Barbara Russell, Ron Sharpe, Bernard Brogan,
Sharon A. Fordham, Theater Associates
David Sonnenberg/Rami Evar, The Monacle Group, Joseph J. Grano, Fanok
Entertainment
Mary E. Laminack, Nancy & Paul Audet, Jim Barry, Gasperino Entertainment
Vincent Russell, William M. Broderick, Alex Santoriello
In association with David Bryant, Spencer Brody, Harry Casey
Present
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
www.TaleMusical.com
Book, Music & Lyrics by JILL SANTORIELLO
Based on the novel by CHARLES DICKENS
Featuring
JAMES BARBOUR, CRAIG BENNETT, BRANDI BURKHARDT, KEVIN EARLEY
GREGG EDELMAN, MICHAEL HAYWARD-JONES, MILES KATH, AARON LAZAR
KATHERINE McGRATH, LES MINSKI, CATHERINE MISSAL
NATALIE TORO, NICK WYMAN
WITH
DREW ABER, CATHERINE BRUNELL, ALISON CIMMET, JENNIFER EVANS,
WILLIAM THOMAS EVANS
RANDY GLASS, KEVIN GREENE, MICHAEL HALLING, TIM HARTMAN, FRED INKLEY, GEORGI
JAMES
JAY LUSTECK, MACKENZIE MAUZY, RAYMOND JARAMILLO McLEOD, JAMES MOYE
WALTER WINSTON O’NEIL, DAN PETROTTA, DEVIN RICHARDS, ROB RICHARDSON
REBECCA ROBBINS, JENNIFER SMITH, ANNE TOLPEGIN, ERIC VAN TIELEN
MOLLIE VOGT-WELCH, ALISON WALLA
Directed & Choreographed by WARREN CARLYLE
Music Supervision & Direction: KEVIN STITES
Scenic Design: TONY WALTON
Costume Design: DAVID ZINN
Lighting Design: RICHARD PILBROW
Sound Design: CARI CASELLA, DOMINIC SACK
Hair Design: TOM WATSON
Special Effects Design: GREGORY MEEH
Orchestrations & Arrangements: DEWARD B. KESSEL
Additional Arrangements: BOB KROGSTAD
WENDY BOBBITT CAVETT, KEVIN STITES
Music Coordinator: JAMES NEGLIA
Casting: SHARON A. FORDHAM
Press Representative: THE JACKSINA COMPANY, INC.
Promotion Agency: MARGERY SINGER COMPANY
Production Supervisor: CHRISTOPHER C. SMITH
Production Stage Manager: KIM VERNACE
Associate Choreographer: PARKER ESSE
General Management: TOWN SQUARE PRODUCTIONS
Executive Production: RON SHARPE & BARBARA RUSSELL
Al Hirschfeld Theatre
302 West 45th Street (between Eighth & Ninth Avenues)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: September 18, 2008
If you are looking for an extravaganza of a musical – you know the kind where
the costumes (David Zinn) are exquisite, the lighting (Richard Pilbrow)
is perfection, the sets (Tony Walton) are astoundingly creative, the
story is told through emotion-rousing music (Jill Santoriello) and based
on a classic (by Charles Dickens) – then A TALE OF TWO CITIES is
waiting for you at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Set during the French Revolution, A Tale chronicles the brutality of the
ruling aristocracy in France and the almost-inevitable-and-equally-brutal
oppression by the oppressed once they gain power. The action takes place in
London and Paris and centers around two men who appear to be complete opposites,
and yet eventually the lines of distinction blur as their lives intertwine. The
altruistic French aristocrat Charles Darnay (Aaron Lazar) and the
irascible and cunning British lawyer (sublimely portrayed by James Barbour
who is guaranteed to steal your heart) come together as a result of their love
for the same woman (the lovely Brandi Burkhardt). While the Defarges (Natalie
Toro and Kevin Earley) plot the revolution from the ghettos of Paris,
eccentric characters like the bodyguard Jerry Cruncher (Craig Bennett),
the prim Miss Pross (Katherine McGrath), and the completely crooked John
Barsad (Nick Wyman) lighten up the serious business of war. Backed by a
talented cast, A TALE OF TWO CITIES becomes an impressive venture indeed.
Director and Choreographer Warren Carlyle tells the age-old story of love
and sacrifice amidst power and corruption with a flair and authenticity that
mesmerizes the audience from the renown opening line (“It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times.”) to the heart-wrenching closing (“It is a far, far
better thing I do…”). In an example of pure genius, the courtship, marriage and
birth of a child between Darnay and his wife Lucie is beautifully revealed in
less than a minute with the assistance of a white lace prop. This, like the
entire production, has to be seen to be fully appreciated. If your 2008 budget
only allows for one more ticket, this is the one. A TALE OF TWO CITIES is
easily the best of Broadway.
- Laurie Lawson -
New York City Center 2008 Encores! Summer Stars
Presents
SEAN HAYES, JANE KRAKOWSKI
CHEYENNE JACKSON, RANDY GRAFF
In
DAMN YANKEES
Words and Music by RICHARD ADLER and JERRY ROSS
Book by GEORGE ABBOTT and DOUGLASS WALLOP
Based on the novel by Douglass Wallop
“The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant”
Starring
MICHAEL MULHEREN, VEANNE COX, P.J. BENJAMIN, MEGAN LAWRENCE
ROBERT CREIGHTON, JIMMY SMAGULA, KATHY FITZGERALD, JOHN HORTON, JOHN SELYA
NATHAN BALSER, DAVID BAUM, JIMMY RAY BENNETT, RACHEL COLOFF
ANDERSON DAVIS, MARYA GRANDY, SHANNON LEWIS, JAY LUSTECK, PAMELA OTTERSON
ADAM PERRY, KARINE PLANTADIT, T.OLIVER REID, JON RUS, STACEY SARGEANT
ALEXANDER SCHEITINGER, CHANDRA LEE SCHWARTZ, BARON VAUGHN, CODY RYAN WISE
Directed by JOHN RANDO
Music Director: ROB BERMAN
Choreography by BOB FOSSE
Scenic Design: JOHN LEE BEATTY
Costume Design: WILLIAN IVEY LONG
Lighting Design: PETER KACZOROWSKI
Sound Design: SCOTT LEHER
Casting: LAURA STANCZYK
Company Manager: MICHAEL ZANDE
Production Stage Manager: KAREN MOORE
Wig and Hair Design: PAUL HUNTLEY
Music Coordinator: SEYMOUR RED PRESS
Original Orchestrations: DON WALKER
Mr. Fosse’s Choreography Reproduced by MARY MacLEOD
New York City Center
130 West 55th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues
(212) 581-1212 or
www.NYCityCenter.org
July 5-27, 2008
You forget how many memorable songs came out of the original DAMN YANKEES
thanks to music greats Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, but it
quickly comes rushing back as you watch gum-chewing burly baseball players
singing “(You Gotta Have) Heart.” And it only gets better from there.
In this thoroughly delightful version of the all-time favorite musical, the
always-hilarious, scene-stealing Sean Hayes is a heavenly devil to whom
P.J. Benjamin/Cheyenne Jackson sells his soul in order to assure the
Washington Senators win the pennant. The multi-talented Jane Krakowski is
a more cute and cuddly Lola instead of the standard straight-out sexy version,
and lovely Randy Graff is Joe’s long-suffering and highly-devoted wife.
