At This Theatre: The Hudson

At This Theatre:

The Hudson

When it re-opened in 2017, The Hudson Theatre became one of Broadway's newest old theaters, having been brought back into legitimate service with the starry revival of Sunday in the Park with George. It first opened on October 19, 1903 with a comedy called Cousin Kate. Over the years it played host to such classics as Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace and Lillian Hellman's Toys in the Attic. In addition to Broadway flare, it spent decades as a television studio, and was host to the original The Price is Right hosted by Bill Cullen. As a theater, it closed in 1968, and did not reopen as a Broadway house until 2017. In the 70s, it was an adult movie theater, and in the 80s it was The Savoy Nightclub. During the intervening decades, it lay vacant for a time, was given historic landmark status, and became part of the Millennium Hotel, where it served as a conference center/auditorium.

Now, the Hudson has plays host to new plays and musicals, celebrated musical revivals and star-driven vehicles, including its current tenant, Waiting For Godot, starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter.

Number Of Shows We've Seen There: 4

Head Over Heels, Merrily We Roll Along, Once Upon a Mattress, Sunday in the Park with George

Head Over Heels Going into this new jukebox musical, I had no idea what to really expect. As a teen in the 80s, I was familiar with The Go-Gos biggest hits, of course, but there were many more songs in the show than that. And the production photos didn't look even remotely 80s-style. Intrigued by the production photos and some exciting casting (Peppermint, Rachel York, Andrew Durand and a much talked about new actress named Bonnie Milligan) we just had to see it. It turned out to maybe be my favorite jukebox musical of all! I wish I had gotten to see it again.

Merrily We Roll Along Here's a show that I appreciated more than I enjoyed, which is surprising given that I'm such a huge Sondheim fan, and that I've followed it through decades of rewrites and stagings. On the other hand, I had seen the London version of this production and wasn't all that impressed then, either. I wish it had been as revolutionary and perfect as critics and audiences said it was. For me, the score will always be the best thing about this show - it is one of my all-time favorites. Still, seeing the central performances of Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez and Daniel Radcliffe live and in person was a thrill that I won't soon forget.

Once Upon a Mattress is a classic musical that had long eluded me, so when it announced its Broadway transfer from City Center, I had to get myself to the Hudson! I wasn't disappointed! What a charming piece, with a lovely, clever old school score. The colorful (if spare) production was just as wonderful, with cast full of talent who really understood the assignment. Led by the amazing Sutton Foster, I was completely bowled over by Michael Urie, Ana Gastyer, Will Chase, Nikki Rene Daniels and Brooks Ashmanskas. I totally get why this show is so frequently produced and beloved.

Sunday in the Park with George Until I saw this production, Sunday was another Sondheim show I had always appreciated, but never completely loved. But Jake Gyllenhaal's mesmerizing star-turn as Seurat, and Annaleigh Ashford's bright Dot and devastating Marie and me fall in love with it. It helps that it boasted an all-star supporting cast including several of my favorite performers like Claybourne Elder, Phillip Boykin, Robert Sean Leonard, Erin Davie, Ruthie Ann Miles, Brooks Ashmanskas and David Turner. And it featured, to date, the only Chromolume that lived up to the hype!

Broadway 3-peats: Bonnie Milligan

In hockey, three goals in a single game is called a "hat-trick," and three strikes in a row is called a "turkey." When a team wins a championship three times in a row, they call it a "three-peat."

While it might be feasible to call a Broadway performer with three great performances a "hat-trick" - particularly a dancer, I suppose, it is only a negative to call anything Broadway related a "turkey." And so, I've settled on calling a run of three terrific performances a "3-peat." 

First up: Tony Award-winner Bonnie Milligan.

Broadway 3-peats:

Bonnie Milligan

Role #1: Pamela in Head Over Heels (2018)

As an unconventional princess in an unconventional jukebox musical, Bonnie bowled me over with her belty "Beautiful," bringing body positivity into the Broadway conversation, and a great new talent into the spotlight. I've been a smitten fan ever since. Of her Broadway debut, I wrote, "That newbie is the positively smashing Bonnie Milligan, who is everything you've read and heard about, and so much more. She's one of those people who you just know was born to be on stage. She is charming, alarming and an absolute joy to watch. Whether she's singing an ode to her own beauty or throwing an epic temper tantrum, she is a marvel of what comes off as spontaneity, and her line delivery is impeccable. The gal is going places and I can't wait to see more." Even then I knew she was something special.

