BWW Interview: Andrew Di Rosa Talks SHREK, Musical Inspirations, and Dream RolesNovember 5, 2013It's a big bright beautiful world for Andrew Di Rosa, the Picking actor who played Shrek in the Lower Ossington Theater's production of SHREK THE MUSICAL this fall. Di Rosa previously starred in the companys production of ALTAR BOYZ, and will be seen in the feature film thriller Fragile Minds in 2014. The actor took some time to sit down and talk with BWW to about his love for acting, being a Shrek fanboy, and his favourite musicals.
BWW Reviews: Original Cast Recording of FIRST DATE is Quirky, Charming, and EndearingOctober 15, 2013The fun new musical FIRST DATE boasts music from Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner and a book by Austin Winsberg. The show tells the story of what happens when hipster serial dater Casey (Krysta Rodriguez) and uptight Aaron (Zachary Levi) are set up for a blind date at a restaurant downtown. The investment banker and artist-type don't quite hit it off but they don't fall apart either. The other restaurant goers become every person who could stand in the way or influence a date, each one with a colourful song of their own. Sisters, ex's, best friends and more make an appearance during this dynamic blind date.
BWW Reviews: Lower Ossington Theater's SHREK Is Hilarious, Witty, and Fun for the Whole FamilyOctober 7, 2013SHREK THE MUSICAL proved a lot of skeptics wrong when it ended up a Broadway Success. While some may have expected 'camp,' the show proved itself Broadway-worthy with it's stellar music, composition, as well as set and costume design. The star studded original cast brought the show to life with their stellar talents. Sutton Foster as Fiona, Daniel Breaker as
Donkey, and Brian Darcy James as Shrek proved to all musical theatre nerds alike that yes, stage adaptations of children's movies can make it on the Great White Way.
BWW Reviews: Off-Broadway Cast Recording of THE LAST FIVE YEARS Is Powerful, Emotional, and MovingSeptember 23, 2013Jason Robert Brown's musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS boasts a small cast of two, but tells a tale to remember. With a movie in the works, the show is a force to be reckoned with. The show's 2013 Off-Broadway production at Second Stage Theatre starring Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor is no different. Sh-K-Boom Ghostlight Records released the Off-Broadway production's recording today, and it is everything every THE LAST FIVE YEARS fan would want it to be. Wolfe and Kantor shine in the creative and innovative show, owning each and everyone one of the shows 14 catchy tracks.
BWW Review: Lower Ossington Theatre's NEXT TO NORMAL Is Emotional, Stripped Down, and IntimateSeptember 10, 2013Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's NEXT TO NORMAL is a Pulitzer prize winning and Tony award winning musical that continues to touch the hearts of many. The show about bipolar Diana Goodman and how her illness effects her and her whole family continues to touch peoples hearts. It takes a certain amount of passion, emotion, care, and overall talent to perform this complex piece. The LOT (Lower Ossington Theatre) seems to understand this, as its production of the show will leave its audience in tears.
BWW CD Reviews: Laura Benanti's IN CONSTANT SEARCH OF THE RIGHT KIND OF ATTENTION Is Sweet, Fun, and QuirkySeptember 10, 2013Anyone who has ever visited Laura Benanti's Twitter page knows she is cute, sweet, funny, and quirky. Her new solo album released by Broadway Records, IN CONSTANT SEARCH OF THE RIGHT KIND OF ATTENTION: LIVE AT 54 BELOW, is just that. Cute, sweet, funny and quirky. It's extremley refreshing how representative the record is of her personality.
BWW Reviews: Wavestage's HAIR is High Energy & RefreshingJuly 31, 2013With music by Galt MacDermot and book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, HAIR has been around for years. It's been around long enough to earn a Tony win for best revival, and take that revival on a tour. Wavestage's production of HAIR channeled everything audiences have come to know and love of the iconic show.
BWW Interviews: Levi Kreis talks IMAGINE PARADISE, VAMPIRE DIARIES, and MILLION DOLLAR QUARTETJuly 31, 2013In his career, Levi Kreis has released a total of six albums. Not only does Kreis have four studio albums, a live album, and an album of demos under his belt, but he also has a shiny Tony Award somewhere at home. Of course, Kreis is too humble to let it all go to his head. In fact, Kreis needs to be reminded to look back some times to recognize his major successes. Kreis just released his newest studio album IMAGINE PARADISE, and to positive reception. The album founded by Kickstarter allowed Kreis to channel fan support to make music after a four-year hiatus.
BWW CD REVIEWS: BUNNICULA (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording) is Quirky and Laugh Out Loud FunnyJuly 23, 2013Our favourite childhood vampire rabbit is back, and ready to sing. BUNNICULA opened Off-Broadway, with Music and Lyrics by Sam Davis and Mark Waldrop and a book by Charles Busch. This creative team brought the childhood book by Deoborah and James Howe, Bunnicula, and it's accompanied family fun to the stage to mostly positive reviews. The original cast recording, produced by Yellow Sound Label, is just as quirky and hysterical as one would expect of the adaption of the beloved children's novel.
BWW Interview: Lindsay Mendez Talks 'This Time' and Birdland ConcertJuly 18, 2013Lindsay Mendez has taken New York by storm over the past two years. She has received critical acclaim for her role as Rose in DOGFIGHT, and is currently starring in WICKED at the Gershwin Theater. That's just her day job, as Mendez recently released the album THIS TIME with her music partner Marco Paguia.
BWW CD REVIEW: Audra McDonald Goes Classic in GO BACK HOMEJuly 10, 2013Audra McDdonald dropped GO BACK HOME, her first solo album in seven years, on May 21. The album produced by Nonesuch records brings McDonald to her roots as it features classic songs by iconic songwriters like LaChiusa, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Stephen Sondheim. McDonald has a personal connection to the tracks she chose. She told Nonsesuch of the songs featured on her album 'If there were a Broadway show written about my life, especially the last seven years, this would be the soundtrack.'
BWW Reviews: Phenomenal Cast in Lower Ossington Theatre's AVENUE QJuly 3, 2013AVENUE Q is quite honestly Sesame Street for adults. The Tony Award winning show is without a doubt worthy of it's award winning satus with it's quirky puppet characters, hysterically explicit music, and heart warming plot line. The Lower Ossington Theatre's production of the show encapsulates the mood and feel of the show astoundingly well, and with phenomenal casting.
BWW CD REVIEW: Levi Kreis' IMAGINE PARADISE Will Make You Want to Have a Solo Dance PartyJune 26, 2013Levi Kreis is a rock star with an electric sound and vibe. With his most recent studio album IMAGINE PARADISE, he channels a pop/techno/soul sound that resembles that of Robin Thicke, George Michael, and Jamiroquai. IMAGINE PARADISE is Kreis' fourth album, but his first in four years. After a brief hiatus, Kreis has made it clear with this Kickstarter founded record that he is back and stronger than ever.
BWW CD Review: Cheyenne Jackson's I'M BLUE, SKIES Will Make You Get Up and DanceJune 25, 2013I'M BLUE, SKIES is actor, singer, and songwriter Cheyenne Jackson's (Behind The Candelabra, 30 Rock, Glee) first full-length album of original music. Released today, the record is produced by Thomas 'Tawgs' Salter and The ELEV3N. Jackson co-wrote the tracks on the record, collaborating with the likes of pop songwriter SIA, Chris Braide, Stevie Aiello, and Charlotte Sometimes.