http://dctheatrescene.com Washington DC's Liveliest Theater Website Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:05:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 2009-2010 http://dctheatrescene.com/?feed=podcast lorraine@dctheatrescene.com (DC Theatre Scene) lorraine@dctheatrescene.com (DC Theatre Scene) posts 1440 podcasts, DC theatre, radio plays, Lively up close interviews and audio plays Podcasts interviews and audio shows from the Washington DC area theatre scene. DC Theatre Scene DC Theatre Scene lorraine@dctheatrescene.com No no http://dctheatrescene.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dcts.jpg http://dctheatrescene.com 144 144 http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/17/josh-kornbluth-andy-warhol/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/17/josh-kornbluth-andy-warhol/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:11:34 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=13770 http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/17/josh-kornbluth-andy-warhol/feed/ 1 http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/10/marc-kudisch-in-terrence-mcnallys-golden-age/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/10/marc-kudisch-in-terrence-mcnallys-golden-age/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:45:02 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=13618 http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/10/marc-kudisch-in-terrence-mcnallys-golden-age/feed/ 0 21:56 Terrence McNally's new play Golden Age, which just had its successful debut at Philadelphia Theatre Company, opens March 12th in the Kennedy Centerrsquo;s Family Theatre ... Terrence McNally's new play Golden Age, which just had its successful debut at Philadelphia Theatre Company, opens March 12th in the Kennedy Centerrsquo;s Family Theatre with new rewrites and a new director (Walter Bobbie, replacing Austin Pendleton, who is directing Bus Stop now at Olney Theatre Center). [caption id="attachment_13620" align="alignleft" width="220" caption="(l-r) Marc Kudish and Jeffrey Carlson (Photo: Mark Garvin)"][/caption] Actor Marc Kudisch takes us on the journey of this new play - from workshops to rewrites to the debut in Philadelphia,nbsp; to more rewrites with a new director, and finally to the Kennedy Center. The play takes us to opening night, 1835,nbsp; for Vincenzo Bellini's new opera, I Puritani, at the Paris Opera, with the four greatest singers in Europe - Giovanni Battista Rubini, the tenor, Giulia Grisi, the soprano, Luigi La Blache, the bass, and Antonio Tamburini, the baritone (played by Marc). We are in the wings with the performers as the opera is performed offstage. ldquo;I know itrsquo;s a piece that takes place in 1835, but it is not a period piece!", Marc tells us. "It is such a contemporary play. The conversations are the same conversations we as performers and composers have every day, and they are so recognizable, I know the audiences are going to laugh hysterically. Itrsquo;s the same stuff we ask today...nbsp; lsquo;What am I doing here?' 'Whatnbsp; the hell is my life about? ' 'I like it. Does that mean that they will like it?' 'Does it matter if they like it'? He (Bellini) is asking the ultimate question ndash; lsquo;What makes me happy? What makes anyone happy at the end of the day?rsquo; To me, this is Terrence's most personal play. All the cards are on the table." Marc is a huge fan of the work of Terrence McNally. ldquo;I believe he is the last in a line of playwrights like Lanford Wilson, Tennessee Williams, and even (David) Mamet in his own wayhellip; With Terrence, you know itrsquo;s Terrence... Therersquo;s a music. Therersquo;s a lyricism. Therersquo;s an esotericism to it. Therersquo;s a Terrence-ismrdquo;. Why should DC theatergoers come to see Golden Age? ldquo;Because itrsquo;s a new play by Terrence McNally!nbsp; And you should come see all three plays, Golden Age, and his earlier The Lisbon Traviata, and Master Class, on which, of course, Terrence is doing re-writes!rdquo; For more information about the Kennedy Center production, and to purchase tickets, click here. Joel also got to talk with Marc about the status of the revival of The Unsinkable Molly Brown and his next show, Ricky Ian Gordonrsquo;s production of Sycamore Trees at Signature Theatre, beginning May 18th. We're saving that podcast for another day. Related: View the Golden Age study guide from the Philadelphia Theatre Companyrsquo;s production of Golden Age here. More podcasts with Marc Kudisch by Joel Markowitz: in the Broadway production ofnbsp; 9 to 5 the Lincoln Center's The Glorious Ones Signature Theatre's Witches of Eastwick Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/02/07/michael-west/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/02/07/michael-west/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:52:36 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=12515 http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/02/07/michael-west/feed/ 3 32:13 Joel sits down with funnyman Michael West in his dressing room at the 47th Street Theatre. Michael opens his trunk of many voices and ... Joel sits down with funnyman Michael West in his dressing room at the 47th Street Theatre. Michael opens his trunk of many voices and out comesnbsp; Bill Clinton (ldquo;a southern Elmer Fuddrdquo;), Al Gore (ldquo;a gay kindergarten teacherrdquo;), Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, Sammy Davis, Jr., Robert Goulet, and Harvey Fierstein. With special guest: NEWSical director Mark Waldrop. Joel has lost count of how many times he has seen Michael in Forbidden Broadway and When Pigs Fly. And now, before the 8 PM performance on Saturday, January 30th of NEWSical the Musical, Joel finally got his chance to schmooze with Michael, and discuss his career from growing up in Atlanta to re-working and updating his one-man show, Almost Live From The Betty Ford Clinic, to appearing now in NEWSical The Musical, the revue which skewers celebrities and politicians and "all the news that is fit to spoof." Early into the podcast, NEWSical director Mark Waldrop, slipped in to Michaelrsquo;s dressing room, and jumped into the conversation. Hersquo;s been working with NEWSical writer Rick Crom on Bonnie and Clyde (Hunter Foster wrote the book)hellip; "Itrsquo;s in gestationhellip; This is a very funny Bonnie and Clyde.rdquo; Joel and Michael discussed the musical When Pigs Fly, which played during the height of the AIDS crisis, and his admiration for DC director/writer/producer Larry Kaye and his new musical The Tapioca Miracle (Michael was in the New York workshop). As yoursquo;ll hear in this interview, no one does impressions like Michael West, and there's no show in town as freshly topical yet singable as NEWSical the Musical. ldquo;Itrsquo;s bipartisan, everyone gets laughed atrdquo;. NEWSical the Musical is playing at The 47th Street Theatre, 304 West 47th Street, in New York City. For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here. podcasts,,DC,theatre,,radio,plays,, DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/20/the-gift-of-the-magi/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/20/the-gift-of-the-magi/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:34:10 +0000 lorraine treanor http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=11657 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/20/the-gift-of-the-magi/feed/ 1 11:25 The Audible Group, the soundsmiths who bring you the Audience Choice Awards radioplay every year and last December's A Child's Christmas in Wales, has created ... The Audible Group, the soundsmiths who bring you the Audience Choice Awards radioplay every year and last December's A Child's Christmas in Wales, has created anothernbsp; all-star offering in this new audio interpretation ofnbsp; "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. So cuddle round the laptop with the ones you love and listen to this classic tale of the true meaning of giving. It is Christmas Eve, 1935. Listen as we take you to a small apartment in the northeast section of Washington, DC where James and Della Young, a young couple who though rich in love, but down to their last pennies,nbsp; still manage to give each other the perfect gift. This production was created as a charitable donation of time and talent by members of the Washington theatre community.nbsp; Please join us in this gift by contributing what you can to N Street Village Shelter in Washington, DC, which houses, aids and empowers homeless and low-income women in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Please designate lsquo;Magirsquo; in the designation section ndash; and thank you for your gift.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Happy Holidays to Everyone! Our cast: David Toney (narrator) Deidre LaWan Starnes (Della Young) KenYatta Rogers (James Young) Stella Clingmonnbsp; (soloist) Produced by The Audible Group#124; Direction/ Adaptation: Susan Lynskey Sound Direction/Design/ Music / background vocals: Matthew M. Nielson Graphic Design: James Konicek Publicity: Lorraine Treanor O. Henry The name "O. Henry" has become almost synonymous with "short story having a surprise ending." O. Henry's life was also full of surprises, but its ending was sadly predictable. Born William Sidney Porter on September 11, 1862, O. Henry's careers ranged from pharmacist to rancher to journalist.nbsp;nbsp; In 1901, he became a prolific short-story writer, publishing 381 of them in New York World Sunday Magazine and elsewhere.nbsp; "The Gift of the Magi" was published in 1906.nbsp; He died four years later at the age of 48 from alcoholism, alone and penniless. ----------------- ***Next Audible Group release: Episode 2 of Troublesome Gap: "The Fetish" You won't want to miss one episode of this pre-apocalyptic Appalachian chiller! Coming Very Soon! Mind the Gap. Listen here.*** Features,,Our,Podcasts,,The,Audible,Group DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/17/fantasticks-funny-men-laurence-odwyer-and-jesse-terrill/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/17/fantasticks-funny-men-laurence-odwyer-and-jesse-terrill/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:25:58 +0000 Joel Markowitz 592055217 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/17/fantasticks-funny-men-laurence-odwyer-and-jesse-terrill/feed/ 2 23:17 They donrsquo;t sing a single note in Arena Stagersquo;s production of the Jones and Schmidt musical The Fantasticks and they donrsquo;t perform any of the ... They donrsquo;t sing a single note in Arena Stagersquo;s production of the Jones and Schmidt musical The Fantasticks and they donrsquo;t perform any of the eye-popping illusions, so how did they steal the show? Joel Markowitz schmoozed with Lawrence O'Dwyer and Jesse Terrill, who are both hysterical as old actor Henry and his partner Mortimer. "We represent a seedy, more realistic view of the world than any of the other characters. We have a little bit of history, and we did places. We have a little bit of danger and edge with the comedy. We are something new that comes into the play at certain points." Larry explained. Larry, who had never thought of playing Henry before,nbsp; was asked to perform the role of Henry, replacing actor Terrence Currier, just 2 1/2 days before opening night. Larry has enjoyed a long theatrical career - from playing Louis Pasteur as a kid,nbsp; performing in Off-Broadway shows, and winning awards for ldquo;playing insanityrdquo;. Although Baltimore audiences see him often in straight roles, he has also performed in many musicals: from touring as Little Chap in Stop the World- I Want to Get Off, and many performances asnbsp; Pseudolusnbsp; in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, to being the judge in Sweeney Todd. Why does Larry enjoy performing in the show? ldquo;I love the Everyman quality of it. Itrsquo;s a story everyone knows abouthellip;You go away feeling goodrdquo;. Jesse: ldquo;Itrsquo;s a simple story, but highly theatrical. Itrsquo;s a great imaginative play that will get the kids thinking, and itrsquo;s a great way for kids to get into the theatre.rdquo; Arena Stage's production of The Fantasticks plays at The Lincoln Theatre, through January 10, 2010. For details, directions and tickets, click here. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/13/harry-winter-2/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/13/harry-winter-2/#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:10:45 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=11528 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/13/harry-winter-2/feed/ 3 16:19 Signature Theatre has adapted the mega-musical Show Boat for its Max Theatre using a cast of 25 actors (the original production had a cast ... Signature Theatre has adapted the mega-musical Show Boat for its Max Theatre using a cast of 25 actors (the original production had a cast of 70+ actors), and popular Washington character actor Harry Winter, who plays Caprsquo;n Andy, talks about how they did it. ldquo;Captain Andy has it all. Hersquo;s an impresario. Hersquo;s got the smiley face and the frowney face ndash; all in one show... He pops in at the most important times, and keeps the action movingrdquo;. On working with co-star Kimberly Schraf, who plays his wife Parthy, ldquo; Kimberly knows that in the original book, Caprsquo;n Andy falls off the ship and dies, and she has to take over." So Schraf creates a woman capable of being the Queen of the Mississippinbsp; " rather being an uptight New Englander, who sits back and judge everyone." On working with Director Eric Schaeffer, ldquo;He just lets us roll with a role. We surprise each otherhellip; We surprise him and lead in different directions, and hersquo;ll come back with a suggestion saying, ldquo;Cut that back, or thatrsquo;s too much, or we need a whole lot morehellip;rdquo; Why should theatre goers come to see Show Boat? ldquo;The humanity in the show is worth seeing, especially at the holiday season. Yoursquo;ll see a lot of love from a lot of different people radiating off the stage." Show Boat plays through January 17th, 2010 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, in Arlington, VA. For Details, Directions and Tickets, click here. Related: To listen to Joel talk with Harry Winter about playing Benjamin Franklin in Olney Theatre Center's production of 1776, click here. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/10/hugh-panaro-gets-into-fagin-makeup/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/10/hugh-panaro-gets-into-fagin-makeup/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:53:27 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=11485 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/10/hugh-panaro-gets-into-fagin-makeup/feed/ 2 25:38 He played the Artful Dodger when he was 15, and now actor Hugh Panaro is in his backstage dressing room, transforming himself into Fagin in ... He played the Artful Dodger when he was 15, and now actor Hugh Panaro is in his backstage dressing room, transforming himself into Fagin in the Walnut Street Theatrersquo;s production of Oliver as he schmoozes with Joel Markowitz. Listen as he applies his prosthetic nose, makeup, beard, warts and wig to create the face of the older, crochety mentor of Dickens' den of thieves. "Phantom (of the Opera) was my training ground, watching my friend Thelma Pollard the Phantom makeup artisthellip; Irsquo;ve learned everything I am doing now." What is he bringing to his performance of Fagin? ldquo;The Artful Dodger brings Oliver home, to what is a dysfunctional family. A lot of people think (Fagin) he is a horrible character, because he teaches these kids to thieve and pick pockets, but this is The Island of Misfit Toys. As dysfunctional as we are, we are still family. What Irsquo;ve tried to do is to show that there is a lot of heart and love.rdquo; Why did he want to play the role of Fagin? ldquo;I donrsquo;t have to warm up. The worst I sound ndash; the better! Do you want a Fagin that sounds pretty? You want gravelly!rdquo; Hugh is now playing older roles.nbsp; ldquo;I really want to play grown-up roles. Irsquo;ve always felt like a character actor trapped in a leading manrsquo;s skin." Rob McClure, who DC audiences saw pulling the strings of Princeton and Rod in The National Theatrersquo;s Helen Hayes Award winning production of Avenue Q in 2007, is playing the evil Noah Claypole in Oliver,nbsp; and he joins in on the conversation. ldquo;Hersquo;s a plague ridden disgusting human being. He picks on this poor kid (Oliver) and Oliver kicks his butt. I get my butt kicked by a 10 year old nightlyrdquo;. Why is Oliver still so popular with audiences? Rob chimes in, ldquo;Itrsquo;s got that family musical thing, and itrsquo;s got all the recognizable music, and they love the songs, but itrsquo;s still Dickens. Though itrsquo;s scary and very real, therersquo;s definitely some meat to the story.rdquo; Oliver plays through January 10th at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, in Philadelphia, PA. For tickets, go to their website www.walnutstreettheatre.org, or call (215) 574-3550. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/03/estelle-parsons/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/03/estelle-parsons/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:52:05 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=11254 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/03/estelle-parsons/feed/ 3 23:05 When Joel Markowitz schmoozed with Estelle Parsons at the Kennedy Center on Monday, November 30th, the legendary actress described August: Osage County like this: ... When Joel Markowitz schmoozed with Estelle Parsons at the Kennedy Center on Monday, November 30th, the legendary actress described August: Osage County like this: ldquo;I donrsquo;t call it a play. I call it a phenomenon.rdquo; After his warm interview with the Oscar winner and four time Tony Award nominee, Joel remarked, ldquo;I donrsquo;t call Estelle Parsons an actress. I call her a phenomenon.rdquo; Estelle plays Violet Weston, the mean, pill-hoarding, acerbic matriarch in the Tracy Letts dark comedy. Why did Estelle want to become part of the cast of August: Osage County? ldquo;I like to be in very popular things. I love that the play was so dynamic, and that audiences were rushing to see it. I thought ndash; I want to get my hand in with those audiences.rdquo; She talks about how discovering the deeper interior of her character has affected her, about being on the road with the new cast, and her most challenging scene - her dinner table announcement "Itrsquo;s go-for-broke. You have to open yourself for it, and however it comes out, it has to be honest." Estelle has enjoyed roles on television ("Roseanne"), in films (Academy Award for playing Blanche Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde"), but she always returns to her first love, the stage and credits her success to her training with Arthur Penn and Lee Strasburg.nbsp; She talks about working with Ethel Merman in her Broadway debut ndash; Happy Hunting, playing Maude in the musical version of the cult movie Harold and Maude, and being a Tony four time nominee and Tony nominator. Estelle was the first female political reporter on network television during her five-year stint with "The Today Show" in the early 1950s and she talks about the state of the media today and the role of women in the media. Theatre, at its best, Estelle says, is "enriching, educational and entertaining". It's how she describes this production of August: Osage County.nbsp; We can find no better description of this time spent with Estelle Parsons.nbsp; Enjoy. August: Osage County is a DCTS Top Pick.nbsp; For details, directions and tickets to the Kennedy Center production, click here. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/01/sherri-l-edelen-and-matthew-scott-in-phillys-the-light-in-the-piazza/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/01/sherri-l-edelen-and-matthew-scott-in-phillys-the-light-in-the-piazza/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:59:29 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=11201 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/12/01/sherri-l-edelen-and-matthew-scott-in-phillys-the-light-in-the-piazza/feed/ 3 21:54 Joel Markowitz met with actors Sherri L. Edelen and Matthew Scott just before the Sunday, November 22nd matinee of The Light in the Piazza at ... Joel Markowitz met with actors Sherri L. Edelen and Matthew Scott just before the Sunday, November 22nd matinee of The Light in the Piazza at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Here, they talk about the new chamber production of the Tony winning musical, and its director, the multiple Helen Hayes Award winner Joe Calarco. Sherri L. Edelen is well-known to DC audiences, and has won two Helen Hayes Awards for her outstanding work in Side Show and Les Miseacute;rables at Signature Theatre. Sherri is also becoming a staple in the Philadelphia theatre community, garnering Barrymore Award nominations for her performances in Caroline, or Change (Rose), and Elegies: A Song Cycle, Sherri was a member of the Barrymore Award winning Best Ensemble of a Musical for Elegies: A Song Cycle, which was directed by Joe Calarco at PTC in 2005. Her role as Margaret Johnson is vocally demanding, and Sherri was even more nervous that Sunday because Piazza's composer/lyricist Adam Guettel was in the audience. Fresh from his performances at Signature Theatre in Ace and Find Your Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb, where his rendition of "I Miss The Music" (from Curtains) was the highlight of the show for Joel and manynbsp; local critics, Matthew Scott is now playing the love-smitten Fabrizio. Sherri describe Joe Calarcorsquo;s approach: ldquo;Joe wanted to pull all the reality from the story, which is difficult, and hard, and messy, and real liferdquo;. Matt chimes in that ldquo;He (Joe) truly fulfills my dream of working with a really great directorrdquo;. How is Sherri playing Margaret differently than Victoria Clark, who won the Tony playing Margaret in NYC? ldquo;Irsquo;m a little feistier. Before Joe left, he told us, ldquo;You can never get comfortable in this show. You always have to stay on the edge.rdquo; Sherri and Matt talk about the luminous Whitney Bashor who plays Clara. From Matt: ldquo;Her voice is flawless. I think she is rawer with her performance as Clara than the NYC actresses her played her. Shersquo;s very easy to be on stage with. Sherri and Whitney together are devastatingrdquo;. From Sherri: ldquo;Whitney has an effortless singing voice. She wants to discover new things each night. Shersquo;s a beautiful human being, and brings her soul onto the stagerdquo;. Why should theatergoers from DC come to Philadelphia to come see the show? Matt: This is blow-the roof-off theatre. I think Sherrirsquo;s performance is not to be missed!rdquo; The Light in the Piazza plays through December 13th at Philadelphia Theatre Company, 480 Southnbsp; Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Related: Joel interviewed Light in the Piazza director Joe Calarco. Read it here. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/24/jim-brochu-the-stories-continue/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/24/jim-brochu-the-stories-continue/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:49:10 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=11114 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/24/jim-brochu-the-stories-continue/feed/ 2 25:10 When Jim Brochu was here with his solo show about the great Zero Mostel, he and his director Piper Laurie talked with Joel about creating ... When Jim Brochu was here with his solo show about the great Zero Mostel, he and his director Piper Laurie talked with Joel about creating Zero Hour. There was more to the conversation which we've saved til now to celebrate Zero Hour's opening Off-Broadway. So relax, and listen as Jim Brochu, surely one of the greatest storytellers ever, shares backstage stories about his encounters with Barbra Streisand, Katherine Hepburn, and the afternoons spent playing backgammon with Lucille Ball in the last year of her life which he later turned into a book "Lucy in the Afternoon". Joel had two stories he was dying to hear from Piper Laurie - how she began her flower diet, and her starring role in the movie "Carrie", both of which she tells with great relish. The interviews end on a high comic note as these two friends recall their worst moments on stage, and Piper shares her secret name. Zero Hour plays through January 31st at St. Clement's Theatre, 423 West 46th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues). For tickets, call 212 239-2969 or go to telecharge.com ------------ Related: Jim Brochu and Piper Laurie talk about Zero Mostel and creating Zero Hour Zero Hour Web site Living in the Bonus Round - a chronicle of the lives of Jim Brochu and his partner Steve Schalchlin For those of you who have wondered what it would be like to sit in on a Joel Markowitz podcast, here's a video clip recorded by Steve Schalchlin. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/12/ragtime-interviews-director-marcia-milgrom-dodge/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/12/ragtime-interviews-director-marcia-milgrom-dodge/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:26:39 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=10908 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/12/ragtime-interviews-director-marcia-milgrom-dodge/feed/ 3 12:32 We fittingly conclude our interviews from the press preview of Ragtime with director Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Just as producer Roy Furman told us that the ... We fittingly conclude our interviews from the press preview of Ragtime with director Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Just as producer Roy Furman told us that the Broadway production came into being only because of the Kennedy Center production, Marcia tells Joel that she got her first attention as a choreographer in 1989 when Doug Wager hired her for On The Town at Arena Stage. Twenty years later, she's helming the revival of Ragtime, and getting ready for its official opening November 15th at the Neil Simon Theatre.nbsp; Why did she want to direct the show? ldquo;Because itrsquo;s Ragtime! Itrsquo;s the greatest musical of our lifetime.rdquo; It also gave Marcia a chance to return to the Eisenhower Theatre where she had already directed Sullivan and Gilbert and Tell Me on a Sunday (with Alice Ripley)." "Lynn and Stephen and Terrence asked me to do to Ragtime what I did to (their show) Seussical, which was to ldquo;find a way to tell the story that was it easier and simplerrdquo;. What she found was that, ldquo;These are human people struggling against ferocious obstacles, and I didnrsquo;t want them to be obliterated by anything else (special effects, etc.)rdquo;. Marcia tells Joel about "rising star" Stephanie Umoh, exciting news about the costumes for the Broadway nbsp;production, the restaging nbsp;of ldquo;Crime of the Centuryrdquo; and why it was so important to her to keep as many of the DC company as possible. Ragtime begins previews on October 23rd at the Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street in New York City. Opening night is November 15th. To purchase tickets, click here. Related: Part I: Ragtime interviews with composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty Part II: Ragtime interviews with performers Christiane Noll and Robert Petkoff Part III: Ragtime interviews with producer Roy Furman Here's the official Ragtime video from the press preview. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/10/ragtime-interviews-producer-roy-furman/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/10/ragtime-interviews-producer-roy-furman/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:33:13 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=10865 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/10/ragtime-interviews-producer-roy-furman/feed/ 2 12:22 Roy Furman is having a very busy year producing Broadway Bound, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Adams Family, and now the transfer of the Kennedy Center ... Roy Furman is having a very busy year producing Broadway Bound, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Adams Family, and now the transfer of the Kennedy Center production of Ragtime to Broadway. "I had no thought of bringing it to Broadway, the veteran producer told Joel Markowitz at last month's press preview, "until I went to Washington to see it at the Kennedy Center." Roy was involved in the original 1998 Broadway production, and tried to keep the show alive against unfortunate odds, ultimately having to close the show. ldquo;I was stunned by the brilliance of the (Kennedy Center) production hellip; There was greater balance between the first and the second act - between Sarah and Coalhouse and Mother and Tateh... It was a deeper immersion into their lives. The set design left more room for you to focus on the storytelling." The set has undergone some changes since DC, there have been some cast changes -he tells specifically of the nationwide search for a new Sarah - the orchestra is bigger and the first act is shorter. That night at the Kennedy Center, Roy sat next to famed Broadway producer Manny Azenberg who said, when it debuted on Broadway that Ragtime was 15 years ahead of its time.nbsp; As for Roy, it's simple: ldquo;Ragtime is one of the greatest musicals of modern times, and one of the most magnificent scores ever written.rdquo; Ragtime began previews on October 23rd at the Neil Simon Theatre ndash; 250 West 52nd Street, in New York City. It opens on November 15th.nbsp; Related: Part I: Ragtime interviews with composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty Part II: Ragtime interviews with performers Christiane Noll and Robert Petkoff Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/02/ragtime-christiane-noll-and-robert-petkoff/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/02/ragtime-christiane-noll-and-robert-petkoff/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:49:49 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=10664 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/11/02/ragtime-christiane-noll-and-robert-petkoff/feed/ 0 9:37 Recorded at the NYC press introduction to the cast of Ragtime. Shersquo;s not only playing mother to Little Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in the about-to-open Broadway production ... Recorded at the NYC press introduction to the cast of Ragtime. Shersquo;s not only playing mother to Little Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in the about-to-open Broadway production of Ragtime, Christiane Noll is also playing mother to her young toddler. How will she juggle both these motherhoods on the road? Has becoming a mother changed her performance as Mother since the Kennedy Center production? ldquo;I have an incredible support system. It takes a village, especially when I am doing all of this. Irsquo;m always running around holding on to the doll. I wonrsquo;t put it down..rdquo; Listen in as Christiane describes her new challenging life on the road, and working with her new Tateh (Manoel Felciano played Tateh at the Kennedy Center)- Robert Petkoff, the man with ldquo;the sparkly eyesrdquo;. Robert Petkoff steps into the role of Tateh nbsp;after spending 20 years acting in NYC, and has been performing the last six years in musicals. ldquo;I started out doing Shakespeare and sort of fell backwards doing musicalsrdquo; like the recent revival of Fiddler on the Roof at the Minskoff Theatre, where he played the role of Perchik. ldquo;Tateh is like Perchik on steroids! Perchik wants to change the world, while Tateh wants to change his life and the life of his daughterrdquo;. Listen in as Robert talks about how he relates to Tateh and his familyrsquo;s story of how they immigrated to America and the challenges they faced when they came to America, the audition process, and why itrsquo;s the best time now for Ragtime to return to The Big Apple. ----------- Ragtime began previews on October 23rd at the Neil Simon Theatre - 250 West 52nd Street, in New York City. It opens on November 15th. Related: Part I: Ragtime interviews with composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty My interview with Christiane and Bobby Steggert here Christiane Noll'snbsp; website Robert Petkoff's website Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/10/20/ragtime-interviews-lynn-ahrens-and-stephen-flaherty/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/10/20/ragtime-interviews-lynn-ahrens-and-stephen-flaherty/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:05:58 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=10230 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/10/20/ragtime-interviews-lynn-ahrens-and-stephen-flaherty/feed/ 6 17:38 When I received an invitation from press reps Joe Perrotta and Michael Strassheim of Boneau/Bryan-Brown, to come up for the ldquo;meet the stars, creative team ... When I received an invitation from press reps Joe Perrotta and Michael Strassheim of Boneau/Bryan-Brown, to come up for the ldquo;meet the stars, creative team and sneak peek performance of the upcoming Broadway musical Ragtimerdquo; on October 7th at The Hilton Rehearsal Hall on 43rd , where as Stephen Flaherty was about to remind me, ldquo; it all began in 1998rdquo;, I never dreamed that I would be given the opportunity to sit down and schmooze with composer Stephen Flaherty, lyricist Lynn Ahrens, producer Roy Furman, director and choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge, and actors Christiane Noll and Robert Petkoff. Now, you get to sit there with me, as I interview them during this amazing day. Part One: composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty I have admired Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flahertyrsquo;s work since I first walked into the small Booth Theatrenbsp; on December 2, 1991, the day after it opened on Broadway, and heard their gorgeous score for Once On This Island. Since then, I have become one of their biggest fans, and after seeing Ragtime in Toronto pre-Broadway, and seven times on Broadway, the National tour at the National Theatre in DC, numerous community productions, and two great productions at Tobyrsquo;s Dinner Theatre in Columbia and Baltimore, I have become - as director Marcia Milgrom Dodge called me - a ldquo;Raggierdquo;,nbsp; just like her. I am in love with Ragtime, its heart-warming stories surrounded by Stephen and Lynnrsquo;s glorious score. For me, and for many other theatregoers, Ragtime has the best score written for the musical stage in the past two decades. And, now, here I was, face-to-face with Stephen and Lynn, getting a chance to talk about their show that had a bumpy ride during its first 1998 Broadway run - the show that closed too soon - nbsp;and their new hopes that this more intimate production, transferring after a critically acclaimed run this year at the Kennedy Center, will touch the hearts of todayrsquo;s new generation of theatre goers, and those of the many fans of the original production. I asked Stephen and Lynn to talk about the April, 2009 Kennedy Center production, how it differed in tone and direction from the 1998 Broadway production, and how they feel about the show eleven years after it opened on Broadway. Listen in as they talk about the changes they are making as they prepare for Ragtime's November 15th opening night at the Neil Simon Theatre. To learn more about Lynn and Stephenrsquo;s careers and shows, go to Lynn and Stephenrsquo;s website. Ragtime begins previews on October 23rd at the Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street, in New York City. To purchase tickets, click here. Coming soon - the series continues: Part II:nbsp; Christiane Noll (Mother) and Robert Petkoff (Tateh) Part III:nbsp; Producer Roy Furman and director Marcia Milgrom Dodge Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/09/20/the-audience-choice-awards/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/09/20/the-audience-choice-awards/#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:00:58 +0000 lorraine treanor http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=8945 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/09/20/the-audience-choice-awards/feed/ 57 35:34 Audience Choice Awards Winners 2009 Announced Favorite Play . Dante (Synetic Theater) Favorite Actor in a Play . Alex Mills as Puck . A Midsummer Night's Dream ... Audience Choice Awards Winners 2009 Announced Favorite Play . Dante (Synetic Theater) Favorite Actor in a Play . Alex Mills as Puck . A Midsummer Night's Dream (Synetic Theater) Favorite Actress in a Play . Valerie Harper as Tallulah Bankhead . Looped (Arena Stage) Favorite Musical . Next to Normal (Arena Stage) Favorite Actress in a Musical . Alice Ripley as Diana . Next to Normal (Arena Stage) Favorite Actor in a Musical . Antonio Soto as Juan Peron . Mummy in the Closet (GALA) Favorite Ensemble . Dante (Synetic Theater) Favorite Family Show . Zomo the Rabbit (Imagination Stage) Favorite Touring Show . Spring Awakening (Kennedy Center) Now we invite you to step into the world of radio drama, to hear the winners accept their awards. -------------- The night of the big Audience Choice Awards Show is finally here. A huge crowd of DC Theatre fans have gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite nominees. Television cameras are trained on reporter Rona Slivers at the head of the red carpet, ready to give her usual biting fashion commentary...But what's this? No taxis? No limos? No stars? Where are all the nominees? No Hedman, no Hicken, no Hemmingsen? And what's that whispering??? Nancy Robinette has skipped town!?!? Something doesn't smell right here--and the situation is also strange.... Will the curtain on the Audience Choice Awards Show ever go up? Is this the end of theatre in Washington, DC? Get comfy and listen in as Hashell Dammitt solves THE CASE