How I missed The Adventures of Tom Sawyerin the spring of 2001 is a mystery to me. I mean, it checks a lot of "musicals I'm interested in seeing" boxes. First, it is based on the classic novel by one of my all-time favorite authors, Mark Twain. Next, it had to be a great companion to another Twain-based musical that I really enjoyed, Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It featured a book by then go-to guy Ken Ludwigof Crazy For You and Lend Me a Tenor fame, and, most deliciously, a score by an unknown to theater, who wrote the catchy story-song, "The Gambler," Don Schlitz. And most definitely a cause to see the show: a cast of Broadway regulars and new comers. It's always great to see who is up and coming! All of those reasons to see Tom, Huck, Becky and Aunt Polly, and I still missed it. It probably had all to do with the fact that it was short-lived.
One That Got Away:
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
(2001)
Broadway regulars in the cast included: Tom Aldredge, Jane Connell, John Dossett, and Linda Purl. Broadway new comers in the cast included: Kristen Bell (Becky), Joshua Park(Tom Sawyer), Jim Poulos (Huck Finn), Tommar Wilson, Kate Reindersand Nikki M. James. Fun fact #1: Jane Connell's husband, Gordon Connell starred as Mark Twain in Big River! Fun fact #2: Jim Poulos was the very first replacement for the role of Mark in Rent!
Promotional Photos: Joshua Park (left)
Kristen Bell, Jim Poulos and Joshua Park (right)
Kristen Bell, Jim Poulos and Joshua Park
Joshua Park, Kristen Bell and Linda Purl
Jane Connell and Jim Poulos
The Adventures of Tom Sawyerplayed 34 previews and 21 performances at the Minskoff Theatre. It was nominated for 4 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Sets, Best Costumes, Best Lighting and Best Orchestrations. The show was also nominated for two Tony Awards - Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting. Joshua Park won a Theatre World Award for his debut.
With everything still pretty much on hold theater-wise, we thought the new year might be a great time to do a content overhaul here on JKTS. When things get going (hopefully soon!), we will, of course, readjust. Until then, look for new series like today's inaugural edition of This Week in Broadway History. We think the name speaks for itself, and hope you enjoy and maybe learn a little something! If you have any comments or suggestions of things you'd like use to look into each week let us know at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com (be sure to spell it correctly).
THIS WEEK IN BROADWAY HISTORY
January 3 - 9
Telly Leung ZaSu Pitts
Mike Faist Cynthia Erivo
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY🎂
January 3rd: actor Telly Leung (1980), actor Robert Loggia (1930), actor ZaSu Pitts (1894) January 4th: actor/dancer Clyde Alves (1980), composer Dave Malloy (1976), Laura Benanti's father, actor Martin Vidnovic (1948), actor (My Fair Lady OBC) Sterling Halloway (1905) January 5th:actor Mike Faist (1992), actor Bradley Cooper (1975), actor Diane Keaton (1946), choreographer Alvin Ailey (1931) January 6th:actor Eddie Redmayne (1982), actor Armelia McQueen (1946), author E.L. Doctorow (1931) January 7th:actor Robert Petkoff (1963), Cats' Stephen Hanan (1947), ensemblist legend Harvey Evans (1941) January 8th: actor Cynthia Erivo (1987), director Pam MacKinnon (1968), actor Harriet Harris (1955) January 9th:actor Chris McCarrell (1991), Pippin's Eric Berry (1913), actor Gypsy Rose Lee (1911)
🎭OPENING NIGHTS🎭
January 3, 1967:A revival of the play Marat/Sadeopened at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 55 performances, and featured Abe Vigodain the role of 'Mad Animal.'
January 4, 1981:Frankensteinopened and closed at the Palace Theatre on this date, with a cast that featured John Carradine, John Gloverand Dianne Wiest.
January 5, 1975: The Best Musical of 1975,The Wiz, opened at the Majestic Theatre, starringStephanie Mills, Hinton Battle, Ted Ross, Tiger Haynes, Mabel King,andAndre DeShields.Phylicia Rashadnee Ayers-Allenwas in the ensemble, and the legendaryButterfly McQueenwas a standby. It would later transfer to the Broadway Theatre, and complete a run of 1,672 performances.
January 6, 1963:The beloved classic Oliver! opened its 774 performance run at the Imperial Theater and starred Georgia Brown as Nancy, Clive Rivell as Fagin, and David Jones(TV's The Monkees) as The Artful Dodger.
January 7, 1975: Tony-winner John Cullum lead the cast of Shenandoah, which began its 1,050 performance run at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon).
📆ON BROADWAY THIS WEEK IN 1973📆
If you are a fan of vintage musicals, you could have caught one of the final performances of the smash hit revival of No, No Nanette at the 46th Street Theatre. If you are a fan of the new, modern musical, the original cast of Pippin was just a few months into their run at the Imperial. Of course, if you like a little bit of both, Greasewas still packing them in at the Royale.
The Sunshine Boys
Play lovers had lots to choose from, too, including That Championship Seasonstarring Charles Durningand Paul Sorvinoat the Booth, and Jack Albertsonin Neil Simon's new comedy The Sunshine Boysat the Broadhurst. You could probably snag opening night tickets to all three plays which opened this week - Tricks, The Plough and the Stars, and Look Away. If you caught that last one, I hope you still have the Playbill. It opened and closed on the same night, and it starred Geraldine Pageand Maya Angelou! Can you imagine?
