REVIEW: Tootsie - Original Broadway Cast Recording

Tootsie is the latest in a long line of successful musical adaptations. This year, it stormed the Tony Awards with 11 nominations, winning for Best Book of a Musical and Best Leading Actor, and is headed to the West End in 2021. The original film starred Dustin Hoffman and was revolves around a soap opera, whereas the stage version focuses on a musical. Leading man Michael adopts a female persona, Dorothy, to bag the best role, and hysteria ensues as Dorothy befriends Julie, who can’t stand Michael.

David Yazbek's score begins with a big, brassy Overture and vibrant Opening Number but by the second half the electricity wanes, resulting in a somewhat lacklustre finale. As with any composer, you can hear Yazbek's classic motifs and progressions, with homages to Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Full Monty.

One of the highlights, which will definitely resonate with anyone with a creative streak is What's Gonna Happen, brilliantly sung by Sarah Stiles. The song tracks the downward spiral of struggling actress Sandy, overthinking every second of her castings. It is a relentless patter song, crammed full of witty lyrics, tricky rhythms and numerous key changes.

REVIEW: Oklahoma! – 2019 Broadway Cast Recording

For those of us not lucky enough to make it over to Broadway, our best insight into the delights on stage across the pond are the cast recordings released. This year, the hottest show in town happens to be a show written in 1943 and reborn in 2019, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!which has been entirely reimagined to great acclaim. Let’s not forget that in its day, the show’s original production was considered groundbreaking, so it seems fitting that some 76 or so years later, Daniel Fish’s revival is being seen so as well. With the whole show re orchestrated to exploit the country and western root of the plot, it brings a refreshing new atmosphere to the show - and just you wait for the Dream Ballet!

So we sat down and listened to the cast album, imagining ourselves in the Circle in the Square Theater, NYC. 

Almost everyone is familiar with the opening of Oklahoma!, whether by choice or not, we all know Curly’s famous first words of “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning” and we have come to expect them accompanied by lush traditional orchestration but Daniel Fish’s production eschews tradition wherever possible whilst still maintaining the glorious essence of Oklahoma!. Damon Daunno’s Curly is accompanied by a simple cowboy’s guitar and this simplicity in the orchestration (in terms of number of instruments at least) is continued throughout much of the show. “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top” has rarely sounded more like a love song, and the overall impact of it finds a perfect balance between a 2019 country number and a classic musical theatre tune. 

What's Closing on Broadway

Recently, Broadway has announced quite a few closures of shows. We decided to put together a list of shows that are closing within the next couple of months on Broadway, if you're going over be sure to book tickets soon! Some of these you won't want to miss. 

Kiss Me, Kate 

In Cole Porter’s sparkling 1948 musical, the warring lovers of The Taming of the Shrew are causing trouble both onstage and off. While putting on a musical version of Shakespeare’s play, exes Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi can’t decide if they’re enraged, enamoured or enormously confused whenever they cross paths out of character. Throw in some mistaken identity, a pair of surprisingly eloquent gangsters and a whole lot of romantic entanglements, and what you get is Kiss Me, Kate - a dazzling classic that earned the first-ever Tony Award for Best Musical.

Kiss Me, Kate finishes its Broadway run at Studio 54 today, June 30th.

ALBUM REVIEW: Renee Fleming - Broadway

Earlier this year, internationally renowned soprano Renée Fleming made her Broadway debut as Nettie Fowler in the revival of Carousel. Her acclaimed performance wowed audiences and critics alike and even earned her a Tony nomination. In that spirit, Fleming has recorded Broadway, an album that celebrates musical theatre with a range of song selections from classic composers like Rodgers & Hammerstein to modern classics like Pasek & Paul. 

Fleming’s voice soars on each track as you would expect. “Fable” (Light in the Piazza), “Something Wonderful” (The King and I), and “Till There Was You” (The Music Man) all show off the grandeur of Fleming’s voice and display an unsurprising beauty, however, from a musical theatre perspective, there is a lack of emotional context and they fall rather flat. With purely classical arrangements as well, they don’t bring anything new to the table, offering very little to get excited about. 

