Dec 4

Dec 4 Hairspray Live!: What We Want to See

This week we will finally get to see the next live musical on television: Hairspray. Since its announcement earlier this year, I have been eager with anticipation for three reasons. First, I think it is a good choice for the live television treatment since it is a vibrant, energetic and family-friendly piece with a lot of messages that are particularly pertinent right now. Second, the film version starring John Travolta left me feeling unsatisfied, as if the fun had been drained from the piece. Finally, and perhaps foremost, I think Harvey Fierstein's indelible performance as the blossoming Edna Turnblad needs to be preserved for posterity.

Dec 2

Dec 2 Movie Musicals We Love In Spite of Their Imperfections

Mark Robinson

Music That Makes Me Dance, Cinematters

Musical theatre fans often love their movie musicals as well. We are, however, skeptical of the movie musical format, since it often disappoints. Do we set our expectations too high? Probably. There are, however, a handful of movie musicals that are deeply flawed, but that we will return to again and again. Here are some titles that fit that description.

Nov 30

Nov 30 No! No! No! No! Not Another Gypsy!

Mark Robinson

Music That Makes Me Dance

“Some people can thrive and bloom, watching Gypsy in their living living room.” This thought came over me when I was watching Imelda Staunton give a bravura performance as Rose in Gypsy which aired on PBS this last week. How lovely it was to see her up close and personal in that way. Watching theatre on television is not ideal, but it certainly has its perks. That being said, I am one of those detractors who do not believe that we need that revival to cross the Atlantic and set up shop on Broadway.

Nov 27

Nov 27 Broadway Musical Must-Haves For the Best Holiday Gifts

Mark Robinson

Odds & Ends

Tomorrow is Cyber Monday, the day that is supposed to be the equivalent of Back Friday, but instead of leaving home and mingling amongst the throngs to buy gifts, we sit at home in our jammies with bed head and order gifts online. I prefer this way of shopping. As a theatre writer and enthusiast, I have been compiling a list of things I will most assuredly be buying for my theatre friends this year. These are some of my favorite must-haves of the recent year that I know will light up some faces this Christmas morning.

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