An Ode to Annie’s Lyricist
By Peter Filichia — I know, I know. You’ve OD’d on Annie. In fact, you OD’d on it long ago. That’s what happens when a musical becomes a smash hit and never for a second leaves the public consciousness. As you’re reading this, someone is now either rehearsing or performing the show somewhere in the […]
Musical Theater’s M.V.C.
By Peter Filichia — All right, it may not be the most significant anniversary in theatrical history. But for the record, 14 years ago this week – on April 16, 1997 — David Ives’s new play The Red Address opened at Second Stage Theatre. In case you missed it (it only ran 38 performances) or […]
Those April Showers …
By Peter Filichia — Well, it’s April, which makes me think of Company. Not just because it opened 41 years ago this month. Not just because it has a character named April. But also, because in “Getting Married Today,” rain makes its presence known. And is there any month that we associate with rain more […]
The Other My Fair Lady
By Peter Filichia — We can’t let March go by without celebrating the anniversary of one of the greatest musicals of all time. Fifty-five years ago this month, My Fair Lady opened. If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of the people who knows the Rex Harrison-Julie Andrews cast albums inside out. You may prefer […]
Inner City — At Last!
By Peter Filichia — How many rock musicals begin with a waltz? All right, the song that starts Inner City will never be confused with a Strauss waltz. It’s a jazz waltz, but it’s in three-quarter time nonetheless. It shows that many of us have a misconception about this 1971 musical – which isn’t quite […]
