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CurtainUp Reviews
Broadway By the Year: The Musicals of . . .
By Elyse Sommer
(last reviewed shows are on top)
NEW!
Broadway Musicals of 1937 | Broadway Musicals of 1987 | Broadway Musicals of 1975| Broadway Musicals of 1950 |
Broadway Musicals of 1946 |The Broadway Musicals of 1997 | The Broadway Musicals of 1982|
The Broadway Musicals of 1932 | The Broadway Musicals of 1921|
Broadway By The Year 1990-2010 | The Broadway Musicals of 1966 | The Broadway Musicals of 1948 |The Broadway Musicals of 1927|The Broadway Musicals of 1970| The Broadway Musicals of 1944|The Broadway Musicals of 1931|The Broadway Musicals of 1924| The Broadway Musicals of 1965|
The Broadway Musicals of 1954| The Broadway Musicals of 1947| The Broadway Musicals of 1964, Part II|
The Broadway Musicals of 1959| The Broadway Musicals of 1938| The Broadway Musicals of 1928|
The Broadway Musicals of 1978| The Broadway Musicals of 1968| The Broadway Musicals of 1956|
The Broadway Musicals of 1930|The Broadway Musicals of 1962|The Broadway Musicals of 1955|The Broadway Musicals of 1945|The Broadway Musicals of 1929| 2005 Schedule for Broadway By the Year |The Broadway Musicals of 1963| From Brooklyn to Hollywood | The Broadway Musicals of 1949 | The Broadway Musicals of 1935 | The Broadway Musicals of 1926 |The Broadway Musicals of 1960 |
Broadway By the Year Host Scott Siegel
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About the Broadway by the Year SeriesSince he started writing, producing and hosting this entertaining Monday night series, Scott Siegel has gained a large following who attend each event. Having joined the crowd, we've decided to merge our reports so that you can look up who appeared for which year without clicking beyond this page.
Barbara and Scott Siegel
(Photo: Elyse Sommer)
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Reviews will appear with the most recent one at the top. You can also click on any review from the indexed list below. Because it was also a single Monday night event and had many Broadway by the Year hallmarks -- same venue, same writer/producer, numerous Broadway by the Year veterans, including host/narrator Tovah Feldshuh -- we've included the May 2nd, 2004 From Broadway to Hollywood and September 27, 2004 Broadway Unplugged events in this omnibus page . For tickets and details about all these evenings, contact the producer of the series, The Town Hall at 123 W. 43rd Street Box office, Ticketmaster (212/307-4100), or TheaterMania.com.
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The Broadway Musicals of 1937
"It's the Bar Mitzvah year for the Broadway by
the Year series" proudly announced BBTY creator,
writer, host Scott Siegel at the beginning of the first of
the four shows that will comprise the thirteenth
season in which the devoted followers of the
series will continue to embrace the hits from
Broadway's past as well as discover lost gems
from often forgotten shows.
What is remarkable even though 1937 was the height of the
depression, is that Broadway had only two
major musical hits: Babes in
Armsa showcase of soon-to-be immortal
melodies . . . the revue Pins and
Needles, as astonishingly presented by the
International Ladies Garment Workers Union with its "Song(s) With
Social Significance" Songs from to other politically poited shows — Hooray For What! and I'd Rather Be Right, as well as from a couple of operettas were also indicative of the scope and variety of this show and that year's musical textures.
This opening show was basically a concert with a minimum of
embellishments — unless you include a bit of baton
twirling, a formidable company of song and dance
stylists. It was easy enough for Stephen DeRosa to win our grins with the
opening "Way Out West," (from Babes), and
to see a new side of Tonya Pinkins (I
don''t mean her leg through the slit in her gown)
most notably with dynamic interpretations of 'The
Lady is a Tramp' and 'My Funny Valentine." There is no song that Brian d'Árcy
James doesn't sing better than we have heard it
before. He and Pinkins had a grand time forgetting lyrics as
they lost their path to romance in "I Wish I Were in Love Again."
Tap dancing in a straight-jacket in a number from Sea Legs ( huh?) gave us a clue
to what dancer Danny Gardner had in store when in
Act II, he, partnered with Brent McBeth and Derek
Roland, proving that six flying feet can be
quicker than the eye in Doing the Reactionary"
from Pins and Needles).
