Tipping Broadway’s Hat

Roy Fruman has been very influential co-producing shows like The Color Purple, Fosse, Fortune’s Fool, Spamalot, Gypsy, Legally Blonde, The History Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Inherit The Wind. This season Fruman co-producer the Tony Nominated revival of West Side Story, the hit All My Sons and Impressionism. Mr. Furman will soon be involved in the upcoming production of The Addams Family with Nathan Lane.

Earlier this week, Broadway took some time to honor Mr. Fruman for all that he has done for Broadway. Irena’s Vow star Tovah feldshus was the emcee for the event. There were performances by Barbra Cook,Matt Vavenaugh and Josefina Scaglione just to name a few. Click here to see the exciting photos from the event.

Monty Python Musical Gets Valentine

BROADWAY MAGAZINE – Happy Broadway Valentine’s Day! The author of such classic tales as Maggie and Red Badge of Courage also happens to be one of the biggest fans of Spamalot. While both Clay Aiken and the production of Spamalot have left Broadway, the quest for the Grail continues on other stages around the globe. It is only fitting then that we take a moment to offer you Stephen Crane’s Broadway Valentine to Spamalot star Clay Aiken. Check our other posts to see Dante’s poem to Avenue Q, Whittier’s poem to Billy Elliot, and a very special shout out to Mamma Mia!.
(photo by Joan Marcus)

Now, as promised, Stephen Crane’s Broadway Valentine to Clay Aiken and Spamalot:

Fast rode the knight
With spurs, hot and reeking,
Ever waving an eager sword,
“To save my lady!”
Fast rode the knight,
And leaped from saddle to war.
Men of steel flickered and gleamed
Like riot of silver lights,
And the gold of the knight’s good banner
Still waved on a castle wall.

Love, Broadway Magazine and Broadway.tv

(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) The Broadway League has released the box office figures for the week ending January 11, 2009. The total box office for the week was $15.8 million, which was actually about $400,000 more than the same period last year. The top ten shows for the past week are listed below. Photos by Joan Marcus and Paul Kolnik.

(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) Always look on the bright side of life, as they sing in Spamalot. No doubt the audience will sing along as the show finds its grail for the last time on Broadway…until the Spamalot revival hits the stage. Taking a cue from the wisdom of Monty Python, we offer a short glimpse at some of the bright sides of Broadway, even though the plague has hit many, many shows this month.

1. Shrek The Musical and Billy Elliot are a success. Whether you like musicals based on animated movies which were themselves based on books, the fact that Shrek did not stumble out of the gate bodes well for the show, and Broadway. It may not be everyone’s swamp to swim in, but that it works for many is a good sign. Billy Elliot has been a hit too.
2. Rock Of Ages is taking on Broadway’s high-price ticket system. The revolutionary spirit of Rock N Roll from the 80s was grass-roots and home grown, as garage bands crafted infectious tunes and dressed up in theatrical costumes and make-up as they made their mark. Now, with the Broadway arrival of Rock of Ages in March, the show itself is challenging the high-price ticket of Broadway, offering all seats at aggressively low prices.
3. West Side Story, HAIR, and Guys and Dolls are coming back. With South Pacific still packing them in, the successful arrival of West Side Story on Broadway is definitely a bright side to see. With HAIR & Guys and Dolls on deck as well, it is a rare time to experience an A-list schedule of Broadway gems.
4. Will Ferrell is on Broadway. More than a star, Ferrell is a gifted comic satirist in a long tradition. Word is that his upcoming production of You’re Welcome America…will pack some surprises. The short commercials now playing in New York make us laugh, and are the only effective theater advertising on television in this century.
5. The Stars are aligning for Broadway. Jane Fonda, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Bill Irwin, John Goodman and Joan Allen are all on deck to name a few. There are plenty of productions on the way with big names, talented creative teams, and even new plays coming up. Also, Daniel Radcliffe still has time left in Equus, which is a must see.
6. The Tony Awards are coming. With the amount of talent in play this season on Broadway, the race in June could be quite exciting. Just look at the Best Featured Actress in a play category to see what may happen: Katie Holmes, Dianne Wiest, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kate Mulgrew, Elizabeth Ashley, Hallie Foote, Mercedes Ruehl and many more already worth consideration…and Jane Fonda, Janet McTeer, Joan Allen and other performances yet to open.
7. Mamma Mia! is still playing. The show that arrived on Broadway just in time to raise spirits in the months after 9/11 is still going strong. Ben Brantley described the hit musical as a cupcake, in the most positive way…something comfortable that lifts your spirits. Well, as economic and political crisis continue around the globe, we are glad to know that this particular show will go on and on.
8. Samuel Beckett is coming. Waiting For Godot is on the way for Broadway ticket buyers looking for a chance to reflect on our existential state with a community of others…and of course, looking to laugh a great deal too. Nathan Lane is on hand to make sure the brighter side of Beckett is not neglected. If you feel like saying “Nothing to be done,” the only thing you can do is wait to see this production in May.

