RANT and RAVE: The Replacements

This week, two high profile cast replacements were named for two hit Broadway shows.  One of them was so high profile, it was on the news!  When was the last time THAT happened (Spider-Man, not withstanding)?

The first, though, came the announcement that Adam Pascal would be replacing Tony-nominee Chad Kimball at the end of October in 2010's Best Musical, Memphis.  My first thought was, "really??"  I mean, there is no doubt that Pascal is talented and is a near expert in conveying chemistry.  Look at him and Daphne Ruben-Vega in RENT (or with Anthony Rapp) for that matter.  Or he and his AIDA co-star, Heather Headley - smoking hot and romantic, too!  That look in the final scene...mmmmm.  Yes. Mr. Pascal should have no trouble with the smouldering sexy chemistry with equally sexy and smouldering Montego Glover.

I guess I'm having trouble picturing the quirky, vulnerable, innocent-yet-worldly-wise Huey Calhoun in Adam Pascal.  Of course, he is an actor, a very good one, even if his prior roles have a certain similarity that is not really in this new character.  I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.  Just as I did with Kristin Chenoweth when she departed from her "norm" and tackled (beautifully, in my opinion) a challenging out of the box role.  Instead, maybe I should wish him well and warn him that as much as critics (and some fans) bemoan the fact that actors rarely venture beyond the expected, they rarely embrace the brave ones that do.  Good luck!

The really high profile replacement announcement came today at a press conference live from Sardi's.  Looks like Nick Jonas will be Daniel Radcliffe's permanent replacement in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.  It is also now clear that producers are looking to fill the seats at the Hirschfeld with Tweens and their parents.

Let's not forget that the first replacement is actually Glee's Darren Criss, who will also appeal to the tween set, just as Radcliffe did before, and Jonas will after.  But there is a bit of an error in thinking here, and it has nothing whatsoever to do how well all three of them do or will do in the role.  I adored Mr. Radcliffe in the role, and have no doubt that both Mr. Criss and Mr. Jonas will do just fine, finding their own way with the role.

The error in thinking, I think, is that tweens and their parents will embrace these newcomers in the same magnitude, i.e. SRO crowds.  Radcliffe has something neither Criss nor Jonas has: international stardom cultivated by over a decade of growing up before our very eyes in the most successful movie franchise, based on the most popular book series of all time.  He played a character on film that kids and their parents read in those books.  Arguably as many adults kept up with Harry Potter as their kids did.  The appeal of Daniel Radcliffe is multi-generational, backed up by a star turn performance.

A pair of Finches: Darren Criss and Nick Jonas

Criss, with just a three week run, should draw the hordes of Glee-Kurt/Blaine fans, keeping interest and numbers high.  And, to some extent, Glee fans are multi-generational just as Potter fans are.  I bring this up because IF tweens are the target audience, someone has to BRING them to the theatre.  Radcliffe and Criss give parents as much reason to come to the show.  Now, I admit I know the least about the current appeal of Nick Jonas.  How much appeal does he have without his other brothers?  How much will his performance in Les Miserables, which divided fans and critics alike, effect the B.O. for H2$?  Will parents want to sit through the show just to keep their kids happy?  And does Jonas have the same appeal/acceptance by tween boys AND girls as Radcliffe?

Since Mr. Jonas has the most Broadway experience of the three  - he's been on the boards in Annie Get Your Gun, Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables - I don't think his ability onstage is even a question.  But I do wonder about his ability to draw news-making crowds.

All bets are off if they can find a nostalgic appeal for the parents when the recast John Larroquette.
Do you plan to see Adam, Darren and/or Nick?  Write in and let us know!


Rate this blog below and leave your comments here, by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
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REVIEW: Memphis (Film)

Review of the nationwide screening of Memphis: A New Musical on May 3, 2011.  Starring Chad Kimball, Montego Glover, Derrick Baskin, Cass Morgan, J. Bernard Calloway, James Monroe Iglehart and Michael McGrath and the Broadway Cast.  Music by David Bryan.  Book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro.  Choreography by Sergio Trujillo.  Directed for the Stage by Christopher Ashley.  Directed for Film by Don Roy King.  Running time: 2:45, including pre-show documentary and intermission.

