65th Annual Tony Awards...Neil Patrick Harris hosts! Chris Rock, Alec Baldwin & Steve Colbert guest!

Acting hopefuls are skillfully preparing their acceptance speeches to ensure a rude musical burp doesn't strike up from the orchestra pit and humiliate 'em, the red carpet has been steam-cleaned and readied to roll out on a bustling New York Street, and a gang of celebrated presenters are waiting in-the-wings and at-the-ready to trot out on stage and wow their adoring fans (and all the little people) below the footlights.

Of course, charismatic Neil Patrick Harris is tweaking his tux right about now (and tweeting his avid followers), as he prepares to saunter into the glare of the spotlight and host the 65th annual Tony Awards once again!

Expect the unexpected!

With the likes of - Chris Rock, Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams slated to utter up their particular brand of humor live tonight to a packed house - anything goes (and probably will!).

Uh-huh!

There will probably be a "Weiner" weener joke or ten, for starters.

They're cheaper by the dozen, I understand.

No doubt, aging Lothario - Alec Baldwin - will be prompted to tease the audience about his run for Mayor of the "Big Apple" on the heels of the Weinergate scandal!

Tin Pan Alley will never be the same, just betcha!

The "Spiderman" production will probably rustle up a poke or two from the rank-and-file in attendance, too.

Oh, what a web those Broadway producers weave in the same of show biz!

Personally, I've be keeping an eye-out for all the fashion disasters sure to parade their way out onto the celebrated stage before you can quip "Nicole Kidman" (courtesy of the Country Music Awards).

There'll be quite a bit of spit and polish in evidence, though.

After all, the Tony Awards are always a class act, all the way.

A handful of the nominees this year include seasoned pro Al Pacino (Best Actor / Merchant of Venice); Patti LuPone (Best Performance in a featured role in a Musical); Joel Grey & George C. Wolf (Best Play Direction); How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Best Musical Revival).

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

HAIR...returns to Broadway July 5th! Gerome Ragni rock musical timeless in appeal!

 



HAIR, the entertaining rock musical hit - authored by good friend Gerome Ragni - is going to land at the St. James Theatre in New York once it wraps up a National Tour in the next few months.

As I noted in a prior post - Ragni was anxious to cast me in the Toronto production - which was unveiled in all its joyous glory at the Alexandria Theatre at the tail-end of the heady 60's.

Just a few weeks ago, I trotted down to the Pantages Theatre to catch the latest raucous stage revival, which hasn't lost any of its appeal over the years.

Post: 01/21/2011

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2011/01/haira-celebration-life-horrors-of-war.html

The tie-dyed celebration of life will open July 5th and run for 10 weeks 'til September 10th.

The Broadway encore will feature a celebrated mix of cast members from the 2009 revival (with Darius Nichols as Hud and Kacie Sheik as Jeanie) in addition to talented performers from the tour such as the ever-popular Steel Burkhardt (Berger), Paris Remillard (Claude), and Caren Lyn Tackett (Sheila) who pranced on the boards in the pre-Broadway run of the Central Park Revival (2008).

My "Body" is walking in space, alright!

Uh-huh!

Catch the Broadway launch - a must-see musical extravaganza - just betcha!

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz



The naughty sexy tribe!

Hair...a celebration life! Horrors of War still impact in Pantages production!

As soon as the last number ends with a hair-rising rendition of  "Let the Sun Shine In"  at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, the audience spontaneously springs to their feet with a rousing standing ovation for the talented cast of the 60's Musical Revival.

Minutes later - without much urging from the actors - ecstatic theatre-goers dash up on to the festive stage to partake in a mystical ritual of dancing and clapping at the close of the well-written Musical.

The Stage Revival - now on tour around the country - is definitely a celebration of life!

In one ribald scene, where the cast sing out joyously about having - "my teeth", glorious "hair", and a hot a** - it is quite evident that the rock musical is also an insightful foray into the elusive world of the inner confines (and erotic fantasies) of mind, body, and soul.

And - the message of LOVE and PEACE resonates just as soundly today - as it did over forty years ago when it first hit the Broadway Stage in NYC.

