40 Rocks From The Radiant Kristen JohnstonHard as it is to believe, in just a couple days, the eternally effervescent
Kristen Johnston will turn 40.
Johnston is one of those grossly underappreciated award-winning actresses who has chosen to remain very grounded. While I'm betting she could easily have another hit sitcom if she so chose, she's professed in a terrific
Broadway.com interview to having purposely downsized her career by hanging a left toward Off-Broadway in recent years.
I catch her performances anytime I can. Loved her turn as the former "it" party girl Lexi Featherston in the "
Splat!" episode of "
Sex And The City." Loved her in the 2001 Broadway revival of
The Women. Loved her in the more recent Off-Broadway revival of
Aunt Dan And Lemon. And loved her yet again in the even more recent Off-Broadway revival of
The Baltimore Waltz.
While I'm bummed I didn't make it to London to see her
short-lived stint as Joan in
John Kolvenbach's
Love Song,
I'm hoping to love her again in her new Off-Broadway limited run outing of
Scarcity.
Two interesting things you may not know about this electrifying actress are that (a) off stage, the 6 feet tall actress is even more gorgeous and softer in appearance than you'd think (I met her briefly immediately following a performance of
The Women), and (b) she's the daughter of former Republican State Senator
Rod Johnston of suburban Milwaukee -- one of the most decent, moderate politicians I've ever had the honor of knowing (given my regard for Ms. Johnston, I suspect he must have been an outstanding father, too).
Happy birthday, Kristen Johnston!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Cick here for Scarcity tickets.Related Stories:New Duet Partner For McKean In London's Love Song (December 14, 2007)
Was Love Song Music To London Critics' Ears? (December 5, 2006)
Next Stanza: Love Song Opens In London (November 4, 2006)
Kolvenbach's Love Song To Sing In London (October 13, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2001-02 (May 24, 2006)
Labels: Aunt Dan And Lemon, Broadway, Kristen Johnston, Love Song, Off-Broadway, Rod Johnston, Scarcity, Sex And The City, Special Messages, Television, The Baltimore Waltz, The Women
New Duet Partner For McKean In London's Love SongI learned over the weekend that within days of last week's London opening of playwright
John Kolvenbach's
Love Song,
Kristin Johnston became seriously ill with an erupted duodenal ulcer, thus forcing her departure from the show.
What's a brand new production to do? Fortunately, with only one day's notice,
Molly Regan (pictured) -- the actress who originated the role of Joan in the world premiere of
Love Song at Chicago's
Steppenwolf Theatre earlier this year -- flew to London to perform while Johnston recuperates, which may still be before Christmas. Regan will join
Neve Campbell,
Michael McKean and
Cillian Murphy.
In the run-up to the Steppenwolf premiere of this work, I had a wonderful opportunity to meet Regan and speak with her about her life as an actress. Amazingly, this native of Mankato, Minnesota (versus Johnston's roots in neighboring Wisconsin) has been a member of Steppenwolf's ensemble for just over two-thirds of its 31 year existence, appearing in fifteen of its productions through the years. She earned a Joseph Jefferson Award -- Chicago theatre's highest honor -- for her 1991 work in
Another Time. Additionally, Regan has appeared in Broadway productions of
The Crucible (1991) and
Stepping Out (1987).
I was very sorry to learn of Johnston's illness, and certainly wish her a full and speedy recovery. At least London audiences holding tickets for
Love Song while she's out can take comfort that they'll be see a charming and gifted actress who knows the character better than anyone else.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Was Love Song Music To London Critics' Ears? (December 5, 2006)
Next Stanza: Love Song Opens In London (November 4, 2006)
Kolvenbach's Love Song To Sing In London (October 13, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL) (May 19, 2006)
Labels: International, London, Love Song, Play, Steppenwolf
Was Love Song Music To London Critics' Ears?Last evening marked the European premiere of playwright
John Kolvenbach's
Love Song, less than a year after its debut at Chicago's
Steppenwolf Theatre. The earliest reviews were decidedly negative save one, but later reviews provide a bit more balance.
Benedict Nightingale of
The Times offers up a four star review (out of five), saying: "[T]his is an intelligent play with a wise ending and, thanks to
John Crowley’s direction, a crisp, well-acted one too. It leaves you meat, not fluff, to ponder afterwards. And that’s not often the case with American comedies today."
