One night with Patti Lupone.

Last night I took my seat at The Public Theatre's newest production "Compulsion" starring Mandy Patinkin. Being the theatre geek that I am I made it a point to bring my original Broadway cast recording Vinyl record of Evita for Mandy Patinkin to sign. As I sat in my 5th row Public Theatre Member seat (het hem), I see an inconspicuously dressed smallish women with glasses and that unmistakable nose guiding her up the stairs to the row directly in front of me. A shot of adrenaline entered my heart as it skipped a beat, I thought to myself, "Is that Patti Lupone? No I couldn't be that lucky." She and her husband proceeded to sit in the seat directly in front of me one person to the right. It suddenly hit me that I had less than a foot from Patti, my Evita LP cast recording. I thought to myself, "No way am I bothering her to ask her to sign while we are in the theatre."  She was within the first third of audience members to arrive and at that point was quite empty. I heard an older woman 2 rows behind me say not so quietly, "Patti Lupone is here tonight!". If I could hear the woman, Patti could. I chuckled to myself. As she turned around to take off her coat I was reassured it was her and am not ashamed to say I listened in on what her and her husband were talking about as they thumbed through the playbill. Her husband playfully said "Is there anyone in  this show that we know?" Patti replied, "No I don't think so" and ended the statement with her signature (quiet) laugh. As the show started she perked up straight in her chair as did I forcing myself to be enticed by the show before me. The show was fabulous, I will most likely post a review after this story. During the show Ms. Lupone laughed quite loud at several of the jokes and even shed a few tears at one point, sniffling and wiping tears from her eyes as she gazed upon Mandy with such love and admiration I could only imagine the memories this evening must be bringing back for her.
After the show ended I took the elevator down to the lobby and saw Patti waiting with a group of people. I made my way over and waited patiently until no one was talking to her. I said "Excuse me I'm sorry to bother you but would you mind signing this?" as I held out my Evita cast recording. She looked at it and exclaimed "Oh my goooood." in her signature drawl. "Where did you get this?" I told her it was my personal copy and I had the actual record at home. She replied with, "No I mean do you just carry it around with you wherever you go?" I suddenly realized what she was saying and said, "Well I brought it for Mandy to sign and had no idea you would be here." She laughed kind of embarrassed as her husband said, "Yes who else was in the show?" jokingly. We all laughed and had a grand ole time. She signed the record and I thanked her and she said your welcome and walked away to go back and see Mandy. I waited for Mandy to come out but he never did. His wife saw me with the recording and said, "Im married to the guy and can't even find him!" so I waited for her to leave then gave up. lol So I went to a play starring Mandy Patinkin with an unsigned Evita Vinyl and left with it signed by Patti Lupone and not Mandy Patinkin? Good night for me.

Movie Musicals, The GOOD and the BAD.

With the trend of the movie musical becoming ever so popular since the success of Chicago in 2002, many theatre fans (including me) have chosen to look back in Hollywood history and explore some of the great and not so great movie musicals. In this post I will suggest the movie musicals of the past, present, and future, any theatre fan should see. One reason theatre fans may not like certain movie musicals is because the movie is not true to either the story, score, or overall meaning of the original show.Shows that I have seen both the movie and a live version of will be marked with a + so you can no how much I had to judge on.In no particular order:

-Thoroughly Modern Millie-Completely different from the show but has alot of heart.
-Hedwig and the Angry Inch-Indie classic
-Rocky Horror Picture Show-Another Indie Cult Classic
-Wizard of Oz
-Cabaret- Liza Minelli and Joel Grey in their prime!
-Singin In the Rain-Amazing classic with classic film stars.
-Funny Girl-Show that made Barbra Streisand famous won her an Oscar and a Tony award.
+-Chicago-Some say the movie is better than the show. I disagree. Both are really great.
+-West Side Story-Good movie that gets the story across, but is so much more beautiful live.
+-The Wiz-Many of the very funny jokes are taken out but the movie still has alot of heart and the score is still in tact.
-How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying-Just a great show. Looking forward to seeing it on Bway
-Grease-Come on! Classic
-Annie-Also a classic. Brightens up your day.
-Little Shop of Horrors-Dark and hilarious. Music well sung in the show and movie.
-The Producers-Almost entire OBC except for Uma Thurman the whole cast is a thrill.
-Hairspray-Fun!


