Carmen Cusack News

Nominees for the 28th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced today, November 2, on @ This Stage Magazine, where you can find the full list of contenders!

The Tony Award nominated musical 'Bright Star' is currently running through November 19, 2017 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Presented by Center Theatre Group, the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, will be directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbieand choreographed by Josh Rhodes. See the Carmen Cusack and the cast of the show in a new music video for the opening number, 'If You Knew My Story' below!

Cabaret 313 will present a glimpse at the future of the cabaret genre with multi-faceted artist Kyle Riabko (Spring Awakening, Hair) in Close to You: Bacharach Reimagined today, Oct. 28 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre at the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226).

On Monday, October 23, the Theater People podcast welcome's fellow podcaster Gillian Pensavalle of 'The Hamilcast.' For the episode, Pensavalle shares the origins of the popular HAMILTON-themed podcast. She also shares all the details of HAMILTON creator Lin-Manuel Miranda coming to her apartment and doing a 4-hour interview for the podcast.

BRIGHT STAR at Ahmanson Theatre plays through November 19. This original musical tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and '40s. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances.

Steve Martin's and Edie Brickell's Bright Star played Broadway in 2016, garnering a Tony nomination for Carmen Cusack. The show fared somewhat well, but did not seem to be an overall critics' choice. On the minus side, it is an all too familiar story about a backwoods pregnant girl and parental abuse in the 1920s, with far-fetched resolutions and a sweet, but for many, saccharine ending. In spite of this, I was delighted with the bluegrass music by Martin and Brickell, with Walter Bobbie's fluid staging and with the performances. It's most definitely uplifting and an entertaining evening at the Ahmanson through November 19.

Presented by Center Theatre Group, 'Bright Star' opened at the Ahmanson Theatre on Friday, October 20. Go inside opening night below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: TORCH SONG opens, Broadway unites for Puerto Rico, and more!

Presented by Center Theatre Group, 'Bright Star' will open at the Ahmanson Theatre on Friday, October 20. The Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, is currently in previews and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Performances will continue through November 19, 2017. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the cast onstage in Los Angeles below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: BRIGHT STAR begins in LA, COME FROM AWAY recoups, and more!

'Bright Star' begins previews tonight, October 11, opens October 20, and runs through November 19, 2017 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Presented by Center Theatre Group, the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, will be directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

West Orange High School Theatre kicks off their season with the high school premiere of BRIGHT STAR. Written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, the musical follows the story of Alice Murphy at two different points of her life. I talked with director Tara Whitman about premiering the show, the live band, staging, and more!

On Monday, October 9, the Theater People podcast welcomes Broadway and TV star Hlene Yorke. Helene made her Broadway debut in 2008 in GREASE. She went on to originate the role of Olive in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and Evelyn in AMERICAN PSYCHO. On television, she is well known for her work on THE GOOD FIGHT, MASTERS OF SEX, and GRAVES.

Carole Shorenstein Hays is inviting the Bay Area community to the newly renovated Curran (445 Geary Street) tonight, October 4, 2017, for a celebration of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's Tony Award nominated musical BRIGHT STAR.

On Monday, October 2, the Theater People podcast welcomes Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan. Jeremy Jordan made his Broadway debut in 2009's ROCK OF AGES. He went on to play the Tony alternate, appearing twice per week, in the 2009 revival of WEST SIDE STORY. In 2011 he originated the role of Clyde Barrow in BONNIE AND CLYDE. And he received his first Tony nomination for originating the role of Jack Kelly in 2011's NEWSIES.

Cabaret 313 will present a glimpse at the future of the cabaret genre with multi-faceted artist Kyle Riabko (Spring Awakening, Hair) in Close to You: Bacharach Reimagined on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre at the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226).

Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's gorgeous musical, Bright Star, will be coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles this fall and will feature a number of original cast members. The talented and charismatic A.J. Shively will reprise his role as Billy Cane, the young soldier who returns from war and pursues his dream of being a writer at home in North Carolina. Shively's character is full of hope and optimism, as he is figuring out what's most important in life and coming full circle with the individuals who have shaped his personal story.

Cabaret 313's fifth anniversary season begins today, Sep. 23 with Tony Award-nominated actress Carmen Cusack (Bright Star) in An Evening with Carmen Cusack.

Cabaret 313's 2017-18 season marks its fifth anniversary as Detroit's premier cabaret presenter, offering audiences the opportunity to experience some of Broadway's biggest names and brightest young talent. The season includes five performances across the city featuring Tony Award nominees and Grammy Award winners.