FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT FLASH FRIDAY

FLASH FRIDAY: Mega Musical Memories

With this week's hot Broadway news centering on the shady financial dealings of the backers - or lack thereof, as the case may be - for the still supposedly forthcoming Broadway production of European hit REBECCA, based on the novel by Daphne Du Maurier - the marquee is lit and cast signed, after all - the mega-musical has fleetingly returned to the centerstage for, well, one day more, spurring on a remembrance of mega-musicals passed. Let's look at the top ten - CATS to PHANTOM to LES MIZ to MISS SAIGON, CHESS, and, of course, the surreptitious leading lady of REBECCA, as well as some surprises along the way. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: 2012 Emmy Awards Predictions

Sunday night marks the biggest night in TV when the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards - the 64th telecast of its kind - airs on ABC, hosted by late-night mainstay Jimmy Kimmel in his Emmy hosting debut. How will he fare - and, furthermore, which of the most nominated series will win the big awards? Tune in Sunday at 7 PM on ABC to see, but, first, let's size up the competition in the hottest races of the night - while putting a special focus on the most theatrically-attuned of the nominees (and, in some cases, winners) whenever possible - and take a look at clips from the shows most likely to win. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Paul Thomas Anderson's THE MASTER

A new Paul Thomas Anderson film only comes along once or twice a decade, so the recent teasers that have been released for his new film - a veiled Scientology parable titled THE MASTER, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Pheonix and Amy Adams - have been inspiring adulation amongst both Anderson's devotees (The Milk Drinkers?) and film fans alike, but what about yesterday's official trailer premiere? Sheer awe. When Philip Seymour Hoffman joined me in my InDepth InterView column in 2010, we spoke quite a bit about his previous work with Anderson on MAGNOLIA - which he called "an opera" - and BOOGIE NIGHTS, which is unquestionably a magnum opus; to say nothing of Hoffman's memorable turns in the respectively arresting and enchanting HARD 8 and PUNCH DRUNK LOVE - and the first news of this new religion-based project had just surfaced at that time, so this week's long-awaited release of the official theatrical trailer of THE MASTER is a promise of a new Anderson/Hoffman cinematic collaboration finally at long last fulfilled - and much, much more, as well. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Splashes Back

Slipping and sliding back into Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide for one night only on July 12 in honor of its sixtieth anniversary, the iconic and legendary 1952 movie musical masterpiece SINGIN' IN THE RAIN makes its grand return to the silver screen in a brand new HD remastering that any movie musical fan, film fanatic or Broadway baby will definitely want to see first hand. A special event presented by Turner Classic Movies - also featuring an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary hosted by Robert Osborne and featuring original film star Debbie Reynolds - the July 12 showing of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is one more enduring entry in a continuing series of classic releases shown in HD for the first time in Fathom-equipped movie theaters across the country prior to their release on Blu-ray - past highlighted films have included SCARFACE, WEST SIDE STORY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CASABLANCA and many more. So, in celebration of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN splashing its way back to cinemas next week, today we are going to take a look back at some of the most well-known and best-loved scenes from the film - boasting a star-studded cast led by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Conner and Debbie Reynolds; directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen, with songs by Nacio Herb Brown and movie musical magnate Arthur Freed - as well as partake in the many famous and infamous homages paying tribute to the rightly well-regarded movie musical gem over the years. Gene Kelly to Gwyneth Paltrow to Kurt Browning to Usher; GLEE to THE MUPPET SHOW to FAMILY GUY; A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to FAME to SPAMALOT and far, far beyond; this retrospective look at one of the most important and influential - and just plain fun - American movie musicals ever produced certainly has it all; and then some! Ain't it great to stay up late? (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: A PHANTOM 25 Celebration

In honor of this week's US release of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL on DVD/Blu-ray - PHANTOM 25 for short - today we are focusing on the multitude of attributes that have made Andrew Lloyd Webber's unforgettable gothic musical the most successful entertainment of all time, now in its 25th year onstage and about to reach 10,000 performances on Broadway, where it is the reigning longest running show of all time. The gargantuan excitement generated by and the enthusiastic reception enjoyed by PHANTOM for audiences worldwide is unprecedented, yet, the new ultimate presentation of the show - PHANTOM 25 - is even more spectacular and thrilling than any iteration of PHANTOM on any stage or screen thus far. Bringing together the cast of a lifetime with the electricity of a live audience, the HD preservation of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL is positively peerless in its sleekness, precision and polish of presentation. Never before - not even in the vaunted hands and cords of original show stars Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford - has the show been this contemporary, sexual and hypnotizing. Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom brings a rawness and austerity to the role that commands attention and Sierra Boggess is, in a word, supreme, as the young ingenue under the Phantom's watchful musical tutelage. So, too, does Hadley Fraser's perfectly painted Raoul hit the right mark, as do the rest of the exceptional cast in their commitment to making clear-cut, strong and colorful impressions in their roles. The LED-enhanced set is an imaginative reworking of the designs by Maria Bjornson and the musical staging is smooth and assured thanks to original show choreographer Gillian Lynne. Yet, the star of PHANTOM 25 is, unquestionably, Andrew Lloyd Webber's rapturous, rich and enveloping score. Bringing together an impressive and inspired assortment of genres in creating the quintessential pop opera, Lloyd Webber employs elements of grand opera, opera bouffe, operetta and musical theatre, as well as incorporates a diverse range of musical styles - even a little heavy metal guitar in the title song, as we shall see (and hear). The score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's finest achievements and stands tall alongside his other classic scores for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, CATS, SUNSET BOULEVARD among many other international hit shows. Indeed, the story and score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is so very complex and decadent as to allow for a continuation of the story, score, characters and overall themes in the form of the new musical, LOVE NEVER DIES, which premiered in a new version in Australia last year and whose story traces the relationship of the Phantom, Christine and Raoul from the end of the original show all the way from Paris to Coney Island ten years later where PHANTASMA is the show everyone must experience thanks to a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows beyond the carousel. In today's celebration of PHANTOM 25, we will take a look at the original music videos, the legendary Hal Prince production on Broadway and in the West End, the forthcoming LOVE NEVER DIES - coming to Fathom-equipped theaters nationwide later this month - all with a special spotlight on the most phantastic anniversary concert of all time, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: The Titanic Talent Of Brian D'Arcy James

