Thursday, October 22, 2015
The 2nd Annual MONY Awards!
BEST NEW MUSICAL
Allegiance
On Your Feet!
School Of Rock
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
Shuffle Along
Waitress
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Dames At Sea
Fiddler On The Roof
The Color Purple
She Loves Me
BEST ACTOR
Telly Leung - Allegiance
Josh Segarra - On Your Feet!
Alex Brightman - School Of Rock
Danny Burstein - Fiddler On The Roof
Lin-Manuel Miranda - Hamilton
Leslie Odom Jr. - Hamilton
Andrew Keenen-Bolger - Tuck Everlasting
Benjamin Walker - American Psycho
Zachary Levi - She Loves Me
BEST ACTRESS
Erin Mackey - Amazing Grace
Eloise Kropp - Dames At Sea
Ana Villafañe - On Your Feet!
Cynthia Erivo - The Color Purple
Philipa Soo - Hamilton
Carmen Cusack - Bright Star
Sarah Charles Lewis - Tuck Everlasting
Audra McDonald - Shuffle Along
Jessie Mueller - Waitress
Laura Benanti - She Love Me
BEST FEATURED ACTOR
Chuck Cooper - Amazing Grace
Patrick Page - Spring Awakening
Andy Mientus - Spring Awakening
George Takei - Allegiance
Michael K. Lee - Allegiance
Eliseo Román - On Your Feet!
Lee Zarrett - On Your Feet!
Brandon Niederauer - School Of Rock
Adam Kantor - Fiddler On The Roof
Paul Alexander Nolan - Bright Star
Jeff Blumenkrantz - Bright Star
Daveed Diggs - Hamilton
Christopher Jackson - Hamilton
Jonathan Groff - Hamilton
Anthony Ramos - Hamilton
Okieriete Onaodowan - Hamilton
Fred Applegate - Tuck Everlasting
Michael Park - Tuck Everlasting
Robert Lenzi - Tuck Everlasting
Michael Wartella - Tuck Everlasting
Joshua Henry - Shuffle Along
Brandon Victor Dixon - Shuffle Along
Nick Cordero - Waitress
Drew Gehling - Waitress
Christopher Fitzgerald - Waitress
Dakin Matthews - Waitress
Gavin Creel - She Loves Me
Tom McGowan - She Loves Me
Nicholas Barasch - She Loves Me
Byron Jennings - She Loves Me
BEST FEATURED ACTRESS
Laiona Michelle - Amazing Grace
Camryn Manheim - Spring Awakening
Krysta Rodriguez - Spring Awakening
Marlee Matlin - Spring Awakening
Katie Rose Clark - Allegiance
Lesli Margherita - Dames At Sea
Mara Davi - Dames At Sea
Andrea Burns - On Your Feet!
Alma Cuervo - On Your Feet!
Alexandra Silber - Fiddler On The Roof
Danielle Brooks - The Color Purple
Faith Prince - Disaster!
Jennifer Simard - Disaster!
Rene Elise Goldsberry - Hamilton
Jane Krakowski - She Loves Me
Jasmine Cephas Jones - Hamilton
Carolee Carmello - Tuck Everlasting
Heléne Yorke - American Psycho
Kimiko Glenn - Waitress
Keala Settle - Waitress
Charity Angel Dawson - Waitress
BEST SCORE
School Of Rock
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
Waitress
BEST BOOK
Allegiance
On Your Feet!
School Of Rock
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
Waitress
BEST DIRECTION
Amazing Grace
Allegiance
Dames At Sea
On Your Feet!
The Color Purple
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
American Psycho
Shuffle Along
Waitress
She Loves Me
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Dames At Sea
On Your Feet!
Fiddler On The Roof
Bright Star
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
American Psycho
Shuffle Along
Waitress
She Loves Me
BEST ORCHESTRATIONS
Dames At Sea
On Your Feet!
School Of Rock
Fiddler On The Roof
The Color Purple
Bright Star
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
American Psycho
Shuffle Along
Waitress
BEST SETS
Spring Awakening
Allegiance
Dames At Sea
School Of Rock
The Color Purple
Bright Star
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
American Psycho
Paramour
Waitress
She Loves Me
BEST COSTUMES
Amazing Grace
Dames At Sea
On Your Feet!
The Color Purple
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
American Psycho
Shuffle Along
Waitress
She Loves Me
BEST LIGHTING
Amazing Grace
Spring Awakening
Allegiance
On Your Feet!
School Of Rock
The Color Purple
Bright Star
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
American Psycho
Shuffle Along
Paramour
Waitress
She Loves Me
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Amazing Grace
Spring Awakening
Dames At Sea
On Your Feet!
School Of Rock
The Color Purple
Bright Star
Hamilton
Tuck Everlasting
American Psycho
Shuffle Along
Paramour
BY THE NUMBERS
Hamilton - 20
Tuck Everlasting - 17
Waitress - 17
On Your Feet! - 14
She Loves Me - 13
Dames At Sea - 10
Shuffle Along - 10
School Of Rock - 9
Allegiance - 9
The Color Purple - 9
American Psycho - 9
Spring Awakening - 8
Bright Star - 8
Amazing Grace - 7
Fiddler On The Roof - 6
Paramour - 3
Disaster! - 2
Monday, April 27, 2015
Olive Thomas
Tonight I thought I would talk about Olive Thomas!
Olive Thomas was a Ziegfeld Follies girl and silent film star. Her death was one of the first celebrity scandals.
Olive Thomas was born Oliva Duffy on Oct. 20, 1894 in a small town in Pennsylvania. She had two younger brothers named James and William. She later had a half-sister named Harriet.
In 1911, when Olive was 16, she married Bernard Thomas. The marriage only lasted two years, separating in 1913. Olive then moved to New York City to pursue modeling and performing.
