| 'ShowBusiness' details Broadway's backstage drama
NEW YORK -- A sort of cinematic equivalent to William Goldman's classic nonfiction book "The Season," Dori Berinstein's documentary chronicles the stories of four Broadway musicals during the 2003-04 season. Filled with an insider's perspective and access -- the filmmaker is a three-time Tony-winning producer, with "Legally Blonde" her most recent credit -- "ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway" will be necessary viewing to anyone interested in the current state of Broadway theater. The shows in question -- "Wicked," "Avenue Q," "Taboo" and "Caroline, or Change" -- received greatly varying responses on the Great White Way. The filmmaker, who shot footage of these and many other productions of the season, clearly has concentrated on these four because each was nominated for that Holy Grail of theater, the Tony for best musical.
Magical Broadway nights
One of the most popular shows on Broadway, Mamma Mia, will come to London for five days, beginning Dec. 18. Mamma Mia is well-known for its ABBA music, such as Dancing Queen, Money, Money, Money and Take a Chance on Me. "I think everybody will enjoy Mamma Mia," said Broadway in London spokesperson Patrick Harrison. "This show is currently one of the hottest tickets in New York and London (England)." Illusionist David Copperfield (Jan. 15), Blast (Jan. 28-20), Chicago (Feb. 19-20) and Evita (March 10-11) round out the season. Blast, Chicago and Evita have a combined 14 Tony awards. "Lovers of the classic Broadway musicals will love Gypsy, Chicago and Evita," Harrison said. "Lovers of music will be blown away by Blast, while Cirque and David Copperfield will draw a non-typical theatre-going crowd to the John Labatt Centre." Last year, 2,000 subscriptions were sold for the season.
Hot Summer Nights 'Dinner with Friends' Begins 6/20
After kick-starting the 2007 summer festival with Blithe Spirit, Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy invites everyone back for seconds this time for Dinner with Friends beginning June 20 through July 1 at the Kennedy Theatre. "Dinner with Friends is a sharply funny and honest look at love and friendship in the age of divorce," explains press notes, "Two married couples have been best friends for years, but when one couple announces they're splitting up, the rug is pulled out from underneath their comfortable foursome. This contemporary tale is both comedic and poignant, and ultimately deeply affecting." Dinner with Friends won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play and the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Play. Jerome Davis directs a cast including Jeri Lynn Schulke (Karen), Katja Hill (Beth), Chris Chappell (Gabe) and Michael Brocki (Tom).
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