Tag Archives: thekingofbroadway

Video Interview with Psych’s Dulé Hill

Elli recently attended the amazing “On Tap” at Joe’s Pub February 1, 2012 6:30pm
The show was hosted by actor/dancer Dulé Hill.
After the show he got the chance to sit down for an interview.

Mr Hill’s many TV and Film credits are listed here on IMDB
Click HERE to see his Theater credits.

For more on Dulé Hill :
www.dulehill.com      twitter.com/dulehill      facebook.com/dulehill 

A HUGE shoutout to Joe’s Pub and Mark Allen for their help!
Check out the other amazing events at Joe’s Pub HERE 

Brought to you by the NEW www.broadwaykingdom.com

For more info on Elli – The King of Broadway
www.thekingofbroadway.com

For more interviews & reviews go to
www.broadwaykingdom.com

Boeing-Boeing at The Paper Mill Playhouse

“Boeing-Boeing”
Paper Mill Playhouse, Milburn, NJ – January 22, 2012 – 7:00 pm
by Elli – The King Of Broadway

Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel! If you need more reasons to go see  “Boeing-Boeing” at The Paper Mill Playhouse they would be John Scherer (as Robert), Matt Walton (as Bernard), Anne Horak (as Gretchen), Brynn O’Malley (as Gabriella), and Heather Parcells (as Gloria). Did I mention Tony® Award-winner Beth Leavel (as Bertha)?

James Brennan’s direction of this almost forgotten French farce will surely become the standard by which all future productions will be measured.

The original 1962 French version by Marc Camoletti played in France for 19 years. After being translated into English by Beverley Cross (Maggie Smith’s 2nd husband) it had an amazing run of 7 years on London’s West End; but when brought to Broadway in 1965 it ran for only 23 performances. It was however, made into a funny, if not forgotten, film starring Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis with Thelma Ritter as Bertha the maid. In 1991,the play was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most performed French play throughout the world. “Boeing-Boeing” was revived in London in at the Comedy Theatre running from February 2007, through January 2008 at which time the London production was once again brought back to Broadway where it had a run of 279 performances.

Which brings us back to: Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel!

Beth Leavel in Boeing-Boeing at the Paper Mill Playhouse

Ms. Leavel’s brilliance in this role had me laughing so hard it brought me to tears. Typically Ms. Leavel is dressed to the nines in all of the roles I’ve seen her play, but here she is dressed down to become the schleppy, dowdy  and completely unglamorous maid, Bertha, playing the role as over the top as she can. (She confided in me that her “French” accent is based on the late Peter Sellers’ Inspector Clouseau character). Ms. Level is loud and physical using every body part to convey her disapproval at her boss’s shenanigans, going as far as pratfalls and sloshing around on the floor to the delight of the audience.

Lest you think this review(er) is all about Beth Leavel (sigh), the entire cast shines bright as well.

Matt Walton plays Bernard, a suave and easy on the eyes playboy living the high life in Paris and juggling 3 stewardesses from 3 different airlines with 3 different schedules. Each one thinks that she is engaged to Bernard, until the 747 comes along to modernize the sky and complicate his life. When the ladies’ perfect schedules come undone, so does Bernard.

Lucky for him Robert, an old buddy from college (wonderfully played  by John Scherer as a nebish who comes through in a pinch), decides to look him up on his first trip to Paris. Being invited to stay there after Bernard brags about his  perfect arrangement , Robert is able to witness first hand how the system works and then helps to try and hold it all together when it all comes crashing down.

As the three Stewardesses/Fiancées, Gretchen (Anne Horak), Gabriella (Brynn O’Malley), and Gloria (Heather Parcells), bring their own brand of quirks and madness to the mix making this an outstanding evening of comedy and fun.

I strongly suggest you take a trip out to the Paper Mill Playhouse to see this wonderful production.

