November 2007 Archives
We need PLANE CRAZY now more than ever!
So I'm driving my kids to school in the morning, listening to non-stop holiday music (yes, already) on the radio when an ad for Addition Elle bras comes on. I'm paraphrasing a bit, but here's the exchange between the mother and the teenage daughter:
Daughter: Mom, if this were the sixties, would you be a feminist?
Mom: If by feminist you mean celebrating my curves and embracing my femininity, then yes.
Daughter: So you'd burn your bra?
Mom: Oh no! I'd never burn my Addition Elle!
Egads! What were they thinking? So this is what the women's movement has accomplished in the past 40 odd years? However you have to admire the unabashed tacky exploitation of feminism to sell product! That's what I love about advertising, and why the ad guys are such an "upstanding bunch" in PLANE CRAZY.
I'm just thankful they're not advertising on TV...The Venus Flytrap anyone?
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I went to opening night of the 5th Avenue Theatre's presentation of WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND which is currently on it first national tour on this side of the pond. WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Jim Steinman (lyrics). We all know who Sir Andrew is (if you don't, stop reading this blog now!), but for you youngsters out there, Jim Steinman is most well-known for his dramatic rock lyrics for Meatloaf (Bat Out of Hell, etc.), and more recently, for Celine Dion. The book was written by Patricia Knop, Gale Edwards and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was based on the original novel by Mary Haley Bell and the film produced by Richard Attenborough and directed by Bryan Forbes from the screeplay by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall. The film starred Hayley Mills. Whew!
I'd heard of this show before, but always got it mixed up with Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE! I hadn't a clue as to what it was about -- the title doesn't exactly illuminate what the show is about the way JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR or THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA do!This production is directed by Bill Kenwright and stars Eric Kunze as "Man" and 16-year old Andrea Ross as "Swallow". (I feel an Austin Powers joke coming on…) Both are absolutely amazing, and actually the whole production has top quality talent. I don't usually like kid performers (too cute) that aren't my own, but I liked all the kids which included a children's choir with local kids.
From the 5th Avenue Theatre Web site:
"Whistle Down the Wind is an uplifting musical about a young Louisiana girl who finds a mysterious stranger and hides him from the townspeople, who are determined to find the escaped felon. The US premiere production partners renowned rock lyricist Jim Steinman (Meatloaf's classic album Bat Out of Hell) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cats, Evita and Joseph...) to create a score inspired by the sounds of the American South – blues, gospel, country and rock 'n' roll. Directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, Whistle Down the Wind features award-winning songs including the Boyzone smash hit 'No Matter What.'"
Andrew Lloyd Webber has written one of my most favorite shows ever (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) and one of my least favorite shows ever (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) so I felt I was bringing a pretty even perspective to the performance.
I quite enjoyed the evening, and Sir Andrew does have a way with a melody that sticks with you. I always enjoy identifying bits of musical motifs that a writer uses in a particular show, that have been used in one of his/her previous shows. Lots of composers do this, and I’m sure I do it too, and Sir Andrew is no exception -- JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR uses lots from JOSEPH, and I heard a fair number of tidbits from JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND.I'm intrigued by the story and now want to read the original book. The original novel didn't take place in America -- that was done when they wrote the musical. I just wonder why they didn't change the title as well…
Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square
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Heaven, I'm in Heaven…I saw the most wonderful cabaret performer at the downstairs cabaret space at ACT in Seattle -- Andrea Marcovicci, the self-proclaimed "chatty chanteuse". Hard to believe, but this was the first (and so far only time) that this particular space had been used for a cabaret. I reserved a private table right next to the small stage, which held a piano, a bass, flowers, a framed photo of Fred Astaire and a microphone. The show hadn't even started and it felt like a wildly civilized way to spend a Saturday night!
