Ricky Martin and 'Evita' on Broadway: What did the critics think?

Broadway's eyes were on pop star Ricky Martin Thursday night as a revival of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita" opened at New York's Marquis Theatre.

The musical based on the life of Eva Perón, the Argentinian actress turned major political player, has created its fair share of fame. The 1979 Broadway debut launched Patti LuPone's career, and the 1996 movie version helped to reinvent another pop singer, Madonna.

This time around, "Evita" boasts the star quality of the '90s pop heartthrob (and his hip-swiveling moves) as the show's truth-telling narrator, Che Guevara. Argentine actress Elena Roger plays the title role.

The first reviews from New York were mixed: Some critics felt the heat in this retelling of the fiery first lady's life and death (or at least in some of the performances), while others were lukewarm toward the show and its actors. 

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ on Broadway: What did critics think?

“Jesus Christ Superstar" has once again been resurrected. The Gospel-inspired musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, which made its Broadway debut in 1971, opened Thursday night at New York’s Neil Simon Theatre.

The biblically based rock opera loosely tells the story of Jesus Christ’s final days, which (spoiler alert) don't end well for the title character. This time around, director Des McAnuff’s revival is less about the '70s hippie “Hair” love-thy-neighbor vibe, instead offering a glitzy, graphic take on the infamous execution. 

Apostles don stylish street wear while performing acrobatics, a Times Square-style ticker counts down the Messiah’s last minutes and the final whipping and crucifixion end in blood splatters across the backdrop of the stage.

“Superstar” premiered last summer at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada before making its way to San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse, where McAnuff twice served as artistic director. 

Times theater critic Charles McNulty saw the show in December and became a convert, writing that the performance “has had the miraculous effect of turning even an Andrew Lloyd Webber denier like me into a momentary believer.” 

The first reviews from New York were mixed with critics less inclined to offer their blessings.

Arts on TV: Placido Domingo; Oscar Hammerstein; Il Volo; 'Phantom'

"Open Call" 9 p.m. Thursday, KCET: Kenny Burrell 

"SoCal Insider With Rick Reiff" 7:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m., Sunday, KOCE: "Greatest Living Tenor": Interview with opera legend Placido Domingo.

"The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies" 8 p.m. Friday, KLCS: Alexander meets and auditions four pianists age 8 to 12.

"Great Performances" 8:30 p.m. Friday; 12:30 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m., Wednesday, KOCE: "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Royal Albert Hall : Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess star in a fully-staged production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," from London's Royal Albert Hall.

"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" 12:37 a.m. Friday, NBC: Actor Paul Rudd; actress Gabrielle Union; performance from "Sister Act."

"The Voice" 4 p.m. Saturday, E!: The Blind Auditions, Part 5 : More vocalists audition for the judges. (Part 5 of 5)

"Il Volo Takes Flight" 5:30 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: The Italian teen vocal group performs classical and traditional Italian songs at the Detroit Opera House.

"The Artist Toolbox" 8:30 p.m. Saturday, KLCS: American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky discuss the rigors of being a professional dancer.

"Yanni -- Live at El Morro" 9 p.m. Saturday, KOCE: Yanni performs with his 15-piece orchestra at El Morro, a 16th-century citadel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"Oscar Hammerstein II -- Out of My Dreams" 7 p.m. Sunday, KOCE; 8:30 p.m. Sunday, KVCR: Lyricist and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II worked in theater for more than 40 years, writing lyrics to more than 1,000 songs and the books of 45 operettas and musicals.

"Idina Menzel Live -- Barefoot at the Symphony" 8:30 p.m. Sunday, KOCE: Menzel performs Broadway classics, her own selections and contemporary songs with Taye Diggs and composer Marvin Hamlisch.

RELATED:

"Oscar Hammerstein II: Out of My Dreams" details Broadway pioneer

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

Photo: "The Phantom of the Opera" stars Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom. Credit: Alastair Muir

Arts on TV: 'Open Call'; 'The Phantom of the Opera'; Idina Menzel

“Open Call” 9 p.m., Thursday KCET: The Colburn School Conservatory of Music: Auditions for reality shows.

Movie: “Exit Through the Gift Shop” (2010) 9:30 p.m., Thursday Showtime: Narrated by Rhys Ifans. A French shopkeeper and a filmmaker try to document the graffiti artist known as Banksy, only to have him turn the camera back on them.

