Gizel Jimenez News

Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez's UP HERE might be new to public audiences, but to Lopez, it's the product of a lengthy process.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for its world premiere of Up Here, a new musical comedy featuring book, music and lyrics by the husband-and-wife composing team of Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (In Transit), recipients of the 2014 Academy Award for Best Original Song for their hit song, 'Let It Go,' from the Disney animated film Frozen. Up Here is directed by Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers (Broadway's Rocky, Off-Broadway's Here Lies Love, Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatcher) and will run July 28 - September 6 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre. Up Here is being presented by special arrangement with Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions, along with Victor Alvarez, Warner/Chappell Music, Sally Horchow International Productions, Caiola Productions, Dominion Pictures.

The distinguished Cuban-American playwright Eduardo Machado has created a touchstone piece by taking a one-act play with music, written in 1982, and turning it into a full-length, two-act musical. His 'Rosario and the Gypsies,' with songs by composer Rick Vartorella and lyrics by Mr. Machado and Mr. Vartorella, was a short, wild rock 'n roll play with music about the backstage romances and melodramas of a hippie performance troupe in southern California who were devoted to the art of change. Its songs were a combination of street pop and 60's-70's rock. It was produced in NYC by Ensemble Studio Theater in 1982 and it got Machado recognized as a writer to be reckoned with. Machado and Vartorella have now revised the piece and completed its story, adding a second act, in which we learn the future for its characters. Theater for the New City will present this revised and expanded version of 'Rosario and the Gypsies' from tonight, February 18 to March 8, directed by Machado.

The distinguished Cuban-American playwright Eduardo Machado has created a touchstone piece by taking a one-act play with music, written in 1982, and turning it into a full-length, two-act musical. His 'Rosario and the Gypsies,' with songs by composer Rick Vartorella and lyrics by Mr. Machado and Mr. Vartorella, was a short, wild rock 'n roll play with music about the backstage romances and melodramas of a hippie performance troupe in southern California who were devoted to the art of change. Its songs were a combination of street pop and 60's-70's rock. It was produced in NYC by Ensemble Studio Theater in 1982 and it got Machado recognized as a writer to be reckoned with. Machado and Vartorella have now revised the piece and completed its story, adding a second act, in which we learn the future for its characters. Theater for the New City will present this revised and expanded version of 'Rosario and the Gypsies' from February 18 to March 8, directed by Machado.

The Walnut Street Theatre opened their 2013-2014 season with the energetic IN THE HEIGHTS. This show takes place in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, and tells the story of a "day' in the lives of those who live in this neighborhood. What is unique about this show is that each person not only has their own individual story, but when they sing throughout the show, they have their own style of music. For example, the character of Usnavi's songs are all rap where Nina's songs are all ballads. This show is full of energy and passion, and the Walnut Street Theatre's production of IN THE HEIGHTS is remarkable.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 205th season with the groundbreaking 21st century musical IN THE HEIGHTS. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this exhilarating musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home, opens tonight, September 11th, and runs through October 20th on the WST Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the show below!

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 205th season with the groundbreaking 21st century musical IN THE HEIGHTS. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this exhilarating musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home, opens tonight, September 11th, and runs through October 20th on the WST Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 205th season with the groundbreaking 21st century musical IN THE HEIGHTS. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this exhilarating musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home is currently in previews and opens on September 11th, running through October 20th on the WST Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 205th season with the groundbreaking 21st century musical IN THE HEIGHTS. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this exhilarating musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home begins previews tonight, September 3rd, opens on September 11th and runs through October 20th on the WST Mainstage.

Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 205th season with the groundbreaking 21st century musical IN THE HEIGHTS. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, this exhilarating musical about chasing your dreams and finding your true home begins previews on September 3rd, opens on September 11th and runsthrough October 20th on the WST Mainstage.

Celebrating the life of Mexican-American superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez, BROADWAY SINGS SELENA welcomeed a starry cast of Broadway's best performers; presented at Off-Broadway's The Underground Theatre on April 1st, 2013. The show was directed by Jay Levy. Scroll down for photos of the performers in action!

