HUGH JACKMAN passes on Oscar gig

by Trish Causey

Twitter and blogs everywhere are abuzz with shock that Hugh Jackman has turned down the offer to host the Academy Awards in the Spring 2010. Reportedly, Hugh Jackman will have just begun production on a new film, "The Real Steel," a DreamWorks drama directed by Shawn Levy.

Jackman currently stars on Broadway in A Steady Rain with fellow film action-star, Daniel Craig, who is best known as the newest James Bond. Jackman was a wonderful successor to the so-so Oscar hosts of years past. He was a charming and talented breath of fresh air for the 2009 Oscars... perhaps because he did an excellent job, or perhaps because the opening number of the 2009 Oscars was a musical theatre devotee`'s dream.

For the 2009 Oscars' opening number, Jackman wore a movie musical staple: "top hat and tails", singing and dancing downstage while an army of similarly dashing male dancers were "puttin' on the Ritz" upstage. Pop singer Beyonce` dazzled in a modest, yet seductive costume of glittering red sequins and rhinestones. She evoked Jane Russell from the musical film, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" as she made her entrance, descending the steps with her smoky eyes peeking out from under her own top hat.

Hugh Jackman appeared on Broadway in The Boy from Oz, surprising everyone with his ability to hold his own on the live stage. At the end of the Oscars' opening number, Jackman exclaimed, "The musical is back!" He said it twice. "The musical is back!" That certainly seems to be the case with the success of recent movie musicals such as Moulin Rouge, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Dreamgirls, The Producers, Sweeney Todd, and Mama Mia!

One can only hope the producers choose another stage savvy actor to host the Oscars. It has been proven time and time again that the best hosts for a live television show are the ones who are experienced with live stage work. They are accustomed to handling and moving past the minefield of potential foibles that can sink a television or film actor unused to "keep going" even when there's a huge mistake-- there is no "Take 2" in live performing.

Hugh Jackman said he would consider doing the Oscars in the future. I shudder to think whom the producers will ask now for this hosting gig. Might we hold off on the Oscars till he's available again? (I think so!)

BWAY: FINIAN'S RAINBOW opens on Broadway!

by Trish Causey

Tonight marks the star-studded, red carpet Broadway opening of the revival of Finian's Rainbow. One might think the enthusiastic crowds lining the sidewalk were awaiting the arrival of rock stars or royalty. Perhaps they were.

Tommy Tune, Allison Pill, Rue McLannihan, Abigal Breslin, Deborah Monk, and Mario Cantone were just a handful of the celebrities from the world of theatre, television, and film walking the red carpet outside the St. James Theatre.

Finian's Rainbow is a fictional, romantic satire that seems blessed by the luck o' the Irish. The full-stage musical tells the tale of an Irish farmer, Finian, and his headstrong daughter, Sharon, as they encounter the interesting locals in their new home, the fictional state of Missitucky.


According to the show's website:

"The story and songs apply as much today as they did when they were written (Madoffs of the world, beware!). The unique and delightful story combines love, money, magic (literally—there's a leprechaun who grants wishes!), and social justice."

This revival of Finian's Rainbow has theatrephiles' tongues wagging as it is one more "big cast" show to stake its claim on the Great White Way in recent years. With the success of other revivals: West Side Story and Ragtime, Finian's Rainbow follows the format of a big cast, with memorable tunes, exquisite singing, and brilliant dancing. And if the infectious excitement on the social networking sites leading up to the opening is any indication, this show will run for quite some time.

The sharp-witted book is by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy with the showtunes penned by lyricist, Yip Harburg, and composer, Burton Lane. These three theatre writers were among the best the genre has ever seen.

"Harburg, Lane and Saidy are among the most celebrated and beloved theatrical writers of our time. Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics for “Over the Rainbow” (the American Film Institute's #1 Movie Song of All Time), Burton Lane composed “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” and Fred Saidy wrote the book for Bloomer Girl, the first feminist, anti-slavery musical."

http://www.finiansonbroadway.com/faq.html

While the characters may be looking for the coveted pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow, the audience has already found theirs just by being witness to the stellar cast led by a creative team of Broadway veterans.

Cast:

• Tony Award® winner JIM NORTON (The Seafarer) stars as Finian
• KATE BALDWIN (Wonderful Town), the headstrong daughter, Sharon
• CHEYENNE JACKSON (Xanadu) as Woody, who becomes enchanted
• CHRISTOPHER FITZGERALD (Young Frankenstein) as Og, the leprechaun.

