Another New Writing Gig

Just another quick note, I have also been hired as a blogger for TheatreFace.com, the forum for aficionados of Stage Directions Magazine.

I will write about Performing Arts, Vocal Study, and Stage Managing. Check out my first post which went live today -- the topic: Vocal Health During the Winter.

Feel free to leave comments or questions!

trish

New Writing Gigs

Hey, everybody!

I just wanted to give you an update on what's going on with "Musical Theatre Talk" and my (lack of) posting here.

I have recently been hired as the Guide for Theatre for About.com, a New York Times company, to write about all things Broadway, Off-Broadway, professional regional theatre, and New York concerts and events. During that year-long hiring process, I had to focus on writing for About.com, so I wasn't writing as much here. Also, in my personal life, I moved and got set up in a new town. But my show, "Musical Theatre Talk," was on hiatus while I settled in.

Well, now "Musical Theatre Talk" is BACK! I've interviewed Oscar A. Hammerstein, III, and Andrea Marcovicci, and a slew of great guests are already set for January 2011. I'm also using a new system for the show -- another reason for the delay in starting Season 3. Not to fear, though! I'm back on schedule. Upcoming guests will be announced in another blog post, so stay tuned.

Thank you for being patient and be sure to check out the replays at Musical Theatre Talk's website.

trish

BWAY: Sean Hayes to host TONY's

Sean Hayes, former co-star of the hit show "Will and Grace," will host the Tony Awards on CBS on June 13, 2010.  Sean is also nominated for Best Actor in a Musical for his work in the revival of PROMISES, PROMISES.


Source: http://www.TonyAwards.com

55th DRAMA DESK AWARDS Winners (and Surprises)

The 55th Drama Desk Awards handed a bevy of awards to the best in New York theatre last night.  An unusal award, the Drama Desk Awards combine Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway together to arrive at the nominations for the best in the theatre as a whole.

Hosted by legendary singer and Tony-winner, Patti LuPone, the awards were shown live online via TheatreMania.com.  A running joke throughout the night began with an innocent comment of Mitzi Gaynor complementing Martha Plimpton's shoes, which snowballed to Matthew Modine supposedly complimenting women on their Spanx.

And the Musical Theatre (and Music oriented) winners are...


Outstanding Musical:
American Idiot
Everyday Rapture
**Memphis ** WINNER
The Addams Family
The Scottsboro Boys
Yank!

Outstanding Revival of a Musical:
A Little Night Music
Finian's Rainbow
**La Cage Aux Folles** WINNER
Promises, Promises
Ragtime

Outstanding Actor in a Musical:
Brandon Victor Dixon, The Scottsboro Boys
**Douglas Hodge, La Cage Aux Folles ** WINNER
Cheyenne Jackson, Finian's Rainbow
Chad Kimball, Memphis
Nathan Lane, The Addams Family
Bobby Steggert, Yank!

Outstanding Actress in a Musical (tie):
Kate Baldwin, Finian's Rainbow
**Montego Glover, Memphis ** WINNER
Jayne Houdyshell, Coraline
Christiane Noll, Ragtime
Sherie Rene Scott, Everyday Rapture
**Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music** WINNER

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:
Kevin Chamberlin, The Addams Family
Robin De Jesus, La Cage Aux Folles
Jeffry Denman, Yank!
**Christopher Fitzgerald, Finian's Rainbow** WINNER
Jeremy Morse, Bloodsong of Love
Bobby Steggert, Ragtime

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:
Carolee Carmello, The Addams Family
Carrie Cimma, Lizzie Borden
**Katie Finneran, Promises, Promises ** WINNER
Angela Lansbury, A Little Night Music
Kenita Miller, Langston in Harlem
Terri White, Finian's Rainbow

Outstanding Director of a Musical:
Warren Carlyle, Finian's Rainbow
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Ragtime
Igor Goldin, Yank!
Terry Johnson, La Cage Aux Folles
**Michael Mayer, American Idiot ** WINNER
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys

Outstanding Choreography:
Warren Carlyle, Finian's Rainbow
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Ragtime
Lynne Page, La Cage Aux Folles
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys
**Twyla Tharp, Come Fly Away** WINNER
Sergio Trujillo, Memphis

Outstanding Music:
**David Bryan, Memphis** WINNER
Michael Friedman, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Joe Iconis, Bloodsong of Love
John Kander & Fred Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys
Andrew Lippa, The Addams Family
Joseph Zellnik, Yank!

Outstanding Lyrics:
Rick Crom, Newsical The Musical
Kevin Del Aguila, Click, Clack, Moo
**John Kander & Fred Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys** WINNERS
Dillie Keane and Adèle Anderson, Fascinating Aïda Absolutely Miraculous!
Andrew Lippa, The Addams Family
David Zellnik, Yank!

