All tagged Hello Dolly!
On this week’s show, Jamie and Rob launch a special three part mini-series looking at some of the biggest Broadway musical hits of all time, beginning with 1943’s landmark “Oklahoma!” and continuing through today’s juggernaut “Hamilton”. Part One focuses on the biggest hits of Broadway’s golden age.
After 46 years away from New York, audiences at City Center finally have a chance to see what Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart’s 1974 flop “Mack and Mabel” is all about thanks to a new Encores! production. The result is bittersweet—both thrilling and sad. Jerry Herman’s score shines, alongside performances by Douglas Sills, Alexandra Socha, Lilli Cooper, and a top-notch ensemble, and the atmosphere of old Hollywood is superbly spun. Still, this is not a musical masterpiece, but a beloved curiosity—a good musical that almost works. Perhaps someday, it might.
As we begin a new decade, I look back at my past decade of theatre-going and pick my top 10 favorite plays and musicals.
"Mrs. Doubtfire" the musical will open at Broadway's Stephen Sondheim Theatre; the Broadway-aimed musical "Lempicka" will play La Jolla Playhouse; Tim Sanford will step down as Artistic Director of Playwrights Horizons; stars of "SpongeBob SquarePants" will reunite for a new TV adaptation that will premiere on Nickelodeon; Maria Dizzia to headline “Constitution” tour; Roger Bart joins "Back to the Future" musical; Warren Carlyle to direct and choreograph Barry Manilow's "Harmony"; first look of Carolee Carmello as Dolly Levi in the national tour of "Hello, Dolly!"
"MJ The Musical" will play Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre; Martin Scorsese's new film, "The Irishman", will screen at Broadway's Belasco Theatre; TimeOut's Helen Shaw is the new theater critic for New York Magazine/Vulture; "Slave Play" extends by two weeks; "A Christmas Carol" and “Evita” casting announcements; Joe Mantello to receive prestigious “Mr. Abbott” Award; Kerry Washington joins “The Prom" movie; "A Night with Janis Joplin" will screen; "The Life of Pi" might be headed to Broadway in 2021; Kathleen Marshall tapped to direct and choreograph "Sideways" musical; RIP Bruce Anthony Davis
Fresh from an acclaimed Off-Broadway run, director Daniel Fish’s reinterpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s groundbreaking 1943 musical “Oklahoma!” completely deconstructs this canonical and totemic masterpiece of American musical theatre by stripping it of its corn and highlighting the darker themes of violence and injustice that have always been simmering underneath. Sexually charged and presented with a striking naturalism, this bold new production is a revelation and a must-see.
"Network" extends to April 28th; "The Play That Goes Wrong" will transfer to New World Stages; City Center announces Encores! Off-Center series; "Lifespan of a Fact" has recouped; cast announced for Duncan Sheik's new musical, "Alice by Heart" at MCC Theater; Off-Broadway cast of "Be More Chill" will transfer to Broadway; Lea Salonga will return to "Once On this Island"; Christian Dante White will be the next Freddy Eynsford-Hill in "My Fair Lady"; Jack O'Brien replaces Gregory Mosher as director of the upcoming Broadway revival of "All My Sons"; listen to Patti LuPone sing "The Ladies Who Lunch" on the forthcoming West End cast album of "Company"; Galt MacDermot, composer of "Hair" and "Two Gentlemen of Verona", dead at 89
"Ain't Too Proud" books the Imperial; "The Illusionists" returns to the Marquis for the holidays; Laura Benanti to replace Lauren Ambrose in "My Fair Lady"; Cuba Gooding Jr. returns to "Chicago"; "Beetlejuice" announces full cast; "Waitress" headed to London, "Anastasia" to our U.S./world; "The Play that Goes Wrong" recoups; look at "Hello, Dolly!" finances; RIP Neil Simon, Craig Zadan, Barbara Harris, Brian Murray, and Vivian Matalon
“School of Rock" to close January 20, 2019; Bruce Springsteen records his one-man show for Netflix; "Cats" film will feature Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, and James Corden; Hailey Kilgore out of "Once on This Island"; Lisa Brescia joins "Dear Evan Hansen"; "Hello, Dolly!" national tour schedule released; "Dreamgirls" is casting for Broadway; who sang “Rose’s Turn” best?; Gary Beach dead at 70
"Escape to Margaritaville" will close July 1st; "The Band's Visit" will tour in June 2019; Donna Murphy returns to "Hello, Dolly!" for six performances; Katharine McPhee extends her time in "Waitress"; Audible enters into a deal with Off-Broadway's Minetta Lane Theatre; the New York Times compiles the 25 best American plays of the past 25 years
"Hello, Dolly!" to close in August 25th following return of Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce; "To Kill a Mockingbird" lawsuit intensifies; Martyna Majok wins the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; “Hadestown” to play London then Broadway; "Empire Records" and "Nanny McPhee" will be musicals; Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban to host the Tony Awards; 2018 Drama League nominees
Nearly a year into its run, “Hello, Dolly!” is buoyantly better, brighter, and tighter than on opening night. Bernadette Peters gives a stellar, steadier, and more grounded performance as Dolly Levi, alongside replacements Victor Garber, Charlie Stemp, and Molly Griggs—and Gavin Creel and Kate Baldwin, and the ensemble, are better than ever. This is the best musical comedy on Broadway. If you haven't seen it, get tickets now; if you have seen it, it's worth checking back in.
