It’s that time of year, when shows are starting rehearsal, full casts are being released and the Spring Broadway buzz is starting! It’s exciting!
Last year I posted the 2011 Spring Broadway Posters and it started a lot of interesting commentary in the comments, on Twitter and Facebook. After 192 votes, Born Yesterday and Wonderland ended up being everyone’s favorites from last year. (Interestingly enough, both of those shows closed early last season.)
Let’s take a look at this year’s posters. I’ve included every play/musical that is on Broadway this Spring season because a lot of the shows have changed their graphics like Chicago,Sister Act, and Memphis. Others like Wicked and The Jersey Boys are too iconic to change (though Phantom has varied it up).
My favorite poster of the new musicals is Newsies. I love the font, the background newspapers and how the star, Jeremy Jordan, is singing and dancing at the same time. The infectious energy is bursting from the poster. It’s gonna be amazing. My close second is Once. I love the simplicity of the poster and how the words come from the guitar. It’s perfect for that show!
My least favorite is Leap of Faith. It seems like a “mock-up”, instead of a finished product. It doesn’t show what the show is about. It doesn’t give us any clue to what we should expect and frankly, as much as I love Raul Esparza, his name is almost bigger than the title of the show. Most people are going to be like: “Who the hell is Raul Esparza?” I’m thinking that they pushed this show to open this Spring and it’s all too soon. (Have you seen their website? It’s terrible.) Hopefully, they will have a new poster before they open this Spring.
Overall, the best play poster is Peter and the Star Catcher. The font is magical, child-like but interesting and makes me want to see the show. It seems so inventive. I absolutely love it. One of my other favorites is A Street Car Named Desire. It’s beautiful.
I don’t really care for the other play posters — big block letters isn’t catchy, or original.
Which poster grabs your attention the most?
Check out all of the 2012 Spring Broadway Posters below… and don’t forget to vote in our poll below.
Now it’s your turn to decide… what’s your favorite new Broadway poster?
Vote below.
Make sure you comment and let us know your thoughts…
All photos were used with permission from the original owner, Steve Kazee.
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These photos are already inspiring my ridiculous love for this new musical. I’m so excited that I’ll be able to hear the cast recording before I get to see it in May.
Michael Riedel has written at length about the recent scramble by Broadway producers to find open theatres for their new shows. As many as a dozen productions are looking for a home on the “Great White Way”. Even some of the big names were almost left out in the cold, as the new vehicle for Broadway heavyweights Matthew Broderick and Kathleen Marshall, Nice Work If You Can Get It, looked like it might be in trouble until Funny Girl fell by the wayside last month, leaving an opening at the Imperial.
However, I’m here to deliver a bit of good news for those other producers, who are undoubtedly biting their fingernails…. The Walter Kerr Theatre should be open by Christmas!
Lysistrata Jones, the new musical from Douglas Carter Beane (Sister Act, Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed), is the season’s early front-runner for the “Glory Days Memorial Trophy” for the shortest run in Broadway history. An updated retelling of the Greek comedy, Lysistrata, the show centers around the plight of the Athens University basketball team, who hasn’t won a game in 30 years. A perky cheerleader and revolutionary named Lysistrata Jones tries to change their fortune by convincing the rest of her squad to not “give it up” until the boys wins a game. The show had a well received tryout at the 100 seat Judson Memorial Church in Washington Square that was successful enough to convince producers to transfer to Broadway.
And oh, where do I even start with this…
First of all, the press release for the show promises that Lysistrata Jones “takes student activism to a whole new level”. Herein lies the first problem. In an age of the “Occupy” movement, where young people are getting pepper sprayed in the face for protesting a hierarchy of power that they feel is oppressive to the “99 percent”, it feels a little shallow to sit through a two-and-a-half hour musical about college athletics, packaged as a tale about “activism”. Of course, the production team cannot be blamed over the current political landscape. It’s more an issue of “the wrong show at the wrong time”. However, there are numerous other problems that do fall on their shoulders.
