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We hope you enjoy this issue and will invite your friends and family to join the Fan Club. Your subscription settings can be found below. See you on Broadway!
NOTE: This is an archived version of this newsletter. Not all shows and offers still apply. Some links may no longer be accessible. |
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Spotlight On: John Waters
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When Cry-Baby opens at the Marquis Theatre later this month, John Waters will take his place in the theatrical pantheon as the inspirational force behind not one but a pair of Broadway musicals. Waters is the cinematic genius whose film comedy Hairspray made the leap to Broadway in 2002, winning eight Tony Awards®. Cry-Baby is a stage version of his film comedy about teenagers in Baltimore in the 1950s. Allison Vernon-Williams, an upper-class “square” falls for Cry-Baby Walker, a sexy, bad-boy “drape” who winds up in juvenile detention. The show, |
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John Waters |
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which features an all-new score, is now in previews after a successful tryout in La Jolla, CA.
Ben Pesner caught up with Mr. Waters by phone from his office in Baltimore during previews of Cry-Baby.
Ben Pesner: How much have you been involved in getting Cry-Baby on stage? |
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John Waters: I saw it many times in La Jolla, and every time it would change. It’s like the last-minute edit of a movie before you have your premiere. People give notes, and for once I’m the studioexecutive. I’m spoiled after Hairspray. Both times I’ve had producers I like very, very much. I helped hire everyone working on the show, and I’ve been involved from the very beginning .
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The Cast of Cry-Baby
Photo: Joan Marcus
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Was there ever a moment when you realized “Oh my god, I’m a Broadway icon?”
Can twice be a genre? I must admit the other day when I was walking to the theatre from the subway, which I still take, I saw the big billboard with neon for Hairspray and the Cry-Baby marquee. I thought, “Wow this is amazing, I have two plays based on something I thought up in my old bedroom many years ago.” I’m certainly not blasé about it.
Cry-Baby was a film musical, but the stage version has a completely different score, right? |
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Hairspray was my dance movie, and Cry-Baby was a real movie musical with original rockabilly music, which I love. But it’s not Broadway music. Adam and D. J. [composer/lyricists Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum] did a great job. They’ve never done a Broadway show before, and I think they’re great fresh blood. |
The Cast of Cry-Baby
Photo: Joan Marcus |
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| Looking back on your Hairspray experience, is there one moment that was particularly meaningful? |
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The original Broadway cast of Hairspray Photo: Paul Kolnick |
The very first time I ever went to a table reading of it, I went alone because I had no idea what to expect. It was incredibly moving. This whole experience of Broadway was new to me. It seemed like the show could be so successful, but many of the people that were in the original were no longer there. So it was bittersweet in a way. Also, Hairspray was the only premiere my parents ever went to where they didn't have to lie to say they liked it.
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It is great family entertainment. And of course both of these shows are just a little bit subversive.
Hairspray is about race and Cry-Baby is about class, and both are very American subjects. Hairspray is the most subversive thing I ever did because tonight, families of tourists are watching two men sing a love song and applauding a white girl dating a black guy when she’s fifteen. Cry-Baby is a very sexy musical for teenagers. Mark O’Donnell, one of the show’s bookwriters, said that Hairspray is the musical that high school always wants you to do, and Cry-Baby is going to be the one that the kids want to do but the principal won’t let you. I can’t think of a better way to market the show!
Cry-Baby Tickets and More Information
Hairspray Tickets and More Information
Official Cry-Baby Website
Official Hairspray Website |
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Your Rent Memories
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When Rent announced it was ending its Broadway run after more than 12 years, we asked you to send in your memories of this remarkable show. Thanks to all of you who did. We have printed a few of our favorites below. Now that Rent has postponed its final performance until September 7, that gives us all three extra months to see the show one last time – or a dozen!
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The Broadway company of Rent performing "La Vie Bohème"
Photo: Joan Marcus
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What makes Rent different from most Broadway shows is that it doesn't dazzle you with flashy sets, costumes, and dancing; it touches you through its characters, through the moving music, and the story itself. Every time I've seen Rent, it's brought some of the greatest memories I have.
My friends and I wait after the show to meet the always amazing, talented cast, and they talk to us for long periods of time expressing their gratitude for us, and vice versa; we always ask what their favorite Rent song is to sing, and ask Mimi if she gets scared to do “Out Tonight.” And every answer is different!
Broadway won't be the same without Rent.
--Mary B.
The show [is] not about loss, but about taking advantage of the time you do have. It is a positive outlook on a life that can rarely be seen as anything but negative, and it reminded me that although there was a great deal of loss, there were also so many things to live for. I embraced the "no day but today" attitude, and have spent the last decade having adventures and experiences that I might not have had, had I not seen that show at exactly that point in my life.
--Jo F.
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I first saw Rent in 2000 as a 6-month dating anniversary surprise gift from my now husband, Ed. It was the first play that I felt was made for my generation. The music and the cast were amazing. Our favorite characters are Mimi and Angel. We bought the soundtrack and love playing it on long cars rides. We’ve gone back to see it 2 more times over the years. Each show was great but the first time was a magical night that I’ll never forget.
