Review of Memphis and Next to Normal the second time around.

My review of Memphis.
First of all we got to the theatre 20 minutes late because it took us 7 hours to get to new jersey where our hotel is. Then we had to take the scary bus into the city. But because Memphis is in the begining of the previews I think it started ten minutes late so I don't think we missed much. First of all the music is a powerhouse. Amazing voices.especially montego glover. Wow. The book is a little weak jn the second act it seems like they just needed to finish the show somehow and just made a bunch of shit up. The accents killed me though. Everyones was different but i think they will grow into them with time. The actor who played Huey calhouns accent sounded like George bush and Forrest gump put together. Overall I would recommend this show it's really good they just need to work out a few things which is what previews are for. I also think it is too small of a show to make it through the winter so run don't walk! To Memphis. Hakadoo!

Next to normal take 2!
This show has only gotten better since I saw it bedew the Tonys. I was glad to see Aaron tveit back as Gabe. I went into this show knowing Bonny Spencer would be out and Michael berry would be on as dan. I was unimpressed with his take on the role butwas very impressed with his voice. I was suprised at how tight Jennifer damianos peformance was since I had seen her last. She really gets her character and has found herself in the role. Adam chanlar-barat was the same. Louis hobson was much funnier than I remember especially during the scary rockstrar part. Now on to the love of my life Alice ripley. Is there any we'd to explain her? No. She gives the most impressive performance u have ever seen. I beloved she is Diana watching Her on stage. When she is upset on stage she actually has tears fallig down her face. As an actor I knownit helps immensly when everyone else on stagenis giving it their all ad you have something more to work off of. As I am sure this helps Aaron tveit as he is comforting her. This is a show that means alot to me and I could see it an unlimited amount of times. I think it will be around for a long time but go see it while it's still fresh!

Hugh Jackman stops performance of A Steady Rain

The new production of A Steady Rain is still in its first weeks of the limited 12 week engagement. The production stars Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman. Already the production has created controversy. At a performance Saturday afternoon Hugh Jackman took shit into his own hands. A woman arrived late and was held at the back of the theatre before she was seated to interupt the flow of the show. She was talking loudly to the usher about how she couldnt stand up and wanted to be seated sooner than later. How she has been waiting so long to see the show. Hugh Jackman addressed her saying "Excuse me but you know I can hear you up here." Adding "im not on film today... im in the same room with you!" Good for him I say! Theatre is going down the crapper these days and its mostly due to audience members. So if your in the last row talking and the actors on stage can hear you be prepared to get the claws from WOLVERINE RAWRRRRRRRRRR!

Avenue closes(BUT ONLY FOR NOW!!!!)

Last night September 13th was supposed to be a sad day on broadway where Avenue Q which had recently become one of the longest running broadway shows of all time was to close on broadway after 6 years. At the shows conclusion the producers announced that although the show was to close on broadway at the john golden theatre it was to RE OPEN!!!! This time OFF broadway only 5 blocks away at New World Stages on OCT 9!!! HOLY SHITTT!! This is the first time in broadway history that a broadway musical has moved from broadway to off broadway. especially within such a small amount of time.

Glee tonight at 9pm of FOX!!!

GLEEEEEEEEEE!!! first new episode since may! awesome show if your a theatre fan. DONT STOP BELIEVIN!

You heard it here first! Ok well maybe not first but close.

Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs finally gave birth to their baby boy named Walker Nathaniel Diggs.

Now we wait for the first picture!

PS 22 Chorus These Kids Are Amazing!!!

Check out the rest of their videos on their youtube channel Here

Cate Blanchett injured while performing on stage.

http://l.yimg.com/eb/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/miramax_films/the_aviator/cate_blanchett/aviator1.jpg

Cate Blanchett, best known for her Academy Award winning role as Katherine Hepburn in the Aviator, was injured yesterday September 2nd during a performance of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in Australia. Reports say that during one of the shows fight scenes she was accidently struck in the head with a prop radio by her co-star. She finished the scene like a true proffesional despite having blood visible on her head and neck. Minutes later it was announced that the performance was cancelled. A representative for the actress said in a statement that she is, "absolutely fine". Ms. Blanchett is scheduled to begin performances again today September 3rd.

I want to see these.

Hamlet Starring Jude Law

Memphis a new musical!

Predictions

I think im gonna start a post where every week i predict which show will be the next to announce closing based on the weekly grosses and other known factors.

