Thespis Journal

Entries from July 2006

Thespis Review: The Drowsy Chaperone

July 31, 2006 · No Comments

Here is something all too rarely said about Broadway shows any more: The Drowsy Chaperone is laugh-out-loud funny! It seemed like everyone in the theater was having a great time, and there were lots of stops for rolling audience laughter. I was left with the distinct impression that the audiences for this show vary widely, and we were not one of the liveliest groups Bob Martin has witnessed in the last few weeks. Mr. Martin, co-author of the book, and Tony nominee for his performance in this tribute to old-fashioned musicals, keeps the audience in the game from the moment the curtain goes up and the lights go dim-and stay dim as he launches into his opening monologue.

This breezy night at the theater blows by before you have time to think about where you might stop after the show. Bob Martin is at ease chatting with the audience as if those people gathered in the Marquis Theatre were a single, close friend; the Man decides to share with us one of his favorite bubbly-as-champagne musical comedies of the 1920’s: The Drowsy Chaperone. As he pulls out the record (yes, a record album) and sets it on the turntable, he sighs that its scratchy sound is like a time machine starting up — and, just like that, the refrigerator doors become a magic portal through which the madcap characters of the old musical enter one by one. They introduce themselves and set up the story of the show in the effervescent opening number, “Fancy Dress.”

The show within the show is light as air; the characters and relationships have the density of cotton candy, the plot twists are ridiculously simple and easily spotted from the top row of the mezzanine, and there is (of course) a happy ending. It’s all about being whisked away to another time and place that is more joyous and full of color than everyday life in the present.

We see the entire show through the eyes of Bob Martin (portraying the man in the chair) as he colorfully narrates and comments as the story unfolds. His rollicking commentary on the singing, plot twists, and song lyrics keep this Tony nominated show moving at a frenzied pace.
Unfortunately, as an audience member, I am two-for-two in missing Tony Award winning performers. Beth Leavel, who won the Tony for featured actress in a musical, was absent on this steaming July night and her stand-in was adequate. You can tell that someone, and something, else is needed in this pivotal role.

Sutton Foster is divine, and she was there (unlike other “stars”) singing and dancing in her own heavenly manner. It is worth it to see this show just to see Ms. Foster in the stunning number, “Show Off.” Her physicality and choreographed staging in this “star” number is career making almost on its’ own. Sutton Foster possesses a captivating voice and style that is unmatched in its timbre on the Broadway stage of 2006.

Other notable performances are given by Georgia Engle of The Mary Tyler Moore show as Mrs. Tottendale, and Danny Burstein as Aldolpho. These two are comedic geniuses at work! Their slapstick comedy is totally unique on Broadway today.

But, it’s the laughter which captures the essence of this show. The Drowsy Chaperone provides more than ninety minutes of full, frolic, and escape time from anything realistic, and it does so in a sophisticated method. While there are undertones of bawdy humor, these undercurrents remain understated and it is apparent that the authors make no attempt at sending any lame, socialist, liberal commentary to our political leaders. The creators, designers and performers provide us with old-fashioned show-stopping numbers, great Ensemble acting, and a quality product free from political statements and Disney scams.

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Thespis Review: Jersey Boys

July 31, 2006 · 19 Comments

Attending The Jersey Boys at the August Wilson on Tuesday night was an exhilarating, if not enthralling experience. This winner of the 2006 Tony Award for best new musical has been derided as another just another link in the chain of jukebox musicals. Starting with Smokey Joe’s Café in 1995, a great Broadway show, it’s been quite a ride for these formularized, fabricated inventions camouflaged as Broadway musicals.

