Cinderella Darling
It’s only played a handful of previews thus far, but I’m hearing wonderful word-of-mouth about the new production of Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre. The score alone would suggest success. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s work on this 1957 TV musical was just about as good as any of their “Big Five.” That, incidentally, is the term […]
First Impressions: Find It Agreeable
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of the world’s greatest novels. Its reputation began two hundred years ago this week, when Austen’s book – her second to be published – made its debut. And what, you may ask, does this have to do with musical theater? On […]
Oliver! is Golden
Each of us has experienced it. Life is going along merrily, and then suddenly you gasp for breath. That’s when you remember that you’d forgotten an important anniversary. You rush to a store or e-card site to find anything that says “Happy Belated Anniversary” to send to the parties you’ve neglected. I won’t quite be […]
Do Your Own Thing
Have there been twelve musical versions of Twelfth Night? Perhaps not, but I count at least seven that have seen the light of New York stages: Love and Let Love (1967); Music Is (1976); Play On! (1997); What You Will (2001); Illyria (2002) and, to a lesser degree, All Shook Up, the 2005 musical that […]
Bye Bye Birdie: One More Kiss from the Soundtrack
Celebrating a new release of the Bye Bye Birdie soundtrack is certainly delightful. Some, however, may moan when they realize the occasion is the fiftieth anniversary of the original release. On March 29, 1963, RCA Victor issued the long-playing record that offered nine songs from the Tony-winning Broadway musical – and one distinctively new one. […]
