By Byrne Harrison
Today is the first day of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, New York's eco-friendly theatre festival, featuring 36 plays and 9 staged readings. In addition to the performances, the festival features a "Ladies Luncheon" for female artists, playwrights and Festivity participants, a Trivia night, Green night, LGBT night, Karaoke night, Poker night, a presentation by the Climate Project, and the closing party and awards ceremony.
For information on the festival and to purchase tickets, visit the Planet Connections website.
Keep an eye on StageBuzz.com as we present interviews with a number of Planet Connections participants.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Review - Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins, Mitzi Gaynor at Feinstein's
By Byrne Harrison
"And if he mentions Mitzi Gaynor, and he will, pretend you know who she is."
- Sideshow Mel, "All About Lisa," "The Simpsons"
It's inconceivable to me that anyone could not know Mitzi Gaynor. "My Blue Heaven," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Anything Goes," "South Pacific." Who doesn't know those movies? And you had to have seen at least one of Ms. Gaynor's many, many television performances.
If you missed all of those, you should consider dropping by Feinstein's to catch Ms. Gaynor's New York debut at Feinstein's, Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins, running through May 29th. While she may not have the same voice that she had in her heyday, she more than makes up for it with her stories about her show business career and her life on and off screen. These stories, featuring her friends and costars, including Ethel Merman, Howard Hughes, and some touching memories of her late husband, Jack Bean, are more than worth the price of admission. Getting to see her perform a "South Pacific" medley is just icing on the cake. In between songs, both modern and classic, stories and costume changes (featuring some stunning Bob Mackie creations), Razzle Dazzle! features clips from Gaynor's many television and film performances.
The show is not without it's flaws. As mentioned before, Ms. Gaynor's voice is not as strong as it used to be, and she has a tendency to be drowned out by the band (the accoustics in the Loews Regency ballroom leave much to be desired). The overuse of the keyboard in many of the songs gives the show a dated, somewhat cheesy sound. Brassy, bold, and bigger than life, Gaynor is not in the least bit dated, so there is a bit of a disconnect.
Overall, Razzle Dazzle! is a fun night out for fans of Mitzi Gaynor and fans of Hollywood's late Golden Age.
Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins
Starring Mitzi Gaynor
Director/Choreograhper: Tony Charmoli
Musical Arrangers: Dick DeBenedictis, Bill Dyer
Orchestrations: Colin R. Freeman, Nick DeGregorio
Band: Ed Czach (Musical Director/Piano), Paul Kreibich (Drums), Gary Nesteruk (Keyboard), David Finck (Bass)
For a taste of her show, see the video below (Featuring scenes from the full-length version of the show. The Feinstein's engagement is a shortened version of this show.)
"And if he mentions Mitzi Gaynor, and he will, pretend you know who she is."
- Sideshow Mel, "All About Lisa," "The Simpsons"
It's inconceivable to me that anyone could not know Mitzi Gaynor. "My Blue Heaven," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Anything Goes," "South Pacific." Who doesn't know those movies? And you had to have seen at least one of Ms. Gaynor's many, many television performances.
If you missed all of those, you should consider dropping by Feinstein's to catch Ms. Gaynor's New York debut at Feinstein's, Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins, running through May 29th. While she may not have the same voice that she had in her heyday, she more than makes up for it with her stories about her show business career and her life on and off screen. These stories, featuring her friends and costars, including Ethel Merman, Howard Hughes, and some touching memories of her late husband, Jack Bean, are more than worth the price of admission. Getting to see her perform a "South Pacific" medley is just icing on the cake. In between songs, both modern and classic, stories and costume changes (featuring some stunning Bob Mackie creations), Razzle Dazzle! features clips from Gaynor's many television and film performances.
The show is not without it's flaws. As mentioned before, Ms. Gaynor's voice is not as strong as it used to be, and she has a tendency to be drowned out by the band (the accoustics in the Loews Regency ballroom leave much to be desired). The overuse of the keyboard in many of the songs gives the show a dated, somewhat cheesy sound. Brassy, bold, and bigger than life, Gaynor is not in the least bit dated, so there is a bit of a disconnect.
Overall, Razzle Dazzle! is a fun night out for fans of Mitzi Gaynor and fans of Hollywood's late Golden Age.
Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins
Starring Mitzi Gaynor
Director/Choreograhper: Tony Charmoli
Musical Arrangers: Dick DeBenedictis, Bill Dyer
Orchestrations: Colin R. Freeman, Nick DeGregorio
Band: Ed Czach (Musical Director/Piano), Paul Kreibich (Drums), Gary Nesteruk (Keyboard), David Finck (Bass)
For a taste of her show, see the video below (Featuring scenes from the full-length version of the show. The Feinstein's engagement is a shortened version of this show.)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sing Your Way to the Tony Awards
By Byrne Harrison
Are you a Broadway belter stuck far away from the Great White Way? Well here is your chance to win a trip to New York and the Tony Awards with the Macy's Ticket to the Tonys contest.
Upload a video of yourself singing one of the songs on their list by noon Pacific Time today and you could win a trip to the Tony Awards in New York.
For more details and the list of songs click here.
Are you a Broadway belter stuck far away from the Great White Way? Well here is your chance to win a trip to New York and the Tony Awards with the Macy's Ticket to the Tonys contest.
Upload a video of yourself singing one of the songs on their list by noon Pacific Time today and you could win a trip to the Tony Awards in New York.
For more details and the list of songs click here.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
2nd Annual ITBA Award Winners
The Independent Theater Bloggers Association (of which I am a member) has announced the winners of their 2nd Annual ITBA Awards.
See the announcement video featuring Susan Blackwell, Jeannine Frumess and Ann Harada.
And the winners are . . .
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
Red
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY PLAY REVIVAL
A View From The Bridge
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
American Idiot
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIVAL
La Cage Aux Folles
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Circle Mirror Transformation
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Yank!
