Contest: Win Tickets to Chaplin

Update: The contest is now closed. The winner was picked at random from all the entries. Congratulations Sarah P.! I have two more Broadway ticket contests next week, so stay tuned.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

If you haven't had a chance to see Chaplin the Musical yet (or you want to see it again), today is your lucky day. I've giving away a pair of tickets to the show, which stars Rob McClure as Charlie Chaplin and has a book by Thomas Meehan and a score by Christopher Curtis.

There are two ways to enter to win tickets:

1) Comment on this post telling me your favorite Chaplin movie. If you haven't seen a Chaplin movie, you can comment telling me why you want to see the show.

2) Tweet about the contest or retweet one of my tweets about it.

You can enter each way once, for a total of two entries. You must be following on Twitter to win. A winner will be chosen at random from all the entries on Friday, October 19 at 5:30 p.m. Please include your e-mail address or Twitter handle in the comments so I have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!

For discount tickets as low as $49 to Chaplin the Musical:

Visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code CLSD925

Or

Call (212) 239-6200 and use code CLSD925

Or

Bring this code to The Barrymore Theatre 243 West 47th Street (between 8th Avenue and Broadway)

Offer valid on select Orchestra and Mezzanine seats and subject to availability and prior sale. Not valid on prior purchases and cannot be combined with any other offer. All sales final; no refunds or exchanges. Telephone and internet orders are subject to standard service fees. All prices include a $2 facilities fee. Offer not available 11/19-25, 12/20-1/6/13. Other blackout dates may apply. Offer valid for performances starting 9/20/12 and expires 2/13/13 but may be revoked at any time.

Falling for Falling

Photo credit: Carol Rosegg

Falling, which opened last night at the Minetta Lane Theatre, educates about autism as well as moves while avoiding after-school special cliches.

Josh (Daniel Everidge) is 18 years old and severely autistic. He lives with his parents, Tami (Julia Murney) and Bill (Daniel Pearce), and sister Lisa (Jacey Powers). They have developed systems for keeping Josh and each other safe, such as the code word "peanut butter" to let each other know when Josh is agitated. When Bill's mother (Celia Howard) comes to town, it complicates Josh's routine.

Everidge is extremely convincing, so much so that it is jarring when he appears at one point in the show as a character without autism. There isn't a weak link in the cast, directed by Lori Adams, but Murney is also a standout. The audience feels every bit of her pain and the love she has for her family.

Playwright Deanna Jent, who has an autistic son, has given us an honest window into the lives of people with autism and their families, but not at the expense of character. We get to know and care for this family, which is especially impressive given that we only spend an hour and 15 minutes with them. Without giving too much away, credit must be given to movement and fight director Rick Sordelet for the most startling realistic violence I've seen on stage in a long time.

Contest: Win Tickets to The Other Josh Cohen

Update: The contest is now closed. The winner was picked at random. Congratulations Monica!

I am so excited to have a pair of tickets to The Other Josh Cohen to give away. I haven't seen this incarnation yet, but I saw an earlier version called V-Day and it was the most enjoyable show I've ever seen at the New York Musical Festival.

The hilarious Steve Rosen and David Rossmer wrote and star in The Other Josh Cohen, a musical about a man whose apartment is robbed of everything but one Neil Diamond CD. The music is written in the style of Neil Diamond.

Want to win a pair of tickets to the show? There are two ways to enter:

1) Comment on this post telling me what recording artist you would choose to write a musical in the style of and why.

2) Tweet about the contest or retweet one of my tweets about it.

You can enter each way once, for a total of two entries. You must be following on Twitter to win. A winner will be chosen at random from all the entries on Wednesday, October 17 at 10 a.m. Please include your e-mail address or Twitter handle in the comments so I have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!

SPECIAL OFFER:
$32 tickets (reg. $35) Oct 10^th thru Oct 21^st

$39 tickets (reg. $65) valid Oct 24^th thru Nov 11^th

 HOW TO ORDER:

ONLINE: Click here and use code CODERED

 PHONE: Call 212-352-3101 and mention code CODERED

IN PERSON: Bring this offer to the SoHo Playhouse box office

LIMITED PERFORMANCES! OCT 10^TH – NOV 11^TH ONLY!

RESTRICTIONS: Offer valid through November 11th. Offer may be revoked at anytime and is subject to availability.  Not valid on prior purchase. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions; blackout dates and restrictions may apply.  Maximum of 8 tickets total with offer.

