“He was a favorite of some of the most famous creators in modern theatre history, including Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince and Bob Fosse. Mr. McMartin’s most famous stage role was that of Benjamin Stone, the jaded, regretful titan of business in Stephen Sondheim’s multi-layered masterpiece of show-business melancholy, Follies. … A close second was the original Sweet Charity, in which he plays the meek Oscar Lindquist, with whom Gwen Verdon’s title character almost ends happily ever after. He recreated the role in the film version opposite Shirley MacLaine.”
Top Posts From AJBlogs 07.07.16
Climate-Control Crisis Closes Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum dropped this bombshell in my inbox at 5:23 p.m.: … read more
AJBlog: CultureGrrl Published 2016-07-07
His Kingdom for a Horse: Another Bad Brexit Deal?
Please don’t mention hypocrisy or the apparent need of all current politicians to tease the truth just a little in pursuit of power. It was both uplifting and depressing to see Ralph Fiennes play Richard III in Islington while we were still reeling from the Brexit lunacy. … read more
AJBlog: Plain English Published 2016-07-07
So you want to see a show?
Here’s my list of recommended Broadway, off-Broadway, and out-of-town shows, updated weekly. In all cases, I gave these shows favorable reviews (if sometimes qualifiedly so) in The Wall Street Journal when they opened. … read more
AJBlog: About Last Night Published 2016-07-07
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Theatre Historical Society of America Plans Move From Chicago To Pittsburgh (But Members Are Protesting)
At the society’s annual meeting at the Palmer House last week, that decision topped a list of complaints by members who say the organization has been hijacked by its staff, while dedicated volunteers, historically integral to its operation, have been “thrown under the bus,” as one member put it.
Victoria & Albert Museum Named “Museum Of The Year”
“In 2015, the V&A enjoyed a record-breaking year for the establishment, pulling in 3.9 million visitors, and 14.5 million visitors online. This success has been largely due to a major gallery restoration project and sell-out exhibitions such as Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, in celebration of the innovative designer who died in 2010, which attracted a record-breaking 493,043 visitors from 87 countries.”
Subversive Obscure Opera Choices Taking Berlin By Storm And Reviving A Company
“The openly gay Melbourne native with a Jewish background has turned the opera scene in the German capital — not to mention traditional business acumen — on its head since he took over the Komische Oper four years ago.”
Summer Doldrums: Epic Low Network TV Ratings Last Week
Because of barbecues, fireworks and other outdoor activities, the weeks around July 4th are often the least-watched time of the year in television. Networks usually plan accordingly, keeping most of its best material on the shelf. CBS also had its lowest week in the ratings in nearly four years, Nielsen said.
Can A Neon Mural Help Clean Up A High-Crime Alley? South Philly’s Finding Out
“The Electric Street [is] an illuminated neon mural … down the block from the iconic cheesesteak spots Pat’s and Geno’s, in an alleyway hidden by the unusual curve of the block. … Sam Albright, who owns one of the houses covered by the mural … said he’s already noticing more people on the block – to take pictures, not to buy drugs.”
It’s Time To Start Performing Operas With Cuts Again, Say David Gockley And Esa-Pekka Salonen (Among Others)
Performing operas with cuts was common practice until the mid-20th century, as performing Shakespeare, for instance, is today. So, the argument goes, returning to the practice now is hardly as heretical as it might seem. “I don’t think we can any longer fail to hear what our audience is saying about length,” says Gockley.
Opera Omaha Music Director Pleads No Contest To Stealing $113K From His Mother
John C. Gawf had power of attorney for his mother, who suffers from dementia, and he wrote himself checks from her account to pay gambling debts and credit card bills.