In 1914 she entered and won The Most Beautiful Girl In New York City modeling contest. After winning she appeared on many magazine covers and modeled for several famous artists including Harrison Fisher.
It was Harrison Fisher who wrote to Ziegfeld to tell him about Olive. She was hired to appear in The Ziegfeld Follies of 1915. Olive proved to be very popular and was then cast in The Ziegfeld Midnight Frolics (more on the Frolics another day :-)
Olive's popularity continued to grow. She had many male admirers, including the German ambassador who reportedly gave her a $10,000 string of pearls.
She still modeled while appearing in the Follies. She was the very first Follies girl to be painted by Alberto Vargas. It was painted not long before her death and is even entitled, "Memories Of Olive." Ziegfeld bought the painting and hung it in his office, much to the displeasure of his wife.
Another of Olive's admirers was Ziegfeld himself. The two began a relationship despite Ziegfeld being married to actress Billie Burke (definitely not the first affair Ziegfeld would have with one of his Follies girls.) Olive broke off the affair when Ziegfeld refused to leave his wife.
In 1916, Olive met Jack Pickford, brother of film star Mary Pickford. The two eloped in Oct. of 1916. Pickford's family did not approve of Olive or the marriage though they did attend her funeral.
The couple had a passionate but turbulent relationship. The two were often partying and would often get into epic fights, followed by epic "making up."
In 1920, the couple decided to go on a second honeymoon to Paris. On Sept. 5, the couple came back to their hotel room at The Ritz at 3am after partying all night. Pickford was asleep when he was woken up by Olive screaming "Oh my god!" She had ingested mercury bi-chloride which was prescribed to Pickford for treating his syphilis. Olive was rushed to the hospital and had her stomach pumped several times. Pickford stayed by her side for 5 days until Olive Thomas died on Sept. 10, 1920.
Even before she died, the press began to sensationalize the circumstances surrounding her hospitalization. When she did die, the press furor exploded. Theories and rumors began to circulated about Olive's death being either suicide or even murder.
One theory was that it truly was an accident on Olive's part. It was said that Olive was very intoxicated before the event and believed the bottle of medicine was simply more alcohol. The label on the medicine was also in french which was said to contribute to her confusion. Another theory was that the couple had been fighting about Pickford's infidelities and Olive drank the medicine in an attempt to commit suicide. Another theory was that Olive drank the poison to commit suicide after learning that she too had contracted syphilis, given to her by Pickford. The most outrageous claim was that Pickford had tricked her into drinking the poison to collect the life insurance money. Pickford of course denied all allegations. Her death was ruled accidental by the Paris officials that performed the autopsy.
Jack Pickford sailed with Olive's body back to America (during which Pickford reportedly attempted suicide.) At Olive's funeral, police had to be called in to handle the large crowds and several women were reported to have fainted during the service. Olive is buried in the Pickford Mausolieum at Woodlawn Cemetary in the Bronx.
There have been documentaries and books released on the subject of Olive Thomas as well as stage shows. Speakeasy Dollhouse staged an interactive theatrical experience called Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolics where the story of Olive Thomas and her death were told throughout the Liberty Theater on 42nd street in New York City. A musical version of Olive's life, entitled "Ghostlight", written by Matthew Martin and Tim Realbuto has had several workshops with big names such as Carolee Carmello, Daisy Egan, Rachel York and Michael Hayden.
Olive Thomas has not entirely left us however. It is widely believed that Olive's ghost haunts The New Amsterdam Theater in NYC, the same theater where she performed in The Ziegfeld Follies and Midnight Frolics. She can reportedly be seen carrying a small blue bottle (like the one containing the poison that killed her) and wearing a beaded, green dress. She even caused a security guard to call the VP of Disney Theatricals (the owner of the theater) at 2:30am to tell him of the event. She is said to appear to mainly men and is even know to pinch a bottom or two. Naughty girl! A portrait of Olive hangs right by the stage door to the theater and cast and crew say goodnight to her as they leave to appease her.
Olive Thomas was a Ziegfeld Follies girl and silent film star. Her death was one of the first celebrity scandals.
Olive Thomas was born Oliva Duffy on Oct. 20, 1894 in a small town in Pennsylvania. She had two younger brothers named James and William. She later had a half-sister named Harriet.
In 1911, when Olive was 16, she married Bernard Thomas. The marriage only lasted two years, separating in 1913. Olive then moved to New York City to pursue modeling and performing.
In 1914 she entered and won The Most Beautiful Girl In New York City modeling contest. After winning she appeared on many magazine covers and modeled for several famous artists including Harrison Fisher.
It was Harrison Fisher who wrote to Ziegfeld to tell him about Olive. She was hired to appear in The Ziegfeld Follies of 1915. Olive proved to be very popular and was then cast in The Ziegfeld Midnight Frolics (more on the Frolics another day :-)
Olive's popularity continued to grow. She had many male admirers, including the German ambassador who reportedly gave her a $10,000 string of pearls.
She still modeled while appearing in the Follies. She was the very first Follies girl to be painted by Alberto Vargas. It was painted not long before her death and is even entitled, "Memories Of Olive." Ziegfeld bought the painting and hung it in his office, much to the displeasure of his wife.
Another of Olive's admirers was Ziegfeld himself. The two began a relationship despite Ziegfeld being married to actress Billie Burke (definitely not the first affair Ziegfeld would have with one of his Follies girls.) Olive broke off the affair when Ziegfeld refused to leave his wife.
In 1916, Olive met Jack Pickford, brother of film star Mary Pickford. The two eloped in Oct. of 1916. Pickford's family did not approve of Olive or the marriage though they did attend her funeral.
The couple had a passionate but turbulent relationship. The two were often partying and would often get into epic fights, followed by epic "making up."