--Erin
Read more Rent memories….
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Tamyra Gray currently plays Mimi in Rent.
Photo: Joan Marcus |
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Dream Casting |
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In last month’s newsletter, we goofed! We referred to Nathan Lane having played Leopold Bloom in The Producers. Ooops – as many of you e-mailed us to say, Matthew Broderick actually played the role of Leo Bloom. Nathan Lane (who is now starring on Broadway in November), actually played Bloom’s partner in showbiz chicanery, Max Bialystock.
That got us thinking….What would it have been like if Nathan Lane had in fact played Leopold Bloom? Can you imagine Tony Award®-winner John Gallagher, Jr. as Roger in Rent? How would Kristin Chenoweth have done as Cosette in Les Misérables? What well-known dramatic role would you like to see Brian Stokes Mitchell play?
We want to hear what you think! Tell us about one of your favorite Broadway stars and the role you believe they were born to play. Tell us what makes them perfect for the role. We’ll select our favorite responses for an upcoming Broadway Fan Club newsletter.
Share your casting ideas (100 words or less) by emailing us at fanclub@broadway.org. Please include your name and tell us where you’re from.
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Two for the Road - The national tour of Spring Awakening begins performances at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre on September 4. Legally Blonde The Musical steps out on its national tour on September 23 at Rhode Island's Providence Performing Arts Center. Visit TouringBroadway.com for info on shows currently touring North America.
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A Fences Revival - August Wilson’s work will be back on Broadway next fall. Fences, the first of his “Century Cycle” plays, will be revived under the direction of Suzan-Lori Parks, author of Topdog/Underdog. |
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Stepping Up – The current hit stage version of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps will transfer to Broadway’s Cort Theatre on April 29th.
Casting News
- “Dancing with the Stars” television personality Mario Lopez will join the cast of A Chorus Line on April 15th. He will make his Broadway debut as Zach in the hit revival.
Karen Mason
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Jennifer Ferrin and Charles Edwards in
The 39 Steps
Photo: Joan Marcus
- Broadway favorite Karen Mason joins the cast of Hairspray on April 8 as Velma Von Tussle; TV star Jennifer Lewis takes over the role of Motormouth Maybelle on April 22.
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- Shrek has been cast! Brian D’Arcy James (Sweet Smell of Success) will play the title ogre, while Chester Gregory II (currently in Cry-Baby) will be Donkey with John Tartaglia (Avenue Q) as Pinocchio. The show will play a pre-Broadway run at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre from August 14 to September 21.
- Right to the Top - Mary Beth Hurt joins Mary Catherine Garrison, Elizabeth Marvel, Martha Plimpton, and Marisa Tomei in the Broadway premiere of Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls. The play opens May 7th at the Biltmore Theatre.
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Get them on CD - A cast recording of the current Broadway revival of South Pacific, starring Kelli O’Hara, Matthew Morrison, and Paulo Szot, is slated to be in stores on May 27th. The revival opens at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on April 3. A two-disc original Broadway cast album of In The Heights will be released by Ghostlight Records on June 3rd.
Our Idol - Andrew Lloyd Weber will serve as a mentor to the finalists of the current season of television’s “American Idol.” |
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Robin De Jesus, Karen Olivo, and Lin-Manuel Miranda in
In The Heights
Photo: Joan Marcus
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It’s a Jungle on Broadway – The acrobatic musical spectacular Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy will play the Broadway Theatre for 10 weeks beginning in June. |
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London Hit Confirms Broadway Dates - Billy Elliot, the new Elton John musical based on the film of the same name, will dance into Broadway’s Imperial Theatre on October 16th. |
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Glory Days at Circle in the Square - Opening just in time to be eligible for the 2008 Tony Awards, the new musical Glory Days bows on Broadway on May 6. It’s the story of four best friends who reunite a year after high school graduation, only to find how much they have grown apart. |
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It’s Curtains - The curtain is closing on Curtains. The Kander & Ebb musical starring David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk will end performances on June 29th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Hats Off! - The 22nd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition will be held on
April 28 and 29 at the Minskoff Theatre. The annual spring event features
a parade of bonnets hand-crafted by the casts and crews of dozens of participating productions. It's the culmination of an intensive six-week fundraising effort by the companies of Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring productions. Honors are awarded to the companies |
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David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk in Curtains
Photo: Joan Marcus |
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that raise the largest amounts of money on behalf of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS during the fundraising drive. Companies offering the best designs and presentations of bonnets are also recognized. Click for information and tickets.
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And the Winner is... |
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Congratulations to Lisa L. of Union Beach, New Jersey. She is the winner of our Touring Broadway Audience Choice Award drawing. Thanks to all who voted for their favorite touring Broadway production – the 2008 Audience Choice will be announced with the rest of the 2008 Touring Broadway Awards on April 14.
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Correction |
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In the March issue, a Kids’ Night on Broadway photo Emily Fletcher of A Chorus Line was mis-captioned as Heather Parcells. Our apologies to both! |
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