Andrea Marcovicci has had a long career as a cabaret singer, and is well known for her shows at The Algonquin in New York. She devoted this particular show, "Andrea Sings Astaire" to the songs first introduced to the American public by her absolutely favorite singer, Fred Astaire. Now I remember missing days and days of school to stay home (feigning illness) to watch the Fred and Ginger movies that were always on PBS. And in addition to the amazing dancing, I do remember loving the way he sang these incredible songs, like "Night and Day", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", and "The Continental", "Cheek To Cheek", now standards in the "American Popular Song Book." He sang them like her really meant it, like he really meant what the song was saying. Songs from his movies -- Flying Down To Rio, The Gay Divorcee, and Top Hat -- to name just a few.
Andrea Marcovici is a mesmerizing performer -- the way she sings the songs luxuriously, meaning each and every word, and the way she weaves stories and anecdotes. She was very nostalgic for those golden years, a classier time, a more elegant time. Her parents were avid ballroom dancers (her dad was the one who taught Arthur Murray to reverse direction) and were always going out in top hat and tails and lovely long gowns. Her father was known as "the waltzing doctor". That was the age of Fred and Ginger. Sigh.
At the end of the show, the piano player came up to me and said I must really know all the songs, since he could see me mouthing all the words. Oops. My Bad!
It was just a glorious evening. We got signed CDs after the show and decided to bring our two girls back the following week. They loved the show and of course were the only kids in the audience. Andrea made a wonderful fuss over them, which added to their enjoyment!
She is currently playing in The Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel (how classy is that!) through January 12 and has a new CD out -- Andrea Marcovicci Sings Rodgers and Hart. She has an awesome website (marcovicci.com) with cool pics of her parents too!
Go and see her now!
Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square
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Don't kid yourself, generation X (or Y, or Z, I've lost track) -- you got nothin' on us '70s survivors! I mean, I love Mel B and I think she is a terrific dancer with a terrifically charming accent (anyone who can make Max smile has gotta be nice), but please, Spice Girls fans, sit down before you hurt yourselves.
Marie Osmond has got chops! She used to skate on ice -- down ramps -- while singing harmony for heaven's sake! How can you compete with that? More importantly, how can you fight the voting force that is the extended Osmond family and all the Donny and Marie fans (myself included, as if you didn't already know) out there? Snaps to Donny for being in the audience every show!
Today's fans just don't have sticking power like we do. Look what happened to the incredibly talented and cheetalicious Sabrina Bryan (how did she get sent home and not Cameron?). I'm afraid her fans had school the next day and couldn't stay up to vote for her. Waahh!
This is one of my all time favorite shows. Tom Bergeron the best EVAR live show host, Samantha Harris has amazing hair and dresses (I never looked like that after I gave birth!) and it is so much fun to watch celebs dance off weight. Forget Jenny Craig -- Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertenelli should run, not walk to ABC and sign up for Dancing with the Stars!
The only time it got really sad, was when Sabrina Bryan got the hook, prematurely. But usually it's all for good fun and healthy competition. And she did pick up a boyfriend (her dancing partner Mark Ballas).
And this season has had its share of real drama -- fainting, food poisoning, deaths -- and the contestants just keep on dancing. Wow.
The winner's prize is only a mirror ball trophy. But everyone wins because they all get great PR, a chance to relaunch their careers, and they learn to dance. My favorite judge is Bruno -- I love it when he gives a 10 and pumps his arm in the air! My two favorite profesh dancers are the Huff sis and bro team, Julianne and Derek. I could watch those two dance all night long! Jenny Garth, Mel B, and of course Marie Osmond have been my favs this time around. Unfortunately, Jenny went home last week and didn't make it into the finals. I thought she was way better than the race car drivier Helio, but hey, that's show biz kids.
Marie and Jonathan were the first couple to be saved for the finals! I'm so excited to see them dance in the finals. Now that's entertainment!
Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square
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Seattle Lights Up with a Downer!This is my first installment in a new feature on Blogway Baby I like to call "Snaps and Slaps" (it's like "kudos and criticisms").
