truncheon, organize a function king to pawn!  So if peace is what you're after, Urinetown's the rafter to hang it on!"

MATCH THE DEFINITION TO THE WORD

a.  someone who flits about in social activity
b.  to pretend or exaggerate incapacity or illness (as to avoid duty or work)
c.  a police officer's billy club
d.  a crude figure representing a hated person
e.  one that is excellent or remarkable
f.   hairy
g.  a soprano who sings roles in comic operas; an actress playing a coquettish maid
h.  a false, superficial or artificial appearance or effect
i.   a woman's one-piece undergarment
j.   to make more severe, more intense

MATCH THE WORD TO THE SONG AND SHOW IT COMES FROM

A.  "Know Your Enemy" - American Idiot

B.  "Solidarity" - Billy Elliot

C.  "In the Heights" - In the Heights

D.  "Facade" - Jekyll and Hyde

E.  "Forty Days" - Passion

F.  "Prima Donna" - The Phantom of the Opera

G.  "On the Right Track" - Pippin

H.  "Turkey Lurkey Time" - Promises, Promises

I.   "Mrs. Remington" - The Story of My Life

J.  "The Cop Song" - Urinetown: The Musical

Look for the answers on Sunday!  

(Please send in your vocabulary words!)

Rate this blog here, leaving your comments her, or by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!

Jeff

2.335

Ask Jeff: Puzzles Answered and More

Thank you, all of you, who take the time to write in your thoughts and questions.  And I'll answer one that I get all of the time: Do I actually read your comments and emails?  Well, except for those of you who asked just that question, which I am now answering, yes.  I read every single email and comment you send or leave.  And I answer all of them.  I don't publish all of them for a variety of reasons - relevance, readability and length among them.  The most common reason, though, is that many of you wish to keep your thoughts between us.  I hope that settles things for those of you who ask.

Now, a couple of  recent letters that are very timely!  (After that, a request I have of all of you!)

Dear Jeff,

Why don't you cover more touring company shows and off-Broadway shows?

Tim, an off-Broadway Fan

Tim,

Thanks for writing.  Funny that you should mention that.  In recent weeks, I have posted reviews of the National Tours of next to normal and Hair.  And so far this season, I've reviewed Lysistrata Jones, and just this week, I'll have discussed the logos of RENT and Death Takes a Holiday, and reviews of both will be posted when they open.  In fact, Death will have its review posted on Friday. 

True, these entries are far out-blogged about by Broadway shows.  There are a few reasons for this.  First, my access to National Tours is somewhat limited by my location.  Second, Broadway content is by far the most read and asked for, so I concentrate on that the most.  Then there is a question of time and money.  I can barely get to the new musicals and new revivals on Broadway, let alone the dozens of off-Broadway openings.  Still, given the advent last season of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and The Scottsboro Boys, I am trying to pay more attention to off-Broadway.  And I can tell you now that later this season, I'll be covering Carrie.

Jeff

Dear JK:

Come on, man!  You put up these puzzles and you promise the answers and then nothing!  How about that last logic puzzle?

JK, too (though my name isn't Jeff!) Albany, NY

Sorry, JK!

I actually forgot to post the answers to Logic Puzzle #2 last Sunday.  And I'll post the answers to Monday's Broadway Vocabulary Quiz below that.  So, if you don't want to know, stop reading NOW!

Here's the answer to Logic Puzzle #2:

Female-Male-Performance-Show-Ticket Outlet

1. Millie - Frank - Tuesday - Spider-Man - Lottery
2. Nanette - Edwin - Saturday - Ghetto Klown - Box Office
3. Ophelia - Charlie - Friday - Hair - Online
4. Paula - Don - Wednesday - Billy Elliot - TKTS
5. Rose - Bobby - Thursday - Master Class - Concierge

And here are the answers to the Broadway Vocabulary Quiz:

1. Bindus, i, A
2. calumnies, c, J
3. coriander, j, F
4. diadem, h, D
5. lavabo, e, C
6. metronome, b, B
7. passeggiata, f, I
8. seraglio, a, E
9. ululating, d, H
10. vindaloo, g, G

OK, readers!  Now here's where I ask for your help!  For future blogs, I am looking for:

1. Someone to review National Touring companies, Broadway and off-Broadway shows that I don't get to.
2. New words for the next Broadway Vocabulary Quiz.
3. Clever sayings and turns of phrase from your favorite Broadway musicals.

If you have any or all of these, please email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.

Jeff
2.326

Broadway Vocabulary Quiz

School may be out, but a theatre fan never stops learning!  Today, as I was listening to "On the Verge" from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, I was reminded of just how much I love the word "ululating" and how it tickles me that a few seconds after the gals sing the word, someone actually ululates!  Then, of course, my mind wandered and I began to think of all the really interesting vocabulary I've picked up over my years as a theatre patron.  Some words that I become infatuated with I already knew the definition of, but really loved how it was used in the context of a song.  Others were completely new to me and had me scurrying to the OED for understanding and piece of mind.

