April Theater Openings

[Guest alanm]

The Green Day musical "American Idiot" opens on Broadway on April 20th at the St. James Theater.

 

Great news. I have been waiting for this to happen for several months. The cast has not been announced yet.

[+ Lucky]

There's lots of good stuff to look forward to, including the London version of La Cage aux Folles from the Chocolate factory, which re-works some old shows into more contemporary style. here's the list from Playbill.com:

 

Schedule of Upcoming Broadway Shows

By Playbill Staff

05 Jan 2009

 

http://www.playbill.com/images/photo/a/d/adbump.jpg http://www.playbill.com/images/clear.gif

 

 

This list is updated periodically.

PRESENT LAUGHTER

• American Airlines Theatre
  
• First Preview: Jan. 2
  
• Opening: Jan. 21
  
• Director: Nicholas Martin
  
• Cast: Victor Garber, Harriet Harris, Brooks Ashmanskas
  
• The Roundabout Theatre Company revival of the Noel Coward comedy about an aging matinee idol.
  

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

• Cort Theatre
  
• First Preview: Dec. 28
  
• Opening: Jan. 24
  
• Director: Gregory Mosher
  
• Cast: Liev Schreiber, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Hecht, Michael Cristofer, Santino Fontana and Corey Stoll
  
• Revival of Arthur Miller's drama centering on a dockworker who becomes too protective of his niece.
  

TIME STANDS STILL

• Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
  
• First Preview: Jan. 5
  
• Opening: Jan. 28
  
• Director: Daniel Sullivan
  
• Cast: Laura Linney, Alicia Silverstone, Brian d'Arcy James and Eric Bogosian
  
• Manhattan Theatre Club's presentation of Donald Margulies' new play about a war journalist and a photographer forced to return home.
  

THE MIRACLE WORKER

• Circle in the Square Theatre
  
• First Preview: Feb. 12
  
• Opening: March 3
  
• Director: Kate Whoriskey
  
• Cast: Abigail Breslin and Alison Pill
  
• A revival of William Gibson's drama centering on the deaf and blind Helen Keller and her teacher. Advertisement
  http://www.playbill.com/openx/www/delivery/ai.php?filename=framerevised120x240.gif&contenttype=gifhttp://www.playbill.com/openx/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=1161&campaignid=1343&zoneid=3&source=celebritybuzz%7Cros%7Celse&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.playbill.com%2Fcelebritybuzz%2Farticle%2F80060-Schedule-of-Upcoming-Broadway-Shows&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fplaybill.com%2Findex.php&cb=eb3edd1eff
   
   
  

A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE

• Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
  
• First Preview: Feb. 15
  
• Opening: March 4
  
• Director: John Crowley
  
• Cast: Christopher Walken, Zoe Kazan, Anthony Mackie and Sam Rockwell
  
• World premiere of a new American-set Martin McDonagh black comedy.
  

NEXT FALL

• Helen Hayes Theatre
  
• First Preview: Feb. 16
  
• Opening: March 11
  
• Director: Sheryl Keller
  
• Cast: Patrick Breen, Maddie Corman, Sean Dugan, Patrick Heusinger, Connie Ray and Cotter Smith
  
• Transfer of Naked Angels' Off-Broadway run of Geoffrey Nauffts' drama about a five-year relationship.
  

LOOPED

• Lyceum Theatre
  
• First Preview: Feb. 19
  
• Opening: March 14
  
• Director: Rob Ruggiero
  
• Cast: Valerie Harper, Brian Hutchison
  
• Matthew Lombardo's new comedy that finds celebrated actress Tallulah Bankhead in a sound studio to re-record (or "loop") one line of dialogue for be her last film.
  

ALL ABOUT ME

• Henry Miller's Theatre
  
• First Preview: Feb. 19
  
• Opening: March 18
  
• Director: Casey Nicholaw
  
• Cast: Barry Humphries, Michael Feinstein
  
• Christopher Durang pens the Broadway return of Australia's First Lady with cabaret's popular standards man.
  

COME FLY AWAY

• Marquis Theatre
  
• First Preview: March 1
  
• Opening: March 25
  
• Director: Twyla Tharp
  
• Choreographer: Twyla Tharp
  
• Cast: TBA
  
• Tharp's Frank Sinatra-inspired dance piece about four lovelorn couples featuring the vocals of Ol' Blue Eyes.
  

LEND ME A TENOR

• Music Box Theatre
  
• First Preview: March 11
  
• Opening: April 4
  
• Director: Stanley Tucci
  
• Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell
  
• Cast: Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Shalhoub, Jan Maxwell, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jennifer Laura Thompson
  
• Ken Ludwig's 1930s-set comedy that centers on a world-famous star who goes missing before his debut with Cleveland's local opera.
  

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

• Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
  
• First Preview: March 8
  
• Opening: April 8
  
• Director: Jerry Zaks, Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch
  
• Cast: Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth, Carolee Carmello, Kevin Chamberlin, Jackie Hoffman, Zachary James, Terrence Mann, Adam Riegler, Wesley Taylor and Krysta Rodriguez
  
• New Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice musical inspired by Charles Addams macabre characters.
  

