NYC.com Broadway Blog

Young Frankestein

2009-07-30T12:49:48-04:00

Good news for the rest of the country! It was announced today that Tony Award winners Roger Bart and Shuler Hensley will reprise the roles of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein and The Monster in the first national tour of The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein. The Young Frankenstein tour will launch September 29, 2009 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, where the show will run until October 4th. The rest of the national tour goes as follows: October 6-11, 2009 Mortensen Hall in Hartford, Connecticut October 13-25, 2009 Palace Theatre - Cleveland, Ohio October 27-November 1, 2009 Ohio Theatre - Columbus, Ohio November 3-December 13, 2009 Cadillac Palace - Chicago, Illinois December 20, 2009-January 10, 2010 Kennedy Center Opera House - Washington, DC January 12-24, 2010 Hippodrome Performing Arts Center - Baltimore, Maryland January 26-31, 2010 Fabulous Fox Theater - Atlanta, Georgia February 2-7, 2010 Cobb Great Hall at the Wharton Center - East Lansing, Michigan February 9-14, 2010 Orpheum Theatre - Minneapolis, Minnesota February 16-21, 2010 Music Hall - Kansas City, Missouri February 23-March 14, 2010 Detroit Opera House - Detroit, Michigan March 20-April 11 Kennedy Center Opera House - Washington, DC April 20-May 2, 2010 Boston Opera House - Boston, Massachusetts May 4-9, 2010 Benedum Center - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania May 11-23, 2010 Fabulous Fox Theatre - Saint Louis, Missouri May 25-June 6, 2010 Sarofim Hall at the Hobby Center - Houston, Texas June 8-13, 2010 Majestic Theatre - San Antonio, Texas July 27-August 15, 2010 Pantages Theatre - Los Angeles, California

Tags: atlanta, baltimore, benedum center, boston, cadillac palace, chicago, cleveland, columbus, connecticut, dc, detroit, east lansing, fabulous fox theatre, georgia, hartford, hippodrome, hobby center, houston, illinois, kansas city, kennedy center, los angeles, majestic theatre, maryland, massachusetts, me brooks, michigan, minneapolis, minnesota, missouri, mortensen hall, music hall, national tour, ohio, opera house, orpheum, palace theatre, pantages theatre, pennsylvania, performing arts center, pittsburgh, providence, rhode island, roger bart, saint louis, san antonio, sarofim hall, shuler hensley, texas, washington, wharton center, young frankenstein

Five Days In March at the Japan Society

2009-02-09T12:25:48-05:00

The Japan Society presented the North American debut tour of Five Days in March as part of the current season theme of Beyond Boundaries: Genre-Bending Mavericks. The play by Toshiki Okada has won the prestigious Kishida Kunio Drama Award. In the days before the Iraq war in 2003, two Japanese hipsters meet at a concert and fall into a one-night stand that turns into five days of continuous sex. The story is told and re-told from different perspectives reminiscent of Tarantino. When the lights rose, the actors began talking…..and talking and talking some more; given the bare stage and little traditional movement, the play was entirely focused on the verbal narrative delivered in Japanese. The players do almost a director’s commentary as they step in and out of the story and tell the audience what part they are doing next. While both of these approaches were interesting, it did become a little tiresome covering the same ground multiple times yet without enough of a new perspective to make it engaging. Sometimes it was even difficult to tell who was who. This is something we are conditioned for when watching film—someone is always leaning over and asking their friend, “Hang on, who is that guy? I thought he was the Russian spy.” However, this is unusual in theatre. Also distracting was the exaggerated fidgeting that ran throughout the choreography. It was certainly an interesting interpretation of the sometimes awkward physicality of youth, but it went a little too far and at times just seemed odd without purpose. Despite this it was an ambitious experience with humorous elements that pushed boundaries and successfully met the challenge of melding the delivery of Japanese with English subtitles projected behind the actors. The play also authentically captured the self-absorption and fixation on the inconsequential often characteristic of apathetic youth. The translation also very effectively captured the hyper-colloquial language writer/director Okada has become known for - quite a feat by translator Aya Ogawa. Although Five Days in March has finished its current U.S run at Japan Society, do keep an eye out for upcoming works in the Beyond Borders season such as Awaji Puppet Theater Company and Hiroaki Umeda, a performance of solo dance, light, sound & video.

Tags: beyond boundaries, chelfitsch, five days in march, japan society

Theater Review: The Story Of My Life

2009-02-06T14:56:18-05:00

The Story Of My Life is a musical that follows two childhood friends as they attempt to define themselves as individuals within the context of their close bond. One wavers in his commitment to the friendship while the other struggles to hold on as his friend slips further from his grasp.