So for this week our three finalist are:

The 39 Steps

Mary Poppins

Burn the Floor

The average tickets sold to The 39 Steps was only 67$ this week. That and Burn the Floor are the only shows which had an average ticket cost in the 60's. The weekly percentage of The 39 steps was well above 70% and it has been out for a good amount of time. Burn the Floor is around 70% and this is not a good sign for a show that is just opening. I think the producers of The 39 Steps are smarter and are able to make the show look way better than it is so it will stick around. Burn the Floor is hurt by its lack of a story line or dialogue. When going into a broadway theatre most people dont expect to sit there for 2 hours and watch people dance with no set no story or plot line. I have not seen the show and am sure it is wonderful but maybe a broadway venue isnt the best place for this? So my guess is Burn the Floor will be the next show to announce its closing even if it isnt for a few months. I could be wrong though weirder closings have come up. So we shall see.

Opinions on Upcoming Closings And Opening of Shows

Within the next couple weeks a few shows are closing and a few are opening. Some are better than others in my opinion.

9to5-9to5 is closing on 9/6. Which is kind of ironic? This show opened 6 months ago to mixed reviews. I saw it for the first time in the last few previews. I thought the show was alot of fun and was the perfect choice for adapting the movie version into a musical. It was at a perfect time too because of the economic crisis and the need for inspiration. The music was a 6 out of 10. The story was a 7 out of 10. The acting was 9 out of 10. Allison Janney was strong. Megan Hilty was adorable. Stephanie J. Block was a powerhouse. The suprise for me was Kathy Fitzgerald as Roz. Almost made me piss my pants a few times. I new it was over for this show when they were D-NYED. At the Tony's and Shrek recieved a ton of nominations.

http://latimes.image2.trb.com/lanews/media/photo/2008-09/42505601.jpg

Avenue Q-This show is ingenious. It will live to be a classic forever. I always appreciate shows that start little but then become a huge success. In its 6th year the success of this show was built upon them winning the 2004 Tony award for best new musical. It is unpredictable/ relatable/ and smart. The music become a little redundant because they are all in the style of Sesame Street basically. But alot of the songs are memorable. I like the fact that this show for the most part stays away from stunt casting and relies on the name and the story to sell tickets.

http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/actors_films_images/puppet_show_Avenue_Q_publicity_group.jpg

Bye Bye Birdie-I have a feeling it will be this years Guys and Dolls Revival. It will open and be sold out for a month and then go downhill. Plus it is starring alot of movie stars and they sometimes don't have the same stamina as broadway performers and kill the shows energy.(Oliver Platt) John Stamos is going to be good acting but im not sure about singing. Can Gina Gershon sing? The guy who is Birdie looks like hes dying. Kim and Hugo will be good though. Mr and Mrs Mcafee will be funny. And the woman playing John Stamos characters mom will be hilarious as well. I will rush this.

http://www.newyorkology.com/byebyebirdielogo09.jpg

The Aadams Family- Starring Bebe Neuwirth(Velma in Chicago) as Morticia, Nathan Lane(The Producers) as Gomez. As well as many other popular broadway greats including Jackie Hoffman, Chrysta Rodriguez. I think they can do an amazing show if they dont think about the money like shows such as Catch Me If You Can. I am excited to see this!

Superior Donuts-New play by Tracy Letts, author of August: Osage County. I am skeptical but i was also skeptical about August and it was the best play i've ever seen. I will probably rush this or get a discount somehow.

Spider-man Turn Off The Dark-I am very curious about this but skeptical. Which is the reason that i saw Shrek the musical. I don't know how they will make it look as if Spidey and The Green Goblin are flying. If it is anything like the wire work at Mary Poppins i will be severely dissapointed. I am guessing the score will be less than memorable.

First Post!!

Hello everyone!

Today is my 4th day in college and am looking forward to the rest of my times here. I have wanted to start a blog for a long time but haven't ever done it. They say you should write about what you know. If you know me you know what i am is theatre. The way people know sports statistics, is the way i know about theatre and the people in the business. From time to time i will be posting theatre news, rumors, opinions, pictures and other stuff as well as things having nothing to do with theatre.

http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com/

The first peice of news i have for you which would be no followers yet is about the upcoming most skeptically anticipated high flying new show that is "Spider-man Turn Off The Dark". Recently news has been heard of that the production has come to a stand-still due to lack of money. Reportedly the budget is close to 40 million dollars. Almost three times the budgets of Wicked in 2005 at 15 million. The musical which is directed by Tony winner Julie Taymor(Lion King on Broadway) and music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge, has already seen many problems on its journey to broadway. Recently it has been announced that Disney is purchasing Marvel which is of course the home of Spiderman. It is unknown whether this was the reason for the delay in pre-production efforts or not. According to Variety.com Disney is not expected to contribute much if any to the initial investment of the show. The reason for this is that the name Spider-man and all rights were only being rented to the companies producing.

http://aletorro.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/spidermanmusical.jpg?w=148&h=240

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007950.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

ticketmaster.com

More to come later