Crushable » broadway

Smash Is Everything A Theater Geek Would Want In A TV Show About Musicals

Natalie Zutter — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:07:23 +0000

Smash is a show for theater geeks: Aspiring performers who labor in the back of ensembles wishing to be the star under the spotlights. Obsessives who shell out hundreds of dollars to sit in an obstructed-view seat and see the dazzling, big-budget Broadway shows. Viewers who’ve been disappointed by TV and want a new drama to fall in love with.

Many other early reviews have raved that Smash is like watching from backstage as a Broadway show comes to life. Writing team Julia (Debra Messing) and Tom (Christian Borle) stumble into the perfect circumstances to write a musical about Marilyn Monroe, but getting it on the stage is a struggle. They’re grappling with a temperamental director who has a bad history with Tom; Julia’s husband resents her for taking on a new project when they’re adopting a baby; and they have to find the girl to play Marilyn.

In come two very different, very talented performers: Broadway veteran Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty), and fresh-faced Iowa transplant Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee). One oozes sex appeal, while the other brings the heart. Because as much as she was known for her tight dresses and pouts, Marilyn pleaded in her last interview, “Please don’t make me a joke.” Add to that several fantastic, snappy numbers in the pilot alone, and you’re witnessing the simultaneous creation of two must-watch shows: The Marilyn musical and the NBC hit.

The show courts viewers with an impressive pedigree: Debra Messing channels her famous Will & Grace persona to play Julia; Anjelica Huston is the director with a hidden motive for snatching up the Marilyn musical; then there’s Coupling‘s Jack Davenport as a smarmy but sexy and brilliant director. Did we mention that Steven Spielberg was one of the original producers?

It’s also pretty ambitious: The original intent was, if viewers liked the show-within-a-show musicals from each season, Spielberg’s production company would try and actually stage these shows on real Broadway stages. (Read this fascinating profile in New York Magazine; like the show, it’s engrossing.)

Smash is smartly populated with authentic theater people. Brian d’Arcy James, who originated the role of Shrek on Broadway a few years ago, plays Julia’s husband Frank. Then you have Christian Borle, the original Emmett in Legally Blonde: The Musical, jumping to the other side of things to play Julia’s writing partner Tom. It only makes sense that the men in Debra Messing’s life would both come from the Great White Way.

Most importantly, Marilyn hopeful #1 Megan Hilty is Ivy Lynn: She’s taken the Broadway stage to play Glinda in Wicked and in the musical adaptation of Dolly Parton‘s 9 to 5. You couldn’t cast an actress to play permanent ensemble member Ivy if she hadn’t already tasted fame.

But then you have the other side of the coin: Katharine McPhee playing the farm-girl-meets-big-city role with surprising depth. Yes, it’s a bit frustrating to see “Introducing Katharine McPhee” on every poster since technically she’s already famous, having competed on American Idol and even enjoyed a brief pop career. But when it comes to TV she’s a newbie through and through.

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Bella, Edward, And Jacob Are Coming To Off-Broadway With The Fan-Run Twilight: The Musical

Natalie Zutter — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:48:05 +0000

It’s pretty incredible that it’s taken six years for a Twilight musical to hit the stage, but we’re glad that it’s a fan endeavor taking the plunge. The Internet is buzzing about Twilight: The Musical, a parody of Stephenie Meyer‘s books that’s modeled after tongue-in-cheek shows like Urinetown and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The official website promises that the show “examines our culture of obsession through the story of outsider Bella Swan who risks everthing when she embarks on a star-crossed romance with vampire Edward Cullen.”

Another likely influence is A Very Potter Musical, the passion project from University of Michigan that launched Darren Criss‘ career. After all, Lauren Lopez, who voiced Draco Malfoy in the parody, will be playing clairvoyant vampire Alice Cullen here. The show’s Facebook page reveals that the other cast members have performed in such beloved shows as Wicked, Next to Normal, and Rent.

Not only the actors involved, but the character names as well, have been drumming up interest: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger will be popping in. So maybe this musical is a larger commentary on the various pieces of fantasy fiction that renewed our generation’s interest in reading… as well as shirtless werewolves?

But before you get to thinking this’ll be some big Broadway debut, let me point out that TTM is emulating its predecessors’ grassroots origins: It’ll be a one-night staged reading in New York City on January 16, with proceeds going to the charity Blessings In A Backpack. (Tickets range from about $50-$70.)

You can get an idea of the show’s music with these YouTube videos from the concert version of the show; here’s Act 1, part 1:

And what a killer first line: “Nothing ever happens in Forks!” We’re hoping we’ll get the chance to see this show, because it looks pretty funny.