Everybody knows the storyline to DAMN YANKEES so with this 2008 Summer
Stars Encores! reproduction, sit back and sing along with the music, marvel
at the genius of Bob Fosse’s choreography, root for the home team, and
fall in love all over again with Hayes and Krakowski.
- Laurie Lawson -
A+ Theatricals, Broadway Across America, Cirque
Productions, Adam Troy Epstein
Fox Associates, New Space Entertainment, Albert Nocciolino
Providence Performing Arts Center, Theatre League
Present
CIRQUE DREAMS
Jungle Fantasy
www.cirqueproductions.com
Created & Directed by NEIL GOLDBERT
Music & Lyrics by JILL WINTERS
Choreographed by TARA JEANNE VALLEE
Costume Design: CIRQUE PRODUCTIONS, LENORA TAYLOR, SANTIAGO ROJO
Additional Music by DAVID SCOTT, KEITH HEFFNER, BILLY PAUL WILLIAMS
TONY ALIPERTI, LANCE CONQUE, CHRISTOPHER PATI
Act Design: NEIL GOLDBERG, HEATHER HOFFMAN, IOURI KLEPATSKY
Scenic Design: JON CRAINE
Lighting Design: KATE JOHNSTON
Sound Design: CRAIG CASSIDY
Executive Producers: ALAN WASSER, ALLAN WILLIAMS
Animal Sculpture Designs: William Olson
Production Design: BETSY HERST
Executive Producer: JAMES GEISLER
Press Representative: THE PUBLICITY OFFICE
Marketing: TYPE A MARKETING
Production Management: JUNIPER STREET PRODUCTIONS
Featuring
URANMANDAKH AMARSANAA, MARCELLO BALESTRACCI, JARED BURNETT, ZACHARY CARROLL
JILL DIAN, LAUREN DIBLASI, RUSLAN DMYTRUK, IRYNA DMYTRUK, IVAN DOTSENKO
VLADIMIR DOVGAN, NATALIYA EGOROVA, JUDAH FRANK, BUYANKHISHIG GANBAATAR
ERDENESUVD GANBAATAR, STEFKA IORDANOVA, DENYS KUCHER, VITALH LYKOV
LEE MILLER, ODGEREL OYUNBAATAR, SERGEY PARSHIN, PAVEL POZDNYAKOV
GLENN ROGERS, NAOMI SAMPSON, KONSTANTIN SEROV, CARLY SHERIDAN
SERGUEI SLAVSKI, ALEXANDER TOLSTIKNOV, ANATOLIY YENIY
Broadway Theatre
Broadway at 53rd Street
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: June 26, 2008
You’re going to find yourself saying “Wow!” right out loud whenever your mouth
isn’t agape with wonder throughout the awe-inspiring CIRQUE DREAMS Jungle
Fantasy at the Broadway Theatre. Director Neil Goldberg’s creation
combines the mind-blowing aspects of an American circus – aerial stunts,
balancing acts that defy gravity, contortions and gymnastics – with the European
flair of modern pulsating music, colorful flowing costumes, and imaginative
half-human, half-fantasy characters. Throughout the elaborate production is a
celebration of nature led by an adventurous boy (Marcello Balestracci)
and Mother Nature (Jill Diane) with acts divided in Jungle by Day
and Jungle by Night.
The performers are deserving of constant applause, which they easily obtain; the
music and choreography is fresh and innovative; and the atmosphere is intimate.
All of these well-designed elements make CIRQUE DREAMS Jungle Fantasy a
novel addition to Broadway, worthy of many “Wows!”
- Laurie Lawson -
SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS, BOB BOYETT, ACT
PRODUCTIONS, MATTTHEW BYAM SHAW
ROBERT G. BARTNER, THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY, SUSAN GALLILN/MARY LU ROFFEE, BROADWAY
ACROSS AMERICA
TUCHIN/JENKINS/DSM, THE ARACA GROUP
Present
CHRISTINE BARANSKI
MARK RYLANCE
BRADLEY WHITFORD
IN
BOEING BOEING
Written by MARC CAMOLETTI
Translated by BEVERLEY CROSS & FRANCIS EVANS
Also Starring
GINA GERSHON KATHRYN HAHN MARY McCORMACK
Directed by MATTHEW WARCHUS
Scenic and Costume Design: ROB HOWELL
Lighting Design: HUGH VANSTONE
Original Music: CLAIRE VAN KEMPEN
Sound Design: SIMON BAKER
Stage Manager: WILLIAM JOSEPH BARNES
Longacre Theatre
220 West 48th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: May 4, 2008
BOEING BOEING wins the prize for the cutest finale that I’ve seen on
Broadway this year. Surprisingly, it’s because you have absolutely fallen in
love with all of the characters by the time this comedy is over. Each is a scene
stealer in their own right, with Christine Baranski being the
indisputable queen. The surprising part is that this was originally a hit over
40 years ago, and the humor has wonderfully worn the test of time.
An enterprising and energetic American located in Paris (Bradley Whitford)
has devised an ingenious plan allowing him to have three fiancées (Gina
Gershon, Kathryn Hahn, Mary McCormack), all of whom are flight attendants.
His shenanigans are successfully executed with the help of his sardonic maid,
hysterically played by Baranski, and the entrance of a passing
acquaintance (Mark Rylance, also heavy on the hysterical side). The
predictable chaos ensues as flights are canceled, schedules are revised, and
stewardesses inhabit the same apartment unknowingly. Under the skillful
direction of Matthew Warchus, the laughs are plentiful throughout, and
Marc Camoletti’s BOEING BOEING becomes a welcome addition to the 2008
Broadway stage.
- Laurie Lawson -
Ostar Productions, Bob Boyett, The Shubert
Organization, Eric Falkenstein, Roy Furman, Lawrence Horowitz
Jam Theatricals, Stephanie P. McClelland, Bill Rollnick/Nancy Ellison Rollnick,
Daryl Roth/Debra Black
In Association With
Jon Avnet/Ralph Gould, Michael Coppel, Jamie deRoy/Michael Filerman
Philip Geier/Donald Keough, Max OnStage, Mary Lu Roffe
Present
MORGAN FREEMAN, FRANCES McDORMAND, PETER GALLAGHER
In
THE COUNTRY GIRL
By CLIFFORD ODETS
Also starring
REMY AUBERJONOIS, ANNA CAMP, JOE ROLAND
LUCAS CALEB ROONEY and CHIP ZIEN
Directed by MIKE NICHOLS
Associate Director: B.T. McNICHOLL
Scenic Design by TIM HATLEY
Costume Design by ALBERT WOLSKY
Lighting Design by NATASHA KATZ
Sound Design by ACME SOUND PARTNERS
Casting: TARA RUBIN CASTING
Production Manager: AURORA PRODUCTIONS
Production Stage Manager: BARCLAY STIFF
Press Representation: BONEAU/BRYAN-BROWN
General Management: 101 PRODUCTIONS LTD.
Jacobs Theatre
242 West 45th Street (between Broadway & Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: April 27, 2008
I like to consider myself articulate and expressive, but the only thing I keep
saying after seeing THE COUNTRY GIRL is “Dang, Morgan Freeman is
good!” He glides on stage with the greatest of ease, captures your attention the
moment he opens his mouth, and gently enfolds you in the palm of his hand until
the final curtain.
