Tag: Broadway

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Do You Believe? ‘The Cher Show’ Opens In Chicago

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The three stars of ‘The Cher Show’
(photo: Joan Marcus)

Do you believe?

 The Cher Show, the new Broadway-bound jukebox musical chronicling the life and career of superstar Cher, opened this week at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre.

The musical stars Teal Wicks, Micaela Diamond, and Tony Award nominee Stephanie J. Block, who play the iconic actress/singer at three different stages in luminous life and career.

Tony nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q) directs and the dances are handled by Tony Award-winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies). Legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie, who has clothed Cher since 1967, is on costume duty and receiving rave reviews for his work.

Cher herself snuck into Chicago to take in the show and shared her review with the Chicago Tribune saying, “Some parts of it are really fabulous. We’re going to work on the other parts. In many parts, it was much, much better than I thought it would be. And there were no parts where I wanted to gouge my eyes out.”

“It needs work. I’m not supposed to say that but I don’t care,” she added.

A post shared by The Cher Show (@thechershow) on Jun 25, 2018 at 10:42am PDT

Theater critics weighed in as well.

Miriam Di Nunzio, writing for the Chicago Sun Times: What emerges from “The Cher Show” is the portrait of an artist – from an insecure teenager who started her career worshipping at the feet of Sonny Bono, to one who gradually and out of necessity emerged as a fiercely independent and strong woman, who realized she was and is second to none. Cher may have sung “All I Ever Need Is You” alongside her beloved “Son,” but truth is, she had all she needed to succeed, deep down inside her. There may not have been a Cher had there not first been a Sonny & Cher. Sonny made a brand out of Cher, but she was born a powerhouse. “The Cher Show” reminds us why America fell in love with the dynamic duo. And why so many will always believe in Cher.

Steven Oxman for Variety: The real star of the show, though, turns out not to be the stars of the show, nor the music, but Bob Mackie’s costumes (he is both the show’s designer and a character), many simply the fantastic fashions he created for Cher throughout her career. They inject needed drama and flash and performative excitement, and generate by far the biggest audience reaction when carefully revealed by director Jason Moore.

The supporting cast include Tony Award nominees Michael Berresse as “Mackie,” Jarrod Spector as “Sonny Bono, and Emily Skinner as Cher’s mother, “Georgia Holt.”

The production runs through July 15 at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago with Broadway performances beginning November 1 at the Neil Simon Theatre and an official opening night December 3.

Jukebox musicals, based on the catalog of a popular artist, have been hits and misses on the Great White Way.

While Mamma Mia (Abba), Jersey Boys (The Four Seasons), and Beautiful (Carole King) have done bank at the Broadway box office, other shows like Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys), Escape to Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett) and Lennon (John Lennon) found little love and closed fairly quickly.

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Broadway Covers “We Are The World”

Broadway artists come together to cover "We Are The World"

In 1985, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie gathered together a constellation of music stars at the time to record “We Are the World.”

The supergroup, dubbed United Support of Artists For Africa, sold over 20 million copies of the recording.

Now, a new crop artists across the Broadway spectrum have united to record a new version of the 1985 anthem.

Released by Broadway Records, the video calls for healing and unity in the world today.

“We, Broadway United, are calling on you to raise your voice and stand up for our planet and the future of humankind. Since we are the world, then we must be the ones to heal it. Step up, speak out, and do whatever you can to be the change.”

Participating artists include Christy Altomare, Kelli Barrett, Andrew Burns, Nikki Renee Daniels, Jordan Donica, Rachel Eskenazi-Gold, Justin Guarini, Derek Klena, Jeff Kready, Sydney Lucas, Beth Malone, Lesli Margherita, Constantine Maroulis, Orfeh, George Psomas, Anthony Rapp, Courtney Reed, Kate Rockwell, Jarrod Spector, Ephraim Sykes, and Jenna Ushkowitz.

Derek Klena of Anastasia

Also taking part are Tony Award winners Ben Vereen, Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Plus, there’s a terrific children’s chorus in the mix.

