The Friday 5: 5 Back-to-School Shows

With summer unofficially over, it's time to head back to school - even in the theater world! Here are 5 of my favorite shows that take place entirely or partially in the classroom.

THE FRIDAY 5:

5 Favorite 

"School" Shows

Honorable Mention: 13 (Middle School)

5. Legally Blonde (College!)

Faculty: Professor Callahan      

Top Students: Elle Woods, Emmett Forrest, Warner Huntington III

4. The History Boys (High School)

Faculty: Headmaster, Hector, Irwin, Mrs. Lintott      

Top Students: Dakin, Timms, Crowther, Akthar, Lockwood, Scripps, Rudge

3. Bare (High School)

Faculty: Priest, Sister Chantelle   
Top Students: Jason, Peter, Ivy, Nadia

2. Hairspray (High School)

Faculty: Principal, Gym Teacher   
Top Students: Tracey Turnblad, Penny Pingleton, Link Larkin, Amber Von Tussle, Seaweed J. Stubbs, Little Inez

1. Matilda (Grade School)

Faculty: Miss Honey, Miss Trunchbull 
Top Students: Matilda, Lavender, Bruce 

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FAREWELL: Damon Intrabartolo

Damon Intrabartolo, who passed away on August 13 at the age of 39, was one of the more influential people in my adult life.  I suppose that is odd to say about someone younger than myself, and even more so since I never met the man.

Like many of you reading this, I have found that I am probably more familiar with Mr. Intrabartolo's work than I ever realized.  As a composer and conductor, he helped to score and underscore some of my favorite films, including Dreamgirls, Superman Returns, and Fantastic Four.  Apparently, I've been enjoying his work for years without knowing it.

Of course, as a fan of "the new generation" of musical theatre writers, I'm a little more familiar with his works.  The most famous of those, Bare: A Pop Opera, is the one that had an impact on my life.  His musical (with collaborator Jon Hartmere, Jr.) came at a time in my life where I needed it without realizing I needed it.

To say that Bare hit me pretty close to home is an understatement.  While I was never in a private Catholic high school, the rest of the show parallels my life in so many ways, it sometimes feels autobiographical.  Like Jason and Nadia, I am very close to my sister.  Like Peter, I was the quiet guy who only let loose during my hours spent working with my school's drama program.  I also had a drama teacher confidante - she and my sister were the first people I ever told I was gay.  My mother still struggles, sometimes publicly and always to my face, with my sexual orientation, just as Peter's mother does.

Jon Hartmere, Jr. (left) and Damon Intrabartolo

But most significantly, my first relationship was with my own "Jason."  Back in the early 80's being gay was not like it is today.  The closet was deep, and the door was firmly shut.  My "Jason" was the captain of the soccer team; I was the drama geek that was in every play the school did.  My "Jason" was super smart - we met, in fact, because we were both misplaced in freshman English, and were sent to the guidance office for schedule changes together. We got pretty close, pretty fast, especially considering how far "under the radar" we had to be.  He dated girls; I played shy.  We snuck around on weekends and holidays; the school week was "keep as far away as we could stand it" time.  And classes we shared were excruciating.  But it was totally worth it when we found stolen moments to be alone. He was my first love; I was his.  I got to most of his games; he never missed a show I was in.  And then, we almost got caught.  And the terror of that, caused my "Jason" to call everything completely off.  Thankfully, unlike Bare's Jason, my guy didn't kill himself.  But he did end up marrying the girl he took to the Prom, and they have kids, not unlike Jason might have with Ivy.

All of that was literally decades before Bare came into my life - decades of anger, refusing to forgive, and tons of self-doubt.  But Bare did come along, and its sad tunes and modern rock sensibility struck a chord with me, and the story made me pretty much obsessed with Jason and Peter.  Recognizing that I was fortunate that the love of my life was still alive, I made contact with him again.  We talked things through, and I'm glad to say we made our peace.  Now, I occasionally hear from him, and we email each other with major life news.  We even saw a production of Bare together.  We wept, understanding every single word all too well.

Michael Arden as Peter and John Hill as Jason

in the 2004 off-Broadway production of Bare: A Pop Opera

And so, I owe the closure of one of the biggest issues in my life to Mr. Intrabartolo, in part at least.  Without his gift to the world, my life as an out, proud gay man would still have a messy start without a finish.  It may not seem like much to you, readers, but Bare really and truly changed my life for the better.

Thank you, Damon.  I hope that you realized that your life made a difference to many people before your untimely demise.  We will never know what else you might have improved the world with in the future.  But I, for one, am so grateful for the time we had you in our lives.  Rest in Peace.

Jeff
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Bare Gets Revival in L.A.