With no new music composed for this production, and a seemingly endless succession of 1960’s pop tunes laced together with a partially fictionalized story Jersey Boys has a surface appearance of everything wrong with the Disneyfied wasteland that has become too routine on the boards over the last decade. Mama Mia had to be the greatest tragedy of the genre, with Good Vibrations being the greatest commercial failure. There’s little doubt that all of these shows have on things in common: high wattage is too often substituted for a good book with sing-able plot-rich melodies, and Jersey Boys is no exception in this category. The sound wattage revs up at just the right moments and repeatedly elicits thunderous applause from the mostly fifty-something’s who comprise the audience.

But, like Dreamgirls before it, there is a story in Jersey Boys, and along with riveting choreography and vintage costuming, The Boys will keep you entertained and even mesmerized for the full two hours and thirty minutes.

The story goes something like this: Frankie Castelluccio is a fifteen year old who sings like an angel. He’s living in the suburbs in New Jersey, destined to be a barber, until he meets Tommy DeVito, a savvy hustler with a guitar and a vision. Tommy’s the guy who can get Frankie out of Jersey. Nick Massi, another guy with a musical gift, joins up with them, but trios are out, quartets are in. Where’s the fourth man for the group? Little Joey Fishes (that’s Pesci—yeah, that Joe Pesci) finds him, a prodigy named Bob Gaudio; Frankie’s wife Mary tells him to spell his stage name with an “i” at the end instead of a “y” (that would be: Valli); and the neon sign of the Four Seasons Lounge gives them their new name. Gaudio writes songs and he comes up with the smash hit that will give Frankie and the boys their own distinctive sound and turn them into superstars.

After several false starts, Gaudio pens a thing that goes something like this:
She - e - e-e-e-e-ry baby (Sherry baby) She - e - rry, can you come out tonight?
The song, Sherry, produces the first thunder-clapping explosion in the house for the evening-especially for the majority of the audience who came prepared to sing along with anything that sounded remotely familiar to them.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Especially when, in Act Two, creators Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (who wrote the astonishingly strong book) and Des McAnuff (director, providing the most consistently exciting and effective staging of a Broadway musical since Bennett’s Dreamgirls) somehow work the miracle again. The group has broken up, and Frankie’s family has broken up too. Frankie’s working hard to pay off Tommy’s gambling debts, but the Four Seasons just aren’t generating the hits like they used to. Gaudio’s written him a solo number, but nobody’ll record it, nobody’ll play it, nobody wants it. But Bob and Frankie BELIEVE in it and so, wham, they finally finally get it on the radio and it goes like this”

“You’re just too good to be true. Can’t take my eyes off you…”
The crowd roars as soon as they hear the familiar melody of Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You. And when those horns come in for the chorus (just before “I love you, baby, / And if it’s quite alright, / I need you, baby, / To warm a lonely night”)—because Gaudio had promised Frankie a whole horn section back in Act One, when they were kids, dreaming of success; and now here are the horns live on stage! Well, when those horns come in, the palpable electricity in the house reaches a rolling boil.

Michael Longoria, future household name and current under-study for Tony-Award winner John Lloyd Young, was marvelous in the dazzling role of Franki Valli. Longoria barely left the stage the entire night which might explain the high absence rate of J.L. Young. Longoria sings and sings, and has to really act during the more extended book scenes in Act II. He is charming and innocent, yet believable in the tragic scenes where his daughter dies. Longoria demonstrates a full range of vivid emotions, and keeps singing and dancing with magnetic enegryfor more than two hours.

The real stars of this production however, are the other members of the four seasons. Tony Award Winner Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, and Daniel Reichard give stupendous performances in roles that demand greatness. They are polished, engaging actors who sing and truly dance! WOW! These performers made the entire evening worth it. The crisp movements so highly identified with the early sounds of the 1960’s are executed to perfection by these singing actors.

With sets moving everywhere and continuously on the stage, and characters entering and exiting at a break-neck pace, there is not one dull moment in this show.

There is something about the profile of a majority of the audience members in this show. Too many of them know the songs and came to sing along. When cell phones were banned in New York, it is unfortunate that singing along was banned as well. No one paid to hear you sing the songs-Buy the CD, and sing them at home.

