TRENDSDAY POLL: Your Summer Theater Plans

Does your summer lovin' include any theater?  That's what this week's one-and-done survey is all about! Check all that apply (use the scroll bar to see all the choices), and be sure to click "Finish Survey" in order to make your vote count!  Poll closes Tuesday, June 30.




Don't forget to use the survey scroll bar to move all the way down and click "Finish Survey"!

Jeff

TUESDAY TROUPER: Matilda's Lesli Margherita

As one of my all-time favorite musicals approaches its 1,000th performance later this summer, I thought it was time to celebrate the robbed-of-a-Tony-nomination Lesli Margherita!  This riotously funny lady tears up the stage nightly as Mrs. Wormwood, and has been doing so since Matilda began previews a couple of years ago.  With such polish and finesse, it's hard to believe the show marks her first and only Broadway appearance to date!  Of course, she has done a ton of regional and touring work.  And there's that "small" matter of her Olivier Award-winning performance in Zorro: The Musical.  Crowds fill 54 Below when she does her act, All Hail the Queen, and she's been known to take it (almost) all off when she appears with The Skivvies.

Congratulations, Lesli!  You are this week's Tuesday Trouper!

Mrs. Wormwood takes Manhattan

Regionally, she's played Aldonza and Anita

She won the West End's highest honor

All Hail the Queen! (54 Below)

With The Skivvies

Jeff

MEDIA MONDAY: The Amazing Grace Logo

With the first new musical of the 2015 - 2016 season beginning previews this week, I thought it would be a great time to look at its logo.  Amazing Grace sets sail at the Nederlander Theatre this Thursday, and I wonder if the logo on the marquee will entice theater-goers (and tourists in general) passing by.  Of course, I hope so, but I'm not so sure.

I actually find the logo itself interesting.  It looks very nautical, especially against the ocean blue background. And it certainly looks historical.  Majestic, even.  And only if you look at it closely, does it look somewhat religious.  The title aside, the compass point, with its southerly end longer than its northern end, does look like a cross. Is it a "moral compass"?

But, really, what does the title suggest beyond the obvious?  All I picture is a church full of solemn parishioners, swaying with emotion as their voices raise as one to sing the admittedly moving song.  In fact, the tagline addresses it head on (an admirable thing).  How you see it in print might affect your interest, too.  I like how, in the version below, "The Song the World Knows" is smaller - we know this already - and "The Story It Doesn't" is much bigger.  It emphasizes that this might just not be what you expect. BUT is "A New Broadway Musical" a selling point or afterthought?

Any other season, the epic look of the production photos might entice, too.  But this year, colonial is definitely in.  Problem is, the other historical musical - opening next! - has the same costumes, but somehow looks waaaayy more hip,  In the summer heat (or the winter freeze), will audiences flock to a museum piece or an edgy stomp through history?

Probably the biggest thing Grace has going against it has nothing to do with its logo or production photos.  Religious-themed musicals lately have had trouble drawing crowds - ask the folks at Leap of Faith and Scandalous.  The time of year and the other colonial musical already make it a tough sell; the religious aspects might seal its fate.

I hope I'm wrong.  I'm going to see it in a few weeks (I hope).  Will it be truly epic?  Or will it come and go as quickly as a summer thunder storm?

Grade: B (for the look), D (for the outlook)

Jeff

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Ruthie Ann Miles in Here Lies Love

It isn't just the distance between the Public Theatre and Lincoln Center that tells just how far Tony-winner Ruthie Ann Miles has come in just a couple of years.   Before she made her groundbreaking Broadway debut as Lady Thiang, she made some serious waves Off-Broadway in her breakthrough role.  She was Imelda Marcos in Here Lies Love, and she won herself both a Lortel Award and a Theatre World Award!  Whatever comes next for her, I'll bet it'll be awesome!

Here's a look back:

You gotta give it to George, right?

Jeff

THEATRESCENE THURSDAY: The Hamilton Dilemma

I'll bet that if you are reading this blog, you probably had the same immediate thought I did when the U.S. Treasury made their big announcement regarding the $10 bill.

