You wouldn’t know it from the soggy gloom brewing outside my window here in Manhattan, but spring apparently sprung last week! Meteorologist Sam Champion has promised that spring weather, in all its glory, would be shining down on us this weekend. Don’t make a fool of Champion, weather gods!
I dedicate this week’s WEBWAY WEDNESDAY to the songs of spring…my own digital rain dance.
Check out this vintage clip of Mandy Patinkin singing “Younger Than Springtime” from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific.
Barbra Streisand uses her famous voice (and just-as-famous nails) to coax the springtime flowers to “come poke your head out, open up and spread out!” with “Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” from On A Clear Day.
“Springtime for Hitler” from Mel Brooks’The Producers. Enough said.
Mayor Bloomberg joined the cast of Broadway’s Hair for a special performance this weekend at the annual Inner Circle gala. No, you’re not tripping, that is Hizzoner with Snooki and The Situation from MTV’s “Jersey Shore.” I think I just saw a pig fly by my window.
Check out the video below. Bloomberg (thank God) did not drop trou.
With the balmy breezes of spring comes flowers, greenery, Cadbury Creme eggs and almost a dozen Broadway openings!
This WEEK AHEAD… Laura Linney talks Time…Miranda Sings for real…Alfred Molina paints the town Red…and the Big GAY Sing gets down(town)
Where the neon lights are pretty…
Blake
Friday, March 26 GO→ The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus welcomes special guest Petula Clark for Big GAY Sing 2. The evening promises music from the Gay American Songbook (Lady Gaga, Cher, Broadway, etc.), drag numbers, a gay “Idol” competition and an all around “gay explosion of glitter.” (8pm, NYU’s Skirball Center for Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place, at Washington Square South, $38-$59, info/tickets)
.. Saturday, March 27
photo by Joan Marcus
BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still features outstanding performances by its four-person ensemble: Laura Linney, Brian d’Arcy James, Eric Bogosian and Alicia Silverstone. This story focuses on a couple (she an injured photo journalist, he a writer) returning from Iraq and adjusting to life back home in Brooklyn. (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre box office, 261 West 47th St., Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets)
Sunday, March 28
GO→ The aforementioned Laura Linney joins Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theatres, for the second installment of “Broadway Talks.” Upcoming spring talks from Roth include Sean Hayes (Promises, Promises) and Nathan Lane (The Addams Family). (7:30pm, 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd street, $27, info/tickets)
photo by broadwayworld.com
Monday, March 29
GO→ Ever since she screeched out the first notes of “A Whole New World” on YouTube, Broadway has fallen in love with the musically challenged and hilariously clueless Miranda Sings. Miranda performs live with Tony nominees Ann Hampton Callaway and John Tartaglia, Jersey Boy Jarrod Spector and Sam Tsui (another internet sensation that took off thanks to Oprah). (7pm, Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., btwn 8th and 9th Avenues, $25-$35, info/tickets) Tuesday, March 30
GO→ Tony winner Leslie Uggams wraps her caramel-coated voice around standards like “Summertime” and her signature “Stormy Weather” at the Café Carlyle. (Through April 17, The Café Carlyle, 35 East 76th Street, btwn. 5th and Madison Avenues, $45-$125, call 212.744.1600 for reservations)
…..
Wednesday, March 31 CHANGING OF THE GUARDS→ Melissa Joan Hart, Judy Gold and Shirley Knight take over at Delia and Norah Ephron’s hit Off-Broadway show Love, Loss and What I Wore. Doris Roberts will follow in April. (Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St., btwn. 9th and 10th Avenues, call 212.239.6200 for tickets)
Thursday, April 1 OPENING→ Another London import hits Broadway, this time, bringing Tony nominated actor Alfred Molina with it. Molina stars as larger-than-life expressionist painter Mark Rothko in Red. Set in the late 1950s (some 12 years before Rothko would eventually commit suicide), Red focuses on the tumultuous time when the artist was commissioned to do a series of murals for the famous Seagram Building. (Golden Theatre, 252 West 45th Street, btwn. Broadway & 8th Ave., Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets)
This week, as Stephen Sondheim (and the world) celebrates his 80th birthday, I wanted to share some thoughts on one of America’s most influential songwriters from the performers who bring his music to life.