American Presidents Love Their Broadway

(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) We’ve shown you George W. Bush with The Lion King, told you of John McCain’s love for Mamma Mia! and how J.F.K listened to Camelot nightly before going to sleep. A brilliant web-site called walkingoffthebigapple.com now gives you the chance to walk where President’s walked on Broadway. Of immediate interest to Broadway fans is this item on Abraham Lincoln, following his famous campaign stop at Cooper Union in New York.

After dinner, he and Charles C. Nott set out on foot for the long walk down Broadway to the hotel. Nott noticed that Lincoln was having difficulty walking and asked him, “Are you lame, Mr. Lincoln?” Lincoln replied that he had on new boots and that they hurt him.

What happened next? Well, the new-booted Lincoln hobbled down the street stopping only for a moment to ask “Dear friend Nott, do you have any tickets to Jersey Boys or Wicked?”.

Of course, this gives us a chance to revisit our favorite story “George Washington’s Teeth and Favorite play”. We’ll show you the teeth…and tell you the play was not Clay Aiken in Spamalot, but rather was School For Scandal . That one is true. As for the Lincoln story, he did not get tickets to Wicked, though he may have got them for Jersey Boys.

11 Stars A-Shining On Broadway In 2008

(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) On the 11^thDay of Broadway, my true love gave to me…11 Stars A-Shining. We continue our 12 Days Of Broadway celebration with Broadway Magazineand Broadway.tv with our list of the 11 Top Celebrity Turns on Broadway in 2008. Some stars shone more than others on Broadway this season, and here is our choice for 11 of the top. For purposes of this list, only one person per show, and only celebrities without a long Broadway tenure are eligible. We are defining celebrity as those who are largely famous for work in medium other than the stage. Our apologies to Liza Minnelli, who tops most anyone’s Broadway list this season.

1.      Diane Wiest in All My Sons.Katie Holmes got the headlines, but Weist is completely fascinating to behold. She is our favorite celebrity on Broadway this season. John Lithgow, Patrick Wilson,  Katie Holmes and the entire ensemble have made this production of Arthur Miller’s play one of the must-see dramas of the season.

2.      Kristin Scott Thomas in The Seagull. She helped make Chekhov profitable on Broadway. A selfless star who was not afraid to show the selfish side of a complex iconic character. We have three words for Ms. Thomas and producers as they consider her next stage project-The Cherry Orchard!

3.      Daniel Radcliffe in Equus.A dark play, but a totally committed performance from a star who seems to have the DNA of the great British stage stars of the past. Richard Griffiths and Kate Mulgrew are also more than exceptional.

4.      Laurence Fishburne in Thurgood.With depth and nuance, Fishburne brought a judicial titan to life.

5.      Clay Aiken in Spamalot. The new father may have made headlines with his outing, but he still is making audiences laugh with his sense of humor. Surely there are other musicals that would fit him like a glove.

