Broadway

On the Aisle with Larry: A Little Night Music and Some Like It Hot – That Was Then, This Is Now

Published

2 months ago

April 7, 2023

Recently, I was in New York City, where I saw several shows – 2 awful, 1 meh and 2 terrific. Of the latter, my last show was Some Like It Hot, which got me thinking about how much the theatre has changed since my first NYC visit with my then wife Paula, at Christmas-New Year’s of 1973-4.

Glynis Johns, Hermione Gingold.Photo: Martha Swope

My first show during that trip – indeed, my first Broadway show – was the original production of A Little Night Music, at the Shubert Theatre. It had opened the previous Spring, but the original cast was still in it. We had great seats – center, orchestra – and I loved it so much that I announced to Paula at Sardi’s afterwards that I had to be a part of this. In August of 1975, we moved to New York from Ann Arbor.

Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee Photos by Marc J. Franklin

When I saw Some Like it Hot, 50 years later, I found myself sitting in almost the same seats. Since then, I have mused about how that was then, this is now. For one thing, the cast of A Little Night Music was all-White, whereas that of Some Like It Hot is multi-racial, highly unlikely during the Roaring Twenties. The role of Sugar Kane, indelibly portrayed by Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder’s film, was played by a Black actress, Adrianna Hicks (previously, she was Katherine of Aragon in Six), who shines so brightly in the role that I have no doubt she is the next great Broadway diva. Sweet Sue is also played by a Black actress, NaTasha Yvette Williams, with a powerhouse voice and presence which lights the lights. The plot hews closely to the film. Our two heroes, jazz musicians Joe and Jerry, here are two brothers, one White, one Black (explained by a clever and most delightful musical number entitled, “You Can’t Have Me (If You Don’t Have Him)” which, ironically, is one of the few times in the show when racism rears its ugly head). They are wonderfully-played by Broadway veteran Christian Borle, as Joe, and J. Harrison Ghee as Jerry, played as Black although Ghee identifies himself in the program as “non-binary.” In the film, Jerry agrees to marry eccentric millionaire Osgood (Kevin del Aguila almost steals the show) not as a con, as in the film, but because he’s in love, and is changing his name permanently to “Daphne.”

Kevin Del Aguila and the cast Photos by Marc J. Franklin

The direction and choreography are by A-lister Casey Nicholaw, who has staged a chase sequence in the second act which is one of the greatest examples of farce choreography I have ever seen.

J. Harrison Ghee Photos by Marc J. Franklin

Some Like It Hot is “Woke” with a capital “W.” Ron De Santis would be appalled and would no doubt sign some unconstitutional law against it. The show will no doubt tour eventually; but word-to-the-wise, producers: stay the heck outta Florida.

Glynis Johns, Laurence Guittard, Len Cariou.Photo: Martha Swope

I don’t know when my next NYC excursion will be, but A Little Night Music and Some Like It Hot may well turn out to be my first and last Broadway shows. Although I will always love the theatre no matter what it morphs into, 40 years in NYC (35 of which I went to the theatre approximately 200 times a year) is enough for me.

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Lawrence Harbison

For over thirty years, Lawrence Harbison was in charge of new play acquisition for Samuel French, Inc., during which time he was responsible for the publication of hundreds of plays, by new playwrights such as Jane Martin, Don Nigro, Tina Howe, Theresa Rebeck, William Mastrosimone, Charles Fuller and Ken Ludwig among many others; and the acquisition of musicals such as Smoke on the Mountain, A…My Name Is Alice and Little Shop of Horrors. He has edited over 100 anthologies for Smith and Kraus, Inc. For Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, he has edited several monologue, full length, 10-minute and 5-minute play anthologies. Currently, he is editing books solely for Applause. He has set up a new division for Applause to publish and license individual full length plays, as well as the World Premiere Club. His column, “On the Aisle with Larry,” appeared in the Chelsea Clinton News and the Westsider for several years and then moved to www.smithandkraus.com. In December of 2019, it began running on the Applause website, www.applausebooks.com. It also appears on his blog at www.playfixer.com and on www.doollee.com, the international playwrights database. He also writes occasional columns for Theatre Record, a London-based magazine. He was a member for many years of two NYC press organizations, the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk, and served on the Drama Desk Awards Nominating Committee for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. He works with individual playwrights to help them develop their plays (see his website, www.playfixer.com). He has also served as literary manager or literary consultant for several theatres. He taught playwriting in the Theatre Dept. of the University of Michigan in the winter semester of 2016. He holds a B.A. from Kenyon College and an M.A. from the University of Michigan. His book, How I Did It: Establishing a Playwriting Career, a collection of interviews with playwrights, was published by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books in March, 2015. His latest anthologies of monologues and 10-minute plays were published in December, 2019 by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books.

