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
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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