Let me start this blog with a disclaimer: I have nothing to do with this production.  No one involved with this production has contacted me to promote the work, solicit funding or offer compensation for this blog.  I am writing this blog because I believe in the show and its continued relevance.  And what better day to giver a shout out to the Los Angeles revival of Bare: A Pop Opera than on the 15th birthday of The Trevor Project - an organization that could have certainly changed the course of the lives of Jason, Peter and their friends.

As of this writing, there is still a week left for you to help make this production happen.  Yes, as you will see, they have met their Kickstarter goal, but why not contribute so that the production can be even better?  Here are the producers and cast members on why Bare is such an imporant work, even in light of all the recent progress in LBGT equality.

And HERE for the link to their Kickstarter page.

If that isn't enough, you HAVE to check out these nifty "posters" that are circulating to advertise the show! (Click each to make them larger and/or to see them as a slide show.)
All production photos: Photography by Nicole Priest, styling by Ramsey Wild

Peter and Jason

Jason and Ivy (left)  Jason and Nadia (right)

Lucas and Tanya

The Adults

Nadia vs Ivy

The Clique

The Company

For more about the show: http://bare.glorystruck.com/Home.html
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barelosangeles
For tickets: https://www.plays411.net/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=3575
The Trevor Project: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Buy Tickets

Jeff
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Happy/Sad: Theatre is a Love/Hate Thing

Call me an emotional theatre geek if you want to.  I'm in great company.  Like most theatre fans, I tend toward, well, dramatic responses to things.  This week, there have been theatre things that make me happy and things that make sad.  Since there were more in the former category than the latter, I guess it was a good week...

Bad news first:


THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD:

• A.R.T.'s production of The Glass Menagerie: It is one of my top 5 favorite plays of all time.  A.R.T. is am impressive theatre company.  Four of my favorite actors are in it - Zachary Quinto, Cherry Jones, Brian J. Smith and Celia Keenan-Bolger.  So why am I sad?  Because I'm going to miss it altogether!  Now in previews, it closes in Boston on March 17th.

• Bare: The Musical is closing tomorrow: No matter whether you liked the changes to the show or not, you have to admit that its message is an important one.  I like both versions.  And the cast is top notch.  I can't wait to see what's next for Jason, Taylor, Barrett, Elizabeth, Casey, Michael, Justin, Alex, Missy and the rest  of the cast!  And there is good news - a cast recording is coming!

Jason, meet Jason:
John Hill and Jason Hite

Original New York Cast meets Original Revival Cast:
Natalie Joy (kneeling, center), John, Jason, Barrett,
Adam, Elizabeth and  Jenna Leigh

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

• Meryl Streep in Into the Woods:  I know it isn't cool or fashionable to admit that I liked the movie version of Mamma Mia! and especially Ms. Streep.  Can't you just imagine the dramatic depths she will plumb with "Stay with Me"?  The delicious evil of "Last Midnight"? Or the comedy potential of her rap song? If she can make the bitch in The Devil Wears Prada hateful AND likable  she should be golden as The Witch! Side note to Rob Marshall:  How about Mamie Gummer as Rapunzel and Benjamin Walker as the Wolf/Cinderella's Prince?  Why not keep it in the family?

• Broadway Bares Winter Burlesque: OK, so I'm up for hot Broadway dancers practically naked any time.  But it sure is nice of the folks at Broadway Bares to give us something to, um, nibble on before the big show each summer.

Funny...

...Sexy...

...and Talented!
3 reasons to love Broadway Bares: Winter Burlesque!

• The American Idiot Documentary:  As you know, we here at JK's TheatreScene are MEGA Idiots!  So imagine my delight when I found out that a documentary film of the making of American Idiot the Broadway musical is being debuted at the South By Southwest Film Festival in Texas this March.  I can't wait to see it! When does the DVD come out?

Before you go...

• CLICK on the Passion logo in the upper right column and VOTE in this week's HOT or NOT poll!
• CLICK on the pic of Drood's Eric Sciotto in the upper left column to READ all about his experience the day he had to go on as Neville Landless!  (To read his other 3 interviews, click on his pics in the right column!)
• CLICK on the pic of Cinderella's Cody Williams in the right column to check out my interview with this up-and-coming Broadway star!

Jeff
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Random Thoughts on the State of the Theatre Scene

Now that things are starting to gear down on the Theatre Scene, I thought I might talk about some random things going - not enough by themselves for a whole blog, but together enough to be briefly interesting, I hope.

