Winner of the 2012 Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Choreography, “Newsies” hits the Fox Theatre this week.
Based on the New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899 and the 1992 American musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures, “Newsies” ran for more than two years on Broadway.
It’s 1899, and a group of mostly homeless and orphaned boys live together and sell newspapers for their livelihood. After the publisher increases the cost of the papers to the boys, they go on strike and become the news.
The Chicago Tribune said of the national tour, “This is a stellar tour, replete with all the scenery from New York, which displays itself very nicely in the Oriental Theatre — looking flashier, actually, than it did back at the more cramped Nederlander Theatre in New York. The principals are decent.”
In its review of the Broadway show, the New York Times said, “Yes, what’s being marketed is Urchin Appeal. You remember urchins, right? They’re those plucky, resourceful ragamuffins — preferably orphans — whom America once embraced in movies like the Dead End Kids and Bowery Boys series and musicals like ‘Oliver!’ and ‘Annie.’ ”
Music is by Alan Menken, who scored “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “Pocahontas,” which each won him two Academy Awards. Lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein, “Newsies” plays at the Fox Theatre Jan. 20-25.
You might want to see Rain Pryor’s show “Fried Chicken & Latkes” just because she’s the daughter of one of the greatest comics of all time, Richard Pryor. Then again, you may have read the rave reviews in the New York Times, which said, “There are many dimensions to this robust, ebullient performer, all evident in this trim production, which sails by in an effervescent 70 minutes.”
Both of those reasons are good enough for me. Rain, who grew up with a black father and a Jewish mother, recounts tales of her life and the characters in them in her one-woman show, which ran for more than a year off Broadway. The MJCCA, in partnership with Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, presents “Fried Chicken & Latkes” this Thursday through Saturday. The show in Atlanta runs approximately two hours. To purchase tickets call 877-725-8849.
Actor Ginna Hoben (video above features her, not the actress starring in this production at the Aurora Theatre) has created a cute script with “The 12 Dates of Christmas,” forget that it drags the last 10 minutes. An actress and writer, Hoben, has performed in New York and around the country, and probably has a better feel for this script than the actress, Jaclyn Hoffman, playing the role at Aurora. She’s not bad. She’s just often not believable.
I have a feeling I would have liked this one-woman show a lot more had she, or an actress just as talented, performed the role of a young actress whose discovers while watching the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade on TV and sees her fiancé smooching with another woman. So goes that relationship.
We follow Mary (Jaclyn Hoffman) through her breakup and her dates with 12 men in the following 12 months.
I love the premise and the characters in the show. Jaclyn Hoffman is a delight while portraying some of the other characters, her mother, her aunt and some of the dates. As Mary, however, there’s a lot of overacting and talking at the audience rather than to them.
“The 12 Dates of Christmas” ran through Dec. 21 at the Aurora Theatre. Because of my hectic work schedule, I am sorely lacking in getting this review published, but you didn’t miss a thing.
Adapted from Langston Hughes’s 1961 play first performed on Broadway in 1961, “Black Nativity” tells the classic Nativity story of the birth and praise for the baby Jesus. The casts consists of some of Atlanta’s finest Gospel singers and wonderful dancers–most notably Bree Buxton and Veronica Johnson, who plays Mary. You’ll hear some soulful and gospel renditions of classic Christmas tunes as well as those created for the play.
Starring Margo Moorer, directed and produced by Robert John Connor, choreographed by Dawn Axam “Black Nativity” runs through Dec. 21 at the Southwest Arts Center.
ACTORS / SINGERS
Margo Moorer | Q Parker | Zebulon Ellis | Latrice Pace | Dathan Thigpen
Brandin Jay | Andrea Connor | Maiesha McQueen | Alexis Hollins
Sara Von Zine Davis | Neil Taffe | Kelsie Broughton | Chris Hagan
Adrianna Glover | Benjamin Moore | Alex Lattimore | Adrianna Blackburn
Art Bright | Setia Freeman | LaKendra Fulbright | Kiaya Hamilton
DANCERS
Stephan Reynolds | Veronica Johnson | Jelani Jones | Alicia Nicole Thompson
Dayzsa Gartrell | Shoccara Marcus | Kennedy Milan Bright | Debõrah Hughes
Leo White | Markquise Davis | Bree Buxton | Justin Daniels
The Atlanta Ballet performs “Nutcracker” in concert with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra led by principal guest conductor Gary Sheldon. Dancers bring bring dancing dolls, mischievous mice, and sparkling snowflakes to life.
Each year, Atlanta Ballet invites more than 200 Atlanta area school children to perform alongside 23 professional company members and four company apprentices.
Atlanta Ballet first brought Nutcracker to the stage in 1959, performing George Balanchine’s version of the timeless tale. In that year, Atlanta Ballet was the only company outside of New York City Ballet allowed to perform this signature piece thanks to Atlanta Ballet’s then Associate Artistic Director Robert Barnett, who had danced with Balanchine at New York City Ballet.
