Where Are You, Rick Duplantier?Much to my relief, one of my dear friends from New Orleans, MB, commu-nicated with me last evening, even as
Hurricane Gustav comes barreling toward the southwest of the Big Easy as a Category Three storm. She reassured me that she was to board a flight to Atlanta today.
But I'm still waiting to hear from my college friend
Rick Duplantier, who rebuilt after Katrina. Rick, if you're out there and read this, please let me know you're OK!
As noted above, MB sent me a quick e-mail, reassuring me:
After massive search and many calls, found two Sunday tickets to Atlanta on AirTran -- too much money, but it was that or drive or bail! With the traffic, it would have been 24 hours, I'm sure.
But our concerns about a trip are miniscule. I don't know how my many friends -- and thousands of others -- who lost everything last time are coping now. I'm emotionally fragile, and I can just imagine how they feel.
At least this time, people are getting out of town. Now.
Maybe it'll miss us. But then again, that means it's going to hit someone else. Then again, where is safe? Sacramento has the same levees we do; California has the earthquakes, midwest the storms, east coast the hurricanes.........
Too many musings, back to work, then to pack!
I'm hoping her flight made it out as scheduled.
As I noted yesterday, while it may not be much, I donated to the
American Red Cross in recognition that they're already hard at work in preparing for the eventual disaster relief they'll be providing in Gustav's aftermath. Additionally, as my friend
Alicia reminded me , another key way to help is to donate blood.
I strongly encourage you to to what you can. To donate, simply click
here.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Charitable Organizations, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Special Messages
New Orleans: Déjà Vu All Over Again?After
having just been in New Orleans at the beginning of the week and departing the city's Louis Armstrong Airport as the remnants of
Fay were blowing through, I am absolutely heartsick that the Big Easy -- so ravaged by
Hurricane Katrina three years ago yesterday -- is now bracing for
Hurricane Gustav.
Unlike
Michael Moore, I'm not laughing and find it repulsive that anyone would use such a devastating event to score cheap political points when
so many lives have already been lost in this hurricane's wake.
While I'm awaiting word from my friends who live in New Orleans -- hoping they're in a safe place, and if not, wishing them Godspeed -- the seeming inevitability of Gustav striking Louisiana and Texas has me wishing I could do something. Anything.
And while it may not be much, I've just donated to the
American Red Cross in recognition that they're already hard at work in preparing for the eventual disaster relief they'll be providing in Gustav's aftermath.
I strongly encourage you to join me by doing the same. To donate, simply click
here.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Charitable Organizations, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Special Messages
Political TheatreFolks, I haven't forgotten about you or Steve On Broadway or live theatre.
But aside from theatre and traveling, my other great passion in life is politics. So forgive me for getting caught up in the drama of the Democratic National Convention this week.
Regardless of which party has the floor, I believe it's our responsibility as Americans to listen in to both political conventions to know what each candidate for the highest office -- along with all their surrogates -- is saying. So chances are, as I watch this real-life drama continue, my posts may be sparse right through next week Thursday.
Hopefully, you're every bit as interested in the future direction of our nation.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Elections, Special Messages
Back From New OrleansAfter spending most of the last week in New Orleans, I'm happy to be back at home, especially as Fay was starting to shower the city.
Don't get me wrong, being in New Orleans was exhilarating, including my opportunity to join with over 210 other volunteers in the ongoing clean-up of a pocket of the Big Easy. While the city still has a long way to go before it's completely recovered, it is as vibrant as ever, and most certainly open for business.
This got me to thinking about the double-edged sword of the news media and the inevitable coverage you can expect this week on the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Most of the national news coverage I've ever seen paints a truly negative, nearly hopeless picture. And while I believe it's crucial for the American public to understand that so much remains to be accomplished, the media coverage has undoubtedly also made many potential visitors rethink their trips because they have the mistaken impression that the city is in no condition to welcome them.
Tourism is the blood that keeps New Orleans pulsing. So without the visitors -- despite the astounding strides they've already achieved in rebuilding and repairing -- the city remains in guarded condition.