In a correlative column to this weekend's extensive and exclusive InDepth InterView, tonight we are shining a special solo spotlight on the vast multitude of talents possessed by one of Broadway's brightest stars - known best to theatre fans for his tremendous turns in Maury Yeston's TITANIC, Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY, the original musicals SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, SHREK and NEXT TO NORMAL as well as original dramas such as TIME STANDS STILL - who now can now regularly be seen on NBC's hit music drama series SMASH, and, starting this Sunday in a three-episode arc on Showtime's THE BIG C with fellow Broadway notable Tammy Blanchard - the one and only Brian D'arcy James. While you will have to wait until tomorrow for the career-spanning conversation that covers his experiences working on those thrilling original musicals as well as reflections on collaborating with the starry array of cast members and creatives on the Steven Spielberg-produced SMASH and what lays ahead for Season Two, now is an absolutely ideal opportunuity to reacclimatize ourselves. Just what can't Brian d'Arcy James do? As this spell-binding collection of clips prove - everything; and then some. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: 30 ROCK Live! With A Beatle & A Kardashian

Part 12 ANGRY MEN homage, part surrealistic NBC retrospective fever dream and 100% 30 ROCK absurd brilliance at its best, night's live episode of the gold standard NBC comedy series 30 ROCK was precisely that - pure gold. Not only did Tina Fey and the impossibly creative team of writers give the motley assortment of players that comprise the cast a chance to seriously show off their live sketch show skills and theatrical training, but provided Broadway and Hollywood crossover star Alec Baldwin with some of his strongest material to date - with the charismatic erstwhile comedian absolutely killing in his moments portraying a host of wacky and weird characters besides the usual stone-faced Jack Donaghy, a role which has brought him a copious amount of well-deserved statuettes over the six seasons so far. Speaking of hosts, the Dean Martin parody, THE JOEY MONTERO SHOW, stands out as being perhaps the most memorable and guffaw-inducing of all the night's trove of treasures, which is certainly saying something significant - Baldwin owned. Besides the ingenuous conceit of paying tribute to the landmark original live television drama 12 ANGRY MEN acting as a fresh and amusing framing device for the episode, the opportunity afforded by Kenneth (Jack MacBrayer)'s hallucinatory flashbacks of fictional former lesser glories of NBC's long and storied history gave rise to the fabulous fodder allowing for some of the funniest sequences on the series in recent memory - moments that will linger in the mind and funny bone long after this episode or season. Yes, once again, 30 ROCK proved why it is the finest comedy on TV and why Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin have a special sort of chemistry that can only be compared to the finest pairs in the rich history of the form - Mary & Mr. Grant included. (more...)

FLASH: Sixteen Going On Sixty - THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Today we are saluting one of the most beloved Broadway scores of all time, created by the formidable show business songwriting dynasty of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein - THE SOUND OF MUSIC. While the original 1959 Broadway production was well-received and won Mary Martin a Tony Award for her winsome Maria, the property has gone on to win over generations the world over thanks in no small part to the 1965 Robert Wise feature film version starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. On Monday, Carnegie Hall will be presenting a special concert version of the family- friendly show starring Laura Osnes, Tony Goldwyn and Brooke Shields. Be sure to check out my comprehensive conversation with Brooke Shields, who will be playing the Baroness, available here, and, also, stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for my upcoming InDepth InterView with the Maria of the concert presentation, rising Broadway superstar Laura Osnes. So, what exactly is it about THE SOUND OF MUSIC that has won over audiences of all ages for more than fifty years and set hearts aflutter and souls stirred? Is it the dramatic story of a family torn apart by death and war only to be brought back together again when least expected by a kindly maternal nun? Is it the slice of life depiction of the family dynamic and how we can all relate to one or many facets of it therein? Is it the ensuing romance between Maria and Captain Von Trapp and their delicately portrayed courtship (particularly when considering the ravishing duet added for the film, "Something Good")? Or, is it that classic Rodgers & Hammerstein score - containing a dizzying assortment of standards that have gone on to become ingrained in our ears, minds and hearts, as well as made a fixture of pop culture itself - "Do-Re-Mi", "My Favorite Things", "Edelweiss", "The Lonely Goatherd", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", the title song and beyond. AMC's hit series MAD MEN even featured one of the most beloved SOUND OF MUSIC duets on a recent broadcast as an ironic episode capper all too befitting of the moment (and, given the 60s setting of the series, era) - Betty Draper mischievously sneaking an extra bowl of ice cream set to the strains of "I Am Sixteen Going On Seventeen". Between the MAD MEN song reference, the ongoing SOUND OF MUSIC film singalongs occurring every week (with many patrons coming in costume and with props, ala ROCKY HORROR) around the world and the countless professional and amateur productions that crop up every year, as well as the glitzy Carnegie Hall concert on Monday, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has never gone out of style - it shall forever remain sixteen, even when the show itself is not too far away from hitting sixty. (more...)

