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!

The Jesus of Suburbia.

The new musical, "American Idiot" with a, "book" by Billie Joe Armstrong and Director Michael Mayer, gives new life to Broadway in the most unconventional of shows since last seasons' [Title of Show].This new punk rock musical gives Spring Awakening a run for its' money in the teen angst genre. The score consists of the entire American Idiot album in addition to a few songs from Green Days' new album 21st Century Breakdown,(shameless self promotion if you ask me). The story itself leaves much to be desired as some have expressed their opinion that the musical indeed has no book at all and its solely focused on the music. This is partially true as this 90 minute emo dramatic rock show plays out. The audience is blinded and mind blown by the visuals in front of them and the new interpretations on the music they know all too well. As the evening goes on you are wishing there were more dialogue and less song after song after never ending song. One can only take so many songs in a row about how hard the characters lives are.

Leading the cast is Tony award winner John Gallagher Jr. as Johnny the troubled teen struggling to find his way in the world. Gallagher Jr.s' leading lady is "Passing Strange's" Rebbecca Naomi Jones as the infamous Whatsername. This powerhouse couple provide the vocals and acting chops that hold this show together. The passion and energy emitting from the pair truly impresses even the oldest uninterested grandparents who were dragged to the performance. John Gallagher Jr. is pure perfection with a perfect blend of innocence, humor, and perfecting the act of making his job look easy when it is incredibly difficult. Rebecca Naomi Jones is incredibly sexy as Whatsername as she prances around in her underwear. She wows audiences with her smooth cool sound, exotic beauty, and of course who can get past the hair. The chemistry between the two is inevitable and screams out for recognition at all times. As he and his two friends,(Stark Sands, Michael Esper) part ways each finds themselves on a journey. One to California, one enters the Army, and one is forced to stay home with his girlfriend who has recently discovered she is pregnant. With this less than groundbreaking story, something had to impress the Broadway audience and sell tickets. What wows crowds is the energy and talents of the incredible cast to make the most out of the little material they are given, as well as the overall design of the show including, sound, lighting, costumes, choreography, and set design. The set is truly impressing with a back wall extending up to the rafters covered in newspaper clippings and working televisions from every hanging on the wall. The scaffolding covering the back wall is versatile and moves around the set serving multiple purposes throughout the show. With a strong chorus, no standouts for me occurred, although together they are incredibly strong. Overall I would give this show a 70 out of 100. I would say the audio and visual aspects are enough to get passed the fact that there is hardly any story to hold you. Although I would never pay full price for this show I would definitely recommend American Idiot to anyone who is a Green Day fan, anyone under the age of 35, and anyone who wants their face to be melted off by rock and roll! Curbstomp your way to the St. James theatre to see this show today.

http://americanidiotonbroadway.com/

Addams Family review. 1 of 4 i submitted to Marymount and got me accepted! Enjoy.

