The newest flagship comedy web series, “What’s Your Emergency” will be premiering on January 27, directed by Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty,” Buyer & Cellar, “Partners”).  Created by and starring Ryan Spahn (Grantham & Rose and He’s Way More Famous Than You),) and Halley Feiffer (I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard at Atlantic Theater Company, He’s Way More Famous Than You), “What’s Your Emergency” features a cast of beloved Broadway veterans including Sierra Boggess (It Shoulda Been You, The Little Mermaid, The Phantom of the Opera), Debra Monk (Curtains, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, “Mozart in the Jungle”), and Reed Birney (I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard, “House of Cards,” Casa Valentina) in a six-episode arc. Taking place in Hell, Michigan, the show chronicles the misadventures of the inept rescue workers of the town’s 911 call center. The show will also feature a slew of guest stars including Urie’s “Ugly Betty” costar America Ferrera, Alan Cumming, Lynn Cohen, Richard Kind, David Krumholtz, and Mike Sorrentino.

“Stage17 epitomizes the kind of creativity I want to be a part of: quick delightful escapes from the everyday, material that caters to an audience with a theatrical sensibility, and a platform that reaches everyone, anywhere,” said Michael Urie, director of ‘What’ s Your Emergency.’  “In working on ‘What’s Your Emergency,’ I found in Stage17 leadership, artistic support, and as an added bonus we had a lot of fun.  I’m excited to take this journey with Stage17 as they become a major player in the future of web based entertainment.”

Working with Broadway’s best and brightest, Stage17 produces scripted and unscripted programming that lives exclusively on the site and aggregates great content from around the web with a theatrical bent.  Stage17 also captures and licenses live theatrical performances including Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, concerts, and cabaret which will be available on-demand in 2015.

  “Stage17 is thrilled to bring a unique viewing experience of digital content to Broadway fans, whether it be captures of live stage performances or web series born from the minds of theatrical artists,” said Ondine Landa Abramson, President and Executive Producer of Stage17.  “By bringing unique entertainment sourced from the theatrical community, the diversity of content that we are able to provide viewers, all over the globe, is fresh and engaging.”

 Additional popular web series are returning with new episodes in 2015 include “Middle (St)age,” “Fan Fare,” and “Dress Up! with George B. Style.” Additional details can be found below on these specific programs and the full list of shows can be found at http://stage17.tv/collections.

Middle (St)age introduces us to the quirky and upbeat Marina, a 40-something Broadway veteran who uses her fictional vlog to chronicle the trials and tribulations of an aging ingénue… as soon as she can figure out where the “Record” button is.

 Fan Fare, hosted by SiriusXM Radio personality Julie James, reunites the cast and creatives behind beloved Broadway productions at the legendary Sardi’s Restaurant. Relive the magic of your favorite shows with the people who made them possible!

Dress Up! with George B. Style invites you to join some of Broadway’s most radiant stars as they prepare for glamorous galas and ritzy red carpets, under the guidance of celebrity stylist George Brescia (author of Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life published by Simon and Schuster) with expert fashion advice that is heartfelt, entertaining, and always en vogue.

What’s Your Emergency, produced by Stage17 in association with urmee entertainment and Soffer/Namoff Entertainment, chronicles the misadventures of the inept rescue workers of Hell, Michigan (yes, this is a real place) as they attempt to run the town’s 911 Call Center, and fail at every turn. The show is directed by Michael Urie.  “What’s Your Emergency” is executive produced by Ondine Landa Abramson, and produced by Geoff Soffer and Diana Basmajian (VP of Programming, Stage17.)

The complete cast includes: Ryan Spahn, Halley Feiffer, Reed Birney, Sierra Boggess, Debra Monk, Kevin Covert, Daoud Heidami, René Houtrides, Sekou Laidlow, Erin McCarson, and Mckean Rand.

ABOUT STAGE17

STAGE17.tv is a digital platform that bridges the gap between traditional theatre and new media. We collaborate with the best of Broadway to present new stories in new ways by curating and creating scripted and unscripted, fiction and nonfiction content. Stage17 also produces and distributes digital captures of live theatrical performances to bring Broadway and Off-Broadway to theatre fans everywhere. Stage17 was founded by Chairman David Stoller (Executive Chairman of Reach4Entertainment) and President and Executive Producer Ondine Landa Abramson.

The post ‘What’s Your Emergency’ Debuts January 27 on Stage17 appeared first on StageZine.

