Issue #251: April 1, 2011

• The continuing saga of Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark took another significant turn recently when director Julie Taymor was shown the door to make room for William McKinley (Boy From Oz) to direct the musical towards a new opening night date of June 14.  Taymor has been with this project for nine years but with all the recent drama that has been taking place behind the scenes as well as on stage…the producers felt they need to refresh the creative team.  Will this new opening night date really happen and if it does will it take away from the annual Broadway celebration of the Tony Awards, which take place just two nights before?  The Spider-Man watch continues. 
  

• Zach Braff of TV’s Scrubs fame is the writer behind the upcoming off Broadway production of All New People at the Second Stage.

• At the end of April US theatre lovers can catch a rare on screen presentation of the Broadway hit Memphis filmed in HD.  Look for listings in your city. 
  

• Took in the final dress rehearsal of the UK import Ghost Stories in Toronto at the Panasonic Theatre.  Creative staging, lighting and over the top sound effects offers an evening of giggles and perhaps one or two scary moments.  A night of light entertainment.

• Super producer Cameron Mackintosh is behind the London production of Betty Blue Eyes that will officially open mid April.  Currently in previews, the new musical is based on the film A Private Function which interestingly enough takes place around the nuptials of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip…nice timing opening up two weeks before Prince William and Kate Middleton say I do.

• Shakespearian actor Tom Albrecht is again taking the lead in a production at Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound. Macbeth opens April 7 for a limited run. Albrecht draws on his experience at Stratford's Annual Shakespearean Festival, held in Ontario town of the same name since 1953. Macbeth is billed as a contemporary production directed by Michael Rea. Cast includes new and seasoned regional actors. Roxy's owners, Owen Sound Little Theatre group is well established in this small city. Albrecht last played here a few years ago as Hamlet in a similar production that proved a success for classic productions in Ontario.