I do! I do! at the Westport Country Playhouse

Miss out on seeing Kate Baldwin in a stage production in the tri-state area?  Afterall, we started off our summer by seeing Kate Baldwin all the way across the ocean, so there was no way we were going to miss her in what might be a sure thing.

And a sure thing it was too.   Kate Baldwin and Lewis Cleale are starring in the musical I do! I do! at Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut. 

I do! I do! is a two character musical about a couple over their 50 year marriage. The book is by Tom Jones, with lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt.  It was based on the play The Fourposter. It played for 560 performances on Broadway from 1966 to 1968 and starred Mary Martin and Robert Preston (Carol Lawrence and Gordon Macrae replaced them in 1967; Carol Burnett and Rock Hudson did the national tour). Robert Preston won the 1967 Tony Award® Best Actor in a Musical.

It's an intimate production fit for the intimate and very comfortable playhouse.  Susan H. Schulman is the director with set and costumes Wilson Chin and Devon Painter respectively.   All of the action occurs in the master bedroom - action includes their honeymoon, the birth of their children, fights, plans, joy, celebration and finally moving on.  

The set is simple yet terrific  - the four poster bed is center stage, but revolves to hide a little stage magic and show the passage of time.  The costumes range from a beautiful Victorian lace wedding gown to roaring twenties to 1940s ease. 

Instead of an orchestra, a couple of pianos provide a lovely symmetry to the gorgeous vocals by Kate and Lewis. 

50 years is a lot of decades to cover , but Schulman keeps the pace moving through the good times as well as the bad times.   Kate and Lewis age before our eyes, starting as a young couple on their wedding day and ending with leaving their home as empty-nesters.   Set from 1898 to the 1940s, it's classic and timeless without being old-fashioned. 

Particularly touching was their performance of  My Cup Runneth Over in act I.  In 1967, it was recorded by Ed Ames and hit the pop charts.  It's also been covered by many performers including Perry Como and Kate Smith.  Many of the patrons seeing the show on Saturday night were of the senior set and undoubtedly recognized the tune - a rather loud murmer of approval spread across the audience. 

The most fun came with the number "When the Kids Get Married," in which Kate and Lewis romped around their bedroom, dancing and cavorting with their excited plans for when they'd finally have the house to themselves again.  The number calls for her to play the violin and him to play the saxophone.   Hysterically, Kate did her best, although we may have discovered that there is actually one thing that Kate cannot do.  

Tom Jones' book provides plenty of acting opportunities for both Kate and Lewis.   I always love hearing Kate sing, but it's doubly exciting to see her act and convey emotions from wonder to anger.   Her character "Agnes" is always the heroine and Kate makes it easy to see why.   Her turn is fun, thrilling and heart-warming.   It was my first time seeing Lewis in a production and I found him to be very likeable and charming with a solid delivery.  They play off each other nicely and the show is a joy.    

I do! I do!  has extended until September 4th.    It's an easy trip from New York City, or I imagine anywhere on the north eastern seaboard.

The Westport Country Playhouse opened in 1931, but began life as a cow barn in 1835.  Over the years, a number of productions opened at Westport first before moving on to Broadway.   Being less than 2 hours away from New York City (by car, unless in heavy traffic like we hit), the playhouse was a mecca for legendary actors.  By 2000, the playhouse had seen better days  but Joanne Woodward became the artistic director and turned things around with a major renovation and artistic renaissance.  

The walls of the lobby and backstage (Kate took us on a backstage tour) are covered with posters and photos from all of the years.  My heart pounded as I saw so many photos of legends, showcards, and memorabilia of what had played there.    And now, Kate and Lewis add their own photos those those hallowed walls.  

FOLLIESFEST '11

I will be living at the Kennedy Center May 7-June 5, 2011.  Why?   Bernadette Peters will be SALLY in the Kennedy Center's upcoming production of Sondheim's FOLLIES!   