Clifford Odets’ play takes place in 1950 and tells the story of an
alcoholic actor (Freeman) who is given a chance at a comeback through the
foresight and misguided faith of the director (Peter Gallagher). Wife
Georgie (Frances McDormand) is THE COUNTRY GIRL, the fragile
feminine counterpart that provides the backbone and guidance to the life and
career of the complex and contradictory character of Freeman. The story
wears well, first as a play and later as a movie starring Grace Kelly, and it is
definitely worth seeing again on Broadway. The richness of the THE COUNTRY
GIRL’s characters is enough of a draw to warrant the price of a ticket, and
Dang, Morgan Freeman is good!
- Laurie Lawson -
Adam Epstein, Allan S. Gordon, Elan V.
McAllister and Brian Grazer
James P. MacGilvray, Universal Pictures Stage Productions
Anne Caruso, Adam S. Gordon, Latitude Link, The Pelican Group
In association with Philip Morgaman, Andrew Farber/Richard Mishaan
Present
CRY BABY
The Musical
Book by MARK O’DONNEL & THOMAS MEEHAN
Songs by DAVID JAVERBAUM & ADAM SCHLESINGER
Based on the Universal Pictures Film Written and Directed by JOHN WATERS
Starring
JAMES SNYDER, ELIZABETH STANLEY
CHESTER GREGORY II, CHRISTOPHER J. HANKE, ALLI MAUZEY
COURTNEY BALAN CARLY JIBSON, LACEY KOHN, RICHARD POE
CAMERON ADAMS, ASHLEY AMBER, NICK BLAEMIRE, MICHAEL BUCHANAN, ANDREW C. CALL
ERIC L. CHRISTIAN, COLIN CUNLIFFE, LISA GAJDA, STACEY TODD HOLT, MICHAEL D.
JABLONSKI
LAURA JORDAN, BRENDAN KING, MARLY LAWSON, SPENCER LIFF, COURTNEY LAINE MAZZA
MAYUMI MIGUEL, TORY ROSS, ERICK SCIOTTO, PETER MATTHEW SMITH
ALLISON SPRATT, CHARLIE SUTTON
And
HARRIET HARRIS
Directed by MARK BROKAW
Choreographed by ROB ASHFORD
Incidental Music, Arrangements and Music Direction by LYNNE SHANKEL
Creative Consultant: JOHN WATERS
Scenic Design by SCOTT PASK
Costume Design by CATHERINE ZUBER
Lighting Design by HOWELL BINKLEY
Sound Design by PETER HYLENSKI
Production Manager: JUNIPER STREET PRODUCTIONS
Production Stage Manager: ROLT SMITH
Marquis Theatre
Broadway @ 45th Street
(212) 307-4100 or
www.ticketmaster.com
Opening Night: April 25, 2008
Scathing wit, total irreverence, endearing characters who defy convention, and
it’s 1954 in Baltimore. That’s right! John Waters is back on Broadway in
a musical which I found even more amusing than his highly-acclaimed Hairspray.
CRY BABY has the usual theme of the “bad boy” who doesn’t fit into
society persevering against all odds. The book by Mark O’Donnell and
Thomas Meehan has been enhanced by songs with some of the cleverest wording
on a stage today (thanks to David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger).
Period costumes by Catherine Zuber and magnificent sets by Scott Pask
put you right into the proper frame of time and mind, and the action begins with
an Anti-Polio Picnic. I did mention irreverence, right?
Classes clash as Cry Baby (James Snyder), his sidekick Dupree (Chester
Gregory II) and a group of misfits crash the picnic. Here Cry Baby meets the
beautiful Allison (Elizabeth Stanley) and her uptight grandmother
(wonderfully portrayed by veteran Harriet Harris). As the battle ensues
and a romance blossoms, songs like “Watch Your Ass,” “Squeaky Clean,” “Class
Dismissed,” and “You Can’t Beat The System” keep the audience
hysterical and Water’s message at the forefront of the action. CRY BABY
makes you root for the person who is on the outside looking in, gives hope to
those whom society scorns, and even dares to make fun of all that conservative
compliers hold near and dear. You’ll join in the fun with a huge smile on your
face throughout the entire production. Thanks heavens John Waters didn’t
waste his efforts trying to fit in! Look at all the fun we’d be missing.
- Laurie Lawson -
Jujamycn Theaters, Jordan Roth, Harvey
Entertainment/Ron Fierstein, Richie Jackson
Daryl Roth, John O’Boyle/Ricky Stevens/Davis-Tolentino, Barbra Russell/Ron
Sharpe
In association with
Frankel-Baruch-Vientel-Routh Group, Broadway Across America, True Love
Productions
Rick Steiner/Mayerson-Bell-Stanton-Osher Group, Jan Kallish
Present
FAITH PRINCE TOM
WOPAT HARVEY
FIERSTEIN
In
A CATERED AFFAIR
Book by HARVEY FIERSTEIN
Music & Lyrics by JOHN BUCCHINO
Based on the Turner Entertainment motion picture distributed by Warner Brothers
And written by Gore Vidal and the original teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky
Also Starring
LESLIE KRITZER
PHILIP HOFFMAN, KATIE KLAUS, HEATHER MacRAE, LORIE WILNER, KRISTINE ZBORNIK
JENNIFERALLEN, BRITTA OLLMAN, MATTHEW SCOTT, MARK ZIMMERMAN
And
MATT CAVENAUGH
Directed by JOHN DOYLE
Scenic Design by DAVID GALLO
Costume Design by ANN HOULD-WARD
Lighting Design by BRIAN MacDEVITT
Sound Design by DAN MOSES SCHREIER
Production Design by ZACHARY BOROVAY
Associate Director: ADAM JOHN HUNTER
Music Direction & Arrangements: CONSTANTINE KITSOPOULOS
Orchestration by JONATHAN TUNICK
Music Coordinator: JOHN MILLER
Associate Producers: STACEY MINDICH, RHONDA MAYERSON
Press Representative: O&M CO.
Walter Kerr Theatre
219 West 48th Street (between Broadway & Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: April 17, 2008
Harvey Fierstein’s book for A CATERED AFFAIR is ultimately a
poignant and inspiring tale of an every-day family grieving and celebrating
life’s ups and downs. And although comical at times (it is Fierstein
after all), it emphasizes the importance of relationships, appreciating what you
have, and taking into consideration others’ feelings. That’s pretty amazing for
a 90-minute show!
Fierstein is the “bachelor uncle” of a family created by Faith Prince
and Tom Wopat, both of whom powerfully execute the undercurrents of what
appears to be the average couple. Their daughter (Leslie Kritzer) plans
to marry her boyfriend (Matt Cavenaugh), and thus the plans for A
Catered Affair begin.
This not-so-usual musical (much of the dialogue is done in a speak-sing manner)
is an honest and revealing journey through universal territories – sacrifice,
longing, a desire to please and compensate, loss, gain and in the end love. The
brilliance of A CATERED AFFAIR is the cumulative effect. Go along for
this brief ride; you’ll be pleased where you end up.
