by Don Zolidis
A young teacher tries to pull off a production of Guys and Dolls, but putting a musical together is never easy, especially with a megalomaniacal stage manager, a lead who's convinced that Wicked is a much better show, and a girl who is clinically incapable of following directions (she has a doctor's note to prove it). And to make matters worse, there aren't nearly enough guys to be the Guys. A hilarious and poignant look behind the scenes of a drama club production filled with -- what else? -- lots of drama.
To kick off its twelfth season, Men Alive - The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus will welcome a very special guest star: the legendary Liza Minnelli. This concert marks her first appearance in Orange County, CA in almost twenty years.
On this very sad day, BroadwayWorld.com will be sharing memories from around the theatre industry. This piece is written by stage and screen legend and friend of Hamlisch's- Barbra Streisand. To contribute your memories, please contact us.
Composer Marvin Hamlisch, whose latest musical theater work is on display in Nashville in the Broadway-bound production of The Nutty Professor, has died in Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press. He was 68 years old, and his death was made public by a family spokesperson. He is survived by his wife, Terre.
Kummer, who has a lengthy resume of Nashville productions he's either music directed or conducted, leads the band onstage when they are assembled on the bandstand for The Nutty Professor's pep rally production number that closes the show. Clad in sparkly purple vests and green ties (the school colors of fictional Korwin University) designed by Tony Award-winning costumer Ann Hould-Ward, it's a rousing moment when the musicians take the stage. Suffice it to say, Nashville audiences have been vocal and expressive in their reactions since the show's first preview performance on July 24.
With this week's news of the passing of American literary and political icon Gore Vidal at the advanced age of 86, now seems a particularly apt time to look back at a truly anomalous career and some of the highlights of a life lived on pages, stages, planes, trains and many of the most exclusive locales in the world.
Danny Young grew up in the small Wisconsin town of Viola (population 500), the son of a band director, so it should come as absolutely no surprise that he's now plying his trade as a professional musician-a drummer, to be exact-and he's part of the blue-ribbon orchestra playing a brand-new Marvin Hamlisch score every night during performances of The Nutty Professor, A New Musical now onstage at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
On the cusp of its 50th anniversary, the Arts and Education Council announces another major milestone in its history - the purchase of its first home at the Centene Center for Arts and Education. Located in the Grand Center Arts District, the beautiful Gothic-style white glazed terra cotta facade building at 3547 Olive Street is home to 18 arts and arts education organizations. The first of its kind in the St. Louis region, the Centene Center for Arts and Education is an arts incubator that offers below-market rent, shared rehearsal, event and meeting spaces as well as technological infrastructure to all of its tenants.
To think that Hamlisch's involvement in The Nutty Professor goes back to the handshake that sealed the deal between him and the show's creator Jerry Lewis is at once down-to-earth and almost shockingly unbelievable. It could well be the genesis of another musical in and of itself, but make no mistake about it, that's exactly how the story began…
There's just something about Klea Blackhurst: The very first moment you meet her you know you're gonna like her and that, given the chance to perform for you, she's sure to wow you, to put you in your place, to make you fall in love with her. Consider yourself forewarned.
A $5,000 grant from the Arts and Education Council's Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers to McCluer High School to fund a student production of the musical Dreamgirls has led to $156,000 in performing arts scholarships for the Dreamgirls cast and crew. These same students will meet Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday and her cast mates backstage prior to The Muny's performance.
A $5,000 grant from the Arts and Education Council's Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers to McCluer High School to fund a student production of the musical Dreamgirls has led to $156,000 in performing arts scholarships for the Dreamgirls cast and crew. These same students will meet Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday and her cast mates backstage prior to The Muny's performance.
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).
The Broadway-bound new musical THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, premiering next week at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadway favorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan and Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively.
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.
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!
The Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR Musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, is now in rehearsals. Get a sneak peek below!
Second Stage Theatre will conclude its 33rd season with the World Premiere of the new musical, DOGFIGHT, featuring music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Peter Duchan and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. Winner of the prestigious 2011 Richards Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre, DOGFIGHT will be performed at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre this summer.
Roman Holiday begins preview performances on June 9, opens June 15 and continues through August 19 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater. Single tickets start at $29 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.
Second Stage Theatre will conclude its 33rd season with the World Premiere of the new musical, DOGFIGHT, featuring music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Peter Duchan and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. Winner of the prestigious 2011 Richards Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre, DOGFIGHT will be performed at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street) this summer. Go inside the show's first rehearsal below!
New Jersey high school students from West-Windsor Plainsboro High School South, South Hunterdon Regional High School, and Neptune High School, along with their teachers, will gather at McCarter Theatre Center for the 9th Annual Youth Ink! Festival of Plays, Playwrights, and Playwriting today, May 31. The 2011-2012 Youth Ink! Program is sponsored by Verizon Foundation.
Seattle Center today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a long term tenant for the Seattle Center Playhouse, currently occupied by Intiman Theatre. The building, constructed for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, contains a 446-seat auditorium, gracious lobby spaces, a large meeting room, workshop area, a variety of support spaces, and a 3,500 square foot studio/rehearsal hall added in 1998. Seattle Center must receive proposals for future use of the facility by July 13, 2012. It is anticipated the Playhouse will be available for occupancy on January 1, 2013.
New Jersey high school students from West-Windsor Plainsboro High School South, South Hunterdon Regional High School, and Neptune High School, along with their teachers, will gather at McCarter Theatre Center for the 9th Annual Youth Ink! Festival of Plays, Playwrights, and Playwriting on Thursday, May 31. The 2011-2012 Youth Ink! Program is sponsored by Verizon Foundation.
On Stage at Kingsborough announces its Spring 2012 season at The Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center on the campus of Kingsborough Community College. Paul Taylor's Taylor 2 plays tonight, May 5.
Marian S. Heiskell, chairman of the Board of The New 42nd Street since its founding in 1990, has relinquished her post and been named Honorary Chair, Cora Cahan, President of The New 42nd Street announced today. Ms. Heiskell has been succeeded as Chairman by Fiona Howe Rudin, who joined the Board in 2004, and has served as a Vice Chair since 2008.
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