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What Do You Think About a Phantom of the Opera, Part II?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:30:06 PDT

According to Wikipedia, The Phantom of the Opera's 20-year run on Broadway has been "the most lucrative entertainment enterprise of all time." Capitalizing on the beloved musical's major success, creators of the award-winning show now say a sequel is on the way.

Andrew Lloyd Webber confirmed that he has written a new score for a follow-up musical which will pick up where the first story leaves off, starting with "how the Phantom got away in the big fire and was taken to a thriving Coney Island in old New York."

Will it be called The Phantom of Coney Island? And will fans embrace this second installment from Webber? What do you think about this development? Are you keeping an open mind?

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Did You Ever See Rent on Broadway?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:29:28 PST

Sad news coming from New York's Nederlander Theater today: Broadway musical Rent is closing after a 12-year run. The last performance will take place June 1. Opening in the spring of 1996, Rent enjoyed immediate and explosive success with both critics and audiences, despite (or perhaps because of) the story's focus on AIDS, drug addiction, and poverty.

I was one of those crazy, obsessed fans when the musical first opened, traveling into the city with my high-school friends to get cheap tickets to the show several times. We'd even wait around afterward for glimpses of the actors emerging from the Nederlander. Later we followed their careers, from Anthony Rapp's solo album to Taye Diggs appearing on Ally McBeal and Jesse L. Martin getting his gig on Law & Order.

Did you ever see Rent on Broadway? What are your fondest Rent memories?

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Madonna Meets Blondie in Musical Version of Desperately Seeking Susan

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:29:34 PDT

I used to have a theory that girls who grew up in the '80s identified with either the punk style of Blondie's Debbie Harry or the slick sexiness of Madonna. Now, the two are colliding in an intriguing way: Madonna's 1985 comedy Desperately Seeking Susan is being made into a musical featuring the songs of Blondie. The project is set to premiere this fall in London.

No, Madonna won't be a part of it (an actress named Emma Williams will play the role of Susan, while Kelly Price will take on Rosanna Arquette's character, Roberta) - but Debbie Harry will be all over it. According to Playbill, "One Way or Another" and "The Tide is High" will be among the Blondie songs woven into the show, and Harry is writing a new song for the production.

Until I reread the plot summary, I didn't realize Roberta's last name was Glass - so I guess that explains how "Heart of Glass" will fit in. In case you've forgotten how the movie goes, here's Playbill's summary:

Roberta Glass, a suburban New Jersey housewife, escapes her humdrum life by reading the personal ads placed by Susan, a street-smart New York City drifter, and her freewheeling boyfriend Jay. Through a quirky twist of fate, Roberta and Susan unexpectedly swap lives and are plunged into a madcap world of jewel heists, magic shows and rock 'n' roll.

A musical theater version of this story certainly has the potential to be awful, but it's such a weird concept that I think it could turn out awesome. What do you think?

Desperately Seeking Susan photo Source
Debbie Harry photo Source

Tori Amos to Try Musical Theater

BuzzSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 07:08:31 PDT

Tori Amos is feeling a bit theatrical these days. On her new album, American Doll Posse, she assumes five different personas, each with a distinct look and personality. Now, according to NME, the singer is writing a stage musical, which she hopes to bring to Broadway and London's West End.

According to the NME story, Amos is currently working on the music - a double album with 23 songs - and taking inspiration from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice:

"I think I am writing a musical. I'm gushing but I'm under lock and key," she explained. "I'm trying to be Lloyd Webber and (Tim) Rice. I'm trying to be both (of them). I'm busy. This is such a big project - a double record, 23 songs and the extras."

Though I often roll my eyes when I hear about rock musicians who have Broadway aspirations, I actually think Tori could pull this off quite well. Her piano-heavy, melodramatic style lends itself to musical theater, and she has always been good at crafting songs that tell stories. I'll be interested to hear what she comes up with. What do you think?

Also, If you're a Tori fan, don't forget to enter our Tori Amos giveaway for a signed copy and her Epic Records catalog.

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Geeky Proposals Caught on Film

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:05:05 PST

With Valentine's Day creeping around the corner, we're caught up in the season of love. If it's marriage we're talking, these days, to make a serious statement of your heart's intentions it's all about adding some geeky personality for an unforgettable proposal. We've seen dozens of these proposals memorialized on the web to send our hearts aflutter. The latest: the below video combines binary coding aptitude and Futurama fanaticism. Yes, that is a proposal spoken exclusively in binary.

Follow the break to watch our favorite geek-tinted proposals.

