by Mike Haber | Jul 22, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, Casting, Shows
HOW ‘BOUT A DANCE?! THE WORLD WILL REMEMBER THEM and 10 YEARS LATER, they still do. Laura Osnes and
Jeremy Jordan are set to return to the world of crime and the life of……
Bonnie & Clyde. The Tony nominated Broadway favorites will be reprising their performances as the titular roles in
Frank Wildhorn, Don Black, and
Ivan Menchell‘s musical with a ONE NIGHT ONLY 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT in London next year.
BONNIE AND CLUDE IN CONCERT is set for January 18th, 2022 at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane (soon to be the home of the West End production of Disney’s smash hit
Frozen). It will be directed by Nick Winston along with a full orchestra led by Katy Richardson.
Additional casting is set to be announced later on.
BONNIE & CLYDE is a musical tells the tale of the ill-fated fugitive lovers themselves “Bonnie Parker” and “Clyde Barrow” and their life of crime during the Great Depression. It features music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, and a book by Ivan Menchell. Notable songs include PICTURE SHOW, HOW ‘BOUT A DANCE, RAISE A LITTLE HELL, THE WORLD WILL REMEMBER US, MADE IN AMERICA, and DYIN’ AIN’T SO BAD.
The show was first conceived by Frank Wildhorn and Don Black following their previous Broadway flop DRACULA THE MUSICAL. For a 2nd chance project, they started writing a set of songs for a the possibility of a cycle inspired by the story of the famous criminals “Bonnie Parker” and “Clyde Barrow”. It was released as a 13 track demo album from
Atlantic Records. With a mix of country, blues, and pop, it featured the talents of Wildhorn’s notable crew of stars he’s worked with including…..
Michael Lanning (who worked with Wildhorn on The Civil War),
Rob Evan (known for working with Wildhorn on his notable legendary musical
Jekyll & Hyde),
Brandi Burkhardt (who worked with Wildhorn on the development of
Wonderland)
Wildhorn’s ex-wife and celebrated performer
Linda Eder (known as the original “Lucy” in Jekyll & Hyde. She also helped him on Havanna, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War, and more).
Following the demo album, the show began to get developed through a set of early development readings including an industry lab at the
Roundabout Theatre Company.
From there, BONNIE & CLYDE had its world premiere run in San Diego, CA in 2009 at the
La Jolla Playhouse. Under the direction and choreography of Jeff Calhoun, the cast was led by….
Laura Osnes as “Bonnie Parker”,
Melissa van der Schyff as “Blanche Barrow”,
and
The San Diego production was well received by early critics. It also took home 5 San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards that same year.
With the San Diego run’s success, the creative team knew there was still that extra work that needed to be done. The following year of 2010, BONNIE & CLYDE had a 2nd Pre-Broadway tryout in Sarasota, Florida at the
Asolo Repertory Theatre. Majority of the cast was the team with the exception of Jeremy Jordan replacing Stark Sands as “Clyde Barrow”.
The Sarasota run was a smash giving the show the Green Light of hitting our New York Theater scene.
Finally in the Fall of 2011, BONNIE & CLYDE made its Broadway debut at the Gerald Schonefeld Theatre. However, the critics were mixed to negative. In addition, ticket sales were extremely poor causing it to abruptly close after 4 weeks. The Broadway production ran for 33 previews and 36 regular performances.
Despite the show flopping, BONNIE & CLYDE went on to received a huge cult following. It was nominated for 2
Tony Awards in 2012 for BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Laura Osnes) and BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (for Frank Wildhorn and Don Black). It was also nominated for 5
Drama Desk Awards including OUTSTANDING MUSICAL. With the Awards, it lost all of its categories.
As always, there is a life for musicals after Broadway. Following its short time, BONNIE & CLYDE went on to launch productions around the world. It has been performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
We cannot wait for Laura and Jeremy to head overseas celebrating 10 years of this incredible cult musical classic.
by Mike Haber | Jul 22, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, Casting, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: Things on the Great Bright Way are once again about to go NICE AND ROUGH as the 12 time Tony nominated smash hit
Tina: The
Tina Turner Musical returns to Broadway this Fall. We are so happy to announce that the musical’s original leading lady
Adrienne Warren will show the Great Bright Way WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT as the reopens on October 8th, 2021 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
However, she won’t be playing the iconic QUEEN OF ROCK N’ ROLL herself “Tina Turner” (which she earned her 2nd Tony nomination for BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL) for that much long. It will be a strictly limited engagement. No word has been said when exactly how long the
Shuffle Along and
Bring It On star will be staying. Additional casting will be revealed later on as well.