If you've ever thought about visiting New Orleans, the time is now. And every dollar you spend there helps contribute to the local economy at a time when it's most needed.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Special Messages
New OrleansMy apologies in advance, folks.
This morning, yours truly will be heading to New Orleans for my first time since before Katrina hit three years ago. While I'm going to be working my "day job" day and night during a business critical meeting, I'm excited that on Thursday morning, I'm going to be able to join with a couple hundred others in an ongoing clean-up activity. While my volunteerism there is three years overdue, I'm psyched about going.
Because I'll be working overtime, my blogs may be rather spotty if posted at all. But I hope to be back full force soon.
Thanks for your understanding!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Brief Hiatus, Day Job, New Orleans, Special Messages, Volunteer Activity
Is Godspell Broken?According to
New York Post's
Michael Riedel, the planned Broadway revival of
Stephen Schwartz's
Godspell is canceled, "barring any last-minute reprieve." However, Telecharge is still selling advance tckets to American Express Gold Card holders and is advertising that tickets will go on sale to the general public on August 23.
Riedel says
Godspell's producers have come up a million dollars short of the $4.5 million needed to mount the musical that had been slated to begin performances October 23 at the
Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The revival was to star
Gavin Creel.
Making matters worse, according to Riedel, is that advance box office business is way down, making even a show like
Shrek The Musical begging for an audience. To date, the $20 million tuner has only attracted $5 million in advance sales.
Talk about poor timing for the most recent escalation in top ticket prices!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Brigadoon, Broadway, Godspell, Michael Riedel, Musical, Potentially Canceled Productions, Shrek The Musical
Not Worth Passing UpYesterday, I saluted
ABBA and the team behind the
movie soundtrack for "
Mamma Mia!" on its ascension to the top of Billboard's Album Chart.
But today, I just have to say, the CD that I can't stop listening to is the
original cast recording for
Passing Strange. The sheer artistry, humor and intelligence on each and every track has me a bit depressed that it never attracted the audience it deserved. But thankfully,
Stew and
Heidi Rodewald is now available for the ages.
I just dare you to listen to it and not be similarly amazed.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Heidi Rodewald, Original Cast Recording, Passing Strange, Stew
The Hits From Coast To Coast (And Sweden And Greece)This isn't a post to tell you about the top 10 searches that bring readers to Steve On Broadway (SOB).
No, this is a post of pure vindication for my 35 years of being an avid
ABBA fan. I'm thrilled that the
movie soundtrack for "
Mamma Mia!" has not only turned platinum, but it's also just climbed two big notches (thank you,
Casey Kasem)
to number one with a bullet on Billboard's 200 Album Chart!
Not a bad week in celebration for a
Super Trouper Pop Grouper that never even made the top ten. According to
Billboard:
ABBA has never had a top 10 album on the Billboard 200; the Swedish pop act's highest charting set is 1978's "The Album," which peaked at No. 14. However, the group is No. 1 on Top Pop Catalog albums with its greatest hits package "Gold," which jumps 37% to 33,000 copies.
As I've noted time and again, the stage musical
Mamma Mia! has been one of my truly guilty theatre pleasures ever since taking in the early days of the
West End mounting back in September 1999. But that unabashed delight came from my years as an
ABBA fan -- even being among the relatively few Americans who caught them during their 1979 “
Voulez-Vous” tour.
With melodies almost as slick as the original tunes, the soundtrack is one sure-fire way to bring me out of a funk.
So,
Benny Andersson and
Björn Ulvaeus, I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing. Thanks for all the joy they're bringing. Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty. What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music! For giving it to me.
Congratulations on finally reaching number one!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Hay Carumba! Mamma Mia! Is Fun! (July 31, 2008)
This Goes Out To All The Lovers (Of Theatre) (February 14, 2008)
A Matter Of Taste (March 16, 2007)
Thank You For The Music: Happy Anniversary, Mamma Mia! (October 18, 2006)
Labels: ABBA, Broadway, Film, London, Mamma Mia, Musical, Soundtrack
Under The WeatherIt's been said that in every life, a little rain must fall. Yours truly is feeling a bit under the weather so I'll just say, "See you soon!"
