Broadway Journal

HEEDLESS BARON AT TOPLESS TABLOID: ‘INK’ REVIEW

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Jonny Lee Miller & Bertie Carvel/Joan Marcus

Students of Rupert Murdoch may wonder why an 88-year-old multi-billionaire would devote his last years to destabilizing democracy, promoting division and thwarting efforts to slow climate change.

“There is no why,” newspaper editor Larry Lamb (Jonny Lee Miller) says early in James Graham’s absorbing Ink, as part of a discussion with the young Murdoch about journalism’s five “W’s.”  (Who, What, Where and When are the others.)    “Sometimes shit just happens.”

Ever-so-timely although ripped from headlines a half-century old, Ink  chronicles The Sun‘s first year under Murdoch control, 1969-70.Continue Reading

DAZZLING PERFORMANCES, FAMILIAR STORY: ‘AIN’T TOO PROUD’ REVIEW

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photo: Matthew Murphy

Ain’t Too Proud  isn’t too original, but it should appeal to fans of the Temptations, the most successful African-American recording group in history.

The musical’s five leads gorgeously harmonize on such hits as “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” “My Girl” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.” Sergio Trujillo’s kinetic homage to the group’s original choreography includes dazzling splits, slides and spins. Continue Reading

MORRISSEY SELLS BRISKLY WITH $425 TOP TICKET

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Morrissey’s seven-night engagement at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre sold well in the first hour of general public availability, suggesting a bright future for rock stars on Broadway.

As of 11 am, scattered seats were available in the front orchestra for $399, or $424.70 with Ticketmaster fees, and for $279 in the mezzanine and rear orchestra. Tickets topped out at $850 for Bruce Springsteen, who ended 236 performances at the Walter Kerr in December. His shows went for thousands in the secondary market.Continue Reading

‘REBECCA’ PRODUCER SEEKS NEW TRIAL AGAINST PRESS AGENT

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Ben Sprecher/Steven Hirsch

EXCLUSIVE: Ben Sprecher‘s six-year campaign to hold his former press agent accountable for the collapse of his musical and reputation has been cleared for another courtroom showdown.

Earlier this month, an appellate court declined to intervene in the producer’s lawsuit against publicist Marc Thibodeau, opening the door for a second trial relating to the aborted musical Rebecca.  At issue are emails that the press agent sent to a prospective backer in September 2012, linking Sprecher to a fraud.

Sprecher is “radioactive in the theater community and unable to find work,” the producer’s lead lawyer, Erik Groothuis of Schlam Stone & Dolan, wrote in an October 2018 brief in New York Supreme Court. Thibodeau “torpedoed both the musical, and my career with it,” Sprecher said in a 2017 sworn statement.Continue Reading

ACTORS’ EQUITY ENDS STRIKE AGAINST BROADWAY LEAGUE

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After 33 days, Actors’ Equity has ended its limited strike against the Broadway League over how its members are compensated for developing new work.

Actors had sought profit share and a raise from the current $1,000 weekly salary when participating in a developmental lab, which are multi-week workshops to create new plays and musicals.Continue Reading

DAVENPORT THEATRE ENDS FIVE-YEAR RUN

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EXCLUSIVE: Ken Davenport’s eponymous theater is no more.

“As of the end of January 2019, the Davenport Theatre has closed,” according to an announcement on Davenport Theatrical Enterprise‘s voicemail.

Ken Davenport, the producer-general manager-book writer-marketer-podcaster-blogger-consultant, has told people in the industry that he lost his lease. He declined to comment for this story.

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‘NERDS’ CRASH HIGHLIGHTS WEAK INVESTOR PROTECTION

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EXCLUSIVE: Ticketmaster and Telecharge say they refund theatergoers for cancelled performances.

It’s a different story for investors in shows that get cancelled before opening night. Exhibit A: Nerds,  the musical.

In early 2016, Nerds Broadway LLC collected $606,000 from 13 angels who wanted in on the comedy about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

Four days after receiving the last of the checks and less than two months before the scheduled Broadway opening, lead producer Carl Levin announced Nerds’ indefinite postponement. He cited the loss of a major backer.

Until recent years, a production company that abandoned a show was obligated to make investors whole, except the investors who waived their right to a refund.Continue Reading

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