Bombshell Concert To Stream Tomorrow Night

One of my favorite television show's of the past decade was Smash. As a matter of fact, I just recently watched every episode on DVD. I mean I needed something to do until this pandemic is over right? Sadly, the show only lasted two seasons before being canceled in the Spring of 2013. For those of you that are not familiar with the show's plot, it takes a behind the scenes look at a Broadway bound new musical, and the personal lives of the shows creators and it's stars.

The musical's subject? Why none other than icon Marilyn Monroe. The name of the show? Bombshell. Anyway, two years after the show's final episode, the cast as well as the show's composers Tony Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman, reunited for a one night only benefit concert on June 8, 2015 at the Minskoff Theatre. Featuring the show's original cast, as well as full orchestra and chorus, Bombshell went on to become one of the mist successful fundraisers in Actor's Fund history.

Now while I didn't get the opportunity to attend the concert in 2015, you better believe that I won't miss it this time around. To view the live stream, which begins tomorrow night at 8pm, go to PEOPLE.com, as well as People's digital and social platforms. You can also view it on Playbill.com as well. Stay safe everyone, and don't forget to look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

The Return Of 42nd Street

Now before you get all excited theatre fans, 42nd Street is not coming back to Broadway. Yes I know it's been over fifteen years since the last production. And yes, it was very successful, winning the 2001 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival of the Year. No, I'm talking about the return of that stretch of land between 7th and 8th Avenues, commonly referred to as "The Deuce". That 42nd Street. During the early 1900's thru to late 1930's, 42nd Street was sort of the epicenter of the Broadway district. One of it's most popular venues was the New Amstredam Theatre.

Now today, we know it as the flagship theatre of Disney Theatricals, home to the Broadway smash of Aladdin, and former home of Mary Poppins and The Lion King. From 1913-1927, it was the home of the Ziegfeld Follies. Starting in 1937, it was used as a movie theatre, before closing for good in 1985. Of course by then, the theatre was a shell of it's former self, caused by years and years of abuse and neglect. According to the Disney Organization, boxes on both sides of the venue had been ripped out, ceilings had collapsed, and believe it or not, giant plate size mushrooms were growing all around.

To say the New Amsterdam had become dilapidated was an understatement. Enter former Disney head Michael Eisner and the Disney Organization, who took on the herculean task of restoring the theatre to it's former glory. Which in turn, changed the course of 42nd Street forever. Now while The Lion King was it's first fully staged production, it's first presentation was a limited engagement concert of King David by Academy and Tony Award winners Alan Menken and Tim Rice. The day of it's first performance? May 18,1997. Well would you look at that? That's today. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Musical Based On Some Like It Hot To Open On Broadway In 2021

January 8, 2020. Care to guess what happened on that date? Don't worry. I won't fault you if you don't know. In fact, I had to do a little research to find out myself. O.K. O.K, I won't hold you in suspense. On that date, I posted a blog about how the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Sing Street was headed to the Great White Way. It was scheduled to open at the Lyceum Theatre on April 19. Sadly, it was among fourteen other shows that were set to open this season. That is until the Coronavirus changed our world forever. Now I know what you're thinking. What does that have to do with today's blog?

Well as it turns out, January 8, 2020, was the last time I posted a blog about a new show coming to Broadway. That's almost four and a half months ago. Since then, my blogs have been limited to show closings and postponements, and the various shows and benefits that are available to stream. Now finally, there is some exciting news to report. Based on the 1959 film starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe, Some Like It Hot is set to premier on Broadway in the Fall of 2021. Prior to the pandemic, it was scheduled to have have it's world premier in Chicago in the Spring of 2021.

Featuring a score by Tony Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, a book by Matthew Lopez, and direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, the show is being produced by the Shubert Organization and Neil Meron, and co-produced by Roy Furman, Robert Greenblatt, and the Nederlander Organization. Now I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see this. Here's hoping even more new shows will be announced in the coming months. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Today In Theatre History

Earlier this week, I posted a blog celebrating the birthday of Irving Berlin. As I mentioned, his biggest Broadway hit was Annie Get Your Gun. Well as it turns out, that show opened exactly seventy-four years ago today. May 16, 1946. Now back then, the Tony Awards didn't exist. Those wouldn't come around until a year later. It did however win the award for Best Musical Revival of the Year, when it returned in 1999, in a brand new production starring Bernadette Peters, in her Tony Award winning performance as Annie Oakley.