In 1920, the couple decided to go on a second honeymoon to Paris. On Sept. 5, the couple came back to their hotel room at The Ritz at 3am after partying all night. Pickford was asleep when he was woken up by Olive screaming "Oh my god!" She had ingested mercury bi-chloride which was prescribed to Pickford for treating his syphilis. Olive was rushed to the hospital and had her stomach pumped several times. Pickford stayed by her side for 5 days until Olive Thomas died on Sept. 10, 1920.
Even before she died, the press began to sensationalize the circumstances surrounding her hospitalization. When she did die, the press furor exploded. Theories and rumors began to circulated about Olive's death being either suicide or even murder.
One theory was that it truly was an accident on Olive's part. It was said that Olive was very intoxicated before the event and believed the bottle of medicine was simply more alcohol. The label on the medicine was also in french which was said to contribute to her confusion. Another theory was that the couple had been fighting about Pickford's infidelities and Olive drank the medicine in an attempt to commit suicide. Another theory was that Olive drank the poison to commit suicide after learning that she too had contracted syphilis, given to her by Pickford. The most outrageous claim was that Pickford had tricked her into drinking the poison to collect the life insurance money. Pickford of course denied all allegations. Her death was ruled accidental by the Paris officials that performed the autopsy.
Jack Pickford sailed with Olive's body back to America (during which Pickford reportedly attempted suicide.) At Olive's funeral, police had to be called in to handle the large crowds and several women were reported to have fainted during the service. Olive is buried in the Pickford Mausolieum at Woodlawn Cemetary in the Bronx.
There have been documentaries and books released on the subject of Olive Thomas as well as stage shows. Speakeasy Dollhouse staged an interactive theatrical experience called Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolics where the story of Olive Thomas and her death were told throughout the Liberty Theater on 42nd street in New York City. A musical version of Olive's life, entitled "Ghostlight", written by Matthew Martin and Tim Realbuto has had several workshops with big names such as Carolee Carmello, Daisy Egan, Rachel York and Michael Hayden.
Olive Thomas has not entirely left us however. It is widely believed that Olive's ghost haunts The New Amsterdam Theater in NYC, the same theater where she performed in The Ziegfeld Follies and Midnight Frolics. She can reportedly be seen carrying a small blue bottle (like the one containing the poison that killed her) and wearing a beaded, green dress. She even caused a security guard to call the VP of Disney Theatricals (the owner of the theater) at 2:30am to tell him of the event. She is said to appear to mainly men and is even know to pinch a bottom or two. Naughty girl! A portrait of Olive hangs right by the stage door to the theater and cast and crew say goodnight to her as they leave to appease her.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Whistling In A Theater
Ok, so, I'm changing the intent of this blog I think. Though, since I have no followers, it doesn't really matter, right? Right. I will still pick random shows from my generator, but not everyday. I'm just gonna post whatever the hell I want everyday as long it's about Musical Theatre of course.
Today's Fact!
Whistling in a Theater is considered very bad luck. This started because "back in the day" before sets were automated, everything was done by hand with ropes. Most of the stagehands were former sailors due to their ability with ropes and knots. As walkie-talkies or headsets weren't used as they are now, like they did working the ships, the stagehands would have a sort-of "whistle language" to communicate set changes and cues and such. So if you were to whistle in the Theater, you might confuse the stagehands and ruin the show! True story.
Until Tomorrow, Y'all!
Today's Fact!
Whistling in a Theater is considered very bad luck. This started because "back in the day" before sets were automated, everything was done by hand with ropes. Most of the stagehands were former sailors due to their ability with ropes and knots. As walkie-talkies or headsets weren't used as they are now, like they did working the ships, the stagehands would have a sort-of "whistle language" to communicate set changes and cues and such. So if you were to whistle in the Theater, you might confuse the stagehands and ruin the show! True story.
Until Tomorrow, Y'all!
MONY Award Nominations
The 1st Annual MONY (that's Marc's Tony) Award Nominations!!
I thought for fun, and since I don't think anyone reads this blog, that I would do my own award nominations. I will only do musical categories and I can have as many nominees in each category as I want, you know, cause it's my awards...so there. Here goes!!
Nominees are in no particular order!
BEST NEW MUSICAL
Something Rotten!
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
The Visit
Finding Neverland
Fun Home
It Shoulda Been You
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
On The Town
The King And I
Gigi
On The Twentieth Century
BEST ACTOR
Brian D'Arcy James - Something Rotten!
John Cariani - Something Rotten!
Michael Esper - The Last Ship
Rob McClure - Honeymoon In Vegas
Matthew Morrison - Finding Neverland
Robert Fairchild - An American In Paris
Michael Cerveris - Fun Home
BEST ACTRESS
Rachel Tucker - The Last Ship
Chita Rivera - The Visit
Kelli O'Hara - The King And I
Laura Michelle Kelly - Finding Neverland
Kristin Chenoweth - On The Twentieth Century
Lisa Howard - It Shoulda Been You
Sidney Lucas - Fun Home
BEST FEATURED ACTOR
Christian Borle - Something Rotten!
Brad Oscar - Something Rotten!
Brooks Ashmanskas - Something Rotten!
Peter Bartlett - Something Rotten!
Fred Applegate - The Last Ship
Collin Kelly-Sordelet - The Last Ship
Jon Viktor Corpuz - The King And I
Jay Armstrong Johnson - On The Town
Tony Danza - Honeymoon In Vegas
Andy Karl - On The Twentieth Century
Max Von Essen - An American In Paris
Paul Alexander Nolan - Doctor Zhivago
Josh Grisetti - It Shoulda Been You
Jason Danieley - The Visit
Kelsey Grammer - Finding Neverland
BEST FEATURED ACTRESS
Elizabeth Stanley - On The Town
Alysha Umphress - On The Town
Nancy Opel - Honeymoon In Vegas
Victoria Clark - Gigi
Ruthie Ann Miles - The King And I
Ashley Park - The King And I
Tyne Daly - It Shoulda Been You
Harriet Harris - It Shoulda Been You
Sierra Boggess - It Shoulda Been You
Montego Glover - It Shoulda Been You
Teal Wicks - Finding Neverland
Heidi Blickenstaff - Something Rotten!
