Issue #176: August 1, 2006

• On the heels of the success of The Drowsy Chaperone another Canadian original musical makes its way to New York.  Look for Evil Dead: the Musical to open at the New World Stages on November 1.  Based on the 80s cult horror films of Sam Raimi this new musical was first staged at Toronto’s Tranzac  Club  in 2003 then found its way to the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in 2004. 

• R&B singer Usher will now be able to add Broadway to his resumé when he joins the cast of Chicago on August 22.  In the role of Billy Flynn, Usher joins a long list of stars that have played the role since this revival opened over 10 years ago.

• Doubt hits the road on September 22 in L.A. with Tony winner Adriane Lenox reprising her role.

• Daniel Radcliffe, best know as Harry Potter, will make his stage debut next year in a revival of Peter Shaffer’s 1973 play Equus.  Even though this will be his first stage performance he will have a familiar face opposite him…Richard Griffiths.  Griffiths who plays his mean Uncle Vernon in the Potter films.  Griffiths is currently performing on Broadway in his Tony-winning role in The History Boys.

•   I had the great fortune lately to be invited to the opening night of Spamalot when it began its eight-week run at the Canon Theatre in Toronto.  A wonderful night at the theatre…just what one needs…not a lot of thought, just good fun and lots of giggles.  It was terrific to see creator and original Python Eric Idle on hand for the curtain call where he continued to entertain those of us who stayed through the ovations.  Currently on tour throughout North America….if it is coming to your area be sure to get a ticket and look forward to an entertaining night of theatre.

• Asian-American actor Mako died on July 21 at the age of 72.  A recognized film actor, he was a celebrated stage actor as well. In 1976 Mako earned a Tony nomination in the leading role of the Sondheim musical Pacific Overtures.  In 1965 he was one of the founders of the East West Players, the states first Asian-American repertory company.  Mako was its artistic director until 1989 during which he directed two plays on Asian-American subjects, The Music Lessons by Wakako Yamauchi and FOB by David Henry Hwang, both later produced in New York by the Public Theater.  His film career also earned him recognition with an Oscar nomination for The Sand Pebbles playing opposite Steve McQueen.  Other film credits include Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Destroyer, Seven Years in Tibet, Pearl Harbor and last year’s Memories of a Geisha. His daughter, Sala Iwamatsu, was a member of the second national touring company of Miss Saigon in the mid 90s when I was the national marketing representative. When the media learned who her father was there was instant recognition and respect for the distinguished actor.