Keith Price's Curtain Call - Page 2

The first time that I met Tony and GrammyAward nominated, composer/lyricist, Andrew Lippa, it was just before the Broadway opening of BIG FISH. It was my first big 'show' that I covered at Sirius XM. I was also introduced to now, 2 time Tony Award nominee and personal diva, Kate Baldwin, and 6 time Tony Award winning Costume Designer, William Ivey Long.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a press event with the cast of BEETLEJUICE The Musical. I love going to these events. It's the best time to be at the beginning of a show's journey on the Great White Way. I got the chance to talk to the main cast (Rob McClure, Alex Brightman, Sophia Anne Caruso, Kerry Butler, Adam Dannheisser, and Leslie Kritzer), the composer/lyricist, Eddie Perfect, and the director, Alex Timbers.

Since I have already told you how much I LOVE the current Broadway Limited-Run Hit, CHOIR BOY, it stands to reason that with a little artful requesting, I would be able to wrangle an interview with somebody from that show.

I really do love it when I finally get the chance to sit with one of my favorite Broadway Divas. I have been waiting to have studio time with the Tony Award© Nominee, Drama Desk Award Winning, Jenn Colella for a long time.  While still wowing crowds 8 shows a week in COME FROM AWAY, she took some time from her busy schedule to sit and gab with me about her show, her career, her life, and so much more.  When I found out that Ms Colella also had a life as a comedian, it made me love her more. Please enjoy my conversation with the absolutely fabulous, Jenn Colella.  

Every year at this time, I get very excited because I get the chance to meet some of the most promising lyricist and librettist in musical theater at the Kleban Prize Reception. Sometimes, I get a chance to talk to them before the big day. I recently got the chance to talk to 2 of the 3 winners of the coveted prize in studio, Sarah Hammond and Charlie Sohne, and I got a chance to talk to the 3rd winner, Shaina Taub, at the event along with some of the other notable guests.

I have the great fortune to talk to fabulous people all of the time, and Multi-Award Winning Playwright and Screenwriter, Dominique Morriseau, is no exception.  This playwright has taken to the written word to create amazing conversations with her plays like SUNSET BABY, DETROIT 67, SKELETON CREW.  Her recent Off Broadway play, PIPELINE, starring one of my fierce STAGE/FILM//TV Divas, Theater World Award Winner, Karen Pittman, ( Broadway's DISGRACED, Marvel's LUKE CAGE, FX's THE AMERICANS).  It is a discussion about the pipeline that is taking young men of color out of our schools and right into the prison system, and some of the forces that could be responsible for making this happen.

I have waited for a LONG time to get a chance to talk to Tony Award Nominee, Melissa Errico, in a studio, when we can have more than a 10 minute window. Her latest CD, SONDHEIM SUBLIME, is being hailed as a new innovative interpretation of Stephen Sondheim's musical catalog. We sit and talk about this new project along with her life and career.

Celebrated press agent and author, Susan L. Schulman, drops by the studio to sit and gab with me about the updated edition of her memoir BACKSTAGE PASS TO BROADWAY.

Having had the opportunity to meet Drama Desk Award Winning actor, Chesney Snow, during his run of IN TRANSIT and maintaining a connection to his artistry, have both been an absolute honor and pleasure. And at that time, Mr. Snow began the process of bringing his autobiographical choreopoem, UNWRITTEN LAW, to life at Dixon Place. Since then, Chesney has been performing, teaching, and writing all over the world.

It is official that the Broadway Theater Season has begun. Head Over Heels, Pretty Woman, and Getting The Band Back Together, are the musicals kicking off the summer. I recently had a chance to sit with Brandon Williams from Getting the Band Back Together. He makes his Broadway debut playing the show's Bad Boy. 

Actresses, Liz Mikel (Lysistrata Jones) and Kiersey Clemons (Hearts Beat Loud, Transparent) stop by my studio to talk about their upcoming run in the New York Premiere of Eve Ensler's FRUIT TRILOGY, being presented by Abingdon Theatre Company as their final production of its 25th Anniversary season. These women talk to me about getting involved with the project, the obvious conversation about women of color in these roles. and so much more. Please enjoy my chat with these FABULOUS women.

For the past 3 years, I have been able to cover the New Dramatists Luncheon, and each time, I am amazed at the people that I get to meet when doing a red carpet. It's nice to see some new faces and a dream to see the familiar ones. This year's honoree is 2x Academy Award winning/ Tony Award winning and current nominee for his performance in Eugene O'Neill's THE ICEMAN COMETH, Denzel Washington.

For many of us of a certain age, SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK, was the cornerstone to everything we kids learned about Civics, Mathematics, Parts of Speech, and so much more. It was one of those moments that made our Saturday Mornings literally sing. After learning about nouns, various multiplication tables, and of course, how a bill turns into law, I felt like I had tapped into a new world of learning.

Last month, I had the opportunity to talk to playwright, Phillip Dawkins, about his latest play, THE GENTLEMAN CALLER. We chatted about the men who are about to start previews in the New York premiere of the play, Juan Francisco Villa and Daniel K. Isaac. I was very specific that I wanted to chat with them. Sometimes, you get exactly what you ask. Both Juan and Daniel braved spending time with me, and we had a fantastic chat about the show, their careers, and being non-traditionally cast in the roles of Tennessee Williams and William Inge, respectively.

Darius De Haas, described by The New York Times as "electrically thrilling," by Variety as "a performer who can reveal the sorrows, pains and joys of the composer's richly layered repertoire with an intensity and honesty that easily envelops and mesmerizes the listener," and by the Jazz Times as "blessed with a gorgeous voice and a keen theatrical sophistication," brings his brand new concert and vocal magic to Feinstein's/54 Below, April 26th and 27th.  

I am so fortunate that I live, work, and cover theater in a town like New York. It never fails to surprise me at how much talent is brimming over in New York. When I meet young actresses like Stephanie Courtney aka Sayonne, I am very excited to talk to them, because they are really embarking on a wonderful journey, especially when they are as grounded as this young diva to be. Many times, I feel like the proud and fun fairy godfather to so many of these performers.

Any actor worth their salt will tell you that every great play begins with the words on the page.  Because of the worlds that playwrights (and Librettists) create, many people, even more than actors,  have jobs inside and outside of the theater.  So any chance to talk to a young playwright as delightful and talented as Chicago-based playwright, Philip Dawkins, I will take.  His current opus, The Gentleman Caller is currently in rehearsals to make its New York debut at Cherry Lane Theater, as it coincides with its simultaneous World Premiere production, still running at Chicago's The Raven Theater, through May 27, 2018. 

FABULOUS NEWS, The Actors Fund will present a one-night benefit concert of When Pigs Fly, featuring the cast from the recently canceled production. I went to the major press event for the show and managed to secure some fab interview moments with the entire cast and some of the creatives.

I get so many great opportunities to chat with the legends, and under normal circumstances, I try to hold it together. Holding my Broadway fan boy energy at a safe distance, while maintaining a professional and coherent conversation with probing questions is something that I try to balance with every interview that I do. However, when you are in the room with 2x Tony Award Winning actress, singer, dancer, Chita Rivera, AND 2x Tony and Emmy Award Winning, dancer, actress, singer, Bebe Neuwirth, the balancing act is soooooooooo hard.

As we approach the middle of the season, and the new musicals and plays start previews in preparation for Tony Award considerations, Broadway Enthusiast and fellow Theater Ambassador, William Cortez-Statham, joins me to talk about the music that is available so far this season: SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, THE BAND'S VISIT, and ONCE ON THE ISLAND.