Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Steve On Broadway: There's An App For That!

Steve On Broadway: There's An App For That!

Can't get enough of Broadway? Need your fix via your iPhone?

There's an app for that!

This past June, iBroadway was launched by Arts Meets Commerce, an Internet marketing/Web design/advertising/video company that counts many Broadway shows among its impressive roster of clients.

When iBroadway first launched in June, three of my favorite theatre blogs were included with the initial roll-out: Jan Simpson's Broadway & Me, Aaron Riccio's ‘kül That Sounds Cool and Chris Caggiano's Everything I Know I Learned From Musicals.

Now, I'm pleased to note that Arts Meets Commerce has added two more blogs to their iBroadway app, including Garrett Eisler's venerable The Playgoer and yours truly. I'm honored to be among the select few and feel I'm in excellent company.

What intrigued me about this iBroaday app is that in addition to providing content from some of my favorite bloggers, it's also a free compendium of all things Broadway, literally at your fingertips.

The iBroadway app features include:

• Details on performance venues, schedules and ticketing information, along with discounts for some of the hottest shows on Broadway;

• Exclusive video content, synopses, reviews and cast information;

• News, reviews and commentary from a host of the top writers in the theatre industry today;

• A simple way for users to share details about their favorite shows via Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.

If you're among those iBroadway subscribers who is finding me for the first time thanks to this app, welcome to Steve On Broadway (SOB)! I'm happy you've found me. Please note that you can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

Whether you're a longtime reader or brand new, I invite you to join in the conversation on all things Broadway and live theatre. Now there's an app for that!

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).


In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.

Labels: Arts Meets Commerce, Broadway, Broadway and Me, Everything I Know I Learned From Musicals, iBroadway, kul That Sounds Cool, The Playgoer, theatre bloggers

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, August 12, 2010 2 comments

SOB's Theatrical Firsts Of The Noughties: My First Blog And Bloggers Meet-Up

SOB's Theatrical Firsts Of The Noughties: My First Blog And Bloggers Meet-Up

Over the course of the last decade, I’ve been truly fortunate to enjoy a number of enlightening firsts in my personal theatergoing that have only served to increase my deep and abiding love for the art form known as live theatre. What follows is one of my ten favorite experiences of the last ten years.

In April 2006, I began Steve On Broadway (SOB), not because I work in the theatre, but because I am deeply passionate about it.

While the silence at first was deafening as I wondered who on earth could ever possibly find little old me, let alone want to, I was surprised as the hits started coming and a dialogue was formed with you, my dear readers, along with a growing contingent of other bloggers who are fellow theatre enthusiasts.

Initially, I had no idea how many of us there were. And to be perfectly honest, I’m still not exactly certain as so many come and go, while others are clearly here for the long haul.

It wasn’t until March 2008 that my dialogue with my fellow bloggers leapt to the next level. Thanks to the coordination of my dear "sister" Esther at Gratuitous Violins, a blog she created only after I urged her to turn her comments she left on my site into postings she could claim as her own, I finally came face to face with a wide swath of these men and women by virtue of our first-ever bloggers brunch.

There, I had the opportunity to meet Aaron at ‘kül That Sounds Cool, Alicia at Things You'll Learn To Love About Me, Chris at Everything I Know I Learned from Musicals, Jan at Broadway & Me, Jimmy at Third Row, Mezzanine, Kari at lit-wit, Mike at The Lunar Gemini, Patrick at Just Shows To Go You and last, but most certainly not least, Sarah at Adventures in the Endless Pursuit of Entertainment, and it was the beginning of many fine friendships that only continue to grow and flourish.

Ever since that time, I’ve been proud to meet an ever-growing online community of true theatre aficionados. Early this year, one of them, my friend dear Jan of Broadway & Me broached the subject of organizing this coterie of theatre bloggers into something more. She suggested organizing a theatre bloggers association. While it would take producer Ken Davenport to make Jan’s inspired dream a reality, the fact is there are now 40 theatre bloggers who comprise the Independent Theatre Bloggers Association (ITBA), and I am very pleased to be a member of this fledgling organization.

