Hier soir je suis allé voir la nouvelle relance de Broadway Les Liason Dangereuses. Qu'une nuit !  Oh, forgive me.  My inner Francophile has emerged after my trip to see Les Liaisons Dangereuses last night at The Roundabout Theater Company.  After spending several hours with the denizens of pre Revolutionary France I suddenly can speak and write in French.  See what one night in the theater can do for you!  Oh la la.

Per usual, I am exaggerating.  I don't know how to speak or write French, but I do know how to use freetranslation.com.  (I love that website - I often like to send emails to co-workers translated in to Russian or Japanese)!  While I am lying about my new ability to converse en français - I am not lying about my trip to the theater last night.

I did indeed attend last night's performance of the new Broadway revival of the Christopher Hampton play Les Liaisons Dangereuses based on the 1782 novel by Choderlos de Laclos.  The production stars the uber talented and award winning Laura Linney and the British transplant Ben Daniels along with Mamie Gummer  (daughter of Meryl Streep and star of the movie Evening) and Kristine Nielsen (most recently seen in Spring Awakening).  The sexy and passionate play about the battle of the sexes in France in the 1780's is directed by Rufus Norris (best known for his production of Festen in London).  The show opens tonight, so I can share some of my thoughts on the production with you tomorrow.  One thing I can say - the temperature in the theater was HOTThe thermometer was rising, in large part, due to the sizzling audience.  First there was me - just kidding!  I attended the show avec mon ami (that means - "with my friend") Silver.   He is a lovely theater "date", but I was slightly more impressed by some of my other fellow theater patrons last night.   Liam Neeson (the handsome giant) and his wife Natasha Richardson (a ravishing beauty) were seated a few rows in front of us.  The talented Mr. Roger Reese (movie star and former director of The Williamstown Theater Festival) was cheering on his fellow Brits.  The gossip columnists were out in full force; Liz Smith (from the NY Post) and Michael Musto (from the Village Voice) were seated across the aisle from each other.  I am dying to know what dish they picked up.  It was also a "press night" and there were several critics in attendance.  One was seated next to us and we tried to sneak a peek at his notebook to see if we could get an advance report.  No luck. 

To the cast and crew of  Liaisons Dangereuses I say; meilleur de chance sur votre nuit d'ouverture    (Best of luck on your opening night! )

Dans Les Autres Nouvelles (In Other News)

Bardem Ne Comptera Pas à Neuf (Bardem Won't Count To Nine)

Word comes today that Javier Bardem (Oscar winner for No Country for Old Men) is dropping out of the new film adaptation of the Broadway musical Nine.

According to Variety Mr. Bardem is pulling out because he is "exhausted from work and awards season, and will take as long as a year to recharge his batteries."  

The movie will be directed by Rob Marshall (B'way vet and director of the Oscar winning Chicago) and word is that Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren are still confirmed and that Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench are in talks to take roles in the project.  

I wonder who will take over for Bardem?  There are many who still favor Antonio Banderas to star and reprise his performance from the B'way revival.  Let's see what happens, shall we?

"Casser Une Jambe" A le Nouveau Sens  ("Break A Leg" Has New Meaning)

Grammy Award winning singer Mya will have to postpone her B'way debut in the hit revival of Chicago.  According to statements released by the producers, Mya has broken her foot.   Mya was to have started performing on May 12th.   There is no official announcement on the cause of the injury.  No date has been set for her return.  Note to Mya - please don't take these Broadway rituals too seriously; when they said "Break A Leg" they didn't mean you should really do it!  

Barry Pour Danser Sur Le Broadway??? (Barry To Boogie On The Broadway???)

Barry Manilow is going to get his own jukebox musical!  All is right in the world!  Apparently a new musical featuring the hits songs of Barry Manilow will make its world premier this summer at the Churchill Theater in the UK.  The new show will be called Can't Smile Without You and feature songs such as;  "Could It Be Magic," "It's a Miracle," "I Write the Songs," "Mandy," "I Made It Through the Rain," "Trying to Get the Feeling" and, of course, "I Can't Smile Without You".  The show is scheduled for a UK national tour and an eventual West End run. And then who knows - maybe The Broadway???

Press notes describe the show thusly: "an aspiring young boy-band who, on a visit to New York, come across an opportunity not to be missed - auditions for the latest reality TV show to find the next pop music sensation. When the TV company offers lead singer Tony a chance to appear on the show, the other band members give him their unconditional blessing. But before Tony can realize his dream, he is caught up in a tragic sequence of events which leaves him fighting for his life. Left with no memory his dreams are all but shattered. His only hope lies in the power of the music he loves and his feelings for a girl he once knew called Mandy."

Now, I could be really snarky and say bitchy things about Barry, but I can't.  You see - I am really a big fan.  Truly!  I grew up listen to his music and I am (oh gosh, should I say this)  I am sort of looking forward to this.  There - I said it.  Sue me.

Bon au revoir mes amis!  I am off to my french lessons.  I need to learn how to speak French for real - so I can gossip about The Broadway with my French compatriots.  I hear they are simply dying for more dish from the rialto!  Good-bye - a nation waits!  Au Revoir!

~ Vous Voir Sur l'allée  (See You On The Aisle)