Issue #188: March 1, 2007

• Daytime soap personality Tonya Pinkins is headed to the Cort Theater May 8 to star in August Wilson’s Radio Golf.   This is the final play in Wilson’s 10-part cycle based on the 20^th century black experience in America.

• The U.K. production of Coram Boy heads to Broadway’s Imperial Theatre on May 2 with Jan Maxwell in the cast.

• It was a pleasure to take in the touring production of Phantom of the Opera when it opened in Toronto on February 25 at the Princess of Wales Theatre.  It is difficult to believe it is a touring production since its sets and costumes are so lush and rich…and extensive.  Toronto audiences love this musical…and it shows…the production will be in Toronto until mid June.

• After having the dubious reputation as Broadway’s biggest financial loser four years ago, Roman Polanski’s Dance of the Vampires is finding a welcoming audience in Berlin.  This production has been posting record attendance since it opened December 10 at the Theater des Westens.

• I’m pleased to announce the launch of Camp Broadway in Toronto, July 9 to 13, 2007.  This will be the first time this innovative musical theatre children’s camp will be presented outside of the United States.  As the first affiliate member, we will bring the 12-year history of this groundbreaking program, which encompasses a week of singing, dancing, acting and just plain fun, to the greater Toronto area.  Campers between the ages of 10 – 17 will work with Broadway directors and choreographers during the week which focuses on expanding their creative talents, build self esteem, learn the art of collaboration and gain a fuller respect and understanding of musical theatre.  For more information on the inaugural Toronto camp, please visit the Camp Broadway page on this site.

• Ian Richardson could play the most evil character and somehow you still hung on his every word.  The Edinburgh born actor died on February 9 at the age of 72.  He was a familiar face to those of you who are hooked on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater….he played the wicked Francis Urquhart in three miniseries; House of Cards 1990, To Play the King in 1993 and The Final Cut in 1995.  He was also in John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and in a television version as Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles.  A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Richardson played Jean Paul Marat in Marat/Sade on Broadway in 1965 and reprised the role a year later in the film version.  In 1976 he was nominated for a Tony Award in a Broadway revival of My Fair Lady.  His caliber of talent is a rare commodity…and as the likes of Richardson pass away…that commodity is becoming increasingly rare.