Give Me Your Answer, Do! 1999 - Articles Page 22

Josh Lamon is truly living his dream. A self-admitted theater geek, Josh has spent the past few years making a name for himself on the boards, most recently in the Broadway cast of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Originally from San Diego, Josh can currently be seen as crowd favorite Margaret Mead in the First National Tour of the 2009 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, which continues performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts through February 6. Josh recently chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos about life on tour and offers some inside dish on his HAIR-raising co-stars.

Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to discuss career past, present and future with highly-acclaimed stage and screen star - having appeared in films as diverse as WOLVERINE, SALT, DEFIANCE, TAKING WOODSTOCK, the SCREAM trilogy, RANSOM and the remake of THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, and in stage roles ranging from Mamet to Miller to Shakespeare - Liev Schreiber, on the eve of the debut of his newest feature film EVERY DAY co-starring Helen Hunt, Carla Gugino, Eddie Izzard and Brian Dennehy, written/directed by Richard Levine. In this exclusive conversation, Schreiber and I discuss his first roles on stage and on screen, favorite characters, sharing life and the screen with partner Naomi Watts, comments on his VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE co-star Scarlett Johansson and that highly-lauded 2009 revival of the play, what we can expect from him onstage in the future - Shakespeare perhaps? - and all about EVERY DAY. Plus, we find out what sequels to his many blockbuster movies - WOLVERINE 2? SALT 2? SCREAM 4 - he may or may not be in and his first comments on the new film he co-stars in with Watts, MOVIE 43. Schreiber's acute thoughtfulness and razor-sharp perceptivity inform his superlative acting choices onstage and onscreen as much as they do his everyday conversation, as became quite clear to me in his quick-witted responses. EVERY DAY opens in NY and LA tomorrow with a wider release planned after that and be sure to stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for an upcoming interview with the writer and director of EVERY DAY, Richard Levine of FX's NIP/TUCK.

Last month, on a quest to find out how Broadway Moms balance the demands of parenthood with the demands of a busy show schedule, I interviewed Supermom/Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur. Marissa provided a lot of validation and a ton of inspiration, but I was still left wondering how NY actors do it. Marissa found a terrific solution....move to Hollywood and become a TV star. While that option sounds very appealing, I think my voicemail must be broken because I haven't gotten a single message from any of the networks asking me to star in their next primetime series. Don't you just hate AT&T?

Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre today announced that, due to popular demand, the world premiere comedy, starring Helen Hayes Award winners Sherri L. Edelen (Signature's Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables) and Nancy Robinette, written and directed by Helen Hayes Awardee Joe Calarco (Signature's Side Show and Assassins), will now run from October 26 through December 26, 2010.

In a conversation encapsulating everything from Albee and WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF to Aristophanes and Virginia Woolf herself - and even a little Stephen King - this concluding portion of this exclusive interview with this remarkably gifted actor ends with a look ahead to LEAP OF FAITH. Plus, what's on his iPod, what books he's reading, and a whole lot more!

Here is the second part of our three-part discussion, in which Esparza and I analyze his roles and performances in plays, as well as a thorough discussion of the art of acting - and, additionally, a chat about roles he would like to play in the future, both near and far.

In this exclusive interview with BroadwayWorld, Raul Esparza takes a comprehensive look back at his spectacular rise to fame from this time ten years ago in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW on Broadway, his first New York stage role, to now, with career-defining reviews for the out-of-town tryout of the new Alan Menken musical LEAP OF FAITH - as well as his sold-out American Songbook concerts early next year in New York. What does the future hold for Raul Esparza onscreen and onstage? Will it be Shakespeare or Sondheim or something completely new? Mamet or MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG? You may very well find your answer here.

Stephen Sondheim to Jerry Herman to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael John LaChiusa to Kander & Ebb to Dempsey & Rowe, PUTTING IT TOGETHER to MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on Broadway - the phenomenally gifted co-founder of the Signature Theater is one of the brightest lights in directing today - whether in regional theatre or on Broadway or the West End - and a mere glance at his resume reveals many of the reasons why. Discussing the current production of SUNSET BOULEVARD opening later this month at the Signature, plus a complete rundown of the upcoming Kennedy Center production of FOLLIES, in this, his most comprehensive interview to date, Eric Schaeffer bares all and reveals what makes his productions shine so bright on Broadway and beyond.