Creative Team:

• WARREN CARLYLE - Director and Choreographer
• ROB BERMAN - Music Director
• JOHN LEE BEATTY - Set Design
• TONI-LESLIE JAMES - Costume Design
• KEN BILLINGTON - Lighting Design
• SCOTT LEHRER - Sound Design
• WENDY PARSON - Hair, Wig and Make Up Design
• TRIPP PHILLIPS - Production Stage Manager
• JASON HINDELANG - Stage Manager

All in all, the opening of "Finian's Rainbow" is another feather in the cap of Broadway, no luck or magic required.

Sources:

http://www.finiansonbroadway.com/faq.html

http://www.twitter.com/finiansrainbow

NEW SEASON of "Musical Theatre Talk" started today!

AWESOME DAY ~~ I had an AWESOME DAY!!! Started the morning having coffee with a friend -- one of my upcoming guests, Jay Rogers. An hour and a half at the cafe` of Barnes & Noble flew by. He's such a wonderful guy!

I hated to leave, but had to prep for the Season 2 opener of my radio show this afternoon: "Musical Theatre vs Opera: Round 2" at 5 pm/4 pm http://bit.ly/nijjO (347) 237-5224. My guests included Jeff Mattsey, Met Opera star, Merwin Foard, veteran Broadway star, and Elizabeth Grayson, sought-after soprano for both musical theatre and opera.

So I did my musical theatre radio show, and I feel incredible after spending the whole day talking musical theatre shop. Every day should be this fulfilling!!!!!!!!

WEBSITE UPDATED! ~~ My website now has Facebook & Twitter feeds AND the recordings from the first 2 shows: "Premiere Show" & "Vocal Training: Do I Really Have To?" (scroll down to the bottom)...

NEXT SHOW ~~ Nov. 1st -- "Theatre Reviewers: What Are They Looking For Anyway?" with Mark Newman and Steve Loucks! http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

Take care!

trish

Confirmed Guests - Nov. 2009

(re-post from Facebook update)
Chapman Roberts, who is working toward the first-ever Doctorate of Music in Gospel, will be on an upcoming show about secular/popular music influences in Musical Theatre, with an emphasis on Gospel & Rock & Roll. He has a stellar bio that goes from working with Broadway greats to being the Musical Director for events held by several U.S. Presidents. Check him out!

Operatic Contralto & famed Cabaret performer Wynn Creasy & award-winning NYC Cabaret performer Jay Rogers will be on to discuss "Unique Voices: Character Roles and Cabaret" -- Nov. 22 @ 5 pm EST/4 pm CST

We'll also hear from the Creative team of Street Lights, an explosive, new hip-hop musical and an official selection of the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival. The Creative Team of Lorenzo, another NYMF participant, will talk about the creative process of this musical about Mozart's most (in)famous librettist!

I'm in talks with Broadway reps on SEVERAL new Bway musicals AND revivals! Stay Tuned!

Website Updated

(re-post from Facebook update)

WEBSITE UPDATED! Now has Facebook & Twitter feeds AND the recordings from the first 2 shows: "Premiere Show" & "Vocal Training: Do I Really Have To?" (scroll down to the bottom)...

Check your Facebook Inbox for Updates... for some reason, Fb is putting non-email updates there.... This update covers the 1st 4 shows of the upcoming season!

New Listeners Around the World

(re-post from Facebook update)

Welcome, to our new listeners in the U.K., Brazil, and Korea!! Remember, if you miss the live show due to time zone differences, you can always check it out online at the website! http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com

I'm working on the new season of Musical Theatre Talk with Trish Causey -- new day -- new time - new guests! It will be fabulous! Stay Tuned!

Musical Theatre Talk's Web Presence

http://www.MusicalTheatreTalk.com

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Musical_Theatre_Talk

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1509286369

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Musical-Theatre-Talk-w-Trish-Causey/67215713625

http://musicaltheatretalk.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/MusicalTheatreT
http://twellow.com/u/MusicalTheatreT
http://www.theatreface.com/profile­/TrishCausey
http://www.broadwayspace.com/group/musicaltheatretalk
http://www.myspace.com/musicaltheatretalk
http://www.themodernvocalist.com/profile/TrishCausey
http://musicaltheatret.livejournal.com/
http://musicaltheatretalk.vox.com/
http://musicaltheatretalk.wordpress.com/

Email: MusicalTheatreTalk @ gmail.com

UPCOMING SHOWS!