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Sick, Special Messages
Off-Broadway Preview In 50 WordsWant to catch one of Broadway’s best current actors?
How about a true marvel?
A premiere helmed by a celebrated
Steppenwolf ensemble member?
Then go to Off-Broadway’s
MCC Theatre this September.
Austin Pendleton directs
Michael Weller's
Fifty Words starring
Norbert Leo Butz and
Elizabeth Marvel.
Enough said
in 50 words.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Labels: 50 Words, Austin Pendleton, Elizabeth Marvel, Fifty Words, MCC Theatre, Michael Weller, Norbert Leo Butz, Off-Broadway
August: Osage County - Coming To A Movie Theatre Near YouOn Tuesday,
Variety confirmed that Tracy Letts'
August: Osage County will be transformed into a film with the Tony-winner author writing the screenplay. Hallelujah for that!
August: Osage County not only earned the Tony for Best Play, but it also earned Letts a well-deserved Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
You can bet that the all-out campaigning for each of its juicy, fully-realized roles has already begun among Hollywood's biggest stars. Indeed, producer
Jean Doumanian is quoted in the
Variety piece, noting:
So many actors and stars have come to see it on Broadway, and we've gotten inquiries. People are enthusiastic about the film version.
While I personally would love to see every last one of the original cast recreate their indelible character images for the film version, the realist in me fully appreciates that the stakes are so high that few, if any, will be invited to participate.
The
fantasy casting for a bigscreen version of
August: Osage County began in earnest in January as
Chicago Tribune's
Chris Jones shared his early picks.
Yesterday, our dear
Modern Fabulousity offered his own wagers, including his bet that the role of Violet would go to either the 59 year old
Meryl Streep or the 63 year old
Helen Mirren. I do adore Meryl Streep, but given that her facial characteristics may be difficult to match up with supposed members of her family, I'd give it to Mirren by a nose.
Personally, I thought the most inspired comment ModFab received was from ShoNuff of
Fo' Sho', who proffered that
Kathy Bates would be perfect for Mattie Fae -- I'd agree completely, but only if I knew
Rondi Reed wasn't available.
So, dear readers, two questions. First, who would you most like to see in each of the coveted roles, and second, who do you believe is most likely to be cast?
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: August Osage County, Film, Helen Mirren, Kathy Bates, Meryl Streep, Modern Fabulousity, Rondi Reed, Tapeworthy
Going HomeIn the wee hours of Monday morning, I arrived home from my two week tour of Australia. While now jetlagged, I had a fantastic trip, not only because of the sights I took in, but especially because of the friends and family I got to see (as well as new friends I had the pleasure of meeting: Rob and Harriet, Elizabeth, Jenta, Maylise, Daniela and, of course, Wayne).
Still, it was wonderful to return home. But the thought of home was never far away thanks to one particular reading selection I brought along on my journey:
Dame Julie Andrews' exceptional autobiography, "
Home."
Ten years ago this fall, I had an extraordinary opportunity to meet this extremely gracious and talented actress. In the fall of 1998, Julie Andrews was a keynote speaker at that year's World Travel Congress convening in Los Angeles.
As the public relations director for the trade association sponsoring the global event for over 4000 delegates, I was asked if I would mind escorting her throughout the afternoon she would be spending with us. That invitation was like asking a little child on his birthday if he'd mind opening up just one more gift.
I eagerly accepted the assignment, but was extremely tense when the moment came to greet her arrival at the convention center. I kept wondering whether I would be disappointed, whether Julie Andrews would somehow not be the same wonderfully humane and approachable individual I'd always envisioned she'd be. Plus, what if I made a buffoon of myself?!
Moments after meeting her, I was put completely at ease. Julie Andrews was the epitome of grace and kindness. She was everything I'd hoped she'd be and so much more. Easygoing, charming and absolutely nice, her demeanor helped make me comfortable so that I could in turn concentrate on doing my job: making her feel comfortable, and hopefully very welcome, in return.
