Friday, January 31, 2025

Broadway Games: Where Haven't We Seen You Before III: Wicked Edition

Broadway Games:
Where Haven't We Seen You Before III
Wicked Edition


Pick the one show each Wicked cast member hasn't been in:

1. Eden Espinosa (former Elphaba)
    A. Broadway: Brooklyn
    B. Broadway: Lempicka
    C. Broadway: In the Heights
    D. Broadway: Rent






2. Stephanie J. Block 
(former Elphaba)
    A. Kennedy Center: Sunset Boulevard
    B. Broadway: Kiss Me, Kate
    C. West End: Kiss Me, Kate
    D. Broadway: 9 to 5






3. Megan Hilty 
(former Glinda)
    A. Broadway: Smash
    B. TV: Smash
    C. Broadway: Noises Off
    D. Broadway: 9 to 5






4. Alli Mauzey 
(former Glinda)
    A. Broadway: Hairspray
    B. Broadway: Kimberly Akimbo
    C. Broadway: Cry-Baby
    D. Broadway: Funny Girl






5. Kevin Chamberlin 
(former Wizard of Oz)
    A. Broadway: Seussical
    B. Disney Channel: Jesse
    C. Disney Channel: Bunk'd
    D. Broadway: Disaster!






6. Ryan McCartan 
(former Fiyero)
    A. Disney Channel: High School Musical
    B. Off-Broadway: Heathers
    C. Broadway: Frozen
    D. Disney Channel: Liv and Maddie






7. Kyle Dean Massey 
(former Fiyero)
    A. Off-Broadway: Lucky Guy
    B. Broadway: Next to Normal
    C. Broadway: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
    D. Broadway: Company






8. Zachary Noah Piser 
(former Boq)
    A. Broadway: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
    B. Broadway: KPOP
    C. Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen
    D. Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd






9. Rue McLanahan 
(former Madame Morrible)
    A. Movie: Nunsense
    B. Broadway: Lost In Yonkers
    C. TV: The Golden Girls
    D. TV: Maude






10. Sheryl Lee Ralph 
(former Madame Morrible)
    A. Broadway: Dreamgirls
    B. Broadway: Thoroughly Modern Millie
    C. TV: Abbott Elementary
    D. Broadway: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom










STOP SCROLLING NOW
UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO
SEE THE ANSWERS!

1. C
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. C
6. A
7. C
8. A
9. B
10. D

 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Inside the Playbill: Blood Brothers February 1994

Inside the Playbill:
Blood Brothers February 1994

Just short of 31 years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite musicals, Blood Brothers, featuring what ended up being my favorite casts in the show. Adrian Zmed was the enigmatic narrator, real-life half-siblings David and Shaun Cassidy were the ill-fated siblings, and Petula Clark headlined as their long-suffering mother. The vocal power on that stage was impressive, and the acting was sublime.

So, what would you find in the Playbill handed out on that chilly mid-90s evening at the Music Box? (Click/tap each picture to enlarge!)



I miss the sure thing of seeing the "At This Theatre" article. These days, you still see it on occasion, I think, but I'm not sure. One thing I know you don't see in the Playbill anymore, is the "Dear Playbill" column. Here, you can see that Sunset Boulevard  was on people's minds months before its Broadway debut. And now, some three decades later, the show is again a sensation.



Note: Kerry Butler in her Broadway debut!


And what other shows could you catch on a three show weekend?


Of the shows that are listed (some big shows that are missing from the list include Cats and Beauty and the Beast) I saw all of them, except the Neil Simon play, and the revivals of My Fair Lady and Guys and Dolls, though I saw all three in their national tours. As you can see mega-musicals were all the rage, punctuated with some razzle-dazzle shows like Crazy For You, and serious drama, like the epic Angels in America and Kiss of the Spider Woman. And there was plenty of star power, too: you could catch the likes of Bebe Neuwirth, Victor Garber, screen legend Richard Chamberlain, and Broadway icon Chita Rivera. (Not to mention the Little Mermaid herself, Jodi Benson!)

Time flies! I can't believe it was over 30 years ago!! 

Monday, January 27, 2025

2024 - 2025 Broadway Musical Logos: Redwood

2024 - 2025 Broadway Musical Logos:
Redwood

It's kind of refreshing to see a show logo that knows exactly what it is selling, and does so in a simple and eye-catching way. Whether you are walking in the theater district and are rushing by 41st Street, or you actually have a minute or two to stop and look at it, the show art for Redwood clearly sells the show and gives Broadway fans something to chew on.


The composite piece is striking in terms of its wording and font choices. The large yellow sans serif font is bold, both in its presentation and size. Against a dark brown background the title certainly sticks out. What is also ingenious is the additional detail in a small version of the font. In white, it draws the eye, but doesn't detract from the important information. Announcing a Tony-winner is almost always a great tactic, especially when your star is the most familiar thing about the piece. Also, the "RETURNS to BROADWAY" sounds exciting, and adds to the idea that this is an EVENT, even if you probably know nothing about the show itself. As commonplace as it is, adding "a new musical" under the title, as the title itself doesn't necessarily sound like a musical.


