Get Your Tickets To The 2008 Radio City Christmas Spectacular Thru Applause Theatre Service

"Christmas is coming. The goose is getting fat. Please to put a penny in an old man's hat. Please to put a penny in and old man's hat".Yes I know Christmas is still eight months away. But it's never too early to make your holiday plans right? Ever since tickets went on sale our phones have been ringing off the hook from travel agents and regular people alike eager to purchase tickets to this holiday favorite. So what are you waiting for? December 25th will be here before you know it.So don't delay. Get your tickets now to the 2008 Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced

Nominations for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced on April 28 at the New York Friars Club. A Catered Affair earned the most nominations with 12. The Drama Desk is an organization of theatre critics, writers and editors that honors excellence in all areas of New York theatre: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway and not-for-profit.

The following awards were voted by the nominating committee and will be presented by the Drama Desk at its awards ceremony:

Outstanding Ensemble Performances:
The Dining Room
The Homecoming

Special Awards:
Edward Albee in his 80th year, "whose provocative plays, including this season's Peter and Jerry, enrich the American theater."

James Earl Jones, a "commanding force on the stage for nearly half a century."

59E59 Theaters, whose "imaginative curatorial vision has created a stimulating environment to nurture a diverse range of artists."

Playwrights Horizons for "ongoing support to generations of theater artists and undiminished commitment to producing new work."

Nominees for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards are as follows:

Outstanding Play:
Alan Ayckbourn, Intimate Exchanges
Rinde Eckert, Horizon
Liz Flahive, From Up Here
Horton Foote, Dividing the Estate
Tracy Letts, August: Osage County
Tom Stoppard, Rock ’n’ Roll

Outstanding Musical:
A Catered Affair
Adding Machine
Passing Strange
The Glorious Ones
The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Xanadu

Outstanding Revival of a Play:
Boeing-Boeing
Happy Days
Macbeth
The Country Girl
The Dining Room
The Return of the Prodigal

Outstanding Revival of a Musical:
Black Nativity
Gypsy
South Pacific
Sunday in the Park with George
Take Me Along

Outstanding Revue:
Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening
Fugitive Songs
Make Me a Song

Outstanding Actor in a Play:
Bill Champion, Intimate Exchanges
Kevin Kline, Cyrano de Bergerac
Bill Pullman, Peter and Jerry
Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing
Tobias Segal, From Up Here
Rufus Sewell, Rock 'n' Roll

Outstanding Actress in a Play:
Sinead Cusack, Rock 'n' Roll
Deanna Dunagan, August: Osage County
Frances McDormand, The Country Girl
Amy Morton, August: Osage County
Fiona Shaw, Happy Days
Julie White, From Up Here

Outstanding Actor in a Musical:
Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange
André De Shields, Black Nativity
Daniel Evans, Sunday in the Park with George
Cheyenne Jackson, Xanadu
Matthew Morrison, 10 Million Miles
Paulo Szot, South Pacific

Outstanding Actress in a Musical:
Sierra Boggess, The Little Mermaid
Patti LuPone, Gypsy
Kelli O’Hara, South Pacific
Faith Prince, A Catered Affair
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Jenna Russell, Sunday in the Park with George

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play:
John Cullum, The Conscientious Objector
Conleth Hill, The Seafarer
Francis Jue, Yellow Face
Arian Moayed, Masked
Jeff Perry, August: Osage County
Michael T. Weiss, Scarcity

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play:
Elizabeth Ashley, Dividing the Estate
Johanna Day, Peter and Jerry
Zoe Kazan, 100 Saints You Should Know
Linda Lavin, The New Century
Rondi Reed, August: Osage County
Marisa Tomei, Top Girls

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:
Danny Burstein, South Pacific
Christopher Fitzgerald, Young Frankenstein
Boyd Gaines, Gypsy
Shuler Hensley, Young Frankenstein
Bobby Steggert, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Tom Wopat, A Catered Affair

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical:
Laura Benanti, Gypsy
Leslie Kritzer, A Catered Affair
Andrea Martin, Young Frankenstein
Mary Testa, Xanadu
Amy Warren, Adding Machine
Mare Winningham, 10 Million Miles

Outstanding Director of a Play:
David Schweizer, Horizon
Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
Leigh Silverman, From Up Here
Jonathan Silverstein, The Dining Room
Matthew Warchus, Boeing-Boeing
Deborah Warner, Happy Days

Outstanding Director of a Musical:
Christopher Ashley, Xanadu
Sam Buntrock, Sunday in the Park with George
David Cromer, Adding Machine
John Doyle, A Catered Affair
Bob McGrath, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Bartlett Sher, South Pacific

Outstanding Choreography:
Karole Armitage, Passing Strange
Rob Ashford, Cry-Baby The Musical
Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider, Traces
Dan Knechtges, Xanadu
Peter Pucci, Queens Boulevard (the musical)
Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein
Outstanding Music:
John Bucchino, A Catered Affair
Stephen Flaherty, The Glorious Ones
Tom Kitt, Next to Normal
Mark Mulcahy, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Joshua Schmidt, Adding Machine
Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Passing Strange

Outstanding Lyrics:
Lynn Ahrens, The Glorious Ones
Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein
John Bucchino, A Catered Affair
Ben Katchor, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt, Adding Machine
Stew, Passing Strange

Outstanding Book of a Musical:
Douglas Carter Beane, Xanadu
Harvey Fierstein, A Catered Affair
Ben Katchor, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt, Adding Machine
Stew, Passing Strange
Eric H. Weinberger, Wanda's World

Outstanding Orchestrations:
Doug Besterman, Young Frankenstein
Jason Carr, Sunday in the Park with George
Michael Starobin, The Glorious Ones
Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Passing Strange
Jonathan Tunick, A Catered Affair
Tim Weil, 10 Million Miles

Outstanding Set Design of a Play:
Beowulf Boritt, Spain
Scott Bradley, Eurydice
David Korins, Hunting and Gathering
Santo Loquasto, Trumpery
Scott Pask, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Clint Ramos, The Return of the Prodigal

Outstanding Set Design of a Musical:
David Gallo, A Catered Affair
Takeshi Kata, Adding Machine
Derek McLane, 10 Million Miles
George Tsypin, The Little Mermaid
Robin Wagner, Young Frankenstein
Michael Yeargan, South Pacific

Outstanding Costume Design:
Mara Blumenfeld, The Glorious Ones
Michael Bottari and Ronald Case, Jessica Jahn, Die Mommie Die!
Ann Hould-Ward, A Catered Affair
Ana Kuzmanic, August: Osage County
Katrina Lindsay, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
William Ivey Long, Young Frankenstein

Outstanding Lighting Design:
Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
Ken Billington, Sunday in the Park with George
Maruti Evans, Slaughterhouse-Five
Donald Holder, South Pacific
Natasha Katz, The Little Mermaid
Keith Parham, Adding Machine

