Final FourJust as America’s annual national obsession with college basketball is about to conclude, so will four performances on Broadway this evening.
The Great White Way will bid adieu to two plays, one musical and one singular, breathtaking performance in a musical. They include:
The critically-acclaimed
Manhattan Theatre Club revival of
Brian Friel’s
Translations, which after 53 regular performances sadly leaves on a bitter note with the abrupt firing of actor
Michael Fitzgerald for rough handling of a castmate.
Jeremy Bobb replaced him for the final performances.
David Hare’s
The Vertical Hour, with
Bill Nighy and
Julianne Moore. Critics were mixed on this play, although all sang Nighy’s praises. Moore’s starpower wasn’t enough to keep the production from closing two weeks earlier than planned. Still, with 117 regular performances, the production achieved that rarest of feats for Broadway plays: it leaves having already turned a profit.
The Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of
The Apple Tree with
Kristin Chenoweth,
Brian d’Arcy James and until recently,
Marc Kudisch, who jumped ship for
The Pirates Of Penzance. Although the cast received decent to rapturous notices, few critics (including yours truly) were excited about this dated concept musical. The limited run enjoyed 99 regular performances.
Bob Martin (pictured), a/k/a Man In Chair, in the ongoing, Tony-winning Broadway production of
The Drowsy Chaperone. Martin, of course, is one of the genii behind this vastly entertaining musical from before its inception as a 1999 Toronto Fringe Festival favorite. But fortunately for West End audiences, Martin will be returning to the comfort of an English version of his favorite settee later this year. Still, it will be hard to imagine anyone else on the Great White Way as this one-of-a-kind character, who inserts himself into the action of a 1920s-style tuner.
Each of these departures is deserving of a fond farewell, and expect to see some well-deserved Tony nominations announced for performances in the outgoing productions. And perhaps there’s a future Olivier in the cards for Martin, who rightly received a Tony nod last year.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for The Drowsy Chaperone tickets.Labels: Bob Martin, Broadway, Closings, Kristin Chenoweth, Musical, Play, Revival, The Apple Tree, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Vertical Hour, Translations
Whither Goeth Chenoweth?
But with a potential starring gig on an ABC television series called "Pushing Daisies," what will happen to the looming
Young Frankenstein scheduled to replace
The Producers at the St. James Theatre later this year? The Tony-winning actress had earlier assumed the coveted
Madeline Kahn role of Elizabeth in last year's vaunted reading of the new
Mel Brooks tuner.
Chenoweth, of course, is performing her last couple weeks in the Great White Way revival of
The Apple Tree. In addition to her leading role in that show, she recently made her acclaimed operatic debut with New York's
Metropolitan Opera.
Needless to say, the ABC pilot has yet to be picked up, and much can happen between now and the time Young Frankenstein comes to fruition. But if she's now going West, who might replace her?
According to one of my favorite personal sources,
Megan Mullally is rumored to be ready to take Chenoweth's place. Mullally has not been on Broadway since 1995's celebrated revival of
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Her only other stint there was in the 1994 revival of
Grease. Ironically, I just spotted Mullally
in the audience at a recent performance of the new
Company revival (stay tuned for a review of that show to come shortly).
While I have to admit that I'd be sad to see the promising new Brooks musical move forward sans Chenoweth, Mullally is one of the few other comedic actresses with the apropos chops to make Kahn's former role her own. Stay tuned!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Grease, Kristin Chenoweth, Megan Mullally, Revival, Television, The Apple Tree, The Producers, Young Frankenstein
The Curse Of The Understudy - Part II
In case you've read my review of
The Apple Tree and wondered why there were absolutely no references to the performance of
Marc Kudisch, there's a simple rationale: He was out when I saw the show.
Fortunately for me, I've had the opportunity to see Kudisch perform elsewhere before. But it's always a disappointment whenever one of the lead actors in any show is out for whatever reason. To be honest, I was very surprised that he was already absent for a production that had only officially opened one month earlier to the day.
However, much to my pleasant surprise, Kudisch has a stellar understudy. Although he regularly plays the second act's Tiger, as well as handling ensemble duties,
Sean Palmer (pictured) -- perhaps best known to television audiences for his portrayal of Stanford Blatch's long-suffering boyfriend Marcus on "
Sex And The City" -- expertly assumed Kudisch's responsibilities. What a revelation!
Yes, I knew that this Reno native had once portrayed Tony Manero in the stage version of
Saturday Night Fever, and yes, I recall seeing him in the film version of "
Chicago," but I had no idea just how talented he really is...until now. With a wonderful set of pipes, suave dance moves and seductive acting style, Palmer more than holds his own opposite
Kristin Chenoweth and
Brian d'Arcy James.
