Archive for July, 2007
Photo Tease: In the Heights…In the Heights!
July 24, 2007 7:14 pmJust a week after ending their off-Broadway run at 37 Arts, the cast of In the Heights got BACK into character today to shoot a sexy new TV spot to promote the show’s upcoming Broadway run. The revolutionary SpotCo. spot takes all the lovable characters from the show and plops them right into the heart of Washington Heights, the way uptown hood where the show is set. Here’s a sneak peek of what is sure to heat up the airwaves this fall. Photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com
Author/star/genius Lin-Manuel Miranda gets into character between shots.
The fabulous In the Heights dancers (hello…it won a Lortel Award for its choreography!) bust a move on the pavement.
The adorable “elders” of the show—Priscilla Lopez and John Herrera—take in the sun from an authentic neighborhood fire escape.
Standout dancer Seth Stewart—who plays Graffiti Pete—gives some attitude for our camera.
Mandy Gonzalez and Christopher Jackson play reunited young lovers Nina and Benny in the show.
All At Sea: Day Seven, or Worshipping at the Temple of Andrea McArdle (Again)
July 18, 2007 3:29 pmThe final day of the R Family Vacations cruise was nothing short of genius, thanks mostly to the upstoppable energy of Andrea McArdle, who, if i really think about it, is one of the main reasons I’m here talking about Broadway in the first place. Looking incredible and incredibly game, the big-voiced showstopper confidently stepped back into the the shoes of little orphan Annie for two performances of Annie: The Concert in the Stardust Theatre and delivered the unforgettable songs of Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin with the same gumption that made her a child star 30 years back. An Annie freak since the age of six, this was a mind-blowing event that had me tearing and cheering. Kudos to Seth Rudetsky for pulling it together in a winning way—now let’s get a similar night done on Broadway and, more importantly, let’s get McArdle back on the boards where she belongs! Photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com (For more photos, check out our Photo Op).
And We’re Back!
3:13 pmAll At Sea: Day Six
July 13, 2007 5:56 pmThe big event on the Norwegian Dawn–slowly making its way back to Manhattan–on Thursday night was Sibling Revelry, the acclaimed sister act first performed by Broadway vets Liz Callaway (Baby, Cats, Miss Saigon) and Ann Hampton Callaway (Swing!) back in 1995 at Rainbow & Stars. The goofy, charming, completely irresistible concert won the talented twosome plenty of new fans and brought back memories for show fans like me. Ironically, my favorite moments of the night were their two solo numbers–the stirring “Old Friend” for Ann and “Meadowlark” for Liz. Ultimately the combined force of talent was mindblowing. What the heck is in those genes anyway?! Exclusive photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com
Here they are, the sisters Callaway, reunited for the R Family Vacation cruise.
Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway and the Sibling Revelry band backstage before the show.
The crowd went crazy for the glorious sounds that come out of the Callaways!
After Sibling Revelry, comedianne Jessica Kirson (who is featured in off-Broadway’s The J.A.P. Show) returned for her raunchily riotous observations on the world.
Kirson poses backstage with a particularly spirited cruiser (um, it was fairy princess night on the boat!).
Also on the bill for the eclectic night of entertainment were the jaw-dropping handbalancing skills of Ken Berkeley and Matthew Cusick, known together as KENiMATTix.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the Spinnaker Lounge, this group of stage singers gathered to entertain a crowd of youngers with a show of big belting to the hits of Disney.
Speaking of show people, that’s Paper Mill Playhouse Acting Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee second from left with the ship’s captain, his longtime partner and Gregg Kaminsky of R Family Vacations. What’s with the trophies? Mark won the Amazing Race competition aboard the ship!
Hey, it’s Meg Tilly! The former Agnes of God actress led a writing workshop for teens in the ship’s library.