Broadway

Join Broadway Dreams Summer Intensive Tour “Immerse Yourself”

Published

22 hours ago

June 2, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Broadway Dreams (Annette Tanner, Founder & President), a leading non-profit performing arts training program, is kicking off its 2023 Summer Intensive Tour “Immerse Yourself” this week in Nashville, TN. The organization is known for its unique brand of intensive musical theater training and master classes taught by the theater industry’s biggest stars and most influential creatives. The tour will offer intensives in twelve U.S. cities as well as London and Europa Park in Rust, Germany. Throughout the weeklong intensives, rising stars in each city will participate in masterclasses focusing on acting, vocal performance, and dance. The program will culminate in public performances – dynamic Broadway-style cabarets held in both large and intimate venues, allowing students to perform alongside their Broadway idols. In addition to the performance opportunities, each student will have a private audition before a panel of Broadway directors, choreographers, music directors, and leading casting directors who will provide valuable feedback throughout the process. Registration is still open in most cities, offering aspiring performers the chance to learn from the best in the industry and take their skills to the next level. For more information, or to register, click here. “We are ecstatic to be back on the road this summer with our biggest Summer Intensive tour yet,” said Annette Tanner, Broadway Dreams Founder and President. “At Broadway Dreams, we are passionate about discovering, fostering, and propelling the next generation of musical theater stars. Our programs offer young artists unparalleled opportunities to connect with top industry professionals and decision-makers, which has resulted in numerous breakthroughs for our students. With Dreamers in 19 of the 32 currently running shows on Broadway, Broadway Dreams takes immense pride in shaping the future of musical theater.” “Our 2023 Broadway Dreams season theme is Immerse Yourself,” said Nicholas Rodriguez, Broadway Dreams Artistic Director. “After spending nearly 2 years at a distance and on Zoom, we want to dive head first into the collaborative experience. We’re inspired by immersive theater, big bold ideas, thinking outside of the box, and creating in unique spaces. We are thrilled to bring a diverse group of talented, innovative, creative and cutting edge artists to collaborate with students across the country and abroad.”The 2023 Summer Intensive Tour will launch at Belmont University in Nashville, TN (through June 3) before continuing on to School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett High School in Atlanta, GA (June 4 – 10), Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts in Salt Lake City, UT (June 19 – 24), Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, CA (June 25 – 27), Enlightened Theatrics in Salem, OR (July 3 – 9), Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH(July 16 – 21), The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas, TX (July 17 – 21), Ebony Repertory Theatre in Los Angeles, CA (July 23 – 28), Delaware Theatre Company in Wilmington, DE (July 30 – August 5), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC (July 29 – August 5), Florida Children’s Theatre in Fort Lauderdale, FL (August 6 – 12), RWS Studios in New York City (August 19 – 24), RWS Studios in London, England (August 21 – 25), and Europa Park in Rust, Germany (August 27 – September 2).Joining Broadway Dreams’ Founder and President, Annette Tanner; Artistic Director, Nicholas Rodriguez (Company); and Director of Engagement and Opportunity, Rachel Hoffman, CSA (The Telsey Office), is an impressive roster of Broadway Dreams faculty, including directors, choreographers, and performers such as Emmy Award nominated