Towards the Darkness
Broadway’s next box office hit is sure to be The Addams Family. This production brings together the best of Broadway on and off stage to create a dazzling new musical thatleaves little to the imagination.. Headlining the musical is longtime Broadway veteran Nathan Lane as Patriarch Gomez Addams. Lane has won a Tony and Drama Desk award as lead actor for his roles in The Producers and Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum. Bebe Neuwirth, who is also a two time Tony award winner for her roles in Chicago and Sweet Charity, stands by Lane’s side as the stunningly elegant Morticia Addams. The rest of the cast is completed by well known Broadway names like Terrence Mann(Les Miserables), Kevin Chamberlin (Seussical), Wesley Taylor (Rock of Ages), and Adam Reigler, (Shrek). Krysta Rodriguez (In the Heights), playsWednesday the Addams’ witty yet slightly confused daughter. Rodriguez has a beautiful Broadway belt and remarkable stage presence that is especially noticed when having to hold her own against two of Broadways’ most accomplished artist. Carolle Carmello best known from her year long stint as Donna in Mamma Mia, plays Alice Beineke, the mother of the, “Normal” boy Wednesday is dating. Although Carmello is given little to work with in the script she more than breaks through the paper thin story line and somewhat generic songs. She is given a powerful song entitled, “Waiting” at the end of the first act that really allows her to demonstrate her true talents. The true star of this production is Jackie Hoffman who plays the wacky, tacky Grandmama. Hoffman is known for her comedic style that can be matched by no one else. Her sarcastic nature benefits her in this very sarcastic book. Several moments during the show Hoffman has the audience in stitches often having to hold the show for a laugh break. One only wishes she had more to do and maybe given a song or two. A surprising let down comes in the form of Ms. Neuwirth. She is utterly wasted in this production that needs to figure out where the story is going in order to better utilize there stars abilities. Neuwirth is known for her fantastic dancing and is only given one chance to shine towards the end of the second act, which almost seems like to little too late. Neuwirth works wonderfully with the little she is given. After seeing Nathan Lane in last years revival of, Waiting for Godot, I was worried I would once again be witnessing Nathan Lane playing himself and, “shticking” the entire evening. I was happily proven wrong from the first lines of the show when Lane exhibit’s the suave, cool charisma that is Gomez Addams and rarely dips into his classic comedic style. Mr. Lane truly impresses by the end of the night, showing exactly why he belongs on the stage. In the second act Lane shares a truly heartwarming moment with on stage daughter Krysta Rodriguez. In a song titled, “Happy/Sad” Gomez is expressing his conflicting feelings in letting his daughter grow up. Despite having an unfocused plot and some forgettable songs, The Addams Family is a joyous experience for all ages and will most likely have a long healthy run. Dun Dun Dun Dun Snap! Snap!

NEWS NEWS NEWSSSS

Incase you didn't know I have been accepted into the BA theatre program at Marymount Manhattan for theatre studies. I will be attending school there in the fall '10. This means I will meet lots of theatre people and have wonderful opportunities regarding theatre, therefore I will have more information to post on this blog.


The above picture is in honor of Ms. Alice Ripley winner of the Tony award 2009 for Best Performance By A Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Diana in Next to Normal. Alice Ripleys' last performance in Next to Normal will be on July 18th, which I have recently acquired tickets to. Expect a huge blog on that experience.

HERE IS MUH MAN LIN MANUEL MIRANDA DOING HIS THING FOR THE PRESIDENT

IN THE HEIGHTS MOVIE NEWS AND OTHER LIN MANUEL MIRANDA NEWS!

I recently caught the performance of Lin-Manuel Mirandas improv rap group "Freestyle Love Supreme" on the Seth Rudetsky's Sirius satelite radio show. First of all, the man walks in the room and his presence is known. The man is 30, written a tony winning musical that won best musical 2008, has won a Tony of his own, has worked with THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM, is a multitasking genius, as well as an artistic mastermind. Second to Stephen Sondheim, this man is the most coveted person in my mind. I was so excited when I found out on twitter that his freestyle group would be performing for free in the times square info center on 47th st a half hour before it started as i sit on my NYC hotel bed in pajamas on 34th st and 4th ave. For those of you NYC savy you know thats a challenge. I have met Lin once before but didnt get to talk to him because it was at the stagedoor and it was raining like crazy. I was very pleased to talk to him breifly and get a picture with him. So here is the news.....



1:Lin confirmed on the air that he is indeed starring in the upcoming IN THE HEIGHTS MOVIE. He also confirmed to me that he starts shooting the movie next month.
2: I told him i saw the IN THE HEIGHTS TOUR in Hartford and he said he was going to try and catch the tour in Boston.
3:He is collaborating on BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL. This could be interesting. Andy Blankenbeuler is also involved in some way. I think he said Andy was directing it? At one point Seth Rudetsky asked Lin jokingly if there was a song called "Do your thang" and Lin replied there was a song called "aint nothin but a thang" at one point hahahaha

If you havent heard Lin freestyle or at all check out his group freestyle love supreme on there website freesylelovesupreme.com

Well it's been a long been a long been a long been a long day....

Wow I have really neglected this thing in the last months. Not like anyone is reading it but hopefully someday they will be. Lots of reviews of shows I've seen and such to come and other theatre news to look forward to.