Finally, I must mention that Jersey Boys is a picture perfect show. Enhanced by dynamic lighting (another Tony Award for this show), there are more than a dozen moments when the stage pictures freeze for just a few fleeting moments in order to allow some much needed reflection in this fast paced show reminiscent of the jarring, flashing from scene to scene TV shows developed in the 1990’s.

Jersey Boys warrants a trip the August Wilson Theater-just don’t count on seeing the Tony Award winning actor, John Lloyd Young. Michael Longoria is great, and if you go expecting to see him, you will have a pleasant evening.

Update: You’ll love this blog!

Categories: Uncategorized

Ann Coulter Clips

July 28, 2006 · No Comments


Any fan of Ann Coulter will enjoy these video clips. YouTube can be wonderful.

Ann Coulter with Matt Lauer on Today discussing her wonderful book:GODLESS. The Best of Ann Coulter

Ann Coulter Strikes Back
, Ann Coulter on HardBall, Michelle Malkin with her original video: Coultermania.

All of these video links are great! And for your weekend reading pleasure, here are some timeless quotes by the ever creative, original, and colorful Ann:

By 1973, John Kerry had already accused American soldiers of committing war crimes in Vietnam, thrown someone else’s medals to the ground in an anti-war demonstration, and married his first heiress.

Democrats couldn’t care less if people in Indiana hate them. But if Europeans curl their lips, liberals can’t look at themselves in the mirror.

If John Kerry had a dollar for every time he bragged about serving in Vietnam - oh wait, he does. If we’re so cruel to minorities, why do they keep coming here? Why aren’t they sneaking across the Mexican border to make their way to the Taliban?

We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren’t punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet-bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That’s war. And this is war.

The great one: Ann Coulter. Go buy your copy of GODLESS today. It’s worth it!


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We’re not for Blackwell, but…

July 28, 2006 · 1 Comment

I’m not supporting Ken Blackwell for Ohio Governor, but ridiculous attacks from Hilary Clinton and Chuck Schumer don’t make it more likley that Strickland will be elected. In fact, these divisive voices will bring out the rural and suburban republican voters likely to stay home at this moment. Clinton and Schumer need to stay out of Ohio-they aren’t going to help Ohio’s Schools by interfering, and raising the liberal profile of Ted Strickland. Belive it or not, the Dayton Daily Democrat has it right this time.


For one thing, secretary of state is an elective office. If Democrats didn’t want Mr. Blackwell to have it, they needed to beat him. They can’t lose an election and then demand that their vanquisher curtail his own responsibilities. At least they can’t without looking absurd.


Second, the secretary of state doesn’t really run elections. That’s the job of county elections boards — which have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans. They decide how many voting machines will go where. They count the ballots.

Furthermore, Project Logic has a factual word or two to say about the latest Ohio Polls. Also, a reminder from earlier this week, the Keeler Report flushes out the Dispatch Poll.

A message to Hilary and Chuckie: Ohio has real Red State Credentials!

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Ghost Light

July 28, 2006 · 1 Comment

Ben Magnusun of Kettering, Ohio is currently playing Sweeney Todd on Broadway at The Eugene O’Neill Theater on 49th Street. He is wonderful in this imaginative re-creation of Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece. You will enjoy reading more about him at Broadway.com. Anyone up for a trip to the city this weekend to see Ben, Patti, Michael and the enitre cast of Sweeney? When I saw the show in June it was absolutely marvelous!

Check out the DreamGirls movie fan site for video of the upcoming movie
. The anticipation for this movie is reaching fever pitch.

This review
of SHOUT:The Mod Musical will make you want to laugh! Shout doesn’t seem to be worth the price of the ticker. Also, check out the New York Daily News.

The Education Wonk
blasts the Department of Education for another flawed, big government intervention into the schools.

Ian brings us the latest on the nut-house also known as Cindy Sheehan.