What else could it be
but parody at its hilarious best when the
glorious voices of Kevin Earley and Elizabeth
Stanley blended for the schmaltzy "To Love is To
Live"? from the rare Strauss operetta Three Waltzes.
More intimately scaled than previous editions, this sweet homage, under the unobtrusive direction of Mindy Cooper, included the now obligatory nod to singing unplugged. This was exemplified by Earley's resounding "Why Did You Kiss My Heart Awake" from the Franz Lehar operetta Frederika. It contrasted tellingly with Stanley's sock solo "Johnny One-Note" that brought the show to a rousing close.
Bravo to Ross Patterson Little Big
Band for their jazzy entr'acte selection. And lest we forget, courtesy of
Siegel, 1937 saw the introduction of Spam, the
opening of the first McDonald?s, the first Santa
Claus training school, and the opening of the
Lincoln Tunnel — my portal to Broadway.
The songs, the shows and the Performers
ACT 1
Way Out West (BABES IN ARMS) Stephen DeRosa
The Lady is a Tramp (BABES IN ARMS) Tonya Pinkins
Have You Met Miss Jones? (I?D RATHER BE RIGHT) Brian d'Árcy James
Buds Won?t Bud (HOORAY FOR WHAT!) Carole J. Bufford
Why Did You Kiss My Heart Awake? (FREDERIKA) Kevin Earley
The Fireman?s Flame (THE FIREMAN?S FLAME) Brian d'Árcy James & Company
I Sometimes Wonder (THREE WALTZES) Carole J. Bufford
Down With Love (HOORAY FOR WHAT!) Kevin Earley
Touched in the Head (SEA LEGS) Danny Gardner (Choreography by Danny Gardner)
Moanin? in the Mornin? (HOORAY FOR WHAT!) Tonya Pinkins
To Love is To Live (THREE WALTZES) Kevin Earley & Elizabeth Stanley (unplugged)
ACT 2
One Big Union For Two (PINS & NEEDLES) Ross
Patterson piano, Adam Armstrong bass,
Jared Schonig drums, Pete Anderson woodwinds
Sing Me a Song With Social Significance (PINS &
NEEDLES) Stephen DeRosa & Company
Where or When (BABES IN ARMS) Elizabeth Stanley & BrianD'Árcy James
I See Your Face Before Me (BETWEEN THE DEVIL) Stephen DeRosa
Nobody Makes a Pass at Me (PINS & NEEDLES) Carole
J. Bufford, Tonya Pinkins, Elizabeth Stanley
By Myself (BETWEEN THE DEVIL) BrianD'Árcy James
Why Did You Do It? (BETWEEN THE DEVIL) Carole J. Bufford
My Funny Valentine (BABES IN ARMS) Tonya Pinkins
Doing the Reactionary (PINS & NEEDLES) Danny
Gardner, Brent McBeth, Derek Roland
(Choreography by Danny Gardner)
I Wish I Were in Love Again (BABES IN ARMS) BrianD'Árcy James & Tonya Pinkins
Johnny One-Note (BABES IN ARMS) Elizabeth Stanley
The Broadway Musicals of 1987
A great evening with the usual suspects — the show's creator, writer and host, Scott Siegel, and music director and the Little-Big Band's pianist, Ross Patterson. Favorite BBTY performer and director Marc Kudisch helmed the evening. Jeffrey Denman and Viebecke Dahle saw to it that there was plenty of dancing. And, hurrah, hurrah, the recently created Broadway by the Year chorus was back. These young future stars were a Wow.
The evening's focus was on two 1987 musicals studded with gorgeous melodies: Les Mserables and Into the Woods. The overture from the latter got things off to a rousing start with the full company (including the 34 chorus members) filling out the stage. The Chorus ended first act and began the second with "One Day" and "Do You Hear the People Sing" from Les Miserables.
Santino Fontana, who was so impressive in one of this season's best knew plays,Sons of the Prophet, proved to be equally impressive as a silken voiced crooner. Besides the evening's signature shows, the roller skating musical, Starlight Express was given its due -- and, yes, a couple of chorus members actually skated across the stage!
