Tag: theatre-2006

Marriage, Take 1.

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I have always believed that the musical I Do! I Do! would be a perfect Pasadena Playhouse musical*. There is a cast of two, and simple orchestration. The gods must have been listening. I just came back from seeing “I Do! I Do!” at the Pasadena Playhouse, part of their Marriage Musicals (the other is The Last 5 Years, which we’re seeing on July 29th). They did an absolutely perfect job.

For those unfamiliar with the story, I Do! I Do! tells the story of Michael and Agnes. It begins on their wedding day in the late 1890s, and traces their life together over a period of 50 years, until the day they leave their house to the next pair of newlyweds. In that time we watch them go through their wedding night jitters, raise a family, negotiate mid-life crises, quarrel, separate, reconcile and grow old together, all lovingly to the strains of a tuneful, charming score. It is based on the play The Four-Poster by Jan de Hartog, with Music by Harvey Schmidt, and Book and Lyrics by Tom Jones. I was pleased to see that the Playhouse used the 1996 Off-Broadway version of the show, which simplifies the orchestration to two pianos, and moves My Cup Runneth Over to the second act. [As a side note: the original Broadway version in the 1960s starred Mary Martin and Robert Preston, and had a full orchestra. The 1996 revival starred Karen Ziemba and David Garretson, and had two pianos. I much, much, much prefer the revival version–if you have to order one album, order that one.]

This production starred Julie Dixon Jackson (website by the lovely shutterbug93) as Agnes, and Tom Schmid (website by Tom Schmid) as Michael. I cannot say good enough things about these actors. It was clear they were enjoying themselves in their performances, and it came across in their acting and their singing. This is a fun show if the actors enjoy it (just like a real marriage!). Talking with Julie after the show confirmed it: they have fun with this show. Special kudos to Tom for nailing “It’s a Well Known Fact”, and for Julie for nailing “Flaming Agnes” and “What is a Women?” “Flaming Agnes” deserves additional kudos for the costume: Julie looked hot! The show was directed by Nick Degruccio, with scenic design by Tom Buderwitz, costume design by Jean-Pierre Dorleac, lighting design by Steven Young, sound design by Frederick W. Boot, musical direction by David O, and choreography by Lee Martino. You can find some production photos for the show on this page from the playhouse’s blog.

This was a delightful afternoon, made even better by being able to see shutterbug93. She arrived from tick… tick… Boom! two minutes before the show started. We spent time with her at intermission, and went with her backstage after the show to meet with Julie Dixon Jackson. This was our first time in 20 years of subscribing that we were backstage (although I seem to recall doing it once with NSS&F). This was an extra treat. After the show, we had dinner with shutterbug93 at a sushi joint around the corner, and we went home, while she went of to The Last 5 Years. The evening was also nice due to a find made at Cliff’s Books: a recording (on vinyl) of The Sap Of Life, the first off-broadway show by David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr.. The show is not well known, and has never been released on CD.

Next up on the theatre calendar: The Last 5 Years at the Pasadena Playhouse on July 29th; “The Music Man” at Cabrillo Music Theatre on August 5th; Curtains at the Ahmanson on August 26th, and Fences (starting Laurence Fishburne and Angela Basset) at the Pasadena Playhouse on Sept. 23rd. I thought about tickets for Lucky Stiff at the Fullerton Civic Light Opera, but we can only do a Sunday matinee on 7/23, and that’s not on Goldstar (only the 7pm performance). I also am thinking about tickets to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in Orange County in early September, but that might not pan out either (it depends if Goldstar puts them up). We might see something on vacation, depending on what is in the Sacramento or S.F. Bay area on Goldstar. Is anyone aware of half-price ticket outlets for Sacramento, as Goldstar doesn’t cover that area?

* What else would be good Playhouse musicals? Baby (Maltby/Shire), which they are considering for next season. Ain’t Misbehavin’, if they could find the right talent. I’d love to see them bring back Mail. Brownstone (a cast of 5). I think I Sing! could also be interesting, but I think the language and subject matter would be too racy for Pasadena.

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Hello to Shiny New Parquet Wood Floors / As Waxed as a Wealthy Girl’s Legs

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This afternoon, we drove down to the Coronet Theatre in West Hollywood to see tick… tick… BOOM!, which was a local mounting of the Rubicon Theatre Production. For those unfamilar with the show, it is a show that Jonathan Larson wrote before Rent. It tells the story of Jonathan as he was approaching his 30th birthday and trying to decide what to do with his life. He was just getting to the point of workshopping Superbia, his closest friend and roommate was urging him to enter the marketing biz, as theatre wasn’t panning out, and his girlfriend was urging him to make a committment and move to New England. All of these pressures was forcing him to question his life. As he writes: “Into my hands now / The ball is passed / I want the spoils / But not too fast / The world is calling / It’s now or Neverland / Why can’t I stay a child forever?”.

The above is why the loss of Jonathan Larson was such a great loss. Here is a man who wrote such wonderful lyrics (such as the title of this post) that capture the essence of an idea or thought, without being the typical sap.

The show was originally a one-man production. Remounted, it is a three actor productions, with one character playing Jonathan consistently, and one male actor playing the other mostly male roles (primarily as Michael, Jonathan’s friend), and a female actor playing the female roles (primarily as Susan, Jonathan’s girlfriend). In the production I saw, Jonathan was played by Andrew Samonsky, Michael was played by Wilson Cruz (who played Angel in the Broadway cast of Rent), and Susan was played by Robin De Lano (who did a fantastic job). The production was directed by Scott Schwartz, choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, with musical direction by Brent Crayon, Scenic and Costume design by David Farley, lighting by Jeremy Pivnic, and sound by Drew Dalzell.

I highly recommend this production; it was excellent. It will be playing at the Coronet until July 16th.

