The Tuacahn Starlite Lounge Plaza Show

My latest little project. Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Southern Utah (my neighborhood theatre) is now currently running Annie and Footloose!, and will soon be adding Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA. If you haven't been to this amazingly beautiful and majestic venue, you should definitely make a trip. Close to Zion's National Park and next to Snow Canyon, Tuacahn produces it's Broadway in the Desert Season each year from June through October.

(Heidi Anderson as Sweet Sue)

Last year I was priviliged to be a part of Tuacahn's production of Les Miserables, which holds the title of the highest ticket sales of any Regional theatre that was given permission to stage it. It was an amazing production with people coming from all over the U.S. as well as outside of the country to see it.

This year I am spending more time with my wonderful kids at home, but had the opportunity to write and stage
the Plaza Show which is the "pre-show" production on the smaller stage before Annie on Mon, Wed, and Fridays.

Using members of the main stage productions, I think we've come up with some great pre-show entertainment. It's really been fun to perform with them. So come on out if you're in the neighborhood! And check out some of the amazing photos of the cast on Facebook. Below is the posting I made on my personal blog, The Heidi Anderson and I thought I'd post it here as well. Come out and see us and see a show at Tuacahn!

Starting July 17, 2009 7:20 pm!

Hey Hep Cats and Kittens! Come out to the Tuacahn Starlite Lounge - Plaza Show every Monday, Wednesday and Friday before the Main Amphitheatre Production through October, as they offer up some Smokey Jazz, Swing and Standards from the 1930s.

Hosted by Sweet Sue- (Heidi Anderson)- and her Shining Starlite Lounge Regulars:

GingerLahme(lah-may)-(CynthiaKlumpp)
Roxy Rhodes - (Ashley Adamek)
Bobby Franks - (Dan Rosenbaum)
Darla Davenport -(Becca Schwartz)
Billie Lane - (Jenn Aedo)




If you're on Facebook, you can check out more of the amazing photos of the cast!

Passion, Murder and a Crime Spree: What More Could One Ask For In A Musical?

Clearly, that is one of Frank Wildhorn's (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dracula The Musical) thoughts with his new musical, Bonnie and Clyde which will premier at the La Jolla Playhouse in November of this year. It will run from November 10 - December 20, 2009 in The Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

With music by Frank Wildhorn, and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!), here's hoping Bonnie and Clyde will take off and bring something new to the table for musical lovers, instead of the recent trend of turning popular modern movies and tv shows into musicals. Not that all of these are bad, it would just be nice to see more fresh material.

There was of course the iconic film Bonnie and Clyde made in 1967 with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway which is considered a landmark, and is regarded as one of the first films of the "New Hollywood" era. It broke many taboos and was popular with the younger generation of that time. Its success motivated other filmmakers to be more straight forward about presenting sex and violence in their films. But, this musical version will reportedly not be based on the film, but on an original script by Ivan Menchell.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: Bonnie and Clyde

There is also a new film version in the works that will be directed by Tonya S. Holly (When I Find the Ocean). This new film will star Hilary Duff (Disney's Lizzie McGuire) which seemed to have stirred up a little back and forth sparring between Miss Duff and the film icon Faye Dunaway back in Feb. It was reported that when Faye was told that Hilary would be playing the character she made so famous, Faye supposedly zinged "Couldn't they atleast cast a real actress?" Evidently Hilary retaliated in an interview to E! with “I think that my fans that are going to go see the movie don’t even know who she is, so you know…. I think it was a little unnecessary but I might be mad if I looked like that now too.”

Ouch! Claws in kittens! Because now with the musical version, you'll need to scoot over and make a little more room at the Bonnie Parker actress table for Laura Osnes (Grease!, South Pacific) who will give her spin on the roll at La Jolla. So let's try to play nicely.

Osnes is set to co-star with Stark Sands (Journey's End) as Clyde Barrow, the troubled Texas teen, who with Bonnie at his side, sets out to become one of the most infamous couples in American Crime Culture.

If you're unfamiliar with the story of Bonnie and Clyde, it is based on the lives of the Depression-era outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, whose notorious crime spree captured the country's attention with their shocking crimes and exploits. The musical is said to examine this fateful partnership, with a score by Wildhorn and Black that will combine rockabilly, blues and gospel music.