When the storyline drifts into controversial territory - on such thought-provoking issues as the draft and an unpopular War - Hair delivers up a punch that offers up relevant commentary that smacks of the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Talk about timely!

The horrors of War still impact!

To the instinctive heads of that era - it was quite apparent in their own naive way - that it was intrinsically wrong to rampantly rape, pillage, kill, - and pit Nation against Nation - in the name of protecting the free world!

In contrast, the visionary material also uncannily manages to underscore how different the youth of today are compared to the "hippies" of that bygone era.

After all, in the wake of  9/11 - honor, duty, and serving one's country - became values worth fighting for!

Although some of the references to LBJ (a former U.S. President) and IBM (long before Bill Gates sauntered into the PC Marketplace with compact desktop computers) date the material - in their context - they appear to matter little to enthusiastic theatre-goers who have been packing the house since opening night.

Although some of the directing is a bit pedestrian at times - Hair is a delightful production - that would have benefitted from a bit of judicious pruning here-and-there with the ultimate aim of moving along the pace a tad.

A couple of stand-out poignant ballads are show-stoppers, too!

Members of the audience are particuarly thrilled with the interaction that goes on between the cast and ticket-holders each night once the show gets underway.

At one point - two characters in the stage hit- step out of the Orchestra to offer up a segment of comic relief that is both dazzling and entertaining.

Hair was quite the personal experience for me! 

In fact, I got a little teary-eyed.

Ah, the memories!

Readers of the Tattler may recall that I posted a promo for the two-act musical in which I recalled my friendship with Book & Lyric contributor Gerome Ragni.

Post: 12/26/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/12/hairmemories-of-gerome-ragni-rock.html

Both Jerry & I lived and breathed the engaging material - hence - the reason why the words jump out from the page and touch musical-lovers magically in what has proven to be a memorable Stage experience that will not be long forgotten.

In fact, a number of the lyrics are catchy, amusing, and insightful!

Rush Tickets may be purchased on the night of the performance for $25.00.

Such a deal!

Catch it if you can, you won't regret it.

http://www.thetattler.biz/

HAIR...memories of Gerome Ragni & rock musical! Revival @ Pantages Theatre!

 

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

Chances are - you are keen to the fact that the above lyrics are from the hit song (Aquarius) penned for the Rock Musical "Hair" which was written by a good friend of mine - Gerome Ragni (and his sidekick James Rado).

 

I originally met "Jerry" in an odd way!

 

In the sixties, I was a street performer (known as "The Dancer"), who garnered a lot of public attention in the downtown streets of Toronto, during that heady era.

 

In fact, on one occasion on Baldwin Street, I was arrested for dancing on a police car during a scuffle that ensued during a rally (which was launched in a bold-faced effort to convert the tiny thoroughfare into a marketplace "sans" motor vehicles along the lines of the Farmer's Markets springing up around the Nation today).

 

Morley Markson - a filmmaker who was travelling around North America shooting footage on the sixties hippie movement - happened to be in attendance that day with his crew in tow and captured the whole episode on film.

 

Subsequently, the hilarious scene ended up being broadcast on the National News (CBC) in Canada with a Beatles's tune blaring in the background!

 

Later, Mr. Markson included the footage in his documentary - "Breathing Together"  - which was also known as the "Revolution of the Electric Family" - which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1972.

 

Of course - clips of Abbie Hoffman, John Lennon, and Buckminster Fuller - didn't hurt when it came to drumming up interest in his delightful take on that outrageous unique era.

 

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the horizon, Mr. Ragni - the innovative writer/composer of the Broadway sell-out show - was in Toronto in preparation for the launch of a HAIR production at the Alexandria Theatre. 

 

One day I was dancing on Bloor Street in downtown "Cow" town, when Mr. Ragni happened to be cruising by in a taxi. 

 

As soon as he spied me outside of the passenger window of the cab, he bolted out the side-door, and dashed up to me on the street.

 

"You've got to be in Hair," he exclaimed excitedly.

 

Due to my highly-original dance routines and ubiquitous bohemian presence (coupled with scraggly curly locks similar to those featured on the album cover) it was pretty much a given to folks in Toronto that I was a perfect fit for the production of "HAIR"

 

Unfortunately, after I danced up-a-storm and warbled a heart-felt spirited tune at my audition, the producers arrived at their own conclusions.

