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, … [Read more...] about Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter
Sondheim
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 … [Read more...] about Eleanor Bergstein’s Dirty Dancing alights in Milan
Alessandra Ferri’s classy comeback
There are comebacks and comebacks: the rather sad, end-of-the-pier affair, because money's run out and there's alimony to pay; the small cameo 'because I miss the applause'; and Alessandra … [Read more...] about Alessandra Ferri’s classy comeback
Cynthia Harvey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? At age 8. A short time ago. Why did you start dancing? Apparently I preferred it to walking; actually I still do. Music was frequently played at home. My … [Read more...] about Cynthia Harvey answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
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 … [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 … [Read more...] about A new Mama Rose gets her turn in Italy’s first ever ‘Gypsy’
Barbra Streisand to play Momma Rose in the screen version of Gyspy – Julian Fellowes will write the screenplay
Producers Barbra Streisand and Joel Silver have set Academy Award-winning writer Julian Fellowes to pen the screenplay adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ Tony Award winning musical, … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand to play Momma Rose in the screen version of Gyspy – Julian Fellowes will write the screenplay
Dame Judi Dench takes bit part in school play
Judi Dench is to be the voice of the giant in the Giggleswick school production of Into the Woods. She delighted pupils at the North Yorkshire boarding school by agreeing to take a part in their … [Read more...] about Dame Judi Dench takes bit part in school play
Elaine Stritch at the Town Hall: an idiosyncratic mix of old-fashioned patter and perfect timing
The Los Angeles Times have many wonderful entertainment journalists, the sort that have you reading a review of something you'd never want to see. Christopher Smith writes about Elaine Stritch's … [Read more...] about Elaine Stritch at the Town Hall: an idiosyncratic mix of old-fashioned patter and perfect timing
Stephen Sondheim to receive the Handel Medallion from Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Stephen Sondheim is to receive New York City's highest honour for achievement in the arts. The award is given by the City of New York for contribution to the city's intellectual and cultural … [Read more...] about Stephen Sondheim to receive the Handel Medallion from Mayor Michael Bloomberg
London’s new Mrs Lovett, Imelda Staunton, on loneliness
Imelda Staunton has returned to the musical stage as Mrs Lovett in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. She talked to The Telegraph: “I read somewhere that, if you want to be different, you have to be … [Read more...] about London’s new Mrs Lovett, Imelda Staunton, on loneliness
Four artists who influenced Patti LuPone
The Los Angeles Times asked Patti Lupone to name four people who have influenced her artistically: Edith Piaf I'm an Italian and my emotions are just under my skin.... There's just a purity and … [Read more...] about Four artists who influenced Patti LuPone
Tom Aldredge, character actor, dies at 83
Tom Aldredge, an Emmy-winning actor who for five decades was ubiquitous on stage and screen, seen in everything from Sondheim to “The Sopranos,” died on Friday in Tampa, Fla. He was 83. “I knew at … [Read more...] about Tom Aldredge, character actor, dies at 83
Critics round-up: Shrek The Musical opens in London
Shrek The Musical has opened in London's West End and seems to have generally won over the nation's critics. It's New York run wasn't a runaway success and producers must have been a little nervous on … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Shrek The Musical opens in London
‘Latest’ Stephen Sondheim musical to play at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory in June
Stephen Sondheim’s ‘new’ musical, ‘Road Show’ is the third collaboration between Sondheim and book writer John Weidman (Pacific Overtures and Assassins). But 'Road Show' is yet another version of … [Read more...] about ‘Latest’ Stephen Sondheim musical to play at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory in June
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
Elaine Paige on why she’s still here… and there, in Washington DC, for Follies
On May 7 for five weeks there will be a production of Stephen Sondheim's Follies where Elaine Paige will sing "I'm Still Here" for the first time. A strong cast includes Bernadette Peters. Paige … [Read more...] about Elaine Paige on why she’s still here… and there, in Washington DC, for Follies
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
New York Times readers give the ‘Spider-Man’ producers some tips
Last week the NY Times asked readers if they had any advice for the new creative team on "Spider-man: Turn off the dark"... they did: “Cut the geek chorus. Cut the female spider. Beef up the roles of … [Read more...] about New York Times readers give the ‘Spider-Man’ producers some tips
Streisand’s Gypsy dream will not come true says Arthur Laurents: It would have been a good exit for her career
The eagerly anticipated project to re-film the musical "Gypsy" with Barbra Streisand as Mama Rose has been aborted. The playwright and director Arthur Laurents, one of the rights holders to the work, … [Read more...] about Streisand’s Gypsy dream will not come true says Arthur Laurents: It would have been a good exit for her career
The great Frank Rich leaves The New York Times… and moves on
Rich will leave the paper to join the New York Magazine. He has been an op-ed columnist at the New York Times since 1994, and was the paper’s chief drama critic from 1980 to 1993. New York Magazine … [Read more...] about The great Frank Rich leaves The New York Times… and moves on
2011 Olivier Award nominations and winners
Winners of the award. Adriana Lecouvreur Revived at the Royal Opera House for the first time in over a century, Adriana Lecouvreur is a fictional account of the life of the 18th century actress. … [Read more...] about 2011 Olivier Award nominations and winners
Barbra Streisand rumored to be the next Mama Rose in ‘Gypsy’
The role of Mama Rose in "Gypsy" has always attracted great divas, from Ethel Merman to Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly to Patti LuPone. And now comes word that the greatest diva of them all -- Barbra … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand rumored to be the next Mama Rose in ‘Gypsy’
‘It’s alarming how charming I feel.’ – Stephen Sondheim calls his ‘West Side Story’ lyrics ’embarrassing’
Stephen Sondheim appeared on ABC’s 'Nightline' on Tuesday night, and during the interview, the theater legend disclosed that he found the words to his 1957 masterpiece 'West Side Story', written with … [Read more...] about ‘It’s alarming how charming I feel.’ – Stephen Sondheim calls his ‘West Side Story’ lyrics ’embarrassing’
