Broadway's Dale Soules Visits First Graders Theatre Study Program at PS 212

Broadway star Dale Soules recently spent the afternoon with First Grade Theatre Study students at PS 212 on West 48th Street in Manhattan. She was invited by Bryan Andes, the educator who designed and teaches this theatre-based curriculum that has attracted Broadway greats as classroom guests for over 20 years.

The First Graders had been learning about THE MAGIC SHOW which starred the late famed magician Doug Henning and Dale Soules as “Cal” his magic assistant. 

Dale spoke with the students about her role in THE MAGIC SHOW and answered their questions.  She also sang for the class, performing “Lion Tamer” from the musical and read to them. The enthusiastic seven-year-olds were so thrilled to hear Dale sing, they gave her a standing ovation!

THE MAGIC SHOW opened at Broadway's Cort Theatre in May, 1974 and ran for four years (prior to a national tour).  Ms. Soules had the honor of introducing the songs “West End Avenue” and “Lion Tamer” by Stephen Schwartz. With book by Bob Randall and songs by Schwartz, THE MAGIC SHOW had direction and dances by Grover Dale.  The show also starred David Ogden Stiers, Cheryl Barnes, Annie McGreevey, Robert LuPone, Sam Schacht, Ron Stafford, Lloyd Sannes and Anita Morris.

A veteran of stage and screen, Dale Soules won three SAG awards for her portrayal of “Frieda Berlin” on six seasons of the hit Netflix series ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK.  On Broadway, she was featured in such shows as Hands on a Hardbody, Grey Gardens, The Crucible, Whose Life Is It Anyway, Dude. Her Broadway: debut was in the landmark musical HAIR.

Off-Broadway, Dale most recently appeared in Lucy Kirkwood's new play, The Welkin at the Atlantic Theatre Company.  She also appeared in Douglas Carter Beane's Shows for Days at Lincoln Center, The Lucky Star, Doug Wright's Posterity. She also recently co-starred with the all-female cast of I Remember Mama. Additional credits include The Capables, Marsha Norman's Getting Out, Real Life Funnies, Jet Lag, The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite, Blithe Spirit, The Water Engine, and many productions with The Public Theatre, MTC, Mabou Mines, and Lincoln Center.

TV/Film: Skeleton Crew (Lucasfilm, Disney +), Lightyear (Pixar), Andy Samberg's Digman (Comedy Central), American Playhouse, Sesame Street, Maurice Sendack's Really Rosie, Law & Order: CI, The Messenger, Unforgettable and Motherhood.

Photo Credit: Merle Frimark