I repeat, [title of show] is coming to The Broadway!  Again, [title of show] is coming to The Broadway!  One more time, [title of show] is coming to THE BROADWAY!!!!!

Clearly, I am excited.  I have been hoping and waiting for this moment and it is finally here.  I know that there is a ton of other stuff happening on the Rialto today (we will get to that later) but I have got to stand up and shout "[title of show] is coming to THE BROADWAY!"

Ok, for those of you that have absolutely no idea what I am talking about - let me explain.  [title of show] is the quintessential "little show makes it big story".  The kind of thing that all artists toiling in obscurity hope for; that moment when all your hard work pays off and you connect with audiences with a show that you have created and then someone takes notice and it grows and grows and grows and then one day ends up going all the way to the Great White Way.  [title of show] is an original musical by Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen and starring Susan Blackwell (Speech & Debate)  and Heidi Blickenstaff (featured here as a "Star to Be" and currently in The Little Mermaid); it is directed by Michael Berresse (acting in A Chorus Line on B'way, currently).  The show is about two guys writing a musical about writing a musical.

Here are the press notes about the show: " [title of show] takes a thoroughly unique and comical look at the pleasures and perils of the artistic process as two struggling writers [Bell and Bowen] and two struggling actresses [Blackwell and Bickenstaff] take on the seemingly impossible task of creating a new musical about creating a new musical. Now with Broadway as their destination, the quartet's saga continues anew as they face mounting pressures and deadlines, and are nearly thrown off-track by disagreements, day jobs and insecurities in this funny and unforgettable look at the birth of a musical as it finally comes to life on the Great White Way."

The show first premiered at NYMF (New York Musical Theatre Festival) where it caught the attention of producers Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey Seller (Avenue Q, Rent, In The Heights).  There were then numerous workshops and an Off-B'way production at The Vineyard Theater (where it won a few Obies!).  Then the waiting and wondering began.  Would this little show make the biggest jump of all?  Would it find it's way to the bright lights of 42nd Street?  There was much speculation (I for one was obsessed with it).  There were rumors it would take the Circle in the Square Theater this season, rumors that it would go to San Fran for a "touring" production, rumors that the show was "dead in the water", and rumors that the show was going to be turned into a big Hollywood movie (ok, I made that last one up).  Now, the waiting and wondering is over - the show will debut on B'way at the Lyceum Theater on July 5th with an official opening date set for July 17th (tickets go on sale April 21st).

Now that [title of show] has secured a spot on The Broadway, many new questions have surfaced.  The show is essentially 4 actors, 4 chairs and a guy playing a keyboard.  Many are wondering if they will beef up the orchestra somehow and if they don't, some are asking if audiences will pay top dollar to see a show with just a keyboard.  They have to add an orchestra, right?  And getting back to the four chairs...in an environment where B'way audiences expect moving houses, flying helicopters and falling chandeliers - can you really do a show with only 4 chairs?  The show itself addresses this problem when the leads ponder a transfer to Broadway and they suggest that they will just get "4 diamond crusted chairs"!   I do hope that they get some kick ass set designer to do something wonderful.  I myself was disappointed in the vision for the Vineyard production - I trust they will "step it up" for the Great White Way!

Oh, gosh - I am just thrilled to see these 4 uber-talented kids take this show all the way.  I am looking forward to hearing some of my favorite songs from the show: "Die Vampire, Die!," "Nine People's Favorite Thing," "An Original Musical," and my very favorite "A Way Back to Then."  I am also hope that audiences will embrace this show (as many others have) and make it a big huge hit.  Who knows what may be next for this "little show that could" - maybe a 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical?  Why not!

[UPDATE]

Check out this video by those funny kids over at [title of show].  Special guest appearances by Cheyenne Jackson, Barrett Foa and Jonathan Groff.

Click HERE

Other Stuff Happening On The Broadway That Is Not As Exciting To Me

Ok, so there are a few other things happening (I know I am supposed to be just as motivated to write about this other stuff, but I gotta be honest with you - I'm not).  Well - here it is.  South Pacific opened last night and it is getting RAVE reviews.  Ben Brantley in the NY Times praised the whole show and said, "I know we're not supposed to expect perfection in this imperfect world, but I'm darned if I can find one serious flaw in this production." And Variety added that O'Hara is "the most accomplished young actress in American musical theater today."

This is a big deal (not quite as big a deal as [title of show]) because it means that there is a real race for the Best Revival Tony Award.  With Gypsy and South Pacific earning great acclaim from the critics we have a real "horse race" (I think that Sunday in the Park is now pushed aside; nomination - yes, winner - no).  I think we also have a bit more competition for Best Actress in a Musical.  Last week people were shipping Patti LuPone her Tony, now it seems that Miss O'Hara might give her a real run for her money.  

Also of note today (but, again, not as noteworthy as [TOS] on B'WAY) is the premiere of Step It Up & Dance on Bravo.  Did anyone see it?  I missed it, but I am sure Bravo will repeat it like 300 times this weekend.  The show is a new "dance-based reality talent competition" and is hosted by Elizabeth Berkley (love her).  Also on board for the show is Broadway's own Jerry Mitchell (the hunky director/choreographer of Legally Blonde: The Musical).  Mitchell is not a judge, he serves as the "Tim Gunn" of the show - offering advice and counsel to the young contestants.  The question is, what will be his catch phrase?  I also understand that one of the contestants was formerly in The Lion King on Broadway.  I love a good dance/reality show - so I plan on checking it out.  I will let you know more later!

Have a great weekend and just in case you hadn't heard - [title of show] is coming to The Broadway!  (I am not known for subtlety).

~ See You On The Aisle