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Chicago Tribune
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: As it nears its one-year anniversary, Paramount's immersive ‘Million Dollar Quartet' still going strong
As a theater critic for Broadway World, Tina St. Angelo Wetzel has seen more than her share of thumbs-up productions in the Chicago area, which is why she rarely goes back to watch one a second time, 'even if I really like it.' Then again, there's never been an award-winning hit show at a venue unlike any other until Stolp Island Theatre's grand opening last summer in downtown Aurora. Which is why Wetzel has enjoyed 'Million Dollar Quartet' multiple times – 11 to be exact. 'It's like my once-a-month show. … I saw it twice in May,' she told me as the Paramount prepares to celebrate Thursday's one-year anniversary of the immersive 98-seat Stolp Island Theatre and its blockbuster musical about the impromptu jam session that took place on Dec. 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. 'Everywhere I go I tell people to see it while they can,' said Wetzel. 'You can't beat the story itself … the music is incredible, of course, but the talent of this ensemble is amazing.' And watching this cast perform in such a unique and intimate setting makes this experience that much more special. Paramount Artistic Director Jim Corti is delighted but not necessarily surprised by Wetzel's level of fandom. He hears from many people who 'come back again and again' to see 'Million Dollar Quartet.' Yes, it's that good. Take it from a non-critic like me who has enjoyed this show three times, most recently with my sister from California, who has yet to stop talking about it (and the enjoyable time we spent in downtown Aurora before and after this performance). 'How can anyone not love it?' stated an Aurora woman matter-of-factly as my younger sibling gushed over what she'd just experienced following that Sunday evening show. It's a sentiment that's spreading, much by word of mouth. Which is why 'Million Dollar Quartet' has been extended through Jan. 4. 'I tell people to go before it's too late,' said Wetzel, who can easily be spotted in the audience wearing her signature keyboard scarf and a pair of good-looking blue suede shoes. Wetzel is an uber-fan all right. But so are plenty of others. According to Paramount statistics, of the 35,676 tickets issued as of two weeks ago, audience members hail from 574 different ZIP codes in 32 different states. And those who have seen it more than once include a whopping 1,444 households, Wetzel and I both agree the cast seems to be getting better, too. Rather than grow tired of doing the same show for so long – as can often be the case in theater, according to Corti – these singer/actors are even more energized, feeding off an affectionate familiarity with each other – as well as the audiences – that makes their performances that much more mesmerizing. 'They are honing their craft,' the director told me. Plus, 'this kind of music never gets old,' Corti said, noting the kick he got out of watching a kid around age 10 'mouthing the lyrics to every song' in the show. 'This kind of rock 'n roll is finding a new audience,' Corti said. 'Families are coming together to share it. It's generational. That's what is thrilling.' Speaking of new audiences, Corti also pointed out that because the music and the compelling true storyline make 'Million Dollar Quartet' so universally loved, it is 'drawing people into the theater for the first time,' which in turn is building subscribers for the Paramount. As director of 'Million Dollar Quartet,' Corti has, of course, seen the show even more than 11 times, including last weekend's emotional goodbye performance for two actors: Sam Pearson, who's been playing Sun Studio president (and show narrator) Sam Phillips; and Haley Jane Schafer, whose roles included Marion (the recording booth girl) and understudy for Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne. 'I've never seen a live show so exciting. There were fans who knew it was their last show and wanted to give them such a send-off,' Corti recalled, noting the unique connectivity shared by the audience and performers. 'There was electricity in the air, like nothing I've ever seen.' Wetzel also was in the audience – teary-eyed herself during that recent goodbye performance and noting lots of sniffles from those sitting around her as the 'cast was crying, trying to keep it together.' It's no surprise after so many shows that Wetzel, who plans to be in the audience again on Friday when the new Sam Phillips (Max Stewart) and Marion (Maeghan Looney) make their Stolp Island Theatre debut, is so familiar with the cast that's she's even been incorporated into the show in small ways. Which Wetzel, who does community theater herself, does not mind one bit. 'The running joke is that it took me 50 years to see 'Chorus Line' 15 times,' she said. 'When 'Million Dollar Quartet' ends on Jan. 4, that will be my 15th time.' If it ends. While there have been 'periodical' meetings about what would go into that unique specially-designed space once this show is done, 'nothing has yet to be determined,' said Corti. As long as people want to buy tickets, he added, the show will continue. Wetzel's advice: Go before it's too late because 'a fourth extension is seldom heard of,' and tickets are selling fast with 'people like me' going back again and again. 'It is not getting old,' Corti agreed. 'Million Dollar Quartet' seems to be 'taking on a life of its own,' he said. 'People keep returning and new people keep coming.'