Don Surber brings us the latest on the Cynthia McKinney run-off. Neal Boortz wants Cindy to win-let’s keep her around to kick around!

Dr. Sanity
brings her particular brand of sanity to the current WAR going on in the Middle East. The Doctor really knows her stuff!

Sister Toldjah has a reminder about Jimmy Carter: Kook former President.

Stop the ACLU
is relentless in pursuing the Senator Santorum, weapons of mass destruction in Iraq story! I wish that I had the expertise of Oak Leaf at Stop The ACLU.

Enjoy this hot July weekend, and remember to keep the Ghost Light on!

Categories: Uncategorized

Ghost Light : Thespis’ Glow

July 27, 2006 · No Comments

A Ghost Light: a light left on the stage overnight, or when the stage is not in use for safety. Also to fit with a superstition - to prevent the theatre from ‘going dark’ also known as the closing of a show.

Proof that men should be banned from going shirtless! Be certain to look at the Gallery.

Dick Morris has it right again
:

While Clinton said he embraced the need for Israeli security, when the going got rough, he bowed to world opinion and called for a cease-fire. When the United States asks Israel to stop fighting, it is like a boxer’s manager throwing in the towel. The bottom line is that true friends of Israel cannot afford to let the Democrats take power in Washington.

The Keeler Political Report
has come clarifying information on those disturbing polls that came out of the Columbus Dispatch the past weekend. We are looking for some clarification on the true state of the polls in Ohio. Blackwell is certainly in trouble, but nothing is certain at this point.

I think it is a true reflection of Ohio Politics when grassroots voters in the largely suburgan and rural counties say that they are here to stay! Somehow, these voters tend to get left out in the polls.

Joanne Jacobs
tells about the new high school in Dayton which will be technology based. Dayton can TRY anything. Let’s hope it works for them!

The Daily Grind
has an excellent post on the lack of ability in today’s students to educated choices. Sometimes, our stduents are simply babyied too much.

Scheiss Weekly cites some home-shooling parent characterisitics that we have noticed too.

We are hoping to make Ghost Light a regular feature around here-to keep the show from closing.

Categories: Uncategorized

CNN’s Anderson Cooper: Looking for all the good in Hezbollah

July 26, 2006 · No Comments

I’m in the middle of reading Ann Coulter’s latest best-selling book, GODLESS. It may be her best book yet, and is useful for everyone who gets too busy to follow up on all of the foolish, fabricated stories that the drive-by media generates in the course of two-three months. A review of her book will be forth-coming.

This post by Anderson Cooper will probably be in the first chapter of Ann’s next book, CLUELESS. Poor CNN, they can’t get a grip on reality and realize why their ratings are so terribly low.

Wizbang has so much more.

Jack Kingston of Georgia started it all

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Two Legendary Shows Coming to Broadway

July 25, 2006 · No Comments

It looks as if the long awaited Broadway revival of THE WIZ will finally make it to New York in the Spring of 2007. THE WIZ is simply one of the best Broadway musicals written in the last sixty years. It is highly entertaining, has infectuous even contagious music, and is beloved by audiences all across the United States. Try to forget the abhorent movie-it was a phenomenal disaster. Film makers forgot the the formula of THE WIZ was the story and the music. They altered the script to the point of it being unrecognizable, and mangled the score with interpolations and mascinations.

Here’s looking forward to a great production of THE WIZ on broadway sometime in 2007.

The coverage over at Broadway World
, Check out Broadway.com, Playbill

Message Board at Broadway World with lots of comments.

George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess is the greatest American Opera of the 20th Century. We reported earlier on an innovative production being staged in London. The soaring melodies of Progy and Bess along with the compellling storyline make this a classic of Opera Houses all over the world. Many people tend to forget that Porgy first appeared on Broadway in 1935. This fascinating production should be a not-to-be-missed moment on Broadway whenever it may arrive. The glorious tunes of Porgy and Bess include, “Summertime,” “My Man’s Gone Now,” “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” “A Woman is a Sometime Thing,” and “Oh Lord, I’m On My Way.” WOW! What a show! If the production is a really strong one, I hope it runs for ten years!

