Darick Pead News

The North American Tour of Falsettos is getting ready to kick off. Hear what Eden Espinosa has to say about taking on the role of Trina!

Rehearsals began this week in New York for the upcoming North American Tour of William Finn and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical FALSETTOS. Get a first look at the cast below!

Jujamcyn Theaters and NETworks Presentations announced principal casting for the North American Tour of William Finn and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical FALSETTOS. Leading the National Company will be Broadway superstars Nick Adams (La Cage aux Folles and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as "Whizzer," Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn The Musical and Rent) as "Trina" and Max von Essen (An American in Paris, Tony Award-nominee, Evita and Les Miserables) as "Marvin."

Maine seems to be enjoying a theatrical renaissance with large and small companies vigorously engaged in producing a wide range of repertoire throughout the state. Several of the leading professional theatres have become destinations in and of themselves - (witness the inclusion of Maine State Music Theatre and Ogunquit Playhouse in Scott Andrews' upcoming book, Vacationland) - while venerable community groups continue to raise the bar for their work. I am privileged to get to sample these performances as Broadway World's Maine editor and to be able to compare many of them favorably with shows I see across the country, in New York and London. These are my personal choices of the best in Maine for 2018, grouped by theatre company and show. MAINE STATE MUSIC THEATRE delivered a 60th anniversary season that redefined the meaning and substance of 'gala.'

"Beauty and the Beast is the essence of that Disney magic! It brings people together and it is such a joyful experience!" Actress Lexi Rabadi plays Belle in Maine State Music Theatre's new blockbuster production of the Disney classic which closes its run July 14th. She and fellow cast members Darick Pead (the Beast) and Matthew Ragas (Gaston), together with MSMT Managing Director Stephanie Dupal are talking with Broadway World's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold about the experience of creating this timeless fairytale on stage. The panel discussion, the second in the annual Peek behind the Curtain Series at the Curtis Memorial Library drew a full house, as audience members and patrons listened to the group explore the factors they believe make this show a classic and make this particular production a work of incredible enchantment.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature THE CHER SHOW, THE KING AND I, and More!

With what is arguably the largest production in Maine State Music Theatre's history, the company brings a level of opulence, sophistication, and magic to the Pickard stage that makes this production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast a fitting jewel in the Diamond Jubilee Crown. It is no secret that the company has used every single ounce of its resources (and overcome a number of unforeseen obstacles along the way) to create this magnificent production, but the result has been entirely worth the effort. This beloved fairytale dazzlingly comes to life in all its heartfelt beauty.

“I love telling stories; it doesn't matter what the form is. I like the struggle, the journey, the narrative,” says actor Darick Pead. Pead, who is about to open in Maine State Music Theatre's Beauty and the Beast in the title role of the Beast, has enjoyed a fascinating personal journey of his own in pursuing his dream of becoming an actor. Born and raised in Utah in a large Mormon family – he was the seventh child among ten – Pead says, “Except for doing my Mormon mission in Pennsylvania for two years, I had never been outside the state of Utah until I was twenty-seven.” Pead remembers that “I always enjoyed theatre, and I would go to watch my older siblings in school plays and think what fun that must be. Then in fifth grade my teacher suggested that I should try out for Wizard of Oz. I wanted to play Toto and get to bark onstage, and I was super disappointed when I was cast as the Scarecrow . But that was the start of it all.”

"As an actress I believe in pounding the pavement with positivity. One of my biggest things is knowing that I am a whole person with family, friends, and interests. Theatre is a passion and a life style, but it is one piece of the pie. My job is to make sure all the other pieces of the pie are just as delicious. So I keep a home for myself, surrounded by loved ones; yoga is a big thing for me in maintaining mental clarity and spiritual health, and I am a vegan because I feel that is a kinder way to eat. It may sound corny, but if you put out positive vibrations, they will come back to you."

Maine State Music Theatre steps back in time for its second show of the season, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This revered fairytale runs from June 27 - July 14. Due to popular demand, the theatre has added performances on July 7 and July 14 at 2 PM.

Arden Theatre Company continues their 30th Anniversary Season with the World Premiere musical TOUCHTONES, with story by Michael Hollinger and Robert Maggio, book and lyrics by Hollinger and music by Maggio.

Arden Theatre Company continues their 30th Anniversary Season with the World Premiere musical TOUCHTONES, with story by Michael Hollinger and Robert Maggio, book and lyrics by Hollinger and music by Maggio.

BWW Review: INTO THE WOODS at Winspear Opera House

BroadwayWorld has a full list of the Helen Hayes Awards winners updating LIVE below! Named for actor Helen Hayes - a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre - the Helen Hayes Awards celebrates excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region and has become a hallmark recognized by theatre makers and theatre lovers far beyond Washington D.C.

Roundup: Check Out The Top Stories From Dallas You Might Have Missed 5/12 - EVITA and More!

BWW Interview: Darick Pead of INTO THE WOODS at Winspear Opera House

On Saturday, May 13, 2017, following the 2 p.m. matinee performance of Fiasco Theater's "Into the Woods" at the Ahmanson Theatre, Center Theatre Group will throw a cast party for all the Bakers and Witches, Cinderellas and Princes, Milky Whites, et al., who have ever appeared in a production of "Into the Woods."

Actor Patrick Mulryan, a member of the Fiasco Theater Company, is currently playing Jack in their touring production of Into the Woods at the Ahmanson through May 14. He took time from his busy schedule to talk about the role and his blossoming theatre career. Patrick, you are having such a great time playing Jack that the joy you are feeling transcends the footlights. What is your honest impression of him? Define his character traits and flaws.

The acclaimed Fiasco Theater production of 'Into the Woods' opened April 5, 2017, at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and plays through May 14, 2017. The celebrated new production of the Tony Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, is directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Into the Woods/book by James Lapine/music & lyrcs by Stephen Sondheim/Fiasco Theater Company Production Tour/Ahmanson/directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld/through May 14 I first saw Into the Woods in 1987 when it premiered in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre. At that point, the Witch was not the leader of the pack; in New York the role was enlarged in 1988 and Bernadette Peters played her on Broadway. The play which cleverly intertwines favorite fairytales Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstock, and Rapunzel with a new story The Baker and his Wife, somehow left me cold. The