OF THE EMPTY RED CARPET Created by The Audible Group Here's your program. BONUS: Be an Audiodetective yourself! There is ONE show title of ALL the 2009 Audience Choice Awards shows which did not make it (referenced or named outright) into The Case Of The Red Carpet. First person to name it correctly in the comments section will win a prize from the Audible Group. Tune in and Good Luck! ___________________________________________________________________________________ AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS -nbsp; 2008/09 Season This year, DCTS writers nominated 128 performers and productions and Washington audiences cast over 12,000 votes to choose this year's Audience Choice Awards winners.nbsp; Thanks to everyone for a great season. The nominees are: FAVORITE PLAY A Delicate Balance (Arena Stage) Antebellum (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company) Blackbird (Studio Theatre) Blue Door (African Continuum Theatre Company) Dante (Synetic Theater) dark play, of Stories for Boys (Forum Theatre) Elizabeth Rex (Keegan Theatre) Glengarry Glen Ross (Keegan Theatre) Honey Brown Eyes (Theater J) Krapp's Last Tape (Keegan Theatre) King Lear (Shakespeare Theatre) Maria/Stuart (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Round House Theatre) Pig Farm (1st Stage) Radio Golf (Studio Theatre) Rock 'n' Roll (Studio Theatre) Seascape (American Century Theater) The Aging of the Plum (GALA) The Heavens Are Hung in Black (Ford's Theatre) The Legacy of Light (Arena Stage) The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Signature Theatre) The Seafarer (Studio Theatre) FAVORITE ACTOR IN A PLAY Terry Beaver as Tobias . A Delicate Balance (Arena Stage) Lucas Beck as Gidger . The Violet Hour (1st Stage) Ben Cunis . Living Dead in Denmark (Rorschach Theatre) Mike Daisey . How Theater Failed America (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company) John Dow as Phillipe . Heroes (MetroStage) Brian Hemmingsen as Krapp . Krapp's Last Tape (Keegan Theatre) Carter Jahncke as Krapp . Krapp's Last Tape (Spooky Action Theatre) Derrick Lemont in various roles . Blue Door (African Continuum Theatre Company) Eric Lucas as Ned . Elizabeth Rex (Keegan Theatre) Alex Mills as Puck . A Midsummer Night's Dream (Synetic Theater) Paul Morella as Lior . The Accident (Theater J) Paul Morella as Clarence Darrow . A Passion for Justice (American Century Theater) Bruce Rauscher in multiple roles . Love, Peace and Rob... News,and,Views,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/09/17/jim-brochu-and-piper-laurie-on-zero-mostel/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/09/17/jim-brochu-and-piper-laurie-on-zero-mostel/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:21:44 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=9545 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/09/17/jim-brochu-and-piper-laurie-on-zero-mostel/feed/ 0 26:34 Jim Brochu has won raves from all our local critics and audiences for his powerful, hysterical, and astounding performance as Broadway veteran and painter Zero ... Jim Brochu has won raves from all our local critics and audiences for his powerful, hysterical, and astounding performance as Broadway veteran and painter Zero Mostel in Zero Hour, now at Theater J. Joel Markowitz had his own Zero Hour when he sat down with actor Jim Brochu and director Piper Laurie at Theater J. They schmoozed about creating and fine-tuning the Theater J production, the Off-Broadway run which opens November 14th at the Theatre of St. Clementrsquo;s Church, their careers in film and theatre, and the DC audiences who are applauding Jimrsquo;s performance. Piper was smitten the first time she saw Zero Mostel, and, for Jim, who, at 14, literally ran into the man backstage at A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, it marked the beginning of a long friendship. Who better, then, to create Zero Hour? ldquo;He was such a force of nature, and such a good actor, and so committed to what he was doing. nbsp;He could make you laugh one minute, and cry the next minute.rdquo; Listen in while Jim and Piper talk about all things Zero in Part One of this revealing chat with Jim Brochu and Piper Laurie. Part Two, coming soon, will share more stories from the careers of these theatre treasures. -------------- Have you ever wished you could see one of Joel's podcasts? Steve Schalchlin, Jim's wonderful partner was there videotaping,nbsp; and cut together this video of one of the many funny moments in the show.nbsp; As many of you may know, Steve is Jim's life partner and co-wrote and performed The Big Voice:nbsp;God or Merman? with him in LA and New York.nbsp; This is truly a man that it can be said 'To know him is to love him.' His website Living in the Bonus Round, is one of mynbsp; favorite sites. Related: Watch this moment from Zero Hour as Zero talks about Jerome Robbins Zero Hour Reviews DCTS review Lisa Traiger . Washington Jewish Week Trey Graham . City Paper Tom Avila . MetroWeekly Brad Hathaway . Potomac Stages Peter Marks . The Post Jayne Blanchard . The Times Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/08/19/corrieanne-stein-back-from-broadway/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/08/19/corrieanne-stein-back-from-broadway/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:40:22 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=8860 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/08/19/corrieanne-stein-back-from-broadway/feed/ 14 17:59 From Musical Theater Center to Billy Elliot to Annie Shersquo;s 13,nbsp; attends Robert Frost Middle School, just starred in MTC's Annie and, in the past ... From Musical Theater Center to Billy Elliot to Annie Shersquo;s 13,nbsp; attends Robert Frost Middle School, just starred in MTC's Annie and, in the past year, performed in over 300 performances on Broadway as a ballet girl in the Tony Award Winning Best Musical Billy Elliot.nbsp; Corrieanne talks about the long audition and callback process, ldquo;I got the first call 2 years ago, and then I auditioned for one whole year, coming and going from Maryland to NYC. I had 7 callbacks. When I started there were over 2,000 kids - the lines were out the doors. It got smaller as they did all the callbacksrdquo;. The life of a young actress away from home was not always easy, and it wasnrsquo;t so glamorous all the time. The move was difficult, ldquo;Everything being in such a tight space ndash; our apartment was so small, and it was hard getting used to the air and lack of trees and grassrdquo;. What was a typical day like when she had a show? ldquo;Irsquo;d get up at 11:00 AM, and do school homework and then do something fun like sightseeing. And then Irsquo;d go to the show at 5:00 PM usually, and the show would finish at around 11:00 PM. We always warmed up in the upper lobbyrdquo;. Corrieanne tells about Tony night, when Billy Elliot swept the Tonys and won 10 awards, rdquo;We didnrsquo;t get to attend the Tony Awards. A few of the ballet girls did. They set up big TVs on the stage of the Imperial Theatre for us.rdquo; What advice would Corrieanne give other young actors, who are considering a career in the theatre? ldquo;Always keep practicing, and never give up! hellip; The excitement of going on stage and giving your all, making other people happy, who have paid good money to see ithellip; Itrsquo;s just thrilling!rdquo; Billy Elliot is playing at The Imperial Theatre - 249 West 45th Street, in New York City.nbsp; Our,Podcasts,,Theatre,Schmooze DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/29/the-producers-ben-dibble/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/29/the-producers-ben-dibble/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:33:53 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=7151 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/29/the-producers-ben-dibble/feed/ 1 25:52 June 19, 2009 - With less than an hour before curtain for Mel Brooks' musical The Producers, actor Ben Dibble sat down with Joel Markowitz ... June 19, 2009 - With less than an hour before curtain for Mel Brooks' musical The Producers, actor Ben Dibble sat down with Joel Markowitz backstage at Walnut Street Theatre. Ben is wowing Philadelphia audiences with his gorgeous voice and comedic talents playing the nebishy, blue blanket snuggling accountant and "wannabe producer" Leo Bloom. "It's a dream come true. I saw the original Broadway cast, and the first time I saw the show, I knew it was a role I had to do." Ben has been one of Philadelphia's busiest musical performers for the past 9 years. Last year at Walnut Street Theatre, Ben was seen in the Barrymore Award winning Best Musical Les Miserables, and this year as Corny Collins in Hairspray. He has done many Sondheim musicals, and enjoys doing children's theatre where he has played a toad, a dinosaur, and a giant, much to his children's delight. "The sad truth about children's theatre is that a lot of times it is underfunded, and there's not a lot of effort put into it, because people think, "Oh, it's just for kids, it doesn't matter." I believe the opposite. While you are trying to build the audience for tomorrow, you need not to be skimping on production values, or skimping on the talent of the acting, or anything of that nature. I felt that way before I had kids, but now that I have kids, I'm even more passionate." Ben's wife Amy has been the Assistant Artistic Director of The Arden Theater Company for the last 10 years; the day of our interview she resigned from that prestigious company in order to spend time with their three children, which allows for things like their first family vacation - ever - at the close of The Producers. Ben tells us the unique bits choreographer/director Marc Robin has introduced to the show, "It's really very much his show", and how Marc helped them find the heart of the musical in, of all places, The Wizard of Oz. He tells us about the rest of the outstanding cast, such as Ben Lipitz (Max Bialystock), his good friend Jeffrey Coon (Franz Liebkind),nbsp; Amy Bodnar (Ula),nbsp; the outrageous Rob McClure (Carmen Ghia), who DC audiences saw in the National Tour of Avenue Q and Jeremy Webb (Roger DeBris), who we saw in The Visit at Signature Theatre. And, of course, we had to talk about the staging ofnbsp; his big number "I Want To Be A Producer" - wait til you hear the fabulous audio clips we've got from that one! We hope you have a chance to get to Philadelphia for The Producers. Ben returns to Walnut Street Theatre for David Yazbek's musical Dirty Rottten Scoundrels - he's got the Norbert Leo Butz role - and Joel will be there to cheer him on! The Producers continues at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St, in Philadelphia thru July 12th.nbsp; Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/23/forbidden-broadways-jennie-eisenhower/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/23/forbidden-broadways-jennie-eisenhower/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:15:56 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=7043 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/23/forbidden-broadways-jennie-eisenhower/feed/ 1 22:47 June 19 -- My Philadelphia trip began with this hysterical interview with the bubbly and outrageous Jennie Eisenhower, just before the evening curtain for Forbidden ... June 19 -- My Philadelphia trip began with this hysterical interview with the bubbly and outrageous Jennie Eisenhower, just before the evening curtain for Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits. Jennie shared her impersonations ofnbsp; Ethel, Liza, Bernadette, Idina, Renee, Carol, a miserable Fantine, John (that's Travolta of Hairspray fame) in this funny interview which left me dying to see the show. Jennie was drawn to impersonations, even as a kid, although she didn't mention doing her famous grandfather Richard Nixon and great-grandfather, Dwight D. Eisenhower. "I used to dance up down our grocery aisle hoping to be discovered like Shirley Temple."nbsp; So how did she get such dead-on impersonations for the show? "God bless YouTube. and all it has to offer. " It's been a big year for this busy Philly actress: she played Atta at Walnut Street Theatre in Criminal Hearts, the pothead Mae in 11th Hour Theatre Company's production of Reefer Madness, played Hedda Gabbler at the Mauckingbird Theatre Company, and directed Our Town at her alma mater Contestoga High School, where she is an adjunct director.nbsp; "I get to direct their musical and their play, and run their dance program. It gives me (a job)every year that I know will go on, no matter what happens with the theatre." In the DC area, Jennie appeared as Joan of Arc in Olney Theatre Center's production of Saint