The Performers

Broadway

Longacre Theatre

11/3/12

When I walked into the Longacre Theatre to catch last Saturday’s evening performance of The Performers, I was not sure what to expect of a play centered on the adult film industry (a politically correct way of saying porn). I was probably expecting something funny, light, raunchy, and not at all relatable, seeing that I’ve never been employed in the adult film industry myself. After walking around the desolate streets of NYC status post Hurricane Sandy, I wasn’t opposed to any of the above expectations as long as it provided me with a few laughs! What I found at the Longacre Theatre was more heartwarming, hilarious, and normal than I’d ever expected. Keep reading if you want to find out why....

Synopsis: In this romantic comedy, high school sweethearts Lee, a journalist, and Sara, a schoolteacher, have finally become engaged and decide to spend a night in Las Vegas for the Adult Film Awards so that Lee can interview his former high school classmate, Mandrew, an adult film star who has been nominated for several awards. Mandrew’s wife and fellow adult film star, Peeps, is dealing with her own insecurities after she learns she is pregnant. After seeing Mandrew and Peep’s seemingly racy and exciting lifestyle, Lee and Sarah begin to doubt their relationship and plans for the future, while Peeps questions her own relationship with Mandrew and wonders if conservative is the way to go. Enter Chuck Wood, a man with years of experience in the Adult Film business who accidentally becomes caught in the middle of these feuding couples, and ultimately helps them to resolve their issues. And they all live happily ever after (we hope). 

Comments: First and foremost, this show is hilariously funny. Unless you are extremely conservative, I can’t imagine someone not laughing steadily through the entire show. The surprise is the balance between humor and heart. The Adult Film Industry is merely a backdrop that is often forgotten as the story delves deeper into the relationships between the characters.The Performers isn’t really about porn- it’s about human relationships, love, and vulnerability. Don’t get me wrong. This is not a life-changing play, but something tells me that’s not what the audience is looking for at The Performers. The audience will get the laughs they want, and hopefully something a little more heartwarming than they were expecting! 

Besides having amazing abs, Cheyenne Jackson was charming and likable as Mandrew. He didn’t portray Mandrew as the stereotypical porn star, and brought out a more misunderstood side of the character. Ari Graynor stole the show as Peeps simply because of her impeccable comedic timing. Jenni Barber also provided many laughs as the more “stereotypical” porn star, Sundown LeMay. Alicia Silverstone and Daniel Breaker were good together as Sara and Lee and both played the “repressed” sides of the characters very well.  I particularly enjoyed Sara’s drunk scene with Henry Winkler, who impressed me with his ability to play a porn star at the age of 67.  Overall, the six characters had good chemistry and played off of one another very well.  

The Performers opens at the Longacre Theatre on November 14, 2012. Check it out if you want to see a hilariously heartwarming show. 

Catch Me If You Can

October 9, 2012

National Tour

Providence Performing Arts Center

Providence, RI

The National Tour of Catch Me If You Can has opened at the Providence Performing Arts Center!  Opening on Broadway in 2011, this charming new musical is based on the story of real-life con man, Frank Abagnale, Jr., who passed $2.5 million in forged checks while posing as a doctor, lawyer, and pilot all before he turned 21 years old. With a magnificent score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and an amusing and clever book by Terrence McNally, Catch Me If You Can is a surefire audience pleaser. 

Synopsis: Growing up, Frank Abagnale, Jr. has a seemingly perfect childhood, raised by two doting parents including a father who taught him the importance of outward appearances. At the age of sixteen, his parents divorce, and rather than choose between them, Frank escapes to New York City where he quickly learns the art of being an impostor (as well as how to pass bad checks). It isn’t long before FBI agent, Carl Hanratty is hot on his tail, which leads to a sometimes intense, sometimes hilarious cat and mouse chase, and ultimately, an unlikely friendship. 

Comments: The highlight of Catch Me If You Can is its upbeat, energetic, “big band” score, which is reminiscent of the 1960‘s Sinatra “era”, and this is followed closely by Jerry Mitchell’s impeccably choreographed dance numbers performed by a talented ensemble of dancers. The audience went wild for jazzy numbers such as “Doctor’s Orders”, “Live in Living Color”, and “Jet Set”. (It’s not surprising that Shaiman and Wittman were recruited for SMASH- this duo certainly knows how to create an audience-pleasing score!)

