BWW Interview: Jessie Cannizzaro Talks Filming PUFFS, the Play Itself, and Being a Harry Potter NerdFebruary 3, 2018We all know about the boy who lived, but you probably don't know about his Hufflepuff classmates. Well, never fear. Off-Broadway's hit comedy PUFFS is here to better acquaint with this group of earnest castoffs who are always just outside of the spotlight. To get the inside scoop on the side-splitting play and its Kickstarter backed filming on February 3 and 4, we chatted with actress Jessie Cannizzaro.
BWW Album Review: Stearns Matthews' DECEMBER SONGS Shimmers with VibrancyFebruary 1, 2018Stearns Matthews, a Bistro and Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Award-winning vocalist, recently released DECEMBER SONGS. This album is the first male recording of Maury Yeston's 1991 song cycle, which is inspired by Franz Schubert's beloved Winterreise song cycle. With this album, Matthews' shimmering and spirited tenor instrument better connects Yeston's cycle to his inspiration while allowing listeners to get lost in these snow-covered tunes.
BWW Album Review: Scott Alan's LIFELINE is Spirited and Musically DiverseJanuary 26, 2018When an artist moves away from the cultural capital that is New York City, it goes against every belief we have in that place to acknowledge and accept that the ability to create powerful art can exist outside of that esteemed sanctuary. However, Scott Alan's LIFELINE is alive with spirited lyrics, lush melodies, poignant messages, and heartwarming romance despite being conceived, written, and recorded far from the city that never sleeps.
BWW Interview: Rob Colletti Talks SCHOOL OF ROCKJanuary 25, 2018SCHOOL OF ROCK is a hilarious new musical that has taken London, Broadway, and now the US by storm. The tour stars Rob Colletti as Dewey Finn, a substitute teacher with ambitions of being a rock star. Finn helps the kids he teaches tap into their ids and expands their confidence, transforming the high-performing young academics into a bona fide rock band! To get the inside scoop on the show as the tour pulls into Houston, we chatted with Colletti.
BWW Album Review: Lena Hall's OBSESSED: HEDWIG Delivers Powerful, Raw VocalsJanuary 11, 2018Lena Hall, Broadway's reigning queen of rock, is poised to dominate 2018. And, to be honest, we couldn't be more excited. On Friday, January 5, 2018, she released the first of 12 monthly EPs in her Obsessed series OBSESSED: HEDWIG. For those of us who didn't get to see Hall play the titular character in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH during its recent national tour, this EP gives us a glimpse into what that experience must have been like.
BWW Interview: Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye Talk Loose Cattle's SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDERDecember 13, 2017Loose Cattle, fronted by two-time Tony award winner Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye, have released a holiday album that explores the real feels of the holidays. Shoving Burl Ives and Irving Berlin out of the way, Loose Cattle's SEASON AFFECTIVE DISORDER is the perfect album for anyone willing to admit that their December isn't all sparkles, snow, champagne, cheer, and mirth. We recently sat down with the duo to get the inside scoop on the music.
BWW Review: Chris Harder's PORN TO BE A STAR Offers Witty Social CommentaryNovember 30, 2017PORN TO BE A STAR, like its salacious titles suggests, offers audiences a peek behind the screen and a chance to experience the gay porn industry from an insider's perspective. However, his experiences with the porn industry are not the only things Chris Harder offers up. Throughout the evening, he exposes layers as he showcases his burlesque talents while also letting audiences see his brain and heart.
BWW Album Review: Kyle Riabko's RICHARD RODGERS REIMAGINED Sparkles with Vibrant LifeNovember 27, 2017Kyle Riabko's latest album, RICHARD RODGERS REIMAGINED, was inspired by a fan letter Rodgers had written to Burt Bacharach. No doubt, Riabko became privy to this letter while working on CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED, a show Riabko garnered international acclaim for. Now, back in the United States, Ribako deftly explores another icon of American music, creatively reinterpreting Rodgers' classics through how own energetic pop/rock aesthetic.
BWW Interview: Zane Philstrom Talks Company XIV's NUTCRACKER ROUGENovember 22, 2017Using Louis XIV era inspired visuals NUTCRACKER ROUGE fuses dance, theater, circus, opera, and burlesque. To get the inside scoop on this year's effervescent and sensual spectacle, we sat down with costume designer Zane Philstrom to chat about the magical and eye-catching garments (or lack thereof) worn by the cast.
BWW Interview: Chita Rivera and More Talk AN EVENING OF SONG at BirdlandNovember 22, 2017For one-night-only on Monday, December 4, the Broadway at Birdland concert series AN EVENING OF SONG will be headlined by Chita Rivera, feature the artists of Yellow Sound Label, and benefit the Art Attack Foundation. The star-studded show promises an array of standards, pop hits, and original songs. To get the inside scoop on this not to be missed evening, we sat down with the stars to chat about this important fundraiser.
BWW Exclusive Interview: Ben Vereen Talks CD Single, STEPPIN' OUT, SNEAKY PETE & MoreNovember 14, 2017Broadway legend Ben Vereen is releasing a studio recorded single today. He is also gearing up for a run of his solo show STEPPIN' OUT at Feinstein's/54 Below from November 21 to 26, filming the second season of SNEAKY PETE for Amazon, and continuing to his work with Wellness Through the Arts. To get the scoop on all of these projects, we sat down with Vereen to chat.
BWW Review: FALSETTOS on Live From Lincoln Center is Timely, Important ArtOctober 27, 2017In theory, watching FALSETTOS in 2017 shouldn't feel as relevant and necessary as it does. Yet this story of building the family you choose and undeniable love in the face of adversity, fear, and death resonates with heartbreaking potency. The power FALSETTOS has to stir emotions in 2017, only reinforces the value of putting the show back on Broadway in 2016 and Live From Lincoln Center's sage decision to capture it for broadcast on PBS.
Why LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is Your Halloween Must-SeeOctober 25, 2017Cult classic movie musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is coming back to theaters this Halloween. We've got five reasons why the time has come for you to see this beloved masterpiece on something larger than your big, enormous twelve-inch screen.
BWW Album Review: KID VICTORY (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording) is Beautifully TurbulentOctober 6, 2017KID VICTORY, a challenging and dark musical, tells the story of 17-year-old Luke as he returns home and readjusts to his small Kanas community after being held captive for 11 months. He befriends the town outcast, Emily, who owns the local lawn decoration store. Now, months after the Off-Broadway production closed, on Broadway Records has released their sonically beautiful KID VICTORY (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording).
BWW Interview: Michael Cunio Talks CUNIO SINGS ETTAAugust 21, 2017Broadway veteran and thrilling vocalist Michael Cunio is bringing CUNIO SINGS ETTA to Duane Park (308 Bowery, New York) on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. With CUNIO SINGS ETTA, Michael Cunio pays tribute to the artist, Etta James, who has been his most enduring inspiration. He will perform classic arrangements in her original keys alongside a horn driven quintet of New York City's finest soul musicians. We sat down with Cunio to get the inside scoop on this exciting evening.
BWW Tonys Special: Recap of the CBS BroadcastJune 12, 2017Did you miss the Tonys Broadcast? Never fear, BroadwayWorld's got you covered. BroadwayWorld writer David Clarke took copious notes during the show, and his highlights are presented below.