The Academy Award-winning actress delivered a beautifully heartfelt and inspiring address on how traveling helped shape her life. Once her speech concluded, I showed Dame Andrews to our version of a green room, where she greeted our dignitaries and posed for pictures. Never showing any signs of tiring, this consummate professional graciously met with one after another of her gathered fans. I was personally touched when she had me join her for a series of shots taken from virtually every angle by the throng of photographers. And I'll never forget how affable she was, right up until the moment I escorted her to her waiting car.
I relay this story because if nothing else, my personal experience with Julie Andrews made me an even bigger fan. I found myself searching out the number of films of hers I had never seen. It also gave me greater appreciation for her work in old favorites, whether it was "
Mary Poppins" -- one of the first films I ever saw -- or "
The Sound of Music" or her more recent role in "
Victor Victoria." My experience also made me eager to take in her directorial debut -- a stage revival of The Boy Friend she was helming five years ago this month at the
Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, New York.
So when I learned that Dame Andrews had written the memoirs for her early years, I didn't even think twice about purchasing it. I couldn't wait to read it.
And now that I've read it, I can tell you that for anyone who loves live theatre, this is a must-read. With a flair for writing, Julie Andrews walks her audience through her earliest years, including insights into her often difficult childhood and family life, as well as English vaudeville, World War II, and her budding entertainment career both in London and on Broadway right up until she and her family leave for Hollywood to begin filming "Mary Poppins."
The detail the three-time Tony nominee provides on each of her first three Broadway roles -- Polly in
The Boy Friend (1954-55), Eliza Doolittle in
My Fair Lady (1956-58) and Guenevere in
Camelot (1960-62) -- is nothing short of a treasure trove of information on what it was like to star on the Great White Way during the Golden Age of the Broadway musical. With a sly sense of humor, she offers an abundance of amusing anecdotes that alone are worth the price of the book.
Inspiring through and through, Julie Andrews shares some of the motivation that helped transform her, including a crystalizing quote from one of her early mentors: "The amateur works until they get something right. The professional works until they can't go wrong."
Given the high level of integrity and fortitude Julie Andrews has shown throughout her lengthy and distinguished career, it's a given that she's a professional's professional through and through. But by sharing so much of her own personal anguish, longing and ultimately her sense of "home," the actress invites us into her life and the home she's created. In doing so, Julie Andrews distinguishes herself even more as an immensely gifted author.
I for one can't wait to read the next installment.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Book, Camelot, Home, Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, The Boy Friend
Broadway Preview: White ChristmasAccording to
Variety, dreams of a
White Christmas for Broadway will be realized as
Irving Berlin's White Christmas glistens the Great White Way's Marquis Theatre starting this November.
The film-cum-stage musical has already played a host of venues throughout the United States over the past several years. Just two years ago,
I caught the
Walter Bobbie-helmed production in Saint Paul, Minnesota. While I found
Randy Skinner’s brilliant choreography enthralling, I was less impressed by the rather inert book by
David Ives and Paul Blake.
Still, now that the show has essentially enjoyed an extended out of town tryout over the past four holiday seasons -- and it's likely that the show's top actors will return for the Rialto engagement -- it's quite possible that the tuner's been sufficiently tweaked in time for its Broadway bow.
Expect
Irving Berlin's White Christmas to turn into a blizzard of ticket sales.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (The SOB Review) (December 6, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Irving Berlin, Musical, Touring Production, White Christmas
Wishing Morgan Freeman The BestNews reports out of Memphis this morning indicate that Academy Award-winning actor
Morgan Freeman was in a very serious car accident last evening in Ruleville, Mississippi, which is about 113 miles south of Memphis.
Memphis'
WMC-TV is reporting:
Freeman's vehicle flipped several times before it came to rest. Emergency crews extracted Freeman and his passenger from their vehicle using the jaws of life. They were then both transported to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis. Officials did not release either person's condition.
Just two weeks earlier, the 71 year old Memphis native concluded his first Broadway outing in 20 years as actor Frank Elgin in the revival of
Clifford Odets'
The Country Girl alongside
Frances McDormand and
Peter Gallagher.
