Dirty Dancing Dances All the Way to the Top!
The production of “Dirty Dancing” in Toronto really rolled in the bucks for the week of December 26-30. The proud producers apparently reported sales of $1,347,525 in the immediate days following the Christmas holiday. “Dirty Dancing,” a popular film became a huge hit onstage in London and already brought in high revenue for Toronto. Producer David Mirvish was quoted on Playbill.com as saying, “Over 90,000 people have attended Dirty Dancing in Toronto thus far. This is certainly a show that has struck a chord with Canadian audiences. It is accurate to describe Dirty Dancing as the kind of blockbuster that only comes along very rarely in the theatre.”
Dirty Dancing is the coming of age love story involving the talented dancer Johnny Castle and Frances “Baby” Houseman. Against all odds these two young lovers join hands and show their passion for each other onstage at a summer holiday at the popular Kellerman’s resort. The story is artfully performed on stage and is full of plenty of passionate moments. There are also expectations that the production will eventually make it to Broadway in New York City. Be sure not to miss out on all of the romance with your pair of Dirty Dancing tickets.
Shuford Will Soon Swim Solo
Bret Shuford has been around Broadway and currently he is staring in the hit production of “The Little Mermaid.” He has received glowing reviews from critics and theatre patrons love his talent on the stage. To further boost his on stage career he is scheduled to make his cabaret debut at the West 42nd Street nightspot. The singing actor is planning to offer an evening dedicated to contemporary and Broadway favorites as well as a few tunes penned by his musical director, Michael Holland. The performance takes place on January 27 at 9 PM. Some of the songs that will be showcased by Shuford are renditions of songs by Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Rufus Wainwright, Rascal Flatts and many more.
Shuford initially made his Broadway debut in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and afterwards he could be seen in the classic tale, “Beauty and the Beast.” Regionally he has appeared in productions of “Kiss Me, Kate,” “A Chorus Line” and Cats. His talents on the stage have earned him quite a reputation in one of the most prominent theatre districts in the world. Be sure to catch him when he appears solo and also currently when you buy your pair of The Little Mermaid tickets from Stubhub.com.
A Few Frightful Days After Christmas!
The cast album of Young Frankenstein hit stores yesterday, with theatre fans clamoring to get their hands on the frightfully hilarious CD. The acclaimed cast of the production, inspired by Mel Brooks’ film comedy of the same name recorded the album on November 12. Initially it was only available at the Hilton Theatre where the show currently runs. As soon as the Christmas holiday concluded the much anticipated recording hit stores around the country. The recording includes 21 tracks with one of those being the hit song “Alone,” performed by Megan Mullally.
The CD booklet, which can make an excellent “after Christmas” gift includes lyrics, a synopsis with explanatory notes as well as black and white photographs. Theatre-going patrons in New York City are at least close enough to attend the fabulous musical, but for those in other parts of the country, the new CD gives everyone an opportunity to listen to the show in the comforts of their own living rooms. Doug Besterman, who is Young Frankenstein’s orchestrator, is the recording’s producer. Director Susan Stroman and Mel Brooks are the executive producers of the album. Be sure to get to the music stores today and pick up your copy of the CD. Also if you can make it to the Big Apple’s Broadway get your pair of Young Frankenstein tickets!
A Good Show and a Good Cause!
If you love the theatre and also want to support entertainment professionals for a good cause, be sure not to miss the new musicals Xanadu and Young Frankenstein on Broadway. Recently both productions have announced that they will each be offering special performances in 2008 to benefit the Actors Fund of America. The Actors Fund, which was founded in 1882 is a non-profit organization that provides for the social welfare of all entertainment professionals. Some of the programs that it includes are a nursing home, senior and disabled programs, mental services, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, the AIDS Initiative and supportive housing.
As the New Year approaches, make a resolution to contribute to the community. The best part about this upcoming special event is that you get to enjoy a great show in America’s best known theatre district. The story of Xanadu focuses on a magical Greek muse, Clio who descends from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest creation of his life-a roller disco. Young Frankenstein is a parody of the horror film drama, more specifically of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and its 1939 sequel, Son of Frankenstein. To get your Xanadu tickets and your Young Frankenstein tickets go to Stubhub.com.
The Drowsy Chaperone Finally Gets to Sleep!
After an impressive run with 674 performances and 32 previews, the Tony Award-winning hit musical will close on December 30. Theatre-going patrons will certainly miss this lively and hilarious comedy when the curtain closes a final time on Broadway. A national tour is scheduled to continue. The Drowsy Chaperone received five Tony Awards in 2006, bagging more of the glittering gold statue than any other musical that season. Producer Kevin McCollum was quoted on Playbill.com as saying, “The show was pure joy and we were a hit. To have had both the artistic and financial success realized is the miracle of The Drowsy Chaperone.”
The Drowsy Chaperone currently stars some of the most well recognized names on Broadway, including: Bob Saget, Cindy Williams and Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein. The show times are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM. For those interested in an afternoon performance, there are matinees Wednesday at 2 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM. Schedule a date to see the popular musical before it ends its run in America’s most famous theatre district. Get your pair of The Drowsy Chaperone tickets today.