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Amanda Seyfried And Taylor Swift Have Been Offered Roles In Les Miserables

Natalie Zutter — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:05:26 +0000

The Les Miserables movie-musical has just about rounded out its cast; BroadwayWorld reported yesterday that the producers have put out offers to country music star Taylor Swift and Mamma Mia! actress Amanda Seyfried to take on the two main female roles, Eponine and Cosette (respectively).

Despite having seen the musical (and the 1998 movie) multiple times, I always get these two confused. So here’s the necessary rundown:

Cosette is Valjean’s (Hugh Jackman) adoptive daughter after her mother dies, although he actually pays the Thenardiers (Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter) to raise her. Her famous song is “Castle on a Cloud,” though that’s sung by Young Cosette. She and Eponine are both in love with Marius (Eddie Redmayne), but Cosette is the one who gets him.
Eponine is the Thenardiers’ biological daughter, a headstrong girl who’s secretly in love with Marius. She later disguises herself as a boy to join Marius in the student rebellion up on the barricades. Her famous song is “On My Own.”

Yeah, I’m still unclear—this musical confuses the hell out of me. My boyfriend, who’s a big fan, summed up the two characters pretty well: Really I’d say Cosette is more important to the story, even if Eponine is more famous. Of course, the most important facet is that they’re offering the roles to two women who can sing; Taylor of course, and Amanda, who was trained in opera prior to Mamma Mia!

So now we just have to wait and see if they’ll sign on.

The other established cast members are Anne Hathaway as Cosette’s mother Fantine, Russell Crowe as Valjean’s enemy Inspector Javert, and Aaron Tveit (from Broadway’s Next to Normal) as Enjolras, leader of the student revolutionaries. What I find most interesting about this adaptation is that the actors will have to sing live while shooting, instead of lip-syncing and filling in with studio vocals later.

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Video: Daniel Radcliffe’s Heartfelt Speech On His Final Night Of How To Succeed

Natalie Zutter — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:57:42 +0000

Aww! January 1 was Daniel Radcliffe‘s final night starring in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway, and he gave a sweet, funny speech thanking basically everyone in the production—from carpenters to co-stars, he praised having such a tight-knit company and confessed that he was scared he wouldn’t find it again.

“Thank you for having more faith in me than I had in myself,” he said to director Rob Ashford, among “awws” from those present. And to on-stage love interest Rose Hemingway he joked, “If anybody feels bad for our respective partners that we kiss onstage for about 30 seconds each show, don’t worry because my girlfriend and her husband go to the movies together.”

As of this week, Daniel has passed the torch on to temporary replacement Darren Criss, who according to the New York Times was doing famously in rehearsals. (According to one of the show’s producers, Jen Namoff, Daniel texted Darren right before he went on-stage with some words of encouragement.) Darren’s first curtain call seemed overwhelmingly positive, but the next few weeks will tell us how much fans warm to him before Nick Jonas steps in for the next permanent gig.

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Hot Shot: Hunter Parrish Is One Very Handsome Elf

Jamie Peck — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:02:05 +0000

Not you too, Hunter Parrish! Between Matthew Gray Gubler and this, I think I might die of festive handsomeness today. The Weeds cutie was recently snapped wearing an elf hat as he arrived at Broadway’s Circle In The Square theater, where he’s currently appearing in a production of Godspell as…wait for it…Jesus. And there’s video!

Here’s Hunter and the gang doing some songs from the rock musical on The Rosie O’Donnell Show:

And here’s a video of him talking to Rosie about it (I love how she’s still calling people “cutie patooties”):

I happen to think musicals are kind of The Worst, but Silas can do no wrong.

(Via I’m Not Obsessed)

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David Archuleta Puts Off Music Career For Two Years To Serve His Mormon Mission

Natalie Zutter — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:08:56 +0000

It’s common knowledge that even if you’re the runner-up on American Idol, you’re still guaranteed a successful music career. But last season’s second-place winner David Archuleta has decided to reap those benefits two years from now. You see, the Utah native, who was raised Mormon, announced to fans at the Salt Lake City stop of his tour that he’s decided to serve a full-time Mormon mission.

It’s cute how choked up “Archie” (as his fans call him) was when he made the announcement. He was sure to stress that he didn’t feel any pressure to make this decision:

It’s not because someone told me I was supposed to do it and not because I no longer want to do music anymore. It’s because it’s what I feel I need to do next in my life. It’s the same feeling that I’ve always tried to follow in my life—the feeling that’s allowed me to have the opportunities I’ve had, the challenges and the blessings, too. And I’ve learned to trust that feeling and answer when it calls. That’s the reason why I know I have to do this in my life.