I actually saw the show during it's final dress rehearsal, the afternoon before it's first preview. Going in, I wasn't that familiar with the show, except that the classic tune, "There's No Business, Like Show Business", came from it. Later on, I discovered that the musicals original composer was set to be Jerome Kern, who tragically died from a cerebral hemorrhage on his way to the East Coast to begin work on the show. It was also produced by the Tony Award winning team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.

The original production, which starred Tony Award winner Ethel Merman, ran for a total of 1,147 performances. Now while Ms. Merman played Annie for it's entire run, the 1999 revival, showed a bevy of different performers including soap opera queen Susan Lucci, and country music star Reba McEntire, who's five month critically acclaimed run, garnered her a Drama Desk and Outer Critic's Award.

Who knows? Maybe when this pandemic is over, somebody will produce a brand new revival of this beloved musical, starring a rotating group of talented female stars. My first couple of picks would be Broadway favorites, and Tony Award winners Kelli O'Hara and Jessie Mueller. Although a couple of award winning singers like Leann Rimes and Kelly Clarkson would fit the bill quite nicely as well. Make it happen Broadway producers. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Disney's Frozen Is The Latest Victim Of Covid-19

Those who know me, know that I am not exactly the biggest Disney fan in the world. In fact, the only one that I liked was Aida. Probably because it wasn't a cartoon first. But that doesn't mean that I wanted Frozen to close. Or Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, or Hangmen. Unfortunately there will be more shows that may never reopen, or even open at all for that matter. This is our new normal. And as much as I want this terrible pandemic to end, it will be a long time before we will be able to sit in a theatre again my friends. Now don't get me wrong. Being able to watch all of these amazing shows and events from home has been great. It even made me forget about all of the terrible things going on in the world. Even for just an hour or two. But it's not the same. No matter how much we want to think that it is. One day this nightmare will all be over. And one day we will be gathered once again, experiencing the theatre the way it was meant to be. Live. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking our for each other. Until next time theatre fans. 

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

MJ The Musical Postponed Until 2021

Well at least it wasn't cancelled outright. MJ The Musical, which was supposed to begin previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on July 6, has now been moved to next year. Previews are set to begin on March 8, 2021, with opening night scheduled for April 15. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon (An American In Paris), and written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Ruined), MJ The Musical will feature over twenty-five of Michael Jackson's biggest hits, and will star Tony Award nominee Ephraim Sykes (Ain't Too Proud) in the lead role. MJ The Musical is the latest show to postpone, following the announcement that the revival of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, will now open next season as well. Makes you wonder if the highly anticipated revival of The Music Man will follow suit in the coming weeks. We shall see. Stay safe everyone, and don't forget to look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Broadway Extends Shut Down

Sad news theatre fans. Yet not surprising. Yesterday afternoon, the Broadway League officially shut down thru September 6, 2020, with an exact return date to be determined later. The shutdown, which began on March 12, was set to open on April 12, then changed to June 7. As devastating as this news is, I'm glad they didn't wait until the week before to make the announcement like last time.

Plus extending another two months again,will allow everyone to sort of reassess things, and better prepare if things start to improve. Beginning this Friday, three regions in New York State, Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, and the Southern Tier, will reopen. If that is a success, then gradually other areas will slowly start to reopen as well. But make no mistake. We have a long, long road ahead of us.

Things like live theatre, will be the last thing to open in New York, and that is provided every thing goes as planned. Now I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the day when I can sit in a theatre once again. To feel normal again. Until that day happens, this is our new normal. And all we can do is pray that things get better soon. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Broadway Production Of Hamilton To Stream This Summer

Now this is what I call exciting news theatre fans. It was just announced, that the eleven time Tony Award winning production of Hamilton, will stream exclusively on Disney + this Summer. Featuring the original Broadway cast, the movie which was scheduled to open in theatres in October 2021, will now stream on the popular channel beginning on July 3. Now while I wasn't fortunate enough to see the show with it's original award winning cast, I was able to see the show a couple of years into it's run. It was fantastic. Doesn't mean I don't want to see it again. Looks like somebody will be getting Disney + real soon. Something tells me I won't be the only one. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Happy Birthday Irving Berlin

Back in high school, we always had several concerts throughout the year. During my Freshman year, we held our annual Spring Band/Choral event, where I played alto saxophone, and sang in the choir. As it turns out, that was also the year that Irving Berlin turned 100 years old. So of course, we had to do a tribute to him featuring some of his most popular songs. Now while I was familiar with a few of his songs like "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Puttin' on the Ritz", and "Alexander's Ragtime Band", I didn't realize exactly how many songs he actually wrote.