Recent college graduate Stephen Anthony is near perfectly cast as high school student turned con artist, Frank Abagnale, Jr. Not only does he possess boyish good looks and charm, he can also sing the heck out of the score in a performance that rivals Aaron Tveit’s (who originated the role on Broadway). Undoubtedly, he gave the stand out performance. I thought he had great chemistry with his stage father, played by Dominic Fortuna, and I particularly enjoyed their scenes together. 

As the gruff, but endearing FBI agent who relentlessly chases Frank halfway across the world, Merritt David Janes certainly nailed his highly anticipated dance number, “Don’t Break the Rules”, which was performed by original Broadway cast member, Norbert Leo Butz, at the 2011 Tony Awards.  He also sang several slow, bluesy numbers that I really enjoyed and gave both a comedic and dramatic performance. I expect that he will grow more into the role as time goes on, seeing that Providence is the first stop on the tour. 

As Frank’s sweet and innocent love interest Brenda Strong, Aubrey Mae Davis was very effective, and she gave a warm and mournful performance of a pretty 11 o’clock ballad called, “Fly, Fly Away”. 

The orchestra was effectively placed on the stage rather than in the pit, and much like the musical Chicago, the orchestra was part of the story line. There were large screens which projected various colors and shapes during the musical numbers. I don’t recall these screens in the Broadway production and I’m unsure if they are a new addition for the tour, but regardless, they were completely unnecessary and distracted the audience from the actors. 

The Verdict: Catch Me If You Can is one of my favorite musicals; it’s smart and comedic with great music and choreography, and I’m glad people around the United States have been given the chance to see it. 

Chaplin

September 23, 2012

Broadway

Ethel Barrymore Theatre

On September 10th, a delightful new musical named Chaplin opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Based on the life of iconic silent film star, Charlie Chaplin, this musical tells the story of the man behind “the Tramp”, depicting his impoverished upbringing in London, his life as a young vaudeville performer in England and his rise to fame in America, his political interests and subsequent exile from the United States, and finally, his welcome back into the United States with an honorary Academy Award in 1972. 

Synopsis: Growing up in England at the end of the 19th century, Charlie Chaplin is raised by an alcoholic, absentee father and a mentally unstable mother, who (despite her psychiatric shortcomings) teaches her son to closely observe the people around him before she is permanently institutionalized. Charlie, who had developed an interest in entertaining, began work as a music hall performer at a young age, later becoming quite successful as a comedy and vaudeville performer in England. It wasn’t long before Hollywood noticed this great talent and Charlie was offered a job with Keystone Studios, thus launching his successful career as a silent film actor in the United States. As Chaplin became more and more successful, he became the target of vindictive gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper, who felt snubbed by the actor when he declined an interview. Fueled by Hedda Hopper’s lies and exaggerations, his desire to assert political beliefs in his films led to the assumption that he was a communist, culminating in his exile from the United States. The musical also recounts Chaplin’s affinity for younger women, his four marriages, and his happy marriage with his fourth and final wife, Oona O’Neill. In addition to finding happiness with Oona, Chaplin is welcomed back into the United States with an honorary Academy Award in 1972. 

Comments: In order for a show like Chaplin to work, there needs to be that special actor who is able to successfully embody the character of Charlie Chaplin. Rob McClure is that special actor. I admit that I did not know who Rob McClure was prior to seeing Chaplin last week; but after seeing his performance, I will never forget him. He has mastered physical comedy, and with every facial expression and mannerism, he becomes more believable as Charlie Chaplin. While his visual comedy and mimicry skills are comparable to Chaplin’s, I was most impressed with his acting and his ability to support the arc of the story as Charlie transitions from young, insecure actor to successful film star to divorcee to political activist/accused communist to exiled actor, and finally, celebrated Academy Award winner. And while his physical interpretation of Chaplin is spot-on, his portrayal of the more emotional side of this complex person is what makes his performance truly special... and Tony Award worthy, I might add.  Bravo, Rob McClure.  

The supporting cast was also excellent. Christiane Noll had great stage presence as Charlie’s flawed but influential mother, and sang beautifully.  Wayne Alan Wilcox and Erin Mackey were very well-cast as Sidney Chaplin and Oona O’Neill respectively. Jenn Colella gave a stand-out performance as the villainous Hedda Hopper and her Act II number, “All Falls Down”, was one of the musical highlights of the show. She can really belt out a song.   

