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Hi All-
In recent times, I've posted on both the Show Blog AND the Production Diary, but this time do me the favor, and go see the little note I put up on the PD... It'll give you an assignment that'll take about five minutes to complete, but it'll be worth it when you're done! Trust me!
The Drama Desk Award nominations were announced this morning at the Friars Club. Little Women the musical received three nominations: Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Sutton Foster (Jo), Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Maureen McGovern (Marmee) and Outstanding Orchestrations - Kim Scharnberg. The awards ceremony will be held Tuesday, May third. Congratulations nominees!
Check out the Production Diary for all the details.
One morning, several years ago, upon arriving at my job at a local television station I was greeted by about 25 girls ranging in age from 5 to 17 who were milling around the newsroom. It was "Take Our Daughters to Work" day...
The Ms. Foundation for Women is proud to partner with Little Women the Musical in promoting a more equitable society for women and girls. Find out how you can make a difference.
Andrew here - I was watching "Volcano Press" from the wings and thought you might be interested to know that, after the song is over, if you peer into the darkness upstage you might see a giant crushing New York with his mighty footfalls.
Actually, it'll be Jim Weitzer crossing the stage with a large black cloth over his head. He exits from VP as Braxton Prendergast but in the next scene he switches to John Brooke who has an entrance from the opposite side of the stage. Now that would mean a mad dash involving several flights of stairs (we have to go to the basement to make a "crossover") and a big costume change. To save Jim the trauma (and possible injury), they've worked out a trick wherein he comes offstage after VP, they throw a black cloth over his head, and he strolls across our darkened miniature NYC skyline like some titanic wraith.
Kinda cool, no?
The Outer Critics Circle, an organization comprised of out-of-town critics who cover New York City theater, have announced their nominations for the 2004-2005 theatrical season and Little Women -the musical's Sutton Foster has garnered a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Although the winners will be announced May 9, they won't be officially "lauded" until the 55th annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 26th at Sardi's
Andrew Varela here, I'm working on a cool cyberhandle. I'll keep you posted.
Sometimes its helpful to explain to those interested what our world looks like in order to let you get a better understanding of what our daily life is like. To that end, lets take a virtual stroll backstage at the Virginny.
This book has so much meaning for people and touches so many lives. Here are some quotes from her story..
the first copy of this book that I can remember owning had a pink cover and a picture of the 4 girls in the sitting room. It was illustrated with coloured sketches and I received it for Christmas in 1964. I loved that book so much. I am lucky that my mum was a hoarder as that copy is still on my bookshelf now. A treasure !!! to look at it and touch it brings a warmth to my soul.... I loved to read this book ~ I felt that I was peeking into their actual home and living the lives they did * the carriage rides in the snow...sounded like so much fun...... and even now when I feel like I need some nurturing ..that is one of the books that I grab. I don't think it was intentional but I ended up calling my first daughter *Louisa May*.
Do any of you have a story like this about when you first got a copy of little women?
I found this post today from Ms Robyn who writesdaily parcels- all about her obsession vintage things. She loves Louisa May Alcott and just got a letter from a friend of hers....
J O Y ~what fun to go to my mail box today and find a gorgeous pink envelope from Alison at the vintage housekeepers circle. It had a sticker on the front with the words 'royal mail' printed on it,which immediately made me feel like a princess. It was raining out....rainy days make me feel so snug and secure and I made myself a cup of hot chocolate...snuggled on my cane settee under one of my quilts, propped up by some pillows ( feeling very Jo from Little Women ) and proceeded to open the envelope with utmost care. I am beginning to sound like a child, but I was so excited. Inside was treasure ~ a gorgeous tag with the word 'JOY' in scrabble letters * a lovely card wrapped in a ribbon to send to someone special, a little card with a saying from Louisa May Alcott ( just how did Alison know that Louisa May was special to me ?) and the most divine letter from Alison. with lots of wonderful ideas to bring back the art of letter writing...certainly inspiring.
Do any of you still write hand written letters for the regular mail? What was the last one you wrote about? What was the last one you received?
