Issue #102: January 15, 2003

• It seems they can't keep The Sopranos connection out of the hit revival Frankie And Johnny In The Clair de Lune.  Rosie Perez and Joe Pantoliano ( the recently departed Ralph Cifaretto) have replaced Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano) and Stanley Tucci.  You can catch the new duo at the Belasco Theatre.

• If you are a follower of romantic film leads then you probably know of Valentino, one of Hollywood's great screen lovers of the 20's.  A production Valentino the Musical is being staged at the American Theatre of Actors from April 22 to May 18.  If you're in town and are interested in this screen legend check out www.valentinothemusical.com for more info.

• Behind the scenes negotiations are on for the North American debut of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's recent London hit Bombay Dreams.  The wish list is to have the musical open in Toronto in October with a Broadway opening tentatively set for April 2004.  Lord Webber and Toronto's Mirvish Productions are busily trying to reach an agreement. 

• One of this column's readers has submitted an extensive review of the wonderful stage offerings in London - check out OTB Talk (under Reviews) and see what DRT has to say.

• Joan Plowright returns to the stage in March at the Albery Theatre in director Franco Zeffirelli's  Absolutely! (perhaps), Martin Sherman's adaptation of Pirandello's Right You Are (If You Think You Are).  This will be Plowright and Zeffirelli's third collaboration on the London stage - their previous productions together were Filumena and Saturday Sunday Monday.  The stage is not the only medium they have worked together in though, Plowright appeared in three of Zeffirelli's films including Tea With Mussolini.

• As an addition to theatre info I would like to share with you some interesting projects in which I'm involved.  My communications business handles theatre clients, publicity for television shows and series as well as being involved with special events. Beginning with this column I will introduce you to some of these clients and keep you up to date on their progress.

  The first wave of Chinese students is scheduled to arrive in Toronto in April to participate in a special curriculum at the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, one of five performing arts institutions in North America and the only Canadian one that teaches the "triple threat" - singing, acting, dancing. 

  The academy has recently reached an agreement with the owner of a privately run equivalent of a performing arts secondary school in Beijing, China. The curriculum for the graduating class will allow those grads meeting the criteria to attend the academy in Toronto for a six term (two year) specially designed program. 

  I believe the students will return to their homeland armed with western musical theatre knowledge that is not available in China. 

  This initiative is to enhance the performing arts sector there to meet the demands of the upcoming 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World's Fair. I'll keep you posted on further developments.

  For more information on the academy, check out their web site, www.randolphacademy.com.