Kate Reinders - Something Rotten!
Emily Skeggs - Fun Home
BEST SET DESIGN
On The Town
The Last Ship
Gigi
The King And I
An American In Paris
It Shoulda Been You
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
Fun Home
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
On The Twentieth Century
Finding Neverland
Doctor Zhivago
The King And I
Something Rotten!
The Visit
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
On The Town
The Last Ship
Side Show
The King And I
Gigi
An American In Paris
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
Fun Home
BEST DIRECTION
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
On The Twentieth Century
Finding Neverland
The King And I
Something Rotten!
The Visit
It Shoulda Been You
Fun Home
On The Town
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
On The Town
Finding Neverland
The King And I
An American In Paris
Gigi
The Last Ship
Something Rotten!
BEST SCORE
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
Something Rotten!
Finding Neverland
Fun Home
The Visit
BEST BOOK
The Last Ship
Fun Home
Honeymoon In Vegas
It Shoulda Been You
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
BEST ORCHESTRATIONS
On The Town
Honeymoon In Vegas
The Last Ship
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
SPECIAL MONY AWARDS GIVEN TO....
The Porters from On The Twentieth Century
The Children's Ensemble - Finding Neverland
The Children's Ensemble - The King And I
Make-Up Design - Side Show
Flying - Honeymoon In Vegas
Flying - Finding Neverland
Projections - An American In Paris
Projections - Finding Neverland
By The Numbers
Something Rotten! - 17
Finding Neverland - 17
The Last Ship - 13
The King And I - 11
Honeymoon In Vegas - 10
The Visit - 10
It Shoulda Been You - 10
On The Town -9
Fun Home - 9
On The Twentieth Century - 6
An American In Paris - 6
Gigi - 5
Side Show - 2
Doctor Zhivago - 1
Holler If You Hear Me - 0
PLAYS
*Since I haven't seen enough to fill out categories, I'll just give a shout out to those I saw that deserve recognition
PLAYS
Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
This Is Our Youth
You Can't Take It With You
PERFORMANCES
Ben Miles - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Lydia Leonard - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Paul Jesson - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Nathaniel Parker - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Annaleigh Ashford - You Can't Take It With You
Will Brill - You Can't Take It With You
Nathan Lane - It's Only A Play
Douglas Sills - Living On Love
Michael Cera - This Is Our Youth
Stephen Boyer - Hand To God
Geneva Carr - Hand To God
OTHER
Set Design - Wolf Hall, You Can't Take It With You, This Is Our Youth
Lighting - Wolf Hall
Special Effects - You Can't Take It With You
I thought for fun, and since I don't think anyone reads this blog, that I would do my own award nominations. I will only do musical categories and I can have as many nominees in each category as I want, you know, cause it's my awards...so there. Here goes!!
Nominees are in no particular order!
BEST NEW MUSICAL
Something Rotten!
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
The Visit
Finding Neverland
Fun Home
It Shoulda Been You
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
On The Town
The King And I
Gigi
On The Twentieth Century
BEST ACTOR
Brian D'Arcy James - Something Rotten!
John Cariani - Something Rotten!
Michael Esper - The Last Ship
Rob McClure - Honeymoon In Vegas
Matthew Morrison - Finding Neverland
Robert Fairchild - An American In Paris
Michael Cerveris - Fun Home
BEST ACTRESS
Rachel Tucker - The Last Ship
Chita Rivera - The Visit
Kelli O'Hara - The King And I
Laura Michelle Kelly - Finding Neverland
Kristin Chenoweth - On The Twentieth Century
Lisa Howard - It Shoulda Been You
Sidney Lucas - Fun Home
BEST FEATURED ACTOR
Christian Borle - Something Rotten!
Brad Oscar - Something Rotten!
Brooks Ashmanskas - Something Rotten!
Peter Bartlett - Something Rotten!
Fred Applegate - The Last Ship
Collin Kelly-Sordelet - The Last Ship
Jon Viktor Corpuz - The King And I
Jay Armstrong Johnson - On The Town
Tony Danza - Honeymoon In Vegas
Andy Karl - On The Twentieth Century
Max Von Essen - An American In Paris
Paul Alexander Nolan - Doctor Zhivago
Josh Grisetti - It Shoulda Been You
Jason Danieley - The Visit
Kelsey Grammer - Finding Neverland
BEST FEATURED ACTRESS
Elizabeth Stanley - On The Town
Alysha Umphress - On The Town
Nancy Opel - Honeymoon In Vegas
Victoria Clark - Gigi
Ruthie Ann Miles - The King And I
Ashley Park - The King And I
Tyne Daly - It Shoulda Been You
Harriet Harris - It Shoulda Been You
Sierra Boggess - It Shoulda Been You
Montego Glover - It Shoulda Been You
Teal Wicks - Finding Neverland
Heidi Blickenstaff - Something Rotten!
Kate Reinders - Something Rotten!
Emily Skeggs - Fun Home
BEST SET DESIGN
On The Town
The Last Ship
Gigi
The King And I
An American In Paris
It Shoulda Been You
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
Fun Home
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
On The Twentieth Century
Finding Neverland
Doctor Zhivago
The King And I
Something Rotten!
The Visit
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
On The Town
The Last Ship
Side Show
The King And I
Gigi
An American In Paris
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
Fun Home
BEST DIRECTION
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
On The Twentieth Century
Finding Neverland
The King And I
Something Rotten!
