BB’s BUZZ
Get out your calendar and plastic because I have some very exciting events to tell you about. These not-to-be-missed plays and concerts have sold out quickly in other cities so I want to give you a heads-up.
For instance, The Book of Mormon sells out in hours… literally. The musical Billy Elliott, and concerts by Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters likewise.
So let’s start with the Boston Pops 2012 season.
They open the season with none other than the belle of Broadway Bernadette Peters. I saw the Sondheim “A Little Night Music” revival in NY with Peters and cannot imagine anyone else doing the role. She makes each part her own and her voice only gets better.
I have been a fan for years and have never been disappointed. Of course opening of Pops has the opening reception along with the concert. It is always an exciting gala. I guarantee that this concert will be one of your favorites. See you there May 9.
How about King Tut’s alter ego Steve Martin? This funny man is dead serious about his banjo and blue grass music. So on May 29, 30 and 31 he appears with the Pops in An Evening of Comedy and Blue Grass.
Click here to listen to a clip from Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers’ “Northern Island” off the album, Rare Bird Alert.
If you love Barbra Steisand’s Songbook such as the music from Funny Girl and The Way We Were then you won’t want to miss Broadway vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway singing this incredible repertoire. But that’s not all. The special guest is Alan Bergman. Alan and Marilyn Bergman are some of my all time favorite lyicists having written “The Way We Were,” “What are you Doing the Rest of Your Life” and others.
All takes place MAY 15 and 16.
The Pops is celebrating composers such as Gershwin and
the incomparable Cole Porter.
Singing the Porter classics are Broadway’s golden couple Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley June 5,6, and 8. Beside Porter you will hear the music of his contemporaries Jerome Kern and Richard Rogers.
Looking ahead, June 1 and 2 John Williams celebrates his 80th birthday with a Film Night. He has won so many awards for his film scores, these concerts are always a treat….and John Williams is not only an incredibly talented composer but a wonderful gentle person as well.
From the Pops to Popular…the hit Schwartz musical Wicked flies back to Boston August 7.….and that’s not all.
I attended the 2012/ 2013 preview of Broadway in Boston at The Opera House and it was wonderful. Don’t bother going to NY, Boston is getting all the shows plus a pre-Broadway opening ( that hasn’t happened in a while..called Tuck Everlasting.)
Hold on to your hats cause here we go.
“War Horse,” Oct. 10-21 at the Boston Opera House. A love story between a boy and his horse – fate brings them together, war breaks them up. Bring tissues.
“Memphis,” Dec. 11-23, Colonial Theatre. Set to roof-raising beats, this musical tells the tale of fame and forbidden love in underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tenn.
“Jersey Boys,” Jan. 30-March 9, 2013, at the Colonial Theatre. It’s like eating peanuts, you can never have enough. It tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
“Sister Act,” Jan. 22-Feb. 3, 2013 at the Boston Opera House. A musical adaptation of the Whoopi Goldberg 1992 movie that centers on a Diana Ross wannabe whose career has been nothing but heartaches. She witnesses a crime and the police send her to a convent for protection. You’ll be lifted to divine heights. Woopie is the producer.
“The Book of Mormon,” April 9-28, 2013 at the Boston Opera House. Since opening in New York last spring, “Book of Mormon” is still one of the hottest tickets in town. The creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone, took home nine Tony’s last year for their ribald yet good-natured religious satire.
“Mary Poppins,” May 28-June 2, 2013. Musical about a magical nanny who flies in to save the Banks family lands in Boston for a one-week engagement with new dance numbers.
…and “Tuck Everlasting” opens June 2013. This pre-Broadway tryout at the Colonial Theatre. I love that we are going to have pre-Broadway shows as I am about see theatre in the golden restored Colonial Theatre. Tuck looks at immortality though the eyes of a young girl who has fallen in love and wants to live forever.
“Wicked,” Aug. 7 to Sept. 15, 2013 at the Boston Opera House. “Wicked” is the prequel to the “Wizard of Oz.” It tells the story of how two girls became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
So you see there are many family shows. It is never too early to expose your children to the excitement of live theatre.
THE BOSTON BALLET HAS COME SUCH A LONG WAY SINCE I FIRST MOVED TO BOSTON. They are now a world class ballet company.
Their production of “Play with Fire”
Was edgy and interesting. The dancing was superb, the sets first class, the costumes wonderful. In the second act (NAME?) where the ballerinas appeared topless wearing nothing but red skirts looking like prepubescent boys I was a little perplexed.
However, looking around at the capacity audience, which included many young people, maybe edgy is the way to go.
Their next production is sure to please everyone..it’s Rudolph Nureyev’s acclaimed production of Don Quixote.
The production was originally staged on Boston Ballet by Nureyev himself in 1982 when Nureyev danced the leading role of Basilo.
He first choreographed his version of Don Quixote in Vienna in 1966 and it would later become one of his greatest successes.
BTW Speakeasy is extending Next to Normal until April 15 due to an overwhelming demand for tickets.
March 30-April 29, it’s “THE LUCK OF THE IRISH,”
At the Huntington Theatre Company at the Calderwood Pavillion at the BCA in the South End . It is new play that explores Boston race relations and the universal longing for home. ( Sounds a lot like Fiddler .) Remember to ask for student , military or senior tickets if you applicable.
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This is just the tip of the iceberg. Isn’t it cool to have such hot A&E events close at hand.
Going to theatre and concerts is not only food for the soul, it supports the arts and those who make it possible.
For THE BUZZ, this is Barbara Brilliant
Post-Show Audience Conversations
Ongoing
Led by members of the Huntington staff. After most Tuesday – Friday, Saturday matinee, and Sunday matinee performances throughout the season. Free with a ticket to the performance.
Student Matinee Performances
Fri. 4/13 and Thurs. 4/26 – SOLD OUT
Call 617 273 1558 about purchasing student tickets to other performances.
Humanities Forum
Sun. 4/22, following the 2pm performance
A post-performance talk exploring the context and significance of The Luck of the Irish.
Actors Forum
Fri. 4/13 and Thurs. 4/26, following the 10am student matinee performances
Thurs. 4/19, following the 7:30pm performance
Wed. 4/25, following the 2pm performance
Participating cast members answer questions from the audience.
Remember when you attend these shows and concerts you are supporting the arts and artists. That’s it for The Buzz . I’m Barbara Brilliant..back to you Jen.