SNAPS to all the sponsors of the Westlake Center Tree Lighting Celebration for having this wonderful holiday tree lighting ceremony on the day after Thanksgiving, complete with fireworks, Northwest Christmas music (including the group "Magical Strings"!), an "environmentally sustainable" Christmas tree grown on Mt. St. Helens, and gloriously cold, (but not bitterly cold), clear weather! The tree stands right outside of Macy's and the Starbucks pavilion and the Westlake Center in downtown Seattle. There was crowd of people so it was very festive, but it never got too crazy. That's what I love about Seattle -- it's big enough to have cool stuff, but not so big that everything is a huge hassle. It was a great way to start the holiday season and get a leg up on Christmas shopping.
SLAPS to the Mayor of Seattle
(Greg Nickels) who chose the most inappropriate time to give a lecture
on global warming. He invoked the peril that Santa and his reindeers
are in due to the melting of the polar ice caps. To paraphrase Mayor
McGrinch, "we know that reindeer can fly, but can they tread water?".Good grief Charlie Brown! All the young kids in the crowd started freaking out and crying simultaneously! What was he thinking? Whether or not you "believe" in global warming, that wasn't the time nor the place to start lecturing on it. Especially when you then looked around at all the energy being spent on the pretty lights! Either light up and enjoy it, or shut up! P.S. Is it just me, or does Greg Nickels look like Fred Willard?
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My oldest daughter is involved with a great theatre group at The Village Theatre in Issaquah (not as far away as it sounds, and home of the awesome XXX Root Beer diner and Boem's chocolates; well worth the drive!). As a result I went to see a really fun show, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, that played at the Village Theatre from September 19 through October 28 at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre (that's what the mainstage is called).MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET has a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, with musical arrangement (of classic rock and roll songs) by Chuck Mead.
The synopsis from the program:
"This incredible musical, inspired by an actual event, will take you back to the place where rock-n-roll was born! On December 4, 1956 at Sun Studios in Memphis, a twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together for one night of music that made history. These four legends-to-be and the "Father of Rock-n-Roll", Sam Phillips, who discovered them all, united for an impromptu recording session that would be one for the ages. The musicians played, talked, played, joked, played, argued and played all night -- and were quickly christened the "Million Dollar Quartet". Part jam session, part bull session, and chock full of rock-n-roll classics from the 50s, this unforgettable new musical will have you dancing in the aisles."In addition to those five men mentioned, Elvis's girlfriend, "Dyanne" appears, as does Jay Perkins (Carl's brother) playing the bass and "the Drummer" (poor drummers, they don't even merit a name! Quick question: What do you call a drummer who's broken up with his girlfriend? Answer: Homeless...)
What made this show fun was the music and the musicianship. Great songs played and sung really well -- hard to beat for a fun night. The characterizations were done (not overdone) nicely too. My favorite was Rob Lyons at Carl Perkins, probably the least well known of the Million Dollar Quartet. I've seen only a couple of 1990s country videos in which Carl Perkins performed, and Rob Lyons totally captured him. Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis was crazy fantastic on the piano, playing hits such as "Great Balls of Fire". Johnny Cash was played by Lance Guest, Elvis was played by Dane Stokinger, Sam Phillips by Matt Wolfe, and Dyanne by Jessica Skerritt. What a great ensemble!
The only negative of the evening was reported by my husband (after he took out his ear plugs) who sat on the other side of the theatre (we got last minute tickets) where the sound appeared to be amplified to an uncomfortable level. On my side of the theatre the sound was great. Go figure. This is the only show I've seen at the Village theatre so I don't know if it was a one time thing, or a chronic sound issue.
I wouldn't have predicted having such a good time, but I was standing and clapping by the end of it.
Those kids and their rock-n-roll!
Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square
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Before CATS and Eight is Enough!I have to admit it, my first exposure to Betty Buckley was not on the Broadway stage, but during my TV viewing of her as "Abby" in Eight is Enough (along with Dick Van Patten as Tom Bradford). I loved that show, and I remember what a tough job she had trying to fit in with that family. It wasn't until much later that I realized that the amazing voice singing "Memories" was in fact, "Abby" from Eight is Enough! Speaking of Eight is Enough, did you know that Mark Hamill played the older son, David Bradford in the show's pilot? He was replaced by Grant Goodeve for the remainder of the show. I guess the tv force wasn't with him…but I digress…
This CD was recorded in 1967 when Betty Lynn Buckley was 19.
From the liner notes:
"I remember the time frame. I remember I was a junior in college. It was the end of my year as Miss Fort Worth. I was a cheerleader at TCU, I sang in the local jazz club, Casa Del Sol with the musicians present on the album. I was doing my first paid gigs. I thought my voice sounded too pure. I would go yell at the football games and make my voice as hoarse and husky as possible so that I'd sound older and sexy on my late night club gigs."
"We made this recording as an archive and because my mom felt we needed it. We went to T Bone Burnett. His was the only recording studio in town. His mom, Hazel Vernon and my mom were friends. Fortunately I didn't have a husky voice that day and T Bone, as I recall, told me to trust my light voice. It is remarkable how deftly he engineered this recording. The dynamic spread of my voice wasn't even an issue. Also I marvel at the fact that we, the trio of musicians and I just walked in and recorded this straight down without a problem, without second takes and overdubs."
I really love this CD. Betty sounds so joyful and full of life. And it is so nice to hear someone singing a song, not over singing it. I love the clean, jazzy accompaniments, not over produced at all (since it was sort of like a demo). My favorite tracks are "One Boy", "Call Me", "C'est Magnifique" and "Who Can I Turn To", although all the tracks are glorious.
And according to an article in Playbill (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112216.html) the CD made it onto the Billboard charts!
Only one criticism -- Playbilll records didn't bother to properly label the tracks, so when you import it into iTunes, they come up as Track1, Track 2, Track 3, etc. instead of the song titles. Jeebus guys -- the Web is 13 years old now...
Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square
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I'm very excited about the upcoming release of the movie musical HAIRSPRAY! Not only did my good friend Elain Overholt do the vocal coaching on this one, but I’m going to see the premiere of the movie at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. As you know, the 5thAvenue Theatre was where HAIRSPRAY had its pre-Broadway tryout.
I got this email from Andie at Filmstripper:
Just thought you'd like to know that AOL Music is streaming the WHOLE SOUNDTRACK for Hairspray!!!
Here's the link:
http://music.aol.com/songs/new_releases_full_cds?defaultTab=2
Can't wait for this to come out!
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[tos] toscast!One of my favorite shows, [title of show], is back (on YouTube, that is).
The original cast of [tos} is doing "the title of show show" on YouTube. Actually, my oldest daughter put me on to this hilarious evolution of the off-Broadway show.
Those crazy kids Hunter, Jeff, Susan and Heidi (currently in THE LITTLE MERMAID) are back, riffing on Broadway and other funny stuff and hinting at where their show might or might not go next. The last one I saw was hilarious. They were trying to figure out what kind of stuff they should do on the show, and Hunter kept doing parodies of stuff. His "Miss Teen South Carolina answers a question" was really hi-larious, as was his version of "Leave Britney Alone!".
Check it out now!
Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square
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I might be a little nervous going to Chicago if I were Pigling Bland (mmmm pork bellies!) but that's not stopping the July 2008 production of THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND, book and lyrics by Suzy Conn (that's me!) and music by Mitchell Kitz. This will be the first post-Fringe production of our Beatrix Potter-based family musical.Theatre Building Chicago is celebrating its 30th season as an incubator for emerging theatre companies, the touchstone for exciting new works, and the birthplace of great new musicals."
As part of their 30th season, TBC is presenting "Musicals For Kids" -- three shows targeted at young kids. -- THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH, FREDDIE THE FLAT-FACED SCHOOL BUS and THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND.
