Casting Thoroughly Modern Millie

Well, the deed is done. After sign ups, auditions and callbacks: a cast list has been made and posted. We even got in a few scant rehearsals. All is good.

For those that have never been part of the casting process, let me assure you: it is not fun. My best analogy for the casting process is a huge jigsaw puzzle...where every piece fits....but you have no picture to guide you. Then add to it that you are casting high school kids and mix into it how well you KNOW most of them and how much it means to many of them: it turns into a hot mess of sleepless nights. Truly. I never sleep better then the night AFTER a cast list is posted.

There are always a few you worry about for a variety of reasons: will they be upset to have gotten a smaller part than they hoped? Will they be anxiety ridden upon finding out how big of a part they have?

Is part of "show biz" learning disappointment? Naturally. But as a public school educator, I am always concerned with the whole student. And to be honest; it is more important to me to keep their love for theatre alive, along with their drive to create than it is to teach them about the harsh reality of life. Don't get me wrong...I cast the best show that I can (and I can say that in 15+ years of casting, I have only doubted ONE decision). I just worry.

This is the first year I've had to be physically present at the high school when the cast list was posted. Previously, my (newly retired) colleague would put up the list while I was safely hidden at the middle school. In all honesty, it wasn't as bad as I'd thought it might be. In fact, watching what seemed to be true joy for friends that had fared well was inspiring.

I haven't heard of any tears or anger...and I am always certain to ask around. Most of the feedback seems really positive. I'm always willing to talk to a student that needs to. I don't mind if kids are dissappointed...it just means it meant a lot to them. Tears? You can't help how you feel. I think the "getting over it" is more important than the initial knee-jerk reaction.

Millie is an odd musical: MANY more roles for the girls than the guys. And even the parts for the men are less visable then their female counterparts. Once you get past the leading roles the pickin's are slim. Most of the men's remaining are one or two liners. Which left a lot more disappointed guys then girls. (From a purely sexist point of view: it's about time!!)

Close-tastrophe!

So sad on the Great White Way. In less than ten days THREE b'way shows have announced their closing. Perhaps sad isn't the right word. I'm not one to get emotional over the closing of a show, but it seems so fast to resort to closing.

TITLE OF SHOW. Not suprising as it has not been able to fill their theatre past 50% capacity since the second week of their (very) short run. An adorable show, but I always felt it was really an "off b'way" show and would never truly be able to make a go of it on B'way.

XANADU. This one DID suprise me. Having Whoopi in a role really proved that with stunt casting, this show COULD pack in an audience....so why the push to kill it? Then, to make matters worse...they CHANGED the closing date: BY TWO WEEKS! Uncanny.

On a personal note....I had somehow secured stage seats for my kids and I for Oct 4. They were SO excited, and couldn't wait to be on stage. I was excited for them. How disappointing to have to tell them we wouldn't be going. There were tears, and it simply wasn't pretty.

I'm GUESSING that the Helen Hayes Theater has a show that is already coming in...and made it worth their while for them to exit before the first of the month.

LEGALLY BLONDE. A truly delightful and entertaining show. (As much as I don't want to admit it, the true guilty pleasure!) There had been rumors that this would be exiting the Palace Theater to make way for West Side Story in early 2009. No official announcement about that.

Best wishes to the casts and crews of these shows and may they find work knocking down their doors!

Off Broadway is Alive and Well. (So is Jacques Brel, apparently.)

This past Saturday I had a whirlwind day down to Manhattan. (From Boston, for those that don't know.) First: Another inexpensive way to get there...ta-dah! MEGAbus. Not as cool as BOLT, as there is no internet. But clean, guaranteed seating and expedient.

First off: Mandy Patinkin in William Shakespeare's The Tempest at the Classic Stage Company, a delightfully intimate theater.

Upon entering you are visually you are struck by the stage. (Designed by Jian Jung) The seating is arranged in a modified thrust setting and you see only two things: a large square of sand over which hovers a HUGE platform suspended from the ceiling at an angle. On one side is a beautiful painting of clouds; the other side is pure whit with a model ship attached to it. All four corners of the platform are attached to pulleys from which the hardworking stage hands (interns, I'm sure) adjust and manipulate the vision.