Director Kudisch and choreographer Jeffrey Denman took the stage with a delightful "unplugged" rendition of "Agony " from Into the Woods wich was (deservedly so) reprised in the second act. Kudisch's affable charm was also shown off to great advantage with “Volare,” a popular tune from Stardust -- smartly backed by Denman's choreography for members of the chorus. Denman also shone in" Stepping Out" (from the show of the same title), skillfully choreographed for himself and dancers Anna White and Kelley Sheehan.
For an especially interesting bit of casting, there was Danielle Ferland, the original Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods. I could go on with shoutouts for tenor Ron Bohmer, Kerry O'Malley and chorus direct Scott Coulter's beautifully sung "Stardust" but you get the idea: The entire program (listed below) was a splendid finale for this invaluable series' 12th season at the Town Hall.
ACT 1
Overture/Into the Woods (INTO THE WOODS) Company
Moments in the Woods (INTO THE WOODS) Kerry O'Malley
Life is Ahead of Me (ROZA) Santino Fontana The Syncopated Clock (STARDUST) Band
Only You (STARLIGHT EXPRESS) Janine DiVita & Santino Fontana
Agony (INTO THE WOODS) Jeffry Denman & Marc Kudisch
There's Me (STARLIGHT EXPRESS) Danielle Ferland
Can I Let Her Go? (TEDDY & ALICE) Ron Bohmer Moonlight Serenade (STARDUST) Jeffry Denman & Janine DiVita Happiness Is (ROZA) Kerry O'Malley
One Day More (LES MISERABLES) Broadway by the Year Chorus
ACT 2
Do You Hear the People Sing (LES MISERABLES) Broadway by the Year Chorus Stardust (STARDUST) Scott Coulter
I Know Things Now (INTO THE WOODS) Danielle Ferland On My Own (LES MISERABLES) Janine DiVita
Volare (STARDUST) Marc Kudisch with members of BBTY Chorus No One is Alone (INTO THE WOODS) Danielle Ferland
Agony Reprise (INTO THE WOODS) Jeffry Denman & Marc Kudisch I Dreamed a Dream (LES MISERABLES) Kerry O'Malley I Dreamed a Dream (LES MISERABLES) Kerry O'Malley
Stepping Out (STEPPING OUT) Jeffry Denman, Anna White, Kelley Sheehan Stars (LES MISERABLES)
Marc Kudisch
Bring Him Home (LES MISERABLES) Ron Bohmer Children Will Listen (INTO THE WOODS) Company
:- I Dreamed a Dream (LES MISERABLES) Kerry O'Malley
Stepping Out (STEPPING OUT) Jeffry Denman, Anna White, Kelley Sheehan Stars (LES MISERABLES) Marc Kudisch
Bring Him Home (LES MISERABLES) Ron Bohmer Children Will Listen (INTO THE WOODS) Company
The Broadway Musicals of 1975
We didn't make it to the Town Hall for this latest chapter in the popular Monday night concert series. It was, as always created, written & hosted by Scott Seael. It featured a new to the series choreographer, Vibecke Dahl. and a Chorus. Following is the line-up of the nmbers and performers.
ACT 1
I Hope I Get It/One (A CHORUS LINE) BBTY Chorus
Home (THE WIZ) Lari White
All I Care About is Love (CHICAGO) Bob Stillman with Dara Hartman, Tricia Burns,
Bridget Ori, Oakley Boycott, Jenna Dallaco, Kristin Dausch
Dance: 10; Looks: 3 (A CHORUS LINE) Ashley Brown
Blue Moon (RODGERS & HART – A CELEBRATION) Carole†J. Bufford
Class (CHICAGO) Bob Stillman & Patrick Page
We Make A Beautiful Pair (SHENANDOAH) Lari White
You’ve Been a Good Old Wagon (ME AND BESSIE) Carole J. Bufford
I’ve Heard It All Before (SHENANDOAH) Patrick Page
My Own Best Friend (CHICAGO) Ashley Brown
All That Jazz (CHICAGO) Kristin Beth Williams with Kyle Scatliffe, Mary Lane Haskell,
Paul Pontrelli, Amanda Savan, Housso Semon
ACT 2
Freedom (SHENANDOAH) Lari White & BBTY Chorus
The Only Home I Know (SHENANDOAH) Bob Stillman
Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (RODGERS & HART – A CELEBRATION) Lari White
After You’ve Gone (ME AND BESSIE) Carole J. Bufford
If You Believe (THE WIZ) Scott Coulter
At The Ballet (A CHORUS LINE) Carole J. Bufford, Lari White, Ashley Brown
Sweet Transvestite (THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW) Patrick Page with Jeff Raab,
Carolyn Amaradio, Courtney Simmons, Amanda Savan & BBTY Chorus
Time Warp (THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW) Patrick Page with Graham Bailey,
Oakley Boycott, Emily Iaquinta & BBTY Chorus
Be A Lion (THE WIZ) Ashley Brown
The Music And The Mirror (A CHORUS LINE) Nadine Isenegger
What I Did For Love (A CHORUS LINE) Full Company
The Broadway Musicals of 1950
Created, written and hosted as usual by Scott Siegel, Directed by Alexander Gemingnani, and with choreography by Maddy Apple & Kendrick Jones.
