by Mike Haber | Aug 19, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
One of the most breathtaking productions reopening on Broadway this Fall is
Aaron Sorkin‘s Award winning play adaptation of
Harper Lee‘s
To Kill a Mockingbird (starring
Jeff Daniels). To get us back into the spirit, the company reunited at their home at the Shubert Theatre filming a 2 minute short film recreating what will once again be that notable BACKSTAGE BROADWAY TRADITION….. to presets, Half hour call, to Places, and till the final curtain call. This video was created by playwriter Aaron Sorkin himself along with narration by Jeff Daniels. Great practice for the full team.
Very sentimental video to watch seeing that Live Theater magic coming back to life!!! Tissues out before watching this video!!! So powerful.
TO KICK A MOCKINGBIRD reopens at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre starting October 5th, 2021. It will also be launching both its North American Tour and London companies as well.
How amazing is this?
Who is excited?
by Mike Haber | Aug 19, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
HEY THERE, BROADWAY FANS!! We are only 38 DAYS AWAY from celebrating The Great Bright Way’s return with Broadway’s Biggest Night of the Year….. The 74th Annual
Tony Awards. We got more of your favorite Broadway showstopping performances from previous telecasts coming your way on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Are you ready for more?!!!
At # 38 today on our countdown, we take a trip to an iconic nightclub in 1930’s Berlin (led by an authentic flamboyant Master of Ceremonies) with the only thing that you do is LEAVE YOUR TROUBLES OUTSIDE. Not only do you experience the acts in this club, we discover the stories of some of its patrons including the club’s headlining star attraction and her romance to an American writer. You also see a doomed-romance between a German Boarding house owner and her Jewish fruit vendoring elderly suitor. All of this is happening during World War II at the time of the Nazis’ rise to power. We are talking about the legendary
Cabaret. Based on
Christopher Isherwood‘s 1939 short novel GOODBYE TO BERLIN) and John Van Druten’s 1951 play I AM A CAMERA, the musical features a score by
John Kander & Fred Ebb along with a book by Joe Masteroff.
From the 1967 telecast, the iconic
Joel Grey in his legendary Tony and Oscar winning performance as “The Emcee” performs a medley of the show’s signature opening number WILLKOMMEN.
CABARET was initially first conceived in the 1950’s. Originally the musical was technically supposed to be a straight play with music. Composer and book writer Sandy Lewis was already working on a musical adaptation of the novel GOODBYE TO BERLIN. One day, he discovered that producer David Black’s option on both GOODBYE TO BERLIN and its source material from the original novel I AM A CAMERA was invalid and was bought by acclaimed director and fellow producer Hal Prince. With Joe Masteroff on board to work on the book, they both agreed that Wilson’s score failed to capture the essence of late-1920s Berlin. They fired Wilson and got John Kander and Fred Ebb on board. In addition came choreographer Bob Fosse. While going through the writing of music for the play, Kander and Ebb realized that the score would actually fit better as a book musical. New dialogue and characters were written and initial music that was being written for the play were cut now incorporating songs that would fit the plot. In addition, the top of the show began very differently than a traditional musical people knew today. Instead of an Overture, the show now famously begins with a drumroll.
Following a tough out of town tryout in Boston, CABARET officially arrived on Broadway in 1966 at the Broadhurst Theatre (and later transferred twice to the Imperial and the Broadway Theatre) where it played a total of 1,186 performances. Under the direction of Hal Prince and choreographed by Bob Fosse, the show starred…
Joel Grey (and later Martin Ross) as “The Emcee”,
Jill Haworth (and later Anita Gillette and Melissa Hart) as the iconic TOAST OF MAYFAIR herself “Fraulein Sally Bowles”,
Bert Convy as “Clifford Bradshaw”,
Lotte Lenya as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Jack Gilford as “Herr Shultz”
Peg Murray (later Mara Landi and Rhonda Gemignani) as “Fraulein Kost”.
The original production was nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 1967 winning 8 including BEST MUSICAL and BEST PERFORMING BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Joel Grey).
Following the success of the original production on Broadway, CABARET went on to become a huge smash in London’s West End and around the world. The show would later be revived three times on Broadway.
The first Broadway revival happened in 1987 where Hal Prince recreated his original staging back on the Great White Way. In addition, some of the dialogue and new songs were included for this engagement. It played Broadway’s Imperial Theatre (and later transferred to the Minskoff Theatre) for 261 performances. This remounting of Prince and Fosse’s original staging starred…
Joel Grey reprising the role of “The Emcee”,
Alyson Reed (later Mary Munger) as “Fraulein Sally Bowles”,
Greg Edelman as “Clifford Bradshaw”,
Regina Resnik (Iater Peg Murray as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Werner Klemperer as “Herr Shultz”,
and
Laura Mae Lyng as “Fraulein Kost”,
That first Broadway revival was nominated for 3 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. It lost all the categories.
