At This Theatre: The Ambassador

There are a few Broadway theaters that have had shows run so long in them, that those shows are the only ones that have played there during many theater-goers' lifetime. Until recently, there was a generation or more who only knew the Majestic as the home of The Phantom of the Opera. Even today, people know the same for the Gershwin (Wicked) and the Minskoff (The Lion King).

Such is the case with The Ambassador Theatre, which has been host to Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, since January 29, 2003. During its run there, a host of established stars from all walks of the entertainment world - from film, TV, music, and, of course, Broadway, have trod the boards here. Many up and coming performers, including future Tony nominees and award-winning dancers got their start here as well.

At This Theatre: The Ambassador

Built in 1921, the Ambassador has been a legitimate theater, a TV studio, a small movie house, and even a radio studio. Its current tenant not withstanding, this house has been a largely unsuccessful one. Many a flop has played here, but it has been the home to the end of runs of some hits, like the original productions of Godspell and Dancin'. Some well-regarded revivals played here, like Ain't Misbehavin', Dreamgirls and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with Kristin Chenoweth in her Tony-winning turn as Sally Brown. Prior to its current tenant, arguably the most successful show to play here was Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk.

We haven't been inside the Ambassador in some 15 years since we caught Ruthie Henshall and Matthew Settle in the show. Prior to that, I had only been there once before, to see the short-lived musical, A Class Act.

NUMBER OF SHOWS WE'VE SEEN THERE: 2

A Class Act, Chicago

 

A Class Act (March 11, 2001 - June 10, 2001): A musical about the life of one of the writers of my beloved favorite A Chorus Line? There was now way I was missing that! It starred Lonny Price of Merrily We Roll Along fame and another favorite, Randy Graff (Les Miserables, City of Angels) and featured a score filled with Edward Kleban's songs. It was a delight from start to finish, and an artistic, if not financial, success. It spawned one of my all-time favorite show tunes, "Under Separate Cover."

Chicago (January 29, 2003 - present): One of my favorite shows, I had seen this revival at the Shubert, and had to return here to catch the West End star Ruthie Henshall as Roxie Hart. In looking over my Playbills, I found that I actually saw this revival here another time, with Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn. As the show approaches it's 30th Broadway anniversary and no end in sight, it seems likely that we'll probably return to this odd little theater with no lobby.

Flashback Friday: 15 Years Ago: A Class Act

This week, I'll continue my look back at the Best Musical Tony nominees from 15 seasons ago.  Just as with  The Full Monty last week, this week's show was full of established Broadway professionals and newbies who would go on to make their mark.  And there are a few connections to 2015 as well.

A Class Act was a charming little show, and a must-see for Broadway fans.  Celebrating the life of composer-lyricist Edward Kleban, the musical used Kleban's trunk songs (and a few snippets from his most famous work, A Chorus Line).  There were some real gems, including my favorites, "Mona," "Paris Through The Window," "The Next Best Thing to Love," and "Under Separate Cover."  Kleban was the star of the show, as it should be.

30 previews, 105 performances at the Ambassador Theatre

Randy Graff and Lonny Price

Stars at the time:

• Lonny Price (Writer, Director, Ed Kleban) - An actor most notable for Master Harold and the Boys, and a pair of well-known flops, Rags and Merrily We Roll Along, Price was establishing himself as a writer-director. Tony nomination, Best Book of a Musical.
• Randy Graff (Sophie) - Broadway's original Fantine in Les Miserables, she won a Tony Award for her hilarious (and beautifully sung) turn in City of Angels.  She made her debut in the original production of Grease and went on to star in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, High Society and Moon Over Buffalo. Tony nomination, Best Actress in a Musical.
• Jeff Blumenkrantz (Charley) - Prior to A Class Act, he most notably starred in Damn Yankees and How to Succeed. Later, he went on to be a Tony-nominated composer for 2003's Urban Cowboy.
• Patrick Quinn (Lehman) - A Class Act would turn out to be the late actor's final Broadway appearance.  The Actors' Equity President previously appeared in such shows as Damn Yankees, Oh! Coward! and Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

The Company

Lonny Price and Sara Ramirez

Stars were born:

• Kevin Adams (Lighting Design) - Though not his first Broadway design, Adams would go on to be a 6 time Tony nominee and 4 time winner for Spring Awakening, The 39 Steps, American Idiot and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.  He was also nominated for Next to Normal and Hair.
• Sara Ramirez (Felicia) - Previously seen in a couple of short running shows - The Capeman and The Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm - Ramirez would go on to win a Tony for Spamalot.  Now she's a TV star (Grey's Anatomy) and hasn't been back since.
• Danny Burstein (Understudy) - Though he had been in several Roundabout revivals prior to A Class Act, it was after this that he became one of Broadway's biggest and most loved stars, earning 5 Tony nominations in the process, for The Drowsy Chaperone, South Pacific, Follies, Golden Boy and Cabaret.

The Company

The 2015 Connection:

• David Hibbard (Bobby) - Currently in Something Rotten!
• Larry Hochman (Orchestrations) - Orchestrated this season's On the Twentieth Century, The Visit and Something Rotten!, for which he is Tony nominated.
• Adam Heller (Replacement) - Currently in It Shoulda Been You.
• David Loud (Musician) - Musical Director of The Visit.
• Stafford Arima (Associate Director) - Directing the upcoming Allegiance.

Next week: Jane Eyre

Jeff