Theatre Schmooze columnist Joel Markowitz blogs about the New York theatre scene.
SPRING THEATRE WEEKEND MARATHON
MARCH 28-30
Hosted by Joel Markowitz
SEE NEW YORK SHOWS IN A WHOLE NEW WAY
– No one knows New York, its theatre scene and restaurants like DCTS columnist Joel Markowitz. And he is inviting you to a show-filled spring weekend that includes great seats to 5 shows, cast meet and greets, dinner discussions, a Sunday jazz brunch, and more, all within easy walking from the Rado City Apartments in the heart of the theatre district.
The shows –
- Sunday In The Park With George
- South Pacific
- In The Heights
- Cry Baby
- A Catered Affair
Don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy New York theatre in a whole new way.
For more information call Joel Markowitz at (703) 447-8805.
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USHERS THEATRE TRIP Nov 9-11, 2007
WHAT THEY SAW. WHAT THEY LIKED.
This weekend, Joel Markowitz and 21 Washingtonians went to NYC on the big Ushers theatre weekend. Each night Joel and a few of his guests recorded their impressions of what they saw.
We start with Friday night, Nov 9th
Doug Poms and Rosalind Lacy join Joel to talk about The Little Mermaid and The Farnsworth Invention
Listen here
Saturday afternoon
Rosalind Lacy and Joel differ on Radio City’s extravaganza, and discuss Glorious Ones and Frankenstein The Musical
Listen here.
Saturday
(not shown: The Receptionist and The Screwtape Letters)
Steve McNight recaps his week of shows
Listen here.
Sunday, the last day
Doug Poms, and Joel are joined by New Yorker Jay Poyerd as they talk about the last shows, and pick the most outstanding, and most disappointing shows of the weekend.
Listen here.
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The Coast of Utopia: Voyage____________________________________________________________It’s a 5 Musicals Weekend!
A bite of the big apple
From their weekend New York trip, Joel Markowitz, Debbie Minter Jackson and Gary McMillan give us a nightly review of some of the hottest shows on Broadway and Joel captures Stagedoor greetings.
Sunday, April 22nd In the Heights
It’s Sunday, Day 3, and Joel and Debbie have just seen the hit Off-Broadway show In the Heights. Listen in on their cab ride back to Broadway while they discuss the experience. “Vibrant!.” “It’s about getting away … and coming back to the block.” “Stunning choreography. Plenty of salsa. Arriba! Listen in here.
In the Heights actors send their greetings:
Andrea Burns (Daniela), Tony Falcon (Domingo), Janet Dacal (Carla), John Herrera (Kevin), and Nina Lafarga (Ensemble) Click here to listen.
Company
Gary McMillan has just seen his pick for the best of Broadway this year! It’s the simple but brilliantly conceived and staged Company, Barbara Walsh stopped the show with ‘Here’s to the Ladies Who Lunch.’ The usually unflappable Gary declared Raul Esparza’s performance “Astounding”, He and Joel agree Raul deserves to win the Tony. Listen in here.
Sunday evening, April 22nd: Spring Awakening
Joel’s marathon theatre weekend concluded with the one show almost guaranteed to get mixed reactions – Spring Awakening. Gary acknowledges that the audience went wild after every scene, but it just wasn’t for him. Debbie, who enjoyed the work of choreographer Bill T. Jones, found the stoic 19th century story juxtaposed with in-your-face rock music challenging. Joel, who has loved the show since before its transfer to Broadway, says it might take several listens to understand its brilliance. Listen in to hear what it’s like when they disagree.
Stagedoor greetings from: Skylar Astin (Georg) and Lauren Pritchard (Ilse), Director Michael Mayer (Director), Lilli Cooper (Martha), Brian Charles Johnson (Otto), Phoebe Strole (Anna), and Robert Hager (Understudy for Georg) Click here to listen.
The Final Number
It’s the big wrapup, their 11 o’clock song recorded after midnight Sunday night. So how did it all end? What were their favorite memories of the 6 New York musicals they covered for us this weekend?
For Debbie, it was Audra McDonald in 110 in the Shade, and the young cast of In the Heights. Gary tipped his cap to the standout performances by the ladies, and Joel did the same for his favorite men. Time for the final applause. Listen in here.