Wedding Bells Are Ringing Nationwide!
The Wedding Singer’s fiancé may have left him speechless when she decided not to show up to exchange nuptials, but he certainly will be singing up a storm when the national tour for the Broadway production kicks off on August 31. The show kicks off at the Phillips Center in Gainesville, Florida for a one-night engagement, then will officially open at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama.
The cast for the play includes Merritt Dave Janes as Robbie Hart and Erin Elizabeth Coors as Julia Sullivan. The play is based on the successful film of the same name which starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. It takes place in 1985 and circles around the life of wannabe rocker Robbie Hart. His current job is serenading love-struck couples on their big day. Unfortunately his own fiancé ditches him at the alter at their own wedding. His new friend, Julia who happens to also be engaged to a power-hungry jerk seems to be just the girl for our depressed wedding singer. The question is: will Robbie be able to sing his way into Julia’s heart? Get a pair of Wedding Singer tickets and find out for yourself.
Our Town Kicks Off in Hartford With Holbrook!
Thornton Wilder’s famous play, “Our Town” is heading to Hartford. The actors scheduled to perform at this adaptation are: Tony winner Hal Holbrook, Donovan Patton and Ginna Carter who take on the lead roles. Holbrook portrays the Stage Manager for HSC and is not unfamiliar with the role being that he played it in the 1977 television production. Holbrook is most well-known for his rolls in “Do You Know the Milky Way?” “The Glass Menagerie” and his solo show, “Mark Twain Tonight!” He has also appeared in several films including “All the President’s Men,” “The Firm” and “Men of Honor.”
Our Town is a three act play that is set in the fictional community of Grover’s Corners. The story centers around the interactions between citizens of a quaint, everyday town in the early twentieth century. The main character is the Stage Manager who is aware of his relationship with the audience, he is free at anytime to break away from the story onstage and address the patrons seated observing the story. The story follows George Gibbs and Emily Webb whose mutual affection as little kids eventually grows into love, marriage and death. The story remains one of the most popular ones portrayed on the stage even to this day. Don’t miss out on this theatre performance; get your Our Town tickets today!
Broadway Star is Turning Purple From Sleep Deprivation
Fantasia Barrino is a theatrical star: every aspiring actress’s dream. But it isn’t just about the lights, glory and fame. Barrino explains that her role in The Color Purple is so time consuming and demanding that it’s draining the color right out of her face. She confessed to the Associated Press: “I ain’t never heard the sleep word so much in my life until I got on Broadway. I’m so tired-mentally tired, physically tired.” Stop yawning, now. You aren’t the one busting your butt every night up there on stage.
Not only are the hours of practice and performance grueling enough. The subject matter of Alice Walker’s famous tale is enough to make anyone acting in the production mentally depressed. The Color Purple follows the life of Celie who endures many hardships throughout the beginning of the 1900’s. Her father is constantly cruel, her children are taken away from her and her sister disappears from her life. She then is subject to days of misery with her abusive husband. But before you grab that bottle of scotch and drown yourself in yours and Celie’s sorrows: the ending is happy. In fact the story is more about triumph than despair and there is no doubt you’ll walk away drained, but often times those end up being the best shows. It’s still no wonder though that our beloved heroine is in a well-deserving need of a good snooze. Get your Color Purple tickets today!
Chicago Quits in San Diego
The windy-city musical will wrap up its nation-wide tour where the surf meets the turf-in sunny San Diego. It was just announced that the Tony Award winning production, Chicago will close the curtains on its national tour due to scheduling and casting conflicts. The last performance is scheduled to be held at the San Diego Civic Theatre on September 9. Actors George Hamilton, Terra C. MacLeod and Michelle DeJean will head the cast of the murder filled plotline, bringing the story to a close in the coming weeks.
Chicago has been on the road for ten years now and who can blame the worn out producers and actors who have valiantly trouped along to bring this sizzling show to life on the stage. Chicago still plays on Broadway in New York City and there is no doubt that our favorite luscious and devious ladies will once again take the stage in cities across the U.S. in the years to come. But for now these singing sensations will lay low on the world map. Get your Chicago tickets and catch the performance while you still can.
Kathy Deitch Puts on a Wickedly Beneficial Concert!
The actress who is part of the Broadway hit musical Wicked is scheduled to perform at a benefit concert at the Zipper Factory on August 27. The special production is entitled All Heart, and it features tunes by the famous rock group, Heart. Proceeds from the event will go to the Bob Fennell Scholarship at Brooklyn College and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Kathy Deitch is scheduled as the sultry singer, with backup singer Asmeret Ghebremichael, guitarists Ric Molina and Greg Skaff, drummer Gary Seligsen, bassist Mike Blanco and Jason Sirois on the flute.
Kathy Deitch is part of the ensemble in the production of Wicked, which tells the other side of the story of the magical Land of Oz. This time Dorothy and her little dog are left out of the scenario and Glenda the good witch presents herself as just a snotty little teenager. It’s a scandalous and eye opening tale into the secrets of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, you won’t want to miss the stories behind the good and bad broom riding broads. And what is with the horrible green hue on the wicked witch’s skin? You’ll have to get your Wicked tickets to find out.