Anyone who has regularly attended the Broadway by the Year series over the past twelve years would be hard pressed to name the very best edition. But the current one celebrating a year that contained an American classic by still up-and-coming Frank Loesser plus others by the more seasoned greats Irving Berlin and Cole Porter has to be considered among the very best. Host, creator, writer Scott Siegel contributed, as always, the amusingly informative through-lines while also reminding us that 1950 was the year the credit card was introduced, silly putti was invented, and the McCarthy witch-hunt hearings began.
Under the snappy direction of Alexander Gemignani, the show boasted twenty-eight stand-out numbers from eight shows, but with five songs coming from the hit-tunes-aplenty Guys and Dolls. From this classic musical comedy, Tony Award-winner (The Drowsy Chaperone), Beth Leveal scored mightily with “Adelaide’s Lament, and even more so with her incrementally dramatic “From This Moment On” from Porter’s Out of this World. She and Bobby Steggert) beamed through the diverting duet “You’re Just in Love” from Call Me Madam. From the same show, Steggert was on his own to deliver a disarmingly “It’s a Lovely Day Today.”
Steggert and Gemignani sang an unexpectedly poignant “There’s a Building Going Up” (about the hopes and dreams that revolved around the building of the United Nations Building) and then joined forces with Matt Cavenaugh, Bill Daugherty, and Aaron Lazar for the show’s raunchiest and funniest number “You’ve Never Been Loved (unless you’ve been loved below the border)” from Michael Todd’s Peep Show. Among other highlights were Daugherty’s hilariously high-spirited rendition (no electronic enhancement) of “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” and Gemignani’s beautifully sung (also without electronic enhancement) unplugged) “Build My House,” a gem from Leonard Bernstein’s mini-score for the version of Peter Pan that starred Jean Arthur and Boris Karloff.
Kudos to Kendrick Jones for his uniquely stylized dancing and to the company’s two sopranos — stunning blonde Elisabeth Stanley for her rambunctious “Nobody’s Chasing Me,” and to radiant brunette mother-to-be Jenny Powers for her “Cherry Pies Ought to be You,” as sung in cahoots with Cavenaugh, her noticeably adoring husband. On stage, The Ross Patterson Little Band provided splendid instrumental support.
