Tag Archives: Ragtime

In Memoriam: Camille Saviola

Posted on November 1, 2021 by boz

Musical actress and writer Camille Saviola, whom her friend Harvey Fierstein called the “Italian Godmother of Soul,” died October 28 from heart failure following a brief illness. Born July 16, 1950, in the Bronx, Saviola grew up near Yankee Stadium. … Continue reading →

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2020 Tony Award Winners

Posted on September 27, 2021 by boz

The long-awaited ceremony for the 2020 Tony Awards not only celebrated the 2019-20 Broadway season but also the return of live stage performances after 18 months of pandemic lockdown. In a bifurcated broadcast, the majority of awards were presented during … Continue reading →

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2020 Special Tony Awards Update

Posted on July 29, 2021 by boz

The Broadway League and American Theatre Wing have announced two more special awards to be given at the Tony ceremonies on September 26. In addition to the previously announced prizes for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, David Byrne’s American Utopia, and Freestyle … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthday: Maria Friedman

Posted on March 19, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to three-time Olivier winner Maria Friedman, born March 19, 1960, in Switzerland and raised in Germany. After her parents divorced, she moved to England with her mother, before leaving home at 16 to live with boyfriend Roland Brine. … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthday: Brian Stokes Mitchell

Posted on October 31, 2020 by boz

Happy birthday to Tony-winning performer Brian Stokes Mitchell, born Oct. 31, 1957 in Seattle. Mitchell grew up in various military bases and began acting in school musicals while in San Diego. He was soon performing professionally and made his Broadway … Continue reading →

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Essential Musicals: Sweeney Todd

Posted on May 18, 2020 by boz

“Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd. He served a dark and a vengeful god.” With that, the title character introduces himself and prepares us for a macabre musical about obsession, revenge — and cannibalism. Composer Stephen Sondheim has called Sweeney … Continue reading →

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Making Musicals: The Dialogue

Posted on April 10, 2020 by boz

Each scene is like a mini-musical, with its own beginning, middle, and end. Before you write any dialogue, decide how the scene begins. Playwright David Mamet asks three questions: “1. Who wants what from whom?, 2. What happens if they … Continue reading →

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Playlist: iPod Favorites

Posted on June 15, 2012 by boz

Every year after the Tony Awards, I review and update my MP3 list of favorites. The following are the show tunes that have earned the highest play counts on my iPod over the past year. Each of these songs hits … Continue reading →

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Ragtime: Review Roundup

Posted on June 4, 2012 by boz

The first West End revival of Ragtime opened last week to mixed reviews. The creative team is Terrence McNally (book), Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), Stephen Flaherty (music), Timothy Sheader (direction), Javier de Frutos (choreography), Jon Bausor (sets), Laura Hopkins (costumes), James … Continue reading →

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