FLASH: A Dig At DOWNTON ABBEY

Today we are shining a special spotlight on some of the most spot-on short video parodies in recent memory - with a special focus on the creme de la creme of such shorts; unveiled last night on THE JIMMY FALLON SHOW, the absolutely hilarious first installment of DOWNTON SIXBEY, starring Jimmy Fallon and Brooke Shields as well as Fallon's announcer, Steve Higgins (and a cameo from SNL and PORTLANDIA's Fred Armisen). An incredibly detailed and well-honed winking homage to the international smash hit Julian Fellowes early-19th century-set DOWNTON ABBEY that has cleaned up at the recent Emmy Awards and Golden Globes - a drama largely concerning itself with the goings on upstairs and downstairs at an impossible palatial country estate - DOWNTON SIXBEY centers on the various intrigues of the cast of characters at Studio 6B at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City and contains countless winks and nudges to and taken at the expense of the hit Brit soap sensation of the century. From the opening sequence - a direct shot-for-shot recreation of the already iconic DOWNTON prologue - through to Fallon's all-to-apt pronunciation of "here", Broadway and Hollywood star Brooke Shields looking ravishing as she says "howdy" as politely as the other Lady Grantham herself and beyond - without even mentioning Fred Armisen's cameo as the homely "other daughter" and the ?uestlove (Fallon's bandleader and the head of The Roots) cameo cliffhanger at the conclusion - this joking and sensitively rendered tribute hits the notes and chords all too few of the countless DOWNTON ABBEY parodies committed to celluloid so far fail to consistently reach and truly sings, zings and stings. When it comes to this sort of thing, it's all in the details, after all, isn't it? The same could be said of DOWNTON ABBEY itself, actually. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Don't Cry For Ricky, Argentina

EVITA is back on Broadway in a grande way - with the ticket sales and stage door insanity to prove it. While last night's Michael Grandage-directed revival of the classic Tony Award-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera was met with generally positive plaudits, the centerpiece of conversation - from the stage last night to the page this morning - is the pop idol portraying the lead male role of Che - Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar Ricky Martin. While authenticity is the buzz word when it comes to almost all aspects of this more naturalism based production, an actual Argentinean playing Eva Peron with the accent to match is an added bonus in a studiously researched production that more closely resembles Alan Parker's 1996 film version in its clear, clean style than Hal Prince's original 1979 metaphorical political play rife with symbols. Though some reviewers did not warm to Martin in the title role, all seem to agree Olivier Award-winning Elena Roger is a highlight of the season so far (she previously starred in the earlier, Ricky-less West End iteration of this production for more than a year) and Tony-winner Michael Cerveris - as an imperious Juan Peron - is impressive, as always. So, don't cry for Ricky - the million-dollar-plus box office receipts and stage door pandemonium are clear proof he is a beloved Broadway baby and bringing in brand new audiences to the world of theatre and the street of streets offering the best entertainment the world has to offer - as only Broadway can do. Considering EVITA is perhaps Andrew Lloyd Webber's finest score of all - quite an achievement when even considering his other two musicals currently treading the boards, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (now in its 26th year and the longest running show in history) as well as the new Des McAnuff-directed revival of Tim Rice and Lloyd Webber's previous collaboration prior to EVITA, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, which opened to generally good reviews last week. Given this week's particularly notable holidays for the Christians and Jews among us, it seems that 2012 is the year of Our Lord on Broadway, as well - Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, that is. (more...)

