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
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 and hasn't been far from the small screen or stage since. Starting out as a child actress, she found her talent for singing when she was a small girl, and later a talent for … [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, Gypsy, which Streisand and Silver are currently developing for Universal Pictures. Streisand will portray “Momma Rose” in the new version, her first musical film since Yentl in … [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 school play. Pupils wrote asking her to take part with the cast of 90 schoolchildren. She is patron of the Richard Whiteley Theatre that opened about 18 months ago, set up with money … [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 latest venture at Manhattan's vast Town Hall who, at 86, has still got what it takes. Here is part of Smith's sensitive and sensible review: Wearing her trademark man's long-sleeved … [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 life. Previous recipients include Leonard Bernstein, John Lennon and choreographer Merce Cunningham. The Handel Medallion will be presented by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and actor Alec … [Read more...] about Stephen Sondheim to receive the Handel Medallion from Mayor Michael Bloomberg