- Laurie Lawson -
The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland
McCann, LLC
Bill Kenwright, Chase Mishkin, Barbara & Buddy Freitag
Broadway Across America, Emily Fisher Landau, Peter May
Boyett Ostar, Elie Hirschfeld/Jed Bernstein, Wendy Federman/Jackie Barlia Florin
Spring Sirkin/Ruth Hendel, Vasi Laurence/Pat Flicker Addiss
Joey Parnes, Executive Director
In association with
The Public Theater and The Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Present
PASSING STRANGE
www.PassingStrangeOnBroadway.com
Book & Lyrics by STEW
Music by STEW and HEIDI RODEWALD
Starring
STEW
With
DE’ADRE AZIZA, ELISA DAVIS, COLMAN DOMINGO, CHAD GOODRIDGE, REBECCA NAOMI JONES
And
DANIEL BREAKER
Directed by and created in collaboration with ANNIE DORSEN
Choreography by KAROLE ARMITAGE
Scenic Design: DAVID KORINS
Costume Design: ELIZABETH HOPE CLANCY
Lighting Design: KEVIN ADAMS
Sound Design: TOM MORSE
Music Supervision & Orchestration: STEW & HEIDI RODEWALK
Music Coordinator: SEYMOUR RED PRESS
Casting: JORDAN THALER & HEIDI GRIFFITHS
Production Stage Manager: TRIPP PHILLIPS
Press Representative: SAM RUDY MEDIA RELATIONS
Company Manager: KIM SELLON
Associate Producer: S.D. WAGNER
BELASCO THEATRE
111 West 44th Street (between Broadway & Sixth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: February 28, 2008
One of the obvious joys of Off Broadway is finding a pure gem, and PASSING
STRANGE, originating at The Public Theater downtown and now at the Belasco
Theatre on Broadway, is one of those jewels. The musical starts off as a rock
concert. Musicians stream on stage, and the Narrator Supreme (singer/songwriter
Stew who also happens to be the co-creator of this work along with
Annie Dorsen) quickly sets up the scene. We are introduced to the Youth (Daniel
Breaker), and his musical search for identity begins. It takes him to
Church, Amsterdam and Berlin before returning him right back where he started
newly awakened.
Along the way we are treated to innovative music, whether gospel, punk rock,
psychedelic, or revolutionary, accompanied by fresh and resourceful choreography
by Karole Armitage. The songs are punctuated by clever wording, just the
right amount of irreverence, and some extremely funny concepts. Although a tad
too long, for those who encourage us to enjoy the journey, PASSING STRANGE
is the perfect example of how this can be done. Tongue-in-cheek or in-your-face,
the humor and pathos bring the message home. Until we find (or admit) our true
essence, we all do things to “pass strange.”
- Laurie Lawson -
Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Jam
Theatricals
Bat-Barry Productions, Michael Cohl, Ergo Entertainment, Michael Filerman
Ronald Frankel, Barbara & Buddy Freitag, James Fuld Jr., Roy Furman
JK Productions, Harold Thau, Jamie deRoy/Ted Snowdon, Wendy Federman
Present
NATHAN LANE
LAURIE METCALF
DYLAN BAKER
In
NOVEMBER
By DAVID MAMET
With
MICHAEL NICOLS and ETHAN PHILLIPS
Directed by JOE MANTELLO
Scenic Design: SCOTT PASK
Costume Design: LAURA BAUER
Lighting Design: PAUL GALLO
Casting: TELSEY+COMPANY
Production Stage Manager: JILL CORDLE
Technical Supervision: HUDSON THEATRICAL ASSOCIATES
General Management: RICHARDS/CLIMAN, INC.
Marketing Services: TMG THE MARKETING GROUP
Company Manager: BRUCE KLINGER
Barrymore Theatre
243 West 47th Street (between Broadway & Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: January 17, 2008
Absolutely hysterical! Those are the only words for David Mamet’s NOVEMBER.
This political farce, and I’m not even sure you can call it a farce because too
many improbable premises ring almost true, is set in the Oval Office, currently
inhabited by President Charles Smith (Nathan Lane) on the eve of his
quite-likely unsuccessful bid for a second term. In addition to dealing with
polls that indicate he is well-hated by the American public, he also has the
pardoning of two turkeys, an out-of-control Native American looking for a place
to build his casino, and a speech writer (Laurie Metcalf) who demands to
be married to her lesbian lover before another word will hit her paper on his
crowded plate clamoring for his attention. To his credit, his capable
assistant/lawyer (Dylan Baker) manages to keep up with the action.
Lane, as usual, turns in an amazingly high-energy performance. Metcalf
and Baker hold their own with perfectly-timed responses and one liners.
Ethan Phillips and Michael Nichols round out this superb cast.
In NOVEMBER the humor is bitingly witty, the execution of Mamet’s
script is flawless, the direction of Joe Mantello is brisk and full of
laugh-out-loud action, and the audience doesn’t get a chance to take a break
from pure out-and-out fun.
- Laurie Lawson -
Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski,
Stewart F. Lane/ Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods.,
Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Pamela Laudenslager/Pat Addiss, Tim Levy
In association with
Roundabout Theatre Company
(Todd Haimes, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Managing Director; Julia C.
Levy, Executive Director
Huntington Theatre Company
(Nicholas Martin, Artistic Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director)
Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.
Present
Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS
Adapted by PATRICK BARLOW
Based on the original concept by SIMON CORBLE and NOBBY DIMON
Based on the book by JOHN BUCHAN
With
ARNIE BURTON, CHARLES EDWARDS, JENNIFER FERRIN, CLIFF SAUNDERS
Directed by MARIA AITKEN
Set & Costume Design: PETER McKINTOSH
Lighting Design: KEVIN ADAMS
Sound Design: MIC POOL
Original Movement Created by TOBY SEDGWICK
Additional Movement Created by CHRISTOPHER BAYES
Production Manager: AURORA PRODUCTIONS
Production Stage Manager: NEVIN HEDLEY
Casting: JAY BINDER/JACK BOWDAN
Marketing: HHC MARKETING
Press Representative: BONEAU/BRYAN-BROWN
Dialect Coach: STEPHEN GABIS
Associate Producer: MAREK J. CANTOR
Executive Producer: 101 PRODUCTIONS, LTS.
General Manager: ROY GABAY
Cort Theatre
138 West 48th Street (between Broadway & Sixth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Outrageously clever staging and a cast that goes beyond and above drives this
parody of Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS. It may be a ride you don’t
necessarily want to take however.
A mysterious woman (Jennifer Ferrin) enters the life of Richard Hannay (Charles
Edwards) and before her untimely death leaves a clue of 39 STEPS. As Hannay
attempts to elude his own untimely death, as well as spies, authorities, and
outraged husbands, he ferrets out the danger lurking just outside his grasp.
There are so many things that work in THE 39 STEPS – actors Arnie
Burton and Cliff Saunders who seem to be in search of a character
they can’t sublimely play but don’t succeed in finding, humorous references to
Hitchcock’s works, creative props, and much droll and current humor. The play
loses the “clever” aspect as the same methods are repeated over and over. Two or
three missed cues are funny; eight or nine lose their charm. To update melodrama
is genius; to overkill defeats the genius. THE 39 STEPS should probably
be seen as a tribute to its efforts, but you have to be willing to overlook the
constant spoon feeding of redundant humor.