Following the running order of the songs (2 were unplugged) and shows presented:
Act 1
Luck Be A Lady (GUYS & DOLLS) Matt Cavenaugh
I’ll Know (GUYS & DOLLS) Elizabeth Stanley & Alexander Gemignani
They Couldn’t Compare To You (OUT OF THIS WORLD) Bill Daugherty
The Best Thing For You (CALL ME MADAM) Aaron Lazar
Nobody’s Chasing Me (OUT OF THIS WORLD) Elizabeth Stanley
Cherry Pies Ought To Be You (OUT OF THIS WORLD) Jenny Powers & Matt Cavenaugh
It’s a Lovely Day Today (CALL ME MADAM) Bobby Steggert
Dream With Me (PETER PAN) Jenny Powers (unplugged)
One! Two! Three! (ALIVE AND KICKING) Kendrick Jones & Alexander Gemignani
There’s A Building Going Up (ALIVE AND KICKING) Bobby Steggert, Alexander
Gemignani, Matt Cavenaugh
Adelaide’s Lament (GUYS & DOLLS) Beth Leavel
Act 2
Fugue For Tin Horns (GUYS & DOLLS) Bill Daugherty, Bobby Steggert, Aaron Lazar
Darn It Baby, That’s Love (TICKETS, PLEASE!) Jenny Powers & Matt Cavenaugh
A World of Strangers (ALIVE AND KICKING) Elizabeth Stanley & Aaron Lazar
Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat (GUYS & DOLLS) Bill Daugherty (unplugged)
You’ve Never Been Loved (MICHAEL TODD’S PEEP SHOW) Alexander Gemignani &
Matt Cavenaugh, with Bill Daugherty, Aaron Lazar, Bobby Steggert
You’re Just In Love (CALL ME MADAM) Beth Leavel & Bobby Steggert
I’m The Girl (DANCE ME A SONG) Elizabeth Stanley
Pocketful of Dreams (MICHAEL TODD’S PEEP SHOW) Kendrick Jones
From This Moment On (OUT OF THIS WORLD) Beth Leavel
Build My House (PETER PAN) Alexander Gemignani (unplugged)
Use Your Imagination (OUT OF THIS WORLD) Company
Guys & Dolls (GUYS & DOLLS) Company
The Broadway Musicals of 1946
The year 1946 which launches the 12th season of the Broadway by the Year series was indeed one alive with new beginnings after a long war. As host Scott Siegel pointed out in his as always entertaining and enlightening introduction, 1946 marked the birth of the first Baby Boomers. But while Broadway had its share of shows, the only one that seeded instantly recognized, often recorded standard songs was Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun. It's therefore not surprising that numbers from that show dominated the February 13th evening, many delivered by Tom Wopat who played Frank Butler in the 1999 Broadway revival. But this top-heavy on Berlin's big hit, with just one unplugged song from a show that actually never made it into a Broadway house, was saved from being one of the series' lesser offerings by the incredibly versatile and talented Noah Racey.
At the risk of repeating myself, someone really ought to write a show for Racey to demonstrate his strengths as a choreographer, dancer and as a charming and witty singer. the dance sequences of the 1946 evening were the most sophisticated and smartly staged and performed ever mounted on the relatively small space of the Town Hall stage. In Sara Brians, who served as his assistant director/choreographer, Racey always found his perfect right hand-- and foot. Brians, who has an impressive resume as a Broadway choreographer is, like Racey a terrific dancer and singer.
The single unplugged number, "My Heart Belongs to You," was gorgeously sung by Ben Davis who, unlike the other guests, made only one appearance. Musical accompaniment and direction was as usual supplied by Ross Patterson.
You can count on plenty of hit songs from hit shows in the upcoming featured years: March 19, 2012, BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1950, featuring the musicals Guys & Dolls, Call Me Madam, Out of This World, Dance Me A Song and more . . .May 14, 2012,
BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1975, featuring A Chorus Line, The Wiz, Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Shenandoah and more. . .June 11, 2012, BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1987, featuring Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Into the Woods, Stepping Out, Stardust and more.
