5 Minutes to Curtain has a “Wicked” Interview with Lyricist Stephen Schwartz

Last Saturday, Stephen Schwartz came to visit Ft. Lauderdale for a “Wickedwell” Weekend with the Lovewell Institute led by Dr. David Spangler. A five hundred plus room was almost filled to capacity with people of all ages, excited to hear what lyricist/composer, Schwartz had to say.

“This is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of these kids. I was, myself, amazed that they were able to pull this off”, said one staff member of Lovewell.

Lovewell is an institute designed to teach students how to write their own full scale musicals. Through three weeks of workshops and hard work, kids get together and create musicals, based on events that are important in their own lives.

Schwartz, the creator of such hits as Wicked, Godspell, Pippen and other Broadway hits, as well as writing music for Disney movies, spoke of how he created music and sat down for a question and answer session with the audience. After the conference, Stephen Schwartz was nice enough to sit down with 5 Minutes to Curtain and answer a few questions.

5MTC- I’m wondering if you can tell me, from a lyricists and songwriter’s perspective, what is Wicked about?

SS- Wicked is about two girls, who diverge in terms of what they become in life. One becomes the most hated villain in all of OZ, where she is from, and she becomes know as the Wicked Witch of the West and the other becomes a beloved Glinda the Good. But they start out as reluctant roommates in college and it’s basically about their relationship and how they affect one another and about the fact that appearances can be deceiving.

5MTC- How did you find out about Wicked and how did you become involved?

SS- I found about it from a friend while we were on a snorkeling trip in Hawaii and on the way back from snorkeling she said very casually, “Oh, I’m reading this really interesting book called Wicked, by Gregory Maguire and it’s the OZ story from the Wicked Witch’s point of view” and I found that a brilliant idea.

5MTC- Now, I just finished reading the book for the second time two days, ago and finding that it’s an extremely political, almost an adult book for the sense of view of their ideas. What ideas did you and Winnie Holzman come up with to try to make that more into a family musical but still getting the same points around?

SS- Well, we didn’t try to make it into a family musical, we just wrote the story we wanted to tell. But we did want to keep Gregory’s vision in terms of the political overtones and the social overtones and we hope that we succeeded in doing that but we had our own story that we wanted to tell so we sort of changed a lot of his story.

5MTC- Now, I was reading your website and reading your forum and I a lot of people and I know you mentioned this during your conference about the movie with Universal. Now I know you know a lot of people are looking for the musical version of the movie, but I saw, and I don’t know if it was you that was directly quoted or not, but it said that you didn’t know if it was going to do well because it was in a fantastical atmosphere.

SS- No, I think it will work well as a movie. There were reasons why I thought it was not a good idea to adapt the book directly as a movie in particularly as a non-musical movie and those reasons proved persuasive to the executives at Universal, but now, that the show exists and is known, I think that the movie version of the show could work very well if it is done well and we are beginning to talk about it and I would not be very surprised if 5 or 6 years from now, the movie comes out.

5MTC-Ok, as I mentioned before the interview, unfortunately with the economy these days it’s very hard for young kids to go see a stage show or anything like that. What are your ideas and praises about Broadway shows becoming movies and movies becoming Broadway shows? Do you think that’s helping kids become involved and what would you like to see happen with movies?

SS- Well, I think it’s always good for the musical form and genre when it’s done in any form, whether it’s theatre or film or whatever but I have to say that I don’t think you can really beat live theatre for musicals and you know I’m certainly not a fan of the ticket prices though I understand why they are what they are. First of all, Broadway musicals try to make inexpensive tickets available in various ways. I know in Wicked, we have a lottery every night where tickets are $25 and admittedly people have to win the lottery, which people do. And then of course, you don’t have to see a show on Broadway. You can see a show in a school or community theatre or whatever.

5MTC- And for the last question, it’s a question I always ask everybody, any advice for any kids that want to be involved in Broadway.

SS- Well, I said this in the conference, that I think there are several things to do, but it requires perseverance and willingness to go down some blind alleys, but I think you go where they are doing the kind of work that you want to be doing and you try to get some training so you can get your best foot forward and then you keep on knocking on doors and learn the ropes and eventually it leads somewhere.