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

• Nederlander Theatre
  
• First Preview: March 13
  
• Opening: April 11
  
• Director: Eric Schaeffer
  
• Cast: TBA
  
• Transfer of the Chicago musical by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux centering on Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley.
  

HUGHIE/ KRAPP'S LAST TAPE

• Theatre: TBA
  
• First Preview: April 12
  
• Opening: TBA
  
• Director: Robert Falls/ Jennifer Tarver
  
• Cast: Brian Dennehy
  
• Transfer of the Goodman Theatre's production of Eugene O'Neill and Samuel Beckett works.
  

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

• Longacre Theatre
  
• First Preview: April 6
  
• Opening: April 18
  
• Director: Terry Johnson
  
• Choreographer: Lynne Page
  
• Cast: Douglas Hodge
  
• Transfer of the London Menier Chocolate Factory production of Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein's musical.
  

AMERICAN IDIOT

• St. James Theatre
  
• First Preview: March 24
  
• Opening: April 20
  
• Director: Michael Mayer
  
• Choreographer: Steven Hoggett
  
• Cast: TBA
  
• New rock musical using songs from Green Day's album of the same name and latest album, "21st Century Breakdown."
  

SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM

• Studio 54
  
• First Preview: March 19
  
• Opening: April 22
  
• Director: James Lapine
  
• Cast: Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Michael Arden and Leslie Kritzer
  
• A new revue and intimate portrait of the famed composer.
  

PROMISES, PROMISES

• Broadway Theatre
  
• First Preview: March 28
  
• Opening: April 25
  
• Director: Rob Ashford
  
• Choreographer: Rob Ashford
  
• Cast: Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Hayes, Brooks Ashmanskas, Katie Finneran and Tony Goldwyn
  
• A revival of the Burt Bacharach-Hal David-Neil Simon musical based on "The Apartment."
  

FENCES

• Cort Theatre
  
• First Preview: April 14
  
• Opening: April 25
  
• Director: Kenny Leon
  
• Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis
  
• Revival of August Wilson's drama about a former Negro League baseball player who struggles now as a garbage man.
  

ENRON

• Theatre: TBA
  
• First Preview: April 8
  
• Opening: April 27
  
• Director: Rupert Goold
  
• Cast: TBA
  
• Transfer of London's Jerwood Theatre production of Lucy Prebble's financial scandal drama.
  

COLLECTED STORIES

• Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
  
• First Preview: April 6
  
• Opening: April 28
  
• Director: Lynne Meadow
  
• Cast: Linda Lavin, Sarah Paulson
  
• Manhattan Theatre Club's presentation of Donald Margulies' new play about two female writers.
  

LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART

• American Airlines Theatre
  
• First Preview: April 9
  
• Opening: April 29
  
• Director: Joe Mantello
  
• Cast: Megan Mullally, Lili Taylor, Patton Oswalt
  
• Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Terrence McNally's play set at a Fire Island beach house on the Fourth of July.
  

SPIDER-MAN, TURN OFF THE DARK

• Hilton Theatre
  
• First Preview: TBA
  
• Opening: TBA
  
• Director: Julie Taymor
  
• Choreographer: Daniel Ezralow
  
• Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Alan Cumming and Reeve Carney
  
• New musical based on the Marvel comic book hero featuring songs by Bono and The Edge with a book by Taymor and Glen Berger.
  

[+ purplekow]

I have in my possession 2 tickets to the Addams Family in NYC on March 4. I saw this post and contacted Ticketmaster to find out my performance, which was to be the first one, was cancelled. Refund on the tickets not a replacement.

[+ sf westcoaster]

I will be visitng NY for a week in May and plan on seeing as many of these shows as time allows. Many appear to be revivals of past shows, but the cast in many cases will draw me to the show. Definitely want to see La Cage - a friend saw it in London and said it was outstanding.

[body2body]

Hello Everyone,

 

This is my first addition to this forum.

 

I just returned from New York, and while I prefer the weather here in West Hollywood, I got to see some great shows (Bye Bye Birdie, A Little Night Music, and God of Carnage). I'm already planning a return to see "Promises Promises". It has a wonderful score by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Miss Chenowith will be superb in the roll created on the screen by Shirley Maclaine, and will surely break your heart with her rendition of "Knowing when to leave". It is only a pity that we won't get to see the Michael Bennet choreography.

 

"Looped" with Valerie Harper played at the Pasadena Playhouse, and surprised me because it turned out to be deeper than the Camp excercise that I expected it to be.

 

It looks like there will be much more to see, and can hardly wait to go back (when the weather is better).

[+ Cash4Trash]

Saw a preview of Present Laughter tonight (01/05) and enjoyed it great deal.

Should be a hit for the Roundabout.

[edjames]

Present Laughter Misses...

 

Sorry, I have to disagree. I saw "Present Laughter" last night and walked out after the second act! A totally boring and pretentious piece of crap. Many audience members left after the first act and the level of applause was very weak. Only the cold and chilly theater kept me awake!