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY REVIVAL
The Glass Menagerie
OUTSTANDING OFF-OFF BROADWAY SHOW
Viral
OUTSTANDING SOLO SHOW
A Boy And His Soul
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
Circle Mirror Transformation
CITATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE BY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
Nina Arianda, Venus In Fur
Kate Baldwin, Finian's Rainbow
Desiree Burch, The Soup Show
Rebecca Comtois, Viral
Viola Davis, Fences
Jon Michael Hill, Superior Donuts
Douglas Hodge, La Cage Aux Folles
Sarah Lemp, The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side & Happy In The Poorhouse
Laura Linney, Time Stands Still
Jan Maxwell, The Royal Family & Lend Me A Tenor
Bobby Steggert, Ragtime & Yank!
Amy Lynn Stewart, Viral
See the announcement video featuring Susan Blackwell, Jeannine Frumess and Ann Harada.
And the winners are . . .
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
Red
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY PLAY REVIVAL
A View From The Bridge
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
American Idiot
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIVAL
La Cage Aux Folles
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Circle Mirror Transformation
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Yank!
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY REVIVAL
The Glass Menagerie
OUTSTANDING OFF-OFF BROADWAY SHOW
Viral
OUTSTANDING SOLO SHOW
A Boy And His Soul
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
Circle Mirror Transformation
CITATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE BY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
Nina Arianda, Venus In Fur
Kate Baldwin, Finian's Rainbow
Desiree Burch, The Soup Show
Rebecca Comtois, Viral
Viola Davis, Fences
Jon Michael Hill, Superior Donuts
Douglas Hodge, La Cage Aux Folles
Sarah Lemp, The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side & Happy In The Poorhouse
Laura Linney, Time Stands Still
Jan Maxwell, The Royal Family & Lend Me A Tenor
Bobby Steggert, Ragtime & Yank!
Amy Lynn Stewart, Viral
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
End of an Era
Doris Eaton Travis, the last surviving Ziegfeld girl has passed away at the age of 106.
I saw Ms. Eaton most recently at the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Easter Bonnet competition and was amazed at how lively she was, and how truly excited she seemed to be participating in the show.
The following statement comes from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Doris Eaton Travis passed away today at the age of 106. Ms. Travis was one of the legendary Ziegfeld Follies Girls and a longtime friend of Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS having made many memorable appearances in their annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION.
In a statement on behalf of the family, Joe Eaton, Jr., Doris’ nephew, said, “Doris and her brother, my father Joe, had been working with Arthur Murray just after the war. She met Paul Travis in Detroit. They married in 1948. The work with Arthur Murray Dance Studio franchises really took off then and for the next 25 years. In 1972 they retired to Norman, Oklahoma and began Travis Ranch, a horse farm. But Doris always continued to dance, teaching privately, performing at local benefits and parties. She was thrilled when first invited by Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS to participate in the opening number of the first EASTER BONNET COMPETITION to be produced at the New Amsterdam Theatre where she had appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies over 70 years before. Doris loved coming back to Broadway for the event every year after – 12 times altogether. From 1998 – 2010, she only missed it in 2007. It became the highlight of her life. She adored dancing with the young dancers, seeing new shows and the incredible response from the Easter Bonnet audience and Broadway community. Life came full circle for her again and again and she said each year how much she loved everyone at BC/EFA for making it possible. Just this past weekend, she was talking about what she wanted to do next year. I know she’ll be there in spirit. Even from heaven, she wouldn’t miss it.”
In a statement, Tom Viola, Executive Director of BC/EFA, said, “Doris Eaton Travis was beloved at Broadway Cares. Since first meeting her in 1998 at the very young age of 94 when she appeared at the 12th edition of the EASTER BONNET COMPETITION at the New Amsterdam Theatre through the 24th edition which was held two weeks ago at the Minskoff - no matter her age when the stage lights hit Doris, she was instantly and forever young. Whether leading 30 Broadway dancers in a conga, playing sassy in a tux with the Cagelles, celebrating her 100th birthday on the New Amsterdam stage where she first appeared at the age of 16, teaching Sutton Foster “the Black Bottom,” or showing the young ballerinas from Billy Elliott the “Ballin’ the Jack” – a number she had introduced in 1921, Doris was simply a delight. Broadway loved her, giving her a standing ovation just two weeks ago that I know she took to heart and I’m certain has taken with her. Doris taught us all a little bit about how to celebrate the past and live for today. We will miss her forever.”
Funeral arrangements will be private. A memorial service in West Bloomfield will be announced at a later date. Tomorrow night at 8:00 pm the lights on Broadway will be dimmed in memory of Doris Eaton Travis.
I saw Ms. Eaton most recently at the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Easter Bonnet competition and was amazed at how lively she was, and how truly excited she seemed to be participating in the show.
The following statement comes from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Doris Eaton Travis passed away today at the age of 106. Ms. Travis was one of the legendary Ziegfeld Follies Girls and a longtime friend of Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS having made many memorable appearances in their annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION.
In a statement on behalf of the family, Joe Eaton, Jr., Doris’ nephew, said, “Doris and her brother, my father Joe, had been working with Arthur Murray just after the war. She met Paul Travis in Detroit. They married in 1948. The work with Arthur Murray Dance Studio franchises really took off then and for the next 25 years. In 1972 they retired to Norman, Oklahoma and began Travis Ranch, a horse farm. But Doris always continued to dance, teaching privately, performing at local benefits and parties. She was thrilled when first invited by Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS to participate in the opening number of the first EASTER BONNET COMPETITION to be produced at the New Amsterdam Theatre where she had appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies over 70 years before. Doris loved coming back to Broadway for the event every year after – 12 times altogether. From 1998 – 2010, she only missed it in 2007. It became the highlight of her life. She adored dancing with the young dancers, seeing new shows and the incredible response from the Easter Bonnet audience and Broadway community. Life came full circle for her again and again and she said each year how much she loved everyone at BC/EFA for making it possible. Just this past weekend, she was talking about what she wanted to do next year. I know she’ll be there in spirit. Even from heaven, she wouldn’t miss it.”
