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Stagefright

The fabulous Maria Conchita Alonso (pictured above) has joined the cast of the TV hit “Desperate Housewives” playing Gabrielle’s mother, Lucia. Gabrielle is played by Eva Longoria. Born in Cuba and raised in Venezuela, Alonso made her Broadway debut in 1995 in Kiss of the Spider Woman following in the footsteps of Vanessa Williams, who had followed Chita Rivera as Aurora. In 2002, Alonso appeared in Los Angeles in the Geffen Playhouse’s production of Oscar and Felix, A New Look at The Odd Couple, an updated take on Neil Simon’s classic comedy. In this “updated” version, the Pigeon sisters became the Spanish born Costazuela’s. This was actually inspired by The Odd Couple–The Female Version which opened on Broadway in 1985 starring Rita Moreno and Sally Struthers, which featured the Costazuela brothers, played by Tony Shalhoub (who later became TV’s “Monk”) and Lewis J. Stadlen (a Studio Arena alum who was in Buffalo last year starring in the touring production of The Producers).

Speaking of The Odd Couple, the current Broadway revival starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane has been extended through June 4th. Originally scheduled to close on April 2nd, the production was sold out before its official opening date.

Coming up for Torn Space Productions will be an adaptation of Marsha Norman’s 1983 Pulitzer Prize winner ‘Night Mother. The production will use teenage horror flicks to focus on the oppressive nature of the mother-daughter relationship. Directed by Dan Shanahan and starring Sharon Strait and Kelly Meg Brennan, ‘Night Mother opens March 24th at the Adam Mickiewicz Dramatic Circle. Norman’s play was revived on Broadway in the 2004-05 season. She has written the book for the current hit musical The Color Purple.

Jim Mohr has joined the cast of the Kavinoky’s production of The Cocktail Hour, which also features Anne Gayley, Lisa Ludwig, and Paul Todaro. The much anticipated Buffalo premiere of A.R. Gurney’s play will take place on March 2nd.

Tim Newell will play the title role in BFG, that is The Big Friendly Giant, Theatre of Youth’s (TOY) upcoming production opening on March 25th. Directed by Meg Quinn, the production will also star Anne Roaldi, Susan Drozd, Kevin Keleher, Roger Keicher, Matt LaChiusa, and Kathleen Betsko Yale. By the way, TOY has just formed a partnership with Buffalo State’s International Center for Studies in Creativity to develop theater programs geared to expand children’s creative-thinking skills.

Brendan Powers is directing Niagara University Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge which opens March 3rd at NU’s Leary Theatre. Miller died a year ago this February while he was still working on a production of his penultimate play, the black comedy Resurrection Blues. The play had its world premiere in 2002 at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and is now getting ready for its London opening, March 2nd at the Old Vic. The London production is being directed by Robert Altman. The acclaimed film director, who turned 81 this week, will receive an honorary Oscar at the ceremonies on March 5th. In case you were wondering, Miller’s last known original work was Finishing the Picture, which premiered in fall 2004 at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

Colm Wilkinson, who originated the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, has postponed his March 25th concert at UB’s Center for the Arts until June 30th. It was recently announced that Les Miserables will be back on Broadway in October for a limited six-month engagement. Also in October, the London production of Les Miz will become the longest running musical on the West End, passing the 21 year old record of Cats.

It is the 15th Anniversary of Alleyway Theatre’s Buffalo Quickies. The festival of new one-act plays will be presented March 16th – April 1st. Among the offerings this year, the world premiere of Dean Taylor’s Compassion, winner of the 2006 Maxim Mazumdar New One Act Play Competition. Directed by Joyce Stilson, the festival will feature Kim Piazza, Michael Starzynski, Peter Maier, Kate Olena, and Louise Reger.

Paul Rudnick’s Valhalla opens this week at the Alleyway Theatre, presented by Buffalo United Artists. Directed by Chris Kelly, the play stars (pictured left): Marc Sacco, Caitlin Coleman, Eric Rawski, Katie White, Rick Lattimer, and Guy Tomassi. Rudnick is the author of Jeffrey, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told (both previously produced by BUA), and I Hate Hamlet.