-Nine-Haven't seen live and wasn't impressed by the movie. I've heard from others that the director just doesn't get the point of the show.
-Hair-Just horrible on film. Amazing, Meaningful, and Beautiful live.
-Grease 2-Pukes
-Sweeney Todd-The movie destroys the score. Mr. Sondheim must have been relying on the paycheck to get him over the horrible music talents in this movie.
-Mamma Mia-Just bad no one can sing in it.
+-Gypsy- Neither movie captures the magic.

Have fun yo!

What the F#$K WERE THEY THINKING?

This is the most rediculous thing I've seen in a looooooong time. This can't even be categorized as campy it's just completely 100% wrong. I'm not one to speak out against art or be conservative but this is one exception. This is completely wrong. I really would like to know what went through the administrators heads who put this show on. Never mind putting on a full production of a show for 8 year olds whos voices (or minds) aren't even developed yet, the fact that the subject matter of the show is completely inappropriate for anyone under the age of 13 which it said in the playbill on Broadway. Why this theatre or school or whatever would even be allowed to perform this is beyond me. The show deals with themes of homosexuality, aids, drugs, sex, and poverty, aspects of life most or all of these kids have no idea what it means. The fact that there are children under the age of ten playing for instance a lesbian couple is so wrong. Not for the fact that the characters are lesbians, but because these kids don't know what it means to be lesbian, bisexual, or homoesexual. They are merely acting as a puppet of sorts of whoever is in control doing whatever they instructed by their "director" assuming that they know when to pull the plug and assume trust in the adults who should know when to say when. I am shocked by this production of the show which is not meant to be performed this way and is a piece of art that is meant for ADULTS dealing with ADULT themes that has an important message that should be acted out only when the actors, creative team and everyone involved understands that message. I really wish I could figure out where this place is and call them and ask them out of curiosity what they were thinking. Jonathon Larson would not be proud of what his show has become.

Casting News!

One of my favorite Broadway ladies Diana Degarmo has announced on twitter that she will be playing Miss Doralee Rhodes (the Dolly Parton role) in the first national tour of 9 to 5, The Musical this upcoming year!!!!!!
This makes me super excited as should anyone reading this because she is an amazingly versatile performer with the curves and sass to back up this role better than anyone else.

Katie, Katie...I mean Promises Promises. :)

