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It's Transylvania Mania!

 

How would you like a chance to win a YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN poster, signed by Mel Brooks, or a YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN t-shirt, or even a YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN hat?

 

You've come to the right place! The folks over at Mammoth Advertising and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN have decided to offer up some choice swag (2 signed posters, 2 tees, and 2 hats) to Blogway Baby to give away to a select group of lucky loyal readers. All you have to do is comment on this post and you are entered into the contest! If you are selected you will be notified by e-mail.

 

This monster of a giveaway closes February 29 (ooh -- scary Leap Year), 2008 at midnight.

 

Here's the 411 on the show (as if you didn't already know) from the press release:

Robert F.X. Sillerman and Mel Brooks present The New Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, a new musical comedy from the creative team of the 12-time Tony Award winning smash THE PRODUCERS, opening on Broadway November 8th 2007 at the Hilton Theatre (213 W 42nd St).

The production stars Roger Bart (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), Megan Mullally (Elizabeth), Sutton Foster (Inga), Shuler Hensley (The Monster), Andrea Martin (Frau Blucher), Fred Applegate (Inspector Kemp/Hermit), and Christopher Fitzgerald (Igor).

The company of 27 also includes: Heather Ayers, Jim Borstelmann, Paul Castree, Jennifer Lee Crowl, Jack Doyle, James Gray, Amy Heggins, Eric Jackson, Kristin Marie Johnson, Renee Feder, Matthew LaBanca, Kevin Ligon, Barrett Martin, Linda Mugleston, Christina Marie Norrup, Justin Patterson, Brian Shepard, Sarrah Strimel, Craig Waletzko, and Courtney Young.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN features a book by three-time Tony Award winner Mel Brooks and three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. Young Frankenstein is directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. Musical supervision is by Glen Kelly.

The YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN cast boasts four Tony Award winners in Bart, Foster, Hensley and Martin.  Cumulatively, the production's creative team and cast have garnered a staggering 28 Tony Awards and 55 Tony Award nominations.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN played its pre-Broadway engagement at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre August 7th to September 1st.

Tickets for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN are available at Ticketmaster.com or at (212)307-4100. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN will play Tuesday evenings at 7pm and Wednesday to Saturday evenings at 8pm, with matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm.

Based on the Oscar-nominated smash hit 1974 film, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is the wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Mary Shelley classic from the comic genius of Mel Brooks. When Frederick Frankenstein, an esteemed New York brain surgeon and professor, inherits a castle and laboratory in Transylvania from his grandfather, deranged genius Victor Von Frankenstein, he faces a dilemma.  Does he continue to run from his family's tortured past or does he stay in Transylvania to carry on his grandfather's mad experiments reanimating the dead and, in the process, fall in love with his sexy lab assistant Inga?

Unfolding in the forbidding Castle Frankenstein and the foggy moors of Transylvania Heights, the show's raucous score includes "The Transylvania Mania", "He Vas My Boyfriend" and the unforgettable treatment of Irving Berlin's "Puttin' On the Ritz".

Released in 1974 to unanimous critical acclaim, the film received two Academy Award nominations, including one for Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder's script, also nominated for a Writer's Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Young Frankenstein was also the recipient of the two highest honors accorded films of science fiction: Winning The Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and The Nebula Award, given by The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, for Best Dramatic Writing. Since its release, the film has become part of the national consciousness: in 2000, it was selected as #13 on AFI’s 100 Funniest American Movies of All Time and in 2003, Young Frankenstein was chosen for preservation in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.

The production team includes three Tony Award-winning designers of THE PRODUCERS: Three-time Tony Award-winning set designer Robin Wagner, five-time Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Peter Kaczorowski. Jonathan Deans is the sound designer. Two other Producers alumni complete the music department: Tony-award-winning orchestrator Doug Besterman and musical director Patrick Brady.

Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square

Another new feature here at Blogway Baby: YAG.

That's right -- we'll be going back into the Blogway Baby archives and re-posting articles from the past. You'll see YAG, 2YAG, and 3YAG posts on a regular basis.

Back to the future, baby!

