By Ilana Jael Rothman It definitely isn’t every day that I come across a production so distinctive that it serves to completely upend my initial reaction to a certain show — and, of all shows, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats is one I would’ve judged to be among the least likely to inspire such a 180. Following my first theatrical encounter with the show via the long-running … [Read more...]
Broadway baby: ‘School of Rock’ cast member, 10, tells of life on the road
Like many a New Yorker, 10-year-old Alyssa Emily Marvin considers South Florida to be her second home. After all, her great-grandmother was a longtime volunteer at the Kravis Center until recently and her cousin is a rabbi at Temple Beth El in Boca Raton. And on Wednesday, Alyssa makes her Kravis debut as Marcy, one of the kid rocker back-up singers in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s … [Read more...]
The Hapsters 2017: The lowlights and bright spots
There are many ways to look back on the past year in local theater, and with The Hapster Awards, now in their 28th year, we have chosen the (mostly) snide route. The envelopes, please. Remember Blues in the Night? You know, that critically acclaimed musical revue starring Avery Sommers and Laura Hodos? Of course you don’t remember, because the management of Delray’s … [Read more...]
It’s not ‘Phantom,’ but you might love it just the same
The ads for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats used to claim “Now and Forever,” but it is his Phantom of the Opera that keeps running with no end in sight. Now in its 30th year on Broadway, the longevity record holder, this mega-popular musical has brought in an estimated $6.5 billion dollars worldwide. No wonder Lloyd Webber wanted to write a sequel to the tale of the horribly … [Read more...]
‘Phantom’ sequel ‘Love Never Dies’ bound for Broward
If a movie makes a lot of money at the box office, you can almost bet that it will generate a sequel. Sequels are scarce in the commercial theater, but since Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show on Broadway, raking in an estimated $6.5 billion worldwide so far, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber felt he had more to say about The Phantom, Christine Daaé and Raoul, Vicomte … [Read more...]
New-look ‘Phantom’ a mixed bag, but singing is splendid
Having created the most successful entertainment in history, pulling in an estimated $5.6 billion, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his producer Cameron Mackintosh can afford a new redesigned and refreshed take on Phantom of the Opera, taking advantage of the advances in technology since the quasi-operatic musical opened on Broadway 29 years ago. Whether you are an … [Read more...]
Reimagined ‘Phantom’ at Kravis will win you over, actor Craig says
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, now in its 30th year on Broadway — by far the longest-running show in Broadway history — has an estimated worldwide box office of over $5.6 billion, making it the most financially successful entertainment event ever. In case you have never seen it before — there must be someone who hasn’t, right? — or if you never miss an … [Read more...]
Postcard from Broadway, No. 4: Semi-sort-of seeing ‘Hamilton’
Oh well, the odds of winning the Hamilton digital lottery are said to be 80,000 to 1, and — what a surprise — I did not win. But the next day, I ended up seeing Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of Hamilton performing anyway. OK, they weren't actually performing the show Hamilton, but they appeared at the 30th annual Easter Bonnet Competition, where they did a new number … [Read more...]