I can't remember when I have anticipated a movie more than Rob Marshall's upcoming NINE. The teaser photos we've seen for several months, especially those of Daniel Day -Lewis and the goddess supreme Sophia Loren were enough to confirm my curiosity that the best director for the job had indeed assembled an amazing cast for what might possibly be the best movie adaptation of a Broadway musical since Bob Fosse's CABARET. Today, the first official trailer appeard on ITunes and it's my new obsession. If the movie is anything like the preview (and we all know how often that is NOT the case), then I'll probably lose my senses when the movie finally debuts in November. In an homage to Fellini, Fosse, Minnelli, and maybe his own CHICAGO, Marshall has apparently created something pretty magical indeed. I'm a big fan of the original Broadway production and the equally splendid revival a few years ago. But the images from the movie suggest this might be the best evocation yet of Maury Yeston's dreamy score. (Of course if the movie is a bomb, I'll deny ever having written this.)

You can see the trailer at FirstShowing and in lovely hd over at ITunes. Be Italian. Indeed.

We opened my production of Edward Albee's THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? last night at AtticRep. It could not have gone better, and I'm very proud of my splendid cast, crew and designers. And clearly our local theater critic for the Express News liked what she saw; this lovely blurb was posted on the ArtsBeat blog early this morning.

The photo above is a rehearsal shot of Andy Thornton and Gloria Sanchez as Martin and Stevie, imo Albee's most dynamic duo since George and Martha. Below are Andy and Gloria with Rick Frederick (L) and Robby Glass (R) as Ross and Billy, respectively, on Chris Sauter's truly amazing and beautiful set.

Samba Saravah

Things have been more than a little bit nuts lately; as a result, regular blog postings (never my strong suit to begin with) ground to a halt. In the midst of all the craziness, I have found myself drawn to the early vocal sytlings of Pierre Barouh and/or watching Jacques Demy's lovely and heartbreaking "Umbrellas of Cherbourg." Not quite sure what all of this means, but if anyone was going to compose the soundtrack to my life right now, I hope it would be Francis Lai or Michel Legrand.