Production Notes  

WEEK OF APRIL 3-9

PRODUCTION NOTES THEATER is a weekly e-mail and Internet bulletin providing over 20,000 theater professionals and enthusiasts worldwide with the latest scoops, reviews, and important information regarding the theater and the theater industry. Each week, the most current edition of PRODUCTION NOTES THEATER may be found exclusively on the web at THEATERMANIA.COM. Send information to be included or additional e-mail addresses to ProdNotes@theatermania.com.

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New VIProdNotes subscribers: JOHN McDANIEL (THE ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW), BETTY BUCKLEY (super diva), ANDREW VELEZ (theater journalist), LILLIAS WHITE (quadruple-crown winner of the 1997 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and the People's Choice Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, (THE LIFE)

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The Broadway production of THE WILD PARTY opens April 6 at the VIRGINIA THEATER.

The Broadway production of THE RIDE DOWN MOUNT MORGAN opens April 9 at the AMBASSADOR THEATER.

The Broadway production of COPENHAGEN opens April 11 at the ROYALE THEATER.

The Broadway production of ROSE opens April 12 at the LYCEUM THEATER.

The Broadway production of UNCLE VANYA opens April 13 at the AMERICAN AIRLINES (SELWYN) THEATER.

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Lillias White at Arci's Place

A few months ago, international charter yacht party planner FLORYNCE BRONSTEIN took me to dinner and told me all about her plans to take the 90-passenger luxury yacht LE LEVANT, contract LILLIAS WHITE to perform every night, and sail for a week in the Caribbean. I thought this sounded like a musical theater and/or diva lover's dream, so I asked Florynce if she could get me a quote from Lillias regarding the trip. Months later (March 30), out of the blue, Lillias' manager called me and said that, if I was available, I would be able to meet with her after her show that evening at ARCI'S PLACE on Park Avenue South. Whatever plans I had made for that evening were now history, and I made it in time to catch the entire show. Chances are you know all about Ms. White's style, her amazing vocal control, and her ability to tell a story through song. I don't have enough time to expound on all of the many stylistic qualities and minute details that go into each one of her songs. This lady puts on a show of such high caliber, yet makes the patrons feel so at ease that they clap along--or even talk back! There comes a point in Lillias' show when it's all family.

My main goal was to talk about the upcoming cruise from Lillias' point of view. After verbally visiting some of the ports scheduled for this voyage, we arrived at St. Barts. At that point, Lillias became excited and a wide smile flashed across her face: She told me she has spent some time on this island, which seems to be a haven for many musicians. LE LEVANT's arrival at the island is going to be heavily publicized, and local musicians and party seekers will be invited onto the yacht for an over-the-top celebration of music and fun. I could tell from the gleam in Lillias' eyes that she knows exactly what kind of party this boat is in for, so look out!I

It took a little work, but I was able to get some hints about the content of her shipboard shows. Lillias' nightly performances will include nods to DINAH WASHINGTON and HOAGY CARMICHAEL, medleys of Broadway tunes, and plenty of music that will send folks to the dance floor.

LILLIAS WHITE
Caribbean cruise aboard LE LEVANT
November 4 through 11, 2000
RSVP & INFO: (Cruising In Paradise) 800-874-2584

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Last Monday night, (March 27) THE WEISSLERS produced a 40-minute group sales presentation of SEUSSICAL by STEPHEN FLAHERTY & LYNN AHRENS at the RICHARD RODGERS THEATER, where the show will actually open in the fall. This is scheduled to be the first musical of next season. Contracts have not yet been signed, but it looks like the principals will be ANDREA MARTIN (the Cat in the Hat), KEVIN CHAMBERLIN (Horton the Elephant), JANINE LaMANNA (Gertrude McFuzz), MICHELLE PAWK (Mayzie LaBird), ERICK DEVINE (General Genghis Kahn Schmitz), EDDIE KORBICH (the Onceler), ALICE PLAYTEN (the Mayor's Wife/the Lorax), SHARON WILKINS (the Sour Kangaroo), and STUART ZAGNIT (the Mayor of Who). The rest of the cast has changed significantly since the Toronto workshop; it seems that negotiations were extremely difficult. Anticipated production schedule: Rehearsals start in July, then tryouts in Boston start in late August/September. New York audiences will see previews begin in October, with the opening slated for the Thursday after the Presidential election.

