by Mike Haber | Oct 19, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Shows
Over the years, Broadway has continued to have an unforgettable legacy of flopped shows that still earned a huge cult following on the Great Bright Way. One of those shows was the musical adaptation of the classic 1990 film
Cry-Baby.
For those who may not know, CRY-BABY is set in 1954’s Baltimore. The story tells the classic tale of the rebellious leader of the drapes himself “Wade Walker” who goes by his nickname “Cry-Baby” because of his ability to shed a single tear that impresses the girls. One day, he ends up falling in love with squeaky clean square “Allison Vernon-Williams”. However their romance takes a huge effect on their town leading to extreme chaos. Based on the 1990 film directed by
John Waters (which starred Johnny Depp), the musical features an original score by David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger and a book by the late Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Notable songs include WATCH YOUR A**, SQUEAKY CLEAN, NOBODY GETS ME, A WHOLE LOT WORSE, SCREW LOOSE, GIRL CAN I KISS YOU, YOU CAN’T BEAT THE SYSTEM, A LITTLE UPSET, ALL IN MY HEAD, and NOTHING BAD’S EVER GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN.
FUN FACT: It’s the 2nd musical of a John Waters film produced on Broadway after the success of the Tony winning smash hit
Hairspray.
The musical had its world premiere pre-Broadway tryout in California at the
La Jolla Playhouse in 2007. From there the following year of 2008, it made its way to our New York City backyard.
CRY-BABY played the Marquis Theatre running for 45 previews and 68 regular performances. Under the direction of Mark Brokaw with choreography by
Rob Ashford, the cast was led by….
James Snyder in his Broadway Debut as rebel “Wade “Cry-Baby Walker”,
Tony nominee Elizabeth Stanley as Good Girl turned Bad “Allison Vernon-Williams”,
Alli Mauzey in her showstopping performance as the crazy obsessed stalker “Lenora”,
Tony Award winner
Harriet Harris as the overprotected “Mrs. Vernon-Williams”,
Carly Jibson as the pregnant drape “Pepper”,
Courtney Balan (later
Tory Ross) as the tough and deformed “Mona “Hatchet-Face” Malnorowski”,
Lacey Kohl as sexy laid back drape “Wanda Woodward”,
Richard Poe as “The Judge”.
CRY-BABY earned mixed to negative reviews. The story itself was criticized but the performers were praised. The show would still go on to be nominated for 4
Tony Awards in 2008 including BEST MUSICAL. However, it lost the categories. It also still would go on win its only
Drama Desk Award category for OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY (for Rob Ashford).
With its life after Broadway, CRY-BABY would NOT record its original cast album until 7 YEARS later. It was released in 2015 from
Broadway Records featuring majority of the Broadway cast. In celebration, they also reunited with an album release concert of the show at
Feinstein’s/54 Below.
CRY-BABY would also go on today to be performed in Schools, Community, and Regional Theaters everywhere.
Who remembers this show?!!
Anyone see CRY-BABY?!!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
Today marks the 20th Anniversary of a groundbreaking feel-good musical as it made its triumphant Broadway debut. That show would go on to become a worldwide phenomenon…..
MAMMA MIA!
Following its triumphant success in London’s West End, the show would go on to have audiences in America disco in the aisles. The show would run here in the Big Apple for a total of 14 f
ABBAulous years. It ran at both the Winter Garden Theatre and later transferring to the Broadhurst Theatre for a total of 5,773 performances. At the time of the show’s September 2015 closing, it became the 9th Longest Running Show in Broadway History.
Today,
MAMMA MIA! continues to played to packed crowds in London’s West End and Internationally. There are currently also productions being performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
Check out footage below of the original Broadway cast in action. Under the direction of Phyllida Lloyd and choreography by Anthony Van Laast, the cast in this video featured …
Judy Kaye as “Rosie”,
Tina Maddigan as “Sophie Sheredian”,
David W. Keeley as “Sam Carmichael”,
Ken Marks as “Bill Austin”,
Dean Nolen as “Harry Bright”,
Joe Machota as “Sky”,
& more.
THANK YOU FOR 20 YEARS OF THE MUSIC MAMMA MIA BROADWAY!!
We miss you. Hope you will once again DIG IN THE DANCING QUEEN here on Broadway soon.
Happy 20 Years MAMMA MIA!!!
Who has seen it on Broadway?!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
HELLO, THERE POPPETS! So unbelievable to see the magic of Broadway and Live Theater back. However, we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic following ongoing safety protocols. Currently, most Broadway shows including the upcoming return of Mrs.
Doubtfire sadly will NOT being doing the popular post-show stage door at this time. This is all for the healthy and safety of the entire cast, crew, musicians, creative team, and your fellow Theatergoers.
Please remember to respect the company and NO RANTS!!!! These are people just like you and me.
However if you still want have the chance to connect with the company, there are various ways to do that….
1. Follow your favorite cast members on their social media
2. Send them a fan letter (depending if the production is allowing fans to still send in fan letters and artwork)
3. Have a virtual hangout (with a meet and greet or even a coaching / master class if you’re a performer) online via
Broadway Booker and
Broadway Plus. Several of DOUBTFIRE’s cast members offering these including its star Tony nominee Rob McClure – depending on his/her schedule with doing the show.
Plans for Stage Door will be back but currently NOT at this time. Keep follow ongoing safety protocols.
Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical will resume Broadway previews on October 21st, 2021 and finally reach its official Opening Night on December 5th, 2021 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
Who is excited for DOUBTFIRE’s return?
Thoughts on the NO Stage Door at this time?!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
BREAKING NEWS: It has just been announced that long running
WICKED Ensemble Broadway cast member Lindsay Northern-Bradshaw has announced her departure from the long running
Stephen Schwartz blockbuster after 13 YEARS. Her final performance at the Gershwin Theatre is set for Halloween itself on October 31st, 2021.
The actress took to her family YouTube channel FRAMILY TRAVEL to share the news with all the viewers. She shared her thoughts saying its time to move on plus spending more quality time with her family. We know for sure Northern-Bradshaw will eventually be back on Broadway with something and will do many more projects to come.
Lindsay Northern-Bradshaw made her Broadway debut with
Wicked in 2008 where she stayed with the production ever since. She appeared in the show every night as part of the Ensemble. Plus, she also served as the 2nd cover / understudy for the role of the POPULAR “Glinda” going on various times.
Wishing you so much happiness and an exciting future ahead. Enjoy the last few days of your final days in THE MERRY OLD LAND OF OZ….. FOR GOOD. We will miss you.
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
It’s so not JUST YOUR IMAGINATION, Broadway’s Back!!! Earlier today, the cast of the Tony winning smash hit
Ain’t Too Proud continued their triumphant celebration back on the Great Bright Way with a special live performance from Times Square only on
Good Morning America.
Here is the show’s current stars….
Nik Walker as “Otis Williams”,
James Harkness as “Paul Williams”,
Matt Manuel as “David Ruffin”,
and
Jelani Remy as “Eddie Kendricks”
…. performing a medley of 3 beloved
Temptations hits consisting of GET READY, AIN’T TOO PROUD, and I CAN’T GET NEXT TO YOU.
You can catch the toe-tapping AIN’T TOO PROUD back on Broadway 8 times a week at the Imperial Theatre. Along with it being in NYC, the show is set to kick off a National Tour this Holiday season beginning December 7th, 2021 in Durham, NC. From there, the show will make its way to…..
our nation’s capitol in Washington D.C.,
Charlotte, NC,
Orlando, FL,
Fort Lauderdale, FL,
Atlanta, GA,
Cincinnati, OH,
Grand Rapids, MI,
Boston, MA
Baltimore, MD,
Detroit, MI,
San Francisco, CA,
and more.
WELCOME BACK AIN’T TOO PROUD!!!
How incredible was that?!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, Casting, News, Shows
SHOW ME HOW YOU WANT IT TO BE!!! Get ready to feel even STRONGER THAN YESTERDAY as the official cast announcement has been revealed for the long awaited debut of the new musical
Once Upon a One More Time heading for the Great Bright Way. This show of course is an original fairy-tale jukebox musical featuring the songs of the legendary
Britney Spears. Under the direction and choreography of Keone and Mari Madrid, the magic of Fairy Tales and the music of legendary Pop Princess herself 8 times a week will consist of it’s continuing cast members….
Aisha Jackson (Most recently seen as the standby for “Anna” on Broadway in Disney’s
Frozen) as “Snow White”,
Broadway favorite and acclaimed singer-songwriter Morgan Weed (Broadway’s
American Psycho) as “Princess Pea”,
Brooke Dillman (TV’s
Superbad) as “The OFGM (a.k.a The Original Fairy Godmother)”,
Wonu Ogunfowora (Broadway’s Summer: The Donna Summer Musical) as “Rapunzel”,
Ashley Chiu (Off Broadway’s
KPOP) as “Sleeping Beauty”,
New to the cast will include….
Tony Award winning legend John Glover (Broadway’s Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Drowsy Chaperone, and
Waiting for Godot plus TV’s
Smallville) who replaces SAG Award winner Simon Callow as “The Narrator”,
ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME will finally have its long awaited debut in our nation’s capitol of Washington D.C. at the
Shakespeare Theatre Company beginning next month. It will from November 29th, 2021 – January 2nd, 2022.
This show was initially slated to have its world premiere out-of-town tryout in Chicago at the James M. Nederlander Theatre and then come to Broadway’s Marquis Theatre all in 2020. However, the production was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We know this show will be a promising feel good fun time and of course celebrating the legacy of Britney Spears….. We gotta also show our support as well…..
#FreeBritney
Are you ready to go CRAZY and dance like a royal TILL THE WORLD ENDS?!!!
