Update: AFTER MIDNIGHT – Broadway

  • March 17, 2014

after-midnight“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!” Set in 1932 Harlem, AFTER MIDNIGHT proves that music is the real chicken soup for the soul. And swing is one ingredient this soup has plenty of!

I saw AFTER MIDNIGHT at k.d. lang’s second performance, and she was perfect! I mean, the show fit her like a glove… or she fit the show. Either way, her style, look, personality and sound could not have been better.

UPDATE:  Toni Braxton replaces k.d lang from March 18th – 30th, joined by Kenny “Babyface” Evans! Then from April 1st – 11th Vanessa Williams joins the cast! Is there an AFTER MIDNIGHT season ticket package? Wow!!

The production overall did everything I was expecting and more. I was transported to 1930’s Harlem with ease.  The costumes were flawless and the set design framed the picture beautifully. The dancing was non-stop with choreography that ebbed and flowed perfectly with the mood. I love a good tap number, and AFTER MIDNIGHT didn’t disappoint. Jazz hands galore!

What really brought the show alive for me, however, was the orchestra. The musicians on stage really brought that night club feeling to life. They were there, not merely for accompaniment, but were a part of the cast. That sealed the deal. I was in heaven!

AFTER MIDNIGHT was a wonderful surprise for me. Knowing that it was a song and dance show without a story, I set my expectations based on that (I like a good plot with my music). My mistake. I was blown away. When I left the theatre, my mood had been completely altered – in a good way!

If what you are looking for is a show that will transport you to a simpler time, make you smile, amaze your senses and send you away feeling that you don’t have a care in the world, AFTER MIDNIGHT is for you. Also, it’s only 90 minutes without an intermission, so it’s great for those looking for an early night.

Check the AFTER MIDNIGHT web site for tickets and more info. www.aftermidnightbroadway.com

Get tickets now for THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN!

  • March 16, 2014

4-TWood_VelocityOfAutumn_5352THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN, the critically acclaimed play from Eric Coble, opens tonight (April 21) at the Booth Theatre. Don’t miss your chance to see Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons and Tony winner Stephen Spinella in this hilarious yet touching comedy!

THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN swirls around Alexandra, a 79-year-old artist in a showdown with her family over where she’ll spend her remaining years. In Alexandra’s corner are her wit, her volcanic passion and the fact that she’s barricaded herself in her Brooklyn brownstone with enough Molotov cocktails to take out the block. But her children have their own secret weapon: estranged son Chris who returns after 20 years crawls through Alexandra’s second floor window, and becomes the family’s unlikely mediator.

This is a limited engagement, so get your tickets now at velocityofautumnbroadway.com.

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN – Paper Mill Playhouse

  • February 25, 2014

JoshCohenStageMillburn, New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse opened its new production of THE OTHER JOSH COHEN with wit, flair and style Sunday night. Known more often for larger-scale productions that are more of the lavish type and often Broadway-bound, the company this time presents a smaller scale, pop-rock style show, and it works.

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN follows our title character, inevitably down on his luck, particularly in the romance department, and, even as the show begins (take note of the set before the curtain drops at the show’s beginning) must put up with one misfortune after another.

When the curtain rises we see that Josh’s New York City apartment has been burglarized, relieving him of all of his worldly possessions – except for a few key items that, to avoid spoiling the plot, are better left unmentioned. Let’s just say that Neil Diamond, “Star Wars” and a famous chocolate maker are interwoven quite successfully throughout.

When he finally seems to stumble onto a bit of luck – a letter in the mail containing a sizable check from an “Irma Cohen” who Josh hopes is a long lost relative – it turns out, as you might have guessed, it is intended for the OTHER Josh Cohen.

Not only are there two Josh Cohens to make our story interesting, there is a third. Our down-on-his-luck Josh interacts throughout the show with his older (and wiser) future self, giving us glimpses of the direction in which Josh might be headed.  Played by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, also the show’s creators, the two Joshes interact convincingly with each other as well as with a cast of characters from various stages in Josh’s (as well as the OTHER Josh’s) life.