- Laurie Lawson -
Disney Theatrical Productions
Under the direction of Thomas Shumacher
Presents
THE LITTLE MERMAID
Music: ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics: HOWARD ASHMAN and GLENN SLATER
Book: DOUG WRIGHT
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film produced by
Howard Ashman & John Musker
And written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements
Starring
SIERRA BOGGESS SEAN PALMER
NORM LEWIS TITUSS BURGESS EDDIE KORBICH JONATHAN FREEMAN
DERRICK BASKIN TYLER MAYNARD
TREVOR BRAUN BRIAN D’ADDARIO CODY HANFORD J.J. SINGLETON
SHERIE RENE SCOTT
ADRIAN BAILY, CATHRYN BASILE, HEIDI BUCKENSTAFF, JAMES BROWNIII, ROBERT
CREIGHTON,
CICILY DANIELS, JOHN TREACY EGAN, TIM FEDERLE, MERWIN FOARD, BEN HARTLEY
MEREDITH INGLESBY, MICHELLE LOOKADOO, JOANNE MANNING, ALAN MINGO, JR.
ZAKIYA YOUNG MIZEN, BETSY MORGAN, ABBENDER J. ROBINSON, BAHIYAH SAYYED GAINES
BRET SHUFORD, JASON SNOW, CHELSEA MORAND STOCK, KAY TRINIDAD
PRICE WALDMAN, DANIEL J. WATTS
Directed by FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO
Choreography by STEPHEN MEAR
Music Director, Incidental Music & Vocal Arrangements: MICHAEL KOSARIN
Orchestrations: DANNY TROOB
Scenic Design: GEORGE TSYPIN
Costume Design: TATIANA NOGINOVA
Lighting Design: NATASHA KATZ
Sound Design: JOHN SHIVERS
Dance Arrangements: DAVID CHASE
Music Coordinator: MICHAEL KELLER
Casting: TARA RUBIN CASTING
Production Supervisor: CLIFFORD SCHWARTZ
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
205 West 46th Street (between Broadway & Eighth Avenue)
(212) 307-47474 or
www.theatremania.com
Opening Night: January 10, 2008
After an 18-year wait, Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID has finally made it to
Broadway. And being a Disney production, audience goers have a guarantee of a
few things: breath-taking costumes, creative choreography, catchy music that you
can’t get out of your head, and entertainment with a gentle message. This
musical does not disappoint. Mermaid Ariel (Sierra Boggess) has fallen in
love with a human prince (Sean Palmer). In defiance of her father (Norm
Lewis), she makes a deal with the devil or in this case her aunt, the
amusingly menacing Sherie Rene Scott so that she can be with the human of
her dreams. Tituss Burgess as a hysterical cohort crab and Brian
D’Addario as the precious Flounder head up a multi-talented cast.
No matter what your age, THE LITTLE MERMAID is going to delight and
astound as only a Disney production can do. Give yourself a treat and go see it.
- Laurie Lawson -
ROBERT F.X. SILLERMAN and MEL BROOKS
In association with THE R/F/B/V GROUP
Present
THE NEW MEL BROOKS MUSICAL
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Book by MEL BROOKS and THOMAS MEEHAN
Music & Lyrics by MEL BROOKS
Based on the story and screenplay by GENE WILDER and MEL BROOKS
And on the original motion picture by special arrangement with TWENTIETH CENTURY
FOX
Starring
ROGER BART MEGAN MULLALLY
SUTTON FOSTER, SHULER HENSLEY, ANDREA MARTIN
FRED APPLEGATE, CHRISTOPHER FITZGERALD
With
HEATHER AYERS, JIM BORSTELMANN, PAUL CASTREE
JACK DOYLE, KEVIN LIGON, LINDA MUGLESTON
JENNIFER LEE CROWL, RENEE FEDER, JAMES GRAY, AMY HEGGINS, ERICK JACKSON
KRISTIN MARIE JOHNSON, MATTHEW LABANCA, BARRETT MARTIN, CHRISTINA MARIE NORRUP
JUSTIN PATTERSON, BRIAN SHEPARD, SARRAH STRIMEL, CRAIG WALETZKO, COURTNEY YOUNG
Direction & Choreography by SUSAN STROMAN
Music Arrangements & Supervision by GLEN KELLY
Scenery Designed by ROBIN WAGNER
Costumes Designed by WILLIAM IVEY LONG
Lighting Designed by PETER KACZOROWSKI
Sound Designed by JONATHAN DEANS
Special Effects Designed by MARC BRICKMAN
Associate Director: STEVEN ZWEIGBAUM
Associate Choreographer: CHRIS PETERSON
Music Direction & Vocal Arrangements by PATRICK S. BRADY
Orchestrations by DOUG BESTERMAN
Music Coordination by JOHN MILLER
HILTON THEATRE
213 West 42nd Street (between Broadway & Eighth Avenue)
(212) 307-4100 or
www.ticketmaster.com
Sexual innuendos galore, totally irreverent asides, wildly wacky humor,
hilarious camp, and non-stop fun. Yep, Mel Brooks is back on Broadway with
The New Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Based on the popular motion
picture and spiced up with comedic songs by Brooks himself, this delightful play
centers around the scientific escapades of Dr. Frankenstein (marvelously
portrayed by Roger Bart) and a cast of bizarre characters that inhabit a
castle/laboratory in Transylvania. Megan Mullally is Frankenstein’s
madcap fiancée.
Scenery designed by Robin Wagner borders on genius; throw in some special
effects by Marc Brickman and creative lighting by Peter Kaczorowski,
and the genius line is definitely crossed. William Ivey Long should also
be commended for his costumes. All the elements are there for a great time, and
the audience is not disappointed with YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. The clapping
begins before the play and continues throughout. Delightful entertainment!
- Laurie Lawson -
Kevin McCollum, Robyn Good man, Jeffrey Seller
Vineyard Theatre and The New Group
Present
AVENUE Q
The Musical
Music & Lyrics by ROBERT LOPEZ and JEFF MARX
Book by JEFF WHITTY
Based on an Original Concept by ROBERT LOPEZ and JEFF MARX
With
CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, JENNIFER BARNHART, NICHOLAS KOHN
ANN SANDERS, RASHIDRA SCOTT, HOWIE MICHAEL SMITH, SARAH STILES
Directed by JASON MOORE
Puppets Conceived and Designed by RICK LYON
Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations by STEPHEN OREMUS
Choreographer: KEN ROBERSON
Set Design: ANNA LOUIZOS
Costume Design: MIRENA RADA
Lighting Design: HOWELL BINKLEY
Sound Design: ACME SOUND PARTNERS
Animation Design: ROBERT LOPEZ
Music Director & Incidental Music: GARY ADLER
Music Coordinator: MICHAEL KELLER
General Manager: JOHN CORKER
Technical Supervisor: BRIAN LYNCH
Production Stage Manager: BEVERLY JENKINS
Press Representative: SAM RUDY MEDIA RELATIONS
Casting: CINDY TOLAN
Associate Producers: SONNY EVERETT, WALTER GROSSMAN, MORT SWINSKY
The John Golden Theatre
252 West 45th Street (between Broadway & Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Date: July 31, 2003
Electronic Link reviewer, Kessa DeSantis, caught AVENUE Q, The Musical,
when it was still a revolutionary Off-Broadway production, and she predicted a
rosy future. And right she was. Now on Broadway for several years, I thought it
might be time to revisit the musical and see how it is holding up. Often,
promising works do not easily make the transition from Off Broadway to On
Broadway. Not to worry with this adventuresome piece. Clever, clever, clever is
all you can say about the precious, down-to-earth, sometimes rude and rowdy,
shockingly sarcastic, and almost always hilarious puppets that rule this show.
