TheatreTalk: Of Unprintable Titles and Unorthodox Producers
Sarah Ruhl debuted on Broadway on November 19, at the Lyceum Theatre with her Victorian-set comedy-drama In the Next Room. Directed by Les Waters, a British director known for his work as the associate artistic director of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the play stars Tony-winners Laura Benanti and Michael Cerveris. Note that this play isn’t for the young, the immature, or the prudish. I’d explain further, but the results of that might be considered inappropriate for a school newspaper. Anyone interested could perhaps look into the play’s full title.
Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out, a jukebox musical containing the songs of Billy Joel, was reasonably successful. Nominated for nine 2003 Tony Awards, it won two, and it ran for over a thousand performances. Her later endeavor, The Times They Are A-Changin’, which was composed of Bob Dylan’s music, received less than positive reviews and closed soon after its opening. Now, the dancer/choreographer has plans to return to Broadway with Come Fly With Me, a dance piece set to songs made famous by Frank Sinatra. The only question is, is there any magic left for Ms. Tharp after her propitious Movin’ Out?
Late lyricist Fred Ebb, known for his collaborations with composer John Kander (their musicals include Cabaret and Chicago), continues to have life in musical theatre. The Scottsboro Boys, one of the epic duo’s final pieces before Ebb’s death, is set for a production off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. The musical examines the infamous “Scottsboro case” of the 1930s, in which a group of African-American teenaged boys were unjustly accused of attacking two women.
The anticipated Broadway transfer of Fela!, the musical detailing the life of Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti, opened on November 23, with Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo alternating the title role. Conceived, directed, and choreographed by Bill T. Jones (famed artistic director, choreographer, and dancer), who also co-wrote the book, the musical opened to generally enthusiastic reviews. Fela! has not been without celebrity support: Jay-Z and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are among the members of Fela!’s producing team. But based on current box office records, star power doesn’t seem to be necessary in filling up the Eugene O’Neill Theatre: The show is currently running at over 90% theatre capacity, a vast change from box office sales while Fela! was in previews.
Upcoming Openings
David Mamet’s Race, which is currently in previews, is slated to open on December 6 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. (Mamet’s Oleanna, which stars Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles, is set to close on January 3 at the John Golden, vacated in September by Avenue Q.)
Now in previews is the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical A Little Night Music. This most recent production, a London transfer, is set to open at the Walter Kerr Theatre on December 13. It stars Catherine Zeta-Jones in her Broadway debut, as well as five-time Tony-winner Angela Lansbury.
Submitted by Elyse ’12