This lovely new revival of Burth Bacharach and Neil Simon's  musical Promises, Promises, starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth, is a big ole pile of classic Broadway mixed with modern day stars and techniques. Sean Hayes, (Will and Grace), plays Chuck Baxter a lonely employee who is low on the food chain in the office who uses his assets to the best of his ability to try and reach the top of the rocks. Also appearing above the title is Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies, Glee), who plays Fran Kubelik, a naive cafeteria worker who falls for all the wrong men. With this being her first return to Broadway since her Tony nominated turn as Glinda in Wicked, one may expect Chenoweth to be slightly rusty or hold back somewhat feeling a stranger of sorts to the stage. The contrary is true as Miss Chenoweth shows why she will no doubt be known as one of the classic Broadway performers of her era. Standing at a mean 4'11'', Chenoweth has a voice that could fill the theatre without a mic attached to her forehead. It is truly a wonder to hear this womans' voice live rather than mixed on a soundtrack or foolishly autotuned on Glee. Making his Broadway debut Sean Hayes delights audiences eight times a week with his classic Broadway vocals and the excellent physical comedic timing he is best known for. Towards the end of the second act fans who have fallen in love with Sean for his comedy on Will and Grace will be glad to see him in a more serious note as problems arise for his character. Of course the stand out of the evening is without a doubt now 2 time Tony Award winner Miss. Katie Finneran as Marge McDougal. With a span of 25 minutes or so Miss Finneran gives a flawless comedic performance that has won her critical recognition and... oh yeah.... a TONY AWARD!!!! Which is very much deserved. With all respect I say that if Angela Lansbury had received the award I would have probably started a chant for Katie Finneran. It seems this is the perfect role for Finneran where her character first appears at the top of the second act causes the entire audience to laugh for twenty minutes straight and then is not seen again until the curtain call. Katie Finneran is pictured below as Marge McDougal donning her signature Owl fur coat. With all the above praise there are a few down points to this great production. With a show that is 2 hours and 45 minutes long, one feels as if the show is about half an hour too long and could definately be cut down. In one of Broadway's biggest houses this show can get lost as from seats in the rear mezzanine, facial expressions can hardly be seen and can distance audience members from the material. "Turkey Lurkey Time" is a classic number that everyone is looking forward to throughout the whole show and when it finally happeens the 3 or 4 minute dance number is incredibly lack luster and forgettable. My recommendation for this show would be to try for student rush which is in the mezzanine but the price is worth Katie Finneran's performance alone. Sean Hayes is charming. Kristin Chenoweth is a wonder. Katie Finneran is a Super Comedienne.

Sweeney Todd at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Ma

  

Revenge has never felt better than at the Barrington Stage Companys' production of Stephen Sondheims', Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Starring Tony Award winner Harriet Harris as Mrs. Lovett, and Jeff McCarthy, a well known Barrington Stage regular, as the title character. With a noticeably strong ensemble from the minute the, "Ballad of Sweeney Todd", starts the amount of talent present on the stage is clear and you are strapped in for an exciting evening. With a completely refreshing take on the role of Mrs. Lovett, Harriet Harris gives a performance that would make Angela Lansbury stand up and cheer. Harris plays the role as a more timid woman who then transforms into the loud outgoing shop owner who comes between and man and his plots of revenge. With the current Broadway fad to have microphones everywhere from foreheads to feet or props the goal is recently to amplify the sound so loud you can barely comprehend what is being said. Ms. Harris never over sings the material forcing the audience to pay attention to each lyric as she has them hanging on each and every word looking for new plot points to complete this musical theatre thriller. Jeff McCarthy is of course lovingly known most recently as Officer Lockstock in the 2002 Urinetown. Here he plays a much less comical role as Sweeney Todd the demon barber who is out for revenge. Being a comedic actor his impeccable comedic timing does a more than adequate job of wooing the audience when it is called for. The chemistry between Harris and McCarthy is as if they have been working together for years. Each moment you can sense that off stage they are as warm as the characters are to each other. Moments that are humorous, the two can be seen jumping and laughing around the stage maniacally. Moments that are tense and sad, the pair can be seen interacting and working off the energy of their counterpart to create a moment that is memorable and effective for all. The voices of the ensemble melt together like butter over popcorn yet each can standout by itself and be just as effective. To hear Mr. Sondheim's magnificent score with such powerful and pure sounding voices behind it is a theatre fan's dream as it mystifies and chills the audience seeing and hearing the material for the first time. A major standout in the cast is Zachary Clause as Tobias Ragg the young boy, who by certain circumstances comes to live, work, and become quite fond of Mrs. Lovett as a mother figure. Clause brings a certain boyish charm to the role that turns into overall madness at the climax of the musical. His rendition of, "Not While I'm Around" is haunting and unforgettable. With a wondrous voice he exhibits displays immense control and understanding of his voice at a level paralleled with some of the best of Broadways legendary performers. Above he is pictured as Tobias Ragg in the finale of the show.

Get tickets at:  Sweeney Todd Pittsfield Ma Tickets

Being Fair to Chad Kimball...

To be fair I am also impressed by Chad Kimball who plays Huey in Memphis so below is a video of him singing one of my favorites from the show...