The Visit
It Shoulda Been You
Fun Home
On The Town
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
On The Town
Finding Neverland
The King And I
An American In Paris
Gigi
The Last Ship
Something Rotten!
BEST SCORE
The Last Ship
Honeymoon In Vegas
Something Rotten!
Finding Neverland
Fun Home
The Visit
BEST BOOK
The Last Ship
Fun Home
Honeymoon In Vegas
It Shoulda Been You
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
BEST ORCHESTRATIONS
On The Town
Honeymoon In Vegas
The Last Ship
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten!
The Visit
SPECIAL MONY AWARDS GIVEN TO....
The Porters from On The Twentieth Century
The Children's Ensemble - Finding Neverland
The Children's Ensemble - The King And I
Make-Up Design - Side Show
Flying - Honeymoon In Vegas
Flying - Finding Neverland
Projections - An American In Paris
Projections - Finding Neverland
By The Numbers
Something Rotten! - 17
Finding Neverland - 17
The Last Ship - 13
The King And I - 11
Honeymoon In Vegas - 10
The Visit - 10
It Shoulda Been You - 10
On The Town -9
Fun Home - 9
On The Twentieth Century - 6
An American In Paris - 6
Gigi - 5
Side Show - 2
Doctor Zhivago - 1
Holler If You Hear Me - 0
PLAYS
*Since I haven't seen enough to fill out categories, I'll just give a shout out to those I saw that deserve recognition
PLAYS
Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
This Is Our Youth
You Can't Take It With You
PERFORMANCES
Ben Miles - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Lydia Leonard - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Paul Jesson - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Nathaniel Parker - Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2
Annaleigh Ashford - You Can't Take It With You
Will Brill - You Can't Take It With You
Nathan Lane - It's Only A Play
Douglas Sills - Living On Love
Michael Cera - This Is Our Youth
Stephen Boyer - Hand To God
Geneva Carr - Hand To God
OTHER
Set Design - Wolf Hall, You Can't Take It With You, This Is Our Youth
Lighting - Wolf Hall
Special Effects - You Can't Take It With You
Friday, April 24, 2015
Young Frankenstein
Today's random show is Young Frankenstein!
1. Young Frankenstein began previews on Oct. 11, 2007. After 29 previews, the musical officially opened on Nov. 8, 2007 at The Hilton Theater (now The Lyric Theater). The show closed on Jan. 4, 2009 after 485 performances.
2. Young Frankenstein had music and lyrics by Mel Brooks who also co-wrote the book with Thomas Meehan. The musical is, of course, based on the 1974 movie directed by Brooks who co-wrote it with star Gene Wilder. Susan Stroman directed and choreographed.
3. The show stared Roger Bart, Sutton Foster, Megan Mullally, Andrea Martin, Christopher Fitzgerald, Shuler Hensley and Fred Applegate. During the run, Beth Leavel joined the cast, replacing Andrea Martin.
4. Young Frankenstein had a Pre-Broadway tryout in Seattle, WA at The Paramount Theater from Aug. 7, 2001 to Sept. 1, 2001.
5. After the massive success of the musical version of The Producers in 2001, Brooks and Meehan reportedly began work on Young Frankenstein in 2003. After setbacks, including Brooks losing his wife, Anne Bancroft, it was reported in September of 2006 that the first draft of the musical had been completed.
6. In October 2006, a workshop of the musical was held. It starred Brian D'Arcy James as Frederick Frankenstein, Kristin Chenoweth as Elizabeth, Roger Bart as Igor, Sutton Foster as Inga, Marc Kudisch as Inspector Kemp, Shuler Hensley as The Monster and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher (the part she originated in the film.) Susan Stroman would again direct and choreograph as she had done with The Producers. All were expected to reprise their roles on Broadway but Sutton Foster and Shuler Hensley would be the only two to reach Broadway in their workshop roles.
7. Casting the lead role of the Doctor for the workshop proved to be a difficult one. The producers initially sought Hugh Jackman but Jackman couldn't fit it into his schedule. Jimmy Fallon and Tom Cavanagh were also auditioned for the role. Matthew Broderick was also being considered.
8. Kristin Chenoweth was offered the role of Elizabeth but had to drop out when she was cast in the TV show Pushing Daisies. Zachary Levi was offered the role of Dr. Frankenstein but had to drop out. Eric McCormick was also being considered for the role as was Raul Esparza, Norbert Leo Butz and Douglas Sills.
9. Although her casting was reportedly the idea of Mel Brooks and it was believed she had been offered the role after appearing in the workshop, Cloris Leachman apparently received a letter saying that she would not be considered for the Broadway show. The reason cited was that the producers wanted to keep the movie and the musical separate. Brooks however, had stated that he thought Leachman was too old for the show (she was 81 at the time.). He was quoted as saying "We don't want her to die on stage." Leachman was not happy about that and made it known. After all that hoopla, Leachman appeared on season seven of Dancing With The Stars. With her success on the show, Mel Brooks offered her role after all but the musical closed before Leachman got to take over.
10. Young Frankenstein was reported to be going into The St. James Theater where Brooks' The Producers was ending its run. However, shortly after opening to poor reviews, the cast of The Pirate Queen was having a fight call on stage before a performance at The Hilton Theater when Susan Stroman and Young Frankenstein's set designer Robin Wagner were seen touring the auditorium. They were talking about sightlines and the seating layout loud enough for cast members to hear. The incident was leaked and lack of grace and tact on Young Frankenstein's part definitely rubbed the Broadway community the wrong way.
