Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Jun 14, 2010, 11:49 am
Last night I was very fortunate to be watching the Tony Awards at SarahB's annual Tony party (which I lovingly call "Lady Iris' Annual Moon Lady Extravaganza"). We were in a different suite this year, but the company was the same. While it rained on the NY, up inside 1820, the moon was the f...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Jun 12, 2010, 11:53 pm
It's the eve of the Tony Awards. By this time tomorrow, we'll know what the voters decided on and we will Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, afternoon and evening quarterback (and possibly still further... Two Gentlemen of Verona over Follies anyone...?). Twitter, facebook and the blogos...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Jun 11, 2010, 11:16 pm
High belting doesn't really excite me as much as it does some others. But, that doesn't mean I don't have some favorites. One of the all time greats is Melba Moore, who made her professional debut as Dionne in the original cast of Hair. Moore came from a musical family (her mother was si...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Jun 10, 2010, 4:12 am
Who's got the budget to recreate this spectacular piece of theatre? Here are fragments of the original cast, in a final dress rehearsal. Watch...marvel...enjoy... (The first part is viewable here).
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Jun 9, 2010, 11:50 pm
Ever since I started blogging, I have been experiencing so many firsts. My first press invite or my first interview. There have been first trips to various theatres, seeing various folks perform and it's been such a joy. However, today with the sobering intensity of a sucker punch, I experienced...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Jun 8, 2010, 11:45 pm
For the first time since I started blogging I made it to the 66th annual Theatre World Awards with considerable ease; no train chasing or train hopping this year! The ceremony was once again held at New World Stages (where it was in 2007), in the theatre which currently houses Avenue Q (seeing the s...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Jun 1, 2010, 8:51 pm
"She'll sing the hell out of it." That, my friends, is Jerry Herman's ringing endorsement for the one and only Karen Morrow, who possesses one of the best belt voices I have ever heard. Morrow got her start in the early 60s with a Theatre World Award for the off-Broadway musical Sing Muse! ...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 28, 2010, 7:18 pm
(Possible spoilers ahead. You've been warned). There has been much hype surrounding Geoffrey Nauffts' play Next Fall, which has become something of a critical darling in a rather ho-hum season for new plays. The play, about the contentious romantic relationship between two gay men - one Chr...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 28, 2010, 3:16 am
On the night of the 1983 Tony Awards, the Uris Theatre (where the ceremony was taking place) was renamed for George Gershwin. Throughout the evening performers sang the composer's material, including Dorothy Loudon's fearless, showstopping performance of "Vodka!" from the 1925 musical Song o...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 25, 2010, 11:00 pm
The Drama Desk Awards, held Sunday evening, were once again shown via web cast on Theatermania. I recall the time they used to show them on PBS, but I guess that's ancient history at this point. Anyway, this year the quality of the live stream was better than ever. However, from a technical stan...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 22, 2010, 11:12 pm
There's been some fun banter on Twitter between SarahB, Chelsea and myself about various Cary Grant films. Chels is going to be taking in some of his features which will be shown as part of Washington DC's National Theatre Summer Cinema 2010. One of my all-time favorite Cary Grant moments, ...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 20, 2010, 10:52 am
The second annual Independent Theater Blogger Association awards were announced this morning via youtube by Susan Blackwell, Jeannine Frumess, and Ann Harada (who are currently appearing off-Broadway in The Kid). Congratulations to all nominees and winners! OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY Red OUTST...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 19, 2010, 2:50 am
It's hard to believe it, but before last night Mitzi Gaynor had never played New York City. I know, right? You'd think with Hollywood, TV, Vegas and countless tours and appearances under her belt, that she'd have taken the Big Apple by storm years ago. But it's better late than never...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 14, 2010, 6:47 pm
Last week the theatre community was abuzz with talk about the Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations, celebrating those who were honored and shaking their fists for those who were overlooked. To the surprise of many, the short-lived revival of Ragtime received a lot of love from both nominating commi...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 13, 2010, 1:31 pm
It's time to celebrate some of the breakthrough performances and debuts of the 2009-2010 theatre season! The ceremony will go on as planned this year: June 8 at New World Stages. As always, Peter Filichia will be there to host and previous winners will be on hand to present and perform. Congrat...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 10, 2010, 3:57 am
Lena Horne, legend, diva, activist, actress and one of the most iconic singers of the 20th century, has died at age 92. Her dynamic career and life have been well documented, from her relatively brief stint in films, where studio executives didn't know what to do with her, to ardent civil rights...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 7, 2010, 12:16 am
There's Carol, there's Barbra and of course Pearlie Mae. But Mary Martin was the one who not only opened Hello, Dolly! in London but also toured with the show in Vietnam and Japan during the Vietnam War. This is incredibly rare footage of the curtain call and Martin's specialty encore of...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 7, 2010, 12:05 am
