As the world premiere production of Will Ledesma and Braden Hunt's musical version of THUMBELINA was in its opening weekend at A.D. Players, I got the opportunity to speak with book and lyric writer Will Ledesma. We discussed his career as a writer, his process, and the show itself.
Seventeen-year-old Aaron Stevens stumbles into the aftermath of a five million dollar bank heist gone wrong. Hiding under a canoe, Aaron partially catches the murder of one of the robbers. Through the chaos he sneaks away with the money and heads straight for the closest place of safety, his high school. Terrified, Aaron tells his shocking tale to Amanda Becker, his drama teacher, but it doesn't take long for one of the psychotic robbers to show up. In the locked down school the pair are relentlessly pursued in a quest to get the money back and wipe out the evidence.'
Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2013 Season, which opens on June 17 with Monty Python's Spamalot. 'This is a phenomenally talented group of artists, and I'm thrilled to be working with all of them. Last season our audience inspired us to take many risks and push ourselves far. These directors and choreographers are already working on ways to top last season's level of excitement and excellence.'
Enter the world of Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award winners Kander and Ebb's impeccably woven, high voltage AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND... a stunning revue of two of Broadway and motion picture's most prolific songwriters with direction by Los Angeles multiple theatre award winner Gary Lee Reed and musical direction by the acclaimed Joshua Kranz. This true-to-the-original Broadway production will be presented February 2 through March 10, 2013 by Be Wild About Music in association with Kevin Bailey and the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, Calif. Racquel Lehrman of Theatre Planners serves as Producer. *Erica Hanrahan-Ball, *Emily King Brown, Isaac James, *Kristin Towers-Rowles and Ryan Ruge have been set as the revue's ensemble of principal players. *Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.
Enter the world of Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award winners Kander and Ebb's AND THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND... a revue of two of Broadway and motion picture's most prolific songwriters with direction by Los Angeles multiple theatre award winner Gary Lee Reed and musical direction by the acclaimed Joshua Kranz. This true-to-the-original Broadway production will be presented February 2 through March 10, 2013 by Be Wild About Music in association with Kevin Bailey and the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, CA. Racquel Lehrman of Theatre Planners serves as Producer. *Erica Hanrahan-Ball, *Emily King Brown, Isaac James, *Kristin Towers-Rowles and Ryan Ruge have been set as the revue's ensemble of principal players. *Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.
Less than one year ago, the killing of young Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida sparked a nationwide dialog on racial profiling practices, including 'stand-your-ground' laws, which state that a person may justifiably use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of an unlawful threat. These laws, which on their face may seem fair, have often been used to discriminate against, intimidate and even murder innocent minorities. This February, Investigation Discovery goes on an in-depth investigation of modern day racial profiling practices in the next installment of THE INJUSTICE FILES series from Emmy nominated filmmaker Keith Beauchamp. Looking at three distinct cases that illustrate how self-defense practices discriminate against African Americans, THE INJUSTICE FILES: HOOD OF SUSPICION premieres Wednesday, February 13 at 8 PM (E/P).
Enter the world of Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award winners Kander and Ebb's impeccably woven, high voltage AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND... a stunning revue of two of Broadway and motion picture's most prolific songwriters with direction by Los Angeles multiple theatre award winner Gary Lee Reed and musical direction by the acclaimed Joshua Kranz. This true-to-the-original Broadway production will be presented February 2 through March 10, 2013 by Be Wild About Music in association with Kevin Bailey and the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, CA. Racquel Lehrman of Theatre Planners serves as Producer. An all-star cast will be announced January 2, 2013.
Today we are talking to a versatile performer first known to the world at large through her iconic early-career movie theme recordings - singing the Oscar-winning 'The Morning After' from THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, as well as the classic themes from THE TOWERING INFERNO, SUPERMAN and musical material and a memorable musical moment in AIRPLANE!; in addition to her many full-length studio albums later in life - who then emerged as a compelling theatrical performer with a string of roles on Broadway, Off Broadway and in regional theater - a replacement star of NINE, as well as THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, as well as original cast member of 1989's THE 3 PENNY OPERA, 1984's premire production of BROWNSTONE, and, most recently, a Broadway featured cast member in LITTLE WOMEN - the radiant and vocally resplendent Maureen McGovern. Looking back on her remarkable career and taking us on the journey from Hollywood to Broadway and beyond, McGovern reflects on some famous co-stars and her side of the riveting productions she participated in both onstage and onscreen, as well as opens up about some of her favorite recordings and composers to date insofar as her recording career is concerned, to say nothing of her proud position as the so-deemed self-confessed 'Disaster Theme Queen'. We also outline her cabaret work over the years, in anticipation of McGovern's week of shows at 54 Below, titled HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, beginning December 18 and running through December 23, where she will be sharing some of her favorite seasonal songs, new and old, as well as reviving some of her show-stopping standards and iconic movie themes and perhaps a surprise or two, too. Additionally, we touch upon her bio-musical, CARRY IT ON, her new women writer retrospective concert show and much, much more!