Here's a list of the songs, the shows they're from and who sang them:
ACT 1
There’s No Business Like Show Business (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) Company
Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home (ST LOUIS WOMAN) Marilyn Maye
I Wonder What Became of Me (ST LOUIS WOMAN) Tom Wopat
My Business Man (IF THE SHOE FITS) Alice Ripley
A Woman’s Prerogative (ST LOUIS WOMAN) Dameka Hayes
The Old Soft Shoe (THREE TO MAKE READY) Sara Brians & Noah Racey
with Kiira Schmidt, Vanessa Sonon, Danny Gardner, Luke Hawkins
They Say it’s Wonderful (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) Alice Ripley & Tom Wopat
I Want to Go to City College (TOPLITZKY OF NOTRE DAME) Danny Gardner
I’ve Got Me (BEGGAR’S HOLIDAY) Tom Wopat
Love Remains the Same (CALL ME MISTER) Noah Racey with Sara Brians &
Danny Gardner
I Got Lost in His Arms (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) Marilyn Maye
I Got the Sun in the Morning (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) Jessie Mueller
ACT 2
My Defenses Are Down (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) Tom Wopat
Where is My Hero? (BEGGAR’S HOLIDAY) Dameka Hayes, Jessie Mueller, Alice Ripley
Take Love Easy (BEGGAR’S HOLIDAY) Tom Wopat
Legalize My Name (ST LOUIS WOMAN) Dameka Hayes with Noah Racey
I Had Myself a True Love (ST LOUIS WOMAN) Alice Ripley
Bitter Harvest (LUTE SONG) Jessie Mueller
My Heart Belongs to You (THE LAND OF SMILES) Ben Davis (Unplugged)
South America, Take It Away (CALL ME MISTER) Noah Racey with Sara Brians,
Kiira Schmidt, Vanessa Sonon
Anything You Can Do (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) Jessie Mueller & Tom Wopat
Come Rain or Come Shine (ST LOUIS WOMAN) Marilyn Maye
The Broadway Musicals of 1997>
The series' season finale saw singer Christine Noll assume a new role as director. Jeffry Denman once again served as choreographer and performer. Denman also delivered the only two songs presented without mikes or unplugged. And of course Scott Siegel did his usual turn as host and background commentator, with Ross Patterson at the piano of the band. I wasn't able to attend but I had a first-hand, enthusiastic report from my neighbor and Curtainup reader Kenny Kasman. Kenny, who hasn't missed a show since the By-the-Year series began (in fact we first met on the F train headed to our block apart apartments after one of the BBTY evenings), found himself especially taken with the June 20th evening. As he explained "None of these shows were my favorite musicals. I probably liked the 1997 season less than any in my memory. That's why I was blown by the superb performances which made every number wonderful." Excellent as everyone was, Kenny felt Lillas White probably stole top honors. His favorite dance number was " Goody Goody" with Erin Denman, Jennifer Rias, Jeffry Denman and Drew Humphrey. If there were any surprises, it was that with powerhouse singers like Lillas White and Chuck Cooper, to name just two, the only unplugged singing was done by Denman. In his opinion everyone could have sung unplugged and come across perfectly.
Here's a list of the songs, the shows they're from and who sang them:
ACT I
This Is The Moment (JEKYLL & HYDE) by Robert Cuccioli
Storybook (THE SCARLETT PIMPERNEL) Christine Andreas
Willing To Ride (STEEL PIER) Karen Ziemba
Too Marvelous for Words (DREAM) Erin & Jeffry Denman
Easy Money (THE LIFE) Tyler Maynard
Don’t Take Too Much (THE LIFE) Chuck Cooper
Satin Doll (Dream) Jennifer Rias, Jeffry Denman, Drew Humphrey, David Burnham
Can You Feel The Love Tonight (THE LION KING) Christina Bianco
Serenity (TRIUMPH OF LOVE) Christiane Noll
Who Will Love Me As I Am? (SIDE SHOW) David Burnham and Tyler Maynard
Someone Like You (JEKYLL & HYDE) Linda Eder
There She is/Godspeed Titanic (TITANIC) Company (unplugged)
ACT II
Goody Goody (DREAM) Erin Denman, Jennifer Rias, Jeffry Denman, Drew Humphrey
Second Chance (STEEL PIER) Karen Ziemba
Two Little Words (STEEL PIER) Christina Bianco
Barrett’s Song (TITANIC) David Burnham
It’s A Dangerous Game (JEKYLL & HYDE) Robert Cuccioli and Linda Eder
When I Look At You (THE SCARLETT PIMPERNEL) Christine Andreas
Use What You Got (THE LIFE) Jeffry Denman (unplugged)
The Oldest Profession (THE LIFE) Lillias White
Once Upon A Dream (JEKYLL & HYDE) Christiane Noll
In His Eyes (JEKYLL & HYDE) Linda Eder and Christiane Noll
The Circle of Life (THE LION KING) Company
The Broadway Musicals of 1982
We weren't able to make it to The Town Hall, but here's a list of what we (and hopefully, not you, missed):
The evening was, as always created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel. It was directed by Scott Thompson, choreographed by Mark Stuart, and musical direction (another as always) Ross Patterson. The lack of markers to indicate a song as being presented "unplugged" is not a mistake. However, a new to BBTY
choreographer, Mark Stuart, more than made up for any disappointments.
