Are Blogs Making The Time-Honored Preview Obsolete?Remember the "good old days" of theatre when bad news traveled at such a snail's pace that a stinker show could go through an out-of-town tryout and few in the Big Apple would pay any serious attention?
Time was when producers, directors, writers and the actors could work out all the kinks on the road, or at least during the all-important lead-up to the big Broadway opening night.
But no more.
Now, thanks to the blogsphere, the buzz (or its antithesis) begins almost as instantly as one audience member begins acting as scribe, letting friends and readers far and wide know exactly what he or she thought. Essentially, shows can run, but they can't hide, in part due to the global proportions of blogging.
For example, last week, I posted my
SOB Preview of Young Frankenstein. It's the first time I've ever blogged about a show that had not yet opened -- including during its trial run in a city far, far away from the bright lights and glare of the Great White Way. Yet, simply because I could, I did. And my regular readers, along with those googling "Young Frankenstein Seattle Review," could easily find out my take on the unfinished product. Indeed, my statcounter has shown that this has been one of my top-viewed postings of late.
Already, according to a cursory search on
Technorati, there are well over 100 individual reviews of the same show. This, despite the fact that it hasn't even opened yet in Seattle, let alone New York.
The net effect? It's further threatening the relevance of mainstream news media outlets all the more, as
Seattle Times theatre critic
Misha Berson all but acknowledges in her thought-provoking piece on why she's not able to weigh-in on the show. No matter that the Internet is already full of reviews -- both good and bad -- by amateurs like myself. It reduces venerable news sources to being also-rans.
I suspect that the other effect is far greater. Could it force productions to significantly pare back previews or scuttle them altogether? Ironically, in the aforementioned good old days, the typical number of previews prior to opening night was miniscule or non-existent.
Can you believe that the original production of
Oklahoma! never had a single Broadway preview prior to its 1943 opening night? Contrast that with the
most recent production -- which was imported from the British stage in 2002 -- that had 25 previews. That's up substantially from the
1979 production, which had a mere nine previews.
Consider that the original 1975 production of
A Chorus Line, which transferred directly from the Public Theatre, had no previews. Yet the
current production, known for being staged ostensibly the same as the first one, had 18 previews.
If you're thinking that a transfer mitigates the need for lengthy previews, think again. This year's Tony Award winning Best Musical
Spring Awakening, which transferred from a highly successful run at the Atlantic Theatre (albeit with further refinements), still required 28 previews.
In fact, if you were to add up all the preview nights of all 21 shows currently running on Broadway, you'd have a grand total of 566 nights of previews, or just over 26 per show. That ranges from the inexplicably low 14 previews of
Mamma Mia! to the outrageously long gestation period for
Xanadu, which clocked in a whopping 49 previews thanks to injuries.
Even recent runs of acclaimed plays were close to the average in terms of previews.
Frost/Nixon had 23 previews on Broadway, despite its critical success in the United Kingdom with the same two principals.
The History Boys, which had the exact same cast as its heralded National Theatre and West End runs, apparently still needed its 10 previews on the Great White Way.
Or did it?
In the age of the blogosphere, are previews now living past their shelf date? Since bad news travels faster than ever, almost with glee if the show's particularly awful (read:
The Pirate Queen), would producers at the very least be wise to reconsider their liberal use of the preview?
You tell me! Vote in my latest SOB Poll and then weigh in with your point of view below.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: A Chorus Line, Blogs, Broadway, Frost/Nixon, Mamma Mia, Oklahoma, Previews, Spring Awakening, The History Boys, Tryout, Xanadu, Young Frankenstein
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best New Plays
Throughout the course of the 2006-07 Theatrical Season, I've enjoyed the opportunity to see a wide variety of new plays -- 21, in fact.
Some of them were original Broadway runs, while others were world premieres, while still others were regional interpretations of major new works. Many dealt with intriguing current issues or historical events, while others simply provided vehicles for stars making their return to the Great White Way.
On the whole, I treated myself to many outstanding and memorable productions. Here's my personal "5 Best" list of the dramas and comedies that had me at the edge of my seat over the past year:
1 - Sonia Flew (Downstairs Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago, IL)
Steppenwolf's splendid, soaring
Sonia Flew left me
positively chilled by giving me an experience unique among all my visits to this excellent theatre: real tears. And they were my own.
Packing a powerful wallop without being overly sentimental, the
Melinda Lopez drama won on so many levels:
Jessica Thebus' exquisite direction, Stephanie Nelson's gorgeous set design, Stephan Mazurek's haunting projection design and a truly superb cast. Ultimately, Sonia Flew packed its most decisive punch as an engrossing, richly-layered account of redemption. That redemption is realized by Sonia, a Cuban émigré who has made a new life for herself in Minneapolis.
Thanks to Lopez' gifted writing, the story comes full circle to a point that left me in tears. Not only did her words deeply affect me; so did the raw emotions and flawless talent of the impeccable cast --
Sandra Delgado,
Sandra Marquez,
Andrew Perez,
Vilma Silva,
Jeff Still and
Alan Wilder -- all showing incredible range and versatility in handling wildly divergent portrayals of two roles apiece. These fine actors infused their characterizations with just the right amount of emotional heft to be both believable and strangely intoxicating without ever being overwrought.
Click here for The SOB Review of Sonia Flew.2 - The Unmentionables (Downstairs Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago, IL)
Initially planned as a vehicle to showcase the talents of
Steppenwolf ensemble members
John Mahoney,
Laurie Metcalf and
K. Todd Freeman,
The Unmentionables was certainly worth mentioning even without them. Playwright
Bruce Norris' compelling brilliance was woven throughout his compelling tale, which enjoyed its world premiere last summer at Chicago's Steppenwolf.
