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.