One last thing that I love about the font style, and again, you need to look closer to notice, is the wood grain detailing. Perfect for a show named for a tree, but subtle enough so as not to be too on the nose. With the redwood bark of the giant trees stretching beyond the constraints of the logo. one gets the sense of the bigness of the whole thing.


Then there's the smartest image of the whole thing is the image of the star herself. The picture is flattering - she looks great - but also shows a maturity. She is back at the Nederlander all grown up and in a new character. Looking up with a serious, contemplative look, is this woman looking to Heaven, looking up to the future, or some other thing. It makes one wonder what mysteries are among the leaves and branches of those giant natural beauties... I have to admit the vertical version is more appealing to me; the trees are more impressive, and really puts into perspective how small we are against the enormity of nature.

I was on the fence about this show, and now I am really looking forward to it. This logo really sells the show.

Grade: A+ 

Friday, January 24, 2025

Friday 5: 5 Favorite Classic Musicals of the 1960s

 

5 Favorite Classic Musicals of the 1960s 

Last month, one of our Friday 5 lists was our Favorite Classic Musicals of the 1950s, and now we move into the decade of love and the end of Broadway's Golden Era. There are dozens of possibilities, and no doubt within 5 minutes of this posting, we'll be second-guessing our choices. (What about Hair? Or How to Succeed? Or Hello, Dolly!? And those are just the H's!) But here's what we've got as of right now! Can you imagine having these all in a three year period?


5. Sweet Charity (1966)
I love every single thing about this show - Neil Simon's hilarious book, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields' thrilling, glib score, and of course, Bob Fosse's style. I'd give almost anything to have seen the great Gwen Verdon do her signature role. Another show with a no-skip score, how can you not love "Something Better Than This", "Big Spender" or "If They Could See Me Now"? The Fandango girl that does all of "Spender" with empty eyes and a lit cigarette dangling from her mouth is my hero,


4. Mame (1966)
Okay, I'll admit a bias here. I've often written about its 1983 revival being my life-changing first Broadway show, and that Angela Lansbury is an idol of mine. But it's also true that I knew the score by heart before I ever saw it. I know that most people cite Hello, Dolly! as their favorite Jerry Herman show, Mame does it for me. The sophistication, the glamour, the bitchy, biting humor, and the love story that grows between the eccentric aunt and her nephew warms my heart. "My Best Girl" makes me tear up, just thinking about it.


3. Man of La Mancha (1965)
I may be biased with this one, too - it was the very first show I was ever in. (I played Juan, a muleteer and Sancho Panza's ass.) Here is a show about overcoming huge obstacles, sure, but it's also about dreaming and reaching for a better world. "The Impossible Dream" is my all-time favorite Broadway anthem, "I'm Only Thinking of Him," is my favorite quartet, and "Aldonza" is one of my go-to shower numbers. (I kill it every time!)


2. Fiddler on the Roof (1964)
It begins with what I think is the single greatest opening number, "Tradition," and only gets better from there. Sure it has its fun, lighter moments, but this classic is the very definition of musical drama. A heartbreaking yet powerfully uplifting epic, Fiddler is about family, community and perseverance. The religion, history and events may be specific, but its universality is what makes this show endure throughout the years.


1. Cabaret (1966)
Of all of these, this show seems the most relevant (unfortunately) to the state of the world. There are few shows that manage that precarious balance between entertaining spectacle and harsh drama this well. The score, of course, is amazing from that opening drum roll to the sobering finale. I had the honor of seeing Joel Grey's final performance - ever - as the Emcee, which he announced tearfully from the stage. What struck me was that after decades in the role, and on the last day of a long national tour, he was so fresh and present. Electric.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Star-To-Be: Jimin Moon

It seems by design in Jamie Lloyd's Sunset Boulevardthat the ensemble is impactful but nondescript. After all, it's Norma's movie, and no one stands out. Except that the reality is that each member is a remarkable stand out. Such is the case with Jimin Moon, who plays the beloved light guy at Paramount, Hog Eye. He stands out for all the right reasons - the attitude, the movement...the charisma. He also, on occasion, makes his mark stepping into the role of Joe Gillis, when Tom Francis is out. This is not the first time I noticed Moon - he caught my eye in the ensemble of Lempicka. All told, just watching him, you just know he is a Star-To-Be.




🌟Star-to-Be🌟
Sunset Boulevard'Jimin Moon


  
 

Sunset Boulevard is actually his third Broadway show, following Lempicka and his debut in Aladdin. Jimin was also featured in the 2024 Broadway Bares show, Hit the Strip. A lot has happened for him since he graduated from Penn State with honors and a BFA in Musical Theater, including regional work in such shows as Newsies, Something Rotten! and Kinky Boots. Moon also has a black belt in Taekwondo and apparently makes one hell of an apple pie.






 













Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...