The world premiere of Dinerat Signature Theatre is fast upon us and the artistic, production and administrative teams could not be more ecstatic to share this amazing show with everyone. Signature is known for its bold and brave new musicals and Diner aims to be one of the boldest and bravest yet. Taking on a landmark film such as Diner is no easy feat. As highlighted in one of our previous blog entries, the film helped pave the way for such stars as Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon and pushed for the usage of “nothing” in film and television. At the helm of this landmark production is a powerhouse team consisting of director Kathleen Marshall, writer Barry Levinson, and musician Sheryl Crow.
Kathleen Marshall
Kathleen Marshall is a Tony and Drama Desk award winning director and choreographer. Originally from the Pittsburgh theatrical scene, Kathleen began her Broadway career as the assistant to her choreographer brother Rob Marshall and has since collaborated with him on shows such as She Loves Me, Damn Yankeesand Seussical. Kathleen has gone on to direct and choreograph Broadway revivals of the Pajama Game with Harry Connick, Jr. in 2006 and Anything Goes with Sutton Foster in 2011.
Barry Levinson
On the writing front of Diner, is none other than the film’s original director and screenwriter, Barry Levinson. Barry, a Baltimore native, brings incredible warmth and an immense supply of talent to the table. Having directed and written award winning films that have included: The Natural, Good Morning, Vietnam, Rain Man, Bugsy,Toys,and What Just Happened, Levinson is more than seasoned enough to handle diving back under the hood of Diner.
Sheryl Crow
Last but not least, bringing up the musical and lyrical front of Diner in none other than singer songwriter Sheryl Crow. This Grammy Award winning musician is taking on a new challenge with the music and lyrics of Diner, as this is the first time she has written for a musical. However, if what we have seen and heard in rehearsals and tech is any indication, Sheryl clearly knows what she is doing. The creative reigns of Dinerare clearly in very capable hands. With a power plant of creative energy in charge of this project, the production is sure to electrify audiences. For more information and tickets please contact the Signature Theatre Box Office at 703-820-9771 or visit the Signature website.
As
we slowly approach December, the days and nights get colder and we
find ourselves one step closer to the world premiere of Dinerhere at Signature Theatre. This production, under the helm of
three-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall
features music by Grammy Award Winning Sheryl Crow and book by Academy
Award-winning screenwriter Barry Levinson.
For
those that aren’t familiar with the Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated film, Dinerfocuses on a reunion of childhood friends around Christmas time in 1959 Baltimore, Maryland. From the comfort of an all-night diner, the men, in their early-twenties, confront the realities of adulthood and the always perplexing opposite sex.
The film itself is a landmark movie, one that launched numerous careers, including those of actors Kevin Bacon, Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, and screenwriter/director Barry Levinson. Diner’s groundbreaking evocation of male friendship changed the way men interact, not just in movies, but on television, commercials and the radio as well. In 2009, TV critic Nancy Franklin observed that “Levinson should get royalties any time two or more men sit together in a coffee shop.”
What
Franklin really means is that, more than any other film, Dinerinvented the concept of “nothing”. In Diner, Levinson took the stuff that usually fills time between the car chases and kisses and made it central to the story (This idea was popularized with the premiere of Seinfeld.)
Diner influenced a whole generation of writers, revolutionizing the way characters talk and how realistic they could be. The film was particularly influential with actors, as it provided this notion that you could play someone who was extremely real and at the same time humorous and emotional. Diner has a complexity that not a lot of movies at the time had. Older films tended to be tremendously dramatic or broadly comic. Diner on the other hand landed in a new territory where somebody could be entertaining and humorous and also make you cry.Observing more contemporary television and film, Diner is clearly responsible for such "nothing" heavy hits as The Office, Pulp Fiction and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
Signature
Theatre’s world premiere production of Diner promises to remain faithful to the concept of “nothing” and to retain the truthfully
entertaining personalities that are on display. Diner opens December 9th and runs until January 25th.
Tickets and more information can be found on the Signature website and at our
box office. (703 820 9771)
Next
year is Signature Theatre’s 25th Anniversary and to celebrate we
have put together one of our most ambitious, exciting, and star-studded seasons
to celebrate. What follows in this post is a breakdown of what to expect in the first half of this coming season, some things to consider with each show, and additional resources to investigate to get yourself even more excited for the stellar season you have coming your way.
Book
by James Lapine | Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Directed by Matthew
Gardiner
Elmer Gantry (October 7 - November 9, 2014 The
charismatic, but completely broke, salesman Elmer Gantry stumbles upon a
struggling religious tour, led by pious evangelist Sister Sharon Falconer.
Falling for Falconer, Gantry joins the troupe as a preacher and, with a little
showmanship and theatrics, transforms the revival into the hottest ticket in
town. However, inspired by Falconer’s earnestness and his reawakened spirit,
Gantry inserts one spectacle too many and risks blowing up the entire
operation. Fiery
and passionate, with a rich blues, folk and gospel-infused score, Elmer Gantry brings the evangelical
charlatan of Sinclair Lewis’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to life on the MAX stage in an
adventurous new reimagining. Additional resources: PBS Sinclair Lewis, Sinclair Lewis Books, and Elmer Gantry Theatrical Trailer Book
by John Bishop | Lyrics by Bob Satuloff | Music by Mel Marvin Based on the
novel by Sinclair Lewis | Directed by Eric Schaeffer
Book
by Barry Levinson | Music & Lyrics by Sheryl Crow | Directed &
Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall
We will be back soon with the other half of our season preview and guide where we will be highlighting Kid Victory, Soon, Simply Sondheim, and Cabaret.
