Theatrical jack-of-all trades Julian Ovenden is known to West End fans for Merrily We Roll Along and Annie Get Your Gun, to British music aficionados for his concerts with every major U.K. orchestra, to TV lovers for the popular mini-series Foyle’s War and Cashmere Mafia. New York theatergoers were introduced to Ovenden in his debut performance opposite Nathan Lane in Butley, and now he’s back starring in the Maury Yeston musical, Death Takes a Holiday. Ovenden is playing the title character, who arrives at an Italian villa disguised as a Prince determined to experience life for the first time. Broadway.com caught up with the actor to chat about this massive musical undertaking, how New York makes him less cynical and the challenges of being a stage star and new Dad.
What attracted you to Death Takes a Holiday?
It was like nothing else I’d ever read. On the one hand, it’s a very old-fashioned tale and musical comedy, and but it also transcends that old-fashioned sort of drama. The plot was intriguing and I thought it would be great fun to try and pull off. There is a certain frisson in working on something ...
Friday, July 1, 2011
What?s Up, Julian Ovenden? The Holiday Star Talks Playing Death, New Babies and the Power of a Good Costume
Holiday Weekend Sales
You'll probably be busy barbecuing and trying to avoid blowing off your fingers this weekend?but if you can't resist the shopping sirens, there are a couple sales going on. Clever Alice, 1920 N. Damen, is holding a summer sale, with items from Casting, LinQ, Nanushka, and Mike Gonzales going for 20 to 50 percent off.?
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Source: http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2011/06/30/holiday-weekend-sales
Just in Time for July 4! The Baby It's You Ladies Cover Katy Perry's 'Firework'
Those Baby It’s You gals love putting their spin on contemporary hits! After covering Cee Lo Green's “Forget You” and Rihanna's “Only Girl,” Broadway babes Crystal Starr, Christina Sajous, Erica Ash and Kyra Da Costa decided to try Katy Perry on for size, harmonizing on “Firework.” Click on for the latest backstage video from the Broadhurst Theatre, home of the the Great White Way's salute to the Shirelles, Baby It’s You.
Rum Runner
How Ed Hamilton smuggled his way to the top of the Ministry of Rum by Mike Sula Last Tuesday, Edward "the Minister of Rum" Hamilton was waiting for an e-mail from the U.S. Department of Customs about the status of a truckload of Lemon Hart 151. Just that afternoon he'd FedExed a $51,568.16 check to pay the federal excise taxes, and he was anxious to get the cases out to his distributors.? [ Read more ]
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Source: http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ed-hamilton-ministry-of-rum/Content?oid=4154221
An organist transplant for the White Sox
Replacing the beloved Nancy Faust means a risk of rejection for new hire Lori Moreland by Jake Austen This year's White Sox home opener, April 7 against the Tampa Bay Rays, was familiar in lots of ways. It was teeth-chatteringly cold; $7.25 Miller Lites flowed freely; Carlos Quentin was still apparently pursuing the record for most hit by pitches.? [ Read more ]
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Source: http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/lori-moreland-chicago-white-sox-organist/Content?oid=4156079
Just in Time for July 4! The Baby It's You Ladies Cover Katy Perry's 'Firework'
Those Baby It’s You gals love putting their spin on contemporary hits! After covering Cee Lo Green's “Forget You” and Rihanna's “Only Girl,” Broadway babes Crystal Starr, Christina Sajous, Erica Ash and Kyra Da Costa decided to try Katy Perry on for size, harmonizing on “Firework.” Click on for the latest backstage video from the Broadhurst Theatre, home of the the Great White Way's salute to the Shirelles, Baby It’s You.
This week on the B Side
Whenever I watch a Blackhawks game I find myself wondering about the person up in the box who plays the organ and electronic drums during the game. It must be a weird, knowing you're all but anonymous despite the thousands of people who can hear what you're doing.?
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Source: http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2011/06/30/this-week-on-the-b-side