BEST BACKSTAGE MOVIES.

Everyone loves movies & everyone [should] love theatre.

What better union could exist than the marriage of cinema & stage?

Movies based on musicals tend to be hits & rarely disappoint; 

but more intriguing than the direct translation from stage to screen
are the movies that serve to provide insight into the theatrical process, which got me thinking about...

THE TOP 10 BACKSTAGE MOVIES:

1. CRADLE WILL ROCK 

2. Waiting for Guffman 3. A Midwinter’s Tale

4. Rushmore 5. Center Stage

6. Mangus!  7. Stage Beauty 8. Black Swan

9. Phoebe in Wonderland 10. Shakespeare in Love

THE TOP 10 BACKSTAGE MOVIES [categorically]: 

#1: historic & federal theatre  #2/3/4/6: indie-movies meet the stage  

#5/8: indulgent ballerina movies

#7/10: perfect period-pieces  #9: charming kiddie-theatre

HELLCAB @ Profiles Theatre

Will Kern's Hellcab tells the story of a Russian immigrant turned Chicago cab-driver & his horrible Christmas Eve. It was first produced in 1992 by Famous Door Theatre & was originally intended to be a late-night show with 12 performances. Instead, it became one of Chicago's longest-running shows by running almost a decade. Will Kern also adapted the screenplay & directed the 1997 film Chicago Cab, which appeared Austin's 1998 South By Southwest Filmfest & featured an all-star ensemble cast including Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Gillian Anderson, John Cusack, Laurie Metcalf, & Tracy Letts. 

The setting was clearly Chicago & clearly the 1990's [as was clearly displayed by the $4 dollar fares]. As someone who transplanted to Chicago, I am somewhat familiar with the current, local culture but removed from this different & darker Chicago of the 1990's. The production did a brilliant job of creating a picture of this world this strangely familiar yet starkly different culture. The set [designed by Shaun Renfro] required minimal elements of design, but every aspect was extremely well-done. The managed to acquire a real-car & splattered the walls of the theatre were with authentically-executed graffiti to skillfully construct yesterday's Chicago. 

Konstantin Khrustov & Darrell Cox

In this 20th Anniversary Production, Director & Profiles Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox chose to cast one actor for each of the 34 roles [the original production was comprised of a 6-person cast]. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this decision, but I am more in favor of it than opposed. It was definitely a perk to allow the audience to get to know each new character as an individual while simultaneously allowing us to relate to the constant flow people dropping in on the cab-driver's life. It also allowed each character to be cast with specific regard to the parameters of their role rather than the appeal of being able to pull off several roles. The con of this casting decision is that it costs the audience the ability to fully appreciate the skill-sets that these 34 actors, all of whom presented pristine performances. From the couple requiring the nearest motel to the trash-talking Yankees fans to the recently raped woman in shock, every actor was a pitch-perfect casting choice. The highlight of this cast was undoubtedly the man behind the wheel: Konstantin Khrustov played our cab-driver & he could not have been better. He worked well with the constant, constrictive struggle that plagues all workers in tip-based industries: having to deal with & depend on the tip-givers. His physicality was spot-on because his subtle interactions with the steering wheel, the elements, & the cab itself provided a consistent undertone of authenticity. He created an engaging, surprising, & enriching character whose quiet humor & intriuging perspective provided an impeccable performance [& production]. This one's a winner--go see it! 

TEN THOUSAND.

ART & Theatre has reached 10,000 views! 
I'd like to thank my mom, sister, & whoever else is out there reading. Now, let's celebrate by reminiscing with:
The 10-Top Most-Viewed Posts:

1. PHANTOM 25th Anniversary Concert  

I am happy this post came in 1st [by a landslide!]

for the following reasons: the pictures took forever to make & 

I really loved this DVD [as was displayed by my justified RedBox charge]

Phantom was also the first show I saw on Broadway & my dad's favorite, 

so it holds a special place in my musical heart.

2. DreamCast: SideShow

This one was a shocker! I love Side Show, but I thought I was alone [w/ my sister] in my opinion. 

The Amy/Isla casting choice was pretty genius, though [not that I can take credit~that was all my sister].

3. Goodbye GlassHouse Part 3: Peter Pan

It was fun to write about my internship, so I'm glad this one was well-received. 

I started this blog after my internship @ Lookingglass ended, 

so it's only appropriate for Part 3 of the GlassHouse series to claim the bronze. 

