- Newsical
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Newsical Music Rick Crom Lyrics Rick Crom Book Rick Crom Productions 2004 Off-Broadway 2009 Off-Broadway
2011 Off-BroadwayNewsical (styled "NEWSical") is a musical with music, lyrics and book written by Rick Crom. In ever-changing songs and sketches it lampoons current events, hot topics, celebrities, politicians and other well-known entities. Everyone from President Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, Nancy Grace and Oprah Winfrey to Christina Agulierra, Elena Kagan, Sarah Palin and even the Those infomercials on TV are skewered. New songs are added on a continual basis to keep up with the headlines.
Contents
2002 production
"What in the World: The NEWSICAL Revue" began as "What in the World?!" at the now defunct Rose's Turn Piano Bar and Cabaret in NYC in November 2002 starring Eadie Scott, John Flynn, Deb Spielman and Chris Regan.[1] It was conceived and directed by Collette Black with musical direction and arrangements by John McMahon. This production won the 2003 Nightlife Award for Best Musical Revue.[2]. It was there that producer Fred M. Caruso saw the show and moved it to an off-off Broadway production at the John Houseman Studio Theater on Theater Row in NYC, with the same director and musical director.
2004 production
Newsical premiered at the John Houseman Studio, New York City, with previews starting on January 9, 2004.[3]The cast was Eadie Scott, John Flynn, Kelly Howe and Chris Regan. [4] Backstage said the John Houseman production "contains enough charm, wit, and genuine comedy that one imagines this production might be finding its way above ground sometime soon."[5] Theatermania said "And the show's talented four-person cast whip through the material at mach speed, resulting in explosions of laughter that might be called comic booms." [6] It opened January 22, 2004 and ran for eight weeks at the John Houseman Theater. It then opened at New York City's Upstairs at Studio 54, with previews starting on September 10, 2004 and an official opening on October 7, 2004. Directed and choreographed by Donna Drake and produced by Fred M. Caruso, some of the musical's targets included Martha Stewart and AOL. The original cast included Matt Allen, Kim Cea, Todd Alan Johnson, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jeff Skowron, and Aléna Watters. The production and design team featured Peter P. Allburn (scenic), David Kaley (costumes), Jason Hayes (wigs and makeup) and Michael Flink (sound/light). Ed Goldschneider served as musical director.[7] The musical closed on April 17, 2005 after 215 performances, and then began a US national tour and extended engagement at the Denver Civic Center, Denver, Colorado in 2005.[8]
It was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, for Best Revue and Best Lyrics.
2009 production
The 2009 production, entitled Newsical the Musical: We distort, You Decide, features a new cast, a new director and completely new material. The cast includes includes Christine Pedi, Christina Bianco, Michael West, Rory O’Malley, Amy Griffin and Tommy Walker. The production is directed by Mark Waldrop, with Ed Goldschneider (music director), Matthew Gordon (lighting designer), Jason Courson (set designer), David Kally (costume designer), and Ryan Obermeier (casting assistant). The show is being produced by Tom D’Angora, Fred M. Caruso and Elyse Pasquale. Newsical the Musical began previews on November 24, 2009 in New York City at the 47th Street Theater and officially opened on December 9, 2009 and closed March 21, 2010.[9]
The production was nominated for two 2010 Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding Revue and Outstanding Lyrics.
2011 production
The 2011 production entitled "Newsical The Musical: Full Spin Ahead!" begin previews on December 13, 2010 and officially opened January 9, 2011 and is still running at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre. The cast includes Christine Pedi, Michael West, Christina Bianco, Tommy Walker, Amy Griffenn, and newcomer John West. The production is written by Rick Crom, directed by Mark Waldrop, musical direction by Ed Goldshneider, lighting design by Josh Starr, costume design by David Kaley and set design by Jason Courson. The show is being produced by Tom D'Angora and Elyse Pasquale. [10]
Nominated for two 2011 Drama Desk Awards, for outstanding Revue and Outstanding Lyrics. Winner 2011 Off-Broadway Alliance Award, for Best New Musical.
References
- ^ http://sffestival.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/03-2005/follow-spot_5782.html
- ^ http://www.rosesturn.com/awards.shtml
- ^ Sommer, Elyse."Review:What In the World: The NEWSical " curtainup.com, January 29, 2004
- ^ http://broadwayworld.com/read.cfm?prid=16900
- ^ http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4584724-1.html
- ^ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/music_theatre/message/894
- ^ Hernendez, Ernio."Topical Musical Comedy Newsical Begins Upstairs at Studio 54, Sept. 10" playbill.com, September 10, 2004
- ^ Hernandez, Ernio."Newsical To Close Off-Broadway and Tour with Return to New York in November" playbill.com, April 11, 2005
- ^ Gans, Andrew."Bianco, West, O'Malley, Griffin and Walker Will Join Pedi in Off-Broadway Return of NEWSical the Musical" playbill.com, November 10, 2009
- ^ "Newsical the Musical With Christine Pedi Opens"playbill.com
External links
- Internet Off-Broadway database listing, 2004
- New York Times review, October 19, 2004
- Newsical plot and song list at guidetomusicaltheatre.com
- Article on 2009 production, broadwayworld.com
- Review, theatermania.com
- [1]
- New York Post article
- Kritzer article, theatermania.com
- Cast Recording, Playbill Article
- Playbill Article
Categories:- Off-Broadway musicals
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