Archive for October, 2007
First Look: Ballerinas Done Good
October 31, 2007 6:41 pm
There may still be 55 shopping days until Christmas, but the campiest, most must-have Broadway-themed holiday gift has arrived! The ballerinas over at Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera have unveiled their very own 2008 wall calendar. Featuring photos by Andrew Nelson of the tutu-ed gals sneaking out of the Majestic to sightsee around New York City, this one-of-a-kind keepsake is benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which makes support of it even more necessary. The girls—Harriet Clark, Kara Klein, Gianna Loungway, Mabel Modrono, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jessica Radetsky and Dianna Warren—even produced the calendar by themselves. It can be yours for $20 starting tomorrow at www.bcefa.org. Here’s an exclusive sneak peek!
The Broadway and Hollywood smash hit musical Hairspray is now ready to take on London. The joyous ’60s musical opened last night at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End for a crowd of U.K. theater luminaries. Here’s a tease of the fun…for more, check out the Photo Op in our London section. Photos by Dave M. Benett
Mother-and-daughter duo Leanne Jones and Michael Ball immediately after the opening night bows.
Stars Mel Smith (Wilbur), Jones (Tracy), Ben Ellis (Link) and Ball at the after-party.
You can’t stop the beat!
R.I.P. Mr. Goulet
October 30, 2007 9:43 pm
Broadway Debut: December 1, 1960, Camelot
Broadway Finale: June 26, 2005, La Cage aux Folles
For the upcoming David Mamet play November, producers hired Pulitzer Prize-winning shutterbug David Hume Kennerly to capture the above candid moment between star Nathan Lane and a stuffed turkey for the show’s ad campaign. Kennerly, who won the Pulitzer in 1972 for his photographs of the Vietnam War, took the shot in the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a not-unfamiliar locale for the former personal photographer to the president. Lane plays incumbent U.S. President Charles Smith in the play, which is set days before an election and promises “civil marriages, gambling casinos, lesbians, American Indians, presidential libraries, questionable pardons and campaign contributions.” November starts at the Barrymore Theatre (current home to Duran Duran) on December 20.
Watch This: Betty in Oz
2:32 pmAlso on ABC this Thursday at 8PM is a special Wicked-themed episode of Ugly Betty, which was filmed at the Pantages Theatre, home of the L.A. production. Here’s a terrific photo of Betty stars Christopher Gorham and America Ferrera as well as Wicked witches Eden Espinosa and Megan Hilty.
Watch This: Chyrssie in the E.R.
2:20 pm
Chryssie Whitehead, who was deliciously kooky as Kristine last year in Broadway’s A Chorus Line, has landed a showy guest spot on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. On the show, she’ll play a beat-up bride-to-be in a bridal contest who winds up in the E.R. It airs this Thursday at 9PM. Check it out!
A Tale Worth Telling
October 29, 2007 7:18 pm
I spent the weekend in Sarasota, Florida, for the opening night celebrations for A Tale of Two Cities at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Yes, you read right… celebrations as in more than one—the theater chose to have an opening for each of the two cities in Charles Dickens‘ classic tale, London and Paris. Although that’s a bit too gimmicky for my tastes, the double dose of hospitality (two lavish indoor/outdoor parties at the classy theater) was actually appreciated by this out-of-towner.
And the show, you ask? Well, industry folks these days like to snicker at musicals like this, which dare to base themselves on classic pieces of literature rather than pop culture film phenoms and choose to be wise over wiseass. I’d never read the novel but found myself wrapped up in the redemptive story of Sydney Carton and the heartbreaking love triangle between Carton, Lucy Manette and Charles Darnay. The work’s not yet done, but this Broadway-bound musical is on the right path, thanks especially to a handful of stirring Jill Santoriello songs, Michael Donald Edward’s brisk staging, Tony Walton’s ingenious scenic design and a strong company led by James Barbour, pouring his soul into a towering performance as Carton.
Barbour’s career on the stage, including terrific turns in Jane Eyre and Assassins, has been overshadowed by his personal life of late. All that could change if A Tale of Two Cities makes it to this city in the spring as hoped. He could even get himself a Tony Award if he plays his cards right.
But would Broadway embrace A Tale of Two Cities, with its petticoats and old-fashioned story of hope? Time will tell, but the audiences at the Asolo, where word of mouth has pretty much sold the run out, are certainly enjoying themselves. And I, for one, still think that means something.
Here are some exclusive photos that Bruce Glikas snapped backstage over the weekend. There are more to come—as well as party photos—in tomorow’s Photo Op.
Stars Derek Keeling, Jessica Rush and James Barbour pose for an intermission shot.
A touch (just a touch!) of make-up for leading man Barbour.
Rush touches up the lips.
Natalie Toro, a standout as Madame DeFarge.
Keeling gets wigged.
Look for our Photo Op tomorrow for even more behind-the-scenes photos of A Tale of Two Cities.
Exclusive First Look: New Witches in Oz
October 26, 2007 1:45 amHere it is… a first look at the new pair of witches now headlining Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre, which celebrates its 4th anniversary next Tuesday. (Don’t miss all the fun at Wicked Day this Sunday—more info here!) Photos by Joan Marcus
Direct from Legally Blonde, the up-and-coming Annaleigh Ashford (this girl’s going places!) now plays the ever-popular Glinda.
And in the beloved role of Elphaba is none other than former Wicked tour star Stephanie J. Block, last seen on Broadway in The Pirate Queen.
Photo Tease: Normmmmmm! Wendt Wigs Out
October 25, 2007 12:35 pmAs barfly Norm on the hit ’80s sitcom Cheers, George Wendt became a part of one of the hottest shows in TV history. These days, he’s trying his hand at a life on the wicked stage. In heels. As Edna Turnblad in Broadway’s Hairspray, Wendt is all dolled up and ready to party. Check out these exclusive first look shots of Broadway’s newest leading lady! Photos by Bruce Glikas for Broadway.com
Wendt with the show’s two Ashleys: Ashley Parker Angel (Link) and Ashley Spencer (Amber).
Exclusive First Look: Farnsworth Takes the Stage
October 24, 2007 5:47 pmAaron Sorkin’s new drama The Farnsworth Invention has started performances at the Music Box Theatre, where it opens on November 14. Check out these exclusive photos of the show, which stars Hank Azaria and newcomer Jimmi Simpson as two men racing to invent a little device called the TV. Photos by Joan Marcus
Azaria as RCA exec David Sarnoff.
Although the men never met in real life, Sarnoff and rival Philo T. Farnsworth (Jimmi Simpson) do get such a chance in The Farnsworth Invention.
Simpson shows off his invention.
A group of scientists test out Simpson’s creation.
Stage Notes