Saying the "production's seamlessness is exhilarating,"
Variety's
David Benedict has praise: "The sweet surprise of John Kolvenbach's play
Love Song is its gentle touch. Instead of hitting auds over the head with earnest metaphysical musings, Kolvenbach works up his ideas of realism and reality, habit and hope, into a quirky romantic comedy. The beautifully cast, pitch-perfect European premiere beautifully delivers both sides of the equation: In the hands of director John Crowley, it's both romantic and comic....Unexpectedness is the play's strength."
Calling the production, "the flimsiest piece of whimsy on which to base a 90-minute play,"
The Independent's
Alice Jones wistfully notes, "You can't help wishing, though, that Kolvenbach had given his actors something a little more substantial to chew on....(
Kristen) Johnston is initially overpowering but her energetic presence ultimately carries the play and (
Michael) McKean provides her with a likeable foil. The scene where they decide to pull a sickie is an especially good showcase for their excellent comic timing."
Dismissing the show as "attenuated whimsy" along with a two stars out of five review,
The Guardian's
Michael Billington says, "Admittedly Kolvenbach's play has a few flicks of wit and an arch playfulness....But behind the play lurks that reverence for madness and delusion that runs through a lot of American drama....I began to yearn for the attentiveness to the actual that once characterised American theatre."
Calling the show "blush makingly trite" in his two out of five star review,
Nicholas de Jongh of the
Evening Standard nevertheless lauds some of the acting chops on display: "I was never really hooked on this arid, little debate at all. (
Cillian) Murphy's bearded, semi-detached looking Beane gives a performance of such riveting poignancy that he tended to make me gloss over the ruminative silliness of
Love Song's contentions....Murphy beautifully captures both this bemused mental state and Beane's excited loquacious joy in sight of his fantasy girlfriend."
As previously noted, I was captivated by the world premiere production in Chicago, and while I can't be sure that John Crowley has directed this version to the same emotional impact, I would make tracks to the theatre to see this one if only I were in London.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Next Stanza: Love Song Opens In London (November 4, 2006)
Kolvenbach's Love Song To Sing In London (October 13, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL) (May 19, 2006)
Labels: Critics' Capsule, London, Love Song, Play, Steppenwolf
Next Stanza: Love Song Opens In LondonThis evening marks the London opening for
John Kolvenbach’s romantic comedy
Love Song at the
New Ambassadors Theatre. The play had its world premiere earlier this year at Chicago's
Steppenwolf Theatre.
Some incredibly talent has been amassed for the West End mounting including one of my stage favorites
Kristen Johnston (
The Women,
Aunt Dan And Lemon and
The Baltimore Waltz) along with
Neve Campbell,
Michael McKean (who's been treading the Broadway boards with increasing frequency lately) and
Cillian Murphy.
As
I've previously noted, this was one of the best shows I saw during the entire 2005-06 Theatrical Season. I said in part:
Kolvenbach’s expert writing leaves us with the hope that love, whether real or imagined, has the power to reinvigorate and illuminate life itself. This production moved me so profoundly that I eagerly saw Long Song twice to catch all its subtle nuances. I heartily recommend it.
I'm certainly hoping British audiences, desperately in need of a good stage play, embrace the play and find it as wonderful as I did in Chicago. We'll see tomorrow what the critics think.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Kolvenbach's Love Song To Sing In London (October 13, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL) (May 19, 2006)
Labels: London, Love Song, Opening Night, Play, Steppenwolf
Kolvenbach's Love Song To Sing In LondonLondon's prolific
Ambassadors Theatre Group has announced that
Love Song will make its West End debut this November 25.
John Kolvenbach's romantic comedy, which enjoyed its world premiere earlier this year at Chicago's
Steppenwolf Theatre, ranked as
my 7th favorite theatrical production of the 2006-06 Theatrical Season.
The new production will be helmed by
John Crowley and star
Neve Campbell (television's "
Party of Five"),
Kristen Johnston,
Michael McKean (most recently in Broadway's
The Pajama Game) and
Cillian Murphy ("
Batman Begins" and "
Breakfast on Pluto"). Performances at London's
New Ambassadors Theatre begin November 25 with an opening set for December 4.