We won’t even get into their behavior. Let’s just say “Leave the kids at home.”
No matter what the topic – racism, homosexuality, unemployment, downsizing,
porn, or politics - there’s a song full of sophisticated humor and creative
puppet/people choreography that will deliver a powerful punch line bolstered by
lots of laughs. Songs like “It Sucks To Be Me” are current, topical, and
downright hysterical. AVENUE Q – you will be glad you visited and will
find yourself thinking about a return trip.
- Laurie Lawson -
Studio 54 Roundabout Theatre Company
Todd Haimes, Artistic Director
Harold Wolpert, Managing Director
Julia C. Levy, Executive Director
Present
ROSIE PEREZ and KEVIN CHAMBERLIN
In
THE RITZ
By TERRENCE McNALLY
With
Brooks Ashmanskas
Ashlie Atkinson, Ryan Idol, Patrick Kerr, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe
Terrence Riordan, Seth Rudetsky, Adam Sietz, David Turner
Lenny Venito, Teddy Coluca, Mark Leydorf, Billy Magnussen
Matthew Montelongo, Angela Pietropinto, Jeffrey Evan Thomas
Josh Breckenridge, Justin Clynes, Andrew R. Cooksey
Nick Mayo, Dillion Porter
Directed by JOE MANTELLO
Set Design: SCOTT PASK
Costume Design: WILLIAM IVEY LONG
Lighting Design: JULES FISHER & PEGGY EISENHAUER
Sound Design: TONY MEOLA
Choreography: CHRISTOPHER GATELLI
Production Stage Manager: TRIPP PHILLIPS
Studio 54
254 West 54th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue)
(212) 719-1300 or
www.roundabouttheatre.org
Extended through December 09, 2007
Terrence McNally’s THE RITZ has been revived with the adorable Rosie
Perez and Kevin Chamberlin, and although several of the comic
references are dated and we would like to think that bath houses where random
sexual encounters are encouraged no longer exist, this is still a rollicking
frolic through a seedy establishment occupied with charmingly eccentric
characters. Creative costumes (or the lack thereof), an elaborate set and music
from an era of past renown make the audience willing to go along for this
hilarious ride.
Chamberlin chooses The Ritz, of all places, to hide out from his murderous
brother-in-law. In a continual comedic cycle of mistaken identities, Perez
thinks he is a big producer of legitimate shows who could be her ticket to the
Big Time. Ms. Perez’s bath house act and her attempts to seduce Chamberlin are
worthy of raucous laughs out loud, and theater goers gladly oblige. THE RITZ
is a four-star evening of entertainment.
- Laurie Lawson -
Vienna Waits Productions Presents
A CHORUS LINE
Conceived and Originally Choreographed and Directed by
MICHAEL BENNETT
Book by JAMES KIRKWOOD & NICHOLAS DANTE
Music by MARVIN HAMLISCH
Lyrics by EDWARD KLEBAN
Originally Co-Choreographed by BOB AVIAN
With
NICK ADAMS, MICHELLE ARAVENA, DAVID BAUM, MICHAEL BERRESSE, MIKE CANNON, E.
CLAYTON CORNELIOUS, NATALIE CORTEZ, CHARLOTTE d’AMBOISE, DENA DiGRACINTO, JOEY
DUDDING, LYNDY FRANKLIN, JESSICA LEE GOLDYN, DEIDRE GOODWIN, MICHAEL GRUBER,
NADINE ISENEGGER, BRYAN KNOWLTON, JAMES T. LAND, MELISSA LONE, J. ELAINE MARCOS,
PAUL McGILL, HEATHER PARCELLS, JESSICA LEA PATTY, KRYSTA RODRIGUEZ, JASON
PATRICK SANDS, JEFFREY SCHNECTER, KIM SHRIVER, WILL TAYLOR, KATHERINE TOKARZ,
GRANT TURNER, KEVIN WORLEY, DEONE ZANOTTO
Directed by BOB AVIAN
Choreography Re-Staged by BAAYORK LEE
Music Direction & Supervision by PATRICK VACCARIELLO
Orchestrations by JONATHAN TUNICK, BILL BYERS & HERSHY KAY
Vocal Arrangements by DON PIPPIN
Scenic Design by ROBIN WAGNER
Costume Design by THEONI V. ALDREDGE
Lighting Design by THARON MUSSER
Adapted by NATASHA KATZ
Sound Design by ACME SOUND PARTNERS
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
236 West 45th Street (between Broadway & Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or
www.theatremania.com
The magic is back on Broadway! On October 5th Michael Bennett’s A CHORUS LINE
opened proving that undeniably brilliant concepts, peppered with honesty and
humor and infused with high-spirited energy, are timeless.
A group of hopeful dancers, in some cases desperately hopeful, undergo an
intensive audition for a limited number of available parts. They share their
talents, their life stories, and their angst, giving us a behind-the-scenes look
at the glitzy Broadway musical and what it takes to put it together. Their
appeal and their stories are universal, and their determination and perseverance
are inspiring. Whether you are viewing this for the first time, piggy-backing
off the movie, or coming to revisit the magical original experience of the
Broadway play, A CHORUS LINE will not disappoint.
- Laurie Lawson -
David Stone James L. Nederlander Barbara
Whitman Patrick Catullo
Barrington Stage Company Second Stage Theatre
Present
The 25th Annual Putnam County
SPELLING BEE
Conceived by REBECCA FLEDMAN
Music and Lyrics by WILLIAM FINN
Book by RACHEL SHEINKIN
Additional Material by JAY REISS
With
AARON J. ALBANO, STANLEY BAHOREK, JENNI BARBER, JARED GERTNER
JAMES MONROE IGLEHART, SARA INBAR, GRETA LEE, DANIEL PEARCE
JENNIFER SIMARD
Brian Gonzales, Carly Hughes, Maurice Murphy, Jacqui Polk
Directed by JAMES LAPINE
Choreography by DAN KNECHTGES
Set Design by BEOWULF BORITT
Costume Design by JENNIFER CAPRIO
Lighting Design by NATASHA KATZ
Sound Design by DAN MOSES SCHREIER
Orchestrations by MICHAEL STAROBIN
Music Director and Dance Arrangements by VADIM FEICHTNER
Vocal Arrangements by CARMEL DEAN
Music Coordinator: MICHAEL KELLER
Press: BARLOW & HARTMAN
Circle In The Square
50th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
I am going to resist the temptation to spell out FANTASTIC or HILARIOUS, even
though both words perfectly express my feelings about The 25th Annual Putnam
County SPELLING BEE.
Assembled on stage is the most eccentric and lovable group of spelling nerds
that you ever want to meet. Extremely serious spellers who have entered this
contest for a variety of reasons reveal their inner doubts and fears while
tenaciously clinging to the one thing they know they have under control – words.
And just to keep this motley crew on the path to spelling stardom, there’s a
previous spelling bee winner, a vice principal with a questionable past, and a
parolee doing his community service. And if that’s not enough to pique your
interest, there are a plethora of delightful surprises that I won’t reveal.
