Yippee!!!! Broadway's Back

I'm happy and relieved to report that the Broadway stagehands' union (Local One) and the League of American Theatres and Producers came to a tentative agreement and most of the shows on Broadway will reopen tonight with tickets for at least one show a phenomenal bargain, $26.50 for all available seats for "Chicago" (which I've seen several times and can tell you this is definitely worth the price.) There will probably be some good deals at the TKTS booths for tonight's shows as well. Wish I had the time to go tonight. I've been on pins and needles because I have tickets for a couple of shows in the near future. If the strike continued: 1. I would have been disappointed in not being able to see the shows and report back to you, and 2. I dreaded the thought of going through the refund/exchange process. I mean, I have enough to do to keep up these blogs and talk about the shows and what's going on in NYC plus my other responsibilities and commitments. Boohoo Su, that's what they call me, hehe. Anyway, hip hip hooray for the Great White Way!!!!!!!

Sinatra or The Jersey Boys?

Last week a tribute to Frank Sinatra "Our Sinatra: A Musical Celebration" reopened off-Broadway at the Storybook Theatre at the Broadway Comedy Club located in the heart of Times Square at 318 W. 53rd Street. I'm continuing to report on shows that are open during the strike just in case someone from Tameside/Manchester area or anywhere else in the world you might be listening is planning a visit to New York City in the coming weeks. I, myself, would love to join Madame Aries in Grand Canaria (we call them the Canary Islands). But you could have a great time in NYC even during the strike.

Getting back to "ole blue eyes". In case you didn't know, Frank Sinatra is inarguably New Jersey's (or as locals call it "Joysey") most famous son. If you like Sinatra, and who doesn't, this might be right up your alley. "Our Sinatra" is a musical revue featuring 50 songs made popular by Sinatra including My Kind of Town, Fly Me to the Moon, In the Wee Small Hours, All or Nothing (his first recording), and The Lady is a Tramp from "Pal Joey". Two men and a woman share their passion for Sinatra and his music singing individually and together in different combinations. Sinatra's music runs the gamut from classic ballads of the 40's, saloon and torch songs, 50's and 60's swingers as well as all time hits like New York, New York. Ticket prices are $65 for orchestra and $80 for ringside VIP (whatever that is).

And then, if the strike happens to end while you're here, maybe you can get a ticket for "Jersey Boys" which won four Tony awards in 2006 including Best Musical. It's the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, one of the most successful 60's rock and roll groups. Or you can wait until it opens in London on March 18, 2008 at the Prince Edward Theatre. If the medley James and Madame Aries played on yesterday's (11/25) "Matinee" whet your appetite, book your tickets now. Or you can just take a day trip to Joysey and meet "the boys". Whatever ring-a-ding-dings your bell.

The Matinee Heads for London

Yes as if Tameside wasn't enough we head for London. Madame Aries if off for her yearly botox injections and I am off for the first time to London. Never Forget the musical based on the music of Take That is heading for the West End and the DVD is also now available and to celebrate this Nicki French and Myself will be chatting to the guys behind the show at an exclusive party in the West End. Expect all the usual on next weeks show but instead of Madame A, Nicki will take on the mantle of being drunk in charge of a microphone (after a few white wines). I of course will be sober as I never touch a drop (before midday). After the show I will be popping in to Chris Reardons United Kingdom Talk also on Tameside Radio (at 10pm and podcast) to show him how radio presenting is really done. (actually hes putting me up...or should that be putting up with me) and I will give an honest review of his Bingay night. The week after expect something big but thats all Shhhhhh at the mo so keep it here till its confirmed.... Take Care James Dean xxx (ps ill remember you all when i'm at the exclusive party honest ...hic..............)

On The Town

Canaries Here I Come Whooopeeeeee

Well Dear readers. Finally I have decided the time is right to have a vacation. So along with a couple of friends I will be in Gran Canaria for ten days from the 29TH Nov. Am so looking forward to it, but before that will be at the Opera House to see Carmen and to the Palace for the ballet The Snow Queen. Will tell u all about it on the show, as I shall be recording a review for the show before I ship out. All in all its been a quiet week here at Aries Towers needed to get the boiler man out twice this week. like I Said Not A Lot Happening. Well Time To Go. If You Are In A Panto Or Know Of One Locally Let Us Know As James & I Would Love To Come And See It. Be It A School, Amature Or Professional Production Makes No Difference Its All Good Fun. You never know we may discover a star in the making.
Till next time, take care ARIES XXX

Horrible Histories and Never Forget

Well this week myself and Middle Aged Mary went to see the kids show Horrible Histories. Its a panto style show with lots of singing and sillyness and a fair dosage of Yuck. The show makes learning fun, infact you forget that your learning. The back of the stage is filled with a gigantic video screen and the interaction between the actors and the screen is flawless. In the second half they handed out Boggle vision glasses (3D glasses) and I wouldn't be suprised if there are not a few nightmares after the flying Mummy. (I know I did and i'm 26) Well worth a visit though and good fun for the kids. Middle Aged Mary even got up dancing.

