Bits and Pieces for 07.25.2010

Be sure to vote on the current poll!  This poll closes next Saturday at noon!

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED!

• Trends of the Decade: Boys Will Be Boys
• When the Show Goes On, But the Star Doesn't
• Fantasy Vacation via Broadway
• A Grand Entrance
• On the Radar: Leap of Faith
• Broadway Game: Where Am I On Broadway?

MORE SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR JKSTHEATRESCENE

As I slip further and further into the social networking abyss, I find myself more and more on Twitter, even if I don't always "tweet" myself.  You can see what I've said to the right of this blog, and you can even follow me.  I've learned from fellow bloggers and several Broadway folks who to respond to and who not to - generally, if you say you are someone from the theatre scene, you'd better be "verified" or have enough info on yourself that it is more than likely you are who you say you are.  And it is fun to hear from people I respect - Kristin Chenoweth's seal of approval on my Promises, Promises review still thrills me, and I've tweeted with Hair's Josh Lamon and Glory Days' Adam Halpin.  In fact it was one of Josh Lamon's tweets that got me interested in joining another social network, Formspring.  It appeals to me because it allows users (and visitors) to ask members questions.  Naturally, I don't have to answer every question, but if it is reasonable and interesting, I'll answer!  Mostly, I decided to join because it will be one more way for us to interact about Broadway and this blog. 

So, if you have questions for me, go to http://www.formspring.me/.  I can be found under "jkstheatrescene" or by my name, "Jeff Kyler."  I, as always, look forward to hearing from you!

VERMIN CREATE iPHONE APP!

Yes, folks, the "vermin of the theatre world," according to John Simon, anyway, have come together to create a great new iPhone application.  That's right, theatre bloggers (vermin) and those who follow us (verminites?) wrote into one of my favorite blogs, PRODUCERS PERSPECTIVE, and suggested theatre-related apps for the iPhone.  Producer/Blogger Ken Davenport and his staff selected the best choice and created one, wich is now available for download.  Read all about it by clicking here!

Now, I have to get an iPhone!

UPCOMING BROADWAY GIGS

As summer rapidly flies by (and with this disgusting heat, it can't go fast enough), more and more Broadway guys and dolls are figuring out and announcing their next moves.

Broadway's Favorite Pinup:

Nick Adams is Priscilla - bound

• Cutie pie Curtis Holbrook of Xanadu and West Side Story fame is starring in Footloose  as Ren at MUNY.  This is not his first time withnthe show - he was in it at one point on Broadway.
• Broadway great gal Dee Hoty of Footloose, Will Rogers Follies and Bye Bye Birdie fame will also be in that production of Footloose, recreating her Tony-nominated turn.
• Current Cagelle and always Broadway pinup boy, Nick Adams trades in his St. Tropez drag for some Down Under wonder as he has been cast as the third lead in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, which will be bussing onto Broadway pretty soon!

Sheryl Kaller (center) in rehearsal

for Broadway's Next Fall

• The brilliant (and Tony nominated) Broadway directorial debut of Next Fall's Sheryl Kaller will have her at the helm of the Broadway-bound play, The Great Game.
• Fellow director (and Tony nominee) Diane Paulus is readying a revival of The Capeman which will be presented in Central Park in Aygust.
• This very weekend, Andrea McArdle came full circle in the show that made her famous, Annie.  No, she's not playing the curly haired heartbreaker, this time around she's Miss Hannigan!   

She's not Annie anymore!

Andrea McArdle as Miss Hannigan

BROADWAY SETS MORE DATES

• August 16: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark actually begins rehearsals!  One week they lose their PR firm, the next they are getting ready to start the show.  Good for them.  Reeve Carney is still the only confirmed cast member - he's Peter Parker/Spidey.  Jennifer Damiano and Patrick Page are rumored to be Mary Jane and the Green Goblin, respectively, but the announcement has not been formally made.  I guess we'll hear before the 16th!
• September 26: The Broadway Cares Flea Market.  One of my favorite events of the entire season.  Rain or Shine!

