TheatreScene in Pictures: September 12 - 18

The weekly round-up continues to evolve!  You wanted more pictures, so here you go!  Each week, I'll look at the box office, show news and casting news.  And at the bottom, sometimes something fun to look at - pictures and/or video.  Let me know what you think of this format below.

This is the Theatre Scene for the week of September 12 - 18!

BROADWAY BOX OFFICE (September 5 - 11)

Top Gross: The Lion King $1.299M
Photo by Disney Theatricals

Top Attendance: The Book of Mormon 102.4%
Top Average Ticket: The Book of Mormon $147.80
Photo by Joan Marcus

Biggest Drop in Attendance (over previous week):
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying -18.1%
Photo from HowtoSucceedBroadway.com

BROADWAY SHOW NEWS

September 13:

• The National Tour of Fela! began in Washington, D.C. at the National Theatre.
• Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway was announced today.  It will be a limited run from October 25 - January 1 at the Broadhurst Theatre.  Take that, Mandy!

Aspects of Love at the Walnut Street Theatre with
Charles Hagerty and Jennifer Hope Wills
Photo by Mark Garvin

September 14:

• The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia began performances of Aspects of Love today.  The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical stars Jennifer Hope Wills (The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked), Charles Hagerty and Paul Schoeffler (Rock of Ages).  It runs through October 23.

September 15:

• The National Tour of The Addams Family began today in New Orleans.  The tour stars Sara Gettlefinger and Douglas Sills.
• Disney's Newsies began its world premiere run at the Paper Mill Playhouse.  The show stars Bonnie and Clyde's Jeremy Jordan and is directed by Bonnie and Clyde's Jeff Calhoun.

Ten Cents a Dance at the McCarter Theatre
Photo by T. Charles Erickson

September 16:

• The star-filled (and rumored to be Broadway-bound) Ten Cents a Dance began performances today at the McCarter Theatre.  The show stars Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line, State Fair) and Malcolm Gets (The Story of My Life, Amour) and is directed by Tony winner John Doyle (Sweeney Todd, Company).

BROADWAY CASTING NEWS

• Bobby Canavale (The Motherfucker with the Hat, TV's Will and Grace) has been cast as Nicky Arnstein in the upcoming revival of Funny Girl.  He joins the previously announced Lauren Ambrose (Awake and Sing!, Exit the King).  This will be the musical debut for both actors.

• Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Promises, Promises) announced on The View that she will be returning to Broadway in a revival of On the Twentieth Century.  Personally, I hope this happens - I love me some Kristin.  But I also hope her TV series works out.  No production has been officially announced.

• Andy Karl (Altar Boyz, Legally Blonde) and Quinn Van Antwerp (National Tour of Jersey Boys) will be joining the Broadway company of Jersey Boys next month.

Reeve will keep donning the suit through May 2012

• Though he will be taking a few weeks off to make a film, Reeve Carney has extended his contract with Spider-Man:Turn Off the Dark through May 2012.  While he is away, his role will be played by Matthew James Thomas (SEE HIM!!!) and Matt Caplan.  Jennifer Damiano has not, so far, renewed her contract.  Stay tuned...

• James Lapine will be directing Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along.  This frequent Sondheim collaborator might just be able to make it work.

BROADWAY PICTURE OF THE WEEK

• Any time Broadway makes the cover of a magazine it is blogworthy.  Muscle-bound superhero Broadway Boys just make it all the sweeter!

Rate this blog below, leave your comments here, or by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!
Jeff
3.020

Broadway Boys: Mr. May 2011: Andrew Rannells

Mr. Broadway May 2011

Andrew Rannells

WHY HE'S MR. APRIL: Hello!  Starring in two of Broadway's smash hit musicals within a year is a huge achievement, and Andrew Rannells has done just that.  First, he played Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys and now he is Elder Price in the the biggest, funniest hit Broadway has seen since the producers, The Book of Mormon.  Already a nominee for a few awards, I hope the Tony nominating committee sees fit to put Mr. Rannells on their list for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical.  A tough field, he already faces stiff competition from his co-star, Josh Gad.  Either way, Andrew Rannells has had a dream year in his career, with what may just be his star-making role.  Here's hoping he continues to light up the stage with his energy, passion, skill, and killer smile.

INFO:

• Currently appearing in: The Book of Mormon as perfect, by-the-rules Elder Price, who learns the hard way that being so good doesn't give you the keys to the Kingdom.  Saddled with an impossibly uncouth, un-Mormon companion and an assignment in war-torn, AIDS ravaged Uganda, Price learns that, in fact, there is more of a price to pay on the road to salvation than mere "perfection."
• Birthdate: 1975... which makes him 35 or 36...
• Other Credits: Broadway: Link Larkin in Hairspray; Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys.  Regional/Touring/Toronto: Give It Up! (Lysistrata Jones), Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys. Other: Broadway Bares 2005; Voice Artist for several animated series and films.
• Website: http://www.bookofmormonbroadway.com/

PHOTOS:

Headshots/Rehearsal Photos



 Broadway Bares 2005

Give It Up! (Lysistrata Jones)

Jersey Boys

(various companies)

The Book of Mormon

ON VIDEO:

As Link Larkin in Hairspray

Comments? Suggestions for future Mr and Ms Broadways?  Leave one here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.244

TheatreScene: October 11 - 17

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS WEEK!

