The funniest part of watching this past weekend's "Saturday Night Live" was this mock advertisement for hack trial attorneys Gublin and Green. Wonder how "uncool" the PR flacks at Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark think this is. I hate to pile-on, but personally, I think it's very cool that any Broadway show gets parodied on late night TV.
In keeping with the 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.
In keeping with the 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 directly in exchange for this post.
It's time for a change in America, but not without a few parting words from the 43rd President of the United States. Don’t miss your chance to discover the man behind the myth, the truth behind the lies, and the logic behind the illogical in the outrageous limited Broadway event.
Staged at Rialto's Cort Theatre, You're Welcome America is written by Ferrell, who stars as his most famous impersonation. Helmed by Adam McKay and choreographed by Matt Williams, the comedy features Michael Delaney as Dr. Scott Blumeth, Pia Glenn as Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Adam Mucci as a Pilot, and the lead actor's own sibling Patrick Ferrell as a Secret Service Operative. Perhaps most intriguing credit of all is the one for Flying by Foy, which is supplying flying effects.
Ferrell is one of the few SNL actors to receive an Emmy nomination for his work on the late night comedy shows. Certainly, his extraordinary gift for mimicking the mighty no doubt contributed to that distinction.
The big question about tonight's show is whether critics will give 43 a go one more time, or will they wish Ferrell had simply given it a rest. Find out tomorrow as I provide my critics' capsule.
Evidently, while this hilarious little summit to save Broadway was taking place at the mock Sardi's, I was down 44th Street at Angus McIndoe, still coming down from the second-to-last performance of Gypsy.
Here, the Phantom is played with relish by "Saturday Night Live" regular Jason Sudeikis, who happens to be the scion of my longtime friends Kathy and Dan from Kansas City. To say they're proud of their talented son would be an enormous understatement. I can't help but wonder if Jason will ever consider following his real-life uncle onto Broadway's boards.
Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles Limited run extended through May 31, 2011 (Show will go on hiatus starting January 15 and reopen at Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 8)
Rock Of Ages - Open-ended run (Show will go on hiatus starting January 9 and reopen at Helen Hayes Theatre in March)
As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!