She was honored with a 2019 Theatre World Award for her performance.

Role #2: Aunt Debra in Kimberly Akimbo (2022)

As the felonious Aunt Debra, Milligan had us howling as she taught the fine art of mail fraud to a group of teens. And, of course, she once again stopped the show with her signature belt and fiery delivery in the number, "Better." The first time we saw the show, I wrote, "Kimberly's family is a hot mess, almost making her debilitating and tragic sickness the least of her worries. Hilariously and pitifully white-trash, each are perfectly cast... Bonnie Milligan, the larger than life aunt, and so bad the family moves around just to get away from her. They are all by turns bat-shit crazy, morally appalling, and complex in ways that are surprisingly heartwarming. Each has stand out moments, with Ms. Milligan blowing the roof off the theater with what has become the riotous breakout song from the show, "Better."

Ms. Milligan won the 2023 Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical Tony Award.

Role #3: Alice Beane in Titanic (2024)

In a small role in the epic musical, Bonnie once again captivated the enthralled audiences at Encores! presentation of the rarely performed show. In a fun twist, she played 2nd Class passenger (and rabid social climber) Alice Beane, the role her Kimberly Akimbo co-star, Victoria Clark, originated on Broadway! In my review, I said, "Soon to be Broadway royalty Drew Gehling and Bonnie Milligan as Edgar and Alice Beane, 2nd class, offer up many of the show's comic moments as she attempts to social climb, while he, completely smitten, tries to keep her in her place. Their separation in the final moments is a heartbreaking thing."

Three roles, three powerful performances. Critical acclaim and awards! And she's only getting started!

Let us know of another "3-peat" Broadway performer you'd like to see us honor.

Friday 5: 5 Pro-Shots We'd Love to See

With this week's announcement that the live-filmed production of Merrily We Roll Along will be released in theaters, we got to thinking about other productions we'd love to see a pro-shot of. I mean we know many shows are preserved for the Lincoln Center Archive, but I am thinking of similar treatment to shows that many of Sondheim's shows have gotten - Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, Passion, Into the Woods. And here are 5 that made our list (alphabetically - we want them all!):

5 Broadway Pro-Shots We'd Love to See!

A Chorus Line - Original Broadway Cast: One of my all-time favorite shows, I'd love to see it when it was fresh, with the original company. Maybe the most meta performance in Broadway history, the people who the show is actually about, performing their own stories - the idea alone thrills me.

Follies - Original Broadway Cast: When I asked Mike what he would choose, I'm not sure he even had to think about it, he answered so fast! "It's because of the legendary cast and extremely expensive design that apparently had to be seen to be believed."

Grand Hotel: The Musical: Fittingly for a musical based on a film, Tommy Tune's non-stop staging was very cinematic. Not only was the staging grand, the characterizations were so beautifully specific. What could make a better movie? Big dances and thrilling close-ups - you'd think Tommy Tune was thinking just that when he put it all together.

Head Over Heels: I loved this show so much! It was fun from start to finish, and I left with a goofy grin on my face. Why wouldn't I want to relive that on demand? Plus, seeing the details of the costumes and scenery up close would be amazing.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - All versions: I make no secret about the fact that I adore this show. So this pro-show would need to be a hybrid of all the varied productions to make this complete. It would star the original cast - Betty Buckley belting "The Writing on the Wall" at my whim? Howard McGillin at his suave, wicked best any time I want to see him? Sign. Me. Up. Plus, I'd want the songs reinstated for the Broadway revival - "An English Music Hall" for example, and "A Private Investigation" from London/Australia. Naturally, all of the endings would have to be included. How about "guest stars" like Donna Murphy as Dick Datchery? Karen Morrow and Chita Rivera could do the Puffer endings - you get the drift.

"Hit Songs" in Broadway Misfires: Head Over Heels

If you are a regular reader, you know how passionately I feel about Head Over Heels, the short-lived jukebox musical from a couple of years ago. It is actually a bit of a surprise to me that I felt this way - I was only a passing fan of The Go-Go's (I only knew of their Top 40 hits), and I really feel the whole jukebox musical thing is getting tired. But this show was smart, topical, funny and had a lot to say. It also had a top notch cast, brilliant arrangements and orchestrations (by Tom Kitt) and tight, inventive staging by Michael Mayer (director) and Spencer Liff (Choreographer).