What did I love about Chaplin? What sticks out in my mind a week later? I loved that the sets, costumes, and make-up were done in a black and white theme, as if to give the audience the impression of watching a Chaplin movie.  I thought this was creative and aesthetically pleasing to watch on stage. I also loved the way Charlie’s transition into the Tramp was presented on stage, with flashbacks to childhood memories of his mother and the people they watched together. I loved the incredible talent that is Rob McClure.  I loved Jenn Colella’s insanely powerful singing voice. I particularly liked the scenes between Christiane Noll and Zachary Unger who played Young Charlie.  These sometimes-heartbreaking, sometimes-joyful scenes really conveyed Charlie’s love for his mother and his devastation when she was institutionalized. I loved the supporting cast; while this is show about Charlie Chaplin, his story cannot be told without the people/characters that influenced his life. The supporting cast was really stellar. I loved Christopher Curtis’ music, the most memorable songs being “Look At All the People”, “Just Another Day in Hollywood”, “All Falls Down”, and “This Man”. 

I hope this will give you many reasons to check out Chaplin at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.  

Evita: Passion and Action

"...I need to be dazzling... I want to be rainbow high..."

The Museo Evita of Buenos Aires has brought an exhibition of Eva Peron's dresses and personal items to New York City, now through September 28th at the Consulate General of Argentina on 56th St (between 5th and 6th Ave). Also on display are photographs and artwork of Argentina's former First Lady. Admission is free. Check it out if you want a sneak peek into the life of the real Eva Peron. Below are photographs of some of Evita's beautiful dresses that are currently on display at the exhibit. 

Laura Osnes- Dream A Little Dream, Live at the Cafe Carlyle

Released: 9/14/12 on iTunes

After spending the past five years rising to Broadway stardom in shows like Grease, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and Bonnie and Clyde, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes has released her debut solo album titled, Dream a Little Dream, Live at the Cafe Carlyle recorded June 28-30, 2012. The album also features Tom Wopat, Jeremy Jordan, and Nathan Johnson. 

With her crystalline and versatile voice, Laura Osnes is a rising star, likely to someday join the ranks of legends like Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone. Her new album, which covers many beloved show tunes, does not disappoint her musical theatre fans. She has taken these beloved show tunes and really made them her own, all while making her singing appear effortless. This live recording showcases her enormous talent. 

One of my favorite songs from the album is “Till There Was You” from Meredith Wilson’s, The Music Man, and Laura’s flawless version may be my all-time favorite recording of this song. I also liked “Anything You Can Do”, a duet with Jeremy Jordan, which was very funny and charming. The song is reminiscent of their chemistry in the musical, Bonnie and Clyde.  

Other memorable songs were “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, which incorporated a recording of Laura singing the same song at age 12, and a duet with her husband, Nathan Johnson (“A Whole New World”). There is also a bonus track that gives listeners a little “sneak peek” into Laura’s newest Broadway show, Cinderella. 

The best part of this recording is that it allows you to hear a little piece of her story for the first time through dialogue and music. 

Anyone who loves musical theatre must add this album to their music collection!

UPCOMING BROADWAY MUSICALS

1.) Chaplin the Musical

Chaplin dramatizes the life and career of beloved film actor Charlie Chaplin. 

Cast includes: Rob McClure, Jim Borstelmann, Jenn Colella, Erin Mackey, Michael McCormick, Christiane Noll, Zachary Unger, Wayne Alan Wilcox

Opened: September 10, 2012

Location: Ethel Barrymore Theatre

2.) Annie

Everyone knows the story of Orphan Annie, who in taken in by billionaire Oliver Warbucks for the Christmas holiday, but only wants to find her real parents.  Annie’s search for her parents is complicated by Miss Hannigan, hater of little girls, and the sleazy Rooster and Lily, who pretend to be Annie’s parents. 

Cast includes: Lilla Crawford, Anthony Warlow, Katie Finneran, Brynn O’Malley, J. Elaine Marcos, Clarke Thorell

Preview: 10/3/12

Opens: 11/8/12

Location: Palace Theatre

3.) Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson

With book and lyrics by Kathy Lee Gifford, Scandalous tells the story of 1920’s evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson as she saved souls in the midst of scandal and controversy. 

