'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 26th, 2012
By: Paul W. Thompson Sep. 26, 2012
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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:
It’s finally time! The number one most anticipated show of this Super September, as voted on by you, the readers of BroadwayWorld Chicago, begins performances today, September 26, 2012, and runs through November 4. Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “SUNDAY IN THE Park With George,” directed by Gary Griffin for Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier (as a follow-up to his last year’s smash hit production of “Follies” in the same venue), stars Broadway’s Jason Danieley and Carmen Cusack in the roles originated by Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters. Others in the dripping-with-talent cast include McKinley Carter, Sean Fortunato, Kevin Gudahl, Rachel Cantor, Derek Hasenstab, Heidi Kettenring, Ora Jones, Linda Stephens, Travis Taylor, Michael Aaron Lindner, Benjamin Magnuson and Elizabeth Lanza (a top-notch group, to be sure), with young Madison Olszewski as Louise. Surely you are familiar with the gems in this score, right? “Move On,” “Finishing The Hat,” “Children And Art,” and “Putting It Together” have all had their day in the sun. And of course, the song “Sunday” is as moving a first act finale as Broadway has ever given us. If you don’t believe me, check out the online video of this cast performing it at the Art Institute Of Chicago, home of the painting by Georges Seurat upon which The show is based. It was a PR person’s dream!
Your second most anticipated show of the month was “A Class Act” at Porchlight Music Theatre. And did you see the reviews this production received? Director Stacey Flaster and star Bill Larkin (and Mister Subject Matter, the late Ed Kleban) all came off pretty stellarly. It must be a pretty spectacular outing. And Porchlight must be flying high after last weekend’s visit by co-author and original director and star Lonny Price. Way to go, you guys! (Now through October 7th.)
Newly opened on the non-Equity scene are two musicals running about a block apart, in tiny mid-block venues on either side of the intersection of Lunt and Glenwood Avenues in Rogers Park, next to the Red Line “L.” First to open was James Valcq’s and Fred Alley’s “The Spitfire Grill” from the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, performing at the Heartland Studio. It runs September 14-October 14, directed by Anna Hammonds.
BoHo-Theatre-Presents-SPITFIRE-GRILL
And at the No Exit Café, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre opened “Smokey Joe’s Café” earlier this week. The Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller review, the only show nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical against the juggernaut that was “Sunset Boulevard,” runs through November 11, directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier and musical directed by Jeremy Ramey. They are veterans of Theo’s spring production of “The Light In The Piazza,” as is Jeff Award-winner and “Smokey” cast member Justin Adair. Also in the show are Kasey Alfonso, Sydney Charles, TJ Crawford, Robin K. Dasilva, Vasily Deris, Jaymes Osborne, Steven Perkins and Britt-Marie Sivertsen. But here’s a question for you--when was the last time there was a production of this popular musical in the Chicago area? I don’t know the answer!
http://www.theo-u.com/smokey-joes-cafe
Also opening recently in a non-Equity production, but in the Lakeview neighborhood, is what I believe to be Chicago’s first mounting of the Tony-winning “Avenue Q,” playing through October 14 at Stage 773. Brought to us by NightBlue Performing Arts Company, the show stars Adam Fane as Rod/Princeton, with Casi Maggio as Kate Monster, Kate Garrasino as Christmas Eve and Jason Richards Smith as Trekkie Monster. If you are a fan of hilarious and tuneful puppet musicals, you’ve gotta find your purpose, er, your wallet, and head over there and see it!
http://www.nightbluetheater.com/
The cast of “Avenue Q” will be among those on hand next Wednesday, October 3rd, at Wrigleyville’s Underground Lounge, when Bailiwick Chicago holds a fundraiser called “Rock Show(tunes).” Many Bailiwick Collective Members (Lili-Anne Brown, Danny Bernardo, Harmony France, Michael Harnichar, etc.) and special guests (like Bethany Thomas and Jayson Brooks, etc.) will perform musical theater songs in the styles of modern rock songs. Sounds intriguing! You may note that that date is one day before Bailiwick’s season opens with the Chicago premiere of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” Also note that The company recently announced that its spring season will include the 2005 off-Broadway musical by Michael John LaChiusa, “See What I Wanna See” (starting February 14, 2013). Auditions are coming up soon!
Well, fall has officially arrived hereabouts. And you know what that means…. A slough of Halloween musicals! The parody of “Carrie” (the movie and the musical) called “Scarrie,” written largely by David Cerda, is returning to the talents and minds of Hell In A Handbag Productions for a limited, tenth anniversary run from September 28-November 10, directed by Cheryl Snodgrass at Mary’s Attic. Will they use liquid or lighting during the you-know-what sequence? You know you want to know!
http://www.handbagproductions.org/
And it’s onward to Christmas musicals! It was announced earlier this month that “The Christmas Schooner” will be sailing into the Mercury Theatre again, from November 23-December 30, marking the 100th anniversary of the real-life event upon which The show is based, the sinking of the Rouse Simmons, Chicago’s beloved “Christmas Tree Ship” captained by Herman Schuenemann. An added note of poignancy occurred this month, when the show’s bookwriter, John Reeger, announced the death of composer-lyricist Julie Shannon, his co-creator of what has become a Chicago holiday tradition. Karl Hamilton and Cory Goodrich will again star in what will no doubt be a moving production, with Jim Sherman back as well. L. Walter Stearns will direct, with choreography by Brenda Didier and musical direction by Eugene Dizon.
THE-CHRISTMAS-SCHOONER-Returns-to-the-Mercury-Theatre
And then there’s television! Many residents of the Showtune Mosh Pit have been enjoying the new, fourth season of “Glee,” as Rachel and Kurt head off to college in New York and Blaine and Sam help hold down the traditions of New Directions back at McKinley High. The show is on Thursday nights now, if you didn’t realize the new season had begun. No, it’s not the latest sensation, but it’s “Glee!” At this point, you either like it, or you don’t. But its impact on musical theater culture, especially among the young, has been immeasurable.
And what of “Smash?” You know, the show that’s about Broadway professionals (or, at least, is set among them). Well, the show won an Emmy Award last week for its choreographer, Joshua Bergasse! But it’s currently without a firm air date for the premiere of its second season. My money is on late January or early February. It may depend on several factors, including sports schedules and singing competition reality show schedules. Nothing wrong with that--broadcasting is a business. But we want “Smash” back! Come on, NBC. Throw us a peacock feather….
So, the equinox has passed. Fall has fallen, and the leaves will soon put the “awe” in autumn. But showtunes spring on, I tell you! We’ve got plenty to keep us singing, dancing and acting out, er, acting, until who knows when. And every week, I’ll either see you at an audition, a rehearsal, a performance, or I'll see you under the video screens.....Deal?—PWT
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