Outstanding Book of a Musical:
Joe DiPietro, Memphis
Joe Iconis, Bloodsong of Love
Dick Scanlan & Sherie Rene Scott, Everyday Rapture
David Thompson, The Scottsboro Boys
**Alex Timbers, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson** WINNER
David Zellnik, Yank!

Outstanding Orchestrations:
Larry Hochman, The Scottsboro Boys
Tom Kitt, American Idiot
Tom Kitt, Everyday Rapture
John Oddo, All About Me
**Daryl Waters & David Bryan, Memphis** WINNERS

Outstanding Musical Revue:
Fascinating Aïda: Absolutely Miraculous!
Million Dollar Quartet
Newsical The Musical
Simon Green: Traveling Light
**Sondheim on Sondheim** WINNER

Outstanding Music in a Play:
Adam Cochran, A Play on War
Adam Cork, Red
Gaines, A Lie of the Mind
Philip Glass, The Bacchae
Hem, Twelfth Night
**Branford Marsalis, Fences** WINNER

Outstanding Set Design:
Sandra Goldmark, The Boys in the Band
**Phelim McDermott, Julian Crouch & Basil Twist, The Addams Family ** WINNERS
Derek McLane, Ragtime
Christopher Oram, Red Jay Rohloff, Underground
Karen Tennent, Hansel and Gretel

Outstanding Costume Design:
Antonia Ford-Roberts & Bob Flanagan, The Emperor Jones
Clint Ramos, So Help Me God!
Bobby Frederick Tilley II, Lizzie Borden
**Matthew Wright, La Cage Aux Folles ** WINNER
David Zinn, In the Next Room or the vibrator play

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical:
**ACME Sound Partners, Ragtime ** WINNER
Jonathan Deans, La Cage Aux Folles
Ashley Hanson, Kurt Eric Fischer & Brian Ronan, Everyday Rapture
Peter Hylenski, The Scottsboro Boys
Scott Lehrer, Finian's Rainbow
Brian Ronan, Promises, Promises

http://www.dramadesk.com/

Macy's Invites You to Sing Your Way to the Tony Awards

Ever wanted to be surrounded by the best of Broadway all at once?

Macy's and CBS want to hear YOU sing your Broadway best for a chance to win a trip to the 64th Annual Tony Awards in New York.

The Tonys will be aired live on CBS, June 13th, at 8 pm EDT/ 7 pm CDT.

Song Choices:

• "96,000" - IN THE HEIGHTS
• "Gimme, Gimme" - THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE 
• "Good Morning, Baltimore" - HAIRSPRAY
• "I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa my Hair" - SOUTH PACIFIC
• "Lonely Goatherd" - THE SOUND OF MUSIC
• "Maybe" - ANNIE
• "One" - A CHORUS LINE
• "Stars" - LES MISERABLES
• "Ya Got Trouble" - THE MUSIC MAN

Music clearances facilitated by Music Theatre International, The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, and Tams-Witmark Music Library. Songs provided courtesy of copyright holders.

Get Started by going to http://www.cbs.com/specials/tony_awards/upload:
1. Upload your video by May 27th noon PT
2. Vote on yor favorites from May 27th to June 1st to help determine the top 5 videos.
3. Return on June 3rd noon PT to view and vote for your favorite of the top 5.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. See Official Rules for details.

BREAK A LEG!

BWAY: Special TONY for NYPD

The peeps at the Tony Awards announced today that they will award a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre to the Midtown North and South New York City Police Precincts for outstanding service to Manhattan’s Theatre District.  Though the NYPD was instrumental in protecting the Times Square Theatre District from the recent car bomb, it is the job they do everyday that earned the precints this special award.


The Broadway League's Executive Director, Charlotte St. Martin, explained,

"We had decided on this particular Tony Honor well before the May 1st incident in Broadway/Times Square which brought the NYPD's skills to the forefront of a very public stage, so our desire to award them for their consistent day-to-day dedication proved even more appropriate."

The 2010 Tony Awards will air live from Radio City Music Hall on June 13, 2010 on CBS, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET with a red carpet interviews.

Source:  http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/news/articles/2010-05-17/201005161274068041878.html?promo?facebook0517

BWAY: PRISCILLA -- 2 out of 3 ain't bad

The Broadway version of PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT is another step closer to reality.  Two of the three leads were announced to include HAIR's Will Swenson and West End version's Tony Sheldon.  The release also said the move across the pond will have a go in Toronto before the big plunge on the Great White Way in Spring 2011.

With LA CAGE, the upcoming HEDWIG, and now PRISCILLA, it will be interesting to see just how many drag queen shows Broadway can support at one time?!  More mascara and shaving cream, anyone?