David has one stop left on his tour this Wednesday; then are the holidays and, we expect, preparations for his mission. It’s a strict undertaking: Aside from the standard uniform of dress shirt, tie, nametag, and book, missionaries must be up at 6:30 a.m., remain chaste, and abstain from all entertainment. So David won’t be able to see who the next two seasons of American Idol contestants are. However, missionaries are allowed to write letters or use e-mail to communicate with family and friends; they get two phone calls home a year, on Christmas and Mother’s Day.

Of course, anything related to Mormonism I’ve been associating with music, since I finally saw Book of Mormon last week. So if David’s mission is anything like Matt Stone and Trey Parker‘s musical vision, then he’ll fit right in:

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Check Out Nick Jonas’ How To Succeed In Business Poster

Liana Maeby — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:25:36 +0000

It’s a feast for your eyes: the poster for Nick Jonas‘ Broadway debut in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying has hit the web. Nick is still two dudes down the line to play the starring role, however — current star Daniel Radcliffe will stay in the spot through January 1st, and Darren Criss will step in for a few weeks, until January 24th, when Nick finally takes the stage.

Nick is slated to play the role of Finch, a window cleaner who tricks his higher-ups into a series of undeserved promotions, through June. So, how does his poster compare to Daniel and Darren’s? See for yourself:

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Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook Musical Is Coming To Broadway

Natalie Zutter — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:36:18 +0000

Nicholas Sparks just keeps bringing new joy into our lives. The trailer for his newest film The Lucky One got lots of attention for its beefed-up Zac Efron; and now the author revealed to CBS News that probably his most beloved novel, The Notebook, will be made into a musical. Sparks told the interviewers that there are plenty of ideas he’s said no to — like setting a love story on the Titanic – because they’ve already been done, but a musical is new ground for him.

He warned that it’s still a long way off, but the experience of adaptation is fun:

The best way that I’ve always found, and it’s what I’ve done in Hollywood or whether it’s working with the publishers that I’ve worked with for a long time is to work with people that you really trust who understand what it’s about and they want to take that and mold it into something new.

Obviously, The Notebook is going to be some sort of musical and a lot of fun to be involved in that process, too.

It’s too bad that stars Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling can’t sing, because we’d love to see them recreate their roles. Ironically, Sparks is casting for his films Safe Haven and The Best of Me before even landing on actors for The Notebook, so there’s a while for people to put forward their favorites. One thing you can be sure of—the Noah/Allie kiss will take on an even more mythical quality, like the Dirty Dancing lift of our generation. (Not that Dirty Dancing was a musical, but you get it.)

[via]

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Video: Neil Patrick Harris And David Burtka Sing ‘You’re The Top’ At Trevor Live

Natalie Zutter — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:42:59 +0000

How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka (E!’s newest correspondent) were the most talked-about act at Sunday’s Trevor Live! benefit. The show raises funds for the Trevor Project and also featured performances from Glee star Darren Criss and Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

Even Lady Gaga accepting an award was small beans compared to NPH and David singing “You’re the Top,” a Cole Porter song from the musical “Anything Goes.” The song was intended to be sung with a man and a woman, so with two men — who are real-life partners — combined with the title, there were plenty of double entendres. But Neil and David played along to that, which made for a pretty rousing performance.

[via]

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Video: Daniel Radcliffe Gets Stuck Cleaning His Interviewer’s Toilet And Sorting Her Laundry

Natalie Zutter — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:44:20 +0000

You’ve got to hand it to Broadway.com’s Susan Blackwell—she knows how to conduct an off-the-wall interview. In her Side by Side video series, she’s buddied up to stars like Sutton Foster and Jonathan Groff; in her latest video, it’s Daniel Radcliffe, right before the end of his run starring in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. You would think that other journalists would want to congratulate the Harry Potter star, but not Susan. No, Susan teaches the 22-year-old actor how to do common household chores.

It’s a pretty smart move: Filming the Potter movies for over a decade, Daniel probably grew up in hotels with maid service to take care of such things as laundry or a clogged toilet. I’m not saying he’s a brat, but it seems logical that he’s not familiar with the mechanics of chores. After all, it’s a big part of maturing in college! And he didn’t have that experience.

Unfortunately, I can’t find a way to embed the video, so you’ll have to watch the whole 16-minute interview here. EW is right: Their game of “Would You Buy Me That?” in the shower is pretty hilarious. We also learned that Daniel’s laugh is just about as cute as his grin.

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