From the TBC Web site:
Adapted from Beatrix Potter’s classic story, THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND follows the adventures of a sensible young pig, who is forced to leave home and find his way in the world. Full of delightful animal characters, the musical emphasizes themes of friendship and cooperation.
(Of course, it also empahsizes lots of pig jokes!)
THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND will be playing 12 performances:
July 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 2008
Wed. and Thurs. at 9:30a.m. and 11a.m.
Here's the ticket info:Individual Tickets:
$8/per child/$10 per adult
Special Group Pricing: $6.50 per person
(Groups of 10 or more)
Box Office: 773-327-5252
Group Sales: 773-929-7367 x230
Fax: 773-327-1404
www.theatrebuildingchicago.org
Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL 60657-3205
312-902-1500
www.ticketmaster.com
Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square
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Trinity is having so much fun, and doing an amazing job! Shout out to Trinity Conn (Jane Popper), Derek Frank (Mr. Popper), Madeleine Hale (Mrs. Popper) and Ethan Rouillard (Bill Popper) and the rest of the cast! The cast ranges in age from six to sixteen, so the green room is a happening place!
MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS is based on a very popular children's book about a family (in the Depression era) who “inherit” two Arctic penguins – and bring them to live in their American Midwest home. The two penguins are male and female, of course, and before you know it there is a troupe of penguins in the Popper homestead, threatening to eat them out of house and home. Hilarity ensues!
This is such an engaging show. The kids are great, the show is well written, and children (and kids-at-heart) seem to be utterly charmed by the production. Tickets are best in advance, but there are usually seats available at the door if you’re not sure until the last minute.
RATED G: Suitable for all ages. Not recommended if you have a problem with cute little 6 and 7 year olds dressed up like penguins and sliding down a slide.
Tickets: Call 206-232-4145 x109 for tickets. Tickets are $13 each. MR POPPER'S PENGUINS is running for five more shows, so don't miss your chance to see it:
Thursday Nov 15 at 10am ($7 tickets)
Friday Nov 16 at 7pm
Saturday Nov 17 at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday Nov 18 at 2pm.
For more information go to http://youththeatre.org
Ork! Ork!
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Okay, so I did one post in October and that was it. October was a busy month, what with Halloween and not celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving and all… it's amazing I got anything done.
I was amiss, however, in not writing about the Seattle pre-Broadway production of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN that I saw in August at the Paramount Theater. This production starred the Broadway cast - Roger Bart as Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced…ah well, you know!), Megan Mullally as Elizabeth, Sutton Foster as Inga (the token Scandinavian), Andrea Martin as Frau Blucher, Shuler Hensley as The Monster and Christopher Fitzgerald as Igor. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN has a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks, music arrangements by Glen Kelly and choreography and direction by Susan Stroman - in other words, the same gang who brought us THE PRODUCERS.
I was reading the rather harsh Ben Brantley/New York Times review on line -- "Who Put the Trance in Transylvania" and felt that I needed to set the record straight. Pretty much, he said it wasn't as good, wasn't as funny, and wasn't as tuneful as THE PRODUCERS. Oh, and Roger Bart was overwhelmed (which is just not true!).
I came to see YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN in a very different way than I saw THE PRODUCERS. When I first heard that Mel Brooks was doing a musical, I was skeptical to say the least and had very low expectations. But my husband bought the Broadway cast recording and we listened to it over and over hundred of times, and I fell in love with the music and lyrics (and the performances!). Then we bought the "Making of the Broadway Cast Recording" DVD and fell in love with everyone on it. We had heard the CD so many times we could actually fill in the story. So naturally when we actually saw the show on stage, we loved it, and found all the songs hummable! Needless to say THE PRODUCERS was a phenomenon.
