GOOD MORNING, THEATERATI for June 9, 2017
GOOD MORNING, THEATERATI! Welcome to Friday, June 9, 2017 - we're awfully glad to have you here! It's a big weekend in Nashville, maybe the biggest ever, thanks to the perfect storm of events and celebrations all across the region. It's CMA Music Festival weekend, Bonnaroo is pulsating some miles down the road (taking most of the attendees through Music City on their way to Manchester) and the Nashville Predators take on a team from Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Final's sixth game on Sunday night at Bridgestone Arena.
BWW Interviews: Book Writer and Lyricist TOM JONES Says,
'It's a Celebration of Theatre'
The Fantasticks is an amazing show in all sorts of ways. It's the world's longest running musical, 42 years in its original incarnation (1960-2002), and eight years and counting in its off-Broadway revival. Among the actors who've taken roles since its opening in 1962 are Jerry Orbach (who originated the role of El Gallo), Liza Minnelli, Elliott Gould, Glenn Close and Kristin Chenoweth. It continues to enjoy over 250 productions annually around the world.
Summer Stages: BWW's Top Summer Theatre Picks - NYC!
New York Musical Theatre Festival: July 9-29 at various midtown venues (http://www.nymf.org) Rumors of the death of musical theatre have been quickly squashed once a year ever since the New York Musical Theatre Festival, a/k/a NYMF, first hit town in 2004. Over 300 musicals later, 70 of which have gone on to major New York and/or regional productions, NYMF has become an annual celebration for those who appreciate interesting scores and adventurous writing over extravagant production values. Tickets are inexpensive and each venue hosts several different shows daily, so it's easy to spend the day discovering the wide variety of musicals in the works.
Photo Flash: Reprise Theater Company's THE FANTASTICKS
Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
McCormack, Grabeel, Groener Set for Reprise's 'THE FANTASTICKS' 5/5 - 5/17
Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
McCormack, Grabeel, Groener Set for Reprise's 'THE FANTASTICKS' 5/5 - 5/17
Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
THE FANTASTICKS Confirmed to Replace CHESS at Reprise
Reprise Theatre Company announced today that 'The Fantasticks' will replace the previously announced production of 'Chess,' May 5-17 at the Freud Playhouse. With music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones, 'The Fantasticks' is the world's longest-running musical and will be performed in Los Angeles as its current New York revival continues running off-Broadway.
Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise, said, 'I am saddened to report the reason why. Our world premiere production of 'Chess' was commissioned and brokered by Gerald Schoenfeld, President of the Shubert Organization. Just before the end of last year, Gerry passed away unexpectedly. Without his support our production of 'Chess' simply is not possible at this time. I am disappointed, both for the loss of this wonderful opportunity and for the loss of an old and good friend.'