Later in 1998, a new production of CABARET (that originally came from London’s
Donmar Warehouse in 1993) was produced by the
Roundabout Theatre Company playing Broadway’s Henry Miller Theatre (now the Stephen Sondheim Theatre). 6 months into the run, a construction hoist collapsed which blocked access to the Theater. To keep the show going, Roundabout moved the production reopening (and making history as the first Broadway show produced) at Studio 54 for the remainder of its run. Under the direction of Sam Mendes and choreography by Rob Marshall, this 1998 revival ran for a complete total of 2,377 performances. This production was well known for its intimate staging turning the entire auditorium into a real-life working KIT KAT CLUB in Berlin (featuring table seating). In addition, this production featured the cast doubling up as the orchestra. The cast starred…
The late
Natasha Richardson (later
Jennifer Jason Leigh,
Susan Egan,
Joely Fisher,
Gina Gershon,
Debbie Gibson,
Katie Finneran, Teri Hatcher, Melina Kanakaredes, Jane Leeves, Molly Ringwald,
Brooke Shields, and Lea Thompson) as “Fraulein Sally Bowles”
Mary Louise Wilson (later Alma Cuervo, Polly Bergen,
Carole Shelley, and Blair Brown) as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Michelle Pawk (later Candy Buckley and Victoria Clark) as “Fraulein Kost”.
That revival was nominated for 10 Tony Awards that same year in 1998 winning 4 including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL and BEST PERFORMING BY A LEADING ACTOR & ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson).
Most recently in 2014, Roundabout brought back that acclaimed 1998 revival of CABARET (as seen in this video) for a limited engagement at Studio 54 that ran for 423 performances. The remounting of Mendes and Marshall’s acclaimed revival was led by…
Alan Cumming reprising the role of “The Emcee”,
Linda Emond as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Tony nominee Danny Burnstein as “Herr Schultz”,
Bill Heck as “Clifford Bradshaw”,
Gayle Rankin (later Hani Furstenberg) as “Fraulein Kost”.
This revival was nominated for 2 Tony Awards for BEST FEATURED ACTOR & ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Danny Burstein and Linda Emond), but lost in all of its categories.
Not only did CABARET do well on stage but it was also a huge smash on the big screen. The legendary film was released in 1972. The film was well known for incorporating some of the new songs that would now be used in all the stage productions including MEIN HERR, MAYBE THIS TIME and THE MONEY SONG. The film was also met with a little controversy due to its themes of corruption, sexual ambiguity, false dreams and Nazism. In addition, one of the scenes in the film TOMORROW BELONGS TO ME caused confusion to audiences, thinking it was an anthem of the Nazis. All of this caused a whole lot of backlash to composers Kander & Ebb getting accused of anti-Semitism. Under the direction and choreography by Bob Fosse, the cast starred…
Joel Grey reprising his Broadway performance of “The Emcee”,
Michael York as “Brian Roberts” (formerly “Clifford Bradshaw”),
Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel as “Fräulein Schneider”,
Helen Vita as Fräulein Kost.
The film went on to be nominated for 10 Oscars that same year, winning 8 including Best Actress in a Leading Role (for Liza Minnelli) and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (for Joel Grey). Joel Grey made history as one of the few actors ever to win the Oscar, the Golden Globe, and the Tony for the same role.
CABARET today continues to be performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
Doesn’t this show remind you that every day LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL?!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News
BREAKING NEWS: The legendary Award winning iconic
Barbra Streisand has made history once again. This time, the versatile performer is now The First Female with Billboard Top 20 Albums in Seven Consecutive Decades!!
All of this comes from the success of her latest album RELEASE ME 2. The album recently debuted at # 15 on the
Billboard200 chart, making her the only woman to have a top 20 – or 40 – album in every decade from the 1960s through the 2020s.
This is a continuation of her previous 2012 album RELEASE ME which is basically a full retrospective compilation album of many of the Streisand’s songs that have been recorded for her various albums but never made the final cut.. Some of these include….
I’D WANT IT TO BE WITH YOU (a duet with Willie Nelson that was cut from her 2014 PARTNERS duets album),
IF ONLY YOU WERE MINE (featuring
Barry Gibb that was cut from their 2nd collaborative duet album GUILTY PLEASURES).