Celebrating the life of Mexican-American superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez, BROADWAY SINGS SELENA will welcome a starry cast of Broadway's best performers; presented at Off-Broadway's The Underground Theatre on April 1st. The show will be directed by Jay Levy. In anticipation of the show, the stars share their Selena experiences and talk about the upcoming tribute, set for the 18th anniversary of the late Tex-Mex singer's death. Watch below!

Celebrating the life of Mexican-American superstar Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, BROADWAY SINGS SELENA will welcome a starry cast of Broadway's best performers; presented at Off-Broadway's The Underground Theatre on April 1st. The show will be directed by Jay Levy.

Opening on February 7th at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, the 2008 Tony Award winning musical In the Heights takes a local stage for the first time. Directed by Westchester's own John Fanelli and presented by his Standing Ovation Studios, the production features a blend of talent and crew from Broadway and the national tour with regional performers. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the cast in action below!

Opening on February 7th at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, the 2008 Tony Award winning musical In the Heights takes a local stage for the first time. Directed by Westchester's own John Fanelli and presented by his Standing Ovation Studios, the production features a blend of talent and crew from Broadway and the national tour with regional performers.

The cast of the Broadway First National Tour of West Side Story put together a fun lip-sync video of the pop hit 'Call Me Maybe' by Carly Rae Jepsen. BroadwayWorld brings you the spoof below, featuring the cast backstage and more!

When the national touring production of WEST SIDE STORY made its way to the OHIO THEATER last night, I embraced the opportunity to re-visit this 1957 Arthur Laurents' adaptation of Shakespeare's 'ROMEO AND JULIET' and experience the delight of what is truly timeless about classic musical theater.

WEST SIDE STORY is currently touring the country, and now stars Ross Lekites as Tony, Evy Ortiz as Maria, Michelle Aravena as Anita, Drew Foster as Riff and German Santiago as Bernardo. Also featured are Mike Boland as Schrank, Stephen DeRosa as Glad Hand, Jon Drake as Action, Wally Dunn as Krupke, Alexandra Frohlinger as Anybodys, Jay Garcia as Chino, Casey Garvin as Diesel, Nathan Keen as Big Deal, Harris Milgrim as Snowboy, John O'Creagh as Doc, Christopher Rice as Baby John, Clay Thomson as A-rab, along with Karolina Blonski, Alicia Charles, Lauryn Ciardullo, Dean Andre De Luna, Lori Ann Ferreri, Ryan Ghysels, Tim Hausmann, Nicole Hellman, Laura Irion, Thayne Jasperson, Gizel Jimenez, Eric Anthony Johnson, Patrick Ortiz, Kristen Paulicelli, Christie Portera, Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva, Alexandra Blake Redelico, Michael Scirrotto, Jeffrey C. Sousa, Dani Spieler, Jessica Swesey, Kathryn Lin Terza and Kirstin Tucker.

WEST SIDE STORY is currently touring the country, and now stars Ross Lekites as Tony, Evy Ortiz as Maria, Michelle Aravena as Anita, Drew Foster as Riff and German Santiago as Bernardo. Also featured are Mike Boland as Schrank, Stephen DeRosa as Glad Hand, Jon Drake as Action, Wally Dunn as Krupke, Alexandra Frohlinger as Anybodys, Jay Garcia as Chino, Casey Garvin as Diesel, Nathan Keen as Big Deal, Harris Milgrim as Snowboy, John O'Creagh as Doc, Christopher Rice as Baby John, Clay Thomson as A-rab, along with Karolina Blonski, Alicia Charles, Lauryn Ciardullo, Dean Andre De Luna, Lori Ann Ferreri, Ryan Ghysels, Tim Hausmann, Nicole Hellman, Laura Irion, Thayne Jasperson, Gizel Jimenez, Eric Anthony Johnson, Patrick Ortiz, Kristen Paulicelli, Christie Portera, Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva, Alexandra Blake Redelico, Michael Scirrotto, Jeffrey C. Sousa, Dani Spieler, Jessica Swesey, Kathryn Lin Terza and Kirstin Tucker.

The tour of the Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to St. Louis. WEST SIDE STORY will close at The Fox Theatre on February 26, 2012.