In 1995, Atlanta Ballet’s third and current artistic director, John McFall, created a brand new Nutcracker for the city of Atlanta. McFall’s vision was to create a Nutcracker that was “traditional yet new, familiar yet different, classic yet contemporary and above all, magical.” Every year since then McFall has added a special touch to the production in an effort to keep it vibrant and fresh.
Choreographed by John McFall, music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, “Nutcracker” runs through Dec. 28 at the Fox Theatre.
Matt Horgan, Karen Cassady, Daniel Triandiflou, and Jackie Barbour; Photo: Greg Mooney
Although I couldn’t say it’s wonderful, there are quite a few laughs in the Dad’s Garage Theatre Company parody of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
The audience chooses a new “invader” (played by a different Dad’s Garage improviser each performance) to infiltrate the world of Bedford Falls. Friday night Peter Pan (Lucky Yates) showed up, so the play took place in Neverland Falls.
As George Bailey, Dan Triandiflou brings back touches of Jimmy Stewart’s speech and mannerisms as the would-be-explorer goes through similar but more contemporary life situations than those in the original movie. The angel, Clarence (Karen Cassady), is literally cursed at by God–lots of gratuitous cursing– and descends upon earth to save Bailey from suicide after the business owner discovers his company is in ruins and, thanks to a life insurance policy, he is worth more dead than alive.
The acting skills of Cassady and Triandiflou are the best treats of the show. Although there are quite a few funny moments, neither the script nor the improv is wonderful.
Written and directed by Kevin Gillese, “It’s a Wonderful Life” runs through Dec. 20 on the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre.
Jackie Barbour . . . . . . . . . . . Violet
Karen Cassady . . . . . . . . . . . Clarence
Perry Frost . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary
Matt Horgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . Old Man Potter/Uncle Billy/God
Ed Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harry
Matthew Hobbs . . . . . . . . . . . .Keyboard/Piano
Africa Umoja, the real music and dance of South Africa, features a cast of 32 of South Africa’s brightest and most versatile young performers. Singers, drummers and dancers will be performing at Atlanta’s Rialto Center for the Arts this week.
Africa Umoja, The Spirit of Togetherness, is performing its 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy Tour, a celebration of dynamic talent, high energy, great voices and sensual dances that sweep across the bright and vibrant South African traditional landscape.
DC Metro Theatre Arts says, “The energy of Africa Umoja virtually leapt off the stage. At times, the performer’s enthusiasm was nearly matched by the shout-outs, ululations, whistling, foot stomping, singing, arm-waving and clapping emanating from the audience.”
The show runs Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts.
OK, so you saw the movie. How much better could “Dirty Dancing” be live? Plenty if you believe the Washington Post reviews of the touring show. Jennifer Grey may have made herself unrecognizable, but you will recognize the musical if you saw the movie when it hit theaters back in the 1980s as it is similar to the film.
So why should you see this if you’ve seen the movie–probably even numerous times by now? Because, as the WP says, “[It’s] an energy-to-burn cast” and it’s “really fun.”
The show opened in Australia 10 years ago and since has played in London and other European cities, Toronto and other North American cities, and is now on a new 30-city tour.
Cincinati.com says of the two lead characters, “Jillian Mueller (Baby) and Samuel Pergande (Johnny) have fabulous chemistry. They actually look like they enjoy dancing and romancing.”
Minnesota Monthly says, “Pergande has considerable shoes to fill, and he does—at least when he’s hoofing. He’s matched nicely by Mueller, who deftly portrays Baby’s evolution from dorky to slinky. . . Does it work? Yes, indeed . . .”
“Dirty Dancing” runs Tuesday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 30 at the Fox Theatre.
Zoë Winters, Mary Pat Gleason, Sarah Stiles, Beth Broderick, Deirdre Lovejoy, and Becky Ann Baker; Photo: Greg Mooney
Similar to the movie starring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Darryl Hannah, “Steel Magnolias” the play is not quite as good. I think the fault lies with the poor acting because the movie was so much better.
If you like a bunch of chatty women from ages 18 to 60 acting like a bunch of sorority girls with gossip and funny one-liners, this play is for you. If you thought “Peachtree Battle” was a riot, and you like fake, thick, syrupy Southern accents, you’ll probably like this production. The overbearing Ouiser (Mary Pat Gleason) brings laughs and visions of Mobs Mabley, and Annelle (Sarah Stiles) is charming and touching as the kooky, shy new hairdresser with the squeaky Minnie Mouse voice, but they, like the other performers, tend to overact.
Although I shed a few tears, I could never lose myself in this play.
Written by Robert Harling and directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Judith Ivey, “Steel Magnolias” runs at the Alliance Theatre through Sunday, Nov. 9.
Cast:
Clairee Becky Ann Baker
M’Lynn Beth Broderick
Radio DJ Voiceover David de Vries
Ouiser Mary Pat Gleason
Truvy Deirdre Lovejoy
Annelle Sarah Stiles
Shelby Zoe Winters
Jewish Book Festival Features Bob Saget, Andy Cohen, Bob Mankoff, Mark Bittman, et al.