choreographer Spencer Liff (“So You Think You Can Dance”), Tony Award nominees Kristin Hanggi (Rock of Ages), Laura Osnes (Cinderella), and Sidney DuPont (Paradise Square), along with Connor Gallagher (Beetlejuice: The Musical), Quentin Earl Darrington(MJ: The Musical), Hailee Kaleem Wright (Paradise Square), writer and composer, Douglas Tappin (I Dream), Melody Mills (Bring it On: The Musical), Jason Goldston(Jagged Little Pill), musical director Charlie Alterman (Pippin), David Eggers (In Transit), Eric Sciotto (Something Rotten!), Tyler Hanes (Cats), Mariah Lyttle (Bad Cinderella), Samantha Sturm (My Fair Lady), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Max Reed (Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark), Otis Sallid (The Piano Lesson), Alysha Umphress (On the Town), Christopher Hanke (How to Succeed…), Nick Adams (Fire Island, Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Gordon Greenberg (Holiday Inn), Matthew Lee Robinson (Atlantis), Alexa Green(Wicked), Greg Haney (Hamilton), The Telsey Office casting director, Rashad Naylor, and more. In addition to Broadway Dreams’ traditional workshops and master classes, participants in the Atlanta intensive will have the unique opportunity to work on material from a new musical entitled 1994 with book, music and lyrics by Sidney Dupont, who also serves as the director for the piece, additional lyrics by Hailee Kaleem Wright, associate direction by Amy Marie Seidel, and choreography by Chloe O. Davis. Students in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Dallas will work on a second new work entitled, Diva with book, music and lyrics by Douglas Tappin.Founded in 2006, Broadway Dreams offers mentorship-driven performing arts training programs throughout the year, drawing on a wide network of teaching artists from the Broadway community, inspiring students to awaken their highest potential. Now in its 17th year, Broadway Dreams has inspired more than 20,000 students in more than 8 countries, including a record 3,200 in-person students in 2022 alone. Broadway Dreams has to-date awarded more than $1.5M in scholarships, with more than 150 students booking professional breakthrough jobs since 2018. The 2022 Showcase featured 52 students from cities across the United States, Kenya, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and Brazil.Established by casting executive Annette Tanner, Broadway Dreams Foundation (“Broadway Dreams”) empowers aspiring young artists through performing arts training, with a focus on the acting, voice, and dance disciplines. Program intensives are offered nationally and internationally throughout the year and are led by an exceptional faculty of respected entertainment professionals who: assess where all students are in their development process and where they need to be; teach student practical skills that can be applied immediately to elevate their performance levels; guide students to achieve physical, emotional, and artistic self-awareness that can be channeled effectively in their work. The Broadway Dreams Board of Directors includes Dr. Elizabeth Faulkner (Chair), Marjorie Wynn (Marketing Chair), Adam C. Sansiveri, Margaret Busch, Michael Cox, Bruce Daitch, Alice Farquhar, Martha Gorjanc, Bernie Jackson, Nanci Lewis, Dannyand Georgina Louchiey, Victoria Morris, Alex Newell, Suzanne Rehl, Chris Roberts, Jerry Schiano, Ryan Stana, Lynne Latham Slear and Ivan Williams.The Broadway Dreams staff includes General Manager, RRR Creative / Ryan Ratelle; Artistic Director, Nicholas Rodriguez; Director of Engagement and Opportunity, Rachel Hoffman; Director of Development, Joe Finocchario; Director of Advancement, Hannah-Kathleen Hawkshaw; Creative & Marketing Director, Drew Padrutt; Company Manager,Yuvin Lee; and Executive Assistant, Mackenzie Messick. For more information on Broadway Dreams and its programs, please visit BroadwayDreams.org.