The League of American Theatres and Producers and Union One, the stagehand union) have reached a tentative agreement (no details have been made public, but I believe somebody has to give up their firstborn…).

Although the deal is not completely ratified yet, the stagehands have gone back to work, which means Broadway is open for business! Yeah, we finally have someone to draw the curtains!
 
To celebrate this momentous occasion, a free concert starring a myriad of Broadway stars was held at The Marquis Theatre at noon on Friday, November 30.
 
From this article in Playbill:

"A hush fell on the capacity crowd, who were all admitted free-of-charge, as the lights dimmed for the beginning of the celebratory event, which was simply titled Broadway's Back!

From the darkness came the familiar Drowsy Chaperone line, "I hate the theatre." Drowsy's Man in Chair (who, of course, loves the theatre) spiced his opening monologue with references to the strike, noting that Sophocles never had to worry about load-in costs, that he'd rather have been in the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for the new Tom Stoppard play (Rock 'n' Roll) than home watching "Heroes" and that the 19 days without Broadway were the "worst three weeks of my life." He concluded by announcing — to wild applause — "Broadway's long, dark night is over!" The lights came up to reveal Bob Martin, one of the Tony-winning creators of Drowsy Chaperone's creators and its original Man in Chair.

Martin went to his onstage refrigerator to see what he could offer the audience to drink, but it wouldn't open, so he called for help, which arrived from the wings — two stagehands (more applause). They were able to open the uncooperative appliance, which revealed two-time Tony winner Bernadette Peters inside.

Peters sat Martin back in his chair as she belted out "There's No Business Like Show Business" from Annie Get Your Gun (Peters performed that show on the Marquis stage a few years back). The fridge opened again, and (almost) all of Broadway poured forth, including cast members from A Chorus Line, Rock 'n' Roll, Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Chicago, Jersey Boys, Hairspray, The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, Rent, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mamma Mia!, The Seafarer, Xanadu, Grease, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Les Misérables, Legally Blonde and Wicked.

Cheyenne Jackson, Jonathan Groff, Max von Essen, Laura Bell Bundy and eventually the whole ensemble joined Peters in the Irving Berlin show-biz standard as a giant "Broadway's Back!" sign was displayed.

Man in Chair then took a few moments to chat with the folks filling his apartment. He spoke with the Jersey Boys about their first show back with a new Frankie Valli (Michael Longoria) and with Seth Fisher of Rock 'n' Roll about this season's plethora of plays. Martin was then interrupted by a knock at the door.

In walked Bob Saget, Drowsy's current Man in Chair, who said he'd heard music the other night, liked it and wondered if he could borrow the recording. "You can't just come over to someone's apartment and ask to borrow their Gypsy without specifying which one," Martin said. He finally ushered Saget out the door with a Linda Lavin bootleg, turned around and was interrupted by another knock ("David Hyde Pierce, David Hyde Pierce," fingers crossed).

The knock, however, came from none other than four-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury, who'd come to sing Mame's "We Need a Little Christmas" to give Broadway's holiday season a boost. Lansbury, in wonderful voice, began the classic tune and was then joined by Kerry Butler, Stephanie J. Block, Lea Michele and the whole ensemble, finishing with "Broadway's back in business now" as confetti fell through the entire theatre."

Boy, I miss New York.

Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square

 

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!

 

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...

[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

It's alive!

I'm so excited cuz I'm going to be in Seattle in August so I can see the pre-Broadway tryout for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN! Lots of my fav actors are in it - Roger Bart, Megan Mullally, Andrea Martin, Christopher Fitzgerald, Sutton Foster - I can't wait!

From this article in Playbill:

"Casting is complete for Mel Brooks' new Broadway-bound musical,Young Frankenstein, which will come alive in Seattle in August prior to a fall Broadway bow.

The production stars Roger Bart (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), Megan Mullally (Elizabeth), Sutton Foster (Inga), Shuler Hensley (The Monster), Andrea Martin (Frau Blucher), Fred Applegate (Kemp) and Christopher Fitzgerald (Igor), with an ensemble to include Heather Ayers, Jim Borstelmann, Paul Castree, Jen Lee Crowl, Jack Doyle, James Gray, Amy Heggins, Eric Jackson, Kristin Marie Johnson, Renee Feder, Matthew LaBanca, Kevin Ligon, Barrett Martin, Linda Mugleston, Christina Marie Norrup, Justin Patterson, Brian Shepard, Sarrah Strimel, Craig Waletzko and Courtney Young.