 

"He's stoned," they lamented.

 

Next!

 

Understandably, a reporter - sitting in on the auditions - was quick to pose a question in the aftermath.

 

"What were you on?"

 

"The stage," I quipped without blinking-an-eye!

 

 Ba-dump!

 

Although I didn't end up on stage in the Toronto production of HAIR in a role, I was invited to the opening night celebrations, nonetheless.

 

Old photographs at the Toronto Star (Weekend Magazine) bare witness to the fact that I was center stage - and dancing alongside the cast (with Ragni) - when the final explosive scene rang down the curtain that night.
 

Needless to say, Jerry and I became good friends.

 

In fact, we were casual lovers - too - on the sly.

 

Jerry was married after all, and had a young son. 

To further complicate matters, I was underage (17).

 

The last time I was in the company of Jerry, it was a bizarre experience, too.

 

I was tripping around West Hollywood one day when I ran smack dab into Jerry near Duke's Restaurant (which used to be at the Tropicana Hotel on Santa Monica Blvd before it moved up to Sunset Blvd on the busy strip).

 

Jerry invited me up to his Hotel room (at the Sunset Marquis) for a light snack and coffee, but - wouldn't 'ya know it - our chance encounter ended up turning into a roll in-the-hay.

 

Just as we finished up doing the nasty (a phrase we used in those days), the front desk clerk called up from the lobby of the Hotel, with a message which struck like a bolt of lightning.

 

Treat Williams was downstairs and on his way up.

 

OMG!

 

Jerry was in a panic because he instinctively knew that Treat would figure things out at the drop of-a-hat once he spied us together in his suite. 

 

So, Jerry urged me to hide in the closet (!) until the two of them took off for an engagement across town (which had allegedly slipped his mind).

 

"Just let yourself out when we're gone," Jerry laughed.

 

And, that was the last time I saw his cheerful mug.

 

Gerome Ragni passed away in the 1980's but left a legacy of song!

 

"Hair" wasn't a hit at first, though.

 

According to Jerry, the musical languished off-off Broadway for weeks without much recognition or fanfare.

 

"It wasn't until we put in the nude scene," joked Jerry,"that we rustled up all the attention. At which point, the show took off."

 

"Hair" is slated for a revival at the Pantages Theatre next month from January 5th thru 11th.

 

If you have the opportunity, catch it if you can!

 

It's still a wonderful musical that is uplifting, spirited, and chock full of exuberance.

 

http://www.thetattler.biz/

 

 

Treat starred in film version of Hair!

Newport Beach Film Festival...composer Marc Shaiman the gay Marvin Hamlisch? Wows audience with intimate Palm Garden concert...

Marc Shaiman didn't need any props or gimmicks to win over a rapt audience who hung on every note, hilarious joke, and side-splitting anecdote that he offered up at what was touted as an intimate evening of film & fun set to music at a special gala event at the Newport Beach Festival last night.

"I'm the gay Marvin Hamlisch," he quipped, as he stepped into the floodlights with a flourish.

The celebrated composer (who has written scores for Hairspray, When Harry met Sally, A Few Good Men & Sister Act) was right at home on the cozy stage in front of a baby grand piano as his agent fielded questions about his humble start, career highlights, and a bevy of high-profile megastars he's worked with over the years.

"When I was 17, I was into the Cabaret-style of music which was popular then."

Just prior to bursting out into song when the 1st number was about to start, he warned us that he wasn't much of a vocalist.

"I call it the Jewish cry for help," he giggled, as his fans roared in response.

When it comes to composing, it is quite another matter, indeed!

The diminutive performer - a flashy dresser prone to wrap himself in well-tailored suits stylishly matched-up with dress shirts in peacock hues and brightly-colored ties - has been nominated at least 5 times for the Academy Award for his musical musings, in addition to nabbing a handful of Tony Awards and Grammys over the course of his illustrious career.

The dazzling niche he managed to carve out for himself in show business is obviously due to the fact he is intensely focused (in both waking and dream states) on his hopes, dreams, and wishes.

