'Hair' moves from Central Park to Broadway

The New York Times is reporting that:

"Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical will move to Broadway this season, the Public Theater announced on Wednesday. The show will make the transfer after the first of the year, with a theater and dates to be announced soon. The show, directed by Diane Paulus, with music by Galt MacDermot and book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, began previews in Central Park on July 22 and has been extended three times. The final performance of the production at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park will take place Sunday."

-Julie Bloom, nytimes.com

Spamelot returns to the Canon Theatre

It seems the Mirvish company enjoys return engagements as the hit Broadway musical Spamalot (which played exactly a year ago at the same house) returns once again tonight to the Canon Theatre on Yonge Street.

The musical is great though. The story and dialogue is witty and light, and the music is quite enjoyable as well.

Here are the details:

The National Touring Company

Spamalot

A new musical based on the motion picture "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
Dates: September 9 - October 5, 2008
Performance Schedule Tues - Sat @ 8 PM; Sat 2 PM; Sun 2 PM & 7 PM
Added performances: Wed Sept 17 2 PM

*There is no performance on Sun Sept 21 at 7 PM
Venue: Canon Theatre - 244 Victoria StreetToronto, Ontario

Theatre Openings: Toronto

Anne by Paul Ledoux. (Theatre Scarborough). This drama is based on LM Montgomery's novel Anne Of Green Gables. Opens Sep 4 and runs to Sep 14, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sep 14 at 2 pm. $17, stu/srs $14 (Thu and Sun only). Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-396-4049, theatrescarborough.com.

The Fantasticks by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. (The Civic Light Opera Company). A false feud leads to love in this musical. Opens Sep 4 and runs to Sep 20, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Wed 7 pm, mats Sun (and Sep 20) 2 pm. $20-$25. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.Half Life by John Mighton (Thousand Islands Playhouse).

Two seniors find love despite the objections of their adult children. Previews Sep 4, opens Sep 5 and runs to Oct 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat and Sun 2:30 pm. $32, srs $30, stu/preview $16. Springer Theatre, Gananoque. 1000islandsplayhouse.com.

Lady In Waiting by Charles Hayter (Fifth Ventricle Productions). A doctor's secret life as a drag queen comes to light in this solo show. Opens Sep 9 and runs to Sep 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $12. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

The Little Mermaid and the ugly duckling adapted by Zenon Skrzypczyk (Solar Stage Children's Theatre). Two classic tales are paired in this musical family show. Opens Sep 6 and runs to Sep 27, Sat-Sun 11 am and 2 pm. $13. 4950 Yonge. 416-368-8031.

Norway. Today by Igor Bauersima (Theatre Smash). A man and woman meet on a cliff after entering a suicide pact in a chat room (see related story, page 115). Previews from Sep 5, opens Sep 9 and runs to Sep 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$25, previews $15, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, theatresmash.com.

Wickedly Wonderful by Heidi M Hayward (NovaStage). Four witches seek alternate careers when witchcraft is banned. Opens Sep 5 and runs to Sep 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sep 13 2 pm. $10-$13. Cambridge Centre for the Arts, Cambridge. novastage.com.

Underwear: A Space Musical

This is a video clip from a new musical out of New York, that EAP is hoping to bring as a reading and development project to Toronto in the fall of 09. It may seem like a long ways off people, but that's what it takes to get things done. Anyway, these kids in New York are workin' it. They are coming off a very successful run at NYCFringe, the review at nytheater.com is a rave, and TimeOut New York, was also very positive. I have posted the link for nytheatre.com's review below. I have also posted the Underwear: A Space Musical blog. I think it's great to utilize the blogs as a marketing tool, and Undearwear has done it right. The show looks great, and if all goes well it may eventually be seen by Toronto audiences. Now if only "The Theatre" would catch up with the internet, in terms of production speed, life would be grand. I would also like to shout out Adam Enright, who stars. I had the distinct pleasure of working with him on Wood in July and he is a real talent. http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/fnyc08_rev.php?0=S&1=544

In addition to Adam, the Fringe cast featured Cait Doyle, already a favorite of mine. She does an amazing cabaret show at the Duplex in the Village (NY not TO.) Look for her Hot Mess in Manhattan, her myspace page bellow is a good start. And damn if Gisela Adisa, who is playing Patricia Pezon, doesn't just melt my heart with her weave line in this interview with the cast. It comes out around the 1:20 mark. I have to meet that girl! Congrats to all, and be sure to check out the Underwear blog for more.

http://www.underwearaspacemusical.blogspot.com/ http://www.myspace.com/hotmessinmanhattan

LM

Curtains Down at Statlers

Holiday Monday is here. Check out tonight's cabaret/open mic night "Curtains Down" at Statlers Loung on Church.

This week, Jenni Burke will feature the voices of,

Kritty Uranowski, Natalie Nadon, Jamie Dawne Sussman, Matthew Edison, Cheryl Cline, Haley Toane, Laura Burns, Justin Bott, Sandra Krstin, Theresa Rowland, Isabelle Hornstien, Alisha Ruiss, Jory Rossiter, Ryan Kerrand.

Sing with Mamma Mia cast

More news Liza will be ecstatic about, as select movie theatres around the country will offer a sing-along version of the hit film "Mamma Mia!" — based on the long-running musical of the same name — beginning Aug. 29.

"Audiences at these specially selected theaters," press notes state, "are invited to bring friends and family to experience the smash hit movie musical in a whole new way by singing along to the songs they love." The sing-along edition of the film will feature the lyrics to every musical number on the screen.

The film is already a massive hit globally. It has surpassed $300 million in worldwide box office revenue, and its soundtrack is at the top of the Billboard Music Charts.

A great summer musical. Fun, fun fun!

Pride and Prejudice news!

With being so busy and all filming season 2 of Project Runway I have missed some important local and international Theatre news.

This miss, which was originally reported on August 21st on Playbill.com is a little embarrassing considering Liza's adoration of the original text and films:

"A concert version of the new musical Pride & Prejudice — based on the classic Jane Austen novel — will be presented Oct. 21 at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY. Pride & Prejudice, A Musical Play will feature a 16-piece orchestra and a cast filled with Broadway actors, including Jersey Boys' Colin Donnell as Mr. Darcy. Additional casting will be announced shortly. The evening will also include costume pieces, lighting and simple sets.

The Rochester venue is an appropriate choice for the Broadway-aimed Pride & Prejudice: The musical was penned by two Rochester natives, Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs. Mark Lamos (Our Country's Good, Seascape, The Rivals) directs with musical direction by Fred Lassen.

Pride & Prejudice, A Musical Play has been optioned for a Broadway production by Lori Bajorek, also a Rochester native. Executive producer is Donald C. Farber.

In a statement producer Bajorek said, "We really want Rochester to 'own' this show from the start. This is 'Rochester's Musical,' and we want the whole community to come with us to Broadway!"

A reading of Pride & Prejudice — which combines the world of the Bennet family in Pride and Prejudice with the world of Austen as she writes the novel — was presented in Manhattan in August 2007. "Jane Austen," according to previous production notes, "brings to life the world of Pride & Prejudice through her writing process. She creates the classic love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy before our eyes for us to fall in love with all over again. . . . It is a story of love — the love an author has for her characters and the love the characters have for one another." That reading was also directed by Mark Lamos." (Andrew Gans, Playbill.com)

Picture: Colin Donnell