Issue #17: February 17, 1999

• Is Canadian actor Donald Sutherland planning a return to the stage after more than three decades? Sources say Sutherland is interested in playing the lead in a French suspense play, Enigma Variations. Due to open in Los Angeles next season, then to the Royal Alexandra in Toronto before opening on Broadway.

• Cathy Rigby’s Peter Pan will be returning to Broadway in April but not at the Neil Simon Theater as originally planned. Now that On The Town has closed, the larger Gershwin Theater is more suitable for the little boy who can fly.

• Taking a break from her tribute tour Chita & All That Jazz, Broadway legend Chita Rivera stepped into familiar dancing shoes on Friday, Feb. 5 when she took to the stage as Roxy Hart in the touring production of Chicago in Toronto at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Rivera originated the role of Velma Kelly 25 years ago opposite her friend Gwen Verdon (who originated the role of Roxy). Following a four-week run in Toronto, Chicago will head to Las Vegas for six months. The show will open the $950 million (U.S.) Mandalay Bay resort on the strip, March 3. No rest for Chita though, after Vegas it’s back to Chita & All That Jazz hopefully on Broadway if they can find an available theatre. Chita on Broadway again–YOU GO GIRL!!!

• Disney has licensed the rights to Mirvish Productions in Toronto to stage their $20-million production of The Lion King. Due to open on April 25, 2000 at The Princess of Wales Theatre, the company of 49 characters will become Disney’s touring production moving to either Los Angeles or San Francisco following the 22-month Toronto run.

• Neil Simon’s 31st play, The Dinner Party, will likely have its premiere in London. The six-character play has already had L.A. and London readings. An opening date and theatre has not been confirmed. While in London for the reading, Simon visited the out-of-town tryouts for David Taylor’s new production of the celebrated playwright’s The Prisoner of Second Avenue which opens March 18 at the Theatre Royal starring Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason–anybody remember the Goodbye Girl!

• It looks like ’99 is a real Simon fest in London with his play Proposals due to open in the West End in the fall.

• The premiere of the Montreal based Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco at the Sydney Festival has been packing them in since day one. The world-renowned troupe will conclude their visit to Sydney’s Moore Park on March 6. If you’re not sure where in Moore Park Cirque can be found believe me you can’t miss their signature blue and yellow performance tents.

• A veteran of British and Broadway stages, Zoe Wanamaker may also look familiar to fans of A&E and PBS’ Inspector Morse and Prime Suspect. Just recently Ms. Wanamaker was seen on both series in a starring role. However, if you want to see her in person she is currently at the Barrymore Theater on Broadway in the critically acclaimed Electra. Reviewed as “giving the proverbial performance of her career” time is running out for you to catch her. Electra is scheduled to close on March 28. Don’t walk, run to get your tickets.