Mandy Patinkin, starred in the original Sunday in the Park with George, alongside Bernadette Peters. It would be a pairing that would help Sunday become one of Sondheim’s landmark shows. The two recently re-teamed for the classic Sunday tune “Move On” at Sondheim’s 80th birthday gala at Lincoln Center.
“He writes my life. I don’t know what my life would have been like without him.”
***
Michael Cerveris has had his hand on Broadway in two Sondheim shows: the Broadway production of Assassins and the most recent revival of Sweeney Todd, and also appeared as Giorgio in the 10th-anniversary concert performance of Passion at the Ambassador.
“The first professional Sondheim experience I had was Passion and even in the world of Sondheim, that’s one of the more densely packed and difficult [shows]. So I was in at the deep end. I worked harder than I’d ever worked to unlock a piece a music.
“As much as we think we understand now, I think future generations will have more perspective than we who actually have the pleasure of knowing the man and working with the man. I think the people who hung out with Mozart didn’t entirely know what they were dealing with.”
This week, as Stephen Sondheim (and the world) celebrates his 80th birthday, I wanted to share some thoughts on one of America’s most influential songwriters from the performers who bring his music to life.
Day 2 is Barbara Cook and Patti LuPone.
Barbara Cook is currently starring in Sondheim on Sondheim alongside Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat and Norm Lewis. Of course, this isn’t her first Sondheim outing…not by a long shot. Cook’s famous soprano has spun its magical web around many a Sondheim tune including what has become somewhat of a signature for Cook—“Losing My Mind” from Follies. She’s sung Sondheim everywhere a person could sing Sondheim… on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Met, the Kennedy Center, London and beyond.
***
“I don’t think anyone’s written about the human experience with the depth that Stephen does. And consistently. There’s just more there to find. A lot of it is different, sometimes very difficult. But it’s rewarding.”
“Losing My Mind” from Follies
Patti LuPone has a similar professional love affair with the songs of Sondheim. LuPone dazzled as Mrs. Lovett in the most recent Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, and a few years later, triumphantly took home her second Tony for her role as Rose in the Sondheim/Styne/Laurents musical Gypsy. She’s also performed in productions of Sunday in the Park with George, A Little Night Music, Passion and Anyone Can Whistle (just to name a few!)
Upon seeing the original Company while at Julliard:
“I don’t recall having a whole lot of thought except ‘This was great. This was unbelievable. This was magical.’ It was being awestruck by Great. How often do you see that?”
At 9:24PM last night, those of us inside Studio 54 witnessed a little bit of theatre history. Surrounded by colleagues, collaborators, friends and faithful fans, James Lapine and John Weidman announced that Stephen Sondheim would receive an incredible birthday gift courtesy of the Roundabout: his very own Broadway theatre. Upon hearing the news, Sondheim replied “Come on!” before bursting into tears.
Stephen Sondheim (center) with (l-r) James Lapine and John Weidman upon hearing the news. (photo by Joseph Marzullo)
Afterwards, the Roundabout threw Sondheim a birthday party fit for a king. Bernadette Peters (sporting straight hair!) kicked off the gala singing a song she only described as one that “was cut from one of Steve’s shows.” It was of course, lovely, and made me wonder what other masterpieces have been left on the cutting room floor? Oh, to be that floor.
Lonny Price came next reporting that he was there as a stand-in for Len Cariou, who was holed up on the set of “Damages.” Reminiscing about his first Sondheim show as a kid, Price joked, “It was Company…a great show for kids!” He then kicked off a round robin of accomplished composers (including Andrew Lippa, Tom Kitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Duncan Sheik, Jeanine Tesori, David Lindsay-Abaire, Michael John LaChiusa, Robert Lopez and wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez) who were all too happy to sing for their supper…literally…by performing new songs they had written just for the occasion.
Price wasn’t the only one to get sentimental about the first time he was exposed to Sondheim’s genius. Duncan Sheik remembered going to see Sweeney Todd at the age of ten and becoming enthralled by Sondheim’s music. (more…)
This week, as Stephen Sondheim (and the world) celebrates his 80th birthday, I wanted to share some thoughts on one of America’s most influential songwriters from the performers who bring his music to life.
