Wipe off the green makeup, bulldoze the castle and get rid of the tap-dancing rats- no, keep the tap-dancing rats - and Shrek, despite its fairy-tale setting and gentle lesson about embracing the qualities that make us different, reveals itself as just a good ol' musical comedy. And a darn enjoyable one at that. Of course, whether you find it sophomoric or smartass might depend on your reaction to fart jokes, anachronistic contemporary references and visual quotes from classic musicals, but director Jason Moore has his terrific cast performing their goofy antics with slick professionalism. Add some very humorous puppetry and bright, catchy tunes and you've got a fun night out.
The thing that always strikes me about Euan Morton, from his New York debut in Taboo to his Obie-winning stint in Measure For Pleasure and various other plays, musicals, concerts and cabarets, is that the guy seems incapable of expressing a dishonest emotion. While some performers may dazzle you with their creativity or their exceptional craft, Morton draws you in with a comforting safety that makes artistry out of sincerity. He opens his four-week run at The Oak Room (through March 29th), titled Here and Now, with Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's 'Pure Imagination,' glowing with a naturally boyish earnestness and a gentle smile.
The Fall theatre season in the DC area is in full bloom. As the leaves are turning, there is a colorful group of shows opening this month. There are so many, so where do I begin? Here are shows that I am looking forward to seeing, and remember I am a musical theatre lover who likes to sprinkle in a play or two - here and there - so don't get mad if I don't choose one of the plays you are looking forward to seeing. You have your chance at the end of this article to share your 'must sees' also with our readers. Hopefully, you'll make the trip down to the DC area to see some of these wonderful productions.
Corky Hale, the world renowned and critically acclaimed Jazz pianist, harpist and singer, hosted a Launch Party for her new CD, entitled 'CORKY HALE...AND FRIENDS - I'M GLAD THERE IS YOU' at Vibrato Grill Jazz...etc. on Monday evening, September 21, 2009.
Songwriter Extraordinare and president of ASCAP talks about the music biz, Streisand and Emmy nomination.
The 2009 Baltimore Playwrights Festival continues with Robin Rouse's DANCING WITHOUT YOU, playing though August 16th in Catonsville.
The 2009 Baltimore Playwrights Festival continues with Robin Rouse's DANCING WITHOUT YOU, playing though August 16th in Catonsville.
Gavin Creel is ever-evolving as an artist. His career defines 'growth' and his music is continuous proof that Creel pours every ounce of his fairly bursting soul into each lyric. Gavin possesses a voice that transports the listener, be it coming from the stage of the Al Hirschfeld theatre every performance as he brings his 'Claude' to emotional life in the Tony Award winning HAIR, or tonight from the confines of Joe's Pub as he plays his first concert date in over 8 months. Tickets to the two-time Tony Award nominee's Joe's Pub concert were sold out within one hour of going on sale. A second show that was added to due to the demand sold out in ten minutes!
Musical theatre meets Laugh-In, June 17th through July 11th, in this frothy, infectious, all-new production of Shout! The Mod Musical. This bright vinyl time capsule tracks five groovy girls as they come of age in the 60s, and flips through the years taking you back to the music, fashion and freedom of that liberating decade. Packed full of songs, dance and nostalgia, Shout! features a cavalcade of hits such as ?Downtown,? ?Son of a Preacher Man,? 'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me' and many more.
Musical theatre meets Laugh-In, June 17th through July 11th, in this frothy, infectious, all-new production of Shout! The Mod Musical. This bright vinyl time capsule tracks five groovy girls as they come of age in the 60s, and flips through the years taking you back to the music, fashion and freedom of that liberating decade. Packed full of songs, dance and nostalgia, Shout! features a cavalcade of hits such as ?Downtown,? ?Son of a Preacher Man,? 'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me' and many more.
One of the nice perks about this job is getting to meet some extraordinarily talented people who you know will be giving some great performances to some very fortunate theatergoers. One of those people is Stacia Fernandez, who I met after a performance of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. She was the understudy for Beth Leveal and put on an amazing performance. She is currently appearing in the new musical Lucky Guy at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut.
After the 'American Idol' finale, Adam Lambert answered questions from reporters in a mass media conference and his message was all the music about his successful goal of creating togetherness. The questions and answers came fast and furious as the singing sensation met the press, here are some highlights below!
The cast sat down and talked with me about the play, education, African American attendance at the theater and more. Read on...
This morning was one of excitement for the 2008 Tony nominees, BroadwayWorld.com was able steal a few joyful moments with some of the talented honorees to share in the celebration!
One of the Broadway's Young Frankenstein stars, Fred Applegate, who will play Inspector Kemp, recently spoke, in between rehearsals in Seattle, to BroadwayWorld's James Sims about the monster musical and his experiences working with Mel Brooks in The Producers...
We profile the new musical 'Sessions' and talk to writer Albert Tapper, and actors Amy Bodner and Trishia Rapier who perform two songs from the show in-studio accompanied by musical director Fran Minarik, 'It Feels Like Home' and 'I Will Never Find Another You.'
Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular's Anthony Crivello discusses life under the chandelier as the star of one of the theatre world's biggest hits!
We talk to Tony Nominee for best lighting design: Kevin Adams of Spring Awakening. Kevin is a self-taught lighting designer with a style and theory al his own, with many of his lighting designs often doubling as set 'installations'. Oh, and he enjoys gardening...
We talk to Anna Louizos, Tony nominee for best set design for High Fidelity. She talks about many of her shows, and how she got to be where she is.
We take you to the recording studio as the Original Cast Album of 'High Fidelity' is being recorded. We have interviews with Will Chase, Jen Colella, Tom Kitt, Amanda Green, Rachel Stern, John Patrick Walker, Christian Anderson and Jay Kleitz. Plus, you'll hear parts of many of your favorite songs from the show including the full length versions of 'She Goes' and 'Turn the World Off (And Turn You On).'
The Tony Award winning actress talks candidly about CURTAINS and life as an actress.
This week Broadway Bullet interviews Playwright Oren Safdie and Director, Alex Lippard, of the new play 'The Last Word'. 'The Last Word' is the story of a Holocaust survivor, who after a successful career in advertising, has decided he wants to fulfill his dream of becoming a playwright. In the process he engages the help of an NYU student, and together they come to terms with the past and present. The play stars Daniel J. Travanti ('Hill Street Blues') and Adam Green.
The star of THE WONDER YEARS appears Off-Broadway in a new production
Williamstown Theatre Festival scores big with East Coast Premiere
An extensive interview with Broadway star Patrick Wilson, about the upcoming Phantom of the Opera film and much more...
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