When it comes to certain Golden Age musicals, I find that there are titles that are more likely to raise the eyebrow of your fellow enthusiasts than others. One of the titles that I love and take some flack for is Meredith Willson's The Music Man. I've heard enough people scoff at it, callin...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 6, 2010, 12:41 pm
The Independent Theater Bloggers Association is pleased to announce its nominations for the 2nd annual ITBA awards. The membership is currently in the process of voting; the winners will be revealed on May 20. OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL American Idiot Everyday Rapture Fela! OUTSTANDING NEW B...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 5, 2010, 11:14 pm
The folks over at Avenue Q got wind of that Muppets music video turned viral sensation of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Not to be outdone, the gang at New World Stages (including Mrs. T!) have made their own music video using "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." This kinda makes me want...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 4, 2010, 2:12 pm
Speaking of the “Royal Family,” I’m especially heartened that Jan Maxwell was nominated for best actress for her smart, delicate and eccentrically witty performance in that play, as well as for her supporting work in “Lend Me a Tenor.” Ms. Maxwell is one of the best and most undervalue...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 4, 2010, 1:15 pm
Bells Are Ringing Music: Jule Styne Book & Lyrics: Betty Comden & Adolph Green November 18-21, 2010 Lost in the Stars Music: Kurt Weill Book & Lyrics: Maxwell Anderson February 3-6, 2011 Where's Charley? Music & Lyrics: Frank Loesser Book: George Abbott March 17-20, 2011
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 4, 2010, 11:05 am
There are many things about this year's award nominations with which I am pleased. There is love for the long closed Ragtime, Finian's Rainbow and The Royal Family. The estimable Jan Maxwell is a double nominee for two superlative comic turns. Christiane Noll and Bobby Steggert, the heart an...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 3, 2010, 5:49 pm
Lynn Redgrave, esteemed actress and vivacious presence in film and theatre, has died after a seven year battle with cancer. She was 67. One of the many talents in the Redgrave acting dynasty, Lynn was the younger sister of Vanessa and Corin, aunt to Natasha and Joely Richardson, daughter of Michael ...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - May 2, 2010, 2:35 am
Last evening, at around 6:30PM, some dimwit parked a dark green Nissan Pathfinder on 45th Street between the Minskoff Theatre and Marriott Marquis Hotel early last evening in a failed attempt to detonate a crude car bomb. The identity of the individual, as well as his motive are at this time unknown...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 30, 2010, 9:16 pm
What exactly are orchestrations? The word gets bandied around quite a bit, particularly when discussing musical revivals. You have shows that re-orchestrate to accommodate revisals (like those of the late 90s), those that re-orchestrate for economy (the Menier Chocolate Factory imports) and then the...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 29, 2010, 8:36 pm
I don't think anyone in 1960 would have remotely thought that The Fantasticks would become one of the most popular musicals in the world. The original off-Broadway production ran for 42 years; a run of 17,162 performances at the Sullivan Street Theater. By popular demand, a revival was mounted a...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 28, 2010, 8:22 pm
Yesterday afternoon I found that a good friend had written a short story inspired by something I had told her about myself. There are few parallels between the protagonist in the story and myself, but I was amazed that someone found something I did was interesting enough to spark her creativity. I r...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 27, 2010, 12:42 pm
Earlier this afternoon, it was brought to my attention that the Theatre World Awards is facing some financial difficulties this season. In an exclusive item on Playbill, the committee discussed the precarious nature of the not-for-profit organization's future, and that they are in the middle of ...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 26, 2010, 10:02 pm
Tonight there is the latest in a long line of festivities celebrating the 80th birthday of composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim at the City Center. It seems quite fitting to me as today is the anniversary of the musical that established Sondheim as the voice of new musical theatre: Company. On this da...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 26, 2010, 9:01 pm
The Encores! production of Anyone Can Whistle has been closed for a mere two weeks. However, I cannot stop thinking about Donna Murphy's triumphant turn as Mayoress Cora Hoover-Hooper. In the last line of my assessment of the production, I speculated as to whom we'd have to talk to in order ...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 26, 2010, 2:59 pm
Outer Critics Circle - 2009-2010 Award Nominations OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY Next Fall Red Superior Donuts Time Stands Still OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL American Idiot Come Fly Away Fela! Memphis Sondheim on Sondheim OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY Clybourne Park The Orphans’ Home...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 26, 2010, 12:03 am
Perhaps I am the only person grateful for the eruption of that volcano in Iceland. Yes, I'm well aware of the havoc which has been wrought throughout the travel industry, as well as the overwhelming inconvenience at hand. But Mother Nature proving yet again that she's still running things he...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 21, 2010, 8:28 pm
