Waiting on The Ritz

The Broadway revival of Terrence McNally’s famous production will commence its run on September 15, instead of the originally planned date of September 14.  The delay is the result of a last minute cast replacement with Ashlie Atkinson stepping into the shoes of character Vivian Proclo, which was previously played by Caroline Aaron.  Atkinson is well-known for her performance in the off-Broadway production “Fat Pig.”  With her performance in The Ritz, she joins the other starlets who have made it big on Broadway.

The Ritz is a sort of slapstick comedy that is set in a gay bathhouse in Manhattan.  It includes maniac mobsters and eccentric and somewhat deranged characters who make up the company in the gay bathhouse.  The hilarious story revolves around the complications faced by the main character, Gaetano Proclo who ends up in the bathhouse, hiding out only to have his wife show up later and accuse him of having different sexual preferences than she had thought.  Of course the whole situation is a confusing mix-up and the way the characters interact throughout the show allows for much laughter and enjoyment from the audience.  Be sure to join this frenzied cast of characters and enjoy the show, get your The Ritz tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in General on September 14, 2007 - Post a comment

The Argument Over Stamps

A Broadway show can be just about anything these days.  And leave it to Theresa Rebeck’s “Mauritius” to make the squabble over collector stamps the main storyline of this hilarious new production.  Tony Award nominee Alison Pill and Tony winner Katie Finneran play the parts of Jackie and Mary, two half sisters whose mother’s death leaves them both in possession of an extremely rare stamp collection.  The big question that burns throughout the show is: which lucky sister actually really owns the stamps?  The ensuing struggle to claim the rights to the precious collectibles is hilariously portrayed by both actresses and will leave you wanting to run home to check the value of your own safely-guarded stamp collection.

Mauritius is Rebeck’s Broadway review and critics are already praising the genius of the unusual storyline.  She is well known for her production of “Bad Dates,” and also for the shows: “Omnium Gatherum,” “The Scene,” and “The Water’s Edge.”  This truly is an opportunity to laugh out loud at the mishaps and the ongoing struggle between family members as they clamor to gain notoriety for being the sole owners of the precious stamp collection.  Be sure not to miss the show and get your Mauritius tickets as soon as possible.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 13, 2007 - Post a comment

My Fair Lady Waltzes Away on National Tour

Who cares about the rain in Spain?  The news that the famed musical by Lerner and Loewe kicks off its national tour tonight at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is excitement enough to forget about any hindrance of nasty weather.  British theatre actors Christopher Cazenove and Lisa O’Hare will be portraying the lead characters Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle in the acclaimed smash hit, “My Fair Lady.”  Both actors have received rave reviews for their interpretations of the stubborn professor and the poorly educated Miss Doolittle. 

The story of this “perfect musical,” as it has often been called follows the life of a poor young woman who has no education, a horrific accent and a bad taste in fashion.  The professor Henry Higgins makes a bet with a close friend that he can change the life of Eliza and prepare her for an entrance at the upcoming Embassy Ball.  What ensues is both a hilarious and heart-warming story between pupil and student as they both endure frustrating ups and downs.  Don’t miss this classic performed live; get your pair of My Fair Lady tickets today.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 12, 2007 - Post a comment

Fifty Years Later and the Story From the West Side Still Remains a Popular Hit

The classic production which takes place on Manhattan’s Upper West Side celebrates its fifty year anniversary on September 26 marking a milestone for the long running production that has long captured the attention and interest of theatre-going fanatics from around the globe.  It truly is a modern version of Shakespeare’s famous tale of two star-crossed lovers.  West Side Story takes place among the alleyways and New York streets where rival gangs are constantly challenging each other, only to end up with one or both sides bleeding needlessly.  It first drew back the curtain in 1957 and was greatly welcomed with favorable reviews.  Four years later it was made into a movie and West Side Story became an instant hit.

The plot follows Tony, who belongs to the white gang and Maria, his love interest who is the sister of the leader of the rival Puerto Rican gang.  As the days unfold Tony’s and Maria’s hearts grow stronger for each other, but the deep rooted hatred among the two gangs grows just as strong and it can only mean the two lovers’ futures together will be marred by acts of violence and ultimately death.  West Side Story is filled with heart wrenching and heartfelt music and it truly is a tragic tale of love.  Get lost in this fifty year old classic and fall in love all over again.  Get your West Side Story tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in General on September 11, 2007 - Post a comment

Legally Blonde the Musical Makes it to MTV

Sorority girl Elle Woods’ gets to spread her girl power to the prominent music news station when the musical debuts onscreen on September 29.  That’s right; Legally Blonde the Musical will be available for viewing not only onstage in New York City, but right out of the comforts of your own home.  Missed the book, didn’t catch the movie, don’t have time to head to New York City to see a live production?  Then make sure you tune in to see this special performance of the hilarious comedy that stars Laura Bell Bundy as the determined blonde Harvard student Elle Woods.

