Theatre folk will get a kick out of this backstage documentary, which follows a diverse quartet of musicals from the 2003-2004 Broadway season, from initial concept, casting, and rehearsal, through opening night, the Tony Awards, and beyond. There's Taboo, the semiautobiographical Boy George extravaganza bankrolled by Rosie O'Donnell, which turned out to be a disaster of Carrie-sized proportions; Caroline, or Change, a modest piece that proved too small for the Great White Way; Avenue Q, an adult-oriented puppet musical that became a surprise hit and unlikely award winner; and Wicked, the spectacular Wizard of Oz prequel that overcame mixed critical reaction to become a smash phenomenon rivaling Andrew Lloyd Webber's biggest hits. Director Dori Berinstein, herself a Broadway producer, combines interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of all four shows, from the idea stage to the 2004 Tony Awards ceremony, which included a few surprises. Occasional digressions about other shows coupled with footage of conversations among the most influential critics add to the insider feel, making this a must for theatre junkies. DVD extras include audio commentary (with Berinstein, producer Alan Cumming, and one of the writers of Avenue Q), bonus footage, and a series of interviews with luminaries such as Patrick Stewart, Liza Minnelli, and Antonio Banderas. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Show Business: The Road to Broadway
(2007) 104 min. DVD: $28.95. Genius Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-594-44833-7. Volume 23, Issue 1
Show Business: The Road to Broadway
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