We, at 5 Minutes to Curtain would like to thank Stephen Schwartz for taking time out of his day to sit down with us and talk. Wicked will be playing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts until April 6^th, 2008. For more information, please visit www.browardcenter.org or www.5minstocurtain.com. For more information on the Lovewell Institute, please visit www.lovewell.org

Marissa Survives Week 1 of Dancing With the Stars

Disappointed after her first performance on Dancing With the Stars, Marissa Jaret Winokur, star of Tony Award winning, Hairspray, came out on the floor and danced an amusing quickstep with her partner Tony Dovolani.

Looking very cute in her pink dress, Marissa rescued herself with a toe-tapping performance that left the judges smiling. Carrie Ann said that she had missteps but both Bruno and Lance thought that she was lovely and bubbly and that she was great and did great work.

Scoring a 21 and a total of 39 out of 60 for two weeks, Marissa is still in the running for the championship, while audiences said goodbye to Monica Seles and her partner, Jonathan Roberts.

Keep up the good work, Marissa!

Three More Characters Lined Up For "Shrek The Musical"

Three more actors have signed on to be featured in “Shrek the Musical”, the new musical based on the book by William Steig and the first animated movie by Dreamworks.

Brian d’Arcy James has joined the cast and will be playing the title role of Shrek, the swamp-loving ogre who is sent on a quest to rescue the pretty princess, Fiona. Having previously earned a Tony nomination for his role in Sweet Smell of Success, d’Arcy James has also starred in Broadway hits such as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Apple Tree and many other stage favorites.

Also creating a new role, Chester Gregory has signed on to play the comedic counterpart to Shrek, Donkey, who was brought to life by the talents of Eddie Murphy. Gregory, currently seen on Broadway in Cry-Baby as Dupree has also been in Tarzan as Terk and both the stage and screen version of Hairspray.

Joining Gregory and d’Arcy James is puppet master, television and stage icon, John Tartaglia. Best known for his work in Avenue Q (Tony Nomination) and his new television show, “Johnny and the Sprites”, Tartaglia will be playing the role of Pinocchio.

These three actors will be joining the previously announced team of Sutton Foster (Fiona), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), and Kecia Lewis-Evans (Dragon).

Shrek The Musical will begin it’s Pre-Broadway run in Seattle 5^th Avenue Theatre from August 14^th through September 21^st. After it’s run in Seattle, Shrek will travel to The Great White Way to The Broadway Theatre for it’s Broadway Previews starting on November 8^th until it makes it’s official Opening Night on December 14^th.

Footloose Dances It’s Way to Actors’ Playhouse

Critics Rating- 3 out of 5 Spotlights

Footloose, the hip 1998 Broadway musical is making it’s South Florida premiere at the Actors’ Playhouse at Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, FL. Currently playing through April 6^th, this production is sure to bring joy to all patrons.

Based on the 1980’s movie starring Kevin Bacon, John Lithgow and co-starring Sarah Jessica Parker, this teen-dance movie was just one of the many “teeny-bopper” movies that included such hits as Grease, Flashdance and many others.

The show follows the story of a young man named Ren who moves to a small town called Beaumont after his father leaves him and his mother. The town’s authority figure is Reverend Shaw Moore who has placed a ban on dancing anywhere in the town after four teens died on their way back from dancing. After finding out about the ban, Ren begins to find a way to get it lifted and with the help from the Reverend’s daughter, Ariel and the other teens of Beaumont, the youth find the courage to fight the Reverend and city hall.

Full of energy, Nathaniel Shaw leads a high-spirited ensemble, playing the role of Ren. After having a rusty beginning in “Footloose/On Any Sunday” and being sick, Shaw picked himself up and delivered a toe-tapping performance; additional notoriety belongs to his ability to have a believable connection with all the characters he interacts with.

Along with Shaw, Amy Miller Brennan is making her Actors’ Playhouse debut, performing the role of Ariel, the rebellious daughter of Reverend Moore. Through a feisty attitude and gorgeous voice, Brennan convincingly finds a unique way to deliver pure, raw emotion in “Almost Paradise” and “Learning to Be Silent”.