Case in point, it’s completely unclear to me as to when this show is really taking place. I mean, I walked into a curtain with an Athens University logo that read “411 B.C.”. Yet, all of the students are carrying Macbooks, and spitting out “jokes” about Siri and Herman Cain. So is the show set in the present day? Is our heroine using the tale of Lysistrata for inspiration on how to fix the basketball team? Or is this show really set in 411 BC and we are to believe that we are watching a different spin on Aristophanes’ characters? If it’s the latter, why are they making so many references to 2011 pop culture?
The same device is used (far more effectively) in Godspell, where they riff on Steve Jobs, Lindsay Lohan, and Donald Trump. At least in the case of that show, they establish early on that we are seeing a present day retelling of the parables and applying them to life in 2011. In Lysistrata Jones, the pop culture references do little to advance the story or prove a point. They just seem forced in to get cheap laughs for a script that isn’t that funny on its own.
Perhaps I would have better understood the context of the show if I could have understood anything that happened in the first 15 minutes. Sadly, I was left to my own devices as 3rd row center wasn’t good enough to hear anything due to the muddiest sound mix ever. Shouldn’t this be fixed after 8 days of previews?? Liz Mikel, as the one-woman Greek chorus, Hetaira, was nearly inaudible as she raps through the opening number of the show.
If Mr. Beane, who successfully punched up the Sister Act book after its West End run, fails to work any magic with this script, the songs aren’t helping either. Almost every number in the first act of Lewis Flinn’s score sounds like that “Getcha Head In The Game” song from High School Musical. At one point, a character actually sung the lyric “What’s The Word? Tweety Bird”, which is just flat-out indefensible. The only two musical highlight’s are Lysistrata’s act one ballad “Where Am I Now?”, and the show’s closing number “Give It Up”, which is quite catchy. The rest of the songs are pedestrian, at best.
There are many instances over the last few seasons where great, veteran, stage actors, can lift up bad material. For instance, for all of it’s problems, I was able to still enjoy The Addams Family, due mostly to the work of Nathan Lane and Carolee Carmello. Brian D’arcy James and Sutton Foster made Shrek the Musical far more watchable in New York than it was with a less seasoned touring cast. Unfortunately, Lysistrata Jones does not have this luxury. Patti Murin, as the title character, has a nice voice and a perky personality, but she doesn’t have the star power to carry the show on her back. Josh Segerra, who has no Broadway resume to speak of, is a hard bodied, uninteresting, piece of wood as basketball captain, Mick. Lindsay Nicole Chambers, despite being a more capable performer, looks ten years older than the rest of the cast, making her the Lyssie Jones equivalent of Gabrielle Carteris in 90210. The only cast member that shines in their role is Ms. Mikel, who doubles as the narrator and madam of the local brothel. She gets the most consistent laughs quite honestly deserves to be in a better show than this.
At the end of the day, “Lyssie Jones” will go down as the single worst show I’ve ever seen in New York. I have no problem with fluff pieces, as long as they are done well. I continue to be closet fans of Xanadu and Legally Blonde. Lysistrata Jones lacks the charm and fun of both of those shows. It’s the first time I have ever paid full price for a Broadway show and wanted to leave during the second act. While the reviews for the off-off Broadway version of this show were favorable, perhaps it would have made more sense to move the production to an Off-Broadway venue like New World Stages, because it’s not a show that is a fit for a 1000 seat house.
I will set the over/under for a closing date at January 3rd and take the under.
September is a great month for theatre in the Bay Area. First off, we have the first regionally produced production of Spring Awakening at San Jose Rep that’s opening next week (though previews begin on Friday). It’s one of my favorite shows and I’m very interested in seeing a new “take” on it. And I’m also very interested to see what the choreographer, Sonya Tayeh (from So You Think You Can Dance fame), brings to the production. August Osage County is an epic play and if you haven’t seen it, then run to City Lights Theatre Company — such an amazing new piece of theatre. At Theatreworks, a world premiere of a classic Jane Austen story, Sense and Sensibility, is being produced. I have a feeling that if this goes over well, then this is a show that will have life outside of the Bay Area.
Shout! The Mod Musical is opening at Bus Barn Stage Company this weekend. This is a show that hasn’t been over-produced (yet!) in the Bay Area. Bus Barn is such an intimate theatre that I’m really interested to see this all-girl musical in this space. Finally, you can’t forget to see Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup at Berkeley Rep. I mean, come on! It’s Rita Moreno!!! It’s a no-brainer!