Composer Frank Wildhorn, when asked for more information on the venture, is quoted as saying "When I started working on this show, no one was talking about Bonnie & Clyde. Now, two new books have been published, a remake of the Warren Beatty/Faye Dunaway classic film is in production, and the FBI recently released close to a thousand pages of classified memos on the infamous couple. Clearly, they are once again piquing the interest of a troubled America.This has been a musical challenge unlike any I've known before. These are the most incredible and intriguing characters I've given a musical voice to. Until now, the characters I've written for have been fictional; I've taken theatrical emotions and tried to make them real. With Bonnie and Clyde, I'm taking real emotions and making them theatrical. The exciting libretto, with its danger, pathos and comedy, has inspired a score from country to Texas blues, from gospel to ragtime." (quote source Broadwayworld)

Well, Frank, this is one musical lover that hopes Bonnie and Clyde the Musical will translate well with musical lovers and be as exciting as you describe.

The Broadway Musical Nut
www.broadwaymusicalnut.com

Comments? Thoughts? Is this a good premise for a musical? Can Wildhorn turn this one into a hit? Talk to me!

Will Justin Timberlake Try And See If His Luck Is A Lady In A Big Screen Musical?

According to a British Tabloid, It looks as if Justin Timberlake might be testing his luck in the new film adaptation of the Broadway Musical, "Guys and Dolls" which will be directed by Guy Ritchie. (Snatch, Revolver, RocknRolla)

The tabloid reported that Ritchie and Timberlake shook hands over whiskey at a British pub on June 29, with Timberlake committing to star in this updated remake. Jason Statham, a frequent collaborator with Ritchie, is also rumored to be connected to the project.

Justin has been displaying his acting chops in the last few years by appearing in a few different films. (Alpha Dog , Black Snake Moan, Shrek the Third and The Love Guru.) Guys and Dolls might just be a good fit for the Mega Pop Star who rose to his superstardom with the popular "Boy Band" NSYNC.

The original film version of the stage musical Guys and Dolls (which features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows) was released in 1955 and starred Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson, and Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown. Frank Sinatra was Nathan Detroit and original Broadway star Vivian Blaine brilliantly played the role of Adelaide.

Broadway Musical Nut Recommends: Guys and Dolls


The most recent Broadway revival, starring Craig Bierko, Kate Jennings Grant, Oliver Platt and Lauren Graham, closed this past June 14, 2009. I saw the revival in '95 with Nathan Lane as Nathan Detroit, Faith Prince as Adelaide and Ernie Sabella (brother to my voice teacher David Sabella, in NYC and also known as the voice of Pumbaa in the Disney animated film, The Lion King...love ya Ernie!) as Nicely Nicely. I really enjoyed it but didn't think there was great chemistry between the two leads. Tom Wopat had taken over as Sky Masterson at that point, but I forget who the female lead was. Hmmm...need to jog my noggin or dig out my box full of playbills!

Ok....back on track. Justin. Ohhhhhh Justin. Having seen a few of his most recent "comic" performances in The Love Guru and his viral video hit with Beyonce on SNL as a "Single Ladies" dancer (laughed 'til I cried), I'm guessing he's being cast as Detroit. I don't really see him as a "Sky" type. But, hey...I didn't really see him dressing up in a leotard, tights and heels either. Disturbingly funny.

Regardless of which role Justin Timberlake takes on...or doesn't, here's hoping this new film version is a worthy retelling of a great Broadway Musical Classic and not some strange Ritchie disaster (Swept Away...Revolver...you get the picture). One would almost venture a guess that if Ritchie had tackled this a few years ago while he was still married to Madonna, that he might have cast her in the film as say...Adelaide? After all...she's played the ditzy blonde bombshell before, and even Eva Peron in Evita. *ahem*

This blogger will now refrain from any "Madonna Poor Acting" rants, and save those for another entry.

Good Musical Nut. Good Girl. * sly grin*

So what do YOU think? Chime in and post your comments! Do you think Justin would be good in Guys and Dolls? Think Ritchie will do good or crash and burn with this one? Tell me now!

The Broadway Musical Nut

www.broadwaymusicalnut.com