Like so much of Norris' previous work, things are never exactly what they seem. His very humorous yet explosive play forced the audience to look in the mirror he so deftly held up to them, with a dare to look closely at themselves, confront prejudices and ponder how they'd behave in the midst of panic or crisis. The play's many twists were expertly helmed by Anna D. Shapiro, particularly in the layered dialogue that exposes the sanctimonious frauds Norris believes all too many Americans are.
The cast was absolutely superb. But let me single out
Amy Morton (shown above to the right of Shannon Cochran) for offering one of the most memorable performances of the past year as the ditzy wife of a shady American businessman. Morton once again demonstrated just how incredibly versatile and funny she can be with her boozy, sex-deprived wife who simply can't keep quiet (think of the airline passenger from hell who just won't shut up) -- this is the best performance I've seen from her since she portayed Nurse Ratched on Broadway in Steppenwolf's
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest back in 2001.
Click here to see The SOB Review of The Unmentionables.3 - The Year Of Magical Thinking (Booth Theatre, New York, NY)
When finally seeing the transformation of author
Joan Didion's critically-acclaimed 2005 book "
The Year Of Magical Thinking" to its
Broadway stage incarnation, I had already made the conscious decision not to read her work in advance. I wanted to enjoy the play for what it is. The result: I was absolutely stunned, not only by the breadth of the heartbreaking virtuoso performance by
Vanessa Redgrave, but also by the very exacting and deliberate words Didion herself chose to tell her story to a wider audience.
Coping with the death of a loved one is certainly never easy, but in a beautifully subtle, almost poetic sense, Didion through Redgrave walks herself and her audience through the inevitable phases of denial and acceptance, along with the will to persevere -- at first for the sake of keeping hope alive for the dearly departed, but then to maintain one's own solitary sanity. I was awestruck by how intoxicating Didion's words were flawlessly delivered by Redgrave, along with the wellspring of heartfelt emotion shown when the acceptance phase finally takes hold, as well as the realization when it does.
No small wonder that Didion is so circumspect in deliberately cautioning her newfound audience that this indeed could happen to them. In fact, since Redgrave as Didion so gracefully girds the audience with what is unmistakably a gentle and compassionate embrace, I believe she should be praised for sharing her insights on her tremendous losses. She's certainly earned that right.
Click here for The SOB Review of The Year Of Magical Thinking.4 - The History Boys (Broadhurst Theatre, New York, NY)
Yes, I realize that
Alan Bennett's Tony Award-winning Best Play
The History Boys was a hit from last season; however, it wasn't until this past fall that I finally had the opportunity to see the show. I did so during its last weekend on Broadway.
While the subplot -- concerning the predation by teacher Hector (
Richard Griffiths) of his exceptionally gifted and intelligent students -- often overtook the primary plotline of his care in preparing them for their pursuit of Cambridge and Oxford admissions (I saw the play the day
after the infamous Mark Foley page episode erupted into the headlines), I found myself mesmerized by the highly fascinating and utterly funny performance.
Nicholas Hytner's direction was both fast-paced and jarring, moving swiftly from scene to scene, interspersed with
Ben Taylor's fascinating video sequences that continued telling the story outside the classroom as
Bob Crowley's effective, efficient set design is quickly changed. Ultimately, this is an ensemble piece with some extraordinarily talented actors, young and old. While Tony Awards were bestowed upon Griffiths and
Frances de la Tour, it's the sensitive, perfect breakthrough performance by
Samuel Barnett (pictured) as outwardly gay student Posner that ranks among the most affecting I saw over the past year.
Click here to see The SOB Review of The History Boys.5 - Radio Golf (Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL)
Before it landed on Broadway, I caught playwright
August Wilson's powerful and gripping final drama
Radio Golf with much of the same creative team and cast behind the
Cort Theatre production.
As moved as I was by the incredible performances, I couldn't help but wonder whether Wilson ever succeeded in reconciling his own mainstream, critical success with the vehement antipathy his protagonists express toward African Americans who willingly play ball with the "white establishment." Set in the nineties,
Radio Golf certainly charts the great strides blacks have made, but Wilson also seeks to expose how many have sold out to whites to the detriment of their own people.
Almost everything about this production was top-notch, from
Kenny Leon's direction to
David Gallo's outstanding set design that was completely evocative of a neighborhood neglected by time and lack of capital. But I reserve special praise for the brilliant cast.
Hassan El-Amin, who didn't make the journey to Broadway, provided a spectacularly nuanced performance as the would-be mayor, easily maneuvering from the early euphoria of assured success to an explosive finish. Yet it's the impassioned performances by both
Anthony Chisholm -- a Wilson staple -- and
John Earl Jelks that deserve special recognition for the moral compass they provided (and the actors have received Tony nominations for their performances in the Broadway production).
Click here for The SOB Review of Radio Golf.Honorable Mentions:As mentioned above, I had the opportunity to see many outstanding productions during the course of the past year. The following two productions merit special honorable mention:
- Edgardo Mine (McGuire Proscenium Stage, Guthrie, Minneapolis, MN) -- Alfred Uhry's riveting and vitally important play Edgardo Mine examined the real-life 19th Century struggle between the Catholic Church and Jewish parents whose gravely ill son had been baptized without their knowledge. Under the expert direction of Mark Lamos, Edgardo Mine had me seriously struggling to determine where love and devotion end and evil and demonization begin. (Click here to see The SOB Review of Edgardo Mine)
- Frost/Nixon (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, New York, NY) -- Frost/Nixon’s finest moments are derived directly from the interviews between talk show host David Frost and disgraced U.S. President Richard Nixon, and that’s when the production shifts into high gear. It’s during these passages that Frank Langella (Nixon) and Michael Sheen (Frost) really shine. Just as Langella is breathtaking as his Nixon steamrollers over Frost in the early interview stages, you can’t help but be awed by how Sheen’s Frost cowers like a punch drunk fighter not knowing what hit him. Notwithstanding the flaws in Peter Morgan’s overall script, the two actors deliver two of the most riveting performances of the year. (Click here to see The SOB Review of Frost/Nixon)
What were the best new plays you saw over the past year? I invite you to join the conversation by sharing your theatre experiences with me.
