Category: theatre

The Shubert company, Broadway’s biggest and richest landlord, has announced it will add a $1.25 “facilities charge” to the cost of every ticket for shows opening after January 1. The company says it needs the money for preservation and maintenance of its theatres. The company stands to make as much as $1,900 for each performance or $60,000 per month per theatre. – New York Post

“Compared to other art forms, theatre has been slow to tap into the vast reserves of experience and expertise within its senior ranks. There’s a long-standing tradition of musical virtuosi having regular teaching assignments in between performances; whereas, as Peter Hall has observed, theatre ‘tends to be divided into two distinct camps: busy professionals and those who teach’.” A program in London’s West End tries to change that. – The Independent (UK)

In contrast to the string of American film stars who have taken on London stage roles in recent months and met with tepid (if not downright surly) reviews, Jessica Lange has bowled over critics as Mary in “Long Day’s Journey into Night” – in a performance being lauded as a masterpiece. – The Times (UK)

One of New York’s most venerable non-profit theatres makes a play to take over the deteriorating Biltmore Theatre on Broadway. “The Biltmore would make Manhattan Theater Club productions Tony-eligible, which brings national exposure and a potential boost to ticket sales. The Biltmore will allow the theater club to have an orchestra pit for the first time, and fly space for scenery. – New York Times

A few short months ago, “Seussical” the musical looked like the season’s sure-fire hit on Broadway. But when it opens next week “it arrives a wounded animal, bloodied by brutal out-of-town notices and months of backstage gossip, with the moniker ‘troubled’ clinging to its hide like a tick. It has a new director, set designer and costume designer, and an entirely new physical production. Its book has been substantially revised, and its budget has soared from $8.5 million to $10.5 million.” – New York Post

Arthur Sullivan was made famous and very rich by his collaboration with William Gilbert. And the musical plays they wrote are still performed 100 years after Sullivan’s death (the anniversary of which is this week). So why did he die believing he had wasted his life and cursing his partner? – The Times (UK)

Trevor Nunn says he won’t seek a new term as head of London’s National Theatre when his contract expires in 2002. Criticism of Nunn has flourished in recent months in the press. “Sources at the National said Nunn had been “intensely irritated” by the criticisms, given the number of awards and sell-outs during his regime.” – The Independent (UK)

Kevin Spacey’s campaign to help restore the status of the Old Vic Theatre in London continues with a pledge to try and lure Hollywood stars. Al Pacino might be the first. – The Independent (UK)

A national small-city tour of a revival of “The Sound of Music” couldn’t make an agreement with Equity, the actors’ union. So it went non-union and began the tour. The only star – Barry Williams (formerly of TV’s “The Brady Bunch”) resigned his union membership to take the part. – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Within my memory, there has not been a successful major revival with a revamped book of a problematic show. Yet the lure of going back in time to make things rights persists. Composers sometimes yearn to solve the problems that weren’t addressed when the show was in try-outs in Boston, Philadelphia or New Haven. If only they had just a little more time, a little more money, a little more luck.” – Hartford Courant