Joan in 2005. "It was a huge challenge and to be the only woman in the cast of all these men." (Jim Gagne, Peter Kybart, Robert Leembruggen, Josh Lefkowitz, Tim Lewis, Alex Major, Eric M. Messner, Richard Pilcher, Lawrence Redmond, Stephen F. Schmidt, and Jeffries Thais). "..my roots are mostly musical theatre, and I was branching out... I was just the right energy for that role". I absolutely loved Jennie and the cast ofnbsp; Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits, which plays through June 28th at Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/04/new-york-season-highs-and-lows-and-tony-hopes/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/04/new-york-season-highs-and-lows-and-tony-hopes/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:32:36 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=6710 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/04/new-york-season-highs-and-lows-and-tony-hopes/feed/ 0 37:47 DC Theatre Scene columnists Richard Seff and Joel Markowitznbsp; discuss the New York Theatre season and their Tony Awards hopes, performances that were left off ... DC Theatre Scene columnists Richard Seff and Joel Markowitznbsp; discuss the New York Theatre season and their Tony Awards hopes, performances that were left off out of the Tony nominations, and their predictions for the major categories. "The theatre season was long", says Richard. "It was very rich and varied, particularly with plays. That was the shock of this theatre season, that there were so many new plays and revivals of plays, many more than there were musicals, and that was unusual". Joel added he didn't think much of the musicals this year. "Less than staggering," Richard agreed. But, Richard loved Billy Elliot and points out that it deserves all the raves it is receiving. "It has a story well told, beautifully acted, and Elton John has written a score that is Broadway worthy, and the direction by Stephen Daldry is beautiful work". Joel loves Next To Normal. Richard saw it early on at Second Stage and was "attracted to it". "That score was intelligent, and has variety in it, and was very moving, and the performances were extraordinary, especially Al;ice Ripley's." nbsp;Richard talks about the Roundabout Theatre revival of Pal Joey, "This one had a slightly different edge to it. And Stockard Channing, whonbsp; is not a great singer, but like so many great actresses, she can put over a lyricnbsp; so you really understand all of its ("Bewitches, Bothered and Bewildered" complexities. ". Disappointments? For Joel it was the revival of West Side Story, although he did love Karen Olivo's performance as Anita. For Richard, it was Richard Greenberg'snbsp; American Plan. "I didn't believe one word of it." and Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms. Richard found a gem Off-Broadway called The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd at The Mint Theatre. Joel raves about Sherie Rene Scott's Everyday Rapture, and young Eamon Foley who steals the show as a youtube Sherie Renee Scott impersonator. Another pleasure of the season is seeing character actors who have been performing a long time receive recognition with the awarding of the Richard Seff Award, selected by a panel of critics and other industry professionals and presented by Actors Equity. nbsp;Richard announces this year's winners. This year, Washington theatre will be well represented at the Tony Awards.nbsp; Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer will accept the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award on behalf of Signature Theatre, and two productions seen at Arena Stage -nbsp; 33 Variations and Next to Normal - have numerous nominations. The three hour telecast of The Tony Awards from Radio City Music Hall will be carried live onnbsp; Sunday, June 6th on CBS, beginning at 8 pm EST. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/03/valerie-harper-on-looped/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/03/valerie-harper-on-looped/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:47:52 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=6694 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/06/03/valerie-harper-on-looped/feed/ 7 27:21 She may be best known for playing her Emmy Award winning role of Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show",nbsp; but the stage is ... She may be best known for playing her Emmy Award winning role of Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show",nbsp; but the stage is Valerie Harper's first love and she has returned to it playing the witty and wicked Tallulah Bankhead in Arena Stage's Broadway-bound production of Looped. Valerie chatted with Joel Markowitz in her Lincoln Theatre dressing room a few days before Looped's official opening. The play, she explains, written bynbsp; Matthew Lombardo,nbsp; is a comedy inspired by an actual overdubbing (looping) session in which Tallulah had to replace a single line of dialogue in what would be the star's final film "Die, Die My Darling". Few people know that Valerie Harper was a Broadway Baby. At age 18, she debuted in the chorus of the musical L'il Abner followed by Take Me Along with Jackie Gleasonnbsp; and Wildcat with Lucille Ball, "I worked with two of the comedic giants of the 20th century. " She also worked with Andy Griffith in Destry Rides Again, and Subways Are for Sleeping with Phyllis Newman. "I was doing these shows to pay for acting lessons. I had intended to be a ballet dancer, and I got shifted over to theatre at that time. I always tell people, "Before you is a failed ballerina!" Valerie came back to Broadway replacing Linda Lavin in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife and took it on tour, and then took Golda's Balcony on the road and made the film adaptation. Funny and warm, Valerie Harper talks about Tallulah Bankhead, the actress and film star, "People who don't know her will get a kick out of this old broad saying terrible things", and the script changes playwrightnbsp; Lombardo has been making on the road, including bringing in Broadway vet Jay Goede to play film editor Danny Miller. Broadway producers are looking at a possible Fall opening for Looped, but meanwhile Valerie Harper is happy to be in Washington. "Arena Stage is like a zenith. There are certain theatres you want to have played. And Arena Stage is one of them." Stage photo shown on main page by Craig Schwartz Looped plays at the Lincoln Theatre through June 28th.nbsp; More details here. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/05/31/tony-nominee-9-to-5s-marc-kudisch/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/05/31/tony-nominee-9-to-5s-marc-kudisch/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:54:50 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=6647 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/05/31/tony-nominee-9-to-5s-marc-kudisch/feed/ 3 24:50 He's the guy audiences love to hate, and this year, he's earned a Tony Award nomination as the lying, sexist, bigot Franklin Hart, Jr. in ... He's the guy audiences love to hate, and this year, he's earned a Tony Award nomination as the lying, sexist, bigot Franklin Hart, Jr. in 9 to 5: The Musical. Marc Kudisch is any producer'snbsp; go-to guy for seductive bad guys; he's played the snake in Roundabout's revival of The Applenbsp; Tree, and the devil who turns three lonely women intonbsp; a trio of beautiful high flying witches in Signature Theatre's Witches of Eastwick. nbsp;This time, he's getting his comeuppance as the predatory boss in the Dolly Parton musicalized versionnbsp; of the popular 1980 movie. Joel Markowitz sat down with Marc Kudisch in his dressing room at the Marquis Theatrenbsp;after nbsp;the May 24th matinee performance, to talk about why he loves playing Franklin Hart, Jr. "One of the worst bosses on the face of the planet", the journey of the show from LA to Broadway, and working with Dolly Parton and how he handles the physical demands of getting hog-tied 8 times a week. Marc takes us through the evolution of the play from its first reads with Alice Ripley and Tracey Ullman on board, through the show's first production in LA. nbsp;"At first we were just putting the film on stage. There we discovered how to go beyond the film." nbsp;Marc nbsp;talks about his good friend composer Michael John LaChiusa, whose two musicals Giant and See What I Wanna See are playing at Signature Theatre now. Marc starred in See What I Wanna See in NYC and was involved in the first reading with Michael John and read the part that John Dossett plays in the SIgnature production. Which leads him to think about the significance of Signature Theatre winning the Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre this year on Signature's artistic director, Eric Schaeffer "He's brilliant!" and DC as a theatre town. "Signature may be the youngest theatre company to win this award. That's one hell of an accomplishment. DC is a great theatre scene. DC audiences are smart, and DC has the creative environment to nurture the works that NYC audiences will eventually see", he says. Marc is hopeful his next Broadway show will be a new adaptation of the Meredith Willson musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Now in development, he plays Johnny "Leadville" Brown to Kerry O'Malley's Molly. "I'll give him a little edge." he promises. Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/05/06/annie-halls-josh-lefkowitz-and-shirley-serotsky/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/05/06/annie-halls-josh-lefkowitz-and-shirley-serotsky/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 15:07:08 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=6199 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/05/06/annie-halls-josh-lefkowitz-and-shirley-serotsky/feed/ 2 34:09 Joel Markowitznbsp;interviews actor Josh Lefkowitz and director Shirley Serotsky about their collaboration on The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall, now playing at Theater J. Almost ... Joel Markowitznbsp;interviews actor Josh Lefkowitz and director Shirley Serotsky about their collaboration on The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall, now playing at Theater J. Almost a comedy routine in itself, this 30 minute interview shows what happens when you drop a talented monologist who is used to his 'solo space' into a show with other actors, give him a director who is also a close friend, then hand them the mic to talk about it. After reading the script, Josh felt he had to play the role of Henry. To win the lead in this world premiere, he first nbsp;set out to convince playwright Sam Forman. After seeing highlights from his two solo shows in NYC, Forman said "Dude! You're perfect!" Everyone watched Woody Allen films for bits for the show, while scenes with Henry's stoner writing partner (Matt Anderson)nbsp; required more local research, they told Joel. Shirley, who loves comedy but usually signs on for darker plays, enjoys that fact that The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall is a straight up comedy where the audience can relax and have a good time and the laugh lines "start coming at you right from the first scene." nbsp;Or as Josh puts it "They won't have to call their senator and ask for money for starving children ... or anything. I hope they laugh and tell their friends about it." As for working together and being friends, Josh compares the experience to August: Osage County. If that makes you go "Huh?', listen in. Interview photo by Joel Markowitz Feature photo by Stan Barouh Related: DCTS Review of The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall Features,,Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/04/17/walmartopia-3/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/04/17/walmartopia-3/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:44:47 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=5767 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/04/17/walmartopia-3/feed/ 0 17:54 As tech rehearsals began, Joel Markowitz sat down with husband and wifenbsp;team, Director Melissa Baughman and actor and Landless Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director Andrew ... As tech rehearsals began, Joel Markowitz sat down with husband and wifenbsp;team, Director Melissa Baughman and actor and Landless Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director Andrew Baughman to talk about their outrageous production of the Off-Broadway musical hit Walmartopia. Why did they choose this crazy show? Are they Walmart shoppers? How do you move a cast of 11 around the tiny DC Arts Center's performing space, and squeeze in a 4-piece band? And, how will thenbsp;cast perform choreographer Karissa Swanigan's energetic and high-kicking choreography without hurting eachnbsp;other? Local actresses Robin Rouse, who plays Vicki, and Janine Gulisano-Sunday, who plays Smiley Face, Jamie and Counselor James, talk about their first-time experiences being with the Landless crew, their roles, their local theatre experiences,nbsp;nbsp;and name their favorite song from the show. Related: DCTS review of Walmartopia Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/03/31/maureen-mcgovern/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/03/31/maureen-mcgovern/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:32:12 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=5324 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/03/31/maureen-mcgovern/feed/ 3 25:10 She is in hernbsp;37th year onstage as a folk singer, a cabaret star and musical theatre actress, and now Maureen McGovern is bringing her solo ... She is in hernbsp;37th year onstage as a folk singer, a cabaret star and musical theatre actress, and now Maureen McGovern is bringing her solo show A Long And Winding Road to Arena Stage in Crystal City, after workshops in Florida and Boston.nbsp; Maureen sat down with Joel Markowitz to talk about the songs she chose for the show.nbsp; "It's reminiscences from my life, but in tandem, it's universal reminisces from all thenbsp;Baby Boomers out there -nbsp; those of us born between 1946 and 1964 - and everyone else can take the ride with us. It's a verynbsp;powerful, funny, moving and ultimately life affirming piece..This is a coming home for me.. a full circle for me to go back and relive all those great songs that influenced me." As we listen to her sing, she tells us how songs like "The Times They Are A-Changin",nbsp; once a call to action for the 60's generation, and "Fire and Rain", which many related to the Viet Nam War, are still fresh and relevant today. And we couldn't leave without talking about her gorgeous romantic ballad "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." and many more from her personal songbook that will fill out the Long and Winding Road program. She touches on her stage career - Little Women, Pirates of Penzance, Three Penny Opera - then a story probably no one has ever heard about playing the crazy nun in the movie Airplane. A Long and Winding Road plays at Arena Stage in Crystal City thru April 12th. Click here for details, directions and tickets. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/03/22/from-crowns-e-faye-butler-and-zurin-villanueva/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/03/22/from-crowns-e-faye-butler-and-zurin-villanueva/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:52:50 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=5080 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/03/22/from-crowns-e-faye-butler-and-zurin-villanueva/feed/ 1 21:53 They've Got Hatitude! They've come from different times and places - E. Faye Butler, the Chicago born musicals star whose favorite roles include Caroline, or Change, ... They've Got Hatitude! They've come from different times and places - E. Faye Butler, the Chicago born musicals star whose favorite roles include Caroline, or Change, The Gospel According to Fishman, Saving Amy, and Polk County, and Zurin Villanueva, Brooklynite, Howard University student, and winner of Arena Stage's Finding Yolanda talent search.nbsp; In Crowns, E. Faye's character Mother Shaw and Zurin's Yolanda develop a deep bond which has spilled over into their personal lives, as you will hear here. Joel met them at Arenanbsp; costume shop and while those famous church ladies' hats were being created in the background, they talked about their characters, the story and songs from the shows (you'll hear some clips) , and, of course, about hats and having 'hatitude!'. 'Is this the same production of Crowns that we have seen before at Arena Stage?", Joel asked. E. Faye says that it is not.nbsp;"They built this show from the ground up... It's special because it's new. Molly (Smith)nbsp;took a piece that has been here before, added an elegance and has taken it a notch up, and has put an elegance and polished it up... It feels good. Itnbsp;feels new. It feels fresh". All photos by Scott Suchman Related:nbsp; DCTS coverage of Arena's casting call: Finding Yolanda Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/17/dantes-ben-cunis-and-paata-tsikurishvili/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/17/dantes-ben-cunis-and-paata-tsikurishvili/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:24:45 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=4080 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/17/dantes-ben-cunis-and-paata-tsikurishvili/feed/ 0 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/12/carole-shelley/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/12/carole-shelley/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:35:02 +0000 Richard Seff http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3983 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/12/carole-shelley/feed/ 0 21:06 An intimate conversation with Richard Seff Brought to America by Neil Simon as his original Gwendolyn Pigeon in The Odd Couple in 1965, the London actress ... An intimate conversation with Richard Seff Brought to America by Neil Simon as his original Gwendolyn Pigeon in The Odd Couple in 1965, the London actress fell in love with American theatre, and Broadway audiences have happily returned the favor ever since.nbsp; Her first musical,nbsp; Noel Coward's Sweet Potato, was far from her last. Most recently she has been featured in Cabaret, Wicked, and now Billy Elliot. Ms.nbsp; Shelley was starring in Absurd Person Singular on Broadwaynbsp;35 years ago when she was introduced to Richard Seff by her director Eric Thompson. A year later, Thompson cast her in The Norman Conquests in which Richard was a standby to Barry Nelson. Their paths have crossed several times since, and recently they did so again, in Carole's dressing room at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway where she is ensconced for the indefinite future as "Grandma" in the smash musical hit Billy Elliot. Their podcast is a laff-in as they chat about Carole's long and varied career as a very special actor-singer whose legs still look just fine in tights. "They're the last to go", says she, with a hearty laugh. This podcast was recorded by Joel Markowitz Related: Richard Seff's review of the Broadway version of Billy Elliot Richard Seff is author of Supporting Player: My Life Upon the Wicked Stage celebrating his lifetime on stage and behind the scenes, available through online booksellers, including Amazon.com. DCTS Podcasts featuring Richard Seff: Interview with Brian drsquo;Arcy James Interview with Chita Rivera Interviews with and about John Kander, With Complete Kander Richard Seff: A Lifetime on Broadway Click here Inside Broadway: A Return Visit with Richard Seff Listen here Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/03/cool-papas-maurice-hines-and-tom-jones/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/03/cool-papas-maurice-hines-and-tom-jones/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:12:19 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3836 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/02/03/cool-papas-maurice-hines-and-tom-jones/feed/ 4 18:29 Cool Papa's Party A conversation with choreographer Maurice Hines and writer/director Thomas W. Jones II by Joel Markowitz It was late, the end of a long evening rehearsal, ... Cool Papa's Party A conversation with choreographer Maurice Hines and writer/director Thomas W. Jones II by Joel Markowitz It was late, the end of a long evening rehearsal, and the cast of Cool Papa's Party had one more song in them - "Sho' Can Dance" which they recorded for us before quitting the stage, leaving just me, 12-time Helen Hayes Award-Winning writer and director Thomas W. Jones II, and the legendary dancer, director andnbsp;choreographer Maurice Hines. Like verbal tappers, Maurice and Tom crack each other up with storiesnbsp; about the history evoked by the show and putting this production together,nbsp; but what underscores their talk is the respect these artists hold for each other, their cast and those who have come before. Tom Jones who wrote as well as directed the piece says "Cool Papa's Party is to Sammy Davis Jr, as Dreamgirls is to Barry Gordy and the Supremes ... It's a tone poem - a love poem to annbsp;era that's gone, and the peoplenbsp;who shaped it... This show feels like it came through me, not from me."" Cool Papa's Party was already underway when Tom mentioned it to his friend Maurice Hines, who immediately offered to choreograph it.nbsp; "It just came out of my mouth, and I said, "I'll do it!" Maurice and his brother Gregory knew Sammy Davis Jr. "so it was easy for me to recreate the tap and jazz."nbsp; Maurice talks briefly about his early career, stretching back to the days at the Apollo with the young Sammy Davis, Jr. and on throughnbsp; "the golden years of Las Vegas" in the 50's which the show re-creates. "This show is perfect for me .... it's fanabulous!" Cool Papa's Party is onstage Feb 5 - March 15 at MetroStage, 1201 North Royal St, Alexandria, VA. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/29/shreks-brian-darcy-james/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/29/shreks-brian-darcy-james/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:30:13 +0000 Richard Seff http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3764 http://dctheatrescene.com/2009/01/29/shreks-brian-darcy-james/feed/ 1 24:36 Brian d'Arcy James Talks with Richard Seff Recorded by Joel Markowitz Sixteen years ago Richard Seff met Brian d'Arcy James when the two performed in Lend Me ... Brian d'Arcy James Talks with Richard Seff Recorded by Joel Markowitz Sixteen years ago Richard Seff met Brian d'Arcy James when the two performed in Lend Me AaTenor at the Players Theatre in Columbus, Ohio. A bond was formed, and Richard has watched Brian grow from the Bellboy in Tenor to Shreknbsp;The Ogrenbsp;in Shrek The Musical, now in its Broadway run. Here, they reminisce about some of the ups and downs of the seventeen years that havenbsp;lapsed since they met, nbsp;in a career that has included plays as well as musicals on the road, regionally and in stock,nbsp;to Titanic, The Sweet Smell of Success, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Shrek The Musical on Broadway. Some highlights:nbsp; those early Lend Me a Tenor days, workshopping today's musicals, James as an unusual choice to play Shrek, and finding Shrek's voice. Shrek:The Musical is at the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, NYC. Related: Brian d'Arcy James sings 'Who I'd Be' from Shrek on the Today Show (video) Richard Seff's review of Shrek Richard Seff is author of Supporting Player: My Life Upon the Wicked Stage , celebrating his lifetime on stage and behind the scenes, available through online booksellers, including Amazon.com. Other DCTS Podcasts featuring Richard Seff: Interviews with and about John Kander, With Complete Kander Richard Seff: A Lifetime on Broadway Click here Inside Broadway: A Return Visit with Richard Seff Listen here. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/12/21/alice-ripley-in-next-to-normal/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/12/21/alice-ripley-in-next-to-normal/#comments Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:21:10 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=3385 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/12/21/alice-ripley-in-next-to-normal/feed/ 10 25:11 Interviewed by Joel Markowitz Joel Markowitz sat down with Alice Ripley in her dressing room at Arena Stage prior to the December 16th evening performance of ... Interviewed by Joel Markowitz Joel Markowitz sat down with Alice Ripley in her dressing room at Arena Stage prior to the December 16th evening performance of Next To Normal. They discussed her role as Diana, the changes that were made for the Arena Stage production, the "Costco" song and "I Miss The Mountains," working with Brian d'Arcy James in the NY show " ... what every leading lady wishes. You could just stand and watch him sing to you every night. It's a really wonderful thing.", her NYC cast now at Arena Stage and new cast members Louis Hobson and J. Robert Spencer ""...He is so tall like a pine tree-something that shields you from the elements, something you can lean on...he has a great rock voice. He's different from Brian in every way, and that's why it works.",nbsp; her theatre career, and great advice that the late Robert Prosky gave her when she met him working on Shakespeare in Hollywood at Arena Stage. DC theatregoers have seen some of Alice's best work on our local stages. Alice was nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards in 2003 for her performances of "manic" Amy in Company, at the Sondheim Festival, and as Emma in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tell Me On A Sunday, both at the Kennedy Center. The following year, in 2004, she was nominated for her performance as Lydia Lansing in Arena Stage's production of Shakespeare in Hollywood. But it's Alice Ripley's mesmerizing performance of Diana Goodman in Arena Stage's powerful production of Next To Normal, that has the local critics raving. Joel has been an Alice Ripley fan since he saw her play the roles of Mrs. Walker in the Who's Tommy, Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard,nbsp; and Fantine in Les Miserables on Broadway.nbsp; But, after seeing her "joint" Tony Award nominated performance as Violet Hilton (with Emily Skinner) in Side Show, Joel turned into an Alice Ripley groupie. Joel returned to NYC to catch her performances of Molly Ivors in The Dead and Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, as well as attend many concerts where Alice appeared. His love and respect for Alice Ripley shines in this podcast. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/12/03/hairspray-philly-style/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/12/03/hairspray-philly-style/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:36:06 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2931 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/12/03/hairspray-philly-style/feed/ 0 17:06 Interviews with Amy Toporek (Tracy Turnblad) and Michael Walker (Edna Turnblad) by Joel Markowitz Thanks to the management of the beautiful Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia for ... Interviews with Amy Toporek (Tracy Turnblad) and Michael Walker (Edna Turnblad) by Joel Markowitz Thanks to the management of the beautiful Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia for arranging for me to meet the two stars of Hairspray. Part 1 - A podcast with Amy Toporek It's been an exciting journey from Edison, New Jersey for 24 year old Amy Toporek, from playing Grandma Tseitel in a camp production of Fiddler on the Roof, to the Shabbatones, to auditioning and finally nabbingnbsp;the role of the spunky, zaftig dancing sensation Tracy Turnbladnbsp; in the National tour of Hairspray. Amy talks about playing Tracy in the newly re-conceived production of the Tony Award winning musical now playing at the Walnut Street Theatre, her obsession with Broadway tunes,nbsp;the frustration of coming so close to getting the role of her dreams and how a broken ankle gave her the biggest break ofnbsp;her professional career. With Hairspray's themes of integration and civil rights permeating the Walnut Street Theatre on the first night of previews - which was also election night- Amy describes what it was like backstage and the cast's response when they learned Barack Obama won and how the showstopping numbernbsp;"I Know Where I've Been" has extra meaning for her now." All of a sudden we heard screams coming fromnbsp;downstairs and wenbsp;stopped, and we all cheered and everyone was crying.And then we went downstairs and watched his acceptance speech in the green room, and again more crying..and we changed the lyrics to "Welcome to the 60's" to "Obama! Welcome to the White House!" How is she handling the demanding role of the teenager who is onstage for the entire 2 plus hours of the show? "The hardest dance number is You Can't Stop The Beat, Those dances created by choreographer Mary Jane Houdina are very intense to get through..a lot of Ponys, The Boston, the Madison and jerks. It's even more than the (national) tour." "I'm still really new with the acting business, but I seem to be fitting in so far, and I'm really enjoying every second of it, and I really can't see my self not singing and not performing for the rest of my life. Singing is the thingnbsp;I think about in the morning nbsp;when I wake up, andnbsp;I sing myself to sleep sometimes.. I just want to sing forever." Listen to the podcast here. Part 2 - An interview with Michael Walker I caught up with the very funny and adorable Michael Walker in the green room after the Saturday night performance and asked him to talk about playing Edna - the Turnblad Matriarch. Joel: You played Edna recently at the Warner Theatre. Brad Hathaway in Potomac Stages said this about your performance: "Michael Walker was in as the mother, and he was having such fun it was infectious. He makes the emphatic line "For Me!" in the opening number of the second act seem like an Ethel Merman moment, and his work on the charm song of the show, the duet "(You're) Timeless to Me" with Dan Ferretti as the love of her life is delightful." Michael: I HOPE it was infectious. nbsp;This show has the ability to really carry you along and it's very easy to get swept away by it. I know I do every time I step out onto the stage. nbsp;The show is so much fun to do, It's not work. nbsp;Dan Ferretti will always be one of my favorite actors to share the stage with. nbsp;He is extremely talented, loving, and a very kind soul. Joel: How many times did you go on as Edna when you were at the Warner Theatre? Michael: I was on in DC as Edna a total of 6 times.nbsp;(Note: Greg London played Edna on opening night. See Tim Treanor's review of that opening night): Joel: How were the audiences in DC? Michael: The audiences in DC were AMAZING!! nbsp;First of all, the Warner theatre is an incredibly beautiful space to perform in. nbsp;Everyone there treated us like royalty. nbsp;And every night when the show was over, the audience was on their feet dancing and singing... Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/25/faith-prince-and-richard-thomas/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/25/faith-prince-and-richard-thomas/#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:48:23 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2854 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/25/faith-prince-and-richard-thomas/feed/ 4 17:50 The two actors talk about Terrence McNally's new play Unusual Acts of Devotion by Joel Markowitz It was closing weekend of a play which Broadway stars Faith ... The two actors talk about Terrence McNally's new play Unusual Acts of Devotion by Joel Markowitz It was closing weekend of a play which Broadway stars Faith Prince and Richard Thomas have both opened and continued working on during its five week premiere at the Philadelphia Theatre Company. You can feel their deep friendship for each other in this backstage interview with Joel Markowitz. Faith and Joel kibbitz about her musical career and then she talks about playing Aggie in A Catered Affair and Josie - thenbsp;hardnbsp;drinking, tough-as-nails former teacher who is hiding manynbsp;secrets and yearnings in Unusual Acts. "They are both extremely different women. Aggie was in a world where she believed her dreams could come true but she missed the mark.Going from one extreme to the other. That's one of the reasons I did it. I wanted something so different from A Catered Affair." Richard chimes in on his character Chick, a kindhearted, loving, hurting tour guidenbsp;whose has never fully recovered emotionally since his lover killed himself by jumping off the roof. He has a hidden love andnbsp;must act on it or be doomed to loneliness forever. Washington audiences have had the pleasure of the company of these fine performers. Richard recently appeared in the one-man show Blanche and Beyond and will be part of the ensemble of Jason Robert Brown's The Trumpet of The Swan on Dec 4-6th, both at The Kennedy Center. Faith recalls hernbsp;DC stint in the musicals The Dead and Carousel, also at The Kennedy Center, and her recent concert at the Barns at Wolf Trap. Why does Richard think of himself as a McNally Actor? "His voice is always in my ear..It seems to sit easily in my psyche..we have an affinity. Terrence writes for an actor (like me) nbsp;who (work) is on the "large side." Faith agrees about McNally's works: "his characters are as wide as boisterous as they are deep." Richard compares McNally to his work with Tennessee Williams' plays: "Tennessee Williams is a similar writer to Terrence. Their feet are planted in the world in the issues of human emotions, but their language is very poetic and very beautiful. Tennesee's letters are easy to play.. They are like plays. They are meant to be spoken out loud." The run of Unusual Acts of Devotion has ended its five week run in Philadelphia. Here's what they hope the audiences found in the play: Faith: "Realize that life is short and what you say and mean is important."Richard: "The sense of having been entertained and moved and being emotionally involved.. Go home and perform an unusual act of devotion." Even though the show has closed and those not lucky enough to have seen it will have to wait for another production, those are good sentiments to keep in mind during the holiday season. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/21/kimberly-gilbert/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/21/kimberly-gilbert/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:28:54 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2800 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/21/kimberly-gilbert/feed/ 1 14:24 An interview with actress Kimberly Gilbert appearing in Woolly Mammoth's production of Boom by Joel Markowitz Boom, the three actor Peter Sinn Nochtrieb comedy, shifts into high ... An interview with actress Kimberly Gilbert appearing in Woolly Mammoth's production of Boom by Joel Markowitz Boom, the three actor Peter Sinn Nochtrieb comedy, shifts into high gear with the performance of Kimberly Gilbert. Here she takes us into the world of her character Jo - an angry woman who would definitely not be a good candidate for an anger management class, and talks about playing opposite her real-life roommate Aubrey Deeker, and being in a play with the hysterical Sarah Marshall. Playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb sat in on some of director John Vreeke's rehearsals. His response to the finished product? "He loved our portrayals. It blew his mind a bit .. the other production was done minimalist, but we really blew the top off (of the play.")nbsp; No kidding - the play has Ms. Marshall on kettle drums, and collapsing set pieces. She's had memorable roles as a company member of Woolly Mammoth: Cooking with Elvis, Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis, Measure for Pleasure, and The K of D. But she's got a passion for Shakespeare, and gets to play that out in clubs and bars with the always adventurous Taffety Punk. You might come away from Boom thinking about The Big Questions - who are we? why are we here? - or "you might just have a good time. We're here to entertain you." The Woolly Mammoth Company's production of Boom plays through December 7th. Our review of Boom Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/15/andrew-baughman-as-president-harding/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/15/andrew-baughman-as-president-harding/#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:04:02 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2715 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/15/andrew-baughman-as-president-harding/feed/ 4 12:56 an interview with the star of President Harding Is a Rock Star -nbsp; Andrew Baughman By Joel Markowitz Joel Markowitz had a presidential visit from Warren G. ... an interview with the star of President Harding Is a Rock Star -nbsp; Andrew Baughman By Joel Markowitz Joel Markowitz had a presidential visit from Warren G. Harding - that is - Andrew Baughman who plays the 29th President in Landless Theatre Company's off-the-wall production of Kyle Jarrow's President Harding Is a Rock Star. You'll hear some clips from the show as Andrew tells us about how helpful Gov. Sarah Palin was to his interpretation of the rock star president. Josh Speerstra, he tells us, is the real rock star of the show. The lead guitarist not only gave the musical its first orchestrations, he also wrote an original song for the show, and is front and center for all the action. "He's the Eddie Van Halen of the piece ... he's my rock star soul." Andrew and director Melissa Baughman had no trouble finding women to handle the female vocals. "There were 10 ladies lined up across the stage. All 10 of them sang so well that I almost just wanted to sell ticketsnbsp;to the audition." It was Richelle Howie who won the plum role of Florence Harding and you'll understand why when you listen to her sing lsquo;Sad Eyes'. Andrew