Over the course of our ninety minute conversation earlier this week, Tony-winning Broadway star Alice Ripley was kind enough to open up about her role in the phenomenon of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL, which is now kicking off a US Tour beginning in Los Angeles, as well as offer thoughts on many of her significant stage roles that she has taken on over the course of her impressive and varied career. Pete Townshend and THE WHO'S TOMMY to Andrew Lloyd Webber and SUNSET BOULEVARD and TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, to Sondheim with COMPANY (as the greatest Amy of all time), and even a turn in ROCKY HORROR; Alice Ripley has seemingly done it all, and her passion, dedication and insight into her craft are amply evident in both her studied performances on stage as well as in discussing the art of acting in musical theatre in conversation and what she has taken as her inspirations to play Diana Goodman, ranging from Albee to O'Neill to actors like Cynthia Nixon, Toni Collette and more. In this portion of her most comprehensive interview to date, BroadwayWorld is proud to present Part I of InDepth InterView: Alice Ripley.

Actor and comedian Jackie Hoffman is currently starring as Grandma Addams in The Addams Family, and later this month, Hoffman will be bringing her all-new solo show, 'Jackie Five-Oh!: A Celebration of Jackie Hoffman's First 50th Birthday,' to Joe's Pub. The show will feature Hoffman's trademark humor and original songs, including two that she wrote for Grandma Addams. Hoffman won the 2003 Theatre World Award for her role in Hairspray and has previously appeared on Broadway in Xanadu.

Today, we are talking to the international TV icon herself - most recently having conquered Sirius satellite radio - the incomparable comedienne, actress, activist, filmmaker, producer, writer and stage performer Rosie O'Donnell. In this BWW WORLD EXCLUSIVE InDepth InterView we discuss her upcoming comedy show at Town Hall as part of the New York Comedy Festival coming up this Friday, November 4th, as well as the first news about her new daytime hour-long television discussion show on Oprah's OWN Network beginning in September of next year, plus plans for a New York art gallery showing of her art in 2011 and hopes to return to Broadway in James Lapine's thirtieth anniversary revival of the beloved musical ANNIE - making a girlhood dream come true. All this, and a top-to-bottom discussion of all things Broadway - from Rosie's Theater Kids and their self-written musical MY LIFE that just premiered at NYMF, to her own favorite shows, songs, scores, divas and Broadway performance highlights from her own talk show, to TABOO and her theories on what makes Broadway an American institution. Plus, the first news of her role on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM Season Eight! Over the course of our engaging and enlivening conversation Rosie proved she is the Queen of Nice in addition to being that unparalleled queen of Broadway patronage. See why - and much, much more - here.

Today, we are talking to the international TV icon herself - most recently having conquered Sirius satellite radio - the incomparable comedienne, actress, activist, filmmaker, producer, writer and stage performer Rosie O'Donnell. In this BWW WORLD EXCLUSIVE InDepth InterView we discuss her upcoming comedy show at Town Hall as part of the New York Comedy Festival coming up this Friday, November 4th, as well as the first news about her new daytime hour-long television discussion show on Oprah's OWN Network beginning in September of next year, plus plans for a New York art gallery showing of her art in 2011 and hopes to return to Broadway in James Lapine's thirtieth anniversary revival of the beloved musical ANNIE - making a girlhood dream come true. All this, and a top-to-bottom discussion of all things Broadway - from Rosie's Theater Kids and their self-written musical MY LIFE that just premiered at NYMF, to her own favorite shows, songs, scores, divas and Broadway performance highlights from her own talk show, to TABOO and her theories on what makes Broadway an American institution. Plus, the first news of her role on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM Season Eight! Over the course of our engaging and enlivening conversation Rosie proved she is the Queen of Nice in addition to being that unparalleled queen of Broadway patronage. See why - and much, much more - here.

A friendly giant known best for his devilish and, at times, demonic lead roles in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW as Frank N. Furter, the eponymous DRACULA and the first replacement cast of THE LION KING as Scar - in addition to his current essaying of the role of the lecherous lawyer Billy Flynn in the smash hit Broadway revival of CHICAGO - time and perseverance has aided Tony-nominated actor Tom Hewitt in carving out a career on Broadway quite unlike most others in existence. In this comprehensive conversation we discuss his many marvelous stage performances on Broadway and beyond thus far, including his new lead role in the New York Musical Theater Festival musical THE GREAT UNKNOWN written by William Hauptman (PUMP BOYS & DINETTES) and Jim Wann (BIG RIVER) and directed by Don Stephenson. In addition to a thorough discussion of that new NYMF musical, we also talk about working with Julie Taymor on the PBS film FOOL'S FIRE and Broadway's THE LION KING, what the insane ROCKY HORROR LIVE experience was like from a stage perspective, his many stints in CHICAGO, as well as working with co-stars like Matt Morrison, Kelli O'Hara, Brenda Braxton, Charlotte D'Amboise and Chip Zien. We also discuss his feelings on Dan Savage's IT GETS BETTER campaign and what he thinks of GLEE taking on the garters, boas and stilettos of Frank & Crew when they do their ROCKY HORROR tribute later this month. Performances of the original bluegrass musical THE GREAT UNKNOWN have already begun so be sure to grab some tickets a the link below and catch the show on Sunday if you haven't done so yet!

