Michele Ragusa News

Buffalo, NY - The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra brings all of the sounds of the season to Western New Yorkers. The holiday festivities kick off on Thanksgiving weekend, when the BPO joins Neglia Ballet Artists at Shea's Buffalo for the classic ballet, 'The Nutcracker.' Erin Freeman will lead the orchestra. Audiences can experience this beloved tradition at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Tickets are available by visiting www.sheas.org or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

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Primary Stages held their annual Gala last night, November 11, at The Edison Ballroom (240 W. 47th Street). The event honored Tony Award-winning playwright Christopher Durang and President of the General Counsel at Dramatists Play Service, Stephen Sultan. The evening featured performances by Rachel deBenedet (Catch Me If You Can, Addams Family), Alan Paul (Grease, Oliver!, Manhattan Transfer), Michele Ragusa (Urinetown, Ragtime, A Class Act, Adrift in Macao), and Alton F. White (The Color Purple, The Lion King, Ragtime). BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos below!

Primary Stages has announced that their annual Gala will take place Monday, November 11, 2013 at The Edison Ballroom (240 W. 47th Street). The event will honor Tony Award-winning playwright Christopher Durang and President of the General Counsel at Dramatists Play Service, Stephen Sultan. The Gala Chairs are Catherine Adler and HBO. The Tony nominated star of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Kristine Nielsen, will offer a tribute to Mr. Durang. Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley will offer a tribute to Mr. Sultan. The evening will feature performances by Rachel DeBenedet (Catch Me If You Can, Addams Family), Alan Paul (Grease, Oliver!, Manhattan Transfer), Michele Ragusa (Urinetown, Ragtime, A Class Act, Adrift in Macao), and Alton F. White (The Color Purple, The Lion King, Ragtime).

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical Disaster! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, is directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Playing at St. Luke's Theatre, Disaster! just opened last night, November 4. Tickets are: $49.50-$79.50 and can be purchased at www.DisasterMusical.com. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the after party festivities below!

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's DISASTER! a 70s Disaster Movie Musical is a laugh-out-loud musical spoof of 70s disaster flicks, featuring repurposed hits from the decade.

DISASTER!, a 1970's disaster movie musical written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick began previews Off-Broadway on Monday, October 14th at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street). Directed by Mr. Plotnick, with choreography by Denis Jones, DISASTER! is a hilarious send up of the disaster movie genre featuring some favorite songs from the '70s. Opening night is Monday November 4th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Mary J. Davis presents DISASTER!, written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, at St. Luke's Theatre beginning today, October 14, and opening Monday, November 4. DISASTER! is a musical based on 1970's disaster movies with a score consisting of 1970's pop, rock and disco hit songs. Directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Disaster! previously ran in 2012. For more information, visit www.disastermusical.com.

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical Disaster! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, will be directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Playing at St. Luke's Theatre, Disaster! will begin performances tonight, October 14, opening Monday, November 4. Tickets are: $49.50-$79.50 (previews - $39.50-$69.50) and can be purchased atwww.DisasterMusical.com. The cast met the press last week and you can check out complete photo coverage below!

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical DISASTER! presented by Mary J. Davis, proudly announces its full cast. Written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, DISASTER! will be directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Playing at St. Luke's Theatre, DISASTER! will begin performances on October 14, opening Monday, November 4. Tickets are: $49.50-$79.50 (previews - $39.50-$69.50) and can be purchased at www.DisasterMusical.com

Mary J. Davis will present DISASTER! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, at St. Luke's Theatre starting on October 14, opening Monday, November 4. DISASTER! is a musical based on 1970's disaster movies with a score consisting of 1970's pop, rock and disco hit songs. Directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Disaster! previously ran in 2012.

Broadway actress Michele Ragusa (Young Frankenstein, Urinetown, Ragtime) is no stranger to taking on major roles in the world of musical theater as she did when she took over for Megan Mullally in Young Frankenstein or when she was a replacement in Urinetown covering the roles of Penny and Hope. But now, Ragusa has taken on an iconic role that not only seems to suit her, but one that critics are raving about. The role, made famous by the legendary Ethel Merman is of course Mama Rose in Gypsy. Ragusa is currently playing the 'ultimate show business mother' at The Hangar Theater (which took home 9 awards at the 2012 Broadway World Awards) through this weekend. Scroll down for a first look at her in action!

The Hangar Theatre continues its 39th season with one of the greatest American musicals of all time, Gypsy, which runs from tonight, July 4-20. Distinguished by more than 45 awards and nominations - including the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards - Gypsy has been revived on Broadway four times. Gypsy was inspired by the memoirs of the legendary burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee. This gripping story follows the ultimate stage mother, determined to catapult her daughters to stardom in the waning 1920s vaudeville circuit. It's filled with Styne and Sondheim's popular standards, including 'Everything's Coming up Roses,' 'Small World,' 'Let Me Entertain You,' 'All I Need Is the Girl,' and 'Rose's Turn.'

The Hangar Theatre continues its 39th season with one of the greatest American musicals of all time, Gypsy, which runs from July 4-20. Distinguished by more than 45 awards and nominations - including the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards - Gypsy has been revived on Broadway four times. Gypsy was inspired by the memoirs of the legendary burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee. This gripping story follows the ultimate stage mother, determined to catapult her daughters to stardom in the waning 1920s vaudeville circuit. It's filled with Styne and Sondheim's popular standards, including 'Everything's Coming up Roses,' 'Small World,' 'Let Me Entertain You,' 'All I Need Is the Girl,' and 'Rose's Turn.'

Torrential rains beforehand, a late start, and even technical issues couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the cast SPAMALOT, which is currently playing The Muny. I brought my young son along to the show since he'd enjoyed the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, that it's based on, and I'm happy to report that he laughed at the silliness on display repeatedly. I myself have issues with this hodgepodge of scenes cobbled from the cult film, and in fact, it is the additional elements that book writer and Python member Eric Idle included, along with a couple of fresh songs he's written with frequent collaborator John Du Prez, that really stand out to me in this parody/homage. One thing's for sure, a game cast led by John O'Hurley delivered a hilarious presentation under less than ideal conditions this past Monday at the Muny.

The Muny presents John O'Hurley in the first show of its fantastic 95th Season, Monty Python's Spamalot, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones. The show opened last night, June 17, and you can check out photos from the show and after party below!

Michelle Ragusa stars in The Muny's production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT as The Lady of the Lake, alongside John O'Hurley as King Arthur this summer. In these conversations with Muny Executive Producer, Mike Isaacson Michelle discusses Ragusa's hilarious and captivating character, and O'Hurley's comedic chops. Click below!

The 39th season of the Hangar Theatre includes a thrilling line-up of plays and musicals including a favorite farce, a Tony-winning musical, and two regional premieres and features an array of exciting Broadway talent. The season takes off with Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers (June 13-29) followed by the premiere of a strikingly innovative concept of the Tony-winning best musical Gypsy (July 4-20). The regional premiere of Amy Herzog's critically acclaimed play 4000 Miles (July 25-August 3) is next, followed by the regional premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris (August 8-17).

As previously announced, John O'Hurley will star as King Arthur. Also starring will be Michelle Ragusa as The Lady of the Lake, Kevin Cahoon as Historian, John Scherer as Sir Robin, David Hibbard as Patsy, Chris Hoch as Sir Lancelot, Ben Davis as Sir Dennis Galahad, and Tally Sessions as Dennis' Mother/Sir Bedevere. Joining them will be broadcast legend Bob Costas as The Voice of God.