Johnston's inclusion alone has me wistfully contemplating a U.K. visit -- I have had the pleasure of seeing this incredibly versatile actress on the stage three times:
The Women (2001),
Aunt Dan And Lemon (2003) and
The Baltimore Waltz (2005). She's a truly underrated, captivating actress whom I go out of my way to see. In a word, she's breathtaking.
As for the play itself, here's a sampling of
my critique of the show from this past May:
Though no song is ever sung, John Kolvenbach’s Love Song deserves to be heard and seen. In fact, it is in essence sweet music for the soul....Love Song centers around a troubled man in a dark retreat from the world. With delirious precision, Ian Barford plays Beane, whose lonely, depressed existence is punctuated only by his occasional visits with his devoted sister, Joan and her often contrarian husband Harry....Beane’s hapless life appears to take a momentous turn for the better when he meets and falls for Molly, a mystifying woman.
Suddenly, Beane exudes a spring-like buoyancy and emerges from his own personal darkness. Indeed, Beane’s fresh hunger for love and thirst for living initially alarm Joan and Harry. Yet despite their concern, they themselves catch Beane’s contagious love bug, surprising themselves with a newfound level of affection and intimacy of their own. Long Song provides other crucial twists and turns, but none of them are as touching or as honestly portrayed as the real love ultimately shared between Beane and his sister.
Kolvenbach’s expert writing leaves us with the hope that love, whether real or imagined, has the power to reinvigorate and illuminate life itself.
I'm hopeful British audiences will be equally touched by this outstanding play.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for more information about the New Ambassadors Theatre.Related Stories:Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2001-02 (May 24, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL) (May 19, 2006)
Labels: First Word On New Show, London, Love Song, Play, Steppenwolf
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL)Though no song is ever sung, John Kolvenbach’s
Love Song deserves to be heard and seen. In fact, it is in essence sweet music for the soul. The production had its world premiere this spring at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, with performances continuing there for a limited time.
Love Song centers around a troubled man in a dark retreat from the world. With delirious precision, Ian Barford plays Beane, whose lonely, depressed existence is punctuated only by his occasional visits with his devoted sister, Joan (portrayed by the lovely Molly Regan) and her often contrarian husband Harry (played by Francis Guinan).
Under Austin Pendleton’s expert direction, Beane’s hapless life appears to take a momentous turn for the better when he meets and falls for Molly, a mystifying woman played with sensual ferocity by Mariann Mayberry (Barford and Mayberry are pictured above). Suddenly, Beane exudes a spring-like buoyancy and emerges from his own personal darkness. Indeed, Beane’s fresh hunger for love and thirst for living initially alarm Joan and Harry. Yet despite their concern, they themselves catch Beane’s contagious love bug, surprising themselves with a newfound level of affection and intimacy of their own.
Long Song provides other crucial twists and turns, but none of them are as touching or as honestly portrayed as the real love ultimately shared between Beane and his sister. Kolvenbach’s expert writing leaves us with the hope that love, whether real or imagined, has the power to reinvigorate and illuminate life itself.
This production moved me so profoundly that I eagerly saw
Long Song twice to catch all its subtle nuances. I heartily recommend it. That’s why it is at #7 on my SOB Best of the 2005-06 Theatrical Season list. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am a proud member of Steppenwolf's Auxiliary Council Board of Governors)
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets. Related Stories:SOB's Best of 2005-06: #1 - Theater Of The New Ear (Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA) (May 30, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #2 – Guys And Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre, London, UK) (May 26, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #3 – Hedda Gabler (Brooklyn Academy of Music – Harvey Theatre, New York, NY) (May 25, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #4 – A Blameless Life (Steppenwolf Garage, Chicago, IL) (May 24, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #5 – Reeling (The Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, MN) (May 23, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #6 – “MASTER HAROLD”…And The Boys (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL) (May 21, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #8 - Billy Elliot The Musical (Victoria Palace Theatre, London, UK) (May 18, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #9 - The Well-Appointed Room (Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, IL) (May 17, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #10 - Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Eugene O'Neill Theatre, New York, NY) (May 15, 2006)
The SOB Five "Worst" of 2005-06 (May 12, 2006)
SOB's Best and Worst of 2005-06 Theatre Season (May 12, 2006)
Labels: Chicago, John Kolvenbach, Love Song, Play, SOB's Best of 2005-06, Steppenwolf
