Vanessa Russo

Mountain Theatre Company opened SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY at the Highlands Playhouse on August 12, 2022. See photos from the production!

It is time for a little bit of magic as Manatee Performing Arts Center produces their next mainstage production of “Cinderella.” The theatre touts Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella as the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical.

Music Compound, a place where students of all ages can pursue their love of music, debuted its Show Choir & Musical Theater program in September at its Cattlemen studio (1751 Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota), with noted longtime Sarasota educator Julie Rohr McHugh at the helm.

The nominees have been announced for the 2020 Theatre Tampa Bay Awards! 25 plays and 5 musicals were eligible for nomination before the remainder of the 2019-2020 season was cancelled in March.

As an educator, writer, and instructor of theatre, I have many opportunities to impart my views and share my experiences with others. One of the mantras I frequently express is a?oeGo see the classics!a?? Manatee Performing Arts Center's production of West Side Story under the direction of Rick Kerby provides you a chance to go see one of the most timeless musicals ever produced in this parallel of Romeo and Juliet.

The regional premiere production of Heathers the Musical is opening Today, June 22nd and running through July 2nd at The Starlite Room. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the cast in action below!

Directors Dennis Clark (Legally Blonde, Footloose) and KT Curran (The First Times Club, When the Party Ends) announced today complete casting for the upcoming Regional Premiere of Heathers the Musical opening June 22nd at The Starlite Room.

Directors Dennis Clark (Legally Blonde, Footloose) and KT Curran (The First Times Club, When the Party Ends) announced today complete casting for the upcoming Regional Premiere of Heathers the Musical opening June 22nd at The Starlite Room.

The Bridges of Madison County is a drama about romance and infidelity that gives us a glimpse into the lives of Francesca Johnson (Dianne Dawson), an Italian war-bride from Naples, her Veteran husband Bud, (Cory Woomert), an Iowa farmer, and her lover Robert Kincaid, (Charles Dugan), a photographer on assignment photographing the covered bridges of Madison County for National Geographic. Robert pulls up looking for directions to the one last bridge he needs to complete his mission; just minutes after Francesca's husband and their two teenagers are out the door to the county fair for several days.

The Bridges of Madison County, one of the most romantic stories ever written, is now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical. This stunning new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award-Winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping, expressive balladry of classic Broadway. The Daily News hails it as 'one of Broadway's best scores in the last decade.' with a book by Pulitzer Prize Winner Marcia Norman (The Secret Garden, The Color Purple). The production is Directed by Kathy Pingel, Music Directed by Thomas Guthrie, Choreographed by Vanessa Russo. Featuring Set Design by Donna Buckalter, Lighting Design by Ryan E. Finzelber, Costume Design by Becky Evans and Stage Management by Tiffany Smith.

The Bridges of Madison County, one of the most romantic stories ever written, is now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical. This stunning new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award-Winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping, expressive balladry of classic Broadway. The Daily News hails it as 'one of Broadway's best scores in the last decade.' with a book by Pulitzer Prize Winner Marcia Norman (The Secret Garden, The Color Purple). The production is Directed by Kathy Pingel, Music Directed by Thomas Guthrie, Choreographed by Vanessa Russo. Featuring Set Design by Donna Buckalter, Lighting Design by Ryan E. Finzelber, Costume Design by Becky Evans and Stage Management by Tiffany Smith.

The Bridges of Madison County, one of the most romantic stories ever written, is now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical. This stunning new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award-Winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping, expressive balladry of classic Broadway. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action at Manatee Performing Arts Center below!

The Bridges of Madison County, one of the most romantic stories ever written, is now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical. This stunning new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award-Winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping, expressive balladry of classic Broadway. The Daily News hails it as 'one of Broadway's best scores in the last decade.' with a book by Pulitzer Prize Winner Marcia Norman (The Secret Garden, The Color Purple). The production is Directed by Kathy Pingel, Music Directed by Thomas Guthrie, Choreographed by Vanessa Russo. Featuring Set Design by Donna Buckalter, Lighting Design by Ryan E. Finzelber, Costume Design by Becky Evans and Stage Management by Tiffany Smith.

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre opens a monumental new season with the triumphant Billy Elliot: The Musical through October 16. The Tony Award-winning musical features infectious music by the incomparable Sir Elton John including "Shine," "Solidarity,"  "Electricity," and many more!   

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre opens a monumental new season with the triumphant Billy Elliot: The Musical through October 16. The Tony Award-winning musical features infectious music by the incomparable Sir Elton John including "Shine," "Solidarity,"  "Electricity," and many more!   

Broadway Bootcamp as part of Manatee Performing Arts Center's Conservatory Program presents The Wiz!

Broadway Bootcamp as part of Manatee Performing Arts Center's Conservatory Program presents The Wiz!

The Manatee Performing Arts Center presents Manatee Players' production of PHANTOM, running now through May 8th in Stone Hall. Directed by Steve Dawson, choreographed by Vanessa Russo, and musically directed by Aaron Cassette, this musical is a must-see. Watch as the Phantom reveals himself only by the strength of his love through beautiful music. Below, BroadwayWorld has an inside look at last night's opening reception!

The Manatee Performing Arts Center presents Manatee Players' production of Phantom: April 21st - May 8th in Stone Hall. Directed by Steve Dawson, choreographed by Vanessa Russo, and musically directed by Aaron Cassette, this musical is a must-see. Watch as the Phantom reveals himself only by the strength of his love through beautiful music. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Get ready to be amazed, be inspired, and be moved when BILLY ELLIOT The Musical, the joyous smash hit musical, takes the stage at Bill Hanney's award winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) in an all new production created just for NSMT audiences. BILLY ELLIOT The Musical is playing thru Sunday, October 11. Check out a first look at highlights below!