is busy performing in this show and getting ready for Landless Theatre's Christmas specials, yet he found time to compose a special songnbsp; for DCTS, lsquo;Joel Markowitz', which he plays for us on his Yamaha Keytar, an instrument, he admits, is "the lamest of all rock instruments." There's still time to rock on over to DCAC to catch the show. It runs through Nov 30th, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30, with matinees the 23rd and 30th. DCTS review of President Harding Is a Rock Star Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/03/mark-jacoby/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/03/mark-jacoby/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:44:53 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2578 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/11/03/mark-jacoby/feed/ 2 20:23 A Chat with Mark Jacoby Interviewed by Joel Markowitz Joel Markowitz is a big fan of musical star Mark Jacoby, and was thrilled to sitnbsp;down with him ... A Chat with Mark Jacoby Interviewed by Joel Markowitz Joel Markowitz is a big fan of musical star Mark Jacoby, and was thrilled to sitnbsp;down with him Saturday, October 17thnbsp;before the evening performance of State Fair at The Walnut Street Theatre, where Mark wasnbsp;playing the role of Abel Frake. "It came out of the blue and it's not a kind of role I have played before...overalls and farmer innbsp;Iowa. I spent a lot of my youth in the Midwest, and I knew a lot of farmers, so I am drawing on that, that sense of the heartland. Joel has seen many of Mark's most memorable roles: as the Father in the original Broadway cast of Ragtime, as Gaylord Ravenal in the 1994 revival of Showboat, as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, the Padre innbsp;the revival of Man of La Mancha, and as Judge Turpin in John Doyle's orchestra pitless production of Sweeney Todd, where Mark played trumpet and orchestra bells. They talk about them all, and his most recent appearance in the Washington area as The Mayor in Signature Theatre's production of John Kander and Fred Ebb's The Visit. "It's probably one of the most unusual love stories with one of the unusual plot lines you'll ever see, but there's no question that it's a love story. nbsp;It's a love story between two people whonbsp;are no longer young, and you don't get to seenbsp;a true passionate romance between two elderly peoplenbsp;carry a show." Will we ever see mega-musicals like Showboat and Ragtime again? "With Showboat, we had over 70 people in it. It was Ziegfeldian in its grandeur...It was hideously expensive, and I don't know if they would have sold out every seat at full price if the show could have ever been profitable, so how that could be done in thenbsp;commercial theatre again, I don't know. Perhaps in an opera company or anbsp;not-for-profit situation you couldnbsp;do it." Finally, this musical theatre star reveals the one role he is longing to play. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/27/meet-the-altar-boyz/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/27/meet-the-altar-boyz/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:18:27 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2498 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/27/meet-the-altar-boyz/feed/ 0 18:19 LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYZ! Joel Markowitz interviews the cast of Altar Boyz Joel Markowitz had a heavenlynbsp;time schmoozing with five talented young singers, actors and ... LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYZ! Joel Markowitz interviews the cast of Altar Boyz Joel Markowitz had a heavenlynbsp;time schmoozing with five talented young singers, actors and dancers who arenbsp;burning up the Bethesda Theatre Stage, listening to confessions, andnbsp;saving the souls of it's wildly applauding audiences. Listen as Jared Zirilli (Matthew), David R. Gordon (Abraham), Patrick Elliott (Mark), Travis Morin (Luke) and Michael Busillo (Juan) talk about their journeys - from theirnbsp; early lovenbsp;for the theatre, to their theatre training andnbsp;performances,nbsp;to auditioning and now becomingnbsp;the Altar Boyz. Find out who really was an altar boy, who traveled to Europe to perform innbsp;a German production of Grease, who is a Catholic University graduate who starred in this year'snbsp;Round House Theatre production of Lord of the Flies, and who starred as Mr. Mayor in Seussical . Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/22/kate-eastwood-norris/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/22/kate-eastwood-norris/#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:14:20 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2440 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/22/kate-eastwood-norris/feed/ 1 18:16 Kate Eastwood Norris appearing in Tom Stoppard'snbsp;Rock lsquo;N Roll at the Wilma, Philadelphia interviewed by Joel Markowitz In his recent visit to Philadelphia, Joel Markowitz caught up with ... Kate Eastwood Norris appearing in Tom Stoppard'snbsp;Rock lsquo;N Roll at the Wilma, Philadelphia interviewed by Joel Markowitz In his recent visit to Philadelphia, Joel Markowitz caught up with Kate Eastwood Norris, the Helen Hayes Award winning actress whom Washington audiences have seen regularly in productions at Folger, Round House, and most recently at Woolly Mammoth.Kate married actor Cody Nickell this summer and is in the process of moving to New York. She would be there already, she tells us, but along came the chance to play two roles in Tom Stoppard'snbsp;Rock lsquo;N Roll while Cody appeared in Shakespeare Theatre'snbsp;Romeo and Juliet. Here she takes us through finding her two very different characters innbsp;Rock lsquo;N Roll, the makeup which helps her transform into Eleanor, a woman nbsp;in the terminal stage of breast cancer, and connecting to Esme, Eleanor's daughter, by listening to Pink Floyd, music both Esme and Kate like. nbsp;nbsp;"No matter of how tired I am of crying, which I have to do every day, I still want to go to work and I'll feel really sad when this one is over.." The show closes October 26th. Kate loves working in the Philadelphia theatre community because of the care they take of the performer, the friendships and really great artists' housing . "They are so nice to me and to everybody ". nbsp;If Philly were a character, she muses, they would be the cool uncle or aunt with maybe a scruffy past. Kate is probably best known for playing Shakespeare. This is her first Stoppard play. nbsp;How does Stoppard's language compare? nbsp;Joel asked this actor/writer. nbsp;And which role does she most want to play? And why take the risk of moving to New York when her career is so stable in Washington? "Inbsp;get really bored staying in one place and I love to travel, and the anonymity of being an actressnbsp; nobody necessarily knows in a very difficult role, is kinda helpful. It's so free to work with people I haven't worked with, and to go to places I have never been...." It was her dual roles as Kay Fine and Jayne Summerhouse in Woolly Mammoth's hystericalnbsp;She Stoops to Comedy which both won her the Helen Hayes Award and brought her to the attention of Philadelphia directors.nbsp; After rave reviews for her dual roles innbsp;Rock lsquo;N Roll, doubtlessly more east coast directors will be considering her. Fortunately, she has been named a Woolly Mammoth company member. Which means she'll be back in Washington.nbsp; Hopefully soon. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/20/erin-driscoll-2/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/20/erin-driscoll-2/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:18:40 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2414 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/20/erin-driscoll-2/feed/ 2 12:31 Talking with Erin Driscoll performing in the Philadelphia production of Leonard Bernstein'snbsp;Candidenbsp; interviewed by Joel Markowitznbsp; Busy DC actress Erin Driscoll left town two years ago for ... Talking with Erin Driscoll performing in the Philadelphia production of Leonard Bernstein'snbsp;Candidenbsp; interviewed by Joel Markowitznbsp; Busy DC actress Erin Driscoll left town two years ago for New York. We were excited to have a chance to talk with hernbsp;in one of the final performances of that fabulous production of Candidenbsp;at the Arden in Philadelphia. This locally trained actress took DC area theatre audiences by storm with her Helen Hayes Award winning performance as Hope Cladwell innbsp;Urinetown-The Musical, nbsp;let hernbsp;hair down as a very manic Rapunzel innbsp;Into The Woods, and played Marta, the suffering wife innbsp;Kiss of The Spider Woman,nbsp;allnbsp;at Signature. nbsp;Other Washington theatres fell in love with her glorious voice. Who can forget her lovelynbsp;Cinderellanbsp;at Olney Theatre Center, and her adorable mousenbsp;innbsp;Anbsp;Year with Frog and Toadnbsp;at Round House Theatre?nbsp; Now red-headed and what the critics describe as "deliciouslynbsp;sultry",nbsp;Erin tells Joel Markowitz nbsp;nbsp;"I have a feeling that some of my DC contacts helped me get here... Paquette is a red-headed wench. I usually don't get to play those kinds of roles. I usually play the ingenue...It's been a lot of fun to switch gears." nbsp; After singing many Sondheim scores, is Leonard Bernstein's score as or more difficult to sing? nbsp; "Inbsp;find Sondheim rhythmically challenging... it's fast paced and a lot of words..but with Bernstein, vocally you have to have a lot of operatic chops to get through..." nbsp; And a role she hasn't played but would "kill" for? nbsp; nbsp;Listen to find out. Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/12/citizen-josh-kornbluth/ http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/12/citizen-josh-kornbluth/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:44:44 +0000 Joel Markowitz http://dctheatrescene.com/?p=2289 http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/10/12/citizen-josh-kornbluth/feed/ 0 17:00 Josh Kornbluthnbsp;talking about his latest solo shownbsp;Citizen Joshnbsp; interviewed by Joel Markowitznbsp; Monologist Josh Kornbluth (Haiku Tunnel, Love and Taxes) has returned to Arena Stage with ... Josh Kornbluthnbsp;talking about his latest solo shownbsp;Citizen Joshnbsp; interviewed by Joel Markowitznbsp; Monologist Josh Kornbluth (Haiku Tunnel, Love and Taxes) has returned to Arena Stage with his newest solo show, Citizen Josh,in which he ponders the meaning of democracy and how he (and we) can become better citizens. Democracy begins with conversation, Kornbluth decides, and who better to have a conversation with than DCTS' Joel Markowitz? Kornbluth is by nature a disarming, inquisitive man with a gentle sense of humor who speaks with the cadence of his New York Jewish roots. His parents, active members of the Communist Party, "told me I'd leadnbsp;the Communist Revolution, and as you can tell, it hasn't happened ... My father was so full of life and he had the vision of a world where people loved each othernbsp;and it was like our own hippie universe...When I tell these stories, I find that I am connecting to that loving place in people... I pick things that are super meaningful to me - In this case - democracy." Being fans of Kornbluth's serial monologues means we get to check in regularly with this fellow human on our common journey through life. The question, lsquo;why democracy', lsquo;why now during these pre-election weeks', almost answers itself, but Kornbluth gives it a go. "The show started from the frustration from the last election when my guy didn't win. It was the ideanbsp; of.. is this all I am doing to help my country ... voting every four years?.nbsp;Was I doing enough to make our democracy flourish?nbsp;How do I become a better citizen? ...The issues that drove it home to me are global warming, and the enormous debt and the instability that my generation now is leaving fornbsp;future generations." If you have been going to Arena Stage lately, you've seen Kornbluth's director and collaborator, David Dower, wearing his signature grey zip-up sweater, greeting audiences and spreading his glee and goodwill. What you may not have known is that Dower is a well-loved member of the Berkeley, CA theatre community and Kornbluth gives great insight into his friend and valued collaborator. After the shows, Kornbluth and Dower hold up a mirror to the audience, sharing results of pre-show surveys and leading talk back sessions about democracy. In this discussion he tells us what he's learned so far about Washington audiences. Other links: Our review ofnbsp;Citizen Josh Josh Kornbluth's website Arena Stage's Sub-Text Our,Podcasts DC Theatre Scene no No