Medal of Freedom Awardees

Casting Coup!

 

 

It was reported yesterday by Broadwayworld that Meryl Streep will play the witch in a film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods!  The film will be directed by Rob Marshall.  Read more about it here.

 

 

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter finally confirmed that the new film adaptation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie directed by Liv Ullmann will star Jessica Chastain!  Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton will also be part of the cast.  Ms. Chastain has mentioned that Miss Julie is one of her dream roles and has hinted about this project about a week and a half ago in this SAG Foundation Q & A (around 55:20 min).

 

For theatre nerds like us, this is all kinds of goodness! I cannot wait!

 

(photo above from People.com)

Even Stephens

Stephen Sondheim talks to Stephen Colbert about his latest book, Look, I Made a Hat.

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Highlights from Follies part 2

Highlights from Follies part 1

Little Things You Do Together

Want an evening out with your loved ones? Catch the filmed version of the New York Philharmonic's concert production of Company in your local movie theaters on June 15, 16, 29, and 21.

Click HERE to purchase tickets.





Here's a sneak peak:

In Good Company

According to the New York Times, the New York Philharmonic's concert production of Stephen Sondheim's Company will be recorded live and shown in theaters this June.

The concert stars Neil Patrick Harris as Bobby and Patti Lupone as Joanne. It will run April 7-9 at the Avery Fisher Hall. The star-studded cast includes Martha Plimpton, Anika Noni Rose, Jon Cryer, Katie Finneran, Craig Bierko, Jill Paice, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and Stephen Colbert. Yes, Stephen Colbert!

In Case You Missed It

Even Stephen! Stephen Sondheim on The Colbert Report.

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Broadway's 50 Most Powerful People

Broadway Space, a sort of Facebook type social networking site for theatre came out with their list of the 50 Most Powerful People on Broadway. See who made it to the list by clicking here. My favorite: Stephen Sondheim - No explaination needed. I would have to agree!

(photos from BroadwaySpace.com)

A Weekend in the City with Bernadette and Elaine

I was thrilled to pieces when I heard that Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch were taking over the lead roles in A Little Night Music. I had never seen the famous musical, knew nothing about it except "Send in the Clowns". It would be a tragedy to miss this revival starring these two theatre legends. Seeing these ladies perform is definitely one of the most unforgettable theatre experiences of my life.
Based on an Ingmar Bergman film, Smiles of a Summer Night, it tells the story of 4 pairs of lovers. The lawyer Fredrik Egerman (Alexander Hanson---who we had the pleasure of seeing in his last performance before returning to London) is married to 19 year old Anne (Ramona Mallory), who refuses to consummate their 11 month old marriage. His sullen son Henrik (Hunter Ryan Herdlicka) wants to be a minister but is secretly carrying on with their libidinous maid Petra (Leigh Ann Larkin---look out for her 2nd Act song The Miller's Son). Fredrik reconnects with his former lover, the famous actress Desiree Armfeldt (Ms. Peters). Desiree is currently having an affair with a married dragoon, the Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (Bradley Dean). The Countess Charlotte Malcolm (Erin Davie, but played by Erin Stewart the day we watched) turns out to be an old acquaintance of Anne. Did you get all that?

Desiree realizes she wants Fredrik back, and talks her mother Madame Armfeldt (Ms. Stritch) into inviting the Egermans for a weekend in the country. The Count and Countess decide to crash the party. Wackiness ensues. Who will end up with whom?
Ms. Stritch is FUNNY as the acerbic and haughty Mme. Armfeldt, who is taking care of her granddaughter Fredrika while Desiree tours. We forgive the times Ms. Stritch seemed to forget her lines because of her comic timing and her biting delivery. Ms. Peters is astounding to watch. By turns subtle, droll,tragic, but always spectacular, her pathos-filled rendition of Send in the Clowns brought me to tears.
Bradley Dean as the pompous Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm.
Kevin David Thomas. There's always a group of 4 or 5 singers (a Greek---or should we say Swedish?---chorus, if you will) who help move the story along, or just to comment on what's going on with the principal characters. Pinky pointed out that it is great to be part of this ensemble because the actors are onstage for a good portion of the show.
Keaton Whittaker, our Fredrika Armfeldt, Desiree's daughter.
Hunter Ryan Herdlicka. The cast all gave great performances. The weakest link I thought was the actress who played a shrill Anne.
Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics are elegant, exquisite even, despite the saucy plot. The book is witty and riotous. It was a night of wondrous music.
It's the marvelous Bernadette!
She was very gracious, a real class act.

The Masters on GMA

To Sondheim

John Doyle, Tony award winner for Sweeney Todd, is hosting and directing The Ladies who sing Sondheim on 07 April 2008. It is a benefit performance in honor of The Acting Company's 35th anniversary.