Do Ya Love It?
The Broadway company of “The Color Purple” welcomes a new addition to their cast with Zonya Love, who will be making her Broadway debut. Love will begin her run with the company on January 9 of the coming year. Love had been teaching theatre and Head Start classes in New York when she got the callback for a role in “The Color Purple.” Previously she has appeared in the regional productions of Intimate Apparel, Wit, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Children of Eden, The Boys Next Door, Kiss Me Kate and Smokey Joe’s Café.
The production of “The Color Purple” is based on the Alice Walker novel as well as the Steven Spielberg film of the same name. According to a description of the musical, “it deals with the maturity and independence of a mistreated black woman from the years 1909 to 1947. The audience members are invited to experience all of her triumphs and tragedies throughout the entirety of the performance.” Be prepared to laugh, weep and contain your anger at this incredibly moving performance, get your pair of The Color Purple tickets from Stubhub.com.
Kudisch’s Injury Keeps Him Offstage
Marc Kudisch, who recently had an onstage mishap during the December 16 performance of The Glorious Ones has excited the performance after he was hit in the eye during a scene with co-star Natalie Venetia Belcon. Kudisch was Tony nominee for his work in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” In the Glorious Ones he plays a member of a family of 16th century Italian troupers, although at this point he return to the show will most likely not occur before the December 21 weekend. Kudisch was quoted as saying in response to his scratched cornea, “The doctor is now saying I should be able to return to work next week. A bit of a shocker. I of course want to get back sooner, but the eye is a delicate thing. I don’t think I would be back in before the weekend.”
According to press notes, “The Glorious Ones” is the “backstage story about the lives, loves merriment and manipulations of a troupe of bawdy, witty improvising street performers. It tells how the troupe came to be, in all its ragged, colorful glory and how it captured the public’s adoration for so long before losing the spotlight.” It has received rave reviews from both critics and theatre-going patrons alike. If you want to see a fantastic performance, make sure that you get your own pair of “The Glorious Ones” tickets from Stubhub.com.
Adding to the Cast of Les Liaisons Dangereuses!
More additions have been made to the already established cast of the revival of Christopher Hampton’s “Les Liaisons Dangereuses.” In addition to Laura Linney and Ben Daniels, Mamie Gummer and Kristine Nielsen will appear onstage in this much anticipated production which is scheduled to open on May 1 at Broadway’s American Airlines Theatre. The limited engagement is set to play through June 29. The newest performers that have been announced have been famous for their appearances in “Mr. Marmalade, and A Streetcar Named Desire,” respectively.
Hampton’s hit production is based on the novel by Choderlos de Laclos and it won the Olivier Award for Best Play during its 1985 London premiere and it was also the basis for the 1988 Academy Award-nominated film, “Dangerous Liaisons.” This will surely be an exciting production that will have theatre patrons lining up outside of the theatre in anticipation of opening night for Les Liaisons Dangereuses. If you want to see a truly mesmerizing production, with lots of great talent, be sure to keep your eye on the stage and get your Les Liaisons Dangereuses tickets from Stubhub.com.
Frighteningly Frankensteinian Sounds!
For everyone who just can’t get enough of the large on the loose green monster, you can finally get a hold of the new Young Frankenstein album that is now on sale in the lobby of the Hilton Theatre. For just $25 dollars an album you can get the entire cast from the hit Broadway production sending shivers up your spine as you listen to all of the tracks. Although currently the CD is only available at the Hilton, it will become available in stores and online come December 26. Although the new musical at the Hilton Theatre does not feature an overture, Mel Brooks has composed a special overture for the recording, so theatre patrons can look forward to hearing some new sounds.
The production, which has become a sensation in the Broadway district of New York has theatre patrons excitedly lining up to get tickets. It stars Tony winner Roger Bart as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Megan Mullally as the doctor’s love interest and Shuler Hensley as the Monster itself. Some of the song titles that appear on the CD include: “The Happiest Town,” “The Brain,” “Together Again,” and “Roll in the Hay” among many others. Be sure to surprise someone this Christmas with the delightful sounds of Frankenstein and get your own CD along with a pair of Young Frankenstein tickets from Stubhub.com.
The Miracle Worker Springs to Life After Casting is Complete!
Come January 2008 a new play will appear on stage at the New Jersey venue, The Paper Mill Playhouse. It is one that we all know and love and it is a story that shall be told in the years to come. The Miracle Worker focuses on the life of Helen Keller, a little girl who was blind, deaf and mostly mute who went on to become a well-known famous speaker, author and advocate. Her transformation from a misunderstood and pitied child who would routinely terrorize her household with tantrums and tricks into someone who would come to fully understand the concept of language and communication is thanks mostly to the dedicated work of her mentor and teacher, Ann Sullivan.
Sullivan and Keller would become longtime friends and their story is told beautifully through this amazingly beautiful play. According to press notes, “The Miracle Worker is a profoundly moving retelling of the groundbreaking work of two pioneers, as well as the volatile relationship between them.” Don’t miss out on this exceptional play that will truly touch your heart and mind. Be sure to get your Miracle Worker tickets from Stubhub.com.