Broadway is heavy on the ballads, but the few upbeat numbers and those that veer from the sound you would expect from Renée Fleming are the real stand-outs. “Wonderful Guy” (South Pacific) is a nice change of pace with a quirkiness that makes you smile. “The Glamorous Life” (A Little Night Music) is by far my favorite track with a new arrangement that turns it into a solo for Fleming. She hams it up brilliantly and offers a superb performance. Her ability to act through the song comes through and it is a really fun listen.

12 Brits who are flying the flag on Broadway!

Brits have been flying the flag on Broadway for years now, some huge names who have starred on Broadway include Julie Andrews, Carey Mulligan, Michael Xavier, Helen Mirren, Ruth Wilson and Catherine Zeta Jones, to name but a few! We wanted to take a look at some of the West End stars who are living the dream on the Great White Way! We focus on 12 performers who are all doing the West End proud! 

Olivia Phillip

Olivia made her West End debut in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre before appearing in Ghost the Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre and The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre. She went on to play Velma on board the Royal Caribbean before making the move over to America. She made her Broadway debut in Diaster! at the Nederlander Theatre in 2016 before featuring in the Broadway production of Waitress. She is currently part of the Original Broadway cast of Frozen, which opens in February 2018 having done an out of town try out in Denver. @OliviaPhillip ‏

Gavin Lee 

Gavin is a proven West End leading man; playing leads in Top Hat, Singin' in the Rain, Crazy For You, Peggy Sue Got Married, A Saint She Ain’t, Me And My Girl, Oklahoma! and Contact. Gavin made his Broadway debut playing Bert in Mary Poppins, a role he originated in London at the Prince Edward Theatre and later played the role on tour across America. He last played Thenadier in Les Miserables on Broadway and is currently playing Squidward Q. Tentacles in Spongebob Square Pants in the original Broadway cast. 

10 Broadway shows that need to come over to the West End!

Anastasia

This production has only recently opened on Broadway, its run has only spanned over a few months but the rumours are already spreading about possible international productions, London being one of them! We love the film and the new cast recording is one of our most played albums so we can not wait to see this one! 

Waitress

A London production of Waitress is allegedly in the works to open next year, we are a huge fan of the music and hope to see it open soon! Who could star in the lead role though? We asked our readers and here are some of the top suggestions!

SKYLIGHT, starring Carey Mulligan & Bill Nighy, will transfer to Broadway

The acclaimed London production of David Hare's Skylight, which starred Carey Mulligan, Bill Nighy and Matthew Beard, will transfer to Broadway's John Golden Theatre, producers announced Sept. 3. All three stars will reprise their performances when previews begin March 16, 2015.

Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, An Inspector Calls), the West End import is scheduled to open April 2, 2015, for a 13-week limited engagement through June 14, 2015.

Here's how it's billed: "On a bitterly cold London evening, schoolteacher Kyra Hollis (Mulligan) receives an unexpected visit from her former lover, Tom Sergeant (Nighy), a successful and charismatic restaurateur whose wife has recently died. As the evening progresses, the two attempt to rekindle their once passionate relationship, only to find themselves locked in a dangerous battle of opposing ideologies and mutual desires."

EMMA STONE to make Broadway debut as Sally Bowles in CABARET

Golden Globe nominee Emma Stone, known for her film work in "The Help," "Easy A" and "The Amazing Spider-Man," will make her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles in the revival of Cabaret, Roundabout Theatre Company announced Aug. 20.

Stone — who was previously considered for the role when Cabaret announced its Broadway return, but was unable to be involved due to commitments for a film project — will begin performances Nov. 11 for a run through Feb. 1, 2015.

Additionally, the production will extend its limited engagement through March 29, 2015, and Tony-winning star Alan Cumming as well as 2014 Tony Award nominees Linda Emond and Danny Burstein will extend their runs through closing.