For more information on PRISCILLA, go to http://www.priscillathemusical.com. 

BWAY: FELA to launch European tour

The mostly-dance exploration of activism and the Afrobeat, FELA!, will go on tour for at least 12 weeks in late 2011.  Presented by the National Theatre of London, this tour will mark the European premiere of FELA!  

Nominated for 11 Tonys and a winner of an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Choreographer (Bill T. Jones), FELA! has surprised everyone with its collection of awards, acclaim, and longevity on the Great White Way (so far).

For more information on FELA!, to get tickets, or check out the long list of commendations, go to http://www.felaonbroadway.com.

BWAY: LA CAGE announces Nat'l Tour for 2011

The production team of the smash Broadway hit, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, has announced a national tour based on the current revival to be launched in 2011.  Currently nominated for 11 Tony Awards, this morning brought news that LA CAGE had garnered 4 Outer Critics Circle Awards, tying with MEMPHIS, for most wins.  Composer Jerry Herman has been named the recipient of a special Drama Desk Award for his career as a Musical Theatre composer.

The original Broadway production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES opened on August 21, 1983 at the Palace Theatre, wowing audiences with its daring material.  That production won 4 Tony Awards in 1984 and went on to become a staple in regional theatres.

Casting and design details will be forthcoming on the main LA CAGE website, and for more information on national tours, go to http://www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE announces 2009-2010 awards

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the recipients of the 2009-10 Awards.  MEMPHIS and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES both won in 4 categories, with a shocking 3 unprecedented ties in the categories for "New Off-Broadway Musical," "Actress in a Musical," and "Choreographer. 

Movie stars Denzel Washington and Catherine Zeta-Jones won trophies for their work in FENCES and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, respectively.

With history-making wins and lots of surprises, the winners are... 

NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
* Memphis
 

NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
* Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
* The Scottsboro Boys
 

 NEW SCORE - (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
* Memphis
 

REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL - (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
* La Cage aux Folles
 

 DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
* Terry Johnson  - La Cage aux Folles
 

 CHOREOGRAPHER
* Bill T. Jones - Fela!
* Sergio Trujillo - Memphis

SET DESIGN - (Play or Musical)
* Phelim McDermott & Julian Crouch - The Addams Family
 

COSTUME DESIGN - (Play or Musical)
* Matthew Wright - La Cage aux Folles
 

LIGHTING DESIGN - (Play or Musical)
* Kevin Adams - American Idiot
   

ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
* Douglas Hodge - La Cage aux Folles

ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
* Montego Glover - Memphis
* Catherine Zeta-Jones - A Little Night Music
 

FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
* Levi Kreis - Million Dollar Quartet
 

FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
* Katie Finneran - Promises, Promises

Source:  http://www.outercritics.org/

BLOG: R.I.P. Lena Horne

Lena Horne was a Broadway performer before she ventured into Hollywood, singing and dancing in a litany of movie musicals.  During World War II, she spoke out against the discrimination against black servicemen, and worked with leaders of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, acting as a well-known star standing for change with Medgar Evers, John F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

She won numerous awards for her rich, sultry singing, but more importantly, she helped break down race barriers in the film and television industry. 

. 

AUDITION: Nat'l tour of SPRING AWAKENING

From Playbill.com:

"NETworks is please to announce casting calls for the 2010-2011 Spring Awakening National Tour...This tour will begin rehearsals September 13, 2010.

"Auditions will be held at Chelsea Studios, 151 West 26th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY. Please prepare a short folk/alt. rock song. Bring sheet music, pianist will be provided. Bring a picture and resume. PLEASE NOTE: All actors must be at least 18 years of age by September 13, 2010. SEEKING ALL ETHNICITIES FOR ALL ROLES."

FOR DETAILED AUDITION INFO, you must read: http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/29943.html

GUEST: Linda Eder, 04/16 @ 11a EDT/10a CDT

Singing sensation Linda Eder will be on "Musical Theatre Talk with Trish Causey" this Friday, April 16, at 11 a.m. EDT/ 10 a.m. CDT.

Linda began her career winning Star Search for 12 weeks straight, then played the role of Lucy in Frank Wildhorn's JEKYLL & HYDE. She has performed concerts around the world and released several CD's featuring standards and new classics.

To listen live, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musical_theatre_talk or call 347-237-5224.

For more information on shows, guests, updates, and replays, go to the MTT website: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

Some of her available albums:
Broadway, My Way
Soundtrack 
Greatest Hits
The Other Side of Me
It's Time
Gold
My Favorite Broadway - The Leading Ladies

Idina Menzel on GLEE's return tonight

The wait is over!  After all the speculation, waiting, and tweeting, tonight is the night all GLeeks have been waiting for.  The GLEE Club misfits have found their stride as they approach Nationals in the episode, "Hell-O."