Matt Walton, Heather Parcells, Tony® Award-winner Beth Leavel, Anne Horak, Brynn O'Malley and John Scherer

Boeing-Boeing will be performed eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday until February 12th. Tickets are on sale starting at $25 and may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, NJ or online at www.papermill.org.

Brought to you by the NEW www.broadwaykingdom.com

For more info on Elli – The King of Broadway
www.thekingofbroadway.com

For more interviews & reviews go to
www.broadwaykingdom.com

 

 

Video Interview with Chester Gregory (Sister Act on B’way)

With an impressive list of Broadway roles under his belt – Sister Act as Eddie, Dreamgirls as James “Thunder” Early (National Tour), Hairspray as Seaweed, Tarzan as Terk, The Jackie Wilson Story as Jackie Wilson, Cry Baby as Dupree, Shrek the Musical as Donkey (Seattle tryout, Pre-Broadway), Train is Comin’ as Isaac, Chicago’s Gold Soul, Otis Redding Story – and his new iPhone game UnWord, Chester took on an impressive evening of song, “Chester Gregory & Friends” at the Triad Theater.
Tired as he was, after pouring his amazing energy out to the audience,
we got a chance to chat after the show.

For more information about Chester:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Gregory
www.chestergregory.com
twitter.com/chestergregory
http://unwordgame.com/

Brought to you by the NEW www.broadwaykingdom.com

For more info on Elli – The King of Broadway
www.thekingofbroadway.com

For more interviews & reviews go to
www.broadwaykingdom.com

Video Interview with TV’s Larry Storch (F-Troup)

Elli was recently given the amazing opportunity to interview the iconic actor, Larry Storch.

Larry’s many credits are listed here on IMDB:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0832415/

The interview was held in an equally iconic location,
The Ed Sullivan Room of NYC’s Friar’s Club!

Both Larry and I had a wonderful time so I hope you enjoy this!

Brought to you by the NEW www.broadwaykingdom.com

For more info on Elli – The King of Broadway
www.thekingofbroadway.com

For more interviews & reviews go to
www.broadwaykingdom.com

Remember, NEVER ask, “One Hump or Two?”

Theater Review: “The Road To Qatar”
The York Theater – Feb 4, 2011 – 8:00 pm

by Elli – The King Of Broadway

Did you hear the one about the two, short, Jewish, Musical Theater writers who get an email from an Emir in Qatar (Dubai) who commissions them to travel there and write a brand new musical to inaugurate the new sports arena? Sounds crazy, no? Well it happened. Imagine a real-life version of a “Road To” movie: “Two Short Jews on the Road To Qatar” (sung to the tune of “Two Lost Souls” from Damn Yankees).

As a kid I was a huge TV watcher (okay, so that never went away), but back then I would often fake being sick just to stay home and watch something I liked on Channel 9’s Million Dollar Movie. Among my favorite guilty pleasures (and I do mean guilty because I was totally faking it), were the Bing Crosby/Bob Hope “Road” flicks. “The Road to Morocco” is among my all-time favorites. So you can understand how happy I was to hear that Stephen Cole and David Krane had turned their real-life Road story into a musical.

“The Road To Qatar” at the York Theatre is a perfect tribute to those “Road” pictures that I love. It is an (almost) true story told and sung by a talented 5 member cast. James Beaman (Spamalot, National Tour) as Michael and Keith Gerchak (Finding Nemo, The Musical) as Jeffrey, portray the talented authors genuinely, if not lovingly. Having had the opportunity to work with their real-life counterparts as they rehearsed the show, their performances are a tribute to their creators. They each add their own perfect, comedic timing to make the two leads sufficiently nebbishy and lovable at the same time. Bill Nolte (La Cage aux Folles) as Mansour – well, just look at those eyes and you’ll fall out of your chair laughing – embodies the sleazy, desert producer out for a buck and a hustle as he carries out his Boss’s every whim. Sarah Stiles (Avenue Q) shines as Nazirah, hired as a translator and go between aiming to please her boss, Mansour, as well as the writers. The very funny Bruce Warren (The Wizard of Oz) is frightening and delightful as Farid, the very serious nephew of the Emir hired to oversee his uncle’s investment. Mr. Warren also gets to display his comedic skills as Claudio, the foppish, flamboyant, Italian director brought in to stage the musical. While speaking of directors, the very creative, playful and talented direction of Phillip George (Forbidden Broadway), makes us feel as if we have been transported into the world of these “two, short, Jews” and their seemingly impossible task to please the Emir.

