Fame Becomes Me (7/16/2006) Chicago, IL

Fame Becomes Me (7/16/2006) Chicago, IL

Andrew McCarthy, Keri Russell, Jeremy Pivin. Well filmed. A-

Cast: Sahr Ngaujah (Fela Anikulapo-Kuti), Abena Koomson (Funmilayo), Sparlha Swa (Sandra). Great Capture. A

Harvey Fierstein and Andrea Martin. Not a bad video A-

Harvey Fierstein, Rosie O'Donnell. Filmed from orchestra and there is a head in the way at times but a great video with beautiful close-ups amazing and fantastic sound.

Includes playbill info. NY 1 interviews/reviews. A-

Finding Neverland (9/3/14) ART, Boston

Kate Baldwin, Cheyenne Jackson, Christopher Fitzgerald, Jim Norton, Terri White, William Youmans. Great Video. A

Cheyenne Jackson, Kate Baldwin, Jim Norton, Christopher Fitzgerald, Chuck

Zachary Levi, Krysta Rodriquez, Sara Chase, Kate Loprest. 2 DVDs

Date: 08/09
Cast: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Karen Ziemba, Barbara Walsh, Sam Harris, Brad Oscar, John Dossey. Archival filming from the Old Globe production with hopes of Broadway. Full stage shot Archival recording, with great sound and very clear picture. A

An old video but very watchable quality. B-

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Noel Sullivan, Bruno Langley, Bernie 
Nolan, Michael Conway, Simon Harvey, Gavin Spokes, Vas Constanti, 
Carryl Thomas, Djalenga Scott, Ruthie Stephens, Vanessa Leigh Hicks. Good Quality. A

Lea Salonga, Sandra Allen and Original Broadway Cast. A-

Ron Bohmer, Rachel Wanet. Excellent video that is almost pro-quality. Amazing singers, inventive staging and unique, haunting music. A moving theater piece. A

Playwrights Horizons concert back in 2003. Most of the original cast. Good video. A

Ann Miller, Donna McKeckie. Not too bad. A-

Blythe Danner, Gregory Harrison, Judith Ivey, Treat Williams and Revival Cast. Great Video with lots of close ups. Some out of focus (was a dark show) A

Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines, Elaine Paige, Linda Lavin, Terrence Currier, Rosalind Elias, Florence Lacey, Régine, David Sabin, Susan Watson, Terri White, Christian Delcroix, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Lora Lee Gayer, Michael Hayes, Kirsten Scott, Frederick Strothers, Nick Verina. A

Jeremy Kushnier, Catherine Cox, Stephen Lee Anderson, DeeHoty, Jennifer Laura Thompson. Very well done video that is only missing the first few moments of the opening dance number.  Shot from the rear mezzanine, but the taper manages excellent zooms and captures all the action.  Energetic young cast.  Nice dancing. A-

Stephen Webb, Twinnie Lee Moore, Richard Grieve, Maureen Nolan, Robbie Scotcher, Simon Lipkin, Jodie Jacobs, Tarisha Rommick, Claire-Louise Mealor, Lisa Peacel. Not bad, a little all over the place but clear. A-

George Dvorsky (Reverend Shaw Moore), John Jeffrey Martin (Ren McCormack), Maureen Brennan (Vi Moore), Mathew Dorsey (Willard), Gwen Hollander. Pro-Shot, filmed using a tripod with audio patched in directly, from sound board, recorded at the final dress rehearsal with no audience present, also includes 3 minute montage which was used for media and promotion.