4. Sex With Strangers @ Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf rules. We all know it.

5. Attend the Tale of Danny Tanner @ Gorilla Tango  

This is a fun show that holds a wide appeal, so I'm not surprised this one made the cut. 

I'm also glad that the smart kids who read my blog have such excellent taste in the 80's sitcoms. 

6. DreamCast: Sunset Blvd

Another surprising DreamCast winner. 

I would have thought other DreamCasts would have been more well-received due to popularity,

but you never know what the smart kids will gravitate towards.

7. Metamorphoses @ Lookingglass

This one totally deserves its' spot in the Top Ten. 

Mary Zimmerman's legendary piece of post-modern genius 

returned to it's original stage with Ms. Zimmerman herself serving as director. 

Obviously, the show ruled, so it made for some fun writing on my part. 

8. The Bodyguard: A New Musical

This musical which was based off a mediocre & strangely iconic movie 
just happened to premiere in strange & sad timing. 

9. Les Mis: Move Trailer

everyone loves les mis & everyone loves movies. 

I thought the review of the movie would hold more appeal than the trailer post, but whatevs.

10. Time Stands Still @ Steppenwolf

As I said in #4, Steppenwolf rules. We all know it.


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thank you for reading!!!

Zooey's Broadway Debut!

On May 10, 2012, country music legend Loretta Lynn 

announced from the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium during Opry Country Classics

that she had chosen Zooey Deschanel to portray her 

in the upcoming Broadway-bound stage adaptation of Coal Miner's Daughter. 

ZOOEY RULES. 

This casting choice rules. 

HERE ARE 10 REASONS WHY:

1. A lot of actresses can sing (or appear to sing), but she has a genuinely high-quality voice that has such a soothing, old-school sound. 2. She has good taste in men. Even though her marriage to Death Cab lead singer Ben Gibbard fizzled, he was an excellent choice for her first husband & had an uplifting impact on his already-awesome music (hello, Open Door). 3. Obviously, the girl knows how to dress. 4. She is pretty much the spokeswoman for Women With Bangs. 5. Speaking of her hair, she is a hot brunette & pulled off blonde in Elf...is this musical going to be her opportunity to pull off playing a ginger & prove that she truly is a triple-threat? 6. New Girl is a super show. 7. She & Him is a super band. 8. She has a cool, older sister in Emily D. I like girls with cool older sisters. They remind me of myself. 9. Her cotton underwear commercial was better than all the other celebrity spokespeople.  10. She was named after the character in Franny & Zooey. That's just cool. 

According to Playbill [as of 1/8/13]

THE THEATRE, FIRST PREVIEW, & DIRECTOR are TBD. 

Let's get this ball rolling, y'all.

the miserable golden globes

Congrats to Les Miserables & Our Leading Lovely Lady!

Now, let's dissect Anne's Acceptance Speech:

• I appreciate that they played my favorite line moment of I Dreamed a Dream ["he took my childhood in his stride, but he was gone when autumn came"] as her walk-to-the-stage music. 
• Opening with "Um, blerg...thank you for that word, Tina...oh my gosh, this is happening..." came across as a premeditated, failed attempt at humor & humility. 
• Describing the Golden Globe Award as a "lovely blunt object that [she] will forever use against self-doubt" was awkward & strangely self-glorifying. 
• Her Tom Hooper joke was not funny. 
• The Sally Fields tribute moment was pretty awesome: "And thank you for putting me, my work, in this category great & gutsy actresses...Amy, Nicole, Helen, & Sally. Sally, I have to thank you so much for being a vanguard against type-casting because, as the girl who started out as the Princess of Genovia, I can't tell you how encouraging it was to know that Flying Nun grew up to be Norma Rae. And grew up to be Mama Gump, and grew up to be Mary Todd Lincoln. So thank you so much."                       Well played, Ms. Hathaway. 
• The fact that her mom played Fantine is pretty cool. 
• The phrase "unapologetically sincere" is a fair/lovely way to describe this film. 
• I expected Anne to win her Golden Globe, but was not as confident that Les Miserables would win for Best Musical or Comedy Film. I was relieved at the win, but wish Anne had shown more class & resisted grabbing a microphone that did not belong to her. I get that she needed to thank her long-time agent, but she missed her opportunity & made a massive misstep in my opinion. 
• The shout-out to her husband ["Honey, you make every day better than the last & thank you for the best string of yesterdays I have ever had. I love you."] was pretty cute. I guess.