FLASH: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Returns (Again)

A few days shy of the holiest week of the year for Christians - aptly named Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter (with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the most sacred events on the calendar coming between) - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's seminal rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was resurrected on Broadway by TOMMY and JERSEY BOYS director Des McAnuff - modeled after the hit Stratford Shakespeare Festival production last year and comprised of many of the same cast members, including all three leads - to hails of praise and hosannas, mostly. While JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR itself will always divide audiences and critics alike - and not merely because of its controversial content and its button-pushing treatment of the hallowed tale it tells - the magnetism and sheer power that Lloyd Webber's propulsive, throbbing rock score imbues gives the show an energy, vitality and life rare to find in even the most earnestly effervescent and energetic of comparable entities - the recently revived and similarly-themed GODSPELL in a revival a few blocks away included. Then, there are Tim Rice's lyrics - oh-so-spot-on in 1970, but still biting and edgy today in McAnuff's hi-tech and elaborately presented new Broadway production. Using the book of John as the jumping off point, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ (Paul Nolan) and his subsequent betrayal by Judas (Josh Young) and sentencing to death at the hands of King Herod and Pontius Pilate (Tom Hewitt). The twelve apostles, Mary Magdalene and her female companions, lepers, Pharisees, priests and others populate the grand story told almost entirely through song - the show is 90% music - and Webber and Rice's score never, ever lets up. While this may not be the most faithful rendering as far as the Bible is concerned, nor the most historically accurate, SUPERSTAR is now available to experience for a whole new generation thanks to this new revival and the timing could not be more ideal. The time is ripe for a revival of SUPERSTAR, and, as Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has recently related, this new production of the show is the best ever as far as he is concerned. High praise indeed - coming from no less than the Lord. (more...)

BWW EXCLUSIVE: Michael C. Hall On THE TROUBLE WITH BLISS

This week, I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with a Broadway and Hollywood notable also known around the world as the star of Showtime's hit serial killer series, DEXTER - the eminently gifted Michael C. Hall - all about his new feature film THE TROUBLE WITH BLISS, co-starring a colorful assortment of theatre and film actors including recent GOD OF CARNAGE star Lucy Liu, as well as Peter Fonda, Chris Messina, Christian Campbell and star-on-the-rise Brie Larson - with the film giving Hall a rare chance to show off his slightly softer side (in more ways than one). Hall candidly comments on his experiences filming the NYC-set dramedy directed by Matthew Knowles and based on the book by Douglas Light, which follows his neurotic, stasis-plagued character, Morris Bliss, who, at the ripe age of 35, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment spurred on by his relationship with a girl half his age - who also happens to be the daughter of his former schoolmate. THE TROUBLE WITH BLISS showcases not only Hall's considerable comedic expertise and his unique ability to portray contained madness and neurosis with lilt and humor, but, also, his charismatic presence as a romantic leading man, which, we can hope will be exploited in future entities - on screens and stages large and small - in the future. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: The Best Of SMASH (So Far)

Since NBC's musical drama series SMASH is kicking into high gear as the Marilyn Monroe musical that forms the core of the show's story approaches its first workshop presentation on Monday night's episode - with the highly awaited appearance of Broadway legend Bernadette Peters coming next week, as well; playing the mother of the Marilyn musical star, Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) - now is the ideal opportunity to, well, "Fade in on a girl / With a hunger for fame / And a face and a name to remember," to quote Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's crown jewel in a diadem of a songstack for the show-within-the-show, BOMBSHELL. The show-within-the-show is better that most scores on Broadway these days and that is a credit to the Tony-winning tunesmiths and their ability to make musical theatre that is polished and professional, yet totally fun, bawdy and accessible, as well. Look no further than this week's "History Is Made At Night" or last week's "Let's Be Bad" - to say nothing of the pilot's twofer of titanic theatrical prowess in the form of "The National Pastime" and the afore-quoted "Let Me Be Your Star". Plus, we have to remember, SMASH has not one Marilyn, but two, so the future possibilities of who will be singing these songs and how they will be presented is totally unknown. As we shall see in the clips below, "Let Me Be Your Star" will now have its third iteration on the show, acting as the opening number in the workshop presentation as Ivy Lynn belts it to the rafters, ballad-style - not unlike the Karen/Ivy stage sequence presented in Episode 2 as a dream. Using just the example of "Star", we can see how rich and rewarding it is to further explore the depths of drama and heights of wit amply apparent in the sometimes caustic, sometimes campy and always enjoyably, embraceable unique work of Shaiman & Wittman on their songs for SMASH. The story setting them up, drama surrounding and contained within them - with the meta-narrative of the behind-the-scenes going on we are privy to acting as another layer - makes the production numbers the most brightly glittering stars of the SMASH universe. Katharine McPhee's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", "Call Me" and "Rumor Has It", as well as Hilty's "Crazy Dreams", were all viable and entertaining covers in their own right, yet the original songs are what make SMASH really sing - and zing, sting and ring-a-ding-ding. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Raul Leaps Back To Broadway