So, this is why there's no mention of casting for Sally in this week's Backstage.  The ad says:  Equity principal auditions will be held by appt. August 31, 10 a.m.-13:30 p.m. & 2:30-6 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Perorming Arts.  To schedule an appointment, call (202)416-8203.   Equity members without appointments will be seen through the audition day as time permits.

Now, go ahead and make it Donna Murphy as Phyllis.  I'll gladly buy her an Acela to D.C. if they really need her to show up for an audition.

Broadwayworld reports that they have learned that Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) will be Phyllis.  Oy vey, here we go again.

Saint Agnes puts her money where her mouth is: opera is for everyone

“Agnes Varis is justifiably beloved by opera fans for her saintly generosity.” said Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera.

At the Met Opera, for the fourth season in a row, two hundred orchestra seats are available for $20 for regular performances Monday through Thursday (excluding galas, special events, and opening nights of new productions), 50 of which are set aside for senior citizens (who can buy online or buy calling 212-362-6000) on the day of the show.  This is made available by Met Board member Agnes Varis and her husband, Karl Leichtman.

The general public can purchase their Varis Rush Tickets at the Met box office beginning two hours before curtain, subject to availability.  

I have seen numerous performances from orchestra seats thanks to this program and to my friends Sally and others who have had the time to wait in a que at the Met for the tickets to go on sale two hours before curtain (sometimes this is 6 or more hours).    I myself have rushed a few times and it has been well worth it.   While I still love sitting at the top of the house for optimal sound, it's wonderful to pay for little for such a luxuriously comfortable seat - especially when the Family Circle might be completely sold out.  

Now, Dr. Varis has donated an additional $2.5 million dollars to extend the affordable seats program to include Friday and Saturday performances.   “I believe opera is for everyone, and so everyone should have access to it,” said Dr. Varis.   
Beginning September 27, every Monday through the end of the Met season in May, one can enter the “$25 Weekend Tickets” drawing at the Met’s web site. The drawing will be held on Tuesday morning and winners’ names posted on the web site by 12 noon.  Tickets must be paid for either by phone (212-362-6000) or at Met box office by 5:00 p.m on Wednesday.


I am grateful to Dr. Varis for her commitment to the Met Opera and for putting her a portion of her money to this use.   

Happy Birthday Marian Seldes!

Today: I do! I do!

We're off on a roadtrip to Westport, Connecticut to see Kate Baldwin and Lewis Cleale in I do! I do! at the historic Westport Country Playhouse.  I have a feeling it will be like time traveling and I can't wait!

My Robert Preston Playlist

Some may mock, but yes, I have a Robert Preston Playlist (as a matter of fact, I'm listening right now!).  It includes all of his greatest hits - Mack and Mabel, The Music Man, Ben Franklin in Paris, the soundtrack of Victor/Victoria, "Loving You" from the soundtrack of the movie Mame (the only song from that travesty that will ever come near my iTunes), the original cast album of I do! I do! and even the very special Chicken Fat.  

Tomorrow, we're road tripping to Westport, Connecticut to see Kate Baldwin and Lewis Cleale in I do! I do! at Westport Country Playhouse.   It's a two person musical about a couple over their 50 year marriage.  The book is by Tom Jones, with lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt.  It played for 560 performances on Broadway from 1966 to 1968 and starred Mary Martin and Robert Preston (Carol Lawrence and Gordon Macrae replaced them in 1967).  Robert Preston won the 1967 Tony Award® Best Actor in a Musical.  

This morning I was prompted by one of these mockers to see this video of Mary and Robert performing "Nobody's Perfect" at the 1966 Tony Awards.   I ask you, how could anybody mock a Robert Preston Playlist? 

As exciting theatrically...

Peter Gelb talks to WNYC about the new Ring Cycle at the Metropolitan Opera.  The "Ring Cycle" or The Ring of the Nibelung is a cycle of four operas by Richard Wagner. Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. The four operas that constitute the Ring cycle are, in the order of the imagined events they portray: Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.   This year, Robert Lepage is staging Das Rheingold and Die Walkure at the Met.  We have tickets for both.  This will be only my second Wagner experience and I am uber excited.  Lepage has been working on the productions for over three years.  It looks to be a highly technological multi-media mixed with live voices and orchestra  - I can't wait to experience it.   These will also be broadcast live in HD into movie theatres around the world.

