Stage Rush TV: Episode 74
Talking points:
- We welcome our first correspondent for the New York Fringe Festival—Nicole Gluckstern
- Catch Me If You Can announces closing date. No more “Fly Fly Away” from Kerry Butler
- Stephen Sondheim blasts The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess in letter to The New York Times
- Broadway grosses
What do you think, Rushers? What is your favorite aspect of the Fringe Festival? How many shows do you plan on seeing? Will you miss Catch Me? What did you think about Sondheim’s criticism of the Porgy and Bess revival? What do you think makes a good revival? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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Stage Rush TV: Episode 70
Talking points:
- Kevin Daly of The Theatre Aficionado at Large co-hosts!
- Broadway in Bryant Park triumphs in its second week
- Kevin attends Kate Baldwin’s album release party at Feinstein’s
- Is Victoria Clark’s performance in Sister Act the show’s emotional center?
- Broadway grosses
What do you think, Rushers? Was Broadway in Bryant Park this week one of the best sets you’ve seen? Have you watched Kerry Butler sing “Fly Fly Away” 57 times, like I have? What did you think of Victoria Clark’s performance in Sister Act? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thank you for helping us to reach 70 episodes of Stage Rush TV!
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Broadway in Bryant Park recap: ‘Chicago’ and ‘Catch Me If You Can’
After a ho-hum kickoff, the Broadway in Bryant Park concert series returned Thursday to its second week with a roar. Big Broadway players like Chicago and Catch Me If You Can showed up with their lead actors and off-Broadway fare like Million Dollar Quartet (new to the “off” title) and NEWSical proved strong.
First up were the guys (and gal) from Million Dollar Quartet, which is readying for its off-Broadway bow at the end of the month at New World Stages (it’s transferring from Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre). Much like Baby It’s You!, this weak show plays the Bryant Park venue fierce as a concert-style performance. Leave the story at home—bring in the hits. Their set list was similar to last year’s, but Robert Britton Lyons bring focus as Carl Perkins and Eddie Clendening is still right on as Elvis Presley. At six songs, their set list could have been cut by two, and they sadly did not perform their signature Britton-Lyons-stands-on-the-bass closing pose this year. Lazy musicians.
The old stalwart Chicago took the stage next, and felt anything but old this year. This was large in part due to Christopher Sieber, one of Broadway’s most reliable leads, bringing his charisma and rubbery face to the stage as Billy Flynn. He led the cast in “We Both Reached For The Gun,” which played great, visually, due to the marionette-like choreography. Melissa Rae Mahon, who was featured in Stage Rush’s Chicago episode of Ensemble Watch, played the part of Roxie alongside Sieber, and delivered her character’s title number with delicious sass.
VIDEO: Christopher Sieber sings “We Both Reached For The Gun” from Chicago
2011 Tony Awards: Nominees and Reactions
For those that were dismayed by The Scottsboro Boys’ short run on Broadway and feared it would be forgotten this awards season, all bad feelings were washed away when the Tony Award nominations were announced Tuesday morning. The musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb (the famous duo’s final collaboration together) received 12 nominations, only coming in second to The Book of Mormon, which received 14. The nominations this year were anything but predictable, serving up some serious snubs and surprises, especially in the acting categories. Let’s take a look at the 2011 Tony nominees.
Best Play
Good People
Jerusalem
The Motherf**ker With The Hat
War Horse
My wrong guess: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Although Motherf**ker was always buzzed to be a lock for this category, I’m surprised it took the spot of Bengal Tiger, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In my predictions, I edged out Good People, but am not surprised to see it here, as I’ve heard nothing but raves from critics and audiences. Read more 
2011 Tony Awards: Nominee Predictions
The Tony Award nominations are upon us, Broadway lovers, and the choices are as difficult as ever! The original musical returned with a vengeance this Broadway season, offering daring works like Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and The Scottsboro Boys to crowd pleasers like The Book of Mormon and Catch Me If You Can. There is also a refreshing crop of young actors populating the musical performance categories. Here’s my take on what shows will make the cut when the nominations are announced Tuesday, May 3 at 8:30 a.m. Stage Rush will be syndicating the live video feed of the announcements, so log on and watch here on Tuesday morning.
Best Play
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Jerusalem
The Motherf**ker With The Hat
War Horse Read more
Stage Rush TV: Episode 59
Talking points:
- Last-year Tony nominee Stephen Kunken on new role in High
- Broadway Mad Libs with Stephen Kunken
- New board game—Be A Broadway Star game night
- Catch Me If You Can‘s killer cast
- Broadway grosses
What do you think, Rushers? Are you eager to see Stephen Kunken’s next performance? Is he on a Broadway streak, or what? Do you think you can crush the competition in Be A Broadway Star? Have you seen Catch Me If You Can? Are you as in love with Kerry Butler (and her performance) as I am? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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Review: Catch Me If You Can
A conman has arrived at the Neil Simon Theatre, and his story blows up on stage in spectacular Broadway musical fashion. Catch Me If You Can, based on the Steven Spielberg film of how a teenager—Frank Abagnale Jr.—forged millions of dollars in checks and created false identities that included an airplane pilot, doctor, and lawyer. While the musical (from the composing team of Hairspray) falters in storytelling and tunes, it makes up for it with its stellar cast and production value.
Front and center of Catch Me If You Can is Aaron Tveit in a star-making turn as Frank Jr. Last seen on Broadway as Gabe in Next to Normal, Tveit’s performance solidifies him as a bona fide star, worthy of stage and screen. With killer good looks, endless charm, and one of the strongest voices on Broadway, the role of Frank Jr. allows Tveit to hijack the production, and he takes advantage of every moment. Not only does Tveit execute every dance step and note with tenacity, but his performance exhibits impressive endurance, as he is in nearly every scene. Tveit makes Frank Jr. crafty, but conveys much needed heart with the characters closest to him, making him sympathetic to the audience. His is a not-to-be-missed performance of an actor exploding into stardom.
Tveit’s performance has potential to show darker sides of Frank Jr., but the show’s book by Terrence McNally doesn’t allow for it. Catch Me gets too caught up in the sparkle of “Hey, aren’t all these fake identities fun!”, while forgetting that Frank Jr. suffers from deep-routed pain and is committing serious crimes. Read more
Stage Rush TV: Episode 52, Spring Broadway Preview
Talking points:
- The five shows coming to Broadway this spring that we’re most excited about:
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert
Arcadia
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
The Book of Mormon
Catch Me If You Can - Broadway grosses
(Using an iPhone or iPad? Watch on YouTube) Read more