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Helen Jean Russell

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Helen Jean Russell BIO

Helen's return to professional theater began in 1993 with Woody Guthrie's American Song at the Pope Theater in Florida. She sang on the Pope produced cast album and was a member of the cast of ...American Song for its 1994 European debut at Vienna's English Theatre. She toured the Austrian secondary school system, performing the Guthrie inspired show for children, This Land is Your Land. The V.E.T. sponsored tour visited over 49 cities in Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic, bringing Woody to thousands of high school English students. She happily was invited to be part of the original cast of David Lutken's Woody Sez for it's 2007 debut in Edinburgh and for subsequent trips throughout the U.K., Europe and the States. At home in New York City, when not performing, she is a publishing consultant, teacher and musical director. Her debut album Holly Days was released in November 2008. She is at work on a second recording of folk songs.

Helen Jean Russell News


Review: WOODY SEZ at Geva Theatre


What did our critic think of WOODY SEZ at Geva Theatre? With rare exceptions, there probably aren't many theatregoers of my generation (Millennial) or younger who have a passing familiarity with the life and legacy of Woody Guthrie beyond 'This Land is Your Land.' I certainly didn't before heading to Geva Theatre to catch a performance of 'Woody Sez', the biographical story of Woody Guthrie written by David M. Lutken, Nick Corley, Darcie Deaville, Helen Jean Russell, and Andy Teirstein. But after leaving Geva that night, it was abundantly clear that this man's story is one everyone should know, because there likely never lived another American so of-the-people as Woody Guthrie.

Weston Theater Company Presents WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE


Weston Theater Company takes audiences on a journey through our land and history with the toe-tapping and virtuosic WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE, playing September 28 – October 23 at Walker Farm theater. 

Weston Theater Company Announces Rebranding, HAIR, STEEL MAGNOLIAS and More for 86th Season


Susanna Gellert, Executive Artistic Director of Weston Theater Company, formerly known as Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, announces the 86th season of Vermont's oldest, award-winning professional theater; and introduces audiences to Weston's rebranding. 

Breaking: Glenda Jackson, CURSED CHILD, THE BAND'S VISIT & More Win at the 2018 Drama League Awards!


The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2018 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by Tony® Award winners Harriet Harris, Julie White and Tony® Award nominee Christopher Sieber at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online right here at BroadwayWorld.com.

Breaking: THE BAND'S VISIT, ANGELS IN AMERICA, MEAN GIRLS, FROZEN, And More Earn Drama League Nominations; See The Full List!


The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2018 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by Tony® Award winners Harriet Harris, Julie White and Tony® Award nominee Christopher Sieber at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online right here at BroadwayWorld.com.

DOGFIGHT at Vienna's English Theatre


The VET Youth Ensemble at Vienna's English Theatre presents DOGFIGHT. Set in the Vietnam War, DOGFIGHT follows a group of young American soldiers on the brink of deployment. As part of a cruel bet, they try to find the ugliest date, but Corporal Eddie Birdlace ends up finding something much more beautiful. DOGFIGHT features Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Peter Duchan. DOGFIGHT is set to open March 5th and will run through March 20th.

Westport Country Playhouse to Present WOODY SEZ in January


Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie, a summer '17 off-Broadway hit, will have a limited engagement at Westport Country Playhouse, January 9 20. The joyful, touching, and tumultuous tale of America's greatest folk poet is told using Guthrie's own words and over two dozen of his indelible songs, including This Land Is Your Land, Union Maid, Deportees, and This Train Is Bound for Glory.

Stages Repertory Theatre Kicks off 40th Anniversary Season with ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE


Always…Patsy Cline, one of the most often performed stage productions in the U.S., makes a triumphant return to Stages Repertory Theatre-where it had its world premiere-to kick off the theatre's 40th Anniversary Season.

Stages Repertory Theatre Kicks Off 40th Anniversary Season with ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE


Always…Patsy Cline, one of the most often performed stage productions in the U.S., makes a triumphant return to Stages Repertory Theatre-where it had its world premiere-to kick off the theatre's 40th Anniversary Season. Written by Stages' Founding Artistic Director Ted Swindley, and directed by Stages' current Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin, the internationally-acclaimed musical is based on the true story of an unlikely friendship between the beloved country singer and a Houston fan.

Stages Repertory Theatre Presents LUNA GALE


Stages Repertory Theatre presents the regional premiere of award-winning playwright Rebecca Gilman's Luna Gale, a powerful family drama about a burned-out social worker who faces an increasingly complex moral dilemma as she tries to determine the best home for an at-risk infant. 

