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
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 choice for the end of school show. Except for the dialogue. Oh yes, and the lyrics. And some of the subject matter. And, of course, several of the characters. Darn shame, … [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 a wonderful collection now on-line of the two Collins sisters, Joan and Jackie, backstage at Broadway's Priscilla. Cast and Collins Sisters - now who can tell them apart? click to … [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 South Park, and acclaimed by critics and rapturous audiences alike, will open “sometime next year”, in London, according to Sonia Friedman, its British producer. The musical, a … [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 well-known romances, The Way We Were, died yesterday in his home in Manhattan. He was 93. Laurents once described writers as “the chosen people” and said he was happiest when sitting … [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. At almost the last minute, I was nearly dismissed because they felt that in such a sophisticated setting, this little girl with a freak voice was much too innocent. My parents and … [Read more...] about Julie Andrews’ three breakthrough moments