Experience them yourself by going to see The 25th Annual Putnam County
SPELLING BEE. It is guaranteed to boost your spirit. Spelling has never been
such fun!
- Laurie Lawson -
Dodger Theatricals Joseph J. Grano Tamara and
Kevin Kinsella Pelican Group
In association with Latitude Link Rick Steiner/Osher/Staton/Bell/Mayerson
Group
Present
JERSEY BOYS
The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Directed by DES McANUFF
Choreography: SERGIO TRUJILLO
Music Director, Vocal Arrangements & Incidental Music: RON MELROSE
Book by MARSHALL BRICKMAN & RICK ELICE
Music by BOB GUADIO
Lyrics by BOB CREWE
With
CHRISTIAN HOFF DANIEL REICHARD J.ROBERT SPENCER JOHN LLOYD YOUNG
Travis Cloer Kris Coleman Colin Donnell Ken Dow Graham Fenton
Heather Ferguson Donnie Kehr John Leone Michael Longoria Jennifer Naimo
Dominic Nolfi Joe Payne Erica Piccininni Sara Schmidt Mark Lotito
Scenic Design: KLARA ZIEGLEROVA
Costume Design: JESS GOLDSTEIN
Lighting Design: HOWELL BINKLEY
Sound Design: STEVE CANYON KENNEDY
August Wilson Theatre
245 West 52nd Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue)
212-239-6200 or
www.theatremania.com
JERSEY BOYS, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons will bring
back memories you didn’t even know you had. Four guys on a street corner in
Jersey began a legacy that ended up in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and lives
on today. Their story, gritty and gutsy and at times downright hysterical, is
told through anecdotes and the many, many songs they gave to the world. It takes
about three minutes to totally forget that you aren’t actually watching The
Four Seasons. And as you get to know the four characters superbly portrayed
by Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, J. Robert Spencer and John Lloyd Young, you
will cheer them on in their efforts to overcome their life circumstances and
become “somebodies.”
And if you can resist singing along to “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Rag
Doll,” and all the other Four Seasons’ number-one hits, you probably
shouldn’t waste your time on musicals. JERSEY BOYS will enthrall even the
most jaded theatre goer. And once is not enough – you’ll want to see this one
over and over. Go for the music. Go for the costumes. Go for the memories. Go
for one of the most enjoyable theatrical experiences ever!
- Laurie Lawson -
Judy Craymer, Richard East and Bjorn Ulvaeus
For Littlestar in Association with Universal
Present
MAMMA MIA!
Music & Lyrics by BENNY ANDERSSON, BJORN ULVAEUS
And some songs with STIG ANDERSON
Book by CATHERINE JOHNSON
Directed by PHYLLIDA LLOYD
Choreography: ANYTHONY VAN LAAST
Musical Supervisor, Additional Material & Arrangements: MARTIN KOCH
Production Designed by MARK THOMPSON
Lighting Designed by HOWARD HARRISON
Sound Designed by ANDREW BRUCE & BOBBY AITKEN
With
CAROLEE CARMELLO, CAREY ANDERSON, JUDY McLANE, GINA FERRALL
CHRISTOPHER SHYER, PEARCE BUNTING, BEN LIVINGSTON, ANDY KELSO
SAMANTHA EGGERS, VERONICA J. KUCHN, BEN GETTINGER, RAYMOND J. LEE
The Ensemble
TIMOTHY BOOTH, ISAAC CALPITO, CHRISTOPHER CARL
ALLYSON CARR, MEGHANN DREYFUSS, LORI HALEY FOX, HEIDI GODT
FRANKIE JAMES GRANDE, BRYAN SCOTT JOHNSON, MONICA KAPOOR
CORINNE MALANCON, STEVE MORGAN, COURTNEY REED
AMINA ROBINSON, GERARD SALVADOR, LEAH ZEPEL
Swings
LANENE CHARTERS, MATTHEW FARVER, RYAN SANDER, COLLETTE SIMMONS
Dance Captain
JANET ROTHERMEL
The Band
Music Director/Conductor/Keyboard 1 – WENDY BOBBITT CAVETT
ROB PREUSS, STEVE MARZULLO, MYLES CHASE, DOUG QUINN
JEFF CAMPBELL, PAUL ADAMY, RAY MARCHICA
DAVID NYBERG, MICHAEL KELLER, NICHOLAS GILPIN
Winter Garden
1634 Broadway at 50th Street
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
There’s a reason why MAMMA MIA! has been on Broadway forever (slight
exaggeration) and keeps selling out performances. Actually there are several
reasons. Set on a Greek island in the 1980’s, the action is a fantastical blast
to the past. Disco costumes, creative choreography, and a hysterical plot
cleverly based around the eternally-popular music of ABBA are fully
utilized by a multi-talented cast to keep the laughs coming and pull off the
feel-good musical of all times.
Never has regression to a past era been such fun. If you haven’t seen MAMMA
MIA!, you must. Everybody deserves to feel that good at least once. And if
you have seen it, you have probably already figured out an excuse to go see it
again.
- Laurie Lawson -
JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY
Written and performed by JAY JOHNSON
Conceived by JAY JOHNSON/MURPHY CROSS/PAUL KREPPEL
Directed by MURPHY CROSS & PAUL KREPPEL
Scenery by BEOWULF BORITT
Lighting by CLIFTON TAYLOR
Sound by DAVID GOTWALD
Original Music by MICHAEL ANDREAS
Production Management: ROBERT G. MAHON III/JEFF WILD
Production Stage Manager: LORI ANN ZEPP
Marketing: HHC MARKETING
Press Representation: O&M/ORIGLIO/MIRAMONTEZ CO.
Associate Producer: JAMIE deROY
HELEN HAYES THEATRE
240 West 44th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: September 29, 2006
A chubby-cheeked puppet named Squeaky, the sassy alter-ego, Bob, of SOAP fame,
and a manic monkey named Darwin are but a few of the creative characters brought
to glorious life in the charming JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY. Part
history of the evolution of ventriloquism, part straight-on performance, and
part nostalgic journey, the result is an often hilarious experience.
Set on a stage strewn with trunks, boxes and other containers, many which hold
the puppets that performer Johnson will use during the show, JAY JOHNSON: THE
TWO AND ONLY transforms the space into the often magical world that a gifted
ventriloquist like Johnson can create. Seamlessly moving from one scene to
another, employing different aspects of his talents as he goes, including
throwing in a couple of songs the show is strong and fluid, avoiding any of the
underlying creepiness that one fears a show about ventriloquism can evoke.
So go see JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY. You’ll fall in love with a snake
within the first three minutes, learn more about ventriloquism than you ever
thought you wanted to know, laugh along with the “wooden Americans,” and just
plain have a ball. This one is definitely a winner!