It is a rare enough occurrence for a genuine born and bred Broadway star to emerge post-millennium, but one as astonishingly versatile as Raul Esparza, having scored accolades since his blazing debut in a string of hit plays and musicals, ranging from Mamet and Sondheim and Pinter to CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG and his aforementioned Broadway bow in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, is a downright cause for celebration. Esparza makes his grand return to the Broadway stage in a musical with his upcoming starring role in Alan Menken & Glenn Slater's adaptation of the Steve Martin film LEAP OF FAITH, featuring a country and gospel influenced score and a spirited, energetic production by Christopher Ashley (who, incidentally, helmed Esparza's first Broadway show, ROCKY HORROR). While Esparza has been seen in many - most, if not quite all - Broadway seasons in the decade since 2001, he has also scored in leading roles in regional productions such as 2002's spectacular SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG revivals, part of the unprecedented Sondheim Celebration, as well as the Cincinnati Playhouse COMPANY, directed by John Doyle, which transferred to Broadway and was subsequently preserved on DVD and Blu-ray, in addition to being presented on PBS as part of Great Performances. Besides Esparza's many notable musical revival performances (lest we forget his essaying of the Emcee in CABARET), he also created the Broadway iterations of his roles in the controversial and brilliantly scored TABOO, produced by Rosie O'Donnell and composed by Boy George, as well as the stage adaptation of the hit family classic CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, as well as originating the lead role in TICK, TICK...BOOM! Having played three of Sondheim's most memorable male roles was not enough, though, apparently, for Esparza recently took on the part of the hapless Hapgood in Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE when it was revived at City Center's Encores! - with Tony-winners Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster his co-stars, no less - with much success. Yet, in one of a myriad of examples of the broad spectrum of Esparza's abilities, it is instructive to remember he first made a name for himself with the role of Che in an Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice show, directed by no less than the ultimate man of the theatre himself, Harold Prince - EVITA, which, of course, is being revived this season with Ricky Martin in the role of Che. Besides Esparza's many musical roles throughout the past decade and prior, he has also carved out a seriously impressive straight drama resume, having appeared in plays by the great playwrights of our age, such as Pinter (THE HOMECOMING), Mamet (SPEED-THE-PLOW), Stoppard (ARCADIA) and, the greatest of all, Shakespeare (AS YOU LIKE IT, part of Shakespeare In The Park). ROCKY HORROR to ARCADIA to, now, with LEAP OF FAITH, Esparza constantly and consistently surprises fans and audiences alike with his audacious choice in roles and electrifying performances that are indelibly enjoyable in their uniqueness, variety and sheer breadth of emotion - time and time again. Yes, indeed, Raul Esparza is the best of the best Broadway has to offer, so let us hope LEAP OF FAITH is the ideal star vehicle for one of the most charismatic and multi-talented leading men of the 21st century and that it brings him his well-deserved Best Actor Tony at last. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Mraz Is A Four Letter Word

Today we are changing it up a bit by aiming our focus on a Grammy-winning pop/folk sensation who has created quite an impressive catalog of songs in his decade in the spotlight - some of his best work in live shows in lieu of studio albums, making him an ideal fit for this particularly performance-based column - the geek in the pink himself, Mr. Jason Mraz. This week marks the release of his new EP, titled LIVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD, which acts as the appetizer to his much-awaited follow-up to the incredibly successful WE SING, WE DANCE, WE STEAL THINGS - which featured his biggest hit to date, "I'm Yours"; along with the Grammy-winning Best Pop Duet, "Lucky", which was also featured on Season Two of GLEE - LOVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD. Four letters or more, Mraz proves time and time again he is a master storyteller with an unmistakable, singular style all his own - the handful of new songs featured on this spectacular live album attesting to that with grand, soulful regard. Even allowing for some audience banter and amusing back-and-forths, the LIVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD EP is the ideal way to bring us all up to date with one of the most compelling solo acts that you can consistently find out on the road trying out charismatic and dramatic new material, the new compositions featured here in a special solo YouTube concert acting as a perfect counterpoint in a career packed with a vast array of musical styles, aural sounds and sonic textures that only Mr. A-Z would dare compose and expose to the world. If the rest of the album follows the lyrical strength and musical dexterity of this EP release, we are in for quite a ride come April 17. Plus, we also have a look at his moving and memorable new single, "I Won't Give Up"! (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Academy Awards Montages To Remember

Today, in honor of Sunday's Oscar telecast, we are going to take a look at some of the most memorable opening numbers and musical montages from the Academy Awards over the years, with a special focus, of course, on theatrically-related presentations and performers. The 2012 night of Oscar gold marks the return of frequent host Billy Crystal, so we are sure to be in for some truly terrific movie parodies and unscripted asides to have us rolling in aisles over the course of the hotly anticipated award show's three hours - Hollywood's night of nights. From the infamous Allan Carr-produced show in 1989 to some of the best moments from Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Ellen Degeneres, Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman, this collection of clips surely has something to please all the movie buffs, Broadway babies and all-around entertainment enthusiasts out there reading this who will be tuning in to the big show this weekend - from 1965 to 2011, we have it all. Plus, after all, how could we possibly miss a night this big? Whether the top winner of the night ends up being THE ARTIST, THE HELP, HUGO or THE DESCENDANTS, Billy Crystal is guaranteed to make the night run as smoothly and enjoyably as possible - and, potentially, much much more (as the following clips clearly show). As for the rest of the night's proceedings? Well, we will have to wait and see what happens! (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: You've Never Met A Musical Quite Like CARRIE