As it turns out, he composed over fifteen hundred tunes during his sixty year career. That's a lot of songs my friends. Plus what I didn't know until a year or two later, was that he composed the score for a number of Broadway shows as well. Actually he wrote a total of twenty-three, between the years 1914 and 1962, including Call Me Madame, Miss Liberty and Mr. President. Most of which played at the Music Box Theatre, which he owned until his death in 1989. His biggest hit of course, was Annie Get Your Gun, which featured such well known songs like, "There's No Business Like Show Business", "You Can't Get A Man With A Gun", and "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)."

Now with the exception of the show's 1999 Tony Award winning revival, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters, I like most, probably assumed that would be the last time that an Irving Berlin show would ever play on Broadway. Boy was I wrong. In 2009, we saw the premier of White Christmas, followed by Holiday Inn in 2016. Well would you look at that? Maybe we will see another Irving Berlin show again in the near future? Here's a thought. How about an all-star Irving Berlin tribute at the Music Box Theatre? Sounds like a great idea to me. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Broadway Mother's Day Benefit To Stream Today

I don't know about you, but I love Mother's Day. Always have. And even though I won't be able to share the special day with my Mom in person, I will be calling her like always. I mean what kind of son would I be if I didn't? Plus she would never let me hear the end of it. Just kidding. My Mom's the best. Now in case you haven't heard, there is a little concert happening today in honor of Mother's Day. Let me rephrase that. There is nothing little about it.

Not when you have over twenty-five Broadway artist's doing what they do best. The event, which benefit's the Broadway Cares' Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, will air online beginning at 3pm, at BroadwayDoesMothersDay.com. Some of the artists scheduled to perform are Tony Award winners Laura Benanti, Victoria Clark, Chuck Cooper, Harvey Fierstein, James Monroe Iglehart, Judy Kaye, LaChanze, as well Vanessa Williams, Eden Espinosa, Carolee Carmello, Betsy Wolfe, and many, many more.

Now besides the performers listed above, there will be sketches from several Broadway shows including Moulin Rouge!The Musical, Jagged Little Pill, Company, Tina:The Tina Turner Musical, Chicago, Diana,Mean Girls, Girl From the North Country, Six and Mrs. Doubtfire. Well I know where I'll be on May 10. Well, after I call my mother of course. Happy Mother's Day! And as always, stay safe everyone, and don't forget to look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Gerald Schoenfeld And Bernard B. Jacobs

One of my favorite books, is "Razzle Dazzle:The Battle For Broadway", by New York Post columnist, and radio talk show host Michael Riedel. Believe it or not, but I have been reading his columns ever since he started writing for the New York Daily News in 1993. Man I feel old. Now for those of you that haven't read his book, Razzle Dazzle shines the light on the sleazy world of Times Square in the 1970's, thru to it's triumphant rebirth in the 1990's. Leading the charge were two men. The two men who just happen to be today's blog subject.

Following the deaths of the Shubert Brothers, who's story is heavily featured in the book, the two men, who had been the Shubert's attorney's since the sixties, took control of the organization, taking it to heights it had never seen. Now I'm not going to lie. They definitely had their detractors over the years. And they made some decisions that upset a lot of people. Case in point. The demolition of five Broadway theatres in 1982. Just to clarify, they were not the ones who made the fateful decision to destroy those theatres. They did however support it.

Which in turn caused quite a backlash against them for quite a while. But let's not forget the good things they did. They led the charge to clean up Times Square. They were vital in helping bring shows like A Chorus Line, Cats, Les Miserables, and The Phantom of the Opera to Broadway, which in turn brought more people to the theatre. Those are just a couple of reasons why on May 9, 2005, the Plymouth and Royal Theatre were renamed the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre and the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. I couldn't think of two more deserving men. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

National Theatre To Live Stream Past Productions During The Month Of May

Let's face it. There hasn't been a lot to celebrate lately theatre fans. It's been almost two months since performers took the stage in New York City. When theatre of any kind will come back is uncertain. All that's certain, is that we have a long road ahead of us before things are back to normal once again. If that's even possible.On the bright side, if there is one I guess, is that we have all been fortunate to be able to see a variety of shows and events that have been both entertaining, as well as provide a little solace during these trying times.