When there’s a ship full of creative types, why not have a little VIP industry reading? This talented troupe (among them Andrea McArdle, Janet Carroll, Esera Tualo, Haviland Stillwell and Craig Ramsey) gathered in the cinema on Thursday night to read a sassy new TV pilot called Living It Out.
That’s it for now. Check back on Monday for full coverage of tonight’s final blowout concert staging of Annie!
All At Sea: Day Five
July 12, 2007 5:44 pmWednesday was beach day as the Dawn docked a few miles off Great Stirrup Cay, a private island somewhere in the Bahamas. After soaking in the sun all day long, we were treated to a concert in the big room by Rosie’s former Taboo star Euan Morton, some family karaoke in Dazzles lounge and then a rockin’ nighttime beach party back on the island that carried on into the night. Words can’t describe what a special, unforgettable party to end all parties it turned out to be. (I’m still recovering!) Hopefully these photos will make you a little jealous you weren’t there! Exclusive photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com
Euan, looking great and sounding even better. His rendition of “Stranger in This World” had me missing Taboo real bad!
Euan and the band: Calvin, Will, Bryan and musical director Robbie Roth (who you may recognize from his past concert work with Gavin Creel).
Euan and Rosie.
After the show, Rosie took her family and cruise guest Ross Mathews (aka “Ross the Intern” of The Tonight Show and Celebrity Fit Club notoriety) to Dazzles Lounge for some karaoke fun. Here, the friends show off their duetting skills with “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”
Party time! The dance floor heats up at the island party.
Spotted on the food line: Broadway cutie couple Michael Berry and Sarah Uriarte Berry.
More shiny, happy Broadway people: Capathia Jenkins and Jimmy Smagula.
Openly gay former NFL hunk Esera Tuaolo, hanging loose at the party with his adorable kids.
Parting shot: the R Family logo gets edible.
All At Sea: Day Four
July 11, 2007 4:44 pmOn Tuesday, the R Family cruisers docked in the ever-welcoming Key West, the self-proclaimed southernmost point in the United States and just an all-around laid-back, friendly town. After a day of eating, shopping and boozing at the local hot spots, the boatload of fun-seekers filed into the Stardust Theatre for a outrageously hilarious night of stand-up comedy. Exclusive photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com.
There she is, ship of dreams. The Norwegian Dawn docks in Key West.
Backstage before the comedy show, co-hosts Jack Plotnick and Seth Rudetsky razzle-dazzle comedy chick Judy Gold.
Also on the all-laughs triple-bill: Jessica Kirson and Alec Mapa.
Don’t worry, show friends–the evening wasn’t song-less. The New York Gay Men’s Chorus opened the show!
All At Sea: Day Three
July 10, 2007 12:08 pmOn Monday, the chief entertainment on the R Family fun ship had nothing to do with Broadway per se, but ’80s Euro-band Erasure still had the boat rocking with a delicious throwback concert in the Stardust Theatre. Exclusive photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com
Erasure’s Andy Bell bursts into a high-energy set of their classic hits.
The crowd seriously didn’t want to let the group leave the stage.
Rosie poses backstage with Erasure’s Vince Clarke and Andy Bell and their trio of sexy back-up gals.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the Spinnaker, a raunchy Alec Mapa (Broadway’s M. Butterfly, TV’s Desperate Housewives) had the audiences in stitches.
That’s it for now. Just a few more days until Annie!
All At Sea: Day Two
July 9, 2007 2:34 pmFor an overcast full day of sailing aboard the Norwegian Dawn, R Family vacationers were treated to a wide variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment options, from Sandie B. giving ’til it hurts in the big room to one of Broadway’s most beloved stars sharing stories of life on the boards in the Spinnaker Lounge. Exclusive photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com
For a special live recording of his Sirius radio show, Seth Rudetsky tries to coax stories out of original Annie star Andrea McArdle about her former orphan co-stars (including Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was Molly to her Annie in London!).