The last time the musical version of Stephen King's seminal 1974 novel CARRIE was on Broadway the experience ended in a bloodbath for almost all concerned - critically, that is. You see, back in 1988, the mere idea that a creative team had set out to musicalize this gruesome high school horror story was met with vocal distaste and incredulous looks by many on Broadway who had heard about the then-gestating show, currently in its Stratford tryout production over the pond, under the auspices of the Royal Shakespeare Company and featuring a bicoastal cast led by Broadway legend Barbara Cook, no less. Despite mixed reviews and some clear-cut directorial issues overseas, the production moved to Broadway, anyway, except with superstar CATS Tony Award winner Betty Buckley in the role of Margaret White. The rest, as we now know, is history. Frank Rich and the critical community had a field day with the grand opera-meets-GREASE-style show, which, in the original Terry Hands-directed/Debbie Allen-choreographed version, boasted a heavy dose of 80s music video inspiration, as well. Yet, the music was absolutely tremendous more often than not and there were moments of absolute theatrical transcendence of the absolute highest order - "And Eve Was Weak", the searing duet between downtrodden daughter and Medea-esque mother, acting as the highpoint of the near-indescribable evening. Now, almost twenty-five years later, all of that is blood under the bridge and CARRIE is finally back in New York in a new, completely rewritten and re-envisioned production starring Marin Mazzie and Molly Ranson. Stafford Arima helms the completely contemporary and fully fleshed out telling of the modern-day classic, the story of a very special girl with telekinetic abilities and the tormenters who compel her to unleash its most horrific power - on prom night, as it were. The screenwriter of Brian De Palma's wildly successful 1976 film version, Lawrence D. Cohen, has gone back to the source material along with original composer Michael Gore and lyricist Dean Pitchford and made essentially an entirely new show out of it - with only the finest, most unforgettable (in a good way) musical moments from the original 1988 show remaining. Indeed, what is now playing in previews at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, presented by MCC and opening March 4, is the fulfillment of a dream more than thirty years in the making by Cohen, and the realism-based production is now, finally, the ultimate realization of the original direction of the piece as envisioned by its creators way back when. While Carrie's prom night may end in a fugue of fire, bloodshed and the deaths of many, the fate of the musical is evidently a far happier one - even if it took almost thirty years to get everything in its perfect place and time. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: A PHANTOM 25 Celebration

In honor of this week's US release of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL on DVD/Blu-ray - PHANTOM 25 for short - today we are focusing on the multitude of attributes that have made Andrew Lloyd Webber's unforgettable gothic musical the most successful entertainment of all time, now in its 25th year onstage and about to reach 10,000 performances on Broadway, where it is the reigning longest running show of all time. The gargantuan excitement generated by and the enthusiastic reception enjoyed by PHANTOM for audiences worldwide is unprecedented, yet, the new ultimate presentation of the show - PHANTOM 25 - is even more spectacular and thrilling than any iteration of PHANTOM on any stage or screen thus far. Bringing together the cast of a lifetime with the electricity of a live audience, the HD preservation of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL is positively peerless in its sleekness, precision and polish of presentation. Never before - not even in the vaunted hands and cords of original show stars Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford - has the show been this contemporary, sexual and hypnotizing. Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom brings a rawness and austerity to the role that commands attention and Sierra Boggess is, in a word, supreme, as the young ingenue under the Phantom's watchful musical tutelage. So, too, does Hadley Fraser's perfectly painted Raoul hit the right mark, as do the rest of the exceptional cast in their commitment to making clear-cut, strong and colorful impressions in their roles. The LED-enhanced set is an imaginative reworking of the designs by Maria Bjornson and the musical staging is smooth and assured thanks to original show choreographer Gillian Lynne. Yet, the star of PHANTOM 25 is, unquestionably, Andrew Lloyd Webber's rapturous, rich and enveloping score. Bringing together an impressive and inspired assortment of genres in creating the quintessential pop opera, Lloyd Webber employs elements of grand opera, opera bouffe, operetta and musical theatre, as well as incorporates a diverse range of musical styles - even a little heavy metal guitar in the title song, as we shall see (and hear). The score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's finest achievements and stands tall alongside his other classic scores for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, CATS, SUNSET BOULEVARD among many other international hit shows. Indeed, the story and score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is so very complex and decadent as to allow for a continuation of the story, score, characters and overall themes in the form of the new musical, LOVE NEVER DIES, which premiered in a new version in Australia last year and whose story traces the relationship of the Phantom, Christine and Raoul from the end of the original show all the way from Paris to Coney Island ten years later where PHANTASMA is the show everyone must experience thanks to a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows beyond the carousel. In today's celebration of PHANTOM 25, we will take a look at the original music videos, the legendary Hal Prince production on Broadway and in the West End, the forthcoming LOVE NEVER DIES - coming to Fathom-equipped theaters nationwide later this month - all with a special spotlight on the most phantastic anniversary concert of all time, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. (more...)

FLASH: Ricky Martin Meets Madonna

One of the foremost male pop stars of the last twenty years is undeniably "Livin' La Vida Loca" crooner Ricky Martin, so his deigning of appearing on next week's GLEE as a new Spanish teacher, David Martinez, is a cause celebre for fans of the Latin superstar, GLEE, or, even, for those who follow the artists whom he covers on the episode - LMFAO's "Sexy And I Know It" and, the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna. Recalling the golden days of television when hit parade variety shows would cover top chart hits when they were fresh and new, Ricky Martin tackling Madonna two days after the Super Bowl - with, supposedly, a LMFAO cameo occurring during her highly anticipated performance on Sunday - and taking on one of the year's biggest songs so far, "Sexy And I Know It", is pop culture must-see TV if there ever were any. Ricky Martin and Madonna are undeniably two of the most theatrical pop culture mainstays of the last few decades and their collective media super-blitz thanks to Martin's GLEE appearance and Madonna's Super Bowl performance is encapsulated perfectly in Martin's essaying of Madonna's classic caliente pop hit, "La Isla Bonita". Both Martin and Madonna can certainly command a stage - and an audience of thousands; or, even, millions, as they shall both prove yet again on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively - so, let's take a look at what we can look forward to from these two entertainment icons as we enter one of the most celebratory weekends of the year. First down! (more...)