The New York Times article on the production, Playbill,

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DREAMGIRLS: The Movie

July 24, 2006 · No Comments

I sincerely hope that the Director and the Producers of the upcoming film of DREAMGIRLS did not ruin the great integrated storyline, music, and legacy of house quaking, show-stopping moments produced by this awe-inspiring Broadway show. There is a great deal of publicity available, and everywhere I turn lately, there is a revival of interest in DREAMGIRLS and the upcoming movie. There is a lot of pre-show buzz about an academy award. Without a doubt, this buzz is generated by a well-oiled public relations machine trying to cultivate an image for DREAMGIRLS as unstoppable.

DREAMGIRLS is a dream of a show. The essence of the vintage music and costumes, the overtones of the great struggle for civil rights, and the powerful, often fiery affecting outbursts are rounded out with the evocation of the vivid range of human emotion.

I saw DREAMGIRLS once on Broadway at The Imperial Theater in August, 1984. Roz Ryan portrayed Effie Melody White in the production at that time! WOW! What a show! The audience was able to stop the show several times, but the reaction to “And I Am Tellin’ You I’m Not Goin’” was one of the most spontaneous explosions that I have ever witnessed in the live theater.

With much trepidation, I look forward to the movie. It is exciting to see the trailers, read the publicity, and hope for a great movie of this rarely produced musical. Enjoy all of the links.

The Offical Web Site of the DREAMGIRLS Movie
This is the DREAMGIRLS Fan Blog
Jennifer Holliday singing “I Am Changing” on stage at the Imperial Theater/OBC
Holliday once again, this time at the 1982 Tony Awards singing her signature piece, And I Am Telllin’ You..
The Making of DREAMGIRLS
This 1988 Theater Works rendition of MOVE is wonderful. Watch the Effie in the center-she can really move! This is a MUST SEE!!!

Categories: Uncategorized

Fabulous Sunday Reading

July 23, 2006 · 1 Comment

Here’s a list of the things we are reading today, ENJOY!

The Carnival of the Insanities-Special Middle East Edition. Dr. Sanity has done it again! There’s lots of laughs, and other great posts!

Michelle Malkin has the Black-out in Queens covered! Forget the Daily News and the Post. Just read Michelle!

The Fair Tax passed by 85% in the three counties surrounding Atlanta! WOW!

Darren at Right on the Left Coast has a response for the Sacremento Bee editorial that blasts the NEA. Even a cursory reading demonstrates that the Newspaper, and Darren don’t quite get it! Accountability is a great idea! Accountability measures must be fair to students, teachers, and communities. There is a lot more to this issue than the Newspaper or Darren take time admit!

I have looked over at The Conservative Outpost for the third time to see this posting: Hell Hath No Fury… It is must read, you’ll love it!

Michelle Malkin blasts the Treason Times for their latest disclosure
. The reference to Japan, 1945 is proceless!

I think that MsUnderestimated speaks for many Americans when she says, “Did I Ask You To Vacation in Beruit? She speaks my thoughts exactly!!

The Education Wonk has another take on the public vs. private school discussion
. Like most people, The Wonk tends to view the situation simplistically, and fails to properly acknowledge the fundamental apples/oranges issues which plauge most of this debate!

LaShawn Barber has up a great post: Big Blue Balls and Other Stuff. LaShawn espouses strongly Christian values in this wonderful post. Take time to read it, especially if you did not go to church today.

You have to see this news story, courtesy of YouTube that profiles Jennifer Hudson. Hudson will portray Effie Melody White in the upcoming movie of the legendary Broadway musical, DREAMGIRLS!

Categories: Uncategorized