Never Forget DVD
Yes its finally happened. Never forget, the musical based on the music of Take That and follows the life of Five er misfits as they audition for a Take That tribute band. The casting is flawless and Tim Driesen as Adrian Banks is brilliant. Watch out for the Gold Thong and the Green Shorts. We will be featuring more on Never Forget on the show 2nd Dec. This is a special show featuring Myself and Nicki French as Madame Aries is off on her hols.

"Die Mommie Die" Lives Off-Broadway Starring the Dazzling Charles Busch

I want to preface this blog by saying that this is not a musical I'm reporting on but while the strike continues I've decided to tell you about some off-Broadway shows worth seeing. All of the four shows mentioned have had positive critiques from both the critics and the public alike.

The New World Stages located just west of Times Square on 50th between 8th and 9th Avenue is a five theatre state-of-the-art facility housing some of the best of off-Broadway shows. For a limited time, New World Stages is offering tickets for all of their shows at the bargain price of $36.50. Some of the Broadway area's most popular shows are currently playing here including: "Altar Boyz", "Celia" (celebrating the life and music of Celia Cruz), "The Gazillion Bubble Show", and "Die Mommie Die" starring Charles Busch.

Charles Busch, writer, actor and one of America's most celebrated drag queens, wrote this play in 1999 and played the lead in Los Angeles before it was made into a feature film of the same name with Busch again in the lead. Now Busch recreates the story of Hollywood has-been Angela Arden here in the New York area for the first time. In the part Mr. Busch embodies such Hollywood divas of yesteryear as Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and, of course, Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond. You want camp, you get camp here. From the gaudy costumes (40 in the movie, several of which are used in the play), the wigs, the eyelashes, the horribly extravagant sets, the cliches, the kitsch you'll find loads of laughs in this murder mystery/thriller/comedy. "Busch and his five co-stars handle bad style with great style." (a quote from Newsday.com)

Angela Arden is a "this side of 50" fallen pop diva trapped in a hateful marriage trying to find happiness by planning a comeback and taking a younger lover. Angela murders her husband using a poisoned suppository, leaving her two children to avenge their father's death. The play follows Angela, her film producer husband, their gay son and "daddy's girl" daughter, the out-of-work actor lover and their live-in maid through the twists and turns uncovering other crimes Angela has committed and finally a confession to her children afer they lace her drink with LSD.

So if you're in New York City during the strike or after for that matter, don't discount seeing this or any of the other plays at New World Stages. Remember that many a Broadway hit including "A Chorus Line", "Rent" and "Spring Awakening" started off-Broadway.

Back at last

Technology I hate it. Lost the entry codes for the site. So here I am re invented and reinstalled.

Well what have I been up to?

Glad you asked, show after show after show.

Starting with "Godspell", Star of the show Steven Gatley enjoying a return to musical theatre. A very good revival with a strong supporting cast. Next "Hot Flush", with a stellar cast featuring Marti Webb with a voice as strong as ever, Rula Lenska stunning as ever with a surprisingly strong voice, the vivacious Sheila Ferguson, soon to return to Manchester in February with the show "Songs from Sister Act"alongside Rowetta, and the last of the ladies the excellently funny Rachel Izen. Not forgetting the man himself Sam Kane. Hunky talented and a perfect Foil to the ladies. All in all a very good show funny touching and raucous. Next up was "Aspects of love" Star of the Show David Essex was in good voice. As were his costars Shona Lindsay Matt Rawle & Poppy Tierney. A good show with an excellent score. Now for my two favorite Shows, Gary Wilmot Starred in "Half A Sixpence" A show full of life, fun and pathos. Now for the young and young at heart, "Doctor Doolittle"A show with Colour Spectacle and Fun. Mr Tommy Steele a veteran performer of 40 years experience

The Broadway Strike Continues But Have No Fear, Suko's Here

Okay, so no one wants to visit New York without seeing a Broadway show. Well, there are many alternatives including Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, The Roundabout Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, and the Theatres at 45 Bleecker among others to consider while the strike continues. While 27 Broadway theatres are dark, there are 8 that remain open during the strike including Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, Xanadu and The Putnam County Spelling Bee. The TKTS booths at the Marriott Marquis and the South Street Seaport remain open so you can still check out what's available at discount prices. Most of the shows off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway are very reasonably priced and there are some fabulous ones definitely worth seeing including Forbidden Broadway playing at the 47th Street Playhouse which is a satiric panoply of many of the most popular shows on Broadway today and from the past. (See my blog of October 30th.) Also The Ritz at the Roundabout Theatre, a nonprofit theatre not affected by the strike, is a worthwhile option. The critics said it was dated but Rosie Perez's performance was worth the price of the ticket. (See my blog of October 9th.) The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show featuring the Rockettes is open now until December 30th, Nutcracker at Lincoln Center from November 23rd to December 30th and Cirque du Soleil's Wintuk now until January 6th at Madison Square Garden's WaMu Theatre. Your best bet is to visit or call The New York Convention and Visitors Bureau at 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street, 212 484-1200 or purchase a copy of Time Out New York which lists everything going on in NYC for that week. Please don't cancel that long-awaited trip to New York City. There's lots to see and do. Come and enjoy your stay.

Legally Blonde the Musical is Pretty in Pink

The curtain opens. Omigosh, the stage is awash in pink, the new navy. It's all so glittery and sugary sweet like cotton candy. This is my idea of what the opening scene of Legally Blonde the Musical must look like. I spoke briefly of it on Sunday's Matinee but I had a lot more to say about it so thought it would make a good blog entry. I read several critiques and spoke to someone, a friend of a friend, who saw it and the following is what I gleaned from the many sources. From what I've read Legally Blonde is a high energy, dance-driven piece of sparkling fluff. The cast is loaded with talent, great dancers, great voices, lots of pizzazz. The bad thing is Reese Witherspoon isn't in it. I mean, if ever there was perfect casting it was Reese as Elle Woods, the California Valley girl who follows her rich haughty boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, to Harvard only to be rejected by him because of his political aspirations. "If I want to be a Senator, I need to marry a Jackie not a Marilyn." But Elle with her innate confidence continues her Harvard education and goes on to discover that you can use your brain without giving up the advantages of being blonde and beautiful, and staying true to yourself. Laura Bell Bundy in the role of Elle is a terrific singer and dancer, has oodles of energy but lacks the irresistible quirky egotism of Reese. I mean, how do you follow Reese Witherspoon? The role was tailor-made for her.

The opening number is one of the liveliest seen in years and the second act opener, an homage to Riverdance, is electrifying but the score for the most part is lackluster. They kept in the hilarious "Bend and Snap" number in which Elle's manicurist friend, Paulette, instructs her on how to drop and retrieve items to attract men. A worthy addition to the stage show is a Greek chorus of sorority sisters who comment on what is going on in Elle's head.

The general concensus of the critics, mostly male, is that although it is geared towards 'tween and teenage girls and their mothers and grandmothers, none of them were bored nor turned off. I'm really looking forward to seeing it with my daughter. It sounds like a perfect mother/daughter day out. Lunch and a matinee. Omigosh, awesome!!!!!!

Aspects of Half a Sixpence

Well this week was a marathon week of shows for us, Aspects of Love followed by Half a Sixpence. Aspects was a shock to me. You don't expect bare breasts and copulation on stage at an Andrew Lloyd Webber. Then there is the story line. Nephew falls in love with actress. Uncle falls in love with same actress, Actress falls in love with Uncles old girlfriend. Uncle and actress have a daughter, Nephew falls in love with daughter. Uncle has heart attract because of this so nephew goes off with uncles old fling......My head hurts. The music was top notch although Love Changes Everything sung by anyone other than Michael Ball is not the same but was still top rate. If the tour is anywhere near you we strongly recommend it. Half a Sixpence is more of a camp musical lots of dancing, fancy sets and jokes. Gary Wilmot was an excellent piece of casting. We tapped our feet all the way through. There were plenty of songs you would know and a few you wouldn't and when Gary sang a very emotive song the audience gave rapturous applause. It was also the first show I have been to where they have complied with the audience shouts of Encore.

Next week is an even busy week.
Monday: Miss Bollywood with Shilpa Shetty
Tuesday: Dr Doolittle with Tommy Steele
Wednesday: Get Naked - Hear the interview on this weeks show.