Broadway Hit New Novelty Show

If you thought HAIRSPRAY was a hit on Broadway, you’re right. The fact is, the show is also the hottest ticket in London’s West End. The show is such a hit in the UK that it has spawned an entirely new television program. No, not casting a lead in the show. No, not a backstage look at a Broadway production. With Sky 1’s launch of Hairspray The School Musical, one high school has been selected to audition, cast, rehearse, and produce a full-scale Broadway level production of Hairspray. From the show’s PR:

“Hairspray: The School Musical” follows the hardworking students on their rollercoaster journey from the playground to the stage; with romance, tantrums and tough decisions along the way.

The show also features stage stars coaching the student, and the whole circus is lead by UK Chicago star Denise Van Outen. You can’t stop the beat, or the sophomores! Watch on-line.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Denise Van Outen attends the World Premiere of ‘Hairspray The School Muscial’ at the Lyric Theatre on August 31, 2008 in London, England. Ferdadus Shamim/WireImage.com.

Author Continues Case For Musical

It just could happen. Surely if Spider Man the musical can find a path to Broadway, the idea continually put forth by Chuck Palahniuk regarding his popular novel and source of a hit film Fight Club could happen as well. Fight Clubas a musical is an idea that has been kicking around for some time (no pun intended). MTV reports again that Palahniuk continues to put forward the idea that Fight Club could work as a Broadway musical. While star Jared Leto thought the idea was quite funny, but Palahniuk makes his case. He even envisions one of the climactic musical numbers. From the MTV report by Shawn Adler : “It’s a scene they didn’t do in the movie where the character is unmasked and humiliated and the support group actually redeems and rescues the character.”

Brad Pitt starred in the film with Edward Norton…can they sing and dance? Hmmmm.

Photo of the head of author Chuck Palahniuk as he addresses the audience at the Radar screening Of “Choke” Q&A at the IFC Center on August 28, 2008 in New York City.

September 7 Is End of Broadway Line?

No word yet on whether or not Taylor Hicks will re-up for more time with Grease, now that they’ve added Ace Young to the group. Star Derek Keeling told Broadway.tv that he’s enjoyed his time with Taylor Hicks in an exclusive interview, so it sounds like the cast likes him in. Fans have voiced both the hope that Taylor will stay, but also seem to think that he may head on the road to tour instead of holding court on Broadway. He’s brought fire to Grease, which has a solid cast across the board with Ashley Spencer and Derek Keeling anchoring the show. With the flood of tourists about to descend on the city for the holidays, one would suspect the show would want to keep Hicks in…but who knows? The clock is ticking…

Photo by J. Pellegrini/WireImage.com

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Demon Barber Of Fleet Street in Florida

Johnny Depp was nominated for another Academy Award for his work in the screen adaptation of the hit Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd. Audiences flocked to the Tim Burton film and were rewarded with a haunting and memorable performance. The question remains, will Depp go for another Broadway musical movie adaptation? The Who’s Tommy…perhaps? Who knows? Today we have evidence that Johnny Depp has not abandoned song and stage, as he takes the stage in Florida with his old band The Kids in Florida. The band was formed when he was in high school, and the concert was for a good cause, Sheila Witkin, the former manager of the band. What songs did they play? Apparently original works, and “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes. According to reports, The Kids are alright.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Johnny Depp performs with “The Kids” at Club Cinema on August 29, 2008 in Pompano Beach, Florida.WireImage.com

Hit Broadway Play Hits Billing Battle

There is little question that the Broadway production of Frost/Nixon was a triumph of acting and writing and directing. It touched big themes in an entertaining and personal way and even made it to the recently discovered list of best political plays by the Utica Scout Troop. Now, word from London of a row over billing that puts the two Broadway stars, Frank Langella and Michael Sheen against one another over billing for the upcoming film release. According to a report from Richard Kay of London’s Daily Mail, Frost/Sheen is getting top billing for the upcoming film and Nixon/Langella is miffed. From the report, an insider tells Kay, “The producers are trying to capture the audience who saw Sheen play Tony Blair in The Queen with Helen Mirren. Frank had top billing over Sheen during the theatre run and he is not ecstatic at this development.”

Quite likely the two could end up battling each other for an Oscar as well. Perhaps now that he is playing Sir Thomas More in the upcoming Broadway run of  A Man For All Seasons, Frank Langella will take a more saintly view of the situation.