GRADE: A

Opera has been doing it for years (live and recorded) and some West End shows, too.  And now, at last, Broadway has joined the cinema revolution with the recent screenings of Memphis.  This is history in the making, folks, and it is a concept I fully embrace.  This screening, at limited screens and at limited times, brings Broadway to the masses if the masses so choose to partake.  The show couldn't be more current (just a year old AND the current Tony-winning Best Musical) making it a draw for true theatre fans all over the country, and at $20 a ticket (plus a small fee), affordable in comparison to the real thing.  By making it a strictly limited engagement at a limited number of theatres, it not only makes the film a "special event,", but it also takes away the fear that it could seriously impact the audience of the show at the Shubert Theatre.  If anything, at least from what I heard people saying during the intermission, it should help it gain some audience on tour and on Broadway.  Why?  Because as great as film is, and this one in particular is pretty darned great, it will never replace the experience of live theatre.  But a close approximation might just light the fire under a few and reignite the fire for people who haven't been in awhile.

There are many advantages to film.  First, as the show was filmed live over several performances, the best of each scene and number can be edited together to create a "definitive edition."  Second, you get a great view, no matter where you sit, and you get to see things that even a front row seat at the theatre doesn't give you, like tight close-ups, focus on reactions by the supporting and ensemble characters, and even sweeping views of the whole stage when important.  Third, with special recognition for film sound designer Matt Kaplowitz, you can hear the orchestra and singers at comparable and notably clearer levels.  The sound literally surrounds you and every lyric, word and note is crystal clear.  And, of course, it drowns out the chatty Cathys that inevitably sit right behind you, running commentary and all.

Of course, there are some disadvantages to film versus live performance; as I said, film will never replace the live theatre experience.  First, film also "tells" you what to look at - you have no choice as to what you are seeing as the film is the only view you get at any given minute.  Second, there is automatically a limit to how much you can react to something. There are no holds for laughs, and, while the audience I attended with applauded freely throughout, there is no chance for really being enthusiastic without clapping yourself into not being able to hear the next scene.  And finally, and perhaps most importantly, you have no live connection going on between cast and audience.  That electric current between the house and the stage is notably absent.  Yes, you can hear the recorded audience react, but it just isn't the same.

There is one aspect of the film that I loved, simply because you can't really do it in a live performance, and there is one thing that inadvertently effects a filmed version of a live show.  What I really loved was in act two, during Huey's TV show, we often saw it as if we were watching our old black and white TVs.  We could see it the way it was meant to be seen, in effect.  The thing that I really didn't like is that with the sound so attuned to the performers, no slack could be cut for breathing loudly and for all those little sounds we make between words and sentences.  Live, it comes off naturally.  HD sound makes it sound odd. 

Fortunately (or unfortunately, as you choose to look at it) this really only effected Chad Kimball, a heavy breather and word-slurrer/gasper/grunter of the highest order.  Because Mr. Kimball is portraying a larger than life character, some license has been given in allowing him to exaggerate speech and physicality, I am sure.  And as he was really performing for a full house in a theatre that is gigantic compared to the multiplex, his performance is notably large.  On film, he comes across sometimes as over acting, and not just eccentric and a little slow, but perhaps mentally challenged as well.  Still, with the balance of everyone around him and some truly beautiful vocal work on his part during the musical numbers, his excesses are easily overlooked.

The rest of the cast comes off exceedingly well.  Montego Glover has starlet written all over her - the camera LOVES her.  Cass Morgan's work on the details of her character are much more evident close up, and the broadness of Derrick Baskin, J. Bernard Calloway, James Monroe Iglehart and Michael McGrath are even more delicious on the big screen.  And the ensemble is vastly talented as they dance and sing in a wide variety of styles as the score calls for.

The film, directed by Don Roy King manages to capture most of the theatricality of Christopher Ashley's stage direction, and leaves me wondering all over again how Sergio Trujillo's spectacular choreography wasn't even nominated for a Tony Award last year.  Memphis is one dancin' extravaganza as this film captures so beautifully.

Soon, this will be available on DVD, and I will buy it.  And I will be attending the filmed version of the New York Philharmonic concert of Stephen Sondheim's Company.  I encourage all of you to do the same.  Supporting this kind of union of two art forms is a win for everyone.

(Photos of the Broadway production by Joan Marcus)


Comments?  Leave one here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
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Broadway Boys: Mr. April 2011: Charlie Williams

WARNING: SOME PHOTOS BELOW MAY NOT BE WORK SAFE!

Mr. Broadway April 2011:

Charlie Williams

WHY HE'S MR. APRIL: Frequent visitors to this blog might be asking the more obvious question: why wasn't he Mr. Broadway sooner?  Well, as my followers know, Charlie Williams has been a favorite of mine since I saw him in Memphis.  But the Mr. Broadway for that show went to its star, Chad Kimball, and so it has taken Charlie's run in that show, along with a trip out west to premiere Leap of Faith, and finally a return to Broadway in the sizzling hot revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying  in order to be eligible for the honor again.  Of course, I'm sure I'd have named him this month anyway had I never seen him before.  That's just how great he is in this show.  What a dancer!  What an actor - yes, the ensemble acts!  And what a great, charming smile.  Then there is his kind, giving heart.  His Broadway castmates refer to him as "Charity Charlie," so often does he participate in charity events.  Who could forget his sexy turn in Broadway Bares XX: Strip-opoly?  Or the related photo shoots?  Or his being named Mr. Broadway 2010 in last year's Broadway Beauty Pageant.  The guy has it all - talent, good looks and sincerity. 

INFO:

• Currently appearing in: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying as Mr. Jenkins and u/s for Bud Frump.  He is also an assistant choreographer on the show.
• Birthdate: He's 23... as of March 30th!
• Other credits: Broadway debut in Memphis; nominated for an Astaire Award for his work in Memphis; appeared in The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular; regional/pre-Broadway Leap of Faith
• Website: http://www.iamcharliewilliams.com/
• Look for him here: www.HowToSucceedBroadway.com or here http://www.afterelton.com/people/2010/05/charlie-williams-memphis or at http://www.broadwaybares.com/

PHOTOS:

Headshots

 Memphis

(Top to Bottom)

Dancing in Memphis; Celebrating performance number 200;

Enjoying a slice of Memphis-inspired pizza with castmates

 Mr. Broadway 2010

4th Annual Broadway Beauty Pageant

(Top to Bottom)

PR Shot; Talent; Swimsuit

The crowning!

Sex and Silly Sell:

Fun Photo Shoots

 

Serious Photoshoots

Broadway Bares XX: Strip-opoly

Poster Boy

The Broadway Bares/Next Magazine

Photo Shoot

No matter what the angle, this bellboy

can move!

Leap of Faith

Charlie is second from the left

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

"How To..": Charlie is to the right of Daniel Radcliffe,

in the front of the two rows of dancers

VIDEO:
Mr. Broadway 2010 Competition

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Charlie is featured in "How to Succeed," "Coffee Break, " "The Company Way," and "The Brotherhood of Man."


Who would YOU like to see as Mr. or Ms. Broadway in the coming months?  Leave your suggestion here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff

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TheatreScene: January 31 - February 6

LIKE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING?  BECOME A "FOLLOWER"!

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THIS MONTH'S POLL!  NOTE: THIS POLL IS "CLASSIC" BROADWAY.  THE NEXT POLL WILL FEATURE "CONTEMPORARY" SONGS TO VOTE FOR. AND IF YOU CHOOSE "OTHER" PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR TITLE SO YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS WEEK!
POLL RESULTS: Saying Goodbye to January
Mr. Broadway February 2011: Lombardi's Packers
ON THE RADAR: Bring It On: The Musical
Guest Blogger: American Idiot: Van Hughes x3 and a New St. Jimmy
CASTING: Priscilla: Queen of the Desert
Broadway Crossword by Blog #5: Original vs Revival, Clue Set #2

January 31

HISTORY:

• Harrigan n' Hart, 1985's "guaranteed Broadway hit" (the ads and press said so) opened at the Longacre Theatre, starring Christine Ebersole, Harry Groener and Luke Skywalker Mark Hamill.  The guarantee lasted 4 performances.

NEWS:

• Quick rewind:  Yesterday, Chicago held Broadway's first free performance for Facebook Fans!  And fans got to see Roxies, Velmas, Billys and Mamas galore, as cast members past and present, including Chita Rivera, came out to meet the fans and see the show!
• Here we go again... Catch Me If You Can announces that the show's first preview will be delayed until March 11.  So far the opening night date of April 10 is still in place.  The delay, they say, is because of the weather and the departure of RAIN.  Did the faux-Beatles trash their dressing rooms or something?

• Oscar co-host James Franco let it out of the bag that he will be co-starring with Nicole Kidman in  Broadway's Sweet Bird of Youth.  That is good news - he's a talented guy.  Even better news would be the long awaited Broadway debut of the other Oscar co-host, Ann Hathaway.

TOPS AND BOTTOMS: (01/24 - 01/30/2011)

• Top Gross: Wicked ($1.3M)
• Top Attendance: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (92.2%)
• Bottom Gross: Colin Quinn: Long Story Short ($162K)
• Bottom Attendance: Colin Quinn: long Story Short (60.1%)
• SRO Club: No members this week!
• $M Club: The Lion King, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Wicked

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Anthony LaPaglia, Actor (Lend Me a Tenor, A View from the Bridge)

February 1

HISTORY:

• The Longest Time Since a Broadway Opening: 42 years ago, in 1969: The Booth Theatre played host to Mother Lover.  It opened and closed on February 1, 1969.