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Mayuri Upadhya brings her Broadway experience to the Bengaluru stage
History shows that Indian classical music and spirituality go hand-in-hand. While Purandaradasa, Jayadeva and Tulsidas are known for the Bhakti Movement, classical dancers and singers too connect more to their art spiritually. In fact, bhakti is the dominant rasa of most concerts and dance performances. . Classical-contemporary dancer-choreographer Mayuri Upadhya's new work is no exception. Titled 'Bhakti - A Shared Longing', it will feature verses by Purandaradasa, Akkamahadevi, Kabir, Lal Ded, Tukaram, Andal, Tulsidas, Meerabai, Namdev, Sadasiva Brahmendral, Guru Nanak, Basavanna and Rabindranath Tagore. To be presented by her institution Nritarutya, which she founded in 2000 with her sister Madhrui Upadhya, 'Bhakti...' will be premiered in Bengaluru on June 13. Mayuri describes the production as 'a multilingual, multidisciplinary immersive dance-theatre presentation that weaves together the soulful legacies of 13 Indian saints and mystics from across India. The production includes texts, dialogues and different Indian languages.' She also says that dance, for her, 'is more than just movement — it is a language, a way of communicating with the world that transcends the limitations of words.' One of her most notable works is the broadway musical Mughal-E-Azam, inspired by the film of the same name, which has had 300 shows across the world. Mayuri, a recipient of the Best Original Choreographer Award (2018) by Broadway World for Mughal-e-Azam, returns to the Bengaluru stage with Bhakti... after a 14-year hiatus. She has also worked as the lead choreographer for The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation. This show, now into its third season, will soon premiere at Lincoln Center, New York, shares Mayuri. 'My last show in Bengaluru was in 2014, which is why I was craving to stage Bhakti… here. ' It is an exploration of the term 'Bhakti' and the spiritual quest of human beings. It is the anchor in today's time, irrespective of age, gender, and religion,' says Mayuri. About the works of poets and mystics she has used for her production, Mayuri says: 'They are more saints to me than mere poets as I believe they discovered a deeper inner truth that they revealed/shared with humanity. The more I read about them and their works, the more I found similarities in their concepts.' Each piece in Bhakti is centered around one evocative work by each mystic, interpreted by different dancers. The production features 10 dancers belonging to different styles, from across the country. Explaining the process of bringing the production to life, Mayuri says, 'The researchers (Pooja Kaushik and Nandana Gopal) brought different aspects to the table, each with their own versions of stories that correlated well. Post this, was the process of song selection. Next was to add movements to the texts, prose and music'. Talking about the creative process, Mayuri, who was joined by Madhuri in choreographing the dance, shares: 'The poetry dictated what the movement language should be. For instance, for poetry from Bengal, we drew inspiration from Uday Shankar's dance style, for Amir Khusro, we brought in Sufi-Kathak and so on. The dancers coming from different parts of the country lent their own cultural diversity to the production.' The production has a contemporary and minimalist approach in every aspect. This is my simple but powerful response to whatever is happening around us', says Mayuri. 'Bhakti - A Shared Longing' will premiere at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru, on June 13, 7.30 p.m. Tickets on BookMyShow.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Star-studded season brings crowds to Broadway theatres
STORY: George Clooney making his Broadway debut - in the adaptation of his 2005 film "Good Night, and Good Luck." Total box-office sales across Broadway are up close to 20% on last season, and attendance at shows up nearly 18% - partly thanks to short, limited runs from stars of the silver screen. [Actor George Clooney saying:] "And the fun part about this is we get to do a play about a subject matter that's very close to our hearts, which is about everything that you guys all do, which is telling the truth and holding truth to power." Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal hit Broadway with a record-breaking Othello back in March. :: February 10, 2025 [Actor Denzel Washington saying:] 'I've done it before, actually, and I'm revisiting it after 48 years. And I love Shakespeare.' Forty-three Broadway shows will open this season, which typically begins in April each year. Richard Ridge, an entertainment reporter with BroadwayWorld, said the season was already breaking box-office records. :: Michaelah Reynolds "And the reason for that is these shows are coming in for a very limited run because these stars only have a short amount of time off from doing movies and television shows, and like the musicals are costing $23, $25 million, the plays are costing five and six (million), so the prices have to be high because producers have to at least break even, and it's very exciting because people are coming to the city and they are buying those tickets.' :: Emilio Madrid