Featuring Idina Menzel, the premiere of GLEE tonight at 9:28/8:28c, after American Idol, on FOX.

GLEE holds open casting for 16-26 years olds

The producers of the hit show, GLEE, are searching high and low to fill the roles of high schools students for the upcoming season.  Auditionees must be between the ages of 16-26 and submit a video to the GLEE AUDITIONS page on MySpace.

The first minute should be an intro, and the next four minutes should be you belting your heart out. Then upload the video to http://www.myspace.com/gleeauditions.

GLEE returns from hiatus tomorrow night, so get that video in for your chance to be in Season 2!  Meanwhile, re-live Season 1 (and practice your GLEEk style) by getting the music of GLEE (click the pic to the left).

http://www.myspace.com/gleeauditions

NEXT TO NORMAL wins Pulitzer

Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Tony Award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, has been awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.  A landmark win, only eight musicals have won the Pultizer Prize for Drama, including, Stephen Sondheim's SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and Jonathan Larson's RENT.

The rock musical explores a woman's journey to solve her mental illness issues on her own.

Playing at the Booth Theatre, NEXT TO NORMAL began Off-Broadway and was re-worked in workshops before making the move to Broadway in Spring 2009. In June, it won three Tonys for Best Score, Best Orchestration, and Best Actress for Alice Ripley, best known for her leading role in SIDE SHOW.

Fall 2010 will see the national tour of NEXT TO NORMAL take to the road. For more information about the Broadway show, or to find the tour's schedule of cities and dates, go to http://www.nexttonormal.com/

GUEST: Dr. Kim Steinhauer - "Technology & Vocal Training" - 11 a EDT

Vocal researcher, Dr. Kim Steinhauer, will be on "Musical Theatre Talk with Trish Causey" to discuss "Technology & Vocal Training."  If you don't have access to a good voice teacher in your area, buying a CD training system or taking lessons online may be the answer. With the digital age in full swing, the traditional methods of learning are facing new competition.

To listen live, go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musical_theatre_talk or call in to 347-237-5224.

Replays available on http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUEST: Composer FRANK WILDHORN 04/09 @ 1pm EDT

JEKYLL & HYDE, SCARLET PIMPERNEL, THE CIVIL WAR, and WONDERLAND composer FRANK WILDHORN will be on "Musical Theatre Talk with Trish Causey" on Friday, 04/09, @ 1p EDT.

To listen live online, go to: http://bit.ly/5kkhRz

To call in, call 346-237-5224.

CD: Klea Blackhurst's AUTUMN IN NEW YORK

MTT guest and belter extraordinaire, Klea Blackhurst, reinvents the classics of the past by adding her own unique approach.  An amazing musical instrument, Klea's voice has been heard in symphony halls and theatre around the world. A master of her craft, Klea Blackhurst is a force to be reckoned with. She is simply --- amazing.

BWAY: Cast album signing for LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

The Broadway cast album of Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC comes out on Tuesday. Starring theatre and screen legend Angela Lansbury and screen goddess Catherine Zeta-Jones.

According to the website,

"Come join Stephen Sondheim, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angela Lansbury, Alexander Hanson, and the cast of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC for a cast album signing event on the day of release.

The signing will take place on Tuesday, April 6 from 2:00PM - 3:30PM at The Walter Kerr Theatre. Please note: No additional materials (i.e. posters, Playbills, other recordings, etc.) will be signed."

For more info, go to http://www.nightmusiconbroadway.com/castrecording.php

BLOG: SONY launches new site for Broadway showtunes!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SONY MASTERWORKS LAUNCHES MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM

A COMPREHENSIVE BROADWAY SITE “WHERE SHOW TUNES TAKE CENTER STAGE”

SITE LIVE ON APRIL 1ST – KICKS OFF WITH 30-DAY SWEEPSTAKES

SONY MASTERWORKS announces the launch of MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM – a comprehensive Broadway site “Where Show Tunes Take Center Stage.” A celebration and testament to America’s unique art form, MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM documents the history of the cast album from Finian's Rainbow (1947) to last year’s critically acclaimed Grammy® and Tony® Award-winning revival of West Side Story. The site goes live on April 1. To celebrate the launch, MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM will give away highly coveted prizes throughout the month in the “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” sweepstakes.

MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM preserves the history of music from the “Great White Way” providing a comprehensive experience for the Broadway community and its fans. The site will include a catalog of more than 400 Broadway cast recordings – together receiving over 265 Tony® Awards, 450 Tony® nominations and 27 Grammy® Awards. Elements of the site will include hundreds of never-before-seen recording session photos, a weekly blog by noted theater journalist/author Peter Filichia (Newark Star Ledger, Theatremania.com), an enormous streaming library of cast recordings, as well as podcasts with Broadway notables including Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters and others.