11. Another way Young Frankenstein rubbed Broadway the wrong way inveigled ticket pricing. Before the show had even started, the producers of the show were acting like they were a major hit. The top ticket prices for weekend shows was $450. These were called "Premier" seats. They also had "Premium" seats for $375. These prices were over $100 more than the top price for any other Broadway show at the time. The producers also refused to release their weekly grosses which is a standard practice on Broadway. Many smelled the stench of arrogance and it turned many a stomach which many believe contributed to the shows less than stellar run.
12. When the show opened it received mostly mixed to negative notices. It was often compared to The Producers, not favorably (or fairly.) The show received only 3 Tony Award nominations. It did however win Best Musical at the Outer Critics Circle awards, tying with Xanadu. It also won 5 Broadway.com Audience awards including Best New Musical.
13. Another unusual tactic that was used by the Young Frankenstein producers was a "teaser" billboard. A billboard over the Palace Theater featured a picture of what appeared to be Frankenstein's Monster under a sheet with the line "Size Matters" and the date 4/23/07. No mention of what it was advertizing though it was pretty clear. What was unclear is what the date meant. Message boards speculated that it could be a theater announcement or casting announcement. It was also the closing date of The Producers, which added to the confusion. Apr. 23 finally came...and went...and nothing happened. The next day however the billboard was changed to say "It's Alive!" and "October 2007."
1. Young Frankenstein began previews on Oct. 11, 2007. After 29 previews, the musical officially opened on Nov. 8, 2007 at The Hilton Theater (now The Lyric Theater). The show closed on Jan. 4, 2009 after 485 performances.
2. Young Frankenstein had music and lyrics by Mel Brooks who also co-wrote the book with Thomas Meehan. The musical is, of course, based on the 1974 movie directed by Brooks who co-wrote it with star Gene Wilder. Susan Stroman directed and choreographed.
3. The show stared Roger Bart, Sutton Foster, Megan Mullally, Andrea Martin, Christopher Fitzgerald, Shuler Hensley and Fred Applegate. During the run, Beth Leavel joined the cast, replacing Andrea Martin.
4. Young Frankenstein had a Pre-Broadway tryout in Seattle, WA at The Paramount Theater from Aug. 7, 2001 to Sept. 1, 2001.
5. After the massive success of the musical version of The Producers in 2001, Brooks and Meehan reportedly began work on Young Frankenstein in 2003. After setbacks, including Brooks losing his wife, Anne Bancroft, it was reported in September of 2006 that the first draft of the musical had been completed.
6. In October 2006, a workshop of the musical was held. It starred Brian D'Arcy James as Frederick Frankenstein, Kristin Chenoweth as Elizabeth, Roger Bart as Igor, Sutton Foster as Inga, Marc Kudisch as Inspector Kemp, Shuler Hensley as The Monster and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher (the part she originated in the film.) Susan Stroman would again direct and choreograph as she had done with The Producers. All were expected to reprise their roles on Broadway but Sutton Foster and Shuler Hensley would be the only two to reach Broadway in their workshop roles.
7. Casting the lead role of the Doctor for the workshop proved to be a difficult one. The producers initially sought Hugh Jackman but Jackman couldn't fit it into his schedule. Jimmy Fallon and Tom Cavanagh were also auditioned for the role. Matthew Broderick was also being considered.
8. Kristin Chenoweth was offered the role of Elizabeth but had to drop out when she was cast in the TV show Pushing Daisies. Zachary Levi was offered the role of Dr. Frankenstein but had to drop out. Eric McCormick was also being considered for the role as was Raul Esparza, Norbert Leo Butz and Douglas Sills.
9. Although her casting was reportedly the idea of Mel Brooks and it was believed she had been offered the role after appearing in the workshop, Cloris Leachman apparently received a letter saying that she would not be considered for the Broadway show. The reason cited was that the producers wanted to keep the movie and the musical separate. Brooks however, had stated that he thought Leachman was too old for the show (she was 81 at the time.). He was quoted as saying "We don't want her to die on stage." Leachman was not happy about that and made it known. After all that hoopla, Leachman appeared on season seven of Dancing With The Stars. With her success on the show, Mel Brooks offered her role after all but the musical closed before Leachman got to take over.
10. Young Frankenstein was reported to be going into The St. James Theater where Brooks' The Producers was ending its run. However, shortly after opening to poor reviews, the cast of The Pirate Queen was having a fight call on stage before a performance at The Hilton Theater when Susan Stroman and Young Frankenstein's set designer Robin Wagner were seen touring the auditorium. They were talking about sightlines and the seating layout loud enough for cast members to hear. The incident was leaked and lack of grace and tact on Young Frankenstein's part definitely rubbed the Broadway community the wrong way.
11. Another way Young Frankenstein rubbed Broadway the wrong way inveigled ticket pricing. Before the show had even started, the producers of the show were acting like they were a major hit. The top ticket prices for weekend shows was $450. These were called "Premier" seats. They also had "Premium" seats for $375. These prices were over $100 more than the top price for any other Broadway show at the time. The producers also refused to release their weekly grosses which is a standard practice on Broadway. Many smelled the stench of arrogance and it turned many a stomach which many believe contributed to the shows less than stellar run.
12. When the show opened it received mostly mixed to negative notices. It was often compared to The Producers, not favorably (or fairly.) The show received only 3 Tony Award nominations. It did however win Best Musical at the Outer Critics Circle awards, tying with Xanadu. It also won 5 Broadway.com Audience awards including Best New Musical.
13. Another unusual tactic that was used by the Young Frankenstein producers was a "teaser" billboard. A billboard over the Palace Theater featured a picture of what appeared to be Frankenstein's Monster under a sheet with the line "Size Matters" and the date 4/23/07. No mention of what it was advertizing though it was pretty clear. What was unclear is what the date meant. Message boards speculated that it could be a theater announcement or casting announcement. It was also the closing date of The Producers, which added to the confusion. Apr. 23 finally came...and went...and nothing happened. The next day however the billboard was changed to say "It's Alive!" and "October 2007."
