SAVE THIS SHOW: Is Priscilla in Trouble? Hope Not!

Every year both USA Today and TV Guide launch campaigns to "save" shows they like from cancellation due to low ratings.  I think that today, I am going to launch a one-blogger campaign to save a show that I love from what appears to be impending "cancellation," also known in Broadway parlance as "closing."

SAVE PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT!

OK, all cards on the table: I have no information that confirms that this show is in trouble of closing, and am only basing the following on opinion and certain things, that, over my long history of observing the comings and goings of Broadway shows, leads me to believe that Priscilla Queen of the Desert may be in danger  of closing sooner, rather than later.

First and foremost, the numbers are not good, and have not really been good over the past several weeks - Easter week, not withstanding.  The most recent Broadway Grosses have the show at just 56.3% of capacity at the Palace Theatre.  This is the third lowest percent of capacity of any Broadway show, play or musical (only RAIN and the newly previewing Hair are lower).  Of course, I have no idea how the advance is; perhaps the early fall has an uptick that I am unaware of.  I sincerely hope that is the case.

Second, and generally a sign that things are needing to be changed is the unveiling of yet another advertising tack.  The most recent before the commercial I'll discuss shortly was a good, if silly, attempt to capitalize on the show's lone Tony win - "Winner! 2011 Tony Award for Best Costumes!"  Not a single mention of the other (publicly lesser) awards the show has received.  And now a third ad campaign has been launched.

Here is their latest commercial:



Dubbed by the company as the "Three Friends" commercial, this ad is clearly trying to distance itself from its drag queen roots.  There is not a single close up of a drag queen or any of the "three friends" in full get up, either.  And bless 'em, Tony Sheldon looks so much like a woman, the quick champagne toast he shares with Bob in the spot, could go by to the untrained eye as "love" found in a most conventional way.  Poor Nick Adams, scorching hot as "Felicia," gets no air time, but his young Adam smiles and struts a few times.  But let's face it, Priscilla is so gay you'd have to be blind (and deaf; it is raining men, after all.  And so why not cash in on the wave of good will that has overtaken New York, where gay marriage was just legalized, and show our gay hero (Will Swenson) reuniting with his precious (and seriously adorable) little son on his way to sure and true love!   Please don't mistake my tongue-in-cheek tone with disrespect.  I applaud any and every attempt made in order to get more asses in the seats.

But the other aspect of the ad is the one that they should really be cashing in on: the element of fun spectacular Broadway entertainment, with a score full of songs that people of my generation can sing word for word.  Having our 80's heroine (and show co-producer) Bette Midler invite us is a big plus to go along with the dance numbers, flashy sets and crazy costumes showing whilst she narrates.  The 80's generation and the gay population remain the two groups with the most extra income for Broadway show tickets, so again, this is smart.

Since decent seats to the other really fun show on Broadway are months off at best, the producers of Priscilla  might do well to court the producers of The Book of Mormon, as well as their fans, who might enjoy a "fun fix" before next April.

I am telling you, Priscilla is a Broadway show that has it all - glitz, glamour, a teeney bit of naughtiness, a lot of smiles, fabulousness.  And it is HILARIOUS, and still manages to be smart, to have a point, and best of all, to have a heart.  Pack a tissue and a small bag to collect the confetti that rains down (in lieu of men) on the delighted audience at every performance!  People throw around the term "feel good musical" a lot these days.  But I can pretty much guarantee you will feel much better than good after you see this show.

For show information, go to http://www.priscillaonbroadway.com/.
For discount tickets, go to http://www.broadwaybox.com/.


Rate this blog entry below.  And please feel free to leave a comment here, email it to jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff

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LOGOS: Hair

Here we are in the midst of the "Summer of Love," with the return of the 60's to Broadway.  Heck, except for The Phantom of the Opera, 44th Street is pretty much one big infomercial's worth of American rock n' roll.  We've got the 50's and early 60's covered with original tunes from Memphis, and classic hits in Baby, It's You!  Across the street has 80's rock screaming from its outdoor speakers at the Helen Hayes Theatre, home of  Rock of Ages (it is an odd sensation to cross the street mid-block when your ears pick up Journey AND the Shirelles).