Cast includes: Carolee Carmello, George Hearn, Edward Watts, Roz Ryan, Andrew Samonsky

Preview: 10/13/12

Opens: 11/15/12

Location: Neil Simon Theatre

4.) The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Based on the unfinished final novel by Charles Dickens, this musical attempts to answer the question, “Who killed Edwin Drood”? 

Cast includes: Chita Rivera, Jim Norton, Stephanie J. Block, Will Chase, Gregg Edelman, Jessie Mueller, Betsy Wolfe

Preview: 10/19/12

Opens: 11/13/12

Location: Studio 54

5.) Rebecca

Based on the novel, Rebecca focuses on Maxim de Winter, his new wife referred to as “I”, their housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, and the memory of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, which is still present among them. 

Cast includes: Jill Paice, Ryan Silverman, Karen Mason, Howard McGillen, James Barbour, Donna English, Nick Wyman, Henry Stram

Opens: To Be Announced. Rehearsals have been delayed due to an investor’s death. 

Location: Broadhurst Theatre

6.) A Christmas Story, the Musical

A Christmas Story shares the Christmas adventures of Ralphie, who just wants a BB gun for Christmas. 

Cast includes: Dan Lauria

Preview: 11/5/12

Opens: 11/19/12

Location: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

7.) Elf the Musical

Returning to Broadway, this musical is based on the popular movie of the same name, which tells the story of Buddy the Elf.  

Cast: Beth Leavel, Mark Jacoby, Valerie Wright, Adam Heller, Michael Mandell

Preview: 11/9/12

Location: Al Hirschfeld Theatre

8.) Cinderella

Based on the beloved fairy tale and re-imagined by Douglas Carter Beane.

Cast includes: Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, Harriet Harris, Victoria Clark, Peter Bartlett, Ann Harada, Marla Mindelle, Greg Hildreth

Preview: 1/21/13

Opens: 2/21/13

Location: Broadway Theatre

ONCE

Broadway

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

March 31, 2012

July 28, 2012 

Background:  Once the musical is based on the low-budget Irish film of the same name, which earned unexpected box office success in 2007. The film’s success led to two Grammy nominations and an Academy Award win for Best Original Song (Falling Slowly). The musical Once played at the New York Theatre Workshop in December, 2011 and transferred to Broadway in February. Once was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won eight, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (John Tiffany), and Best Actor in a Musical (Steve Kazee). 

Synopsis: Guy is a struggling Irish musician who lives with his father and fixes Hoover vacuums for a living. Girl is a Czech immigrant who is immediately inspired by Guy’s music. When the two meet in Dublin, they form an unlikely friendship that results in love, healing, and beautiful music. “His music needed one thing. Her”. 

Comments: When I saw the show for the first time in March, I left the theatre thinking, okay, when can I come back and see this again? 

Once is wildly different from anything I have ever seen on stage.  Once is the kind of honest, inspiring production that you don’t see every day on Broadway, and this is what makes it so special and appealing to audiences. 

The music is simple and beautiful, ranging from raw and emotionally-charged to passionate and haunting. The music is most effective in the way that it is presented by the actors. This multitalented cast functions not only as actors, singers, and dancers, but also as the orchestra. The actors simultaneously sing, dance, play an instrument, and propel the story forward.  Because of this, the story is told in a very unique way, with the instrument becoming part of the character and choreography. It’s impressive and inspiring. 

Enda Walsh’s book is smart with humor injected in just the right places. I loved the dialogue between Guy and Girl, which is both emotional and restrained. Immediately, the audience becomes emotionally invested in these two characters and is undoubtedly rooting for this love story. 

Tony Award Winner Steve Kazee is perfectly cast as Guy. His Tony Award is well-deserved for this incredible performance. He has a wonderful voice and he sings with such emotion and passion. Andrea Goss (understudy), who played Girl at both performances, was absolutely endearing. She did a great job of being funny in a serious way... and her accent was awesome! These two actors had great chemistry together, despite one being an understudy.  As a side-note-- if you go see Once and a little piece of paper falls out of your playbill with Andrea Goss’ name on it, do not be disappointed. She was amazing.  