While the show represents the Broadway debut of writing team Neil Bartram and Brian Hill, it is directed expertly by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby Jr. (Ain't Misbehavin', Fosse, Ring of Fire). Will Chase and Malcolm Gets star in the only lead roles, playing ages six to thirty-five. Gets plays slightly odd and whimsical bookstore owner Alvin Kelby who remains in their home town; Chase is the career-focused best-selling author Thomas Weaver.

At times both actors veered towards an almost caricature-like interpretation that threatened to disengage the audience, sheltering and restraining a true look into the characters' private thoughts and moments. However, this was tempered with touching moments as the men attempt to demonstrate affection and closeness within the binding confines of a traditional masculine construct. The milieu of their relationship played strikingly against the production's set, and the symbolism woven through between the animate and inanimate was profound. The set's Spartan, monochromatic design was cleverly presented, counterbalancing the visual risks taken in such a simplistic setup with only two players.

When the friendship comes to a premature end, Tom struggles to come to terms with his role in its dissolution and how to handle the multi-faceted guilt he carries for having—in his estimation—sacrificed his personal relationships to achieve a sort of surface fame that Alvin, the more naturally gifted storyteller of the two, never attained. This realization shakes Tom to the core, and he becomes determined to prove that his fame is warranted, but, in the end, he finds he reconcile himself to the fact that Alvin had been his inspiration. Perhaps he had spent so much time writing their story that it was a surrogate for the real relationship

The play runs full circle, and, on the surface, neatly resolves itself. But the play leaves the audience with many unanswered questions and the stark realization that there is much in life that cannot be undone, no matter how many rewrites one attempts.

The Story Of My Life began its Broadway run on February 3 at the Booth Theatre and will open February 19.

Tags: broadway, review, show, story of my life, theater, theatre

Win a Celebration Diamond for Valentine's Day!

2009-02-06T12:51:02-05:00

The Times Square Alliance presents a new piece of public art entitled "Valentine To Times Square" during this year's Valentine's Day celebration in the historic location. In addition to the "Love In Times Square" banners that will adorn Times Square throughout February, the Alliance is holding a "Profess Your Love" competition in conjunction with Zales. Five finalists will be selected to travel to New York for the unveiling of the "Valentine To Times Square," and one lucky couple will win a 2 carat Celebration Diamond engagement ring! Find all the lovely details right here.

Tags: art, contest, diamond, engagement, love, marriage, proposal, times square, valentines day, wedding, zales

The perfect winter escape: Horseback Riding

2009-02-02T12:31:44-05:00

While the thought of being more than a few feet away from a Broadway Theater or a TV set on Superbowl Sunday would make many nervous, at NYC.com the call of the wild was just too strong. We took the Outdoor Bound Winter Horseback Ride & Wine Tasting day trip on a brisk but stunning blue sky day. We were met bright and early by Thomas, an Engineer that moonlights as a tour guide on weekends. He was friendly and approachable without that over the top enthusiasm that can make some tours a bit trying. The city fell away quickly and we were suddenly amongst snowy rolling hills and pulling up at Echo Lake Stables. Then I came face to nose with “Tico” and wondered whether I’d made an error in judgment describing myself as an intermediate rider. Our wrangler Aubrey kept a close eye on me and quickly rearranged the trail order after “Cinnabon” kept nipping “Tico” on the butt to assert his authority. Aubrey chatted through out the ride and filled us in on everything from the rigorous process the stables use to select their horses during buying trips to Mexico to how the career of a race horse is no more than 2 years! Unfortunately, there was too much snow on the ground in the forest so we weren’t able to take the horses faster than a walk. I thought this was more than fair, have you ever tried running in snow? Two hours in the saddle was enough for our untrained haunches and made me incredulous of those who ride for days on end. Next up was lunch and wine tasting at Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery. It is located in the foothills of Mt. Eve and Mt. Adam in the Hudson Valley. My companion and I shared a very tasty fresh baked gourmet pizza from Pané Café and then followed this up with wine tasting. The staff were knowledgeable and accessible about it - there was no wine snobbery on show. They have a fantastic selection of ciders, spirits and wines that use locally grown organic fruit as much as possible. The apple cider is award winning and the Bourbon Barrel Aged Apple Liqueur has a great story. It is made by blending NY state apples with their own Eau de vie de Pomme and for those of you thinking that sounds like a Donna Karan perfume, it’s actually a fruit brandy that is produced by fermentation and double distillation. Together this is aged for a year in barrels previously used to age bourbon at Jim Beam and this gives it a unique, smoky bourbon undertone. We came away with Riesling, Apple Cider, Harvest Moon white wine and Apple Liqueur and this was being extremely restrained. The prices were very reasonable and there was the added bonus of buying local products. Beautiful weather, amazing fresh air, horse riding, wine tasting AND back in time for the Superbowl – it doesn’t get better than that!