On the launch date of April 1st, MASTERWORKSBROADWAY.COM will begin the “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” sweepstakes during which time the site will give away a daily prize. Some of the extraordinary prizes include: A trip for two to NYC to see a Broadway show, the entire Masterworks Broadway catalog (over 275 CDs!), signed copies of Kristin Chenoweth’s book “A Little Bit Wicked” and her latest CD “A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas,” and a rare framed pigment print of Gwen Verdon from the Sony Music archives/ICON Collectibles. Every Tuesday.

Visit Music at:
http://www.theatreface.com/groups/group/show?id=2529492%3AGroup%3A1418&xg_source=msg_mes_group

AUDITION: Producers of GLEE on the prowl

GLEE fans now have the chance of a lifetime to join the cast! GLEE was the surprise hit show of last season, bringing Musical Theatre back to the small screen in a big way.

Now, the producers are scouring the internet for the newest cast member(s) that must be between the ages of 16-26.  All you have to do is upload a video that has a 1 minute intro and 4 minutes of stellar showsopping singing, and upload it at http://www.myspace.com/gleeauditions.

In other news, GLEE cast members also made the cover of the latest Rolling Stone Magazine.

Break a leg!  And if you get it, tell 'em you heard it here on Musical Theatre Talk.

BWAY: Hedwig Inching Toward Broadway?

John Cameron Mitchell, famous for his autobiographical musical revue, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, just might see the lights of the Great White Way in the Fall of 2010.  The original film has become a cult classic, as did the previous stage incarnations, including a couple Off-Broadway stints.

The first Broadway production of HEDWIG will feature JCM and his band, The Angry inch, as well as the original director, Peter Askin. Stephen Trask, the composer-lyricist, says he will write some new tunes for the Broadway version.

For those new to HEDWIG, it is shocking, outrageous, and wonderfully different. With the changes in store for its Broadway debut, it might turn out to be a 21st century sing-along a` la ROCKY HORROR.

BLOG: Bway's HAIR turns 1 year old!

The Broadway revival of HAIR celebrated its 1st birthday yesterday. Featuring famous songs like, "The Age of Aquarius," HAIR is considered by some as the show that changed Musical Theatre from the classical singer & Vaudevillian gag book-musical to an experimental genre for theatrical works with music.

In keeping with that hippies-love-everybody theme, you can choose to donate 5% of your ticket price to charity!

Buy tickets:  http://www.hairbroadway.com/

BLOG: 101 Dalmatians to close early

With dates set all over the U.S. through early summer, the 101 DALMATIANS national tour is closing at the end of its run in New York, April 18, 2010.  This is a great shame considering the costumes are amazing, the show energetic, and the rescue dogs brilliant.

A unique concept, the show features not only kids playing the dalmatian puppies, but live dalmatians who have been rescued and trained to perform tricks during the show.

As another family show hits hard times, one can only hope that the recession will stop affectng large musicals that have great energy and heart (and employ lots of musical theatre performers, technicians, and craftpersons).

Get your tickets immediately! http://www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com/index.html

BLOG: MTT now on CAFE PRESS!

You can support the show and Musical Theatre in one fell swoop by getting your very own Musical Theatre Talk gear.  Choose from t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, mousepags, water bottles, man-bag, even t-shirts for Fido!

Cafe Press also ships internationally -- perfect for Musical Theatre Talk's international listeners.

Stay tuned for upcoming jackets, caps, and more designs!

Musical Theatre Talk on Cafe Press!

GUEST: Kim Steinhauer, 04/08 @ 11 am EDT

KIMBERLY STEINHAUER, Ph.D., is a founding partner of Vocal Innovations and has devoted her career to the voice. She has been employed in a variety of venues ranging from pop to opera. As a voice educator, she has taught in the public school system and at the university level. As Research Health Scientist for the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Kim was awarded a federal grant to study the relationship among teaching techniques and vocal training and rehabilitation. She collaborated with medical teams to tailor exercises and repertoire specifically for singers of all ages with vocal injury and is published in the Journal of Voice and in Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care.


Listen live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musical_theatre_talk or call in to 347-237-5224.


To hear the REPLAY after the show, go to http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/.

GUEST: Lauren Kennedy, 04/01 @ 11 a EDT

LAUREN KENNEDY has starred in numerous Broadway and National Tour musicals: Monty Python's SPAMALOT, SUNSET BOULEVARD with Glenn Close, SIDE SHOW, and LES MISERABLES, CINDERELLA at The New York City Opera, and Trevor Nunn's revival of SOUTH PACIFIC as Nellie Forbush at The Royal National Theatre. Lauren starred opposite Val Kilmer in THE TEN COMMANDMENTS at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. She starred in pre-Broadway productions of VANITIES and LONE STAR LOVE, as well as new works including Zelda Fitzgerald in Frank Wildhorn's WAITING FOR THE MOON, THE RHYTHM CLUB, WHITE CHRISTMAS, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, HOT SHOE SHUFFLE at TUTS, THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN at The Kennedy Center, and THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Northlight.


