Greer Firestone - Page 5

There has been a proliferation of jukebox musicals in the past 2 decades. MAMA MIA far and away heads the list of successes. Using the guilty-pleasure pop catalog of ABBA, playwright Catherine Johnson spun a light-as-air family comedy. Somehow this show makes the songs sound like they were written specifically for the story. It's cumulus-cloud fluffy but also downright irresistible.

For decades, beginning in the 1940's Wilmington's Playhouse, was a stop - a tryout town if you will - with productions whose terminal destination was Broadway. Shows written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe would be staged here to gauge audience approval, tweak, add or delete dialogue or songs, etc

There's a reason that the vast majority of parishioners to musical theatre had not seen SHE LOVES ME prior, including Aisle Say. The show, while billed as charming and seasonal with carolers singing "12 Days of Christmas", has as much gravitas as tweets from Tweeter in Chief

In his liner notes, Artistic Director Sandy Robbins comments that Alan Ackybourne's WOMAN IN MIND (December Bee) was on his short list since the inception of UD Rep ten glorious years back.

As guests enter The Playhouse for the run of CIRQUE HOLIDAZE from November 23-25, they will be among the 50 million+ who have experienced a CIRQUE DREAMS brand performance. (That is not a typo)! Founded 25 years ago this global franchise includes Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, CD Illumination, CD & Steam, CD Epicurean and CD Unwrapped.

A bonified, old fashioned musical, SHE LOVES ME, opens at Candlelight on Nov 17 through Dec 23. SHE LOVES ME is the perfect way to re-discover your Christmas spirit. Set in a shop in1930s Budapest, it is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence.

Aisle Say's favorite interview was yesterday, with King Arthur (Steve McCoy) of SPAMALOT, opening at The Playhouse on October 25 and running for 4 nights. Mais oui, a kindred spirit, but his career took a slightly different trajectory than mine; a 20-year-old moving to NYC in 1970, attempting to make it on Broadway (and failing miserably).

As Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov was introducing me to his cadre of young professional dancers, he smiled and said 'they could all be your children'. (I have news for you my friend, some could be my grandchildren).

Aisle Say is prescient. He can determine where SANCTIONS, the terse and taut production now at DE Theatre Company, will NOT be staged: U of Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State, to name a few. There are hundreds more.

I'm a bit surprised that the News Journal did not report a run on Scottish plaid leading up to Candlelight's opening of BRIGADOON. The tartans from the various clans made for a colorful array by Costumer Tara Bowers and surely enriched the production.

The Walnut Theater opens its 210th season with HOLIDAY INN with music by America's songwriter, Irving Berlin. One is invariably impressed by the institution's lavish sets (Robert Andrew Kovach) and the quality and attention to detail of their entire Creative Crew.

JUDY GARLAND 'World's Greatest Entertainer', a NEW book musical will have its World Premiere at the 300 seat baby grand on March 22, running for 6 performances. Open auditions will take place at The Walnut Street Theatre on the 6th Floor on October 3 from 6pm-8pm.

There is a legend that once every hundred years in the Scottish Highlands the village of BRIGADOON awakens - for one day only. Its centennial bewitches with mystery, delightful characters speaking in enchanting Scottish brogue, kilts, sword dancing and, of course, a love story.

If Aisle Say was a multi-talented superior athlete and could choose from an array of sports to excel, down on my list would be ballet. Why? No season off to indulge in food and drink fantasies, rigorous abuse to the body, inferior pay and way, way too much discipline required.

The Walnut Street Theatre, founded in 1809, is celebrating its 210th season. It is America's Oldest Theatre and the Official State Theatre of Pennsylvania, and a National Historic Landmark. With more than 55,000 season ticket holders, the Walnut is also the most subscribed theatre company in the world!

The Resident Ensemble Players, under the artistic direction of Sanford Robbins, is entering its tenth anniversary season and expanding its season offerings to seven shows. Included this season is a World Premiere from the REP's very own resident actor (and one of Aisle Say's favorites), Michael Gotch, and a newly reworked play by Theresa Rebeck.

DTC Producing Artistic Director Bud Martin comments that this 40th year "we're bringing you a little bit of everything from classics to class acts."

Candlelight's DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP was a revelation to me. I am serious! I began my public-school education in the mid-fifties. Some of my friends went to Catholic school. Now I know why some of them are screwed up.

One wonders what Director Rosanne DellAversano and Music Director James Fuerst talk about at home. Is dinner conversation taken up with zombies, flesh eaters, how to maximize blood flow on the brave guests who sit in the "Splatter Zone" of their present production of EVIL DEAD, THE MUSICAL?

The Playhouse has an exciting new season of touring shows and one nighters. It kicks off with SPAMALOT. Aisle Say has seen this a few times and am looking forward once again.