Thursday May 16, 2013
NBC's "SMASH"
© NBC
As I could have predicted, NBC has dropped the curtain on its Broadway-themed melodrama-palooza, "SMASH."
Citing poor ratings, "SMASH" has not been renewed for a third season. I reviewed the first season of "SMASH" and listed all that was good and bad about the production, and apparently, enough thespians felt the same, not bothering to tune in to the episodic for its sophomore season.
NBC had a great chance of presenting the trials and tribulations of life upon the wicked stage -- which is dramatic enough as it is, without the added soap opera stylings in an effort to sensationalize the road to Broadway for audiences accustomed to the staged antics of reality TV.
To see Broadway stars on TV, just watch "The Good Wife" on CBS, which is also hosting the 2013 Tony Awards on June 9th.
Further reading:
Thursday May 9, 2013
Neil Patrick Harris
© Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Producers of the annual Tony Awards have announced that Neil Patrick Harris will once again host the Tony Awards this June.
Harris can be seen on CBS in "How I Met Your Mother," but he is a true stage song-and-dance man. Hosting the 2013 Tonys will be Harris' fourth time center stage for this major theatrical event that will be televised live on CBS from the iconic Radio City Musical Hall. In a statement, Harris said:
"I'm very excited to be back hosting the Tony Awards at the legendary Radio City Music Hall. It'll be more impressive than ever - if my math is correct, it will be 267 times bigger than last year," said Neil Patrick Harris. "Oh, wait. No, that can't... hold on... carry the one... I'm awful at math. But rest assured, the show will rock!"
Several big names are up for Tonys this year, so tune in to CBS on June 9, 2013, to see the Tony Awards live!
Further reading:
Tuesday May 7, 2013
Megan Hilty of "SMASH" & Wicked
© Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
The producer of the upcoming staged reading of Cole Porter's Can-Can has announced the leads will be performed by Megan Hilty and Aaron Lazar.
The staged reading, produced by Jonathan Burrows, will feature Porter's 1953 musical Can-Can with the intent of a transfer to Broadway in 2014. The show features songs such as "I Love Paris," "C'est Magnifique," and "It's All Right With Me," telling the tale of a café owner, played by Hilty, who risks everything to bring the Can-Can dance to her patrons.
Megan Hilty currently stars in NBC's "SMASH," but got her start in Broadway's Wicked, also headlining in 9 to 5 on Broadway and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at Encores! Aaron Lazar is known to Broadway audiences from his work in Mamma Mia!, A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, and The Light in the Piazza.
The staged reading will be by-invitation-only on July 15, 16, and 17, 2013, in New York City.
Further reading:
Monday May 6, 2013
Orphans on Broadway with Alec Baldwin
© Orphans
Producers of Orphans starring Alec Baldwin have announced the Broadway production will close early.
Orphans tells the story of a young man who kidnaps another man for ransom, not realizing his victim is actually a mob boss. Tom Sturridge has been nominated for a 2013 Tony Award for his role as "Phillip," while the more famous Alec Baldwin was overlooked by the Tonys.
Conversely, Lucky Guy with Tom Hanks has been uber successful critically as well as financially. However, other household names in the leads of their productions were also snubbed by the Tonys, including Alan Cumming for Macbeth and Bette Midler in I'll Eat You Last....
Orphans will play its final performance on May 19, 2013, after only 37 regular performances. The show plays at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre located at 236 West 45th Street.
Further reading:
