Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine created a Tony Award winning musical in 1987 called INTO THE WOODS. This musical stole the Best Score and Best Book of a Musical Tony Awards from the Phantom of the Opera. After 27 years, the musical gets a big screen treatment. The trailer is below (email viewers click here)
Now, I know what your thinking: Disney will do whatever they want to in order to keep their cookie-cutter image. I am proud to tell you that is not the case. Sondheim, Lapine, and director Rob Marshall have done everything in their power to keep the movie as true as the original show. That does include: the innuendos during "Hello Little Girl", all of "Any Moment", and etc. The movie is also said to have surreal elements and an extremely dark feel.
A change I like is that "On the Steps of the Palace" takes place as Cinderella is leaving the ball. Lyrics are changed, but it's gonna be cool. Of course, I will pass no judgments until I actually see this movie (which releases in 2 months).
The movie is released on Christmas Day. I know I'll be seeing it... will you?
The screenplay is by James Lapine (Libbretist of INTO THE WOODS, PASSION, FALSETTOS), Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondhiem (Composer of INTO THE WOODS, SWEENEY TODD, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC), and directed by Rob Marshall (also director of CHICAGO). The cast includes (but not limited to) Meryl Streep as The Witch, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife, James Corrdin as The Baker, Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince, Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood and Johnny Depp as The Wolf.
Entertainment and Broadway pros (five judges) will hear them and give the singers constructive feedback to help them with their college, high school, theatre, and yes, Broadway auditions and YOU can watch and learn in the audience!
“What a great thing this was for the participants in that they were getting advice on how to improve themselves”,said a father of one of the contestants last year who sat in the audience and learned along with everyone else.
The audience may watch the entire process! “Usually we only get ‘thank you’ after and audition and our moms and dads don’t get to watch at all”–Kelsey, former participant. Audience members pay only $15 (cash or checks) at the door.
Prizes this year include a chance for the winners to be featured in a concert the following night for Bridgeport Rescue Mission (at St. Anthony's) with NPT’s Broadway stars as well being featured in the Holiday show at The Fairfield Theatre Company.
Also included are professional photography sessions, style consultations, show-business coaching, and massage sessions! NPT is always keeping its eye out for talent for our many other events as well!
A panel discussion by our Pro judges will follow the audition for all participants and audience members.
There are only a few more spots for contestants so please preregister now at our event page so you don't miss out!
This event is part of NPT’s (a non profit 501c3) mentoring mission. www.nptheatre.org
On October 11th, my family and I got tickets to see Curtain Call's production Jonathan Larson's RENT. The show had a five weekend run and was sold out a majority of the shows, closing night included. The original Broadway musical ran for 12 years on Broadway, but after having an Off-Broadway run and a run at NYMF in 1994 (20 years ago). I'll include some of the Curtain Call Executive Director's Welcome Letter, for it basically said every reason why I love this musical:
"And today, eight years after this landmark musical finished its original run, the topics are still controversial; the language is still a bit blue; and the message is still so important: that in the midst of difficult circumstance, you can choose love, you can choose life, you can embrace the community, you can choose kindness."
Poster from the Broadway Run of RENT
At Curtain Call, the principal cast was:
Ben McCormack as Roger Davis
Richard Cummings as Mark Cohen
Nic Anthony Calabro as Tom Collins
Kevin Thompson as Benjamin Coffin III
Saige Bryan as Joanne Jefferson
Rachel Schulte as Maureen Johnson
Demerre Files as Angel Dumott Shunard
The production was directed and choreographed by Debra Lee Failla and musical directed by Peter Randazzo.
This production was not your average production. Their set was very different from many productions, though it had a similar essence. The blocking was unique, and the choreography was all original. In some ways, it worked. In other ways, it didn't. Something I enjoyed was "Over the Moon". Maureen (singing lead) had 4 back up singers, each with props and photos to help move the story (video of RENT: Live on Broadway's "Over the Moon is Here, if you cannot view it by email)
I also liked how they included everyone in the choreography for "Santa Fe", when traditionally it would be 4 or 5 dancers. I also loved the various Mimi and Benny interjections throughout Act 1. Contrasting, Mimi and Roger's chemistry was on point. Adding on, I loved how natural the blocking seemed to be.
Onto something I didn't like... the opening.
Traditionally, you would have the ensemble come out onto the stage before Mark begins the show. This production didn't. Instead, the director just had Mark walk on and begin the show. It was a unique choice, but I lost the feel of "okay, here we go". It just gave off an odd feel.
Angel and Collins, as well as Maureen and Joanne, could have had better chemistry.
The show itself was (overall) great. The message was the same, and I got goosebumps in spots where I never got them before. I laughed, I got sad, I had a great time.
If you have a chance to see RENT anywhere, or even another show at Curtain Call, do it. You won't regret it.
"Thank you Jonathan Larson!"- that guy after the first performance of RENT on Broadway (which I yelled during bows of Curtain Call's production)
-Nathan Clift, 17, Trumbull High School
President of the Youth Board
"Let it Go" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in this years Academy Awards. The song was written by musical theater composer Bobby Lopez and his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez. It was sung by the "wickedly talented" Idina Menzel, who originated the roles of Maureen Johnson (RENT) and Elphaba (WICKED). Since then, it has become a favorite by so many people and also annoyed by many others. This year, Trumbull High School is performing HELLO, DOLLY for their 2015 spring musical. The movie starred Broadway legend Barbara Streisand in the title role. She has also been lucky to have had a #1 album every decade for the past 60 years. She began on Broadway, most well known for her role as Fanny Brice in the musical FUNNY GIRL.
Think about music today. Most songs ("Wrecking Ball", "Rolling in the Deep", etc) reflect what you are thinking. Musical Theatre uses songs to help move the story and express the emotion. As choreographer Bob Fosse once said, (something along the lines of) you can only sing when you cannot express how you feel with words alone. Since most of you have seen FROZEN, let's use that example. Most of the songs help move the story ("Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?", "In Summer"), but some help express the emotions someone is feeling ("For the First Time in Forever", "Let it Go", "For the First Time in Forever- Reprise"). Song must be motivated in order to sing. Once again, I will connect this with real life.
CD Case for FROZEN
What point am I making? More often then not, people think of Broadway as "jazz squares" and "frilly costumes" and whatever. Well, not even just Broadway, but musical theater in general. Musical Theater has grown so much since (what most historians believe to have been the first musical) The Black Crook. Okay, so maybe you weren't alive in the 1800s, but try comparing the musical styling of RENT to the music of WEST SIDE STORY, or IF/THEN to SOUND OF MUSIC. Chances are, there are none. Why? We try to get more people to see a show. If anyone is doing theatre, then they want to tell stories. They want to spread messages around and most of the time, it is done in a brilliant way. We want to entertain! Therefore, if it is something you love doing, then don't stop. The journey is long and heck, who knows if you'll make it big. The point is that you have done something great for many people. I mean, what if Idina Menzel, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Barbara Streisand, Jeremy Jordan, Aaron Tveit, and many others didn't do what they loved to do? Chances are: Frozen wouldn't have been as musically wonderful as it was, Evita would be different, we wouldn't have broken a world record this year at the Tony Awards, classic movies wouldn't have been the same/ Yentle wouldn't have been made, etc (I think you get my point). Bottom Line: If you make it, great! If not, don't give up! Chances are you will eventually do something that affects the world. More examples: The new sitcom "Selfie" is based off of the musical MY FAIR LADY Kristin Chenowith is currently rehearsing for a one night only concert oratorio called I AM HARVEY MILK Lea Michelle (Rachel Berry on Glee) starred in Spring Awakening in 2007 Jonathan Larson wrote RENT and TICK TICK... BOOM when he was a struggling artist in NYC. "Seasons of Love" is one of the most popular songs from his masterpiece, RENT Nathan Lane (who has too many Broadway credits) was Timon in the film LION KING Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) got his start in Musical Theatre (like THE BOY FROM OZ)
Julie Andrews was offered the role of Mary Poppins when she was in CAMELOT on Broadway.
-Nathan Clift, 17, Trumbull High School
President of the Youth Board