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Count Me In
Today's show is a forgotton musical called Count Me In.
1. Count Me In opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on Oct. 8, 1942. It closed on Nov. 21, 1942 after only 61 performances. Not a hit by any means.
2. Count Me In had music by Ann Ronell and Will Irwin and lyrics by Ann Ronell. The book was by Leo Brady and a pre-critic Walter Kerr.
3. Count Me In is often categorized as a revue. While it contained many out of place specialty acts, it was in fact a book musical, albeit a slim book.
4. The story concerns the Brandywine family. Mama and the kids, with names like Sherry Brandywine (wah wah), Alvin York Brandywine and Teddy Roosevelt Brandywine, all work in various ways to help with the war effort. Papa, a map maker, feels he isn't doing as much as the rest of the family for the war. He eventually succeeds in helping when he creates a map citing the fictional city of Shangri-La. He then purposefully get captured and interned in a Japanese camp, where he convinces them, with help of the phoney map, to invade Shangri-La which is actually a place already occupied by the Allies and the Japanese are defeated. Although when he returns home he is initially thought a traitor, he is eventually cleared as celebrates at the local pub. You know, just your typical musical theatre plot...
5. The cast included a young Gower Champion as Teddy Roosevelt Brandywine, Charles Butterworth as Papa, Luella Gear as Mama, Hal Le Roy as Alvin York Brandywine and Joe E. Marks and Robert "Jaws" Shaw in the ensemble. Jack Gilford joined the cast during the run.
6. While the reviews were largely negative, (John Mason Brown of The World-Telegram said "Count me out!") critics did enjoy many of the performances and admired several numbers, including one called "Ticketyboo" which involved a kangaroo named Ickety Ticketyboo....yup
7. Ann Ronell, who wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the music, was one of the first successful female Tin Pan Alley writers. She co-wrote the Disney song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf." Her most famous song was "Willow Weep For Me." She was romantically involved with George Gershwin at the time she wrote the song and there is much speculation that Gershwin was actually the author and gave Ms. Ronell the credit (and royalties) as a present. No evidence has come to light to prove this but the bluesy style of the song is very much in the Gershwin vein.
8. Count Me In began life at Catholic University in Washington D.C., produced by Reverend G.V. Hartkie. After the college run, songwriters Lester Lee and Jerry Seelan were brought in to help revise. They are thanked in the Playbill for unspecified assistance. Critics speculated that the original university run was more satiric but was then somewhat white-washed for mainstream Broadway audiences of the time.
Thanks to Richard Galgano for unearthing the pictures!
1. Count Me In opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on Oct. 8, 1942. It closed on Nov. 21, 1942 after only 61 performances. Not a hit by any means.
2. Count Me In had music by Ann Ronell and Will Irwin and lyrics by Ann Ronell. The book was by Leo Brady and a pre-critic Walter Kerr.
3. Count Me In is often categorized as a revue. While it contained many out of place specialty acts, it was in fact a book musical, albeit a slim book.
4. The story concerns the Brandywine family. Mama and the kids, with names like Sherry Brandywine (wah wah), Alvin York Brandywine and Teddy Roosevelt Brandywine, all work in various ways to help with the war effort. Papa, a map maker, feels he isn't doing as much as the rest of the family for the war. He eventually succeeds in helping when he creates a map citing the fictional city of Shangri-La. He then purposefully get captured and interned in a Japanese camp, where he convinces them, with help of the phoney map, to invade Shangri-La which is actually a place already occupied by the Allies and the Japanese are defeated. Although when he returns home he is initially thought a traitor, he is eventually cleared as celebrates at the local pub. You know, just your typical musical theatre plot...
5. The cast included a young Gower Champion as Teddy Roosevelt Brandywine, Charles Butterworth as Papa, Luella Gear as Mama, Hal Le Roy as Alvin York Brandywine and Joe E. Marks and Robert "Jaws" Shaw in the ensemble. Jack Gilford joined the cast during the run.
6. While the reviews were largely negative, (John Mason Brown of The World-Telegram said "Count me out!") critics did enjoy many of the performances and admired several numbers, including one called "Ticketyboo" which involved a kangaroo named Ickety Ticketyboo....yup
7. Ann Ronell, who wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the music, was one of the first successful female Tin Pan Alley writers. She co-wrote the Disney song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf." Her most famous song was "Willow Weep For Me." She was romantically involved with George Gershwin at the time she wrote the song and there is much speculation that Gershwin was actually the author and gave Ms. Ronell the credit (and royalties) as a present. No evidence has come to light to prove this but the bluesy style of the song is very much in the Gershwin vein.
8. Count Me In began life at Catholic University in Washington D.C., produced by Reverend G.V. Hartkie. After the college run, songwriters Lester Lee and Jerry Seelan were brought in to help revise. They are thanked in the Playbill for unspecified assistance. Critics speculated that the original university run was more satiric but was then somewhat white-washed for mainstream Broadway audiences of the time.
Thanks to Richard Galgano for unearthing the pictures!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Heathen!
Well, the first show picked at random is... Heathen! Here we go...
1. Heathen! opened on Broadway at The Billy Rose Theater (now The Nederlander Theater) on May 21, 1972 after 6 previews.
2. Heathen! also closed on May 21, 1972 as well. Not many shows have closed on opening night. Regardless of ones feelings about a show, it's always a shame when a show shutters so soon.
3. Heathen! takes place in Hawaii in both 1819 and (then) modern day 1972. The show has the 1819 Hawaiian natives dealing with a missionary while the 1972 natives deal with a "hippie."
4. Heathen! had music and lyrics by one man, Eaton "Bob" Magoon Jr. Hailing from Hawaii, the Magoon family is prominent in the real estate industry and one of the wealthiest families in the state. Mr. Magoon Jr. is still alive and well at the age of 92. He's even on Facebook!
