THE FOX THEATRE - Anything Goes! National tour to Make ATL Premiere in August!

ANYTHING GOES National Tour To Make Its Atlanta Premiere At The Fox Theatre August 20-25 

The national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter’s timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, will make its Atlanta premiere August 20-25, 2013 at The Fox Theatre as part of the Theater of the Stars 2013-2014 series.

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at www.FoxATLTix.com or by calling 855-ATL-TIXX (855-285-8499).  Special group rates for 10 or more are available by calling 404-881-2000, emailing foxgroup@foxtheatre.org or online at www.foxtheatre.org/groupsales.aspx.  Half-price tickets are available for the Tuesday and Wednesday performances by using the code “AJC”. 

Winner of the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES sails direct from Broadway under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, who won the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Choreography.  The New York Times calls it “a zesty new revival with knockout numbers and white-hot dancing” while the AP exclaims that it’s, “so delightful, so delicious, so de-lovely!”

ANYTHING GOES, the 1934 musical comedy about the lovers, liars and clowns on a transatlantic cruise is “a daffy, shipshape romp!” - Variety. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.

Rachel York will star as Reno Sweeney with Fred Applegate as Moonface Martin. The principal cast also includes Josh Franklin as Billy Crocker, Jeff Brooks as Purser, Joyce Chittick as Erma, Alex Finke as Hope Harcourt, Dennis Kelly as Elisha Whitney, Vincent Rodriguez III as Luke, Marcus Shane as John, Sandra Shipley as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Edward Staudenmayer as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, and Chuck Wagner as Captain.

The ensemble includes Sarah Agar, Jeremy Benton, Jacqueline Burtney, Jan Leigh Herndon, Kristie Kerwin, Gary Lindemann, Marla McReynolds, Michael Milton, Bobby Pestka, Courtney Rottenberger, Vanessa Sonon, Ryan Steer, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden, Aaron Umsted, Mackenzie Warren, Sara Andreas, Audrey Cardwell, Sean McKnight, and Tony Neidenbach.

Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; and new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. The creative team includes music direction by Jay Alger with additional orchestrations by Bill Elliot, original scenic design by Derek McLane, costumes by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Howell Binkley and sound design by Brian Ronan.

Cole Porter’s roundup of nostalgic hits in the production include “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and, of course “Anything Goes.”

The New Broadway Cast Recording of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.

For more information, visit www.anythinggoesthemusical.com
For more information on Roundabout Theatre Company, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org  

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About Theater of the Stars

Celebrating over 61 years of bringing the best of Broadway to Atlanta, Theater of the Stars (TOTS) is one of the oldest and most respected regional theaters in America. Since the organization's founding in 1953, TOTS has produced and presented over 700 productions in Atlanta and throughout the United States. Theater of the Stars is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Their mission-  to produce, present and promote the highest quality musical theatre, both locally and nationally, thereby exposing audiences to the diversity, creativity, beauty and talent that encompasses the genre. For more information on the 2013 - 2014 season, visit www.TheateroftheStars.com.

Disney Finds Magic through a Nanny! - A Review of Mary Poppins

*Photo courtesy of Mary Poppins.

Disney has continued to strike the magical pot of gold.

Mary Poppins opened at Atlanta's famous (and fabulous) Fox Theatre Tuesday night to a packed house and ended it's opening night with a standing ovation.

This was the second time I have seen the play, and the first time my boys (ages 16 and 13) have seen it.  My 16-year old is a consummate Disney enthusiast, so I could hear him singing along to all the big Disney hits ("Supercalifragilistic," "Jolly Holiday"), until I looked at him and smiled (when he again went teenager icy cold), and my 13-year old smiled only occasionally (I'm sure he would rather have been home playing Xbox with his on-line friends).  (For what it's worth, my 13-year old has written his own [albeit, SHORT] review on his own website, "Teen Disney.")

The play has had a few minor tweaks and changes since it's visit here last year, most notably - Mary no longer flies to the second balcony.  At the end of the play this year, she flies from stage left (ours) to stage right against a dark, starry background.  In fact, I thought I would be disappointed but loved it just as much, if not more.

The play is pretty long - much longer than a normal Broadway production - almost three hours.  The intermission does not come at the normal one-hour into the show, so have your little ones prepared before it begins.

Also, if you are a fan of Disney's hit movie musical, be prepared that this play strays a good bit from the movie.  Some scenes simply cannot be replicated (such as the cartoon carousel or the sidewalk chalk paintings) and thus, new ones have been added.

I will be honest and tell you - I have never been a fan of the new scenes.  I think the singing statues are are strange, and I think the "toys come alive" scene is creepy.  This is just my opinion though.  I am a staunch Disney fan, and I like things to remain true to history.  (This is an official Disney production, so I can't really complain much as they themselves made these changes.)

What makes up for these added new songs and scenes, for me, is hearing the Sherman brothers' famous songs and seeing Mary in all her different attires that we have come to know and love.  (At one point, and Disney fans will be able to relate to this, Mary puts on her famous red coat and joins Bert up on the Banks' rooftop.  My boys and I immediately smiled at each other and said, "That's the scene from the Great Movie Ride!")

