'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for May 26, 2010
By: Paul W. Thompson May. 26, 2010
THE LATEST IN UNAUTHORIZED GOSSIP AND BUZZ
FROM THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S SHOWTUNE VIDEO BARS,
AND MUSICAL THEATER NEWS FROM CHICAGO TO BROADWAY
by Paul W. Thompson
Overheard last weekend under the showtune
video screens at Sidetrack and the Call:
While most of us were standing around on Monday night wondering what on earth was going on, an amazing musical theater event was taking place at Cahn Auditorium on the campus of Northwestern University. "Starry Starry Night" was a gala performance honoring the legendary Dominic Missimi upon his retirement from 30 years of teaching at the school, and former students from the New York and Chicago theater communities, along with current NU students, feted him and raised money for a new music theatre fund the school has begun in his name. Tony winner Heather Headley ("Aida"), Brian D'Arcy James ("Shrek"), Gregg Edelman ("City Of Angels") and Kate Shindle ("Legally Blonde") headlined, and many friends of the Mosh Pit took part, on stage, in the pit and behind the scenes. Nights like this don't happen very often, and those of us who missed it are so jealous! But what a marvelous thing, for a marvelous educator and director. We love you, Dominic!
Click Here for Starry Starry Night
Speaking of stars, one of the biggest is coming to the Chicago Theatre this Thursday, May 27, 2010. Diana Ross (Miss Ross to you) is on something of a nostalgic (dare we say, farewell) tour, and, though she never appeared in a Broadway musical, she starred in the musical film "Lady Sings The Blues," the film adaptation of "The Wiz" and was the unadmitted inspiration for the character of Deena Jones in "Dreamgirls." Plus she's, well, Diana Ross! The 60s, 70s and 80s wouldn't have been the same without her, and her voice is reasonably immortal. It's time to pay homage.
Diana Ross - May 27, 2010 at The Chicago Theatre
For those whose tastes run to the more rock, world music, nightclub meets dance meets theater meets acrobatics sort of thing (with a Heavy Dose of Cirque du Soleil by way of Blue Man Group), well, Broadway In Chicago has something for you! "Fuerza Bruta: Look Up" has hit town, for an open run at the Auditorium Theatre Of Roosevelt University. This gonzo Argentinian production has been running in New York for over two years now, and is on and above the stage in our architectural gem on Congress Parkway for the summer. And so is the audience. That is, the audience stands on stage during the 70 minute show, and a troupe of eight performers and a horde of black-shirted production employees will steer you around and tell you where to look and make sure you don't come out feeling anything less than cool. I went to a preview event last Friday, prior to the show's official opening night, and for those who want something out of the ordinary, accompanied by some pretty fantastic music from composer Gaby Kerpel, this show will definitely impress you and anybody you bring along. And yes, there are people who will swim above your head in a transparent swimming pool, but how they do it in three inches of water is yours and mine to figure out! I think it's a series of dream images, rather than a plot. Idk! If you think you might like it, you definitely will.
Check out the awesome Fuerza Bruta website!
Speaking of Broadway In Chicago, a little bird told me that there were good seats available this week for their flagship show of the moment, current Tony champ "Billy Elliot." Apparently Memorial Day weekend, and the week preceding it, aren't popular theater times. Who knew? It's in an open run at the Ford Center for the Perfomring Arts, Oriental Theatre. But you knew that. ;-)
It's Broadway In Chicago's tenth anniversary, and to celebrate this milestone the company is hosting a free concert on Monday, June 28 at 6:00 pm, at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park during this Year's Taste of Chicago. Yes, during the "Taste." But at least it's not the same day as the Pride Parade. Cast members and/or songs from "Billy Elliot," "Shrek," "Rock Of Ages," "The Lion King" and "Wicked" are promised to be on hand. Awesome! Wear a costume. Eat something. It's free showtunes! Where else can you get that? Well, with live performers, I mean.......
One Broadway tour that BIC is not bringing to town (somebody else is) will make a short stopover at the Rosemont Theatre from December 3rd through 5th. The current tour of "Legally Blonde" announced their booking last week, I think. Tickets are onsale now for the four performances of this crowd pleasing and telegenic show.
One locally produced show opening this week is the 1917 Jerome Kern musical, "Oh, Boy!" One of the "Princess Theatre shows" that helped pave the way for the modern musical comedy, this lighthearted romp with book and lyrics by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse is being presented through June 27th. Starring Sean Knight as the titular boy, and co-starring Brian-Mark Conover and the impressionistically named Harmony France, this is a rare opportunity to catch a legendary show in performance. City Lit Theatre Company in Edgewater is the intrepid presenter of this roots musical, featuring the hit song, "Till The Clouds By."
On the other end of the time spectrum, a new adaptation of the play "Baal" by Bertolt Brecht has opened, translated by Peter Tegel and with newly composed music by Josh Schmidt, composer of "Adding Machine." Ian Westerfer takes on the title role, directed by Zeljko Djukic. It's at the Chopin Studio Theatre at Division, Milwaukee and Ashland, produced by TUTA Theatre from May 20 to June 20, 2010. Sounds intriguing.
Somewhat more well known to Mosh Pit residents is "Jesus Christ Superstar," the seminal rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice that will be playing July 8-August 8 at Theatre At The Center in Munster. We know now that two of our most attention getting musical theater tenors will be playing Jesus and Judas in this production. Young Max Quinlan (a recent Jeff Award winner for "The Light In The Piazza") will be Jesus, and burly Joseph Tokarz is slated for Judas. If you've seen and heard these guys in action, you know a vocally exciting evening is in store. Congratulations, you guys!
Theater at the Center's Season
And last but not least: a shameless plug for my first musical directing effort in twenty years! The musical "four play," an original show written by Jamie Campbell and Amanda Murphy, premieres May 26th and runs for just four performances, on Wednesdays through June 16th. It's at StudioBE on Sheffield, produced by The Number 10 Productions. I'll be accompanying and conducting the cast consisting of Amanda Murphy, Heather Bodie, Rich Baker and Ted Sima. Even though though you may know that its authors are coming from the improv world, rest assured that this show is fully scripted. And what a script! Y'all come!
And so, with Memorial Day looming, and all it brings to Chicago already on its way here, I trust that you will survive to rejoin the Mosh Pit at your earliest free moment. When that happens, I will be there too. And I look forward to seeing you, cooling beverage in hand, you know where! Yes, I'll see you under the video screens.....--PWT
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