Cast unknown. Some generation loss. B+

Shuler Hensley, Ivan Rutherford, Rita Harvey, J.C. Hoyt, Howie Smith, Steven Stuts, Kelly Ellenwood, Bob Freschi, Kathleen Campbell, Justin Greer, Tener Brown, Cherylyn Jones, Jen MacQueen, Amanda Brook Marin, Steven Petrillo, Tom Titone, Mason Roberts. Not really sure on the history of this vid but Pro-Shot and very clear. A

Nathan Lane, Chris Kattan, John Byner, Daniel Davis.  Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  Book adapted by Nathan Lane.  Digital, first generation, some washout. B

Proshot. Robert Lonsdale, Siubhan Harrison, Darius Campbell, Rebecca Thornhill. 2 Discs

Frank Langella, Michale Sheen. Excellent up close recording . Includes Playbill info and NY1Reviews. A

Patrick Wilson, Emily Skinner, OBC. Great video, lots of close ups. A –

Will Chase (Jerry), Daniel Sherman Stewart (Dave), Steven Skybell (Harold), Chris Diamantopoulos (Ethan), Larry Marshall (Horse), Danny Gurwin (Malcolm), Emily Skinner (Vicki). Digital, shot from mezz with no heads in the way. Excellent clarity and closeups; one of the best videos I've come across. A-

Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Sutton Foster, Idina Menzel, Ricki Lake, Spencer Kayden, Kristin Chenoweth, LaChanze, Julia Murney, Ana Gasteyer, Lilias White, Jane Krakowski, Alice Playten, Bebe Neuwirth, Judy Kuhn, Andrea Martin, Carolee Carmello, Peter Gallagher. Actor's Fund benefit concert. Excellent quality--beautiful picture and sound, with lots of close-ups. A+

Nathan Lane, Mary Testa, Ernie Sabella and the OBC. Some generation loss but not bad at all for its age. A great shot. B+

Whoopi Goldberg, Lewis J. Stadlen, Ernie Sabella, Jessica Boevers. Pro Shot w/Time Code. Press Reels only A

Richard Fleeshman, Cassie Levy, Sharon D. Clark
A musical adaptation of the 1990 film which starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg with usic and lyrics by Dave Stewart (of the Eurhythmics); staged reading filmed with multiple cameras, with sound patched directly in from the soundboard. A

Caissie Levy, Richard Fleeshman, Sharon D. Clarke, Andrew Langtree

Nicely filmed from the balcony, but heads appear in the frame throughout, occasionally obstructing the action onstage. B+
Ghost the Musical (3/17/12) Broadway

Cast: Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat), Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen), Moya Angela (Oda Mae Brown), Bryce Pinkham (Carl Bruner), Michael Balderrama (Willie Lopez), Tyler McGee (Subway Ghost), Lance Roberts (Hospital Ghost), Carly Huges (Louise)

Hope Davis, Jeff Daniels, James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden.   A-

Sharp, crisp video missing first few minutes-starts with "Lazarus" scene. Great taping with excellent color and sound. A-

Hunter Parrish, Wallace Smith, Uzo Aduba, Nick Blaemire, Morgan James, Telly Leung, Lindsay Mendez, George Salazar, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Joaquina Kalukango (Celisse u/s), nice steady capture of this very small show. First five minutes are "wandering" and mostly dark while cast was in audience with cellphones for the Prologue. This is a great ensemble cast show.  A-

Don Murray, Kathryn Hays. Pro shot video from North Shore Music Theater; some generation loss but otherwise well filmed. B

David Larsen, Kate Reinders, Tituss Burgess, Brandon Wardell, Jessica-Snow Wilson, Sebastian Arcelus, Tracee Beazer, Heath Calvert, Janet Dacal, Tom Deckman. Nice picture and sound. Good video. A

Kathleen Turner, Alicia Silverstone, Jason Biggs and rest of OBC. Very nice video, a little generation loss. B+

David Carroll, Liliane Montevecchi, Jane Krakowski, Michael Jeter. Shot from Stage Right. Even though it takes a little getting used to how this was shot, it's from a pretty low-generation copy and you get a great idea of Tommy Tune's staging. Unfortunately, while the video is pretty watchable, the audio keeps dropping in and out. C+

