Kyle Christopher West - Page 10

Last Monday night, the Addison Theatre Center was abuzz, eagerly anticipating the directorial debut of WaterTower Theatre's new Artistic director, Joanie Schultz and the play HIT THE WALL that she carried with her from her previous Chicago home, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. When the house opened, actors milled about the stage, an enthusiastic indie band jamming away behind them, casually greeting ticket buyers as they took their seats. And, although we weren't yet sure if we were there to witness humor or horror, we entered ready for a riot.

While Dallas is celebrated for its thriving theatre scene, a good, old-fashioned dinner theatre can be hard to find in our great state. So, in my effort to track down the next best thing, I came across the Murder Mystery Co. of Dallas. While the troupe's creators have plenty of room to grow in order to perfect their intended experience, they're certainly on the right track.

Check out rehearsal photos for Casa Mañana's Apprentice Program production of BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, featuring Charlie H. Ray as 'Andrew Jackson', Brooke Verbois as 'Rachel' and Hayden Hart as 'Bandleader,' with Shelby Parker, Lauren Magee, Lauren Davidsen, Camryn Wright, Alejandro Saucedo, Ashton Miramontes, Brandon Shreve, Sydney Dotson, Daniel DiPinto, Tatem Lee, Brad Weatherford, Lance Jewett, Caleb A. Barnett, Katie Blanton, Sarah Youngblood, Grace Moore, Josie Dawn, Tristin Thomas and Hunter Hall rounding out the cast.

Apply today to join the Dallas and Fort Worth BroadwayWorld.com team as a Social Media Intern. Flexible hours and complimentary theatre tickets are on your upcoming agenda!

Catch up with Deborah Cox about her experience on tour with THE BODYGUARD, now playing at Dallas Summer Musicals' Music Hall at Fair Park.

Like a burst of light, Whitney Houston put herself on the movie screen map with her performance in the 1992 Warner Bros. blockbuster hit, THE BODYGUARD, leaving a long-lasting impression in our hearts and in the music industry. But, it appears that lightning won't be striking twice with this title, as the current stage attempt creates musical magic, but falls short of memorable.

Will Carlton (Pippin) gives a sneak peak at the rehearsal process of The Firehouse Theatre's Big Summer Musical, PIPPIN. The Firehouse Theatre will offer two $13 Preview performances of PIPPIN on Wednesday July 19th, and Thursday July 20th. And a Special 'Charlemagne Champagne' Opening Night on Friday July 21st. Join us for the Magic. For tickets and more information, visit www.TheFirehouseTheatre.com.

There's a fabulous party going on at the Kalita Humphreys Theatre hosted by Uptown Players and, as is often the case with this acting troupe, the festivities include drag queens, glitter, and a whole lot of laughter. Although not everyone on the guest list is a solid ten, the hosts have pulled out all the stops to guarantee a great evening. This serves as your invitation to come and join the denizens of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES!

With enough glittering pixie dust and wonder for children of all ages, it doesn't take much magic for a musical to fly high. Any that's exactly the case in the touring production of FINDING NEVERLAND, which opened to a cheerful crowd last night at Dallas' Winspear Opera House for a two-week engagement.

Theatre is known for being a collaborative art form. Working with designers, directors, performers, house management, and all the myriads of roles often includes its challenges. But what happens when you take three unique companies and bring them together to work on a single production? Resolute Theatre Project, L.I.P. Service, and Proper Hijinx Productions are aiming to find out.

Will Carlton (Pippin) gives a sneak peak at the rehearsal process of The Firehouse Theatre's Big Summer Musical, PIPPIN. The Firehouse Theatre will offer two $13 Preview performances of PIPPIN on Wednesday July 19th, and Thursday July 20th. And a Special 'Charlemange Champagne' Opening Night on Friday July 21st. Join us for the Magic. For tickets and more information, visit www.TheFirehouseTheatre.com

Not every new musical can be a HAMILTON, but that's exactly what makes the eclectic genre of American musical theatre thrive and bloom. However, there are a few necessary, key ingredients in creating musical theatre magic, including relatable principal characters and some heartfelt showtunes. And, although Dallas Theater Center's efforts to produce an edgy new musical based on the Robin Hood folklore don't ever get past the surface of the legendary story, there's still something irresistible about being in the room where a new work is being created.

The Firehouse Theatre (2016 BWW Award for Best Theatrical Venue under 500 Seats) in Farmers Branch, TX, unveils their big summer musical of Pippin, by Steven Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson. Pippin was originally directed for the Broadway stage in 1972 by Bob Fosse, and the 2013 Broadway revival earned 4 Tony awards including Best Musical Revival. The Firehouse Theatre will present their summer musical in a Big Top Circus presentation, similar to the style of the Broadway Revival production, including aerial performers, magic tricks, and death defying acts! PIPPIN runs July 19th through August 20th, with show times Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30pm and matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets and more information can be found at www.TheFirehouseTheatre.com or call 972-620-3747.

With the challenges of putting a brand new musical on its feet, finding a moment where actress Alysha Umphress could steal away from rehearsal for this interview was a challenge of its own. And when we did connect, it was not without technical difficulties on my end, and a coffee spilling fiasco on her end as she prepared for her long day of rehearsal. Through it all, Alysha, who has appeared on Broadway in AMERICAN IDIOT, ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, BRING IT ON and ON THE TOWN (starring opposite DFW's Jay Armstrong Johnson), was upbeat, down-to-earth, excited to talk about her new big gig, and just as happy to humor me with stories from her early career.

Carol Piersol and 5th Wall Theatre are proud to announce their production of “The Toxic Avenger” (book and lyrics written by Joe DiPietro, music and lyrics written by David Bryan), a raucous rock musical based on the 1984 cult classic film of the same name. Keith Fitzgerald helms as director with a cast of talented Richmond performers: Alexander Sapp, Debra Wagoner, Rachel Rose Gilmour, William Anderson, and Chris Hester, with music direction by Starlet Knight and choreography by Emily Dandridge.

When the tour of MATILDA premiered in Dallas in September of 2015, the musical was plagued with sound issues, making Tim Minchin's intricately witty score impossible to follow. Fortunately, in its return to town (now at Fort Worth's Bass Hall), the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical has been revamped to create an easier listening experience, resulting in a perfect evening of theatre for "miracles" of all ages.

Whether or not you're a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber, you likely know what to expect when approaching any of his famous musicals. From JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, his catalog is filled with wordy, pop-sounding scores that often offer a CliffsNotes version of the tales they are retelling. His demanding productions also require strong performers and creative visionaries to effectively communicate his material to the audience. Unfortunately, the black-box style EVITA offered at Frisco Theatre struggles to overcome the show's challenges, despite an earnest community theatre effort.

Joey Folsom Brings Lenny Bruce Back to Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York with Upstart Productions' Latest Undertaking

Taylor Quick moved to New York just nine short months ago, but she's already achieved the role of a lifetime: playing the title role in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE alongside some of New York's brightest stars. But, the young actress, who has family ties to the Great White Way, has neither lost her tenacious work ethic nor her adorable southern accent. Taylor and I chatted about how she booked this dream gig, and what working with a Tony Award-nominated director/choreographer has been like.

Cabaret, as they continue their FINDING A VOICE season, and celebrate 50+ years of Kander and Ebb's multi-award winning masterpiece. A musical about finding your voice while the world loses its way, Cabaret includes some of the most memorable songs in music theatre history, such as "Cabaret," 'Mein Herr,' "Willkommen" and "Maybe This Time."