Next up on our theatre calendar: Corps at the Crest II in Newbury Park on 6/28; I Do! I Do! at the Pasadena Playhouse on 7/15, The Last 5 Years at the Pasadena Playhouse on 7/29, The Music Man at Cabrillo Music Theatre on 8/5, and Curtains at the Ahmanson on 8/26.

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Curtains to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

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This morning, triggered by a response from shutterbug93 regarding HotTix, I checked to see if BroadwayLA also did HotTix. They don’t. Even worse is their schedule: it shows Dirty Rotten Scoundrels running from August 15-27, 2006. We’ll be on vacation from August 13-25, 2006 (see these posts for details). On August 26, we’re seeing the afternoon matinee of Curtains at the Ahmanson. So, although there is a possibility of seeing “DRS” on its last day, I don’t think it will happen, when you combine exhaustion from the vacation with the prices for decent tickets at the Pantages. Luckily, I think DRS is likely to make it back to the Southern California area, whereas Curtains will be like Cy Coleman’s Like Jazz… not likely to make it back to SoCal for a long time, if at all.

I guess it has been one of those weeks.

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That’s a lot of man you’re carrying in those boots

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

This evening, we joined shutterbug93 at the evening performance of Johnny Guitar: The Musical at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center. For those unfamiliar with the musical, it is based off a 1954 “D” movie called Johnny Guitar starring Joan Crawford and Sterling Hayden. A full synopsis of the show can be found here, but to summarize: The show tells the story of a tall stranger, Johnny Guitar (twang!) and Vienna, the owner of Vienna’s Saloon. Vienna’s nemasis is Emma Small, who owns half the town, and is in cahoots with McIvers (who owns the other half of the town). It goes on from there, as a very melodramatic spoof of westerns. A good summary of the plot can also be found in the Orange County Register review.

The producton we saw starred Michelle Duffy as Vienna, Kevin Earley as Johnny Guitar, Alan Campbell as the Dancin’ Kid, Valerie Perri as Emma, Ed Sala as McIvers, Keith A Bearden, David, Sinkus, Michael Butler Murray, and James Leo Ryan. The production was directed by Joel Higgins. Many of these folks were in the original off-Broadway productions.

A few cast members deserve particular praise. It is always a special production when the cast enjoys the show, and this cast seemed to have particular fun with the show. The leads were most noticable, particular Michelle Duffy who had a very strong singing voice and presence, and Kevin Earley who combined his wonderful singing voice with remarkable comic timing. Also notable was Valerie Perri, who I think would make a great Mrs. Strong in Urinetown.

I’d recommend you see this show, but alas, it was the last night. If this comes to your town, see it.

Next up on the theatre calendar: Tick, Tick, Boom next Saturday; Corps at the Crest II on Wednesday July 28th, and I Do I Do and The Last 5 Years at the Pasadena Playhouse.

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More Theatre Stuff

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

  • I listened more to Tick Tick Boom today. Very nice music; Rent (which was written after) is clearly in the same style. Still trying to decide on tickets for the production at the Coronet Theatre. It closes at the end of June.
  • On the other hand, I certainly want tickets to Curtains when they show up on Goldstar. According to Broadway.Com, the remainder of the casting has been announced for the world premiere of the John Kander/Fred Ebb musical. In addition to previously announced star David Hyde Pierce, the show will feature Debra Monk, Karen Ziemba, Jason Danieley, Jill Paice, Edward Hibbert, John Bolton, Michael X. Martin, Michael McCormick, Noah Racey, Megan Sikora and Robert Walden. For those not familar, Curtains is a backstage murder mystery and musical comedy set in the 1950s in Boston. After the leading lady’s mystifying curtain call demise, Frank Cioffi (Pierce), homicide detective and musical theater aficionado, is on the case. He’s got a tough job as the bodies pile up, the ensemble dwindles and everyone is a suspect. Can Cioffi solve the murders and save the show before it reaches Broadway? Curtains features music by Kander, lyrics by the late Ebb and a book by Rupert Holmes based on the original libretto by the late Peter Stone. Holmes and Kander contributed additional lyrics. It should be at the Ahmanson from July 25 through September 10. I’m looking forward to it.

P.S. For my friends in the Washington DC area. Goldstar has just opened shop there, so you can use them for half-price tickets. If you join from my referral, I’ll get some goodies. Goldstar, by the way, is also in the San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, and Las Vegas areas as well. No cost to join.

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Observations on Musicals…

Posted onAuthorcahwyguy

I know I’ve been quieter than usual lately. There hasn’t been that much worth commenting upon in the news, and work has been really busy. But I do have a few observations on musicals to share, based on last Sunday’s Tony awards, and new CDs I’ve gotten:

  • I’m now kicking myself that I didn’t see Drowsy Chaperone when it was in Los Angeles. It looks like a good show. Jersey Boys also looks good, but irrespective of what they say, I think the crop of nominees this year was weak. What has happened to the good musicals?
  • There may be one coming up, tho… One of my new CDs was the London Cast of Mary Poppins. Wow. This is not the film. They’ve reworked the story based more on Travers work, kept most (but not all) of the Sherman and Sherman songs, and added some new ones and more depth. I’m very impressed.
  • Other CDs that I’ve gotten and like quite a bit are: Pacific Overtures (1976 Cast), Smokey Joes Cafe, and Jersey Boys. I think I need to listen to The Color Purple, Dessa Rose, tick… tick… Boom!, and See What I Wanna See to see if they are going to grow on me; I do think Purple and Rose will. I picked up a copy of High School Musical, and it has some songs that I like. I also picked up Pretty Faces, but I haven’t listened to the entire CD yet.

Other than that, life has been busy, busy, busy. Head is better this evening. Now to go figure out some dinner…

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