Baltimore/Washington Backstage - October 22, 2008

Good News from Times Square. The new TKTS half-price ticket booth re-opened on Oct.16 at Broadway and 47^th St.  It also features stadium seating of 27 steps where theater-goers can relax and soak in Times Sq. And more good news. You'll now be able to use your credit card to purchase tickets. In the past, it was cash only. For further information, visit www.tdf.org or www.TimesSquareNYC.org.

How exciting to see Broadway shows returning to network television this week.

It started with "The Today Show" on Monday which featured the Elton John musical, Billy Elliot which is now in previews. John was interviewed initially and spoke of the lyrics to his music done by the screenwriter of the film, Lee Hall. This is the first time Hall has ever written lyrics for songs. Amazing.

The highlight of the morning was watching the three Billys who rotate in the part performing the song "Electricity" together. They are Trent Kowalik (13) from Long Island, NY and the youngest American male to win the World Irish Dancing Championship, Kiril Kulish (14) the youngest dancer admitted to the San Diego Academy of Ballet's junior company, and Canadian David Alvarez (14) who is an American Ballet Theater scholarship student. 

Check out a wonderful interview on this web site by one of the stars of "Ugly Betty" Mark Indelicato (14). When asked what was his favorite musical, Indelicato stated the new Jason Robert Brown musical 13 filled with only teenage actors and musicians.

If you recall, "Ugly Betty" had a wonderful Wicked episode last season. Well, this Thursday evening is the Billy Elliot episode. You'll see Indelicato who is not bashful about loving theater, auditioning for the musical. Can't wait.

Just prior to the Elliot episode on NBC was a commercial for the drug Caduet which features Gregory Jbara (so terrific as Andre the French policeman in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and former Fosse dancer, Deborah Gaffner doing the tango. Jbara plays Billy's father in the show. Billy Elliot opens on Nov. 13. Visit www.BillyElliotBroadway.com.

I saw the recent revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons on Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre and really enjoyed it. Much buzz concerns the Broadway debut of Katie Holmes and she does an admirable job in a great part for her. Holmes also co-starred this week in the terrific television program "Eli Stone" Tuesday evening.

The star of All My Sons, John Lithgow, was seen on "The View" also on Tuesday and mentioned that his co-star Dianne Wiest (look for Tony nominations for both of them) also played his wife 25 years ago in the film "Footloose".

Another revival getting rave reviews on Broadway is Anton Chekhov's The Seagull starring Kristen Scott Thomas. Thomas will be busy Friday morning appearing first on "CBS This Morning" followed by an appearance on "The View". I just saw her riveting performance in the terrific French film "Tell No One". I'm looking forward to seeing this highly acclaimed play this week-end.

Looking for a film to see this week-end. Don't miss "The Duchess" starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes.  Look for Dominic Cooper (History Boys on Broadway and on film and most recently Sky in the film "Mamma Mia!") in the role of Charles Grey who later becomes Prime Minister of England, becomes an Earl, and yes, has a tea named after him, Earl Grey!!!  You'll also see a short scene from Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The School for Scandal (so beautifully done at the Everyman Theatre recently).  The Irish playwright is portrayed by Irish actor Aiden McArdle who performed opposite Brian Dennehy at the famed Abbey Theater in The Iceman Cometh.

What a performance I witnessed last Saturday night at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall where Maestra Marin Alsop coordinated 250 performers in Leonard Bernstein's "Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers". "Mass" was the inaugural presentation at the John F. Kennedy Center on September 8, 1971. President Nixon refused to attend the performance due to its anti-Vietnam slant by lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked). I noticed that three of the singers were part of the terrific Center Stage production of A Little Night Music:  Sarah Uriate Berry (Petra). Amy Justman (Mrs. Nordstrom/Anne understudy), and Joe Paparella (Mr. Erlanson).

If you missed it, head this Friday to Carnegie Hall Friday, Oct 24, at 8 p.m. (212-247-7800 or carnegiehall.org) or if there are tickets available this Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Kennedy Center (800-444-1324 or kennedy-center.org).

Bernstein's West Side Story is heading to Broadway at the Palace Theatre beginning Feb. 23.  You can catch it in DC to at the National Theatre Dec. 15 to Jan. 17.

Rita Moreno played Anita in the film and can be seen one night only Monday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington, DC Jewish Community Center (202-777-3262).

Tony winner Bernadette Peters visits the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. (410-783-8000) in a benefit for The Chimes.

 

The play Frost/Nixon is coming to the Kennedy Center Nov. 11- 30, followed by Legally Blonde Dec. 16-Jan 11. For tickets, call 202-467-4600 or visit Kennedy-Center.org. Saw a nice article in HealthyPet Magazine entitled "From Shelter to Showtime". Yes, all the pets in the show are rescued pets.

For those with a good memory, you may recall my praise for the Irish film "Once" and my suggestion it could possibly be a good vehicle for a Broadway show. Well, it turns out I was correct. According to Playbill.com, look for it during the 2010-11 season. Can't wait!

One of my favorite magazines is "The Week". Center Stage must be thrilled that Caroline or Change starring E. Faye Butler was given four stars at the Court Theatre in Chicago. Butler will reprise this role in December. This could be one of the highlights of the theater season.

Speaking of Center Stage, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf opens with previews Oct. 22 through Nov. 30. College night, Thursday night, Oct. 23, allows students to get in for just $15 with a post-show party, drinks, entertainment, and food from Gertrude's Restaurant. What a deal!! Call410-332-0033.

Sharp wit, sex, corruption, and deceit. Is this a description of Washington, DC? No, it's the Baltimore premier of Canadian playwright George F. Walker's Filthy Rich at the Everyman Theatre running Nov. 5-Dec. 14. For tickets, 410-752-2208.

Don't miss the Single Carrot Theatre production of Food for Fish through Oct. 26. Call 443-844-9253 or visit www.singlecarrot.com.

The Hippodrome has been dark since Legally Blonde. Look for Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical playing Nov. 11-23. Call 410-547-SEAT.

The Folger Theatre presents I Henry IV Oct. 8-Nov. 16. Call 202-544-7077.

The Shakespeare Theatre has extended Romeo & Juliet and continues with the costume comedy The Way of the World. Call 202-547-1122.

Second Line by Seret Scott continues at the Atlas Performing Arts Center through Oct. 26. This two character tale is a romance taking the place during the 1960's and 1970's. It stars Erika Rose and Jefferson A. Russell. Call 202-399-7993.

One of the funniest plays I've ever seen is The Lieutenant of Inishmore playing at the Signature Theatre to Nov. 16.  Irish beer for only $3. Call 703-573-SEAT. Review to be posted soon.

Alexandria's Metro Stage presents Pearl Bailey...by Request through November 9. Call 703-548-9044.

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company ends its version of Macbeth this Sunday. Visit www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com.

Butterflies are Free opens Oct. 31 and runs through Nov. 15 by the Catonsville Theatre Company. Call 410-455-4400.

The Dundalk Community Theatre is presenting Beauty and the Beast, Oct. 24-Nov. 2. Call 410-780-6369.

Children's Playhouse of MD at CCBEssex presents Godspell Oct. 25 and 26. Call 410-780-6369.

Towson University has Arthur Miller's The Crucible through Oct. 31. Call 410-704-2787.

Catholic University presents Sweeney Todd Oct. 24-26. Call 202-319-5416.

For comments, email cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.