Warren has been keeping her talents and her voice really busy even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic which abruptly shutdown TINA. She is also set to star as “Mamie Till-Mobley” in the upcoming 6-episode miniseries WOMEN OF THE MOVEMENT on
ABC. She will also co-founded the Broadway Advocacy Coalition which helps students, artists, organizations and communities to use the arts as an integral part of social change.
Prior before returning to TINA this Fall, Warren will also be headlining a concert at
Bryant Park part of its set of free summer concerts welcoming live performance back.
Welcome back to Broadway Adrienne!!
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, Gilbert and Sullivan to Hamilton Tour (Downtown), News, Shows
ON THE MARQUEE: This Fall, Broadway will RAISE A GLASS TO FREEDOM as
Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s Award winning phenomenon
Hamilton returns. A friend of ours was so kind enough to share this photo of an update to the front of house billboard outside the show’s home of Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre. The marquee itself is letting us know that THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS will BE BACK on…. WAIT FOR IT……. SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2021!!!!
The Broadway production, all 3 of its US National Tours, and London companies are all set to return throughout this year of 2021.
We can’t wait to be back IN THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD and experience Broadway RISE UP like never before!!!
WERK!!!
Who is ready to RISE UP?!!!
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Broadway, Gilbert and Sullivan to Hamilton Tour (Downtown), News, Shows
LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE!!! 5 years later,
Lin-Manuel Miranda and
Jennifer Lopez have re-released their charity song LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND for a very special cause. Both Latin performers are helping both support The
Hispanic Federation. It continue to celebrate love, foster community, and raise additional funds to honor the victims, their families, survivors, and the community….. even especially during this previous past year of the COVID-19 pandemic and support of diversity.
LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND was originally released in July 2016 following Miranda’s departure from
Hamilton on Broadway. The song was recorded as a benefit anthem single to support of those who were effected by the tragic
PULSE Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. When the shooting happened was also the night Miranda and the full HAMILTON team took home their
Tony Awards glory. Most notably when winning for BEST ORIGINAL SCORE, Miranda gave a very emotional speech in support of those in Orlando with the famous saying LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE.
How powerful is this song?
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, In The Heights Walking Tour, Shows, Washington Heights
NO ME DIGA: Tony Award winners
Lin-Manuel Miranda and
Karen Olivo have joined in on a latest trend to the film adaptation of their breakout smash hit musical
In The Heights. The real life BFF’s (who originated the roles of “Usnavi” and “Vanessa” in the original Broadway production) filmed themselves lip-syncing to the argument section from the song BLACKOUT with a twist….. They switched roles!!
Miranda sang the “Vanessa” part along with Olivo singing the “Usnavi” part.
All of this is part of a BLACKOUT trend on social media including
TikTok.
FUN FACT: The version they are lip-synching is from the film’s soundtrack featuring
Anthony Ramos and
Melissa Barrera. During the song in the film, “Usnavi” and “Vanessa” get into a heated argument after not dancing with each other at THE CLUB and loosing each other when the power goes out. The couple breaks up.
However in the stage production of IN THE HEIGHTS (which this scene ends the first act), this argument scene is actually sung by “Nina” and “Benny”. Following a disaster bombshell that goes off at the Rosario’s dinner, “Nina” tries to go follow “Benny” to THE CLUB to apologize for her father’s decision and behavior. However, “Benny” is already drunk brushes her off. Throughout dancing there, “Nina” and “Benny” cope with their own jealousy till the power goes out. They find each other, argue some more, and then kiss under the fireworks.
VIDEO: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo Join IN THE HEIGHTS ‘Blackout’ Trend! (broadwayworld.com)
by Mike Haber | Jul 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
FIRST LOOK: THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT is back!!! One of Musical Theater’s greatest treasures is set to once again haunt Live Theater……
Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s legendary smash hit
The Phantom of the Opera. We are so happy to share with you a brand new trailer for the show’s return to its inaugural home in London’s West End. This is the chance for PHANS to get that early sneak peak of it’s new leads….
West End favorite Lucy St. Louis who makes PHANTOM history as the first black actress to play the iconic role of “Christine Daae”.
With PHANTOM’s return to London, it will be a full brand new physical production while still playing tribute to its late original head creators.
The show will be directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn staying true to the original vision of the late & great Hal Prince,
choreography will be done by Chrissie Cartwright recreated and updated still playing tribute to the movement of the late and legendary
Gillian Lynne,
Matt Kinley updating the set and Jill Parker doing the costumes while still honoring the original visual presentation by the late
Maria Bjornson.
Other changes to the show’s London production will include the Orchestra now reduced to now 14 musicians in the pit instead of its traditional 27.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA re-haunts London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre beginning next Tuesday, July 27th, 2021. From there, the show will later reopen here in our New York backyard at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre starting September 14th, 2021 along with new companies around the world.
Who is excited?
How thrilling is this trailer?
