SOUND OFF Special Edition: Top 10 Favorite Things About THE SOUND OF MUSICJuly 22, 2015Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC is one of the most oft-produced and popular musicals of all time and this week has welcomed both spectacular news and saddening news regarding the past, present and future of the beloved family-friendly musical. Iconic original leading man Theodore Bikel passed away at the age of 91 earlier this week, forever closing the book on the first man to ever sing 'Edelweiss', one of the score's most beloved gems, not to mention portray Captain Von Trapp in the original Broadway production. Yet, on the horizon looms a brand new national tour of the tuner set to star a brand new discovery named Kerstin Anderson in the role of Maria Von Trapp alongside a fresh-faced cast including Ben Davis, Ashley Brown, Merwin Foard, Dan Tracy and more, all under the direction of Jack O'Brien. Considering the legendary legacy of the beloved title, now is an ideal time to list ten of my personal favorite things pertaining to the rich history of the musical on stages and screens both large and small.
BWW EXCLUSIVE: Mat Fraser Talks CRIPFEST, AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW & MoreJuly 21, 2015Today we are talking to a spectacularly talented and accomplished performer who has excelled in many mediums as an actor onstage and onscreen as well as a high-profile proponent and figurehead for those with disabilities, the charming and thoughtful Mat Fraser. Opening up about curating this week's upcoming event highlighting many performers with disabilities titled CRIPFEST, Fraser touches upon the importance of the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act and what attendees can expect from the wide range of entertainment on hand at the event. Furthermore, Fraser reflects on his unforgettable role on this season's acclaimed AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW - which received 19 Emmy nominations just last week, the most of any non-premium series - and working with the likes of Jessica Lange, Finn Wittrock and more. All of that, details on his upcoming projects and much, much more!
SOUND OFF Special Edition: 10 More Norma Desmonds Ready For Their SUNSET BOULEVARD Close-UpJuly 20, 2015Last week, I selected ten top picks for a major headliner to star as Norma Desmond in a potential future stage and/or screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's Tony Award-winning Best Musical SUNSET BOULEVARD in honor of both the show's anniversary of its West End opening and recent news that Glenn Close is considering a return to her Tony-winning role in an upcoming revival. As a result of that column, BroadwayWorld readers took the title of this column to heart and sounded off on some of their ideal choices for a leading lady with major star quality to tackle the unforgettable role in a future production - and, what fabulous choices they are! Among the reader submissions, Ilene Argento posited, 'If not Patti Lupone, maybe Meryl Streep (with some more singing lessons!), but it should be Patti (although Patti plus ALW will probably never happen again).' while Brian Lipensky wrote, 'Glenn Close can still play her. That said, Meryl Streep can pull it off. We know she can sing and play characters with psychological problems. Susan Sarandon also. Maybe even Emma Thompson.' Furthermore, Jonathan Caplan offered, 'ANNIE LENNOX. Period. Well, if it can't be Elaine Paige, then absolutely, Annie Lennox. I said this before the musical ever opened, and I stand by it....ANNIE LENNOX!!!!!!' whereas David Macaluso relayed, 'Seriously. With a good director, in a film. LIZA! she could be AMAZING.' Other suggestions sure to inspire discussion included Cher, Lady Gaga, Ruthie Henshall, Donna Murphy and even Caitlyn Jenner. So, without further ado, here are ten more delectable choices for a new Norma Desmond for 2015.