Here's hoping that Palmer's star is only begining to truly shine.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
Labels: Broadway, Curse of the Understudy, Marc Kudisch, Musical, Revival, Sean Palmer, The Apple Tree, Understudy
Did Apple Revival Fall Very Far From The Tree With Critics?Last evening, the very first revival of the 1967 Broadway hit
The Apple Tree opened at
Studio 54. Did this
Apple fall very far from the original
Tree?
The Wall Street Journal's
Terry Teachout enthusiastically proclaims: "Rejoice greatly, musical-comedy fans: The Roundabout Theatre Company has revived
The Apple Tree as a vehicle for
Kristin Chenoweth, and she drives it up and down Broadway like a brand-new Beemer....By turns funny, sexy, endearing and the best singer on Broadway, she nails a high D in 'Passionella,' presumably just because she can. She is also a splendid actress who fills every line and gesture with fully felt, dazzlingly specific life, and woe to the mere mortals who must labor in her shadow."
In awarding three out of four stars,
USA Today's
Elysa Gardner opines: "This fresh Apple, now at Studio 54, has ample charm to sustain it for two hours....Clearly, even at 4-foot-11, Chenoweth remains a force to be reckoned with."
Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press has laurels for the celebrated actress, even if not for the show: "Kristin Chenoweth makes her own special brand of musical-comedy magic. The woman belongs in the theater...preferably in a musical that can show off her voice and delirious comic timing at the same time. She gets just such an opportunity in this odd, uneven entertainment...Chenoweth played the lead in
The Apple Tree two years ago in a production at 'Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert.' If anything, she has gotten better."
Praising Kristin Chenoweth as "fearless and, when need be, shameless" in his mixed review,
Ben Brantley of
The New York Times states: "Are the vitality, craftsmanship and musical chops of Ms. Chenoweth and her co-stars enough to turn a rusty time capsule into a transporting time machine? The answer is an unqualified yes only in the first act, based on
Mark Twain’s 'Diary of Adam and Eve.' In the second act...
The Apple Tree starts to look pretty bare."
Also offering up a mixed review is
Variety's
David Rooney: "Roundabout's decision to upgrade to Broadway in a slapped-together production at Studio 54 only exposes the flimsy material's limitations. There's still lots to enjoy here, but with a top ticket north of $100, sweet and pleasant don't quite cut it....Chenoweth has the timing and physical comedy skills of a classic screwball star like Carole Lombard, and her airy, effortless soprano makes enchanting work of (the) songs...."
The limited engagement of
The Roundabout Theatre Company's
The Apple Tree is currently slated to run through March 11.
I'll be paying a visit to Studio 54 in just a few weeks to see this revival for myself. Stay tuned as I provide you with my own assessment.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:A Tree Grows In Manhattan: Apple Tree Revival Opens Tonight (December 14, 2006)
The Toast Of Tulsa (December 3, 2006)
Apple Tree In Good Company Among SOB Readers (November 6, 2006)
The Apple Tree's Casting Gets Juicier (October 12, 2006)
Young Frankenstein Workshop To Feature Monster Casting (October 11, 2006)
Eve of a New Broadway Role for Kristin Chenoweth (September 13, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Critics' Capsule, Kristin Chenoweth, Musical, Revival, The Apple Tree
A Tree Grows In Manhattan: Apple Tree Revival Opens TonightThirty-nine years may be mighty long time, but
The Apple Tree is finally setting down its roots again on Broadway. This evening marks the opening at
Studio 54 for the revival of
Jerry Bock and
Sheldon Harnick's full-length follow-up to
Fiddler On The Roof.
Certainly while most of the attention has been lavished on its diminutive star
Kristin Chenoweth, one fun little factoid that harkens back to the original 1966 production is that
Alan Alda -- one of Chenoweth's co-stars on "
The West Wing" -- will be providing the "Voice of God" in the revival. Alda originated the roles of Adam, Captain Sanjar and Flip, the Prince, Charming during the musical's first incarnation for which he received a Tony nomination (
Brian d'Arcy James will tackle these characters in the version opening tonight).
Chenoweth, of course, will be filling the enormous shoes left by
Barbara Harris, who won a Tony for her portrayals of Eve, Princess Barbára, Ella and Passionella. What makes her turn in these roles all the more intriguing is that unlike Harris,
Chenoweth can hit the high D in “Gorgeous” that nearly forty years ago was pre-recorded by someone else and played for effect.