Brent Barrett, Jane Krakowski, Michael Jeter, Liliane Montevecchi

Dark but eminently watchable video of the original London production. B
Grease! London

London Production with Linzi Hateley as Rizzo. Some generation loss but watchable. B

Lea Salonga. A little blurry but not too bad. Don’t have much info about this one. B+

Max Crumm, Laura Osnes, Lindsay Mendez, Jenny Powers, Kirsten Wyatt, Matthew Saldivar, Robyn Hurder, Ryan Binder, Stephen R. Buntrock.  Beautifully shot, crystal clear, an occasional head appears in shot every once in a while but nothing too bad at all, crispness and clarity of this video is amazing. A

Marya Grandy, Linda Hart, Shuler Hensley, Kaitlin Hopkins, Leslie Kritzer, Orfeh, Wayne Wilcox. Matinee performance. Video was filmed from the orchestra section of the theatre, so there are heads at the bottom of the picture, but the taper does his best to shoot around them. Occasionally blurry. Some nice close ups. Missing the very last minute up the show. B+

Closing Night. Marya Grandy (Linoleum), Linda Hart (Betty), Shuler Hensley (Norbert), Kaitlin Hopkins (Jeannie), Leslie Kritzer (Pickles), Orfeh (Pippi), Wayne Wilcox (Leo/Duke) A

Cast: Didi Conn, Ned Eisenberg, Edward Hibbert, Lee Lewis, Katie MacNichol. Directed by Julie Taymour. Great shot. A

Christine Ebersole and original cast. Great capture. A

Stubby Kaye, Ben Vereen, Leilani Jones

Yet another 80s Hal Prince flop, with a heartbreaker of a score by Larry Grossman and Jones' Tony-winning turn. Good quality for the age. B
Guys And Dolls (5/15/92) Broadway Revival 

Nathan Lane, Faith Prince, Peter Gallagher and Revival Cast. Spotlight washout from video age. B

Patrick Swayze, Samantha Janus, Norman Bowman, Vivien Carter as (u/s) Sarah, Dominic Watson as (u/s) Nicely Nicely, Denise Pitter as (u/s) General Cartwright, Nick Cavaliere. Great production and filming. A

Lauren Graham (Miss Adelaide), Kate Jennings Grant (Sarah Brown), Oliver Platt (Nathan Detroit), Craig Bierko (Sky Masterson), Titus Burgess (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Steve Rosen (Benny Southstreet), Glenn Fleshler (Big Jule), Adam LeFevre (Lt. Brannigan), Jim Ortlieb (Arvide Abernathy), Mary Testa (General Cartwright). Good Quality, some stage searching. Also includes “A Bushell and a Peck” and “Adelaide’s Lament” from 2/14/09 performance. A-

Tyne Daly, Crista Moore, and revival cast from early 90s. Lots of generation loss. B-

Betty Buckley and Deborah Gibson. Not a bad video. Knockout performances from both women. B+

Bernadette Peters, Tammy Blanchard, John Dosset. Here is Bernadette's tour-de-force as Mama Rose. Some great close-ups. The shooting is great quality, and the picture is sharp and clear. B+

Press Reels, but over 45mins of footage of the show. Pro Shot. A

Idina Menzel, Luther Creek, Tom Plokin. Shot from upper balcony. Some Generation loss. Act 1 Only. B

Actors Fund Benefit Concert Rehearsal. A

Actors Fund Benefit Concert Performance PRO SHOT A

Will Swenson (Berger), Gavin Creel (Claude), Cassie Levy (Sheila), Kacie Sheik (Jeanie), Darius Nichols (Hud), Bryce Ryness (Woof), Sasha Allen (Dionne), Saycon Sengbloh (Tribe), well filmed from high up in the balcony, occasional black outs, heads at the bottom of the screen but nothing too bad, DVD has opening menu with chapter stops and thumbnail images for all musical numbers, A-