“More than ever, people need to know that their voices make a difference and their voices together are incredibly powerful,” said producer Yael Silver. “’We Are the World’ spoke to us universally and we wanted to share our united voices with the world.”

I have to admit, when I first saw news of the cover video I thought this could easily be hit or miss.

But the talent gathered here and the way the music directors assigned each voice in the perfect spot is perfection. Orfeh and Constantine Maroulis are particularly well-utilized in the more pop/rock moments.

Orfeh

AND – I love that the video also features the all-important musicians from Broadway orchestra pits (Ted Arthur, Bobby Wooten, Jamie Eblen, Ethan Pakchar, Justin Smith & Summer Boggess) who gave their time as well.

Watch below. It’s a great song that gets me every time.

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Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons On Roseanne Scandal – “How Did You Type That?”

Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons on Roseanne's racist tweets - "How? Why?"
Jim Parsons

In a candid interview, CNN’s Van Jones asks The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons if Roseanne Barr went too far with her tweets.

Addressing the recent scandals with Roseanne Barr, who saw her #1 series on ABC get cancelled over racist tweets, and Samantha Bee, who got in hot water calling Ivanka Trump the “c-word” on the air, CNN’s Van Jones asked Parsons if it’s difficult to be funny without consequences in the age of Donald Trump.

“It crosses my mind every single time I sit down for an interview or speak in public, anything,…It’s hard to speak your mind,” said the 45-year-old actor from Texas.

“We’re easily offended right now, frequently about things that are probably not that important.”

Jones asked how Parsons processed the recent Roseanne debacle to which Parsons says, “I only thought about it on an emotional scale, which as ‘how’ and ‘why?’ That was my reaction to it.”

“Reading the tweet, I thought, ‘How did you type that?’”

Parsons did pivot to the current political thought regarding Donald Trump’s infamous “grab’em by the pussy” remark: “It’s ok to say certain things as an elected official right now that it’s not necessarily ok to say as an entertainer. And I find that fascinating.”

The actor also lamented the unemployment effect of Roseanne’s hideous tweets on her fellow actors and crew of her sitcom. Riffing on the current whisper campaign in Hollywood about possible spin-off series for Sara Gilbert or Laurie Metcalfe, Jones inquired if Metcalfe should be given her own show.

Parson emphatically responded, “Laurie should always be given her own show.”

From Parson’s Instagram recently:

A post shared by Jim Parsons (@therealjimparsons) on May 29, 2018 at 3:14pm PDT

Jones shifted to the issue of red-state citizens feeling locked out of the Hollywood industry to which Parsons (a native Texan) shared, “I have so many conservative traits about me. I’m such a family-first type of guy.”

And speaking of traditional values and family-first, Jones brought up Parsons wedding in 2017, “As recently as 2012, people like Barack Obama was a bit hesitant to say publicly he was for marriage equality. Five years later, 2017, you’re married and it’s no big deal. Nobody cares at all.”

“In fact, the big deal, which really took me by surprise considering how traditional I am, was how meaningful the day was,” said Parsons.

“We did it because it was meaningful, but to actually go through the wedding; to be there in front of all of your loved ones, your family. It really gave such meaning to doing this so people could bear witness to it. It meant so much more to me than I was prepared for. Especially having grown up where it wasn’t a possibility.”

One of the busiest men in show business, Parsons not only has his long-running Big Bang Theory sitcom on CBS but he opened on Broadway this week in the iconic, groundbreaking gay-themed play, The Boys in the Band.

And, his new movie, A Kid Like Jake, landed in theaters on Friday wherein Parsons plays the father of a four-year-old who enjoys “gender-expansive play” dressing up in whatever gender clothes feels best at the time.

Watch the CNN segment below and you don’t forget to check out The Boys in the Band and A Kid Like Jake, both open now.

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All-Star “The Boys In The Band” Revival Opens Tonight On Broadway

(all images courtesy of The Boys in the Band Broadway revival)

I recently wrote about Matt Bomer’s nearly naked mishap during the previews of the Broadway revival of The Boys In The Band, the iconic homocentric play by Mart Crowley.