Here, with the help of Mike, who supplied some words from shows he knows inside and out, are 10 words from the lyrics of Broadway shows.  I've given you the word in a sentence (or just a line or two from the song) and your job is to a) match the word to the definition, and b) to match the word to the song and show it comes from.

Example: "Character 1: And don'tcha feel all warm and cozy, Watching people out in the rain!  Character 2: You bet!  Character 1: That's...  Schadenfreude!" Schadenfreude - Happiness at the misfortune of others.  "Schadenfreude" from Avenue Q

WORD IN A SENTENCE

1. "A bombs, H bombs, P bombs, Q bombs, Chinese checks, Hindus, Bindus, Italianos, Polacks, Germans..."
2. "Defaming our poor Wizard with her calumnies and lies!"
3. What's my secret? Frankly, dear, forgive my candor.  Family secret, all to do with herbs.  Things like being careful with your coriander.That's what makes the gravy grander."
4. "Each in her style a Delilah reborn, each a gem, beautiful diadem of beautiful - welcome them - these beautiful girls!"
5. "His need were few, his room was bare: a lavabo and a fancy chair..."
6. "Up a steep and very narrow stairway, To the voice like a metronome..."
7. "Come with me.  Walk with me.  Walking in my city.  Una passeggiata, you and I.  See the faces from the daytime talking in the evening."
8. "From the barren desert of the heathen camel trade, for our gentlemen friends: the seraglio of a Hashemite sheik!"
9. "Shut up!  Or Not. Let go, and pretty soon you're ululating like a banshee..."
10. "To hand-crafted beers made in local breweries, to yoga, to yogurt, to rice and beans and cheese.  To leather, to dildos, to curry vindaloo.  To huevos rancheros and Maya Angelou!"

MATCH THE DEFINITION TO THE WORD

a.  a harem.

b.  an instrument designed to mark exact time by a regularly repeated tick.

c.  the act of uttering false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated to harm another's reputation.
d.  howling, wailing.
e.  a washbasin and a tank with a spigot.
f.   a leisurely stroll.
g.  a dish of Indian origin made with meat or shellfish, garlic, and wine or vinegar.
h.  a crown.
i.   a point; the convergence of Yoga, Vedanta and Tantra.
j.  an Old World annual herb of the carrot family used as a flavoring.

MATCH THE WORD TO THE SONG AND SHOW IT COMES FROM

A.  "Ain't Got No" - Hair
B.  "At the Ballet" - A Chorus Line
C.  "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" - Sweeney Todd
D.  "Beautiful Girls" - Follies
E.  "Come Look at the Freaks" - Side Show
F.  "God, That's Good!" - Sweeney Todd
G.  "La Vie Boeheme" - RENT
H.  "On the Verge" - Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
I.  "Passeggiata" - Light in the Piazza
J.  "Thank Goodness" - Wicked


Look for the answers later this week.
 
Rate this blog entry below.  Leave a comment here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.324

Broadway Game: A Second Logic Puzzle

A few weeks ago, I tried to give you what you asked for - a Broadway-themed logic puzzle.  And apparently, you were happy!  Thanks to those of you who took the time to even try, let alone complete that tricky puzzle.  And as always, thanks to all of you who wrote in with comments and suggestions.

Well, here is another one for you to try - and thanks to Shelley Z. of New Castle, Delaware for coming up with this suggestion for a scenario!

A COLLEGE TRIP TO BROADWAY

Five pairs of college students from a fine arts college (including Nannette) decided to take in some Broadway shows between classes during their conference in New York City.  One of the shows they saw was Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.  They all got their tickets a different way - one pair even paid full price at the box office. Because each couple was on a different class schedule, they all had to attend a different performance that week before returning home Saturday night.  Using the clues and the grid below, figure out who went to the show together, how they got their tickets, what show they saw,and which performance they attended.

