Friday, October 29, 2021

Broadway Games: Career-Defining Roles & Show-Stopping Performances


The reviews are in, and the critics agree: Sharon D. Clarke is giving a career defining AND legendary performance as Caroline Thibodeaux in the current revival of Caroline, or Change. Broadway history is full of these. You know, the "people will talk about x for decades to come." Today's game is all about those actors and their roles.

BROADWAY GAMES:
CAREER-DEFINING & 
SHOW-STOPPING PERFORMANCES

Match the actor to the performance.

A. Tonya Pinkins            B. Robert Preston            C. Donna McKechnie

D. George Hearn            E. Patti LuPone

F. Elaine Stritch            G. Gwen Verdon            H. Cynthia Erivo

I. Donna Murphy            J. Yul Brynner            

K. Zero Mostel            L. Laurette Taylor            M. Lee J. Cobb

N. Jennifer Holliday            O. Juanita Hall

1. The King of Siam in The King and I

2. Fosca in Passion

3. Claudine in Can-Can

4. Albin/Zsa Zsa in La Cage aux Folles

5. Effie White in Dreamgirls

6. Caroline Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change

7. Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie

8. Tevye the milkman in Fiddler on the Roof

9. Joanne in Company

10. Cassie in A Chorus Line

11. Bloody Mary in South Pacific

12. Harold Hill in The Music Man

13. Celie in The Color Purple

14. Eva Peron in Evita

15. Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Broadway in a Box CD Review: Guys and Dolls (1992 Revival Cast)

Broadway in a Box CD Review:

Guys and Dolls (1992 Revival Cast) 

At Christmas a few years ago, Jeff gave me a copy of Broadway in a Box: The Essential Broadway Musicals Collection. He has now given me the opportunity to use his blog to share my impressions of each of the 25 cast recordings contained in the set, in alphabetical order.


This week’s entry is about the 1992 Broadway revival recording of Guys and Dolls.


This vivid recording of the Frank Loesser classic comes as a most welcome burst of joyous energy. Having only seen a high school production (long, long ago) and the film version, this CD reminded me what a fun and fascinating score this show has. I hope we get another revival on Broadway soon.



As with so many classic musicals, especially when only heard and not seen on stage, the biggest impression is made by the comic leads, in this case consisting of Nathan Lane (as Nathan Detroit) and Faith Prince (as Miss Adelaide). While Lane’s musical material is somewhat limited, he makes the most of it in “The Oldest Established” and “Sue Me,” two numbers that let Nathan Lane be Nathan Lane without overdoing his familiar schtick.


Similarly, I can easily imagine that the heavily stylized role of Miss Adelaide might become grating rather than endearing in lesser hands, but Prince never lets that happen. Much like Ellen Greene as Audrey, Prince inhabits the character as a real person rather than a caricature, making the accent and affectations seem genuine. It goes without saying that “Adelaide’s Lament” is a highlight of the recording.


The romantic leads are just as good, even if they necessarily make a bit less of a splash. Peter Gallagher works his usual calm and confident magic as the racketeer-turned-missionary Sky Masterson. I particularly appreciated his quiet, tender moments, especially “My Time of Day,” which provides a respite from the sometimes manic pace of the rest of the show. Josie de Guzman, as his love interest Sarah Brown, is as good a match for him on the recording as she is in the story. Her late duet with Prince, “Marry the Man Today,” is another highlight.



When the lesser roles are filled by the likes of
J.K. Simmons (Benny Southstreet) and Victoria Clark (Martha), you know you’ve got a stacked cast. Simmons and his frequent scene partner Walter Bobbie (Nicely-Nicely Johnson) do a great job establishing the setting and tone of the whole show at the outset. Among the secondary characters, another standout is John Carpenter (Arvide Abernathy), who nails his solo song, “More I Cannot Wish You.”


As I read over this review, I realize I’ve heaped nothing but praise on everyone involved. And indeed I struggle to find fault with any aspect of this recording. The show itself is only my third favorite Frank Loesser show, and I don’t think it offers nearly as much social commentary (for lack of a better term) than The Most Happy Fella or How to Succeed…. But if you’re looking for a fun, raucous romp, you can’t do much better than this.


