Promotions

Excuse me if this is jumbled, I'm a little confused by some of the Academy Award choices tonight. And I'm also in the midst of my hours upon hours of Tivo-d post-show coverage (Jimmy Kimmel just picked on Jennifer Holliday as I type this).

I want to use this post to promote two things. The first is Campbell Robertson's New York Times story on "urban theatre" -- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/21/theater/21urba.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1172468193-C4jYHDV7eqWzTdMgrLc2tw . It's very rare people who cover Broadway write about works such as these. And I'm in total favor of it. I've long been fascinated by the separation that exists between these worlds. Years ago I wrote about a show called Love Makes Things Happen, a Babyface musical starring En Vogue's Dawn Robinson, that played the Beacon Theatre and I actually got emails questioning why I would cover such a thing. Of course I was like "Umm... Babyface. Dawn Robinson. Duh." Apparently other people just don't understand the genius of a theatrical piece that combines those two names. Or maybe they just don't consider these things real theatrical pieces--that might be a substantial part of the problem. I have to admit that when the movie Diary of a Mad Black Woman came out, and journalists said it was based on an off-Broadway play, I was clueless. I had never heard of it. So I'm not the expert on this topic, but I have always been interested in it. How do these producers attract their target audience? Is it about the title? Casting? Campiness? This story doesn't really provide an in depth examination of the possible answers to these questions, but it is a good introduction to a touring theater business that many Broadway types might not be familiar with.

Now, for my second order of business, I need to promote Joe Iconis yet again. He has a show on March 4 at Joe's Pub and he is going to be singing some of his own stuff. I personally hope he sings his song "Helen" himself, but he has some special guests lined up (including Annie Golden and Celia Keenan-Bolger), so I have a feeling I may be out of luck. Don't let that discourage you though--I'm sure it will rock. He may even talk to the audience, so if you've been to his past Things to Ruin shows, where he never talks, that might be a special bonus for you.

Oh, just so you know, I didn't forget Frenchie in my Americal Idol analysis, I just got lazy. I mean, she has come and gone more than once... and I have no idea when... My friends involved in Rent say tons of people come just to see her, but, I honestly am not looking at the numbers.

I think it's time to erase Kimmel and go to my E! recording. Adios.