As I’ve already said, the supporting cast is incredibly talented.  Elizabeth A. Davis, who plays Reza, received a Tony nomination for this role and I definitely feel that this Tony nomination represents the entire supporting cast of Once.  They are all first-rate talent and it’s nice that this was recognized at the Tony’s (in a way). 

If you want to see a musical that will make you laugh, cry, and be inspired, check out Once at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.  

Evita

Broadway

Marquis Theatre

May 4, 2012 with Elena Roger as Eva Peron

August 18, 2012 with Christina DeCicco as Eva Peron

Background: “Oh, what a circus. Oh, what a show”! On April 5, 2012, the first Broadway revival of Evita opened at the Marquis Theatre, starring Olivier Award winner Elena Roger as Eva Peron, Ricky Martin as Che, and Michael Cerveris as Juan Peron. The production was nominated for three Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards with no wins. Boasting music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Evita depicts the life of Argentine First Lady Eva Peron, focusing on her ambitious rise to power via controversial means, her marriage to Argentine President Juan Peron, her charity work for the “common man” of Argentina, and her death at age 33. 

Brief History of Eva Peron: Maria Eva Duarte was born in Argentina in 1919. Raised by her mother in a state of poverty, she moved to Buenos Aires at age 15 to pursue an acting career and eventually became a successful radio performer during the early 1940’s. Eva met Juan Peron at a fundraiser held to raise money for earthquake victims and they married in 1945. Eva soon joined her husband in his presidential campaign, emphasizing her own impoverished upbringing in order to gain the support of the poor.  Shortly after Peron was elected president, Eva began her “Rainbow Tour” of Europe, meeting with important political figures in Spain, Italy, France, and Switzerland, presumably to improve Argentina’s relations with other countries. However, she was not always received well. Eva Peron is praised for her attention to the poor and her charity work, specifically the creation of the Eva Peron Foundation which provided clothing, education, and healthcare to Argentines living in poverty. She also participated in women’s suffrage. In 1951, Eva considered running for Vice President of Argentina, but renounced her candidacy due to declining health and opposition from the military. On July 26, 1952, Eva Peron died of cancer. Her body was embalmed and displayed for the public. When Peron was overthrown from power in 1955, Eva’s body was seized and hidden by the new government for 16 years before being reclaimed by Peron and later buried in Buenos Aires. Though one cannot deny Eva’s impact on Argentine history, many people have mixed views of her. To some, she was viewed as “Santa Evita” or “Spiritual Leader of the Nation”, while others believed she laundered money and retaliated against those who opposed her. Regardless, Eva Peron left an indelible mark on the people of Argentina. 

Comments: Never having seen a performance of Evita, I went into the theatre knowing nothing about Eva Peron and very little about the musical itself. After seeing the show for the first time in May with Elena Roger playing the title role, I became very interested in Eva Peron and her story.  Because Evita is completely sung-through and, in my opinion, fast-paced and “wordy”, I felt that I had missed many key parts of the story-line, and so I vowed to go home, research the life of Eva Peron and the musical, Evita, and hopefully return to the Marquis Theatre to see Evita again through more knowledgeable eyes.  And that’s what I did- this time, with Christina DeCicco (Eva alternate) playing the lead role. Knowing the character’s history the second time made all of the difference and I was able to sit back and just enjoy the performance with more understanding and clarity. If you are planning on seeing Evita for the first time, I would strongly recommend googling Eva Peron. You will appreciate the show so much more. 

Argentine actress Elena Roger, who also played the title role in the West End, was magnificent as Eva Peron.  Elena Roger brings a genuineness to the character, a special authenticity that is only possessed by someone who actually grew up in Argentina, surrounded by the lingering influence of the real Eva Peron. That special authenticity cannot be acted, and I felt that Elena’s Argentine heritage allowed the character of Eva Peron to be portrayed in a way that has never been portrayed before. Her accent, mannerisms, and the quality of her voice were exactly as I would have imagined Eva Peron sounded in real life. Her performance is something special. 

Christina DeCicco, the “alternate” Eva, was phenomenal. I was most impressed with her singing voice and endurance, especially “Buenos Aires”. She had boundless energy as she sang Andrew Lloyd Webber’s insanely difficult score and did not disappoint. She had a way of making something extremely difficult look easy. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her on Broadway. 