Next up is the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Gypsy.


Thanks, as always, Mike! Loesser is, I think, somewhat underappreciated. Just look at the three scores you mentioned. Each are brilliant in their own way, each are critically acclaimed. Yet each are virtually dissimilar, existing in their respective worlds. What other musical theater writer can say that?

I mean, you can spot a Kander and Ebb song or a Sondheim song a mile away!


--Jeff

Monday, October 25, 2021

The Broadway Play Logos Tournament: Region 1

And now the journey begins! After your rating of over 100 outstanding show logos from Broadway Plays over the past three weeks, your votes determined which of those made it to the 64-logo bracket! Award-winners, popular titles, classics and flops are all here. This week, you'll pick your favorites between each of 8 pairs in Region 1. Later, the winners will move on to The Big 32! 

As always, we thank you for playing along.

Scroll down to see the match-ups, then vote! (Be sure to look at the rules!) Thanks for playing along!

              WHAT IS THE BEST BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIVAL LOGO OF THEM ALL? 

THE BROADWAY PLAY LOGOS TOURNAMENT: REGION 1
(THE ACTUAL SURVEY IS BELOW THESE FULL-SIZED VERSIONS)
HOW IT WILL WORK:
  • Each week, we'll open the voting for a different segment of the bracket, and you will select your favorite from each pairing.
  • Your selection should be based on the logo/window card ONLY. We are NOT looking for your favorite show! It is possible to like a logo from an unsuccessful show!
  • We will provide pictures of the full window card (in most cases) or logo above each week's ballot, then you scroll down and make your selections. You MUST click/tap the "Click Me to Count Your VOTES" button at the bottom of the survey.
  • REMINDER: Due to the large number of images used, the poll will take a few extra seconds to fully load.
THIS ROUND WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29TH AT 5 PM!

Here we go again! May the best logo win! BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL LOGOS BEFORE YOU VOTE! THE ACTUAL BALLOT IS BELOW THE FULL-SIZE LOGOS/WINDOW CARDS!

GAME 1:                                                                     GAME 2: 

                         

GAME 3:                                                                     GAME 4: 

                         

GAME 5:                                                                     GAME 6: 

                         

GAME 7:                                                                     GAME 8: 

                         





Monday, October 11, 2021

The Broadway Play Logo Tournament: The Trials Part Three

This is the final week of our NEW tournament trials! We have taken your write-in suggestions and combed the archives for over 100 outstanding show logos from Broadway Plays, but YOU will be determining which of those will make it to the 64-logo bracket! They cover over 80 seasons, and it is interesting to see how show art has evolved over the decades. Also, we found it interesting that there are so many August Wilson and Neil Simon show art fans! Award-winners, popular titles, classics and flops are all here. Which ones will make the 64 logo bracket next week?


THE BROADWAY PLAY LOGOS TOURNAMENT
(THE ACTUAL SURVEY IS BELOW THESE FULL-SIZED VERSIONS)
HOW IT WILL WORK:
  • For each of the first 3 weeks, we will post 35 logos/window cards, and you will rate EACH of them on a scale of 1 Star to 5 Stars (5 being best). 
  • Your selection should be based on the logo/window card ONLY. We are NOT looking for your favorite plays/productions!  
  • As usual, we will provide pictures of the full window card (in most cases) or logo above each week's ballot, then you SCROLL DOWN TO MAKE YOUR SELECTIONS. You MUST click/tap the "CLICK ME to Count Your VOTES" button at the bottom of the survey.
  • The survey/poll is arranged in 5 groups of 7. Remember, you are going to rate EACH of the 7 logos in EACH of the 5 groups.
  • THIS ROUND WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22ND AT 5 PM!
BELOW ARE FULL-SIZED VERSION OF EACH LOGO. THE ACTUAL BALLOT IS BELOW THAT!

GROUP ONE: 
         

      

GROUP TWO: 
         

         

GROUP THREE:
           

       

GROUP FOUR:
            

      

GROUP FIVE:
         

      

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