This is the inaugural post from the cast of Little Women on Broadway! We're going to be blogging from our LWOB Terminal or whatever it is eventually called ("LWOB Command Center" gets my vote) and we're going to be giving everyone a glimpse of what's happening backstage on as close to a daily basis as we can provide. There's alot that goes into putting the show up nightly (and matinee-ly) and we're going to be sharing the tension, hilarity, sorrows, and pastries (thanks, Sutton) that abound at the Virginia Theater.
Let's see what happens...
From: Andrew Varella (u.s. Prof. Bher/Mr. Laurence)Howdy everyone-
I have posted on the production diary,
Here is the first paragraph... It's been a crazy month or so, but I'm finally posting again! Thank you to our teammates Karen and Kaliya for getting the show blog going, and to Mojo and her crack team for getting the website back to normal after our incident earlier on. Now LWOB is stronger faster and better, thanks to all their efforts! BLOGGER TOM
The Drama League has announced its 2004-05 award nominations and it is our pleasure to let you know that Little Women - the musical' s own Sutton Foster, aka Jo March, has been nominated for a Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance. Congratulations Sutton!
The awards ceremony, to be held on Friday afternoon, May 13, will be hosted by the magnificent Cherry Jones (Doubt) and be preceded by an afternoon cocktail party hosted by several favorite Broadway performers including Sutton Foster herself.
Wednesday evening, April 20th, Little Women - the musical celebrated its 100th performance since its opening on Broadway on January 23rd. The cast had their own small celebration before the show on Wednesday and celebrated with the authors, producers, friends and family on Thursday at the CD release party at Angus McIndo's. Check out photos of the event at Broadway.com.
I am noticing while reading Little Women how much I connect with the stories about day-to-day life where things don't go quite right. It seems like I am not the only one.
Oh dear. It was almost a Little Women moment last night. Do you remember the chapter towards the end of the book when Dear John unexpectedly brings home a work colleague to dinner and poor newly-married Meg has spent an entire day unsuccessfully trying to make jelly? And it all ends in tears? Well, thank heavens I'm 37 years old and have a sense of humor because otherwise you would have found me weeping over the jam pots last night.
Continue reading Meg's story on too many chefs.
This was posted on About.com Today in the Women's History section.
Two little-known stories that I've recently added to the site summarize some of Louisa May Alcott's thoughts about Transcendentalist ideas and leaders based on her close association and observation.
Louisa May Alcott wrote bitingly of the experience of her own family at a 19th century Utopian community, exaggerated and fictionalized in "Transcendental Wild Oats." In this story, the men are more interested in "being, not doing," and mostly sit around and talk about their ideals. In contrast, the wife ends up the caretaker of physical needs like food and shelter. "Mrs. Lamb led her flock to a temporary fold, leaving the founders of the 'Consociate Family' to build castles in the air till the fire went out and the symposium ended in smoke."
But it would be a mistake to read into this story a complete disdain for Transcendentalism, its ideas, or its proponents. In "Reminiscences of Ralph Waldo Emerson by Louisa May Alcott," Louisa May Alcott wrote, shortly after the death of Ralph Waldo Emerson, about her friend and neighbor. Her admiration and respect for him shine clearly through as she attempts to portray a side of him that the public rarely saw, but which she, as a child growing up in the neighborhood and as daughter of one of Emerson's closest associates, was privy to.
Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.
--E.Y. Harburg (Edgar Yipsel)
Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.
--Anais Nin
Without music. life is a journey through a desert
--Pat Conroy
Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.
--Victor Hugo
Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.
--E.Y. Harburg (Edgar Yipsel)
Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.
--Amais Nin
Without music. life is a journey through a desert
--Pat Conroy
Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.