So naturally, I came to see YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN with very high expectations, and without ever having heard the sountrack (I had seen the movie a number of times). I was totally excited, especially to see so many of my favorite performers (Roger Bart and Megan Mullally!!) live on stage. I can honestly say I laughed all the way through it, non stop (more than with THE PRODUCERS), so I don't know why Ben said he only laughed 3 times! It is definitely a sillier show (wow, who knew there was anything sillier than dancing Nazis!), but I think that's because of the source material. I liked the songs a lot and I thought the production numbers were terrific, especially Puttin' On The Ritz. And Megan Mullally's rendition of Deep Love is frikking hilarious. The only thought I had was, as with THE PRODUCERS, the big number from the movies (Springtime for Hitler in THE PRODUCERS, and Puttin on the Ritz in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN) tends to be the most outstanding song in the live shows. However, Mel wrote Springtime for Hitler, but he didn't write Puttin on The Ritz, Irving Berlin did. It's a gutsy move for anyone to put your material up against a song by Irving Berlin. As for Roger Bart, don't believe a word Ben Brantley says. Roger is perfect as the young Dr. Frankenstein. The whole cast is spot on. My only worry with the Broadway show is Brantley's comment that it was too loud (it wasn't in Seattle). Hopefully they will adjust that. I'm sure that YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN will win over audiences just like THE PRODUCERS did. And being one of only eight shows playing on Broadway right now due to the IATSE strike couldn't hurt!
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SEE A SHOW ON BROADWAY
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Blogger bio
My name is Suzy Conn and I am a musical theatre composer, lyricist, and librettist. I make may home in Seattle (actually, Mercer Island to be specific) and I am a graduate of the Theatre Building Chicago, Musical Theatre Writers' Workshop.
I am in the writing and workshop process with a number of different musicals, including:
PLANE CRAZY: A Broadway-style musical about feminism set against the backdrop of glamour and innocent sex appeal of the swinging '60s Jet Age, where women learn to "Pilot Your Own Destiny™" (productions in New York, Toronto, Oklahoma City).
Beatrix Potter's THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND (with Mitchell Kitz): A 45-minute children's musical based on the classic Beatrix Potter story (productions in Chicago and Toronto).
THE MERCER GIRLS (for The 5th Avenue Theatre's AMT program)
DAISY THE FIRECOW and LARRY GETS LOST IN SEATTLE (part of Northwest Bookshelf 2 for The 5th Avenue Theatre's AMT program)
FRANKENBOOGER (with Mitchell Kitz): The new tween musical that tells the cautionary tale of nose picking gone terribly, terribly wrong. Our heroine learns to "Pick Your Friends, Not Your Nose™".
Prior to focusing exclusively on musical theatre, I spent 10 years writing in Toronto and Nashville where I co-wrote or wrote hundreds of country and pop songs and commercial jingles. As a result, I have numerous U.S., international, and Canadian cuts, and several of my songs hit #1 on the international country charts. I have also won a number of songwriting awards, including the prestigious SOCAN Advanced Writer's Workshop Award.
I am a proud member of the Association of Canadian Librettists, Composers, and Lyricists (ACLCL), SOCAN, ACTRA, Toronto Musician's Association (Local 149, A.F. of M.), Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Songwriters Guild of America (SGA), Dramatist's Guild of America, and the Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC).
Thanks for listening!
Suzy's Favorite Sites
Maximum Broadway Radio
This is a FANTASTIC Broadway site that broadcasts Live 365.com Internet Radio with 24/7 showtunes! It's a BROADWAY RADIO STATION! I've got it running on my laptop now, and forever. Also includes links to a library of songs, theaters across America and a News section, which includes yours truly...
Internet Broadway Database
IBDB provides a comprehensive database of shows produced on Broadway, including all "title page" information about each production. IBDB also offers historical information about theatres and various statistics and fun facts related to Broadway.
42nd Street Moon Blog
A GREAT musical theater blog, with a Blogway Baby-style fanatical devotion to Broadway. It's published by a theater company focused on "Classic Broadway in Concert", based in San Francisco. I wish I'd known about these guys when I lived in Palo Alto!