Today we are talking to a breakout Broadway star who has made a name for himself with memorable turns in this century's revivals of Rodgers & Hammerstein's FLOWER DRUM SONG, Stephen Sondheim's PACIFIC OVERTURES and Stephen Schwartz's GODSPELL on Broadway as well as turns in Schwartz's WICKED and Jonathan Larson's RENT in addition to his lauded work on the brand new Broadway-bound tuner ALLEGIANCE, co-starring Lea Salonga and George Takei - and, of course, his easily identifiable uniform-outfitted Warbler on Fox's hit musical dramedy series GLEE - the passionate and gifted Telly Leung! Besides taking a look back at many of his best-loved and most well-remembered roles to date, in this career-spanning conversation Leung and I also dissect the finer points of his new solo album, I'LL COVER YOU, as we look ahead to the splashy release party on December 2 at 54 Below, and he outlines his initial inspiration for the creation of it and recounts the recording process for the unique genre-crossing release. Plus, Leung generously shares some truly thrilling backstage stories involving luminaries such as Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Neil Patrick Harris and more as well as shares his infectious enthusiasm for future endeavors, near and far - after a well-earned vacation in January, that is. All of that and much, much more awaits!
The New Group has announced that Brooks Ashmanskas, Vincent D'Onofrio and Zoe Kazan have joined the cast of Clive, up next in the company's 2012-2013 season. Written by Jonathan Marc Sherman and directed by and featuring Ethan Hawke in the title role, Clive begins a limited Off-Broadway engagement on January 17, 2013. Official Opening Night is set for Thursday, February 7 at 7:00pm. This production is slated through March 9 at The New Group at Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street).
Chloe Campbell is a British actress who succeded in many shows in the UK like On The Town, Mary Poppins, Desperately Seeking Susan, Shoes,... and last season she toured the States as part of the ensemble of 'In The Heights'. From West End to Broadway, she pursued her dream and dared to go beyond so here she told us how she made it!
Hey readers! first off, a little housekeeping. I'm trying to keep my blog interesting and relevant. My desire is to impart some experiences I've had in a painfully honest manner. That being said, this title sounds self-aggrandizing. I get it. I just finished the book 'Humblebrag' by Harris Wittels (head writer of NBC's 'Parks and Recreation'}, and it's made me gun shy to write ANYTHING! (PS- awesome book).
Sunday's MEET THE PRESS WITH DAVID GREGORY on NBC featured a roundtable discussion with Obama campaign senior adviser Robert Gibbs, former Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen, Republican strategist Mike Murphy, and NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd; and a one-on-one interview with former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Below are highlights and a transcript of Sunday's program.
Logo will have viewers exclaiming 'WHAT!?' this fall with the launch of their new documentary series, WHAT!? LOGO DOCUMENTARIES. Set to engage and possibly enrage viewers, the 'WHAT!? Logo Documentaries' explore unusual worlds, people, and experiences outside the everyday and sometimes outside our comfort zone.
The 'Sound Off with Sandra Bernhard' SpreeCast video chat goes live immediately following the NEWNOWNEXT VOTE WITH WANDA SYKES election special at 11PM ET, tonight, September 10th at NewNowNext.com/Vote.
The 'Sound Off with Sandra Bernhard' SpreeCast video chat goes live immediately following the NEWNOWNEXT VOTE WITH WANDA SYKES election special at 11PM ET, Monday, September 10th at NewNowNext.com/Vote.
As previously announced, RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA will arrive on Broadway this season with previews set for January 21, 2013 prior to Opening Night on February 21 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street).
Logo will have viewers exclaiming 'WHAT!?' this fall with the launch of their new documentary series, WHAT!? LOGO DOCUMENTARIES. Set to engage and possibly enrage viewers, the 'WHAT!? Logo Documentaries' explore unusual worlds, people, and experiences outside the everyday and sometimes outside our comfort zone.
Five powerful productions have been scheduled for Center Theatre Group's 2013 season at the Mark Taper Forum, it was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.
Theater can be captured in many different ways and one troupe based in New Jersey and New York takes it to another level with 'Dance Theater'. Mosaic Dance Theater will be performing on Sunday, September 9 at Luna Stage in West Orange. BroadwayWorld set down with the Producing Artistic Director Morgiana Celeste Varricchio to discuss the performance and the company.
Just announced is official word that the new production of RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA will arrive on Broadway this season with previews set for January 21, 2013 prior to Opening Night on February 21 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway), it has been announced by the musical's producers Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis and Jill Furman in association with Center Theatre Group.
Victoria Clark, Harriet Harris, Ann Harada and Peter Bartlett will join Laura Osnes as Cinderella and Santino Fontana as the Prince in a workshop of the new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA August 2nd and 3rd in New York, it has been announced by the musical's producer Center Theatre Group in association with Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis and Jill Furman.
'Going to any new country we never had a show before is an honor. We're loving America at the moment; it goes the same for the Philippines.' - Jeff Turner, co-creator and star of 'Potted Potter'
Jason Robert Brown's musical masterpiece is just plain wonderful.
Victoria Clark, Harriet Harris, Ann Harada and Peter Bartlett will join Laura Osnes as Cinderella and Santino Fontana as the Prince in a workshop of the new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA August 2nd and 3rd in New York, it has been announced by the musical's producer Center Theatre Group in association with Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis and Jill Furman.
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