Archive for January, 2009
There may be hope yet for a strong showing in the second act from Broadway. An article in Crain’s opened with this statement:
A total of 40 new plays and musicals will open on the Great White Way during the 2008-09 season, the greatest number of productions to open since 1986-87
Is this good or bad? Being the optimist I am, I think that in the end, it’ll serve theatre in general. Shows are being forced (beyond the competition they already dealt with) to really go for it to grab the attention of potential theatre-goers — convince them to pay upwards of $100 a seat.
It’s not just a matter of Broadway as a brand, it’s an issue of the relevancy of theatre in our society. Because getting consumers to part with their money will be an exercise in convincing them just how relevant theatre, and Broadway, is to their lives.
We’re talking about VALUE here… And the values we, as Americans, hold dear.
–Sue
January 29th, 2009
In a new twist on the jukebox musical, the Nederlanders bought the rights to Thriller, Michael Jackson’s epic eighties horror film homage.
“The Nederlanders and Michael Jackson represent live theater and musical excellence, so let the music begin,” a spokesman for Mr. Jackson said Monday, in a statement. (Crains)
John Landis (co-writer, director, and co-producer of the video) is suing MJ.
We all know that Mike’s been on a dark road for a long time…
I’d hate to see this video, and a musical legacy we all loved, go down in flames… Let’s hope this turns out well.
A little scared…
–Sue
January 28th, 2009
By now, you’ve all heard about the Speed the Plow hub-bub…
And though it may have left the producers in a bind, it seems to have done something wonderful for the production… Given people the chance to witness three great actors take the same text and make it their own — proving how durable and flexible Mamet’s text is.
Ben Brantley’s latest critique of the show illuminates the point:
No, what truly impresses me is how each was able to provide a fully detailed, self-contained portrait that made me forget — at least for the length of the performances — all Bobbys past (including Joe Mantegna, who created the part 20 years ago).
For the record, Mr. Piven, Mr. Butz and Mr. Macy are nothing like one another. And while they have all spoken the same lines (more or less to the letter) and maintained the same essential, dizzying momentum, they have still created separate but equal Bobby Goulds who, every time, made me think about who exactly this guy was and where he was coming from.
In light of the favorable review, the biggest compliment to the work is that there’s room enough for the playwright’s voice, and those of the production’s actors, to shine through, and shine brightly.
Good show!
–Sue
January 27th, 2009
I’ve been batting around the ending of “Disillusioned” lately… I wrote the play a few years ago, and was happy with it, but it wasn’t completely there, and I didn’t know how to take it any further on my own.
A generous director (Noel Neeb) I know, and some wonderful actors (Eric Powers, Matthew Waterson, Rachel McKinney, and Pauline Miller) I got to know one night two months ago, volunteered their time and talents for a reading.
They told me what I already knew, that I was pretty close, and then they pointed out where it seemed I had missed the mark.
So I went back and tweeked, and tweeked… I didn’t change the scope of the story, all the same characters, much of the same action… I just raised the stakes a bit.
But that was the easy part… The hard part, as anyone who’s ever told a story will tell you, is always the end.
Happily, after a few tries, I think I got it!
I thought it would feel like I just ran the marathon and won, it actually feels more like I can finally sleep after a restless night… and know I’ll wake up to the embrace of warm sheets and sunlight.
–Sue
January 26th, 2009
Musicals, plays, songs… These all usually start with words on a page. And though that’s sometimes easy to forget, Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle is a great reminder.
They’re hosting live events with Broadway vets like Liza Minnelli and Kristin Chenowith.
On February 3rd, Liza will be singing selections from her latest cabaret gig. On April 15th, Kristin will be reading/discussing her new autobiography.
If you want to see some of the glorious Broadway houses of yesteryear, you might want to check out the Historic Photos of Broadway event on February 9th.
Enjoy!
–Sue
January 23rd, 2009
(Though I don’t have a Doctorate just yet, I thought this picture was too good to pass up.)
There’s a huge part of me that can’t believe we made it, but we’re celebrating 100 blog posts at Sue’s News.
You may be wondering who the “we” are. Part of the “we” I’m alluding to is YOU!