Academy Award winner Kieran Culkin has joined a star cast in "Glengarry Glen Ross." :: "Sunset Blvd." on Broadway Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger takes the lead in "Sunset Blvd". Producers have announced additional performances due to overwhelming demand. [Actor Nicole Scherzinger saying:] "Seven, eight shows a week is, like you just gotta give your whole being, every ounce of you..." :: Julieta Cervantes Paul Mescal stars in "A Streetcar Named Desire" - one of the off-Broadway productions packed with big names... :: Vanya ...like Andrew Scott in "Vanya"... :: Still ...and Melissa Gilbert in 'Still'. :: "Gypsy" on Broadway Broadway mainstays are also generating buzz with their returns: hype has surrounded six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald's performance in 'Gypsy" with Oprah Winfrey going backstage. :: Jenny Anderson :: Matthew Murphy :: "Death Becomes Her" on Broadway 'We have so many Broadway sweethearts who are back who started their career in the theater and always come back. We've got Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga in 'Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends'. We have Robin Hurder right down the street in 'Smash'. There are so many wonderful people, you've got Jennifer Simard and Megan Hilty who are Broadway favorites right across the street in 'Death Becomes Her'.' 'This Tony Award season is going to be crazy because there are so many people in every category. I mean there are 11 or 12 people who could be given a Tony in every category.' Tony nominations will be announced on May 1. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Denis Arndt, Tony-Nominated Broadway Actor Also Known for Numerous TV Roles, Dies at 86
Denis Arndt, who starred in several shows for David E. Kelly including 'L.A. Law,' as well as in the Broadway performance of 'Heisenberg,' has died. He was 86. Arndt's death was announced by his family, who wrote in part, 'He died peacefully in his bed in his beloved cabin home of almost 50 years in Ashland, Oregon; he wouldn't have had it any other way.' 'The year he was born, 1939, the Wizard of Oz came out showing the first movie in color after Dorothy found Oz. That was like Dad's life. It started out in black and white and blossomed into a life of color, brilliance, daring adventure, and passion. And it was also a little bit trippy, like Oz,' the family continued. Arndt debuted as 'L.A. Law' lawyer Jack Sollers during the show's fifth season in 1990. He again played a lawyer on 'Picket Fences' for four seasons and spent the following years in and out of Kelley's productions, including 'Chicago Sky,' 'Ally McBeal,' 'Boston Public,' and 'Boston Legal.' He took on the role of Alex Priest in Simon Stephnens' 'Heisenberg' at age 77. In the play, his character has the opportunity to explore the possibility of love again in his senior years after a woman mysteriously kisses him at a train station. 'He had absolutely given up on love and made his peace with it,' Arndt told Broadway World in 2016. 'Love is a synaptic connection in your brain,' he continued. 'Alex doesn't talk about his emotional response to the world, he sees that as a problem. Alex likes the rational reality of how animals fit together and that cows have a seam.' 'He knows where he is in time,' Arndt also said, 'and he's no pushover. He's not searching for anything, he's there at the end of his life, there's not much time left.' Arndt also added that he liked the character because he could relate to him. 'We're both old men in a society that doesn't have much for old men to do,' Arndt said. 'He likes the rationality of how animals fit together and how he and Georgie fit together. He's almost stoic, not materialistic, certain about the spiritual side because he has a deceased sister he talks to in his dreams.' In addition to his Hollywood career, Arndt's family also wrote, 'Dad was a Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot who was awarded the Purple Heart twice. He went on to fly helicopters in Alaska. After leaving the dangerous life of a helicopter pilot, he moved to Seattle, where a friend persuaded him to audition for a local theatre.' 'Of course, Dad got the main role,' the obituary continued. 'And he was brilliant. He carried his brilliance, passion, and dedication into his second career as an actor, both on stage and on screen. He spent multiple seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.' 'In his own way, Dad lived his life as a full and generous performance, known for his incredible wit, charm, rebel spirit, irreverence, sense of humor, grittiness, and passion for his art. His legacy, both on and off stage, will live on in the hearts of family, friends, and community members.' Arndt was born on February 23, 1939, in Issaquah, Washington. Following his military service he graduated from the University of Washington and founded the Intiman Theatre in 1972. Denis Arndt is survived by his wife Magee Downey and their three children, Bryce, McKenna and Tanner, as well as by his four children Scott, Tammy, Laurie, and Kirsten, and 'many' grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. The post Denis Arndt, Tony-Nominated Broadway Actor Also Known for Numerous TV Roles, Dies at 86 appeared first on TheWrap.
