(Photo: Sachyn Mital)

BY LEE PFEIFFER

Last evening, Cinema Retro was invited to attend the one-night only performance of "Broadway by the Year: From The Ziegfeld Follies to Moulin Rouge" at the historic Town Hall Theatre, a stone's throw from Times Square. The show is the brainchild of Scott Siegel, who writes, produces and directs each of these productions, which have extended back over twenty-one years. I was unfamiliar with the shows prior to attending but the official press releases describes them thusly:

"This unique, critically acclaimed series created, written, hosted, and directed by Scott Siegel is peppered with history-making events. Broadway by the Year introduced Stephanie J. Block to the New York City theater audience. And it was Broadway by the Year that starred Jessie Mueller in her first concert appearance in New York after she was first seen on Broadway in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Broadway by the Year pioneered the use of dance in a one-night only concert format and they have and continue to highlight the Broadway voice by introducing unplugged performances, using no microphones." The press release goes on to explain why Siegel has sought to pay homage to jukebox musicals: "In this second concert of the Broadway by the Year season, audience members will get a one-night-only history of jukebox musicals and musical revues. And the truth is, an extraordinary number of hit Broadway shows fit the description of these two kinds of shows. These oftentimes maligned genres have played an important role in the resurrection of songs, and styles from rock ’n’ roll (Jersey Boys, Beautiful, All Shook Up) to classical music (Kismet), and from country (Ring of Fire) to Rhythm & Blues (Black & Blue, After Midnight). And they have highlighted oftentimes forgotten composers, bringing their names back into the limelight, such as Eubie Blake with Eubie! and Fats Waller with Ain’t Misbehavin’."

Tony Danza and Joe Davidian. (Photo: Sachyn Mital)

I confess to being somewhat bewildered by Siegel's concept, which promised to present works associated with the old-time musical revues, some of which date back over a century, alongside the likes of jukebox productions inspired by the songs of Peter Allen, The Beatles and Bob Dylan, to name just a few. Theater purists have long sniffed at jukebox musicals, dismissing them as the low hanging fruit of theatrical productions because they rely on preexisting pop hits rather than original songs. However, audiences who are paying big bucks for a night out on Broadway want uplifting, toe-tapping musicals, critics be damned. Siegel and Musical Director Ross Patterson delivered the goods. The first act largely consisted of the vintage revue musical numbers, with songs from the likes of "The Ziegfeld Follies", "Show Boat", "Sondheim on Sondheim" and "The Band Wagon Revue".  After the intermission, the jukebox numbers were performed. It worked surprisingly well. In fact, this was one of the most impressive nights of live theater I've seen in many years. The audience seemed to agree, responding with thunderous ovations. The eclectic aspects of the production gave the show a lively, unpredictable air and it was all the more enjoyable seeing it presented in the marvelous Town Hall theater. The seasoned Broadway performers and up-and-coming talents were uniformly impressive. There was not a single weak link. Haley Swindal knocked "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" and "Losing My Mind" out of the park as well as provided a rousing rendition of "Cabaret" that gave Liza a run for her money. John Easterlin performed "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody" and "The Girl on the Magazine Cover" sans microphone to replicate the way audiences originally experienced the songs. Douglas Ladiner provided a soulful version of The Beatles' "Yesterday" and a magnificent show-closer with "Forever Young". Melissa Errico provided impressive renditions of "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" and "Confession". Tony Danza presented a Frank Sinatra tribute and provided amusing anecdotes about his late mother's obsession with Ol' Blu Eyes and his eventual introduction of his mom to her idol. Baritone Ryan Knowles, who sounds like the voice of God, rendered the most impressive versions I've ever heard of "Sixteen Tons" and the classic Depression era number "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime", as well as a fine version of Judy Collins' "Both Sides Now" . The audience was entranced by 18 year-old Anais Reno, who sang "Stardust" and Duke Ellington's "Caravan" with such passion that I can only say major stardom for her seems to be an inevitability. I must also mention the talents of Choreographer Danny Gardner and the female dance troupe who brought to mind the sheer enjoyment of seeing the Rockettes. It was also a special night for retro movie lovers, as many of these songs are associated with classic film musicals.  

Haley Swindal and the Broadwayby the Year Dance Troupe. (Photo: Sachyn Mital)

Scott Siegel preceded every performance by addressing the audience and providing some interesting insights into each musical number. He also came across as a considerate and gracious man, personally thanking every member of the cast, along with his longtime Musical Director Michael Lavine, the technical crew and even the house staff and management. He also had spearheaded a fundraising drive that made it possible for 200 theater students to attend the show gratis.

Gotham has suffered mightily since the onset of the pandemic. Business was down, deaths and crime skyrocketed and Broadway was closed for an extended period of time, with some shows destined to never resume or open at all. The city was teeming with people in Times Square last night and it was clear the mojo is coming back. Perhaps that's why the audience appreciated Scott Siegel's latest production of "Broadway by the Year". We all needed an uplifting theatrical experience and Siegel and his collaborators came through triumphantly. I have only one regret about attending the performance: I'm now aware that I missed twenty previous productions that will never be seen again. I suppose when something is this good, however, it's better late than never to discover it.

Anais Reno (Photo: Sachyn Mital)

(There will be two more productions of "Broadway by  the Year" coming to the Town Hall Theatre on June 26 and September 19. For more information about those shows, click here.)

Tony Danza, Tom Wopat, Anais Reno,

Douglas Ladnier, and Danny Gardner

join

BROADWAY BY THE YEAR

FROM THE ZIEGFELD FOLLIES TO MOULIN ROUGE

A One-Night-Only History of Jukebox Musicals and Musical Revues

Celebrating Songs From:

The Ziegfeld Follies, George White’s Scandals, The Jersey Boys, Beautiful, All Shook Up, Kismet, After Midnight, Ring of Fire, and more!

CREATED, WRITTEN, DIRECTED, and HOSTED BY

SCOTT SIEGEL

MONDAY, May 23, 2022 at 8PM

THE TOWN HALL

(123 W. 43rd Street)

www.TheTownHall.org

In this second concert of the Broadway by the Year season, audience members will get a one-night-only history of jukebox musicals and musical revues. And the truth is, an extraordinary number of hit Broadway shows fit the description of these two kinds of shows. These oftentimes maligned genres have played an important role in the resurrection of songs, and styles from rock ’n’ roll (Jersey Boys, Beautiful, All Shook Up) to classical music (Kismet), and from country (Ring of Fire) to Rhythm & Blues (Black & Blue, After Midnight). And they have highlighted oftentimes forgotten composers, bringing their names back into the limelight, such as Eubie Blake with Eubie! and Fats Waller with Ain’t Misbehavin’.

The cast of Broadway By The Year: From The Ziegfeld Follies To Moulin Rouge includes: Tony Danza (Honeymoon In Vegas; TV’s Who’s The Boss); Tom Wopat (Annie Get Your Gun; Chicago), Anais Reno (Carnegie Hall, and concerts at Birdland), Douglas Ladnier (Jekyll and Hyde; Sweeney Todd), and Danny Gardner (Flying Over Sunset; Dames At Sea). More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Broadway By The Year Dance Troupe, choreographed by Danny Gardner, will also be performing.

“Jukebox musicals are a fun and unique way to reimagine songs that we love by giving them a new context or a new storyline,” said Scott Siegel. “This concert will highlight the history of these shows and give audience members the chart-topping songs that we all love.”

We are excited for the second installment of this year’s Broadway By The Year concerts,” said The Town Hall’s Artistic Director Melay Araya. “The Town Hall has always been at the forefront of music and discovery, and we know that this concert will excite and entertain.”

Tickets for Broadway By The Year are $57-$67. For tickets and information, please visit www.thetownhall.org or call 800-982-2787. The Broadway By The Year concert series is part of The Town Hall’s presenting season.

Among the many other stars who may be performing in Broadway By The Year this season include: Marc Kudisch (The Girl From the North Country), Bill Irwin (Tony® Award Winner, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf), Emily Skinner (Side Show), Stephanie J. Block (Tony® Award Winner, The Cher Show), Sebastian Arcelus (House of Cards), Lesli Margherita (Matilda), Kerry O'Malley (Into The Woods), Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia!), Beth Malone (Fun Home), Tonya Pinkins (Caroline Or Change), Christiane Noll (Dear Evan Hansen), Julia Murney (Wicked), Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!), Lilli Cooper (Tootsie), Jarrod Spector (The Cher Show), Patti Murin (Frozen), Karen Ziemba (Chicago), Ethan Slater (Sponge Bob Squarepants The Musical), Bryan Batt (Mad Men), and Noah Racey (Curtains).