BWW Interview: Let the Sun Shine In: Mark Martino Directs MAMMA MIA at MSMT
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 1, 2016
'We are excited to have the audience open its eyes to some sunshine. [Artistic Director] Curt Dale Clark and I were just saying this morning that this has been an intense season so far, and Fiddler on the Roof and Evita cannot let in much sun. But we stream that light in Mamma Mia, and we hope it will provide a chance to breathe in the joy of the Greek Isles. If we do it right, we will all feel an uplift.'
Director/choreographer Mark Martino is waxing eloquent about his latest project and one which constitutes his Maine State Music Theatre debut: a new production of the 2001 Broadway smash it musical Mamma Mia, based on the songs of ABBA. Martino has what he calls 'a very short history' with the show, having mounted a production for the first time in June of this year at the Theatre Aspen. 'The two will be staged very differently,' he explains. 'Aspen is a 200-seat thrust stage, and here they have a 600-seat proscenium theatre. The Pickard Theater gives me an opportunity to expand the show. Our cast at MSMT is about one third larger than in Colorado - some twenty-seven actors - which is even a bit larger than the twenty-four in the original Broadway production. The production values are going to be large and lavish, and the cast has a huge amount of energy, so for me it is an opportunity to revisit the show and make different pictures and entirely different choreography.'
Megan McGinnis-Led SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Begins Tonight at The Old Globe
by BWW News Desk - Jul 6, 2016
The Old Globe presents the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015.
Megan McGinnis to Star in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at The Old Globe; Cast, Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Jun 21, 2016
The Old Globe has announced the complete cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of Paul Gordon's delightfully romantic new musical SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, developed with Rick Boynton and presented in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was commissioned and had its world premiere in April 2015.
Photo Coverage: Pittsburgh CLO's CHICAGO!
by Jessica Fallon Gordon - Jun 17, 2016
Set inside the sensationalized female murderess craze that swept 1920s Chicago, CHICAGO draws its audience into a world of crime and glitz against the vivid backdrop of the jazz age. A first time production for Pittsburgh CLO, CHICAGO is sure to be 'all that jazz' and more!
Broadway Veterans to Lead Pittsburgh CLO's CHICAGO
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 7, 2016
Set inside the sensationalized female murderess craze that swept 1920s Chicago, CHICAGO draws its audience into a world of crime and glitz against the vivid backdrop of the jazz age. A first time production for Pittsburgh CLO, CHICAGO is sure to be 'all that jazz' and more!
Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID Opens in June at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
by Tyler Peterson - May 13, 2016
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT invite you to journey "Under The Sea" as it presents the fifth and final show of its 2015-2016 season, THE LITTLE MERMAID, music by Alan Menkcn, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, book by Doug Wright, musical direction by Colin R. Freeman, choreography by John MacInnis and directed by Glenn Casale.
Enrollment Now Open for Light Opera Works' 2016 Summer Workshop
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 25, 2016
Light Opera Works is now accepting enrollments for the 2016 Musical Theater Summer Workshop. Young people ages 8 to 13 will learn singing, dancing and acting in preparation for a free public performance, where family and friends are invited to watch them perform a mini-musical. No experience or audition required, and everyone gets a part.
Photo Flash: First Look at KISS ME, KATE at Maltz Jupiter Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Mar 11, 2016
What do you get when you combine Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew with Cole Porter's music and lyrics? A musical that is just too darn hot! Follow the backstage story of feuding couples, raging egos, gamblers and gangsters in the beloved Tony Award-winning musical KISS ME, KATE, onstage now through March 27 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Celebrate the joys, madness and rewards of working in the theater -- both onstage and off. Brush up your Shakespeare and don't miss this witty and delightful musical. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Lisa Howard, Beth Leavel and More Set for AMERICAN SHOWSTOPPERS Tribute to Cole Porter Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2016
AMERICAN SHOWSTOPPERS, featuring Fred Barton & His Orchestra in 'An Evening with Cole Porter', stars a cast of today's best Broadway performers. The concerts take place at Pace University's Schimmel Center in New York tonight, March 4 at 7:30 PM and then Kingsborough Community College's 'On Stage at Kingsborough' in Brooklyn tomorrow, March 5 at 8:00 PM.
Spiro and Kind Join Tompsett In Phoenix West End Transfer Of GUYS AND DOLLS!
by Carrie Dunn - Feb 16, 2016
Following critical acclaim at the Savoy Theatre, the Chichester Festival Theatre revival of Guys and Dolls will be extending its run at the Phoenix Theatre from 19 March 2016. Casting for the West End extension includes multiple Olivier Award-winning actress Samantha Spiro (Hello Dolly) as Miss Adelaide, Richard Kind (Disney/Pixar's BAFTA award-wining Inside Out) as Nathan Detroit and Oliver Tompsett (Wicked) as Sky Masterson. Continuing in their roles from the Savoy to the Phoenix Theatre are Siubhan Harrison as Sarah Brown, and Gavin Spokes as Nicely Nicely Johnson.
WAKE UP with BWW 2/3/2016 - Alice & Emily Reunite, Nathan Lane and More!
by Jessica Khan - Feb 3, 2016
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: THE WEDGE HORSE opens off-Broadway and SIDE SHOW stars Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner reunite in concert this evening!
BWW Review: Rousing New 42ND STREET Tour Dazzles OC with Its Fancy Footwork
by Michael L. Quintos - Nov 16, 2015
Need a pick-me-up from a bad day? Aching to smile heartily through a pleasantly peppy stage musical? Then you need not look further than the rousing, just-launched new touring production of the Tony Award-winning hit 42ND STREET, now currently entertaining audiences at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through November 22. Earnestly cheerful and unabashedly optimistic, this feel-good, all-singing, all-dancing 1980 stage adaptation of Busby Berkeley's classic 1933 movie musical is back on the road in a brand new, non-Equity national tour directed by co-writer Mark Bramble, who earned a Tony nomination for directing the Tony-winning 2001 Broadway revival. Aside from its Broadway-caliber creative aspects, this new tour succeeds tremendously thanks to its young, energetic, and incredibly likable ensemble cast that brings vim and vigor to the aging Great-Great-Grand-Daddy of all backstage musicals.
Robert O'Hara's BARBECUE Opens Tonight at The Public
by BWW News Desk - Oct 8, 2015
The Public Theater presents the world premiere of BARBECUE, written by Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara. Directed by Kent Gash, BARBECUE began previews on September 22 and runs through Sunday, November 1, with an official press opening tonight, October 8.
Weston Playhouse Theatre Company's 2016 Season to Include MAMMA MIA! & More
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 24, 2015
Vermont's Weston Playhouse Theatre Company is turning 80, and in anticipation of a remarkable 2-year celebration, it has unveiled the plans for its 2016 MainStage season in American Theatre magazine. Audiences can expect a line-up distinguished by groundbreaking partnerships, collaborations with major stars, and the Vermont Premiere of one of Broadway's longest-running hits. Producing Artistic Director Steve Stettler comments, 'We've pulled out all the stops for our 80th anniversary, and this sneak peek at the four productions that will grace the Playhouse stage is just the beginning.'