Broadway is heading down the finish line of yet another season. There is a glut of shows opening this month before the Tony cut-off on April 29 (the tally is eleven for the month). However, as the Tony committee and voters get lost in this whirling dervish of new productions, I figure it's time ...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 20, 2010, 1:46 pm
Just in time to celebrate Shakespeare’s 446th birthday on April 23, founding Artistic Director Terrence O’Brien has announced the line up for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s 2010 season. Considered to be one of the best nights out at the most reasonable price, the Festival offers som...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 19, 2010, 11:04 pm
A couple of weeks back, I introduced myself to Billy Wilder's film adaptation of Irma La Douce, starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. For the most part, it's an amusing movie but it suffers due to its overlong running time. But more importantly, I started thinking about the original mus...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 15, 2010, 9:52 pm
Two major productions were announced today. One of the two was official confirmation of a project long rumored to be in gestation. The other, a left field surprise. Spring 2011: Daniel Radcliffe, famously of the Harry Potter series will star in the second Broadway revival of the Tony and Pulitzer p...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 12, 2010, 4:31 pm
I would like to call for a coronation in New York City. I don't know if there are any statutes in the NY government that allow for such activity, or even whether her colleagues would appreciate my hubris. But if there is anyone who deserves to be crowned the Queen of Musical Comedy (at least thi...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 10, 2010, 10:08 pm
Dixie Carter, the actress/singer who epitomized Southern class and elegance on TV's Designing Women, has died at the age of 70. The cause of death was endometrial cancer. While most famous for her television work, Carter also had an extensive stage and cabaret career. Carter was born in McLemor...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 9, 2010, 1:29 am
There have been three major performers who have played the title role in the 1954 musical adaptation of Peter Pan on Broadway. The original and most iconic was Mary Martin, who won a Tony for it and famously played the part on TV three times. Twice it was presented live (and kinescopes exist), but t...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 8, 2010, 9:47 pm
Both shows are completely different but they are two of the most important musicals to open this season and attention must be paid, especially from yours truly. I don't quite know how to start with Fela! The new musical is unlike anything I've ever seen, and that's a good thing. The sho...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 4, 2010, 5:08 pm
Leaving the Music Box Theatre after seeing the infectious new revival of Lend Me a Tenor, I found myself unable to stop humming "La Donna è Mobile," the famed aria from Rigoletto. No matter what I did or what song I played, it remained at the back of mind - buoyant, effervescent and melodic. The ar...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 2, 2010, 2:16 am
Playbill's Andrew Gans talks to Donna Murphy on her relationship with Sondheim and her upcoming role as the Mayoress in Encores! Anyone Can Whistle. The following is an excerpt on how she got the part: 'Murphy is now getting ready to tackle her latest Sondheim role, Mayor Cora Hoover Hoope...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Apr 1, 2010, 10:24 pm
April Fool's Day annoys me. Mostly it's because everyone thinks they're suddenly writing for The Onion and inundate the interwebs and my email box with attempts to "get me." As a result, I tend to skip out new on this particular day - both real and faux, just because I prefer the facts (...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Mar 30, 2010, 10:37 pm
The musical was named after her sister and it was about her mother. But it's impossible to forget Baby June, dancing on point to those hokey routines thought up by her mother, the formidable Madame Rose. June Havoc, the real-life counterpart to that character is probably best known to contempora...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Mar 29, 2010, 8:23 pm
The show was Noises Off. I had entered a mall contest expecting nothing. Much to my surprise, I won 2 orchestra seats for the farce during the last week of performances for its original cast. Patti LuPone, Peter Gallagher, Faith Prince and Richard Easton were headlining. The cast also included T.R. ...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Mar 23, 2010, 2:40 am
News broke late Monday evening that Stephen Sondheim was to receive the ultimate 80th birthday gift - his own Broadway theatre. Henry Miller's Theatre, which famously reopened this fall with an infamous production of Bye Bye Birdie, will become The Stephen Sondheim (or will it be Stephen Sondhei...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Mar 22, 2010, 11:40 am
Today is Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday. Celebrations, concerts, jubilees have been underway for days and will continue through next month (if not longer). Last week it was the NY Philharmonic, next month the City Center delivers a double on the rocks with Anyone Can Whistle and a gala concert...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Mar 20, 2010, 2:47 pm
And so it is! The season of pastoral rebirth is upon us (don't forget to balance an egg on its other end today!). It is 70 degrees out, sunny and I even spotted a subtle glimpse of purple crocus peeking out from our front lawn. After such a maudlin winter (and those wretched snowstorms everywher...
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Kevin Daly posted an article on Theatre Aficionado at Large - Mar 17, 2010, 12:40 am
I had the good fortune of being born in a predominantly Irish family and proudly maintain dual citizenship with both the US and Ireland. However, one of the sayings about March 17 is that "everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day." Keeping in line with the festivities, here are the famed Leprechau...
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