FLASH: Andrew Lloyd Webber Writes The Music Of The Night

This weekend, BroadwayWorld will be presenting an illuminating InDepth InterView with legendary composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber all about the enchanting new performance capture film version of his PHANTOM OF THE OPERA sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES. Until that chat, let's take a look back at some of the finest Andrew Lloyd Webber-related performances related to the entertainment dynasty built upon his operatic pop musical version of the classic Gaston Leroux novel that is about to celebrate its 10,000th performance on Broadway later this month, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, as well as its continuation, LOVE NEVER DIES, and the two revivals of his two classic 70s hit stage collaborations with previous InDepth InterView participant Sir Tim Rice coming back to Broadway in a big way - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and EVITA. Plus, a look at the new Simon Phillips-directed production of LOVE NEVER DIES coming to Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide on February 28 and March 7, with DVD & Blu-ray after that, as well as the PHANTOM 25 DVD & Blu-ray being released in the US on February 7. It's a busy time of year for phans, clearly! Fetch your favorite mask and check out these four Andrew Lloyd Webber delicacies before they arrive! (more...)

FLASH: Tale As Old As Time, Now In 3D - BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Today we are honoring the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, which went on to win in the categories of Best Song and Best Score for Broadway's own Alan Menken and Howard Ashman - Disney's tale as old as time; the much-beloved and cherished BEAUTY & THE BEAST. Based on the French fairytale of its namesake, BEAUTY & THE BEAST was a landmark achievement in animated film and proved that Disney's previous animation renaissance mega-hit THE LITTLE MERMAID - also penned by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman - was much more than merely a fluke. A new age of animated film treated totally seriously by critics and audiences alike allowed for Disney to continue on with even more success in the following years with even bigger family-friendly hits like ALADDIN and THE LION KING. Yet, BEAUTY & THE BEAST is the most elegant and enrapturing of all Disney animated films from the last century and just may be the very finest of all their animated features that came to pass during that era of renewed interest in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Featuring the vocal talents of legendary stage and screen star Angela Lansbury - check out our extensive InDepth InterView for a few recollections about that experience here - as well as Broadway's own Paige O'Hara and TV/film notable Robby Benson - both of whom will be featured in extensive InDepth InterViews right here on BroadwayWorld next week. Beginning with a prologue and opening song sequence - "Belle" - to rank among the very best not only in film, but stage musicals, as well, BEAUTY & THE BEAST is a rich French country meal topped off by a dizzying array of aural, visual, emotional, comedic and dramatic treats. 'Belle' is merely the starter bread - or, should I say, pain. So, today, we pay tribute to BEAUTY & THE BEAST as it roars back to movie theaters nationwide, now in a diligently-recreated and astonishingly imagined brand new 3D realization. Before you go see all the stunning sights and sounds of the film itself, whether sampling the 3D version in your home 3D studio or out at the Cineplex, here we have some of the finest musical moments to delight in from the storied history of the immensely successful Disney classic in all three of its versions - original animated film, Broadway stage musical and 3D movie experience. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Constantine Maroulis - From RENT to IDOL to ROCK OF AGES, TOXIC AVENGER & Beyond

Today, as a special corollary column to this weekend's extensive InDepth InterView with Tony-nominated stage and screen star Constantine Maroulis, we are shining a special spotlight on his career trajectory as he has risen up through the ranks to become one of the most successful alumni of AMERICAN IDOL from humble beginnings in the non-Equity tour of RENT. Since that landmark Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, Constantine has carved out a unique niche in the Broadway landscape as one of most charismatic and compelling performers of rock-based musical theatre, who has also shown considerable skills tackling the more diverse scores of shows such as JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, THE WEDDING SINGER, and, now, THE TOXIC AVENGER, co-composed by the Tony-winning team behind MEMPHIS comprised of Bon Jovi's David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. Of course, no Constantine-centric conversation would be complete without a thorough look at his unforgettable turn in the hit 80s rock jukebox musical ROCK OF AGES, the expanded film adaptation of which he will be taking to the big screen later this year. RENT to IDOL to TOXIC AVENGER and beyond, Constantine Maroulis is one of the brightest shining new Broadway stars of the 21st century and it will be a treat to see and hear TOXIC AVENGER as it sets its sights on the Great White Way. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Taylor Swift & Amanda Seyfried Complete LES MIZ Movie Cast

