by Mike Haber | Oct 28, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
HOWDY, BROADWAY FANS!!! New York’s MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET is only 28 DAYS till The 95th Annual
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We have more toe-tapping performances coming your way on our TOP 30 BROADWAY AT MACY’S COUNTDOWN. Truy an exciting day to ring in the return of the holiday season and celebrate the return of Broadway. Here comes another great Broadway performance?
At # 28 on our countdown, we take a trip to a notable HONKY TONK town in Tennessee in the 1950’s during a time of segregation and the birth of Rock N’ Roll. There, we meet a young Caucasian White DJ who attempts to get an Black nightclub singer on the radio. Slowly, they fall into a forbidden interracial romance that leads them into dangerous situations. Welcome to that town that is…..
Memphis. The show features a score by Bon Jovi keyboard player David Bryan along with additional lyrics and a book by Joe DiPietro.
From the 2011
CBS telecast, here Tony nominated Broadway rock star
Adam Pascal as “Huey Calhoun” and the cast bringing that rock n’ roll vibe to a downtown park in lower Manhattan. Here they are performing the fan favorite RADIO.
MEMPHIS originally was developed during the 2003-2004 season at the
North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts and
TheaterWorks in Mountain View, California. It had it’s official world premiere production in 2008 at
La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California and then later played The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington in 2009.
Following the success of those world premiere productions, MEMPHIS officially arrived on Broadway in 2009 playing the Shubert Theatre where it ran for a total of 30 previews and 1,165 regular performances. Under the direction of Tony winner Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Tony winner Sergio Trujillo, the cast was led by…..
Tony nominee Chad Kimball (later Adam Pascal) as “Huey Calhoun”,
Tony nominee Derrick Baskin as “Gator”,
Cass Morgan (later Nancy Opel) as “Mama Gladys Calhoun”,
Tony winner Michael McGrath (later John Jellison) as “Mr. Simmons”.
The show went on to receive 8
Tony Awards nominations in 2010 winning 4 including BEST MUSICAL and BEST SCORE.
During its run in the Big Apple, the show was also captured on film released in Movie Theaters. The filmed proshot is now available on BOTH DVD and digital download including
BroadwayHD. It stars the entire original cast live from the stage of the Shubert Theatre.
Following the success of Broadway, MEMPHIS went on to become a worldwide hit across America, in London’s West End, Australia, and more. It’s currently also being done in High Schools and Regional Theaters everywhere.
Doesn’t this musical make you want to yell HOCKADOO?!!!!!!
How FANTASTICAL is this show?!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 27, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
We at New York Broadway Tours continue to show our ongoing love and appreciation for many of the hottest tickets on the Great Bright Way. We love the long runners and the Award winners. However, nothing will ever beat shows that may have had short runs and flopped but still earned a cult following. One of those notable shows was…..
Chaplin The Musical.
For those who may not know, CHAPLIN was a musical about the life of one of the greatest entertainers in show business himself. You guessed it, the one and only
Charlie Chaplin. It follows his rise to fame in the silent movie era (most notable as his famous alter-ego THE LITTLE TRAMP) along with some of the personal, dark, and controversial times in his life. This show featured a full original score by Christopher Curtis along with a book by Curtis and Thomas Meehan. Notable songs include LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE, WHAT’CHA GONNA DO, LIFE CAN BE LIKE THE MOVIES, JUST ANOTHER DAY IN HOLLYWOOD, ALL FALLS DOWN, WHAT ONLY LOVE CAN SEE, and more.
CHAPLIN was first developed within the early 2000’s. It had its world premiere in 2006 part of the
New York Musical Theatre Festival. The show originally was entitled LIMELIGHT. It went through several years of tweaks and changes. From there, the show debuted in San Diego, Ca at the
La Jolla Playhouse in 2010. It received early rave reviews but the team knew they can always do some updated with the show.
Finally (and with a name change), CHAPLIN debuted on Broadway in 2012 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre running for 24 previews and 136 regular performances. Under the direction and choreogrphed by
Warren Carlyle, the cast was led by…
Tony nominee
Rob McClure in the titular role of “Charlie Chaplin”,
Wayne Alan Wilcox as “Sydney Chaplin” (his Brother),
Michael McCormick as “Mack Sennett” and others,
Tony nominee Jenn Colella as gossip columnist “Hedda Hopper”,
Hayley Podschun as “Mildred Harris” (his 1st wife) and others,
Emily Tyra as “Lita Grey” (his 2nd wife) and others,
Sarah O’Gleby as “Paulette Goodard” (his 3rd wife) and others,
Erin Mackey as “Oona O’Neill” (his 4th and final wife),
Zachary Unger as “Young Charlie Chaplin” and “Jackie Coogan”,
and more.
The reviews for CHAPLIN were mixed. Critics praised the cast especially McClure’s portrayal being very identical to the late “Charlie Chaplin” himself. However they panned the book.
Despite the reviews, CHAPLIN still went on to do well with Awards season. It was nominated for only 1
Tony Award in 2013 for BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for McClure). However, it lost the category. It did however receive a
Drama Desk Award (out of its 6 nominations) for OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL. In addition, Rob McClure went on to be the recipient of the
Theatre World Award.
With its life after Broadway, CHAPLIN began to be performed Internationally including Russia, Brazil, Belgium, The Netherlands, Israel, and more. It’s already starting to also be performed in the United States with Regional Theatre and School Productions.
Who has seen CHAPLIN?
Any fans of Charlie Chaplin out there?
by Mike Haber | Oct 27, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
SING FOR ME. MY ANGEL OF MUSIC!! Tonight is a history making evening for Broadway’s longest running smash hit
The Phantom of the Opera as Emilie Kouatchou makes her Broadway debut as the new alternate for the female lead of ballet turned opera singing star “Christine Daaè”. Most importantly, she is making history TWICE being the 1st Black actress ever to play the role in the Broadway production and the 2nd in general to play the role following the show’s current London leading lady Lucy St. Louis.
We are so happy to share with you the first photos of Kouatchou in full costume and wig on the stage of the Broadway production’s 33 turning 34 year old home at the Majestic Theatre.
As the alternate sharing with current main Principal “Christine” on Broadway herself
Meghan Picerno, it has been revealed that Emilie Kouatchou will play “Christine” 3 TIMES A WEEK on the Great Bright Way. As of now, she is scheduled to do the role for WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, THURSDAY EVENINGS, and SATURDAY MATTINES. In previous years, the alternate would only perform 2 SHOWS.
Congrats Emille. Break a leg!!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 27, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
SOMETHING’S COMING!! Get ready to MAMBO this holiday season as
Steven Speilberg‘s highly anticipated new movie musical remake of the classic
West Side Story is set to finally be released next month. Things are about to get even COOL as brand new promo posters have just been released for the film. The first few ones consist of….
That is only majority of the cast appearing in the film. It’s also very sentimental for us at New York Broadway Tours because one of our head guides Mike will be appearing in the film himself. Little cameo in the DANCE IN THE GYM sequence.
There’s also a brand new behind the scenes promo trailer just released today.
This new WEST SIDE STORY is set to be released on December 10th, 2021 in Theaters everywhere from
20th Century Studios.
by Mike Haber | Oct 27, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
The sounds of THE WASHING MACHINE, THE DRYER, and THE RADIO are back on the Great Bright Way. Tonight, the long awaited Broadway transfer of the acclaimed West End revival of
Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner’s groundbreaking musical
Caroline, Or Change (starring
Sharon D. Clarke) finally opens at
Roundabout‘s legendary Studio 54.
This acclaimed production wowed audiences in London earning various Olivier Awards. It was slated to debut on Broadway last year in 2020 but the plug was pulled the day before it was supposed to start due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production finally had its set of Live Audiences these last few weeks completing its previews. But it all comes down to finally celebrating its official Broadway Opening Night.
To get us in the moon, check out the brand new b-roll proshot footage of Clarke and the company in action.
CAROLINE OR CHANGE is scheduled to run for a strictly limited engagement through January 9th, 2022.
Break a leg to the full cast, crew, musicians, and creative team of this new CAROLINE OR CHANGE!!
by Mike Haber | Oct 27, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
RISE AND SHINE BROADWAY FANS!!! We are just getting started with our TOP 30 BROADWAY AT MACY’S COUNTDOWN. The 95th Annual
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is just 29 DAYS AWAY. To get us back into the spirit of ringing in the holiday season with New York’s MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET and celebrating Broadway’s return, we have more of your favorite legendary performances that have taken part throughout the years. Are you ready to rock out and celebrate?!!!
Speaking of rocking out, our selection at # 29 on our countdown does just that. For our next selection, we are about to take you to a private prestigious prep school that is about to have its world turned upside down. After an aspiring wannabe rock star gets kicked out of his own band and is under pressure from his 2 roommates, he steps in pretending to be a substitute teacher at the school as a scheme for money, discovers the students musical talents, and forms a new band of his own with the kids. You have just entered the……
School of Rock!! Based on the cult hit 2003 film of the same name, the musical featured a score by Sir
Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes.
From the 2016
CBS telecast direct from the stage of it’s-then home at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, here is Eric Petersen as hard-rocking teacher “Dewey Finn” and it’s young cast of kids showing off their inner rebel attitude in the show-stopping anthem STICK IT TO THE MAN.
School of Rock was of course originally conceived as a successful movie that was released in 2003 (starring Jack Black). With a $35 Million budget, the film went on to become a huge smash grossing in over $131 Million at the Box Office. 10 years later after the film was released, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber announced that he secured the rights to develop a full original stage adaptation of the film. He originally planned to debut the show at first in London’s West End but then changed his mind of bringing more of his work to Broadway. This was only the 2nd time Webber brought his shows to New York City, first following the original
Jesus Christ Superstar. He began hard at work on the show by creating music for the show alongside lyricist Glenn Slater and book writer Julian Fellowes. They were also able to get several of the songs from the film in the show including the titular song, MATH IS A WONDERFUL THING, and THE LEGEND OF THE RENT.
After a set of open call auditions (especially for the young kids to play the students of Horace Green), the stage version of SCHOOL OF ROCK went through a set of early development readings and workshops. The show had its final set of workshops done as a staged concert production held at the
Gramercy Theatre. It was there where the musical got its green light and headed straight for the Great Bright Way.
SCHOOL OF ROCK opened on Broadway in December of 2015 at the legendary Winter Garden Theatre (being the first time Lloyd Webber would be back there following his former record breaking smash hit Cats). It went on to be a smash hit running for 4 years playing 31 previews and 1,309 regular performances. Under the direction of Laurence Connor and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter, the cast was led by….
Alex Brightman (later Eric Petterson and Justin Collette) as “Dewey Finn”,
Spencer Moses (later Steven Booth and Jonathan Gould) as “Ned Schneebly”,
Mamie Parris (later
Becky Gulsvig and Lori Eve Marinacci) as “Patty Di Marco”,
The show was nominated for 4
Tony Awards in 2016 including BEST MUSICAL. However, it lost all the categories.
A year following the success of the Broadway production, SCHOOL OF ROCK would go on to rule London’s West End (where it received a Special
Olivier Award for its young kids for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC), in Australia, several Touring companies both the in US and the UK, and more.
SCHOOL OF ROCK today is available for licensing being performed as both the full length show how it’s mainly done and the School Version (with clean dialogue for those who do NOT want to use the Adult Language). Today, it’s still being performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
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