Mermaniac
Mermanic, "A Show Tunes Weblog", has an excellent blogroll which has been divided into the signs of the zodiac...Blogway Baby is under the sign of Cancer.
Jorge's Place
This seems like the ultimate Broadway fan site. Nicely designed too!
Yahoo! Entertainment
A fantastic movie musical link database: All the big stars are in here.
Playbill.com
The classic, the original, the only. Playbill: Following theater since there was theater...
Talkin' Broadway
Nice gossip site on Broadway. Interface is weird and difficult to use, but solid content.
Backstage Magazine
The actor's resource to upcoming audtions and casting sessions across the US of A.
Variety Magazine
The grandpappy of theater...check out the "Legit" section.
Broadway.com
The definitive resource on Broadway. Get your tickets, your hotels, and your Broadway plans at Broadway.com
Myrna's Page
My daughter's home page. Isn't she cute?
BoingBoing
The world's greatest blog, EVAR.
Broadwayworld.com
A great resource for Broadway and Off-Broadway reviews.
New York Musical Theatre Festival
The one, the only, New York Musical Theatre Festival: The world's premier musical theater event.
Northern River Arts and Entertainment
A great and comprehensive archive of Canadian musical theater history.
Musical Theater Giants
Richard Adler (b. 1923) Lyricist Richard Adler is best recalled as part of the team of composer Jerold Ross and Adler. Best known for The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. Adler was unable to reproduce these successes after the death of Ross in 1955.Lionel Bart (b. 1930 / d. 1999) Composer/Lyricist Lionel Bart parlayed a massively successful '50s pop-song writing career into musical theater. He succeeded with Oliver! and Blitz!, and was personally and financially ruined by the flop Twang!.
Irving Berlin (b. 1888 / d. 1989)
Leslie Bricusse (b. 1931)
Cy Coleman (b. 1929 / d. 2004)
Betty Comden
Fred Ebb (b. 1933 / d. 2004)
Adolph Green (b. 1914 / d. 2002)
Jerry Herman (b. 1933)
John Kander (b. 1927)
Alan Jay Lerner (b. 1918 / d. 1986)
Frank Loesser (b. 1910 / d. 1969)
Frederick Loewe (b. 1901 / d. 1988)
Anthony Newley (b. 1931 / d. 1999)
Cole Porter (b. 1891 / d. 1964)
Gerry Ross (b. 1926 / d. 1955)
Arthur Schwartz (b. 1900 / d. 1984)
Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948)
Stephen Sondheim (b. 1930)
Charles Strouse (b. 1928)
Association Sites
Association of Canadian Librettists, Composers, and Lyricists (ACLCL)
Toronto Musician's Association (Local 149, A.F. of M.)
Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)
Songwriters Guild of America (SGA)
From Hollywood to Broadway
They say it's the hot trend in musicals today -- adapting a popular movie to the stage -- but while The Producers (2001), adapted from The Producers (1968) and Hairspray (2002), adapted from Hairspray (1988) grab all the attention, the trend has actually been around for a while. Here's a sampling of a list that seems to grow every day.