“The Rosie Show” 7 p.m., Friday OWN: "Porgy & Bess" stars Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis.

“Celtic Woman -- Believe” 8 p.m., Friday KVCR: Classic Irish songs, pop anthems and inspirational songs; from the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

“Great Performances: Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park” 8:30 p.m., Friday KOCE: The Italian tenor performs classical favorites and his popular signature songs.

“Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Birth of Rock Theater” 10 p.m., Friday and 8 p.m., Wednesday KVCR: Founder Paul O'Neill outlines the past, present and future of the orchestra.
 
“The Artist Toolbox” 8:30 p.m., Saturday KLCS: Architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen has designed more than 400 private houses.

“Idina Menzel Live -- Barefoot at the Symphony” 10:30 p.m., Saturday KVCR: Menzel performs Broadway classics, her own selections, and contemporary songs with her husband,Taye Diggs, and composer Marvin Hamlisch.

“Soul Mates: Dr. Maya Angelou & Common” 10:30 a.m., Sunday BET: Hip-hop artist Common; Dr. Angelou honored by President Obama.

“Great Performances” 5:30 p.m., Sunday KOCE; 7 p.m., Sunday KVCR: "Phantom of the Opera" at the Royal Albert Hall: Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess star in a fully-staged production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's “The Phantom of the Opera,” from London's Royal Albert Hall.

“Great Performances” 8 p.m., Monday KVCR: "Hugh Laurie: Let Them Talk -- A Celebration of New Orleans Blues": Actor Hugh Laurie performs New Orleans blues and jazz with Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and Tom Jones.

“Il Volo Takes Flight” 11 p.m., Monday KVCR: The Italian teen vocal group performs classical and traditional Italian songs at the Detroit Opera House.

“Yanni -- Live at El Morro” 7 p.m., Tuesday KOCE and 10:30 p.m., Wednesday KVCR: Yanni performs with his 15-piece orchestra at El Morro, a 16th century citadel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Il Volo Takes Flight” 8:30 p.m., Tuesday KOCE: The Italian teen vocal group performs classical and traditional Italian songs at the Detroit Opera House.

ALSO:

Gioachino Rossini, rock star of opera, gets a Google Doodle

Occupy Wall Street calls for cancellation of Whitney Biennial

Kid Rock to show support for Detroit Symphony

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

 Photo: 'Open Call' students from the Colburn School Conservatory of Music. Credit: Philip Pirolo / KCET

Arts on TV: Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse, RSC's 'Hamlet'

“Great Performances” 9 p.m., Friday KOCE; 8 p.m., Tuesday KVCR: Tony Bennett: Duets II: Tony Bennett sings his greatest hits with contemporary artists. Performers include Amy Winehouse (in her last recording), Lady Gaga, Norah Jones, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Willie Nelson.

“Architect Robert A.M. Stern: Presence of the Past” 10:30 p.m., Friday KOCE: The architect and Yale dean bridges the divide between the modernists and the traditionalists.

“Joe Bonamassa Live From the Royal Albert Hall” 9:30 p.m., Saturday KOCE: The musician performs songs from “The Ballad of John Henry” in London; guest Eric Clapton.

“Great Performances” 1:30 p.m., Sunday KVCR: "Hamlet": The Royal Shakespeare Company presents a contemporary retelling of “Hamlet.”

“Exploring the Arts With Gloria Greer” 5:30 p.m., Sunday KVCR: Hohmann and Imago Galleries: The veteran journalist chats with local art experts in Palm Springs.

“Vine Talk” 6:30 p.m., Sunday KLCS: Weighing Washington Chardonnays: Jennifer Coolidge; music director Alan Gilbert, New York Philharmonic; chef Steven Raichlen.

“Smart Travels: Europe With Rudy Maxa” 6:30 p.m., Monday KVCR: Milan and Lake Como: Italy's gothic cathedral and Milan's Design Museum; exploring the Villa D'Este Hotel; alpine festival.

“Burt Wolf: Travels & Traditions” 10 p.m., Monday KVCR: "The Great Rivers of Europe: Cologne to Zell": A museum dedicated to mechanical musical instruments; Lorelei Rock; the city of Zell.