While
Marc Kudisch's Snake will try charming Chenoweth's Eve, the question remaining is whether the
Gary Griffin-helmed tuner can similarly captivate the critics.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:The Toast Of Tulsa (December 3, 2006)
Apple Tree In Good Company Among SOB Readers (November 6, 2006)
The Apple Tree's Casting Gets Juicier (October 12, 2006)
Young Frankenstein Workshop To Feature Monster Casting (October 11, 2006)
Eve of a New Broadway Role for Kristin Chenoweth (September 13, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Kristin Chenoweth, Musical, Opening Night, Revival, The Apple Tree
The Toast Of TulsaSpeaking of Oklahoma’s second largest city, I read
an insightful story in today’s
The New York Times on the űber-busy bubbling Broadway blonde actress
Kristin Chenoweth, who originally hails from Broken Arrow, OK.
Give her props for being proud to be who she is. And I can’t wait to see her in the upcoming Great White Way revival of
The Apple Tree, which opens on December 14.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:Apple Tree In Good Company Among SOB Readers (November 6, 2006)
The Apple Tree's Casting Gets Juicier (October 12, 2006)
Young Frankenstein Workshop To Feature Monster Casting (October 11, 2006)
Eve of a New Broadway Role for Kristin Chenoweth (September 13, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Kristin Chenoweth, Musical, Revival, The Apple Tree, Tulsa
Apple Tree In Good Company Among SOB ReadersOver the last few weeks, I've invited you and other Steve On Broadway (SOB) readers to tell me which new Broadway musical
revival you're most enthusiastic about seeing. The biggest slice of votes (37%) went to
The Apple Tree , which was in great company with, well,
Company (with 25.9%).
Certainly,
The Apple Tree's popularity comes in part because of the excellent cast that has been assembled, including
Kristin Chenoweth,
Marc Kudisch,
Brian d'Arcy James and
Walter Charles; after all, how many of today's theatregoers are actually familiar with the
Sheldon Harnick/
Jerry Bock score?
If you're judged by the
company you keep, then it has to be said the upcoming
John Doyle-helmed revival of
Stephen Sondheim's
Company has created plenty of excitement and positive buzz due to its acclaimed premiere in Cincinnati.
Most surprising was the fourth place finish of
A Chorus Line (11.1%) behind
Les Misérables (18.5%). Maybe it's that many of you have already made tracks to the
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre since the former opened, or perhaps it was the mixed reviews it garnered. Whatever the reason, I still expected a somewhat different outcome.
Personally, I'm torn as to which revival I'm most excited about. Fortunately, I already have my tickets to both of my choices -- and it's in keeping with your sentiment:
The Apple Tree and
Company.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for The Apple Tree tickets.Click here for Company tickets.Related Stories:Which New Broadway Play Are You Most Enthusiastic About Seeing? (October 27, 2006)
Mary Poppins, Grey Gardens Tops Among SOB Readers (October 27, 2007)
Which Current Broadway Musical Would You Pull The Plug On? (October 22, 2006)
Which New Broadway Musical Revival Are You Most Enthusiastic About Seeing? (October 19, 2006)
Which New Broadway Musical Are You Most Enthusiastic About Seeing? (October 16, 2006)
Take The Steve On Broadway (SOB) Poll (October 15, 2006)
Labels: A Chorus Line, Broadway, Company, Kristin Chenoweth, Les Miserables, Musical, Revival, SOB Poll, The Apple Tree
Which New Broadway Musical Revival Are You Most Enthusiastic About Seeing?Last Sunday, readers of Steve On Broadway (SOB) were invited to participate in the new poll feature, which is on the right hand column. It enables you to provide a snapshot opinion on all things theatre with the click of your mouse (please note that the poll's mechanism only enables you to vote once, meaning that if you try voting repeatedly, only your final vote will be tallied).
While the first poll question remains active, I've added a second one at the top that asks:
"Which new Broadway musical revival are you most enthusiastic about seeing?" Options are provided for each of the confirmed Broadway revivals scheduled for this season including:
A Chorus Line,
Company,
Les Misérables,
110 In The Shade and
The Apple Tree.
There's still time to cast your vote for the new Broadway musical your most enthusiastic about seeing -- you'll find that initial poll question right below the first. Your choices include:
Grey Gardens,
High Fidelity,
Legally Blonde,
Mary Poppins,
The Pirate Queen and
The Times They Are A-Changin'.
