Gianluca Russo - Page 2

Singer/Songwriter Tyler Conroy has just released his newest music video, 'Dear Evan Hansen in 4 Minutes.' The two singers perform each song from the hit Pasek and Paul musical condensed down into only 4 minutes. 'I wanted to create this four minute medley of all the show's songs to allow others who may not have any idea about the musical to understand its message without giving away major plot points,' says Conroy.

With the announcement that Fox's So You Think You Can Dance will be returning this summer, this time reverting back to contestants ages 18-30, we decided to look back on this past season's incredibly talented kids. From hip hop to jazz to contemporary, season 13 of SYTYCD certainly did not disappoint, showing us that age means nothing when it comes to talent. One of our favorite contestants, second runner-up Tate McRae, proved week after week that a 13 year old can be as marvelous a dancer as an adult, sometimes even better. McRae was kind enough to speak with us about her time on SYTYCD and her plans for the future.

A sense of fulfillment fills his body as he sees his reflection in the hazy mirror. The music begins, and he suddenly feels completely comfortable in a place he only arrived at a few weeks prior. Each beat of the song sends pulses through the somewhat scratched up flooring, up through his bare feet, taking over his entire body. His demeanor is peaceful, passionate and powerful as he commands his way across the floor with the other dancers, each movement a new discovery in his mind. As the combination comes to an end, finishing with a grand jeté into a graceful arabesque par terre, 18 year old Nick Nazzaro remains in disbelief that he is spending his days dancing in the city of his dreams.

Beautiful melodies fill Capital Repertory Theatre with director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill's staging of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner's "Camelot." The musical's score is composed of lush, romantic, and memorable tunes that help to move along the somewhat flawed book.

Growing up far away from New York can be challenging for many young performers: missing out on great opportunities and classes to grow, train, and become the best that they can be. Thankfully, a new online masterclass program by Marcus Lovingood and Paul McGill is giving hopefuls an inside look into show business through the eyes of some of today's most successful performers.

With five years under its belt (or dance belt, if you will), Travis Wall's Shaping Sound continues to mesmerize and stun audiences with innovated, invigorating, and enticing choreography. Wrapping up their fall tour this past weekend after a stop in Syracuse, it's easy to see why Shaping Sound has taken off since its beginnings on Oxygen's “All The Right Moves” and why the future of the company is now brighter than ever.

TROY, N.Y.- A French clown living in Troy aims to change the perception of clowns with a one-person performance on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Revolution Hall.

Several Capital Region youth got the chance of a lifetime over the past few weeks, peeking behind the curtain of the national tour of "An American in Paris" and seeing firsthand all it takes to tech a big Broadway musical.

Acclaimed dance company Shaping Sound has become a household name among dance professionals since its first national tour back in 2013. Under the artistic director of Emmy Award winner Travis Wall, alongside founders and choreographers Nick Lazzarini, Teddy Forance, and Kyle Robinson, the group has come a long way since its beginnings on Oxygen's "All The Right Moves" in 2012. Following a successful tour this past winter, the group is back on the road with a reincarnation of their hit show. Robinson, who toured with "West Side Story" before joining the company, spoke to us about bringing in a new cast for the production and gearing up to perform a truly spectacular masterpiece.

Broadway's Tony Award winning hit "An American in Paris" is dancing its way into Schenectady this week as the musical's first national tour will begin previews at Proctors Theatre this Friday. With a score composed from some of George and Ira Gershwin's most famous tunes, the show follows Jerry Mulligan, an American soldier who decides to stay in Paris following World War II. He soon finds himself not only entangled in the country's luxurious culture and art, but in a love triangle that may lead him to his soul mate. Among the talented cast gathered for the production are Garen Scribner, Sara Etsy, Etai Benson, Ryan Steele, and Emily Ferranti who steps into the role of Milo Davenport. Ferranti was kind enough to speak with us last week in midst of her hectic rehearsal schedule about her excitement to be working on this production.

Rain and romance fill Capital Repertory Theatre with their touching and humorous staging of John Patrick Shanley's "Outside Mullingar." Though confronting themes such as death, acceptance, and self-discovery, the play is a gentle, comedic telling of a feel good, relatable story for all.

The Two of Us Productions are gearing up to go into their second and final weekend of their production of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein." Darryl Gangloff of the Lakeville Journal writes in his review of the comedic musical, "This production of 'Young Frankenstein' ... shows how much passion a local theater company has for its craft."

Acclaimed 1960s throwback group The Midtown Men are back on tour this fall, performing at Schenectady's Proctors Theatre tonight. The group, composed of Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer, performed on Broadway together in Jersey Boys for three years before forming The Midtown Men. With having performed over 2,000 live shows together, the group couldn't be more thrilled to be back on tour and bringing the music of the 60s to audiences both new and old. Tony Winner Christian Hoff was kind enough to speak with us and tell us a little about why The Midtown Men hold a special part in his heart.

It's hard to deny the fact that the Albany area is full of talented performers and artists who strive for the best in their careers. With theatre and dance opportunities growing each year, some travel far beyond the Capital Region and make their mark in professional venues all over the world. One of these Albany natives is Corey John Snide, currently portraying the role of Coricopat in the Broadway revival of Cats. Snide was kind enough to speak with us about his dance roots here in Albany and how they helped him create a successful and riveting career so far.

Broadway meets Elvis in the 2004 jukebox musical All Shook Up, playing this Friday and Saturday at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady. Featuring some of the king's hit songs, including "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Burning Love," the show is presented by a group of teens ages 18 and under through the theatre's annual Broadway Camp.

After a successful run of Kander and Ebb's Chicago, director John Saunders is bringing Stephen Sondheim's beloved classic Into The Woods to the Mac-Haydn stage starting July 28. The musical is composed of many classic fairy tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk, and takes a look at the events that occur after "happily ever after."

Park Playhouse's production of John Kander and Fred Ebb's Chicago brings a slick, sultry, and sensual vibe to Washington Park, seducing its way through each member of the audience. The show, now known as the longest running American musical in Broadway history, is ruthless, dark, and heartless, though that may not be a great thing.

Mac-Haydn Theatre is almost ready to razzle dazzle audiences with their upcoming production of the longest running American musical, Chicago. The show runs July 7 through July 24 in Chatham, New York. Stepping into the iconic roles of Roxy and Velma are Caitlin Wilayto and Bridget Elise Yingling, respectfully, who were kind enough to speak with us via phone last week.

Legendary lyricist Tim Rice's new musical, From Here to Eternity, is currently playing at Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse through July 20. Based off the 1951 novel of the same name by James Jones, the show tells the story of a group of U.S. Army soldiers during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. From Here to Eternity, as Rice tells us via a phone interview, is much different than some of his past musicals including The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. 'It's not like Aladdin or The Lion King,' he explains. 'The material is very different and more mature than those shows. It's a very complex story. There is a lot going on in it but that is what makes it such a beautiful show.'

A new kind of circus is heading to the area this weekend presented by Marquise Productions. The event, entitled YOL, meaning "road" or "way" in Turkish, combines a group of different performers together into a beautiful spectacle. At the helm of the production is founder Aaron Marquise, a circus performer himself.