Plus it has raised money for numerous worthwhile organizations as well. In the coming weeks, there will be tons of great shows that can be streamed from the comfort of your own home.Most of which I have written about the last few weeks. However there is one I recently discovered, that I am very excited about. Now the truth is, I have never been to London. Although it's certainly on my bucket list. But until I do, I am thankful that the National Theatre has graciously decided to live stream some of their most critically acclaimed productions of the last few years.

Not only that, but for the first seven days of each show's release, it is free. Listed below are just a few of the shows that are available to view thru the theatre's official YouTube channel. Stay safe everyone, and look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

Antony and Cleopatra - Starring Tony Award winner's Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okendo, premiered on May 7.

Barber Shop Chronicles - Premiers on May 14

A Streetcar Named Desire -Starring Gillian Anderson and Ben Foster, premiers on May 21

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Tony Awards May Not Return Until 2021

Thirty-one days from now, six thousand theatre fans were set to gather together at the historic Radio City Music Hall to celebrate Broadway, with millions around the world watching from the comfort of their own home. The occasion? The 2020 Tony Awards. Since March 12, theatre in New York City has been non-existent. When it will return is anyone's guess. Some say it will be back before Labor Day weekend. Others are a little more realistic, and are hoping that it returns before the holidays.

Then there's people like London and Broadway producer Cameron Mackintosh who think it won't return until next year. All I know is that when it returns, it will look and feel a lot different. Not that that's a bad thing. Just different. According to an article in yesterday's New York Post, theatre insiders predict that this years Tony Awards, which was scheduled for June 7, and then postponed, will be cancelled all together.If that happens, then it's possible that shows from the 2019-2010 season, will be combined with all the shows during the 2020-2021 season.

Now if I was in charge, I would think with double the shows, that they would increase the number of nominee's in every category. But what do I know? All I know, is that on June 7, I will be home, thinking about what might have been. Here's an idea. Why doesn't somebody do a live stream of Tony Awards performances from the past fifty years, with proceeds going to a worthy organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids/Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, or Artists Striving To End Poverty.  Stay safe everyone, and don't forget to look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

All West End Shows Closed Thru June

Oh come on now. Are you really surprised? Let's be honest. It's probably going to be a while before we are all gathered together in a theatre, enjoying a classic play or musical. In fact just the other day, London's most prolific producer Cameron Mackintosh, gave an interview stating that he doesn't think that theatre both on Broadway, and the West End, will return until 2021. As of now, theatre in the West End is shut down thru June 28, with Broadway closed thru June 7. Now I don't know about you, but I would love nothing more than to be hanging out with my friends on the 4th of July, enjoying a cold beverage and a delicious meal in Times Square, followed by a Broadway or Off-Broadway show. We all would. But until that day happens, all we can do is continue to stay positive. Stay safe. And most importantly, keep looking out for each other Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Today In Theatre History

Last week, I posted a blog celebrating the birthday of Tony Award winner Sheldon Harnick. Now besides being known as the lyricist for Fiddler on the Roof, he also won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiorello! in 1960. But my favorite show of his, was She Loves Me. By the time I saw it on Christmas Day 1993, I had probably seen over a dozen Broadway shows. All new shows by the way. However the 1993-94 season produced four revivals that year. Which is probably why for the first time in Tony Award history, they separated the Best Revival category into Best Play Revival and Best Musical Revival.

That year I saw all four nominees. Carousel, Damn Yankees, Grease, and of course She Loves Me.Carousel won by the way, winning the most of any show that season with a total of five. However today is all about Damn Yankees.Not only my second Broadway revival, but my first time seeing two greats in the form of four-time Tony Award nominee Victor Garber, and two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth. The original production, which seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical of the Year, opened on May 5, 1955. Well would you look at that? That's today.