Top DreamCast Divas

There was recently an article on Playbill entitled PLAYBILL PICKS: Fantasy Casting, 11 Diva Performances We'd Love to Have Seen. They placed their favorite females in female roles across the ages [highlights: Bernadette Peters & Patti LuPone in Wicked, Liza Minnelli in Sunset Boulevard, Nathan Lane in Hairspray, & Betty Buckley in Evita]. While my DreamCasts tend to cast actors from different mediums as opposed to era, I loved this idea & decided to copycat. 

So, here is my list of Top-10 Female DreamCast Divas from the archives. 

10. Stacey Dash as Aida in AIDA 

AIDA is Disney’s watered-down interpretation of an opera, just as Clueless was a flighty interpretation of Jane Austen’s Emma. Aida needs to convey a very real, but untapped strength. Stacey Dash is distractingly beautiful,but could pull off being more than just the prettiest face. 

AIDA DreamCast: 7.5.11

9. Gwyneth Paltrow as Mother in Ragtime 

Ms. Paltrow is the perfect picture of the classy, contemporary, Whole Foods, goop-livin', list-makin' Mother of the House.

Ragtime DreamCast: 4.20.11

8. Jennifer Garner as Ellen in Miss Saigon 

Her performance in Juno reminded me of Ellen's journey. Ellen can be played a million different ways, but I envision hers as: A steel magnolia who doesn't mind getting dirty, a wholly-devoted wife, who is strong despite herself, & a woman with the fiercest of maternal instincts.

Miss Saigon DreamCast: 5.21.11

7. Charlotte Gainsborough as Fosca in PASSION 

She played my favorite movie-version of Jane Eyre,which is a role that shares some of

the reactionary traits that Fosca must display: dealing with being pigeonholed due to gender, the result of being openly judged due to appearance, and the effect of isolation on one's person. Fosca is a similar character to Jane Eyre, except that she is physically ill, slightly crazy, & more emotionally aggressive.

Passion DreamCast: 12.4.11

6. Amy Adams/Isla Fisher as Daisy/Violet Hilton Side Show 

I always mix these two actresses up in my head, but have always appreciated their work. Isla Fisher seems to have the urgent & flamboyant undertone that Daisy demands, while Amy Adams has the sweet, hopeful, & passive demeanor Violet requires.

Side Show DreamCast: 6.3.11

5. Austin Scarlett as Angel in RENT

Angel needs to spin the loveliest web of an impression before his untimely exit, which is exactly what Austin Scarlett during Season 1 of Project Runway. He has an innocence & refreshing perspective, but knowingly faces his trials head-on.

RENT DreamCast: 5.15.11

4. Felicity Huffman as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd

She is a tough, cool, complicated actress that displays the roughened edges that dark humor demands. She displayed in Transamerica that she can unfold a character as the text presents new information, which is a necessity for Mrs. Lovett. Most importantly, she exhibits the strength & skill to play a woman who has spent years withholding her love towards a man.

Sweeney Todd DreamCast: 12.10.11

3. KIM CATRALL as Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd.

Norma Desmond was always cast too old. She should be a very present 50-something lady with a strong sexual presence. And the knowledge of age, but not antiquity. In Sex & The City, she exhibited that urgent effort against aging & becoming obsolete.She also commanded & demanded center-stage attention, which is a defining characteristic of Ms. Desmond.

Sunset Blvd. DreamCast: 5.3.11

2. SURI CRUISE as Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden 

She is finally old enough to star in something besides tabloids. Mary is a girl who is thrust into the world of the English moors after an isolated life in the foreign, unrelatable India. I think Suri could channel that feeling.

The Secret Garden DreamCast: 9.2.11

1. LADY GAGA as The Witch in Into the Woods

For only the most obvious reasons. Who else would have the creative competancy, respect for the work, & visionary chops to reign as one of Captain Sondheim's most beloved lady-part creations? I think Ms. Peters would approve. 

Into the Woods DreamCast 4.10.11

Winter WishList

Other Desert Cities @ The Goodman Theatre

When Brooke Wyeth arrives at her parents’ Palm Springs mansion on Christmas Eve 

with the manuscript of her tell-all memoir in tow she unearths a devastating family secret—

throwing her parents into a panic that threatens to rip the clan apart. 

