Thursday, April 26, 2007

Hudson Valley Theater On Stage April 26 - April 29, 2007

What special theater events are occurring this weekend in the Mid Hudson Valley? Plenty of shows to see chose one (or two or even three) for a wonderful theater filled weekend. One of my dear friends will be in the production of Fools. I also know several people in Richard III (which is rumored to have an unusual twist). Whatever theater event you choose, I hope you enjoy the performance!

Richard III
April 26, 27, 28 at 8:00 PM
April 29 at 3:00 PM

CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308

Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

Steel Magnolias
April 27, 28 at 8:00 PM
April 29th at 2:00 PM


Coach House Players
12 Augusta Street

Kingston, NY
Call: (845) 331-2476


Deathtrap

April 27, 28 at 8:00 PM


Pawling Theatre Company
Pawling High School Auditorium
Reservoir Road, Pawling, NY

Fools
Apr 27, 28, May 4, 5, at 7:30 PM
May 6 at 2:00 PM

90 Miles Off Broadway
New Paltz High School
South Putt Corner's Road
New Paltz, NY

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Monday, April 23, 2007

G&S Baby Got Back - Video Mashup

Perhaps it's only me, with my odd thespian humor, but I found the following you tube video mashup very funny. It's Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance mashed up with Sir Mix Alot's Baby Got Back.



What did we do before YouTube?

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Theater Tidbits

There are a number of interesting little Theater bits I've been following but there isn't enough to really do a whole post on each - so here we go ...

$1.8 million sales in one day for Toronto Dirty Dancing Opening October 31, 2007.
Tickets for the North American premiere of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage went on sale April 16 and brought in more than $1.8 million by the end of the day.

With numbers like that ... are you seeing a Broadway transfer in the shows future? I know the movie, but haven't read any real reviews of the stage translation. I'm not sure how well the show will translate. Will be interesting to see.

Fame - Is it going to live forever?
A remake of the 1980 movie musical "Fame" is in the works at MGM, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"We'll update it, (but) we'll still keep some of the songs," MGM COO Rick Sands told the trade publication. "The script is being written right now, but we are keeping it under wraps. There will be a strong musical component, though."

Due in theaters Summer 2008, with a $25 Million budget - should be interesting to see how this one turns out. I've seen the original movie and I saw the stage version a few years ago.

About Fame: Fame is a 1980 musical film conceived and produced by David De Silva, directed by Alan Parker. The film follows a group of students through their studies at a New York high school for performing arts (later renamed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts). The film is split into sections corresponding to auditions, freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years. (read more)

Spiderman the Muscial?
The adventures of Spider-Man have graced comic books, cartoons and live-action films. Now Peter Parker's tale of great power and great responsibility is being developed for the Great White Way.

Days after a casting agent's description of roles was picked up by a Web site devoted to comic book news, Marvel Studios confirmed plans for the musical, which will be directed by Julie Taymor and have music and lyrics provided by Bono and the Edge of the band U2.

The statement from Marvel indicated that a reading would take place this summer. There is no confirmed date for a Broadway opening.

I'm a little worried about this one - not sure how well Spidey will translate to the stage.

Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater

Equus and Harry Broadway Bound

It has been confirmed (here) that Equus in the West End is closing June 9, 2007. The show will be transferring to Broadway for the spring of 2008, and it looks like both Dan Radcliffe and co-star Richard Griffiths will be transferring with the show.

Previously on Equus:
2-28-2007 - Reviews of Dan Radcliffe in Equus
2-5-2007 - Equus Potter has grown up

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The Rocky Horror Show - Auditions!

I'm excited - not that I'll be trying out for this show -there's not really a role for me, but I'll most likely be helping out as assistant director.

Audition info for Trinity Players Rocky Horror Show peforming at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center October 19, 20, 21, 26, and 27, 2007.