Well, the show was a Broadway Misfire so I think it qualifies for this series. I only considered songs that were not mainstream hits from the band, and narrowed it down to three numbers that not only stood out in the show, but deserve to be on every Broadway fan's playlist.

"Hit Songs" in Broadway Misfires:

3 from Head Over Heels

"Beautiful" from Head Over Heels

Music and Lyrics by Charlotte Caffe and Regina Schock

Sung by Bonnie Milligan and the Ensemble

Favorite Lyrics:

My life is ever so perfect
My life has been a bed of roses

And you might think I'm crazy
So what if I am
My head is full of good things
Enough for everyone

Beautiful
Is all I see when I look at me
Beautiful
Every mother's dream

Day by day
Things just keep getting prettier
Beautiful
What a wonderful life

And my life is really quite simple
My life is just what I make it

 

Why it made this list:

Well, first, it is so damned catchy. It gets in my head and I hum it all day, and it is a great song to belt in the shower... Second, the way it is arranged to be powerful throughout and still builds to a thrilling end, is musical theater ecstasy. Finally, the message it sends of female empowerment through an examination of one's own self-worth is a potent one. 

"Good Girl" from Head Over Heels

Music and Lyrics by Charlotte Caffe and Jane Wiedlin

Sung by Alexandra Socha, Taylor Iman Jones and Bonnie Milligan

Favorite Lyrics:

I'm gonna smile til it hurts
So everybody loves me
I'll bend over backwards
Swallow all my angry words

Good girl, good girl
Better be a good girl
Good dog, good girl
Gonna be a good girl

Why it made this list:

Here's another catchy number, but one that seems at direct odds with my previous choice. It's about the expectations of women by the patriarchy on the surface - the lyrics bear that out easily. Even in the context of the show, the three women are deciding that keeping quiet and doing what they are told may be the best option for the greater good of the kingdom. But is there any real doubt that these women (or the Go-Go's) may "swallow all [their] angry words" now, but when the time comes, they will be up front and in control?

"Automatic Rainy Day" from Head Over Heels

Music and Lyrics by Steve Plunkett, Regina Schock and Jane Wiedlin

Sung by Taylor Iman Jones and Bonnie Milligan

Favorite Lyrics:

Just when it feels like the world is together and whole
You come around
Dragging your permanent cloud and the weather turns cold
Hang around for a repeat of history
Falling down in the hole you dug for free

It's an automatic rainy day when I see you
It's the perfect consolation prize, a little piece of blue
It's an automatic rainy day
It's an automatic rainy day

And when you see the reaction you cause
Does it make you sad?
Do you even realize that you're such a drag?

Why it made this list:
This song, in the show, is played as an emotional turning point power duet, much like "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent. Jones and Milligan really make a meal out of this song. In this instance, I think the way Kitt has arranged this into a duet adds so much this song, it nearly negates the original song.

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Ms. Broadway July 2020: Moulin Rouge's Amber Ardolino

In just a few short years, Ms. Broadway July 2020 has assembled an impressive resume of roles in high profile shows. Yes, Amber Ardolino has been a part of national tours, Broadway shows, and even a pair of television programs. Perhaps you saw her on tour or on Broadway in Hamilton, or as a part of the sassy ensemble of Head Over Heels. Lately (and soon again, we hope) she's been can-can kicking in Moulin Rouge!, and to the delight of her many fans, she has gone on as the star of the show, Satine! We are certain that once things improve and Broadway comes back, her star will continue its rise. Congratulations!

Ms. Broadway July 2020

Moulin Rouge's

Amber Ardolino

GETTING TO KNOW AMBER ARDOLINO

BIRTH DATE: August 23

HOMETOWN: Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

EDUCATION: Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School

SELECT THEATER CREDITS: Broadway: Moulin Rouge!, Head Over Heels, Hamilton; National Tours/Sit-Downs: Hamilton (Chicago/Eliza Company/Philip Company), Rock of Ages (Las Vegas), Flashdance, West Side Story, Legally Blonde; Television: Fosse/Verdon, The Glee Project

Hamilton (Chicago/Eliza Company/Philip Company/Broadway)

Head Over Heels (Broadway)

Moulin Rouge! (Broadway)

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