Concluding BroadwayWorld's exclusive three-part series on Edward Albee's newest masterpiece ME, MYSELF & I, comes this exciting and energized interview with the youngest star of the show, playing one of the titular twosome both named Otto, the enthusiastic and expressive Preston Sadleir! In this in-depth conversation we discuss working with Elizabeth Ashley and Brian Murray on ME, MYSELF & I as well as the director, Emily Mann, and the master writer himself, Edward Albee. Additionally, we discuss the rehearsal process at Playwrights' Horizons, the themes of the play, the acting process onstage acting every night with two of the greats, as well as what the play means to not only himself as an actor, but also to the twenty-first century audience coming to see the show (which has just been extended and now runs to October 31st). We also talk about the exciting workshop productions and readings of two burgeoning musicals that are eyeing Broadway soon, including the much anticipated Broadway revival of CARRIE and a new original cougar-themed musical starring Jane Krakowski called MRS. SHARP! Few performers are so at ease in plays and musicals as Preston is - and at barely twenty-five years old - so here is a chance to see why he is one of the hottest new theatrical stars on the rise! Enjoy!

Recently I had the delectable delight of talking to one of the sweetest and sexiest (and shockingly super-talented) stars of stage and screen who can currently be seen on the hit of all TV hits, GLEE, in her recurring role as April Rhodes, as well as in the new Disney comedy YOU AGAIN co-starring Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, Victor Garber, Cloris Leachman and Betty White: the Tony Award and Emmy-winning actress and operatic chanteuse herself, Ms. Kristin Chenoweth! In this BWW exclusive InDepth InterView we talk about filming the first of several new episodes of GLEE for season two, working on Broadway with GLEE lead (and show love interest) Matt Morrison, what singing Sondheim means to her as a person and as a performer, what GLEE means to Broadway, as well as a thorough discussion of her new Disney film YOU AGAIN directed by Andy Fickman. We also touch on her early Broadway work in A NEW BRAIN and the words and music of William Finn. She has it all - and the success in each form of media to prove it - so it is a special treat to present InDepth InterView: Kristin Chenoweth.

This afternoon I had the delight of talking to one of the sweetest and sexiest (and shockingly super-talented) stars of stage and screen who can currently be seen on the hit of all TV hits, GLEE, in her recurring role as April Rhodes, as well as in the new Disney comedy YOU AGAIN co-starring Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, Victor Garber, Cloris Leachman and Betty White: the Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning actress and operatic chanteuse herself, Ms. Kristin Chenoweth! In this BWW exclusive we talk about filming the first of several new episodes of GLEE next week, working on Broadway with GLEE lead (and show love interest) Matt Morrison, what Sondheim means to her, what GLEE means to Broadway, as well as a thorough look at her new Disney film YOU AGAIN directed by Andy Fickman. This is merely a tease of what's to come in the complete InDepth InterView: Kristin Chenoweth coming next week! Stay tuned to BWW until then! In the complete interview she also comments on working with Matt Morrison, Lea Michele and Ryan Murphy on GLEE, as well as Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti, Barbara Cook and John Doyle in her premiere Sondheim performance and working with Carrie Underwood - and many others! She's a Spring breeze on a Fall day - April (Rhodes) after all! Besides, this is just the bud, you'll have to wait until next week to watch our chat grow into a full bloom!

Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre today announced that, due to popular demand, the world premiere comedy, starring Helen Hayes Award winners Sherri L. Edelen (Signature's Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables) and Nancy Robinette, written and directed by Helen Hayes Awardee Joe Calarco (Signature's Side Show and Assassins), will now run from October 26 through December 26, 2010.

This afternoon I was lucky enough to score some talk-time with legendary recording artist, Oscar-nominated songwriter and the most iconic female pop singer of the 60s, Ms. Lesley Gore. She will be appearing in Broadway's hit jukebox musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET one night only on Friday night, September 24th, but in this SOUND OFF SPECIAL INTERVIEW she opens up about her illustrious and accomplished career in the studio and on the stage - and also onscreen in an oh-so-classic BATMAN with Julie Newmar - as well some breaking news about her new biographical musical using both the stacks of hit songs she is so famous for and some newly written compositions. As if all that - and compelling recollections of time spent with Liza Minnelli, Jerry Lee Lewis, Quincy Jones, Laura Nyro (almost) and many more - weren't enough, we also have some breaking news about the future of her brother, a world-famous songwriter in his own right due to FAME, Michael Gore's infamous Broadway musical CARRIE may be making its way back to the boards very soon - which is the epitome of good news for Broadway babies who have wanted to know! Bloody lucky Broadway will be to have CARRIE - and the disarmingly warm and exceptionally delightful Lesley Gore!