Outstanding Sound Design:
Adam Cork, Macbeth
Jorge Cousineau, Opus
Joseph Fosco, The Conversation
Scott Lehrer, South Pacific
Mic Pool, The 39 Steps
Tony Smolenski IV, Adding Machine

Outstanding Solo Performance:
Kris Andersson, Dixie's Tupperware Party
Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
Stephen Lang, Beyond Glory
April Yvette Thompson, Liberty City

Outstanding Projection and Video Design:
Paul Barritt, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Timothy Bird and The Knifedge Creative Network, Sunday in the Park with George
Zachary Borovay, A Catered Affair
Jim Findlay and Jeff Sugg, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island
Lorna Heavey, Macbeth
Tal Yarden, The Misanthrope

Unique Theatrical Experience:
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Cut to the Chase
Fabrik – The Legend of M. Rabinowitz
The 39 Steps
Traces

Shows with multiple nominations:
A Catered Affair, 12
Adding Machine, 9
Young Frankenstein, 8
South Pacific, 8
August: Osage County, 7
Passing Strange, 7
Sunday in the Park with George, 7
The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island, 7
Xanadu, 6
The Glorious Ones, 5
10 Million Miles, 4
From Up Here, 4
Gypsy, 4
Boeing-Boeing, 3
Happy Days, 3
Macbeth, 3
Rock 'n' Roll, 3
The 39 Steps, 3
The Dining Room, 3
The Little Mermaid, 3
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, 2
Black Nativity, 2
Dividing the Estate, 2
Horizon, 2
Intimate Exchanges, 2
Les Liaisons Dangereuses, 2
Peter and Jerry, 2
Next to Normal, 2

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Boeing Boeing's All Set To "Takeoff" on Broadway says Applause Theatre Service's Rich Gladstone

Well my friends, it's been a wild week in the ticket business for me and the staff at Applause Theatre Service in New York City. We were invited to 6 shows this past week and only had 5 nights to do it in. So I skipped seeing A Catered Affair and hope they will invite us again sometime soon. Seeing all the new Broadway shows can help us legit ticket brokers really get the "skinny" on what's happening in the Broadway Theater.

Last night my wife Celeste and I were invited to Boeing Boeing at the Longacre Theater in New York City. And right from "takeoff", this 1960's comedy revival aims to please my friends. I wanted to see the show when I heard it was going to play Broadway because it had Bradley Whitford and Christine Baranski playing in the show.

You may not realize this but Boeing Boeing did very well in London in the 1960's yet only played to a handful of audiences on Broadway in 1965. This time around I believe Boeing Boeing will be playing a very long run and please allow me to tell you why.

Boeing Boeing is a very cute and extremely funny story about an architect living in Paris who for quite some time has been juggling relationships with 3 gorgeous flight attendants that are all his "fiances". The play was written by Marc Camoletti, the author of more than 40 plays during his lifetime. Matthew Warchus does a superb job directing this comedy and Rob Howell has done a very lovely staging of the scenic design as well as the costumes for this production.

The architect is named Bernard, played by Mr. Whitford, who most recently has been seen on television in Studio 60 and won an Emmy Award for playing Josh Lyman in the 7 year run of The West Wing. Years ago he had a successful engagement in A Few Good Men on Broadway. You know, its kind of funny I think as I often wondered why his West Wing character seemed to be cracking lots of jokes all the time on the TV show and while watching him on stage last night, I now know why he added all that comedy to his role as The West Wing's Chief of Staff character. He is indeed quite funny in this show.

Sharing the stage is Mark Rylance, who plays the very straight laced "old school friend" Robert who comes to visit all the way from Wisconsin (where apparently nothing interesting ever goes on in his life). Mr. Rylance is the former director of Shakespeare's Globe Theater from 1996 through 2006) and he is one of the two key elements needed to run "air traffic control" along with Christine Baranski, the housekeeper, as they both try desperately to help Bernard keep the 3 girlfriends from finding out about each other. Ms. Baranski is a graduate of Julliard's drama division, has won several Tony Awards, done lots of film and can be seen soon in the upcoming movie Mamma Mia!.

Even though the girls all work for different airlines and are supposed to be on very different schedules for work and "play time" with Bernard, we all know that flights do get cancelled, planes do encounter weather problems and all of a sudden, Bernard's perfect little international "harem" seems to be about to come crashing down... right on top of him.

The 3 flight attendant girlfriends are played very capably by Gina Gershon, who plays Gabriella. Gina has been on Broadway in Cabaret and most recently in her one-woman show, In Search of Cleo. Gina has done many films and has several TV credits as well. Gina is extremely funny in this role and quite beautiful to look at as well. Kathryn Hahn plays Gloria who is making her Broadway debut in this show but has done many films, some television and numerous theatre productions outside of New York. She is very funny and very beautiful. Mary McCormack plays Gretchen, who has been seen playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway, was in the original cast of "Bash" in London has done a good amount of Off Broadway theater as well as allot of television and film. This summer, Mary will play a starring role in USA Network's new series "In Plain Sight". Mary, like her "co-fiances" does a superb job, has great comedic timing, is a natural beauty as well.

The girls all come in and out of different bedrooms in Bernard's bachelor pad all during the plays entire duration, just split-seconds apart from discovering one another. Again, their comedic timing is terrific and even though they all have very funny material to work with, they're individual styles all seem to compliment one another. You simply want to laugh at everything they do as well as you "pray" for the guys on stage with every opening and closing of each bedroom door.

The next time you decide on an evening of pure fun at the theater, I hope you choose to see Boeing Boeing. I'm not a critic, but I cannot imagine this very funny comedy getting anything but "rave reviews" when it opens on Broadway next week.

If you need help getting tickets for this show or if we can be helpful in any way, we hope you'll give us a call in New York at 212-307-7050 or toll free at 800-451-9930. We're here to help you with your theater choices or can simply give you the information to assist in your decision making.

See you soon theater friends.

Rich Gladstone
Applause Theatre Service
311 West 43rd street, suite 601
NY,NY 10036

http://www.applause-tickets.com/

The Country Girl on Broadway-Get Tickets Now to see 3 Amazing Stars Light up the Great White Way

On this past Friday April 25, 2008 I last left all my theatre friends read a blog post I wrote on Lawrence Fishburne, currently starring as Justice Thurgood Marshall in a new one-man play called Thurgood. I really enjoyed my evening at that show and especially enjoyed writing a blog on it. You can see it at www.applause-tickets.com/blog and simply scroll down to my April 25, 2008 blog entry. For tickets to see Thurgood on Broadway you may visit www.applause-tickets.com/thurgood.asp .

Today's post is on The Country Girl, now playing on Broadway. I was lucky enough to get last minute tickets to this play a few days before the night I attended and was so excited to see it because I am a big movie fan and this show happens to have 3 stars who I have often seen in film.

The Country Girl is a play written by Clifford Odets who originally started out as an actor in The Group Theater, a New York company of which he was one of the original founding members. Mr. Odets is most often remembered for his controversial subject matter and language that was not heard of before on the stage in the 1930's. His other plays including Paradise Lost, Lefty, Golden Boy, Rocket to the Moon, Clash by Night, The Big Knife and The Flowering Peach. Film credits include The General Died at Dawn, None but the Lonely heart, Humeresque, The Sweet Smell of Success and Story on Page One.