When I first learned that Ricky Martin would play Che, the voice of the people, I rolled my eyes and groaned. Another pop star coming to Broadway to bring in ticket sales. But surprise- Ricky Martin is a Broadway veteran, having played Marius in Les Miserables. And surprise again, I actually really liked his performance. I definitely appreciated the “light” humor that he brought to the show, especially in his performance of Tim Rice’s sarcastic, matter-of-fact lyrics.  

Tony-nominated for his role in Evita, Michael Cerveris gave a stellar performance as Juan Peron. I have always wanted to see Michael Cerveris perform and I was not at all disappointed. Known for his impeccable attendance record (he didn’t miss a single show for eight years), Michael Cerveris is undoubtedly an actor who takes his craft seriously, as evidenced by his authentic and well-researched portrayal of Juan Peron. He plays Peron with a quiet intensity while his singing is simultaneously soft and rich. If you love Broadway, you need to put Michael Cerveris on your bucket list of performers to see before you die.  

Rachel Potter as Mistress and Max von Essen as Magaldi were also wonderful. The choreography was amazing, the set was simple and beautiful, and the costumes were gorgeous. During the first performance, I had some difficulty hearing the actors sing- the orchestra was overpowering them- but this had resolved during the second performance. The most impressive part of Evita was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s insane score, which I think may be one of the best scores I’ve ever heard. 

The Verdict: I loved Evita and am sorry that it took me so long to find this show.  If you want to see a show with a spectacular score, great talent, and a lot of history, check out Evita at the Marquis Theatre... and if you're not familiar with the musical and the history of Eva Peron, do some research first. You will enjoy the show so much more! 



Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Perón

Morgan James' Twitter Commentary

While I like to keep this blog positive, I can’t help but comment on a recent Twitter controversy involving Broadway actress Morgan James’ negative commentary towards The Public Theater’s new production of Into the Woods.  James, who attended the first public preview performance, tweeted (and I’m paraphrasing this as the post has since been removed from twitter) ‘how can you mess up Into the Woods?’ and went on to make negative comments about the production’s acting and musicianship with the hashtag “horrified”, eliciting angry emotions within the Broadway community on Twitter. OUCH. With that said, James has since tweeted a public apology to The Public Theater and members of the production; however, the damage has been done.  The respected Broadway website, playbill.com, posted a report of the controversy which included James’ public twitter apology. I guess if you cross a legend like Stephen Sondheim, you make news on Broadway. 

For years now, people have been sharing too much information through social media. I have little to no interest in much of what shows up in my Facebook or Twitter feeds.  But there is a difference between innocently telling the world that you have to pee and directly insulting your colleague because, unfortunately, that is what Morgan James did when she tweeted her opinion. The Broadway community of actors, musicians, writers, composers, lyricists, choreographers, etc are colleagues that should support the common goal of bringing the arts to the public, first and foremost, by respecting each other. There is the expectation of professionalism with any job, whether it be in the theatre or the office. As a medical professional, I encounter many physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, etc on a daily basis and I don’t necessarily think that they are all great physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants. BUT. If I took to twitter and tweeted that Dr. Jones is a horrible doctor and I wouldn’t let him take care of my dog, I would be in serious trouble. I could lose my job and my credibility. AND since I may or may not be correct in my opinion, I could destroy the career of an excellent physician. In any profession, there is the expectation of professionalism that should supersede the powerful thing that is Twitter (or Facebook). 

While I know this example is a little extreme when compared to Morgan James’ comments, I am trying to emphasize the necessity of thinking before tweeting and being professional.  No doubt, she has ticked off some of her colleagues. Was it intentional?  OF COURSE NOT. Will these colleagues come out and support her in her next show?  Will they jump to work with her if the opportunity comes along? Maybe... but maybe not. Will Stephen Sondheim cast her in one of his productions?  I’d be shocked if he did. Here we have a remarkably talented young actress with an insane singing voice, who should be working on Broadway for a long time...... but has she just jeopardized her career? And has this one tweet jeopardized the viability of Into the Woods? I hope not. If anything, the Twitter controversy has made me sad for Morgan James and sad for Into the Woods.  They both deserve the chance for a long Broadway life, and a simple tweet destroying that chance is what would be truly “horrifying”.   

And so I conclude this blog by saying, keep it positive. Be professional. Think before you speak (or tweet). And most importantly, SUPPORT THEATRE!!!!