Kevin Kern (Claude), Steel Burkhardt (Berger), Caissie Levy (Sheila), Sasha Allen (Dionne), Kacie sheik (Jeannie), Allison Case (Crissy), Matt DeAngelis (Woof), Darius Nichols (Hud), Ato Blankson-Wood, Lauren Elder, Allison Guinn, Phyre Hawkins, Crystal Joy, Kaitlin Kiyan, Andrew Kober, John Moauro, Aki Omoshaybi, Brandon Pearson, Megan Reinking, Paris Remillard, Oliver Roll, Hannah Shankman, Maya Sharpe, Patrick Smyth, Donna Steele, Liam Tamne Second-to-last performance, final matinee. Partial recording, about an hour and a half footage. A –

Tour Opening Night: Steel Burkhardt, Paris Remillard, Phyre Hawkins, Matt DeAngelis, Darius Nichols, Caren Lyn Tackett, Kacie Sheik, Kaitlin Kiyan. Beautiful capture of the Opening Night performance of the Tour cast. Great to see the cast full of energy and Caren back in the role of Shelia. A

Marissa Jaret Winokur, Havery Fiernstein, Kerry Butler and the Original Bway Cast Great Video with lots of close ups. A-

John Pinette, Michelle Dowdy (u/s), Stephen DeRosa, Darlene Love, Michael Cunio (u/s), Tevin Campbell, Becky Gulsvig, Leah Hocking, Tracy Miller, Andrew Rannels. Great Video! Great Caputre! Some spotlight washout, but not bad. A-

Shannon Durig, Blake Hammond, Diana DeGarmo, Stephen DeRosa, Darlene Love, Tevin Campbell, Jonathan Dokuchitz, Lisa Jolley, Isabel Keating, Tara Macri, Kevin Meaney, Naturi Naughton, and Aaron Tveit. One of the best Hairpsray videos out there. A

Wayne Alan Wilcox (“Rabbi” Josef Roman Cykowski), Will Blum (Ari “Lesh” Leshnikoff), Matt Bailey (Harry Frommerman), Will Taylor (Erwin “Chopin” Bootz), Chris Dwan (Erich Collin), Douglas Williams (Bobby Biberti), Leigh Ann Larkin (Mary Hegel), Hanna Corneau (Ruth Stern). Beautifully Filmed from the balcony. 2 DVDs. A

Jim Parsons, Jessica Hetch, Charles Kimbrough, Larry Bryggman, Carol Kane, Peter Benson, Tracee Chimo, Holly Fain, Angela Paton, Rich Sommer, Morgan Spector, Crystal Clear, No Obstructions. A

Annaleigh Ashforh (Veronica), Jeremy Jordan (Dean), Jenna Leigh Green (Heather Chandler, Corri English (Heather McNamara, Christine Lakin (Heather Duke), James Snyder (Kurt), PJ Griffith (Ram), Julie Garnye (Martha). Not the full reading but basically all of the musical numbers in their entirey. Very close picture, fantasic audio. A great fun night. A-

John Cameron Mitchell, Producer’s Copy of the show. Broadcast Quality; Excellent performance of a superb show captured with great quality. Filmed on 3 camera angles. Tape includes the 1999 Easter Bonnets skit after the show. A

Carol Channing, Michael DeVries, Jay Garner, Florence Lacey, Cory English. Great taping for age. Also includes Carol Channing Opening night Speech welcoming Mary Martin in the audience. B+

Jeffrey M. Wright (Rob), Kimi Short (Laura), Mike Dowdy (Dick), Terrie Carolan (Anna), Todd Micall (Bruce Springsteen). Presented by New Line Theatre. Nice Production. Filmed used one camcorder on a tripod. 2 DVDs. A

Jordan Campbell, Andrea Ross, Olivia Baackes, Dylan Tedaldi, Sarah Konowitz

Good video of a decent high school performance. Good picture, sound could be better. This was the world premiere of the stage version. B+
High School Musical (1/28/07) Atlanta, Theatre Under the Stars

World Premiere. SM calling copy, cues are called throughout the video.