One of my all-time favorite actors is Morgan Freeman, last seen on Broadway about 23 years ago. Although he has played Broadway often earlier in his career, Mr. Freeman is best known for his appearances in films that include Driving Miss Daisy (Academy Award nomination) , The Shawshank Redemption (Academy Award nomination) , Kiss The Girls, Deep Impact, Million Dollar Baby ( for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Award) and so many more great films known to all of us movie fans.

Adding to this all star cast is the very talented Frances McDormand, playing the female lead in this show. She is most known for her outstanding Academy Award winning performance as Marge Gunderson in the film Fargo some years back. Although she graduated from Yale School of Drama and appeared in many stage successes like The Sister's Rosenzweig, The Swan at The Public Theater, and received a Tony nomination for her portrayal as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire as well as played in many other plays around the world, I think it is interesting to make note of Ms. McDormand's incredible string of recent film successes, most recently for her roles in Mississippi Burning, Almost Famous and North Country. She was the recipient of three additional Academy Award nominations for these films.

Peter Gallagher rounds out this great cast as well. Mr. Gallagher has had a tremendously successful career in both stage and film, including his recent appearances on Broadway in Noises Off in 2001 and earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance in Long Day's Journey Into Night, starring opposite Jack Lemmon. He also had a starring role as Sky Masterson in the 1992 Tony Award winning revival of Guys and Dolls. Film credits include The Idolmaker, To Gillian on her 37th Birthday, American Beauty and several more that are quite well known.

Mike Nichols is the director of The Country Girl and he has won 8 Tony Awards as well as numerous awards for film as well. His 30 plus year career in the arts have established him as one of the world's leading directors not to mention that he has been responsible for the successes of many well known stage presentations such as Barefoot in the Park, The Apple Tree, The Knack, Luv, The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Prisoner of Second Avenue, The Gin Game, Monty Python's Spamalot and several others. Film credits include The Graduate, Working Girl, Silkwood, Postcards from the Edge, Regarding Henry and many more recognizable to all.

The Country Girl is a revival and the first major Broadway production in over 30 years. The title character's name is Frank Elgin, played by Mr. Freeman, who is a "down on his luck" former great stage star from many years before. Frank is now being offered the "comeback" role of his acting career by a boisterous "big shot" director by the name of Bernie Dodd, played wonderfully by Peter Gallagher, who recalls often how he really believes that "Frank can do a great job if he only gets the confidence to believe in himself again". Bernie "pulls" for Frank, who really seems more like a "best friend" to Frank than his director in the show. Frances McDormand plays Frank's wife "Georgie" and seems to be in charge of making sure that Frank doesn't start drinking again and also tries to keep his confidence going so everyone can make it to "rave"opening night reviews at the theatre.

This is really a "backstage story" about a married couple holding onto one another after years of mutual unhappiness. Will Frank overcome his past problems and even if he does, will Georgie want to still stay with him? Why is the director "Bernie"so intent on helping Frank make this very unlikely "comeback" to the stage? As I previously said, he seemed more like a best friend, not simply the director of a show. You would think the director would only be concerned with getting the most capable actor for the role right? Why take chances with Frank when other actors could make their show a "hit".

In the end my friends, I really enjoyed myself at this show. Is this the greatest script ever? Are there other actors who could have brought more life to these roles? Was the direction of this play the best I've seen for a play like this? Most of my friends and family know that I really enjoy the theatre, especially seeing movie stars playing to live Broadway audiences. I am never overly critical and even though I believe it would be interesting to see other talented actors playing the roles of Georgie, Frank and Bernie as well as other talented directors as well, The Country Girl is very worth the price of admission.

The show is a strictly limited engagement so if you are like me, and like to see great film stars playing in a live theatre venue, then do yourself a favor, get some tickets to see The Country Girl. I know you will be glad you did.

Stay tuned for my next blog on Boeing-Boeing, a funny new comedy I saw last night. I'd write about it now but I have to run now. I'm going to see my 5th Broadway show this week. See you soon in the theatre I hope. Bye for now.

Rich Gladstone
Applause Theatre Service
311 west 43rd street, suite 601
NY,NY 10036
phone 212-307-7050
web site: http://www.applause-tickets.com/

Go See Lawrence Fishburne in Thurgood on Broadway

I may be in the Broadway theatre ticket business for over 31 years now, but I seem to be going to see more shows than ever. This is most likely due to the benefits we enjoy being "in the business" and getting invited to most new plays and musicals. This week, our office at Applause Theatre Service in New York City was invited to 5 new Broadway shows. These productions are trying to open in time to be eligible to win some Tony Awards for "excellence in the Broadway Theatre". The award nominations are announced on May 13, 2008 and the Tony Awards take place on June 15 , 2008.

In the days ahead I will be blogging on my experience at these newer shows but for now I wanted to talk about Thurgood, a new play that stars Lawrence Fishburne, in a one man show. I saw it Tuesday night and to be honest, I don't remember ever before enjoying "one man or one woman shows" before. This time, however, I must say that I really enjoyed myself at the Booth theater. let me share with you why the night was a special one.

I remember back in school having to do a large research paper on Thurgood Marshall, the former Supreme Court Justice. The project required lots of research and study time and I felt that I really needed to attend this show, even if just to recall the subject matter.

Prior to his starring role in this production on Broadway, Lawrence Fishburne was seen on Broadway earlier in his career in 1992. The show was August Wilson's Two Trains Running for which Mr. Fisburne won a best acting award.

The other night, my wife and I were sitting in the front of the orchestra and enjoyed seeing Lawrence Fishburne's "storytelling" of Thurgood Marshall, who was the first black member of the U.S. Supreme Court . Justice Marshall died in 1993.

This show was written extremely well by George Stevens Jr. and officially opens to critic's reviews on April 30, 2008, in time for the Tony Awards nominations. The shows director is Leonard Foglia.

Thurgood tells the story of a young man who came from the streets of Baltimore and after overcoming several obstacles in his career, personal life and other issues regarding blacks in society at the time, manges to rise to become the first black Supreme Court Justice of the United States. Mr. Fishburne does a fine job in simply telling us who Thurgood Marshall really was as he stands in the front of the stage telling us many stories of his life.

He talks about his personal life, first wife "Buster" who died from cancer after 25 years of marriage, also having to have gone through three miscarriages as well. He remarries Cissy and they had three children together, one being Thurgood Marshall Jr. who became a top aide to former President Clinton. Another son was the Director of the U.S Marshall Service.

Justice Marshall's life long goal was to try to "stamp out" the segregation that had existed between whites and blacks. Although he was denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School, he attended Howard University and after graduation manged to defend a client who was denied admission to The University of Maryland also. He won that case as a professional attorney and managed to have a career where he sued the government and won 14 of 19 cases, the most by any lawyer.