To recap, Bomer forgot to check his props before a preview performance and after showering onstage realized he had no towel to cover himself with. But being the pro that he is, Bomer soldiered on through the scene wearing just his wet, tight white briefs.

Tonight, the 50th anniversary production premieres on The Great White Way. And the production has released several promo pics – including one of Bomer in those very tight, white briefs.

The Boys in the Band is rightfully considered a landmark as the first mainstream play to explore gay men’s lives onstage, without filter or judgement. Premiering off-Broadway in 1968 in New York City, this was all before the Stonewall riots which launched the gay rights movement.

The comic drama became an instant sell-out and ran for over 1,000 performances.

The movie adaptation, released in 1970 featuring the original stage cast, continues to be a milestone in queer cinema.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

First produced in 1968, Crowley’s biting comedy drama is a groundbreaking work among pre-Stonewall depictions of LGBTQ characters, chronicling the fun and frictions that emerge when a group of gay male friends gather for a boozy birthday party in New York City. The play is loved and loathed to an equal extent, with some calling it a perpetuation of negative bitchy stereotypes and others hailing it as a breakthrough in its intimate exploration of the attitudes and behavior of gay men at a time when cultural representation was minimal.

With direction by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Assassins), the new production features an all-gay, star-studded cast led by Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto and Andrew Rannells.

Also starring in the play are Charlie Carver, Michael Benjamin Washington, Brian Hutchison, Robin de Jesus, and Tuc Watkins.

The limited 15-week run of the production is being produced by Wicked’s David Stone and out TV producer Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, GLEE)

Check out the newly-released pics below. Click here for the official website.

Matt Bomer, in his underwear on the left, stars in The Boys in the Band with Jim Parsons (right)
Matt Bomer (L), Jim Parsons (R)
Foreground – Zachary Quinto (L), Charlie Carver (R)

Zachary Quinto (background)

Tuc Watkins, (L) Michael Benjamin Washington (center) Matt Bomer (R)
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Matt Bomer’s Wet & Wild Broadway Debut

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Matt Bomer

Magic Mike/White Collar star Matt Bomer dropped by The Tonight Show recently to chat on his Broadway debut in the revival of the gay-themed play, The Boys in the Band.

Bomer shared with Jimmy Fallon how during one of the performances of the play he didn’t check his props. That prop in question would be the towel he is supposed to wear after a shower onstage.

“My character takes a shower within the first five minutes of the play,” the handsome actor explained. “And I realized there was no towel for me when I got out of the shower.”

Bomer realized he had two options: either do the rest of the scene naked or put his underwear back on his soaking wet body.

Apparently, the wet underwear got the nod which means everyone won!

Bomer also shares that he’s taking his soon-to-be 13-year-old son Kit to the Tony Awards this year.

It’ll be the teen’s first awards show, but he assured his dad, “I know there’ll be a lot of people there but I don’t crack under pressure.”

In a sign Kit has been around show biz, he did add, “But, is someone going to do my hair?”

Clearly, the apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree…

Watch the segment below.

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CBS’ Sunday Morning Takes A Deep Dive Into Broadway’s “The Boys In The Band”

CBS' Sunday Morning takes a deep dive into the 50th anniversary revival of the groundbreaking gay play, The Boys in the Band
Host Jane Pauley for CBS’ Sunday Morning

As the old saying goes, “You can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.”

And so, CBS’ Sunday Morning took a deep dive into the upcoming 50th anniversary Broadway revival of Mort Crowley’s groundbreaking play about New York City gay life in the 1960s, The Boys in the Band.

Premiering in 1968, the play was the first time a mainstream theater audience got a glimpse of what it was like to be gay. Using a birthday party as the setting, Crowley wrote characters who were unabashedly ho-mo-sex-u-al.

The same year Crowley wrote The Boys in the Band, CBS News aired a report on homosexuality that announced, “Americans consider homosexuality more harmful to society than adultery, abortion, or prostitution.”

The attacks didn’t come from just outside the gay community though.

In the era of the Stonewall riots, the community turned on the play and the playwright saying the production cast gay men in a negative, “self-hating” light.

