After having seen the musical Priscilla, I’ve decided to come out: I’m a Sondheim fan. Yes, Into the Woods, Sweeney, the lot… even Merrily We Roll Along and The Frogs. Every cd, the live recordings, the scores. Now I’ve got that off my chest, I can say how thoroughly enjoyable I find Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. No, it’s not Sondheim, Shakespeare, or even Stephen Schwartz, … [Read more...] about Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter
musical theatre
Christopher Wheeldon and team scoop up Tony nominations
The Brit in New York, responsable for the new hit musical An American in Paris, has been nominated for a Tony award as Best Director of a Musical and also for Best Choreography. His creative team and cast have also been nominated in almost every category with twelve nominations in total: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical - Craig Lucas, Best Performance by an Actor in a … [Read more...] about Christopher Wheeldon and team scoop up Tony nominations
Milan’s Dirty Dancing glimmers but doesn’t shine
At the risk of sounding petty, this was the first time that I have been given restricted view tickets to review a performance, so I'll review the three-quarters of Milan's Dirty Dancing that I saw. The first musical number, for example, was either performed by someone offstage, by a pre-recorded voice, or by someone standing down-right which was the zone hidden from me. It … [Read more...] about Milan’s Dirty Dancing glimmers but doesn’t shine
Eleanor Bergstein’s Dirty Dancing alights in Milan
Dirty Dancing comes to Milan with the biggest advance booking since Stage Entertainment took over the Teatro Nazionale, beating even Beauty and the Beast and Mamma Mia! The producers must be breathing a sigh of relief as the Italian economy's bumpy ride doesn't seem to be affecting ticket sales, such is the film in the cultural DNA of women who want to dance with Patrick … [Read more...] about Eleanor Bergstein’s Dirty Dancing alights in Milan
Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson to star in Sweeney Todd in London
After the success of Sweeney Todd in concert with the New York Philharmonic in March of this year, Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson return in their roles for thirteen performances at the London Coliseum. It will be the first musical under the new collaboration between English National Opera and the GradeLinnit Company, which will see several semi-staged musicals and one fully … [Read more...] about Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson to star in Sweeney Todd in London
At 88, Elaine Stritch bows out for good
With “Elaine Stritch at the Carlyle: Movin’ Over and Out” which runs from 2 - 6 April one of the greatest stars of the stage leaves it for good. Elaine Stritch, with her signature leggings and white blouse, offered a cabaret that was more talk than song, and her colleagues turned out in force. At the Cafe Carlyle for the opening was Bernadette Peters, Tony Bennett, Liza … [Read more...] about At 88, Elaine Stritch bows out for good
Goggi shines but Gypsy deludes in its Italian première
Styne and Sondheim's Gypsy is the Hamlet of the musical theatre: many try, many fail, but a success in the role adds a magical aura to a career. Thank goodness that Loretta Goggi, as Italy's first Rose, had the taste, guts, and believability to carry it off, because it was one of the few things that truly worked in this production. Goggi certainly didn't give a perfect … [Read more...] about Goggi shines but Gypsy deludes in its Italian première
A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’
On 15 January, Milan will welcome a new Rose to the stage as Gyspy opens in Italy. Loretta Goggi has been a household name in Italy for half a century. She made her début in television as a girl and hasn't been far from the small screen or stage since. Starting out as a child actress, she found her talent for singing when she was a small girl, and later a talent for … [Read more...] about A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’
Italy’s new Titanic musical stays afloat
The world has a new Titanic musical. Italy's version is the work of Federico Bellone who wrote the book, lyrics and music, and is also the show's director. It is inevitably derivative with references to the DiCaprio/Winslett blockbuster and the 1997 Broadway Tony-winning musical. It is also unfortunate that the main theme (yes, 'Titanic') sounds very much like 'As If We … [Read more...] about Italy’s new Titanic musical stays afloat
Betty Buckley to star in Jerry Herman’s “Dear World” in the West End
Everyone who knows and loves the original cast recording of Jerry Herman's musical Dear World will be delighted to have the opportunity to see it when it comes to the London stage next year. It will receive its British première at the Charing Cross Theatre with Betty Buckley in the title role - which Angela Lansbury created in 1969 - and Paul Nicholas. It will be … [Read more...] about Betty Buckley to star in Jerry Herman’s “Dear World” in the West End