The musical based on Brooks' Academy Award-nominated film comedy has book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Brooks, direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.

Musical supervision is by Glen Kelly, who helped make Brooks' words and music in The Producers soar to Tony-winning effect.

Opening at Broadway's Hilton Theatre will be Nov. 8 following previews that start Oct. 11.

The world premiere engagement runs Aug. 7-Sept. 1 at Seattle's Paramount Theatre.

Robert F.X. Sillerman and Mel Brooks present new musical from the creative team of the 12-time Tony Award winning smash The Producers. They are obviously hoping lightning strikes twice.

According to the producers, "Based on the Oscar-nominated smash hit 1974 film, Young Frankenstein is the wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Mary Shelley classic from the comic genius of Mel Brooks. When Frederick Frankenstein, an esteemed New York brain surgeon and professor, inherits a castle and laboratory in Transylvania from his grandfather, deranged genius Victor Von Frankenstein, he faces a dilemma. Does he continue to run from his family's tortured past or does he stay in Transylvania to carry on his grandfather's mad experiments reanimating the dead and, in the process, fall in love with his sexy lab assistant Inga?"

The show is set "in the forbidding Castle Frankenstein and the foggy moors of Transylvania Heights." The song titles include "The Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and the unforgettable treatment of Irving Berlin's "Puttin' On the Ritz."

Tickets for Broadway will go on sale July 15. For information, visit http://www.YoungFrankensteinTheMusical.com.

I'm so glad Jay Johnson's Tony-nominated show, JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY! is on tour (perhaps a Canadian date might be in the cards?) I still think about that show (see my previous posts here and here), and now at least I have a chance to take my kids to see it. What's also really cool is that the original "Bob" from Soap is now in the Smithsonian Institute along with Charlie McCarthy, Jerry Mahoney, and Kermit the Frog!

According to this article from Playbill:

Jay Johnson, whose solo show Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! was nominated for a 2007 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event, hopes to eventually bring his acclaimed production back to New York.

The show, which celebrates the art of ventriloquism, will kick off a national tour in Ithaca, NY, in October. "We're going to start in the fall, start small, work up," Johnson told Playbill.com at the annual Tony nominees press reception. "I hope someday to come back and play New York again for some time."

Johnson, who is perhaps best known for his several-year stint on the award-winning ABC series "Soap," says his Broadway run was something he never really expected. "It seemed to be out of my reach, just as a Tony nomination might have been at the time," he says. "I just wanted to perform in theatres rather than clubs. I wanted that theatrical experience rather than the supper-club experience. So that was my goal, [but] to get to perform at the apex of that venue was great.

"Just to walk on [to a Broadway] stage and to know how many people have walked on that stage [before you]," he adds, "there's nothing like that feeling, and you are absolutely a part of it."

The Two and Only!, which opened at the Helen Hayes Theatre in September 2006 after an acclaimed Off-Broadway run, featured several "co-stars": Amigo, Darwin, Long John La Feat, Nethernore -- the Bird of Death, Spaulding, Arthur Drew, Jackie and Ga Ga, Squeaky and Bob. The latter, the infamous sidekick of the famed ventriloquist, was recently acquired by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

"There was an original Bob that we used on 'Soap,'" Johnson explains, "and later we had a duplicate made that was a little bit better, so that particular Bob was used for a couple of years on the show. You wouldn't recognize the difference because it's mainly mechanics that we changed, but that original Bob went into the Smithsonian Institute [May 15]. He will sit with Charlie McCarthy and Jerry Mahoney and Kermit the Frog. . . . That is -- as incredible as this [Tony] experience has been -- a whole other incredible experience."

Technorati tags: Broadway Musicals Musical Theatre Musical Theater Movie Musicals Theatre Theater American Theatre American Theater New York City The Fabulous Invalid Times Square