Under the direction of Ted Sperling and musical staging by Andrew Palermo, the rest of our cast – Hannah Elless, Vadim Feichtner, Cathryn Salamone, Ken Triwush and Kate Wetherhead – are not only tasked with portraying a multitude of characters each, but along with Rossmer and Rosen, attack multiple musical instruments while on stage as well. This is a very well organized and talented group. Not only musically, but they’re funny!

The book is clever and draws you in, the music is quick and smart (pay attention to the lyrics), and as the show progresses you will begin to see the story unfold. Josh, (the first Josh Cohen) who we thought was down on his luck, might actually be a winner in the end. The moral of the story? Well, you’ll figure it out.

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission, and moves quickly. The show runs through March 16th with the following performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30PM, Thursday at 1:30PM and 7:30PM, Friday at 8:0PM, Saturday at 1:30PM and 8:00PM and Sunday at 1:30PM and 7:00PM.

Tickets are on sale now and range from $27 to $98. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at papermill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680.

 

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE – Los Angeles

  • February 23, 2014

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Photo 2Center Theatre Group has announced that it will be extending the Los Angeles run of VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE through March 16th at the Mark Taper Form. The new Tony Award-winning play from Christopher Dunning is under the direction of David Hyde Pierce who starred in the show on Broadway. Shalita Grant and Kristine Nielsen are reprising their Tony-Nominated Performances and have been joined by Mark Blum, Christine Ebersole, David Hull and Liesel Allen Yeager.

Set in 21st century Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with hints of 19th century Russia, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is a riotous comedy with the Chekhovian set-up of a middle-aged Vanya and his stepsister, Sonia, who live together in their ancestral farmhouse, complete with a pond and a cherry orchard. Their normally quiet existence is thrown into upheaval by the surprise visit from their glamorous, movie-star sibling, Masha, and her 20-something boyfriend, Spike, the unlikely prophecies of their cleaning lady and an all too important costume party.

The cast features (in alphabetical order) Mark Blum (Obie Award-winner for “Gus and Al”), Christine Ebersole (Tony Award  for “Grey Gardens” and “42nd Street”), Shalita Grant (Tony nomination for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”), David Hull (“Wicked” and “The Book of Mormon”), Kristine Nielsen (Tony nomination for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”) and Liesel Allen Yeager (reprising the role she played on Broadway).

The performances in this production are every bit as polished as they were on Broadway, and the newcomers to the cast add their own unique interpretations that give a new and fresh feel to the show. If you saw the show in New York, you will love it in L.A. just as much. If you haven’t seen it, then you must! It is simply hilarious and will have you rolling in the aisles.

Tickets for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” can be purchased by calling (213) 972-4444 or visiting online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets range from $20 – $70 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012

 

BLIND ANGELS – Theatre for the New City

  • February 22, 2014

Blind AngelsBLIND ANGELS by Dick Brukenfeld is a nail-biting drama in which a news reporter (inspired by Daniel Pearl) is taken prisoner by a group of cosmopolitan, integrated, successful, secular Muslims who are embarking on a terrorist attack. The twist is, he has long relationships with two of his three “hosts”–one is his ex-fiancee and the other was his college roommate. They are playing an endgame scenario that dwarfs what any small fry terrorist has tried before and they need him to tell their story. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., will present the play’s world premiere run February 6 to March 2, directed by Melissa Attebery.

Playwright Dick Brukenfeld is a former reporter for the Boston Globe and Lowell Sun who was a theater critic for the Village Voice for six years. He writes, “I felt a kinship with Daniel Pearl. He was out there doing what all of us dream of–getting the crucial story that wasn’t being written, finding out who the terrorists were and what was motivating them. Unfortunately, the people holding him were too dumb and vicious to recognize the opportunity he was offering.” In this play, they do.

The newsman, named Aaron Samzer, is the son of a rabbi who opposed his marriage to one of the Islamic cosmopolitans who are holding him. He is entrapped by friends he loves, who are planning hit New York City with “a small catastrophe to avoid a larger one.” All three are American citizens and not fanatics; two are Ivy League educated jet setters and all of them know they need this trusted, Jewish newsman to tell their story.

BLIND ANGELS is a work that seems to have a lot of things going for it. The creative team behind the show is to be congratulated for doing a lot with quite little. One thing I really appreciate about Theater for the New City is that it creates a space for more experimental work. Consequently, there are times when a show may appear to need some help. Given the fact that many productions at the venue have never had a public reading or workshop, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. BLIND ANGELS, in many ways, shows up on stage as if it’s ready to go — possibly needing a few tweaks here and there.