A particular actor that was surprising was Barry J. Tarallo, who played the role of Reverend Shaw Moore. Although he had a great solo in the opening number, his character became very weak. In the movie of Footloose, John Lithgow, who plays the same role, hit his daughter, which was not shown in this production. Also, Director and Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director, David Arisco took out Moore’s most important number, “I Confess”, which tells the audience all about the Reverend’s son and the relationship that he had with him.

Besides that eliminated number, Arisco did make other changes to the show. Even though “I Confess” was not the best idea to dismiss from the show, adding Ariel to “Learning to be Silent” was an excellent idea. Ariel added to the song, making a beautiful three-part harmony. The one big mistake that Arisco made was having the head of the city council also play a student during “I’m Free”. She stuck out from the rest of cast and really brought out the fact that all these actors were too old to play teens.

Additional recognition goes to Christopher Kent for his role of Willard, Rusty, played by Heather Jane Rolff and her two friends Urleen and Wendy Jo played respectfully by Tiana Checchia and Julie Kleiner. Christopher did an amazing job during “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” as he learns to dance and singing his big number, “Mama Says”. The three girls really stood out with their own three-part harmony during “Holding Out For a Hero” and “Somebody’s Eyes”.

Overall, this show was an absolutely wonderful experience, full of energy and enjoyment. Footloose the musical plays until April 6^th. After this show, Actors’ Playhouse presents the new comedy-thriller, Thumbs, from May 7^th through May 25^th. Finishing up the season, Mid Life! The Crisis Musical will be performed from July 9^th through August 10^th.

For more information, check out www.actorsplayhouse.org or www.5minstocurtain.com

Spamalot Gallops It’s Way To the Kravis Center

James Beaman as Sir Robin and his Minstrels / Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Critics Rating- 3 out of 5 Spotlights

For Monty Python fans alike, the Kravis Center is currently playing host to Eric Idle’s, Spamalot until March 16^th. Presented by Stanford’s Broadway Across America, Spamalot tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as they search for the Holy Grail.

“Lovingly ripped off the motion picture, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail”, Spamalot is full of the British humor and sidesplitting entertainment that is expected from the minds of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and the other brilliant writers of the famous troupe.

The 2005 Tony Award winner for Best Musical currently stars Christopher Sutton, Brad Bradley, Esther Stilwell and many other talented actors. Headlining this cast was Tony Award and Drama Desk winner Gary Beach, best known for his role of Roger DeBris in the Broadway production and movie version of The Producers.

Playing his first performance last week in Miami, Gary Beach came into the role of King Arthur and nailed it. There were some moments when you could tell that he was new at this role. For instance, I happened to notice that at times, particularly during “Knights of the Round Table”, that Mr. Beach was looking around the stage, a little unsure of himself, although his musical talent was no disappointment to fans during “I’m All Alone”.

The only disapointing performance was Esther Stilwell who played The Lady of the Lake. Her singing talents were sub par to Sara Ramirez (the original Lady of the Lake on Broadway) and her scat sounded completely scripted. Unfortunately, her voice was not as strong as the rest of the cast.

The other problem I had with the show was the speed and accent of the lines spoken during the show. Given the fact that the movie was spoken at the same speed and the accent, people that haven’t seen the movie may have been lost without the subtitles.

Special recognition goes to Brad Bradley for his role of Patsy, Christopher Sutton for his many roles, but in particular, Prince Herbert and James Beaman for his role of Sir Robin. All of these actors did an amazing job portraying a number of roles. James Beaman did a superb job in “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” and his “brave” reactions to being scared.

Offstage kudos belong to Tim Hatley for set and costume design and to Hugh Vanstone for lighting design. These two gentlemen truly brought the Monty Python feel to this show through bright and colorful costumes and the zany sets that were from the cartoon images shown in Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will continue it’s final Broadway Across America series with Camelot starring Lou Diamond Phillips from April 15^th to the 20^th and ending it’s series will be Soundheim’s Sweeney Todd from May 13^th to the 18^th.