FINDING NEVERLAND will transfer to Broadway

The New York Times reports that new musical Finding Neverland will hit the Great White Way in March 2015 at a Nederlander theater to be announced. The news comes on the same day that the show celebrates its official opening night at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus, the ART production stars Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan and Olivier winner Laura Michelle Kelly as Sylvia Llewelyn Davis. 

Based on the 2004 Miramax film about Peter Pan playwright J.M. Barrie, the new version of the musical has a score by U.K. pop songwriters Gary Barlow and Elliot Kennedy, with a book by James Graham (This House). A previous incarnation of the musical, which featured a score by Tony nominees Scott Frankel and Michael Korie, received a 2012 U.K. premiere.

The Audience, starring Helen Mirren, will transfer to Broadway

Continuing her award-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will star in a limited engagement of The Audience on Broadway beginning in February 2015 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, producers announced Aug. 6.

The Broadway production of Peter Morgan's play follows a record-breaking run at London's Gielgud Theatre in 2013 for which Mirren won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play. Morgan is also the screenwriter of the Academy Award-nominated 2006 film "The Queen," which earned Mirren an Oscar for her performance.

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, An Inspector Calls) will again direct. Previews will begin Feb. 17, 2015, prior to an official opening March 8. The limited engagement will run through June 28.

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, starring Zach Braff and Marin Mazzie, closes on August 24

Bullets Over Broadway, which stars Zach Braff and Marin Mazzie, will shutter on the Great White Way on August 24. The world premiere of the musical adaptation of Woody Allen and Douglas McGrath’s 1994 film began performances on March 11 and officially opened on April 10 at the St. James Theatre. At time of closing, the tuner will have played 33 previews and 156 regular performances.

Directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, Bullets Over Broadway tells the story of an aspiring playwright in 1920s New York who is forced to cast a mobster’s talentless girlfriend in his new show in order to have it produced on Broadway. The tuner features existing hits from the 1920s with a new, adapted book by Allen. Although the production was nominated for six Tonys, it did not pick up any awards at the ceremony.

ROCKY on Broadway will play its final performance next month

The Broadway musical of Rocky will play its final performance at the Winter Garden Theatre on Sunday, August 17th after 28 previews and 188 regular performances. Stage Entertainment is currently exploring future productions across the U.S. as well as internationally.

ROCKY received its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where it continues to play to packed houses. The musical opened on Broadway on March, 13, 2014 at the historic Winter Garden theatre. The show features an original score by the Tony Award-winning team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Once on This Island), with a book by multiple Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Hairspray, Annie) and Sylvester Stallone, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the 1976 Oscar-winning Best Picture, Rocky. The production is directed by Tony nominee Alex Timbers (Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson), and features choreography by Tony nominees Steven Hoggett (Once) and Kelly Devine (Rock of Ages).

NEWSIES to close on Broadway on August 24

Intended initially for a limited run, and turning into a 2+ year hit, Newsies, featuring a score with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, with a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, will play its final performance at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre on Sunday, August 24, 2014 prior to launching its national tour in October. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, Newsies is directed by Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.

When it opened on March 29, 2012 Newsies was intended for a Broadway run of just 101 performances. The show's fiercely devoted fans had other ideas, however: they propelled the show to a run that will total 1005 performances, attendance of more than 1 million and a gross of over $100M. At the time of Newsies' closing, only the landmark musical Rent will have played the Nederlander Theatre longer in its 93 year history.

The Newsies North American tour launches in October 2014 and will play 25 cities over 43 weeks during the 2014-15 season.

Andrew Rannells to replace Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Andrew Rannells, who received a Tony nomination for his performance in The Book of Mormon, will star in Hedwig and the Angry Inch after Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris exits the show Aug. 17, producers announced June 12.

Rannells will begin performances Aug. 20 and is contracted to star in the show for eight weeks. His stage credits also include The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys and Hairspray. He has also starred on the hit TV show "Girls." 
The Broadway premiere of the cult rock musical began previews March 29 at the Belasco, prior to an official opening April 22. 