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Andrea Martin and Seth Rudetsky

ANDREA MARTIN was last week's celeb guest star in SETH RUDETSKY'S BROADWAY CHATTERBOX. She was one of his funniest guests to date, but there were also a few serious moments as Andrea recounted how she came to New York to audition because it was the wish of a dying friend for her to be in a Broadway musical. In attendance to cheer Andrea on were her SEUSSICAL presentation co-star KEVIN CHAMBERLIN and last week's CHATTERBOX guest, VICTOR GARBER.

This Thursday (April 6), Seth's guests include CHARLOTTE D'AMBOISE and TERRENCE MANN.

SETH RUDETSKY'S BROADWAY CHATTERBOX
DON'T TELL MAMA
343 West 46th Street
April 6 @ 6 p.m.
RSVP: 212-757-0788

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SELENA FOREVER, the new $2 million, multi-media stage musical based on the life of slain pop superstar SELENA QUINTANILLA, opened March 24 at the SAN ANTONIO MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM. The opening night performance and many of the preview performances reached the auditorium's capacity of about 3,000 people. SELENA's cast of 35 will pass through approximately 30 cities, hoping to then move to Broadway.

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Congrats to the company of REEFER MADNESS: THE MUSICAL, which was the big winner at the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, winning in seven categories. Cast members have been informing me for months that this show is really wowing them on the West Coast, and they are looking forward to seeing the production up and running in NYC. Other winners included WHEN PIGS FLY (three awards), BITTER WOMEN (two awards), THE CHERRY ORCHARD (two awards), and THE PHILANDERER (two awards). Congrats to all.

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JULIANNA MARGULIES, the ER star who just turned down a two-season, $27-million contract because her character didn't have any way to grow, is close to finding a place for her creative growth on Broadway. She is about to ink an agreement to co-star with JASON ROBARDS in a new play by JON ROBIN BAITZ at LINCOLN CENTER. The play is titled TEN UNKNOWNS, and it's scheduled to open on February 26, 2001 and run through April 15. Jason will be playing an artist who has exiled himself in Mexico; Julianna will be playing a biologist who travels to Mexico to study endangered frogs. Apparently, this is a match made in heaven, and they become lovers. Sounds like a very hot ticket.

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Lots of babies busting out all over!!!

MAEVE JEAN FARRELL was born at 8:44 p.m. on March 22. Her proud mother, Broadway company manager ALICE FARRELL is doing fine. Stats on Maeve: 5 lbs, 2.7oz,18" long, blue/grey eyes, brown hair... and already singing up a storm.

MARLON JAMES RAJAN was born at 7:40 p.m. on March 29. Proud parents SUNIL RAJAN (co-sound designer for THE BOMB-ITTY OF ERRORS) and partner AMANDA MILLER are doing fine. Stats on Marlon: 7lbs, 10oz, 21" long.

Downtown cabaret star LIZZ MANNERS is going to pop any moment (April 15 due date), and is making the most of her immobility by learning how to surf the Internet. Now that she has actually learned how to log on, Lizz has realized that her surfing skills can use some improvement; thus, my mailbox is now the happy recipient of many "How do I...?" emails. Don't worry Ms. Manners: In just a couple of years, your little darling will be showing you what that mouse thing is for. Lizz has also asked me for one more placement in PRODUCTION NOTES regarding THE BABY FUND recording. There are still about 500 in stock, and she needs to move them out. (I'm sure they're taking up valuable diaper storage space). This is your last chance to buy THE BABY FUND CD before it becomes THE COLLEGE FUND CD, so run to your phone and call 212-636-9712 and order a bunch.

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The last play to open before the cut-off for Tony nominations this season will be DIRTY BLONDE. This tribute to MAE WEST begins previews on April 14 at the HELEN HAYES THEATER, with the opening currently slated for May 1. That's Mae Day!