Overall, I truly enjoyed the production, but I must warn you: I am a HUGE Mandy Patinkin fan as well as a lover of Shakespeare. Add to that that Patinkin actually SANG was just icing on the cake. Did I LOVE it...no. Do I encourage/reccommend seeing it? Certainly.

As another reveiw stated: Mandy was Mandy. His big, bold and intense gruffness was fitting and he certainly commands any stage on which he enters. But I wanted MORE out of his Prospero. I wanted to see....doubt? insecurity? disbelief? concern? I only got a two dimensional Prospero, sad to say.

There were several absolute stand out performances for me. Bhavesh Patel (Boatswain/Adrian/Male Sprite) was truly riveting to watch no matter which part he was undertaking. His depth of character in addition to the contrasting choice he made BETWEEN characters was stunning. His eyes were so intense and I felt him to be 100% dedicated.

The suprise and most remarkable performance, for me, came from Elisabeth Waterston (daughter of Sam) as Miranda. First let me say her beauty is unconventional and striking. Her Miranda was so heartfelt and subtle, that you almost feel as though you are eavesdropping or spying on her private life. She could, perhaps, be the first actor that I felt compelled to watch that was sharing a stage with Patinkin. She LIVED in the moment, and Miranda's joy at seeing actual "people" was more delightful than a single moment should be. I look forward to her future career immensely.

And may I GLEEFULLY mention Fela! Playing at 37 Arts. It was recently extended and rumors are that it is looking around for a B'way house. The sign at the box office, however, said that the entire run is sold out...but it can't hurt to try! And I HIGHLY reccommend that you do. Quite the experience. Intimate, big, lively, spiritual, angry, encompassing.

Written, directed and choreographed by (Tony Award Winning) Bill T. Jones, Fela! is full of love, admiration and heartache. The production is more like a one man show with back up, as we are guided throught the life and times of activist/musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti of Nigeria. The costumes and make up are beautiful, sensual and tribal as seen on Kuti's "queens", that compose much of the dance and energy of the production.

SAHR NGAUJAH as Fela Kuti is practically mesmorizing as he commands the stage. His warmth, humor and energy permeate the entire theatre. If Ngaujah's portrayal of Kuti is even remotely accurate of the man, he is indeed someone I'd like to have dinner with. His level of comfort breaking the fourth wall as well as dealing with the sensitive language and situations is unbelievable. Here is another man who has an amazingly bright future on Broadway.

You can feel the spirit of all those involved and how much this production means to them. Very simple lines of dialogue could bring a tear to one's eye. The simplicity at times was staggering. I understand that many aspects of Kuti's life are underexamined within the book...but as an audience member that only knew of the premise of his life, I did not feel cheated. Rather I spurned on to research and learn more about the man and his music.

I find it difficult to put into words many aspects of the show as it is almost etheral. I found myself holding my breath at times from the beauty and at other times I was truly horrified at the events unfolding.

SHOULD this be a full fledged Broadway show? I am not sure...and worry that it might suffer the same result as {TOS} in a less intimate setting. WOULD I go see it again should it make its way to the Great White Way? In a heartbeat.

On one hand....

There is good news that makes me beyond joyful. Hair is OFFICIALLY opening on B'way early 2009. No cast or theater named...but I would suspect that MUCH of the current cast will jump at the chance to stay with this. Since it would only be a short time before they went into rehearsal again, they'd be back on a payroll pretty quickly.

Jonathan Groff MIGHT be available; he had to leave HAIR before any of the extentions because he was (is?) filming with Ang Lee (a movie about Woodstock). But he also has a commitment with Playwrights Horizon (love that place) to star in A Prayer for My Enemy scheduled to open Mid-November. (limited engagement) Will he be done in time? Does he WANT to work non stop? Knowing him: definitely. Maybe he'll get another TONY award nomination? Could be....who knows....?


On the other hand...some NOT so great news...but common enough....To Be or Not To Be has postponed their opening again. But not by very much, a few days...which probably means technical difficulties.