Broadway

The New Dramatists’ 71st Annual Benefit Luncheon and You are There

Published

2 days ago

June 1, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

On Tuesday the New Dramatists’ 71st Annual Benefit Luncheon was held at the New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, Broadway ballroom 6^th floor.

Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Tony® Honor recipient and the nation’s premier playwright development laboratory, was honored with its 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award at their 71st Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute

Kenny Leon photo by Michael Hull

Tony Award winner, Kenny Leon, director of Parks’ recent revival of Topdog/Underdog lead the tributes.

photo by Michael Hull

In Attendance were:

Ben Platt (Parade) photo by Michael Hull

Annaleigh Ashford (Sweeney Todd) photo by Michael Hull

Brandon Uranowitz (Leopoldstadt) photo by Michael Hull

J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot) photo by Michael Hull

Kevin Cahoon (Shucked) photo by Michael Hull

Natasha Yvette Williams (Some Like It Hot) photo by Michael Hull

Wayne Cilento (Dancin’) photo by Michael Hull

Betsy Wolfe (& Juliet) and Linedy Genao (Bad Cinderella) photo by Michael Hull

Justin Cooley (Kimberly Akimbo), Ben Platt (Parade) and Colton Ryan (New York, New York) photo by Michael Hull

Justin Cooley (Kimberly Akimbo), Brian Stokes Mitchell, Suzan-Lori Parks, Victoria Clark (Kimberly Akimbo) and Bonnie Milligan (Kimberly Akimbo) at The New Dramatists Spring Luncheon. photo by Michael Hull

Also Artistic Director Emily Morse and Executive Director Joel Ruark,

Executive Director Joel Ruark photo by Michael Hull

Jeannie Tessori photo by Michael Hull

Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi), Betsy Aidem (Leopoldstadt), Steven Boyer (Kimberly Akimbo), Faye Castelow (Leopoldstadt), Rashad Chambers (Topdog/Underdog), Ben Davis (New York, New York), Eisa Davis (New York, New York), Micaela Diamond (Parade), Delia Ephron (Love Loss & What I Wore), Corey Hawkins (Topdog/Underdog), Jessica Hecht (Summer, 1976), Amy Herzog (A Doll’s House), Robert Horn (Shucked), Mark Jacoby (A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical), LaChanze (Here Lies Love, Kimberly Akimbo), event co-chair Caissie Levy (Leopoldstadt), Judith Light (Other Desert Cities), David Lindsay-Abaire (Kimberly Akimbo), Neil Meron (Some Like It Hot), Alli Mauzey (Kimberly Akimbo), Lauren Mitchell (A Bronx Tale), Arian Moayed (A Doll’s House), Casey Nicholaw (Some Like It Hot), Linda Powell (A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical), Daryl Roth (Kinky Boots), Sarah Ruhl (in The Next Room), Stark Sands (& Juliet), Miriam Silverman (The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window), Marcel Spears (Fat Ham), Katy Sullivan (Cost of Living), David Stone (Wicked), Jeanine Tesori (Kimberly Akimbo), Paula Vogel (How I Learned To Drive), Sharon Washington (New York, New York), Scott WIttman (Some Like It Hot), Kara Young (Cost of Living), David Zayas (Cost of Living).

Performing were:

Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Daniel Fulton, Orville Mendoza, Suzan-Lori-Parks, Lauren Molina and Leland Fowler photo by Michael Hull

Brandon and Jason Dirden photo by Michael Hull

New Dramatists resident playwrights at The New Dramatists Spring Luncheon. photo by Michael Hull

Suzan-Lori-Parks and New Dramatists resident playwrights at The New Dramatists Spring Luncheon. photo by Michael Hull

Suzan-Lori-Parks New Dramatists resident playwrights at The New Dramatists Spring Luncheon. photo by Michael Hull

Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Tony Kushner photo by Michael Hull

NYC Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Stay tuned for our interviews.

Broadway

The New Dramatists’ 71st Annual Benefit Luncheon and You Are There

Published

2 days ago

May 31, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

On Tuesday the New Dramatists’ 71st Annual Benefit Luncheon was held at the New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, Broadway ballroom 6^th floor.

Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Tony® Honor recipient and the nation’s premier playwright development laboratory, was honored with its 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award at their 71st Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute

Kenny Leon photo by Michael Hull

Tony Award winner, Kenny Leon, director of Parks’ recent revival of Topdog/Underdog lead the tributes.

photo by Michael Hull

In Attendance were:

Ben Platt (Parade) photo by Michael Hull

Annaleigh Ashford (Sweeney Todd) photo by Michael Hull

Brandon Uranowitz (Leopoldstadt) photo by Michael Hull

J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot) photo by Michael Hull

Kevin Cahoon (Shucked) photo by Michael Hull

Natasha Yvette Williams (Some Like It Hot) photo by Michael Hull

Wayne Cilento (Dancin’) photo by Michael Hull

Betsy Wolfe (& Juliet) and Linedy Genao (Bad Cinderella) photo by Michael Hull

Justin Cooley (Kimberly Akimbo), Ben Platt (Parade) and Colton Ryan (New York, New York) photo by Michael Hull

Also Artistic Director Emily Morse and Executive Director Joel Ruark,

Executive Director Joel Ruark photo by Michael Hull

Jeannie Tessori photo by Michael Hull

Performing were:

Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Daniel Fulton, Orville Mendoza, Suzan-Lori-Parks, Lauren Molina and Leland Fowler photo by Michael Hull

Brandon and Jason Dirden photo by Michael Hull

New Dramatists resident playwrights at The New Dramatists Spring Luncheon. photo by Michael Hull

Suzan-Lori-Parks and New Dramatists resident playwrights at The New Dramatists Spring Luncheon. photo by Michael Hull

Suzan-Lori-Parks New Dramatists resident playwrights at The New Dramatists Spring Luncheon. photo by Michael Hull

Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Tony Kushner photo by Michael Hull

NYC Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Suzan-Lori-Parks photo by Michael Hull

Stay tuned for our interviews.