 

On the Verge of a Review:  2nd Preview Musings

THEATRE BOOK REVIEW: Spring Awakening: In the Flesh
THEATRE LEGEND: Theoni V. Aldredge
LOGOS: La Bete
Ms. Broadway October 2010: Leigh Zimmerman
Broadway Crossword by Blog #3, Clues, Part V

 

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THIS WEEK'S NEW POLL!

 

OCTOBER 11:
HISTORY:

 

From the Original Broadway Playbill

• 1984:  August Wilson's first play to open on Broadway did just that.  Ma Rainey's Black Bottom opened on this date at the Cort Theatre, earning 3 Tony nominations, including Best Play and one for Charles S. Dutton.
• 2009: The controversial play Oleanna opened a year ago, starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles.  Audiences stayed away...

BEGINNINGS:

• Dee Snider, lead singer of Twisted Sister, makes his Broadway debut in Rock of Ages as the club owner.  Rock on, Dee!
• Brent Barrett, perhaps the most underrated Broadway talent in recent years, returns to Chicago as Billy Flynn.  The man has a great voice and presence.  Have you heard him on the Cast Recording of Grand Hotel: The Musical?  Amazing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Jane Krakowski, Actor (Grand Hotel: The Musical, Nine)

 

OCTOBER 12:
HISTORY:

 

Ben Vereen in Jesus Christ Superstar

• 1971: Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice's first collaboration to reach Broadway, Jesus Christ Superstar, opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, turning the Great White Way on its ear.  Rife with controversy and a pretty popular concept album, the establishement was still shocked.  By today's standards, it sseems pretty tame.  The original production ran 268 performances, and earned Webber/Ride their first Tony nod, and brought Ben Vereen much attention.  He was Tony nominated for this, but would go on to greater glory the following season in a little show called Pippin.
• 1995: My Patti LuPone streak continues!  Her one woman show, Patti LuPone on Broadway opened for a limited run at the Kerr Theatre.  It was pretty awesome!

NEWS:

• A Life in the Theatre opens today.  Starring Patrick Stewart and TR Knight, the David Mamet play runs at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre through January 2, 2011.
• Love Never Dies is reborn!  News that the show will be re-vamped by Lord Vader Lloyd Webber and rebuilt by a new Australian creative team should come as a surprise to no one.  Will this be the version that makes it to Broadway in a few years?  Who knows?  But this is not without precedent.  Sunset Boulevard received similar treatment, when the revamped LA version was a critical and popular (if not financial) success on Broadway.  The newer version soon replaced the older on the West End.
• Broadway's best friend, Gregory Jbara, announces that he will be staying with Billy Elliot through June 2011!  His Tony winning performance gets better with age.  If you get the chance to see it with him, take it!  You won't be sorry.
• Speaking of Billy Elliot, I forgot (shame on me) to talk about one of my favorite Broadway divas, Emily Skinner, who joined the cast on October 2nd as Mrs. Wilkinson.  She comes to the Broadway company directly from the First National Touring Company.

 

• And finally... even though it is probably the new musical I am looking forward to the least, the casting news announced to day does make Wonderland. A New Alice. A New Musical a little more interesting.  Janet Decal of In the Heights fame heads that cast as the grown-up Alice.  Joining her are: Darren Ritchie (Little Shop of Horrors, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as White Knight/Jack/Lewid Carroll, Tituss Burgess (Jersey Boys, Little Mermaid) as Caterpillar, Jose Llana (Spelling Bee, Flower Drum Song) as El Gato, Karen Mason (Hairspray, Mamma Mia!) as The Queen of Hearts, Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Jekyll and Hyde) as Mad Hatter and Edward Staudenmayer (Spamalot, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me) as White Rabbit.  The ensemble will include: April Berry, Sae La Chin, Dan Domenech, Mallauri Esquibel, Derek Ferguson, Lauren Lim Jackson, Morgan James, Stefan Raulston, Julius Anthony Rubio and Danny Stiles.  The show is the first production of the Broadway Genesis Project, an initiative by the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to develop and prepare new musical theatre for Broadway. From a show's inception to final staging, the Project "provides a safe and nourishing environment in a state-of-the-art complex with artistic, technical and administrative resources."  Wonderland begins previews at the Marquis Theatre on March 21,2011.

TOPS AND BOTTOMS:

• Wicked was the top grossing show last week, with $1.6M; Jersey Boys had the top attendance at 99.5%
• The Scottsboro Boys was the lowest grossing show last week, with just under $175K (6 previews); American Idiot was the least attended show at 55.6%.
• Memphis joins the millionaire's club this week, grossing over $1M for the first time this week at the B.O.

BEGINNINGS:

• Ryan Jesse begins performances as Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys.  He replaces Sebastian Arcelus, who is Elf - bound.  