6.      Taylor Hicks in Grease. Soul Patrol fans and Broadway fans unite in cheering the good-natured and smooth singing soul stylist as he transitions from American Idol to Broadway’s Rookie-of-the-year.

7.      Cedric The Entertainer in American Buffalo. A short run, but a bright future for Cedric on Broadway in the right vehicle…if he gets over his anger at Ben Brantley of The New York Times.  Tony nomination for featured actor?

8.      Marisa Tomei in Top Girls.This was a great production of a difficult play. Tomei was absolutely fascinating as the Scottish explorer who had ailments, passions, and liked the bread plate. Her change to the contemporary mother was equally solid.

9.      Elisabeth Moss in Speed-The-Plow.Please stay away from the sushi, Ms. Moss. While the departed Jeremy Piven walked in and out as the headliner of this Mamet revival, Moss has left audiences wanting to see the AMC Mad Men star in other roles on-stage.

10.  S. Epatha Merkerson from Come Back, Little Sheba. The star of Law and Order was riveting as Lola in William Inge’s haunting play.

11.  Patrick Stewart in Macbeth. While he has a substantial Broadway resume, we’ve broken our own rule to include Stewart for his entertaining and soulful portrayal of Shakespeare’s Scottish King. So much blood!

A Look At The 2008 Broadway Idol Leader

 Thousands love him. Others chastise. But no matter how you feel, American Idol and Clay Aiken sure have contributed greatly to Broadway this past year. With fellow American Idol colleagues in The Color Purple, GREASE, and Rock of Ages, Clay Aiken seemed to be the head-master of the “Broadway Idol” family in 2008.

Aiken came to Broadway’s Spamalot in January 2008. He says he did not decide to play in Spamalot for the music; he came to the show because of the story line. In an interview posted on his website, Aiken says that Spamalot is really not about the story plot, it is more about having fun with Broadway.

Aiken was in New York to record his new album (released May 2008) so he and his manager thought it would be a good idea to also star in Spamalot. However, Aiken confesses it is one of the hardest things that he has ever done. After all, recording an album along with performing in eight Spamalot shows a week (with Broadway fans expecting a stellar performance) is difficult.

Comments and press on Aiken are not similar to the typical Broadway star. He is followed by cameras, adored by fans, and criticized by tabloids. One publicist joked with us recently, saying that most Broadway stars are not recognized outside of the theater world. However, ‘Clay Aiken’ is a household name. And more often than not, negative press is the press that is printed. Be it fact or fiction.Aiken is able to inspire his fans through his volunteer work, personal life triumphs and having a son. The press sometimes overlooks that Aiken is a UNICEF Ambassador and was appointed by President Bush to be an advisor for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Aiken left Broadway in 2008 for a short time, only to come back to Spamalot in September. He currently is scheduled to be in Spamalot until January 4, 2009. Spamalot will close on Broadway soon after.In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Aiken said that he does not plan on coming back to Broadway anytime soon. Even so, Aiken’s caricature was immortalized at the iconic New York restaurant Sardi’s, underscoring Aiken’s contribution to Broadway in 2008.

As Aiken puts up his Broadway boots the next Idol Leader of Broadway remains to be determined. Will it be Taylor Hicks who is currently traveling on tour with GREASE? Or maybe Constantine Maroulis, who will be taking GREASE’s home for the on Broadway transition of Rock of Ages?Well, you can bet your boots we will keep you posted on the developments.

12 Days Of Broadway Celebration

On the 12^th Day of Broadway, my true love gave to me…12 memorable Broadway Quotations! To start our celebration of the 12 Days of Broadway, we offer the follow selection of memorable Broadway quotations. Some are more poignant than others, but all came out of the wonderful world that was Broadway in 2008. Join us at Broadway Magazine and Broadway.tv in our 12 Days of Broadway. Enjoy the quotations:

1.      “So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer.” -David Mamet in Variety on Jeremy Piven’s abrupt exit from Speed-The-Plow due to Mercury poisoning.

