SOUND OFF: GLEE's New Directions Do One Directionby Pat Cerasaro - May 9, 2012“Prom-asaurus” proved that GLEE can still pack a powerful pop culture punch when required to do so; and when it wants to - and spike it with some effervescence and make it pop, too. Even those among us who don’t partake in drinking the GLEE Kool-Aid, all must agree that there was more than one episode’s fair share of fun, frivolity, twists and tunes, with some very fitting dramatic and musicals moments that we have by now come to anticipate from the genre-hopping musical dramedy enterprise - all of it integrated effectively into the stream-lined storyline, as well. Prom. It’s all about prom this time of year and GLEE always makes a point to pay tribute to the month of May in this way. It is in pop culture melding mega-moments like last night’s One Direction cover by way of GLEE - “What You Makes You Beautiful” - that we are again reminded of the special place GLEE holds in the American pop pantheon of the 21st century - using real, of-the-moment pop songs and utilizing them to comment on current events while musicalizing and dramatizing the lives of high school students. The classic cuts that come along are a bonus, really, when one considers GLEE from this viewpoint, though the contemporary covers have become the bread and butter of song sales for the mega-music-selling series - “Teenage Dream” by Blaine & The Warblers, as well as the Troubletones’s Adele “Someone Like You/Rumor Has It” mash-up sold nearly as many copies as their predecessors - the originals - as far as iTunes sales go. Though FOX channel-mate Simon Cowell of course discovered and shepherds the international pop smash super group One Direction, their musical appearance on GLEE this season marks the continued exposure of the of-the-moment boy band phenomena we have not seen the likes of in over a decade - not since the days of N*SYNC and the Backstreet Boys - after the New Directions success with The Wanted’s “Glad You Came” a few episodes back and their upcoming continued presence, no doubt, in addition. What makes GLEE must-see-TV week after week is more often than not the try-anything approach of the creators and cast - some sequences shockingly come off brilliantly and hit all-too-squarely their intended targets, while others fall far short and flop completely, even embarrassingly so. To crib a phrase from One Direction’s hit single, what makes GLEE beautiful is that GLEE does not always know what makes it beautiful - experiencing drama coming to us delivered from that rocky, risky-to-mount precipice is sometimes frustrating, sometimes rewarding, but almost always somehow more than merely satisfying.
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SOUND OFF: A Double-Dose Of GLEE (With Lindsay Lohan)by Pat Cerasaro - May 16, 2012On the edge of glory, GLEE momentarily brought back the ecstatic excitement and indescribably infectious joy which made the musical dramedy series a huge hit in its first and second seasons, then commanding upwards of twelve million viewers a week. Now sixty-plus episodes into the series, in a two-hour episode helmed by co-creator Ian Brennan, last night’s two-episode gorge-worthy and gorgeous feast - “Props” and “Nationals”, by the hour - was a reminder of everything that cynics have cited as lacking from episodes in Season Three, as flagging ratings and a general media lull plagues the once seemingly indomitable mega-show despite its continued inventiveness and dramatic daringness. It was fresh and sassy and outrageous, but touching and heartfelt - attributes ascribed to the best episodes of the show. Yet, it was so much more, too - and then there’s the music! Both hours were a totally over-the-top tribute to all things big and wow-worthy, coming at just the right moment to pump some energizing lifeblood into the audience base - passing references to Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Marvin Hamlisch and Elton John as well as multiple winks at DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES songwriter and BAT OUT OF HELL mastermind Jim Steinman collectively pushing the theatre insider reference quotient into the stratosphere; and appreciably so. Yes, indeed, last night’s double-dose of GLEE was an OD-worthy escapade worthy of returning to time and time again - Lea Michele’s solo spots of Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up” and Celine Dion’s Grammy-winning “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” alone were standouts of not only this or any season, but the series itself. With more than fifteen songs performed - everything from Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and The Who to STARLIGHT EXPRESS, TOMMY, FLASHDANCE and KISS ME, KATE - there was something for everyone in the two-hour GLEE extravaganza overflowing with the witty one-liners, out-of-this-world twists, outlandish characterizations, as well as the idiosyncratic theatrical reality that only GLEE can create. It was a true return to form to prove any and all naysayers wrong, and, this, coming after last week’s Ryan Murphy-penned “Prom-asaurus” season highlight, no less. (more...)
Photo Flash: Michael Winslow in VOCA PEOPLE Last Night, 5/9by BWW News Desk - May 10, 2012Last night, May 9, VOCA PEOPLE (www.VocaPeopleNYC.com), the hit musical, welcomed “Police Academy” star and “the man of 10,000 sound effects” Michael Winslow as he joins the VOCA PEOPLE for four select performances through May 20 at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street). Mr. Winslow will perform with VOCA PEOPLE again May 13 at 5:30pm, May 14 at 8pm, May 16 at 7pm and May 17 at 7pm. Winslow blasts into this out-of-this-world musical, which combines vocal sounds, a-cappella singing, comedy and the art of beat box. See photos of Michael Winslow in VOCA PEOPLE below! (more...)
Alexander Gemignani, Aaron Lazar, et al. Set for Town Hall's BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1950, 3/19by BWW News Desk - Mar 5, 2012The Town Hall’s Broadway by the Year's® 12th Season continues with The Broadway Musicals of 1950 on Monday, March 19th at 8PM. 1950 was a year that brought us famous shows by musical theater icons including Frank Loesser, (Guys and Dolls), Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Call Me Madam), and Cole Porter (Out of this World), among others. Produced by The Town Hall, The Broadway Musicals of 1950 is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel. (more...)