Some years down the road, Mr. Fishburne still eagerly sharing his busy life stories with us, tells of a phone call he received from President Lyndon Johnson asking him to becoming Solicitor General of the United States. This, of course was Johnson's steppng stone approach to getting Justice Marshall on the road to become the first black Supreme Court Justice of the United States. Just imagine, you start out in life as the grandson of a slave and then one day you become promoted to become the nation's first black Justice of the Supreme Court.

Most people that know me, also know that I enjoy all types of theatre-plays, musicals, comedies, just about anything at all really. That may be true but I often think that lots of theatre-goers simply want to see a famous actor or maybe the show that everyone is talking about. You know, Wicked or Jersey Boys or the up and coming import from London that is the next year's anticipated smash hit already called Billy Elliot.

Most of our customers at Applause Theatre Service may want these "flashy shows" but my suggestion is to consider buying yourself a ticket for a really unique show like Thurgood. Thurgood is a very brief 90 minutes with no intermission and you get to be wiitness to Lawrence Fishburne, an extremely talented film and stage actor portraying Justice Marshall's dynamic life and in a very dramatic fasion as well.

Ordinarily I might not have been interested in seeing this one man show but I kept thinking about that research paper I mentioned I had to write in school. I recalled how this man changed life for so many that were affected by segregation and when you see all of this playing out on stage, it really had an impact on me, all over again. Could things have really been so "out of sync" in those times? Thanks to Thurgood Marshall for bringing about equal rights for people.

And thanks to Lawrence Fishburne for taking the time out of his busy film schedule and personal life to bring this "play to life" on Broadway. I really enjoyed my night at the theatre and I know you will as well.

If I can help you with tickets for Thurgood, give me a call at 212-307-7050 or toll free at 1-800-451-9930. If you prefer email, mine is rich@applause-tickets.com. Simply ask for Rich Gladstone, the ticket guy, not to be confused with Rich Gladstone, the "critic" who just loves going to the theatre.

Stay tuned for my next review of The Country Girl, starring Morgan Freemen, Peter Gallagher and Frances McDormand. Coming soon.

Talk to you soon theatre friends.

Rich Gladstone/Applause Theatre Service
311 west 43rd street, suite 601
NY, NY 10036
http://www.applause-tickets.com/

Billy Elliot-The Musical tickets now on sale with Applause Theatre Service!

I have to tell you guys that I've been invited to quite a few press and group sales presentations of many new musicals coming to Broadway over the years, but this sneak peek at Billy Elliot-The Musical, which I went to see the other day, was just a first rate/first class, slick presentation! It got me so pumped up to see the show and wanting to see more. Even Sir Elton John himself was there to introduce the 3 new Billy's just cast for the Broadway production, talented triple-threats David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish.

Elton sang one of the songs, "Electricity" that segued to the 3 boys singing (pictured to the right with Elton John) which turned into a dance number that brought the house down! These are some really talented young kids!

With free champagne flowing and free giveaways of the DVD's and CD's, these people know how to grab you! It made me feel as if this is going to be one of the biggest musical hits to come along in a very long while. That's how it's supposed to make you feel and in most cases they don't end up becoming that "Hit". But this is a proven show that continues to sell out in London and other productions throughout the world, which doesn't necessarily mean it will be a hit here, as past history has shown us! However, I have a gut feeling that this is the real thing, a show that has it all. A great score that London critics compared to the classic musical "Oliver", and has a story line that tugs at your heart strings and has you rooting for the underdogs! Not to mention the incredible dancing!

So now is your opportunity to get your tickets through Applause Theatre Service with a special pre-sale before it goes on sale to the general public! A great chance to get the best seats at the best price. So call an Applause sales expert now at 212-307-7050 or 800-451-9930.

See What Applause Theatre Service Can Do For You

In the business world competition is good. Now sure there will always be those people who think they have better prices or better seats than you do. That will never change. All I can say is that when you buy from Applause we're not here just to sell you tickets to your favorite show. We are here to make your New York experience a great one. That's what we do. So whether it's your first trip to New York or your 15th, be assured that Applause will do whatver it takes to make sure it will be one that you will never forget. Now that's a promise!

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Need A Place To Eat While In New York City? Call Applause Theatre Service

So you're in town to see a Broadway show and you need a place to eat. Well look no further. Applause Theatre Service has partnered with some of the best restaurants in the theater district. Simply select a show and your favorite cuisine, and leave the rest to us!

With Applause Theatre Service you and your family can enjoy a fabulous meal at some of the most popular restaurants in the Theatre District. And at a incredible savings. What do you have to lose?

Here is a listing of our participating restaurants:

Cafe Nicole
Maria Pia
Vincent's Restaurant
Bali Nusa Indah
Orchid
Toloache

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Stuck With Tickets? Call Applause Theatre Service

So your flight is delayed and you can't make it into the city. Whatever will you do with your theatre tickets? Well thankfully all is not lost. Call Applause and we will try and sell the tickets for you. Or maybe you had a family emergency and now you can't make it. Instead of letting those expensive tickets go to waste call Applause and see what we can do for you. Applause will contact other ticket buyers who may be in need of your tickets. We also work with over 30 New York City hotels and their concierge departments as well as Applause’s vast ticket buyer database that can help you get rid of unwanted tickets for all Broadway shows, concerts, sporting events and other shows. Give us a try. You won't be disappointed.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Get Tickets To See Laurence Fishburn In Thurgood Thru Applause Theatre Service

Tony Award Winner and Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne returns this month to Broadway in Thurgood, a one man show based on the life and momentous times of Thurgood Marshall. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Fishburne make his Broadway debut 16 years ago in August Wilson's Two Trains Running. And even then you could see had he had theatre chops to succeed. We all know the story of Thurgood Marshall. A descendent of slaves who was a pioneering civil rights attorney, successfully arguing Brown v. Board of Education before the Supreme Court, who then became a member of that exclusive body and making history as the first African-American to serve.

I had the chance to see the show last night and I throughly enjoyed it. Plus at a running time of 90 minutes you'll be home and in bed by 10pm. How can you beat that? The show is only running thru August 2nd so don't delay or you will miss out on one of the great performances of the season.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Pulitzer Prize Winner August:Osage County Set To Reopen At The Music Box Theatre

Meet the Westons. A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a major new Broadway play that unflinchingly – and uproariously – exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, August: Osage County comes to Broadway directly from its critically acclaimed sold-out engagement at Chicago's Tony Award-winning Steppenwolf Theatre Company. This 3hr+ production (Don't let that scare you. This baby moves)was hailed by The New York Times as,"Hugely entertaining! A ripsnorter full of blistering, funny dialogue, acid-etched characterizations and scenes of no-holds-barred emotional combat" And best of all Applause Theatre Service sells tickets to the show. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com/.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Elton John's Billy Elliot Set To Open This Fall

Following a smash sold out run in London, Billy Elliot is set to begin previews on Broadway on October 1 at the Imperial Theatre and will open on November 13. Stephen Daldry, who directed both the original 2000 film and the London stage production, will direct.Set in an English Northeastern blue-collar town during the struggles of a mining strike, the musical tells the story of Billy, a working-class boy who abandons boxing to follow dreams of becoming a ballet dancer.