My obsession with Montego Glover

Montego Glover is, for those of you not aware, the star of the new musical Memphis, which just won the Tony award for best musical. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical. I believe that if Catherine Zeta Jones had not done such a beautiful job as Desiree Armfeldt, Montego Glover would currently be a Tony Award winner. This girls voice is unbelievable. The passion and meaning behind her voice is astounding, I have never seen someone belt it to the rafters like this woman live. She is also the most poised, sofisticated, charming, kind, woman at the stage door. I wrote her a letter and she was nice enough to send back my CD booklet signed by her and Chad Kimball as well as a Thank You card for my kind words. Below....or above idk how it'll come out but wherever it ends up is a video of Montego Singing "Colored Woman" from Memphis. Talk about a show stopping number. This show brings down the house every single night and its all thanks to the theatre goddess known as Montego Glover. Enjoy

The Best of Times is Douglas Hodge!

Open your eyes! You have arrived at...La Cage Aux Folles. La Cage Aux Folles may be better known to non-theatregoers, as the 1996 movie The Bird Cage, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, which was based on the french play, of the same name,(La Cage Aux Folles). The musical is set inside a drag club in San Tropez during the 1970's. With a witty, touching book by Broadways' Harvey Fierstein, and a classic Broadway score by Jerry Herman(Hello Dolly, Mame,) this show is destined for greatness. This production of the show stars Tony award winner Douglas Hodge for his role as Albin/Zaza, as well as well known television star Kelsey Grammar as his partner George. The duo is perfectly matched and can convincingly pull off a homosexual relationship on stage without being stereotypical despite the fact that they are both heterosexual men. In a toned down smaller version of the show, the cast serves as an ensemble piece in which all of the characters have a role in the outcome of the story.
The story centers around drag club owners George and Albin who also doubles as the star of the night club, Zaza. Albin is facing fears that he is perhaps becoming too old, and can no longer, "drop the final vail." While he is preoccupied with his troubles Georg's son,(from a one night stand), Jean Michel gives news to him that he is getting married and would like George to meet his fiancées' parents as his father and would like his biological mother, and not Albin to act as his mother. The story gets interesting when George must inform Albin he is not invited to meet the parents. After that hilarity and sorrow ensues.
I cannot say enough about Douglas Hodge in this show. He won the Tony award this year for best actor in a musical for his performance as Albin/Zaza and could not have been worthy of it more. Hodge has a charm that makes you fall in love with both Albin and Zaza as soon as they appear on stage. With spot on humor and seemingly natural poise, Hodge impresses audiences who are used to seeing big movie stars in starring roles and not relatively unknown actors from the West End. Douglas Hodge as Albin is raw, honest, and intuitive. As he transforms on stage from Albin to Zaza you see his attitude change as you feel he truly believes he is now the incomperable Zaza! His Albin is shy and timid until he dons his wig, heels, and mascara to transform his very being, where he is outgoing and comfortable in his own shoes. Kelsey Grammer also impresses the audience in his Broadway musical debut. Not only does he do a more than adequate job with his role, he has a beautiful voice that croons his partner Albin 8 times a week. Grammer was also nominated for best actor and although I enjoyed his performance very much, if he had won over Douglas Hodge I may have jumped down two mezzanines from my seat into the orchestra level of Radio City Music Hall and taken it from him myself. The ensemble includes Robin De Jesus who rehashes the same character he played in In The Heights, although it fits his role well. The cagelles who act as a drag chorus of sorts is made up of 6 incredibly fit men who look scarily like women when they are completely done up in hair make up and costume. The dance moves and gymnastic like maneuvers these men perform will make the most unimpressed person say, "WOW!" Each are incredibly talented actors, singers, and dancers. This production of La Cage Aux Folles is definitely my favorite show of this season, last years being Next to Normal which I will see next week for my 4th time. Overall I give La Cage Aux Folles a 90 out of 100. Skip don't run to this fabulous show at the Longacre Theatre!