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1. Spring Awakening @ San Jose Rep - Caught between their sexual urges and society’s contradictory teachings, a group of teenagers reveals their alluringly melancholy story of self-discovery and coming-of-age anxiety as seen through the eyes of young teenagers. Set in repressive 19th-century Germany, these students attempt to reckon with the thrilling, complicated and confusing time of their sexual awakening. This haunting and provocative rock-musical is a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in a daring fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll.
Haunting and electrifying! This brave new musical has a shivery, sensual allure unmatched by anything in the theater right now. -The New York Times
2. August Osage County at City Lights Theatre Company – One of the most critically acclaimed plays in recent history, this Pulitzer Prize winning modern masterpiece chronicles an American family at its resilient best – and dysfunctional worst. When the patriarch of the Weston clan disappears one hot August night, the family reunites at the Oklahoma homestead, where three generations of suspicions are aired and dark secrets are revealed. Weaving epic tragedy with scathing black comedy, August is a bracing and uncompromising portrait of rural Americana not to be missed.
September 22 – October 23, 2011
Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm
Sunday Evenings at 7pm (Oct. 2)
Sunday Matinees at 2pm (Oct. 9, 16, & 23)
3. Sense and Sensibility at Theatreworks – (American Premiere) Fortune lost to fate, romance lost to folly, two charming sisters sail the unpredictable seas of courtship in this captivating, intimate adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel. Sensible, reserved Elinor and passionate, impulsive Marianne find the course of true love beset with scandalous secrets, shocking betrayals, dashing suitors, and devious rivals, all brought to glorious life in a delicious, period-perfect tribute to everything Austen.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts - August 24—September 18, 2011
4. Shout: The Mod Musical at Bus Barn Stage Company: This smashing musical revue tracks five groovy gals as they come of age during those liberating days that made England swing! SHOUT! flips through the years like a musical magazine and takes you back to the music, the fashion and the freedom of the 60′s! Join this non-stop journey through the infectious and soulful pop anthems and ballads that made household names of stars like Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield and Lulu with such chart-topping hits as “To Sir With Love,” “Downtown,” “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” “Son of A Preacher Man,” and “Goldfinger.”
5. Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup at Berkeley Rep: During her spectacular career, Rita Moreno has portrayed some tough women, from Anita in West Side Story to Maria Callas inMaster Class. Now this legendary performer takes on the toughest woman of all—herself. The star of stage and screen returns to Berkeley Rep for the first time since her sold-out run in The Glass Menagerie. Rita recounts her improbable life in an irreverent and entertaining new show that features a lively band and two expert dancers. Expect another breathtaking performance from the lady who won the Oscar, the Tony, the Grammy and two Emmys.
Last Tuesday, Billy Elliot opened in San Francisco at the Orpheum Theatre. Unfortunately, I missed it because I was flying back from New York City where I saw five shows: Sister Act, The Addams Family, Baby It’s You, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and How to Succeed…. I hope to see Billy Elliot in the upcoming weeks, but I might not get there until the beginning of August considering I still have to see Tales of the City in San Francisco and I’m looking forward to seeing a brand new show, Fly By Night, at Theatreworks. Plus, I haven’t reviewed Billy Elliot on The Broadway Critic Blog, so it’s definitely going to happen.
Billy Elliot has a huge following! It won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2009 and the dancing kids in this show are to-die-for. But, I hate to say this, I wasn’t a huge fan of the show at all when I saw it on Broadway (with the original cast). I felt it lost the “heart” of the movie. I know, I know… I’m in the minority here, but I’m hoping that Faith Prince and the (hopefully) updated set will change my mind.
It seems though, that everyone is loving it. Have you seen it? Anyone seen the Broadway version and can discuss the changes they made for the tour?
TWITTER RESPONSES:
@seanieboysfnyc: My dad saw BillyElliot last nite in #SF and loved it so much he sent me this email: “You’re not a Puff are you?” hahaha #MyDadIsTheBest
@deliarium: Saw BillyElliot (the musical) in SF last night. It makes me wish I could dance, or be talented in any performing arts capacity whatsoever.