Fill in the grid like this:

1. Across the top, left to right, the topics are: College Girl, Tickets, Show, Performance.
2. Down the side, top to bottom, the topics are: College Guy, Performance, Show, Tickets
3. The contents of each topic (IN THIS ORDER) are:

• College Guy: Bobby, Charlie, Don, Edwin and Frank
• College Girl: Millie, Nanette, Ophelia, Paula and Rose  
• Tickets: Box Office, Hotel Concierge, Lottery, Online, and TKTS
• Show: Billy Elliot, Ghetto Klown, Hair, Master Class, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
• Performance: Tuesday evening, Wednesday matinee, Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday matinee

1. One couple that saw the only new musical that has opened so far this season won their tickets, while the other couple who saw a revival picked their seats on Telecharge.com. Meanwhile, Edwin went directly to the box office of this non-musical hit show.
2. One pair purchased tickets at TKTS and saw the mid-week matinee of Billy Elliot.
3. Edwin took his female companion, who is not Paula, to the Saturday matinee.
4. Millie and her male friend, who is neither Bobby nor Don, got tickets to their show by winning the lottery.
5. Bobby and his girlfriend attended a weekday evening performance of this season’s first play revival.
6. Ophelia, who saw a musical, attended the Friday evening show with her fiancée, Charlie.
7. Rose, an aspiring operatic soprano, didn't mind paying the hotel extra for 3rd row center seats for her show.
8. All of that standing outside in Times Square gave Don a sunburn, but he and his gal got to go inside that afternoon soon after. Frank was flying high after his show that early weekday night, and he and his girl told the rest of their friends that it was worth taking a chance - they got pretty good seats that were priced just right for college students!

Good luck!  Answers will be given in next week's (July 11 - 17) TheatreScene!

Jeff

2.314

Broadway Games: A Logic Puzzle

You asked, and here you go!  Here's a theatre-themed logic puzzle, as many of you have written in and asked for.  I hope I did it right!  I did check it... if you find an issue write in a let me know so I can fix it!

A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

Five couples (Donna among them) decided to take in some of the season's best plays and musicals, including The Normal Heart.  They all arrived in style - one couple even arrived in a rickshaw - enjoyed their show and went their separate ways.  Using the clues and the grid below, figure out who went to the show together, how they got there, what show they saw, and what they did after.

Fill in the grid like this: 

1. Across the top, left to right, the topics are: Partner 2, Transportation, Show, After Show.
2. Down the side, top to bottom, the topics are: Partner 1, After Show, Show, Transportation
3. The contents of each topic (IN THIS ORDER) are:

• Partner 1: Oscar, Peter, Richard, Stephen and Tom
• Partner 2: Angela, Bebe, Charlie, Donna, Edie
• Transportation: Limo, Rickshaw, Subway, Taxi, Walking
• Show: Anything Goes, The Book of Mormon, Catch Me If You Can, The Normal Heart, War Horse
• After Show: Bowlmor Lanes for a game or two, Cheesecake at Junior's, Marriott Marquis for bed, Splash for a Broadway Cares benefit, and Times Square for people-watching 

1. Oscar took his female companion, who is not Angela, to Splash for a BCEFA benefit after the show.
2. Edie and her male friend, who is neither Stephen nor Richard, arrived at their play in a limo.
3. One pair walked to Catch Me If You Can.
4. Stephen and his lady friend, who has a sweet tooth, saw this year's Tony-winning Best Play.
5. Bebe, who saw a musical, bowled better than her husband, Tom.
6. One couple that saw a revival arrived in an automobile, while the other couple who saw a revival came on the subway.  Meanwhile, Oscar arrived at this year's Best Musical by leg power.
7. All of that pre-show walking made Richard tired, so he and his partner called it a night.  But Peter was so charged up after his show, that he dismissed his driver, and then he and his gal jogged over to Times Square for some late night people watching.

This puzzle is medium to difficult.  Good luck and enjoy!

The solution will be in Sunday's TheatreScene.

Jeff
2.297

Broadway Games: Jeopardy! Round 2

Here is a second round of Broadway Jeopardy!  For you game show purists, this would be "Double Jeopardy," I suppose.  You you want to play it that way, just double your scores in your head, as this program only does round 1 scoring.  After the link below, I have designated for you two Daily Double questions, and wrote out a Final Jeopardy! question.  The answer to that will appear in tomorrow's TheatreScene blog.  (Round 1 can be found HERE.)

If you just want to have fun and play along or do it like the real game, you just follow these easy steps!

It works just like the TV game:

1. Double-click on the link below and a new window will pop up.
2. Select the number of teams - by yourself = 1 Team, etc.
3. Then the Jeopardy! board will appear. Review the topics and start selecting!
4. The answer comes up, and you verbally make your answer. Click "Correct Answer" to see it. Click the + sign to add points automatically, and the - sign if you get it wrong. The computer will automatically keep your score.
5. Click "Continue" to make your next selection. Keep going until all the squares have been chosen. (You can impose your own time limit if you want...)

Unfortunately, there is no "Daily Double." BUT if you want to have two for Double Jeopardy!,  and are willing to keep your own score after that, here are the squares I intended to be "Daily Doubles" for this round: $400: "Actor-Directors" and $500 "Off-Broadway Hits."