To listen live, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musical_theatre_talk or call in to 347-237-5224.
 
To hear the REPLAY after the show, go to http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/.

GUEST: Alexandra Silber

ALEXANDRA SILBER made her West End debut as Laura Fairlie in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White. She played Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and revived her role in its subsequent West End transfer to tremendous critical acclaim. In summer 2009, she performed Jullie in Carousel at The Savoy Theatre in London’s West End for which she won the TMA Award for Best Performance in a Musical, 2009. She is currently rehearsing with Tony Award-winner Tyne Daly in Terrence McNally’s Master Class at The Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, directed by celebrated director Stephen Wadsworth.

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUEST: Belter Extraordinaire Klea Blackhurst

KLEA BLACKHURST's appearances include the London Palladium's Broadway. She made her Carnegie Hall debut with Michael Feinstein singing the works of Jule Styne and debuted her revue, “Everything The Traffic Will Allow” at Royal Albert Hall. Klea's theatre and Off-Broadway feature roles include Mama Morton in Chicago and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Klea has appeared on "The Caroline Rhea Show," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," "Sesame Street," and "A Prairie Home Companion."

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUESTS: Cast from YANK! A WORLD WAR II LOVE STORY

Nancy Anderson, Jeffry Denman, and Ivan Hernandaz stopped by to discuss the unique love story of a gay World War II soldier. 

Showing at the York Theatre, this intimate show has taken the Off-Broadway crowds by storm.  With various tryouts since 2007, this Off-Broadway smash has found its stride.

Discussing the show and its unique angle on a World War II romance, the cast also sheds light on their individual vocal training and upcoming projects.

For tickets to the show, go to http://www.yorktheatre.org/.

To hear the replay of this interview: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUEST: Judith Carman discusses "Yoga for Singers"

JUDITH CARMAN, DMA., has degrees in vocal performance and pedagogy and taught voice at university and in private studios for 40 years. She has practiced yoga regularly for 18 years, completed over 750 hours of teacher training, and holds teacher certification from the Yoga Institute of Houston (200 hour level) and the American Viniyoga Institute (500 hour level). Dr. Carman designed the course, Yoga for Singers in 1999. Her book, Yoga for Singing: A Developmental Tool for Technique and Performance will be published by Oxford University Press in 2011.

REPLAY:  http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

GUEST: Clare Burt

CLARE BURT, starred in David Leveaux's London production of NINE, that inspired the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival. As "The Witch" in INTO THE WOODS, she was called "splendidly malicious" by The Times of London, and "intelligent, powerful & fascinatingly equivocal" by What's On. Other West End credits include "Susan" in COMPANY, "Maggie" in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, "Rose" in ASPECTS OF LOVE, "Grizabella" in CATS, and "Fosca" in PASSION. Clare appeared at the Royal National Theatre as "Mrs. Milcote" in CORAM BOY and "Jean Shehan" in THE MIRACLE.

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

BLOG: Broadway Invades Opera (again)

by Trish Causey

New York City Opera will be invaded by vagabond gypsies from the Great White Way when Tony Award darlings Kristin Chenoweth and Raúl Esparza headline "Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz" on April 21, 2011. (Get the smelling salts for the blue-hair opera patrons!)

No strangers to making beautiful music together, Kristin and Raúl appeared in BROADWAY'S GREATEST SHOWSTOPPERS in May 2008, an event under the baton of A CHORUS LINE composer, Marvin Hamlisch. They also appeared together in the abstract, yet oh-so-fabulous-albeit-short-lived television comedy, PUSHING DAISIES.

Stephen Schwartz is the composer of such legendary shows as WICKED, GODSPELL, and PIPPIN. NYCO will be home to the Broadway composer again when it presents the New York premiere of his first opera, SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, April 19-May 1, 2011

Season subscriptions and single tickets will be available Sept. 7. Go to http://www.nycopera.com/, or call (212) 496-0600. NYCO productions are held at Lincoln Center.

Source: Playbill.com

R.I.P. Kathryn Grayson

by Trish Causey

Kathryn Grayson, operatically trained singer and star of many movie musicals, passed away on February 17, 2010. When I heard the news over Everyday Opera's email list, I immediately posted an RIP on Facebook. No other sources had posted it, and so it was called into question if it were true or a hoax. I wish it had been. Three days later, a friend of the family released the official statement that Kathryn had indeed passed away.