-Kessa DeSantis/Laurie Lawson-
Showtime Networks presents
MARIO CANTONE
LAUGH WHORE
www.mariocantone.com
www.laughwhore.com
Written by MARIO CANTONE
Directed by JOE MANTELLO
Produced in Association with JONATHAN BURKHART
Original Music by JERRY DIXON
Additional Music by MARIO CANTONE & HAROLD LUBIN
Original Lyrics by MARIO CANTONE, JERRY DIXON & HAROLD LUBIN
Set Design by ROBERT BRILL
Sound Design by TONY MEOLA
Lighting Design by JULES FISHER & PEGGY EISENHAUER
Music Director & Orchestration: TOM KITT
Arrangements: JERRY DIXON & TOM KITT
Production Manager: AURORA PRODUCTIONS
Production Stage Manager: WILLIAM JOSEPH BARNES
Press: PETE SANDERS GROUP
CORT THEATRE
138 West 48th Street (between Broadway & Sixth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
October 12, 2004 - January 2, 2005
Your teeth are dry because you haven’t been able to close your mouth
in such a long time, your jowls are quivering, and tears are streaming
from your eyes. Is this any way to watch a Broadway show? Well, if
the wild and wacky ball of energy known as MARIO CANTONE is on stage,
it is! Cantone is indeed in his element in LAUGH WHORE - he’ll do
anything to make you laugh, and whatever he does works. Whether he’s
performing “Rollin’ On A River” as Tina Turner, Cher and Kate Smith
in concert or presenting a Jim Morrison Christmas or simply revealing
his childhood in an Italian household, the laughs are non-stop.
Cantone is acerbic, sassy, and totally irreverent. He’s both
hysterical and hysterically funny and a damn good singer to boot.
LAUGH WHORE is a marvelous Christmas gift to yourself. Warning:
Take deep breaths during intermission because this is the only
opportunity you’ll get!
- Laurie Lawson -
CHIGAGO
Book by FRED EBB & BOB FOSSE
Music by JOHN KANDER
Lyrics by FRED EBB
Based on the play by MAURINE DALLAS WATKINS
Original Production Directed and Choreographed by BOB FOSSE
RICHARD RODGERS THEATRE
226 West 46th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200
Directed by WALTER BOBBIE
Choreography by ANN REINKING (in the style of Bob Fosse)
Music Director: ROB FISHER
Scenic Design: JOHN LEE BEATTY
Costume Design: WILLIAM IVEY LONG
Lighting Design: KEN BILLINGTON
Sound Design: SCOTT LEHRER
Original Orchestration: RALPH BURNS
Dance Music Arrangements: PETER HOWARD
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Velma Kelly...................................................BEBE NEUWIRTH
Roxie Hart....................................................ANN REINKING
Fred Casely...................................................MICHAEL BERRESSE
Sergeant Fogarty..............................................MICHAEL KUBALA
Amos Hart.....................................................JOEL GREY
Liz...........................................................DENISE FAYE
Annie.........................................................MAMIE DUNCAN-GIBBS
June..........................................................MARY ANN LAMB
Hunyak........................................................TINA PAUL
Mona..........................................................CAITLIN CARTER
Matron Mama Morton...........................................MARCIA LEWIS
Billy Flynn...................................................JAMES NAUGHTON
Mary Sunshine.................................................D. SABELLA
Go-To-Hell-Kitty..............................................LEIGH ZIMMERMAN
Harry.........................................................ROCKER VERASTIQUE
Aaron.........................................................DAVID WARREN-GIBSON
The Judge.....................................................JIM BORSTELMANN
Martin Harrison...............................................BRUCE ANTHONY DAVIS
Court Clerk...................................................JOHN MINEO
CHICAGO has been kicking around since 1926. Originally
presented as a play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, it was the
inspiration for the 1942 movie, Roxie Hart, and the musical
premiered on Broadway in 1975. Now it is back at the Richard
Rodgers Theatre, and once again it is sure to be an audience
pleaser.
Roxie Hart (Ann Reinking) gains fame when she shoots her
lover. Realizing that this could be her big break, she hires the
slick lawyer Billy Flynn (sublimely played by James
Naughton), who has a reputation for charming his opponents
and orchestrating sensational trials. Together they razzle
dazzle the media and win Roxie's freedom. After a year of
watching the O.J. trial, the plot is not as far-fetched as it must
have seemed in 1926.
This production is jam-packed with glorious stars. Bebe
Neuwirth sparkles as jailmate Velma Kelly. She is a
charismatic dynamo, lighting up the stage with her saucy
presence. Joel Gray is Amos, the neglected husband of
Roxie. His rendition of Mr. Cellophane is adorable. Marcia
Lewis is, as always, a cutie; as the mama of the jail, some of
the best songs come from her, such as Class with Neuwirth
and When You're Good To Mama.
Reinking has choreographed CHICAGO within millimeters of
perfection. Dance numbers are slinky, sultry, and slick. The
music is seductive, and the impressive cast utilizes each
sensuous beat to their advantage. Inject all the essential
elements for success with lots of humor, and you come up with
a show that reminds us what Broadway is all about. Welcome
back, CHICAGO!
-Laurie Lawson-
RENT
Book, Music and Lyrics by JONATHAN LARSON
NEDERLANDER THEATRE
208 West 41st Street (between Broadway and Eighth Avenue)
(212)239-6200
Director: MICHAEL GREIF
Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements: TIM WEIL
Choreography: MARLIES YEARBY
Set Design: PAUL CLAY
Costume Design: ANGELA WENDT
Lighting Design: BLAKE BURBA
Sound Design: KURT FISCHER
THE CAST
(in order of appearance)
Roger Davis............................................ADAM PASCAL
Mark Cohen.............................................ANTHONY RAPP
Tom Collins............................................JESSE L.MARTIN
Benjamin Coffin III....................................TAYE DIGGS
Joanne Jefferson.......................................FREDI WALKER
Angel Schunard.........................................WILSON JERMAINE HEREDIA
Mimi Marquez...........................................DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA
Maureen Johnson........................................IDINA MENZEL
Mark's mom, Alison, and others.........................KRISTEN LEE KELLY
Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor/others......BRYON UTLEY
Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others............GWEN STEWART
Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others..................TIMOTHY BRITTEN PARKER
Man with squeegee, a waiter, and others................GILES CHIASSON
Paul, a cop, and others................................RODNEY HICKS
Alexi Darling, Roger's mom, and others.................AIDO NAKASONE
RENT started out in the unpretentious New York Theater Workshop in the East
Village. Almost immediately, it caught the attention of the theatre world.
Rave reviews were received, performances were sold out, the musical's run was
extended, its creator won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, and it opened on Broadway
at the Nederlander Theatre April 29th. But what the heck is RENT? It is the
inspiration and genius of Jonathan Larson, made more poignant by the fact that he
never lived to witness his huge success.
After the final dress rehearsal, he died of an aortic aneurysm at the age of 35.
Inspired by Puccini's La Boheme, it deals with the lives of residents of the Lower
East Side. This includes drug dealers, drag queens, prostitutes, and artists, some
of whom are HIV+.
RENT is a rock opera for the 90's, with pulsating rhythms, gritty lyrics, and modern
concerns. The music is fresh and innovative; the cast of magnificent voices resound
with passion.
Without You is quite possibly the most intense love song ever written, and I would
purchase the soon-to-be-released CD just to be able to hear Seasons of Love
over and over again. Larson has given the world a musical celebration of life,
survival, and triumph over terrifying obstacles.
The first act peaks your interest, and the second act blows you away. It is an
experience that should not be missed. And as RENT extols appreciating every minute
of life, one can only hope that Larson followed his own advice. What a legacy he left!
-Laurie Lawson-