Also, don't forget to vote for the shows you believe will win in each of the four major Tony Award categories: Best Musical, Best Play, Best Revival of a Musical and Best Revival of a Play. You'll find all four polls on the right-hand side of Steve On Broadway.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for Frost/Nixon tickets.Click here for Radio Golf tickets. Click here for The Year Of Magical Thinking tickets.Related Stories: SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best Revivals Of Musicals (May 18, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best Revivals Of Plays (May 16, 2007)
The SOB Five "Worst" Of 2006-07 (May 14, 2007)
SOB's Best & Worst Of 2006-07 Theatre Season (May 14, 2007)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #1 - Theater Of The New Ear (May 30, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #2 – Guys And Dolls (May 26, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #3 – Hedda Gabler (May 25, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #4 – A Blameless Life (May 24, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #5 – Reeling (May 23, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #6 – “MASTER HAROLD”…And The Boys (May 21, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #7 – Love Song (May 19, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #8 - Billy Elliot The Musical (May 18, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #9 - The Well-Appointed Room (May 17, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #10 - Sweeney Todd (May 15, 2006)
SOB's Best and Worst of 2005-06 Theatre Season (May 12, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2003-04 (May 25, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 25, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2001-02 (May 24, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2000-01 (May 23, 2006)
Labels: Best New Plays, Edgardo Mine, Frost/Nixon, Play, Radio Golf, SOB's Best of 2006-07, Sonia Flew, The History Boys, The Unmentionables, The Year Of Magical Thinking
The History Boys (The SOB Review) - Broadhurst Theatre, New York, NY***1/2 (out of ****)Current news stories often inform my perspective when going to the theatre. They can have a chilling impact on my assessment if a terrible event has just occurred. Unfortunately, that was the case in finally seeing
The History Boys this past Saturday.
You see, the day before,
Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) resigned in disgrace after it had been revealed that he had been instant-messaging a 16 year old Congressional page with sexually suggestive, predatory comments. The ensuing outrage was both immediate and widespread.
Little did I realize upon entering the
Broadhurst that this year's Tony Award-winning Best Play would touch on the delicate topic of Hector, an aging predatory teacher (excellently played by
Richard Griffiths) who regularly provided motorcycle rides to many of his students, copping a feel with each along the way. The news events of the prior day weighed so heavily in my consciousness that I was continually holding my breath as each revelation in the compelling play was made.
Perhaps most shocking given the Foley news flash was playwright
Alan Bennett rather cavalierly depicting the students' amazingly blithe acceptance of their teacher's groping, and the seeming desire by Hector's one outwardly gay student Posner -- played with sensitive perfection by
Samuel Barnett -- to be included on the rides that inexplicably remained elusive to him. Surely the mores of the time (mid-1980s in northern England) would have deemed such behavior as much more reprehensible than it was portrayed, despite the isolated outrage offered up by
Clive Merrison's quirky Headmaster.
Yet, in spite of all that, I found myself mesmerized by the entire performance. While the intended subplot often overtook the primary plotline, the overriding story about Hector preparing his exceptionally gifted and intelligent students for their pursuit of Cambridge and Oxford admissions was highly fascinating and utterly funny. Despite his unseen behavior outside the classroom, the ever assiduous Hector also sought to sculpt his students' young minds, arming them with valuable knowledge that they'd carry throughout their lives -- rather than simply memorizing facts for a major exam.
The students freely banter among themselves about everything from sports to girls to the aforementioned rides on the back of Hector's motorcycle, which don't seem to matter much to them. We also learn that while there is some affection for their teacher, the students clearly see him as a bit of an old fool, essentially forgiving him for his groping. Standout performances among the students were offered by Barnett,
Jamie Parker as Posner's confidante Scripps and
Dominic Cooper as the object of Posner's affections.
Frances de la Tour is riveting as Hector's teaching colleague Mrs. Lintott -- or "Hot Tott" as she confesses that her students call her. She more than any other character holds the moral high ground in this play, not only in expressing both indignation and compassion for her scandal-ridden friend and colleague, but also in underscoring the backseat to which women have traditionally been relegated throughout history. But she's also a wealth of understanding as she offers deep concern for the overriding welfare of the impressionable students.
Nicholas Hytner's direction is both fast-paced and jarring, moving swiftly from scene to scene, interspersed with
Ben Taylor's fascinating video sequences that continue telling the story outside the classroom as
Bob Crowley's effective, efficient set design is quickly changed.
Ultimately, this is an ensemble piece with some extraordinarily talented actors, young and old. And fortunately for posterity's sake, the entire cast has been captured on film for the big screen version of "
The History Boys" coming to a movie theater near you this November 24. Barring that, the West End will host the triumphant transfer back to London for this great play, albeit with new actors, starting December 21 at Wyndham's Theatre.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for information on the upcoming film, "The History Boys."Related Stories:History Boys Now Broadway History (October 2, 2006)
Going: Three for Three (September 5, 2006)
The History Boys Extends, Along with Special Summer Ticket Offer (June 16, 2006)
BOYS' BIG NIGHT OUT: And The Tony Goes To... Complete List of Winners (June 12, 2006)
And The Tony Goes To... Top Categories (June 11, 2006)
The SOB Picks for 2006 Tony Awards (June 10, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Encore: Spotlight Week Ending April 30 (April 30, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Play, The History Boys, The SOB Review
History Boys Now Broadway History After 185 regular performances and six Tony Awards -- including for Best Play, Best Director of a Play (
Nicholas Hytner), Best Actor in a Play (
Richard Griffiths) and Best Featured Actress in a Play (
Frances de la Tour, pictured) -- the critically-acclaimed Broadway run of
The History Boys is officially over.