For more information, be sure to check out www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or www.5minstocurtain.com

The Immigrant Should Have Stayed In Russia

Critics Rating: 2 out of 5 spotlights

The Immigrant, currently in production at Stage Door Theatre's 26th Street Theatre, is being advertised as "A New American Musical". If this critic was a lawyer, this show would be sued for false advertising.

The Immigrant was originally a play about a Russian Jew who flees Czarist Russia and arrives in Hamilton, Texas. At the time the story took place, the town was a Baptist community who did not take kindly to strangers. Haskell, the main character played by Joey Zangardia, arrives at the door of Ima and Milton Perry to sell bananas off his cart. After a few minutes, the couple realizes he is hungry and tired and is ushered into the home for the night. Six weeks later, Milton offers to help Haskell expand his business. Saving up his money, Haskell sends for his wife, Leah, and the four characters experience the struggles and ignorance that America dealt towards foreigners.

Adding music to this show was the biggest mistake ever made. Unfortunately, the songs seemed to appear out of thin air and did not follow any rational placement throughout the show. The lack of music quality hurt the casts' ability to showcase their talent. It instead, showed a lot of the casts' weaknesses. For example, Gordon Gray, who played Milton, was an excellent actor when it came to straight acting. When the music played and it was time for him to sing, he changed into a high school student that had never been in a show in his life. His timing was completely off and was horribly droning.

The songs itself were completely ear-pulling and very hard to listen to. "Changes", a song in the first act between Milton and Haskell, was at least 7 minutes of dialogue that had no reason for music in the first place. "The Stars-Opening" made absolutely no sense being the first thing the audience heard from the "musical".

There were two factors that saved this show from receiving a 1 out of 5 in my rating system. The first factor was Joey Zangardia. This actor has an amazing voice and an acting talent that fully allowed the audience to feel the emotions that an immigrant at that time would have felt. The other factor was a few of the musical pieces that brought humor to this dramatic show. The second number in the second act, entitled, "Padadooly". In this musical number, Ima and Leah discuss all the lucky charms and superstitions that each of their cultures obtain. This whimsical tune showed how two completely different ways of life had some beliefs in common.

Being directed and choreographed by Hugh Murphy, this is not the usual high-quality show that I have seen from him in the past, and I have to say that this critic is very surprised and disappointed by the lack of entertainment in the production and hope to see a turn around in the next show that he directs.

The Immigrant will continue to be shown at the 26th Street Theatre until May 11th, 2008. Also in production at this time is Thoroughly Modern Millie until March 3oth and Baby until March 31st. Coming soon to Stage Door Theatre is "Groucho!" opening on April 10th and Starting Here, Starting Now will be in production from April 18th through June 8th. For more information, contact the Stage Door Theatre's box office at (954) 344-7765, check their website at www.stagedoortheatre.com or www.fusion726.com/5mins

Les Miserables and 1776 Top Amazing 2008-2009 Season at Actors' Playhouse

London Production-Red and Black
Photo Credit Michael Le Poer Trench


Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, FL has announced it's 2008-2009 season which will feature two Tony-Award winners for Best Musical, a world premiere show, a brand new play and two comedic musicals.

Bringing the season to a memorable start will be the patriotic musical, 1776. Winner of three Tony Awards in it's original run of 1969, a Tony for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997, and hailed for the 1972 film, 1776 tells the story of the founding fathers just days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This musical is sure to bring out the American love in all audiences. Experience this Americana from October 1st through November 2nd, 2008.

Following the patriotic tribute, comes a new comedy, Gutenberg! The Musical! from December 3rd through January 4th, 2009. On the basis of The Big Bang, Gutenburg! The Musical! is a show starring two actors, portraying all the roles, who want to present their musical to prospective producers. Through music and comedy, Bud and Doug produces a show about the printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg. If you loved The Big Bang, don't miss Gutenberg! The Musical!

