Tuesday, January 14, 2014

What To See In 2014: Part Four

That's right theatre fans. It's time for part four in my four part series discussing the new shows coming to the Great White Way. So far I have written about thirteen new plays and musicals set to open this year. Here are the remaining three. Enjoy!


Rocky
Winter Garden Theatre
First Preview: February 11
Opens: March 13


Yo Adrian! I'm coming to Broadway! That's right. Everybody's favorite underdog story is coming to the Great White Way. And this time it's set to music. Based on the Academy Award winning movie Rocky is set to open next month at the Winter Garden Theatre. The theatre's last two shows Mamma Mia and Cats both ran for over a decade. Will Rocky be as successful? I couldn't tell you. Now as much as I am not a fan of movies being turned into big Broadway musicals I will admit I am somewhat intrigued about this one. After all the Winter Garden is the only Broadway Theatre that I have never been in so that alone makes me want to see it. Plus I am dying to see how they are going to pull of the big boxing scene at the end. We shall see.


The Velocity of Autumn
Booth Theatre
First Preview: April 1
Opens: April 21


The truth is I know nothing about the show except what I read from the shows press release. What I do know is that the show is starring two-time Tony winner Stephen Spinella and Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons who I had the pleasure of seeing five years ago in August: Osage County. She was brilliant. That alone makes me want to see it. Well that and that it's a new play. Let's home it's a good one.


Violet
American Airlines Theatre
First Preview: March 28
Opens: April 20
Closes: August 10


Once again a show I really know nothing about. I take that back. I do know that it is starring two-time Tony award winner Sutton Foster. Makes you want to see it even more now doesn't it? Violet tells the story of a young woman’s quest for beauty amidst the image-obsessed landscape of the 1960s. Facially disfigured in a childhood accident, Violet dreams of a miraculous transformation through the power of faith. Convinced that a televangelist in Oklahoma can heal her, she hops a Greyhound bus and starts the journey of a lifetime. Sound's kind of interesting don't you think? Now with all Roundabout productions it is only a limited run but if reviews are good I m sure it will extend. Let's hope.


So there you have it theatre fans. Sixteen shows set to open between now and the end of April. Plus like years past I am sure there will be a few more that will sneak in before the Tony cutoff date. Which ones will fail and which ones will succeed? We will soon find out.


JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
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Monday, January 13, 2014

Beautiful Reviews

Well the reviews for Beautiful:The Carole King Musical are in theatre fans and to be honest they're not too bad. While most of the raves are for it's star Tony nominee Jessie Mueller the reviews for the most part are pretty good I think. But what do I know? So why not check them and out and you can judge for yourself. Enjoy!

Associated Press

AM New York

Entertainment Weekly

NY Daily News

New York Magazine

New York Times

NY Post

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

What To See In 2014:Part Three

That's right theatre fans. It's time for part three of my four part series discussing the new shows coming to Broadway. So far I have written my thoughts on ten new shows that are set to open in the coming months. Now comes three more. All of which are plays. So let's get too it. Enjoy!


Of Mice and Men
Longacre Theatre
First Preview: March 19
Opens: April 16


Let me just start off by saying that I have never read Of Mice and Men. Haven't seen the movie either. Now does that mean that I don't want to see the show? You better believe I do. After all it does have two very talented actor's starring in it. (James Franco, Chris O'Dowd) Not too mention it is being directed by a Tony winning director (Anna D. Shapiro of August: Osage County fame) Now while I haven't read the book I am a little familiar with the story. Although to be honest I thought the two guys were brothers and not friends. I guess I should read up on it a little before I see it huh? Or maybe I'll just wait and just go along for the ride. I think that's the better idea. As of now the show is only scheduled to run thru July 27 but if reviews are good you never know. Maybe it will extend. Stranger things have happened. Either way expect the show to sell a lot of tickets at the box office this Spring.


Outside Mullingar
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
First Preview: January 3
Opens: January 23
Closes: March 16


A new play by Tony and Academy Award winning writer John Patrick Shanley? Count me in. Not only that but it stars fellow Tony winner Brian F. O'Byrne and Emmy winner Debra Messing. Now I know nothing about the show except what I just wrote about so but isn't that enough to make you run right out and see it? It is for me. As of now the show is only scheduled to run thru March 16 but with all shows at the Manhattan Club they usually extend a few weeks if reviews are good. We will soon find out.


A Raisin In The Sun
Barrymore Theatre
First Preview: March 8
Opens: April 3


Now this is the one that I have been waiting for people. Denzel Washington is my favorite actor of all time and I am still kicking myself that I missed him the last time he was on the Great White Way. You can bet that I won't make that mistake again. Starring along side him are Tony winners Diahann Carroll, Anika Noni Rose and Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo. Look we already know that this show is going to do well at the box office. The big question is how it will fare when the Tony nominations come out in April. We will soon find out.


