All tagged Summer
Adrienne Warren gives a spell-binding, jaw-dropping, star turn in “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical”. There’s nothing earth-shattering about the show’s conception, construction, or execution—but not much that offends, either. “TINA”, among the best of its sub-genre of bio-musicals, is a rather unremarkable musical as far as the form is concerned but a terrific entertainment that tells a good story and does it well. See it for Adrienne Warren’s transcendent performance.
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” is a seamless, slick, and exuberantly entertaining new musical that reclaims the “jukebox” genre with an energetic, fast-moving, and engrossing portrait-like study of The Temptations. This show looks good, sounds good, and feels good, and is easily one of the best catalogue musicals ever to grace The Great White Way.
"Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" to close December 30th and “Once On This Island" to close January 6th; rumor is “Girl from the North Country” will take the Lunt-Fontanne; wishful thinking is "Oklahoma!" will take the Circle in the Square; "Falsettos" tour will feature Nick Adams, Eden Espinosa, and Max von Essen; watch Cher and Stephanie J. Block sing "If I Could Turn Back Time", and the Netflix trailer for "Springsteen on Broadway"; read a travel Q&A with Patti LuPone; RIP Stephen Hillenburg and John Wulp
Take a look at the 2018 Tony Award Nominations - I highlight some surprises, snubs, and quirks.
“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” is a flat and soulless jukebox tribute to the “Queen of Disco” that disgraces the genre she created by offering thin orchestrations, inauthentic choreography, and a song listing that includes too many obscure cuts from later in her career. LaChanze’s radiant performance is not enough to salvage this joyless and unfocused show. Save your money and listen to Summer’s iconic songs instead.
"The Band's Visit" is the early favorite for Best Musical this June; "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" books the Lunt Fontanne Theatre for the spring; "The Minutes" delays February Broadway bow
"M. Butterfly" closes early; Adam Driver to star in "Burn This" in 2019; Donna Summer, Cher, Temptations and Go-Go's musicals aimed for Broadway; "Death Becomes Her" musical in development for Kristin Chenoweth; Sen-elect Doug Jones (D-AL) appeared in "To Kill A Mockingbird" on stage; TDF launching free tix program for military vets
"The Boys in the Band" is headed to Broadway with a starry cast; "The Band's Visit" and "Prince of Broadway" will release cast albums; the Shuberts petition to refurbish and expand the Cort Theatre; "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" to play Boston this summer