Bloggers I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting personally since beginning Steve On Broadway include:
Adventures In The Endless Pursuit Of Entertainment
Broadway Abridged
Broadway & Me
Confessions Of A Chicago Theatre Addict
Daddycatcher's Realm
Everything I Know I Learned From Musicals
Fragments
From The Ledge
Gratuitous Violins
Just Shows To Go You
‘kül That Sounds Cool
litwit
Modern Fabulousity
One Producer In The City
Pataphysical Science
Stage Buzz
Stage Left, House Right
Tapeworthy
Theatre Aficionado At Large
The Broadway Musical Blog
The Clyde Fitch Report
The Stephen Mosher Blog
The Theatergoer
Things You'll Learn To Love About Me
Third Row, Mezzanine
West End Whingers

It's been such an honor meeting these individuals who reside in such far-flung places as London, Chicago, Providence, Boston, Minneapolis and of course New York City. To have forged some strong friendships with many of them has been icing on the cake.

As the world of social networking continues to evolve, I realized earlier this year that it was time to adapt Steve On Broadway for Twitter and Facebook. As someone who had previously scoffed at the notion of using Twitter, I’ve come to depend on it for learning so much of my news. In a very short period of time, I’ve become quite proficient at micro-blogging, and both it and Facebook have enabled me to reach an even greater audience.

If anyone had told me that I would have over 1000 followers or be ranked among the top 20 "most influential" Broadway tweeters by the end of 2009 or that I would have the number one Broadway-tagged blog on Facebook or that Steve On Broadway would be independently ranked as one of the top 15 theatre blogs, I would have wondered what you were smoking. But here we are at the conclusion of 2009, and that’s exactly what has happened, much to my amazement.

If you’ve read this far, I want you to know how much I appreciate your having taken the time to read SOB. I thank you for being part of my online audience, which now includes members of the broad theatre communities throughout the United States as well as in such far-flung places ranging from Australia to the United Kingdom.

Just as I am deeply humbled by the friendship so many of you have given to me, just an average theatre fan, I am also grateful for your support. What ostensibly started out as something I did just for my own personal enjoyment has transformed itself into a part of a larger dialogue among like minds.

Thank you for joining me on my theatrical journeys. Here's to many, many more over the next decade.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.

Labels: Blogs, Broadway, Broadway and Me, Facebook, Gratuitous Violins, Twitter

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, December 18, 2009 8 comments

Broadway Preview: Dividing The Estate

Broadway Preview: Dividing the Estate

As noted here on March 17, Horton Foote's acclaimed Off-Broadway hit from last fall Dividing The Estate will transfer this fall to the Great White Way. Foote earned an Obie Award for his play centering on what happens to the wealthy Gordon Family of Harrison, Texas after there's been a significant death in the family.

First produced at Primary Stages, the Rialto mounting will play the Booth Theatre, long the commercial home of prestige shows. The transfer will once again be directed by Michael Wilson and include much of the original cast, including such marquee names as Elizabeth Ashley, Hallie Foote, Arthur French, Penny Fuller and Gerald McRaney. Rounding out the cast are Devon Abner, Pat Bowie, James DeMarse, Virginia Kull, Maggie Lacey, Nicole Lowrance, Jenny Dare Paulin and Keiana Richard .

Currently, the show is set to begin previews on October 23, with opening night slated for November 20. With an open-ended run scheduled, could this look at an American family become this year's August: Osage County? Given Broadway & Me's glowing review, which stated in part:

...without a doubt, the best of these battling broods are the Gordons in Horton Foote's thoroughly entertaining Dividing The Estate.

it may very well prove that the renewed life on Broadway among American playwrights is no fluke. And wouldn't it be dandy if that wonderfully talented and still prolific nonagenarian named Horton Foote brought home that point?

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Related Stories:
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)
Broadway Estate Planning (March 17, 2008)

Labels: Broadway, Broadway and Me, Dividing The Estate, Elizabeth Ashley, Gerald McRaney, Hallie Foote, Horton Foote, Michael Wilson, Penny Fuller, Play, Transfer

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, July 10, 2008 2 comments

Broadway & Me And Me

Broadway & Me And Me

Over the weekend, the writer of one of my favorite must-read SOB Daily Blog Reads celebrated her first anniversary writing Broadway & Me. Congratulations Jan!

If you haven't already checked out her site, Jan mixes insightful Broadway show reviews (as well as for Off-Broadway) along with personal reminiscences of the Great White Way, sprinkled with occasional references to her husband K, who's not only fortunate enough to be a pit orchestra musician, but able to share in so many of her theatrical excursions.

To say that Jan has added an important, vital voice to the discussion of all things theatre would be an understatement. Broadway & Me is a triumph, and I'm proud to say I've been a reader from Day One.

Like me, she clearly loves live theatre, savoring each experience. But don't just take my word for it. Here's what she says:

I'm a theater lover. I am happiest when I am sitting in a theater. Or when I’m talking about theater. Or reading about theater. Or now blogging about it. If you’re reading this, you're probably a theater lover too and I hope you’ll keep me company as I blog my way through this Broadway season.