"Oh my God! What is Lin-Manuel Miranda going to do now?" His "10 Dollar Founding Father" lyric is in jeopardy, right?

Like the coolest guy that he is, he wittily Tweeted about it, with his usual smart and sharp sense of humor.  (ICYMI: Read HERE!)

Then, being the complete theater nerd that I proudly am, my thoughts immediately went to this:

"What Broadway diva should replace Alex on the sawbuck?"  (You know you did, too...)  I figure that she has to be American and already dead.  Sorry, Audra... (but she'd look great, right?)  Sorry, Idina... (on the plus side, we already know what she looks like green!) Sorry, Angela (not completely American, but certainly worthy!)...

So, how about Mary Martin?  Lorraine Hansberry?  Ethel Barrymore?  All three are certainly historically-significant...

No matter how it turns out, it's about time a woman was on a bill of any size.  Sacajawea got screwed on that quarter dollar coin.  And I am positive that Lin-Manuel will be just fine.  Unless... this is just the beginning of the inevitable Hamilton backlash.  Conspiracy theories abound.

Finally, I must give full disclosure: My actual first though was, "Damn! Could this news makes Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson somehow less significant?"  You can guess how often I have a $10 bill in my hands.

Jeff

(Photos by J. Marcus)

TRENDSDAY SURVEY: Grade Last Season's Musicals

During my break from writing, I did see every musical and musical revival that opened, but did not review them for the blog.  (I saw and reviewed all of the fall musical openings, save for Holler If You Hear Me.)  Since I've been back, many of my regular readers have asked me how I would have reviewed them.  So, next Thursday, I'll share my thoughts and grades on each show from last season... when I reveal your grades!

You be the critic and grade each musical (new and revival) that opened during the 2014-2015 season!  Didn't see some of them? Click the "I didn't see it" button!  Even if you only saw one of these shows, your vote still matters.  When you have weighed in, be sure to click "Finish Survey" to make your vote count!

Survey will close on Tuesday, June 23 at 6PM!  Thanks for your input.  Jeff

Tuesday Troupers: The Dancers of Broadway Bares 25 (NSFW)

TODAY'S BLOG IS NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

25 years after it all started, Broadway Bares has continued to grow, while it remains, sadly, relevant.  This year, the sexy show looks ready to deliver again, with the 2015 edition: Top Bottoms of Burlesque.  The show is at 9:30 PM (SOLD OUT) and Midnight this Sunday, June 21, 2015; if there are tickets available, and/or you need more information make sure you go to www.broadwaycares.org or www.broadwaybares.com .

Every year, the very HOT ad campaign features a lot of the most beautiful Broadway dancers around.  This year is no exception.  Here's a look at some of the excellent photography by Andrew Eccles, and a couple of steamy promo videos!  Enjoy these extra-special Tuesday Troupers!

(As always, you can double-click any photo to see them all as a slide show.)

THE CASTING DIRECTOR: Casey Lee Ross

(LEFT) THE COMPOSERS: Alec Varcas and Kristen Beth Williams

(RIGHT) THE DANCE CAPTAINS: Joshua Buscher-West and Ryan Worsing 

THE CHOREOGRAPHER AND HIS CHORINES: Alec Varcas with Betsy Struxness, Adriene Couvillion, Skye Mattox, Elizabeth Dugas, Paloma Garcia-Lee, 

Holly Ann Butler and Greer Gisy

THE DIRECTOR AND THE CHORUS BOYS: Erik Altemus...and others...

THE STAGE HANDS: Colby Q. Lindeman, Alfie Parker Jr. and Evan Siegel

THE MALE INGENUE: Steven Wenslawski

(LEFT) THE MALE SOLO DANCER: Josh Daniel Green

(RIGHT) THE DANCING DUO: Brandan Rubendall and Adam Roberts

(LEFT) THE BURLESQUE DANCER: Nikka Graff Lanzarone

(RIGHT) THE SOUBRETTE: Joey Taranto

Jeff