Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

All right, ladies and gents: Award season is back in swing (lucky for us, it’s never too far away) as last night the 2010 Emmy Awards were presented. I thought it was a good, tight broadcast, even if there were a few long speeches and some categories we could do without – and I mean totally, television could do without them, not just the awards. (I’m looking at you, reality programming.) Jimmy Fallon was a funny and charming host and there weren’t too many surprise winners, though I would have voted differently than some Academy members. As always, check below for winners and additional thoughts because first: the fashion! Nothing too hideous or adventurous. I thought Lea Michele looked stunning in a deep navy blue Oscar de la Renta gown. Plus, her hair was light and flowy, a perfect complement to the architecture of her dress. (Fun side note: Accompanying nominee Michele was her favorite Idiot (and former Hippie), Theo Stockman!) Sticking with the Glee misfits, I’d like to point out

American Idiot in the Media During Broadway in Bryant Park, Playbill.com caught up with all the talented folks performing. Among them, of course, were some amazing Idiots. Watch Tony Vincent, Michael Esper, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Christina Sajous talk about keeping the performance fresh and the unique experience of performing live theatre. And, while I’m a little hesitant to share this because… well, you’ll see. Look who are Idiot fans . Bloody Bloody Box Office! The box office at the Jacobs Theatre on 45th street, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson ’s Broadway home, is now open for business. Lucky fans (like me!) had the chance to visit the box office on its opening day and purchase a Jackson for a Jackson: A ticket to the first preview on September 20 for only $20. How great is that?!? I wanted to see the first preview anyway so to get to go for “a Jackson” is a lovely bonus. Tickets are currently on sale through January 9, 2011, and can be purchased in person at the box office or on

Next to Normal , the wonderfully emotional Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning musical, recently welcomed an almost entirely new Goodman family. On July 18, Alice Ripley, Brian d’Arcy James and Jennifer Damiano played their final performance as Diana, Dan and Natalie. (d’Arcy James was not a member of the original Broadway cast, but he did originate the role of Dan off-Broadway at Second Stage.) The next night, Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley and Meghann Fahy assumed the roles. (Mazzie and Danieley are married in real life; this is the first time they’ve worked together on Broadway, though they’ve worked together in other venues before.) This Saturday, I headed to the Booth; as it turned out, an understudy, Brian Crum, was playing the role of Gabe, the Goodmans’ son, so as I watched, I got the chance to meet a totally new Normal family. I found myself in an interesting position because I’ve now seen the amazing show in two different iterations with, essentially, three different casts. (I’ve

American Idiot in the Media We have a few Idiot items to get to this week: Stark Sands was featured in this week’s Cue & A on Playbill.com . (This is a feature in which actors fill out Playbill’s questionnaire, answering questions ranging from full name to worst costume and favorite board game.) Broadway.com also caught up with Sands ; its interview features scoop about The Miraculous Year , the HBO show written by John Logan, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring a bevy of Broadway big-timers, including Norbert Leo Butz and Patti LuPone. (When I saw American Idiot earlier this month, they were filming a part of the pilot right next door!) Rebecca Naomi Jones, Christina Sajous, Alysha Umphress and Ben Thompson stopped by Seth Rudetsky’s Chatterbox broadcast recently and Broadwayworld.com has footage of the half-hour chat session. Tune in to learn how Christina became the “upside down girl” and each Idiot’s funny-in-retrospect audition story. Hut, Hut, Sing! Green Day and the

Broadway in Bryant Park A New York summer staple is Broadway in Bryant Park, which is pretty much just what it sounds like: Casts from Broadway (and, recently, some off-Broadway) shows take the stage in Bryant Park for an alfresco afternoon performance. This week, the beautiful Idiots took the stage and my friend and I were there to cheer them on. (What a great thing to do in the middle of the work day!) Playbill.com and Broadwayworld.com have photos of the festivities, a fan has video of sound check and Broadwayworld.com has video of the entire American Idiot performance. Enjoy! Spider Man Update It appears that the huge musical that everyone thought wouldn’t be is back on track. Producers announced this week that Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark (with music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge) will begin previews on November 14 and celebrate its official opening on December 21. In addition, rumors were confirmed when it was announced that Jennifer Damiano would appear in the musical

Prop 8 Ruled Unconstitutional! Great news, friends: Proposition 8, the law banning marriage equality as voted on by duped California voters in 2008, was ruled unconstitutional by the Federal District Court in San Francisco! In the decision, Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker said, “Proposition 8 cannot withstand any level of scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause. Excluding same-sex couples from marriage is simply not rationally related to a legitimate state interest.” Judge Walker went on to say, “Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights…” That’s right! The 14th Amendment says “All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the United States… No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property…nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This amendment was ratified