The smash London production of Billy Elliot won the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Best Theatre Choreographer and Best Actor in a Musical (shared by James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower, who originated the West End's Billy)

Like the recent London production the Broadway version will also feature a trio of rotating young boys performing the lead role. They are David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik, who will share the part due to its physical and vocal demands.

This week our office was invited to a presentation of the upcoming show. Those in my office who saw it expect it to be one of the biggest if not the biggest hits of the 2008-2009 season. Get your tickets now!

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com/.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

Nominations for the 58th Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards were announced April 21 at the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan. The new Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein leads the nominations with ten, the most of any show this season. The Outer Critics Circle Awards are decided upon by a group of writers "covering New York theatre for out-of town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway." Other big winners were Les Liaisons Dangereuses and South Pacific.

Nominees for the 58th annual Outer Critics Circle Awards are as follows:

Outstanding New Broadway Play
August: Osage County
Rock 'n' Roll
The Seafarer
The 39 Steps

Outstanding New Broadway Musical
A Catered Affair
Cry-Baby The Musical
Xanadu
Young Frankenstein

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
Dividing the Estate
The Drunken City
From Up Here
The Receptionist

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
Adding Machine
The Glorious Ones
Make Me a Song—The Music of William Finn
Next to Normal

Outstanding New Score
Adding Machine
Next to Normal
Passing Strange
Young Frankenstein

Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Come Back, Little Sheba
Cyrano de Bergerac
The Homecoming
Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Gypsy
South Pacific
Sunday in the Park with George
Take Me Along

Outstanding Director of a Play Maria Aitken, The 39 Steps
Rupert Goold, Macbeth
Rufus Norris, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County

Outstanding Director of a Musical
David Cromer, Adding Machine
Arthur Laurents, Gypsy
Bartlett Sher, South Pacific
Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein

Outstanding Choreographer
Rob Ashford, Cry-Baby The Musical
Graciela Daniele, The Glorious Ones
Christopher Gattelli, South Pacific
Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein

Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical)
David Farley, Timothy Bird, Sunday in the Park with George
Scott Pask, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Robin Wagner, Young Frankenstein
Michael Yeargan, South Pacific

Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical)
David Farley, Sunday in the Park with George
Katrina Lindsay, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
William Ivey Long, Young Frankenstein
Jessica Jahn, Michael Bottari and Ronald Case, Die Mommie Die!
Catherine Zuber, South Pacific

Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)
Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
Ken Billington, Sunday in the Park with George
Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Peter Kaczorowski, Young Frankenstein

Outstanding Actor in a Play
Kevin Anderson, Come Back Little Sheba
Ben Daniels, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Kevin Kline, Cyrano de Bergerac
Patrick Stewart, Macbeth

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Eve Best, The Homecoming
Deanna Dunagan, August: Osage County
Laura Linney, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
S. Epatha Merkerson, Come Back, Little Sheba

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Roger Bart, Young Frankenstein
Daniel Evans, Sunday in the Park with George
Boyd Gaines, Gypsy
Paulo Szot, South Pacific

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Patti LuPone, Gypsy
Kelli O'Hara, South Pacific
Faith Prince, A Catered Affair
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Raul Esparza, The Homecoming
James Earl Jones, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof
Jim Norton, The Seafarer
David Pittu, Is He Dead?

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Jessica Collins, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Jayne Houdyshell, The New Century
Laurie Metcalf, NovemberKaren Ziemba and Sandy Duncan at the OCC announcement.
Sian Phillips, Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein, South Pacific
Christopher Fitzgerald, Young Frankenstein
Shuler Hensley, Young Frankenstein
Tony Yazbeck, Gypsy

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Laura Benanti, Gypsy
Harriet Harris, Cry-Baby The Musical
Sherie Rene Scott, The Little Mermaid
Amy Warren, Adding Machine

Outstanding Solo Performance
Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
Stephen Lang, Beyond Glory
Chazz Palminteri, A Bronx Tale
April Yvette Thompson, Liberty City

John Gassner Award (Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
Bob Clyman, Secret Order
Liz Flahive, From Up Here
Michael Hollinger, Opus
George Packer, Betrayed

Shows with three or more nominations:
Young Frankenstein, 10
Les Liaisons Dangereuses, 9
South Pacific, 8
Gypsy, 6
Sunday in the Park with George, 5
Adding Machine, 4
August: Osage County, 3
The 39 Steps, 3
Cry-Baby The Musical, 3
Next to Normal, 3
Come Back, Little Sheba, 3
The Homecoming, 3

For more information visit www.outercritics.org.

Get tickets with Applause Theatre Service for the most successful Broadway revival ever! 'Chicago-The Musical'

Chicago's 1996 Broadway revival holds the record for the longest-running musical revival on Broadway and it has played for 12 years with more than 4,800 performances. The revival was followed by a production on London's West End which is also still running and several tours and international productions.

An Academy Award-winning film version of the musical was released in 2002. Chicago set a record for recovering its initial costs faster than any other musical in history.

Chicago continues to sell out and bring in A list talent to star for limited engagements, such as Usher, Huey Lewis, George Hamilton, John Schneider, Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, Melanie Griffith, Marylou Henner, Brooke Shields and the list goes on and on. It currently stars Pop Diva Mya!

I go back periodically to check out the show to see how it's holding up and I am never disappointed! The Kander and Ebb score (Cabaret, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Curtains, still running) with classic songs such as All That Jazz and the amazing Bob Fosse dancing is Broadway at it's best. A sure bet for a great evening of theatre when choosing a show. So get your tickets now for what is certainly a classic, legendary musical.

Mention the Applause Insider Deal, for some incredible savings for Applause customers only! Call a sales expert now and take advantage of this great offer!

Manhattan Theatre Club's 'Top Girls' opens on Broadway and Applause Theatre Service has your tickets!

Caryl Churchill's "Top Girls" makes its eagerly anticipated Broadway premiere April 15 with the first preview of a new production by Manhattan Theatre Club. It opens at the Biltmore Theatre on May 7.

Be there this spring when TOP GIRLS arrives on Broadway for the first time! Set at the Top Girls Employment Agency in London in the early 1980s, this groundbreaking, theatrical play tells the story of Marlene, an ambitious career woman who has just been appointed head of the firm. But as she celebrates her achievements, can we applaud her values? This bold work from the singularly talented author of Far Away and Cloud Nine offers one of the theatre's most honest portraits of what it means to be a woman in the modern world.

Directed by James Macdonald, who staged the New York premiere of Ms. Churchill's A Number, the cast will feature Mary Catherine Garrison, Mary Beth Hurt, Jennifer Ikeda, Elizabeth Marvel, Martha Plimpton, Ana Reeder, and Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei.