Hearn, LuPone and Cerveris do

"A Little Priest" at Sondheim: The Birthday Concert

• November 24: Sondheim: The Birthday Concert will be aired on PBS.  The DVD of the event will also be released some time in November.
• March 10/April 7: Anything Goes, the full-scale revival from the Roundabout Theatre Company, begins previews/opens at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.  Only star Sutton Foster has been announced so far, but officials at Roundabout say this will not be a scaled-back revival.  They say the cast will be enormous and the production appropriately lavish.  I can't wait to see this!  The LuPone-McGillin revival in 1987 at Lincoln Center remains one of my favorite productions of all time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday last week to:

07/18: Craig Bierko (The Music Man, Thou Shalt Not, Guys and Dolls)
07/19: Campbell Scott (Ah! Wilderness!, Long Day'ss Journey Into Night)
07/20: Michael Park (Smokey Joe's Cafe)
07/21: Lillias White (Fela!, The Life)
07/22: Alan Menken (Leap of Faith, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast)
07/23: Philip Seymour Hoffman (Long Day's Journey Into Night, True West)
07/24: Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Promises, Promises)


Comments:  Leave one here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.
Questions: Ask me anything at http://www.formspring.me/.  Look under "jkstheatrescene" or "Jeff Kyler."
Jeff

Broadway Game: Where Am I on Broadway?

I was looking through a pretty cool new book I got for my 3 year-old niece that is full of extreme close-ups of  easily recognizable objects, like a real close-up of an orange or a tire tread.  So I got an idea that it might be fun to see how well we Broadway fans might do with extreme close-ups.  Could we recognize famous theatres, logos and landmarks from a very close up picture?  We'll see, because here are some very extreme close-ups.  (Eat your heart out, Norma Desmond!)

And I dedicate this game to my friend and fellow blogger, Esther, who is on her first trip to Broadway in 2010!  (Hope you are having a GREAT time!)

Here is a sample:

Of course, this is a New York Taxi!

Remember:  there are theatre district landmarks, hangouts, marquees and show logos here.  Be as specific as you can!  Good luck!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Here's a difficult one, unless you actually been there... if you read my blog, you know I go there a lot!

BONUS

Look for the answers in "Bits and Pieces for 08.01.2010"

Comments?  leave one here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.

Jeff

On the Radar: Leap of Faith

I've never seen the Steve Martin - Debra Winger movie, but from what I've read about the plot and characters, Leap of Faith seems like a natural for the drama of live theatre and seems ripe for natural places to put in musical numbers.

The story of a traveling evangelist/flim-flam man, Reverend Jonas Nightengale (Raul Esparza) who, along with his sister/sidekick, Sam (Kendra Kassebaum), makes a stop in a small mid-western town.  There, he is challenged in everything he believes in by Marva (Brooke Shields), a waitress and struggling single mother.

The Stars: Raul Esparza, Brooke Shields,

Kendra Kassebaum and Jarrod Emick 

The show is written by Janus Cercone, who wrote the screenplay, and Glenn Slater, who also contributes lyrics to Alan Menken's (Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors) score.  Menken and Slater last collaborated on The Little Mermaid.

The Writers: Alan Menken and Glenn Slater

The potent combination of religion vs ethics, the poor looking for something to believe in again, and a villain who undergoes a metamorphosis really appeals to me.  I am hoping that that the show will have several strong themes and won't be afraid to address them, rather than sugar-coat the issues. 

Headlined by  Esparza (Company, Taboo), Shields (Grease!, Cabaret, Wonderful Town) and Kassebaum (Wicked), the show co-stars Jarrod Emick (Tony-winner, Damn Yankees, The Boy from Oz), Kecia Lewis-Evans (The Drowsy Chaperone), Nicholas Barasch (West Side Story) and newcomer Leslie Odom, Jr. 

The ensemble is also full of Broadway veterans and newcomers: Brad Anderson (A Chorus Line), Bradley Benjamin, Tom Berklund (Broadway Bares 19.0), Christopher Bones, Krystal Joy Brown, Ta'Rea Campbell (The Lion King), Eric L. Christian (Cry-Baby, South Pacific), Michelle Duffy, Harvey Evans (Anyone Can Whistle, Sunset Boulevard) , Ashley Blair Fitzgerald, Jennie Ford (All Shook Up, Dance of the Vampires), Bob Gaynor (Taboo, AIDA), Angela Grovey, Shannon Lewis (Fosse, Curtains), Michael X. Martin (Curtains, Ragtime), Maurice Murphy (Spelling Bee), Anise E. Ritchie, Darcie Roberts (Curtains, AIDA), Bryce Ryness (Hair, Legally Blonde), Ariel Shepley, C.E. Smith (The Full Monty), Alex Michael Stoll, Dennis Stowe (Shrek, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Katherine Tokarz (Rock of Ages, White Christmas), Brandon Wardell (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Assassins), Karl Warden, Natalie Willes (Saturday Night Fever) and Charlie Williams (Broadway Bares 20, Memphis).