For me, as a singer and performer, I can honestly say that it was Kathryn Grayson who introduced me to my love of musical theatre and coloratura music. My first love was dance, having begun dance and gymnastics at age 2. When I was 14, I discovered movie musicals on the new station, American Movie Classics, and I was in heaven. Previously, only PBS showed artistic fare, and AMC offered two musicals, alternating each, for 12 hours per day. 

I was able to watch Gene Kelley musicals endlessly, and one day, one of the musicals featured was ANCHORS AWEIGH. This one film seemed to be the best of all worlds, the amazing talents and ingenuity of Gene Kelley, the young, undamaged voice of Frank Sinatra, and a lead female who was a legit singer. While I loved the inventive musicals numbers, the predictable storyline, even the history-making animated dream sequence between Gene and Tom the Mouse, I sat though the entire movie, every time, for the last three minutes.

In the last few minutes of the film, Kathryn sings the "Waltz Serenade," a Tchaikovsky piece with words added, that she sings in absolute perfection. That was the song that showed me my voice was normal. My extended high range had previously been a cause for worry that I was just weird and had a lot of extra notes I would never use. I would hold my jambox close to the speaker on the television and tape the songs of the musicals on AMC so I could sing along to them later.  Singing along with Kathryn, I was able to develop technique and speed, and hold the High F/F# (with vibrato) with ease. A few years later, at age 17, I learned that style of singing was called "coloratura," and so began my fascination with that repertoire.

You'll hear me talk about my idol, Barbra Streisand, and occasionally Ella Fitzgerald and Kay Starr, as these women were huge influences on me, along with Rosemary Clooney and Doris Day. But Kathryn was there first. My tapes of those early days recording musical numbers off AMC are long gone. I've bought CD's of Barbra, Ella, and Kay. But never got to have anything of Kathryn's singing, only the happy happenstance of catching one of her musicals on television and reliving those early years all over again. Now, it seems, she can be found on YouTube, and I think that is wonderful.

The Golden Age of Hollywood is passing, and the stars who built the movie industry are slipping away. It's sad we can't have good, ol'-fashioned movie musicals anymore -- they are deemed so...old-fashioned. The musicals that do make it to the screen require a "name" to carry the project, even if the star is not up to the task. Modern recording artists have trouble lip synching to their pre-recorded, over-produced, homogenized so-called "music," yet they are the "singers" in demand nowadays.

Kathryn Grayson was a star of the highest order, an exemplary vocal technician, and a good-hearted person who never took her fame too seriously and helped young singers along the way.  She was a Hollywood star worthy of the moniker and adoration. 

Thank you, Kathryn, for everything.




Anchors Aweigh - 1945
Kathryn Grayson with Gene Kelley & Frank Sinatra


Kathryn Grayson (with Peter Lawford) singing one of the jewels of coloratura repertoire, "The Bell Song" ("Ou va la jeune Indoue") from LAKME.


Ziegfeld Folloies - 1946


The Toast of New Orleans - 1950
Kathryn Grayson with Mario Lanza


Show Boat - 1951
Kathryn Grayson with Tony Martin


Kathryn Grayson with Howard Keel

BLOG: Oscars Highlight Musical Theatre & Women

by Trish Causey

Stars descended upon the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood last night, and another Academy Awards is in the books, or more correctly, the history books. 

Viewers got a healthy dose of deja vu with a Broadway-esque Musical Theatre opening number, featuring a hoofin', beltin' Neil Patrick Harris.  A tradition begun by Billy Crystal, the opening song and dance number alludes to the nominated films in most categories.  Consensus has it that the smokin' hot opener performed by Hugh Jackman was better overall, but it was very gratifying (once again) to see rhinestone-bedazzled and feather-clad dancers gliding about and kicking out the Broadway-style choreography so prominently featured at an award show for movies. 

The Broadway musical turned Musical Theatre film, NINE, did not win any gold statuettes, but Oscars were handed out to other award-worthy music endeavors.  Best Animated Film and Best Score went to the amazingly touching, funny, and well-written film, UP.  While I was personally rooting for the Musical Theatre animated film, PRINCESS AND THE FROG to win Best Song, the award went to CRAZY HEART's country ballad, "The Weary Kind." 

Producers continued the ridiculous tradition of just talking about the song nominees rather than allowing the composers and singers to actually perform them.  However, even more perplexing than not hearing the nominated songs being sung was having to sit through an interpretive dance sequence forced upon the show by producer, Adam Schankman. Note to Academy: PLEASE bring back the composer and singers who EARNED their place at the Academy Awards and leave the abstract dance numbers to reality TV shows.