Here's to one of the happiest theatre bloggers out there, and Jan, here's to another great year of Broadway & Me. You know I'll be along for the ride, keeping you company and talking about our mutual love.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Labels: Anniversary, Blogs, Broadway, Broadway and Me

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, February 18, 2008 2 comments

Tag, I'm It!

Tag, I'm It!

Thanks to that bubbly effervescent Sarah at Adventures in the Endless Pursuit of Entertainment, who came up with a fun little meme for me this week in which she tagged all her blogbuddies. Since I consider myself one of them (hope I'm not too presumptuous, Sarah), it's saving me on a full-blown entry on a very hectic day.

Naturally, I'll wonder what friends like Esther at Gratuitous Violins, Chris at Everything I Know I Learned from Musicals and Jan at Broadway & Me have to say.

So here goes:

1. The first musical I ever saw on Broadway was (or if you haven’t seen a musical on Broadway): Cats. And I still came back to Broadway anyway!

2. The musical I would most like to see again is: the quintessential Gypsy and Guys And Dolls (my two all-time favorites)

3. The musical I never want to see again is: Cats and The Phantom Of The Opera (my two least favorite musicals)

4. The best performance in a Broadway musical by a woman I’ve ever seen is: Chita Rivera in Nine (2003) where the legendary actress literally stopped the show with her performance of "Folies Bergeres." I've only seen a standing O delivered mid-performance four other times -- by Jennifer Holliday in both the 2002 and 2007 Atlanta revivals of Dreamgirls at the close of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," and twice at the close of Gypsy's "Rose's Turn," first by Bernadette Peters in 2003 (Broadway) and then again by Patti LuPone in 2006 (Ravinia).

5. The best performance in a Broadway musical by a man I’ve ever seen is: Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray, but Nathan Lane in The Producers is not far behind (although it wasn't until my third time seeing the show that I actually saw him...).

6. The person I wish they never cast was: All the stuntcasting that causes shows to jump the shark.

7. The person they should have cast was: Other Broadway babies.

8. My favorite Broadway choreography was in the show: Rob Ashford's impressive work in just about anything he attempts. But if I have to pick one of his shows, then let it be Curtains.

9. The lyric/line that always brings a lump to my throat is: "A bird cage I plan to hang/I'll get to that someday/A bird cage for a bird who flew away/Around the world" -- sung by Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens.

10. The stupidest lyric/line I’ve ever heard is: "I'm not wearing underwear today/No I'm not wearing underwear today," from Avenue Q.

11. The first musical I had to go back and see twice was: The Producers (see my answer in #5)

12. The first musical I ever walked out of was: Are you kidding? It's never happened, even though I may have thought about an early exit.

13. The most under praised and overly deserving show in my opinion is: the 2002 production of Sweet Smell Of Success. At least John Lithgow won.

14. The most overly praised and under deserving show in my opinion is: Cats.

15. The song show tune I’m most likely to sing while I’m dancing around at home is: Lately, for reasons hinted at in my opening, it would have to be "The Bitch Of Living" from Spring Awakening. But there's also plenty of times I've sung "Cabaret" from the eponymous show.

16. If I could recast any role in a current Broadway musical with a performer of the past it would be: Edna Turnblad (Hairspray) with Zero Mostel.

17. If I could recast a current actor in a Broadway musical that was before their time it would be: Michael Cerveris as the King of Siam in The King And I.

18. The show they should never change a word of because it is already perfect is: Gypsy and Guys And Dolls.

19. The show I'd most like to get my hands on and rewrite is: Who am I to rewrite a show?! Good or bad, they are all someone else's pride and joy, full of hard work. If I knew how to rewrite a show, let alone write one, do you think I'd have this blog?!

20. The role I was born to play on Broadway is: Are you kidding? Me on the stage?! If I really had to pick one, it would either be Cabaret's emcee or Guys And Dolls Nathan Detroit. Now there's a range!

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Labels: Adventures In The Endless Pursuit Of Entertainment, Blogs, Broadway, Broadway and Me, Everything I Know I Learned From Musicals, Gratuitous Violins, Meme, Musical

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, February 04, 2008 8 comments

Tonys: Sound Designers' Voices To Be Heard

Labels: Blogs, Broadway, Broadway and Me, Ensembles, Mid Hudson Valley Theatre Blog, Projection Design, Sound Design, Tony Awards, Tony Nominations

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, June 19, 2007 3 comments