Category Archives: Theatre

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SMASH and The New Normal Cancelled: Pedigree Counts for Naught

Spencer Tracy, narrator and Garson Kanin, dire...

Spencer Tracy, narrator and Garson Kanin, director, at the Long Island Studios of the Army Signal Corps for the recording of Spencer Tracy’s narration of the “Ring of Steel,” an Office of Emergency Management (OEM) film, on February 19th, 1942. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Spielberg produced, Garson Kanin inspired,  Broadway Soap – SMASH – will not see a third season. Spielberg wasn’t the only name producer behind the series. Craig Zadon and Neil Meron put their reputations behind it. The cast’s pedigree was equally strong. Megan Hilty, Christan Borle and Anjelica Huston were standouts. Debra Messing brought a television pedigree. Pedigree, however, was not enough to save it.

The cancellation of The New Normal was announced last week. No surprise to devotees of the Ryan Murphy produced series. Justin Bartha brought Hangover fans into the audience. Andrew Rannells, hot off Book of Mormon, should have captured hearts. Ellen Barkin, who barked through the role of Nana, and NeNe Leakes, a reality television star, should have counted for something. Yet they were not enough to find a significant audience on Tuesday nights.

Both shows were shown on NBC in the US. Perhaps distribution killed them both? The network moved the shows around regularly. They were hard to find. An audience can’t build, if the program can’t be found. The New Normal did not benefit from following Matthew Perry’s new sitcom.

One significant difference between SMASH and The New Normal was consistent vision. SMASH was all over the place. Broadway audiences are preRENT or postRENT, and despite the efforts of Glee, never the twain shall meet. Season 1 of SMASH was about producing a show in the preRENT style. Season 2, in hopes for capturing a younger audience, a postRENT production was added. Neither audience was enticed.

There is an adage – You are only as good as your last show. Both these shows were good. And they didn’t last.

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Broadway, Boys and Betty Buckley @RHCPA

I have no ear for music, a genetic gift from the Nonagenarian; unlike Betty Buckley, who acknowledges her talent was inherited from her mother. I fill that void with a passion for lyrics. George needed Ira; Cole…well he just needed Porter…and then there was Larry Hart. My appreciation for Sondheim is as a lyricist, not a composer.

Presuming that you have no idea who Larry Hart is, I quote the lyrics for “With a Song in my Heart” -

With a song in my heart
I behold your adorable face.
Just a song at the start
but it soon is a hymn to your grace.
When the music swells
I'm touching your hand
It tells that your're standing near, and ..
At the sound of your voice 
heaven opens it's portals to me.
Can I help but rejoice
that a song such as ours came to be?
But I always knew
I would live life through
with a song in my heart for you.

In comparision, I present the refrain from No Scrubs written by Kandi Buruss and Tameka Cottle:

I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holler at me
I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holler at me

Which one will still be sung 100 years from now? I’m putting my money on Larry Hart. I think Betty Buckley would too!

Betty Buckley has a powerful voice, but in concert she doesn’t belt, rather she uses that power judiciously to embellish the lyrics when the volume is appropriate. Her restraint is particularly welcome as these days young female singers seem to have only two speeds- silent or full throttle. By focusing on the lyrics, the audience is drawn into her performance, eager to hear how the story ends.

Thank goodness for the iPod. I no longer have to despair that radio has forsaken lyrics for street slang and expletives. I can download Betty Buckley’s interpretations of the Great American Songbook and skip the musical dystopia.

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Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts: 2013-14 Season @RHCPA

The new season’s catalogue was released last week. You can view the production list online. There really is something for everyone. Take the Nonagenarian for example, she does not like music in any form. The new season offers evenings featuring guest speakers of renown. We will be attending Ambassador Ken Taylor’s night, October 23, 2013. Rex Reed will talk film in 2014.

Families with young children will enjoy Alexander and the Terrible Day – January 15, 2014 or A Christmas Carol, December 7 and 8, 2013. Tickets can be bought individually or in simple to understand packages like the Family Series with admission to Peter Pan, Romeo and Juliet, the aforementioned Alexander and more!