@dauphinlovr: Hey @shnsf, I’m heading up to SF to see “BillyElliot‘ with @RCorteway. I’ve heard nothing but great reviews. Can’t wait to see it.
Last night was the first preview of Tales of the City, a new musical in San Francisco, debuting at ACT. Since I wasn’t able to be there (I’m rehearsing for Avenue Q at San Jose Stage Company), I turned to Twitter to see what the initial response was.
It seems that everyone loved it, but the show was really long. Technically, the musical is based off of eight novels that Armistead Maupin wrote, so understandably, it would run long, but 3 1/2 hours seems way too long for a musical (or even a movie).
All this good buzz begs the questions: Will Tales of the City work in any other city than San Francisco? Is there a Broadway transfer in its future?
Discuss.
TWITTER RESPONSES:
@mrichert: Tales of the City was pretty good, some great songs, & the whole cast was amazing, it was just missing something, Mother Mucca KILLED IT!!!!
@rolodj: Tales of the City rocked! Given it was first night & could cut things that didn’t work, I was entertained entire 3 1/2 hrs! #manitabryant
@erico: Laughed, cried & laughed with my honey at the 1st preview of Tales of the City, a New Musical by @ArmisteadMaupin. @JakeShears u rule!
@monatopia: Totally suggest everybody go see ACTs Tales Of The City. It rocks! And makes me wanna move to san Francisco circa 1976.
@mrichert: Just passed who I think was @jakeshears after Tales of the City, he’s pretty hot, the show was pretty great too
@FirehorseSF: @Jakeshears jake, awesome music, tales of the city rocked! and you looked great in yellow. Marlborough lights?
@Prezdt: Fantastic 3 1/2 hours of Tales of the City. Great story. Great acting. Great music!
@greggysf: At premier of Tales of the City!! Love this city!!!
@grizzwhit: @ACTSanFrancisco tales of the city is rocking it! betsy wolfe is amazing as lead. must see sf!
@deathandfood: At the preview of The Tales of the City musical. Love seeing it with people that lived it and in SF.
@Prezdt: Wonderful performance of the first act of Tales of the City!
@mrichert: At the intermission of Tales of the City, really good so far, the set is awesome, great songs too
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When are you seeing it? And if you’ve seen it, what did you think?
This stunning and newly released stage adaptation by the original screenplay author departs from cinematic realism to provide a piece of dockside expressionism. The hero remains Terry Malloy, the ex-boxer and waterfront bum who struggles with his conscience and takes on the corrupt union mafia. This breathtakingly original piece of theatre gained critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008.
London’s Guardian newspaper calls the play “dazzling… not a carbon copy, but an imaginative re-invention of an iconic movie. It makes for a gripping piece of theatre.”
For more information, contact the box office at 408.283.7142 or visit the website at www.thestage.org.
Have you seen it? We’ve heard some fantastic things about the show, so don’t miss it!
The 2010-2011 Broadway season has seen more new musicals than in the last several years and several of them didn’t have a out-of-town tryout! But all four shows that have opened so far this season have already closed. Here’s a preview of the eight new musicals that are opening this Spring 2011.
Here’s the list:
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* – Closed January 2nd, 2011
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson ** – Closed January 2nd, 2011
The Scottsboro Boys ** – Closed December 12th, 2011
Elf* – Closed January 2nd, 2011
Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark* – Opening March 15th, 2011
The Book of Mormon* – Opening March 24th, 2011
Priscilla Queen of the Desert ## – Opening March 20th, 2011
Catch Me If You Can # – Opening April 10th, 2011
Wonderland # – Opening April 17th, 2011
Sister Act ## – Opening April 20th, 2011
Baby It’s You* – Opening April 27th, 2011
The People in the Picture* – Opening April 28th, 2011
* No out-of-town tryout ** Off-Broadway # Out-of-town tryout ##Transfer from London
And revivals:
Anything Goes – Opening April 7th, 2011
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying – Opening March 26th, 2011
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Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark at Foxwoods Theatre – To be honest, I’m a little over all the publicity surrounding Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark. It seems that every time I check my Twitter feed or Playbill.com, there’s another story. But to be fair, I really enjoyed the show. I posted my preview “review” a couple of weeks ago. I was totally blown away by the technical aspect of the show. Yes, the story and music could be tweaked or reworked, but I got my money’s worth and that’s all I really care about. I think you should see it. Regardless of what you think of the show, it’s making Broadway history.
