Category Archives: Commentary

“Monetizing” SHREK

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David Fick

In their Third Quarter 2009 Financial Report, DreamWorks Animation has revealed the nature of their plans for Shrek, the musical theatre adaptation of their hit film of the same name. From the desk of Lew Coleman: We plan to monetize … Continue reading →

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CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: the Musical

Posted on October 1, 2009 by David Fick

Roald Dahl’s most popular novel is making its way to the musical stage. Word is that Warner Brothers Theatre Ventures has its eye on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a potential directorial vehicle for Sam Mendes, having hired David … Continue reading →

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iSONDHEIM becomes SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM

Posted on October 1, 2009 by David Fick

According to the Roundabout Theatre Blog, the project that was once known as iSondheim will now be produced as Sondheim on Sondheim on Broadway later this season. Conceived and directed by James Lapine, the ‘new original Broadway musical’ will star … Continue reading →

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PARADISE FOUND at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on September 22, 2009 by David Fick

Harold Prince has announced that Paradise Found, the musical he is to co-direct with Susan Stroman, will have its debut at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory – so says Variety‘s Richard Ouzounian, who got the news straight from the horse’s mouth … Continue reading →

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So – Why Don’t People Like PASSION?

Posted on June 26, 2009 by David Fick

Bring up Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Passion on an Internet forum and you’re bound to cause a stir. An avid defender of the show who reads a wide number of forums across the Internet, I’ve seen many criticisms of … Continue reading →

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The BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Poll

Posted on April 18, 2009 by David Fick

Today in 1994 was the day that Disney premiered the full-scale theatrical adaptation of their animated film, Beauty and the Beast, on Broadway. Here is a poll to commemorate the 15th anniversary of that day: I’ve filled my answers in … Continue reading →

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: a “Change” for Better or Worse?

Posted on April 7, 2009 by David Fick

One of the most common discussions around the score of Beauty and the Beast focuses on “A Change in Me”, the song that was added to the score in 1998 for Toni Braxton when she played the role of Belle. … Continue reading →

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SOUTH PACIFIC Review Roundup

Posted on April 14, 2008 by David Fick

Broadway’s revival of South Pacific has opened to a set of excellent reviews. Here’s a roundup of what the critics are saying about the show: Raves Ben Brantley at The New York Times: For this South Pacific recreates the unabashed, … Continue reading →

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LITTLE WOMEN: a Missed Opportunity?

Posted on February 3, 2008 by David Fick

I was giving the cast album of Little Women, a show that has not made much of an impact on me in the past, another spin in the CD player recently and was, as ever, frustrated by what Mindi Dickstein … Continue reading →

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VARIETY Article: “Mainstream Embracing Musicals”

Posted on June 4, 2007 by David Fick

Variety has run with an interesting article on the re-integration of musicals into popular culture. The full article is available here, but here are a few choice quotes: David Rooney and Gordon Cox wrote: Musicals are once again becoming part … Continue reading →

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