BWW Reviews: TONTLAWALD Takes Viewers to a Modern Wonderlandby BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2012With ethereal music, strong acting and impressive use of the body in a visually stunning space, Cutting Ball Theater’s “Tontlawald” offers an out-of-this-world experience — an that’s not an description based on the quality of the show. No, “Tontlawald” literally transports audiences to an unfamiliar and strange world. It’s a modern, edgy “play” based on Poland’s famed Teatr ZAR, which combines the body and song to tell a story. (more...)
VOCA PEOPLE Opens at San Francisco's Marines' Memorial Theatre, 6/6by BWW News Desk - Mar 28, 2012Direct from New York (via a galaxy far, far away) comes VOCA PEOPLE – an out-of-this world musical theatre event that combines vocal sounds, a cappella singing, comedy and the art of beat box – playing at San Francisco’s Marines’ Memorial Theatre (609 Sutter St., 2nd floor) for a limited engagement beginning Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Press night is Wednesday, June 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $49 - $75 and are on-sale now at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre Box Office, online at marinesmemorialtheatre.com or by phone at (415) 771-6900. (more...)
Scott Baio to Star in Nick at Nite's DADDY'S HOMEby BWW News Desk - Mar 27, 2012Nickelodeon has ordered 20 episodes of the original scripted comedy series, Daddy's Home (working title), starring Scott Baio, it was announced today by Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon Group. (more...)
Review - No Place To Go & The Broadway Musicals of 1950by Michael Dale - Mar 26, 2012 (more...)
Terese Genecco Rocks the Iridium at 3rd Anniversary Show and CD Launch Partyby Stephen Hanks - Mar 26, 2012On Tuesday, March 20, acclaimed cabaret vocalist Terese Genecco celebrated the third anniversary of her monthly shows at Iridium Jazz Club with a launch party for her new CD release, "Terese Genecco & Her Little Big Band: Live from the Iridium NYC." (more...)
Kelrik Productions Presents THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW LIVE, 3/30-4/14by BWW News Desk - Mar 20, 2012Tickets are now on sale for Kelrik Productions Out of this World presentation playing March 30 - April 14 at Unity (1490 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo). (more...)
BWW Reviews: Street-Savvy 'TRACES' Leaps to The O.C.by Michael L. Quintos - Mar 2, 2012A recent critical hit in New York as well as in its stop in Los Angeles last year, the Montreal-based TRACES is a sensational e-ticket thrill ride of a show that mixes extraordinary circus feats with the easy-going vibe of urban cool. A refreshing, high-energy cross between Stomp! and, yes, Cirque du Soleil, the national tour of this 7 Fingers Production continues its enthralling presence at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through March 4. (more...)
Syfy's New Docuseries MONSTER MAN to Premiere 3/14by BWW
News Desk - Mar 14, 2012Syfy will premiere its latest original docuseries Monster Man on Wednesday, March 14 at 11PM (ET/PT), immediately following the second season finale of Face Off at 10 PM (ET/PT). Monster Man will return to its regular timeslot, Wednesdays at 10 PM (ET/PT), the following week on March 21. (more...)
Syfy Original Series 'Monster Man' Will Showcase Hollywood Creature-Making Family Beginning 3/14by BWW
News Desk - Mar 14, 2012Syfy will premiere its latest original docuseries Monster Man on Wednesday, March 14 at 11PM (ET/PT), immediately following the second season finale of Face Off at 10 PM (ET/PT). Monster Man will return to its regular timeslot, Wednesdays at 10 PM (ET/PT), the following week on March 21. (more...)
Center for Puppetry Arts' SPACE Closesby BWW News Desk - Mar 11, 2012 This January, Center for Puppetry Arts invites families on an intergalactic journey of discovery. Space! takes the audience on a fun-filled rock-n-roll exploration of the cosmos. Performances will are through March 11. (more...)
Discovery Unveils 2012-2013 Programming Slateby BWW News Desk - Apr 5, 2012Taking audiences into unknown worlds, providing unprecedented access and igniting curiosity with a range of extraordinary people and places, Discovery Channel announced its 2012-2013 Upfront slate highlighted by landmark history event specials, epic natural history programming, bold new series and hit returning favorites. (more...)
SUPER WHY LIVE to Tour Throughout July, 7/18by BWW News Desk - Apr 30, 2012Preschoolers have “the power” to experience Super WHY as never before when Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power!, the first-ever live show based on the top-rated PBS KIDS TV series from Out of the Blue Enterprises, on stages across the country starting this summer. (more...)
FOX Renews FRINGE For a Fifth and Final Seasonby BWW News Desk - Apr 27, 2012FOX has picked up FRINGE for a fifth and final 13-episode season, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. (more...)
Syfy Unveils Upcoming Original Programming Slateby BWW News Desk - Apr 25, 2012Coming off Syfy's most watched First Quarter ever in total viewers, Adults 18-34 and key women demos, Syfy and Chiller President Dave Howe today ignited the imagination of the advertising community by unveiling the next phase of the channel's largest original programming slate in history. (more...)
Michael Winslow to Join VOCA PEOPLE, 5/9by BWW News Desk - Apr 23, 2012VOCA PEOPLE will welcome “Police Academy” star and “the man of 10,000 sound effects” Michael Winslow as he joins the Voca People for five select performances only, May 9 - 20 at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street). (more...)
Laura Osnes & Santino Fontana Set to Lead Broadway-Bound CINDERELLAby BWW News Desk - Apr 18, 2012Laura Osnes will play Cinderella and Santino Fontana will portray the Prince in the new Broadway-bound production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, it has been announced by the musical's producers. CINDERELLA -- which is aiming for a Broadway opening during the 2012-13 season -- is produced by Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis and Jill Furman in association with Center Theatre Group. (more...)
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