Photo: Actor Frank Langella attends the photo call for “A Man for All Seasons” on Broadway at a rehearsal studio at 32 East 31st Street on August 14, 2008 in New York City. Countess/WireImage.com

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

London Stage Debut For Hollywood Star

The eagerly awaited London stage production of Rain Man starring Josh Hartnett is set to open this week. The stage play is loosely based on the hit film that starred Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. In anticipation of that event, Hartnett and Adam Godley spoke with the Telegraph’s Jasper Rees about the production. In the interview, Hartnett said that the last time he was on-stage it was in Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Operaat theater school. In London, Hartnett plays the role that Tom Cruise played on film. He speaks directly about Tom Cruise in the production, telling the Telegraph:

My job is to not pay attention to what Tom Cruise did with the role in a similar way that Adam’s is not to pay attention to what Dustin did. Is it going to be better? I’m not even thinking about that. The film came out in ‘88, right? I was 10. I’ve seen it twice in the last 20 years.

It is a revealing conversation, and Hartnett clearly has been quite thoughtful about the role, production, and getting on-stage. He makes a strong case for a stage version, and gives some insight on a few of the changes.  Rees didn’t ask if Hartnett and Godley might bring the show to Broadway, but our hope is that they will. Again, tickets for the production of Rain Man will be “about a hundred dollars.” Read the full text here. Photo by Kambouris/WireImage.com

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Film Star Project Hitting The Boards

BREAKING NEWS: In a timely blend of political themes and theater news, Playbill reports that Broadway star John Gallagher Jr. has been picked to star in the upcoming Atlantic Theater production of the play Farragut North. A year or so back, Michael Riedel of the New York Post reported Jake Gyllenhaal was considering the project. Either way, the play has star attention. According to Variety, George Clooney has been eyeing the play to possibly direct and produce a film version of the script starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The political play from Beau Willimon follows an idealistic, young press secretary working on a presidential campaign. Willimon actually did work on the Howard Dean campaign in 2004. The show will directed by superman Doug Hughes and will run October 22 - November 29.

-Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Photo: Actors Brad Pitt (L) and George Clooney (R) attend the Burn After Reading photocall during the 65th Venice Film Festival held at the Piazzale del Casino on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy. Pimentel/WireImage.com

Tony Winning Cast Sign and Sing

Tony winner Patti Luponecouldn’t be happier to be in Barnes & Noble. The star may not like the traffic in Times Square, but she loves the crowds showing up for Gypsy and at Barnes and Noble.You see, everything’s coming up roses and exclusive CDs with bonus tracks! In an exclusive Broadway event at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Square yesterday, Patrick Pacheco moderated a discussion with the incomporable cast of the current Broadway revival of Gypsy. The event launched an exclusive CD of the show, and included Laura Benanti, Boyd Gaines, Patti Lupone, Leigh Ann Larkin, and the recording’s producer Robert Sher.  For those looking to dig a little further into the story behind the musical, check out this great article by Juliane Elizabeth Buntin. Click on the thumbnails to get up close the cast. It was a rare chance to speak to the stars of this hit Broadway revival.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Photo: Patti Lupone at launching the 2008 Broadway cast recording of “Gypsy” at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Square on August 28, 2008 in New York City. All photos J. Pelligrini/WireImage.com

Celebrating Election Year On Broadway

George Washington. He was the first American President, and is still regarded as one of the greatest presidents. We are sure his standing as a leader is enhanced by his love of the theater. Yes, George Washington loved theater. In another of our Presidential Broadway bits, we bring you this picture of George Washington’s teeth, and a bit of theater info you can sink your own teeth into–George Washington’s favorite play was the comedy THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The School For Scandal was first produced in 1777, and remains popular and quite funny…just like George Washington’s teeth. Photo by Bain’s News Service.

-Broadway Magazine, www.Broadway.tv

Off-Broadway Musical Gets Blessing

There is a sudden Labor Day weekend buzz around the new Bill T. Jones musical Fela! thanks in great part to the column by Michael Riedel in the New York Post. Dr. Riedel plays kingmaker, and bestows his blessing on this new musical from the consummate artist, choreographer Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis. Jones won a Tony, and may yet win another.

“Fela Kuti’s band is the best band I’ve ever seen. When Fela and his band eventually began to play, after a long, crazy build-up, I just couldn’t stop weeping with joy. It was a very moving experience,” said no less a figure than ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Well, it looks like a lot of people are going to be introduced to the story and music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti.The show Fela! is billed as “a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.” According to Michael Riedel it is “is in fact a dynamic show about Fela Kuti, the Nigerian composer, performer and Black Power activist who died of AIDS in 1997. His Afrobeat songs, which make up the score, include “Sorrow Tears & Blood,” “Water Get No Enemy” and “Zombie,” which aging New York hipsters will remember from their clubbing days in the ’70s and ’80s.” The show opens September 4th at 37 Arts.  Photo by Mazur/WireImage.com.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv