| Issue #95: September 15, 2002
- It looks as though the Westport Country Playhouse production
of Our Town was such a big hit that there is rumor
of 2003 opening. Under the artistic direction of Joanne
Woodward, the role of the stage manger was played by
her hubby Paul Newman. It would be great to
have that team back on Broadway. The New York stage hasn’t
seen them together since the two of them starred in the1964
comedy Baby Want a Kiss.
- Producer Robert Fox is looking at Tammy
Blanchard to play the young Gypsy Rose Lee to Bernadette
Peters’ Mama Rose in the upcoming Broadway revival
of Gypsy. Blanchard has been seen
on the small screen as the young Judy Garland
in the television movie Life with Judy Garland: Me and My
Shadow.
- With the success of the Sondheim love-in
at the Kennedy Center this past summer, the best of the six
shows will be showcased at a gala at Avery Fisher Hall tentatively
set for October 21.
- The Manhattan Theater Company has landed the rights for the
London hit Humble Boy for it’s new season. The
National Theater’s production starred Diana Rigg
and Simon Russell Beale, however no
word on the Broadway casting which is scheduled to premiere
on May 1.
- I’m happy to see the return of one
of the most exciting musicals of the ‘90s – Bring
in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk is back! What
is even more exciting is that the Broadway star of the show
Savion Glover is leading the company. Already
on the road, the tour is booked through to June 2003, visiting
more than 30 North American cities. In March, however, they
will make a small detour and head to Akasaka Act Theater in
Tokyo for a month long run.
- October will see the West End debut of Gillian Anderson
in the world premier of Michael Weller’s What
Night Is For. Directed by John Caird,
the former X-Files alum joins a growing list of Americans
taking to the U.K. stage.
- Australian theatregoers experienced one of the busiest seasons
beginning in August in recent memory. Five full-scale musicals
and various arena extravaganzas are either currently on stage
or hitting the road soon down-under. Either on the boards or
soon to open are musicals Oliver, Mamma Mia!,
Cabaret, The Witches of Eastwick and Man
of LaMancha. Homegrown musical Shout! based on
Auzzie rocker Johnny O’Keefe will tour
in a 1,900-seat tent beginning in October. After a serious drought
of theatre our friends in the land of Oz can get back into theatre
mode.
- We are still in the throes of putting together the On
The Boards and In The Wings new look. As mentioned there
will be a forum to which readers of the column can post reviews
of shows they’ve recently seen either in their hometown
or in the theatre centres of the world. There will also be the
Green Room where everyone is invited to engage in lively
theatre conversation. Next column I will have for you an official
launch date, so stay tuned.
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