THOUGHTS ON THE TONY AWARDS - Last Sunday was the big Tony night, but since the ceremony isn’t broadcast here in Portugal, I had to wait for some nice people to share videos at youtube, so I could see parts of this year’s Tonys.

I confess I thought NEXT TO NORMAL could upset BILLY ELLIOT, but it didn’t happen (well, Elton John probably doesn’t agree with me, he lost the Tony for Best Score); anyway I was surprise to see the three kids winning Best Actor. I believe that was a first at the Tonys.

There was no doubt that Alice Ripley (who I had the pleasure of seeing, years ago, in SIDE SHOW) would win Best Leading Actress, but I can’t believe that Karen Olivo won for Best Featured Actress. I saw her in WEST SIDE STORY; her Anita didn’t have any passion and there was no energy in her rendition of “America”; she wasn’t bad, but she wasn’t good. I wish Martha Plimpton, for her terrific performance in PAL JOEY, had won it. I also think that Christopher Sieber deserved the Tony for Best Featured Actor for his hilarious work in SHREK.

This year’s Tony opening number didn’t work for me. Some of the songs didn’t sound good together (“Tonight” and “Luck Be a Lady”) and some of the scenes were kind of forceful (Stockard Channing and Aaron Tveit). The ones that did work were SHREK and HAIR.

As for the musical numbers, I’ve to confess that I didn’t like what I saw from NEXT TO NORMAL, but I’ve old fashion tastes. For me the best was, once gain, SHREK and HAIR. The company of WEST SIDE STORY danced well, but the number from GUYS AND DOLLS was terrible (to think that years ago at the Tonys, Walter Bobbie delivered a contagious and delicious “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat”).

I expected a big Jerry Herman tribute musical number; but we only had a few glimpses of his shows. Jerry deserved more, much more. I agree with a friend of mine who said that instead of numbers from running shows like JERSEY BOYS and LEGALLY BLONDE, they should have spend more time with Jerry.

Besides the musical numbers that I liked, the best parts of the Tonys, was seeing dear old Angela Lansbury winning her fifth Tony (she really deserved it) and the final number by Neil Patrick Harris. One final note, can someone explain me why Alice Ripley screamed so much while receiving her Tony?

posted June 13th, 2009

BROADWAY 2008 / 2009 SEASON: A Tribute in Images - The Broadway Season of 2008-2009 ended last May and since the Tony Awards took place last Sunday it’s time to close that chapter.

According to The Broadway League this season 12.15 million people (a little less than the 12.27 million of last season) bought tickets for a Broadway show and the box office took in a grand total of approximately $943,3 million.

Among the 43 productions that opened on Broadway this Season there were 10 new musicals and four musical revivals. I decided to look back at those shows (plus the City Center Encores! Series), many of them still playing while others have already closed, and the result is a small webpage with images of all those musicals. I hope you'll like it. To visit it just click here.

posted June 11th, 2009

NAKED BOY SINGING in Lisbon - The Off-Broadway long run hit NAKED BOY SINGING is coming to Portugal. The auditions for the roles will take place later this month and the show will open in Lisbon on September the 8th in a theatre to be announce.

The show will be produced by UAU and I can hardly wait to see it. I’m very curious to see how the Portuguese public will react to this funny, touching and provocative gay musical.

posted June 11th, 2009

SHREK and HAPPINESS: Two Webpages - Every time I go on a New York or London trip, I try to see as many shows as I can. Later, I usually built small webpages about some of those shows.

So, after my last February trip to Broadway, I decided to built webpages about two of those shows: SHREK and HAPPINESS. If you wish you can visit it by clicking on the following links: Happiness.htm and Shrek.htm

I hope you'll enjoy it.

posted June 11th, 2009

2009: A BROADWAY TRIP - 7 SHOWS IN ONE WEEK - Last February, my longtime companion and I, flew one more time (our eight) to New York. We arrived on Sunday the 22nd, stayed there for a week and had a wonderful time.