There is no doubt this musical production is a treat for all ages.  Children will still be amazed at all the Disney magic sprinkled throughout the show.  I heard plenty of, "How did they do that?!" remarks from children throughout the theater, and those that are familiar with the movie will relish in the musical numbers they are familiar with.

Here is a clip of, "Supercalifragilistic" -- one of the new, added dance numbers that, quite frankly, is AMAZING.  This is not the cast from the Fox Theatre's production - it's the Broadway crew:

One last thing, I always like to mention a few of the cast members when I post my reviews, and I won't remiss this time.  Here were a few of my favorites, although I am sure I am leaving out some gems!

• Chris Hoch (a.k.a., George Banks) - Mr. Hoch does a wonderful rendition of Mr. Banks.  Played the part, I feel, to perfection.  Mr. Hoch's credits include La Cage and Beauty and the Beast.
  
  
• Karen Murphy (a.k.a., Bird Woman) - Wow.  What can one say?  Don't let Karen's small time on the stage pass you by.  She gives a wonderful performance as the woman in rags.  Karen's previous plays include Titanic and A Christmas Carol.
  
  
• Tonya Thompson (a.k.a., Queen Victoria) - Again...wow.  I would be remiss if I left Ms. Thompson out.  What a wonderful performance!  Such a great performer.
  
  
• Jordan Grubb (a.k.a., Valentine) - Love this character!  Really adds a spark of fun to the play!

Mary Poppins plays The Fox Theatre through this weekend.  Visit The Fox Theatre's website for more information.

Take the kids and go.  (How can you not after watching, "Step in Time," from above?)

It's not often we get a kids' musical in town and a Disney one at that!

Disney's Mary Poppins Opens This Week in Atlanta!

Theater of the Stars and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh have announced that tickets for the eagerly anticipated return of MARY POPPINS are on sale now.

The hit Broadway musical will return to the Fox Theatre on Tuesday, April 2 for a limited one-week engagement through Sunday, April 7. Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at www.FoxATLTix.com or by calling 855-ATL-TIXX (855-285-8499).  (Special group rates for 10 or more are available by calling 404-881-2000, emailing foxgroup@foxtheatre.org or online at www.foxtheatre.org/groupsales.aspx.)  Half-price tickets are available for the Tuesday and Wednesday performances by using the code “AJC”. 

 
With four productions currently running on three continents, MARY POPPINS is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years.  Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $644 million and welcomed 9.3 million guests.  The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe including Tony®, Olivier, Helpmann, and Evening Standard awards.

The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world’s most famous nanny to audiences around North America.  The MARY POPPINS North American Tour began performances on March 25, 2009 and has played to two million delighted theatergoers in 34 cities to date. 

MARY POPPINS, a co-production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006.  Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS the stage play features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.  The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne.  MARY POPPINS features set and costume design by TonyÒ Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick.  The tour’s creative team includes Tour Director Anthony Lyn, Associate Choreographer Geoffrey Garrett, and Music Director Daniel Bowling. 

ABOUT MARY POPPINS WORLDWIDE

MARY POPPINS received its worldwide premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End in December 2004.  Following its successful three-year London run, the production launched an acclaimed U.K. tour.

The Broadway production of MARY POPPINS officially opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 16, 2006, recouping its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere.  MARY POPPINS is the only show from the 2006-2007 theatrical season still in performance. 

The MARY POPPINS North American tour has garnered continuous critical praise and achieved box office success since its launch in Chicago in March 2009.  MARY POPPINS can also be seen Sydney, Australia (at the Capitol Theatre).  Productions of MARY POPPINS have also been mounted in Finland, Denmark and the Czech Republic. 

MARY POPPINS will play the Fabulous Fox Theatre April 2 - 7.  Performances are as follows:

• Tuesday, April 2, IPM
• Wednesday, April 3, 8PM
• Thursday, April 4, 8PM
• Friday, April 5, 8PM
• Saturday, April 6, 2PM, 8:00PM
• Sunday, April 7, 1:30PM, 7PM

For more information, please visit MaryPoppins.com

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About Theater of the Stars 

Celebrating 60 seasons of producing and presenting Broadway, Theater of the Stars is one of the oldest and most respected regional theaters in America.  Since the organization’s founding in 1953, they have produced or presented over 700 productions in Atlanta, across the country, and around the world.

Theatre of the Stars is a not-for-profit organization run by a Board of dedicated volunteer Trustees.  They have played a leading role in the birth or development of several of Atlanta’s artistic institutions including the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Ballet, the Atlanta Children’s Theatre, the Grand Opera in the Park, the Winter Play Series, and the Just Us Theatre Company.

They annually employ hundreds of Atlanta artists and other professionals for their local productions.  Theater of the Star’s mission today is the same as it was sixty years ago — to produce and present the best of Broadway musicals.  For more information please visit www.theaterofthestars.com.