Manhattan Theatre Club is a class act with first rate productions! Shows that run there are extremely limited as there season is set well ahead of time. No matter how popular a show is, the shows generally don't extend. So don't waste any time in getting your tickets to what's sure to be an extremely entertaining show. We have them now, but due to the fact that this is a subscription house, all shows usually sell out.

Call an Applause Theatre Service, http://www.applause-tickets.com/ sales expert to order now! 800-451-9930 212-307-7050

NEW 'SOUTH PACIFIC' FINDS TREASURE AT BOX OFFICE! APPLAUSE THEATRE SERVICE HAS YOUR TICKETS!

Lincoln Center Theater presents the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific" which has returned to the New York scene in its first-ever Broadway revival. South Pacific has become a box office dynamo! Advance ticket sales for the revival of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center have hit $9 million. There is a frenzy for tickets because the theatre only seats 1,000 and most of those seats have gone to Lincoln Center subscribers and most ticket agencies are charging upwards of $600 per ticket. No worries there if you purchase tickets with Applause! We have an extensive inventory at incredible prices through the end or the year!

I never knew the original South Pacific but I grew up watching and loving the movie! This 60 year old revival is breathtakingly beautiful and poignant even for today! The music takes your breath away. The serious undertones of the plot are perfectly interspersed with an outstanding performance by the shows funny man, and there are moments where you can't help but shout out in joy! Truly one of the best theater experiences I have had in years!
But there's no denying that "South Pacific" - which opened last week to valentines from the critics - is the hit of the spring season, eclipsing, at least at the box office, its gold-plated rival, "Gypsy",
Bernard Gersten, executive producer of Lincoln Center Theater, says "South Pacific" is "the strongest revival we've ever done. It's stronger than 'Carousel,' which ran 60-odd weeks, and even stronger than 'Anything Goes,' which was a big hit for us."

Ben Brantley, New York Times says;
"this “South Pacific” recreates the unabashed, unquestioning romance that American theatergoers had with the American book musical in the mid-20th century...Yet the show feels too vital to be a museum piece, too sensually fluid to be square."

Don't believe all the hype? Well check out NY Post Theatre critic Michael Riedel's column in today's paper and you'll hear what everyone is saying, that it's the smash hit of the season!

And only Applause Theatre Service has the best selection of inventory at the best prices for this smash hit! Call an Applause sales expert now to get your tickets before its too late! 212-307-7050 800-451-9930

Are you getting the type of service you need when shopping for tickets? Applause Theatre Service can help

Dear Theatre Lover,
This is a simple open letter to anyone that has ever used a ticket service, or for that matter, any service at all and that they may have received less than "great service": from the company they were contacting?

Did you ever get the feeling the company you were calling and especially the person you were speaking with, were simply trying to "rush you" into making a decision to purchase. You know, the "used car salesperson" routine. My co-worker Claudia got a call today from someone who was so happy that Claudia took her time and gave out lots of information, unlike the pushy and forgettable like service the caller had received from numerous other companies prior to speaking with Claudia.

We get lots of callers that often talk about getting "bad service" and simply being offered mediocre seating in theatres on Broadway as well as prices "in the outer stratosphere". Claudia spent a good amount of time with this shopper, made her feel at ease with the information than proceeded to make a purchase.

It is important to note that we often give out information and spend a good amount of time talking with callers about Broadway from "all over the world". Many times people keep shopping as they want to be sure they are getting the best seats for the best shows for the best prices.

At Applause, we pride ourselves on developing deep relationships with our customers. I can pretty much assure you that people interested in buying tickets to live entertainment events on Broadway need more time when making these decisions. Tickets are expensive and making the wrong decision can ruin your night for sure.

This is no sales pitch. If you would like information on any event playing on Broadway in New York or want to consider buying seats, I will give you my personal guarantee that when you contact Applause Theatre Service seeking information, prices or to purchase a Broadway show or two, all your questions will be answered to the best of our ability. And if you decide you'd like to make a purchase, we will secure the best seat locations for the very best price you can get.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, if you would like to speak with one of the finest and most knowledgeable theatre ticket experts on Broadway, simply go to http://www.applause-tickets.com/ , look at our staff picture on the right side (Claudia's the young blond women in the front and center) then pickup the phone and call Claudia at 212-307-7050 or 1-800-451-9930.

Claudia's been selling lots of tickets lately for Wicked, Jersey Boys, South Pacific and Disney's newest Broadway hit Little Mermaid . South Pacific is one of her favorite shows for sure.

We hope you enjoy the theatre, wherever you shop for tickets. We hope to have the pleasure and privilege of being of service to you, your friends and family somewhere down the road.

Sincerely,
Rich Gladstone
Vice President
Applause Theatre Service
311 west 43 rd street, suite 601
New York, New York 10036
web site: http://www.applause-tickets.com/

Get Tickets To This Season's New Shows Thru Applause Theatre Service

Well theatre lover's, the season is almost over. However before you all get too excited about next season's upcoming shows there still are a few new more shows you might want to check out. Here are the remaining show's for the the 2007-2008 season along with their opening nights.

April 17 Catered Affair, A

April 24 Cry-Baby

April 27 The Country Girl

April 30 Thurgood

May 1 Les Liaisons Dangereuses

May 4 Boeing-Boeing

May 7 Top Girls

May 8 The 39 Steps

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

New Musical Featuring Tony Award Winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia

Wilson Jermaine Heredia, who won a Tony Award for his performance as Angel in the original cast of Broadway's Rent, will be part of a reading of the new musical Avarice.

The April 17 and 18 readings will be held at the Snapple Theatre in Manhattan. Show time each night is 6:30 PM.

Directed by Suzanne Rydz with musical direction by Molly Gachignard, the cast will also feature J. William Bruce, Sarah Rolleston, Rachel Rincione and Gregory Treco.

Avarice features book and lyrics by J. William Bruce and music by Bruce and David A. Shenton. The musical, according to press notes, "begins as the group of friends struggle with adulthood and their impending future. Over the course of nine months they soon discover that the bond that was formed at eighteen may not be enough to overcome the obstacles they are about to face. Throughout their journey they begin to question many things about not only life but themselves as well."

The Snapple Theatre is located in Manhattan at 210 West 50th, 4th floor. For reservations call (212) 875-7693

South Pacific is a Big Broadway Hit-Applause Theatre Service Wants to Make Your Night

Dear Friend of the Broadway Theatre,
My name is Rich Gladstone and I have been a licensed theatre ticket broker for over 31 years now. My team and I provide tickets to every Broadway Show in New York City. We have some great news to share with you.

For years now, we were talking about which shows would open on Broadway and stand out from many of the others. When we expected a show to become a "hit", they were often "flops". When we expected a "flop" they were often moderately popular with theatre-goers.

It has been about 4 years since Wicked , and maybe a little more than 2 years since Jersey Boys have become the "talk of the town". These are 2 excellent shows indeed and if you haven't seen them, take a few hours to enjoy yourself seeing some live Broadway theatre, you won't regret it believe me.