John Jeffrey Martin, Arielle Jacobs, Bobby List, Patti Murin, Shakiem Evans, Shaullanda La Combe, Oliva Oguma. Still Camera. A-
High School Musical (8/12/07) Tour, Chicago      
John Jeffrey Martin, Arielle Jacobs, Renee Marino (u/s) Sharpay, Bobby List, Shakiem Evans, Shaullanda LaCombe, Ellen Harvey, Ron Bohmer. A beautiful capture of a very charming and fun production with talent to match. Also includes performance from Taste of Chicago. A-
The History Boys (5/6/06) Broadway
Richard Griffiths - Hector, Frances de la Tour - Mrs. Lintott, Clive Merrison - Headmaster, Stephen Campbell Moore – Irwin. A
Holler If Ya Hear Me (6/6/14) Broadway

Saul Williams, Christopher Jackson, Ben Thompson, Tonya Pinkins, Saycon Sengbloh, John Earl Jelks, Joshua Boone. The disc also includes a TV commercial, and 2 short behind the scene clips. Mostly just a full stage shot - no zooms- probably filmed with an iPhone or something similar. B+

Gavin Creel (Ugly) - Pro Shot, archival taping A

Vivian Nixon, Keith David, Ann Duquesnay, Allen Hidalgo, Wynonna Smith, Michael Balderrama, Samantha Pollino. Great picture and sound. A

John Mahoney, Christine Baranski, Swoosie Kurtz, Julie Hagerty, Ben Stiller, Richard Portnow. Pro-shot for tv. Picture is slightly washed out, but good…and sound is a little muddled, but good. A-

Ben Stiller, Edie Falco, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Christopher Abbott, Susan Bennett, Jimmy Davis, Hailey Feiffer, Mary Beth Hurt, Alison Pill, Thoams Sadoski, Tally Sessions
First few minutes (which is just Ben Stiller sitting at a piano) are audio only and last 20 seconds and curtain call are audio only as well (all with still images over the sound) due to ushers. Disc also includes interviews and opening night footage. A

John Larroquette, Stefan Karl, James Royce Edwards, Melinda Glib, Danny Gurwin, Rosemary Loar, Issadora Tulalian, Stuart Zagnit. Very cute little show from the sitdown LA produciton with the "White Cast"; great capture with no obstructions although about 1 minute of wandering when the lights come up for the "sing along". Nice video A-

Jeff McCarthy (The Grinch), Ken Land (Old Max), Gilber L. Bailery II (Young Max), Tori Feinstein (Cindy-Lou Who), Paul Aquirre (Papa Who), Natalie Hill (Mama Who), Philip Hoffman (Grandpa Who), Rosemary Loar (Grandma Who). A rather literal translation of the classic boo, few blackouts that are a few seconds long due to late seating, some slight wandering when the audience lights are on and everyone joins in for “You’re a Mean One, Mr Grinch”, A

Revial Cast with Matthew Broderick & Megan Mullally. Not bad for age. B

Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, Tammy Blanchard, Rose Hemingway, Christopher J. Hanke, Rob Bartlett, Mary Faber, Ellen Harvey, Michael Park, Cameron Adams, Cleve Asbury, Tanya Birl and Anderson Cooper. Very nice capture! A

Darren Criss, Beau Bridges, Rose Hemingway, Tammy Blanchard, Christopher J. Hanke, Michael Park, Holly Ann Butler as (u/s) Smitty), Ellen Harvey, Rob Bartlett. Excellent capture of Darren's three week stint with the show. Tons of excitement from the audience which made the cast sparkle even more. Show is top shape and Darren is charming as one would expect! 