Hedwig features a book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask. The landmark 1998 musical stars Harris as the titular Hedwig, a transgender singer fronting a fictional rock-n-roll band. Lena Hall, who recently starred as Nicola in Broadway's Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots and is also the lead singer of rock band The Deafening, co-stars with Harris as Yitzhak.

Drama Desk Awards: Full list of Winners and Nominees

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder won the most awards, taking 7 wins

Drama Desk was founded in 1949 to explore key issues in the theater and to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the ongoing development of theater in New York. The organization began presenting its awards in 1955, and it is the only critics' organization to honor achievement in the theater with competition among Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions in the same categories. 

Outstanding Play

Winner:  Robert Schenkkan, All the Way

Nominees: 
Nell Benjamin, The Explorers Club
Steven Levenson, Core Values
Conor McPherson, The Night Alive
Richard Nelson, Regular Singing
Bruce Norris, Domesticated
Robert Schenkkan, All the Way
John Patrick Shanley, Outside Mullingar

RYAN MOLLOY to make Broadway debut in JERSEY BOYS

Ryan Molloy, who originated the role of Frankie Valli in the West End production of Jersey Boys, will make his Broadway debut when he reprises the role at the August Wilson Theatre beginning July 29. He will join the Great White Way company for a limited engagement through October 19. Molloy will succeed Joseph Leo Bwariein the role.

Molloy is currently appearing in Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be at Theatre Royal Stratford East. In addition to Jersey Boys in the West End, for which he received an Olivier nod, his stage credits include The Pickled Cerebrum, Macbeth, Betrayal, The Merchant of Venice, Taboo, On the Town andJerry Springer The Opera.

Tony Awards 2013: Full List of Winners and Nominees

BEST PLAY

Winner: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Nominees: 

The Assembled Parties
Lucky Guy
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

BEST MUSICAL

Winner: Kinky Boots

Nominees: 

Bring it On: The Musical
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Kinky Boots

Matilda The Musical

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY

Winner: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Nominees: 

Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Tony Awards: Full Short List of Nominations 2013

BEST PLAY
The Assembled Parties
Lucky Guy
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

BEST MUSICAL
Bring it On: The Musical
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Kinky Boots

Matilda The Musical

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Once the Musical: Theatre Review

Based on the film of the same name, Once the musical has transferred over from Broadway to London’s West End. The original production opened off-Broadway in December 2011, closing the following month and transferring to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in February 2012 on Broadway.  Winning multiple Tony Awards, it still remains to be a huge success over seas. Before opening at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End, Once made a stop in Dublin (where the show is set) proving majorly popular with audiences already  its future is certainly looking pretty good at the moment!  

The musical follows the story of how the lead male (named simply, Guy) is helped and inspired to take his music career further by Girl (Maybe the writer couldn’t think of names...). They get a band together and record some songs, fall in love but don’t do anything about it. Can’t believe how they spread that over two and a half hours? Neither can I. 

A Chorus Line the Musical: Theatre Review

Set on Broadway in 1975, A Chorus Line is a musical about dancers who are auditioning for a Broadway show. The original production opened off-Broadway in 1975 and transferred onto Broadway in the same year due to the production having a sell out run and the show also won 10 out of 12 Tony Award nominations. The show ran for 6,137 performances and closed in 1990. A West End production of the show opened in 1976, in the same year U.S and International tours started. Many international productions opened and a film adaptation was released in 1985. A Broadway revival opened in 2006 and closed after running for just under two years, this production recently transferred to the West End marking the shows first ever West End revival. The production is being dedicated to composer Marvin Hamlisch who died last year. 

The is set in an empty Broadway Theatre where an audition is to take place, it follows 17 veteran dancers who are looking for one last job before it’s too late for them to dance anymore. Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban’s score has to be Broadway at its best; each and every song is catchy. When you walk out the theatre each person is humming a different tune! One thing they manage to do, along with the help of James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante’s book, is create 17 characters that all get an individual story making the audience create a wonderful connection with every single cast member. This is truly an ensemble piece and I’m pretty sure there isn’t anything else out there like this.