“Summer Sun Winter Moon” 2 a.m., Tuesday KVCR: A Blackfoot Indian poet and a composer collaborate on a symphony about the American Indian perspective of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

 

Photo: Tony Bennett with Amy Winehouse. Credit: Kelsey Bennett / PBS

Andrew Lloyd Webber revives Broadway hopes for 'Love Never Dies'

 

Andrew Lloyd Webber doesn't mince words when talking about the poorly received London production of "Love Never Dies," his long-awaited sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera."

"It just didn't work in London," said Webber in a phone interview Wednesday from New York. His blunt assessment was in line with the critics, who cruelly dubbed the show "Paint Never Dries." A Broadway transfer was put on indefinite hold and the London version closed with a thud in August.

But last year, a different production of the musical, with some revisions, opened in Melbourne, Australia, and received positive notices. Spurred by its success, Lloyd Webber is resuscitating the musical's Broadway prospects. He said he is in New York this week to screen the Australian version of the musical for the Broadway community and select members of the press.

"I don't want to second-guess it now, but I think there's a strong probability that we do have a chance," said the composer.

'Phantom of the Opera' to close in Las Vegas

 

Cue the organ one final time. "Phantom -- The Vegas Spectacular," the truncated version of the popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical playing at the Venetian, has set a closing date of Sept. 2.

The Las Vegas production originally opened in 2006. The show runs a casino-friendly 95 minutes, versus the full-length Broadway version at the Majestic Theatre that runs two and a half hours, with an intermission. (Both versions are staged by Hal Prince.) By the time it closes, the Vegas "Phantom" will have had 2,691 performances, producers said.

The Broadway production, which opened in 1988, is expected to reach 10,000 performances in February.

The September closing of the Vegas "Phantom" means that there will be only one production of the musical still running in the U.S. -- the Broadway version at the Majestic Theatre. The last U.S. touring production concluded its run in 2010.

Lloyd Webber said in a statement: "The Las Vegas production of Phantom took all of the classic elements of the show and added unique aspects that created a whole new experience... It enjoyed remarkable success in Las Vegas, was enjoyed by millions of fans and proved that a timeless love story told in a fantastic theater will always be in vogue."

The Vegas "Phantom" is staged at the Venetian in a theater built to resemble the Paris Opera House where the musical is set. The show features all of the Lloyd Webber songs from the original musical but with an abridged storyline.

RELATED:

'Phantom of the Opera' celebrates 25 years with cinema broadcast

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman bid farewell to 'Phantom' tour at Pantages

-- David Ng

Photo: A scene from "Phantom" in Las Vegas, with Sierra Boggess and Brent Barrett. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

Arts on TV: Herbie Hancock, Gustavo Dudamel and the L.A. Phil

“Antiques Roadshow” 7 p.m., Thursday KOCE: Tampa, Fla. : A painting by James E. Buttersworth.

“Great Performances” 9 p.m., Friday, KOCE; 11 p.m., Sunday KOCE; 8 p.m., Tuesday KVCR: "Herbie Hancock, Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil Celebrate Gershwin": The L.A. Philharmonic's opening night gala features an all-Gershwin repertoire with special guest Herbie Hancock. Gustavo Dudamel conducts.

“Tavis Smiley Reports” 10 p.m., Friday KOCE: Dudamel: Conducting a Life: Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel.  

“Inside” 7 p.m., Saturday KSCI: The Emperor's Treasure: Taiwan's National Palace Museum houses an art collection of more than 600,000 objects that gives a new perspective on China's cultural history.

“The Artist Toolbox” 8:30 p.m., Saturday KLCS: David Garrett: German violinist David Garrett.  

“Great Performances” 2 p.m., Sunday KVCR: "La Boheme -- The Movie" : Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon star as doomed lovers in Puccini's 1896 opera “La Bohème.

“Movie: Frida”  (2002) 2:30 p.m., Sunday KTLA: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina. Mexican painter Frida Kahlo marries fellow artist Diego Rivera who shares her radical political views.  

“Smart Travels: Pacific Rim With Rudy Maxa” 5 a.m., Sunday KCET: Sydney : Sydney's Opera house, Harbor Bridge and Circular Quay; aboriginal art.