The Director/Choreographer:

Rob Ashford

Considering the pedigree of the creative staff - the show will be directed and choreographed by Promises, Promises' Rob Ashford - and the top notch cast, this seems to really be pushing for Broadway.  Let's hope it goes the way of Hairspray, and not the way of The First Wives Club!

The world premiere will run at L.A.'s Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, September 11 - October 24, with opening night scheduled for October 3.

Comments?  Leave one here or email me at jkstheatrecene@yahoo.com.
Jeff

Behemoth

As I said, Behemoth was my favourite character in The Master & Margarita and a little bit of web-browsing has bought me to these cool things:

This is a statute of Behemoth which is in the Adriyivskyy Descent in Kiev. The Adriyviskyy Descent is where Mikhail Bulgakov lived, and where the Bulgakov Museum is.

And this is the said Bulgakov musuem and house on the Adriyivskyy Descent.
And this is a super-cool T-shirt from Out of Print, which features Behemoth on the front, and describes The Master & Margarita as the 'most sensational literary work since Doctor Zhivago' which I really need to read.

A Grand Entrance

One of the things I love about a Broadway musical is a thrilling overture and/or big opening number.  They can really get a show going.  Another thing I love about a Broadway musical is the "star entrance."  You have to know what I mean!  That moment designed to garner applause for the guy or gal you are there to see.  Usually, it is the star, sometimes it is the character, but no matter, you know you are supposed to applaud.  Of course, in a way it is even more noticeable when said star is out and the understudy is on (generally speaking).

Here are some of my absolute favorite star entrances:

Shrek: The Musical: For a show that I really didn't care for, it had TWO such entrances... one, I think more for the character than the actor, and one just then opposite.  No offense to Brian D'Arcy James, but when Shrek comes bursting out of his outhouse and we see the green guy for the first time all grown up, it gets applause.  On the other hand, we get to see grown up Princess Fiona after a pause in the song, when a teenaged Fiona circles around the back of her tower, and a full grown Sutton Foster comes around the other side.  The music vamps until the applause dies down.

RENT: Whoever gets to play Maureen gets a hell of an entrance in RENT.  The character is mentioned, discussed and sung about well before we ever see her, and she comes in, on a "motorcycle" no less at the crescendo of a huge production number!  Pretty cool, and it was as cool when Idina Menzel was a nobody, and for every "Maureen" after.

Grand Hotel: The Musical: Talk about your "Grand" entrances.  The entire main cast is introduced as they enter the hotel through the revolving door by the narrator/Doctor.  To make it even more interesting, the Doctor himself makes a spectacular entrance.  During a series of three angry crescendos from the orchestra, the Doctor storms through the door, limps angrily to his chair stage right, sits down and gives himself an injection of morphine! (Below, from the 1990 Tony Awards, Kathleen Turner does the introductions, plus  "We'll Take a Glass Together," one of the greatest musical numbers ever.)



Xanadu:  A show of extremes had star entrances at both ends of the spectrum, and really gave the whole cast a great way to take the stage.  First, Sonny (Cheyenne Jackson) just meanders on stage and begins drawing his muse mural.  The audience is silent, watching him, until he is ready to address the audience!  Then, during the opening number, "I'm Alive," the mural comes to life, via a cool projection and a well-placed trap door/elevator, which brings up groups of muses, ending with Kira (Kerry Butler).

Hello, Dolly!:  Sure, we've seen Dolly Levi for almost every scene up to this point, but she (Carol Channing) gets to make one hell of an entrance during the title number, when she arrives at the top of the stairs at Harmonia Gardens in the amazing red dress.

Promises, Promises:  Star Sean Hayes gets an interesting entrance, one that thankfully gets applause (both times I saw it, anyway).  The overture starts, and the scrim is back lit to reveal Mr. Hayes working at his desk center stage, while executives and secretaries dance around and all over him.  He never misses a beat, stapling and stamping and adding and eating lunch to every punctuating beat of that show's awesome overture.

The Addams Family:  Say what you want about the show, but between the awesome overture and the grand entrance of the titular family, this show starts off with a one two snap!  First you get the strains of the famous theme song, followed by a jazzy and intense overture, which culminates in the grand drape parting to reveal the Addams' in pose.  The crowd goes wild!

