Steve On Broadway (SOB)

[title of show] To Headline Broadway

[title of show] To Headline Broadway

Huge tip of the hat this morning to Modern Fabulousity for being the first (last night) to herald the exciting news that Off-Broadway favorite [title of show] is headed to the Great White Way! According to Playbill, the show will open this July 17 at the Lyceum Theatre.

Even better, for anyone who has already come under the considerable spell of this little musical about co-creators Hunter Bell (Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) and Jeff Bowen's attempts to put on a show, they'll be joined by original cast members Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid) and Susan Blackwell, while Michael Berresse will once again direct.

By the time I first caught it, the little tuner that could was nearing the end of its Vineyard Theatre run. But boy was I glad I had a chance to see it.

Here's what I had to say about it then:

...I so thoroughly enjoyed such a delightful, decidedly small tuner with an enormous heart.

[title of show] is ostensibly about two friends who embark on writing a musical to enter into the New York Musical Theatre Fest in just under a month and then succeed in bringing it to life exactly as they wrote it against all odds. The engaging and endearing Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen essentially play themselves (and true to its premise, they wrote the actual book, music and lyrics, too). Along the way, they invite two female friends -- the effervescent Heidi Blickenstaff and the "handsome" Susan Blackwell -- to help shape the show.

Clever dialogue and a terrific score -- along with Michael Berresse's lovingly precise direction -- keep the 90+ minute show moving at a quick pace that's never dull and largely entertaining, particularly when they're dishing on some of Broadway's most renowned guilty pleasures or being interrupted via voicemail by some of the Great White Way's most acclaimed female stars. Best of all, they remain true to themselves and their vision.

In re-reading my original review, I stunned myself that I had the foresight to even take note (based on hope) that something bigger would be afoot for the show:

...something tells me this is not last we'll see of this earnest show, particularly since I'll bet that this musical likely rates as the favorite of at least nine people.... If it reopens, one can only hope that each of these talented actors will reprise their roles. [title of show] deserves a much wider audience.

This gets a major "Yay!" from me.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Related Stories:
[title of show] (The SOB Review) (October 2, 2006)
Making a Name for Itself: [title of show] Extends (August 16, 2006)

Labels: Broadway, First Word On New Show, Heidi Blickenstaff, Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Michael Berresse, Musical, Off-Broadway, Susan Blackwell, title of show, Transfer

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, April 04, 2008