Website | Previews started | Opens March 15th, 2011
The Book of Mormon at Eugene O’Neill Theatre – It’s happening. Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez are writing a musical that’s sure to offend everyone. My stance has significantly changed since I wrote about it almost a year ago, but I’m still annoyed at the title of this musical. I don’t really have high hopes for this show, but you never know. I’m not planning on racing to see it either. I think I’m gonna wait this one out.
I think it’s a major gamble. There’s not one person in the show that’s marquee-worthy and they never had an out-of-town tryout. I heard that the October workshop of this show was an absolute disaster, so I hope they are pulling it together. They are definitely promoting the hell out of it, so it will be around for awhile — plus you have all of those South Park fans.
Website | Previews: February 24th, 2011 | Opens March 24th, 2011
Priscilla Queen of the Desert: the musical at Palace Theatre – I saw Priscilla in London, last June, and absolutely loved it. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but the costumes, story and music are irresistible. The infectious familiar melodies make you want to get up and dance and the story is so touching. I absolutely loved it.
I have a feeling that Priscilla is going to be the musical to beat this year! I know it’s gonna win several Tony Awards! (The costumes are a total shoo-in.) It’s just too cute!
Sneak Audio Peek:
“I Will Survive”
“Always On My Mind/Confide In Me”
Website | Previews: February 28th, 2011 | Opens: March 20th, 2011
Catch Me If You Can – A New Musical at Neil Simon Theatre – The only thing that is getting me excited to see this show is the cast. It features: Norbert Leo Butz, Tom Wopat, Aaron Tviet and Kerry Butler. I’m a little disappointed by the songs that they have chosen to post as the “show’s catchiest tunes”, because they aren’t that catchy or good. You can hear the 4-song sampler, here.
I’m curious if this show is going to be as big of a hit as Hairspray was. I have my doubts, but maybe Catch Me If You Can will surprise me.
Sneak Audio Peek:
“Fly, Fly Away” (Kerry Butler)
Website | Previews: March 11th, 2011 | Opens: April 10th, 2011
Wonderland at Marquis Theatre – I just have a feeling that Wonderland is going to be this year’s Come Fly Away or 9 to 5. First, it’s in one of Broadway’s biggest houses and the Marquis Theatre is known for its flops. (Maybe there’s a curse!) There is some major Broadway talent in the cast, but there’s not one “marquee-worthy” name.
What’s going to make people want to buy a ticket? Wildhorn’s music — probably not. A musical based on Alice in Wonderland — probably not.
I’m running out of ideas. I bet it’s going to be a huge flop.
Sneak Audio Peek:
“Finding Wonderland”
Website | Previews: March 21st, 2011 | Opens: April 7th, 2011
Sister Act at Broadway Theatre – Sister Act was the fifth musical that I reviewed for The Broadway Critic and I loved it (basically). I wrote, “Sister Act has so much energy and joy to give away… As it says in the closing number, “Spread your love around!” and Sister Act does just that…” My biggest complaint was the plot and music surrounding the male supporting characters because it felt that those characters were overlooked. I have a feeling they’ve fixed that and it’s going to be a huge hit!
And look at their cast: Patina Miller, Victoria Clark, Fred Applegate and Chestor Gregory. If Sister Act can win the critic’s favor, it’s gonna be a huge contendor during the Tony Awards.
I highly recommend Sister Act and can’t wait to see the Broadway production.
Audio Sneak Peek:
“Raise Your Voice”
“Fabulous, baby” (Reprise)
Website | Previews: March 24th, 2011 | Opens: April 20th, 2011
Baby It’s You – a new musical at Broadhurst Theatre – Here’s the tagline from Broadway.com, “Featuring songs such as “He’s So Fine,” “Dedicated to the One I Love” and “Twist and Shout,” Baby It’s You! follows the rise of New Jersey housewife Florence Greenberg, who teams with African-American songwriter Luther Dixon to launch the popular girl group The Shirelles as well as an independent record company.”