Tags: outdoor bound, winter horseback riding

Five Days In March @ Japan Society, Feb. 5-7

2009-01-29T11:30:53-05:00

Toshiki Okada's award-winning Five Days In March will play Japan Society from February 5-7 as the chelfitsch Theater Company embarks on its US national tour. The play revolves around two "Japanese hipsters" (one wonders why it isn't playing in Williamsburg) who meet at a concert and turn a one-night stand into five solid days of sex, all while the U.S. begins its invasion of Iraq. Characters pause mid-scene to narrate the details of their love affair while remaining oblivious to the larger events of the world around them. Tickets are $35 for the general public and $32 for Japan Society members. For tickets, information about becoming a member, or a calendar of upcoming events, visit Japan Society's website.

Tags: chelfitsch, five days in march, hipster, japan society, japanese, theater, toshiki okada, williamsburg

G’day USA or Play it again, Aussie!

2009-01-22T11:10:05-05:00

With some calling Baz Luhrmann’s much anticipated $130 million film epic Australia nothing more than a tourism commercial, it was surely time for the Aussies to deliver on their creative promises. At this week's stunning performance of stirring patriotism and talented diversity, the Aussies once again showed us they are much more than just deft hands at crocodile wrestling. Carnegie Hall played host to the ‘Australia Plays Broadway’ concert event, which featured a selection of Australia’s most celebrated musical talents accompanied by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The event was part of G’day USA: Australia Week, which is the largest tourism event held in the U.S by any country. The show was hosted by the talented and charming in equal parts, Simon Burke. He showed there was little he can’t master—his credits include 20 years on Play School, Australia’s answer to Sesame Street. The indigenous Australian performers easily stole the show. Namely, a haunting performance in his native tongue by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Subtitles were artistically, if somewhat illegibly, projected behind him. While twin brother Cellists Pei-Jee and Pei-Sian Ng left me profoundly aware that I have zero musical talent, such was the extraordinary mastery of their performance. The indie talent of the night was supplied by Sydney singer/song writer Lior. A superb performance of his song Bedouin Song—a nod to his Middle-Eastern heritage—had me downloading it from iTunes the moment I later walked through my front door. The headliner of the night was of course Olivia Newton-John. She spoke of fundraising efforts for her Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia. As always she was an absolute delight and her performance of I Honestly Love You was truly heartfelt and culminated in a touching wave to her husband in the audience. It was a show with a million moving parts and with more than 17 individual songs performed with all manner of instruments, it was no mean feat executing it so beautifully and professionally. The finale involved all the performers of the evening on stage including a swarm of children from the Qantas choir. It was a medley of songs from one of the greats of Australian song writing, Peter Allen. The rendition of I Still Call Australia Home would have caused even the most hardened Aussie in the audience to choke up and swear to call home more often. Once again I am left with a sneaking suspicion that with their pristine beaches, perfect weather and beautifully diverse artistic culture that the Aussies absolutely have it all.

Tags: australia plays broadway, gday usa, lior, olivia newton john, peter allen, simon burke

Manhattan Theatre Club's Winter Benefit

2009-01-13T11:47:42-05:00

The Manhattan Theatre Club, producers of The American Plan and Accent On Youth, will present their annual charity event on Monday, January 26th at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center. Winter Benefit: An Intimate Night will feature perfomances by Renee Elise Goldsberry (Rent), Cheyenne Jackson (Damn Yankees, Xanadu), and Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), and will be hosted by two-time Tony Award-winner James Naughton (Chicago, City Of Angels). The show will include dinner and a cocktail reception, which will precede the performances. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the MTC's educational outreach and artistic development programs.

For more information on the event or to buy tickets, call (212) 399-3000, ext. 4145.

Tags: accent on youth, american plan, benefit, charity event, cheyenne jackson, chicago, city of angels, gala, hairspray, james naughton, legally blonde, leslie kritzer, manhattan theatre club, rainbow room, renee elise goldsberry, rent

Australia Plays Broadway Features Olivia Newton-John and Many More!