In a statement, Tom Viola, Executive Director of BC/EFA, said, “Doris Eaton Travis was beloved at Broadway Cares. Since first meeting her in 1998 at the very young age of 94 when she appeared at the 12th edition of the EASTER BONNET COMPETITION at the New Amsterdam Theatre through the 24th edition which was held two weeks ago at the Minskoff - no matter her age when the stage lights hit Doris, she was instantly and forever young. Whether leading 30 Broadway dancers in a conga, playing sassy in a tux with the Cagelles, celebrating her 100th birthday on the New Amsterdam stage where she first appeared at the age of 16, teaching Sutton Foster “the Black Bottom,” or showing the young ballerinas from Billy Elliott the “Ballin’ the Jack” – a number she had introduced in 1921, Doris was simply a delight. Broadway loved her, giving her a standing ovation just two weeks ago that I know she took to heart and I’m certain has taken with her. Doris taught us all a little bit about how to celebrate the past and live for today. We will miss her forever.”
Funeral arrangements will be private. A memorial service in West Bloomfield will be announced at a later date. Tomorrow night at 8:00 pm the lights on Broadway will be dimmed in memory of Doris Eaton Travis.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Del Shores
By Byrne Harrison
Photo by Rosemary Alexander
Del Shores has written, directed and produced film, television and stage. His stage work includes Cheatin’ (1985) Daddy’s Dyin’ (Who’s Got The Will?) (1987), Daughter’s of the Lone Star State (1993), Sordid Lives (1996), Southern Baptist Sissies (2000), The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife (2003). Awards and nominations for theatre include Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle, Ovation, GLAAD, BackStage Garland, NAACP and LA Weekly (2006 Career Achievement Award). His film work includes “Daddy’s Dyin’... Who’s Got The Will?” Writer/Executive Producer, (MGM), “Sordid Lives” Writer/Director/Producer (Regent Entertainment), “The Wilde Girls” Writer/Director/Executive Producer (Showtime). He has received Best Film Awards for “Sordid Lives”: New York Independent Film & Video Festival, Atlanta Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, South Beach Film Festival, Memphis International Film Festival and the San Diego International Film Festival. A partial list of his television work includes “Touched By An Angel”, “Ned and Stacey”, “Family Ties”, “Dharma and Greg” and “Queer As Folk.” Shores’ critically acclaimed series “Sordid Lives: The Series” premiered on MTV’S Logo channel July 23, 2008 and has aired in seventeen countries internationally. He wrote, directed and executive produced all twelve episodes. The series stars Olivia Newton-John, Rue McClanahan, Beth Grant, Caroline Rhea, Bonnie Bedelia, Leslie Jordan, Ann Walker and Jason Dottley. In 2009, Shores toured his one-man show “Del Shores’ My Sordid Life” playing thirty-four cities which segued into stand-up performances in many cities, including New York City’s Comix. Shores is legally married to Jason Dottley and is the proud father of Rebecca (20) and Caroline (17). He is represented by Creative Artist Agency and his publisher is Samuel French, Inc.
When did you first get involved in theatre?
My mother went to college when I started first grade and majored in drama. She took me to all the college rehearsals and productions and I fell in love. When she graduated she started teaching speech and drama. When I reached junior high, she was my drama coach and into high school. I was the lead in all the plays and wrote my first play when I was in seventh grade, that we performed. It was a horror play called Strange Visit To Uncle Johnny's. I wish I had a copy of it.
What is your theatrical background?
After high school, having been obsessed with speech, drama, English and journalism, I went to Baylor University. I majored in journalism and Spanish, heavily influenced by my mother, who knew if I majored in drama I wouldn't just want to teach, I would want to be an actor. I acted in a couple of class productions at Baylor, then the night I graduated came to L.A. to pursue acting. My mother was very supportive at this point, gave me the money for my first and last months rent on an apartment, and I immediately started acting. I studied with several coaches out here, but the biggest influences were the late Lilyan Chauvin and Joan Darling, who is my mentor for life. Joan taught me so much about acting that I use in directing. Also, a huge influence was Sherry Landrum, who directed my first two plays, and also studied with Joan.
You've made a successful career in theatre, television, and film. How did you transition between them?
I've always marched to my own drummer, so it wasn't really that hard. In TV, of course, there is a formula, and you have to write within those guidelines, so that was self-taught by reading scripts and watching episodes. Plays were just organic to me because I had read so many and performed in so many -- and you can really create your own structure. With film, I tried to follow formula, but always ended up just throwing that out the window and writing the story the way it felt right. Maybe I would have had a block buster if I had been more formulaic -- but no regrets.
What are the challenges presented by each medium and what do you wish you had known when you started working in each of them?
Stage -- it all just felt right immediately. TV -- I was shocked that so many people told you what to do (Notes). I wish I had known and I would have been mentally prepared. Once I did, I accepted that was part of that element and said "thank you" as the money came in. Film -- I wish I had known more about the technical aspect of directing. The "Sordid Lives" film has so little movement in it; it is very very basic and could have been shot better. My strength is directing actors. I adore them and most of them adore me (or at least how I direct). Now, I just insist on a Director of Photography who understands my style. David Sanderson, who DP'ed "Sordid" series was the perfect match and I plan to use him the rest of my life!
Having grown up in Texas myself, I really relate to the characters in your plays. Where do you draw your inspiration?
Life and real characters. I feel writing is observing. In my one man show Del Shores: My Sordid Life, I always say, "By the end of the evening, you'll find out that I'm not really a writer, I am a thief."
Tell me a little bit about your new play, Yellow, which will be opening May 29th at the Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood. I understand this will be more dramatic than your previous works.
Both Southern Baptist Sissies and The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife were very dramatic, but there was intense comedy in them as well. Yellow certainly has comedy -- I don't know how to write without comedy -- but the story is so dramatic and the comedy lessens as they play progresses. I can't put it better than this part of the press release -- "Everything quickly begins to fall apart when an unexpected tragedy rocks the solid foundation of the Westmoreland family to the breaking point. YELLOW dives head first into the themes of cowardice, intolerance and the damage caused to families by secrets, rejection and the difficulty of forgiveness."
You seem to have completely embraced the new social networking tools. I see your updates on Facebook and Twitter all the time, which probably explains the phenomenal ticket sales for Yellow. What's the best part of using these sites to stay in touch with your fans?