ACT 1
Memory (CATS) Liz Callaway
Spring, Spring, Spring! (SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS) Kerry O'Malley &
Kevin Earley
When Your Lover Has Gone (BLUES IN THE NIGHT) Kenita Miller
Macavity: The Mystery Cat (CATS) Courtney Reed & Jessica Patty, with Mark Stuart,
Jessica Press, Amy Ryerson, Sarah O'Gleby
Things I Learned in High School (IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?) Kevin Earley
Gus, the Theatre Cat (CATS) Stephen Mo Hanan
Nothing Really Happened (IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?) Barbara Walsh
Summer in the City (ROCK 'N ROLL! THE FIRST 5,000 YEARS) Marcus Paul James, Courtney
Reed, Jessica Patty, with Amy Ryerson, Jessica Press, Sarah O'Gleby, Marcos Santana,
Grady Bowman, Ricky Tripp
My Husband Makes Movies (NINE) Karen Akers
Guido's Song (NINE) Ron Bohmer, with Kerry O'Malley, Jessica Patty, Courtney Reed,
Barbara Walsh
ACT 2
Blues in the Night (BLUES IN THE NIGHT) Kenita Miller
Fran & Janie (IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?) Kerry O'Malley& Barbara Walsh
The Kid Inside (IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?) Craig Carnelia
Sobbin' Women (SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS) Ron Bohmer & Kevin Earley
Unusual Way (NINE) Barbara Walsh
Taking a Chance on Love (BLUES IN THE NIGHT) Alan H. Green, with Courtney Reed,
Amy Ryerson, Jessica Press, Sarah O'Gleby, Marcos Santana, Grady Bowman,
Ricky Tripp
Learn to be Lonely (A DOLL'S LIFE) Kerry O'Malley
Close Every Door to Me (JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT)
Kevin Earley
Be On Your Own (NINE) Karen Akers
Getting Tall (NINE) Mercer Patterson & Ron Bohmer
Wonderful, Wonderful Day (SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS) Company
Time Out to Celebrate The Town Hall
We don't usually cover one night runs. But the Broadway by the Year series is a happy exception and we try not to miss any of each season's four nights. In the years we've been adding our comments to each new BBTY night the show has gotten better and better, more polished and with more dancing to go with the singing which is consistently wonderful whether the singers use mikes or performed in the BBTY unplugged, a popular highlight of the series. The one thing that's remained unchanged is the show's creator and host Scott Siegel's witty and enlightening commentary.
Siegel who's small in stature but a giant when it comes to energy, produces a number of other musical events for The Town Hall, and that included the May 2nd celebration of that unique venue's 90th Birthday. This New York landmark indeed has more to celebrate than its longevity (though in a city where buildings are constantly torn down to make room for newer more trendy ones, maintaining its presence on 43rd Street all these years warrants a toast). The big hip, hip and hurrah, however, stems from The Town Hall's role in giving so many voices and talents a chance to be seen and heard. Where else could Scott Siegel have fine tuned Broadway by the Year into a series with a loyal and ever growing following?
Though not designed as a concert hall but as a civic auditorium with a vision for becoming "the hall for the people" The architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White erected the building under the auspices of The League for Political Education with the mission of educating women who had just won the right to vote. But even as the mission of serving as a civic auditorium was fulfilled, often daring to book speakers not given a platform elsewhere, word got out that The Town Hall's acoustics were superb and the educational mission was broadened to include entertainment and some of the best musical talent contributed to making the 43rd Street venue a hot spot for nurturing topnotch entertainment.
As Scott Siegel was an apt host for the May 2nd celebratory concert since it was The Town Hall that enabled him to make his dream of producing these tributes to cabaret and musical theater come true, so the entertainers he assembled all had stories to tell of The Town Hall as a nurturing environment for their talents. They included Tovah Feldshuh, Liz Callaway and Jason Robert Brown, and the charming choreographers Jeffrey Denman and Noah Racey doing a foot tapping duet. The evening's most moving moment and tribute to continuity came from guitarists John "Bucky" Pizzarelli and son "Half-A-Buck" John Pizzarelli. With dysfunctional families dominating the drama scene, what a joy to see the Pizarellis a testament to happy families -- not to mention the familial bond that Siegel has created with the entertainers who return to the series again and again.
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