The End is Near for "Avenue Q"

Another long-running Broadway show has announced it's ending its run in a few months.

According to Playbill:

Avenue Q goes down in history as (among many other things) the most successful musical starring puppets ever to grace Broadway. It will play its final performance at the John Golden Theatre Sept. 13. It will have played 22 previews and 2,534 performances.

The show, which uses puppets and humans together in a variety of not-for-kids songs, won the Tony Award for Best Musical - beating none other than Wicked.

But don't worry - the show is going on the road, so if you don't see it on Broadway, you should be able to catch it someday in a town near you.

On Stage This Weekend - Several Shows

Lots of shows to choose from this weekend, including:

- Chief Logan State Park will host Willy Wonka through July 5. All shows start at 8:30 p.m.

- Theatre WV will present: Honey in the Rock July 3, 5, 7 and 9; and Hatfields and McCoys July 4 and 8.

- Jenny Wiley State Park will present: All Shook Up July 4 and 7-12; and Smoke on the Mountain July 3 and 5.

An "All Shook Up" Update

Someone recently requested an update on the upcoming Huntington Outdoor Theatre (HOT) production of All Shook Up, and my pal Stephen Vance has us covered - he sends along this note:

HOT has been at the Ritter Park Amphitheater for about week now, the sets are nearing completion, and things are coming together. One set piece alone is 24 feet wide and 12 feet tall and it actually moves.

We received a $5000 donation from Massey Coal, and they sent a representative up to present the check on Monday. With it, HOT was able to purchase some new spotlights and rehearsal sound equipment.

HOT will be performing at the Huntington Mall this Saturday to promote the show. We will be there from noon to 2 p.m. presenting songs from both the Children's pre-show and All Shook Up.

Anticipation is building as we keep nearing opening night, hope to see you there soon!

"Web Side Story"

My pal Len sends along this link to a fun (if silly) video from the College Humor site based on the musical West Side Story - but with a modern, Internet-based twist.

Enjoy!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

On Stage in July

This may be the busiest month of the year, as hardly a day goes by without a show being staged somewhere in the Tri-State area.

Here's the list so far - as always, if I leave anyone off, please let me know by sending in a comment to the link at the bottom of this post, or email me at TheMinskers@aol.com.

Mark your calendars for these shows:

- All Shook Up will be presented by Huntington Outdoor Theatre July 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26. The Twistin' in the '50s pre-show starts at 7 p.m., and the main show starts at 8 p.m. at the Huntington Ritter Park Amphitheater.

- Chief Logan State Park will host Willy Wonka through July 5, and The Aracoma Story July 21 through August 8. All shows start at 8:30 p.m.

- Theatre WV will present: Honey in the Rock July 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 19 and 23; Hatfields and McCoys July 2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 18, 21, 24 and 29; Seussical the Musical July 14, 17, 22, 25 and 30; and High School Musical July 28 and 31.

- Jenny Wiley State Park will present: All Shook Up July 1, 2, 4, 7-12, 14, 15 and 21-25; and Smoke on the Mountain July 3, 5, 10, 16, 24, 28, 29 and 30.

- Rent will be presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild July 31, Aug. 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 2 at 3 p.m.

Whew! Theatre fans will be hopping this month!

"Rod Blagojevich: Superstar" - A Review

Chicago's Second City has become a legendary launching point for a number of comedians and performers, so I've long wanted to catch one of that group's performances - and last weekend, I finally got the chance.

The feature attraction for the group this summer is the theatrical production of the musical comedy, Rod Blagojevich: Superstar.

It follows the story of the Illinois Governor whose actions made for great comedy fodder, and the show leaves no gaffe unturned.

The songs included lift elements in equal parts from shows like Jesus Christ Superstar (natch), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hair and several others, all to great effect.

The small but talented cast includes Joey Bland in the title role, and he combines a fine singing voice with great comedic skill, playing the bumbling Rod with perfect timing.

Lori McClain plays Rod's wife Patti, a foul-mouthed shrew who threatens to steal every scene she's in (which is a high compliment considering the talent of the cast). She got a big laugh after delivering a particularly vulgar line, which earned a groan from the crowd - she said, "You heard me. It's Saturday afternoon, and I'm saying it again." She repeated the line again to howls from the audience.

John Hildreth plays the part of Roland Burris, the politician who was appointed to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat under dubious (and, in this show, funny) circumstances. Hildreth, Lauren Dowden and Randall Harr wear many hats in the show, and manage to be very funny and excellent singers, all at the same time.

It wouldn't surprise me to see any of these gifted performers showing up someday on a certain nationally-televised live show on Saturday Night.

I suspect "Superstar" is even more fun for residents of the state, since there are several "inside" jokes during the show, but I didn't mind at all - I thought the musical was clever, funny, rude and entertaining as can be (though obviously not for the kiddies).

After an intermission, the cast returned to take part in several comedy improv games, where the audience gets involved - pretty much along the lines of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? It's always amazing to see performers create funny scenes on the spot - it takes quick thinking and a sharp wit. Lots of fun!

So, an entertaining show, and I finally got to see a Second City show. Highly recommended!

The Last Summer for "The Little Mermaid"

The Associated Press is reporting that the Disney musical The Little Mermaid will end its Broadway run at the end of the summer.

I'm surprised - I thought it would run longer than a year-and-a-half, but perhaps the tough financial times are partly to blame.

Anyway, here's the story:

The Little Mermaid is set for its final Broadway swim.

The lavish musical based on the Disney animated film will close Aug. 30 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York after a run of 685 performances.

Producer Thomas Schumacher says a national tour is planned for fall 2010. It will be followed by overseas productions.

The Little Mermaid opened in January 2008.

Back in Town!

Sorry to have gone silent over the weekend, but I was off enjoying a short vacation up in Chicago.

But I was thinking of you, gentle readers, so I took in a show - Second City's production of Rod Blagojevich, Superstar (based on the bizarre life of the Illinois governor who was recently impeached).

I'm still recovering from the trip, so I'll try to get my review posted tomorrow. In the meantime, it's great to be home!

On Stage This Weekend - Lots of Shows!

Coming up this weekend:

- Guys and Dolls will be presented by the Portsmouth Little Theatre tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets online at www.pltlive.com.

- Curtains will be presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild June 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., and June 29 at 3 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater.

- All Shook Up will be presented June 27, 28 and 30 at Jenny Wiley State Park.

- Theatre West Virginia will present Hatfield and McCoys June 26, 28, 30 at 8:15 a.m.

- Willy Wonka will be presented at Chief Logan State Park through July 5 at 8:30 p.m.

- The Wiz will be presented by The Red Lion Theatre Company at Greenbo Lake State Park Amphitheatre tonight through Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

So get out there and support your summer theatre!