Quote of the Day

"If I have a theatre ticket, I'm happy all day long," confesses veteran stage actress Marian Seldes with a schoolgirl giggle.

- Marian Seldes, in "The Play's the Thing": Getting Butts in the Seats by Ashley Wren Collins, The Huffington Post, August 18, 2010

I took this photo of Marian while we were waiting to cross the street for the opening night performance of  Equus on September 25, 2008.  I've been lucky to be in the theatre with her on a number of occasions - both when she was an audience member and when she's been on stage.   Both experiences are equally thrilling and inspiring.

I was glad to greet Marian and wish her a happy birthday - she had just celebrated her 80th birthday in the previous month (August 23) .  She told me that she had been to the dress rehearsal of Equus the day before as well.    Marian played "Hesther Saloman" and later replaced Frances McDormand as "Dora Strang" in the original Broadway cast of Equus in 1974.

Shakespeare in the Park - Free! No lines!

Wait a minute!  I don't have to camp out on a bench in order to see  professional actors perform Shakespeare for free in a park!   And it's just in time for a respite in the summer heat. 

One Shot Productions  is presenting outdoor adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors over the next several weekends in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan:  Saturday, August 14, Astoria Park;  Sunday, August 15, Oriental Pavilion, Prospect Park; August 21-22, La Plaza Cultural, East Village; and August 28-29, Central Park, Wild West Playground.

All performances are free and are at 2 p.m. 

Click here for directions and other information.

This is the inaugural production of this brand new company - One Shot Productions.   Commedia of Errors features Sheila Bandyopadhyay, Andrew Firda, Jordan Kaplan,Ben LaGue, Matthew Ellis Murphy, Matthew Patterson, Stephon Pettway, Gina Rivera, Melissa Vogt-Patterson, Max Waszak, and Marla Yost.  It is directed by Sarah Hankins and stage managed by Michelle Cote.  Company member Melissa Vogt-Patterson has designed the set, costumes and masks.

DiVaR Alert

Check your local listings:

Sunday, August 15th - Renée Fleming will be profiled for her Dark Hope album on CBS Sunday Morning

Thursday, August 19th - Renée  Fleming and Barry Banks star in Armida in PBS' Great Performances from the Met

Metropolitan Opera Ticket Scramble: Done

After weeks and weeks of planning, Sally, Kari and I started Ticket Scramble Weekend with a meeting over Brunch and Bloody Mary's - it involves confirming dates between shows at the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, Met Opera HD Broadcasts, New York City Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York and various performances around and out of the city, including the National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center, and possibly Follies at Kennedy Center, The Tucker Gala, Ariadne auf Naxos at the Houston Grand Opera, Betty Buckley at Town Hall, Bernadette Peters at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, and Sweeney Todd at the Chatelet du Paris.

Let me tell you once again that buying tickets for the opera and other classical performances is a big deal - these singers don't come around nearly enough and in some instances we may only have one chance to see them.

Today, we arrived at Lincoln Center around 8:00 a.m.   The first person in the line arrived at 5:00 a.m.  We were expecting to have to wait for 4 hours, but the Met surprised us by opening the box office at 11:00 a.m.  At first, we were in the concourse but they moved us upstairs to the lobby.  I took a brief break from the line to wander over to Avery Fisher Hall, were I saw a much shorter line - a 2011 Cadillac coupe was first in line there.

We happily walked away from the Met with tickets for eleven operas.  We'll see a few more HD broadcasts on the big screen and of course, we'll rush some as well. It's exciting to add these tickets to those already purchased at Carnegie Hall to my Ticket Vault.  It also means that the height of the New York Cultural season is just around the corner: only 53 days, 6 hours, 44 minutes and 58 seconds until Thursday, September 30, 2010 until we see Das Rheingold!

