Florenz Ziegfeld created his Follies in 1907, and the successful format continued on Broadway until 1931. The Ziegfeld Follies were extraordinarily elaborate revues inspired by the Folies Bergères in Paris. While being a high-class Vaudeville variety show, mixing comics, singers and speciality dancers, it was the Ziegfeld girls that made them a hit. That whiff of sex disguised … [Read more...] about Pointe shoes and tutus at the Ziegfeld Follies
Broadway theatre
Spider-Man the Musical’s firm grip sets Broadway record
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, written by U2's Bono and The Edge, has taken the highest single-week takings of any show in Broadway history.The musical, which was plagued with problems from its inception, took $2.9m (£1.8m) over nine performances last week, according to The Broadway League. The Edge said it was a "proud day" for everyone who has been involved.The show, … [Read more...] about Spider-Man the Musical’s firm grip sets Broadway record
Interview with Samuel Ramey as he makes his début in his home town
Samuel Ramey, a meat-cutter’s son, came from the high plains of northwest Kansas. Now he's performing at Kansas City Opera, his début with the company which turned him down early in his career.Ramey, who will be 70 next year, talked to the Kansas City Star; here are his words: On his origins “I think about being a kid growing up in Colby, Kansas, and I think about all the … [Read more...] about Interview with Samuel Ramey as he makes his début in his home town
Broadway’s Billy Elliot to close
The Broadway musical “Billy Elliot”, winner of 10 Tony Awards in 2009 and a hot ticket for much of its run, will close on January 8, 2012, after 3 years and 3 months of performances.The decision to close came after a somewhat precipitous decline in ticket sales that accelerated through the late spring and summer amid competition from new musicals like “The Book of Mormon” … [Read more...] about Broadway’s Billy Elliot to close
Michael Jackson wanted to play Phantom in a film version
Andrew Lloyd Webber told CNN's Piers Morgan that Michael Jackson wanted to play the title role in the film version of "The Phantom of the Opera." According to Webber, the King of Pop came to see the Broadway show multiple times -- years before the film came out -- and he and Jackson had spoken about a potential "Phantom" movie role.However, Webber said, "People in those … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson wanted to play Phantom in a film version