FINAL JEOPARDY!:  SUBJECT: Broadway Divas
THE ANSWER: Sutton Foster has originated roles in 6 original Broadway musicals; this is the only one for which she did NOT get a Tony nomination.
THE QUESTION: See tomorrow's TheatreScene blog!
Good Luck!

To get started, double click below!

http://jeopardylabs.com/play/jks-theatrescene-jeopardy-round-2

Comments? Leave one here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.271

Broadway Game: Jeopardy! Round 1

I don't know about you, but when the TV show Jeopardy! has "Broadway" or something related as a topic, I get really excited.  Inevitably, though, I either get disgusted because the answers, uh, questions are so easy or because the cover some obscure quote from Shakespeare or earlier!

Anyway, I came across this program that allows you to create a game board in the style of Jeopardy!, and I thought, "why not?"  So I created round one of a fun (I hope) and mildly challenging game with ALL Broadway related topics!

It works just like the TV game:

1. Double-click on the link below and a new window will pop up. 
2. Select the number of teams - by yourself = 1 Team, etc.
3. Then the Jeopardy! board will appear.  Review the topics and start selecting!
4. The answer comes up, and you verbally make your answer.  Click "Correct Answer" to see it. Click the + sign to add points automatically, and the - sign if you get it wrong.  The computer will automatically keep your score.
5. Click "Continue" to make your next selection.  Keep going until all the squares have been chosen.  (You can impose your own time limit if you want...)

Unfortunately, there is no "Daily Double."  BUT if you want to have one and are willing to keep your own score after that, here's the square I intended to be "Daily Double" for this round: $400 under "Broadway Divas."

Good Luck!

To get started, double click below!

http://jeopardylabs.com/play/jks-theatrescene-jeopardy

Look for Round 2 and Final Jeopardy! soon!  And if you have any great ideas for topics for Round 2 or Final Jeopardy! email them to me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.


THE NORMAL HEART CONTEST QUESTION OF THE DAY!


It is not too late to join the contest to win TWO FREE TICKETS to Broadway's The Normal Heart! Click HERE for complete rules and Trivia Question #1. Trivia question 2 is on Monday's blog, question 3 is on yesterday's blog.  Look for the final question at the end of tomorrow's blog, then enter to win!

TRIVIA QUESTION #4

Joe Mantello returns to acting again in The Normal Heart. He left the stage to begin directing.  He directed all of the following on Broadway EXCEPT:

A. Wicked
B. Assassins
C. 9 to 5: The Musical
D. Promises, Promises


Look for question #5 at the bottom of Thursday's blog! And remember, you need to give the letter AND the answer on your entry!


(Photo of The Normal Heart star Joe Mantello)  

Jeff
2.232

GAME: All "Eyes" on Broadway

I don't know about you, but I love eyes.  LOVE them!  Beyond the initial "check out the total package" looking I do when I'm looking, it is generally the eyes that either attract me or turn me off completely.  And I'm not just talking sexual attraction, here, either.  I mean in that "the eyes are the windows to the soul" kind of thing.  You could look like a Macy's Thanksgiving Parade baloon or Olive Oyl from the neck down, and I'd still want to at least be friends if your eyes are pretty/sexy/honest/smiling/shy.  (Jeff took his shallow pill today...)

Anyway,  here are some eyes from people involved in shows this season.  Can you identify the person and the show?  There are guys and dolls here, and not all of the pictures are from production stills.  I'll start off with an example from NEXT season!  Good luck!

Example:

But, of course!  He's Spider-Man from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark!

1.  Its been a long season... from American Idiot to How to Succeed...

2.  She's de-lovely for a former ogre.

3.  She's not mad, she just loves head gear.

4.  These eyes are so important, they have become the ad for this show!

5.  She's the boozy wife of a Super Bowl legend.

6.  What a year this has been - first she believes in Santa, now she believes in the Shirelles!

7.  One minute he's the "favorite son," the next he's a civil rights icon.

8.  The view on a show is certainly different when you are a producer.

9.  This gal is on the verge of attempted murder, but kills a terrorist instead!

10.  He is straight from the Nortrh Pole.

11.  He must be a saint.  Who else comes into his own show to revive the box office...3 times!!?

12.  Rock star for President!

13.  The cutest couple of this next season!

14.  He's a master of disguise.  Just ask the F.B.I.

15.  He's a Super Boy, alright!

16.  Man, those Mormons are yummy!

17.  She's a two time Tony-winner.  Get the picture?

18.  There's no magic about it.  This guy is a triple-threat!

19.  In drag or out, this hair-y hottie is a Broadway star!

20.  He's as de-lovely as his co-star.


Well,  how'd you do?  If you got 20 out of 20, I'd say you have perfect vision!  (sorry...)

Look for the answers in tomorrow's TheatreScene.

Jeff
2.193