Under the direction of Melissa Atteberry, the cast, Scott Raker, Qurrat Ann Kadwani, Francesco Campari, Alok Tewari, and Cynthia Granville, are all believable and real. The only issue here seems to be with some of the lines and pat phrases. The characters seem to pull some catch phrases and colloquialisms out of the 1970’s and 80’s that probably wouldn’t be used by hip 30-somethings in NYC today. This, however, isn’t an issue with the direction or execution from the cast, rather evidence that the script could use a bit of refining.Otherwise, the script is successful, pulling the audience into the story and creating a sense of drama and suspense quite successfully.

The creative team really made BLIND ANGELS work, with set design by Brandon McNeel that could rival many a larger-budget production. Also to be noted is the lighting design by Alexander Bartenieff. He does a magnificent job drawing the audience into the story, and has flashback and foreshadowing is defined in a very clear and creative way.

BLIND ANGELS has a limited run, closing March 2nd. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see this play that just might possibly become a much larger ticket item in the near future.

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN Runs Feb. 19 – March 16 at Paper Mill

  • February 19, 2014

JoshCohen_ImageTHE OTHER JOSH COHEN begins previews at the Paper Mill Playhouse on Feb. 19th with an opening on Feb. 23rd.  The show features a book, music and lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen.  Ted Sperling will direct with musical staging by Andrew Palermo. Vadim Feichtner serves as Music Director. THE OTHER JOSH COHEN will feature a veteran cast including Steve Rosen, David Rossmer, Hannah Elless, Vadim Feichtner, Cathryn Salamone, Ken Triwush and Kate Wetherhead.

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN is a musical comedy that follows good guy Josh Cohen as he is caught in a lifelong battle with bad luck. “He’s single, broke, and woefully underemployed when his apartment is robbed. But then a mysterious letter arrives that could change his life forever,” according to press information.

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN design team includes David Korins’ (Scenic Design), Jennifer Caprio (Costume Design), Jen Schriever (Lighting Design), Randy Hansen (Sound Design), Amanda Miller (Hair and Wig Design). The Production Stage Manager is Gary Mickelson.

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN  will be performed eight times a week thru March 16th. Tickets are on sale now and range from $27 to $98. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at papermill.org.

BRONX BOMBERS – Broadway

  • February 18, 2014

BronxBombersI must preface my comments here by saying I was never really a Yankees fan. And, I may be getting into some hot water with the die-hards, but I actually grew up a fan of the Rangers. If you know your baseball history, the Rangers were the Senators before they moved to Texas.  Remember Damn Yankees? But I digress. I also use the term “fan” loosly, since there are very few MLB players I could name, from last century or this, except for those brought to life in the play BRONX BOMBERS.

I guess that pretty much highlights my point. No matter how you feel about baseball or the Yankees, no matter where you allegiance lies, there is no questioning the impact the Yankees ball club has had on Major League Baseball, or professional sports overall. That is what BRONX BOMBERS is all about.

Even if you know nothing (or think you know nothing) about the Yankees, you will be surprised at how much you actually did know. Or at least that you knew more than you were willing to admit. BRONX BOMBERS will prove that to you.

Beyond the story that unfolds, the entire cast give very strong performances and hold the audience in some form of eventual suspense throughout the show. Particularly convincing was Peter Scolari as Yogi Berra. And Tracy Shayne deserves some applause as well. She holds her own quite respectably as Berra’s wife in a room of headstrong and at times arrogant Yankees.

The dialog tends to drag a bit in act two, perhaps due to there being fewer scene changes. This, however, shouldn’t be a big deterrent. The insertion of a witty line here and there help to move things along, and the characters’ flashback and reminiscence are endearing and keep the audience engaged.

Circle in the Square is the perfect venue for this play and Beowulf Boritt’s set design and Jason Lyon’s lighting design compliment the space nicely. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, so no matter where you sit you’ll feel you are a part of the action.

