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, the scores. Now I’ve got that off my chest, I can say how thoroughly enjoyable I find Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. No, it’s not Sondheim, Shakespeare, or even Stephen Schwartz, … [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 a sigh of relief as the Italian economy's bumpy ride doesn't seem to be affecting ticket sales, such is the film in the cultural DNA of women who want to dance with Patrick … [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 Ferri.Ferri's various comeback projects are classy with a piece being created for her by Martha Clarke based on Colette's novel Cherì with ABT's Herman Cornejo, a new ballet about … [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 mother loved musicals and I think she secretly would have wished me to be in musical theatre. BUT, I saw Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn on television and wanted to be Margot. … [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 Rose, had the taste, guts, and believability to carry it off, because it was one of the few things that truly worked in this production.Goggi certainly didn't give a perfect … [Read more...] about Goggi shines but Gypsy deludes in its Italian première