Hairspray:  This one has the most subtle of star entrances, first with Tracy (Marissa Jaret Winokur) "lying" in bed.  The angle is so jarring and funny, you don't even realize the leading lady has made her entrance!  Then, when Edna (Harvey Fierstein) takes the stage, it is from a trucked in piece of scenery, with her standing behind an ironing board, holding up a piece of laundry in front of her face until it is dropped at just the right moment to reveal our star.

And here is the entrance that got me into this whole Broadway thing in the first place:

Mame:  I'll never forget it... the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge/Manhattan skyline circa the roaring 20's goes up to reveal a nearly empty stage, save for some exotically dressed people all in poses.  The scenery slides in (not a stage hand in sight!) and Mame's fabulous apartment takes shape.  The jazzy horns that begin "It's Today" start, including a long bugle vamp.  Mame (Angela Lansbury) comes into view at the top of an enormous spiral staricase, blowing a bugle.  APPL:AUSE!  Then, "playing" the bugle, she slides down the spiral bannister!  (I'm sure it was stage magic, but it was really something to a 17 year old at his first Broadway show in 1983.  I mean, scenery without people moving it???  Angela who?

Do you have a favorite star entrance?  Tell me about it here or email me at jkstheatrescener@yahoo.com.
Jeff

The End of Year 12

I cannot believe that this year has gone by so quickly. I tend to think of things in terms of academic year (September-July) as opposed to calender year, and this one has gone so, so fast.

Being in sixth form has been crazy, the benefits (NEVER HAVING TO DO MATHS AGAIN, no uniform [kind of], free periods) have occasionally been outweighed by the negatives (so. much. work; so much. pressure; teachers that insist on still treating us like five year olds), but all in all it has been an amazing experience.

I know I've grown up a lot over the past year and changed a lot, I think for the better. I'm no longer afraid of voicing my opinion, I have actually stood up and given presentations in front of people without wanting to faint, I've got a job which (despite the fact I am constantly told I am rubbish at) has helped me gain confidence and I have some great old & new friends who are happy to let me be exactly who I am, as opposed to who they want me to be.

So, here are some brief things that happened/things you should know about Year 12.

• Believe people when they say there is a huge leap between GCSE and A-Level. I didn't and for the first few lessons I didn't get the fuss-then the work piled (and piled) on
• So it helps to be organised-get a planner, learn time management, try and prevent procrastination (something I am awful at).
• Try and put aside some time each day for school work. I know it sounds uncool, but it is so helpful. I stay after school from 3.40 until 5 as I get a lift home with my Mum and since I started doing that I got so much more done
• REVISEREVISEREVISEREVISE for your exams
• If you can, take the AQA Extended Project. Its basically a research piece of anything you like, mine was on theatre and I really enjoyed doing it.
• I got a job this year. Although there are times when I really, really don't enjoy it and I occasionally miss my weekends; I think recently I've come out of my shell and have met some really fun people.
• Having a job = having my own money. Before I got £20 a month from the parents, and now I have my own supply I feel so much more independant.
• I saw a production of Rent, one of my favourite musicals. Even if it was a youth amateur theatre group that did it, it was really really good
• I also saw Les Miserables, which was wonderful!!
• I visited three universities, all of which were very different, but it was so interesting to finally see what they are really like
• I went to London with a friend and stayed there overnight, and it was great
• Whilst in London, I went to the Royal Albert Hall, which was also amazing. And now, when the Proms are on, I can say 'I'VE BEEN THERE!'
• Also went to Alton Towers with the friends, and went on Nemisis (the big ride I didn't go on first time round) and came off unable to walk in a straight line. Was going to brave Thirteen but it was BROKEN.
• I've made friends with lots of new people to school, which is great (:
• I also actually *speak* to a lot more people in my year than before-especially within my English and French class
• I'm a member of Amnesty and I can stand up and debate in front of total strangers and not get (too) toungetied
• I leafleted for the Liberal Democrats in the election
• I ate a some of a blue pancake

I'm sure so many more things happened along the way. Despite the stress, this year has been so, so much better than either Year 10 or Year 11, especially once I hit about February, I'd been feeling down about stuff that happened at the start of our super long 2009 holiday, and I finally managed to pull myself together.

Year 13 is even more big and scary. It will be my last ever year of school. And that is terrifying! But! I have a month, a week and a bit before I have to go back and I plan on relaxing as much as possible this holiday (:

(PS. Totally different tone in this entry to the reviews, right? I was going to do a deeper blog, but really, this year has been too nice to get deep into anything!)