Auditions will be held June 1, 3, 4 from 6-9PM

All State Insurance Office
696 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Contact: Phillip Corso (director) 845-452-2830

No appointment necessary. Vocal selections and accompanist will be provided at auditions

Roles to be cast:

Usherette- (Alto, Female 20's-40's) Sings "Science Fiction" at the beginning and end of the show.
Narrator- (Non-singing role) Could be played by a male or female. People auditioning for this role will only have to read and will not be required to sing.
Brad- (Tenor, Male 20's-30's) The Hero
Janet- (Soprano, Female 20's-30's) The Heroine
Riff-Raff- (Tenor, Male 20's-40's) Servant
Magenta- (Alto, Female 20's-40's) Servant
Columbia- (Alto, Female 20's-30's) A groupie
Frank-N-Furter- (Tenor, Male 20's-40's) A Sweet Transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania...
Rocky- (Tenor, Male 20's-30's) Should be physically fit (bodybuilder, swimmer, or gymnast, etc.)
Eddie/Dr. Scott- (Baritone, Traditionally Male 20's-40's) This is a double role, Nephew and Uncle.
4 Phantoms (2 men, 2 women)- (20's-30's) Sexy singers and dancers... in this production the phantoms will be in S&M costumes.

*** Due to the nature of the costumes and subject matter of the show, all actors must be 18+ years of age

About the Show: The Rocky Horror Show is a long running stage musical (opening in London initially, on June 19, 1973) that inspired the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was written by Richard O'Brien, who returned to his native England after growing up in New Zealand. The musical was developed by O'Brien in collaboration with Australian theatre director Jim Sharman, who had already gained extensive experience directing rock musicals with the groundbreaking Australian productions of Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. (more)

Plot Synopsis: The theatre usherette introduces us to tonight's film: a sci-fi double feature. And so the film begins. Commentary is provided throughout the show by the Narrator, who expands on plot information and acts to drive the story onwards.

Janet and Brad, a young couple, become engaged on attending a friend's wedding. Driving home through a torrential downpour, their car breaks down and they are forced to seek refuge from the storm in an old mansion house. The inhabitants of the house are highly unconvential: the "sweet transvestite", Frank'N'Furter, his gothic servants (Riff Raff and Magenta) and girlfriend (Columbia).

Frank'N'Furter exhibits his current laboratory specimen to the newcomers: Rocky, who is destined to become Frank's sexual plaything. Upon interruption from Columbia's ex boyfriend, who is murdered by Frank, the household retires to bed.

During the night, both Brad and Janet experience a sexual awakening at the hands of Frank'N'Furter. As a result, Janet sleeps with Rocky. Eddie's uncle, Dr. Everrett Scott also arrives, seeking him. Frank is revealed as an 'alien'. In the resulting confusion, all parties are drugged by Frank'N'Furter and compelled to perform in his 'floor show', a celebration of hedonism.

The 'floor show' culminates in the murder of Frank by his servants, who wish to return to their home planet. Blasting off from Earth, they leave behind Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott in a state of bewilderment, but sexually awakened.

Broadway Production: The Rocky Horror Show originally went on Broadway in 1975 with the Roxy cast from Los Angeles, except for Graham Jarvis who was replaced by William Newman, and Bruce Scott who was replaced by author Richard O'Brien himself. It opened March 10th at the Belasco Theatre. "We did a week of sold-out previews to audiences who loved it," said Kim Milford (Rocky). "Then opening night, the critics sat there in silence and looked at us like we just crawled out from under a rock." The critics trashed the show and it closed after 45 performances.

The Rocky Horror Show had a short revival on Broadway from October 2000 to January 2002 and featured Tom Hewitt, rock singers Joan Jett and Sebastian Bach (from October 2001 to January 2002), funny lady Lea DeLaria, and Daphne Rubin-Vega of Rent fame. From October 2001 to January 2002, several guest celebrities played the narrator role normally performed by Dick Cavett, including magicians Penn & Teller, New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, MTV personality Dave Holmes, and talk show host Jerry Springer among others. It is suggested that the revival, like other shows running at the time, closed early because of financial losses during the time after 9/11.

Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater

Thursday, April 19, 2007

On stage in the Mid Hudson Valley April 19 - 22

Theater Events this weekend in the Mid Hudson Valley include a variety of interesting shows - I hear that Richard III will have an unexpected twist to the show.

Richard III
April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8:00 PM
April 22, 29 at 3:00 PM

CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

Steel Magnolias
April 20, 21, 27, 28 at 8:00 PM
April 22 and 29th at 2:00 PM

Coach House Players
12 Augusta Street

Kingston, NY
Call: (845) 331-2476

The Play's the Thing
April 19, 20 at 8:00 PM

April 21 at 2:00 PM

Marist College Council on Theatre Arts
The Nelly Goletti Theatre
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY
Call: (845 )575-3133 (
online tickets)

Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater

Theater & Playwrights

There's been a lot of interesting discussion today on my favorite theater blogs regarding the role and perception of the playwright. I think playwrights are incredible people who can make a story live - much like a novelist (same job different form). To read that there are instances where they are not getting the respect they deserve or worse yet are being undermined makes me very sad.

I am always interested in seeing new, fresh theater that experiments with the way we think about life and stretches the art form of the theater. I'd rather not walk out of a show saying 'Gee that looks just like a combination of and ' or find myself anticipating the storyline.

To start the discussion Mr Excitement News wrote about Richard Nelson's Address to ART/NY on April 9th. I highly recommend you read it - it gives great detail on what is wrong with the way playwrights are perceived in the theater. Then many others chimed in - in particular, I enjoyed the rant of Joshua James - Playwright As An Adult Who Can Chew Bubble Gum, Walk & Do Other Things, Too - which provides a personal side to the discussion.

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Sunday, April 15, 2007

New Musical Dollface Onstage this Weekend

Dollface is a new comedy/musical with the book by B.J. Sebring and David Forman, who wrote the songs and lyrics in collaboration with Rob Hyman, Johnny Gale and "The Divine Miss M."

It is premiering this weekend at the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck. I really wanted to see the show this weekend, as I know the writers and a number of people in the cast but unfortunately I had pre-existing plans.

The plot of Dollface:
Dolores Faith Zuckerman wants to be a television comedienne, only it's 1956, she's miserably engaged to Hank the gym teacher and, oh yeah, she's not funny. Maybe Victor Catalan, the cigarette magician at Club Rub a Dub Dub, will provide the magic.

The Poughkeepsie Journal has a nice article on Dollface here.

Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

On Stage in the Hudson Valley April 11 - 15

I'm very excited about this weekend - Dollface a new comedic musical, will be making it's premiere at the Center this weekend. It should prove to be quite an event.


Dollface
April 12, 13, 14 at 8:00 PM
April 15 at 3:00 PM

CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308

Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Review: I love you, Your Perfect. Now Change! at Rhinebeck performing Arts Center

Last night I ushered at the theater - The Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center. On Stage was I love you, you're perfect, now change! a six person show that was sold out, and rightfully so - I found the show interesting, insightful and very funny. In fact I laughed so hard at times my sides hurt.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is done in a series of vignettes connected by the central theme of love and relationships. With few exceptions, the scenes stand independent of the others, but progress in a chronological fashion designed to suggest relationships throughout the course of life. A first date, for example, comes before scenes dealing with marriage, and scenes dealing with marriage come before those dealing with child rearing.

The actors were wonderful, the band very good, the set minimal, but effective and the overall effect of the show - very good. I would recommend this show highly - although it closes today.

Production of the show:
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a comedic musical written by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts. It is presently off-Broadway's longest-running musical, second only to The Fantasticks among off-Broadway musicals. It premiered in 1996 at New York City's Westside Theatre, where it continues to run. It opened at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London in 2005.

The play's tagline is "Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit." (more)

Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater

Community Theater in the Mid Hudson Valley of New York. Information on shows, auditions, and our general adventures onstage, backstage and in the audience.