DON’T TELL MAMA: Michelle Williams & the Kit Kat Girls. Photo: Joan Marcus

CABARET
Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Based on the play by John Van Druten
Co-directed by Sam Mendez & Rob Marshall
Choreography by Rob Marshall
Through January 4, 2015
Studio 54
254 West 54th Street
(212-719-1300), www.RoundaboutTheatre.org

By David NouNou

Cabaret was, is, and always will be a masterpiece. Believe it or not, when it started out, Cabaret had a wholesome patina about it back in 1967. In 1998, Sam Mendez and Rob Marshall got a hold of it and turned it into a decadent, delicious, legendary raunchy masterpiece. In the ensuing years, the proverbial envelope has been pushed even further to create a masterpiece with a lot of raunch. Thanks to a solid book and one of the most brilliant scores ever written for a musical, the show stands the test of time. It can never go back to its pristine original self; it has to constantly move with the times and move forward, but at what cost? The show was controversial from the onset; it dealt with a hedonistic Berlin and the rise of Nazism. How much more controversial can you get in a musical? However, in all its revivals, it maintained its integrity and good taste.

It is admirable of the Roundabout to revive Cabaret, one of their greatest hits, and bring back its original Tony Award-winning star, Alan Cumming, to reprise the role of the Emcee, and for added marquee value, the three-time Oscar nominee, Michelle Williams as Sally Bowles. I must admit that I am always in awe of movie stars who are brave enough to come to Broadway to flex their acting muscles in a role they want to do, even if they are ill-suited for the part, and for that I give Ms. Williams great credit. Ms. Williams is a very good screen actress, but lacks the stage presence to attack the role of Sally. Sally is fearless and nothing stops her from getting what she wants or thinks she wants at any cost. Ms. Williams is cautious and does not convey the desperation and zest that Sally must have.

Set in Berlin, Germany between 1929 and 1930, Berlin is at the height of its decadence and also rising is the advent of Nazism. The world and life is changing, and we are seeing it through the eyes of the Emcee of the Kit Kat Club. The Club is a mirror to the outside world. It starts out as a party and turns into a nightmare as we have learned from either our ancestors or the history books. In this microcosm, besides the M.C. and Sally is Clifford Bradshaw (Bill Heck), the American coming to Berlin on New Years Eve to come for a lark, to lose himself, absorb life and get inspired to write his book.

On his train ride to Berlin, Cliff meets Ernst Ludwig (Aaron Krohn), a member of the rising Nazi party who recommends Cliff to stay at Fraulein Schneider’s (Linda Emond) boarding house. Once settled in Cliff meets Herr Schultz (Danny Burstein) a Jewish fruit seller who is infatuated by Fraulein Schneider, a German, and also living there is Fraulein Kost (Gayle Rankin) the lady of many pleasures and a future Nazi affiliate. Their lives get intertwined and everything that was once promising starts unraveling as they descend into a world turning to madness.The two most enjoyable characters in this go round are Linda Emond and Danny Burstein as the older couple who decide to get married but reverse their decision with the rise of Nazism. Ms. Emond brings strength to the role that was once portrayed by Lotte Lenya and Ms. Emond does the role justice and is long overdue for her Tony. The consummate Mr. Burstein provides the loving humor, so rich in its texture that one is glued to his every move.

This brings me to Alan Cumming, who has become synonymous as the Emcee. He was revolutionary and magnetic in 1998. He was the heartthrob and role model for every young club kid who wanted to be with him or be him. He forged his persona and flamboyance. What was chic and outré for its time now just seems sleazy. I know that certain actors leave an indelible imprint of their performance; I just hope that Mr. Cumming won’t be reprising this role well into his elder years as Rex Harrison did with Henry Higgins or Yul Brynner as the King of Siam or Carol Channing as Dolly Levi. Mr. Cumming is a versatile actor as he has proven on TV’s “The Good Wife.”  I hope he brings some original versatility back to the stage.

‘WILLKOMMEN’ ALAN CUMMING’S RETURN: Alan Cumming starred as Emcee in the last revival in 1998. Photo: Joan Marcus

NEWEST SALLY BOWLES: Michelle Williams as the iconic character. Photo: Joan Marcus

ENGAGEMENT PARTY: (left to right) Bill Heck, Michelle Williams, Danny Burstein & Linda Emond. (Upper level) Alan Cumming in ‘Cabaret.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 30, 2014
Reviewed at press performance on April 29, 2014

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