I’m particularly chuffed by the New Year’s Eve celebration. 9:30 PM, December 31, 2013 – Big Band New Year’s. I quote, “A live recreation of the famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert by Bennie Goodman.” No date required!

Two great comedians are in the line-up – David Brenner and Sandra Bernhard.

Keeping the tradition going, RHCPA will present some of Canada’s finest acts – Jesse Cook, Honeymoon Suite and the third play in the Wingfield cycle.

Free Summer Jazz Series

Jazz in the Plaza returns, every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, all summer long. The patio is licensed. The music is cool. The nights should be warm. See you there.

Elvis Stojko in Land of the Eternals

RHCPA has never been afraid of presenting unique productions. Just last year they presented the world premier of a new musical. The 2013-14 season includes Land of the Eternals – October 10, 2013. Richmond Hill native and champion figure-skater Elvis Stojko stars. RHCPA promises a one-of-a-kind event.

This short post is not inclusive. There are so many more offerings – tribute bands, a film series, plays and Suite Thursdays – a cabaret series. Visit RHCPA online.

PS – James Darren will make us swoon and Molly Ringwald will bring her Jazz song stylings!

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American Idol: Good on ya, @HarryConnickJR

Harry Connick Jr at Tulane University May 16, ...

Harry Connick Jr at Tulane University May 16, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My heroes have been using social media to share an interview with Harry Connick, Jr., conducted after he spent a week acting as a mentor for American Idol participants. Betty Buckley used her Twitter account to get the word out. She retweeted Michael Feinstein‘s tweet. Two of America’s finest song interpreters support Connick’s point of view, and, if I read between the lines, lament with him.

If you haven’t been following the story, here’s my debrief. Connick coached four Idol contestants who were tasked with singing songs from the “Great American Songbook.” Or as I prefer – songs from the time when lyrics and melody counted! The upstarts ignored his advice, and Judge Jackson took him to task for the advice he gave one young lady. Connick made the point that a singer can’t sing a classic properly if he or she hasn’t taken time to understand the context and meaning of a song. Harry expects his singers to do homework!

Great actors do their homework. Interpreting Shakespeare requires effort. Why shouldn’t singers put some effort into singing the poetry of  Larry Hart, Cole Porter or Ira Gershwin? Good on ya, Harry!

Thursday night, I’ll be in the audience when Buckley interprets Memory for the zillionth time. I believe she is going to sing it as if it were the first time. Because Betty understands the power of lyric interpretation.

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2013-14 Sneak Peek @RHCPA: Hint: Stella Adler was his drama teacher

English: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performi...

English: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How did little ol’ me get a sneak peek at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts line-up for 2013-14? Easy, I bought a ClubRHCPA membership. Buy one today, and you could attend the season launch on Monday night – April 29. One of the many privileges of membership is the ability to purchase tickets in advance of the general public.

RHCPA has a reputation for diverse programming. The 2013-14 season is no exception. Teen idols from two different generations are represented. The options available for children are classic. Suite Thursday’s return. They take place in the Plaza Suite, an intimate space that adapts to suit the occasion. This year you can buy tickets in advance. A convenience I really appreciate. There are dramatic productions, some classical concerts, tribute bands…and an evening with a guest speaker who has a world of experience. [Another hint, Ben Affleck made a movie about his exploits.]

The Reel Thing returns – that is a Monday night screening, once a month, of the best films from around the world. Need convincing? This Monday, April 29, I’m going to see Amour – which won the Oscar for best Foreign Film this year. RHCPA brings the world to our doorstep.

Equally exciting is the Centre’s plans for New Year’s Eve 2013. I bought a box…yep…and I plan to dress for the occasion. The Nonagenarian will be tapping her feet, and I’m going to be doing the One O’Clock Jump!

Email me if you want to know which student of Stella Adler is coming in October to entertain us. Better yet, call the box office and buy a ClubRHCP membership. There are no secrets for club members.