Peter Gregus News

In this episode: Victoria Bailey, Executive Director of TDF, talks about TKTS celebrating 45 years and parent company TDF celebrating 50 years in 2018. TDF (Theatre Development Fund) is an organization that believes the performing arts should be available to everybody. They sell the idea of going to all theatre, not shows in particular and that Broadway is for everyone. Victoria Bailey has been with the company for 17 years, started at Yale, and was the GM at MTC for 19 years. She believes that theatre creates empathy for lives different than our own, that TDF/TKTS has created theatre goers for generations, and is a prime example of having a successful life in the arts separate from the footlights.

In this episode: Broadway's Shannon Lewis grew up in a rural Canadian suburb and at age 19 was hand picked by Susan Stroman to make her Broadway debut, after a 'Crazy for You' casting director saw her in a Toronto theme park show. The essence of this podcast is having integrity, the importance of the respect of your peers, and to have your talent and drive ready, so that when someone opens a door for you, you can walk right in. With an impeccable work ethic that takes every opportunity seriously; whether in the ensemble, as a deputy, or as a principle; as well as having Gwen Verdon as a champion, the real Shannon Lewis is coming out of hiding. @realshanlew 

In this episode: Broadway's Shannon Lewis grew up in a rural Canadian suburb and at age 19 was hand picked by Susan Stroman to make her Broadway debut, after a 'Crazy for You' casting director saw her in a Toronto theme park show. The essence of this podcast is having integrity, the importance of the respect of your peers, and to have your talent and drive ready, so that when someone opens a door for you, you can walk right in. With an impeccable work ethic that takes every opportunity seriously; whether in the ensemble, as a deputy, or as a principle; as well as having Gwen Verdon as a champion, the real Shannon Lewis is coming out of hiding. @realshanlew 

In this episode: Broadway's Shannon Lewis grew up in a rural Canadian suburb and at age 19 was hand picked by Susan Stroman to make her Broadway debut, after a "Crazy for You" casting director saw her in a Toronto theme park show. The essence of this podcast is having integrity, the importance of the respect of your peers, and to have your talent and drive ready, so that when someone opens a door for you, you can walk right in. With an impeccable work ethic that takes every opportunity seriously; whether in the ensemble, as a deputy, or as a principle; as well as having Gwen Verdon as a champion, the real Shannon Lewis is coming out of hiding. @realshanlew 

After a successful run in his one-man show 'I NEVER PROMISED YOU ... ROSE GARDEN', Patrick Rinn returns to The Triad Theater as Rose Garden in the first of his Vaudeville series titled, Rose Garden's Valentine Varieties.

Stephen Flaherty has two shows currently running on Broadway with 'Anastasia' and 'Once on this Island', a Tony award for 'Ragtime' and says that having an artistic faith is the best way to survive as a writer. In this episode he discusses how he had to audition for two of his biggest jobs, what true and honest collaboration is, and that in the theatre medium there is no such thing as final cut. He has learned that some of the best ideas came out of desperation, his greatest songs weren't written sitting in front of a piano, and that eventually you have to make a choice. You will learn soon enough if it was the right one.

In this episode: The topic of race in theatre and the whitewashing on the professional stage with special guests Ann Harada and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Alan H. Green. In this episode, the topics of white privilege, color-blind casting, and the systematic disenfranchisement of people based on the color of their skin are hashed out and discussed at an honest mature level. We live in a time that hatred is spouted so freely, when the ultimate goal should be to see people for what's under their skin. Everyone has an innate worth and sense of equality and that POC are as much as, not less than. The theatre world is known for being all-inclusive, so let's educate ourselves and understand there is enough for everyone.

In this episode: The topic of race in theatre and the whitewashing on the professional stage with special guests Ann Harada and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Alan H. Green. In this episode, the topics of white privilege, color-blind casting, and the systematic disenfranchisement of people based on the color of their skin are hashed out and discussed at an honest mature level. We live in a time that hatred is spouted so freely, when the ultimate goal should be to see people for what's under their skin. Everyone has an innate worth and sense of equality and that POC are as much as, not less than. The theatre world is known for being all-inclusive, so let's educate ourselves and understand there is enough for everyone.

In this episode: James Walsh is a jack of all trades, who masters them all. His newest endeavors include director with 'As Much as I Can,' a theatrical event focusing on HIV infection in the African American community, and as playwright with an original new play beginning previews this weekend at Queens Theatre in the Park. 'Jimmy And Carolyn' is a hysterical, true-to-life world premiere which opens officially September 22nd. Jimmy and wife Carolyn drive from Florida to idyllic Weekapaug, Rhode Island to celebrate Jimmy's birthday at the fancy beach house of their gay son and his life partner from Costa Rica. Once the pepperoni loaf has been devoured, the Italian cookies eaten, the cigarettes smoked, and the Pinot Grigio drunk, amid the laughter, dark truths are exposed as the family struggles to make sense of their irreconcilable memories of the past, and the choices they face as they move forward. In this episode James discusses taking control of ones own career, being impervious to negativity, and the importance of finding the keyhole into the center of your performance. http://queenstheatre.org/jimmy-and-carolyn