But its story is far from over. Not only is the play now transferring to a West End theatre for the first time (its previous London run was at the National Theatre, which technically is not
West End), but it will soon be coming to a movie theatre near you with every principal from the Broadway cast intact.
Despite its exit from the Great White Way's
Broadhurst Theatre, I'll be providing my review of this exceptional show shortly (I
finally caught an electrifying performance this past Saturday). Thankfully, this show is far from being complete history.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Going: Three for Three (September 5, 2006)
The History Boys Extends, Along with Special Summer Ticket Offer (June 16, 2006)
BOYS' BIG NIGHT OUT: And The Tony Goes To... Complete List of Winners (June 12, 2006)
And The Tony Goes To... Top Categories (June 11, 2006)
The SOB Picks for 2006 Tony Awards (June 10, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Encore: Spotlight Week Ending April 30 (April 30, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Play, The History Boys
BOYS' BIG NIGHT OUT: And The Tony Goes To... Complete List of WinnersIt was a huge night for Broadway shows about two distinctly different kind of boys --
The History Boys and
Jersey Boys -- at last evening's 60th Annual Tony Awards.
The History Boys proved the biggest victor throughout the presentation with six coveted awards in play categories including Best Play, while
Jersey Boys scored four awards in musical categories including Best Musical.
The Drowsy Chaperone fans were likely disappointed, despite the fact that the completely original musical was awarded five Tonys including Best Original Score and Best Book. Winning two Tonys each,
The Pajama Game and
Awake and Sing! were the respective choices for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Revival of a Play.
Here is the full list of winners:
Best Play:
The History Boys by Alan Bennett
Best Musical:
Jersey BoysBest Book of a Musical:
The Drowsy Chaperone - Book by: Bob Martin and Don McKellar
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics):
The Drowsy Chaperone - Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison (music & lyrics)
Best Revival of a Play:
Awake and Sing!Best Revival of a Musical:
The Pajama GameBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Richard Griffiths,
The History BoysBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Cynthia Nixon,
Rabbit HoleBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: John Lloyd Young,
Jersey BoysBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: LaChanze,
The Color PurpleBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Ian McDiarmid,
Faith HealerBest Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play: Frances de la Tour,
The History BoysBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical: Christian Hoff,
Jersey BoysBest Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical: Beth Leavel,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest Scenic Design of a Play: Bob Crowley,
The History BoysBest Scenic Design of a Musical: David Gallo,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest Costume Design of a Play: Catherine Zuber,
Awake and Sing!Best Costume Design of a Musical: Gregg Barnes,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest Lighting Design of a Play: Mark Henderson,
The History Boys Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Howell Binkley,
Jersey BoysBest Direction of a Play: Nicholas Hytner,
The History BoysBest Direction of a Musical: John Doyle,
Sweeney ToddBest Choreography: Kathleen Marshall,
The Pajama GameBest Orchestrations: Sarah Travis,
Sweeney ToddFor those fond of the total count, here it is:
The History Boys -- six awards.
The Drowsy Chaperone -- five awards.
Jersey Boys -- four awards.
The Pajama Game -- two awards.
Awake and Sing! -- two awards.
Sweeney Todd -- two awards.
The Color Purple -- one award.
Faith Healer -- one award.
Rabbit Hole -- one award.
Thus the 2005-06 Theatrical Season is now history. Hearty congratulations to all the winners!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:And The Tony Goes To... Top Categories (June 11, 2006)
And The Tony Goes To... Technical Categories (June 11, 2006)
The SOB Picks for 2006 Tony Awards (June 10, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Play (June 5, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Musical (June 4, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Play (June 3, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Labels: Awake And Sing, Jersey Boys, The History Boys, The Pajama Game, Tony Awards
And The Tony Goes To... Top CategoriesHere are the winners in the top musical and play categories of the American Theatre Wing's 60th Annual Tony Awards, highlighted in
red (* denotes my predictions):
Best PlayRabbit HoleShining CityThe History Boys*The Lieutenant of InishmoreBest MusicalJersey BoysThe Color Purple The Drowsy Chaperone*
The Wedding SingerBest Revival of a PlayAwake and Sing!Edward Albee's SeascapeFaith Healer*
The Constant WifeBest Revival of a MusicalSweeney Todd*
The Pajama Game
The Threepenny OperaBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a PlayRalph Fiennes,
Faith HealerRichard Griffiths, The History Boys*Zeljko Ivanek,
The Caine Mutiny Court-MartialOliver Platt,
Shining CityDavid Wilmot,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a PlayKate Burton,
The Constant WifeJudy Kaye,
SouvenirLisa Kron,
WellCynthia Nixon, Rabbit Hole*
Lynn Redgrave,
The Constant WifeBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a MusicalMichael Cerveris,
Sweeney ToddHarry Connick, Jr.,
The Pajama Game*Stephen Lynch,
The Wedding SingerBob Martin,
The Drowsy ChaperoneJohn Lloyd Young, Jersey Boys
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a MusicalSutton Foster,
The Drowsy ChaperoneLa Chanze, The Color Purple
Patti LuPone, Sweeney Todd*
Kelli O'Hara,
The Pajama GameChita Rivera,
Chita Rivera: The Dancer's LifeBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a PlaySamuel Barnett,
The History BoysDomhnall Gleeson,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreIan McDiarmid, Faith Healer*Mark Ruffalo,
Awake and Sing!Pablo Schreiber,
Awake and Sing!