In any case, I'm writing today to offer a suggestion to anyone who might be interested in seeing another terrific show that I personally thought would become a big hit in town. So far I am right. The new show, is really an old show (not in a bad way really). It's simply a revival of a 50 year old show. And what a refreshing piece of Broadway Theatre South Pacific really is. My co-worker Jay William Bruce wrote a wonderful blog on April 7, 2008 for your reading enjoyment. Checkout www.applause-tickets.com/blog and simply "scroll down" to his April 7, 2008 post.

Get tickets now for this superb night at the theatre. Enjoy the show.

Sincerely,
Rich Gladstone

Applause Theatre Service "Knows" How To Serve Theater-Goers to Broadway

I can't help myself. After 31 years of providing the most personal level of service in an industry that used to "be all about service", I look around and I see hundreds and hundreds of companies all selling Broadway Show tickets also. I'm not privy to how many tickets they sell nor do I know which shows sell the most but I keep asking myself are they really in the personal ticket service business or simply trying to make "Internet transactions" without providing the service that the public needs and wants.

We are a service economy and I really can't believe that most consumers want to simply click on a seat location on one of a thousand web sites, give their credit card information to a company they never heard of before on some long drawn out "order form", or to any entity where they haven't at least "spoken to a live person", prior to making a purchase. But what do I know, they're are probably tons of people that just don't need that high level of personalized "customer service" that I am speaking of.

My company, Applause has been in business for 21 years now and I am proud to say I have handled the theatre going needs of tens of thousands of people that have seen superb Broadway Shows. We have loads of testimonials on our web site but all I can say is if you are in the need of tickets or simply have a question about "Broadway Theatre", don't think twice friends. Pick up the phone and call us at 212-307-7050 or toll free at 1-800-451-9930 7 days a week, at any time at all between 9am and 8pm.

Sure we sell tickets but more importantly, we provide "service". Service is something I feel is sorely missing, not only in the ticketing industry but in many industries like airlines and car dealerships.

My company, Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service Inc. has been providing a great service for a long time. If you happen to be in the market to be needing a ticket or just wanting to know what our Broadway Experts think of a particular show, give us a call. No pressure to buy a ticket at Applause, we're just a very cool bunch of service providers doing "our own thing" 7 days a week, offering visitors to New York that don't know where to go to buy good tickets at fair prices.

Applause Theatre Service, "real people you can trust". You have my personal guarantee of experiencing a great service. I really doubt anyone else can do what we do in New York City regarding providing a "great and highly personalized" level of service for Broadway Shows.

If you need anything or want to talk, please give me a call at the office at 212-307-7050 or toll free at 1-800-451-9930 or on my cell at 848-565-1855. My email is rich@applause-tickets.com .

I hope to hear from you and hope you love Broadway Theatre as much as I do, really I do.

Take care,
Rich Gladstone
Vice President and Co-Owner
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service Inc.
311 west 43rd street, suite 601
New York, NY, NY 10036

Local phone 212-307-7050
Toll Free 1-800-451-9930
web site: http://www.applause-tickets.com/

See Rent Thru Applause Theatre Service Before It's Too Late

After all these years I can't believe that Rent is closing. Even after 12 years it is still the best show I have ever seen. Now that's saying a lot considering that after 16 years of living in New York I have seen hundreds of shows. Believe it or not I still have the ticket stub from the first time I saw Rent on April 24, 1996. Since that time I have seen Rent over 25 times. It is hard to imagine it not being here anymore. But we all knew it wouldn't last forever. So whether it's your first time or your 100th time see the show that changed musical theatre forever.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com/.
Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Equus, Starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths, Sets Broadway Dates

Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter movie fame and Tony winner Richard Griffiths will star in the widely anticipated Broadway revival of Peter Shaffer's "Equus" this fall. The play begins previews on September 5 and will open on September 25 for what is being described as a strictly limited 22-week engagement, through February 8, 2009. The Shubert Organization will produce Equus at its Broadhurst Theatre, directed by Thea Sharrock.

This ticket is going to be such a hard ticket to come by! But by calling Applause Theatre Service starting next week, you can get your tickets before anyone else. Pre-orders are being taken now.

Equus is the powerful and provocative story of stable boy Alan Strang (Radcliffe) and Dr. Martin Dysart (Griffiths), the psychiatrist who tries to unravel the religious and sexual mystery that ensues when the troubled teenager blinds six horses. Dysart must face his doubts about his own work when confronted with Strang's complex case. The two stars received critical praise and played to sold-out houses during a five-month engagement of Equus at London's Gielgud Theatre last year.

This will be the first Broadway revival of Equus since its debut in 1974 in a production that starred Anthony Hopkins as Dysart and Peter Firth as Strang. Equus won the 1975 Best Play Tony Award and ran for 1,209 performances.

The Broadhurst Theatre is currently the home of a revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", starring Terrence Howard (speaking of another hard to come by ticket!), James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose, which opened on March 6 as a limited run (through June 15) but has been playing to capacity business.

So call an Applause sales expert now to order your tickets to some of the Hottest shows on Broadway. 212-307-7050 or 800-451-9930

Wicked Books Open-Ended Run in San Francisco

No need to mourn "Wicked": While the long-running Los Angeles production at the Pantages Theatre has announced a closing date of January 11, 2009, the bewitching musical hit is set to begin a sit-down, open-ended run at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre late the same month.

Wicked's 2009 San Francisco run will be a homecoming for the show, which made its world premiere in the city's Curran Theatre in May 2003 before opening on Broadway on October 20, 2003.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman and was directed by Joe Mantello. Casting for the San Francisco production will be announced at a later date.

Get your tickets to Wicked now for any city in the country including the London production. Call an Applause ticket sales expert to order for the upcoming summer months where the show it at its Hottest! 212-307-7050

Applause's Broadway Theatre Service newest newsletter hits the streets

Dear Broadway Theatre-Goer,

We are please to introduce you to the 2nd issue of the Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service Inc. newsletter. Inside you will find an amazing article by Erik Swanson, our resident Broadway ticket expert. The article talks about how the Applause staff works hard at fulfilling all our customers Broadway Show requests, especially when we need to come up with the "hottest show" on the spur of the moment.

Inside this newsletter you will find an insightful review of The Little Mermaid written by Carol Burg, a long time Applause Theatre Service employee. I promise you that if your are thinking of taking your family to another beautifully orchestrated Disney show, you will want to hear what Carol has to say about The Little Mermaid.

If you are like me and love the Broadway Theatre but always want to have a great meal at a local restaurant first, you may want to look at Todd's Picks, a place where Todd, our operations Vice President, talks about the many different unique flavors at 13 area restaurants he suggests you choose for a very special dining experience. There are choices of great places for every kind of palate.

Last but certainly not least, have a look at J's Coming Attractions, a brief summary of J's suggested Broadway Shows like Cry-Baby, Passing Strange, Gypsy, A Catered Affair. J is our "blogger in chief", a leading ticket seller as well as an aspiring director/playwright who is working on producing his own rock musical "Avarice". I saw a "run-through" of this show a while back and cannot wait for J to see great success with his show.
Click here now to download our brand new newsletter.