NEWS:

• After a brief hiatus and a few minor cast changes, The Merchant of Venice returned for its final weeks, through February 20.
• Melissa Etheridge took to the St. James Theatre stage as St. Jimmy in American Idiot.  Her reign will last for one week, but the memory will last forever.  See article at top of this blog for full details.
• Praise the Lord!  The entire cast of Sister Act was announced today, including Victoria Clark as the Mother Superior.  Now THAT is good news!

• The Las Vegas version of The Phantom of the Opera, Phantom: The Vegas Spectacular had its 2,000 performance today.  No Raoul I've ever seen looked that, um, spectacular...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Michael C. Hall, Actor (Chicago, Cabaret)

February 2

HISTORY:

• Oldest Opening of the Week: 1822: King Henry IV, Part II opened at the Park Theatre for an undetermined length of run.

• 2005: Good Vibrations opened at the Eugene O'Neill and ran for a weak 94 performances.  But it did introduce the Broadway world to Sebastian Arcelus, Janet Decal, Tituss Burgess and Chad Kimball, all of whom have gone on to much bigger successes.

NEWS:

• Andrew B. Hamingson stepped down from his post as Executive Director of the Public Theater after 2 and a half years.  He cited personal reasons for his departure.  During his time at the Public, he oversaw the $35M renovation of the theatre, and the Broadway transfers of Hair, The Merchant of Venice and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Cady Huffman, Actor (The Producers, The Will Rogers Follies)

February 3

HISTORY:

• 1969: The Canterbury Tales, a musical version of the Chaucer book, opened at the O'Neill Theatre, where it ran 121 performances.  The show starred George Rose and Sandy Duncan in her Broadway debut.

NEWS:

• Roundabout Theatre Company announced a workshop of the Broadway-bound musical Yank!, which will explore changes made to the script since its 2010 off-Broadway production.  The workshop will be directed by David Cromer, who is attached to the Fall 2011 Broadway production, and features original star (also attached for Broadway) Bobby Steggert, plus Santino Fontanna, Michael Berresse, Tally Sessions and Tyler Maynard.  The workshop will culminate in industry presentations of the show on February 25 and 26.
• Arcadia will delay its Broadway previews by a day.
• The complete cast for The People in the Picture was announced today.  Joining Donna Murphy will be Chip Zien, Christopher Innvar, Alexander Gemignani and Nicole Parker as the principals.  The complete cast features 19 actors.

• Memphis was home to the first "Inspire Change" initiative, that had 1,000 NYC students participating in the finale, "Steal Your Rock n' Roll," including singing along and doing choreography from their seats and in the aisles.  The performance was followed by a talk back with the full cast, including Chad Kimball and Montego Glover.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nathan Lane, Actor (The Addams Family, The Producers, The Odd Couple)

February 4

HISTORY:

• In 1938, the very first performance ever of Our Town was held at the Henry Miller's Theatre.  It changed American drama forever.  The original production ran 336 performances.
• In 1946, Judy Holliday opened in Born Yesterday at the Lyceum Theatre.  The show, now a classic and soon to be revived, ran 1,642 performances.
• In 1999, the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown that would win Roger Bart and Kristin Chenoweth their Tony Awards, opened at the Ambassador Theatre. It ran 149 performances.

NEWS:

• Christie Brinkley will be Roxie in Chicago, starting April 4.  Enough said.
• Sister Act will perform on The View February 9th, it was announced today.  The show is co-produced by Whoopi Goldberg, who also co-hosts The View.
• The second generation of The Addams Family was announced today. Joining Bebe Neuwirth, Jackie Hoffman, Zachary James and Adam Riegler, who will stay with the show, are Roger Rees, Brad Oscar, Heidi Blickenstaff, Adam, Grupper, Jesse Swenson and Rachel Potter.  Rees had been previously announced.  The new family moves in March 8th.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jonathan Larson, Late Composer/Lyricist (RENT)

February 5

HISTORY:

• 1959: Redhead, starring Gwen Verdon and Richard Kiley, and directed/choreographed by Bob Fosse, opened on this date at the 46th Street Theatre, where it ran 452 performances.

NEWS:

• Does anything happen on a Saturday?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Violet and Daisy Hilton, late Actors/Performers (the subject of Side Show)

February 6 - GO PACKERS!

HISTORY:

• 1969 was a lousy week on Broadway.  Three flops opened this week, including today's Dear World, starring Angela Lansbury, who still won the Tony.  Jerry Herman's follow-up to Mame opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre and lasted only 132 performances.

NEWS:

• The big news of the day, of course, isn't happening on the Broadway stage.  It is on TV.  That's right!  Glee returns tonight after some football game.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kathy Najimy, Actor (Dirty Blonde)

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