Broadway

And The Winners of The 2023 Drama Desk Awards Are ………

Published

2 days ago

May 31, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

The 2023 67th Drama Desk Awards, honoring artistic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway, will take place on June 6 at Sardi’s Restaurant. Today the winners were announced.

Outstanding Play: “Leopoldstadt,” by Tom Stoppard

Outstanding Musical: “Some Like it Hot”

Outstanding Revival of a Play: “The Piano Lesson”

Outstanding Revival of a Musical: “Parade”

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play: Jessica Chastain, “A Doll’s House” and Sean Hayes, “Good Night, Oscar”

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical: Annaleigh Ashford, “Sweeney Todd”
and J. Harrison Ghee, “Some Like it Hot”

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play: Miriam Silverman, “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window,” Brooklyn Academy of Music and Brandon Uranowitz, “Leopoldstadt”

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical: Kevin Del Aguila, “Some Like it Hot” and Alex Newell, “Shucked”

Outstanding Direction of a Play: Max Webster, “Life of Pi”

Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Thomas Kail, “Sweeney Todd”

Outstanding Choreography: Casey Nicholaw, “Some Like it Hot”

Outstanding Music: Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, “Shucked”

Outstanding Lyrics: Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, “Some Like it Hot”

Outstanding Book of a Musical: Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, “Some Like it Hot”

Outstanding Orchestrations: Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter, “Some Like it Hot”

Outstanding Music in a Play: Suzan-Lori Parks, “Plays for the Plague Year,” The Public Theater

Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play: Tim Hatley, “Life of Pi”

Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical: Beowulf Boritt, “New York, New York”

Outstanding Costume Design of a Play: Emilio Sosa, “Ain’t No Mo’”

Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical: Gregg Barnes, “Some Like it Hot”

Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play: Natasha Chivers and Willie Williams (video), “Prima Facie”

Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical: Natasha Katz, “Sweeney Todd”

Outstanding Projection and Video Design: Andrzej Goulding, “Life of Pi”

Outstanding Sound Design of a Play: Ben & Max Ringham, “A Doll’s House”

Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical: Scott Lehrer and Alex Neumann, “Into the Woods”

Outstanding Wig and Hair: Mia M. Neal, “Ain’t No Mo’”

Outstanding Solo Performance: Jodie Comer, “Prima Facie”

Unique Theatrical Experience: “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”

Outstanding Fight Choreography: B.H. Barry, “Camelot”

Outstanding Adaptation: “A Doll’s House,” by Amy Herzog

Outstanding Puppetry: Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, “Life of Pi”

Shows with multiple wins

Some Like It Hot: 8

Life of Pi: 4

A Doll’s House: 3

Sweeney Todd: 3

Ain’t No Mo’: 2

Leopoldstadt: 2

Prima Facie: 2

Shucked: 2

Special Awards

Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award

Stephen McKinley Henderson has been bringing in-depth, gripping portrayals of memorable characters to the stage for over four decades. With his return to Broadway this season as Pops in “Between Riverside and Crazy,” which the Drama Desk previously nominated in 2015, this year’s Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award marks Henderson’s role in this powerful production as a celebration of his brilliant career.

Ensemble Award

The cast of Soho Rep’s “Public Obscenities” – Tashnuva Anan, Abrar Haque, Golam Sarwar Harun, Gargi Mukherjee, NaFis, Jakeem Dante Powell, and Debashis Roy Chowdhury – embodied the transnational world of Shayok Misha Chowdhury’s bilingual play with memorable authenticity, remarkable specificity, and extraordinary warmth.

Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award

From his standout performance in american (tele)visions, to writing and performing the autobiographical “Dark Disabled Stories,” Ryan J. Haddad’s work this season has expanded on and interrogated what the idea of “accessibility” really means. Whether riding a shopping cart like a throne, or relating his experiences on a “gay, pink bus,” Haddad shared with audiences an unabashed queer fabulosity that was both unforgettable and deeply human.