Associated Press
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Award Winning Family Music Artist and Navy Veteran Greg Lato to Release Album Inspired by Military Kids and Families
'Dandelion: Songs Inspired by Military Kids and Families' Pre-Order April 18, 2025 'Month of the Military Child', Out May 23, 2025 'Military Appreciation Month' 'Music as relatable to kids as it is nostalgic for parents' — Broadway World PROVIDENCE, RI, UNITED STATES, March 28, 2025 / / -- Award winning family music artist and children's book author Greg Lato is highlighting and amplifying the voices of military kids and families with a special new project. 'I have recorded a children's music album where the songs are inspired by conversations with military families. The experience of hearing their stories and what they go through was amazing!' Greg says. The album features military kids, active-duty musicians and veterans. The album, titled 'Dandelion: Songs Inspired by Military Kids and Families' got its name because the dandelion is the official flower of the military child. It represents the resilience and adaptability of military children. The title track features a military kids choir from CAMMO (Center for American Military Music Opportunities) in Virginia. Greg is no stranger to military life; he was an aircraft firefighter on the flight deck of the USS Constellation aircraft carrier in the United States Navy for 4 years. Greg says, 'As a military veteran, I have learned how important it is for people from many different backgrounds to come together in a meaningful and positive way to navigate change and accomplish a common goal.' The song 'Shine So Bright' featuring military kids from Portsmouth Rhode Island School highlights this idea that together we are stronger, it takes a village to be heard and being brave is our superpower. Like military veteran and spouse Joshua Chiarini said during our conversation with his military family, 'Freedom is not free!'' The song 'Bigger Than Me' features the sentiment about being involved in something bigger than yourself. Greg adds, 'The journey that this project has taken me on has gone beyond my expectations. It has run the gamut of emotions from heartfelt to happy and everywhere in between. There are a lot of themes on the album that are central to the military family experience. Moving from place to place, meeting new friends, constantly being the new kid, dealing with a spouse and parent that is away, and the wonderful support system that they encounter wherever they go.' Songs like 'Home Is Not a Place' and 'Hi, I'm New Here!', a duet with 14-year-old military kid Kaleyana Ludwig, highlight these common experiences. The song 'Helping Out', a duet with Iraq War veteran and fellow children's artist Mr. Pete's Playhouse, is about the kids helping to hold down the fort at home while a parent is deployed. For example, the kids in the Kiser and Rivers Family have not stayed in one school for more than a couple of years. They were asked how they deal with the constant change in their young lives and ultimately as a result of it, what does home mean to them? Whether it is keeping family traditions alive by bringing their Christmas decorations to each location, family game nights or like Cecilia Rivers says, 'Hearing the birds chirp wherever we have lived makes me feel like nothing's changed.' For 11-year-old Elly Clague who lost her Navy veteran dad to PTSD, she goes to the Dare to Dream therapy ranch which she calls her 'happy place'. Riding the horses and interacting with the animals brings her comfort. Elly says, 'Getting to bond and hang out with animals, it calms me down and makes me happy.' The song 'Smile' was a result of this experience and features two active-duty Navy musicians Michael Brehm and Justin Lockett from Navy Band Northeast on horns. There are also songs that have nothing to do with the military experience specifically, but are more universal things that the families enjoy, just like any other family. The first single 'Old School New School' is about how the parents teach their kids about the old school, while the kids teach their parents about the new school. The music video features 14 military kids! Greg's last album 'Adults These Days' reached the top 10 on the iTunes Children's Music Chart. His first children's album 'Create My Own World' has won a Family Choice Award and a Creative Child Award. His songs are featured on Apple Music playlists and have over a million streams! Greg also released two children's books, 'Try' and 'Everybody Needs Someone'. He is also a member of the Grammy Recording Academy. X Instagram TikTok Legal Disclaimer:
