Every fourth Wednesday of the month, the “VIP Access” column will serve up advice on how to make your theater-going experiences cheaper, easier and more fulfilling with inside scoop from the experts. This month, we’re getting out our datebooks for some important dates…

"Memphis". Photo by Joan Marcus.

The recent surprising news that Tony-winner Memphis will be closing on August 5 (after a healthy run, though without an official recoupment announcement) highlighted the fact that this has been a particularly brutal summer on Broadway. In fact, I’m finding it hard to keep track of who is still standing–or kick-ball-changing–on the Great White Way. And if you have a vacation to New York planned, you may be similarly at sea about what will still be around to see or not to see.

[Special note: For the holiday week next week, most Broadway shows are changing up their schedules to avoid competing with fireworks. The added/rearranged shows are a great time to pick up last minute tickets.]

So let’s take a moment to update our scorecards and take a look at who is on the death watch list (see them now, just in case) and what new shows will be replenishing our stock in the coming months. First up, a moment of silence for the shows that won’t make it to Labor Day:

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John Travolta in "Grease". Image via google.

It’s officially summer. And you know what that means. Bowling in the arcade. Drinking lemonade. Making out under the dock. Staying out ’till ten o’clock.

If you don’t recognize those phrases then…what are you doing reading this blog? It’s “Summer Nights” from Grease, perhaps one of the most well known by laymen and karaoke’d songs in the music theater cannon. Seriously, I can still do the choreography from the movie and match John Travolta’s breathy “ewh” toward the end of the song without having to even think about it. And I know you can, too.

You want proof of how ubiquitous the song is, how it’s doo-wop, he said/she said veiled smuttiness has permeated our culture? Look at these videos from around the world showcasing the many flavors of Summer Lovin’…

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Damn Yankees. Image via Google.

Richard Adler, the co-writer of two undeniably classic Broadway musicals, The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees, died last week at the age of 90. The New York Times has a comprehensive obituary detailing his life and career — including the tragic loss of his writing partner Jerry Ross as their two shows were achieving blockbuster status — that is well worth a read.

But for me, the facts of his life don’t do him justice; there’s no greater tribute to a composer/lyricist than just listening to the songs themselves. Adler & Ross wrote music filled with wit, heart and sexiness that still resonates decades later. I’m sure not a day goes by that someone, somewhere in the world isn’t performing “Hernando’s Hideaway” or “You’ve Gotta Have Heart”…and that, my friends, is a pretty nice world to be in.

So sit back and let’s watch two of their signature numbers…

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Kinky Boots. Image via Google.

Remember the days when people debated whether Madonna or Cyndi Lauper would be the one album wonder? No? I must be old.

In any case, both have survived, though with Lauper taking a more circuitous route through the world of music. The “True Colors” singer/songwriter has done pop, jazz and even appeared on Broadway in a revival of The Threepenny Opera. She must have been bitten by the theatrical bug (or have seen Elton John’s checkbook balance) because she’s the composer of a new musical based on the film Kinky Boots, set to make its pre-Broadway tryout in Chicago this fall.

However, if you can’t wait to hear what Lauper has up her sleeve for this tale of a shoe company saved by a drag queen (what would Rogers and Hammerstein have done with that summary?), you’re in luck; she’s done her own demo of one of the songs from the show, “Sex is in the Heel”, and released it on the official website. It definitely sounds more like a song to play with strobe lights rather than foot lights…but that could just be this mix.

What’s your take? Intrigued? Ready to have some fun with Lauper again?

The cast of "Sister Act". Photo by Joan Marcus.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.

Two religious-themed shows will be moving on to their heavenly reward in the usual post-Tony summer slump. Sister Act, adapted from the film about a lounge singer hiding out in a convent, will play its final performance August 26 after a 16-month Broadway run — not miraculous but certainly a solid stay for a show that opened to mixed reviews. Receiving a much quicker call to join the big Producer in the sky, the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, which opened this Spring, will close July 1 unless its prayers are answered and “business improves”.

Every third Wednesday, a fabulous actor/singer/dancer will fill out my nosey little questionnaire and offer a glimpse of what they look like from a bit closer than the mezzanine. For June, we’re busting out all over for a real renaissance man–performer, published author and Jem collector…

Brian Spitulnik. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Name: Brian Spitulnik

Hometown: Potomac, Maryland

Current Show/Role: Chicago/Swing

The best part of the show I’m in now is: The Kander and Ebb score is, of course, iconic, but the genius of Ralph Burns’s orchestrations and Peter Howard’s dance arrangements are what it’s all about for me. I’m not much of a musician, but I can tell you that what’s happening on that bandstand every night is unusual and extraordinary.

The most challenging job in show business I ever had was: Dancing in the ensemble of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Eighteen shows a week in an elf costume, a Santa fat-suit, and under 55 pounds of foam and fur as a Russian Bear nearly destroyed me.

If I wasn’t an actor, I would be: A writer. I graduated from Columbia University last month with a Masters in Nonfiction Writing. Writing is the only way I can think things out and even begin trying to make sense of the world.