--Victor Hugo
Much has been said about music and music's powers but I recently read an anonymous quote that best describes my personal attachment to my favorite music:
"Some music can grip you by the very heart"
As for myself, "theatrical music," whether opera or "musical theater" is what grips my heart more often than any other genre. When I listen to the my favorite music I am filled with it, I feel like my heart beats in time with the rhythm of the song. There are some pieces that really touch me; the score of Weber and Rice's Evita, and the choral music in Puccini's Turandot. When I first heard, "Astonishing" from Little Women-the musical I was totally moved yet again. It made me cry, filled a very special place inside of me and took me on a wonderful journey.
Please join me and add your comments to this blog entry, write about the music that "grips your very heart."
Did you know that the very home where Louisa May Alcott wrote "Little Women" is still standing in Concord, MA? Orchard House, as it is know today, is a landmark and museum. Have you visited Orchard House? If so please add your comments to this blog and let us know about your visit.
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In an historic first for a Broadway musical, members ofLittle Women- the musical's cast and crew will be contributing to the show blog. They will be writing about the show, the book and other interesting topics. Check the show blog often to see their posting and comments.
What is the latest news on the Little Women - the musical CD? Sign up to have notices sent directly to your e-mail. Go to Little Women CD Alert!
The Ms. Foundation for Women is proud to partner with Little Women - the musical in promoting a more equitable society for women and girls. Until May 1, 2005, $5 from ticket purchases using the contribution code LWMFD96 will be donated to the Ms. Foundation for Women.
For more information go to the offical Little Women - the Musical web site.
Sign up for your membership in Little Women - the musical. As a member you will be able to receive the newsletter, the Concord Courier, join in on-line discussions, ask questions of company members and so much more. Join now!
We invite you to read the rest of Susan Midgley's beautiful posting from the February issue of the Concord Courier and to make your own comments on what Little Women means to you by returning to the blog and clicking "comment" below.
This is the inaugural post from the cast of Little Women on Broadway! We're going to be blogging from our LWOB Terminal or whatever it is eventually called ("LWOB Command Center" gets my vote) and we're going to be giving everyone a glimpse of what's happening backstage on as close to a daily basis as we can provide. There's alot that goes into putting the show up nightly (and matinee-ly) and we're going to be sharing the tension, hilarity, sorrows, and pastries (thanks, Sutton) that abound at the Virginia Theater.
Let's see what happens...
From: Andrew Varella (u.s. Prof. Bher/Mr. Laurence)ON Saturday Marueen will be on the Local TODAY show.
Click over to the new Production Diary to find out the details.
Every theater in New York City's "Theater District" has its own special story to tell and the Virginia Theater, home of Little Women - The Musical is no exception. Located at 245 West 52nd Street, the Virginia theater was build in 1925 by the Theater Guild as their new up-town location. Since the first Tony Awards were bestowed in 1947 four Tony award winning shows have played the Virginia. At one time the theater was even used primarily as a radio studio. Find out more about this amazing building and it's history on nyc-architecture.com.
I've heard it said that the busier our society gets the less well we listen to each other and the world around us. According to the International LIstening Association we "listen at 125-200 words per minute, but think at 1000-3000 words per minutes." Quite a difference. Maybe that is why Sondheim's I'm Not Getting Married Today always leaves my head spinning. Well, April is Listening Awareness Month so Prick Up Your Ears theater goers you may hear something Astonishing.
Louisa May Alcott, the author of the serial and novel Little Women, the source material for Little Women - The Musical, was born on November 29, 1832 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Her birthday coincided with her father's 33rd birthday. What else happened in the year of her birth?...
Fortunately for me, not too long ago a friend took me to see Little Women – The Musical on Broadway. This gem of a show brings Louisa Mae Alcott’s masterpiece to life on the stage of the Virginia Theater and does it beautifully. Here I was face to face with my "nemesis" and I was happily moved beyond anything I could have expected. I loved it - both the show and all of the emotions that it conjured in my heart. It was one of those yummy experiences that I didn't want to end. Actually, I suppose it doesn't have to. It’s back to the bookstore for me, to pick up another copy of the book of (I never did get that copy back from my friend) then all that is left is to crack it open and start the next part of my journey. Just in case I have made a little space in the freezer.
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