As BroadwayWorld previously speculated, Brendan Fraser, who's film career includes The Mummy, G.I. Joe, Encino Man, Journey to the Center of the Earth and other films will make his Broadway debut in the Simon Bent play - Elling, Variety reports. The play, which will begin previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on November 2, will open officially on November 21. The production will also star Denis O'Hare, Jennifer Coolidge, and Richard Easton and will be directed by Dough Hughes and produced by Howard Panter.

You may not have heard yet, but one of the biggest beauty pageants in the world, Miss Glamouresse, is coming to Atlanta, and the theater-going public will soon have the unique chance to witness the glitz and glamour themselves in Pageant: The Musical (Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell and Frank Kelly, Music by Albert Evans), playing at the 14th Street Playhouse beginning August 25th. This hilarious send-up of the beauty pageant world has all the things you might expect, evening gowns, swimsuits, talent, spokes-modeling and even beauty crisis counseling. But when the contestants take the stage you may be surprised to see that these "girls" have, as Frankie Cavalier the emcee puts it, a little "something extra". I had the unique opportunity to speak with one of the 6 contestants themselves, Miss Great Plains (Dustin Smith, also co-producer), to get the inside scoop on the pageant and even test her question and answer skills.

I spoke with Lucie while she was in her ‘tiny' Manhattan apartment, as she put it. She was waiting for the delivery of her new mattress. She had recently returned from a wonderfully, luxurious cruise and was getting back to business. Her New York apartment was where she needed to be as opposed to the home in Connecticut she shares with her husband of about 30 years, the fine actor Laurence Luckinbill. Lucie and I spoke briefly the day before the interview and set 10:30 am as the time for me to call her the following day. The morning of the interview arrived and the phone rang at 10am, and it was Lucie, ready to go.

Today, I am sharing with you Part I of my exclusive InDepth InterView with legendary Broadway star Donna McKechnie who is perhaps best known as the genius director- choreographer Michael Bennett's muse and primary interpreter as well as the originator and inspiration for the character of Cassie in A CHORUS LINE - for which she won Best Actress In A Musical at the 1976 Tony Awards - in addition to her many roles on Broadway and the West End, as well as all over the country on tours of every kind over the years. In Part I of this comprehensive chat we discuss her earliest featured roles on Broadway, working on the groundbreaking COMPANY and her thoughts on collaborators Bennett, Sondheim and Hal Prince; as well as her thoughts on the current state of Broadway, the out-of-town experience in the Golden Age and creating Cassie in A CHORUS LINE. Plus, of course, we discuss her fantastic new show and much, much more!

Today, we are talking to legendary fight coordinator and director B.H. Barry who has worked with basically every major director of the last thirty years and most major stars. A fascinating man himself, he opens up about his life, career, art and collaboration and what winning a Tony Award means to him. Plus, we discuss everything from the revival of Cole Porter's KISS ME, KATE to David Mamet's OLEANNA...

Earlier this season, Amanda Card-McCoy took on one of the three roles in the Tennessee Women's Theater Project's Secrets of a Soccer Mom, earning good reviews while impressing TWTP artistic director Maryanna Clarke, who has raved about her talent and her work ethic. The Nashville native got her professional start at Nashville Children's Theatre and she counts Nashville theatre stalwarts David Alford, Brenda Sparks, Denice Hicks and Matt Carlton as among her role models - the folks who inspired her to pursue her career in the theatre. Last weekend, Amanda took the time to answer our questions and to give readers at Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com a glimpse into her 'Life in the Theatre.'

Today, in honor of the DVD release of Rob Marshall's film version of the 1982 Tony-winning Best Musical NINE, Maury Yeston was gracious and generous enough to grant me a few hours in which I could ask him intimate questions about his life, career and the future of theatre itself. Not one to mince words, Yeston is a veritable font of knowledge and it became clear during the interview that he may be as gifted and talented in his educational and mentorship skills as he is as a two-time Tony-winning composer and lyricist. His stage musicals include two Tony-winning Best Musicals, NINE and TITANIC, as well as: IN THE BEGINNING, GRAND HOTEL, PHANTOM, and the forthcoming DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, as well as a full-length ballet of TOM SAWYER premiering later this year. From the handwritten letter sent by Katharine Hepburn to Frederico Fellini after seeing the workshop of NINE thirty years ago to this very day when NINE hits DVD, we will take a look at this magnanimous maestro's starry career in this inaugural InDepth InterView. Enjoy!