Baltimore/Washington Backstage - February 21,2007

After three prior postponed announcements, the hit musical "Spring Awakening" will finally get national exposure on two different shows within a span of less than twelve hours…and don't miss them. Wednesday night, Feb. 21, the cast will be performing "Bitch for Living" on "Late Night with David Letterman". The "Letterman" program has a tradition of doing a terrific job televising Broadway shows. They did a great job with "Jersey Boys" and "Wicked" so I am looking forward to how they present this year's most talk-about musical.

 

On Thursday morning, Feb. 22, "The View" will also feature "Spring Awakening". I don't recall any other show getting this kind of coverage over a two day period. It will be interesting to see what song or songs they will present on "The View". Rosie O'Donnell has seen the show and praised it on the air.  So…set your VCR's, DVR's, etc.

 

For those few who predicted this show would NOT last…auditions for replacements will be held in Miami, Florida on Feb. 25 and tickets are available now through May 27 (just prior to the Tony Awards).

 

Another anticipated musical is opening soon. Kander & Ebb's "Curtains" performances begin on Feb. 27 with an official opening on March 22. This anticipated musical features David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk. To get discounted preview tickets, call 212-947-8844 and use code CUPBE92 or visit www.Broadwayoffers.com.

 

According to "Variety", touring Broadway shows ticket sales have dropped 15%. But it is interesting to note that ticket buyers are getting younger and the percentage of under-18 theatergoers rose. It seems senior citizens do not like the latest Broadway attractions as much as they used to, the lowest percentage of ticket buyers since 1991. I'm sure the success of Monty Python's "Spamalot" may be partly responsible.  According to the report released by the League of American Theaters and Producers, the majority of those attending shows outside Broadway are female (72.6%), white (85.2%), have incomes about $90,000 with 69% having college degrees.

 

The internet (hopefully aided by this web-site) has played an increased role in theatergoing. Most tickets for those under 50 are purchased on the internet.

 

Addressing the issue of touring productions' problems in Baltimore is the Sun's J. Wynn Rousuck who relates the problems Baltimore's Lyric Opera House is having canceling productions due to lack of ticket sales. I recommend her article featured in the Monday, Feb. 19 edition.

 

Always great to read about local performers achieving success on Broadway. Dan Collins in today's Baltimore Examiner reports that Natalie Joy Johnson from  Howard County is currently in San Francisco performing in "Legally Blonde: The Musical" which moves to Broadway's Palace Theater on April 29. I hope to report more about her in the near future.

 

The 23^rd Annual Helen Hayes Awards (for excellence in the Washington, DC area) were announced Feb. 12 with the actual ceremony occurring on April 16 at the Warner Theatre.

 

The Arena Stage nabbed 27 nominations to lead all area theaters. The most nominated production was their wonderful "Cabaret" which will face tough competition in the category of outstanding resident musical with two other Arena shows "3 Mo' Divas" and "She Loves Me" as well as the Signature's "Assassins" and Studio Theatre's "Caroline or Change".

 

The Shakespeare Theatre Company had 21 nominations. Sharing 11 nominations are the Folger Theatre and the Kennedy Center.

 

Touring musicals and plays include "The Light in the Piazza", "Twelve Angry Men" and "Canterbury Tales, Part I" (all Kennedy Center), "Spamalot" at the National (arriving in Baltimore at the Hippodrome on March 6), and "In the Continuum" at Whooly Mammoth.

 

The Washington Post's Jane Horwitz in her column dated Feb. 14 pointed out deserving shows which regrettably were overlooked. Two I was able to see were "Awake and Sing" at the Arena Stage and the world premiere of "Neverland" at the Signature.

 

For a complete list, visit www.helenhayes.org.

 

My first column written in January, 2006, wished for a similar award program for the Baltimore/Columbia/Annapolis area. Hopefully, that day will come.

 

For comments, cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

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