Ron Holgate Replaces Tony Roberts in HEROES
by Robert Diamond - Jan 29, 2009
Keen Company announced today that Tony Award-winner Ron Holgate (1776, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Grand Hotel, recent revivals of Kiss Me, Kate and Guys and Dolls) will join John Cullum and Jonathan Hogan for its upcoming production of Heroes, replacing previously announced Tony Roberts. Mr. Roberts has withdrawn from the production to attend to family matters. The New York premiere of this 2006 Olivier Award-winning play by Gerald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard, will be helmed by Keen Artistic Director Carl Forsman and run from February 24 - April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row ( 410 West 42nd Street ). The official opening is set for March 8.
THE FIREBRAND OF FLORENCE Begins 3/12
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 26, 2009
On March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., The Collegiate Chorale appears with The New York City Opera Orchestra at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in a performance of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's 1945 Broadway operetta The Firebrand of Florence. The performance, led by guest conductor Ted Sperling, stars baritone Nathan Gunn, soprano Anna Christy, baritone Terrence Mann, and soprano Victoria Clark. Krysty Swann, David Pittu and Patrick Goss complete the cast, and narration will be provided by Stage Director Roger Rees.
Boasting a score by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by playwright and screenwriter Edwin Justus Mayer, The Firebrand of Florence had a short run on Broadway in 1945. The work was subsequently not heard for over a half-century until three presentations - Ohio Light Opera (1999), the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London (2000) and the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Vienna (2000) - shed new light on the relatively obscure work. The performances were not only accepted, but widely acclaimed, thus giving hope for a new life in a new century. Variety's theater critic Steven Suskin says 'I have long believed that Firebrand in concert should be a dazzling delight.'
Benvenuto Cellini, the great Florentine artist, is sentenced to hang, but he is pardoned when the duke realizes that he has not completed a previously commissioned sculpture. Freed, he is able to turn his attention to his favorite model (and object of his affections), Angela. The Duke also is interested in Angela. In a typical operetta plot, Cellini swashbuckles around the stage, keeping the Duke away from Angela, keeping himself away from the Duchess, and escaping yet another death sentence by fleeing to Paris, as the end of the show recapitulates the beginning.
Michael Cerveris 'Gabs' About HEDDA GABLER
by Eddie Varley - Jan 24, 2009
The works of Henrik Ibsen provide unique challenges for modern theater companies. This may be because of the complexities of his characters or the difficulties of getting an appealing translation of the playwright's original Norwegian prose. Happily the Roundabout Theater has faced both of these challenges and is currently presenting a compelling production of HEDDA GABLER at their elegant American Airlines Theater. Audiences realize they are about to witness something special when they see Hildegard Bechtler's atmospheric set bathed in the subtle and effective lighting of Natasha Katz. However, it is when Michael Cerveris makes his initial entrance that the audience realizes what an exceptional evening this HEDDA GABLER will be. Playing the intellectual writer Jorgen Tesman, Cerveris eschews a dour portrayal of an academic in favor of a character who is robust and certainly in love with his new bride, Hedda, who is stunningly portrayed in this version by Mary-Louise Parker. Cerveris' personal energy is immediately sensed by the audience and throughout the performance they could be detected sitting up or leaning forward whenever he was on stage. It is a masterful performance in every way and is met point-for-point by Ms. Parker. When these two actors are together on stage, the electricity is almost palpable.
Cullum, Hogan, Roberts In The Premiere Of HEROES, Opens 3/8
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 9, 2009
Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) is thrilled to present John Cullum, Jonathan Hogan and Tony Roberts in the New York premiere of Heroes, by G?rald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard and directed by Carl Forsman. Heroes received the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Performances begin on Tuesday, February 24 and run through April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues. Opening is scheduled for Sunday, March 8.
Casting Complete for BAM's THE BRIDGE PROJECT, Performances Begin 1/2
by Eddie Varley - Dec 22, 2008
Sam Mendes directs a transatlantic company of actors in a double-bill of classic works for The Bridge Project's inaugural 2009 season, which pairs a new version of The Cherry Orchard by Tom Stoppard with The Winter's Tale. A formidable transatlantic company and creative team will mount these two new productions for seven internationally renowned theaters. Simon Russell Beale leads the British/American cast, playing Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard and Leontes in The Winter's Tale. He is joined by Sin?ad Cusack as Madame Ranevskaya and Paulina, Richard Easton as Firs and Old Shepherd, Rebecca Hall as Varya and Hermione, Josh Hamilton as Yasha and Polixenes, Ethan Hawke as Trofimov and Autolycus, and Paul Jesson as Gaev and Camilo.
Deborah Rush Added to Starry BLITHE SPIRIT Cast
by Robert Diamond - Dec 10, 2008
The producers of the upcoming Broadway revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit are pleased to welcome Tony-nominated actress Deborah Rush in the role of Mrs. Bradman, reuniting her with her Noises Off! director, two-time Tony Award winner Michael Blakemore.
BWW's Holiday CD Roundup Part 2: The Singers
by Robert Diamond - Nov 21, 2008
Happy Holidays Everyone! Well ... here it is ... our BIGGEST CD coverage EVER and just in time for some last minute 'stocking-stuffer' inspiration ... even though a few of these are better used as coal, if you know what I mean.
Irons and Allen Headlined IMPRESSIONISM to Run at the Schoenfeld in '09
by Eddie Varley - Nov 19, 2008
Tony Award winners Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons return to Broadway to star together in the world premiere of Impressionism, a new American play by Michael Jacobs. The production, which will be directed by Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien, will play the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, reports The New York Times.
Nigel Lindsay Joins 'Under the Blue Sky' Cast
by BWW News Desk - Jun 16, 2008
Nigel Lindsay will join Francesca Annis, Lisa Dillon, Chris O'Dowd, Dominic Rowan and Catherine Tate in the West End premiere of David Eldridge's 'Under The Blue Sky.'
Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen Come To B'way In 'Impressionism' , Spring '09
by BWW News Desk - Jun 9, 2008
Tony Award winners Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons will return to Broadway to star together in the world premiere of Impressionism, a new American play by Michael Jacobs. The production, which will be directed by Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien, will come to Broadway in Spring, 2009.
Frost/Nixon to Open at the Jacobs Theatre April 22
by BWW News Desk - Jan 23, 2007
Frost/Nixon, the new play by Peter Morgan, directed by Michael Grandage, will open on Broadway this spring starring Frank Langella (as President Richard Nixon) and Michael Sheen (as Sir David Frost).
A Conversation with The Wedding Singer's Felicia Finley
by Robert Diamond - Aug 31, 2006
With reality-TV star Constantine Maroulis joining the cast of The Wedding Singer shortly and some other recent cast changes, it seemed like the perfect time to check in with one of the show's most popular stars, Felicia Finley for the scoop on that and lots more…
Simon, Uhry, Stoppard to Make Conversation at the Guthrie
by BWW News Desk - Aug 21, 2006
The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis has announced that legendary dramatists Neil Simon, Alfred Uhry and Tom Stoppard, whose groundbreaking plays are part of the Guthrie's 2006-07 season, will each visit the theater for speaking engagements this year
Behind the Stage Door with Danny Burstein
by Joseph F. Panarello - Jul 6, 2006
Danny Burstein, the stage door favorite who plays narcissistic Latin Lover Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone, is anything but vain about his theatrical accomplishments