Dec 12

Dec 12 Side Show - Was It Sidelined or Sidestepped?

Many musical theatre fans are bemoaning the recent news that the musical Side Show, the eagerly anticipated revival of 1997 flop musical that ran a mere 91 performance, has announced its closing for January 4th. Fans of the original production are rabid; they fiercely be-cry the injustice of such a compelling work with an electrified, emotionally raw score and an arresting, freakish premise not afforded ample time to find an audience. All who are financially and emotionally invested in the revival hoped that a new production, featuring some book alterations, score changes, and a re-imagined production would make a new case for this musical to be revered for its supposed inherent greatness. Clearly, despite some critical accolades (if not exactly unqualified raves across the board), the new production is closing, having run approximately the same number of performances as the original. Why is it that a show, that has a strong base of musical theatre fans, cannot seem to find the success that many people believe it deserves?

Dec 5

Dec 5 Peter Pan - Live - Review - "Faith and Trust, But Where's the Pixie Dust?"

Mark Robinson

My reaction to last night's Peter Pan - Live felt more like a flame being extinguished than a dream taking flight. I had hoped that lessons had been learned from last year's stodgy The Sound of Music - Live and that everyone involved would come up with a livelier, more "musical" product. I wanted to love this new incarnation of Peter Pan, and seemingly I should have. All the pieces were in place for what I hoped would be an airborne, breezy evening. Alas, dear folks, the whole should be greater than the sum of its parts, and Peter Pan - Live was neither cohesive or exciting. It was merely adequate and that is probably the most disappointing part of all.

Dec 3

Dec 3 The Top Ten Reasons Why We Love Broadway Musicals

Mark Robinson

I have been spending a lot of time thinking about why I love Broadway musicals so much. What is it about this art form that has addicted me since my 7th grade music teacher introduced us to Rodgers and Hammerstein and showed us the film of South Pacific. There must be a reason why so many of us gravitate to musicals, and yet the art form eludes so many others. What do we get from the experience and what makes us go back, again and again? This week's Top Ten list an examination of what compels us.

Nov 21

Nov 21 Into the Woods We're Forced to Grope - Clinging to Our Sense of Hope

Mark Robinson

Stage To Screen

Is there anything weighing more heavily on the mind of the musical theatre nerd right now than what we are going to get out of our Christmas present this December 25th? For many of us, a film of Into the Woods has been a LONG TIME coming. I don't think that there is a Stephen Sondheim musical with more cinematic possibilities than Into the Woods. The opportunities for cameras to wend their way through gnarled trees and blowing leaves. The reveal of entering a glade to find a beloved character sharing both their wishes and their flaws. The possibility for gorgeous costumes and an art design to rival any Merchant-Ivory film? The amping-up of the orchestrations to augment Jonathan Tunick's already lush, evocative arrangements. A complex, interweaving story, as labyrinthine as the titular woods themselves. An adult approach to fairy tales that makes them fresh, relevant, and deeper in meaning than we could ever hope to extract from any Disney incarnation of our childhood. And what about beanstalks, giants, gilded carriages, doorless towers, and magic, all handled very cleverly onstage but screaming for a chance at cinematic interpretation? Into the Woods should make a wonderful film and there is every reason for us to greet it with both anticipation and trepidation. Remember: Into the Woods cautions us to be careful what we wish for

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