Jamie and Rob kick off season three with 11-time Grammy Award nominated recording artist and Tony Award nominated star of stage and screen Vanessa Williams, one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry.
All tagged Stephen Sondheim
PODCAST: "The Fabulous Invalid" - Episode 80: Famous Flops: Part One
On this week’s episode, Jamie and Rob dive into the world of famous (and infamous!) Broadway flop musicals with a special two-part show focusing on these flawed and fabulous gems. They kick it all off with a look back at “Carrie” (1988) with word from its original star, the incredible Betty Buckley, who provides a rare peak into that experience. Then, Rob and Jamie move on to discuss such musicals as “Kelly” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and some less “successful” works by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim. Part two follows next week.
REVIEW: An astonishingly re-imagined “West Side Story” for the 21st Century demands to be seen
Belgian auteur Ivo van Hove presents a reimagined version of “West Side Story” for the 21st Century; employing his signature style of theatremaking, this production is thrilling and revelatory, breathing new life into a beloved classic with new choreography, precision cuts to the text, new orchestrations, a superb ensemble cast, and groundbreaking use of video and live filmmaking. The result marks a true summit of achievement in theatre-making and a highlight in a lifetime of theatergoing. It demands to be seen.
FEATURE: 2020 Spring Season Preview
With the concept of “winter” an increasing memory, here is overview of all that’s coming to New York stages this spring!
PODCAST: "The Fabulous Invalid" Episode 58: Barbara Barrie: It's A Long Book
On this week’s show, Jamie, Rob, and Jennifer are joined by Tony and Academy Award nominated star of stage and screen, Barbara Barrie, who originated the role of Sarah in Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s landmark musical “Company” in 1970. We discuss that iconic show, including her experience working with Harold Prince and Elaine Stritch, and the legendary eighteen hour recording session of the original cast album. Later on, Rob gives more background on the famous documentary about that recording session.
FEATURE: Top 10 of the 2010s
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.
FEATURE: Top 10 of 2019
By my count, I’ve attended 234 performances of theatre, dance, music, opera, and cabaret during 2019. Out of a field that large, it’s hard to pick just ten, but nevertheless, here are my top ten (ok, eleven) favorite shows I saw in 2019.
Ephraim Sykes will star as Michael Jackson in "MJ" the musical on Broadway; Martin McDonagh's "Hangmen" will play a limited engagement at Broadway's Golden Theatre; "Tootsie" will close on January 5th; "Hadestown" recoups; Imelda Staunton will star in "Hello, Dolly!" on the West End; Dominic Cooke will direct “Follies” film; The Drama Book Shop will reopen in a new location in 2020; RIP Laurel Griggs
"Sea Wall/A Life" recoups; "Be More Chill" headed to London in 2020; "Girl from the North Country" and “To Kill a Mockingbird” cast announcements; Christopher Ashley and Bridget Carpenter join Cyndi Lauper for the Broadway-aimed musical adaptation of "Working Girl"; Mike Birbiglia’s "The New One" to be a book; “The Phantom of the Opera" to get a graphic novel treatment; early Tony predictions; first look at Katrina Lenk as Bobbie in the forthcoming revival of "Company"; RIP Diahann Carroll and Anna Quayle
"Beetlejuice" plans events for every day of October; "Sea Wall/A Life" to be audio-recorded for Audible; Jason Robert Brown and Robert Horn's "13" musical will be made into a film; "Saturday Night Fever" 20th anniversary reunion event CSC’s "Assassins" casting announced; "Between the Lines" musical to play Off-Broadway; transgender actor Alexandra Billings will join the Broadway company of "Wicked" in January; Caissie Levy and Patti Murin will leave “Frozen” in February; MCC Theater announces a new musical development initiative
"Company" on Broadway will star Katrina Lenk as a female Bobbie and Patti LuPone as Joanne; Richard Linklater will make a movie adaption of "Merrily We Roll Along" filmed in real time over the next 20 years; "The Lehman Trilogy" books Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre; Tony Award winners Jayne Houdyshell, Jefferson Mays, Shuler Hensley, and Marie Mullen join the Fall 2020 revival of "The Music Man"; Solea Pfeiffer and Maia Reficco will share the title role in "Evita" at New York City Center; Rob McClure will star in the world premiere of "Mrs. Doubtfire" the musical in Seattle; Ryan Murphy is developing a ten-part Netflix adaptation of "A Chorus Line"; Tony Award winner André de Shields will receive the York Theatre Company's Oscar Hammerstein Award for lifetime achievement; RIP: Isabel Toledo, Valerie Harper, and Ken LeRoy
NOTES: Jason Robert Brown and Stephen Sondheim in concert at Town Hall
Two weeks ago, I attended what might long rank among the most magical and special concerts I will ever have the privilege to see: Jason Robert Brown in concert with Stephen Sondheim, featuring Katrina Lenk, special guests Shoshana Bean, Joshua Henry, and Rob McClure, and a cameo from Lin-Manuel Miranda