What really hit home for me (pardon the pun) was not the play itself, but what I experienced as I left the theatre. An older gentleman was walking in front of me and was wearing an obviously authentic, wrinkled and cracked team jack with “Yankees 1961” embroidered across the back. I said to him, “You must have been a big fan.” His response was, “I AM a big fan. Always will be.” That’s what the Yankees are all about. In spite of internal controversy. Whether you’re a fan or not. You can’t help but be inspired by the passion that ensues as the BRONX BOMBERS play to win!

 

 

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE – Opens in LA

  • February 8, 2014

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Photo 1The recent Tony Award-winning new play from playwright Christopher Dunning, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, opens tonight in Los Angeles under the direction of David Hyde Pierce. Pierce stared in the show on Broadway. Shalita Grant and Kristine Nielsen Will Reprise Their Tony-Nominated Performances and will be joined by Mark Blum, Christine Ebersole, David Hull and Liesel Allen Yeager.

The hysterically funny farce will be presented by Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum and will run through March 9th.

As a performer, David Hyde Pierce won the 2007 Tony Award (Best Actor in a Musical) for his performance in “Curtains,” a performance he premiered at the CTG / Ahmanson Theatre.  Also with CTG, Pierce performed in Terrence McNally’s “It’s Only a Play” presented at the Doolittle Theatre in 1992.  David received a Tony nomination for his performance in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” and a special Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award in 2010 for his work with the Alzheimer’s Association.

Set in 21st century Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with hints of 19th century Russia, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is a riotous comedy with the Chekhovian set-up of a middle-aged Vanya and his stepsister, Sonia, who live together in their ancestral farmhouse, complete with a pond and a cherry orchard. Their normally quiet existence is thrown into upheaval by the surprise visit from their glamorous, movie-star sibling, Masha, and her 20-something boyfriend, Spike, the unlikely prophecies of their cleaning lady and an all too important costume party.

The cast features (in alphabetical order) Mark Blum (Obie Award-winner for “Gus and Al”), Christine Ebersole (Tony Award  for “Grey Gardens” and “42nd Street”), Shalita Grant (Tony nomination for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”), David Hull (“Wicked” and “The Book of Mormon”), Kristine Nielsen (Tony nomination for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”) and Liesel Allen Yeager (reprising the role she played on Broadway).

Tickets for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” can be purchased by calling (213) 972-4444 or visiting online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets range from $20 – $70 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012

 

See Micah McCain in BROADWAY CREDITS!

  • February 8, 2014

BwyCreditsGo see the hilariously funny Micah McCain in his new one-man show as he takes his staunch wit and sarcasm to new levels and adds Broadway credits to his resume – literally! BROADWAY CREDITS – yep, that’s right, – is the title of Micah’s new one-man show and you can see it tonight at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, 61 Christopher Street (at 7th Ave) New York, NY.

The show is close to selling out due to the hot press it’s received so far from the likes of Broadwayworld.com, Next Magazine, The Huffington Post, Time Out NY (Critics’ Pick) and many more; however, if you hurry, you might still be able to get a seat. Whatever you have to do, do it! It will be well worth the effort!

Click here to get more info on the show and learn more about Micah. Don’t miss this opportunity to have a laugh-out-loud, side-splitting evening!

CINDERELLA – Broadway

  • January 8, 2014

20140108-110409.jpgThis Broadway debut of Rodgers’ and Hammersein’s CINDERELLA gives an extended peek into the beloved fairy tail, along with a few twists that will keep you guessing. This new version of the television production will celebrate its one-year Broadway anniversary on January 25th. If you haven’t see it, it is a wonderfully lush interpretation of the infamous tale with beautiful costumes and grand set designs. And of course, the harmoniously full orchestrations will keep your toes tapping in typical Rodgers and Hammerstein fashion.

Helping to usher in a new year for this elaborate production will be several new faces. Most notable, TV and film star Fran Drescher, joining the cast as Cinderella’s stepmother on Feb. 4, 2014. Drescher will play a 10-week engagement through April 13th. Also joining the show on Feb. 4 is pop star, Carly Rae Jepsen as Cinderella. On Jan. 28, Joe Carroll (Romeo and Juliett, Once) will take his seat upon the throne as Topher, Cinderella’s Prince Charming.

Even if you’ve already seen CINDERELLA, you might want to grab a ticket and check out the fresh faces that will be joining the cast this year. Besides, you may just like it even better the second time. It’s possible!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cinderellaonbroadway.com.