The first decade of the new millennium was a big one for Broadway, with Disney and vampires, jukebox musicals coming into their own, and movie-to-musical adaptations threatening to take over. It was also a time of new voices, like Kitt and Yorkey and Lin Manuel Miranda. As usual, there were big hits and even bigger flops. In other words: business as usual!
But how were the show logos? That's up toyou to decide. We've created a bracket of 64 Broadway shows from the decade. The Tony winners and hits and flops have been evenly distributed over four 16 "team" regions. So far, you've already narrowed down field to The Big 32, and narrowed down the first half! This week, you'll be choosing your favorites from the other half of The Big 32. For the current winners to date, see the full bracket below:
#2467
2000s Broadway Musical Logo Madness!
The Big 32: Part 2
HOW IT WILL WORK:
Each week, we'll open the voting for a different segment of the bracket, and you will select your favorite from each pairing.
Your selection should be based on the logo/window card ONLY. We are NOT looking for your favorite show!It is possible to like a logo from a show you've never heard of before!
We will provide pictures of the full window card (in most cases) or logo above each week's ballot, then you scroll down and make your selections. You MUST click/tap the "Click Me to Count Your VOTES" button at the bottom of the survey.
THIS ROUND WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 8TH AT 5 PM!
Here we go again! May the best logo win! BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL LOGOS BEFORE YOU VOTE! THE ACTUAL BALLOT IS BELOWTHE FULL-SIZE LOGOS/WINDOW CARDS!
In an effort to start the new year with nothing but positivity, we decided to think about all the great theater and theater-related things we appreciated in the year just past. These are in no particular order - they are all number one on our list! Let us know what you think and what you might have added. And HAPPY NEW YEAR!
🥳Theater 2020: Only the Best🥳
BROADWAY
Jagged Little Pill
This show has provided me with multiple things to love in 2020. It was one of the shows I saw on my last New York trip. I was transported and thrilled by each performance and moved by the messy-as-real-life story of the Healy family. The OBCR is an all-time favorite, especially Tom Kitt's arrangements, and the coffee table book is an insightful and exciting keepsake. Last month's Jagged Little Pill in Concert presentation was a next best thing to live theater community experience. "Our New Musical," indeed.
Emojiland
Another show that was part of our last trip to the city, this one was a spur of the moment choice, and boy, were we glad we saw it. It was a riot of a show - truly a laugh til it hurts kind of thing. Smart as it was funny, the show was really all it could be with superb casting - I may never look at Ann Harada and George Abud the same way again.
West Side Story
Polarizing. Explosive. Dangerous. This daring new look at an American classic was a stunning, gut-wrenching, emotional experience for me. There wasn't one thing I didn't like about it. For me, it is a masterpiece all by itself. I am so grateful that I got to see it, and, in retrospect, I'm very appreciative that it was the last show I saw in 2020.
MEMORABILIA
Lights of Broadway Cards
As you know, I'm a big Broadway collector, and one of my prized collections is the Lights of Broadway trading cards. And so, I must express my gratitude for their commitment to continuing their series in the face of the pandemic. I love the 2020 series!
If the Fates Allow Album
One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year (thanks, Mike!), I suspect that this beautiful collection of holiday songs will be something I listen to throughout the year. The arrangements are simply stunning - both instrumental and vocal - and fit the cast of Hadestown like a glove. If you don't have this, I highly recommend it.
THE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER
Zoom Songs from Broadway Casts
Especially in the early days of the quarantine, current Broadway and West End casts got together and created some great theater over Zoom music videos. Among my favorites were "You Learn" from Jagged Little Pill (the Broadway company), "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen (all of the companies), and "Helpless" from Hamilton (Broadway cast and others). But my favorite has to be "Company" by the Broadway revival cast. It's not the same as live theater, of course, but I'll take what I can get.
Hamilton on Disney+
I've always been pretty clear that I appreciate Hamilton more than I like it. But this bar setting cinematic capture of the Broadway production is truly stunning. We are so lucky to have this.
Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration
Talk about an emotional event! I laughed (Laura Benanti singing in her bathroom for the perfect acoustics; Ben and Beanie's "It Takes Two") and cried (maybe a little at every song, but Patti's "Anyone Can Whistle" devastated me). But in a show full of standouts, "Someone in a Tree" and "Ladies Who Lunch" were my favorites. And Chip...and Bernadette... Like the man they were honoring, this event was heartwarming, smart and thoughtful.
One Night Only: The Best of Broadway
Okay, so maybe "Best" may be a bit of a stretch, but this TV special was a nice booster shot of Broadway. Nice to have NBC and Tina Fey as live theater cheerleaders!
Stars in the House
When all is said and done, and this horrible time is finally behind us, we will take stock of who rose to the occasion. Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, two who did just that, are genuine heroes, leading the charge for charity, in this case The Actors Fund. A nightly (and matinee) series of Broadway cast reunions, classic TV reunions, individual concerts, and even play readings provide theater lovers worldwide the chance to get first hand accounts of putting our favorite shows together. And the performances! Two of my favorite episodes were the Next to Normal reunion, and the deep dive into Carrie, including some amazing vocals from Betty Buckley and Linzi Hateley.