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a PlayTyne Daly, Rabbit Hole*Frances de la Tour, The History BoysJayne Houdyshell,
WellAlison Pill,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreZoë Wanamaker,
Awake and Sing!
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalDanny Burstein,
The Drowsy ChaperoneJim Dale,
The Threepenny Opera*Brandon Victor Dixon,
The Color PurpleManoel Felciano,
Sweeney ToddChristian Hoff, Jersey Boys
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a MusicalCarolee Carmello,
LestatFelicia P. Fields, The Color Purple*
Megan Lawrence,
The Pajama GameBeth Leavel, The Drowsy Chaperone
Elisabeth Withers-Mendes,
The Color PurpleBest Direction of a PlayNicholas Hytner, The History Boys*Wilson Milam,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreBartlett Sher,
Awake and Sing!Daniel Sullivan,
Rabbit HoleBest Direction of a MusicalJohn Doyle, Sweeney Todd*Kathleen Marshall,
The Pajama GameDes McAnuff,
Jersey BoysCasey Nicholaw,
The Drowsy Chaperone Best ChoreographyRob Ashford,
The Wedding SingerDonald Byrd,
The Color PurpleKathleen Marshall, The Pajama Game
Casey Nicholaw, The Drowsy Chaperone*Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the TheatreThe Color Purple, Music & Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen BrayThe Drowsy Chaperone, Music & Lyrics: Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
The Wedding Singer, Music: Matthew Sklar; Lyrics: Chad Beguelin
The Woman in White, Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics: David Zippel
Best Book of a MusicalChad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy,
The Wedding SingerMarshall Brickman and Rick Elice,
Jersey BoysBob Martin and Don McKellar, The Drowsy Chaperone*Marsha Norman,
The Color PurpleI was truly stunned when
The Pajama Game beat
Sweeney Todd. I can only hope that as much of the original cast of
The Pajama Game as possible will remain intact when the open-ended run of the production opens this fall.
Extremely disappointing was John Lloyd Young's victory for
Jersey Boys. At the risk of being whacked, I had a hard time enjoying anything about his victory given that the Friday night I attended, he was not there. I loved his understudy but resent that Young thinks it OK to miss performances so early on. AND, he
did not thank Frankie Valli --
shame!As much I looked forward to Patti LuPone winning, I remarked shortly before LaChanze's victory that I would not cry if she won. She was stunningly wonderful in
The Color Purple, and she competed in what I believe was the singular most competitive category -- and rightly so.
And on the win for
Jersey Boys, see above. This jukebox musical is
the most overrated show of the season.
All in all, I guessed correctly on 12 of the categories. I'll let
you decide how well that means I did.
The 60th Tony Awards were telecast on Sunday, June 11 on CBS.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:And The Tony Goes To... Technical Categories (June 11, 2006)
The SOB Picks for 2006 Tony Awards (June 10, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Play (June 5, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Musical (June 4, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Play (June 3, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Labels: Awake And Sing, Jersey Boys, Rabbit Hole, The History Boys, The Pajama Game, Tony Awards
And The Tony Goes To... Technical CategoriesHere are the winners in the technical categories of the American Theatre Wing's 60th Annual Tony Awards, highlighted in
red (* denotes my predictions):
Best OrchestrationsLarry Blank,
The Drowsy ChaperoneDick Lieb and Danny Troob,
The Pajama GameSteve Orich,
Jersey BoysSarah Travis, Sweeney Todd*
Best Scenic Design of a PlayJohn Lee Beatty, Rabbit Hole*Bob Crowley, The History BoysSanto Loquasto,
Three Days of RainMichael Yeargan,
Awake and Sing!Best Scenic Design of a MusicalJohn Lee Beatty,
The Color PurpleDavid Gallo, The Drowsy Chaperone*
Derek McLane,
The Pajama GameKlara Zieglerova,
Jersey Boys
Best Costume Design of a PlayMichael Krass,
The Constant WifeSanto Loquasto,
A Touch of the PoetCatherine Zuber, Awake and Sing!Catherine Zuber, Seascape*Best Costume Design of a MusicalGregg Barnes, The Drowsy Chaperone*Susan Hilferty,
LestatMartin Pakledinaz,
The Pajama GamePaul Tazewell,
The Color PurpleBest Lighting Design of a PlayChristopher Akerlind,
Awake and Sing!Paul Gallo, Three Days of Rain*Mark Henderson,
Faith HealerMark Henderson, The History Boys
Best Lighting Design of a MusicalKen Billington and Brian Monahan,
The Drowsy ChaperoneHowell Binkley, Jersey Boys*Natasha Katz,
TarzanBrian MacDevitt,
The Color PurpleI was right in my predictions for each of the musical categories but failed in nearly all of play categories. I still think it's looking like a big night for
The Drowsy Chaperone,
Sweeney Todd and
The History Boys. Now for the
big awards of the evening, which will come shortly.
The 60th Tony Awards will be telecast at 8 pm EDT, Sunday, June 11 on CBS.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:The SOB Picks for 2006 Tony Awards (June 10, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Play (June 5, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Musical (June 4, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Play (June 3, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Labels: Awake And Sing, Jersey Boys, Sweeney Todd, The Drowsy Chaperone, The History Boys, Tony Awards
The SOB Picks for 2006 Tony AwardsIt's the eve of the American Theatre Wing's 60th Tony Award celebration, during which a dizzying array of Broadway's finest talent will be on hand to share in bestowing the coveted medellion, if not to receive an award.