5. Heathen! was not Mr. Magoon Jr.'s first time on Broadway nor his first Hawaii based musical. Magoon first wrote a show about Hawaii called "The 49th Star" but that show never made it off the island. His next show, "13 Daughters" arrived on Broadway at the 54th Street Theater (now demolished) on Mar. 2, 1961. After 28 performances, it closed on Mar. 25, 1961. An extremely short run, but still 28 times longer than Heathen!, so there ya go.
6. Heathen! was written in 1968 under the title, "Thank Heaven For The Heathen" and premiered at Punahou School, a private college in Honolulu, HI.
7. After the college run, Magoon Jr. brought in friend Sir Robert Helpmann to help with the book. Helpmann was a well loved Australian dancer, choreographer, director and actor. He famously played The Childcatcher in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
8. Heathen! starred Russ Thacker. A wonderful Broadway actor who, sadly, never got a chance to be in a hit show. Besides "Heathen!", he was seen in "The Grass Harp" (7 perf.), "Home Sweet Homer" (1 perf.), Do Black Patent Shoes Really Reflect Up?" (5 perf.), "Dear Oscar" (5 perf.) and one play, "Me Jack, You Jill" which never even officially opened.
9. Heathen! got some of the worst reviews! Clive Barnes on the NY Times said that "to say that it is the worst musical of the season would run the risk of overpraising its virtues." Douglass Watt of the Daily News said "Cheap to look at and even worse to listen to, the whole thing resembles a production number for a stripper who failed to appear that night in a tacky Las Vegas night club." Watt went on to say that the show was "so bad it could it could put a blight on tourist trade throughout the entire Pacific." Ouch.
10. Heathen! did not die however after failing so epically on Broadway. It returned from whence it came to Hawaii under the new title "Aloha." Joe Layton was brought in to direct. As a favor to Mr. Layton, Cy Coleman re-did some of the music arrangements.
11. The newly named "Aloha" also ran in New Zealand, naturally(??), and even produced a cast album! The album features a 28-piece orchestra with orchestrations based on the original 8-piece arrangements by James Raitt for the Broadway run. Sir Robert Helpmann directed and choreographed the production.
Other Random Facts: It would have cost you $3.00 to see the show from the front Mezzanine. It was $142 for front Mezz seats to The Nederlander Theater's last tenant, "Honeymoon In Vegas".
Weirdly, the artwork for the "Aloha" cast album is shockingly similar to the artwork for the musical "Barnum"
1. Heathen! opened on Broadway at The Billy Rose Theater (now The Nederlander Theater) on May 21, 1972 after 6 previews.
2. Heathen! also closed on May 21, 1972 as well. Not many shows have closed on opening night. Regardless of ones feelings about a show, it's always a shame when a show shutters so soon.
3. Heathen! takes place in Hawaii in both 1819 and (then) modern day 1972. The show has the 1819 Hawaiian natives dealing with a missionary while the 1972 natives deal with a "hippie."
4. Heathen! had music and lyrics by one man, Eaton "Bob" Magoon Jr. Hailing from Hawaii, the Magoon family is prominent in the real estate industry and one of the wealthiest families in the state. Mr. Magoon Jr. is still alive and well at the age of 92. He's even on Facebook!
5. Heathen! was not Mr. Magoon Jr.'s first time on Broadway nor his first Hawaii based musical. Magoon first wrote a show about Hawaii called "The 49th Star" but that show never made it off the island. His next show, "13 Daughters" arrived on Broadway at the 54th Street Theater (now demolished) on Mar. 2, 1961. After 28 performances, it closed on Mar. 25, 1961. An extremely short run, but still 28 times longer than Heathen!, so there ya go.
6. Heathen! was written in 1968 under the title, "Thank Heaven For The Heathen" and premiered at Punahou School, a private college in Honolulu, HI.
7. After the college run, Magoon Jr. brought in friend Sir Robert Helpmann to help with the book. Helpmann was a well loved Australian dancer, choreographer, director and actor. He famously played The Childcatcher in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
8. Heathen! starred Russ Thacker. A wonderful Broadway actor who, sadly, never got a chance to be in a hit show. Besides "Heathen!", he was seen in "The Grass Harp" (7 perf.), "Home Sweet Homer" (1 perf.), Do Black Patent Shoes Really Reflect Up?" (5 perf.), "Dear Oscar" (5 perf.) and one play, "Me Jack, You Jill" which never even officially opened.
9. Heathen! got some of the worst reviews! Clive Barnes on the NY Times said that "to say that it is the worst musical of the season would run the risk of overpraising its virtues." Douglass Watt of the Daily News said "Cheap to look at and even worse to listen to, the whole thing resembles a production number for a stripper who failed to appear that night in a tacky Las Vegas night club." Watt went on to say that the show was "so bad it could it could put a blight on tourist trade throughout the entire Pacific." Ouch.
10. Heathen! did not die however after failing so epically on Broadway. It returned from whence it came to Hawaii under the new title "Aloha." Joe Layton was brought in to direct. As a favor to Mr. Layton, Cy Coleman re-did some of the music arrangements.
11. The newly named "Aloha" also ran in New Zealand, naturally(??), and even produced a cast album! The album features a 28-piece orchestra with orchestrations based on the original 8-piece arrangements by James Raitt for the Broadway run. Sir Robert Helpmann directed and choreographed the production.
Other Random Facts: It would have cost you $3.00 to see the show from the front Mezzanine. It was $142 for front Mezz seats to The Nederlander Theater's last tenant, "Honeymoon In Vegas".
Weirdly, the artwork for the "Aloha" cast album is shockingly similar to the artwork for the musical "Barnum"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)