Broadway Gets South Park Flavor

This evening marks the first performance of the highly anticipated new musical by the creators of South Park, The Book of Mormon.   With curtain at 8:00 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street),Trey Parker and Matt Stone along with co-creator of Avenue Q Robert Lopez will be sitting down to enjoy the beginning of their new Broadway venture.

The world premiere musical is choreographed and co-directed by Casey Nicholaw, and stars Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Nikki M. James, Rory O’Malley and Michael Potts. In a story about two young Mormon missionaries spreading the word of the Book of Mormon in a dangerous part of Uganda, the new musical is based on an American-born religion in a time when Mormonism is experiencing great growth.

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Only in NYC will you meet your next roommate on a park bench

A review by Benjamin Nockles

Friends, by Peter L. Levy, opens on a park bench in Central Park. 

Though it may sound trite, it is still the perfect setting for – you guessed it – the introduction of two perfect strangers, in this case, an elderly man and woman. But if you’re already writing this one off for fear that at the opening of the first act, you won’t be able to stifle a groan of disapproval for such a hackneyed premise, at least know that the actors are well-aware of what they are up against and counter with a surprising and unrelenting stream of positive energy. 

Admittedly, this energy comes at the price of seeming a bit forced, but any sense of artificiality is easily forgiven (though not forgotten) once the undeniable charm of this adorable, elderly duo takes over.

Max is a widower, left to sleep on park benches after outliving his retirement fund and surviving on what little his remaining social security and pension can provide. Ruth is lonely divorcee and a self- proclaimed “friend,” according to the title on her “card.” Upon their initial introduction, both characters omit the undesirable details of their respective pasts, but the following day, when Ruth discovers Max asleep on the same bench where she left him the night before, compassion overpowers reason and she invites him to stay on her couch “temporarily.”

The second act features a refreshing change of scenery and, as more truth about these new-found friends is revealed, the play curves towards the real, underlying questions about trust, companionship, and what can you hope to find after you outlive your life plan?

During the curtain call, when these two, beloved faces greet their audience with marvelous, heart-warming smiles, you’ll realize that the beautiful idea of the play and the lasting charm of its characters are enough to at least make you feel bad about admitting that the play itself falls short of outstanding. It’s just a little too cheesy and a little too canned to take seriously. Nevertheless, if you’re in need of something new to bring you a smile, this delightful cast will make it worth your while.

Friends, a Donis Production and directed by Jerry Donis, opens Thursday, October 14th at Theatre 3, 311 West 43rd Street 3rd Floor.

Connecticut Broadway Lover Is GREASE Winner

Congratulations to Michele S. of Connecticut. You are the winner of our exclusive Broadway Magazine and Broadway.tv contest. You will be receiving two ticekts to GREASE and will get to meet the entire cast after the show.

Michele is not only the lucky one.  Five others receive prizes from the Broadway.tv prize vault.

Thanks to all who signed up and stay tuned for more exclusive contests!

Have A Hot Summer Night On Us This Fall

Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine are giving you the opportunity to win two tickets to Broadway’s hit musical GREASE and also a back stage pass to meet the cast. We also will be giving away five runner up prices.

Click here to sign up an win.

Also check out our interviews with GREASE stars Derek Keeling, Ashley Spencer, and Ace Young.

Grease Star Talks About New York Production

We had a chance to sit down with Derek Keeling in his Grease dressing room last week.

Derek talked about his time after college when he came to New York with around $1,000 and lived on an air mattress for months as he looked for work. It looks like all the effort paid off, as now Derek is the lead in one of the most recognized shows currently on Broadway.

Derek also spoke about what it is like working with Taylor Hicks saying that Hicks is a “…very cool guy.”

You can watch the video interview and read more in-depth by clicking here.

2008 Broadway Showlympiad Continues

With intensity and quality performances, Lion King currently holds a slight lead over Wicked, In The Heights and Grease in the 2008 Broadway Showlympiad Games. Full medal listings to this point below. Shows have been matched to competing countries in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. For full details, click here.

Sprache: Ab Januar 2009 im Kolner

Knallhartes Training für die Lachmuskeln: Nach Riesenerfolgen in New York und London kommt das urkomische Musical SPAMALOT der weltbekannten britischen Komikergruppe „Monty Python” jetzt erstmals nach Deutschland! Ab Januar 2009 zeigt der Kölner Musical Dome das witzige Comedy-Spektakel, das direkt nach seiner Uraufführung für 14 Tony Awards nominiert und unter anderem als „Bestes Musical” ausgezeichnet wurde. Das preisgekrönte Original-Kreativ-Team vom Broadway freut sich auf die neue Herausforderung, in der Rhein-Metropole das Publikum zum Lachen zu bringen. Thanks for the press release, Yvonne. Photo from Original US Tour.

-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Exclusive Interview With New Broadway Star

By: Broadway Magazine and Broadway.tv

Last night we had a chance to sit down with Baily Hanks who comes to Broadway fame after winning a reality show on MTV (see more on that here). You may find it interesting to know that this is Bailey’s first time living in New York and before her visit the Legally Blonde’s publicist tells us that Bailey had never been on an air plane.

Welcome to New York and Broadway Bailey. It was a pleasure to meet you.

For more on this interview, click here.

RENT Star Talks About Show Closing

By: Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine

Anthony Rapp talks to Broadway.tv about the smash hit Broadway Show RENT closing later this summer. Rapp feel that it is a bitter sweet event as the show will no longer grace the New York landscape, but will now be seen across the country.

Harry Potter Star Talks To Broadway.tv

When Daniel Radcliffe got out of his SUV at the 2008 Tony Awards, the crowd went wild. Famous for his leading character in the Harry Potter movies, Daniel has been playing in Equus and soon will come to New York’s Broadway for the production.