JK's TheatreScene: Into the Woods

Showing posts with label Into the Woods. Show all posts

Friday, July 11, 2025

Friday 5: 5 Iconic Props of the 2024-2025 Season

If I said, "rolling pin and chaste silver razor" or "a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, a slipper as pure as gold," you'd probably know right away what Broadway show to which I am referring. These props have become synonymous with their respective productions.

Over the years there have been many. Heck, just looking over the shows currently playing there are several. The genie's lamp is so iconic it is part of Aladdin's logo. Hadestown goes even farther - that red flower is not only on the Playbill cover, it adorns the outside of the Walter Kerr Theater! Then there's the golden quill from & Juliet, the green elixir from Wicked, Eliza's letter from Hamilton, and Ponyboy's journal from The Outsiders. At least some of those have achieved Sweeney Todd levels of notoriety, right?

Each season, I am always curious to see what will become the latest additions to the "Broadway's Iconic Props" list. Here's what I think they might be from the season just ended:

5 Iconic Props of the 2024-2025 Season

5. John Proctor is the Villain: Copies of The Crucible: Since Arthur Miller's classic figures so prominently in this play (and its title), it would seem odd not to have the scripts appear in the show. Every character in the play has a copy in their hands at least once. Very meta.

4. Oh, Mary!: The Bucket: Ok, so it is gross, but completely necessary in this zany Tony-winning play. I won't go into details here, but if you know, you know!

3. Sunset Blvd.: The cameras: Everyone in the show had to be ready for their close-up! Given the way this revival is presented, this inclusion shouldn't be a surprise. I'll admit that before I saw it, I was prepared to be annoyed by them getting in the way. Now I can't imagine it without them.

2. Death Becomes Her: The Potion Vail: This little purple vial is so important to this show, it not only appears in the show, and is part of the show logo, but it later shows up as a big set piece! Did the Wicked vial walk so this one could run?

1. Maybe Happy Ending: The Firefly Jar: That big jar starts out as a money holder, then transforms into a habitat for Claire's beloved fireflies. It is part of one of the most beautiful scenes of the entire season. I love that this is Claire's connection to nature, just as HwaBoon is Oliver's. Even Helperbots need life to make them feel whole.

A Special Note About HwaBoon: I'm betting many of you are thinking, "Jeff, how could you not pick the breakout prop of the year, HwaBoon?" Well, that's because he's come out as a character, NOT a prop. He even posted a pic from his dressing room with his script (left). You may have seen that he's also been getting around town, visiting Audrey II at Little Shop of Horrors, and as recently as last week, he visited the grasslands at The Lion King. I'd like to see Mrs. Lovett's rolling pin do that!

Friday, February 7, 2025

Friday 5: 5 Broadway Props

If you think about it, the story of Into the Woods hinges on four central props: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. Broadway shows are full of iconic props and scenery pieces, from Eliza Doolittle's flower basket to a can of Ultra Clutch from Hairspray, sometimes props are so integral to the storytelling that they become iconic. Today, we share 5 that we remember fondly

Friday 5: 5 Broadway Props

1. HwaBoon - Maybe Happy Ending

On the theater scene for just a few months now, HwaBoon has become an internet sensation (and my obsession). Whether co-starring as the 5th character in MHE, or stealing away to visit his friend, Audrey II, over at Little Shop of Horrors, or causing jealousy between the HelperBots, this plant is already big and destined to become even bigger!

2. The Enchanted Rose - Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Maybe HwaBoon gets some of his Broadway swagger from a relative, the enchanted rose. Even if you knew the story, that floating bloom had us on the edge of our seats, gasping each time a petal fell, worried that this time the Beast would lose our and love would not transform him into the prince. It was pure Disney magic.

3. The Barber's Chair - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

There are a lot of really important props in this musical - meat pies, miracle elixirs, silver handled razors. But it is Sweeney's chair that captivates us. Practical for giving close shaves, and flexible enough to dispatch a dead body to the basement with a click and a swoosh. It plays a big part in the Act Two opener, "God, That's Good," and a thrilling series of murders throughout the rest of the show. Every time I get a haircut, I think of the show, and take a quick look at the floor for a trap door.

4. The Pineapple - Cabaret

The beautiful symbol of romance in hard times in Cabaret is a small item but a grand gesture. A gift from Herr Schultz - a poor, but kindly fruit seller - brings his most exotic offering to his lady love, Fraulein Schneider. There's even a song about it, "It Couldn't Please Me More (A Pineapple)." Most people think about Hawaii or tropical drinks when they see that spiny fruit. Me, I think of the Kit Kat Club.