 

A total waste of very good talent. While Victor Garber is cool, suave and very handsome, he never seems to get into the character. Harriet Harris is fine as his secretary but looks unusually hippy (as in her physical attributes below the waist) and dowdy. Even the fine actress Lisa Banes cannot bring these characters to life. Brooks Ashmanskas brings some ridiculous comic relief to the tedious production but fails to give it the punch it desperately needs.

 

Some members of the list will be happy to know that this is one show where the set is the star of the show! A gorgeous and opulent art deco wonderland with a chandelier that would bring tears to Tiffany's eyes, the set director, Alexander Dodge deserves a Tony nom for his work. The costumes faithfully reflect this age of silk pajamas, dressing downs, velvet smoking jackets and impeccably tailor suits and dresses.

 

Alas, none of this helps improve what can only be described as a boring script. Someone at the Roundabout must have decided that after last year's success of Blithe Spirit, they would cash in on the Noel Coward revival, but this production just misses the mark.

 

We'll see what Ben (Brantley) has to say...

 

ED

[+ Lucky]

Norbert Lee Butz has just been added to the cast of Enron. I really like watching Norbert.

[GoodFella69]

Valerie, Rhoda and Me.

 

Lucky: Thanks so much for posting this updated list.

 

I hope the comedy "Looped" at the The Lyceum Theater does well and continues until I get to New York again in June. I had a huge fascination with Valerie Harper when I was teen-ager in the late-70's. I suppose subconsciously that I really wanted to BE the independent, cosmopolitan, quick-witted "Rhoda" even though I didn't realize it at the time! I also had a major crush on her tv husband. Remember him?

 

http://iamatvjunkie.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451c17f69e2011571928d6f970b-250wi

[+ Cash4Trash]

The New York Times review of Present Laughter.

 

http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/theater/reviews/22present.html?ref=theater

 

Take that edjames.

[+ purplekow]

Joe played by the late David Groh

[MsGuy]

WTF!

 

How are ignorant rural rubes like me supposed to know that buying a ticket to a Broadway "preview" amounts to paying to watch somebody rehearse an unfinished script? Even the Steinbrenners don't have the gall to ask full Yankee stadium prices to watch spring training games. Is there some sensible theatrical rationale for this practice that is eluding me? I understand the need for preliminary performances before live audiences but not this business of charging full price and not properly disclosing what you're going to see.

 

Some of the theatre folks in the linked article seem a little miffed over the bad internet word of mouth occasioned by this scam.

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704320104575015092801295862.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_lifeStyle

[+ Lucky]

MS, I tried to start a conversation about that article without success. Maybe here it will gain traction. From my Theater talk thread:

 

Present Laughter, starring Victor Garber, received good reviews both from Ben Brantley in the Times and Terry Teachout in the Journal.

 

The Journal today also has an interesting article on the problems with previews, highlighting the reaction of many theater-goers to mistakes in previews, which now often cost as much as the show would after opening:

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...le_Lifestyle_5

[MsGuy]

Lucky, maybe it was the bone deep suspicion of a country hick that those fast talking New York sharpies will skin you any chance they get. Maybe it was just my back was aching last night, but that business of milking the innocents to cover rehersal costs struck me as wrong, wrong ethically and wrong as a business model. I don't doubt there's a segment of the theatre crowd for whom watching a play in development is just the thing but that's not for regular folks. We come to see the magic, not to peek behind the curtain.

 

I promise you many of those tourists in the "preview" audiences are going to be telling the folks back home about that awful Broadway show they saw and advising them to spend their cash elsewhere. Are producers so desperate for production money that they're resorting to cannibalizing their own audience? Are costs for stage entertainment in New York that out of hand?

[+ Lucky]

Don't ask me! I just posted the link.

[MsGuy]

Sorry. :o There's something about that article that puts me in rant mode every time I read it.

[Guest alanm]

"American Idiot" at the Grammy Awards Sunday

 

The cast of "American Idiot" and Green Day will appear on the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, January 31.

 

I received the following e-mail today, probably because I saw "Spring Awakening" on Broadway several times:

 

"An invitation to see Green Day’s American Idiot from your friends at SPRING AWAKENING

 

It was just over four years ago when Michael Mayer directed the Tony–winning smash SPRING AWAKENING and The New York Times declared, “Broadway may never be the same!” This spring, Michael and a creative team including SPRING AWAKENING Tony winner Kevin Adams (lighting) and Tony nominees Christine Jones (sets) and Brian Ronan (sound) are back and joined by NEXT TO NORMAL’s two–time Tony Award–winning composer and orchestrator Tom Kitt and Olivier Award–winning choreographer Steven Hoggett to bring Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT, the groundbreaking, Grammy Award–winning multi–platinum album to explosive life on Broadway.

 

And it gets better! The incredible 19 member cast of AMERICAN IDIOT will include SPRING AWAKENING favorites and original Broadway cast members Gerard Canonico, Brian Charles Johnson and Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. Tune in this Sunday, January 31st to see them and the entire AMERICAN IDIOT cast perform live with Green Day on the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on CBS.

 

As a member of the SPRING AWAKENING family, we wanted to give you the heads–up that American Express presale tickets are on sale now for performances beginning March 24."