Theatre/Musicals - Theatre & Musicals News #1 – What’s Opening? When? Where? And For How Long?

***KervyQT16*** · 02-01-2009, 03:07 AM

Here's the place where you can take all your T&M news. Is someone joining the Broadway cast of a show? Someone leaving? How about an upcoming tour? What about Broadway alumni - what are their new projects. Here's the place for news!

JJ4EVER · 02-01-2009, 12:32 PM

PATTI LUPONE IS GOING TO BE ON 30 ROCK!

'30 Rock' exclusive: Patti LuPone scores mother of a role
Jan 21, 2009, 05:37 PM | by Michael Ausiello
Categories: 30 Rock

"I always assumed that the makers of 30 Rock would have to search far and wide to find an actress unique enough to play the mother of Judah Friedlander's… well, um, unique Frank. But was I ever wrong: They only had to go as far as Broadway!

"Stage legend Patti Lupone has nabbed the part, sources confirm to me exclusively.

"The Tony winner, who recently wowed 'em as Gypsy's Mommie Dearest, was last seen on the small screen playing the mother of Michael Urie's Marc on Ugly Betty.

"So what do you think? Did 30 Rock get it right? Can you picture the drama queen offering parental guidance to the comedy's resident Pigpen? Sound off below! (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)"

Source.

This is near perfection, at least for me. I'm so stoked!

***KervyQT16*** · 02-01-2009, 11:31 PM

Okay that is wildly awesome. I don't watch the show but Patti is legend. I might have to watch her episode.

TVJunkie22 · 02-02-2009, 12:41 AM

Patti is awesome!

Thanks for the news.

Also, can I just say I am soooo stoked for Guys and Dolls?! I LOVE Lauren Graham haha I'm a huge Gilmore Girls fan so I can't wait to see her!

***KervyQT16*** · 02-02-2009, 12:43 AM

I heard she was playing Adelaide...have you heard her voice before? I didn't even know she sang.

Danke · 02-02-2009, 03:36 AM

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Originally Posted by KervyQT16 (View Post)

I heard she was playing Adelaide...have you heard her voice before? I didn't even know she sang.

that´s what she said about her singing, so I guess she can do it

Quote:

How's the singing coming? I think the only time I've heard you sing was in an episode of Gilmore Girls.
Yes, but Lorelai was drunk! People keep saying that to me and I'm like, "Don't gauge my singing ability by Lorelai singing drunk in the seventh season. That wasn't my Broadway debut." [Laughs] It's hard to talk about. I auditioned. I've been training as a singer for a long time. I did musicals in high school and college. I did summer stock. I got my equity card before any of my other unions -- I thought I was on that path. But I stopped for a while. Also, this is not a legit soprano part; I can't sing that music. But this is something I'm enjoying doing. I really connect with this character. I really like her. I feel comfortable in this medium. I feel happy to be here. It's been a challenge, but I'm really enjoying it.

**Fortyseven** · 02-02-2009, 07:06 AM

I've never seen Patti live but I'm excited about her being on 30 Rock.

I loved her in the Sweeney Todd concert with Neil Patrick Harris and her role on Ugly Betty was funny as well.

TVJunkie22 · 02-02-2009, 07:16 AM

I saw her in Gypsy and she was amazing

...and yea she was great on Ugly Betty

I think Lauren can sing, and for a role like Adelaide, you don't really need that big belty b-way voice

***KervyQT16*** · 02-07-2009, 11:43 PM

I read the article on Lauren in my EW. I never watched Gilmore Girls so I have no frame of reference but the pic they are using to publicize her appearance in the show is certainly winning.

Brucas4life · 03-02-2009, 10:41 AM

Just thought I'd post some UK news:

Quote:

In a case of life imitating art, Jerry Springer, the American television presenter whose colourful talk show inspired a West End musical, is to join the cast of Chicago.

When Springer debuts on the Cambridge theatre stage on 1 June, playing Billy Flynn, it might well be the first time in West End history that a character from one musical has joined the cast of another.

The announcement that Springer would play a six week season in the long-running musical was made at a press conference held at the Cambridge theatre this morning, where Springer, flanked by a selection of Chicago’s striking dancers, was introduced to reporters.

The talk show host, who is actually a former lawyer, was mocking of his own talents, saying: “I have a voice for newspapers and a face for radio. When I sing, the audience really gets involved because they have to guess where the notes were supposed to have been.”