5. Elphaba's Broom - Wicked

Here's another show with lots of iconic props. There's Glinda's wand, the green elixit bottle, the wizard's "wizard." But is there anything better in Wicked than that magical broom? As Elphaba defiantly raises the stick, she takes flight, defying gravity and thrilling all of us as she wails her battle cry and raises that broom even higher. Just the sight of it makes my heart soar.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

At This Theatre: The Al Hirschfeld

At This Theatre:

The Al Hirschfeld

On November 11, the Al Hirschfeld Theatre turned 100 years old! Back then, it was known as the Martin Beck Theatre, and it stayed that way until June 21, 2003, when the name was changed to honor the great American caricaturist, famously known for his iconic images of Broadway shows. In 1924, the doors opened to a brand new musical, Madame Pompadour. Over the century, the theater was host to a variety of plays and revivals, new and revival. Among the high profile productions that played there are: Victoria Regina starring Helen Hayes, original productions of The Teahouse of the August Moon, The Crucible, and Candide. Transfers of the original runs of Man of La Mancha and Bye Bye Birdie. Celebrated flops include Tony-winner Hallelujia Baby!, Bring Back Birdie and Drat! The Cat!. Over the past forty seasons or so, big names have trod the boards there, including Chita Rivera and Liza Minnelli in The Rink, Brian Stokes Mitchell in both Kiss Me, Kate and Man of La Mancha, Nathan Lane and Faith Prince in Guys and Dolls, and Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed...

Number of Shows We've Seen There: 10

Curtains, Elf, Grand Hotel, Hair, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying! (2011), Into the Woods (1987), Kinky Boots, Moon Over Buffalo, Moulin Rouge!, The Wedding Singer

The 5 Shows That Were Our Favorites at the Hirschfeld:

5. Hair (2009) I caught this one in early previews and was completely bowled over by its energy, artistry and importance. At the performance I attended, I got to see the actual Broadway debut - his very first performance - of Jay Armstrong Johnson on as Claude, not to mention a very up close encounter with Will Swenson, and a patchouli scented cloud surrounding Caissie Levy, all of whom have become some of my very favorite performers. It was an exciting bolt of theatrical lightning!

4. Moulin Rouge! We caught this exciting show first in Boston, and knew immediately we would see it on Broadway. Spectacular doesn't really quite do this amazing production justice. The sets, costumes and lighting are eye-popping, and the choreography by Tony-winner Sonya Tayeh is thrilling. But for me, the original cast was the reason to see the Rouge again. Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo had smoldering chemistry, and the always wonderful Danny Burstein was extra special.

3. Moon Over Buffalo When the great Carol Burnett announced her long-awaited Broadway return, I had to see her. She was, of course, brilliantly funny and bursting with joy. But the rest of the company was no slouch, either. A cast that included Philip Bosco, Randy Graff and Jane Connell was more than up to the task of sharing the stage with Burnett. The best part of it all was that Ken Ludwig's ridiculously funny script was smart and clever enough to be worth the comedienne's time. This is a truly cherished memory of mine.

2. Into the Woods (1987) One of the things I am most proud of in my theater collection is a Playbill from an early preview of this show, as it includes songs that are no longer part of the script, now familiar tunes not in the song list, and a different order to some songs. A devout Sondheim fan, seeing it as a work in progress was a distinct thrill. I would end up seeing the original production and cast several more times. I mean how could I resist seeing Bernadette Peters, Chip Zien and the brilliant Tony-winning turn of Joanna Gleason multiple times?

1. Grand Hotel I knew I was going to love this show when the pre-show announcement came on: "Grand Hotel: The Musical, like the film upon which it is based, will be performed without an intermission." (Back then, one act Broadway shows were rare.) From that moment, I was smitten. The mysterious score, the non-stop choreography and tight Tommy Tune staging were a feast for the eyes, heart and mind. The opportunity to see such great performers as Lillian Montevecchi, Karen Akers, Jane Krakowski and Michael Jeter at their peak is an honor I fully recognize and will cherish for the rest of my life.

Do you have any favorite memories at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre? Share with us on Twitter, Instagram, Threads or Blue Sky!

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Broadway Who's Who: Gregg Edelman

Gregg Edelman is one of an increasingly rare breed - the working Broadway actor. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he's really done it all: ensemble work, supporting roles, leading roles, originating, replacing. Beyond New York, he's done a lot of regional work, world premiers, and national tours. Along the way, he's been nominated for four Tony Awards, and has been involved in many of Broadway's landmark productions (and a fair share of flops, too).

These days, he's playing the older Jacob in Water For Elephants, but chances are you've seen him in one of these shows!

Broadway Who's Who:

Gregg Edleman

DID YOU KNOW?

Birth Date and Place: September 12, Chicago, Illinois
Education: Northwestern University
Family: Previously married to Carolee Carmello; they have two children.
Broadway Debut: The original Broadway production of Evita.
Other Theater: He's an Artistic Associate at the Berkshire Theatre Group, where he's directed such productions as Once, White Christmas and Arsenic and Old Lace.
Fun Fact: He appeared in both the film and pre-Broadway musical version of First Wives Club.