It’s true, we haven’t visited all the cities in the world, but I doubt there’s another city as lively and exciting as New York. Of course for a musical fan like me that city has a special flavor – Broadway.

This time we saw seven shows. Six musicals and a play, the first one we ever saw on the Broadway stage: WEST SIDE STORY, SHREK, THE LITTLE MERMAID, SOUTH PACIFIC, PAL JOEY, BLITHE SPIRIT and HAPPINESS. As usual, after the shows we ran to the stage doors to meet the actors and, when possible, take photos with them. To read my short reviews about those shows and see photos just click here or on the picture.

posted March 14th

News: THE HAZARDS OF LOVE - When it comes to music, I’m not an open-minded person. I’ve old fashion tastes and I was never fond of rock or even pop music. Anyway, I received an email regarding a new album by the band The Decemberists entitled THE HAZARDS OF LOVE, that'll be be released on March 24.

I confess I never heard of this band before, but according to that email “the album is a 17-song suite that resembles more of an opera or a musical than a rock record (or perhaps a fusion of both). The tale involves a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William; a forest queen; and a cold-blooded, lascivious rake.”

It’s true, this doesn’t sound much like a musical, but I guess people who enjoy rock scores like RENT, TOMMY or THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, may be interested in it. You can listen to one of the songs by clicking here and I recommend a visit to the band’s interesting site.

posted March14th, 2009

News: EVERY LITTLE STEP - Opens in April at the Cinemas - Directed and produced by James D. Stern & Adam Del Deo, the movie documentary about the making of the recent Broadway revival of A CHORUS LINE will open at cinemas April 17th. Here is the press release regarding the movie and you can watch the trailer by clicking here.

"EVERY LITTLE STEP explores the incredible journey of A CHORUS LINE, from ambitious idea to international phenomenon. Through 15 years of continuous performances from the 70’s to 90’s and a revival beginning last year, A CHORUS LINE has touched generations around the world with stories so poignant, they could only have come from truth. The film compares and contrasts the original musical with the current revival. It investigates the societies in which they’ve debuted, and why the themes are so timeless and universal.

The film goes behind the scenes with exclusive interviews and footage of the revival’s audition process, revealing the dramatic journey of the performers, and unfolding the story of life imitating art. The real dead-of-night conversations in a dance studio that inspired A CHORUS LINE were recorded to audio tapes which have been locked away for decades. The filmmakers, James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, were granted unprecedented access. Interviews, then and now, with the creative minds who shaped A CHORUS LINE and the cast who realized it provide fascinating insights and reveal the truths behind the genesis of the show.

The original musical arose at a volatile time—in the wake of Vietnam and Watergate, as the hippy era declined, as movements in civil rights, women’s rights, and gay rights were gaining voices across the world, and as the Cold War continued without end in sight. A CHORUS LINE injected into this fractured landscape a saga of the underappreciated, the overlooked—the everyday individual who struggled in pursuit of fulfillment. This story, displayed with all the musical and visual poetry the best talents in the world had to offer, sparked a renewed interest in theater, new trends in fashion, and new inspiration for storytelling.

As EVERY LITTLE STEP investigates the legacy of A CHORUS LINE, it also looks at our current society, which has so enthusiastically received the revival. There are certain similarities to the era of the original: we’re in the wake of a controversial war, the specter of violence (in this case through terrorism) is constantly on the horizon, political corruption has citizens across the world calling for leaders to step down, and movements for racial, religious, and sexual equality persist. Perhaps these factors explain A CHORUS LINE’S continuing popularity, a desire for the chorus of clamoring voices to be heard.

Ultimately, just as in the story of A CHORUS LINE, just as in life itself, only a few can prevail. Out of the thousands of performers who audition, only 19 are chosen to open the revival on Broadway. Their lives are interwoven with one of the world’s greatest musicals, their hopes and dreams hanging in the balance. This is their story, and the story of the phenomenon known as A CHORUS LINE."

posted March 6th

An Exclusive Interview with LUBA MASON - Singer/actress Luba Mason, under the name of Luba Gregus, started her career in musicals as one of the Ziegfeld Girls of THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. But it was with her performance as Hedy La Rue in the Broadway Revival of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WIHOUT REALLY TRYING that she first come to the attention of musical fans.