When American Idiot closed, the new century went unrepresented, but Broadway rock fans, don't despair!  Late 60's psychedelic tunes are back!  Let the sunshine in!  Hair is back!  Last time around, I wasn't blogging, so I thought I'd take this second chance to talk about its colorful logo.

Like most of the best Broadway logos, this show's is a hit in four ways: its title is easy to discern, it is noticeably colorful, it easily changes into "variations on a theme," and its largest logo tells the story of the show without giving too much away.

The vibrant blue color and the radiating sunburst of lines, to me, at least, suggest both the natural "sun" element, astrologically and naturally associated with the hippies, who make up the "American tribe," named in the show's subtitle.  While the combination of the lines and the blended colors in the title resemble tie-dyed clothing, another iconic element of the free love movement.  And you can see that it works just as well in reverse.

In fact, the reverse version, even more resembling the sunburst, really fits with the addition of the song title/rallying cry, "Let the Sunshine In."  Add to it the multi-hued blue hands, free and reaching for the sun as one - as a tribe, as well as the quintessential hippie girl, smiling and carefree reaching the highest.  Love beads, peace necklace and fringe leather vest, her arms are lifted in joy.  Freedom and rebellion were never so close, and the movement portrayed in the show is brought vividly to life in this logo.

The simplicity of the lettering reminds me of both the lettering on so many protest placards, and, somehow, computerized lettering, which ultimately brings the show from the sixties fully into the 21st century.  How fitting, given this particular production's relationship to the times in which we live,

Grade: A

Rate this blog below, and feel free to leave a comment here, by email at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
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Drawing Broadway 4: Al Hirschfeld

The final blog in this series is all about the master of Broadway caricature, Al Hirschfeld.  A true legend, his works were first featured with each Broadway opening in The New York Times.  Then his works began to become part of Broadway logos and advertising, including such iconic logos as Man of La Mancha's original production icon, featuring Richard Kiley and Joan Diener.  One of his most famous figures is of Carol Channing as Dolly in Hello, Dolly!

Each of his drawings used simple ink lines to recreate some of Broadway's most iconic scenes, actors and other luminaries in the business.  Each scene or conglomeration of a show's key moments was at once so simple - a few lines and squiggles - and yet so detailed they were easily recognizable.

The Broadway Posters for the 1978 revival of Hello, Dolly!, the

original production of My Fair Lady, and detail in color of the

original Broadway cast of Into the Woods

His drawings for Mamma Mia! and

The Phantom of the Opera

(Look for the "Ninas")

One fun feature of many of his drawings was the inclusion of "hidden Ninas."  Hirschfeld's daughter, Nina, was never far from the artist's mind, and so he included her in his work.  If you look at his signature, there is sometimes a number next to it.  That number tells you how many times he hid the word "Nina" amongst the lines and curves.  So, if you see a Hirschfeld drawing that says "Hirschfeld4", you know to look for four "Ninas" somewhere in the picture.

The artist and his muse, daughter, Nina

Hirschfeld at work

A self portrait, including his famous barber chair and drawing table

The actual chair and table, plus another self portrait

Hirschfeld got his name AND a self portrait in lights;

one of several books about the master

Both of today's Broadway caricaturists, Justin "Squigs" Robertson and Ken Fallin cite Hirschfeld as their main inspiration for continuing this time honored tradition.  Only time will tell how much these up and coming (comparatively speaking, anyway) will impact the culture of Broadway and New York Theatre.  Who knows?  Maybe some day future generations will see a revival of The Book of Mormon at the Fallin Theatre.  Until then, we can see shows at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, the only Broadway theatre named for a designer of any kind.


Part I of this series may be found HERE.
Part II of this series may be found HERE.
Part III of this series may be found HERE.