For example, Shaiman idolized Bette Midler in his salad & lettuce days in Manhattan, and vowed to be working the boards with her one day.

"I had this fantasy that I would run down the aisle at her concert one evening, jump up on stage, and plead with her to let me play backup piano."

"I know every note, every word, every nuance," he imagined himself saying to the startled stage performer in front of a bemused audience.

Well, as fate would have it, Mr. Shaiman rented an apartment which happened to be located right across from one the Harlettes (Midler's back up singers) were holed up in.

Naturally, being the outgoing personable individual he was, Marc soon hooked up with the talented gals, and subsequently, ended up wiling away a fun-filled hour or two with the performers in their little nest.

One day, Miss Midler walked through the door and informed the trio that she was putting together a new act, and summarily asked them to jump on the bandwagon.

When they excitedly agreed, she barked out a command.

"Boys, let's try one on my third album."

"Bette talked like that," the likable showman noted in an aside before continuing.

The Harlettes looked at each other this way 'n that and were forced to admit they weren't familiar with the tune.

Marc, on the other hand, uttered in an almost inaudible voice from the back of the room that he knew the piece.

"You back there," Bette cried out in his direction.

"You say, you know it?"

As he stepped forward, he suddenly found himself saying to Divine Miss "M":

"Ms. Midler, I know every note, every word."

The audience went wild.

Yup, his fantasy came true.

Before he knew it, he was ensconced in Bette's guest room; after all, she wasn't inclined to splurge for a costly Hotel room.

"She was cheap," he half-whispered to his amused fans.

"So, there I was, sharing her home. Each morning we'd sit opposite each other at the breakfast table. Bette was usually dressed in an open housecoat with no bra. It was just the four of us, really."

What a laugh riot this man was!

The entertaining repartee continued throughout the mirth-filled night.

That was not surprising, since Shaiman is a natural with a ballsy sense of humor, quick wit, and a devil-may-care attitude that is infectious.

His agent - a great handler by the name of Richard Kraft - was no slouch in the humor department either.

"One day Marc showed up at my door years ago when my wife was expecting our first child. I quipped that he looked like my unborn fetus. The off-handed remark didn't offend him at all - in fact - a bond was forged at that precise moment," he recalled in so many words.

"I signed him on personality and on the promise that he would compose music."

Boy, did he!

How did he end up writing the score for Hairspray?

Apparently, Scott Rudin bought the rights for the movie - then an another associate by the name of Paul Rudick - lost interest.

So, the project was abandoned.

Then, the fledgling project was snapped up by Margot Lynn who called immediately to cajole him into penning the score.

His arm didn't need twisting, though.

"She didn't know I wrote lyrics. When I made a pitch for that assignment she was reticent since she was doubtful I could pull it off."

Marc was forced to audition!

Needless to say, he nabbed it.

"I wrote the first four songs right off-the-bat - which were the tent poles of the score - if anything."

"Good morning Baltimore" and "Welcome to the Sixties" were two exciting ditties that got the ball rolling in the right direction.

A big break came along one day when Rob Reiner rang up his agent and asked if Marc would be available to pen music for "City Slickers" to star Billy Crystal.

But, Marc hadn't recorded any music yet, so the dynamic duo was unable to comply with the actor/writer/producer's request.

Rob shrugged and stated matter-of-fact, "Talent is Talent".

That became an ongoing gag in the early stages of Marc's career.

At one juncture, Marc pulled off some hilarious schtick about the "print master".

Apparently, whenever he was in the studio laying down tracks and there was a glitch or problem, the woman in charge at the recording end would quip:

"Oh, I'll take care of that in the print master."

The composer was beside himself.

What the heck was the print master?

After he explained the role it played in the soundtrack. he proceeded to share some keen insights.

"Over time - as special effects became more developed and enhanced in filmmaking - the score became more of an undercurrent."

On occasion, though, his skillful compositions were tough to meddle with.

For example, when Marc composed the opening music for the feature - American President - it was written for a photo montage of Washington, D.C.

When Marc's fingers touched the keys of the piano and the score spilled out, everyone in the packed house, fell silent.

The classical piece was moving, eloquent, uplifting, reverent, reflective, poignan, you name it.