Months of pre-show talk had surrounded James Cameron and his film AVATAR, Oscar newcomers Mo'Nique and Gaborey Sidibe from PRECIOUS, and perennial nominee, Meryl Streep. Secretly, most people were rooting for Sandra Bullock for Best Actress, and she ultimately won the award---reminiscent of the moment another popular, romantic-comedy actress, Julia Roberts, won Best Actress, suddenly becoming legitimized as a serious actress. 

Kathryn Bigelow made history when she became the first woman to win Best Director.  While the winners are supposedly secret, it can be no accident that Kathryn Bigelow was handed her award by the one-and-only Barbra Streisand, the woman who pioneered women's place in show business on the production side of a project, not just the pretty face-for-hire in front of the camera.  Many a Babs fan still thinks Streisand was cheated out of a Best Director Oscar for YENTL all those years ago, thanks to the good-ol'-boy network in Hollywood. It is no understatement to say that women can do what we do as directors, creative talents, and designers because Barbra Streisand blazed that trail for us in the last four decades.

The 82nd Academy Awards served up several memorable moments for women, African-Americans, and other minorities, not soon to be forgotten, or under appreciated for their importance for equality in show business.

GUEST: "Ragtime" star CHRISTIANE NOLL

CHRISTIANE NOLL starred on Broadway in the acclaimed revival of RAGTIME, for which she received a Helen Hayes Nomination. She made her Broadway debut creating the role of "Emma" in JEKYLL & HYDE, & received an Ovation Award as "Hope Cladwell" in the National Tour of URINETOWN. She was critically acclaimed for her operetta performances in City Center ENCORES! THE NEW MOON, THE STUDENT PRINCE, and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Other favorite roles include "Audrey" in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, "The Baker's Wife" in INTO THE WOODS, "Mabel" in MACK & MABEL, working with Jerry Herman and winning a Connecticut Critics Circle Award.

She starred in the premieres of FRANKENSTEIN, ACE, KEPT, TAKE FLIGHT, CALL THE CHILDREN HOME, A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE, and LITTLE BY LITTLE. She has played the lead female role in the national tours of GREASE!, MISS SAIGON, and CITY OF ANGELS as well as a tour of Australia and Thailand as "Nellie" in SOUTH PACIFIC. Christiane made her Carnegie Hall debut as one of the 3 Broadway Divas with The New York Pops, and her Hollywood Bowl debut singing with the legendary Julie Andrews.

REPLAY: http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/

BLOG: Met Opera hires Musical Theatre pros

by Trish Causey

This blog post is actually a response I posted to another blog, in which the writer bemoaned the fact that the Metropolitan Opera had contracted Musical Theatre directors to work on three upcoming productions. He also mentioned the so-called Tosca sets "fiasco", which is less a fiasco and more about the perception of opera and that the ticket buyer wants to see his or her money on the stage.

So, of course, I had to defend the Met's decision to hire Musical Theatre people, and add a few opinions of my own.

RESPONSE:

Opera doesn't have to change what it is, but it does need to change how it is perceived in order to survive. Unfortunately, the ghetto-ization of America and the dumbing-down of the culture, in general, will not continue to allow artforms that are perceived as antiquated, elitist, and only for fat white singers.

Bringing in Musical Theatre people will enhance the productions because it will bring in an entirely new audience to opera. Unless, of course, the money of the Musical Theatre crowd isn't good enough for the opera purists?

All of the live arts are suffering from the rise of technology (that young people prefer instead of sitting through a 4 hour opera), pirating of performances, CDs, and DVDs, and the time it takes to train and learn the craft --- hard to do in an instant gratification world. However, the live arts should stop complaining about the change and do something about it.

Demand your politicians put the arts back into the schools, with special grants for bringing artists in to talk to kids and do special performances and workshops. Demand more funding for the arts to individual arts as well as organizations. That is the best way to bring education and enlightenment to the younger audiences. Companies who only courted the blue-hairs to support their budgets are the ones struggling the most in this recession because they did not cultivate a youth or young adults program to foster opera in all age brackets. The blue-hairs are now saving their money for the "assisted living" they'll need shortly. The demographics with the buying power are the 18-25 year olds, who prefer performances they can download on their latest iGadget, and the baby boomers, who are looking to save money for their retirement.

So if the Met is trying a new avenue to survive, more power to them. The smaller companies around the country take their cue from the Met. Many an opera company has seen the brink of financial ruin trying to emulate out-dated costumes and sets they really couldn't afford. I would suggest any opera afficianado who doesn't understand the Met's tactics to volunteer at an opera company for 6 months and see what goes on to make a production happen. Sit in on their Board meetings, and take a look at their accounting books. Then you will see the reality of running a company while keeping it from going bankrupt or having to close its doors.

Education, activism, and experimentation are the solutions. Otherwise, the live performing arts will find itself an obsolete artform.

Patricia Causey
http://www.musicaltheatretalk.com/