Stages Repertory Theatre Announces 40th Anniversary Season


Stages Repertory Theatre's 2017-2018 Season celebrates the theatre's 40^th Anniversary with a mix of world and regional premieres, fan favorites and stories that reflect Houston's vibrant, diverse community. The season features 3 world and 4 regional premieres, collaborations with New York's One Year Lease Theater Company and Houston's Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Stages' inaugural Latina/o Theatre Festival, the 10^th anniversary of Stages' hallmark Panto holiday program for children and families, and a return to Miller Outdoor Theatre.

BWW Review: Surprisingly Affected by Resonant WOODY SEZ at Seattle Rep


I'll admit to a large dose of skepticism when heading in to see "Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie" currently playing at the Seattle Rep. Not because I thought it would be bad, just not really anything I was all that interested in watching for two hours. I knew who he was the way many do. I knew he was a folk singer and I remember singing his most notable song, "This Land is Your Land" in grade school. But what I didn't know is what a fascinating life he had and how resonant his works would still be today. And I especially didn't expect to be emotionally affected as I was. But we'll come to that.

David M. Lutken Plays Title Role in 'WOODY SEZ', Starting Tonight at Seattle Rep


The internationally acclaimed tale, Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie, is coming to Seattle Repertory Theatre. This musical portrait, featuring Woody's stirring ballads and joyous anthems, celebrates the colorful life and rich musical legacy of America's great folk troubadour. Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie will run January 6- 29, 2017 (opening night is January 11, 2017) in the Bagley Wright Theatre.

David M. Lutken to Play Title Role in 'WOODY SEZ' at Seattle Rep


The internationally acclaimed tale, Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie, is coming to Seattle Repertory Theatre. This musical portrait, featuring Woody's stirring ballads and joyous anthems, celebrates the colorful life and rich musical legacy of America's great folk troubadour. Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie will run January 6- 29, 2017 (opening night is January 11, 2017) in the Bagley Wright Theatre.

Seattle Repertory Theatre Sets HERE LIES LOVE, A RAISIN IN THE SUN & More for 2016-17 Season


Artistic Director Braden Abraham today announced Seattle Repertory Theatre's 2016-2017 Season. The season is headlined by the electrifying musical Here Lies Love from David Byrne (Talking Heads) and Fatboy Slim, a new production ofthe award-winning Broadway smash King Charles III, and the timeless classic A Raisin in the Sun. The season runs from September 2016 through May 2017, and subscriptions are available now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at (206) 443-2222, as well as online at SeattleRep.org. Single tickets will go on sale this fall.

David Cromer in THE NORMAL HEART and More Set for 2014 Three Oaks Theatre Festival


Co-founders John Stoops, Tim Evans, and Marc Grapey proudly announce the second season of Three Oaks Theater Festival, a summer theater festival that brings limited-engagement runs of highly-acclaimed, professional productions to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. This expanded season is being performed in creative venues throughout Harbor Country, including the Acorn Theater, Vickers Theatre, and the historic Lakeside Inn. Three Oaks Theater Festival is presented with major support by The Pokagon Fund.

David Cromer in THE NORMAL HEART and More Set for 2014 Three Oaks Theatre Festival


Co-founders John Stoops, Tim Evans, and Marc Grapey proudly announce the second season of Three Oaks Theater Festival, a summer theater festival that brings limited-engagement runs of highly-acclaimed, professional productions to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. This expanded season is being performed in creative venues throughout Harbor Country, including the Acorn Theater, Vickers Theatre, and the historic Lakeside Inn. Three Oaks Theater Festival is presented with major support by The Pokagon Fund.

Three Oaks Theatre Festival Announces 2014 Season


Co-founders John Stoops, Tim Evans, and Marc Grapey proudly announce the second season of Three Oaks Theater Festival, a summer theater festival that brings limited-engagement runs of highly-acclaimed, professional productions to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. This expanded season is being performed in creative venues throughout Harbor Country, including the Acorn Theater, Vickers Theatre, and the historic Lakeside Inn. Three Oaks Theater Festival is presented with major support by The Pokagon Fund.

BWW Reviews: WOODY SEZ Presented at Theater J �" Nostalgic and Ultimately Engaging


'Woody Sez' is recommended. The enthusiasm the talented performers have for sharing Woody's music (and his legacy) is infectious. If you're a fan of Woody, you are likely to love it. Even if you only remember singing "This Land is Your Land" in elementary school, this is still a show to see if you appreciate fine musicianship.

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