Later, she played Velma Kelly to Brooke Shields’ Roxie Hart in CHICAGO, was Lucy in JEKYLL & HYDE and her last Broadway role was in THE CAPEMAN, where she met Ruben Blades, with whom she married.

Now, she recorded a new album, KRAZY LOVE, where her lush voice takes us to a melodious world of Brazilian rhythms.

Although I haven’t seated with her, thanks to Bryce Winter, Marketing Manager of Miles High Productions, I was able to get in touch with Luba and get this exclusive interview. I hope you’ll enjoy it and, although the album doesn’t include show tunes, you’ll be interest in buying it. To read the review click here or in the picture.

posted February 15th, 2009

LUBA MASON: KRAZY LOVE - A CD Review by Jorge - You’ve all the right to ask me why am I reviewing this album in a site about musical theatre. The answer could easily be because Luba Mason is a singer/actress who had starred in more than a couple of musicals; but the truth is because, for my surprise, I found this album quite enjoyable.

I confess that if I hadn’t received an email regarding this album, asking me to cover it on my site, I would never buy it. The reason is simple, I’m not a fan of Brazilian music, my musical tastes are rather narrow (I’m one of those guys who only likes traditional musical scores) and, although she sings in the revival cast of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS…, Luba Mason’s name didn’t ring a bell.

For all those reasons, this KRAZY LOVE was a nice revelation. It’s a melodious album that takes us to a Brazilian world of rhythms and sounds, where it’s easy to let go. Luba, who sounds so delicious funny as Hedy la Rue in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS…, here reveals a warm lush voice that blends perfectly with this kind of music. Her renditions of “Krazy Love”, “A Summer Night” and “Gorgeous Fool” are the highlights; all these songs were written by her, in fact only two of the album songs aren’t originals: “Olhos nos Olhos”, where she sings with a perfect Portuguese accent and “É Com Esse Que Eu Vou”, a fine duet between Luba and her husband Ruben Blades.With its rich orchestrations, bossa nova rhythms and relaxation mood, it “smells” of those longing summer afternoons by the sea. A nice surprise that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Rate:

posted February 8th/ for more CD reviews by click here

News: RENT - Filmed Live on Broadway - RENT is one of the most successful musicals in recent history and after a 12 year run it closed on Broadway. A few years ago we had an interesting movie adaptation that starred some members of the original cast, but it wasn’t the real thing.

Fortunately, someone had the good sense of videotaping RENT’s final Broadway performance, preserving it for eternity, and now Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will released it February 3rd on DVD and Blue-Ray. Besides the entire show, the DVD also includes some extra features. This is how they describe it:

“No experience quite matches the thrill of a live Broadway spectacular seen up close and in person. Now, this stunning performance shot in High Definition puts you in the front row as the smash hit RENT brings down the curtain on its history-making, 12-year run! You've never had seats this great, never seen and heard each character so intimately, never shared every emotion in such a personal way!

After winning four Tony Awards® and the Pulitzer Prize, Jonathan Larson's powerhouse musical tour de force entered the record books as the 7th-longest-running show in all Broadway history. In this unforgettable theatrical experience - made possible by special arrangement with the Broadway producers and Actors Equity Association - take an intimate journey through a single year in the lives of a small circle of friends and artists living their dreams, battling their demons and celebrating life on the streets of New York City's East Village. Meet would-be filmmaker Mark, sweet transvestite Angel, exotic dancer Mimi and a host of other unforgettable characters as they confront the challenges of poverty, mortality and paying the RENT.

This once-only historic event, captured live with a special appearance by members of the original cast, will remind you that there is truly "no day but today."