Also, feel free to share your opinion on why you're voting the way you are, along with any other comments you'd like to make. As always, whether you think my opinion mirrors yours or is just plain wrong, I promise to post each comment that seeks to engage in a thoughtful discussion on theatre.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Which New Broadway Musical Are You Most Enthusiastic About Seeing? (October 16, 2006)
Take The Steve On Broadway (SOB) Poll (October 15, 2006)
Labels: 110 In The Shade, A Chorus Line, Broadway, Company, Les Miserables, Musical, Revival, SOB Poll, The Apple Tree
The Apple Tree's Casting Gets JuicierWhile hopes have been dashed for anyone hoping beyond hope that
Michael Cerveris would join
Kristin Chenoweth in reprising roles from the
City Center Encores! production of
The Apple Tree for the upcoming
Roundabout Theatre Company revival, the three other principals announced to play opposite Chenoweth will undoubedtly be very welcome:
Walter Charles,
Brian d'Arcy James and
Marc Kudisch.
Clearly, despite
The Apple Tree's limited engagement, Chenoweth and Kudisch will be spending a great deal of time together in upcoming months, given their attachment to this and the
Young Frankenstein tuner.
This first Broadway revival for the
Jerry Bock/
Sheldon Harnick musical will begin performances on November 28 at
Studio 54 and run through March 11, 2007.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for subscriber information.Related Stories:Young Frankenstein Workshop To Feature Monster Casting (October 11, 2006)
Eve of a New Broadway Role for Kristin Chenoweth (September 13, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Kristen Chenoweth, Musical, Revival, The Apple Tree
Young Frankenstein Workshop To Feature Monster Casting
According to
Michael Riedel in this morning's
New York Post, the upcoming reading of
Mel Brooks' second Broadway-bound musical
Young Frankenstein will feature a truly spectacular, inspired cast. Yet, Michael Riedel reports that Brooks & Co. are still in search of their perfect doctor.
Kristin Chenoweth, who's already been announced for the limited Broadway revival of
The Apple Tree, is slated to assume the role of Elizabeth (portrayed on the silver screen by
Madeline Kahn). As wonderful as that news is, I'm most thrilled that the incredibly talented and versatile
Cloris Leachman will reprise her role as Frau Blücher (I can just imagine the horses
neighing in delight). Leachman's
second Broadway appearance came as an understudy (and ultimately replacement) for the Nellie Forbush role in the
original production of
South Pacific back in 1949. If Leachman remains in the cast through its Broadway staging, it would mark her first time on the Great White Way since 1959 when she performed in
Masquerade.
Additionally, the Brooks/
Thomas Meehan tuner reading will include
Sutton Foster as Inga (
Teri Garr's role),
Roger Bart as Igor (
Marty Feldman's role),
Shuler Hensley as the Monster (
Peter Boyle's role),
Marc Kudisch as the police inspector (
Kenneth Mars' role).
According to Riedel, Brooks and director
Susan Stroman's dream doctor would be
Hugh Jackman, but others under consideration include
Jimmy Fallon (who'd be the second Jimmy Fallon to grace a Broadway stage -- the
first was an actor in the 1930s) and
Thomas Cavanagh.
Riedel also reports that Brooks & Co. have secured the rights from the
Estate of Irving Berlin to use "Puttin' On The Ritz." The musical is currently on track to enjoy a tryout in Chicago next summer before heading to Broadway.
Personally, as wary (weary?) as I am about most musicals based on movies, the pedigree of this one has me practically bouncing off the walls in anticipation. I can't wait and will make every effort to take in the Chicago premiere.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Film, Kristen Chenoweth, Musical, South Pacific, The Apple Tree, Workshop, Young Frankenstein
Eve of a New Broadway Role for Kristin ChenowethIt's been nearly three years since Tony Award-winning actress
Kristin Chenoweth last opened in a Broadway show, but what a role that was! Chenoweth floated into our hearts -- via bubble -- as Glinda in the musical juggernaut known as
Wicked.
Now comes news that Chenoweth will be headlining the very first Great White Way revival of
The Apple Tree as Eve (as in Adam and...).
Gary Griffin (
The Color Purple) will direct the
Roundabout Theatre Company musical, which will make its bow at
Studio 54 beginning November 28 with a December 14 opening.
This won't be Chenoweth's first crack at Eve -- she took on the role via
City Center's "Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert" with co-stars
Michael Cerveris and
Malcolm Gets. No word yet on who whether either will reprise their roles for the new production.
The
Jerry Bock/
Sheldon Harnick tuner last graced a Broadway stage during its 463 performance run at the
Shubert Theatre from October, 1966-November 1967. That production received seven Tony nominations and landed
Barbara Harris a Tony for the role Chenoweth will assume.
Will it work the same magic for Broadway's favorite bubbly blond? I'm not sure, but you can bet I'll do my best to be in the audience for this one.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Kristen Chenoweth, Musical, Revival, The Apple Tree, Wicked