Many prognosticators and critics have already shared whom they believe will win tomorrow night. I've studiously avoided reading any of those stories so can provide my own unvarnished picks. These aren't necessarily who I think
should win, but whom I believe
will take home the awards.
My choices in each category are below in
red:
Best PlayRabbit HoleShining CityThe History BoysThe Lieutenant of InishmoreBest MusicalJersey BoysThe Color Purple The Drowsy ChaperoneThe Wedding SingerBest Revival of a PlayAwake and Sing!Edward Albee's SeascapeFaith HealerThe Constant WifeBest Revival of a MusicalSweeney ToddThe Pajama GameThe Threepenny OperaBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a PlayRalph Fiennes,
Faith HealerRichard Griffiths, The History BoysZeljko Ivanek,
The Caine Mutiny Court-MartialOliver Platt,
Shining CityDavid Wilmot,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a PlayKate Burton,
The Constant WifeJudy Kaye,
SouvenirLisa Kron,
WellCynthia Nixon, Rabbit Hole
Lynn Redgrave,
The Constant WifeBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a MusicalMichael Cerveris,
Sweeney ToddHarry Connick, Jr., The Pajama GameStephen Lynch,
The Wedding SingerBob Martin,
The Drowsy ChaperoneJohn Lloyd Young,
Jersey Boys
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a MusicalSutton Foster,
The Drowsy ChaperoneLa Chanze,
The Color PurplePatti LuPone, Sweeney ToddKelli O'Hara,
The Pajama GameChita Rivera,
Chita Rivera: The Dancer's LifeBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a PlaySamuel Barnett,
The History BoysDomhnall Gleeson,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreIan McDiarmid, Faith HealerMark Ruffalo,
Awake and Sing!Pablo Schreiber,
Awake and Sing!
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a PlayTyne Daly, Rabbit HoleFrances de la Tour,
The History BoysJayne Houdyshell,
WellAlison Pill,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreZoë Wanamaker,
Awake and Sing!
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalDanny Burstein,
The Drowsy ChaperoneJim Dale, The Threepenny Opera
Brandon Victor Dixon,
The Color PurpleManoel Felciano,
Sweeney ToddChristian Hoff,
Jersey Boys
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a MusicalCarolee Carmello,
LestatFelicia P. Fields, The Color PurpleMegan Lawrence,
The Pajama GameBeth Leavel,
The Drowsy ChaperoneElisabeth Withers-Mendes,
The Color PurpleBest Direction of a PlayNicholas Hytner, The History BoysWilson Milam,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreBartlett Sher,
Awake and Sing!Daniel Sullivan,
Rabbit HoleBest Direction of a MusicalJohn Doyle, Sweeney ToddKathleen Marshall,
The Pajama GameDes McAnuff,
Jersey BoysCasey Nicholaw,
The Drowsy Chaperone Best ChoreographyRob Ashford,
The Wedding SingerDonald Byrd,
The Color PurpleKathleen Marshall,
The Pajama GameCasey Nicholaw, The Drowsy ChaperoneBest OrchestrationsLarry Blank,
The Drowsy ChaperoneDick Lieb and Danny Troob,
The Pajama GameSteve Orich,
Jersey BoysSarah Travis, Sweeney Todd
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the TheatreThe Color Purple, Music & Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen BrayThe Drowsy Chaperone, Music & Lyrics: Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
The Wedding Singer, Music: Matthew Sklar; Lyrics: Chad Beguelin
The Woman in White, Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics: David Zippel
Best Book of a MusicalChad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy,
The Wedding SingerMarshall Brickman and Rick Elice,
Jersey BoysBob Martin and Don McKellar, The Drowsy ChaperoneMarsha Norman,
The Color PurpleBest Scenic Design of a PlayJohn Lee Beatty, Rabbit HoleBob Crowley,
The History BoysSanto Loquasto,
Three Days of RainMichael Yeargan,
Awake and Sing!Best Scenic Design of a MusicalJohn Lee Beatty,
The Color PurpleDavid Gallo, The Drowsy Chaperone
Derek McLane,
The Pajama GameKlara Zieglerova,
Jersey Boys
Best Costume Design of a PlayMichael Krass,
The Constant WifeSanto Loquasto,
A Touch of the PoetCatherine Zuber,
Awake and Sing!Catherine Zuber, SeascapeBest Costume Design of a MusicalGregg Barnes, The Drowsy ChaperoneSusan Hilferty,
LestatMartin Pakledinaz,
The Pajama GamePaul Tazewell,
The Color PurpleBest Lighting Design of a PlayChristopher Akerlind,
Awake and Sing!Paul Gallo, Three Days of RainMark Henderson,
Faith HealerMark Henderson,
The History BoysBest Lighting Design of a MusicalKen Billington and Brian Monahan,
The Drowsy ChaperoneHowell Binkley, Jersey BoysNatasha Katz,
TarzanBrian MacDevitt,
The Color PurpleAll totaled, I believe
The Drowsy Chaperone will be the night's biggest winner in the musical categories, while
The History Boys and
Rabbit Hole will tie for the most awards in the play categories. But
Sweeney Todd will also make headlines. I expect the award tallies to come down to this:
The Drowsy Chaperone -- Five awards, including Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Book, Best Scenic Design of a Musical and Best Costume Design of a Musical.
Sweeney Todd -- Four awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Orchestrations.
The History Boys -- Three awards, including Best Play, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play and Best Direction of a Play.
Rabbit Hole -- Three awards, including Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play and Best Scenic Design of a Play.
Faith Healer -- Two awards, including Best Revival of a Play and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play.
The Color Purple -- Two awards, including Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical and Best Original Score (I expect this to be
the upset of the evening).
The Pajama Game -- One award for the first Broadway turn by Harry Connick, Jr. in the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical category. This is the award Tony will use to illuminate its star power to the broader CBS audience.