UP THE RABBIT HOLE opened Tuesday, September 26th, at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue at 10th Street) for a run through Sunday, October 15th. Andy Halliday and GR Johnson return to Theater for the New City following their acclaimed 2014 collaboration Nothing But Trash with this deeply personal story about a young gay man who has fallen into a world of sex and obsession, and must find his way out. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

In this episode: James Walsh is a jack of all trades, who masters them all. His newest endeavors include director with 'As Much as I Can,' a theatrical event focusing on HIV infection in the African American community, and as playwright with an original new play beginning previews this weekend at Queens Theatre in the Park. 'Jimmy And Carolyn' is a hysterical, true-to-life world premiere which opens officially September 22nd. Jimmy and wife Carolyn drive from Florida to idyllic Weekapaug, Rhode Island to celebrate Jimmy's birthday at the fancy beach house of their gay son and his life partner from Costa Rica. Once the pepperoni loaf has been devoured, the Italian cookies eaten, the cigarettes smoked, and the Pinot Grigio drunk, amid the laughter, dark truths are exposed as the family struggles to make sense of their irreconcilable memories of the past, and the choices they face as they move forward. In this episode James discusses taking control of ones own career, being impervious to negativity, and the importance of finding the keyhole into the center of your performance. http://queenstheatre.org/jimmy-and-carolyn

UP THE RABBIT HOLE, a new play by Andy Halliday and directed by G.R. Johnson, presented by Theater for the New City, began September 21st at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue at 10th Street). The play opens tonight, September 26th, and run through Sunday, October 15th.

UP THE RABBIT HOLE, a new play by Andy Halliday and directed by G.R. Johnson, presented by Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Executive Director) begins performances tomorrow, Thursday, September 21st, at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue at 10th Street). The play will open Tuesday, September 26th and run through Sunday, October 15th.

In this episode: James Walsh is a jack of all trades, who masters them all. His newest endeavors include director with 'As Much as I Can,' a theatrical event focusing on HIV infection in the African American community, and as playwright with an original new play beginning previews this weekend at Queens Theatre in the Park. 'Jimmy And Carolyn' is a hysterical, true-to-life world premiere which opens officially September 22nd. Jimmy and wife Carolyn drive from Florida to idyllic Weekapaug, Rhode Island to celebrate Jimmy's birthday at the fancy beach house of their gay son and his life partner from Costa Rica. Once the pepperoni loaf has been devoured, the Italian cookies eaten, the cigarettes smoked, and the Pinot Grigio drunk, amid the laughter, dark truths are exposed as the family struggles to make sense of their irreconcilable memories of the past, and the choices they face as they move forward. In this episode James discusses taking control of ones own career, being impervious to negativity, and the importance of finding the keyhole into the center of your performance. http://queenstheatre.org/jimmy-and-carolyn

Hamilton and Bandstand's Andy Blankenbuehler has 3 Tony Awards, 3 shows running on Broadway, and 3,000 ideas in his head. He was always determined to be his best and to do this he realized that he had to stop apologizing, accept that problems gave him the best ideas, and that he works best when he is over prepared. He stopped performing because he wanted to tell stories and the ensemble (a group of distinct individuals) is the lens the story is told through. Having had to deal with personal tragedy and suffering, he knows first hand that art heals the soul. He must find an identity and do it as best he can, and that he married a superhero.

In this episode: Broadway Debut Special Episode with Mary Claire King (War Paint) Elliot Mattox (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Kristen Smith Davis (Anastasia). These three talented performers are over the moon about making their debut in the 2017 season. They share their surprises, expectations, and fears and learned that sometimes you just have to stop and breathe. The biggest shock was realizing that when confronted with this ominous task at had, they were more than capable and that when preparation meets opportunity, embrace it.

In this episode: Broadway Debut Special Episode with Mary Claire King (War Paint) Elliot Mattox (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Kristen Smith Davis (Anastasia). These three talented performers are over the moon about making their debut in the 2017 season. They share their surprises, expectations, and fears and learned that sometimes you just have to stop and breathe. The biggest shock was realizing that when confronted with this ominous task at had, they were more than capable and that when preparation meets opportunity, embrace it.

New Bedford Festival Theatre, the Moss Hart award-winning theatre in New Bedford, MA, under the leadership of Producer Armand Marchand is proud to announce its cast for their summer production of MY FAIR LADY. Performances begin July 21 and closes on July 30.

In this episode: Broadway Debut Special Episode with Mary Claire King (War Paint) Elliot Mattox (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Kristen Smith Davis (Anastasia). These three talented performers are over the moon about making their debut in the 2017 season. They share their surprises, expectations, and fears and learned that sometimes you just have to stop and breathe. The biggest shock was realizing that when confronted with this ominous task at had, they were more than capable and that when preparation meets opportunity, embrace it.

Earlier this month, BroadwayWorld announced the results for our second annual Broadway's Backbone Best Musical Ensemble Award, which went to the company of Miss Saigon. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Jake Ryan Flynn helped to present this year's award, and you can check out how it all went down below!