Today, I give you Barbra Streisand. Streisand is no stranger to Sondheim’s work, having included songs like “Send in the Clowns,” from A Little Night Music “Being Alive,” from Company, and “Not While I’m Around,” from Sweeney Todd on her albums “The Broadway Album” and “Back to Broadway.”
I remember watching Sondheim watching Streisand perform some of his songs at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2006. It was a magical moment seeing one master watch another.
*****
“Isn’t it rich?” Your words and your music are rich in substance and wit… and compassion. A rich mind…a rich talent.
“Are we a pair?” It was so exciting to work with you on The Broadway Album…your openness…your willingness to reexamine a standard you wrote many years before…like “Send in the Clowns.” When I was exploring it, even wrote a new bridge for me. In “Putting It Together,” you took a song that was about making art and revised the words to make it about recording music. How many writers would do that? Somehow you were able to say exactly what I wanted to say, but in rhymes! It’s brilliant! Thank you. Thank you!
And you wrote special lyrics, just for me, to “I’m Still Here” when I opened in my first concert after not singing in public for 27 years.
“Isn’t it bliss?” Your music gives me so much to work with as an actress…the intricacy of the lyrics…the layers of meaning. You always find original ways to say things. Yet every word, every note, feels inevitable. You capture the truth in the most poetic way. It’s just how I like things…simply complex.
You’re the best at what you do. Keep writing, Stephen. I’m not done yet…and neither are you.
Frank Sinatra flies on to Broadway…Chubby Checker twists again…Sondheim blows out the candles…sprinkles of Tennessee Wiliams…and Victor Garber bids Broadway adieu.
This is your testosterone-filled WEEK AHEAD!
Blake
Friday, March 19th GO→ The Unknown Williams brings us an interesting look into the mind of Tennessee Williams via 12 theatre artists who promise to “present new insight into one of America’s greatest and most prolific playwrights,” but most intriguingly, perform some of Williams’ lesser-known works like The Purification. (Through March 27, Bushwick Starr, 207 Starr Street, Brooklyn, $12, info/tickets)
Saturday, March 20th
BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Ethan Hawke assembles a stellar cast, including Laurie Metcalf, Keith Carradine and Marin Ireland, for his revival of Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind. The set is as beautifully dark, disturbed and chaotic as the relationships portrayed on the stage, and the original, live music by Gaines (played on different objects and handmade instruments) adds an eerie soundtrack to this fascinating look into some messed-up people. (The Acorn @ Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd, Street, between 9th & 10th Avenues, $61.25, info/tickets)
GO→ The 92StY celebrates the music that made them dance. The “them” was the most famous dancing duo in the world, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and the music came courtesy of Berlin, Porter, Gershwin and other masters of the Great American Songbook. Lyrics & Lyricists—Fred and Ginger in So Many Words: The Astaire-Rogers Songbook will be hosted by the series’ artistic director Deborah Grace Winer and performed by Debby Boone, Billy Stritch, Karen Ziemba, James Naughton and David Elder. (8pm, 92stY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, Lexington and 92nd street, $25-$62, info/tickets)
Sunday, March 21st
BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Victor Garber stars as the egomaniacal, philandering actor that every woman hates to love, Garry Essendine, in Noël Coward’s Present Laughter. (American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets)
..
GO→ Stars from “All My Children,” “One Life to Live” and “General Hospital” head to New York’s Town Hall to get a taste of the “live” light for the 6th Annual ABC DAYTIME & SOAPnet SALUTE BROADWAY CARES. Soap star Cameron Mathison (”All My Children”) will host with a performance from Sherri Shepherd of “The View.” (Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, info/tickets)
Monday, March 22nd GO→ After a blowout concert by the New York Philharmonic last week, Stephen Sondheim finally gets to blow out his 80 birthday candles at a gala thrown by the Roundabout. Longtime Sondheim collaborator, Paul Gemignani, heads up a tribute featuring new songs by young Broadway composers like Tom Kitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Lippa and(more…)
Warren Buffett, who recently got bumped down from second to third richest man in the world (bummer), is apparently looking to pick-up some extra cash, as evident by this cameo in a new series of musical Geico commercials that feature Buffett as a cross between Bon Jovi and Axl Rose. Take note Rock of Ages producers, perhaps you’ve found yourself a new cast member?