The program on MTV will also feature a behind-the-scenes look at the musical in addition to the actual production.  It will be filmed three times: once in its entirety, another without an audience and yet another performance that is free to theatergoers ages 15-25.  All of the footage will then be used for the much anticipated MTV broadcast.  Legally Blond producer Hal Luftig was quoted on Playbill News as saying “MTV’s endorsement of a show on this level is unprecedented and will benefit the industry as a whole as Broadway continues to expand its audience.  This is a great match and we could not be happier.”  See what all of the fuss is about and catch the television show and if you can the NYC production by getting your pair of Legally Blonde tickets.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 10, 2007 - Post a comment

The Grinch Grumpily Returns With New Cast Members

New cast members have been announced for the return of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!  Joining the grumpy green outcast who spends his days complaining about the joys of Christmas are Ed Dixon as Old Max, Rusty Ross as Young Max and Darin DePaul as Grandpa Seth as well as many other actors.  The irritable green hermit whose heart is two sizes too small has entertained audiences for years generating laughs for his outlandish behavior.

The musical was adapted from the famous children’s book by Dr. Seuss and is well known for its hilarious illustrations and unusual story content.  The story follows the loner little monster through his trials and tribulations concerning his apathy towards holiday cheer.  In all of his efforts to dissuade the town of Whoville from celebrating the Christmas season, the Grinch loses sight of what the real importance of Christmas is.  It’s not just about all the presents and gifts: it’s about the love, the care and the thought that is shared through families and friends.  With that our protagonist realizes his biggest underestimate of all: understanding the true value of love.  Get your Grinch tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in General on September 7, 2007 - Post a comment

David Hyde Pierce Draws the Curtain for a Break

The Tony Award winning star of the hit Broadway production of Curtains, David Hyde Pierce is throwing in the towel and his detective hat for the time being for a much needed vacation.  Do not fear Pierce fans: the actor will return as the sleuth once he gets a refresher on how to relax.  Being on Broadway is no easy day job.  For the time being performer John Bolton will take over as the crime solving detective.

Curtains is the murderous story of a leading lady getting “taken out” on the opening night of a bad Western adaptation of Robin Hood, called “Robbin’ Hood of the Old West.”  Unfortunately the star of this miserable show is equally as horrifying, though immediately her homicide comes under the attention of Lt. Frank Cioffi of the Boston Police Department.  The entirety of the show revolves around the solving of the case as well as solving Robbin’ Hood’s major drawbacks.  The good lieutenant gets a little too wrapped up in the show itself finding himself falling in love for one of the cast members, but in the end the law wins.  Follow the twists and turns during this hilarious production; get your Curtains tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 6, 2007 - Post a comment

Foreign Exchange Actors Program for Les Miz

There is a little cross-ocean exchange going on with the cast of Les Miserables.  The role of Jean Valjeans will swap actors in London’s West End and New York’s Broadway this October.  John Owen Jones who is currently portraying Valjean at the Queens Theatre in the West End will make his Broadway debut beginning October 23.  The day previous, Drew Sarich will make his West End debut in London as one of the most famous ex-convicts in literature.

Les Miz is currently the world’s longest-running musical productions; it is currently in its 22nd year.  The musical which is based on Victor Hugo’s famous French novel follows the lives of multiple characters who are considered “the miserable ones,” or “the poor ones” hence the title of the book.  The main character is the one that Jones and Sarich portray: Jean Valjean who seeks to redeem himself after being released from prison after nineteen years.  The story focuses on the nature of good, evil and the law and deals with issues such as politics, philosophy, justice, religion and love.  Want to see Valjean rise above his past, catch John Owen Jones or Drew Sarich playing this famous protagonist and get your Les Miserables tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 5, 2007 - Post a comment

A Midsummer’s Night Dream Wakes Up to the End of Summer in the Park!

Opening night was upon the cast of the whimsical production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream in Central Park on August 23.  This particular rendition of Shakespeare’s renowned musical features a children’s chorus as the fairies and Tony winner Eugene Lee, who helped bring Oz to life in “Wicked.” He created the unique and magical forest setting in Central Park.  The leading cast members include: Opal Alladin as Hippolyta, Mireille Enos as Hermia, Martha Plimpton as Helena and Elliot Villar as Demetrius.

Shakespeare’s beloved tale follows the stories of four would-be lovers into an enchanted forest and their interactions with all of the interesting characters that they encounter along their journey.  The play features three interlocking plots which all seem to center around the celebration of the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens and the Amazonian queen Hippolyta.  The estranged lovers quarrel repeatedly throughout the production, chasing each other throughout the many different scenes and the entire play is wildly comedic.  Don’t miss you date in the enchanted forest get you’re A Midsummer’s Night Dream tickets and attend the show.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 4, 2007 - Post a comment


 Page 2 of 2 « 1  2