Going in, I wasn't that familar with the show.All I knew, was that I was excited to see if Lilith Crane from "Cheers" could sing and dance. And boy could she. I loved the show. In fact, I went back to see it again one year later, when comic legend Jerry Lewis replaced Garber in the role of Applegate, aka The Devil. That was twenty-five years ago. Now I don't know about you, but I think it's time for another revival once things get back to normal again. Who knows? Maybe an old fashioned musical like Damn Yankees, might be just the thing we need. Stay safe everyone, and keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

My Favorite Play

When I first moved to New York City in the early 1990's, musicals were the thing I wanted to see. Don't get me wrong. I loved the plays too. After all, I ended up starring in just as many of those during my high school career. It's just that there is something a little extra special about a big old fashioned Broadway musical. However in the last ten years or so, a classic drama, or a laugh out lot comedy, are the things that excites me.

Growing up, one of the first plays I ever read, was Thorton Wilder's Our Town. Being from a small town myself, it was the perfect introduction to a world that would one day take me to places that I never imagined. For the next few years, I read every play I could get my hand on. My two favorites were Neil Simon and Arthur Miller. Then during my junior year, I saw a local college production of Athol Fugard's "Master Harold"...and the Boys, which I immediately went out and bought the next day. 

I must have read that play over and over for the next few weeks. So much to the point that it when it came time to select a monologue for school a year later, I knew the perfect one. Thankfully they liked it, along with my musical theatre piece, and I was accepted into it's program for the next year. After I got here, I discovered even more amazing plays from Fugard's body of work, including Blood Not, My Children! My Africa!, and The Road To Mecca. 

But for me, "Master Harold", will always be my favorite. Not just my favorite Athol Fugard play. My favorite play ever. Hence the reason for today's blog. Oh and also because the show opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre exactly thirty-eight years ago today. In the last few weeks, I have written about a lot of things. Mostly about shows, some of which played over twenty or thirty years ago.

Let's face it. There is nothing like an opening night on Broadway. It's a time when everyone from the actor's, to the creative team, to the audience itself, gather together to celebrate a new show, or a beloved revival. Some of those shows go on to be a huge hits. Others, not so much. However one thing remains the same. There will always be Broadway. Just like there will always be opening nights. and closing nights too. 

Nothing lasts forever. Not even Cats. But you know what does last forever? My love for the theatre. And my belief that Broadway, along with Off-Broadway, and live theatre around the world will be back one day. Now that is one opening that we can all look forward too. Stay safe everyone, and continue to keep looking out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Celebrities On The Great White Way

Let's face it. Theatre goers love seeing stars. Not just Broadway stars mind you. Hollywood stars. Big Hollywood stars like Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Daniel Radcliffe, Scarlett Johansson, Denzel Washington, and Better Midler. Of the seven actors that I listed, four won Tony Awards for their performances. All very deserving I might add. Now the truth is, celebrities on Broadway was not always as common as it is today.

In fact, one of the first major celebrities to make their Broadway debut, was the "Material Girl" herself, Madonna Louise Ciccone.Yes that's right. Madonna was on Broadway. Forgot didn't you? It's understandable considering it was over thirty years ago, and her performance wasn't all that well received. Speed-the-Plow, by David Mamet, also starred Joe Mantegna, and Ron Silver, who won a Tony Award for his performance, opened at the Jacobs Theatre (formerly the Royale) on May 3, 1988.

Well, would you look at that? May 3rd is today. What a coincidence.O.K., I'll admit it. Each of my last few blog subjects, all happen to fall on the same day a particular event happened. Like say, a Broadway opening. What can I say? There's not a whole lot of new things to report on right now. And if I'm being honest, that makes me a little sad. Actually, it makes me a lot sad. But things will get better. For that I am certain. And when they do, we will be even stronger and better than ever. Stay safe everyone, and remember to look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

My First Sondheim Show

Over the years, I have seen hundreds of shows. And while I was very aware of Stephen Sondheim in high school, I didn't actually see one of his shows until after I moved to New York. Actually, it was over sixteen years after I moved here. Now while I did see a recorded production of Into The Woods during it's original run, as well as multiple viewings of the film version of West Side Story, I had never seen a live production of his work until 2008. The show? Sunday In The Park With George. Now as much as I loved some of his other show's, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one.