While most audiences know him from his extensive, award-winning work in film, it's been to Freeman's enormous credit that he's never forgotten his theatrical roots. In addition to his recent return to the Great White Way, he had been acting as honorary chairman of a $15 million capital campaign for
Playhouse on the Square in his hometown of Memphis.
I'm sure I'm not alone in keeping this acting legend in thoughts and prayers.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Accident, Broadway, Memphis, Morgan Freeman, Play, Playhouse On The Square, Revival, Special Messages, The Country Girl
Broadway Preview: American BuffaloJust when you may have thought this fall’s portion of Broadway’s 2008-09 Theatre Season could not have become any more packed -- especially with word that a planned revival of
Brigadoon has been
postponed due to
lack of available theatre space -- comes word that
David Mamet’s seminal play
American Buffalo will be revived on a Rialto stage for the second time, albeit with no theatre selected.
Contributing toward a bit of a Mamet renaissance, this will mark the second revival for one of his works during the current Theatrical Season alongside the previously announced
Speed-The-Plow. A three-hander story of a hatched heist,
American Buffalo was initially produced nearly 33 years ago at Chicago’s
Goodman Theatre. In a bit of serendipity, that Windy City venue’s
current artistic director
Robert Falls -- a Tony winner in his own right for 1999’s
Death Of A Salesman -- will reportedly helm the upcoming revival.
First directed on Broadway by Tony-nominated
Ulu Grosbard back in 1977,
American Buffalo then starred
Robert Duvall as Walter Cole (a/k/a "Teacher"), the late
Kenneth McMillan as Donny Dubrow and
John Savage as Bobby. That production earned two Tony nominations and enjoyed 122 performances, first at the
Ethel Barrymore Theatre and subsequently at the
Belasco Theatre.
Six short years later in 1983, the
first revival was helmed by
Arvin Brown at the
Booth Theatre.
Al Pacino headlined as Walter Cole, while the late
James Hayden initiated the role of Bobby and
J. J. Johnston played Donny Dubrow. This production made headlines when Hayden tragically died of a drug overdose shortly into the run. Nominated for the 1984 Tony for Best Reproduction, the play enjoyed a total of 93 performances before closing in February 1984.
According to Playbill, the latest incarnation will include
John Leguizamo as Walter Cole, and producers have their sights set on landing comedian
Cedric the Entertainer to portray Donny Dubrow. I’ve previously marveled at Leguizamo’s versatility on film (although I confess to not caring much for his one-man performance
Sexaholix back in 2001). However, I’m a bit stunned by the hoped-for casting of Cedric the Entertainer. Sure, he's a very funny comic, but does he have the dramatic chops needed for the stage?
Dear readers, please tell me what you see that I’m not getting.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Broadway Preview: Popcorn (July 28, 2008)
Broadway Preview: West Side Story (July 24, 2008)
Broadway Preview: 9 To 5 (July 16, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Mary Stuart (July 15, 2008)
Broadway Preview: The American Plan (July 14, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Shrek The Musical (July 13, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Waiting For Godot (July 12, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Pal Joey (July 11, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Dividing The Estate (July 10, 2008)
Broadway Preview: 13 (July 9, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Speed-The-Plow (July 8, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Billy Elliot - The Musical (July 7, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Godspell (July 6, 2008)
Broadway Preview: All My Sons (July 5, 2008)
Broadway Preview: A Man For All Seasons (July 3, 2008)
Broadway Preview: To Be Or Not To Be (July 2, 2008)
Broadway Preview: The Seagull (July 1, 2008)
Broadway Preview: Equus (June 30, 2008)
Broadway Preview: A Tale Of Two Cities (June 28, 2008)
Broadway Preview: for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf (June 25, 2008)
Broadway Preview: [title of show] (June 24, 2008)
Broadway: What's Next (June 20, 2008)
Labels: American Buffalo, Broadway, Cedric the Entertainer, David Mamet, John Leguizamo, Play, Revival, Robert Falls
