BWW Reviews: New Line Theatre's Hilarious Production of BUKOWSICAL
Scatological, unpredictable, and oddly whimsical at times, BUKOWSICAL is not easily defined or categorized, and that's actually part of its appeal to me. Spencer Green (book, lyrics) and Gary Stockdale (book,lyrics and music) have concocted an interesting musical stew, some of which details the life and times of writer Charles Bukowski, and some of which seems to be skewering the entire idea altogether. For instance, the man himself doesn't bring to mind anything remotely resembling a warm and fuzzy character, and yet the music for this piece is incredibly sunny and upbeat. This makes for a fascinating juxtaposition between the lyrical content and the music that accompanies it. In fact, the words are often graphic and vulgar, but, at times, they're also surprisingly erudite and witty. These contradictions alone act to sum up Bukowski's complicated existence and ultimate status as a wordsmith. New Line Theatre's production captures this drunken genius in all his splendor. You may be shocked by what you see or hear, but I guarantee you won't forget it. This is cutting edge theatre at its finest.
Photo Flash: New Production Shots from New Line Theatre's BUKOWSICAL
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' closes its 22nd season now through June 22, 2013, with the regional premiere of one of the most outrageous shows the company has ever produced. With book and lyrics by Spencer Green and Gary Stockdale, and music by Stockdale, BUKOWSICAL is a wacky, high-energy - and gleefully adult - musical comedy, an ironic and insightful 21st-century reboot of the classic American musical comedy, exploring the intersection between sex, drugs, booze, and art, all through the life story of the great American novelist and poet Charles Bukowski. BroadwayWorld has new shots of the cast in action below!
Photo Flash: First Look at New Line Theatre's BUKOWSICAL
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' closes its 22nd season May 30-June 22, 2013, with the regional premiere of one of the most outrageous shows the company has ever produced. With book and lyrics by Spencer Green and Gary Stockdale, and music by Stockdale, BUKOWSICAL is a wacky, high-energy - and gleefully adult - musical comedy, an ironic and insightful 21st-century reboot of the classic American musical comedy, exploring the intersection between sex, drugs, booze, and art, all through the life story of the great American novelist and poet Charles Bukowski. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
Zachary Allen Farmer to Headline New Line's BUKOWSICAL
New Line Theatre closes its 22nd season May 30-June 22, 2013, with the regional premiere of one of the most outrageous shows the company has ever produced. With book and lyrics by Spencer Green and Gary Stockdale, and music by Stockdale, BUKOWSICAL is a wacky, high-energy - and gleefully adult - musical comedy, an ironic and insightful 21st-century reboot of the classic American musical comedy, exploring the intersection between sex, drugs, booze, and art, all through the life story of the great American novelist and poet Charles Bukowski.
STAGE TUBE: John Sparger, Brian Claussen and More in New Line's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON - Video Highlights!
Just in time for election season, New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' opens its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, now running through Oct. 20, 2012. An outrageous, audacious, hard-rocking mix of historical fact and fiction redefines America's controversial seventh President, through a time-bending funhouse mirror that reveals the jacked-up political landscape of America in 2012. Get a first look at highlights from the production below.
BWW Reviews: New Line Theatre Produces Hilarious Gem with BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
It's kind of hard to describe the new musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON (book by Alex Timbers with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman), but only because it's such a phantasmagorical journey through the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson. Parts of it are downright hilarious, while others are amazingly informative. Kind of like what Bill Cosby used to say during the opening credits of The Fat Albert Show: "If you're not careful, you might learn something before it's done". New Line's current presentation of this wild and woolly excursion into history is a rockin' riot, filled with catchy tunes and funny, anachronistic humor that rarely misses the mark.
Photo Flash: First Look at John Sparger, Taylor Pietz and More in New Line's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
Just in time for election season, New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' opens its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. An outrageous, audacious, hard-rocking mix of historical fact and fiction redefines America's controversial seventh President, through a time-bending funhouse mirror that reveals the jacked-up political landscape of America in 2012. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!
New Line Theatre Presents BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, Now thru 10/20
The 22nd season at New Line Theatre opens with alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running tonight, Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, at 8:00 p.m., at the Washington University South Campus Theatre.
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of New Line Theatre's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
Just in time for election season, New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' opens its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. An outrageous, audacious, hard-rocking mix of historical fact and fiction redefines America's controversial seventh President, through a time-bending funhouse mirror that reveals the jacked-up political landscape of America in 2012. Get a first look at the cast in the photos below!
New Line Theatre Presents BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON 9/27-10/20
The 22nd season at New Line Theatre opens with alternative, adult musical theatre with the St. Louis premiere of the outrageous rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, at 8:00 p.m., at the Washington University South Campus Theatre.
BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, BUKOWSICAL and More Highlight New Line's 2012-13 Season
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' has secured the rights to three premieres for its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre -- the outrageous emo rock musical BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2012; the powerhouse Pulitzer Prize-winning rock opera NEXT TO NORMAL, running Feb. 28-March 23, 2013; and the hilariously dark, adult musical comedy BUKOWSICAL, running May 30-June 22, 2013.
BWW Reviews: New Line Theatre's Superb Revival of HIGH FIDELITY
When I reviewed New Line Theatre's production of HIGH FIDELITY in 2008, I decided to start off in the spirit of Nick Hornby by giving my readers the top five reasons they should see this wonderful musical. Well, here are the Top Five reasons you should see High Fidelity, either for the very first time, or again, in 2012 (in reverse order, naturally). Number Five: because the cast members that remain the same are still superb in their roles, and the new additions make it even more entertaining. Number Four: because the music of Tom Kitt and the lyrics of Amanda Green are pure ear candy that cribs cool bits from classic rock and soul. Number Three: because this time it's in a different venue that allows for a grander scenic design, as well as a larger area for the fun choreography. Number Two: because seeing the musical still beats sitting through the movie, which didn't really capture Hornby's novel completely. And the Number One reason to see this revival production of HIGH FIDELITY: IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!
Photo Flash: Production Pics from New Line Theatre's HIGH FIDELITY
New Line Theatre closes its 21st season with HIGH FIDELITY, playing now through June 23, 2012. With a script by award-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Good People), music by Tom Kitt (Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Next to Normal), and lyrics by Amanda Green (Bring It On, Hands on a Hardbody), HIGH FIDELITY explores America's new Lost Generation and the music they live their lives to. Check out photos of the cast performing on stage in St. Louis below!
New Line Theater Completes Casting for HIGH FIDELITY
New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' will close its 21st season May31-June 23, 2012, with HIGH FIDELITY, the funny, rowdy, emotional rock musical that garnered positive reviews in New Line's 2008 production, the first production of the show after its Broadway run.
BWW Reviews: New Line Theatre Presents Rockin' Production of CRY-BABY
CRY-BABY is a smash, a musical and cultural send up of drape and square mores, while at the same time, a parody of the typical "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" scenarios that we've all been exposed to in more traditional shows. At times, it's like watching a throwdown between Little Richard and Pat Boone over who really sings "Good Golly, Miss Molly" the best and most authentic. And, at other times, it's a completely over the top take off on shows of the past. For some reason, I was reminded of both The Music Man and West Side Story. Scott Miller and New Line Theatre have once again given us something outside the norm, and it's a joyous ride. This revision of CRY-BABY (I confess, I didn't see it on Broadway) is a sheer delight, full of characters and situations from the movie by filmmaker John Waters, but also standing on its own with a clever and hilarious score (music and lyrics by David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger), having jettisoned the tunes from the film itself. Go see this play now. It's wonderfully directed, smartly choreographed, and marvelously acted.
Photo Flash: First Look at New Line Theatre's CRY BABY!
New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' continues its 21st season of rock theatre through March 24, 2012 with the American regional premiere of the Broadway rock musical CRY-BABY. Check out the production photos below!
Joel Hackbarth (in back) as the narrator, Kimi Short as One True Love, Zachary Allen Farmer as Charles Bukowski, Chrissy Young as Frances, and Marcy Wiegert as Bukowski''s first publisher, singing ''Love is a Dog from Hell''
Kimi Short as One True Love, Zachary Allen Farmer as Charles Bukowski, Chrissy Young as Frances, and Marcy Wiegert as Bukowski''s first publisher, singing ''Love is a Dog from Hell'' (with Joel Hackbarth in back as the narrator)
Kimi Short as One True Love, Zachary Allen Farmer as Charles Bukowski, Chrissy Young as Frances, and Marcy Wiegert as Bukowski''s first publisher, singing ''Love is a Dog from Hell'' (with Joel Hackbarth in back as the narrator)
The cast of New Line Theatre's "Bukowsical," 2013. L-R, Nicholas Kelly (in front), Ryan Foizey, Christopher Strawhun (in back), Chrissy Young, Zachary Allen Farmer (as Charles Bukowski), Marcy Wiegert, Kimi Short, Joel Hackbarth.
The cast of New Line Theatre's "Bukowsical," 2013. L-R, Nicholas Kelly (in front), Ryan Foizey, Christopher Strawhun (in back), Chrissy Young, Zachary Allen Farmer (as Charles Bukowski), Marcy Wiegert, Kimi Short, Joel Hackbarth.
STAGE TUBE: John Sparger, Brian Claussen and More in New Line's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON - Video Highlights!
by Stage Tube - Oct 11, 2012
STAGE TUBE: Interviews with Taylor Pietz, Zak Farmer and D. Mike Bauer of New Line's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
by Stage Tube - Sep 26, 2012