“My Generation” 10 p.m., Monday KLCS: Uncovering creativity; Tony Bennett; an artist works with glass, color and light.

“The Graham Norton Show” 5 a.m., Monday BBC America: Andrew Lloyd Webber; Katie Melua : Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber; Minnie Driver; Ruth Jones; Katie Melua.  

“Great Performances” 9 p.m., Tuesday KVCR: "Celebracion! Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil With Juan Diego Flórez ": The 2010 opening night gala features overtures and arias in bel canto style, as well as Latin American song and orchestral dances; with tenor Juan Diego Flórez.

-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

Photos: Gustavo Dudamel conducts Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with Herbie Hancock as soloist at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times

Monster Mash: Austin Powers to Broadway? 'Sunset Blvd.' back?

Groovy, baby: Mike Myers is reportedly in talks to turn his hit “Austin Powers” spy-spoof flicks into a Broadway musical. (New York Post)

Ready for its close-up?: The on-again, off-again film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Sunset Blvd." could be on again. (Daily Mail)

Still recovering: Conductor James Levine has withdrawn from performances at the Metropolitan Opera through at least 2013. (Los Angeles Times)

Provocateur: A profile of Damien Hirst, who will fill 11 Gagosian galleries worldwide with shows of his "Spot" paintings. (Los Angeles Times)

Honored: The American Institute of Architects has awarded the 2012 AIA Gold Medal to Steven Holl and the firm VJAA. (Archinect)

Hesitant: More art experts are becoming reluctant to give their opinions in public because of the perceived threat of legal action. (The Art Newspaper)

Back in town: Times columnist Patt Morrison interviews conductor and former L.A. Philharmonic music director Esa-Pekka Salonen. (Los Angeles Times)

Dance and theater: Choreographer Bill T. Jones, who won a Tony Award for "Fela!," discusses his influences, West African dance and diverse theater audiences. (Los Angeles Times)

Moving in: Suzanne Geiss, former executive director of Deitch Projects in New York, has opened her own gallery in the same space. (Art Media Agency)

Vibrant: A traveling exhibition of street art organized by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London has opened at the Ulster Museum in Belfast. (Belfast Telegraph)

Appointment: The Lyric Opera of Chicago has named singer Renée Fleming's manager as its new director of public relations. (Chicago Classical Review)

Drive: Jeff Koons has turned a BMW M3 into a work of art. (Motor Authority)

Unsteady footing: Ballet San Jose faces an uncertain future as plans for 2012 remain under wraps. (San Francisco Classical Voice)

Also in the L.A. Times: Wim Wenders and members of Tanztheater Wuppertal discuss the 3-D dance documentary "Pina"; a string of tuba thefts has been reported in local high schools; music critic Mark Swed reviews the Boston Symphony at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

 -- David Ng

Photo: Mike Myers as Austin Powers. Credit: New Line Cinema

La Jolla's 'Superstar' cast same as Stratford's, minus Brent Carver

The actors playing Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene all will be onstage again, but Broadway veteran Brent Carver will be AWOL as Pontius Pilate when the La Jolla Playhouse reprises the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" later this month.

The playhouse has announced casting for Des McAnuff's critically praised, Broadway-bound version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical, which gave the world its first rock 'n' roll Messiah. Paul Nolan will be Jesus, Chilina Kennedy once more will portray Mary Magdalene and Josh Young will again take on the part of what Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones described as a "sexy, well-made-up Judas" with "a dangerous, if somewhat campy, air."

But Carver, a longtime Stratford regular who also starred on Broadway in the musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman," has washed his hands of the role of Pontius Pilate, at least for the time being. In an e-mail Monday afternoon, a La Jolla publicist told Culture Monster: "Brent Carver will not be part of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar at La Jolla Playhouse because he requires vocal rest."

The La Jolla production will mark the latest homecoming for McAnuff, who served as the playhouse's artistic director for several years until leaving in the early 1990s to pursue other film and theater projects.

RELATED:

Quick Takes: Losing 'Neverland'

Des McAnuff to vacate La Jolla Playhouse post

'Jesus Christ Superstar' opening on Broadway in March 

-- Reed Johnson

Photo: Paul Nolan portrays Jesus in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar," opening this month at the La Jolla Playhouse. Credit: Associated Press / Stratford Shakespeare Festival / David Hou