With biting wit and razor-sharp insight, Other Desert Cities 

“has the appeal of a Broadway hit from another age” (The New York Times).

I’ve been looking forward to this one for awhile. Other Desert Cities debuted Off-Broadway in 2011 & hit the ground running. The play (written by Jon Robin Baitz) earned five 2012 Tony nominations (with Judith Light winning the Award for Best Featured Actress) & was a 2012 Finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The story is that a woman returns home after writing a tell-all, autobiography; her homecoming is the catalyst for some huge family secret to be exposed & drama ensues. It’s always fun to see a play without knowing the storyline & The Goodman nails those highly dramatic but authentically contemporary scripts exceptionally well.

Runs Until Feb. 27

The Final Balloon @ The Annoyance Theatre

"Welcome to Maggie's Bar, home to a ragtag band of drunks who each year, on the exact same day at the exact same time, are inexplicably tortured by a mysterious visitor known only as "Balloon Boy."

The first thing I thought when I read the description of this production was BAT BOY: The Musical. For those of you who don’t know BAT BOY, it was an awesome musical based off the Weekly World News “character” that opened Off-Broadway in 2001. I saw it & it was on of the Top Ten Best Theatre Experiences of My Life.  This similarly satirical musical centers around a man who randomly appears at a  bar once a year to hand out balloons. [P.S. The musical debuted in 1992, 19 years before that whole other Balloon Boy situation].

Runs Until Feb. 23

Pygmalion 
by BoHo Theatre & Stage Left @ Theatre Wit

Shaw's classic tale of wiley Cockney flowergirl Eliza Doolittle & her transformation 
into a high-society woman at the hands of the arrogant phonetician Henry Higgins. Higgins' takes on a bet to train Eliza to pass for a duchess at an ambassador's garden party 
by teaching her to assume a veneer of gentility, the most important element of which, 
he believes, is impeccable speech. 
The story was adapted into the musical My Fair Lady, but Shaw's original tale 
is not one of romance, but of beauty, class, and power. A comedic and satirical today as it was then,
Pygmalion will have you wondering what truly makes a person beautiful.

I am much more familiar with My Fair Lady than Pygmalion & that needs to change. It is the first time BoHo  Theatre has teamed up with Stage Left to produce a production & I think this is a match made in Heaven. Stage Left's mission focuses on political issues, so hopefully this version of the staple of a story will incorporate a fresh, contemporary insight while highlighting new thematic applications.

Runs Until Feb. 14 

Fillet of Solo @ Lifeline

This solo performance & storytelling festival is in its' 16th year 
and features the following performers:

2nd Story, enSOLO, GayCo, the kate, The Lifeline Storytelling Project, Stir Friday Night, Story Club, 

Sweat Girls, Tellin' Tales Theatre (featuring Tekki Lomnicki), Write Club, You're Being Ridiculous

Runs Until Jan. 20

lady M @ the side project

To sleep no more, perchance to dream just once. Ambition begets bloodshed begets mental anguish. 
A psychological, disjointed, minimalist re-visioning of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" 
in which Lady M. lives and relives the events of that fateful night.

MacBeth is one of my favorite Shakespearean scripts (with Lady MacBeth also serving as one Shakespeare's most intriguing female roles) & this seems like a smart way to re-visit this awesome, ageless story. Plus, the side project theatre looks like a cool & up-&-coming, hole-in-the-wall company. 

Runs From Jan. 14-Feb. 6

Hellcab @ Profiles

Hellcab presents a day in the life story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life 
as he transports a bizarre and mysterious collection of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago. 
Playwright Will Kern draws from personal experience as a former cab driver to create this 
alternately frightening, hilarious and poignant journey. Throughout his long shift, 
the eclectic collection of passengers includes a trio of drug-addicts, a smug lawyer, a born-again couple, 
and a randy couple on their way to a motel. Set during a bitter cold Christmas Eve,
 Hellcab presents a rear-view image mirroring the passing parade of humanity.

I’ve never been let down at Profiles, but some of their shows are a little dark [Bachelorette, A Behanding in Spokane, reasons to be pretty]. The premise is promising for something a little more upbeat. It is also exciting that the show features an ensemble of 34 actors since Profile‘s performance space usually cannot accommodate huge casts. . 

Runs Until Jan. 27