I was doing The Tony Sweet radio show recently and Mo'nique was one of the guests as well. She said something that really applies to my connection to my fans. They are my employers. They are the reason I have this career. My husband Jason is a master of the internet for marketing. I answer all my fans, have hired someone to post about our merchandise, etc -- but it is me who writes all the fans back. I feel that is my job and I love the connection. And yes, I do believe the connection sells tickets -- and gets the word out about projects.
Finally, do you have any advice for students who are planning a career writing for theatre, film or television?
I have no formal training in writing for these mediums. I am a storyteller. If you can tell a story, decide on the medium in which you want to tell that story, and study that medium. Then find a way for your work to be seen. There are so many more tools now than when I started. The internet has given great opportunity for upcoming artists.
To find out more about Del and his work, visit his website, the Yellow website, or his Facebook fan page.
Photo by Rosemary Alexander
Del Shores has written, directed and produced film, television and stage. His stage work includes Cheatin’ (1985) Daddy’s Dyin’ (Who’s Got The Will?) (1987), Daughter’s of the Lone Star State (1993), Sordid Lives (1996), Southern Baptist Sissies (2000), The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife (2003). Awards and nominations for theatre include Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle, Ovation, GLAAD, BackStage Garland, NAACP and LA Weekly (2006 Career Achievement Award). His film work includes “Daddy’s Dyin’... Who’s Got The Will?” Writer/Executive Producer, (MGM), “Sordid Lives” Writer/Director/Producer (Regent Entertainment), “The Wilde Girls” Writer/Director/Executive Producer (Showtime). He has received Best Film Awards for “Sordid Lives”: New York Independent Film & Video Festival, Atlanta Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, South Beach Film Festival, Memphis International Film Festival and the San Diego International Film Festival. A partial list of his television work includes “Touched By An Angel”, “Ned and Stacey”, “Family Ties”, “Dharma and Greg” and “Queer As Folk.” Shores’ critically acclaimed series “Sordid Lives: The Series” premiered on MTV’S Logo channel July 23, 2008 and has aired in seventeen countries internationally. He wrote, directed and executive produced all twelve episodes. The series stars Olivia Newton-John, Rue McClanahan, Beth Grant, Caroline Rhea, Bonnie Bedelia, Leslie Jordan, Ann Walker and Jason Dottley. In 2009, Shores toured his one-man show “Del Shores’ My Sordid Life” playing thirty-four cities which segued into stand-up performances in many cities, including New York City’s Comix. Shores is legally married to Jason Dottley and is the proud father of Rebecca (20) and Caroline (17). He is represented by Creative Artist Agency and his publisher is Samuel French, Inc.When did you first get involved in theatre?
My mother went to college when I started first grade and majored in drama. She took me to all the college rehearsals and productions and I fell in love. When she graduated she started teaching speech and drama. When I reached junior high, she was my drama coach and into high school. I was the lead in all the plays and wrote my first play when I was in seventh grade, that we performed. It was a horror play called Strange Visit To Uncle Johnny's. I wish I had a copy of it.
What is your theatrical background?
After high school, having been obsessed with speech, drama, English and journalism, I went to Baylor University. I majored in journalism and Spanish, heavily influenced by my mother, who knew if I majored in drama I wouldn't just want to teach, I would want to be an actor. I acted in a couple of class productions at Baylor, then the night I graduated came to L.A. to pursue acting. My mother was very supportive at this point, gave me the money for my first and last months rent on an apartment, and I immediately started acting. I studied with several coaches out here, but the biggest influences were the late Lilyan Chauvin and Joan Darling, who is my mentor for life. Joan taught me so much about acting that I use in directing. Also, a huge influence was Sherry Landrum, who directed my first two plays, and also studied with Joan.
You've made a successful career in theatre, television, and film. How did you transition between them?
I've always marched to my own drummer, so it wasn't really that hard. In TV, of course, there is a formula, and you have to write within those guidelines, so that was self-taught by reading scripts and watching episodes. Plays were just organic to me because I had read so many and performed in so many -- and you can really create your own structure. With film, I tried to follow formula, but always ended up just throwing that out the window and writing the story the way it felt right. Maybe I would have had a block buster if I had been more formulaic -- but no regrets.
What are the challenges presented by each medium and what do you wish you had known when you started working in each of them?
Stage -- it all just felt right immediately. TV -- I was shocked that so many people told you what to do (Notes). I wish I had known and I would have been mentally prepared. Once I did, I accepted that was part of that element and said "thank you" as the money came in. Film -- I wish I had known more about the technical aspect of directing. The "Sordid Lives" film has so little movement in it; it is very very basic and could have been shot better. My strength is directing actors. I adore them and most of them adore me (or at least how I direct). Now, I just insist on a Director of Photography who understands my style. David Sanderson, who DP'ed "Sordid" series was the perfect match and I plan to use him the rest of my life!
Having grown up in Texas myself, I really relate to the characters in your plays. Where do you draw your inspiration?
Life and real characters. I feel writing is observing. In my one man show Del Shores: My Sordid Life, I always say, "By the end of the evening, you'll find out that I'm not really a writer, I am a thief."
Tell me a little bit about your new play, Yellow, which will be opening May 29th at the Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood. I understand this will be more dramatic than your previous works.
Both Southern Baptist Sissies and The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife were very dramatic, but there was intense comedy in them as well. Yellow certainly has comedy -- I don't know how to write without comedy -- but the story is so dramatic and the comedy lessens as they play progresses. I can't put it better than this part of the press release -- "Everything quickly begins to fall apart when an unexpected tragedy rocks the solid foundation of the Westmoreland family to the breaking point. YELLOW dives head first into the themes of cowardice, intolerance and the damage caused to families by secrets, rejection and the difficulty of forgiveness."
You seem to have completely embraced the new social networking tools. I see your updates on Facebook and Twitter all the time, which probably explains the phenomenal ticket sales for Yellow. What's the best part of using these sites to stay in touch with your fans?
