Category: theatre

The “Seussical” cast has written a “Cat in the Hat”-like review of critics in verse: “I do not like reviews that pan, I do not like them, actor I am. Could I, would I like to see Clive Barnes swinging from a tree? Could I, should I, hope in vain To see them writhing in such pain? I could, I would, oh what the heck, Make them go through four months of tech.” – New York Post

The press continues to dog Trevor Nunn and speculate over his departure, despite the National Theatre’s continued success – including earning five of nine “Evening Standard” Awards last week. Nunn’s response: “Some of the suggestions about what should happen are the equivalent of somebody offering help to a brain surgeon by giving them a hammer and chisel.” – The Independent (UK)

Canada’s Stratford Festival, leaning on popular theatre fare, is in a boom time. “The festival made a record profit of $4.3 million this summer, with a biggest-ever attendance of 639,000. Festival attendance has been rising steadily over the past seven years. In 1994, it was 440,000, last year it topped 590,000.” – Toronto Star

Taking advantage of the strong economy and unprecedented production support from commercial producers, regional theaters are booming across the country, presenting ever more adventurous work and strengthening ties with local audiences. “The point is that the American theater gospel is no longer being spread papally from New York. It has its own independent denominations.” – New York Times

Irish actor Richard Harris surprised even those familiar with his cantankerous ways at last week’s European Film Awards. Upon receiving a lifetime achievement award, he launched into a tirade against the British film industry for overlooking his talents. “The curious thing about the actor’s weekend outburst is why he should care whether the British honour him. This, after all, is a man who constantly asserts his Irishness.” – The Telegraph (UK)

Connecticut’s Goodspeed Opera House has changed its name to Goodspeed Musicals. “In its 37-year history, the Goodspeed Opera House has garnered international acclaim as a producer of musical theater, sending more than 15 shows to Broadway and beyond, including ‘Annie” and ‘Man of La Mancha’.” – Hartford Courant

Director Peter Brook has felt “haunted” by the ghost of Hamlet since he first directed the play in 1955. His newest adaptation – a controversial 50-minute version – has taken Paris by storm. “Brook has had no qualms about putting his own spin on the Elizabethan original. He has eliminated the Fortinbras narrative, cut ‘between a third and half’ of the text, and reduced his cast to eight.” – The Telegraph (UK)

In the 14 years since Robert Falls became artistic director of Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, he has turned an already esteemed theater into one of the country’s finest. Thursday night an audience filled its new $46 million home for the first time. “We’ve got resources now that very few theaters anywhere in America have, and we’re going to make full use of them.” – New York Times

All the fuss about the running of London’s National Theatre doesn’t matter much. The real concern is whether a successor to current director Trevor Nunn be found who can realize the place’s potential. “The ongoing off-stage drama of the National Theatre is an instructive parable. It’s the story of a great arts institution that has, from its inception, had a built-in identity problem. It’s the story of the tail wagging the dog – of an art-form that is all about the creation of magic in the here-and-now being in thrall to a building that is – in both the good and bad sense of the word – history.” – The Independent (UK)

— and the early reviews aren’t pretty: “Whoever the many chefs were, the finished product is a flavorless broth.” – New York Times

LACKING FOR TALENT: “There isn’t much wrong with the new musical “Seussical” that a comparatively small earthquake could not put more or less right. In fact, apart from its routine music, limp lyrics and diffuse book, it is really only the concept that goes grievously wrong. It puts whimsy where talent should be.” – New York Post

ON THE CONTRARY: ” ‘Seussical the Musical’,’ which spent an awkward adolescence at Boston’s Colonial Theatre in September, has matured into a sleeker, more confident show for its Broadway bow.” – Boston Herald

THE SEUSS INDUSTRY: The Grinch and “Seussical” are only the beginning of a flood of Seuss-based projects in the wings to be brought to life. – New York Daily News