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Sondheim

Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter

9 July 2015 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

Eleanor Bergstein’s Dirty Dancing alights in Milan

25 September 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

6 June 2013 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

31 May 2013 by Gramilano 10 Comments

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

3 February 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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’

11 January 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

13 March 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

19 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

25 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

12 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

1 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

29 September 2011 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

26 July 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

16 June 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

10 May 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

6 May 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

3 April 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

20 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

14 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

14 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

13 March 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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’

5 January 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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’

30 December 2010 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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’

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NEWS

The Florence opera house to sell its vast archive to avoid closure

La Scala Ballet Season 2023-2024

La Scala Opera Season 2023-2024

Gustavo Dudamel to leave the Paris Opera at end of 22/23 season

Royal Opera House announces 2023-2024 opera and ballet Cinema Season

Royal Ballet’s three one-act ballets – Wayne McGregor (world premiere) | Wheeldon | MacMillan

The bizarre story of Italian opera house musical chairs – Meyer, Fuortes, Lissner

Blake Works V – La Scala presents a new work from William Forsythe – “You can get a lot done with calm.”

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s summer bill: Apollo – Interlinked – ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café

@giselle – a modern reimagining

FEATURED POSTS

Grand Pas Classique at English National Ballet, photo by Laurent Liotardo

Introducing 19-year-old Canadian dancer Shale Wagman: from Lausanne to ENB to the Mariinsky

Vittorio Grigolo’s new women’s shoes and a song for Hillary Clinton

Dance injuries from the ballet dancer’s point of view: top stars share their experiences

Steven McRae by Rick Guest crop

The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae on injury: turning weakness into strength

Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in cover art for the Romanza album

Interview with Anna Netrebko on her son, his autism and his abandonment by his father Erwin Schrott

Vadim Muntagirov answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

How to stage a ballet… Maina Gielgud explains

You choose it out of Love! Dancing with the Khan-MacKay family

Maurice Béjart's Gaîté parisienne with Marijn Rademaker photo by Stuttgarter Ballet

Dutch National Ballet’s Marijn Rademaker on injury and recovery

English National Ballet in Derek Deane's Swan Lake, photo by ASH, Arnaud Stephenson, 2013

Derek Deane on 20 years of his Swan Lake ‘in the round’

GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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