Ah, Patti LuPone — always one with a colorful quote. To add to this list, here’s what the Broadway diva had to say in a recent Q&A about Streisand starring in an on-again/off-again movie adaptation of Gypsy, a show for which LuPone won the 2008 Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award: Any thoughts on [...]
Video: Susan Moniz in ‘Romance, Romance’
I’ve heard of Susan Moniz for years. While she’s a known-quantity in the Chicago musical theatre scene, it wasn’t until very recently that I’ve seen her work. (However, I’ve been blown away by her fierce vocal performance of “Since I Don’t Have You” on the Second City Divas: Live at the Mercury Theatre CD. If [...]
My (somewhat grumpy) thoughts on ‘Sondheim! The Birthday Concert’
Note: I had a glass (or three) of wine last night and watched the “Sondheim! The Birthday Concert” dvd from start to finish, allowing myself one documented thought per performance. A word of warning: I guess I was a touch grumpy. And it might help to have seen the DVD to know what I’m referring [...]
Things I learned reading Patti LuPone’s memoir: a fan’s perspective
To say I’m a fan of Patti LuPone’s would be an understatement. Sixteen years ago, I happened upon a record (the vinyl kind) of the 1987 cast recording of Anything Goes where she starred as the sassy Reno Sweeney. I quickly wore that record out, and this thin, dorky high schooler was hooked. I’ve since [...]
It’s (finally) arrived.
Review to come. (And, oh boy, I can’t wait to write it.) Get your copy > “Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy night.”
Angela Lansbury Works. It. Out.
If you only know Ms. Lansbury from her days as Jessica Fletcher, than you don’t know the half. Here she is selling it in a Jerry Herman flop musical. “If music is no longer lovely, If laughter is no longer lifting, If lovers are no longer loving, Than I don’t want to know!” Trite, but [...]
It’s a Patti LuPone fest around here
I’m in love with this Out.com interview with LuPone by Mickey Rapkin. It’s ripe with gems: For a second LuPone is quiet. “It’s show business,” she says. “Sometimes it fucking sucks.” “I’m Sicilian. It’s not water off a duck’s back. It sits there and it festers. For years.” And so she briefly explains that she [...]
Jennifer Holliday @ Northalsted Market Days
JHol belts it out as only she can. Photo credit: golf082 When I heard Ms. Jennifer Holliday — the original Dreamgirl — was performing at this year’s Northalsted Market Days months ago (thanks, Jamie!), I immediately put a reminder in my calendar. Simply to hear her sing that song live was a bucket list item [...]
I’ve got my Ann Hampton Callaway tickets. What about you?
If you don’t know who Ann Hampton Callaway is, all you need to know is this: she’s one of my favorite female vocalists (as evidenced here). Her voice is like buttah. Like if Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan had a love child. I’ve been bemoaning the fact that she never plays Chicago (her [...]
Review: ‘Everyday Rapture’ cast recording
Sometimes I contribute to the EDGE.com network. And this is one of those rare occasions. I used to review theatre for them regularly, but I was having difficulties coordinating show schedules with their editorial team, so I took a break. While I’m not the most qualified person to review this new cast recording (since I [...]
A season of divas: LuPone, Skinner and Ebersole
Watch out Chicago! A flurry of diva activity is coming your way in the next few months, so bundle up accordingly! Wow. How’s that for a cheesy opener? Anyway, as I was looking at what’s coming down the pike, I noticed some big-time female theatre talent is making its way to the windy city. Here’s [...]
New EDGE music review: “The Essential Barbara Cook”
Barbara Cook is a national treasure, a legend, a mentor, a master interpreter, a world-class artist, the eighth wonder of the world. If you’re reading this, you are most likely familiar with her career – which spans five decades and ranges from originating leading ingénue roles in classic musicals such as The Music Man and [...]
Diva Friday: Kate Baldwin
I have a new diva crush. She’s a fiery red head with a glorious soprano/belt who radiates poise, class and brains. She’s the thinking man’s ingenue. Why: it’s none other than Kate Baldwin. Sadly, I’ve never actually seen Ms. Baldwin perform on any stage before. The only real performance I’ve seen of this Northwestern alum is her [...]
Actress Rachel York adds “walks on stilts” to her resume
I just ran across the clip below (thanks, Jamie!) featuring Rachel York in rehearsal as Cruella de Vil in The 101 Dalmatians Musical, a brand new musical (not affiliated with the Disney movie in any way) presented by Purina Dog Chow (ugh). It will be stopping in Chicago February 2010. It’s no secret that I [...]
Welcome to [CTA]
- Hi. My name's Bob Bullen and I'm a Chicago Theatre Addict [CTA]. Learn more here. Please leave comments — I'd love to hear what you think, and promise to do my best to reply.
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