Coming to a high school near you: "Glee" may leap off the screen and into theatres. Music Theatre International, which licenses performance rights of Broadway titles from Legally Blonde to Fiddler on the Roof, is in talks to bring the hit FOX series to the stage. MTI chairman Freddie Gershon told Playbill.com that "The 'Glee' deal is in negotiations. We're … Read More
Spooky-Dog
From Yes Weekly: Irreverence reigns supreme in Theatre Alliance’s Spooky Dog this weekend Theatre Alliance of Winston-Salem has scared up a treat for Saturday-morning television fans with its latest production, a staged reading of Spooky Dog and the Teenage Gang Mysteries, which opens Thursday for a limited engagement. Eric Pliner and Amy Rhodes’ ribald spoof takes its cue from one … Read More
Avenue Q Poster Too Racy for Colorado Springs
Puppet cleavage. That's what we're talking about here: pink puppet cleavage. A billboard advertising company in Colorado Springs, Colorado has banned a particular poster for Avenue Q, favoring a more "conservative approach": You think it’s not easy being green. Try being a pink Muppet-like character in the touring off-Broadway show “Avenue Q.” Lamar Advertising recently rejected a bus shelter advertisement that would … Read More
Forever Plaid: The Plug
From the Winston-Salem Journal: Tried and true colors – Nostalgia for a simpler time keeps crooners coming back for just one more performance By Mary Martin Niepold SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL Published: February 7, 2010 They've done it before. Audiences loved it, so Theatre Alliance will reprise one of its hit shows as a Valentine offering. Forever Plaid, a musical … Read More
The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
This unproduced musical intrigues me — Book by Stephen King Music by John Mellencamp Okay. That's cool. And the original concept album recording will include King, Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Elvis Costello, and…. boxing legend Joe Frazier? I'm going to keep an eye on this one…..
“The Sound Of Music” Turns 50
Fifty years ago today, The Sound of Music opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Odd. I had a dream about that show (sort of) this weekend. Did you know that Christopher Plummer didn't like working in the film, calling it "The Sound of Mucus"? He even detested singing the song 'Edelweiss,' calling it "schmaltzy." 'Edelweiss' was the last song … Read More
Local Papers Don’t Do Justice To Theatre Criticism
Okay, that's twice now in about one week — here and here. Iin both of these theater reviews — from local papers — the phrase "does justice" appears in the headline (or sub-headline). As in: Cast does justice to long-running Broadway show and Triad Stage's Oleanna does justice to Mamet's vision Does justice? I don't know what that phrase means. Is … Read More
RENT at Theatre Alliance
I realized this morning that 1,000 people have either seen RENT at Theatre Alliance, or have bought tickets to see it. That's damn impressive. I'm not plugging it — it doesn't need plugging, but if you are in the Triad, you really don't want to miss it. Info in the right column….. Rent at ArtsFest 2009 from Ken Ashford on … Read More
What’s “For Now” At Avenue Q Now
Last March, I wrote about the show Avenue Q and how they had to change their lyrics in the song "For Now". One of the lyrics was "George Bush is only 'for now'", but of course, with the Obama relection, there was some question about what to do with that line. The Broadway show settled for "George Bush WAS only … Read More
“Once On This Island” Too Offensive For One Uptight Pastor
In my occasional forays into wingnuttia land, I often check the writings of Reverand Grant Swank, a columnist at Renew America and a pastor New Hope Church in Windham, Maine. His writings are unintentionally hysterical. Imagine my joy when I read his latest column "Eastern Nazarene College anti-Christian play presented", which is essentially a reprint of an email he sent … Read More
Marriage Equality Ad Running in Maine: My Extended Family Version
This one is special because it stars my in-law's family. The woman in this ad, Yolande Dumont (who we all call "Memere") is the mother of my brother-in-law. She's a pistol. I haven't seen Raymond (her son) in years, but he's looking well and happy with his partner and their son. Marital apartheid's days are numbered. We just have to want it … Read More
David Joy Gets Good Press
Geez. Best quote: Jokes Lawson: “Truth be told, he owes all of his success to me, and the rest is history.” Joy plays right along. “It’s true,” he says. “I’m Jamie’s bitch. He works me like a slave driver and I keep coming back for more. I’m a prison bitch.”