A tearful Stephen Sondheim, days shy of his 80th birthday, addressed a sold-out house at Avery Fisher Hall March 15 for a few, brief words. “First you’re young, then you’re middle aged, then you’re wonderful. This is wonderful.”
What could be more wonderful than watching five decades of your life played out by some of the most talented people ever to walk the planet? And just how do you fit five decades of genius into a two-plus-hour show? Well, you can’t hit everything (or we would have been there until Sondheim turned 85), but you can come pretty darn close.
Let’s take a look-see at some of the highlights, shall we?
Musical director Paul Gemignani took to the podium (in his signature tinted glasses) and with one, swift movement of his baton, launched the New York Philharmonic into a stirring rendition of the overture to Sweeney Todd. But was Sweeney really the most festive foot to start on for the Master’s birthday? Host David Hyde Pierce thought not. Tapping Gemignani on the shoulder, the said “Um, Paul, this is a birthday party. No death, please.”
Hyde Pierce then sent us off on a musical time trip, with original stars of Sondheim’s shows like John McMartin (the original Benjamin Stone in Follies), Chip Zien and Joanna Gleason (the original Baker and his Wife from Into the Woods) mixing it up with new stars like Karen Olivo, Bobby Steggert and Laura Osnes.
In another old-meets-new moment: George Hearn (in the original production of Sweeney Todd in 1980) entered the hall stage left. Michael Cerveris (the latest Broadway Todd) stage right. Patti LuPone (the latest Mrs. Lovett) from stage center. LuPone takes an awkward look at both of them, and scurries off stage. Hearn and Cerveris are left to duke it out for the prize of Top Todd! Cerveris pulls out a stool and motions to Hearn to sit. “You first,” he says. To which Hearn replies, “Oh, I know.” “Please, after you,” Cerveris motions again to the chair. “Yes, you were,” Hearn exclaims. They decide to sing and make-up over “Pretty Women.” LuPone then sees it’s safe to return and joins the men for “A Little Priest.”
In another blast-from-the-past moment, Sunday in the Park with George’s original George, Mandy Patinkin, after completing a beautiful rendition of “Finishing the Hat,” was joined by his former co-star Bernadette Peters for “Move On.” It would be the first, but not the last, time I cried like a baby. (more…)
GO→ The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus welcomes special guest Petula Clark for Big GAY Sing 2. The evening promises music from the Gay American Songbook (Lady Gaga, Cher, Broadway, etc.), drag numbers, a gay “Idol” competition and an all around “gay explosion of glitter.” (8pm, NYU’s Skirball Center for Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place, at Washington Square South, $38-$59, 
CHANGING OF THE GUARDS→ Melissa Joan Hart, Judy Gold and Shirley Knight take over at Delia and Norah Ephron’s hit Off-Broadway show Love, Loss and What I Wore. Doris Roberts will follow in April. (Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St., btwn. 9th and 10th Avenues, call 212.239.6200 for tickets)
OPENING→ Another London import hits Broadway, this time, bringing Tony nominated actor Alfred Molina with it. Molina stars as larger-than-life expressionist painter Mark Rothko in Red. Set in the late 1950s (some 12 years before Rothko would eventually commit suicide), Red focuses on the tumultuous time when the artist was commissioned to do a series of murals for the famous Seagram Building. (Golden Theatre, 252 West 45th Street, btwn. Broadway & 8th Ave., 
GO→ The Unknown Williams brings us an interesting look into the mind of Tennessee Williams via 12 theatre artists who promise to “present new insight into one of America’s greatest and most prolific playwrights,” but most intriguingly, perform some of Williams’ lesser-known works like The Purification. (Through March 27, Bushwick Starr, 207 Starr Street, Brooklyn, $12, 
GO→ The 92StY celebrates the music that made them dance. The “them” was the most famous dancing duo in the world, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and the music came courtesy of Berlin, Porter, Gershwin and other masters of the Great American Songbook. Lyrics & Lyricists—Fred and Ginger in So Many Words: The Astaire-Rogers Songbook will be hosted by the series’ artistic director Deborah Grace Winer and performed by Debby Boone, Billy Stritch, Karen Ziemba, James Naughton and David Elder. (8pm, 92stY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, Lexington and 92nd street, $25-$62, 
