Kyle Christopher West - Page 13

As a preteen in 1992, thanks to a 'free week' of The Disney Channel, I became an expert on the working conditions of the 1899 newsboys of New York, and their famous conflict with newspaper giants William Randolph Hurst and Joseph Pulitzer. I also discovered a love for musical theatre, as I watched the dozens of acrobatic young men singing, dancing and exploding onto the streets of New York City as NEWSIES. When the tape I'd recorded the film on was eventually 'eaten' by my VHS player (and with Disney discontinuing distribution) my mother and I convinced Blockbuster to sell us their copy, once they acknowledged that we'd been the only rental for several months. When a DVD was eventually released the following decade, my mother immediately gifted me a copy, which I memorized word-for-word. NEWSIES finally made it's way to the stage in 2011, and I excitedly traveled to New Jersey for its premier, followed by two additional trips to see the production on Broadway. To say I'm a 'Fansie' may be an understatement, so I couldn't have been more excited to seize the day with the touring company earlier this week.

Cheryl Allison may not be a household name (yet), but her resume is extremely impressive, to say the least. With credits on Broadway, in Japan, several national tours, and endless regional theatres, Cheryl has made an impressive career out of theatre, which she first discovered as a child in Dallas. Not only is Cheryl starring in numerous roles this season at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, but she just finished shooting her first feature film in July 2014, NO LETTING GO (co-starring Kathy Najimy and Alysia Reiner), set to be released in 2016.

Last week, I spoke with Jacob Kemp, the young actor currently starring in the national tour of Disney's NEWSIES. In addition to the tour, Jacob has been featured in a recurring role on an ABC sitcom, and he admits that he's had a very exciting and successful year. From his hotel in Los Angeles, where NEWSIES was on tour at the time, Jacob dished about his life on the road, the exciting oppertunities he's found, and the joy of working with the famous creators of his current show.

Known for its challenging music and intricate lyrics, written masterfully by musical theatre icon, Stephen Sondheim, INTO THE WOODS is a staple among theaters across the country. With nearly two dozen famous fairy tale characters, the show challenges audiences to think beyond 'happily ever after,' and to be careful what you wish for along the way. Although this forest is filled with wonderful creatures of all shapes and sizes, the 'women of the woods' at The Firehouse Theatre bring both the heart and humor to this intimate production, now playing through May 3rd, 2015.

When purchasing tickets to DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY, the one-woman show currently playing at the McDavid Studio in Ft. Worth, you might question what's in store. Is this a drag show? A play? Is this literally a Tupperware party? The answer: all of the above and more!

ORDINARY DAYS may not be based on a famous book or movie; the score may not have any #1 radio hits; and the show may not be a mega-hit Broadway blockbuster…but this is exactly what makes the show so charming. Like the new theatre company producing the show, ORDINARY DAYS is small, but full of love and commitment - two important ingredients in creating art.

With the show's Broadway debut in 1951, followed by the 1956 Academy-Award-winning film adaption, Rodger's and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I has been captivating audiences for over 60 years. Yul Brenner, the most iconic and well-known of the actors who have played the King, not only starred in both stage and film incarnations of this classic musical, but he brought the show's national tour to the Music Hall at Fair Park in 1989, where the acclaimed musical is currently being revived by Dallas Summer Musicals. Though the current production's leader may lack Brenner's clout and charisma, this locally produced musical provides a high-quality, dazzling opportunity to celebrate and enjoy this timeless classic.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak with Broadway legend, Rachel York, just minutes before her final rehearsal for THE KING AND I at Music Hall at Fair Park. Having personally seen Ms. York perform onstage in several Broadway shows, as well as the filmed productions of KISS ME KATE and VICTOR/VICTORIA, it was a joy to hear her behind-the-scenes stories and personal experiences.

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Broadway's Dylis Croman, who returns to the national tour of CHICAGO next week, as the fame-obsessed merry murderess, Roxie Hart. With five Broadway shows under her belt, and several national tours, Ms. Croman returns to Texas, having graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Ms. Croman is also no stranger to the musical CHICAGO; she's performed in the show alongside the likes of Billy Ray Cyrus, Bebe Neuwirth, Kara DioGuardi and John O'Hurley, to name a few.

Riding on the coattails of the show's successful film, Firehouse Theatre presents INTO THE WOODS in Farmers Branch this season, which also includes YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, OKLAHOMA, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and MARY POPPINS. With INTO THE WOODS casting recently announced, Firehouse Theatre, under the direction of Column Award winner Jason Leyva, is currently in rehearsals for this epic stage production, written by the legendary Stephen Sondheim.

At night, Emma lives in a world of light and dark. Her father's stories unveil a world of possibility and adventure, allowing her to find comfort in the darkness. 'Make-believe and knowing how to use it,' he says, 'That is your light in the dark.' But what happens when imagination is lost? Can it be rediscovered? The Spark is an exploration of light and storytelling through puppetry, music and the mind of a child.

Kinky Boots is an exciting evening full of humor and heart. Despite the racy title and drag stars, the show is remarkably family-friendly, rarely straying from PG/PG-13 themes. With equal parts guts and glitter, this extravaganza is sure to please the whole crowd!

Performing at Dallas' Winspear Opera House through this Sunday afternoon, The Book of Mormon delivers nothing short of a perfect evening of theatre.

If, like me, you have any doubts in finding quality theatre being performed by local performers in an old firehouse, the company of The Drowsy Chaperone at Firehouse Theatre in Flower Mound is sure to convince you otherwise. The Drowsy Chaperone performs Thursdays through Sundays until March 1st, 2015. Tickets are available online at www.thefirehousetheatre.com or by calling 972-620-3747.

In theatre, the phrase 'triple threat' describes a performer who can sing, dance, and act (often all at once!). But how do you describe a performer who does all of this while juggling a half-dozen instruments, stage combat, and various accents? As a cast member and music captain on the national tour of ONCE, John Steven Gardner can do it all.

From the downbeat of the divine Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, led to perfection by the talented Michael Moricz, to the final company bow, led by the show's original choreographer, Ronald Hynd, The Merry Widow offers an enchanted evening at Bass Performance Hall.

In just over two weeks, a parade of long-legged men and women will march into Music Hall at Fair Park, delivering Dallas the national tour of Kinky Boots. As part of Dallas Summer Musical's 75th anniversary season, the show features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper (yes, that Cyndi Lauper!) and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Kinky Boots is the dazzling, smash-hit Broadway musical based on the 2005 film of the same name. Yesterday, I spoke with Lindsay Nicole Chambers, who stars as Lauren in the Kinky Boots tour. With three Broadway shows under her belt (Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Lysistrata Jones), and now three Broadway national tours (Elf, Hairspray, Kinky Boots), Lindsay is known for her incredible versatility and her incomparable comedic talent. She's also appeared onscreen in Across The Universe, and in Submissions Only, a comedy web series about the casting and audition process for Broadway theatre (written by and featuring some of Broadway's greatest artists). Lindsay is also no stranger to Dallas, having performed at Dallas Theatre Center in the pre-Broadway run of Lysistrata Jones (which was known as Give It Up in Dallas).

Alexandra Ncube, of The Book of Mormon, talks about tripping onstage, auditions and life on the road!

Annie Get You Gun In Convert at Lyric Stage soars with a dazzling 38-piece orchestra and a charming actress in the title role!

A 'tale as old as time', Disney's Beauty and the Beast remains a classic!