High School Musical Sings to Several More Cities
The popular play that is currently on a national tour has just added a number of stops to the current lineup of cities already on the mapped out itinerary. The Disney original production, High School Musical, featuring a storyline that follows a modern-day Romeo and Juliet scenario is now set to appear in Los Angeles, San Diego, Raleigh and Des Moines, among many others. The tour kicked off from Detroit’s Fisher Theatre on June 26, then moved on to Philadelphia on July 11 and finally landed at Chicago’s LaSalle Bank Theatre where it will continue running until September 2.
High School Musical tells the story of Troy Bolton, who is captain of the basketball team and Gabriella Montez, who is a shy transfer student whose skills include excellence in both the math and science subjects. In other words it is popular buff boy and unknown nerdy girl who comprise the leading characters who are both trying out for the rendition of their high school musical performance. This in effect divides the school, most students are either on one side or the other. Don’t miss this story of peer pressure and high school cliques, a story most of us are all too familiar with. Get your High School Musical tickets today!
The Little Mermaid Makes a Big Splash!
If you don’t believe in mermaids, then look again! Ariel and her underwater friends are all hoping to be part of your world at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver. The famed oceanic tale of the love sick mermaid princess wishing to get a chance of life on land opened on August 23 in Denver in part of its pre-Broadway engagement. The Little Mermaid is scheduled to play through Sept 9 after which the sea creatures will swim over to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre for its much anticipated run on Broadway.
Sierra Boggess is at the head of the ensemble with the title role of Ariel and joining her are Sean Palmer as Prince Eric, Norm Lewis as King Triton and Tituss Burgess as the stressed out lobster, Sebastian. Many other actors fill out the rest of cast taking on the roles of many a different fish, sea urchin, or fictional being. Veteran Sherie Rene Scott fits the role of the menacing sea witch, Ursula who ends up stealing the lovely voice of our heroine. Don’t miss the tale of this magical kingdom beneath the sea. It will make you want to reach out and take hold of all your unfulfilled dreams. Get your Little Mermaid tickets at Stubhub.com.
Gregory Itzin Gets Washed Back on Stage!
He comes from television’s suspenseful thriller, “24” with Keifer Sutherland, but now Gregory Itzin takes a break from the cameras and turns his eyes to the stage. He joins the up and coming world premiere of Donald Margulies’ “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment-The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself). Think that’s a mouthful; just wait till you find yourself as a captive audience member in the theatre while you follow the story of a dog, a giant octopus, a pickpocket, a librarian and a crusty old sea captain. It’ no wonder that Itzin gave up terrorists for the opportunity to work with an octopus. Truly that is a once in a lifetime experience.
Apparently the far-fetched tale is derived from the true story of an unlikely and unheard of hero. Louis de Rougemont narrates his story as he departs on a 30 year adventure that will leave you with your mouth gaping as you struggle to believe the validity of his words. Yet no matter what you believe, the tale itself it one worth telling. Be awed and amazed and see Gregory Itzin on stage, get your Shipwrecked! tickets today.
Kevin Kline Dons a New Nose in Cyrano de Bergerac
The Academy Award and Tony Award winner will appear on stage as the shy and love lost Cyrano on November 1 at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City. The limited ten week engagement will feature Kevin Kline as the hopelessly romantic poet with the enlarged schnoz. Kline is noted for his previous Broadway performances in “A Fish Called Wanda,” and “The Pirates of Penzance.” It has also just been reported that Golden Globe winner Jennifer Garner and Tony Award nominee Daniel Sunjata will round out the cast as the sought after Roxane and the handsome Christian.
Cyrano de Bergerac is a story that was written by Edmond Rostand in 1897. It is considered a classic tale filled to the brim with romance and ridden with tragedy. The plot line follows Cyrano, a soulful poet and swordsman for the French army as he falls in love with the mesmerizing Roxane. Unfortunately he is too embarrassed by the size of his nose to tell her his true feelings. Ultimately the beauty falls for Christian, Cyrano’s charming comrade who lacks in the intelligence department. Cyrano, being the kindly fellow that he is, composes poetry and love letters to Roxane on Christian’s behalf. The question remains, as always: will the girl fall for the romantic poet or the strapping handsome fellow with barely any brains. Get your Cyrano de Bergerac tickets to find out!
George Hamilton Returns to Chicago the Musical
Golden globe winner and golden bronzed George Hamilton will be reuniting with the Chicago cast as lawyer Billy Flynn. Yes, it will be short-lived, only four weeks on stage before Hamilton takes leave once again of the dazzling Broadway musical. Yet Hamilton gives Flynn life on the stage. He is just suave enough to personify the vaudeville girls’ lawyer without seeming sappy. Indeed Hamilton’s Flynn may only be alive for a few weeks, but audiences who catch a glimpse of his act will live with the unforgettable memory forever.
Chicago won the Tony Award in 1997 for Best Revival of a Musical and also has made several actors in the production as well as director Walter Bobbie famous names on Broadway. Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton both received awards for their renditions of Chicago’s star characters. The story revolves around two vaudeville murderesses that both end up stuck in the slammer and are both in desperate need of hot shot lawyer Flynn to keep their names in the spotlight. The story of the musical is inspired from real life events that took place in the 1920’s. Chicago is currently playing at the Ambassador Theatre in Manhattan. Get your Chicago tickets today.