The ultra-starry cast for the upcoming feature film version of the international smash musical sensation LES MISERABLES finally got one step closer to finding its Eponine and Cossette this week, as offers have gone out to pop music superstar Taylor Swift and breakout screen starlet Amanda Seyfried for the hotly anticipated Tom Hooper adaptation of the tuner which will also star Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe as Jean Valjean and Javert, respectively, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Tony-winner Eddie Redmayne as Marius. While Seyfried is perhaps best known to Broadway babies for her lovable and memorable turn in the role of Meryl Streep's daughter in the ABBA jukebox movie musical MAMMA MIA!, Swift has displayed her ample affection for all things theatrical with her recent Broadway-themed SPEAK NOW tour as well as her memorable appearance on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and on concert stages around the world. Both ladies certainly have the musical chops to take on these much-beloved Broadway roles - even if the soundtrack is to actually be recorded live on set, as the director himself has confirmed he intends to do - and, while neither Swift nor Seyfried has been officially confirmed by the producers as of this writing, both appear to more than merely satisfy the complex casting necessities for the standout roles and the overall younger-sided casting of the feature film adaptation so far. Yet, no matter how fantastic they may turn out to be in the finished final film, it sure will be difficult to manage to make much of an impression with a cast as impossibly accomplished as the one assembled for this film up until now - Jackman, Crowe, Hathaway, Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen included! Plus, who knows what new musical numbers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Shonberg are cooking up - and what characters shall sing them?! Whatever comes to pass, Christmas 2012 will be all about LES MISERABLES: THE MOVIE MUSICAL for Broadway babies everywhere - many of whom who have been waiting for this moment (and this movie) to arrive for over 20 years! Let's hope it was worth the wait! Until then, we have this look and listen to what made these ladies oh-so right for the roles. After all, less than 360 days remain until the big 24601! (more...)

FLASH: Meryl Streep, Barbara Cook & THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS 2011

Today we are focusing on this week's undisputed theatre-centric extravaganza, the 2011 KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, which featured stirring tributes to two stage superstars: Meryl Streep and Barbara Cook. Additionally, the show also celebrated the contributions to the arts from pop music icon Neil Diamond, classical crossover artist Yo-Yo Ma and jazz musician Sonny Rollins, but the top two tributes of the night belonged undoubtedly to the two lauded ladies. Featuring a slew of Broadway and Hollywood hoofers - Anne Hathaway, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, Stanley Tucci, Mike Nichols, Patti LuPone, Kelli O'Hara, Audra McDonald, Laura Osnes, Rebecca Luker, Glenn Close and Sutton Foster included - the Streep and Cook tributes were certainly something to see for theatre fans around the globe, with everything from ANYONE CAN WHISTLE to THE MUSIC MAN to SHE LOVES to PLAIN & FANCY to FOLLIES, CANDIDE and beyond getting its musical due on international TV thanks to the Kennedy Center and CBS. Yes, indeed, the 2011 KENNEDY CENTER HONORS was a must-see entertainment event, so if you were not lucky enough to catch it live you can now sample the sights and sounds of the show below! (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: Scarlett Johansson Does It All & Buys A Zoo, Too

Stage and screen superstar Scarlett Johansson is known to most theatre fans for her tremendous work in the recent revival of Arthur Miller's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, directed by Gregory Mosher and co-starring fellow InDepth InterView participant Liev Schreiber, for which she rightly took home the 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress In A Play. Before then, Johansson was perhaps best known for her leading role in Sofia Coppola's moving contemporary drama LOST IN TRANSLATION, co-starring Bill Murray, as well as for her featured roles in some big-budget Hollywood films with top-tier talent and directors - THE PRESTIGE with Christopher Nolan (co-starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman), THE BLACH DAHLIA with Brian DePalma, THE ISLAND with Michael Bay (co-starring Ewan MacGregor), THE SPIRIT with Frank Miller; as well as a string of quirky and unique independent films such as GHOST WORLD, A LOVE SONG FOR BOBBY LONG and her unforgettable work in THE HORSE WHISPERER under the guiding force of director Robert Redford. Since then, she has become a franchise superhero superstar thanks to her role in the international smash hit IRON MAN 2, co-starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson, both of whom she reteams with in this Spring's tent-pole entertainment attraction THE AVENGERS, directed by BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and occasional GLEE-helmer Joss Whedon, which also features Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans as the classic Marvel comic book heroes. Today marks the opening night of her newest feature film, WE BOUGHT A ZOO, directed by Cameron Crowe and co-starring Matt Damon and Thomas Haden Church, which finds Scarlett back in familiar territory - after all, she is celebrated by many entertainment enthusiasts for her sterling, unsurpassed work in three highly-acclaimed and endlessly enjoyable Woody Allen films: MATCH POINT, SCOOP and VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA. In celebration of WE BOUGHT A ZOO, today we shall shine a special solo spotlight on one of the brightest stars on Broadway or in Hollywood who is sure to delight us in theaters and on screens for many years to come - she has already been legitimately acting for nearly 20 years of her 27 on earth, after all. So, whether stage or screen, comedy or drama, music or mime, Scarlett Johansson can clearly do it all and we will sample some of the best clips from her career so far as we look forward to WE BOUGHT A ZOO, THE AVENGERS and everything else that is next for her in her rise to the top ranks of Broadway and Hollywood. (more...)