I don't know, I guess the idea of a whole musical based on a painting seemed a little too artistic for my taste. The good thing is, is that it was a free ticket, and who was I to turn that down? So there I sat in the Orchestra at Studio 54, a theatre I knew very well having worked there for many years during the 1998 Tony Award winning revival of Cabaret. Plus, I had heard nothing but amazing things about this production when it played at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London a few years prior, where it won five Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Production.

Not only that, but it's leading man Daniel Evans, would be reprising his Olivier Award winning performance as George Seurat. So now the $64,000 question. "Did I like it"? No. I loved it. In fact, it is now not only one of my favorite Sondheim productions, but one of my favorite theatrical experiences of all time. Oh and by the way, the original production of Sunday in the Park With George, opened exactly thirty-six years ago today at the Booth Theatre on Broadway. Another tie in once again. Stay safe everyone, and look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

My Last Tony Awards

June 2, 1991. Care to guess what happened on that date? Well if you paid attention to the title of today's blog, then you probably said, "The 1991 Tony Award's right"? And you know what? You'd be correct. Now for anyone of you that have ever read my blogs, you can clearly tell how much I love the theatre.  I mean I write about it practically every day. Not too mention I have been selling tickets for each and every show under the sun for over twenty years. O.K. I'll admit it, 1991 was not the last time that I watched the Tony Awards. In fact except for a year or two, I have watched every Tony Award telecast since 1985.

Big River won the top prize that year by the way. Now the reason I titled my blog "My Last Tony Awards, was because 1991 would be the last time that I would be watching the show from my home in Illinois. The next time the show would air, I would be living in the very city that the awards show was taking place. Plus if things went well, I might actually get the chance to see some of those nominated shows. Oh and case you were wondering, the second musical that I ever saw on Broadway, was in fact one of that year's Best Musical nominees, Five Guy's Named Moe.

Now while I did't get the chance to see that year's winner Crazy For You until 1993, I did end up seeing it a half a dozen times over the next few years. By the way, the winner for Best Musical of the Year in 1991? The Will Rogers Follies, which won six Tony Awards that year, and enjoyed a near two and a half run at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. Oh and the show's opening night? Exactly twenty-nine years ago today. Isn't it great when everything all ties together? Stay safe everyone, and don't forget to look out for each other. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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

Happy Birthday Sheldon Harnick

I starred in my first show in the eighth grade. Now even though my love for the theatre started years before, it grew even stronger now that I was behind the footlights. That production was Bye Bye Birdie. For the next few years, I had roles in Play It Again Sam, Oliver, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Peter Pan. However it wasn't until the Summer between my sophomore and junior year, that I did my first show outside the walls of my high school auditorium. The show? Fiddler on the Roof? The lyricist? Why none other than today's blog subject, the one and only Sheldon Harnick.

Since I was in the chorus, I spent a lot of time back stage. Thankfully, that gave me plenty of time to hear his exquisite and touching lyrics night after night. Now while that was my last Sheldon Harnick show that I was in, I have had the chance over the years to see several of his shows on the big stage. My first was Fiorello,which launched the Encores! Series in 1994. Then there was the 2006 Broadway revival of The Apple Tree, starring Kristin Chenoweth, Brian D'Arcy James, and Marc Kudisch. Oh and of course two revivals of Fiddler on the Roof in between.

But my most memorable of all of them, was the 1993 Broadway revival of She Loves Me. Prior to moving to New York, I had never heard of the show. Then my first semester at college, I was assigned the show's title song. From then on, it became one of my favorite shows. For those of you that are not familiar with this amazing show, it takes place in Budapest at a local Parfumerie, and is based on 1940 award winning film Shop Around The Corner starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan. That film, was then remade in 1998, in the romantic classic You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

So, now that you know a little bit about the show's background, I'll get back to the reason the show is so special to me. For starters, I saw the show on Christmas Day, which for those of you who know the show, is when the last part of the show takes place. It was also my first Christmas that I would not be spending with my family. Oh and to top it all off, Santa Claus came out for the curtain call. Which I found out later was just a one time thing for that performance. Regardless, it topped off a magical evening in the theatre that I will never forget. Happy Birthday Sheldon Harnick. Broadway would not have been the same without you. Until next time theatre fans.

JWB
Applause Theatre and Entertainment Service, Inc.
165 West 46th Street
Suite 1107
New York, NY 10036
212-307-7050
or 1-800-451-9930

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