While happy to poke fun at himself, he made it clear that he was not taking the job, his first time on stage since college, lightly: “I know I joke about most of the things I do, but this role deserves respect. It isn’t just me going up there and telling jokes, this is a theatrical role and I’m going to try and respect the traditions of the theatre and of the show. I’m gong to work hard at it, I’m going to really rehearse and give it my best.”

Springer joins a long list of stars from stage and screen to have graced the stage as sleazy showbiz lawyer Flynn. Richard Gere played the role in the Oscar-winning big screen adaptation, while David Hasselhoff, Darius Danesh, Tony Hadley, Michael Greco, Duncan James, John Barrowman, Henry Goodman and Marti Pellow have all donned Flynn’s slick suit for the stage production.

Source

And some extensions have been announced:

Quote:

A host of London shows, including Michael Jackson musical Thriller Live and spooky thriller The Woman In Black have announced extensions to their West End runs.

Also running for longer are film-turned-stage-musical Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage and comedy Defending The Caveman.

Thriller Live, a staged concert celebrating the music of the King of Pop, is now booking until 27 September. The high-energy show, which includes tracks such as Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Can You Feel It and Man In The Mirror, opened at the Lyric theatre on 21 January and was originally booking until 12 April. From 12 April the moonwalking musical will adjust its show times, with Tue-Fri evening performances starting at 19:30.

Eerie thriller The Woman In Black is one of London’s longest running productions, having opened at the Fortune theatre on 7 June 1989. The tale of a young lawyer sent to conclude the affairs of a recently deceased reclusive woman is now booking until 30 January 2010.

Musical Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage has a way to go to match The Woman In Black’s 19 years on the London stage, but has extended its run at the Alwych theatre to 27 March 2010. The production, which opened in October 2006, brings to the stage the much-loved movie about a teenage girl who falls for dance teacher Johnny Castle while on a family holiday.

Defending The Caveman, which won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in 2000 when it was originally staged at the Apollo theatre, has extended its current run at the Leicester Square theatre until 5 April. The comic exploration of the gender divide stars actor and comedian Mark Little.

Source

***KervyQT16*** · 03-02-2009, 12:02 PM

Okay that Jerry Springer things totally freaks my head. He wasn't a good dancer. I mean he was so sweet on DWTS but, er...

For you Patti lovers, she's goign on tour with Mandy Patinkin. See her website here for more details.

**♥SweetBettyRose♥** · 03-03-2009, 07:01 AM

Patti on 30 Rock, that's awesome.

Brucas4life · 03-12-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

'Heathers' to become stage musical
By Simon Reynolds, Movies Editor

The Christian Slater and Winona Ryder 1988 teen movie Heathers will be turned into a musical.

Andy Fickman (Race To Witch Mountain) has agreed to direct the stage production after receiving the blessing of screenwriter Dan Waters.

"He understood that our goals were to be creatively attuned to his original work," Fickman told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that he hopes to work a classic line from the movie into a musical number: "'I love my dead gay son'. If you can get that into a song, then that is just perfect."

The black comedy centres on Veronica, a high-schooler who is part of a clique headed by three girls named Heather. Veronica soon finds herself led astray from the group by rebellious new student J.D.

The musical's cast may include Kristen Bell, Christian Campbell, Jenna Leigh Green, Corri English and Christine Lakin, who all took part in a table read this week. However, their involvement in the stage show is dependent on schedules.

Source

***KervyQT16*** · 03-12-2009, 06:07 PM

Oh no!

Well the cast is funny/cute and who knows maybe it could become campy fun like Evil Dead! The Musical but it sounds weird. Thanks for the info.

Hogglebee · 05-02-2009, 01:44 PM

Ausiellofiles - Chenoweth and Garber join 'Glee' club

Quote:

Here are two more reasons Fox's upcoming musicomedy, Glee, has us overjoyed: Kristin Chenoweth and Victor Garber are joining the cast in what will likely turn out to be recurring roles!

Wicked alum Chenoweth, who showed off her awesome pipes on the late, great Pushing Daisies, will play a part that's as top secret as it is hilarious. (Sorry, that's all you're getting out of me.) Fellow Broadway vet Garber (Sweeney Todd) will play the father of Glee's leading man, Hairspray hunk Matthew Morrison. (Tony winner Debra Monk is his mom.)

I can't wait for this, and I'm so happy Kristin is going to be in it.