The play is set in a Cleveland hotel in 1934 and is the story of an Italian opera star, Tito Merelli. Tito is played by Anthony LaPaglia with Jan Maxwell portraying the jealous wife, Maria. The opera house manager Saunders is played by Tony Shalhoub, being the one individual that must keep all in order and even find a stand in when Tito is not available on Opening Night. Others in the play include Mary Catherine Garrison, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Jay Klaitz, Brooke Adams, and Justin Bartha.
Lend Me a Tenor debuted in London’s West End and after three years made it to Broadway in 1989. The play has received eight Tony Award nominations and received one award for Best Actor. This amazing performance has been translated into sixteen languages and has been seen on stages in twenty-five countries over the last twenty years.
The Music Box Theatre began three weeks of previews starting on March 12 with the theatre being at around 75% capacity each night. Tickets range from $86 to $130 and premium seat prices are around $192 to S250. The Broadway League posted gross tickets sales the week ending March 28 were at $279,255.
Critic Reviews of Lend Me a Tenor include:
New York Times Charles Isherwood – “…the heady ether of prime farce never materializes in this labor-intensive but laugh-deficient evening…”
Variety Marilyn Stasio – “It’s the classic farce situation — disaster, denial, recovery, complication, catastrophe — and it’s a joy to watch Shalhoub attack it.”
USA Today Elysa Gardner “…director Stanley Tucci has clearly instructed his ensemble to abandon all inhibitions in the pursuit of a goofy good time.”
New York Daily News Joe Dziemianowicz ” Speed, finesse and keen comic chops are key ingredients to any farce. Happily, they’re all in ample supply in director Stanley Tucci’s antic revival of “Lend Me a Tenor.”
If you have a young child even in first or second grade or younger, you must realize how important Sesame Street and all those characters are to your youngster. Why not give them a treat and take them to see Sesame Street Live: When Elmo grows up?
This time a new character moves to Sesame Street, Abby Cadabby. She is the newest Muppet but the favorites are still living there including Elmo, Rosita, Zoe, and more. This performance asks the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ while they are getting ready for a pageant on Sesame Street. You and your kids will love singing the cowboy songs and watch as Elmo and all his friends think about growing up.
A glimpse of what your little ones includes Bert wants to be forest ranger, Telly has his heart set on being a cowboy, and Abby Cadabby wants to be a Fairy Godmother like her own mom. Elmo has all kinds of interests and wants to be everything and anything at the same time. Children will of course also learn a few lessons; it wouldn’t be Sesame Street if there were nothing to learn.
Don’t worry, adults also enjoy watching Sesame Street Live this time as many songs they recognize from their childhood is used in the performance such as “Home on the Range,” “Down on the Corner” and “Give a Little Love.” There are over 24 songs that your kids known and love from Sesame Street such as Itsy Bitsy Spider and I Love Trash.
Tickets are on sale now. A few examples include Brown Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky on March 26 thru 28; State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey on March 28 thru April 5; and Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, Ohio on April 10 thru April 11. The last date for Sesame Street Live announced at this time is May 6 thru 9 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.
At no other time is tradition more alive and well than during the Christmas season. One tradition that lives on is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, shown every year at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. This show includes the world-renowned Rockettes as well as carols, hymns and a host of other exciting and memorable performances, including Santa Claus himself.
Of course, virtually everyone in the world knows how exciting the kicks and hops of the Rockettes can be. The flying feet of all thirty-six beauties have awed audiences for decades. Add to that the inclusion of dancing Santa Clauses, wooden soldiers and mounds after mounds of fake snow and you begin to get the picture of what this show actually encases. Fans from around the globe flock to New York every year to catch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which typically lasts a full ninety minutes or more.
From multiple costume changes to real animals, this show is definitely one for all ages. Children and adults alike really begin to feel the Christmas spirit when the dancers twirl, kick and dance. Not a hand in the house is left unclapping when the show is over.
For those looking to really sample the true spirit of Christmas, this show is it. Children are left in awe of the bright lights and lifelike characters on stage. Adults are mesmerized by the performances and everyone comes away with a smile in their hearts. If you are searching for the perfect beginning to your own Christmas traditions, this show is a must. From beautiful dancers to loveable Kris Kringle himself, you simply have to catch this show to really appreciate it. Shown in New York until the end of December, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a family tradition that everyone should enjoy.
If you get the chance to see just one Broadway show in your lifetime, you should definitely make plans to see Billy Elliott. Audiences of the show claim it is the best musical ever created. The show features a gripping storyline and leaves audiences literally on the edge of their seats.
The choreography is excellent and the music is uplifting. This is definitely a show for the times. The message is one that everyone can find helpful: no matter what life stacks against you, you can follow your dreams and eventually see them come true. This is a show to beat all shows and will have crowds screaming for years to come.
If you want to see a Broadway show that will grab your attention from the opening curtain and not let go until the curtain closes, this is one to see. The show is set in Northern England in a mining town during the 80s. It simply tells audiences that dreams can come true, no matter what. Many feel that small children should not experience the show due to a few choice words. However, the message is one that everyone should hear and the choice words are very few.
From the setting to the music, the choreography to the entire production, Billy Elliott on Broadway has everything it needs to be a hit. The cast including Trent Kowalik, Carole Shelley and many others is sure to be a crowd pleaser for years to come. Based on historical events, this show simply allows the audience to express their own emotions, fears and dreams. Again, if you see only one Broadway show in your life, this is definitely one to pick. If you love “true story” type musicals that are filled with tragedy, heartbreak and triumph, then you will enjoy Billy Elliott.
Based in part on the Wizard of Oz books written by L Frank Baum, Wicked is the Wizard with a twist. From the UK to Texas USA, Wicked is a sensation, drawing in fans from all ages and backgrounds.
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz, seen from their own unique vantage point.
A very long time before Dorothy Gale dropped in from Kansas, there were two other girls in the Land of Oz. One of them, fiery and beautiful, with skin of emerald green, while the second was very ambitious, very beautiful and quite often not well understood.
The story of their lives, their unlikely friendship and how they evolved into the Wicked Witch and Glinda the good will keep you spellbound.
The music is lively, written by Stephen Schwartch, who also penned the stuff you heard on Godspell, Pippin and The Prince of Egypt, and the book, written by Winnie Holzman is a proper look at the Witches of Oz.
Please bear in mind that the show runs for about two hours and is not recommended for anyone who is under the age of eight years. In fact, no one under the age of four will be permitted to view Wicked.
Don’t wait til the show is sold out. Get your tickets now to see the Witches of Oz as you’ve never seen them before.