What a lineup at this year’s Book Festival at the MJCCA.
Down and dirty comic Bob Saget, far removed from his saccharine “Full House” persona, opens the festival this Saturday in conversation with Josh Levs. In “Dirty Daddy” he writes about the connection between humor and pain, offering insights into his own life, including the deaths of his beloved sisters and several additional close family members.
The festival runs for more than two weeks.
Schedule of Events
| Saturday, November 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| » | 8:15 pm | BOB SAGET, Dirty Daddy |
| Sunday, November 2 | ||
| » | 1:00 pm | OLIVER HOROVITZ, An American Caddie in St. Andrews |
| » | 3:30 pm | KOSTYA KENNEDY, Pete Rose LEO MAZZONE, Tales from the Mound |
| » | 7:30 pm | MARK BITTMAN, How to Cook Everything Fast |
| Monday, November 3 | ||
| » | 12:00 pm | JOSEPH BERGER, The Pious Ones |
| » | 7:45 pm | ANNA QUINDLEN, Still Life With Bread Crumbs |
| Tuesday, November 4 | ||
| » | 12:00 pm | HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, Truth Be Told JULIA DAHL, Invisible City |
| » | 7:30 pm | SCOTT COWEN, The Inevitable City |
| Wednesday, November 5 | ||
| » | 12:30 pm | JONATHAN EIG, Birth of the Pill |
| » | 6:30 pm | LISA BLOOM, Suspicion Nation |
| » | 8:15 pm | BOB MANKOFF, How About Never, Is Never Good For You? |
| Thursday, November 6 | ||
| » | 10:30 am | TIM TOWNSEND, Mission at Nuremberg |
| » | 12:30 pm | AYELET WALDMAN, Love & Treasure |
| » | 7:30 pm | DR. EBEN ALEXANDER, The Map of Heaven |
| Friday, November 7 | ||
| » | 12:00 pm | SUSAN JANE GILMAN, The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street |
| Saturday, November 8 | ||
| » | 8:00 pm | WALTER ISAACSON, The Innovators |
| Sunday, November 9 | ||
| » | 10:00 am | Family Reading Festival featuring RICK RECHT & AMANDA KINGLOFF |
| » | 3:00 pm | JOSH FATTAL, A Sliver of Light |
| » | 7:00 pm | Kristallnacht Commemoration at the Besser Holocaust Memorial |
| » | 7:45 pm | RON SUSKIND, Life Animated |
| Monday, November 10 | ||
| » | 12:00 pm | ALYSON RICHMAN, The Garden of Letters PAM JENOFF, The Winter Guest |
| » | 7:30 pm | RABBI JOSEPH TELUSHKIN, Rebbe |
| Tuesday, November 11 | ||
| » | 12:00 pm | GERALYN LUCAS, Then Came Life |
| » | 5:30 pm | Film Screening: 50 Children |
| » | 7:30 pm | EGL Community Read MARTIN GOLDSMITH, Alex’s Wake STEVEN PRESSMAN, 50 Children |
| Wednesday, November 12 | ||
| » | 12:30 pm | EDDIE SHAPIRO, Nothing Like a Dame BARBARA ISENBERG, Tradition! |
| » | 6:00 pm | PATRON RECEPTION |
| » | 7:30 pm | DANIEL GORDIS, Menachem Begin |
| Thursday, November 13 | ||
| » | 10:30 am | ILANA DANNEMAN, A Tale of Two Souls |
| » | 12:30 pm | RABBI CHARLES SHERMAN, The Broken and the Whole REBECCA ALEXANDER, Not Fade Away |
| » | 7:30 pm | DR. EZEKIEL EMANUEL, Reinventing American Health Care |
| Friday, November 14 | ||
| » | 12:00 pm | JOSHUA MAX FELDMAN, The Book of Jonah BORIS FISHMAN, A Replacement Life |
| Saturday, November 15 | ||
| » | 8:00 pm | ANDY COHEN, The Andy Cohen Diaries |
| Sunday, November 16 | ||
| » | 12:00 pm | KAI BIRD, The Good Spy |
| » | 3:00 pm | BERNIE SCHEIN, Famous All Over Town in conversation with PAT CONROY |
| » | 6:30 pm | CARL HOFFMAN, Savage Harvest |
| » | 8:15 pm | DAN HARRIS, 10% Happier |
| Monday, November 17 | ||
| » | 8:00 pm | @ The Temple MITCHELL BARD, Death to the Infidels |
| Tuesday, November 18 | ||
| » | NO EVENTS TODAY | |
| Wednesday, November 19 | ||
| » | 7:30 pm | Closing Night TRACEY DAVIS, Sammy Davis Jr: A Personal Journey with My Father |
For tickets and more info, visit Book Festival of the MJCCA.