Click here to download Issue # 1 of Applause's newsletter.
And remember friends, when you need real people you can TRUST to help you find The Best Seats for The Best Shows at The Best Prices, we hope you'll think of using Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service. www.applause-tickets.com

They call me the Applause Broadway Ticket Janitor!

Hi, my name is Erik Swanson and they call me the Broadway Janitor! They call me this because I'm the sales expert at Applause Theatre Service, who cleans up other peoples messes and handles the dirty work when it comes to obtaining the "Sold Out" tickets or the so-called "Impossible" Broadway/Event Ticket! I generally don't take no for an answer!

In all seriousness though, I've been in the Event Ticket Industry

for almost 22 years now, working both coasts. Specializing in Broadway tickets. I have access to almost every event nationwide and every type of seat at whatever your budget may be. You will never hear sold out for "Jersey Boys", "Wicked", "South Pacific" or anything else for that matter. We all know how expensive tickets can be nowadays, well now's the time to go and see a show at affordable prices! Applause Theatre Service has special Insider prices available for most shows and dates. And for those out there who have to see the hottest show with the best seats tomorrow, and can

afford to obtain those seats, well I'm your

man. I will do whatever it takes to accommodate your request, whatever it takes!

So let myself or anyone of our sales experts here at Applause, help you in making your trip to the theatre a special one! Call us at 212-307-7050 or 800-451-9930.

A Bloody good Macbeth is now playing a limited run on Broadway!

Macbeth; With his unmistakably distinguished voice and image-defining shaved head, film and television star Patrick Stewart, beloved by millions as Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation, returns to Broadway as the murderous monarch Macbeth.

One of the Bard's most produced plays, this new Stalinist-meets-The Matrix production arrives at the Lyceum Theatre after sold-out engagements on London's West End and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with its (mostly) British cast intact.

Did I and my theatre going friends and colleagues find this telling of the infamous King of Scotland and his power hungry Lady M bloody good or not?

Well it the straight answer is YES! We were fortunate enough to attend the starry opening night of the show (Kathleen Turner, Peter Strausse, Roger Rees were there to name a few) and we found this production to be outstanding with a stellar cast! It moved very well and the direction was spot on. It's a very intense production with great sound and visual effects. Even if you have trouble with Shakespeare, fear not, I do as well and had no trouble knowing exactly what was taking place on stage. There's music and laughter as well in this dark, bloody production. It's an extremely limited run that will play only about another 50 or so performances. Don't miss out on a special theatrical treat! Call Applause Theatre Service, http://www.applause-tickets.com/ now and speak to a sales expert at 212-307-7050.

Get Tickets To See Daniel Radcliffe In Equus Thru Applause Theatre Service

The highly anticiapated revival of Peter Shaffer's Equus, a hit at London's Gielgud Theatre, will begin previews Sept. 5 at the Broadhurst Theatre. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Tony and Olivier Award winner Richard Griffiths, who played to sold-out crowds in the London revival will reprise their roles for the Broadway production. Radcliffe is cast as the disturbed adolescent Strang, an English stable boy who blinded six horses with a spike. Griffiths takes on the role of psychiatrist Dysart, who attempts to discover the source of Strang's psychosis.The show as well as the stars drew positive reviews plus quite a bit of attention due to the nude scene in which Mr. Radcliffe bared all to the delight of hundreds of young female Harry Potter fans. Expect to see many a camera confiscated at a Shubert Theatre near you.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Gone With The Wind-The Musical is now playing in London and it's Hotter than Hot!

GONE WITH THE WIND, - one of the greatest love stories of all time has now been adapted for the stage.
This landmark new production is directed by the legendary Trevor Nunn who reunites with designer John Napier, his collaborator on worldwide smash hits including Cats and Les Miserables. Margaret Martin has written the stunning original score, and has adapted the story from Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer Prize winning novel.

Set in 1890's Atlanta GONE WITH THE WIND follows the captivating and passionate story of Scarlett O'Hara and her turbulent relationship with the unpredictable, yet irresistible Rhett Butler. Against the backdrop of the Civil War Scarlett embarks on an incredible journey of romantic ecstasy and tragic grief spanning ten years. As the epic tale draws to a close Scarlett discovers that the world she has known has changed forever - gone with the wind.

Call and speak to Claudia the head of our London Department or any sales expert and order your tickets to this hot new musical! Call 800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050

Brigadoon, with Revised Book by Guare, Headed for Broadway Next Year

A new production of Brigadoon will make its world premiere in Boston this fall prior to opening on Broadway in Spring 2009. Rob Ashford is set to direct and choreograph the classic, which will feature a new book by John Guare. Boston dates and theater will be announced in the coming weeks.
Brigadoon tells the story of two disillusioned Americans on vacation in Scotland, where the friends unintentionally discover a village which comes alive for one day every 100 years. The shows lyrics and original book were by Alan Jay Lerner, with music by Frederick Loewe including such classic songs such as "Almost Like Being In Love" and "Waiting for my Dearie."

Get Tickets To South Pacific Thru Applause Theatre Service

It's a hit! In all my years of theatre going I have never been more impressed or moved by a production. The sets alone are enough to thrill you beyond belief. Not to mention the performances by one of the finest ensembles on Broadway in years.

This is the first time South Pacific has been on Broadway since the original production over 50 years ago. Over the years there have been countless producers who have tried to revive it yet for some reason were always turned down by the estate of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Well all I can say is is that it was worth the wait. It is so refreshing to see a show like this on Broadway.

From the moment the overture begins you are transported back to World War Two to a remote island in the South Pacific Those of you who may be turned off by the three hour running time need not worry. It flies by so fast that you almost wish it would last even longer.

This show is a must see. And it gets even better. Applause Theatre Service sells tickets to the show. So what are you waiting for? Call us now and let Applause give you a theatrical experience you will never forget.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com/.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"

Get Tickets To 2008 Pulitzer Prize Winner August:Osage County Thru Applause Theatre Service

August: Osage County, which opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre in December 2007, has won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Written by Tracey Letts and directed by Anna D. Shapiro will play its last performance at its current home, the Imperial Theatre, April 20 at 3 PM. Beginning April 29 it will begin performances at the Music Box Theatre.

August: Osage County which takes place in rural Oklahoma, tells the story of the highly dysfunctional Weston family who must return to the family home in rural Oklahoma to care for their afflicted (and mistress-of-manipulation) mother.

Everyone in my office just raved about this show. It is one you don't one to miss. Even better if you call Applause Theatre Service now we can get you the best seats to one if this season's biggest hits.

Want tickets to any show On or Off Broadway? Call Applause Theatre Service now. The best seats at the best prices. That's Applause.

1-800-451-9930 or 212-307-7050, or visit us on the web at http://www.applause-tickets.com.

Applause Theatre and Entertainment
"Where Sold Out is Never Part of the Equation"