Notes from the Stage Door: Oct. 10th edition

With the weekend coming up, and the weather making it perfect to sit outside with a cup of coffee and read, it’s time for another edition of Notes from the Stage Door. These are the best articles from the last week which you might have missed:

“Inside The Campaign: The Romney Rebellion” from Politico – 10/9/2012

When the campaign is over, after the advisors have moved on and the press corps is gone, the last person left standing with the candidate is their spouse. Angry over the mismanagement of her husband’s campaign, “The Romney Rebellion” tells of Ann Romney’s frustrations with the general election campaign and how she sought a course correction with the Romney/Ryan ticket.  It’s a fascinating story behind Ann Romney’s fight to save her husband’s campaign before his first debate.

“The Contemporary Musical Theatre Songwriters You Should Know, Part One” from Playbill – 10/9/2012

Often times, I review shows from established composers such as Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  However, I would be doing theater fans and music lovers alike a disservice by not talking about the next generation of musical composers.  Playbill, one of the great theater websites, published a feature story on the up and coming artists sure to make their mark.  Take a moment and read the story, because your next ticket or cast album purchase maybe for their show.

“Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ Theme Will Hit #2 on Singles Chart” from Celebrity-Gossip.net – 10/11/2012

Last week I wrote about how composer John Barry helped save the James Bond franchise with his music.  While John Barry has passed on, his legacy of using music to tell Agent 007’s story lives on.  Last Friday at 12:07 am ( or 0:07 in military time), music songstress Adele released her new single expressly written for Bond #23, which comes out in four weeks.  Entitled “Skyfall” after the film, the song jammed itunes and raced to the top of the charts.  While last week’s post focused on James Bond composer John Barry, and how his music shaped the celebrated espionage franchise, it safe to say the 007 legacy is far from over.

To read the stories mentioned above, please click the hyperlinked titles.  To watch the music video for Adele’s new single ‘Skyfall’, please watch the Youtube clip below:

Notes From the Stage Door: Saturday, March 22nd Edition

This is a new feature for MarqueePolitics, but starting today we’re going to be emailing the best news stories you have might have missed from the previous week.  Notes From the Stage Door will be a mixture of articles from the worlds of theater and politics and will be must read items for your weekend.

Obama’s evolution: Behind the failed ‘grand bargain’ on the debt

The Washington Post

And so it begins the race to shape the Obama legacy.

I love process stories, because I feel that we, the audience, get a rare peek behind the curtain.  This story covers the debt deal that almost was and provides a unique vantage into the governing style of President Barack Obama.  I’ll concede that no story is perfect; some facts aren’t 100% correct, still it makes for juicy reading!

The Villain

The Atlantic

As Americans, we have a way of casting people as either heroes or villains.  But sometimes, what if a person is neither?  That’s what this Atlantic article begs asking about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, someone who is controversial and yet helped stave off a financial collapse in 2008.

Cell Free: Coping with violators of the no cell phone rule

Rock Center on NBC

We’ve all been there.  That crucial moment in a show when…a cell phone rings.  As an avid theatergoer, I person believe these people should be sent to the stockade.  Still, this Rock Center story details how actors cope with this ever growing annoyance.

Don’t Cry for Her, Argentina; She Landed the Big Role

The New York Times

Evita is my all-time favorite musical and I couldn’t be happier that it is FINALLY being revived on Broadway.  Yet, I’m even more thrilled that the producers decided not to stunt cast the role of Eva, and instead hired a genuine actress who can bring a touch of star quality to the production.  Elena Roger is an Argentine actress, making her Broadway debut as Eva.  This is an interesting profile about the politics, emotion, nationalization and acting behind her portrayal of Argentina’s former First Lady.

Critical Hit Gatz Returns to the Public Theater March 14

Playbill

Ok, so this is a week old, but still relevant and timely.  This has to be one of the most ironically innovative theater concepts, and yet I’m so intrigued.  You’ve heard of staged readings of plays and musicals, but a dramatic staged reading of literary classic.  It was a first for yours truly.  Still, if you’re in New York City, be sure and check out this production.  Gatz features a dynamic cast of actors reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece.

 More information on Gatz maybe found here: http://www.publictheater.org/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,141/id,1048