Micah Young News

Everyone who aspires, aspires greatly.  That is a matter of perspective, but for the individual, their goals are great to them.  Who doesn't think of their goals, and not make them the greatest goals possible?  For each person there are the expectations they create for themselves, but sometimes the expectations are in fact detrimental to obtaining the goal.

Have you ever been to a performance, and wondered what everyone else is listening for?  What do they focus on and what are they hearing?  I ask because after sitting through a performance recently, it seems as though everyone has similar, yet different experiences.  Everyone sees and hears something specific.  

If only we knew what people wanted, life would be easier, right? If we could read each other's minds and anticipate every step along the way in work and personal related matters, what a world this would be. Yet, we do try to do just that, and it ends up in second guessing decisions.

We talk about networking like it's this ubiquitous thing that is a part of everything concerning our businesses.  That is the macro-level; on the micro, personal level, networking is the small meet-ups, the coffee-dates and happy hour drinks.  Networking is wherever we meet, and however our paths cross; the more organic and less orchestrated, the better.

When I was a teenager I played tennis on the school team. I wasn't particularly advanced, and whenever we played the other middle school I was always paired with the more outstanding player. It comes as no surprise that I lost. A lot.

In many circumstances we are taught to believe that failure is not an option.  When we lose at sports or don't finish in first place, we fail.  Anything less than perfection is unacceptable; I've seen this in the performing arts.  The problem is though, we are not nor will we ever be perfect.

It can be difficult to create long lasting relationships and a sense of community while living in a city.  Most performing artists, among other professionals, find themselves thrust in the middle of the urban jungle, and with so many moving parts, feeling centered is a balancing act.  I think we all crave a community in one capacity or another. 

It seems that in theatre, there is more value placed on being an extrovert than an introvert.  Being outgoing means more parties, more dinner and coffee dates.  More exposure to the people that 'matter.'  This is all true.  You don't get seen staying home in your apartment. 

For every theatre production there is usually more than one round of auditions.  There's the open-call, the invited call, the callbacks, each time actors come in to sing the same song,  or something new, or songs given to them from the show.  

Artists rarely choose to be artists for the money.  There are some who make a huge amount and the success from that can propel them into great big careers.  For many of us, we survive from gig to gig.  Regardless what the money turn out to be, or whether we get all the things we want from a contract, it's important to know what you're worth. 

Give me a melody.  Arguably the measure of a show's success lies in its melody; can you walk out of the theatre humming the tune?  If you can, it's sure to be a hit.  That's the test, right?  There are shows that leave the melodies in us, whistling and singing them for days after seeing the show.  That's what commercial theatre is all about; having a good hook, and staying with us, wanting to hear it again and again.

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature the top 10 stories in Norfolk, Cleveland, Austin and more. Check out featured list, which includes a 'chilling' THE PILLOWMAN in Maine, LUNA GALE at Cleveland Play House, and TARZAN at Georgetown Palace Theater, just to name a few.

Tonight, October 29th at 7:00 pm, Quicksilver Radio Theater returns to the EPISCOPAL ACTORS' GUILD with a Halloween production of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Faithfully adapted by Producer CRAIG WICHMAN from the original novel, this world-premiere audio drama explores the tale's themes of life, of death-and of an accursed state which is neither. If you've only seen the movies, you do NOT really know this chilling story.

On Thursday, October 29th at 7:00 pm, Quicksilver Radio Theater returns to the EPISCOPAL ACTORS' GUILD with a Halloween production of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Faithfully adapted by Producer CRAIG WICHMAN from the original novel, this world-premiere audio drama explores the tale's themes of life, of death-and of an accursed state which is neither. If you've only seen the movies, you do NOT really know this chilling story.

The first ever cast recording of the critically-acclaimed musical PAGEANT is now available digitally and on compact disc via select outlets. The cast of the recent revival - nominated for a 2015 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Musical and a 2015 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical Revival - just reunited to launch the Original Cast Recording at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) last night, and BroadwayWorld was there for the special night.

This week at 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Jeremy Jordan at 54 Below; Pageant: The Original Cast Recording Launch Concert; The Music of Paul Gordon: Featuring Sarah Stiles, Jeremy Kushnier, and More; Lauren Worsham: Corsets and Combat Boots; and Tony Yazbeck in 'The Floor Above Me.'

The first ever cast recording of the critically-acclaimed musical PAGEANT will be released today, June 22, 2015, digitally and on compact disc via select outlets. The cast of the recent revival - nominated for a 2015 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Musical and a 2015 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical Revival - will reunite to launch the Original Cast Recording at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) tonight, June 22, 2015, at 9:30pm.

By popular demand, The York Theatre Company and producers Amy Engelhardt and Heather Shields, will present the March edition of the new musical theater game show called Tune in Time, hosted by Emily McNamara. Music direction is by Nate Buccieri, and Sheila Head is the annoyingly insistent timekeeper, on Monday, March 9, 2015 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Additional dates announced include April 5, May 4, with more to come. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m.