Just some info for the locals....

Wow...the Lyric Stage has a truly notable season coming in.

While I don't know what I'll actually get to see here's what I'm hoping for (and encouraging YOU to try to see)....

FOLLIES (This is an amazing Sondhiem musical, so haunting!) It makes me shake my head to remember that my first experience with this show is being cast as Hattie when I was only 17. Wonderful song (Broadway Baby), RIDICULOUS casting.

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING I never had a chance to catch this in NY.

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF One of Tennessee William's most passionate plays dealing with love, marriage and homosexuality.

SPEECH AND DEBATE This was one of my all time favorite Off B'way Plays. It was a sleeper hit in NYC last season. Second Stage premiered this lovely 3 person play and it ended up being extended two or three times due to its popularity. The basic story involves 3 high school misfits that band forces when they realize a dark thread they have in common. Quite the dark comedy, I won't be missing this.

GREY GARDENS An off beat and bizarre musical that garnered a huge following the short time it was on B'way. The story (based on a documentary of the same name -- I think) tells of the eccentric lives and downfall of two of Jackie Kennedy Onassis' cousins. Phenominal story telling, interesting music....and it shows how different a musical can be.

Tickets for all of Lyric's shows are currently being sold. Go. Buy. See. Share.

And of course, lots of stuff coming in for Broadway Across America: Boston
(Sadly, two shows I was really excited about (Pre NY try outs) have been "postponed", which in professional terms usually means CANCELLED: Brigadoon and Harry Connick, Jr's Nice Work If You Can Get It.)

My picks:

A Chorus Line (but only if you haven't seen it before, the revival did NOT live up to the original for me.)

Legally Blonde Just a FUN, lively and PINK show that will keep you smiling and singing!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas But JUST for the younger kids!

Chicago Always fun to see, but a little risque....but I think FUNNIER than the movie.h

Frost/Nixon Stacy Keach? OH MY! Political Drama

Movin' Out Billy Joel music. Twyla Tharp choreography. A beautiful ballet.

Spring Awakening High school students and up: GO SEE THIS. Just don't sit with your parents! This is an important musical to see, but it is NOT for everyone. If there were "ratings" for stage shows, this would be rated R...but since it is live the sexuality is much more raw and intense. While stage seating is available...spring (no pun intended) for house seats unless you've seen it before.


Just as a side note: MANY of these shows are not yet on sale. Just keep an eye on things.

The Theatre Blogger's Creed
From Sister Sarah, with Father Kevin:

I believe in Rodgers & Hammerstein, the almighty, creator of musical theatre heaven. I believe in Stephen Sondheim, their only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the composer and born of the Divas. He suffered under the critics, was crucified, died, and was buried. At the the Tony Awards he rose again. He ascended into theatre heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Fathers. He will come again with a revival and will judge the living and the dead ticket buyers. I believe in the original cast recording, the holy revival cast recording, the Tony Award, the forgiveness of critics, the proliferation of the Divas, and the eleven o’clock number. As it was at the overture and shall be at the exit music, bliss without end. Amen.

And another school year begins...

Let me start by saying the first week of school
is ALWAYS the most difficult one. Suprisingly, even more difficult than the last. The early starts (even though I am naturally a morning person), the routine, getting your BRAIN back in gear...all more difficult than most can imagine....for me AND for the kids. Oh...and it's been unseasonalbly hot and humid as hell--my room is a sauna....with windows that are 10 feet off the ground and unusable. (Supposedly, there is a "stick" to open and closes them...but no one knows WHERE it is.)

And I'm short. I mean REALLY short. I've always KNOWN that, but now I'm smacked in the face with my shortness. Like every MOMENT. No matter where I look...there is tallness. Just a few years ago, they were smaller than me or at least still I was able to look them in the eye without having to fight being blinded from the ceiling lights!

I am utterly and joyfully exhausted as the week has been a whirlwind -- in the best of ways. I cannot begin to explain how different the energy is at a high school vs. a middle school. I am lost and and I am found. (And if THAT doesn't sound overly dramamtic, what does?) But it's true....I'm home. (Couldn't resist another platitude.)