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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson wanted to play Phantom in a film version
Avenue Q’s squeaky clean school edition replaces “Internet is For Porn” with “Social Life Is Online”, but “If You Were Gay” remains intact
Music Theatre International have had a problem with Avenue Q's life after Broadway. Schools and amateur productions produce revenue for years, and with its cuddly puppets Avenue Q could be the perfect … [Read more...] about Avenue Q’s squeaky clean school edition replaces “Internet is For Porn” with “Social Life Is Online”, but “If You Were Gay” remains intact
The Bizarre World of Showbiz: Joan and Jackie Collins backstage at Priscilla
Playbill, apart from having all the latest theatre news, also send photographers backstage to capture those fun moments when the cast meet some of the celebs who've come to see them. There is … [Read more...] about The Bizarre World of Showbiz: Joan and Jackie Collins backstage at Priscilla
Mormon musical’s humour more English than American
Broadway’s hottest musical, which was garlanded last week with a pack-leading 14 Tony nominations, is to visit the West End. The Book of Mormon, written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of … [Read more...] about Mormon musical’s humour more English than American
Arthur Laurents, playwright and director, dies at 93
Arthur Laurents, the playwright, screenwriter and director who wrote and ultimately transformed two of Broadway’s landmark shows, Gypsy and West Side Story, and created one of Hollywood’s most … [Read more...] about Arthur Laurents, playwright and director, dies at 93
Julie Andrews’ three breakthrough moments
In the beginning, there are three main stepping stones that I remember very clearly. One was when I was 12 and made what I would call my official debut. I sang one song in a musical revue in London. … [Read more...] about Julie Andrews’ three breakthrough moments
Shrek’s been tweaked and pruned since Broadway – can he woo the West End?
As Shrek the Musical gets ready for its West End opening, The Times talks to Bill Damaschke, Jeffrey Katzenberg's right-hand man, about the idea, the realisation, and the flop on Broadway. The idea … [Read more...] about Shrek’s been tweaked and pruned since Broadway – can he woo the West End?
Kathleen Turner play ‘High’ reaches a low on Broadway
Producers said yesterday that the show, which opened Tuesday night, will close on Sunday, having failed to become a box office addiction. When it closes, "High" will have played just 28 previews and … [Read more...] about Kathleen Turner play ‘High’ reaches a low on Broadway
Theatres are getting social – but what sells tickets?
More than 55,000 Facebook users “like” the new Broadway musical “Sister Act,” which, like most major theatrical productions today, has its own page, as well a Twitter account (1,300 followers), … [Read more...] about Theatres are getting social – but what sells tickets?
Why is Julie Taymor being attacked so viciously and relentlessly?
Harry Lennix, an actor who has frequently worked with Taymor for almost 20 years, tries to answer the question in The Huffington Post: In my opinion, the producers of Spider-Man have found a … [Read more...] about Why is Julie Taymor being attacked so viciously and relentlessly?
Harvey Fierstein dons Zaza’s garb in ‘La Cage aux Folles’ for, amazingly, the first time
The leading lady’s costumes have had to be sized up, but there was never any question of their not fitting. After all, it’s Harvey Fierstein who has stepped into the role (and corset, plumes and … [Read more...] about Harvey Fierstein dons Zaza’s garb in ‘La Cage aux Folles’ for, amazingly, the first time
“Hugh Jackman In Performance” in San Francisco
Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman, most recently on Broadway in the two-character Keith Huff play A Steady Rain, will play a two-week limited concert engagement in San Francisco in May. In the … [Read more...] about “Hugh Jackman In Performance” in San Francisco
Critics Roundup: South Park creators’ musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ triumphs on Broadway
It looks as though everyone got the joke after all. Even in Utah, it seems, with no damning articles or negative reviews. Time reports: “I was prepared for scatological humor, generous doses of the … [Read more...] about Critics Roundup: South Park creators’ musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ triumphs on Broadway
Angela Lansbury’s tribute to Stephen Sondheim at the 2011 Olivier Awards
At the 2011 Olivier Award ceremony this year Stephen Sondheim was presented with a lifetime achievement award. Part of the tribute to the 80 year-old composer was from his 85 year-old star Angela … [Read more...] about Angela Lansbury’s tribute to Stephen Sondheim at the 2011 Olivier Awards
Hugh Martin, composer of the Meet Me in St Louis score, dies aged 96
Hugh Martin, the songwriter who enlivened the Judy Garland movie musical "Meet Me in St. Louis" with an indelibly melodic trio of evergreen songs — "The Trolley Song," "The Boy Next Door" and "Have … [Read more...] about Hugh Martin, composer of the Meet Me in St Louis score, dies aged 96
Broadway’s ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ gets cleaned up
Lots of the risqué lines, bawdy jokes and swearing has been edited out of the Broadway script. These changes are among many that “Priscilla” has undergone in its journey to Broadway, from the 1994 … [Read more...] about Broadway’s ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ gets cleaned up