The Threepenny Opera -- One award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.
Jersey Boys -- One award. Expect a nearly complete shutout of this overrated hit with a token award in the Best Lighting of a Musical category.
Three Days of Rain -- One award for Best Lighting of a Play.
Edward Albee's Seascape -- One award for Best Costume Design of a Play.
The 60th Tony Awards will be telecast at 8 pm EDT, Sunday, June 11 on CBS.
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Play (June 5, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Musical (June 4, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Play (June 3, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Labels: Cynthia Nixon, Faith Healer, Patti LuPone, Sweeney Todd, The Drowsy Chaperone, The History Boys, Tony Awards, Tony Nominations
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best PlayAs the lone American nominated in the Tony's Best Play category, David Lindsay-Abaire would seem to have a built-in lock on the the award. While his play
Rabbit Hole was an interesting dissection of a family coping with the unexpected death of a child and including outstanding performances by most of its cast, I'm betting on Alan Bennett's critically-acclaimed
The History Boys to take home the Tony. Not only was the Nicholas Hytner-helmed import from the London stage the best reviewed play of the year, by virtually every account, it was also the singular best.
Quite frankly, Martin McDonagh's
The Lieutenant of Inishmore is perhaps just a wee bit bloody for Tony voters. And despite the glowing reviews by
The New York Times' Ben Brantley for Conor McPherson's
Shining City, most critics were not nearly as enamored by the production, which inexplicably assumed Tony's fourth spot in place of the more-deserving
Well.
Personally, I'm looking forward to an eloquent speech by Bennett a week from tomorrow.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for Shining City tickets.Click here for The History Boys tickets.Click here for The Lieutenant of Inishmore tickets.Click here for Tony Awards tickets.Related Stories:The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Play (June 5, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Musical (June 4, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Labels: Play, Rabbit Hole, The History Boys, Tony Awards, Tony Nominations
Tony Award Nominations AnnouncedThere are plenty of theatre awards bestowed each year for Broadway and Off-Broadway performances, but none with quite the cachet of the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards. The nominations for the 60th Annual Tony Awards were announced today in New York City by previous honorees Phylicia Rashad, Natasha Richardson and Liev Schreiber.
The Tony Awards were named for the legendary actress Antionette Perry who starred in 27 Broadway productions over nearly 40 years -- including her career capper in the celebrated comedy
Harvey -- until her death in 1946.
The 2005-06 theatrical year nominees are:
Best PlayRabbit HoleShining CityThe History BoysThe Lieutenant of InishmoreBest MusicalJersey BoysThe Color Purple The Drowsy ChaperoneThe Wedding SingerBest Revival of a PlayAwake and Sing!Edward Albee's SeascapeFaith HealerThe Constant WifeBest Revival of a MusicalSweeney ToddThe Pajama GameThe Threepenny OperaBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a PlayRalph Fiennes,
Faith HealerRichard Griffiths,
The History BoysZeljko Ivanek,
The Caine Mutiny Court-MartialOliver Platt,
Shining CityDavid Wilmot,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a PlayKate Burton,
The Constant WifeJudy Kaye,
SouvenirLisa Kron,
WellCynthia Nixon,
Rabbit HoleLynn Redgrave,
The Constant WifeBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a MusicalMichael Cerveris,
Sweeney ToddHarry Connick, Jr.,
The Pajama GameStephen Lynch,
The Wedding SingerBob Martin,
The Drowsy ChaperoneJohn Lloyd Young,
Jersey Boys
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a MusicalSutton Foster,
The Drowsy ChaperoneLa Chanze,
The Color PurplePatti LuPone,
Sweeney ToddKelli O'Hara,
The Pajama GameChita Rivera,
Chita Rivera: The Dancer's LifeBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a PlaySamuel Barnett,
The History BoysDomhnall Gleeson,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreIan McDiarmid,
Faith HealerMark Ruffalo,
Awake and Sing!Pablo Schreiber,
Awake and Sing!
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a PlayTyne Daly,
Rabbit HoleFrances de la Tour,
The History BoysJayne Houdyshell,
WellAlison Pill,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreZoë Wanamaker,
Awake and Sing!