Comments? Leave one here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me.
Jeff
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TheatreScene: July 4 - 10

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE CURRENT POLL TO YOUR RIGHT!
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?  BECOME A "FOLLOWER"!
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS WEEK:

• July 4: Born on the 4th of July
• July 5: REVIEW: next to normal (National Tour)
• July 6: Drawing Broadway 3: Justin "Squigs" Robertson
• July 7: BROADWAY BLOG: Day By Day: The Godspell Blog
• July 8: Broadway Games: Logic Puzzle #2
• July 9: Eating in NYC: Virgil's BBQ

 

TOPS AND BOTTOMS (June 27 - July 3)

• Top Gross: Wicked ($1.8M)
• Top Attendance: The Book of Mormon (102.4%)
• Bottom Gross: Master Class ($239K)
• Bottom Attendance: RAIN: The Beatles Experience on Broadway (63.2%)
• $1M Club: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Wicked, Mary Poppins
• SRO Club: War Horse, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Anything Goes

NOW PREVIEWING ON BROADWAY:

• Hair: Previews: July 5; Opening: July 13; Closes: September 10

 

COMINGS AND GOINGS:
Shows:

• Hair returned to Broadway for its "Summer of Love" at the St. James Theatre, with the start of previews July 5th. 
• Master Class extended its run at the Manhattan Theatre Club by a week, through August 21.

Casting:

 

Adam Kantor and Nikka Graff Lanzarone with Charlotte d'Amboise

• Will Chase plays his final performance in Billy Elliot today, July 10, at the Imperial Theatre.
• Adam Kantor (Mark in the final cast of Broadway's RENT) joined the cast of off-Broadway's Avenue Q as Princeton/Rod on July 9.  The new revival of RENT begins performances just down the hall at New World Stages later this week.
• Nikki Graff Lanzarone began performances as Velma Kelly in Chicago on July 5th.
• Jane Houdyshell (Well, Wicked) and Mary Beth Peil (TV's The Good Wife, Women on the Verge) will be joining the cast of Follies when it opens this summer at the Marquis Theatre.

Milestones:

• Ghetto Klown closes today at the Lyceum Theatre, following 25 previews and 95 performances.
• The Normal Heart closes this evening at the Golden Theatre, following 10 previews and 85 performances.
• Broadway Barks 13 was held in Shubert Alley on July 9, featuring a who's who of Broadway stars, including founders Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore.

• How to Succed in Business Without Really Trying took a small break this week, cancelling the July 7, 8 and 9 (matinee only) performances to accomodate Daniel Radcliffe's promotional schedule for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part II.
• Catch Me If You Can had its 100th performance on July 5.
• Anything Goes had its 100th performance on July 6.

BROADWAY VIDEO OF THE WEEK:

 

Broadway in Bryant Park, the annual series of summer concerts put on by the casts of current Broadway and off-Broadway shows, got started July 7th with the casts of Sister Act and Baby It's You! getting things started.  Here is "Take Me to Heaven" lead by Patina Miller's understudy Rashidra Scott and featuring the ensemble of nuns from Sister Act.  She has an AMAZING voice!

 

 

 

 

Comments? Leave one here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!

Jeff
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Eating in NYC: Virgil's BBQ

A few weeks ago, I mentioned a craving for Virgil's BBQ, one of my favorite restaurants in the theatre district.  I'd say it is a medium-priced (for Manhattan, anyway) eatery which specializes in barbecue.  And it is genuine barbecue - there are stacks of the wood they use in the doorway where you enter!  (The restaurant is located at 152 W. 44th Street -it is mid-block, and there is a huge neon sign.)

The minute you walk in, you can smell the roasting meats, but, thankfully, not the smoke.  The downstairs seating area is divided into a pretty big bar area, which seems to be bustling even at 11:30 in the morning, and a seating area full of tables.  Close, but not crammed, the tables and the surrounding environment reminds me of a butcher shop, white walls and a black and white tiled floor.  Upstairs, is more woodsy, like a mountain lodge.  Wood floors, tables and wall paneling make the upstairs warm and inviting.  Like down stairs, the tables are close, for maximum capacity, but never uncomfortably close.  Both floors are covered with meat charts, ads for championship barbecue sauces and an amazingly wide variety of posters advertising barbecue contests.