I was doing The Tony Sweet radio show recently and Mo'nique was one of the guests as well. She said something that really applies to my connection to my fans. They are my employers. They are the reason I have this career. My husband Jason is a master of the internet for marketing. I answer all my fans, have hired someone to post about our merchandise, etc -- but it is me who writes all the fans back. I feel that is my job and I love the connection. And yes, I do believe the connection sells tickets -- and gets the word out about projects.
Finally, do you have any advice for students who are planning a career writing for theatre, film or television?
I have no formal training in writing for these mediums. I am a storyteller. If you can tell a story, decide on the medium in which you want to tell that story, and study that medium. Then find a way for your work to be seen. There are so many more tools now than when I started. The internet has given great opportunity for upcoming artists.
To find out more about Del and his work, visit his website, the Yellow website, or his Facebook fan page.
Second Annual ITBA Award Nominations Announced
By Byrne Harrison
The Independent Theater Bloggers Association has announced their nominations for the 2nd Annual ITBA Awards. Winners will be announced May 20th.
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
American Idiot
Everyday Rapture
Fela!
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
In The Next Room (or the vibrator play)
Next Fall
Red
Superior Donuts
Time Stands Still
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIVAL
Finian’s Rainbow
La Cage Aux Folles
A Little Night Music
Ragtime
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY PLAY REVIVAL
Brighton Beach Memoirs
Fences
Lend Me A Tenor
Oleanna
A View From The Bridge
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Circle Mirror Transformation
Clybourne Park
Orphans Home Cycle
The Temperamentals
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Bloodsong of Love
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
The Scottsboro Boys
YANK!
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY REVIVAL (PLAY OR MUSICAL)
The Glass Menagerie
A Lie Of The Mind
Twelfth Night
OUTSTANDING OFF-OFF-BROADWAY SHOW
Alice In Slasherland
Girls In Trouble
In Fields Where They Lay
Lear
Rescue Me
Samuel & Alasdair: A Personal History of the Robot War
The Soup Show
Viral
UNIQUE OFF-OFF-BROADWAY EXPERIENCE
The Lily’s Revenge
CITATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN OFF-OFF-BROADWAY THEATRE
Company XIV
OUTSTANDING SOLO SHOW/PERFORMANCE (ALL VENUE CATEGORIES)
A Boy And His Soul
Zero Hour
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (ALL VENUE CATEGORIES)
Circle Mirror Transformation
A Lie Of The Mind
Twelfth Night
The Independent Theater Bloggers Association has announced their nominations for the 2nd Annual ITBA Awards. Winners will be announced May 20th.
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
American Idiot
Everyday Rapture
Fela!
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
In The Next Room (or the vibrator play)
Next Fall
Red
Superior Donuts
Time Stands Still
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIVAL
Finian’s Rainbow
La Cage Aux Folles
A Little Night Music
Ragtime
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY PLAY REVIVAL
Brighton Beach Memoirs
Fences
Lend Me A Tenor
Oleanna
A View From The Bridge
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Circle Mirror Transformation
Clybourne Park
Orphans Home Cycle
The Temperamentals
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Bloodsong of Love
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
The Scottsboro Boys
YANK!
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY REVIVAL (PLAY OR MUSICAL)
The Glass Menagerie
A Lie Of The Mind
Twelfth Night
OUTSTANDING OFF-OFF-BROADWAY SHOW
Alice In Slasherland
Girls In Trouble
In Fields Where They Lay
Lear
Rescue Me
Samuel & Alasdair: A Personal History of the Robot War
The Soup Show
Viral
UNIQUE OFF-OFF-BROADWAY EXPERIENCE
The Lily’s Revenge
CITATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN OFF-OFF-BROADWAY THEATRE
Company XIV
OUTSTANDING SOLO SHOW/PERFORMANCE (ALL VENUE CATEGORIES)
A Boy And His Soul
Zero Hour
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (ALL VENUE CATEGORIES)
Circle Mirror Transformation
A Lie Of The Mind
Twelfth Night
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
We Will Rock Q
Avenue Q responds to the Muppets' version of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Hat tip to Kevin at Theatre Aficionado at Large.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Lockdown in Times Square
By Byrne Harrison
Details are still a little sketchy about the SUV that shut down Times Square this evening. According to some news reports, it was an incendiary car bomb, rigged with propane cylinders and gas containers. In others, the SUV simply contained materials that could be used to make bombs.
Clearly, more will come out about this as the NYPD investigates.
The SUV, which was left outside the Minskoff Theatre, led to late start times of some Broadway shows, and due to the gridlock caused by the evacuation, kept many other theatre-goers from getting to their shows.
The NY Post was the first to point out that the car was left outside the Times Square offices of Viacom, parent company of Comedy Central. While there is no indication that this had anything to do with the recent Muhammad episode of South Park, you wouldn't guess it by looking at the online forums.
UPDATE: Clearly, we now know this was indeed a car bomb, and had it gone off, the results would have been catastrophic. Given the time that most of my friends and I spend in that area (and on that street), it's a pretty frightening thought.
Details are still a little sketchy about the SUV that shut down Times Square this evening. According to some news reports, it was an incendiary car bomb, rigged with propane cylinders and gas containers. In others, the SUV simply contained materials that could be used to make bombs.
Clearly, more will come out about this as the NYPD investigates.
The SUV, which was left outside the Minskoff Theatre, led to late start times of some Broadway shows, and due to the gridlock caused by the evacuation, kept many other theatre-goers from getting to their shows.
The NY Post was the first to point out that the car was left outside the Times Square offices of Viacom, parent company of Comedy Central. While there is no indication that this had anything to do with the recent Muhammad episode of South Park, you wouldn't guess it by looking at the online forums.
UPDATE: Clearly, we now know this was indeed a car bomb, and had it gone off, the results would have been catastrophic. Given the time that most of my friends and I spend in that area (and on that street), it's a pretty frightening thought.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
David Tennant and Patrick Stewart's Hamlet Now Available Online
By Byrne Harrison
For those of you who missed last night's broadcast of Hamlet, it is now available online (or watch it below). It was a remarkable and beautifully filmed production.
For those of you who missed last night's broadcast of Hamlet, it is now available online (or watch it below). It was a remarkable and beautifully filmed production.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dominic Scaglione, Jr. From Jersey Boys To Perform At New Jersey Hall of Fame Third Annual Induction Ceremony
By Byrne Harrison
Remember when being a celebrity from New Jersey didn't involve wearing a pound of hair gel and having an Oompa Loompa tan?
New Jersey honors its real celebrities at the New Jersey Hall of Fame's Third Annual Induction Ceremony on Sunday, May 2, 2010. Frankie Valli and 14 other legendary New Jerseyans will be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame at at NJPAC in Newark. It will be a star-studded event as New Jersey celebrates: Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Count Basie, Judy Blume, Justice William Brennan, Larry Doby, Michael Graves, Carl Lewis, Alice Paul, Les Paul, Phillip Roth, Susan Sarandon, Wally Schirra, Frankie Valli and President Woodrow Wilson.
Headlining the show is a musical tribute to Frankie Valli performed by Dominic Scaglione Jr., who won everyone’s heart with his remarkable portrayal of Frankie in Jersey Boys. Also appearing will be the popular Jersey Band, the Hubcaps with Robert Randolph and The Rusty Paul Band led by Les Paul’s son in a musical tribute to the legendary guitarist.
A limited number of VIP ticket packages to the event are still available including VIP valet parking, access to walk the red carpet with the celebrities, a special pre-event reception, prime seating for the ceremony and tickets to a private post-ceremony party. To order those tickets log onto www.NJHallofFame.org.
Tickets for just the ceremony itself range from $90.00 to $30.00 and are available through the NJPAC Box Office at www.njpac.org or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC.
Remember when being a celebrity from New Jersey didn't involve wearing a pound of hair gel and having an Oompa Loompa tan?
New Jersey honors its real celebrities at the New Jersey Hall of Fame's Third Annual Induction Ceremony on Sunday, May 2, 2010. Frankie Valli and 14 other legendary New Jerseyans will be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame at at NJPAC in Newark. It will be a star-studded event as New Jersey celebrates: Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Count Basie, Judy Blume, Justice William Brennan, Larry Doby, Michael Graves, Carl Lewis, Alice Paul, Les Paul, Phillip Roth, Susan Sarandon, Wally Schirra, Frankie Valli and President Woodrow Wilson.
Headlining the show is a musical tribute to Frankie Valli performed by Dominic Scaglione Jr., who won everyone’s heart with his remarkable portrayal of Frankie in Jersey Boys. Also appearing will be the popular Jersey Band, the Hubcaps with Robert Randolph and The Rusty Paul Band led by Les Paul’s son in a musical tribute to the legendary guitarist.
A limited number of VIP ticket packages to the event are still available including VIP valet parking, access to walk the red carpet with the celebrities, a special pre-event reception, prime seating for the ceremony and tickets to a private post-ceremony party. To order those tickets log onto www.NJHallofFame.org.
Tickets for just the ceremony itself range from $90.00 to $30.00 and are available through the NJPAC Box Office at www.njpac.org or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Community Forum on the Ohio Theatre
On Monday, April 26th The League of Independent Theater and the Innovative Theatre Foundation will co-sponsor The Community Forum on the Ohio Theatre. The event will begin at 6:30pm at the Ohio Theatre located at 66 Wooster Street in Soho, NY.
After two years of negotiation, two lease extensions, and a 29-year history as an indispensable pillar of the downtown theatre scene, the Ohio Theatre must close the doors at its Wooster Street space forever on August 31, 2010.
The April 26th event will reunite local elected officials and members of the independent theatre community in an open forum to discuss solutions to the real estate crises affecting small theaters and the progress and momentum that has been made over the past year – specifically with regard to the tax abatement proposal currently before the Community Boards. In addition, there will be a discussion as to what steps can be taken to secure the remaining venues within the sector and help locate a new home for the Ohio Theatre.
Members of the community are invited to attend and are strongly encouraged to share their ideas regarding these issues. A list of speakers and more details will be posted at http://www.SohoThinkTank.org as they become available. The event will be streamed live at http://www.nyitawards.com/live beginning at 6:30pm on April 26th.
Academy Award winning actress, Olympia Dukakis encourages community participation saying, "It is so important to protect the cultural capital of New York City. Institutions like the Ohio Theatre, which for 3 decades has served this community and has been the home for many artists, needs the support of the city and the community. We must work together to preserve the remaining spaces and help develop new ones."
The Community Forum on the Ohio Theatre is a follow up to the Public Forum on Small to Midsized Theatres that was hosted by Manhattan Community Boards 1-5 at the Players Club in February 2009. The lack and gradual loss of adequate, affordable performance space was a key theme of that event. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer challenged attendees to hold their elected officials to a higher standard and provide them with a road map of what is needed to keep small to midsized theaters and performing arts companies in NYC alive.
The closure of the Ohio is the most recent example of a distressing trend affecting small to midsized performing arts venues throughout New York City. According to a study conducted by the Innovative Theatre Foundation, in recent years Off-Off-Broadway (OOB) has seen over 25% of their theaters either torn down to make way for new developments, or repurposed into non-performance spaces. With a number of theaters currently facing the same prospect, the urgency to find a solution to this growing problem has intensified.
The Ohio Theatre was one of Soho’s pioneering performance spaces and is now one of the last remaining. For 29 years, the Ohio Theatre has embodied the living history of the neighborhood of Soho, continuing the spirit of community and cutting-edge artistic practice that once defined the area. This is where Tony Kushner produced his first play out of college, where Philip Seymour Hoffman made his professional acting debut, and where Eve Ensler performed Dicks in the Desert – a decade before writing The Vagina Monologues. Today, the Ohio Theatre remains an incubator and platform for New York’s most exciting and widely recognized companies, like New Georges, Clubbed Thumb, Target Margin, Ma-Yi, International WOW, to name but a few of the many artists who are collectively changing the cultural landscape of New York and beyond.
The League of Independent Theater is a not-for-profit membership, advocacy and business league for the independent theater community in New York City (http://www.litny.org).
The Innovative Theatre Foundation was created to bring recognition to the great work being done in New York City's Off-Off-Broadway, to honor its artistic heritage and to provide a meeting ground for this extensive community (http://www.nyitawards.com).
After two years of negotiation, two lease extensions, and a 29-year history as an indispensable pillar of the downtown theatre scene, the Ohio Theatre must close the doors at its Wooster Street space forever on August 31, 2010.
The April 26th event will reunite local elected officials and members of the independent theatre community in an open forum to discuss solutions to the real estate crises affecting small theaters and the progress and momentum that has been made over the past year – specifically with regard to the tax abatement proposal currently before the Community Boards. In addition, there will be a discussion as to what steps can be taken to secure the remaining venues within the sector and help locate a new home for the Ohio Theatre.
Members of the community are invited to attend and are strongly encouraged to share their ideas regarding these issues. A list of speakers and more details will be posted at http://www.SohoThinkTank.org as they become available. The event will be streamed live at http://www.nyitawards.com/live beginning at 6:30pm on April 26th.
Academy Award winning actress, Olympia Dukakis encourages community participation saying, "It is so important to protect the cultural capital of New York City. Institutions like the Ohio Theatre, which for 3 decades has served this community and has been the home for many artists, needs the support of the city and the community. We must work together to preserve the remaining spaces and help develop new ones."
The Community Forum on the Ohio Theatre is a follow up to the Public Forum on Small to Midsized Theatres that was hosted by Manhattan Community Boards 1-5 at the Players Club in February 2009. The lack and gradual loss of adequate, affordable performance space was a key theme of that event. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer challenged attendees to hold their elected officials to a higher standard and provide them with a road map of what is needed to keep small to midsized theaters and performing arts companies in NYC alive.
The closure of the Ohio is the most recent example of a distressing trend affecting small to midsized performing arts venues throughout New York City. According to a study conducted by the Innovative Theatre Foundation, in recent years Off-Off-Broadway (OOB) has seen over 25% of their theaters either torn down to make way for new developments, or repurposed into non-performance spaces. With a number of theaters currently facing the same prospect, the urgency to find a solution to this growing problem has intensified.
The Ohio Theatre was one of Soho’s pioneering performance spaces and is now one of the last remaining. For 29 years, the Ohio Theatre has embodied the living history of the neighborhood of Soho, continuing the spirit of community and cutting-edge artistic practice that once defined the area. This is where Tony Kushner produced his first play out of college, where Philip Seymour Hoffman made his professional acting debut, and where Eve Ensler performed Dicks in the Desert – a decade before writing The Vagina Monologues. Today, the Ohio Theatre remains an incubator and platform for New York’s most exciting and widely recognized companies, like New Georges, Clubbed Thumb, Target Margin, Ma-Yi, International WOW, to name but a few of the many artists who are collectively changing the cultural landscape of New York and beyond.
The League of Independent Theater is a not-for-profit membership, advocacy and business league for the independent theater community in New York City (http://www.litny.org).
The Innovative Theatre Foundation was created to bring recognition to the great work being done in New York City's Off-Off-Broadway, to honor its artistic heritage and to provide a meeting ground for this extensive community (http://www.nyitawards.com).
"Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?" by James Shapiro Now Available
By Byrne Harrison
James Shapiro's new book, "Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?", is now available.
Read The Independent book review here. Or if big words frighten you, read the CNN puff piece.
Listen to the James Shapiro discuss the book below.
James Shapiro's new book, "Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?", is now available.Read The Independent book review here. Or if big words frighten you, read the CNN puff piece.
Listen to the James Shapiro discuss the book below.
Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations Announced
By Byrne Harrison
Outer Critics Circle announced its nominees for the 2009-2010 season. Broadway stars and siblings Sutton Foster, Outer Critics Circle Award winner, and Hunter Foster Outer Critics Circle Award nominee, presided over the announcement ceremony at the Algonquin Hotel.
The winners of the following categories will be announced on Monday, May 17th and the annual awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 27th at 4PM at the legendary Sardi’s Restaurant.
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
Next Fall
Red
Superior Donuts
Time Stands Still
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
American Idiot
Come Fly Away
Fela!
Memphis
Sondheim on Sondheim
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Clybourne Park
The Orphans’ Home Cycle
The Pride
The Temperamentals
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
The Scottsboro Boys
Tin Pan Alley Rag
Yank!
OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Memphis
The Scottsboro Boys
Yank!
OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Fences
Lend Me a Tenor
The Royal Family
A View From the Bridge
OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
La Cage aux Folles
Finian’s Rainbow
A Little Night Music
Promises, Promises
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Doug Hughes - The Royal Family
Kenny Leon - Fences
Stanley Tucci - Lend Me a Tenor
Michael Wilson - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Christopher Ashley - Memphis
Terry Johnson - La Cage aux Folles
Susan Stroman - The Scottsboro Boys
Alex Timbers - Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER
Rob Ashford - Promises, Promises
Bill T. Jones - Fela!
