Rupert Holmes News

Today the spotlight falls on Sarah Marie Jenkins. And I've gotta tell you, there's just something about Sarah-she's charming and funny and disarmingly appealing, she's pretty and talented and, well, you're just gonna love her. Hell, I've only shared emails and Facebook messages and posts with her and I'm already crazy about her (but in a talented girl-crush sort of way, not like some creepy stalker kind of way)! Seriously, if you're not just absolutely taken with her after reading this interview, then read it again.

Last week we launched The Nutty Five as our way of welcoming all these talented people into our midst-even the ones who have Nashville connections, like today's star of the show Danny Young, who is the drummer for The Nutty Professor band (who may be just as jazzed up about his new drum set for the show as he is working with Jerry Lewis).

We've been introducing the company's members to Nashville over the past several days and today it is Allison Little's turn to take on our five Nutty questions so that when you see her, you'll feel like you already know her. Or, if you actually do know her already, you can just puff out your chest and say, "I knew her when…"

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the full cast for the new Broadway production of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award® winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The Mystery Of Edwin Drood will star Stephanie J. Block (Edwin Drood), Will Chase (John Jasper), Gregg Edelman (Reverend Mr. Crisparkle), Jim Norton (Chairman) and Chita Rivera (Princess Puffer) with Andy Karl (Neville Landless), Jessie Mueller (Helena Landless), Betsy Wolfe (Rosa Bud), Nicholas Barasch (Deputy), Peter Benson (Bazzard), Robert Creighton (Durdles), Alison Cimmet, Nick Corley, Janine DiVita, Jenifer Foote, Justin Greer, Shannon Lewis, Spencer Plachy, Kiira Schmidt, Eric Sciotto, Jim Walton, Cody Williams.

Welcome to the fifth installment of Music City Confidential, my column to collect the flotsam and jetsam, informationally speaking, of theatre in Tennessee. Sorry for the long delay since the last installment, but I've been theatering my butt off all over the Volunteer State in search of intriguing gossip and riveting news stories just for you, my gentle readers.

The Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadway favorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan, and previously announced Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively. In the video below, Andrew chats about playing the iconic character!

Today, our altogether welcoming (my mama raised me right) spotlight falls on Alex David, who's part of the ensemble and is the double for Julius Kelp/Buddy Love (played by star Michael Andrew), and who is obviously having the time of his life in Nashville. And keep this in mind: Alex may need your help when he's sent flying by a mechanical bull!

Obviously, my mama raised me right-and what better way is there to welcome these newcomers to our midst than with the public airing of some of their most embarrassing moments and the admission of their long-held dreams. Among those enormously gifted artistic types is ensemble member Carly Blake Sebouhian (who fairly drips stage presence in her performance-we got a sneak preview of a few numbers last Wednesday), whose ever-growing resume offers an account of her impressive theatrical experience. Her charm and lovely spirit are sure to set her apart to gain the attention of Nashville audiences who will see her onstage in The Nutty Professor.

Think of it as a newfangled take on our venerated Southern hospitality-my mama raised me right, for goodness' sake-and what's more Southern than welcoming newcomers into our community? Whiskey and barbecue, of course, but until then this column will have to suffice, even if the ensemble's Patrick O'Neill has suffered through some 20 years of barbecue deficiency. Until we can rectify that situation, this is just gonna have to do…

Today's spotlight falls on one very special member of the cast, who just happens to be in every sense of the phrase "Nashville's own…" Meghan Glogower. Graduating from Belmont University's amazing musical theater program in early May, she auditioned for her first Broadway-bound show (aka The Nutty Professor Musical) and was cast! After whirlwind weeks of rehearsal in New York City, she's back in her adopted hometown-Megan's a native of Winter Haven, Florida, which means an invasion of Floridians is expected in the coming weeks, as well-dancing her butt off ahead of the show's opening.

Today's spotlight falls on Ronnie Nelson, who hails from Ammon, North Carolina, and plays Norm in the show. When you go to see The Nutty Professor, keep this is mind: Ronnie's the tall, good-looking guy among an ensemble filled with tall (and not-so-tall), good-looking guys-and he's played Nashville before (as part of the national tour of Cats) and he's got a hankering for some good ol' down-home biscuits and gravy, so I predict you might see him at the Loveless Cafe or Pancake Pantry while he's in town.

Today, our spotlight falls on Blair Goldberg, who's a member of The Nutty Professor's extraordinary ensemble. Get to know her here, then when you see her it won't feel quite so intrusive and nosey when you ask her about the time her haltar top came undone (oh, hell: she has haltar top experience! Give the woman the key to the city now, Mayor Dean…she's definitely one of us!)…

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced a special benefit performance following the smash hit limited engagement of HARVEY on August 5th at 7PM. Roundabout Theatre Company's production of HARVEY, directed by Scott Ellis, was originally scheduled to play its final performance on Sunday, August 5th at 2PM.

Music City has officially gone "Nutty" with the arrival of the company, cast and crew of the Broadway-bound musical The Nutty Professor has taken up residence at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre to make final preparations for their first preview on July 24. Led by director Jerry Lewis, upon whose 1963 classic movie comedy the musical is based, the company was introduced to Nashville media during a press conference Wednesday morning.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadwayfavorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan, and previously announced Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Broadway-bound musical THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, courtesy of set designer David Gallo, who posted the following photos on his Facebook page!

Bristol Riverside Theatre presents Say Goodnight Gracie starring Alan Safier in what's being described as 'a one-man tour-de-force performance' as George Burns at Bristol Riverside Theatre on August 3-5. Performances are Friday, August 3 at 3:00 and 8:00 PM, Saturday, August 4 at 2:00 and 8:00 PM, and Sunday, August 5 at 3:00 PM. Tickets at $35 are available by visiting brtstage.org or calling the BRT Box Office at 215-785-0100. Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA.

The Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR Musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, is now in rehearsals. Get a sneak peek below!

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced casting for the new Broadway production of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award® winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The Mystery Of Edwin Drood will star Stephanie J. Block (Edwin Drood), Will Chase (John Jasper), Gregg Edelman (Reverend Mr. Crisparkle), Jim Norton (Chairman) and Chita Rivera (Princess Puffer) with Andy Karl (Neville Landless), Jessie Mueller (Helena Landless), Betsy Wolfe (Rosa Bud), Nicholas Barasch (Deputy), Peter Benson (Bazzard), Robert Creighton (Durdles), Alison Cimmet, Nick Corley, Justin Greer, Shannon Lewis, Kiira Schmidt, Eric Sciotto, Jim Walton, Cody Williams. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Now that the 2012 awards season has come to a close, BroadwayWorld is looking ahead to an exciting season coming up. This summer/fall Broadway will welcome a plethora of productions - from star-studded revivals to exciting new musicals. Below, we bring you the line-up of officially announced upcoming shows (still subject to change). Don't forget to stay tuned for more even more opening announcements expected soon!