(re-post from Facebook update)

Musical Theatre Talk w/ Trish Causey -- To join the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Musical-Theatre-Talk-w-Trish-Causey/67215713625?ref=ts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The 2nd season of "Musical Theatre Talk with Trish Causey" will soon start and continue the amazingly fantabulous immersion into Musical Theatre. While I am currently in talks with several of the new shows on Broadway (for their creative teams/casts to come on the show), I will bring you individual artists & coaches with decades of experience in "the biz".

OCT. 25 -- "Musical Theatre vs. Opera: Round 2" -- MERWIN FOARD (Broadway veteran), JEFF MATTSEY (Metropolitan Opera star), & ELIZABETH GRAYSON (Broadway Tour & Opera star)

NOV. 1 -- "Theatre Reviewers: What Are They Looking For Anyway?" -- MARK NEWMAN (former NYC theatre critic for 15 years) & STEVE LOUCKS a.k.a. SteveOnBroadway (NYC theatre blogger of 70 shows per year)

NOV. 8 -- "Male Vocal Training" -- PHIL HALL (NYC Broadway vocal coach) & DEAN BELLAIS (Musical Theatre & Opera singer/vocal coach)

NOV. 15 -- "How to Belt 201: The Art & Science of Belting" -- BOB MARKS (NYC Broadway vocal coach) & JEANIE LoVETRI (renown vocal coach and pedagogist)

DATE TBA -- Popular Music in Musical Theatre: Gospel & Rock" -- CHAPMAN ROBERTS (Broadway veteran who is set to receive the first-ever Doctorate of Music in Gospel) & (Broadway show creative team TBA)

DATE TBA -- "Unique Voices: Character Roles & Cabaret Crossovers" -- WYNN CREASY (Opera Contralto & award-winning Cabaret performer)

DATE TBA -- "New Musicals: The Road to Broadway" -- Creative Team from NYMF favorite, STREET LIGHTS

NEW DAY & TIME: Sundays at 4 p.m. CENTRAL time. To my listeners in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Korea, please check time tables to see when the show airs live in your neck o' the woods.

Of course, if you happen to miss the live show, you can hear it online afterward (usually within a day) at the website: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

To listen online: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Musical_Theatre_Talk. To call in with a question: (347) 237-5224 Questions can be emailed prior to the show: TrishCausey@gmail.com, or emailed over Facebook. Put "Question for MTT show" in the subject header.

~~ Spread the word on your website, in your newsletters, and via Twitter/Facebook updates!

~~ Forward the page link at the top to all your friends on (and off) Facebook! ~~

Thanks!
trish

Set the Date --- October 25th!

(re-post from Facebook update)

Looks like Oct. 25th is the date for the return of "Musical Theatre Talk"! Live online @ 5 pm ET/ 4 pm Central Time (no clue what that is in Canada, Australia, Italy, or the UK, sorry guys) --- and I'm sorry it took so long to get the date set... scheduling is a nightmare with these darn working actors! {:-)

SHOW INFO:
OCT. 25th @ 5 pm ET/4 pm CT = "Musical Theatre vs. Opera: Round 2"

Merwin Foard has starred on Broadway in "Beauty & the Beast", "Little Mermaid" (no, he wasn't the mermaid), and is now heading to Chicago to play Gomez in the new musical version of "The Addams' Family".

Jeff Mattsey is a Metropolitan Opera star who was mentored by Pavarotti, and often gives concerts singing both arias & showtunes.

Elizabeth Grayson played Guinevere in the national tour of Camelot with the late great Richard Harris; she is singing lead in Don Giovanni now & will star in La Traviata in Nov. in North Carolina...

And they all started in musical theatre & summer stock...

OTHER FABOO NEWS...
NOV. 1st @ 5 pm ET/ 4 pm CT == "Theatre Reviewers: What Are They Looking for Anyway???" == GUESTS: journalist and professional Broadway theatre critic for 15 years, Mark Newman, and public communications savant and much-hailed theatre blogger (seeing at least 70 shows per year), Steve Loucks, a.k.a., Steve On Broadway.

UPCOMING SHOWS with fabulousness in the works as I charm the creative teams of 4 new Broadway shows!...
-- "Male Vocal Training"
-- "Unique Voices: Character Roles & Cabaret Crossovers"
-- "New Musicals on Broadway"
-- "National Tours: Living the Gypsy Life"
-- ... and back for more.... "How To Belt 201"

Spread the word! Forward the Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Musical-Theatre-Talk-w-Trish-Causey/67215713625?ref=ts

And the website (with guests' headshots):
http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

Woo-hoo!!!
trish