2.      “Tough thing about Broadway is (it’s) eight shows a week. It’s slavery. That needs to be adjusted. It’s wrong.” -Terrence Howard from Cat On A Hot Tin Roof in Cindy Adams column in the New York Post.

3.      “I’m having a great time…and it’s certainly interesting to be working with people who talk about ‘Hello, Dolly!’ as if it opened three months ago.” - Rocker Stew from Passing Strange talking about working with the Schubert Organization’s Elizabeth I. McCann and the late Gerald Schoenfeld, from Michael Riedel’s article in the New York Post.

4.      “Now, the question becomes ‘what’s the next project? And I think there’s no where to go but down. I think disappointment and alcoholism are right on the horizon. So, see you in the New York Post.” -Tony Award Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of In The Heights at the Carnegie Hall Notables event.

5.      “When you’re in town wearing some kind of a uniform is helpful. Policeman, priest, etc. Driving a tank is very impressive or a car with official lettering on the side.” -Mark Rylance from Boeing-Boeing, starting his amazing acceptance speech at the 2008 Tony Awards.  The words are actually by poet Louis Jenkins.

6.      “Oh, those wacky Tony nominators - can you believe they didn’t kiss me first? You don’t have to buy me dinner, but at least kiss me first!”  Harvey Fierstein creator and star of  A Catered Affair after co-stars Tom Wopat and Faith Prince received nominations, and he didn’t. From Michael Riedel’s column in The New York Post.

7.      “When you’ve done it twice, it doesn’t matter anymore.” -Daniel Radcliffe Broadway star of Equus and Harry Potter film star on being naked on stage from Details Magazine.

8.      “Yes, I’m gay.” - Clay Aiken star of Spamalot on the cover of People Magazine.

9.      “”We are not boycotting Katie, we are not boycotting the play, we are protesting Scientology. It is evil. Scientology kills people. It follows you home at night. It is perverted,”.” Scientology protest group Anonymous quoted in Glamour Magazine regarding Katie Holmes in All My Sons.

10.  “It’s great to be drunk and below 14th Street!” -Stew from Passing Strange at the Village Voice Obie Awards.

11.  “Mr. Sondheim, look, I made a hat. (a reference to a lyric in Sondheim’s ‘Sunday in the Park with George’) But there never was a hat - it’s a Latin hat at that!” -Lin Manuel Miranda of In The Heights during his Tony Award acceptance speech.

12.  “That, I suppose, is the danger of shock. Or schlock.” -Final line of the final review written by critic Clive Barnes in the New York Post on October 31, 2008. The celebrated critic died November 19, 2008.

Clay Aiken Receives Caricature At Iconic NYC Restaurant

Sardi’s is an iconic New York City restaurant that is famous for its caricatures of leading show business celebrities that line the walls.  Yesterday, signer and actor Clay Aiken received the above portrait at Sardi’s.
Aiken is currently in the hit Broadway show Spamalot which will soon be closing. Even so, Aiken will be immortalized on Broadway by his Sardi’s caricature. Photos: J. Kempin.

Spamalot Star Off Broadway in January

With all the army of shows closing on Broadway, the prospects for Clay Aiken to return to Broadway in the near future are slim after  he leaves Spamalot in January. There are limited openings on Broadway (or Clayway as some call it) at least in early ‘09. However, time away is the way Clay would like it, according to the recent article by David Caplan in People magazine. According to the article, Clay will stay away from Broadway…and everything else for a while in 2009…so that he can focus on being a father. According to the article:

“We’ll take a little bit of time, we’re not quitting or anything, we’re just gonna take it slow for a month or so and recollect once I get back,” he says. “I may never have any free time once Parker starts walking and talking!”

Sounds to us like a well deserved rest after a very busy year. Always look on the bright side of life!

–Broadway Magazine