Isn’t Barbra Streisand so iconic?!!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News
BREAKING NEWS: Some of New York City’s most popular restaurants are starting have a 2nd chance reopening. One of those notable places is one of the most iconic for all Broadway lovers out there…..
Joe Allen Restaurant. Starting TONIGHT, the legendary 46th Street and Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bar will begin to once again serve Lunch and Dinners every Wednesday-Sunday.
However since we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some extreme safety protocols that will still need to be followed. As previously mandated by the City, people will be required to showing proof of having been vaccinated prior before entry…. with indoor dining. There will also be a limited amount of outdoor dining seating as well.
Reservations for coming to Joe Allen’s will be at least up to 1 WEEK in advanced either through
OpenTable or calling the resturant itself. The Reservation hotline will be available from 11am-5pm.
Originally opened in 1965 by real-life restaurant entrepreneur Joe Allen himself, it’s considered a popular spot to go for the Broadway community (especially for Pre or Post Theater dining). There are usually tons of meetings happening there from working actors, to theater staff, fans, and more. In addition, the restaurant is also well known for wall-lined posters of shows that have gone on to become Broadway Flops. With the success of the New York Restaurant, Joe Allen opened as well in London.
Sadly most recently, Allen himself passed away earlier this year at the age of 87.
The restaurant originally reopened this past Fall 2020. However, it was abruptly shutdown again due to rising COVID-19 cases.
Who has eaten at Joe Allen’s?!!!
by Mike Haber | Aug 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
LET YOUR MIND START A JOURNEY THROUGH A STRANGE NEW WORLD….. once more! This Fall, the Great Bright Way will once again surrender to THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT at
Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s recording breaking long-running smash hit
The Phantom of the Opera returns to Broadway.
With the anticipation in the air, a brand new TV commercial has been released show New York City following these past 17 months shutdown but the spirit of PHANTOM still around. Yes, it includes those first few iconic sounds of the show’s themed overture.
The Broadway production of PHANTOM will start re-haunting the Majestic Theatre starting October 22nd, 2021.
WATCH: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Teases Return to Broadway With Video of the Streets of NYC! (broadwayworld.com)
by Mike Haber | Aug 18, 2021 | Blog, Broadway, News, Shows
DEAR FANSENS,
Next month is going to be an unforgettable week and here’s why….
Not only we’re celebrating the return of Broadway, we will also be celebrating the release of the film adaptation of the Award winning smash hit Dear Evan Hansen. Our hearts are filled with anticipation FOR FOREVER as a brand new poster has been released.
The poster features a montage of scenes from this new film featuring its all-star cast. Under the direction of Stephen Chbosky. the film star’s…..
the musical’s original star Ben Platt reprising his Tony Award winning performance as the title role of “Evan Hansen” himself,
Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner Julianne Moore as “Heidi Hansen”,
Golden Globe nominee Kaitlin Dever as “Zoe Murphy”,
Oscar nominee Amy Adams as “Cynthia Murphy”,
Colton Ryan as “Connor Murphy” (a part he previously understudied in the Broadway production),
Acclaimed actress and singer Amandla Stenberg as “Alana Beck”,
Acclaimed actor and comedian Nik Dodani as “Jared Kleinman”,
&
Danny Pino as “Larry” (who is now updated as the stepfather of “The Murphy Family”).
The film will have some unique updates including brand new Ensemble characters created specifically for the film. New to the world of this powerful show will include Broadway favorites….
Isaac Powell (who was appearing on Broadway prior before COVID hit in the revival of West Side Story) as school jock “Rhys”,
Demarius Copes (recently seen on Broadway prior before COVID in the just recently abruptly closed Mean Girls) as “Oliver”,
and
Gerald Caesar as “Josh”.
You can expect to hear all the beloved Pasek and Paul songs from the musical (including WAVING THROUGH A WINDOW, FOR FOREVER, and YOU WILL BE FOUND). In addition, the duo themselves wrote several new songs especially for the film.
Along with the new movie, we cannot wait to experience this powerful musical back on stage when Live Theater reopens its doors.
As previously mentioned, the Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen will reopen at the Music Box Theatre starting December 11th, 2021.
Along with the Broadway company’s return, DEAR EVAN HANSEN will also re-launch its various productions worldwide. The London company reopens at the Noel Coward Theatre starting October 26th, 2021. From there, the North American National Tour will re-kick off December 7th, 2021 in Greensboro, NC before traveling to more than 30 cities across both the USA and and Canada.
WORDS FAIL to describe our excitement. Once again, we seriously cannot wait to go WATCH, WATCH, WATCHIN’ this movie at our local movie Theaters.
SINCERLEY ME
(and everyone at New York Broadway Tours)
P.S. Who is excited?!!
