Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Curtains' Calling on Broadway?

Curtains' Calling on Broadway?

One day before the "new" John Kander/Fred Ebb musical Curtains is set for its world premiere at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles comes renewed word that the musical's producers have their sights set on a possible Broadway bow this fall.

The theatre's Web site notes that "Ahmanson audiences will be the first to see this brand new musical wonder before it heads off to New Yorkfor a Broadway run." A Variety story confirms the planned trajectory, although reporter Phil Gallo notes that the producers are willing to wait until next spring if a suitable (read: large) venue isn't available until then. The enormous 1815 seat Hilton Theatre, which Hot Feet vacated yesterday, might be available after a seasonal run of Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas - The Musical passes.

Curtains is described as:

"a backstage murder mystery and musical comedy set in the 1950’s Boston. After the leading lady’s mystifying curtain call demise, Frank Cioffi (David Hyde Pierce), homicide detective and musical theatre aficionado, is on the case!

He’s got a tough job as the bodies pile up, the ensemble dwindles, and everyone is a suspect. And that second act needs work! Can Cioffi solve the murders and save the show before it reaches Broadway? Curtains is both a classic whodunit and classic Kander and Ebb.

Scott Ellis will be directing Curtains, which -- in addition to Hyde Pierce -- stars Debra Monk, Karen Ziemba and Edward Hibbert (on temporary leave from The Drowsy Chaperone). I'll be taking in the Los Angeles production and will certainly let you know how Broadway-worthy I find the new show.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
Kander and Ebb's Curtains Set to Rise in LA This Summer (May 11, 2006)

Labels: Broadway, California, Curtains, Los Angeles, Musical, Tryout

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, July 24, 2006