Neil Haskell News

In this episode: Felicia Finley, soon to be in The Muny's 'All Shook Up' was born in the Appalachian Mountains, raised in New Orleans, and simply tells it like it is. She started off in ballet, toured, was in the ensemble, was a swing, and then a stand-by and now cemented herself as a leading lady. It was Cy Colman who pushed her to embrace centerstage. Felicia is a woman that has the motto: know who you are, be yourself, and clip coupons along the way.

In this episode: Keenah Armitage began her career as a modern dancer, performed on Broadway and at Radio City, and now is a thriving success coach. With the goal of eradicating the term 'starving artist,' Keenah inspires and encourages musical theatre performers to clearly focus on their career intentions, overcoming fear, taking one's power back, and to truly accept: what's mine is mine. With a philosophy that there is plenty for everyone and abundance is a reality, Keenah begins her coaching with first discovering how to detach from the outcome.

In this episode: Katrina Yaukey of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, is a quadruple threat, having made a Broadway career singing, dancing, acting and playing instruments; which she feels is just an extension of her voice. She is equally talented at all four and has found her niche. Kat has embraced her uniqueness and has combined her individually with her marketability. She was an oboe major in school, made her Broadway debut after submitting a cassette tape, and today runs up and down stairs at the Imperial Theatre with hot pink in her hair, playing an accordion.

In this episode: School of Rock's Jay Gill and Wagner Professor Alan Smith share their insights of being on the fronts lines with a Broadway ensemble member. Being a dresser is so much more than the wardrobe. Its about personality navigation, people-skills, knowing that connections go a long way, and that life and ensembles are best when they are a mix of people. Whether dealing with giraffe heads or ball gowns, cowboy boots or spike heels, at the end of the day, a simple thank you can be priceless.

 In this episode: Broadway's Beth Johnson Nicely was just thrust back into the audition world after the closing of Something Rotten, but with her tap shoes in hand she is forever moving forward. New York has forced this Ohio gal to grow up in the business, but it hasn't darkened her truly nice spirit.  She may not carry headshots developed in her high school darkroom in her purse anymore, but this sweet girl knows the difference between being sexy verses sexual, is self aware,  and will continue to love learning; because that is what makes her strong (and also Body by Simone).

 In this episode: Adam Perry of the Public's Joan of Arc: Into the Fire grew up in the rural mountains of conservative Tennessee, where he learned how to hide his true self. Since then, he's reinvented himself from an awkward teen in husky jeans into one of Broadways most sought after male ensemble members. This southern gentleman talks about the realities of social media, how he never thought he'd be 'cool' enough to be on Broadway and how his biggest dream was to be a performer at Dollywood (which is actually where he was when he found out he would make his Broadway debut).

#EduHam is a series of HAMILTON Wednesday matinees made available to New York City schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families for the ticket price of only $10. This educational partnership, made possible through a $1.46 million grant by The Rockefeller Foundation, is not only providing 20,000 NYC public school students with the opportunity to see HAMILTON on Broadway, but provides educational material by Gilder Lehrman to incorporate material from the musical into the American History curriculum.

 IN TRANSIT's Nicholas Ward made his Broadway debut in his mid-30s in ON THE TOWN and now has a featured role in the a cappella musical, where he is the foundation of the chord. Growing up 'in the sticks' he never dreamed he'd be creating music on Broadway, but with some faith, a good foundation, and the trust that life will come full circle, he is on the rise. It's his appreciation of magical moments that makes him so congenial, but it's his knowledge that they must be shared that makes him so special. 

In this episode: Asolo Rep's Miss Adelaide, Veronica J Kuehn, has currently given up her gypsy robe for a mink stole in 'Guys and Dolls'. She sacrificed walking on graduation to make her Broadway debut and continued a career in bikinis, on roller skates, and with puppets. In this episode she shares things she wished she'd known before hitting NYC, breaking away from the ensemble, and how being focused and fearless paved the way for a young chorine to become a leading lady.

#EduHam is a series of HAMILTON Wednesday matinees made available to New York City schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families for the ticket price of only $10. This educational partnership, made possible through a $1.46 million grant by The Rockefeller Foundation, is not only providing 20,000 NYC public school students with the opportunity to see HAMILTON on Broadway, but provides educational material by Gilder Lehrman to incorporate material from the musical into the American History curriculum. Check out photos from the latest #EduHam below!

#EduHam is a series of HAMILTON Wednesday matinees made available to New York City schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families for the ticket price of only $10. This educational partnership, made possible through a $1.46 million grant by The Rockefeller Foundation, is not only providing 20,000 NYC public school students with the opportunity to see HAMILTON on Broadway, but provides educational material by Gilder Lehrman to incorporate material from the musical into the American History curriculum. Check out photos from the latest #EduHam below!

Alysha Deslorieux, J. Quinton Johnson, Bryan Terrell Clark, Taran Killam and Anthony Lee Medina will join the Broadway cast of Hamilton in principal roles, it has been announced by producer Jeffrey Seller.

Finally! BroadwayWorld is excited to share a first look at HAMILTON's new stars making history onstage every night in New York City. Scroll down for the stunning shots!

In this episode: Todd Anderson began is career with Twyla Tharp, made his Broadway debut with Hugh Jackman, and then went on to cover 36 tracks in 4 different companies as Wicked's universal swing. He grew up in Texas in the 80s when being 'different' wasn't always easy. With the mantra of 'I just never thought I couldn't,' he pounded the pavement, dancing with the skill of finding his quiet place to survive the concrete jungle.

Actor and Hollywood Records recording artist, Jordan Fisher makes his Broadway debut in Hamilton when he begins performances as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton tonight, November 22.

In this episode: Wes Pope & Richie Mastascusa have performed on Broadway, the West End, and at Radio City Music Hall. They've graced the silver screen and television in everything from Gap commercials to Dr. Oz. They we the first gay couple to be on 'Fear Factor' and are known for facing the fear factor of the next chapter of their careers. The thing that makes this episode so special is their joy of life or 'joie de vivre'. They solve everything from showbiz to politics with laughter, and its contagious. In today's climate, listen to these two talented men face the unknown, giggling all the way.

Actor and Hollywood Records recording artist, Jordan Fisher will make his Broadway debut in Hamilton when he begins performances as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton on Tuesday, November 22.

In this episode: Broadway's Michael Cusumano won the World's top medal for ballet at the age of 14 in Bulgaria, and at 15 was the youngest company member of ABT. In this episode, Michael talks about his transition from the ballet world to the world of musical theatre, how he confronted male body issues and learned to not hate his body, and says that teaching is what currently fills his heart. He has dealt with bullying and self-doubt, but has made brave decisions about his career because he now follows his inner-voice.

Tony Award nominee Christopher Jackson will play George Washington in the Broadway production of HAMILTON one last time on Sunday, November 13. Jackson is currently filming CBS-TV's 'Bull' and has recorded an original song written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the new Disney film Moana in theaters this November. Mr. Jackson originated the role of George Washington and has played the role in HAMILTON since the musical began performances last year at the Public Theater.

Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has won the Nobel Prize in Literature 'for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.' Dylan is the first American to win the esteemed prize since Toni Morrison in 1993.