Top to Bottom: Virgil's downstairs,

upstairs, and the bar

I have been there various times, but find the best to be around noon before a matinee.  There is never a wait.  On the other hand, arriving much later than 12:30 could cause you a brief wait, as the place fills up fast.  Weekend nights, you should definitely make a reservation, and even then, you might have to wait.  Wait of not, it is totally worth it.

The menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, salads, entrees and sandwiches.  On weekends they also serve breakfast, with brunch continuing until 3PM.  The entire menu has a down home feel, with most menu items having a Southern, home-cooked feel.  Even the beverage menu includes fresh brewed iced tea (delicious), hand squeezed lemonade, and sodas in bottles, including Stewart's and Orange Crush.

 Knowing that the portion sizes are enormous, I rarely get an appetizer, but Mike enjoys their chili (though he orders it cheese-less and without their signature sauce garnish), and other friends of mine swear by their hand rolled hush puppies.  I've only ever seen the salads as they whiz by the table, and they are HUGE...literally big enough for two adults.  And their presentation is very beautiful.

The ribs platter

As far as entrees go, I can testify to the terrific quality of their Kansas City Fried Chicken, with big juicy pieces and hand battered.  Mike usually gets the brisket platter, and always looks so satisfied as he eats it!  Among the sandwiches I've tried are the chicken Po Boy - tasty and filling, the Butterworth-style flat dogs (you get two) which are available with a variety of toppings.  But my favorite sandwich of all time is the melt-in-your-mouth brisket melt.  Perfectly seasoned, and huge - I'm guessing 3/4 of a pound of meat or more, with melted cheddar on crispy, buttered light rye toast.  The entrees come with cornbread and two sides, and the sandwiches come with potato salad and coleslaw with a pickle, or you can get their hand cut fries.  The fries are always hot and crispy, and I love their gravy (you have to ask for that).

The side orders are all terrific, and at $5.95 each, a bit pricey, until they serve them.  The homemade mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese are served in soup bowls.  Yes, bowls.  And sooo delicious!

No matter how much you finish of your meal, you have to get dessert!  All are $6.95, and all are homemade.  The apple pie is good, and the rice pudding is creamy and satisfying.  The warm chocolate chess pie is also great, but the best dessert they have is the hand made ice cream sandwich, served with your choice of ice cream flavor, whipped cream and chocolate sauce for dipping.

The full menu is HERE.

There is a children's menu, and for the drinkers in your group, they have an extensive beer list, and a full, and apparently popular, bar.

Two things I absolutely love about the service is that the silverware comes wrapped in a full-sized terrycloth hand towel, instead of napkins.  The other is the steaming hot towels that are served to you after your dinner dishes are cleared.  Refreshing!

It is just expensive enough that it isn't something I do every time, but not so costly that I have to go long between visits.  You can probably get a drink, an entree and dessert, plus tax and tip for around $25.00.  And when you consider the size of the portions, the excellent service and its close proximity to most of the Broadway theatres, you really can't beat it!

For full information - including a place to make online reservations - go to: www.virgilsbbq.com.


Rate this blog entry below.  If you want to leave a comment, leave one here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
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Broadway Game: A Second Logic Puzzle

A few weeks ago, I tried to give you what you asked for - a Broadway-themed logic puzzle.  And apparently, you were happy!  Thanks to those of you who took the time to even try, let alone complete that tricky puzzle.  And as always, thanks to all of you who wrote in with comments and suggestions.

Well, here is another one for you to try - and thanks to Shelley Z. of New Castle, Delaware for coming up with this suggestion for a scenario!