David Merrick, the legendary impressario, actually loved to adapt film material and he became famous with some of these productions:
42nd Street (1933) became 42nd Street (1980)
Marcel Pagnol's Marseilles Trilogy (1929) became Fanny: A New Musical (1954)
The Apartment (1960) became Promises, Promises (1968)
Some Like It Hot (1959) became Sugar (1972)
Destry Rides Again (1939) became Destry Rides Again (1959)
State Fair (1945) became State Fair (1996)
And here's a bunch more non-Merrick examples:
Mary Poppins (1964) became Mary Poppins (2004)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) became Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2002)
Meet Me In St. Louis (1945) became Meet Me In St. Louis (1989)
Singin' in the Rain (1952) became Singin' In The Rain (1996)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) became Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (1985)
The Wizard of Oz (1939) became The Wizard of Oz (1988)
High Society (1956) became High Society (1998)
Swing Time (1936) became Never Gonna Dance (2003)
Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) became Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) (though little of the original score was used)
Beauty and the Beast (1991, Animated) became Beauty and the Beast (1994)
The Lion King (1994, Animated) became The Lion King (1997)
All About Eve (1950) became Applause (1970)
Woman of the Year (1942) became Woman Of The Year (1981)
Nights of Cabiria (1957) became Sweet Charity: A New Musical Comedy (1966)
Smiles Of A Summer Night (1957) became A Little Night Music (1973)
Sunset Boulevard (1950) became Sunset Boulevard (1994)
It (1927) became The It Girl (2001)
8 1/2 (1963) became Nine (1982)
Sweet Smell of Success (1957) became Sweet Smell of Success (2002)
The Captain's Paradise (1953) became Oh Captain (1958)
The Night of the Hunter (1955) became The Night Of The Hunter (1998 Concept Cast) (also a literary source but best known as a film)
Billy Elliot (2000) became Billy Elliot: The Musical on the West End (2005)
And continuing into the future, stay tuned for White Christmas, based on the 1954 movie of the same name.
Reader favorite posts
Here are some of Blogway Baby's favorite posts, as voted by Blogway Baby readers:
+ The Lyrics to Sarah Jessica Parker's GAP Ad, "I Enjoy Being A Girl"
+ Rosie O'Donnell's Haiku Blog
Nudie Musical Themes
+ More Nudie Musical Goodness
+ I Always Wondered About That Title
+ Playboy: The Musical
+ G-Spot: Canadian Sex in the City based in L.A.
+ The Pajama-less Game
+ It's Naked Week at Blogway Baby!
+ Bring Back Oh! Calcutta!
The "Ultimate Entertainment Niche" Series
+ Part II
+ Part I
The SF :: Broadway Connection
+ Part IV: Reader Contributions
+ Part III: How Could I Have Missed This One?
+ Part II
+ The SF :: Broadway Connection
+ SF / Musical Theater Mash-up
+ A Long Time Ago, In A Theater Far, Far Away
Flops I Missed
+ Part II: Nick & Nora
+ Part I: Carrie
The "Great Tortured Stephen Sondheim" Series
+ "Songs I Wish I'd Never Written"
+ Wall-to-wall Stephen Sondheim
+ Part III
+ Part II
+ Part I
Top Ten Movie Musicals
10: An American in Paris / Gigi because France in the '50s is simply irresistible;
9: There's No Business Like Show Business because of Ethel Merman...'nuff said?;
8: West Side Story, because even though they dubbed Natalie Wood they retained the energy of the original staging;
7: Guys and Dolls, and not everyone likes this one because of Brando's singing, but I just love the sets, the times, and Frank is simply perfect;
6: Flying Down to Rio / Gay Divorcee / Roberta / Top Hat / Follow the Fleet and Swing Time / Shall We Dance / Carefree / The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle / The Barkleys of Broadway because this list wouldn't be complete without Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who kept me company afternoons that I used to skip out of school to watch these musicals on TV;
5: Oliver! because it had a huge impact on me as a child: It was the first time that I'd seen someone get killed in a musical. And each time I see it, I still think there's a chance she'll get away;
4: Funny Girl because of two words: Barbra Streisand;
3: Jesus Christ Superstar because of Norman Jewison's incredibly inventive filmography, the energy, the '70s...the closest thing I've ever had to a religious experience;
2: It's a tie between White Christmas because of "Sisters": One of the most important songs in my life and Holiday Inn because despite the cringe-worthy blackface routines and racist stereotyping, it has one of the best dance numbers ever with Fred Astaire and a pocketful of firecrackers;
...and most importantly...
1: Singin' in the Rain because of Donald O'Connor's "Make 'em Laugh" (even though it was blatantly ripped off of Cole Porter's "Be A Clown") and "Good Morning", our daily refrain in the Conn household.