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalDanny Burstein,
The Drowsy ChaperoneJim Dale,
The Threepenny OperaBrandon Victor Dixon,
The Color PurpleManoel Felciano,
Sweeney ToddChristian Hoff,
Jersey Boys
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a MusicalCarolee Carmello,
LestatFelicia P. Fields,
The Color PurpleMegan Lawrence,
The Pajama GameBeth Leavel,
The Drowsy ChaperoneElisabeth Withers-Mendes,
The Color PurpleBest Direction of a PlayNicholas Hytner,
The History BoysWilson Milam,
The Lieutenant of InishmoreBartlett Sher,
Awake and Sing!Daniel Sullivan,
Rabbit HoleBest Direction of a MusicalJohn Doyle,
Sweeney ToddKathleen Marshall,
The Pajama GameDes McAnuff,
Jersey BoysCasey Nicholaw,
The Drowsy Chaperone Best ChoreographyRob Ashford,
The Wedding SingerDonald Byrd,
The Color PurpleKathleen Marshall,
The Pajama GameCasey Nicholaw,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest OrchestrationsLarry Blank,
The Drowsy ChaperoneDick Lieb and Danny Troob,
The Pajama GameSteve Orich,
Jersey BoysSarah Travis,
Sweeney ToddBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the TheatreThe Color Purple, Music & Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
The Drowsy Chaperone, Music & Lyrics: Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
The Wedding Singer, Music: Matthew Sklar; Lyrics: Chad Beguelin
The Woman in White, Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics: David Zippel
Best Book of a MusicalChad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy,
The Wedding SingerMarshall Brickman and Rick Elice,
Jersey BoysBob Martin and Don McKellar,
The Drowsy ChaperoneMarsha Norman,
The Color PurpleBest Scenic Design of a PlayJohn Lee Beatty,
Rabbit HoleBob Crowley,
The History BoysSanto Loquasto,
Three Days of RainMichael Yeargan,
Awake and Sing!Best Scenic Design of a MusicalJohn Lee Beatty,
The Color PurpleDavid Gallo,
The Drowsy ChaperoneDerek McLane,
The Pajama GameKlara Zieglerova,
Jersey Boys
Best Costume Design of a PlayMichael Krass,
The Constant WifeSanto Loquasto,
A Touch of the PoetCatherine Zuber,
Awake and Sing!Catherine Zuber,
SeascapeBest Costume Design of a MusicalGregg Barnes,
The Drowsy ChaperoneSusan Hilferty,
LestatMartin Pakledinaz,
The Pajama GamePaul Tazewell,
The Color PurpleBest Lighting Design of a PlayChristopher Akerlind,
Awake and Sing!Paul Gallo,
Three Days of RainMark Henderson,
Faith HealerMark Henderson,
The History BoysBest Lighting Design of a MusicalKen Billington and Brian Monahan,
The Drowsy ChaperoneHowell Binkley,
Jersey BoysNatasha Katz,
TarzanBrian MacDevitt,
The Color PurpleRegional Theatre Tony AwardIntiman Theatre in Seattle, Washington
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the TheatreHarold Prince
Special Tony AwardSarah Jones,
Bridge and Tunnel
Overall, no big surprises on this list, including the near shut-out of the critically drubbed Tarzan, which managed to get only one nomination in the lighting category (one less than the universally panned
Lestat, which garnered nods for featured actress Carolee Carmello and costume designer Susan Hilferty).
While I'm not surprised that Julia Roberts didn't make the cut for her part in
Three Days of Rain, I do feel that Paul Rudd and the show itself were extremely deserving. I'm excited by the five nods received by
The Wedding Singer, which was pure fun. Even more so, I am especially thrilled by how well
Sweeney Todd did and believe that Patti LuPone should be practicing up on her acceptance speech now.
The 60th Tony Awards will be telecast at 8 pm EDT, Sunday, June 11 on CBS.
Click here for tickets.Related Stories:The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Play (June 5, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Revival of a Musical (June 4, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote....for Best Play (June 3, 2006)
The Tonys: If I Could Vote...for Best Musical (May 31, 2006)
Labels: Awake And Sing, Jersey Boys, The History Boys, The Pajama Game, Tony Awards, Tony Nominations
Broadway Season Nears FinaleAs May begins, thus ends the 2005-06 season on Broadway. But before it fades into history, a few more shows are set to open, including the only truly original Broadway musical of the season,
The Drowsy Chaperone -- which has so much advance buzz that it is likely the frontrunner for Best Musical at this year's Tonys; the Ralph Fiennes/Cherry Jones vehicle
Faith Healer; Martin McDonough's latest
The Lieutenant of Inishmore, -- which could give
The History Boys a run for the Best Play Tony;
Shining City with Brían F. O’Byrne, Oliver Platt and Martha Plimpton; and Disney's latest spectacle that's already SRO,
Tarzan.
It's probably a safe bet that many of this year's Tony Award winners will come from these last offerings of the season. Personally, I'm most looking forward to catching Cherry Jones and Ralph Fiennes. We'll see if the Tony Awards agree.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Cherry Jones, Faith Healer, Musical, Play, The Drowsy Chaperone, The History Boys
Encore: Spotlight Week Ending April 30While I’ve spent considerable time – perhaps too much -- this past week focusing on the two Broadway musicals that received mixed to negative reviews, my underreported story of the past week is the rousing success enjoyed by British import
The History Boys. In fact, I didn’t report on it at all, but really should have.
Alan Bennett’s hit is the likely front-runner for this year’s Best Play Tony. For me, the show would be worth the price of admission just to see the talented Frances de la Tour perform live; de la Tour is primarily known to American audiences for her role as Madame Olympe Maxime in the latest big screen incarnation of Harry Potter. Personally, I loved her fine understated performance in “Love Actually,” which was completely edited out (fortunately, it still lives on DVD among the deleted scene selections).
The History Boys also marks yet another milestone along the already shining track record for director Nicholas Hytner, who helmed everything from
Miss Saigon in the 80s to
Jumpers two years ago.
Rent celebrated its tenth anniversary on Broadway this past week with a star-studded concert that featured its original cast. Among them was Idina Menzel, who will be returning to her Tony Award-winning green roots to once again play Elphaba as
Wicked shoots for a September opening on London’s West End. Also heading to London will be
Spamalot’s Christopher Sieber, who will reprise his role as Sir Galahad (and others) along with Tim Curry, who will once again play King Arthur.
Off Broadway, the critically-acclaimed
Stuff Happens – which had previously sold out at the Public Theater – has extended again, this time to June 25. The historical drama centers on the Bush Administration’s decision to go to war in Iraq.
Perhaps the most exciting news of the past week is that four-time Tony winner Angela Lansbury may be ready to tread the boards once again on Broadway. When contemplation turns to reality, you can bet that I’ll be reporting on it.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Flashback: Best of 2003-04 (May 25, 2006)
Approaching One Year, Chicago's Wicked Continues to Captivate (May 23, 2006)
Wicked's West End Witches Update (May 17, 2006)
Tony Award Nominations Announced (May 16, 2006)
Broadway Season Nears Finale (April 30, 2006)
Labels: Angela Lansbury, Broadway, Play, Rent, Stuff Happens, The History Boys, Wicked
