Whoopi's Bringing Her Act To Broadway
UPDATE: October 5, 2010
Today,
it was announced that the
Sister Act musical will come to Broadway in Spring 2011.
Update: On October 5, it was further announced that Sister Act would play the Broadway Theatre with previews starting on March 24, 2011, and opening night scheduled for April 20.
This stage version of
Whoopi Goldberg's hit
1992 film originated at the Pasedena Playhouse in November 2006, but it's been in London where the show's been fine-tuned over the last year or so.
While the woman born as
Caryn Elaine Johnson will retain the production credit she earned in the current West End version,
Jerry Zaks is being brought in to direct the Main Stem incarnation.
Sister Act currently boasts a book from Cheri and
Bill Steinkellner and
original score by
Glenn Slater and
Alan Menken.
Patina Miller stepped into Goldberg's shoes as Doloris van Cartier for the London production, but Goldberg herself is
set to step into the habit of Mother Superior currently worn by British stage veteran
Sheila Hancock this August.
As for the Broadway staging, there is still no word on casting, venue or firm dates. But could Goldberg active participation in the London production serve as a harbinger of what's to come on the Great White Way?
I'm saying my prayers.
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: Alan Menken, Broadway, First Word On New Show, Glenn Slater, Jerry Zaks, Musical, Patina Miller, Sheila Hancock, Sister Act, Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi's Getting Her Act TogetherSister Act - The Musical is now officially scheduled for its London bow.
Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment are set to produce the stage show at the West End's Palladium Theatre.
The official opening (or first) night is currently scheduled for June 2, 2009. Previews start on May 6.
It may have taken a little while longer than originally expected, but
you heard it here first back in March.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Film, First Word On New Show, London, Musical, Sister Act, Whoopi Goldberg
Broadway Preview: for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enufAugust 19 is the date set for the initial preview for Broadway's first revival of
Ntozake Shange's Tony-nominated
for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf.
Described as a
choreopoem, this dramatically updated version of the play will feature Grammy-winning vocalist
India.Arie in her Main Stem debut.
Shirley Jo Finney will direct, while Tony winner
Hinton Battle will choreograph this incarnation produced in part by
Whoopi Goldberg.
The original
1976 Rialto production enjoyed a run of 742 performances at the
Booth Theatre, and earned
Trazana Beverley a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf will open September 8 at Broadway's
Circle in the Square Theatre. American Express cardholders will get first dibs on tickets beginning July 9.
To say the least, with all of the amassed talent thusfar, color me very intrigued.
UPDATE (7/31/08, 8:50 p.m. EDT): According to a July 30 Playbill story, the production has been "temporarily delayed" because one financial backer pulled out of the show.This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Broadway Preview: [title of show] (June 24, 2008)
Broadway: What's Next (June 20, 2008)
Broadway Bound, Second Time Around And Then Some (March 14, 2008)
Labels: for colored girls who have considered suicide, Hinton Battle, India Arie, Shirley Jo Finney, Whoopi Goldberg
London: Sister, Act III?Longtime readers may recall that when the Left Coast's
Pasadena Playhouse presented the world premiere of
Sister Act - The Musical, I provided a critics' capsule on the
mixed reviews it received.
But given that the
Los Angeles Times' Charles McNulty declared back then that the production "has Broadway blockbuster written all over it," it should come as no surprise that there would be yet another act in its development beyond the home of the
Rose Bowl and its subsequent stop at Atlanta's
Alliance Theatre.
Now, I've heard it on very good authority that this
Sister is most definitely getting its act together. The good
Sister has been "confirmed" for a London opening sometime this fall. I've also learned that 24 year old "powerhouse" singer/actress
Pàtina Miller (best known as Pam Henderson on daytime soap "
All My Children") will assume the
bad habits of Dolores/Sister Mary Clarence created on celluloid by
Whoopi Goldberg.
UPDATE (11.13.08, 5:30 p.m. EST): You can say you read the news about Sister Act going to London here first, but the timing was just a tad off. Now it's been announced that Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment are set to produce the show in London at the West End's Palladium Theatre. The opening (or first night) is currently scheduled for June 2, 2009; previews start on May 6.This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Did Critics Think This Sister Had Its Act Together? (November 6, 2006)
Labels: Film, First Word On New Show, London, Musical, Patina Miller, Sister Act, Transfer, Whoopi Goldberg