For it's third production, Actors' Playhouse will present a South Florida rooted World Premiere with Miami Bombshells, The Musical from January 14th through February 8th, 2009. Based on the book, Dish and Tell, this show this a collection of vignettes based on stores of woman juggling their person /professional lives. With a pop score written by a local Floridian and with an orchestration by renowned musician, Artie Butler, this show, full of humor and emotions, will touch men and women alike.

Headlining the season will be the South Florida Regional Theatre Premeier of Cameron Mackintosh's world famous musical, Les Miserables. Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, audiences will be brought back to the French Revolution and introduced to such characters as Jean Valjean, the ex-con who is trying to reconstruct his life and the police officer, Javert, who will do anything to capture Valjean a second time. With such famous songs as "On My Own", "One Day More" and "I Dreamed a Dream", theatre lovers will leave this musical with a song in their hearts and a smile on their faces. Be sure to see this blockbuster hit while it is in Coral Gables from March 4th through April 5th, 2009.

The fifth show of the season will hit home with Floridians as Coral Gables will play host to the Florida Premiere of Havana Bourgeois. This new drama explores the impact that Fidel Castro's revolution had on the middle class of Cuba. Carlos Lacamara explores the history as seen through the eyes of people who experienced this period of history. Havana Bourgeois arrives at the playhouse from May 6th through June 7th, 2009.

The final show of the season, being billed as the summer show, will be Married Alive. Being called the best new couples musical since I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, portrays the trials and tribulations of two married couples, one newlywed and one "oldywed". Originally named From Niagara to Viagara, this new musical carries it's audience through marriage, babies and empty nests. Don't miss this laugh-out-loud comedy, coming to the Actors' Playhouse from July 8th through August 16th, 2009.

For more information, contact the Actors' Playhouse box office at (305) 444-9293 or visit their website at www.actorsplayhouse.org

Stage Door Theatre Announces 2008-2009 Season

Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs, FL has announced it's 2008-2009 season. Consisting of 9 shows, this season is sure to please all audiences alike. This two-theatre house allows patrons the opportunity to see a lot of different shows.

December 12 to January 18, Stage Door Theatre will be presenting Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic, Cats. The 8 Tony-Award musical is best known for it's famous song, "Memory"

December 26 to February 15 will play host to Showtune, a revue celebrating the words and music of composer/lyricist Jerry Herman. Herman is known for his shows, Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles.

The Tony nominated musical, Sugar will be arriving at Stage Door Theatre from February 13 to March 29. This musical, based on the film "Some Like It Hot" with music by Jules Styne, tells the story of two jobless musicians who disguise themselves as females in an all-female band to avoid gangsters.

March 6-April 19 has not been announced.

Stephen Soundheim will be featured as part of the season with the Tony Award winning musical, A Little Night Music. Based on Ingmar Bergman's film, "Smiles of a Summer Night", this show involves the lives of several couples with almost every song set to Waltz time. This show is sure to please Broadway fans alike with it's most famous song, "Send in the Clowns". A Little Night Music will be performed from April 17 to May 24.

After Soundheim, the theatre will present it's first comedy, entitled The Convertible Girl by Danny Simon. This comedy tells the story of a nice gentile girl who happens to be in love with a man who can not marry her because she is not Jewish. After she decides to convert, she discovers that there is more that she bargained for. Be ready to laugh from August 15-October 12.

From August 29 to October 5, the question Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? will be answered. This musical comedy shows the coming of age of eight Chicago children. Breaking house records in Philadelphia and being the longest running show in Chicago's history, this musical is sure to bring a smile to every patron's face.

The theatre transports itself to the 1950's in Smokey Joe's Cafe. In this famous musical revue of songwriters Lieber and Stoller, audiences are introduced to 39 pop standards, written by these two pinacle writers of love won and lost and set pieces. Performances will be from October 24 to November 23.

The final show at the Stage Door Theatre will be Lucky Stiff, playing from October 31 to December 7. This offbeat murder mystery musical is about an English show salesman forced to take his recently-murdered Atlantic City uncle on vacation to Monte Carlo. This show guarantees hilarity to finish off a great season.

Stage Door Theatre is located at 8036 W. Sample Road Coral Springs, FL 33065. For more information, call the box office at (954) 344-7765 or visit www.stagedoortheatre.com