Fantasy Vacation Via Broadway

Let me set the scene for you... in my "real life," I am a cubicle dwelling worker bee.  Granted our hive is kinda small, 3 groups of four cubicles.  I've heard of whole warehouse floors of them, so I guess I'm pretty lucky.  Still, my cramped little slice of the American Dream does not afford me a view of the outside.  So I compensate...

Around the edges of my cubicle are four Broadway showcards: The Kennedy Center productions of Company (Lynn Redgrave, John Barrowman, Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner), Sweeney Todd (Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christine Baranski and Celia Keenan-Bolger), the original Broadway showcard of Wicked and a special edition Disney's The Lion King.  Needless to say, they are carefully framed, and they'll basically have to take apart my cubicle to get them off the wall without my help.  But I digress...

So, on slower days, I stare at my posters and relive the fun and fantasy of each show.  (You may be wondering, "why those?" but that is for a future blog.)  Anyway, sometimes, I really let my mind go, and imagine myself actually in the settings of these shows.  Sure, I frolic with Boq, Fiyero and the girls at the Ozdust Ballroom.  And, I've gone pouncing more than once with Simba on the African plains.  I often imagine myself in Victorian England - sometimes hunting for Mr. Hyde, or picking a pocket or two with Fagan, but usually, I'm helping Mrs. Lovett try to catch a pussycat or two.  I get to New York a lot, so Company doesn't offer much of a "fantasy" getaway, though I do sometimes picture New York circa Fiorello!, or circa 70's Company, or even the 20's/30's either attending parties with Muzzy and Millie or at a speakeasy with Legs Diamond.

Today, though, I had to start thing about my last quarter vacation - Florida for Christmas, I think.  But before I came to that conclusion, I thought of a few places I'd like to travel were Broadway shows really for real:

The first two will probably come as a surprise to my friends who know I am not a beach person, but remember this is the ideal world of a Broadway musical...

The sandy white beaches call to you...

1.  The islands in South Pacific, war and all.  I mean, they are out of harm's way, the beaches are swarming with beautiful natives, Navy guys and Matthew Morrison with no shirt on!  And the weather seems perfect, never a cloud in the sky... and of course, the ultimate getaway, Bali Hai!

It's Ladies' Night every night at The Taverna!

2.  The island in Mamma Mia!.  It seems to have a history of unhibited sexual freedom, there are cool things to dive for, the best bed and breakfast on the planet, and everyine sings when they are happy or sad.  Hech, I can pack a linen suit and crash a wedding, or watch the boys go off to snorkel.  And the cougars are smokin' hot, too!

Away from the beach, now...

Have a picnic in the Austrian Alps...

3.  The mountains of Austria in The Sound of Music, but before the real trouble starts.  And of course, the novice Maria would be a great tour guide!  I always wanted to twirl around on a mountain top, too.

"Le Jazz" is tres "hot" in the Paris nightclubs!

4.  The Paris as depicted in Victor/Victoria, and not because of what it does to Norma Cassidy.  I think it is quaint, romantic and full of unique people, accepting of way more than people are today.

Candle lit cruises depart on the hour at the Paris Opera House

5.  While I am in Paris, I'd have to visit the Paris Opera House, but only if the tour includes the catacombs, complete with a boatride through foggy water with only candelabras to guide me...

Before Elvis left the building...

6.  I think I would have loved to have been at the actual Sun Records to witness what really happened with the Million Dollar Quartet.  Do you think Jerry Lee Lewis was as charismatic as Levi Kreis?

Those Bouvier gals sure know how to throw a party!

7.  The Grey Gardens manse during its heyday...a la Act One of Grey Gardens.  I'd have loved to be a waiter at one of Edie's parties!  Yes, a waiter...still fun with no messy strings after!

Dainty June and Her Newsboys

("Portland" is just off camera to the right!)

8.  I think a cool summer job/vacation might include touring the vaudeville houses during the peak of vaudeville, but only if I can be one of Dainty June's Newsboys.  You can call me Portland.

Another Openin' in Baltimore!

Baltimore, where the hair is big, and the hearts are bigger!

9.  A visit to Baltimore, circa Kiss Me, Kate, and then later circa Hairspray.  One city where you can see great theatre AND eat fried chicken and waffles is my kind of town!

It is a "Helluva" town!

10.  OK, I guess there is one New York City trip I'd love to take... I want to be the fourth Navy guy on leave with Gabey and his buddies in On the Town.

What Broadway musical offers your ideal vacation spot?  Please comment here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.  Bon voyage!
Jeff