Susan Stroman - The Scottsboro Boys
Sergio Trujillo - Memphis
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
John Lee Beatty - The Royal Family
Beowulf Boritt - Sondheim on Sondheim
Phelim McDermott & Julian Crouch - The Addams Family
Donyale Werle - Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
Jane Greenwood - Present Laughter
Martin Pakledinaz - Lend Me a Tenor
Matthew Wright - La Cage aux Folles
Catherine Zuber - The Royal Family
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
Kevin Adams - American Idiot
Kevin Adams - The Scottsboro Boys
Ken Billington - Sondheim on Sondheim
Justin Townsend - Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Bill Heck - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
Jude Law - Hamlet
Liev Schreiber - A View From the Bridge
Christopher Walken - A Behanding in Spokane
Denzel Washington - Fences
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Nina Arianda - Venus in Fur
Laura Benanti - In the Next Room, or the vibrator play
Viola Davis - Fences
Laura Linney - Time Stands Still
Jan Maxwell - The Royal Family
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Brandon Victor Dixon - The Scottsboro Boys
Sean Hayes - Promises, Promises
Douglas Hodge - La Cage aux Folles
Chad Kimball - Memphis
Nathan Lane - The Addams Family
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Kate Baldwin - Finian’s Rainbow
Barbara Cook - Sondheim on Sondheim
Montego Glover - Memphis
Bebe Neuwirth - The Addams Family
Catherine Zeta-Jones - A Little Night Music
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
James DeMarse - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
Jon Michael Hill - Superior Donuts
David Pittu - Equivocation
Noah Robbins - Brighton Beach Memoirs
Reg Rogers - The Royal Family
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Hallie Foote - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
Rosemary Harris - The Royal Family
Marin Ireland - A Lie of the Mind
Jan Maxwell - Lend Me a Tenor
Alicia Silverstone - Time Stands Still
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Kevin Chamberlin - The Addams Family
Christopher Fitzgerald - Finian’s Rainbow
Levi Kreis - Million Dollar Quartet
Dick Latessa - Promises, Promises
Bobby Steggert - Ragtime
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Carolee Carmello - The Addams Family
Katie Finneran - Promises, Promises
Angela Lansbury - A Little Night Music
Cass Morgan - Memphis
Terri White - Finian’s Rainbow
OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE
Jim Brochu - Zero Hour
Carrie Fisher - Wishful Drinking
Judith Ivey - The Lady With All the Answers
Anna Deavere Smith - Let Me Down Easy
JOHN GASSNER AWARD
(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
John Logan - Red
Jon Marans - The Temperamentals
Geoffrey Nauffts - Next Fall
Bruce Norris - Clybourne Park
Outer Critics Circle announced its nominees for the 2009-2010 season. Broadway stars and siblings Sutton Foster, Outer Critics Circle Award winner, and Hunter Foster Outer Critics Circle Award nominee, presided over the announcement ceremony at the Algonquin Hotel.
The winners of the following categories will be announced on Monday, May 17th and the annual awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 27th at 4PM at the legendary Sardi’s Restaurant.
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
Next Fall
Red
Superior Donuts
Time Stands Still
OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
American Idiot
Come Fly Away
Fela!
Memphis
Sondheim on Sondheim
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Clybourne Park
The Orphans’ Home Cycle
The Pride
The Temperamentals
OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
The Scottsboro Boys
Tin Pan Alley Rag
Yank!
OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Memphis
The Scottsboro Boys
Yank!
OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Fences
Lend Me a Tenor
The Royal Family
A View From the Bridge
OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)
La Cage aux Folles
Finian’s Rainbow
A Little Night Music
Promises, Promises
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Doug Hughes - The Royal Family
Kenny Leon - Fences
Stanley Tucci - Lend Me a Tenor
Michael Wilson - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Christopher Ashley - Memphis
Terry Johnson - La Cage aux Folles
Susan Stroman - The Scottsboro Boys
Alex Timbers - Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER
Rob Ashford - Promises, Promises
Bill T. Jones - Fela!
Susan Stroman - The Scottsboro Boys
Sergio Trujillo - Memphis
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
John Lee Beatty - The Royal Family
Beowulf Boritt - Sondheim on Sondheim
Phelim McDermott & Julian Crouch - The Addams Family
Donyale Werle - Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
Jane Greenwood - Present Laughter
Martin Pakledinaz - Lend Me a Tenor
Matthew Wright - La Cage aux Folles
Catherine Zuber - The Royal Family
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
(Play or Musical)
Kevin Adams - American Idiot
Kevin Adams - The Scottsboro Boys
Ken Billington - Sondheim on Sondheim
Justin Townsend - Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Bill Heck - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
Jude Law - Hamlet
Liev Schreiber - A View From the Bridge
Christopher Walken - A Behanding in Spokane
Denzel Washington - Fences
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Nina Arianda - Venus in Fur
Laura Benanti - In the Next Room, or the vibrator play
Viola Davis - Fences
Laura Linney - Time Stands Still
Jan Maxwell - The Royal Family
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Brandon Victor Dixon - The Scottsboro Boys
Sean Hayes - Promises, Promises
Douglas Hodge - La Cage aux Folles
Chad Kimball - Memphis
Nathan Lane - The Addams Family
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Kate Baldwin - Finian’s Rainbow
Barbara Cook - Sondheim on Sondheim
Montego Glover - Memphis
Bebe Neuwirth - The Addams Family
Catherine Zeta-Jones - A Little Night Music
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
James DeMarse - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
Jon Michael Hill - Superior Donuts
David Pittu - Equivocation
Noah Robbins - Brighton Beach Memoirs
Reg Rogers - The Royal Family
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Hallie Foote - The Orphans’ Home Cycle
Rosemary Harris - The Royal Family
Marin Ireland - A Lie of the Mind
Jan Maxwell - Lend Me a Tenor
Alicia Silverstone - Time Stands Still
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Kevin Chamberlin - The Addams Family
Christopher Fitzgerald - Finian’s Rainbow
Levi Kreis - Million Dollar Quartet
Dick Latessa - Promises, Promises
Bobby Steggert - Ragtime
OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Carolee Carmello - The Addams Family
Katie Finneran - Promises, Promises
Angela Lansbury - A Little Night Music
Cass Morgan - Memphis
Terri White - Finian’s Rainbow
OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE
Jim Brochu - Zero Hour
Carrie Fisher - Wishful Drinking
Judith Ivey - The Lady With All the Answers
Anna Deavere Smith - Let Me Down Easy
JOHN GASSNER AWARD
(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
John Logan - Red
Jon Marans - The Temperamentals
Geoffrey Nauffts - Next Fall
Bruce Norris - Clybourne Park
Two Days Until Broadcast of Tennant/Stewart Hamlet
By Byrne Harrison
On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at 8 PM EST, the Great Performances series on PBS will present the David Tennant and Patrick Stewart filmed-for-television version of the 2008 RSC stage production of Hamlet.
To read the article and preview the production, visit the PBS website.
Or listen to Patrick Stewart talk about the production.
On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at 8 PM EST, the Great Performances series on PBS will present the David Tennant and Patrick Stewart filmed-for-television version of the 2008 RSC stage production of Hamlet.
To read the article and preview the production, visit the PBS website.
Or listen to Patrick Stewart talk about the production.
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