The opening number Opening serves as an introduction to the story setting the stage for the events to follow. Must Be is the list of rules of what the Musical must contain, while Good Things Come In Threes is the author’s rebuttal to the rules. Doesn’t Matter is a delightful dream sequence where the boys dream about what would happen if their hosts realized that their hires are Jewish. 15 of the 16 songs are original to this show while only one song, Aspire, a great closing number, was actually in the real musical that Messrs. Cole and Krane wrote.

All the shows tunes are enjoyably done in true musical theatre style and are fun to hear and see thanks to the delightful choreography by Bob Richard (Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), which is spot on for the confines of a small stage. The excellent musical direction/Piano is provided by David Caldwell (Children of Eden) and his wonderful orchestra, Mike Kuenne (Accoustic and Electric Bass), Perry Cavari (Drums/Percussion), Steve Greenfield (Reed One: Flute, Clarinet, Soprano Sax) and Rick Walburn (Reed Two: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax).
It is refreshing to see new theater work (as opposed to a musical remake of some B-flick). Unfortunately, this is a limited run and many shows are close to. or completely, sold out. I strongly suggest that you go immediately to the York Theatre’s website and reserve your tickets and enjoy your trip down “The Road To Qatar”.

***

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) presents the Off-Broadway premiere of the new true musical comedy, The Road to Qatar!, featuring book and lyrics by Stephen Cole and music by David Krane, with direction by Phillip George (Forbidden Broadway), choreography by Bob Richard (Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) and musical direction by David Caldwell (Children of Eden). The five- member cast features James Beaman (Spamalot, National Tour) as Michael, Keith Gerchak (Finding Nemo, The Musical) as Jeffrey, Bill Nolte (La Cage aux Folles) as Mansour, Sarah Stiles (Avenue Q) as Nazirah, and Bruce Warren (The Wizard of Oz) as Farid.

Performances began Tuesday, January 25, 2011 and continue through Sunday, February 27, 2011 at The Theatre at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street).

The Road to Qatar is a new true musical comedy about two American musical theatre writers commissioned to do the impossible: write a larger-than-life Broadway-style mega-musical for the Emir of Qatar that includes 100 actors, 40 camels, 17 fire-eating jugglers and Muhammad Ali. Surprises abound as the quirky self-professed “short Jewish writers” leave New York and begin trotting the globe in their own version of a madcap Bob Hope/Bing Crosby adventure.
The creative team also includes Michael Bottari & Ronald Case (Set, Costume & Puppet Design), Martin Vreeland (Lights), and Chris Kateff (Projections). The Production Stage Manager is Sarah Hall. The musical is produced by special arrangement with Paul Burchett in association with Coltrane, LLC.

The creative team also includes Michael Bottari & Ronald Case (Set, Costume & Puppet Design), Martin Vreeland (Lights), and Chris Kateff (Projections). The Production Stage Manager is Sarah Hall. The musical is produced by special arrangement with Paul Burchett in association with Coltrane, LLC.

The Road to Qatar will play the following performance schedule: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays- Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., with special Sunday matinee performances on February 13th, 20th & 27th at 2:30pm.

Please visit www.yorktheatre.org for the complete performance schedule. Tickets are $67.50 and are available online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre at Saint Peter’s (enter on 54th Street, just East of Lexington), and are currently on sale through Sunday, February 27th. Running time is approximately 90 minutes.

For complete info about the reviewer, please go to www.thekingofbroadway.com and follow on twitter/tkob