And Now A Quick Word About Revivals

Last night I saw the Broadway revival of Annie, now in previews. I realized this is the first time I've seen two Broadway revivals of the same show. (The only other show I've seen two Broadway productions of is Les Miserables, but one was the original and one was the revival.) The previous revival of Annie in 1997 was my second Broadway show. On my first trip to New York, I was allowed to pick one show to see with my mom (I chose Titanic) and the next night the whole family went to see Annie as my sister was 6 years old at the time and we wanted something that was appropriate for her.

This season, I've also seen Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (last revived on Broadway in 2005) and Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac (last revived on Broadway in 2007) for the first time ever. I didn't get to see shows on Broadway regularly until I moved here at the end of 2007, so I missed a lot. It may seem too soon for both these revivals, but if someone who sees as much theater as I do is seeing them for the first time, I'm guessing I won't be the only one. I'm all for new and seldom-done shows, but there's always room for the classics and there will always be a new audience for them.

When I was at Annie, I was looking at all the kids, many of whom I assume were seeing their first Broadway show (and probably some of their parents were as well), just as my sister did 15 years ago, and it made me happy that Annie is back. I don't mean to sound preachy or sentimental, but it's just something I've been thinking about. Feel free to weigh in with your own revival thoughts and memories.

Contest: Win Tickets to Scandalous

Update: The contest is now closed. Thanks to everybody who entered. The winner was picked at random. Congratulations Robb J! If you didn't win, check back on Monday for another chance to win tickets to a new musical.

The new musical Scandalous starts previews on October 13. Kathie Lee Gifford, the bookwriter and lyricist, has spent about 12 years working on the musical about superstar evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. Two-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello plays McPherson and judging by a preview event I attended, her performance will be one to see.

Want to win a pair of tickets to the show? There are two ways to enter:

1) Comment on this blog telling me something scandalous that you've done. (You don't have to get too personal. Feel free to make it silly or funny.)

2) Tweet about the contest or retweet one of my tweets about it.

You can enter each way once, for a total of two entries. You must be following on Twitter to win. A winner will be chosen at random from all the entries on Friday, October 12 at 4:30 p.m. Please include your e-mail address or Twitter handle in the comments so I have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!

Watch this video to find out more about Aimee Semple McPherson:

Contest: Win a Nice Work If You Can Get It Cast Recording

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Update: The contest is now closed. Thanks to everybody who entered. The winner was picked at random. Congratulations Alesandra! If you didn't win, check back in 10 minutes for another contest.

The cast album for Nice Work if You Can Get It will be released on October 30, and I'm giving away a copy. However you feel about the show starring Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara and featuring Tony winners Judy Kaye and Michael McGrath, it's hard to argue against the cast album. It features 28 Gershwin songs including “Sweet and Lowdown,” “'S Wonderful,” “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me"and it sounds gorgeous. You don't have to take my word for it. To preview tracks on Amazon, click here.

There are two ways to enter:

1) Comment on this blog telling me your favorite Gershwin song (it doesn't have to be on the album).

2) Tweet about the contest or retweet one of my tweets about it.

You can enter each way once, for a total of two entries. You must be following on Twitter to win. A winner will be chosen at random from all the entries on Wednesday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. (after I announce the winner, I'll launch another contest for tickets to a new Broadway musical, so check back for that). Please include your e-mail address or Twitter handle in the comments so I have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!

If you have yet to see Nice Work, here's a discount code:

Tuesday – Friday Evenings, Wednesday Matinees
$69 - $89 (reg. $87 - $137)

Saturday – Sunday Matinees
$79 - $99 (reg. $79 - $137)

Visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code NWAUDLINK

Contest: Win Tickets to The Heiress

Update: The contest is now closed. Thanks to everybody who entered. The winner was picked at random. Congratulations Ryan T.! If you didn't win, check back here on Monday AND Wednesday for more contests.

It's Monday, and that means another ticket contest. This week, I am giving away a pair of tickets to The Heiress starring Jessica Chastain, David Strathairn, and Dan Stevens. The 1947 play by Ruth and Augustus Goetz is based on Henry James' Washington Square. Chastain plays Catherine Sloper, who is courted by Morris Townsend (Stevens), though her father (Strathairn) thinks he is only after her money. Previews begin October 6 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

There are two ways to enter:

1) Comment on this blog telling me why you want to see the show.

2) Tweet about the contest or retweet one of my tweets about it.

You can enter each way once, for a total of two entries. You must be following on Twitter to win. A winner will be chosen at random from all the entries on Friday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. Please include your e-mail address or Twitter handle in the comments so I have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!

Contest: Win Tickets to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Update: The contest is now closed. Thanks to everybody who entered. I really enjoyed reading all your entries. The winner was picked at random. Congratulations @SoloZach! If you didn't win, check back here on Monday for a ticket contest to another new Broadway show.

Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is back on Broadway starting on September 27. Tracy Letts, Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright of August: Osage County, and Amy Morton, Tony nominated star of August: Osage County, play the dysfunctional couple in this Steppenwolf transfer. I've never seen a production of this play, so I'm looking forward to finally seeing it live. Plus, I'm digging the logo.

I am also excited to give away a pair of tickets. There are two ways to enter:
1) Answer this question in the comments: In the play, George and Martha invite a young couple over for drinks. Which couple, real or fictional, would you like to have drinks with?
2) Tweet about the contest or retweet one of my tweets about it.

You can enter each way once, for a total of two entries. You must be following on Twitter to win. A winner will be chosen at random from all the entries on Friday, September 28 at 5:30 p.m. Please include your e-mail address or Twitter handle in the comments so I have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!

If you don't win, you can also get discount tickets for performances before October 22 and save 35%:

Tues, Wed, and Thur performances:

$79.50 (reg $127)

$49.50 (reg. $65)

Fri, Sat, and Sun performances:

$89.50 (reg. $132)

$59.50 (reg. $75)

Call 212-947-8844 and use code VWNFP831.

Visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code VWNFP831.
Bring this offer to the Booth Theatre (222 W. 45th Street)

The fine print: Not available for October 13, 2012. Restrictions may apply. Offer may be revoked at any time.

Contest: Win Tickets to Closer Than Ever

Update: The contest is now closed. Thanks to everybody who entered. The winner was picked at random from all the entries. Congratulations Mark Falconer!

I haven't seen Closer Than Ever--the revue of songs by lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. and composer David Shire--yet, but after all the wonderful things I've heard about it, it's on my list. It's been extended multiple times, now through November 25 at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's. The musical stars Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, George Dvorsky, Anika Larsen, and Sal Viviano.

I'm giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader. In order to be entered to win a pair of tickets to Closer Than Ever, tweet about this contest or retweet one of my tweets about it. You must be following on Twitter to win. I will choose the winner on Monday, September 24 at 10 a.m. Good luck!

If you don't win, use these codes for discount tickets:

• $44.50 tickets through October 14th, use code RRFALL1
• $49.50 tickets through October 28th, use code RRFALL2
• $54.50 tickets through November 18th, use code RRFALL3

To redeem, visit YorkTheatre.org or call 212-935-5820 and use the codes above or visit The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (enter at 54th Street just east of Lexington)

The fine print: Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability and prior sale. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges. Offer may be revoked at any times. Blackout dates may apply. Tickets regularly $67.50.

Rob McClure Channels Chaplin

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

I saw Chaplin the Musical with my friend Yair Solan, who runs the first and only Charley Chase website and knows far more about silent films than I do. I mention this because not only did he provide me with additional insights and historical context, but I found it interesting that though he was looking at the show more for its portrayal of Charlie Chaplin and I more for whether it succeeded as a piece of theater, we came away with similar thoughts about where the show worked and didn't.

In one of the first scenes of the show, a director with a clapperboard says, "Chaplin. Scene one. Take one," and I assumed the filming of a movie called Chaplin (confusing because such a movie already exists) was being used to frame the show, but this device is only used once more and then disappears.

Chaplin the Musical spans 1894 to 1972, or the bulk of his life (1889 to 1977). That's a lot to tackle in two-and-a-half hours and book writers Christopher Curtis and three-time Tony winner Thomas Meehan did a fairly good job of keeping it focused--the first act on Chaplin's (Rob McClure) rise to fame and how being separated from his mother Hannah (Christiane Noll) when she was taken to an insane asylum affected his work and the second on his fall as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Jenn Colella) accuses him of being a communist. However, there are some unnecessary scenes such as the long act one closer "The Look-a-Like Contest"--which seems like an excuse to have a lot of dancing Chaplins.

Though some numbers like "The Look-a-Like Contest" don't propel the plot forward, there is a lot to enjoy in Christopher Curtis's score, especially the overture/prologue, which pulls the audience into the silent film world immediately. Scenic designer Beowulf Borritt, costume designers Amy Clark and Martin Pakledinaz, lighting designer Ken Billington, projection designer Jon Driscoll, and make-up designer Angelina Avallone have come as close to creating a black-and-white movie on a stage as possible and it's lovely, though I could have done without the influx of color at the end.

The show works best when recreating scenes from Chaplin's films. Rob McClure more than imitates Charlie Chaplin, though he has the Little Tramp's mannerisms down. He's funny in his own right, and he never feels anything other than authentic when showing us the charming, difficult, selfish, and troubled sides of Chaplin, even when the show gets heavy-handed. There's a long theater season ahead of us, but I hope that McClure is remembered come award season in the spring.