Theatre News Roundup: 6/18

Before I get into today's TNR I just wanted to share a few thoughts on San Francisco Opera's recent production of Show Boat which I just caught (as a videotaped/movie version) at Symphony Space here in New York. Now, Show Boat is one of my favorite shows and scores so it's never going to be too disappointing as long as the performers are up to the material. However, and this is as someone who thoroughly enjoys the Met Live in HD series, I think my opinion of the production was affected by the way I saw it. I've never seen the SFO in person but from the size of the stage and the sets I can only assume it's a large venue and it seemed like a lot of the performers were playing to the rafters which doesn't read as well close up on camera.

The standouts were Patricia Racette as Julie and Michael Todd Simpson as Ravenal. Patricia might be the first Julie I've heard who had both the legit soprano and that slight swing to the way she performed the song. She was also the first Julie that sold the friendship with Nola to the point that it didn't bother me the two times that she left. I don't know if there were any dialogue changes that gave her more agency or it was just Racette's performance but I completely understood those moments in a way I haven't in the past. I won't say that Simpson was my favorite Ravenal (I think that would still be Julian Ovenden) but he did a fine job and sang beautifully. He was stronger in the first act playing the charming scoundrel. I don't think Heidi Stober was miscast as Magnolia but she was definitely stronger in her acting and vocals in the second half when she was playing an older character. I don't know if she was trying to mimic other actresses who've played the part or to just come across as younger but she was very affected in both her performance and singing in the beginning. Angela Renee Simpson did a very nice job as Queenie though Morris Robinson could have brought more to his performance as Joe. His singing was fine, if a little lacking in consonants, but I wish he had emoted more. I still prefer Alli Mauzey as Ellie May Chipley but I thought Kirsten Wyatt and John Bolton were incredibly solid in what could be throwaway roles as the secondary couple. Bill Irwin and Harriet Harris were a little too broad for my taste (see playing to the rafters comment) but they both had their moments. His manic energy shone when he acted out the ending of the play and when he cheered on Nola it was the only time I teared up during the show. She had quite a few jokes that landed. The dancing was unexpectedly athletic and energetic. The costumes were fantastic. And it's always nice to hear a big orchestra play songs with such lovely string parts.

Another Op’nin, Another Show (OPENINGS)

• The Off-Broadway Classic Stage Company production of Doctor Faustus with star Chris Noth officially opens June 18, following previews that began June 2. With an extension recently announced, the show will now play through July 12.
• Significant Other officially opens June 18 following previews that began May 22 at Roundabout Theatre Company's Off-Broadway theatre. 

I Wanna Be A Producer (IN DEVELOPMENT)

• The Secondhand Lions musical, featuring a book by Tony Award-winner Rupert Holmes and music and lyrics by First Date composers Michael Weiner and Alan Zachary, will get a New York City reading today and tomorrow, June 18-19. The reading will feature the talents of James Naughton, Tom Wopat, Sophia Anne Caruso, Jason Danieley, Arielle Jacobs, Julia Motyka, Paul Alexander Nolan, Christopher Paul Richards, Jenny Ashman, Wendy Bergamini, Brian Flores,Nehal Joshi, Raymond Lee, Robert Lenzi, Samantha Massell,William Ryall, Nora Schell, and J. Michael Zygo.

Everyone’s a Critic (REVIEWS)

• Reviews for the Chicago production of On Your Feet!

I Hope I Get It (CASTING)

• Lincoln Center Theater's revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I has announced the next two actors who will assume the role of the King. Ken Watanabe, who is leaving to shoot a film in Japan, will play his final performance as the King July 12. He will be succeeded on July 14 by Jose Llana who will play the King for 11 weeks through Sept. 27, followed by Hoon Lee, who begins Sept. 29. They will all play opposite 2015 Tony-winning Best Actress in a Musical Kelli O'Hara.
• Villain: DeBlanks will be presented at the Bucks County Playhouse June 19 at 11 PM. Scheduled to be part of the evening are cast members Justin Guarini, John Bolton, Jennifer Cody and Laura Jordan as well as Kate Wetherhead and Hunter Foster.
• Casting has been announced for the Dallas Theater Center's upcoming world premiere of Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical,which will begin previews Sept. 2 prior to an official opening Sept. 18. Performances will continue through Oct. 11. The cast will be led by Justin Guarini, Rose Hemingway, Ken Clark and Ryah Nixon with Makenzie Bell, P. J. Benjamin, Kevin Cahoon, John Campione, Travis Coombs, Leslie Flesner, Julie Johnson, Kate McMillan, Harris Milgram Rob Morrison and Adam Perry.
• Signature Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming Off-Broadway world premiere of Annie Baker's John, helmed by director Sam Gold. John takes place at a bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, PA, the week after Thanksgiving. The cast will include Lois Smith, Georgia Engel, Christopher Abbott, and Hong Chau.

Come to the Cabaret (CABARETS/CONCERTS/ETC)

• John Cleese and Eric Idle will again join forces for a comedy tour this fall entitled John Cleese & Eric Idle: Together Again At Last…For The Very First Time, the tour will kick off Oct. 2 in Sarasota, FL, and continue to Oct. 30 in Baltimore, MD.
• Broadway Stands Up for Freedom, the annual benefit for The New York Civil Liberties Union, will be presented July 20 at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place, Manhattan).
• Liz Callaway will return to The Metropolitan Room July 28 for an evening titled For the Record. The concert will feature songs the singing actress has always wanted to record; several will be included on her forthcoming compilation CD, "The Essential Liz Callaway." Show time is 7 PM, and there is a $35 cover and a two-drink minimum.

One Song Glory (ALBUMS)

• The new Broadway musical Finding Neverland will release its original cast recording July 17, pushed back from the originally announced June 23.
• The company of It Shoulda Been You will head to the studio to record a cast album on June 29th.