Drew Barrymore Talks Skydiving and Loving The Naked and Famous

Molly Goodson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:51:57 PST

We loved sharing our I'm a Huge Fan Drew Barrymore just in time for the release of her new movie Big Miracle, which is in theaters now. We also promised that there were some fun extras from Drew that we still had left to share - and here they are! Check out what Drew has to say about her experience skydiving, her wishes to be a runner, and what bands she's loving right now. Drew recently directed her first music video and would love to do it again, especially for hot, of-the-moment group The Naked and Famous. Check out Drew's answers and in case you missed it, watch I'm a Huge Fan Drew Barrymore now!

Pilot Scoop: Smash

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:04:40 PST

NBC is getting in on musical madness with new show Smash, a drama that follows the production of a musical about Marilyn Monroe and the two ingénues vying for the lead. With high production value and an ensemble cast that includes Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston, the show is a colorful, splashy, and tune-filled entrant into the midseason lineup. Before you check out tonight's premiere, check out my first impressions below.

What it's about: The first episode charts the early development of the musical Marilyn, the brainchild of a few theater producers (including Messing and Huston). As the idea germinates, the showrunners have to make the difficult decision of who to cast as Marilyn Monroe: the seasoned, Ivy (Megan Hilty), who's also a dead-ringer for Marilyn, or inexperienced Karen (Katharine McPhee) who comes in at the last minute and knocks their socks off.
Where it works: Former American Idol contestant McPhee is an inspired choice here; we've all heard her sing, but it turns out that she can also act. She's charming and plucky as Karen, the girl who's a waitress by night so she can nurture her dream of making it big on Broadway. I also enjoyed seeing her home life with her supportive (and dashing) boyfriend played by Raza Jaffrey.
Where it doesn't: It's unclear how much of the musical the series will be. In the opener, we hear numbers from Marilyn and familiar tunes like "Beautiful" in auditions, but when Ivy and Karen break into song at the end of the hour, it doesn't feel that organic - or necessary.
When it's on: Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC, starting Feb. 6
You might like this show if: You like Glee, but this show is even more appealing to theater fans.

See a preview for Smash and photos after the break.

Rachel McAdams Joins Vanessa and Josh For a Journey 2 Premiere

Allie Merriam — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:09 PST

Vanessa Hudgens only had eyes for boyfriend Austin Butler on the carpet at last night's LA premiere of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. They were joined at the event by her costars Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and a Monique Lhuillier-clad Kristin Davis at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Rachel McAdams doesn't have a role in the film, but her The Vow is coming out soon. She donned a gorgeous Peter Som dress and shirt for the occasion, and later attended the afterparty at The Colony nightclub to pose for pictures with High School Musical buds Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa. The screening was held a week before the movie arrives in theaters next Friday, Feb. 10. The cast has spent a great deal of time together recently. Vanessa, Josh, and the gang were just in Hawaii for a press junket - stay tuned for our chat with them! There were hours free from press duties, though, and Vanessa Hudgens slipped into a bikini for some beach fun with Austin.

Editors' Picks: Entertainment Must Haves For February

BuzzSugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:30:00 PST

It might still be chilly as we greet February, but this month has some hot offerings in entertainment. We're looking forward to a couple of new releases in the theater, but the biggest focus on film will come toward the end of the month, when the Oscars air. TV also some great things to get excited about, from a new musical drama to a once-a-year sports spectacular. Ready to see which events you should know about for February?

Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures, ABC, Inc., and NBC

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Toast the Premiere of Smash

Allie Merriam — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:10:16 PST

Sarah Jessica Parker was by Matthew Broderick's side last night for an NBC party celebrating the premiere of the new series Smash. Many of the show's stars hit the red carpet, including Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing, Katherine McPhee, Uma Thurman, and Megan Hilty. The event came a week before Smash's premiere airs on Feb. 6 - find out what we think of the Smash pilot. It's an ambitious project from NBC and executive producer Steven Spielberg about theater people trying to do a Broadway version of Marilyn Monroe's life. The cast was recently together on the West Coast to talk about their midseason debut and the inevitable comparisons to another popular musical program, Glee. Producer Craig Zadan spoke about a possible rivalry at the TCAs, saying, "I don't think the show is like Glee, but we feel grateful to Glee for opening that door."

Debra Messing mingled with the other actors at the event, and apparently even met her new guy's parents! Debra Messing is dating costar Will Chase after separating from her husband Daniel Zelman. Yesterday, Debra met Will's mother and father at a dinner near the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.