Places, Intermission or Curtain Call? Curtain call. No matter what has happened onstage that night, there is a sense of accomplishment and solidarity that happens when we all bow together then clatter up the flights of steps to our dressing rooms at the end of the show.

The best post-show cocktail in town is at: E&E Grill House. Though, I’m biased. Not only is the restaurant a matter of feet from our stage door, but they also treat the cast of Chicago as if we were celebrities, which generally makes me feel pretty good about life.

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We tapped actor Andrew Glaszek to give us a personal report (talk about going undercover or, in this case, under covered as a performer in the show) from Sunday night’s Broadway Bares extravaganza. Check out his blow by blow coverage, backstage pics and some cheeky links (just click on the highlighted words for some surprising finds)…

Andrew Glaszek & Dave August. Image via Andrew Glaszek.

Do you believe in fairies, Mary? Well, with the amount of clapping (+ hootin’ & hollerin’) at Roseland Sunday night, Tink & the whole fairy kingdom must be flyin’ high. Hopefully, the cast & crew, designers, volunteers, and the team at BC/EFA can rest well and enjoy the afterglow of HAPPY ENDINGS - Broadway Bares XXII. The show produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has been the buzz for months as those involved took part in a Strip-a-thon to add $300,000+ to the total raised in ticket sales, corporate sponsorship ($250,000 from M•A•C VIVA GLAM!), and cash tips at the event for a grand total of $1,254,000 – a new record.

On the stage and runways, over 200 dancers & actors titillated the full house with revealing new takes on classic Fairy Tales that would’ve made Mother Goose wet her feathers and The Brothers Grimm… very, very… happy. When you are out exploring FB and YouTube for pics and show clips, say “bottoms up” with a shot of tequila in honor of Jerry Mitchell, the creator and Executive Producer, Michael Graziano, Producing Director and Lee Wilkins who conceived and directed this year’s show with associate director Michael Lee Scott.

The skinny on the show sounds like a segment on SNL - so cue Wayne Wilcox’s ”Stefon” impression & trust that every year the hottest show in town is Broadway Bares.  Here’s a taste of a few of my favorite tips and assets from Happy Endings:

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Carol Kane & Jim Parsons in "Harvey". Photo by Joan Marcus.

Jonesing for more star power after getting a taste of glamour at the Tonys? Need a fame injection to get you through withdrawal? Well, this week’s theater news wrap-up is glittering with full-strength big names…

• Emmy-winner Jim Parsons and the sublime Carol Kane are the first hit of the 2012-2013 season with the Roundabout revival of Harvey. Reviews are all over the place so it looks like we may have to check this one out ourselves to get the scoop.

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  Patti LuPone. Image via PlaybillVault.com.

  You want some staaaahhh quality, you can’t go wrong with the original Evita herself, Patti LuPone, back on Broadway and joined by acclaimed film actress (and Wonder Woman’s little sister) Debra Winger in Anarchist, a new two-hander by the legendary David Mamet. Set to open November 13, the play is set in a women’s prison — though don’t expect to see a ready for Cinemax shower fight with this pedigreed team.

• Two stars not enough to satisfy your fix? The starry revival of The Best Man is dipping into the TV well to replace four departing cast members. Cybil Shepherd (Moonlighting), John Stamos (Uncle Jesse), Kristin Davis (Sex and the City) and Elizabeth Ashley (Evening Shade) will take over for Candice Bergen, Eric McCormack, Kerri Butler and Angela Lansbury.  If this show lasts and the turnover picks up, I can’t wait to see Charo as the President of the United States. No, really, I’d love that.

• Remember when I said that Vasser in the summer was like the cool kids’ table in the high school cafeteria? Check out who they just announced for their Powerhouse Summer Theatre: Greg Kinnear (Oscar-nominated for As Good As It Gets), Maura Tierney (ER and wonderful last summer at Williamstown) & Jennifer Westfeldt (Friends with Kids and Jon Hamm’s significant other). Yep, stars just doing a little summer theater between big gigs.

• Finally, get out your score card, we’ve got some post-Tony openings and closings to discuss. Godspell, Other Desert Cities, Venus in Fur will shutter in the next two weeks, a Sutton Foster-less Anything Goes sails away August 5; the musical Fela is making a short return engagement to Broadway July 9 – August 4, and the Tony-winning Best Play Clybourne Park is adding an extension to its full house through September 2.

Jeremy Jordan & Cast of "Newsies". Photo by Deen van Meer.

If you’ve ever wanted to hear what I sound like — discussing the Tonys, the theater season ahead and my slightly inappropriate thoughts about the cast of Newsies – now’s your chance! I’m on the radio again with the fabulously well-informed (for a Sondheim-hater) Ken Schneck on his show This Show is So Gay. Sit back, grab a Manhattan and download the podcast.

Broadway Bares. Photo by Andrew Eccles.

Get your tickets now for one of Broadway’s hottest nights: Broadway Bares XXII: Happy Endings! The annual night of burlesque and fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS arrives this Sunday at 9:30 and midnight to make all your fairy tales (and fairy tails) come true.

I could go on and on trying to describe it but, really, isn’t a picture worth a thousand “Wohs!”? See more sensational photography that  might be a little NSFW, after the jump…

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