The video is directed by Michael John Warren and produced by Jon Kamen & Justin Wilkes. The cast includes Will Chase as Roger, Adam Kantor as Mark, Michael McElroy as Tom, Tracie Thoms as Joanne (reprising her role in the movie version), Justin Johnston as Angel, Elise Goldsberry as Mimi and Eden Espinosa as Maureen.

To see the trailer click here.

posted January 24th, 2009

News: NINE, THE MOVIE - Rob Marshall’s movie adaptation of NINE will open November 25th in the States and here is the first photo I was able to find of it.

The movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido Contini (Raul Julia on the original Broadway production and Antonio Banderas on the recent revival), Marion Cotillard as Luisa Contini (Karen Akers on the OBC and Mary Stuart Masterson on the revival), Judi Dench as Liliane La Fleur (Liliane Montevecchi on the OBC and Chita Rivera on the revival), Kate Hudson as Stephanie Necrophuros, Nicole Kidman as Claudia Nardi (Shelly Burch on the OBC and Laura Benanti on the revival), Penélope Cruz as Carla Albanese (Anita Morris on the OBC and Jane Krakowski on the revival), Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson as Saraghina (Kathi Moss on the OBC and Mary Lucretia Taylor on the revival), and Sophia Loren as Mama (Taina Elg on the OBC and Mary Beth Peli on the revival).

For me the strangest piece of casting is Judi Dench as Liliane La Fleur. On stage dancers have played the role and, although Dench is one of the best actresses working today, she isn’t known for her dance abilities. I know she sings and I had the pleasure of seeing her on stage in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, but can she dance?

As for Daniel Day-Lewis, usually he doesn’t look Latin, but he is such a great actor that I don’t doubt he’ll be great in the part and that he’ll probably surprise us with his singing voice.

There’re rumors that Penélope Cruz “got blisters on her hands when performing the intricate choreography for the fabulously sexy number “Call From The Vatican”. I read that she said: “I have to come down a pink slope and then dangle and dance with rope and I got blisters”. The choreography is by Rob Marshall and John De Luca.

I’m not a big fan of NINE’s score, but it has its moments and it seems that composer and lyricist Maury Yeston wrote a few original songs for the movie. One of those was written for the Kate Hudson character, Stephanie Nrceophuros, who has a more important role on the movie than it had on the stage musical.

Let’s wait and see what Marshall, who did such a great job with CHICAGO, comes up with. One thing I’m sure, with cinematography by Dion Beebe (who won an Oscar for his work in Marshall’s MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA and was nominated for CHICAGO) the movie will look terrific.

Visit the Weinstein CO site by clicking here.

posted January 18th, 2009

BEST CD RELEASES OF 2008 - Another year ends, a new one begins. It’s time to look back and make the “best of” lists regarding 2008.

Long gone are the years when I usually bought a lot of CDs. Nowadays, I buy less than 30 CDs a year. There are several reasons for that to happen:
- I already have most of the reissues;
- I can listen to samples on the net and so I no longer buy every cast recording that’s released;
- most of the new scores don’t appeal to me.

As for as the 2008 CD releases go, my favorite is without any doubt the new Broadway cast recording of GYPSY, it’s simply terrific and a must in every show lovers’ library. But you can read all about my 2008 choices by clicking here or on the GYPSY’s CD cover.

posted January 10th, 2009

News: BYE BYE BIRDIE Remake - It seems that BYE BYE BIRDIE will return to the movie screens, this time directed by Adam Shankman. He was the man responsible for the box-office hit HAIRSPRAY (had another hit with BEDTIME STORIES), so it isn’t surprising that Columbia Pictures asked him to develop a new movie version of that Broadway hit by Charles Strouse, Lee Adams and Michael Stewart. Shankman's producing partners on "Birdie" will reportedly be Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher, of Red Wagon, and Jennifer Gibgot, Shankman's partner in Offspring Entertainment.

As you probably know, this musical plot is about “an Elvis-like pop star named Conrad Birdie, whose manager-songwriter, Albert conceives a publicity stunt that will allow a fan "one last kiss" before the superstar gets drafted into he Army”.

