| Issue #149: April 15, 2005
- Producers of the Broadway revival La Cage aux Folles took
the unusual step of firing Daniel Davis who plays
the role of Georges. Apparently his "obnoxious offstage behaviour" was
sighted and he was booted after the Sunday, March 27 matinee
performance at the Marquis Theatre. Standing in the wings
to fill his shoes was Robert Goulet. Last
seen on Broadway in Moon Over Buffalo in l996, the 71-year-old stage veteran cut
his Broadway teeth back in 1960 in the Broadway debut of Camelot. Interesting
that Eric Idle's Spamalot is
currently playing to full houses just down a block or two.six
degrees of separation.or maybe one degree!!!
- All sorts of things happening in Toronto this next season. Local
producers Mirvish Productions, announced
their 2005/2006 season with Broadway legend Julie Andrews in
tow. Ms. Andrews' labour of
love The Boyfriend will open at the Royal Alexandra
Theatre in January. Ms. Andrews directed this production,
which is close to her heart since she made her Broadway
debut in the original production fifty years ago. Also
on the roster is the return (have lost count) of the original
mega-musical Les Miserables. No word yet on whether either of the two
notable local Jean Valjean's, Colm Wilkinson and Michael
Burgess, will make appearances during the run. And
as mentioned previously.yes Toronto will become middle earth
when the much -anticipated The Lord of The Rings opens
for an indefinite run in February. The lack of theatre
availability in London bumped Toronto to the front of the
line to stage the $27million production. There were a lot
of sensitive negotiations by the Canadian contingent to
land the production. Having the world premiere in Toronto
will help the city regain some lustre it
lost in recent years from early closings of productions. To
be continued.
- Speaking of witch.Toronto is the city where the first
touring production of Wicked launches
and many in the theatre world thought it would be home to
an open ended production. Not so.looks like Chicago has
landed that right. Even though the Toronto production was
virtually sold out soon after tickets went on sale the producers
decided Chicago was their kinda town. Don't
fret Torontonians.looks like Wicked will make a return
visit in 2006.
- The National Theatre's artistic director Nicholas Hytner announced
recently this year's offering including the NT's first staging
of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2 and
Oscar nominee (Vera Drake) Mike Leigh's first
play in 12 years, as yet untitled. Leading the Shakespeare double
bill is British stage legend Michael Gambon in
the role of Falstaff. Parts 1&2 open back-to-back May
4, marking Hytner's third
year on the job.
- One of Britain's most controversial comics, Dave Allen, died
on March 10. When I heard the news I was taken aback and
quite sad remembering a time in the 80s when he was performing
at the O'Keefe Centre to two sold-out engagements. I had
the pleasure of setting up the publicity for the engagement
and worked with him over the few days he was in Toronto. His
wit was biting attacking political hypocrisy, and as an
Irish born Catholic, he spoke first hand about the church
domination of Ireland. unpopular subjects but oh, he could
make you laugh. A slight man, alone onstage in an immaculate
suit with just a microphone, he captivated audiences, those
who knew his talent and many new fans made on that trip. He
was a pioneer of the storytelling style, which started in
the late 60s and early 70s. The BBC aired his hugely popular
series starting with Tonight With Dave
Allen and the tremendously successful Dave Allen
At Large. Both series were picked up in North America
in the 70s and 80s. reruns would be relevant, funny and
thought provoking today. He was a thinking man's comedian
and truly a gentleman. Gone way too soon at age 68.
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