
InDepth InterView: Beowulf Boritt - Part 1: An Inside Look At Manhattan Concert Productions' PARADEFebruary 18, 2015Today we are analyzing all aspects of the hotly anticipated concert event that occured at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on Monday featuring an all-star cast performing Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry's Tony Award-winning score and book - the Manhattan Concert Productions presentation of PARADE. Outlining his involvement in the unique theatrical event is acclaimed and versatile Tony Award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, who opens up about the exciting and idiosyncratic nature of a one night only event such as this as well as the opportunities available in designing for such a spectacular evening in order to bring his artistic vision to fruition. In addition to a thorough discussion of the themes and actual real history elemental to the musical itself and how Boritt has integrated those features into the visual landscape of the piece, he also sheds some light on the intensive design process and intimate collaboration with director Gary Griffin, composer/lyricist/conductor Brown, projection designer Jeff Croiter and lighting designer Jon Weston. Also, Boritt offers a first look at his inspiration for the design elements being created especially for the evening and how he is utilizing vintage photographs and actual historical pieces to maximize authenticity and accuracy in portraying the musical based on a true story occurring in 1915. All of that and much, much more in this expansive design-focused special feature with one of Broadway's brightest behind the scenes visionaries.

InDepth InterView: Matt Bogart Talks 54 SINGS CHESS, Plus 2000+ JERSEY BOYS Broadway Performances, AIDA Memories, Solo Album News & MoreFebruary 11, 2015Today we are talking to one of Broadway's best baritones all about his accomplished career in musical theatre that began nearly 20 years ago with a memorable turn in MISS SAIGON, the thoughtful and debonair Matt Bogart. In addition to looking back at his arrival on Broadway during the mega-musical era, Bogart also comments on subsequent starring roles in Broadway productions ranging from Elton John and Tim Rice's Tony Award-winning AIDA to Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy's THE CIVIL WAR and far beyond. Additionally, Bogart sheds considerable light on projects he has participated in over the years in regional productions and workshops, including THE BAKER'S WIFE, CAMELOT, ACE and more. Most importantly, Bogart offers the full 411 on this weekend's hotly anticipated evening of music from famous rock concept musical CHESS and clues us in on what we can expect from the starry evening, directed by Scott Coulter. Furthermore, Bogart shares stories from the set of SMASH, outlines some of his favorite musical theatre songs to date and details the process in bringing his previous solo albums to fruition along with JAY Records executive producer John Yap, looking ahead to the release of a brand new release set for later this year. All of that, a thorough analysis of participating in 2500 performances of long-running Tony Award-winning Broadway super smash JERSEY BOYS, appearing in the international broadcast and DVD edition of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, memories of the legendary 2002 Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration and much, much more!