2009-01-12T11:46:39-05:00

G’DAY USA: Australia Week 2009 proudly presents Australia Plays Broadway, a celebration of Australia’s most acclaimed musical artists on Tuesday, January 20 at Carnegie Hall. The one-night-only concert event features Grammy award-winning star of stage and screen, Olivia Newton-John and performances by star of Melbourne’s Wicked Amanda Harrison, acclaimed stage and screen performer Simon Burke (host), singer and chart sensation Lior, singer/songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, iconic rocker Jimmy Barnes, vocalist Ursula Yovich, crooner David Campbell, twin cellists Pei-Jee and Pei-Sian Ng and many more. You can buy tickets right here at NYC.com. The Australia Plays Broadway performance is part of the 6th Annual G’DAY USA: Australia Week 2009 from January 11-24, marked by events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and culminating in New York. Considered a showcase of all things Australian, the week features events highlighting trade and investment, to food and wine, film, arts, fashion, indigenous culture and tourism. Australia Plays Broadway is part of the foundation’s ongoing goal to promote Australia’s multicultural talent and celebrates these remarkable artists’ journey from Australia to the stage at Carnegie Hall. Making its U.S. debut and anchoring the orchestral element of the show is the internationally acclaimed Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Sponsored by the South Australian Government and conducted by Arvo Volmer, the grand 70-member orchestra will collaborate with the artists to bring an amazing sound to Carnegie Hall. Leading Australian producers Ross Mollison (Slava’s Snowshow, Spiegelworld) and Wayne Harrison (former director of the Sydney Theatre Company) helm this unique event as producers and directors. Australia Plays Broadway expresses the imagination and calibre of Australian culture through a collaboration of diverse elements of the arts, from cabaret to opera, and symphony to pop. With a career spanning more than four decades, Olivia Newton-John has established herself as one of the top female vocalists of all time with more than 100 million albums sold; four Grammy Awards; an Emmy Award; numerous Country Music, American Music, Billboard and People’s Choice Awards; ten #1 hits and over 15 top 10 singles. Her co-starring role with John Travolta in Grease catapulted Olivia into super-stardom. The film remains the most successful movie musical in history. Other film credits include Xanadu, Sordid Lives, It’s My Party and more. Olivia has dedicated herself to a variety of humanitarian causes. In the 90’s, she successfully overcame her own battle with breast cancer and her personal victory against cancer led her to announce the creation of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (ONJCWC) in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Simon Burke is one of the true icons of the entertainment world, having achieved critical and popular acclaim on stage, screen and beyond in both Australia and the UK. Simon's many stage credits include Marius in the original Australian cast of Les Miserables, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Whizzer in Falsettos (nominated Best Musical Performance Sydney Theatre Critics' Circle Awards) and Billy Crocker in Anything Goes for which he received the Green Room Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In London, he played Raoul in Phantom of the Opera and Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music starring with Dame Judi Dench at the Royal National Theatre. Amanda Harrison made her stage debut at 18 in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love. In 2000, she became a finalist at the inaugural Voice of Musical Theatre for BBC Radio 2, which was featured in the BBC documentary, Broadway Babies. She followed this achievement with her London West End debut in Mamma Mia! Her performance in the Australian tour of We Will Rock You won her the 2004 Helpmann Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. The following year, Amanda received both Greenroom and Helpmann Award nominations for Best Female Artist in a Lead Role for her performance in Leader Of The Pack – The Ellie Greenwich Musical. Amanda can currently be seen originating the role of Elphaba in the Melbourne production of Wicked.

Tags: amanda harrison, australia plays broadway, australia week, olivia newton john, simon burke

Melora Hardin joins cast of Chicago

2008-12-23T16:54:46-05:00

Melora Hardin, who plays a recurring role on NBC's "The Office," will be taking over the role of Roxie Hart for a limited engagement with the Broadway production of Chicago from December 29th to February 12th. While this will mark Hardin's Broadway debut, she is no stranger to singing, having previously played a seductive chanteuse in Disney's The Rocketeer and releasing two albums of her own. Hardin is best known for her work on "The Office," but she has also been featured on the hit USA series "Monk" and "Cover Me," as well as the upcoming Hannah Montana Movie with Miley Cyrus and Seventeen Again with Hairspray's Zac Efron. Tickets are currently on sale for Hardin's seven-week limited engagement.

Tags: broadway, chicago, cover me, hairspray, hannah montana, melora hardin, miley cyrus, monk, musical, roxie hart, seventeen again, the office, zac efron