It kind of sounds like the girl-version of The Jersey Boys or this season’s Million Dollar Quartet.
I’m sure it will find an audience and run for awhile, but I have a feeling it’s going to be over-looked during the awards season. There hasn’t been that much press surrounding the show and it snuck into the Broadhurst without much of a bang, so we’ll see what happens to it. (Even their website doesn’t have that much content on it.)
Website | Previews: March 26th, 2011 | Opens: April 27th, 2011
The People in the Picture at Studio 54 – Two time Tony Award-winner, Donna Murphy (Passion, The King and I) stars in The People in the Picture, directed by Leonard Foglia. This new Broadway musical features book & lyrics by the author of the international best seller Beaches, Iris Rainer Dart, and a glorious score by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe’s Café) and Artie Butler (“Here’s to Life”).
The biggest thing that Roundabout has going for it right now is that Donna Murphy is starring in this! This is another musical that hasn’t had an out-of-town try-out, so there will be a lot of buzz come first preview.
I don’t know enough about the production, story or music to pass any kind of judgement. I’m intrigued. Currently, it’s only running till June 19th, 2011, so you might want to get your tickets soon.
Website | Previews: April 1st, 2011 | Opens: April 28th, 2011
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REVIVALS:
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Al Hirschfeld Theatre – How to Succeed… centers on a young window-cleaner, J. Pierrepont Finch (Daniel Radcliffe), who begins a meteoric rise from the mail room to Vice President of Advertising at the World-Wide Wicket Company. Finch’s unorthodox and morally questionable business practices jeopardize not only his career but also his romance with Secretary Rosemary Pilkington.
Okay, so it’s Daniel Radcliffe… I’m a bit intrigued to see how he does singing and dancing, but he better do a good job or it’s not going to be pretty. I’m excited to see a professional production of this musical, since I’m not as familiar as I would like to be with it. If Promises, Promises can run over a year, I have a feeling that How to Succeed… is going to do just as well.
Website | Previews: February 26th, 2011 | Opens: March 27th, 2011
Anything Goes at Stephen Sondheim Theatre: Out of all the shows that are opening this Spring, Anything Goes is the most exciting in my opinion. First off, it has Sutton Foster starring as Reno Sweeney. Second, Kathleen Marshall is directing and choreographing the production and it’s one of my favorite musicals of all time.
I have extremely high expectations of this production and I hope it blows everyone out of the water! (Unlike that abysmal Bye Bye Birdie revival that also played the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.)
Website | Previews: March 10th, 2011 | Opens: April 7th, 2011
And I thought January came fast. While I only saw a few shows in January, I saw some majorly epic productions.
First, I saw newly revamped version of Love Never Dies which was a train-wreck. Then I saw the over-publicized Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark and loved it. Last, I saw the touring production of Next to Normal which blew me away and tore out my heart out (again).
There’s several shows that are still running from January into February, so make sure you check out last month’s suggestions as well.
1. Next to Normal at Curran Theatre (SHNSF) in San Francisco – I realize that this was on my list last month, but technically this show doesn’t close until February 20th, so it’s first on my list for February as well.
I was blown away by this cast. I wrote in my review: “It’s rare to have a touring production be just as exciting as the Broadway production. I didn’t think the tour of Next to Normal could do it, but they passed expectations by a mile. Do not miss this production of Next to Normal.”
2. Avenue Q at Orpheum Theatre (SHNSF) in San Francisco – I love this show so much. I saw the non-equity touring cast of Avenue Q at Broadway San Jose a little over a year ago and enjoyed it immensely even though theatre was way too big for the production. I have a feeling that the Orpheum Theatre will be a bit big as well, but you’ll still laugh and laugh and laugh.
Here’s an excerpt of my review: “If you’ve seen it, then beware that the intimacy of the Broadway version is all but lost in the expansiveness of the theatre and the jokes might not be as shocking (since you already know them), but you’ll still laugh. While, overall the performers are super talented, they unfortunately don’t compare to the original cast. Knowing all of this, you’ll still end up laughing and having a great night of theatre!”
