Chenoweth to Star in Roundabout The Apple Tree

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:20pm

I haven't seen this reported on any of the regular Broadway news sites, but according to the AP via the International Herald Tribune:

"Musical star Kristin Chenoweth will return to Broadway in December to star in a revival of "The Apple Tree," three one-act musicals based on short stories by Mark Twain, Frank R. Stockton and Jules Feiffer and all tied together by a common theme: the consequences of temptation.

The Roundabout Theatre Company production, directed by Gary Griffin, will open Dec. 14 at Studio 54. Preview performances begin Nov. 28.

The musical, which has a book and score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (with additional book material by Jerome Coopersmith), originally played New York in 1966 with a cast headed by Barbara Harris, Larry Blyden and Alan Alda. It ran for 463 performances.

No word yet on who will appear as Adam to Chenoweth's Eve, but the performer starred in a City Center production last year at "Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert." The Roundabout revival will be based on that production, also directed by Griffin. Her co-stars then were Malcolm Gets and Michael Cerveris.

Chenoweth received laudatory reviews for her performance, with The Associated Press praising her "megawatt stage presence" and for lifting the show into "the musical-theater stratosphere."






http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/13/arts/NA_A-E_STG_US_Kristin_Chenoweth.php

Updated On: 9/13/06 at 06:20 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:26pm

Ohhh, yay!

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:26pm

This December?

Wow.

Short notice.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:31pm

Saw the original with Barbara Harris

My wife never saw it so if we can get some nice discount, we will go

Updated On: 9/13/06 at 06:31 PM

[boxers7]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:31pm

I am so thrilled! Saw this from the very back of City Center and thought she was brilliant! Any word on Malcom and Michael?

Updated On: 9/13/06 at 06:31 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:36pm

Cerveris and Getts are apparently both being recast.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:43pm

CRAP!!

Now there are THREE shows I want to see this December, but just won't have the time to! CRAP!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:43pm

It's good that this ended up at Roundabout where it belongs and can have a nice little three month run. It would have been a disaster to try and run this show commercially (which was, I believe, the producers' original plan).

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:44pm

I would love to see this when I come to the city in December. Ugh, so much to see. So is this done in three-acts since it's three short stories? I'm not familiar with this work at all.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:45pm

Totally, Margo. It would never have worked in a commercial production and I doubt Chenoweth would have wanted to commit to an entire year.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:47pm

Yes, it's an evening of three one act and more or less unrelated musicals. The Chenoweth roles are a great showcase for a comedic musical star.

[boxers7]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:49pm

The Best Actress category thickens! It'll be great to see if they stick with the minimilist Encores set or expand it to a larger scale.

Updated On: 9/13/06 at 06:49 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:54pm

Agreed. While Ebersole is still probably the frontrunner, this is going to be quite a competition this season for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony -- Ebersole, Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Stephanie J Block, Charlotte D'Amboise, Ashley Brown, Laura Bell Bundy and a few others. With just five slots, a few lead actresses are going to have to be overlooked.

Updated On: 9/13/06 at 06:54 PM

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:58pm

oh, i loved Gets and Cerveris when it was at Encores! Too bad they won't be casted again!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 6:59pm

Cerveris and Getts are apparently both being recast.

Their roles are being re-cast or they'll both be cast again in this production?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:05pm

They're being recast. Cerveris for one is already committed to another show in the Spring.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:07pm

I forgot about that. I didn't realize a time frame had been established for his new project.

In any case, it's a great show - I'm so excited! :)

[boxers7]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:08pm

I would say Chenoweth, McDonald and Ebersole are locks. The others will have to really step up their game to fill up those two slots. Any rumors on the Snake and Adam casting?

[NJRae]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:19pm

Yay!

[luvliza89]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:21pm

This is fantastic news.

Amazing show, and amazing stars.
I'll be heading to New York to see this, no question.

[James2]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:23pm

Is Laura Bell Bundy supposed to be in Legally Blonde?

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:37pm

I believe there is about a 95% chance that Laura Bell Bundy headlines Legally Blonde on Broadway though no casting has been formally announced.
Chenoweth was simply fascinating at the Encores! production, a pity Cerveris and Gets will not reprise their roles. Although the show is a vehicle for the female role and the emphasis will be primarily on Chenoweth. I certainly hope they make a cast recording of the show, this is my favorite Sheldon & Harnick musical.

[catstagestud]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:44pm

That'd be so great! Do you think it will still be running the third week of March? That's my annual trip and I'd love to see both Chenowith and this show. I really like Harnick and Bock.

Cheers,

Christopher

Updated On: 9/14/06 at 07:44 PM

[GetsFan]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:45pm

So glad about Krisitn and the show. But what are the producers thinking? No Malcolm? How stupid. He was great at the Encore's presentation. So was Michael. Do you think the producers are worried about Malcolm's "out" Status. Ridiculous but maybe true?
Or is there some former teenybopper boy band toy out there who wants to make his "THEATER DEBUT"

Sorry about the rant, just really liked the Encores cast

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 7:50pm

i know, GetsFan, i loved it too...!