Mr. Shaiman recalled on one occasion when he was asked to write a score for "Bob", an intriguing tale about a character in a movie who hears the "music" in the heads of people he encounters on the street, in a restaurant, wherever.

"Four screenplays had been written, but no one thought to write a score."

This was strange to Marc who has very definite ideas about characters on screen, musicals, and the magic behind the musings.

"When a character sings, it represents the voice - or thoughts - inside his or her head."

Because of the level of success he has achieved in recent days in his enviable career, he has been basically offered the moon in respect to work assignments.

"I was told I could turn any movie I wanted into a stage musical."

So, he chose "Catch me if you can", the Leonardo DiCaprio tale about the check forger which played in theatres just a short while ago.

Securing the rights, believe it or not, was a snap for the entertainer.

Apparently, he goes to Martin Short's Christmas party each year.

"His parties are famous. Big stars breeze in for the holiday season, jump up enthusiastically and sing in the living-room, that sort-of-thing."

He giggled, then revealed a juicy tidbit of inside gossip about Tom Hanks.

"He has the filthiest sense of humor!"

The audience guffawed wildly.

Can you imagine it, old goody-two-shoes with the mind of a letch???

Anyhoo, Marc met Steven Speilberg at the soiree one year. When the dilemma about the rights to the movie reared its ugly head, the musical whiz kid simply called up the director with his request.

No problem!

Off-the-cuff, he performed a couple of the off-the-wall numbers, as works in progress.

I dunno!

But, in view of the fact Mr. Shaiman appears to have horse shoes up his a**, I'm sure the mucho-talented impresario will pull the challening task off in spades.

If you ever get the chance to catch Mr. Shaiman in concert, snap up a ticket.

It may be one of the most memorable moments in the musical theatre that you will ever have the good fortune to experience.

Marc is close pals with Bette's "girls"

http://www.julianayrs.com

Harvey Fierstein...the scorn of Vegas! Comment may result in ban...

Man, woman, or beast?

Well, we all know that Harvey Fierstein has a big fat mouth, a raspy Queenie kind-of-one.

But, some allege that in recent days, the "Hairspray" star put his foot in it.

The out-Gay performer angered some Vegas locals in the entertainment business when he lampooned edited shows (the propensity of producers to streamline stage musicals for Sin City audiences short on attention-span and pining to get back to the gambling tables), yardstick-sized exotic cocktails, and theatre environs that smack of a tomb-like ambiance.

Fierstein's poke at the desert oasis opened up the floodgates.

"Harvey should never be allowed to step foot inside this town again," one lamented.

A couple of fans sprang to Fierstein's defense, though.

One put it rather succinctly.

"There's a distinct difference between a New York audience and a Vegas one. Not that one is better (whew that was close!). The New York audience is stuffier, more informed, and more theatrically inclined.

That's a "right on" assessment, I noted to myself, as I read on.

"You have a variety of shows to appeal to many aesthetics. Here the emphasis is purely on the entertainment. The "think" factor is pretty much nonexistent."

The astute oberserver who just closed in "Mamma Mia" finished up by noting that there was less reverence for theatre in Vegas.

"You have customers coming in Bermuda shorts (God forbid!), T-shirts (promoting the musical, I trust), flip-flops, and tank tops (okey-dokey, if they've got great pecs or tasty melons to show off).

A New York producer was allegedly livid when the controversy about the length of musicals on the strip became a bone of contention.

"This story made me sick to my stomach. It doesn't surprise me that one of these Broadway prima donnas would do something like this."

Gosh, the "suit" made it sound like Fierstein was involved in some sinister plot.

"We will be coming to Vegas in the fall," the impersario gushed enthusiastically.

"Our show is ninety to ninety-five minutes and we welcome people to have a drink or two and have a good time. Las Vegas does not need Harvey Fierstein."

Will they be allowed a slot break?

Some noted that cutting parts of a musical actually works.

"It works in Phantom, which I have seen numerous times on Broadway, and it is better here," the actor/singer noted with smug satisfaction.

Not all the criticisms were harsh.

"Bravo Harvey for telling it like it is," one supporter quipped.

As to Los Angeles?

Don't get me started!

http://www.julianayrs.com