A COLLEGE TRIP TO BROADWAY

Five pairs of college students from a fine arts college (including Nannette) decided to take in some Broadway shows between classes during their conference in New York City.  One of the shows they saw was Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.  They all got their tickets a different way - one pair even paid full price at the box office. Because each couple was on a different class schedule, they all had to attend a different performance that week before returning home Saturday night.  Using the clues and the grid below, figure out who went to the show together, how they got their tickets, what show they saw,and which performance they attended.

Fill in the grid like this:

1. Across the top, left to right, the topics are: College Girl, Tickets, Show, Performance.
2. Down the side, top to bottom, the topics are: College Guy, Performance, Show, Tickets
3. The contents of each topic (IN THIS ORDER) are:

• College Guy: Bobby, Charlie, Don, Edwin and Frank
• College Girl: Millie, Nanette, Ophelia, Paula and Rose  
• Tickets: Box Office, Hotel Concierge, Lottery, Online, and TKTS
• Show: Billy Elliot, Ghetto Klown, Hair, Master Class, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
• Performance: Tuesday evening, Wednesday matinee, Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday matinee

1. One couple that saw the only new musical that has opened so far this season won their tickets, while the other couple who saw a revival picked their seats on Telecharge.com. Meanwhile, Edwin went directly to the box office of this non-musical hit show.
2. One pair purchased tickets at TKTS and saw the mid-week matinee of Billy Elliot.
3. Edwin took his female companion, who is not Paula, to the Saturday matinee.
4. Millie and her male friend, who is neither Bobby nor Don, got tickets to their show by winning the lottery.
5. Bobby and his girlfriend attended a weekday evening performance of this season’s first play revival.
6. Ophelia, who saw a musical, attended the Friday evening show with her fiancée, Charlie.
7. Rose, an aspiring operatic soprano, didn't mind paying the hotel extra for 3rd row center seats for her show.
8. All of that standing outside in Times Square gave Don a sunburn, but he and his gal got to go inside that afternoon soon after. Frank was flying high after his show that early weekday night, and he and his girl told the rest of their friends that it was worth taking a chance - they got pretty good seats that were priced just right for college students!

Good luck!  Answers will be given in next week's (July 11 - 17) TheatreScene!

Jeff

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BROADWAY BLOG: Day By Day: The Godspell Blog

When it comes to other theatre blogs, I'm pretty choosy about the ones I follow.  You'll notice that there is a list of just 8 that I follow closely to your right.  You'd think there would be more, considering how many of us there are out there.  But very few fit my simple criteria: knowledge about theatre, the ability to express an opinion with back up (whether I agree or not!), and an overall passion for whatever the topic at hand is.

Ken Davenport

One of the blogs I love is written by a New York theatre producer, Ken Davenport, the man behind such Broadway shows as Oleanna and the upcoming revivals of A Few Good Men and Godspell.  He tells it like it is, has a sense of humor about it, and is completely practical.  He is also behind the most recent addition to my blog following list, a blog devoted to the behind-the-scenes details of bringing Godspell to its first preview on Broadway, October 13, 2011.

The Godspell Logo

The occasion was the 100th day prior to that first preview, and Mr. Davenport decided to launch a separate blog to allow theatre fans a chance to see what it takes to bring a show in.  He promises 100 days of decision-making, insider information, and lots of how-to.  Today will be day 98 - it started Tuesday.  In the two days so far, he's introduced the advertising/promotions team, who decided about a huge Times Square billboard (it'll be near The Phantom of the Opera), and talked about the minute decisions he faces in choosing a t-shirt maker and merchandiser.  It may or may not sound all that glamorous to you, but as a lover of all things theatre, I am enticed by the idea of learning from someone who actually DOES theatre!  At the very least, I'll gain an appreciation for all those hundreds of small decisions that are made before anyone even steps foot in the Circle in the Square Theatre for the first Broadway preview of Godspell.

To find out all about this new blog, click HERE.
To find out about Davenport's regular blog, click HERE.

Comments?  Leave one here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
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