There’s still no word of who’ll be in the cast. The original show had Dick Van Dyke as Albert, Chita Rivera as Rose (his girlfriend), Susan Watson as Kim (the girl who wins the “one last kiss” contest), Dick Gautier as Conrad and Kay Medford as Albert’s mother. On the 1963 movie adaptation, besides Van Dyke repeating his stage performance, Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, Jesse Pearson and Maureen Stapleton played the roles respectively. In the television version of 1995, the roles were played by Jason Alexander, Vanessa Williams, Chynna Phllips, Marc Kudisch and Tyne Daly.

For this new version I can easily imagine Cheyenne Jackson as Conrad and Amand Bynes as Kim. I know you’ll kill me, but what about Beyoncé Knowles as Rose? She sings, she dances, she acts and it could work at the box-office. Craig Bierko or even Eric McCormack could play Conrad and I’m sure Julie Walters would be fun as his mother. What do you think?

posted January 9th, 2009

MITZI GAYNOR: RAZZLE DAZZLE! THE SPECIAL YEARS - A Review by Jorge - “Ladies and gentlemen… Miss Mitzi Gaynor” and be prepared for a wonderful surprise, for this is one of the “must have” DVDs of the year.

The first time I saw Mitzi was on the movie version of SOUTH PACIFIC and I liked her Nellie Forbush. Later I had the pleasure of seeing her dancing with Gene Kelly in LES GIRLS and with Donald O’Connor in ANYTHING GOES and THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS. Unfortunately, I never saw any of her television specials and to be completely honest (please keep in mind that I live in Portugal) I didn’t even knew of their existence. So, imagine my surprise when I put this DVD running and suddenly realized that there was much more to Mitzi than I knew from the movies.

Last year I discovered at YouTube a video of her energetic and funny 1967 Oscar appearance with “Georgy Girl” and I loved seeing it. Now, with this DVD, I have plenty more to see and I tell you that’s all worthy. Mitzi was (still is) an amazing performer, able to sing, dance and act; with a gorgeous smile that conquers our hearts and make us want to be her friend.

This DVD takes a look at all her television specials (the first was in 1963 and the last in 1978), with plenty of material to keep us happy and it also includes interviews with people who worked with her, like Bob Mackie (the costume designer who did all of her fabulous costumes), and with fans like Kristine Chenoweth. But the best is the interviews with Mitzi herself who, at the age of 77, still looks great, with a terrific sense of humor and an energy that make us jealous. Personally, I think I could listen to her for hours without getting bored.

As for the musical numbers, they may look dated (it was the 60s and the 70s), but there’s a joy to them that is contagious and made me wish that this kind of shows were still being produced. It’s amazing the imagination and love that were behind all those numbers and I believe there were made by a happy group of people, who had a wonderful time doing them. Let’s hope that one day the entire shows will be released on DVD.

There are some terrific special features included. In one of them Mitzi and Bob Mackie remember the amazing costumes she wore on those shows and share their memories with us. There are also several complete performances, including an hilarious movie parody, Mitzi’s transformation into a Kid and some great musical numbers.

I guess that today’s audiences may not be familiar with Mitzi, but I believe that with this joyful DVD a new era will begin for her and her dazzling talent will once again be recognized by many, if not all.

Thanks for a wonderful time, Mitzi! You really knew how to shine and you still do. Rate:

posted November 13th, 2008 / For more Movie and DVD Reviews click here

BROADWAY 2007 / 2008 SEASON: A Tribute in Images - A small webpage with images of all those musicals. To visit it just click here.

BROADWAY 2006 / 2007 SEASON: A Tribute in Images - A small webpage with images of all those musicals. To visit it just click here.

I WANNA BE A PRODUCER: PART 1 - Since I was a child I always dreamt of being a stage or cinema actor, two things for which you need to have talent. I don’t have a good singing voice, my ... (read more)