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Fresh off of his duties writing for the Academy Awards, BRUCE VILANCH is committing more of his time to the production of his own show, BRUCE VILANCH: ALMOST FAMOUS, at the WESTBETH THEATRE CENTER. He told me how he was glad he can focus on HIS show now, and assures me that it will have even more laughs than PARADE. Mr. Vilanch continues to interject lewd comments into each line of text he sends me (which makes him one of my favorite chat buddies). I got him to spill the beans regarding some of the show's content; Bruce said that, for his encore, he and DR. LAURA SCHLESSINGER will commit a biological error live on stage. (Somebody call GIULIANI, quick!)

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Actor BARRY PEARL (who played Doodie in the movie version of GREASE, and who also has many Broadway credits) is doing a good job of being an on-the-road PRODUCTION NOTES correspondent. He followed his wife HEATHER NOELLE BROWN to THE CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE in Thousand Oaks, CA where she appeared FUNNY GIRL. After singing the praises of his wife's performance in the role of Bubbles, Barry went on, at great length, to give accolades galore to the show's lead, STEPHANIE BLOCK. Barry has been in this business long enough to witness many stars in the making, and he was adamant regarding the bright future of Stephanie, whose credits include CRAZY FOR YOU on tour and the role of Sarah in the TV series LIFE GOES ON. It looks like she has taken a bold leap forward out of the chorus and into the spotlight now, and she may be headed to New York next in the new rock opera PYGMALION. Barry's a good fan to have Steph.. keep knocking em dead! Other notable creative talent involved in this production included LEWIS WILKENFELD (director) and JOHN CHARRON (choreography).

By the way: Barry's one man show LENNY'S BACK, which showcases the post-mortem thoughts of comic legend LENNY BRUCE, will hopefully be arriving in Manhattan in the fall. I caught it in a showcase presentation at STUDIO 54 about a year ago. It's quite a history lesson on the making of the modern stand-up comic and the influence one man had on our culture. Should be a hit.

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MARCY HEISLER wrote in from the ORDWAY THEATER in St. Paul where she and ZINA GOLDRICH are getting ready for the premiere of their first produced musical, ADVENTURES IN LOVE!. Marcy and Zina have long been regarded with much enthusiasm by virtually every live performance publication known. Though they have been eager to become the overnight successes the critics have claimed they would be, this power duo have been waiting for the opportunity to work with the right people at the right time. Broadway savvy KEVIN McCOLLUM has joined forces with THE ORDWAY to produce the show, MARK WALDROP is directing, and CHARLIE SHANIAN & SHARI SIMPSON wrote the book. Opening is set for April 11, and now I think there will be no stopping Marcy & Zina. Note: this production will include the theatrical premiere of the team's very popular song "Taylor, The Latte Boy." Break some legs, girls!!

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WEST SIDE OPERA: A number of dancers will soon be leaving great gigs in various Broadway shows so that they can rehearse and take WEST SIDE STORY to the famed LA SCALA OPERA HOUSE in Milan this summer. Eleven-week contracts have not yet been signed, and no notices have been given, but this is pretty much a done deal. Last weekend, at a dance club, I bumped into someone involved with the production who confirmed some of the rumors I'd heard about WSS and then gave me even more info: It seems that choreographer JOEY McKNEELY (SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ, THE LIFE) will be making his directorial debut with this production.

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There are some Broadway names involved with the University of Florida's FESTIVAL 2000, where they will be performing a concert version of CANDIDE. KEN PAGE will appear in the role of the narrator, and PATRICK QUINN will play Dr. Pangloss. JOHN FRENZER has taken a week off from playing Mother's Younger Brother in the tour of RAGTIME so that he can perform the title role of Candide. Other festival stats: 100 piece orchestra, chorus of 175 voices, EVANS HAILLE conducting. Sounds incredible!

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TAP 2000: TAP INTO AMERICA'S HEART TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE is a nationwide public awareness campaign being coordinated by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Both National Tap Dance Day & National Missing Children's Day fall on May 25. MCMEC is teaming up with performers and studios across the country in an effort to raise awareness about child safety through the medium of steel-soled shoes. The overall goal here is to entertain and to educate. For additional information about TAP 2000, contact TRISTAN PIERCE at 877-454-3705.

 

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