So there you have it folks. Part three in my four part series. Next up is Rocky, The Velocity of Autumn and Violet.  Until next time theatre fans.


JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service





Friday, January 03, 2014

Get Tickets To See Wicked On Broadway With Applause Tickets

Still haven't seen Broadway's most "Popular" musical? Well what the heck are you waiting for people? Now is the best time to see one of the Great White Way's most successful shows of all time. The show which just celebrated it's tenth anniversary this past October continues to delight audiences of all ages eight times a week at the Gershwin Theatre. Now for those of you out there who still haven't seen the show there is no better time than the present. For those of you that aren't aware January and February is actually the best time to see the show as it is generally a slow time. Not just for Wicked but for other shows as well. That means not only do you get great seats but at a great prices as well. Who doesn't love a bargain? I know I sure do. Plus not only do we sell tickets for New York and London but every city in between. How many other ticket companies do you know that do that? Not too many my friends. Get your tickets to see Wicked on Broadway or at a theatre near you. It is fantastic. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service

What To See In 2014: Part Two

Earlier this week I posted my first article on the shows set to open on Broadway in the coming months. As I mentioned in my previous blog I will be listing all the shows alphabetically as opposed to the ones that I am looking forward to the most. Although when you think about it shouldn't I be looking forward to all of them? A new show is a new show right? Even the bad ones. And away we go!

Bullets Over Broadway
St. James Theatre
First Preview: March 11, 2014
Opens: April 10, 2014

Can I just say how excited I am about seeing this show? Not only am I a huge Woody Allen fan but it is also one of my favorite films of all time. Now while the show is technically new the score is not. Instead the show will feature popular sings from that era. Now for those of you that are not familiar with the movie here is a brief synopsis of  Bullets Over Broadway from the shows official website.

A playwright who needs someone to back his next show. A mobster who needs some way to please his showgirl girlfriend. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship or a brand new musical comedy! Sounds like a winner to me. I know I can't wait to see it. Who knows? Maybe I'll see you there. Expect the show to be a big contender at this year's Tony Awards.


Cabaret
Studio 54
First Preview: March 21, 2014
Opens: April 24, 2014

Well would you look at that? Two shows in a row that I am looking forward too this season? Who would have thought? Now I will admit that I am a little partial when it comes to the show since I used to work at the Studio 54 box office during it's last run there. While technically I only saw the whole show three or four times I did sneak into the theatre quite a bit over my two years there.

What an amazing piece of theatre. Returning in his Tony winning performance as the Emcee is Alan Cumming. Joining him as Sally Bowles? Why none other than Three-time Academy Award nominee Michele Williams. Now if that doesn't make you want to run to see it then I don't know what will.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Belasco Theatre
First Preview: March 29, 2014
Opens: April 22, 2014

What? Stop the presses! Three shows in a row that I am actually looking forward too? When has that ever happened? Not for a long time my friends. The show which first premiered Off-Broadway in 1998 is set to make it's Broadway debut this Spring at the Belasco Theatre. Now while I never got a chance to see it during it's first run you can better believe nothing will stop me from seeing it now. Plus the fact that it is starring one of my favorite actor's in the form of  Neil Patrick Harris. Makes you want to see it even more now doesn't it?

If/Then
Richard Rodgers Theatre
First Preview: March 4, 2014
Opens: March 27, 2014

Now this is getting out of control people. Another show that I actually want to see this season? This is crazy. Or maybe I'm just excited because finally someone has actually written an original musical for the Broadway stage. That's it. As a composer/lyricist myself I love seeing new work. Their last show was Next To Normal which not only won the Tony Award for Best Score but also the Pulitzer Prize for Drams. Will lighting strike twice? We will soon find out.

Mothers and Sons
John Golden Theatre
First Preview: February 23, 2014
Opens: March 24, 2014

What is that? A play opening on Broadway amongst all those big Broadway musicals? Who would have thought? This show not only marks four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally's first show on Broadway in almost seven years. Not only that but it also stars Tony and Emmy winner Tyne Daly. So there you go. Two reasons to see the show. Well that and it sounds like it could be good too. That always help. I see a Tony nomination in Ms. Daly's future. We shall see.

So there you have it. Part Two in my Four Part Series. Check back here in the coming days where I will preview Of Mice and Men, Outside Mullingar, and A Raisin in the Sun. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
723 7th Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10019
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

http://www.applause-tickets.com/
Facebook:Applause Theater and Entertainment Service