Peter Gregus News

After receiving degrees in Performing Arts, Choreography and Directing from Emerson College, Patrick Rinn was whisked away to N.Y.C. with Grand Hotel - The Musical as a Production Assistant and found himself working for 10 Time Tony award winner, Tommy Tune as his personal assistant. After taking a brief break from his duties and dabbling in some TV and movie work.

The producers of the Tony, Grammy & Olivier Award-Winning Best Musical Jersey Boysannounced today that Nicolas Dromard and Drew Seeley will join the Broadway cast in the roles of Tommy DeVito and Bob Gaudio (respectively) beginning Tuesday, September 20th. Richard H. Blake and Quinn VanAntwerp will play their final performances this Sunday, September 18th.

The producers of the Tony, Grammy & Olivier Award-Winning Best Musical Jersey Boys announced today that the Broadway production will end its record-breaking, 11-year run on Sunday, January 15, 2017 after 4,642 performances at the August Wilson Theatre (245 W 52nd St, NYC).

In this episode: Wicked's Jerad Bortz has lit up the Gershwin stage for 11 years and has the attitude of, 'I get to do this everyday' and shares that experience with his cast and audience. After getting his first encouragement from his Grandma, he learned how to swing in a theme park (36 tracks), made his Broadway in Mamma Mia!, and says 'Yes' to life.

In this episode: Janelle A. Robinson trained in opera but always had a love for musical theatre. She has cake walked to "Can't Help Loving that Man" and gave out letters in "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' Janelle talks about being classical trained, becoming a a teacher, race relations in theater, her truth on the myths of non traditional casting, and still being miffed she didn't get cast as Maria in "Sound of Music' as child.

Kinky Boots' Nathan Peck gives an honest take on the reality of aging as a dancer, the toll injuries take on the mind (not just the body), and the sadness one feels when one just cant do what he used to. That being said, Nathan is embracing becoming a character man, loves choreography as just acting with movement, is just a natural comedian, and can still kick 171 degrees. (loosing the 19 degrees is only noticeable to him)

In this episode: On Your Feet's David Baida- If you were to combine phrases like: 'Slow and steady wins the race,' 'Don't give up on your dreams,' 'Perseverance is the key,' you'd find the career of David Baida. His story spans 20 years of not giving up, finding his creativity outside NYC and within himself, and leaving the business many times. Now he can say its because of Lin-Manuel Miranda that he's working with Gloria Estefan.

Following a very well-received staged reading at the Manhattan Theatre Club on June 20, The Platform Group is pleased to announce that Shara Ashley Zeiger's gritty work Roughly Speaking, based on over 200 interviews with New York City's homeless at Xavier Mission Welcome Table Soup Kitchen, will be presented at Tada Theater, located at 15 West 28 Street, from October 29 - November 20, 2016.

In this episode: Susann Fletcher- a whore for Tommy Tune, a Stripper for Jerome Robbins, and a damsel in distress in Bloodsucking Pharoahs in Pittsburgh. She has enough career stories to fill a novel. At her emotional core she is just grateful to still be in this business with her tribe. She plans to continue to break down barriers, mentor the future, and persevere when the inner demons want to set up shop in her head. All the greatness came out of the need to correct a childhood club foot.

Earlier this month, BroadwayWorld announced the results for our first annual Broadway's Backbone Best Musical Ensemble Award, which went to the company of Allegiance. Darren Lee accepted the award on behalf of his cast, with the help of Broadway favorite Sean Palmer and you can check out how it all went down below!

In this episode: Elma Linz Kanefield is the only exclusive psychotherapist dealing specifically with the performing artist in New York City. She created the counseling services at Juilliard 30 years ago by herself and now it thrives with ten social workers. She discusses getting unstuck, getting out of your own way, training your gut and most importantly, the need to change self-talk and the insidious thinking that prevents performers from reaching their performance potential.

In this episode: Broadway Costume Designer Gregg Barnes- In order for the ensemble to finish the storytelling, they need certain tools, and costumes are one of them.  Two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes treats designing the ensemble as if each member is the star of the show.  His goal isn't only to make every person on stage look beautiful, but feel beautiful. In one of the most joyful interviews, this artistic genius talks about how to communicate with the designer, how the fitting room can be part of the characters creation, and how important it is to give everyone their dignity. 

In this episode: Tripp Hanson is currently in Act 2 of his career, and he sees the possibility of there being four. Tripp started as a street performer, landed on Broadway, toured with Tommy Tune, and now is an acupuncturist with his own practice. Few people are given the arts of healing and musical theatre, but Tripp is a one of a kind creation. When asked how it feels to have left showbiz, he responded, 'I didn't leave my tribe, I just went from warrior to medicine man.'

In this episode: Broadways Scott Barnhardt- Scott was saying "Hello" years before Adele. As a self-proclaimed theatre nerd, this Book of Mormon original cast member discusses the differences between a workshop and a lab, how to survive a bad review and dares to ask the questions, "What else is out there?" 

In this episode: Susan Stroman maybe the most awarded female director/choreographer in history, but it is her truth as an artist that has made her work ever-evolving. She deservedly has received legendary status and her contributions to the theatre are far from over. In this podcast, "Stro" shares inspiration, guidance, laughter, and reality: with  a  quantity of quotes that are mantra-worthy.  It is Stroman's love for the theatre, respect for the craft and compassion for the performer that makes her an extraordinary woman in a creative yet complicated career. 

In this episode: Sean Palmer- Before he was Prince Eric he was swinging and dancing Fosse, Cilento, and Blankenbuehler. Sean shares how to survive a face plant, find your magic, and come to terms with when your insides don't match your outside. At the heart of the interview is a shy leading man finding his true  authentic self in a industry of judgement. ?

Just announced, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Jersey Boys will welcome Mauricio Perez and Dominic Scaglione Jr., alternating in the role of 'Frankie Valli' at all performances beginning this week.

In this episode: Waitress' Lorin Latarro- as choreographer of Broadway's "Waitress', Lorin is serving as her main course storytelling through movement that is organic and inventive. As an artist, her menu has included: Swing, Understudy, Ensemble, Dance Captain, and Associate Choreographer. For dessert, make sure you grab a slice of her girl power. 

In this episode: Broadway's Mary Ann Lamb. If you look up the word 'powerhouse' in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Mary Ann Lamb.  She lives her life fully onstage and off, and is a prime example of how you do one thing influences how you do another. She talks about the legends she's worked with, but in the eyes of the theatre community, she herself is a legend. 

In this episode: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF's Jeffrey Schecter (aka Scheky) has understudied the masters, created his own path, and worked non-stop since putting on his tap shoes. After making his big break as 'Mike' in A CHORUS LINE and gaining recognition from "Every Little Step," he is gracious and grateful that the ensemble is a home he can return to, even if just temporarily.