Nick Jonas, Beau Bridges, Rose Hemingway, Tammy Blanchard, Michael Urie, Mary Faber, Ellen Harvey, Michael Park, Rob Bartlett.  Filmed from the balcony.  Heads appear in the frame in the wider shots, but the filmer does a good job of filming around them.  An occasional blackout or two

Live action stage show at Disney/MGM Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando. About 35 minutes long, very good recording. A

Pre-Broadway. Michael Arden (Quasimodo), Patrick Page (Dom Claude Frollo), Clara Renne (Esmeralda), Andrew Samonsky (Captain Phoebus de Martin), Erik Liberman (Clopin Trouillefou), Neal Mayer (Saint Aphrodisius), Lucas Coleman (Jehan Frollo), William Michals (Father Dupin), Samantha Massell (Florika), Ian Patrick Gibb (Lieutenant Frederic Charlus), Richard Ruiz (King Louis XI), Beth Kirkpatrick (Madam). 2 Discs

Brian Bedford, Dana Ivey, Paxton Whitehead, Amanda Leigh Cobb, Santino Fontana, David Furr, Tim MacDonald, Paul O’Brien, Charlote Parry, Sara Topham. Disc includes 20 minutes of Opening Night Footage and interviews. Very Good Audio and Video.

Courtney Balan* (Jenny), Christopher J. Hanke, David Turner, Chiara Navarra, Michael J. Farina, Brynn Williams. Not a bad video of this show. A-

Pre Broadway Tryout of original show. Chip Zien (Baker), Joanna Gleason (Baker's Wife), Ellen Foley (Witch) and John Cunningham (Narrator)

Some Differences in show, lots of generation loss. C+
Into the Woods (1988) Broadway

Bernadette Peters, Chip Zion, Joanna Gleason. Pro-shot for TV. A+

Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Kim Crosby, Tim Aldredge, Ben Wright, Danielle Ferland, Chuck Wagner, Barbara Bryne, Pamela Winslow, Jonathan Dokuchitz, Joy Franz, Kay McClelland, Lauren Mitchell, Merle Louise, Jeff Blumenkrantz, Edmund Lyndeck Pro-Shot Behind The Scenes Special A-

Original Revival Cast - Vanessa Williams (Witch), Laura Benanti (Cinderella), Stephen DeRosa (Baker), Kerry O’Malley (Baker’s Wife), Adam Wylie (Jack), Greg Edelman (Cinderella’s Prince), Molly Ephraim (Little Red), Christopher Sieber (Rapunzel’s Prince), Mary Louise Burke (Jack’s Mother)

Beth Leavel, Tim Hartmann, Sarah Jean Ford, Hunter Foster, Brynn O’Malley, Stanley Bahorek, Betsy Lawerence, Jennifer Cody, Kevin Earley, Greggory Brandt, Kaitlyn Davidson. Clear picture, little obstruction at times. A

Cast: Hannah Waddingham (Witch), Jenna Russell (Baker's Wife), Helen Dallimore (Cinderella), Mark Hadfield (Baker), Ben Stott (Jack), Alice Fearn (Rapunzel), Simon Thomas (Rapunzel's Prince), Michael Xavier (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Billy Boyle (Mysterious Man), Marilyn Cutts (Jack's Mother), Gaye Brown (Cinderella's Stepmother), Beverly Rudd (Little Red Riding Hood), Gemma Wardle (Cinderella's

Mother). Pro Shot
Into the Woods (7/29/12) Shakespeare in the Park
Donna Murphy, Amy Adams, Chip Zien, Denis O'Hare, Gideon Glick, Jessie Mueller, Sarah Stiles, Ellen Harvey, Ivan Hernandez, Josh Lamon, Laura Shoop, Tess Soltau, Kristine Zbornik, Jack Broderick, Eric Williams, Tina Johnson Glenn Close. Great HD capture of the much hyped Shakespeare in the Park Production. Beautifully thought out and executed production with a few flubs and bloopers that are hilarious. Donna and Amy were just sensational! A-