I have a feeling my review will be similar. Runs February 15 – 27th, 2011.
3. Big River at Contra Costa Civic Theatre: The irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their hilarious, heartwarming adventures bring to life the novel’s colorful characters in a brilliant celebration of pure Americana. With a jubilant score of Cajun, country, gospel and blues, Big River is a rousing, high- spirited show that sets your hands to clapping, your feet to stomping and your heart to rise within you! Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Score and Book, this is one the whole family will enjoy!
4. The Dresser at San Jose Rep: It’s 1942 in Britain and the smell of death is in the air. The sirens howl, signaling another air raid, but inside the crumbling walls of a regional theatre in the provinces the aging actor, Sir, prepares to give his 227th performance as King Lear.
Norman, Sir’s devoted, fuss-budget dresser, is barely able to take care of himself but faithfully assists Sir in near feudal servitude, massaging his ego, pampering his intellect and even creating sound effects for the Shakespearean production by Sir’s struggling troupe. This touching and poignant tribute to theatre, friendship and the human spirit in the face of great strife – be it war or one’s own debilitating mortality – proves that “the show must go on.”
Directed by Randall King Music Direction by Don Dally
January 17, 2011 at the California Theatre, 7:30pm.
A special concert to benefit San Jose Stage Company performed by the Original Cast and Band one night only in a stunning event of extraordinary talent celebrating the Grateful Dead songbook.
Reunite with the original cast members of San Jose Stage Company’s revolutionary theatrical event Cumberland Blues in a new and vibrant concert celebration, drawing off the albums Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty.
Music from CUMBERLAND BLUES. Book by MICHAEL NORMAN MANN. Songs by JERRY GARCIA & ROBERT HUNTER. Additional Material by GREG ANTON, PHIL LESH, MICKEY HART and ROBERT HUNTER. Original Score commissioned by San Jose Stage Company from the 1998 Production, San Jose and San Francisco.
Original Music Director Don Dally‘s (Urinetown, The Musical, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Return To The Forbidden Planet, Chaps!) lush score and beautiful arrangements of the songs comprise the core of the show.
Returning to “Uncle John’s Band” will be the legendary Bobby Black (Always…Patsy Cline, Chaps!, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen) on pedal steel, Mark Holzinger (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story) on lead guitar and joined by Pat Cambell on bass and Tom Siebenthal (Altar Boyz, Beehive) on guitar. and the Velvety Vocals of Ric Iverson (Chaps!), Colin Thomson (Chaps!) and Jonathan Rhys Williams (Rock ‘n’ Roll, Angry Housewives). Also Featuring
Kevin Blackton (Cumberland Blues, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Urinetown, The Musical) Wes Finlay (Cumberland Blues) Steven Gill (Cumberland Blues) Don Hiatt (Cumberland Blues) Kristan Tweten Kelly (Cumberland Blues) Lydia Lyons (The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Beehive) Judith Miller (Cumberland Blues, Always…Patsy Cline, Angry Housewives) Lisa Recker (Cumberland Blues, Idols of the King) Allison F. Rich (The Great American Trailer Park Musical) Halsey Varady (The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Beehive)
“honors the rustic creations of the prolific songwriting team” – San Jose Mercury News
“Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty…all written in the early Seventies, a time during which the Dead…focused on songcraft. Specifically, the great American traditional folk song, bluegrass and the blues…creating a stage for the songs themselves to shine” – Rolling Stone
“accompanied by Black’s doleful pedal steel guitar” – San Francisco Chronicle
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My least favorite is Leap of Faith. It seems like a “mock-up”, instead of a finished product. It doesn’t show what the show is about. It doesn’t give us any clue to what we should expect and frankly, as much as I love Raul Esparza, his name is almost bigger than the title of the show. Most people are going to be like: “Who the hell is Raul Esparza?” I’m thinking that they pushed this show to open this Spring and it’s all too soon. (Have you seen their website? It’s terrible.) Hopefully, they will have a new poster before they open this Spring.