 

• Molly Shannon makes her Broadway debut as Marge MacDougal in Promises, Promises.
• Priscilla: Queen of the Desert begins its pre-Broadway engagement in Toronto.  Keep your pretty fingernailed fingers crossed...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Hugh Jackman, Actor (The Boy from Oz, A Steady Rain)

 

OCTOBER 13:
HISTORY:

• 1834: The Oldest Opening of the Week: Mathews at Home!/The Comic Annual opened at the Park Theatre.  Subtitled "A Lecture on Men, Manners and Peculiarities", the show lasted 18 days.  Sounds like a show about some guys I know...
• 1962: The now classic Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opened at the Billy Rose Theatre, where it ran for 664 performances.  It starred Uta Hagen and George Grizzard.  It was notable for two other reasons: it had an entirely different cast for matinee performances, and it cost a then whopping $42,000.00!

NEWS:

• Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson opens tonight at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre.  The off-Broadway transfer is the first new musical to open this season.  If rumors are to be believed, it might not last too long.  I hope it makes it to the 23rd...I have great seats...
• Rumors were confirmed today as it was officially announced that James Lapine would be directing the 2012 revival of Annie.

 

 

Priscilla meets the North American Press!

• And people wonder why the gays love her so much... today, Bette Midler was announced as a co-producer of the Broadway mounting of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.

MILESTONE:

 

The Current Jersey Boys

• The 8 PM performance of Jersey Boys will mark a new record for the history of the August Wilson Theatre.  It will be the longest-running show to ever play that space with 2,037 performances.  The previous record holder, Smokey Joe's Cafe, closed after 2,036 performances.  Interestingly, Matt Bogart will have been in both performances.  He was in the closing night company of Smokey Joe's Cafe, and he is currently playing Nick Massi in Jersey Boys.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Marie Osmond, Singer/Actor (The King and I)

 

OCTOBER 14:
HISTORY:

• 1929: Could this be a play from today?  The Nut Farm  opened at the Biltmore, lasting just 40 performances.

 

 

• 1961: How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying! opened at the 46th Street Theatre, starring eventual Tony winners Robert Morse and Charles Nelson Reilly.  The show itself eventually won 7 Tony awards, including Best Musical, and the Pulitzer Prize.

NEWS:

 

• La Bete opens at the Music Box Theatre for a limited engagement through January 11, 2011.

 

• The stars of this year's Best Musical, Memphis, Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, have extended their stay through September 2011.  Talk about loyalty...and job security!
• Mary McColl was named Executive Director of Actors Equity.  Her term begins in the new year.
• As the Witch warns in Into the Woods, "be careful the things you say..." Xanadu and Wicked star Marty Thomas filed papers in court to expose the name of "bwayanonymous" on Twitter for defamation charges.  Seems this tool idiot individual thought it would be fun to start some gossip about Thomas and "a star of Avenue Q" and an STD!  You know, it is one thing to criticize an actor's work on the Internet, another entirely to personally attack them.  It is amazing that we don't hear about more of this... even more amazing is the fact that certain message boards are allowed to continue for doing this and worse to people.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Lillian Gish, Late Actor and Usher Raymond, Singer/Actor (Chicago)...better known to music fans by just his first name.

 

OCTOBER 15:
HISTORY:

• 1938: Abe Lincoln in Illinois opened at the Plymouth Theatre.  The Pulitzer Prize winning play starred Raymond Massey, and lasted 472 performances.
• 1953: Another Pulitzer Prize (and Tony Award - Best Play), The Teahouse of the August Moon opened at the Matin Beck Theatre and ran an impressive 1,027 performances.  John Forsythe and David Wayne were in the original cast.
• 2009: A star-filled revival of Bye Bye Birdie re-opened the newly re-constructed Henry Miller's Theatre.  It seems so long ago, doesn't it?

NEWS:

 

 

• The Scottsboro Boys television commercial makes its debut.  It is exciting and spectacular...more in a later blog!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Gavin Lee, Actor (Mary Poppins)

 

OCTOBER 16:
HISTORY:

• 1939: The classic comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner debutes at the Music Box Theatre, where it ran for 739 performances.
• 1967: Rosencrantz and Guildendstern Are Dead, Tom Stoppard's avante-garde play opened at the Alvin Theatre, running 420 performances, earning 8 Tony nods, and winning 4, including Best Play.

 

 

• 1997: The cult favorite musical that made Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner tops on the Broadway divas list, Side Show opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, lasting a mere 91 performances.

NEWS:

• The Chicago engagement of Billy Elliot is ipulling up stakes a little earlier than anticipated, closing at the end of November.  I bet little Billy is doing the Angry Dance and Michael is raiding his sister's closet in anticipation of the move.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Angela Lansbury, Actor (Mame, Sweeney Todd)

 

OCTOBER 17:
HISTORY:

• 1965: The musical On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever  opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, running 208 performances, and earning John Cullum a Theatre World Award.
• 1972: 6 Rms Riv Vu, a constant regional and community theatre staple, opened at the old Helen Hayes Theatre, starring Jane Alexander and Jerry Orbach.  The play ran 247 performances.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rob Marshall, Actor (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Choreographer (Victor/Victoria, Damn Yankees), Director (Cabaret (co), Little Me)