Quote of the Day

"I actually met Stephen Sondheim at Hal Prince's house in Majorca a very long time ago.  And we arrived and Steven was in the pool and Hal Prince said to Michael, and Finty and me, 'Oh that's Steve.'  It was not until that evening when we heard him playing, Michael said to me, 'You know who Steve is, don't you?'   And they were actually preparing Merrily We Roll Along.


I say this with not a degree of exaggeration, I think that we've got Shakespeare, the music of Mozart, the music of Beethoven and we have Stephen Sondheim.  I think he's a true genius, not only in writing his music, but his lyrics as well.  I think we're incredibly lucky."

Dame Judi Dench, who played Desiree in the 1995 National Theatre Production of A Little Night Music - Part of intermission interview during  BBC Proms Celebrates Stephen Sondheim at 80

My Two Loves and a Broad Named Patti

My dear friend Robert, the Chicago Theatre Addict, emailed me this link to this youtube video this morning.  Swoon!   Some soul took this video from the lawn of Ravinia on the north shore of Chicago on Saturday night during their abbreviated Sondheim birthday gala.   Bob was there in person and shares his thoughts on the thrilling yet somewhat disappointing evening here.

These renditions of "Pretty Women" and "Little Priest" from Sweeney Todd, presented by two previous "Sweeney Todds"  and their "Mrs. Lovett," were previously performed at New York's biggest Birthday gala at the the New York Philharmonic on March 15 and 16, 2010 (I was there for both nights!).  It was filmed and is scheduled to air on PBS in November.

What's the connection with these artists?  George Hearn was the second "Sweeney Todd" on Broadway and then took it on the road for a national tour.  When the tour hit Los Angeles in 1982, it was  filmed  (available on DVD) and he won the Emmy.   In 2001, he reprised the role when he joined Patti LuPone in a series of concert versions with the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Orchestra; the last being filmed (available on DVD).  In 2005, Michael Cerveris joined the mix when he took on "Sweeney" with Patti as "Mrs. Lovett" in the acclaimed Broadway revival (yes, I saw it 22 times). 

I had considered going to Ravinia to further extend my own devotion to celebrating Sondheim's 80th birthday.  When I realized it was a gala, I thought twice - galas have a way of being more about the socialites and patrons with big checkbooks rather than the true fans of the work.  Alas, I was right and am rather glad I didn't go.  However, I am glad to have a glimpse of what it looked like via some picnicking fan with a view of the jumbo tron on the beautiful lawn of Ravinia. 

Proms King: Sondheim

BBC Proms devoted a concert to honor Stephen Sondheim's 80th Birthday in London last night (even as Ravinia Festival in Chicago was throwing it's own Sondheim birthday concert).   Performers included Dame Judi Dench, Bryn Terfel, Maria Friedman, Simon Russell Beale, Daneil Evans, Jenna Russell, Caroline O'Connor and Julian Ovenden. It was the first ever all-Sondheim Proms and Mr. Sondheim was in attendance.

What is Proms?  From wikipedia: Proms is short for promenade concert, a term which arose from the original practice of audience members promenading, or strolling, in some areas of the concert hall during the concert. The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, London. Founded in 1895, each season currently consists of over 70 concerts in the Albert Hall, a series of chamber concerts at Cadogan Hall, additional Proms in the Park events across the United Kingdom on the last night, and associated educational and children's events.

The audio of the Sondheim Proms is available  on BBC iPlayer. Click here for more information on this proms, plus links to related radio programs.

The Woman is Perfection: Bernadette Peters in A Little Night Music

I went to see A Little Night Music as a guest of Kevin the Theater Aficionado last night.  It was my third time to see the show since it July 13th.  Bernadette Peters is giving a perfect performance as Desiree.  If you're not going between now and November, when Bernadette's contract is up, you're missing one of the all time great performances in the history of live performances.