Still, as history can attest, the play became a cultural sensation, ran for over 1,000 performances and was made into a major motion picture. Crowley returned to Hollywood where, among other things, became the head writer of TV series like ABC’s Hart To Hart.

And now, instead of being attacked, the play is being celebrated by the LGBTQ community.

The new revival stars one of television’s highest paid actors, Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory), as well as a gay “who’s who” of successful, out gay actors including Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, Charlie Carver and Andrew Rannells.

Currently in previews, the production will have a limited run through August 11 only.

For more info and tickets, head over to the official website at BoysInTheBand.com.

A post shared by The Boys In The Band (@boysbandbway) on Apr 30, 2018 at 5:18pm PDT

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Bette Midler Will Return To HELLO, DOLLY! For Final 6 Weeks On Broadway

Bette Midler in "Hello, Dolly!" on Broadway
Bette Midler in “Hello, Dolly!” on Broadway

The Associated Press is reporting that when Bette Midler sang “So Long Dearie” to her blockbuster Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! she really meant “See you in a while” as producers have announced that the Tony Award-winner will return for a six-week run before the production closes August 25.

Bernadette Peters, who took up the mantle of “Dolly Levi” after Bette departed in January will continue in the role until July 15. The Divine Miss M will be “back where she belongs” beginning July 17.

Additionally, co-stars David Hyde Pierce and Gavin Creel back as well.

Creel wan the Tony Award for “Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical” for his performance as “Cornelius Hackl,” and Pierce earned a Tony nod as “Horace Vandergelder.”

We won’t be saying goodbye to Dolly any time soon though.

Fans eagerly await the first national tour of “Hello, Dolly!” which will star Tony Award-winner Betty Buckley when it kicks off in October at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.

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GMA: Broadway’s ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Performs “Why We Tell The Story”

The cast of Broadway’s Once on This Island joined Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts to discuss the revival of the musical and perform the show’s finale, “Why We Tell the Story.”

The neat new digital series from GMA, “Dressing Room Reveal with Robin Roberts,” goes backstage to Robin Robert’s dressing room for intimate performances and conversations.

Ah. This gives me life.

Once on This Island unfolds as a group of storytellers, during a nighttime rainstorm, calm a young girl of their village with the story of Ti Moune, a Caribbean island country girl who falls in love with an aristocrat.

I love this show so much: the message, the music, the people.

And speaking of the people I love a lot :)…

T. Oliver Reid, the show’s dance captain, and I worked together in two Broadway shows – Chicago and Follies. As much as I’ve laughed through the years with T, I’ve also always enjoyed his talent and awesome work ethic. When you’re on stage with T, you know you better keep up!

And the wondermous and handsome Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis (Porgy & Bess, Phantom of the Opera, Side Show), who I’ve known for even longer than T., was playing the role of “Agwé,” god of water, when this was filmed.

So, double joy for me watching this clip.

Watch the gorgeous cast of Once On This Island perform “Why We Tell the Story” below and feel your spirit renewed.

Happy Sunday!

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis and GMA’s Robin Roberts
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“The Boys In The Band” Shares First Day Rehearsal Pic

The opening night of the Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band is only weeks away, and we’re already starting to get excited to see the legendary play return to the Great White Way in time for it’s 50th anniversary.

Yesterday, the cast shared a pic of the cast in rehearsal and the marquee over at the Booth Theater is already up.

Two-time Tony award winner Joe Mantello is directing the groundbreaking play, which centers on a group of gay men who gather in an NYC apartment for a friend’s birthday party.

Drinks, music and a hot cowboy stripper slowly peel back the layers of  heartache and self-doubt among the party-goers.

A sensation when it premiered in April 1968, The Boys in the Band was originally scheduled to run for five performances at the Playwrights’ Unit, a small off-Broadway venue. Overnight, the show became the talk of the town for its unflinchingly honest depiction of gay life, and transferred to Theater Four on West 55th Street.

The film adaptation, released in 1970, has a 100 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Boys In The Band will star Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and Andrew Rannells, along with Charlie Carver, Robin De Jesús, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tuc Watkins.

Previews begin Monday, April 30, 2018 and officially opens on Thursday, May 31, 2018.