McArdle delivers a terrific “On My Own” after admitting that Eponine, not Fantine, was always her dream Les Miz role (She finally played it in Philly with her daughter Alexis Kalehoff as Young Cosette and the late, great Laurie Beechman as Fantine).
The ever-game Sharon Gless is a regular R Family cruiser. On Sunday, she met with fans of her iconic work on TV’s Cagney & Lacey and Queer As Folk in the Spinnaker Lounge. She even came in full drag as her PFLAG-waving Queer character Debbie Novotny!
Spotted in the cafeteria: Cruise queen Rosie O’Donnell with fitness guru Susan Powter (”Stop the insanity!”), who is leading a jam-packed yoga class for cruisers every morning. (That’s her son getting squeezed out in the middle!).
Even Rosie’s Broadway Kids, O’Donnell’s amazing program that brings Broadway to inner city kids, has taken to the seas!
Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Sandra Bernhard!
To everyone’s great delight, Sandra entered through the audience, singing “And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)” from Dreamgirls. (Why not?)
What’s a Bernhard show without some well-placed pop culture jabs? Here, she takes on Jennifer Aniston’s new Smart Water campaign.
For a closing, she rocks out to “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns ‘n’ Roses. Thanks for the memories, Sandie!
Parting Shot: Bernhard backstage with the little lady who tamed her, daughter Cecily.
All At Sea: Day One
July 8, 2007 10:02 am
I’m writing you today from the large and in charge Norwegian Dawn, somewhere adrift in the Atlantic ocean (I’m guessing off of Virginia, with zero nautical knowledge!). I’ve been invited on the 4th Annual R Family Vacations summer cruise, which is heading to the Caribbean for a week of fun. This is my 3rd R Family cruise (if you don’t blink, you can even see me on the celebrated HBO documentary of the first cruise in 2004), which have become popular for their positive vibe, terrific food and Broadway-style entertainment.
One day in, this week’s cruise has not disappointed on any of those counts. Saturday night, sea hostess Rosie O’Donnell (sailing sans partner Kelli O’Donnell, co-founder of R Family, home with a neck injury) kicked off this year’s entertainment by introducing the annual “Broadway Belters” show, with musical direction by Seth Rudetsky.
Sorry you weren’t there? Well, here are some exclusive backstage and onstage photos courtesty of Broadway.com’s Bruce Glikas:
Rosie makes a grand entrance during a Pippin spoof (”We got cruisin’ to do.”)
Haviland Stillwell (center) of Les Miserables belts out “Mamma Who Bore Me” from Spring Awakening with the R Family singers.
Sarah Uriarte Berry and hubby Michael Berry rocked out, honkytonk style!
Andrea McArdle! The Broadway legend sang out “I Dreamed a Dream” for the show and will play Little Orphan Annie in a concert staging of the entire musical on Friday night! (Could you die?)
Capathia Jenkins (right) stopped the show with “Big Black Lady” from Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. Here, Rosie gets into an unforgettable “scat-off” with the diva.
Klea Blackhurst teaches the ship a little bit of Merman with “Blow, Gabriel Blow” (which she pointed out was originally set on a ship in Anything Goes!)
R Family Vacations founders Gregg Kaminsky and “Kelli” address the crowd.
Longtime friends and collaborators Rosie and Seth Rudetsky backstage before the show.
Sarah Uriarte Berry, Capathia Jenkins and Andrea McArdle.
Also caught on camera earlier in the day…
Berry and beautiful daughter Madeleine splashing around in the hot tubs on Deck Nine.
That’s it for now. More tomorrow…
A Honey of a New Drowsy Ad
July 7, 2007 2:02 am
She doesn’t start performances as bride-to-be Janet Van Der Graaf until July 31 but A Chorus Line cutie Mara Davi (Maggie in A Chorus Line for a few more perfs) is already spicing up The Drowsy Chaperone’s new ad campaign. Check out this poster, courtesy of the ad genuises over at SpotCo.
Stage Notes
