Ashley Brown News

Michelle Federer (Wicked's Original Broadway Nessarose) spent Sunday, September 19th, mentoring the young talent of Broadway's future as she led a Wicked-themed master class with Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City. Federer inspired, as she skillfully guided a master class in 'Song Interpretation' to a group of eager and talented young performers ages 10 to 21. Students also spent time on cold readings and scene study utilizing scenes from Wicked. Michelle's morning class was followed by an advanced audition technique workshop with a top casting representative from Telsey and Co. Casting.

On Tuesday, September 7, LIMELIGHT: THE STORY OF Charlie Chaplin opened at the La Jolla's Mandell Weiss Theatre. The production, which has music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and a book by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan, runs through October 17, 2010. The show is directed by Michael Unger and stars Rob McClure and Ashley Brown.

On October 15, 2010 at 8:00 PM, The New York Pops will launch its 28th season; a Carnegie Hall series celebrating the stylistic diversity of some of popular music's greatest icons. In this opening night program, Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke leads the orchestra in 'The Music of ABBA', an electrifying concert featuring the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton in performances of 'Dancing Queen,' 'Mamma Mia,' 'Take a Chance on Me', and other hits by the Swedish supergroup ABBA. A bona fide pop phenomenon in their native Finland, Rajaton's singing style and presentation has proven them a prodigious talent on the world stage.

On Friday, October 15 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Steven Reineke leads The New York Pops in the first concert of their 2010-2011 Carnegie Hall season with a program saluting pop music super group ABBA, featuring the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton. Together, they will present energetic performances of some of ABBA's most popular chart-topping hits including 'Dancing Queen,' 'Mamma Mia,' 'Take a Chance on Me,' and other favorites. The New York Pops returns to Carnegie Hall for six additional performances this season-including three holiday performances.

On Tuesday, September 7, LIMELIGHT: THE STORY OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN opened at the La Jolla's Mandell Weiss Theatre. The production, which has music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and a book by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan, runs through October 17, 2010. The show is directed by Michael Unger and stars Rob McClure and Ashley Brown. See below for the first production shots!

For the first time in its smash 3 ½ year Broadway run, New York audiences have the opportunity to see Mary Poppins' original stage stars performing the roles they created together. Last night, August 24, Gavin Lee re-joined the Broadway company as Bert opposite his original Mary and Oliver Award-winning West End co-star Laura Michelle Kelly at the New Amsterdam Theatre. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you the reunion shots below!

Producer Orin Wolf and Off the Aisle Productions have announced that It Must Be Him, a new comedy by Kenny Solms, co-creator and writer of the legendary, Emmy Award-winning 'Carol Burnett Show,' will premiere this summer at the Peter J. Sharp Theatre (416 West 42nd Street). Directed by Daniel Kutner, It Must Be Him will begin performances on Tuesday, August 24, and officially open on Wednesday, September 1. The limited engagement ends Sunday, September 26.

LIMELIGHT: THE STORY OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN has Music and Lyrics by Christopher Curtis and a Book by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan. The show is Directed by Michael Unger and is Playing September 7 - October 17, 2010

Tony Award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth delighted students as their special surprise guest during the Broadway Artists Alliance 2010 Summer Intensive (Session One). Ms. Neuwirth (currently starring in The Addams Family) lent her talents for a surprise Q&A with the students of Broadway Artists Alliance, ages 10-21. The Q&A was led by the hilarious Seth Rudetsky.

The Muny has announced casting for its 2010 summer season, featuring a number of Broadway veterans reprising roles they created on Broadway. Performers include Ken Page, Gary Beach, Stephanie J. Block, Georgia Engel, Ashley Brown and more.

The Houston Symphony has announced additional vocalists for its upcoming Broadway Rocks! series, accompanied by the Gay Men's Chorus of Houston, September 3, 4, and 5. Previously announced Julia Murney (Wicked, Lennon) will be joined by Capathia Jenkins (Caroline, or Change), Hugh Panaro (Phantom of the Opera), and Robert Evan (Phantom of the Opera).

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast of its world-premiere musical Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin, music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis, book by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan and directed by Michael Unger, running September 7 - October 17, 2010 (media night: Sunday, September 19 at 7:00 pm) in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

The Muny has announced casting for its 2010 summer season, featuring a number of Broadway veterans reprising roles they created on Broadway. Performers include Ken Page, Gary Beach, Stephanie J. Block, Georgia Engel, Ashley Brown and more.

The Muny's Sound Of Music will close August 1. THE SOUND OF MUSIC was directed by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Liza Gennaro, musical direction by Ben Whiteley, set design by Michael Anania, and lighting design by F. Mitchell Dana.

The Muny has announced casting for its 2010 summer season, featuring a number of Broadway veterans reprising roles they created on Broadway. Performers include Ken Page, Gary Beach, Stephanie J. Block, Georgia Engel, Ashley Brown and more.

Tony Award-winning actress Katie Finneran delighted students as their special surprise guest during the Broadway Artists Alliance 2010 Summer Workshop.

It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I actually saw the stage version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Of course, I'd been exposed to the movie version long before that, but I never really enjoyed watching it until they started letterboxing the film for broadcast presentations, because the 'pan and scan' versions always ruined the beautiful vistas captured by the cinematographer. But, you don't have to worry about that at the Muny, which offers up its own 'widescreen' take on this classic musical (it is a big stage, after all), producing a solid and enjoyable outing fit for the entire family.

The American Theatre Wing's final edition of 'Working in the Theatre' for the 2009 - 2010 season is now available online, following its debut on CUNY TV, channel 75 in New York, on Sunday, July 25th.

The St. Louis Muny's upcoming production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC will feature some Broadway talent. Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) will play Maria von Trapp opposite Tom Hewitt (CHICAGO, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, THE LION KING) as Baron von Trapp, Playbill reports. The production opens July 26 and runs through August 1.

The Muny has announced casting for its 2010 summer season, featuring a number of Broadway veterans reprising roles they created on Broadway. Performers include Ken Page, Gary Beach, Stephanie J. Block, Georgia Engel, Ashley Brown and more.