This blog would be nothing without my dear readers. I can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your busy lives to read, think about, and respond to what I’ve written.
Let’s blow out the candles and make a wish!
–Sue
January 22nd, 2009
I’m normally not one for politics, but I’m happy to see so many people finding hope again, and believing change can happen. Yesterday’s inauguration brought us together, as a nation, just as good theatre can bring communities, and nations together.
Last week I posted a template letter for readers to use to send to their elected officials in Congress. This week, I’m posting my own letter. Let’s hope our letter writing campaign is getting the message across!
–Sue
_____________________________________________________________
Dear ,
I am writing to you today about an issue of vital importance: Saving America’s Theatres.
As politicians serve the masses to give them a voice and act as conduits for change, as a playwright, I have dedicated my life to telling the stories of those who may not always have the courage or voice to express themselves. I tell intimate stories, the everyday stories of families, the families we’re born into and the ones we choose.
Though I hope, as many playwrights do, to see my work mounted on a Broadway stage, some stories need smaller spaces… stages where the kitchen table takes up a lot of room, and the audience feels like they’ve gathered around it. These smaller stages are in our local, regional theatres… Regional theatres are theatres where families can see a show as a family and talk about it during the car ride home, without breaking the bank to do it.
Realizing the world I imagine when I put pencil to paper takes time, talent, passion, and resources.
I could never do it alone — creating a piece of theatre is so much bigger than any one person could be. Just like the birth of this nation, which was nurtured and borne in the minds and hearts of so many…
It’s in living rooms, church basements, and offices after hours where theatre is born — and it is on the stages of our regional theatres where American Theatre’s potential is realized.
Please insure the survival of America’s Theatres by protecting the current funding in place and securing additional funding to be allocated to theatres and the arts in general.
Thank you for your time and continued efforts to preserve one of the most vital means of expression we as Americans have, and the theatres that house it.
Sincerely,
Susan Hodara
Playwright, Lyricist, Librettist
January 21st, 2009
As many of my readers know, I have an amazingly talented twin sister, Dina. Some of you may have seen her vibrant photography. Now she’s decided to share her watercolor paintings with the world.
The best part is, you can have her artwork on a journal, or a coffee mug, a messenger bag, or even a onesie for the cutest baby you know. Visit her new online shop, Red Star Studios. Dina’s prints of her paintings and tropical photography, available at Red Bubble, would make wonderful additions to your decor.
I’m sure you’ll be tickled red by her wonderful work.
–Sue
January 20th, 2009
For LESS than the price of 2 movie tickets, you can get ONE ticket to an off-Broadway show! Just show up 20 minutes before curtain and ask for your twenty dollar ticket. Check out 20at20 for participating shows.
The run for the promotion is only two weeks long (is anyone else noticing a “2″ pattern here?), from January 26th to February 8th, so if you’re planning on going, get there quick!
Happy theatre-ing!
–Sue
January 19th, 2009
Well, actually, $5.00 (500 pennies for my mathemeticians out there), and not exactly from heaven, but from the nice people at Theatre Development Fund (TDF).
I’m honored to say that I’m a proud member of this organization, and now you can be too. Here’s how they help you see great theatre:
TDF membership is your ticket to the performing arts at affordable prices. Our members enjoy access to hundreds of Broadway, Off Broadway, music and dance productions each year for only $20 to $36 a ticket. We invite you to see if you qualify to join the more than 80,000 theatre lovers who get the best deals through TDF.
Membership is usually $27.50 for the year, but using the handy link below (with your promo code “SNNYC” (that’s Sue’s News NYC) already built in) membership will be $22.50, around the price of two movie tickets…
https://secure2.tdf.org/join/index.html?PROMO=SNNYC
That one-time membership opens the world of live entertainment to you (and the lucky folks you take with you) for a full year, with tickets as low as $20!!! You’ll get emails sent directly to your inbox with featured deals for shows on offer, so that you can order your cheap tickets IN ADVANCE.
Enjoy the gift, and send the promo code to friends and family. (Sending them here would be nice too!)
–Sue
January 16th, 2009
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