Congratulations to 2 Friends of JKTS!  Bare's Alex Wyse and The Mystery of Edwin Drood's Eric Sciotto, who both are so generous with their time to do interviews for us, BOTH got the chance to go on for roles they understudy in their shows.  Alex went on this past weekend for the role of Peter, normally played by Taylor Trensch, while recently, Eric went on as Neville Landless for an absent Andy Karl.  Seeing that both of these great guys are popular on social media and the boards, fans all over were pulling for their success (myself included).  By all accounts, neither disappointed!  Way to go!  Good news, Alex Wyse fans - he tells me that he'll be on for the Saturday matinees the rest of the month, while Trensch continues to rehearse for Matilda.  And good news for fans of this blog!  BOTH Eric and Alex will be back later this month for one more round of JKTS Chats! (Have a question for Eric or Alex?  Email it to me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com .)

A Smash Bombshell!  I don't know about you, but the Broadway fan in me LOVES the "show sequences" - from rehearsal to tryout staging and/or fantasy staging - on Smash.  And I'll admit that I was a little disappointed when a Broadway staging of Bombshell was shelved.  And then I was REALLY disappointed when the show's first season soundtrack was more covers than "show songs."  So imagine how excited I was to hear of the imminent release of a faux cast recording of Bombshell!  Sign me up!

Broadway "Goes Green." Again.  Congratulations, Wicked! Galinda and Elphie and company raked it in at a record-breaking pace in 2012.  For the last 9 consecutive years, the show has been the top grosser.  This ninth win beats the record previously set by The Phantom of the Opera which was number one for the late 80's and early-mid 90's.  And miss Saigon interrupted that record run, making Wicked the clear number one both in number of years and consecutive years.  What about The Book of Mormon you ask?  Well, if it continues to average a $200+ ticket price EVERY WEEK in 2013 and continues at 102.6% capacity EVERY WEEK, it is still not likely to beat Wicked (as long as it continues at current levels) because of seating capacity.

The Stars Will Shine Brightly in Broadway Plays.  It is just a matter of course for producers who want to present plays AND have a chance at a profit to do one of two things: have a huge star for a limited run or do a star-filled revival of a beloved play.  A little bit of both of those scenarios will come to pass the rest of this season.  Just announced: Bette Midler, plus previously announced Tom Hanks, Cicely Tyson, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Vanessa Williams, Alec Baldwin, Shia LeBeouf and Estelle Parsons.  Then there are the currently playing Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Chastain, Laurie Metcalf, David Strathairn and Dan Stevens.  Think of all those Grammys, Emmys, Oscars and Tonys in one place!  And that's no slight to regular theatre folk... Debra Monk, Benjamin Waker, Ellen Burstyn, Tony Shalhoub, Seth Numrich, Judith Ivey, Judith Light, Jeremy Shamos and Nathan Lane to name but a few.  Of course, they do not guarantee a hit play - good writing, good acting and good directing make that happen.  But they sure are going to get a lot of press.  Good luck to them all!

May I Recommend: Read these past blogs!

Mr and Ms Broadway 2012
20 Theatre People Who Changed 2012
The Pippin Quiz

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Jeff

2012 in Review: The Best and Worst: Non-Performance Categories

For the fourth year now, it is my pleasure (more often than not) and my occasional disappointment (still too often) to name the very best and some of the very worst of the year in both performance and non-performance categories in all kinds of "theatre scene" ways.  Pretty fitting for a blog by this name, huh?

Today, I'll share my favorites -and a few not-so-favorites - in 37 non-performance categories.  As always, I welcome your comments and your own "winners."  Write in (jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com), Tweet me (@jkstheatrescene), or leave a comment below!  I look forward to hearing from all of you!

THE BEST (AND WORST) OF THE 2012 THEATRESCENE: 
NON-PERFORMANCE

(* - denotes a repeat winner)

For Broadway Foodies and People Watchers:

*Best Cheap Eats: Café Edison - Not just cheap, but the best place to catch a glimpse of your favorite Broadway stars stocking up on soup and coffee to go!

*Best Cheap Eats w/ Drinks: Dallas BBQ - The frozen drinks are enormous, the portions are enormous, the prices are not!

Best Deli Sandwich to Go: Starlite Deli - Next to Bowlmor Lanes, this hole in the wall is easy to miss, but the chip/soda and deli sandwich choices are worth stepping into the door.  Some seriously good chicken salad!

Best Dessert: Juniors - You don't have to eat there to enjoy their desserts (though the whole menu is pretty darned good), since there are TWO to-go store fronts.  Famous for their cheesecake, I'd recommend the yellow cake with chocolate icing... OMG!

Best Comfort Food: Southern Hospitality - Fried chicken like you can only get in the South, and probably the best mashed potatoes and gravy in the city.  Plus the sides come on small skillets - too cute!

Best Place to Star Gaze Under Cover: Juniors Porch  - At the corner of Shubert Alley and directly across from the Marriott Marquis Breezeway, there is no better place to catch a glimpse of your favorite Broadway folks on their way to and from work.

Best Place to People Watch: TKTS Steps - A great view, a great breeze.  Unless it is raining. But at least you can sit and not be bothered...

Worst Place to People Watch: Times Square Pedestrian Mall - Last year's best has become this year's worst.  The pan-handlers are bad enough, but the ticket hawkers, fake Elmos and tourists taking pictures of themselves on the jumbo-tron make the whole area feel skeezy to me.  And is it me or does the whole place smell funny?  It has become the 42nd Street of the new millennium.

For Advertising and Print Media:

Best Logo Broadway Play: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Simple and eye-catching.  And the superb symbol of this boozy classic.

Worst Logo Broadway Play: The Lyons - Simple and boring.  Saw (and loved) the play and still don't quite get the pink background with the tear through it.

Best Logo Musical: Bring It On - Great image from a distance and even more interesting up close.  Young and sexy, fun and athletic.  Just like the production.

Worst Logo Musical: Jesus Christ Superstar - Not religious. Not super.  Not starry.  So straightforward it is dull.  Just like the production.

Best Off-Broadway Logo Musical: Bare: The Musical - A smart way to tell the story and capture the themes of the show.  And how trendy to use Instagram!

Best Off-Broadway Logo Play: Cock - Clever double entendre.  And they could still advertise the show this way...

Best Advertising Revamp of a Long-Running Show: Mamma Mia! - The new cast and the new photos have revitalized last year's worst revamp...

Best Advertising Revamp of a Broadway-related event: Broadway Bares - Just like Mamma Mia!, Broadway Bares got back on track with this year's Happy Endings. I'd love to follow Jack right up that beanstalk!

Best Window Card (Broadway Musical): Once

Best Window Card (Broadway Play): Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Window Card Off-Broadway: Bare: The Musical

For Advertising and Multitmedia (Internet, Social Media, Video):

Best Commercial (Musical): TIE Once and Chaplin

Best Commercial (Play): Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Use of the Internet: Newsies - Those boys everywhere! They Tweet, they Facebook and the produce so much behind-the-scenes video, it would take you a whole day to watch it all! (Way to go, Andrew Keenan-Bolger!)

Best Broadway Multimedia Trend: Music Videos by Broadway casts!  They get better with each new venture.  Right now, the cast of The Mystery of Edwin Drood takes the cake!

Best Broadway Social Media Trend: #SIP - Makes me look forward to Saturdays at about 3:30 every week... and when I'm at a Saturday matinee, now I always wonder what the cast is doing while we wait for act two.

#SIPs from Evita and Newsies

(and with founders Max von Essen and Andrew Keenan-Bolger)

Best Website: Bring It On - It is pretty standard for a show site these days, but it looks so slick and the content is uniformly entertaining...just like the show.

Worst Website: Roundabout Theater Company - It starts out promisingly enough, with the large colorful show logos, but the content is as about exciting as the reference section of the public library.

Best Theatre Wesite: Playbill.com/Playbill Vault/Playbill Memory Bank - The gold standard.  By far.

For Merch/Show Collectors:

Best Merchandising Musical: Silence! - So much like the show (and the film that inspired it), the merch is so disgusting I can't describe it here.  But it is merch perfection - variety, quantity AND show tie-in!

Best Merchandising Play: Peter and the Starcatcher - All usual stuff, only better.  Plus books! And 'Staches!

Best Merchandising Long-Running: Wicked - They are smart enough to keep the classics AND to rotate new stuff in for the legions of repeat fans.  They are almost as good as the Disney people...

Best Merch Tie-in: Leg Lamps at A Christmas Story: The Musical  - Actual lamps and mini-legs on a string of lights.  Actually, all of the merchandise was perfect for fans of the film AND the show.

Best Merch Trend: Tall Latte Coffee Mugs - OK, they've been around off and on for a couple of years, but more and more shows seem to be stocking these.  Great for coffee or for pen and pencil storage on my your desk at work.

Best Souvenir Program: Newsies' Pape - You gotta love it that Disney sells the program in a format that will allow the 'tweens to play Newsies at home...

For General Media:

CD Packaging of a Broadway Cast Recording: Bonnie and Clyde

Theatre Book: The Broadway Musical Quiz Book

For Best Theatre Experience:

Best Lobby: New World Stages - Spacious, modern and infinitely interesting.  Half a dozen shows (or more), plus merch stands, an art gallery, and there is still room to breathe!  Amazing!

Best Theatre: Barrymore - The most comfortable seating and best sight lines of all the old houses.

And REMEMBER: As always, I welcome your comments and your own "winners."  Write in (jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com), Tweet me (@jkstheatrescene), or leave a comment below!  I look forward to hearing from all of you!

RELATED ARTICLES:

• 2012 in Review: Top Broadway News Story #2: Les Miserables (The Movie) HERE
• 2012 in Review: Top Broadway News Story #3: Rebecca HERE

Jeff

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