Student Blogger: Kat Mokrynski

In August, Transforming Space Over Time: Set Design and Visual Storytelling with Broadway’s Legendary Directors by Beowulf Boritt was released. After reading the book, I had the chance to speak with Beowulf about the book’s release and his years of experience as a set designer.

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Christopher M. Ramirez, who is playing Touchstone in the Public’s musical adaptation of As You Like It, the second time the production has been staged at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. We discussed Shakespeare, the Public's mission, and even pancakes!

Three years ago, a YouTube channel called Wait in the Wings published its first video, titled 'The World's Most Dangerous Musical -- Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark.' From that moment on, Brendon Henderson gained a reputation in the theatre world - The Explorer of Underrated Shows. Since then, Wait in the Wings has been used as a place for Brendon to publish documentaries on different underrated Broadway shows that haven't been given their full due by the theatre community. He's discussed shows like Carrie, Groundhog Day, Diana, Rebecca, and even fictional shows like Rogers the Musical from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Caution: the brain may wander. Side effects may include a distrust of your own senses, a disorientation of self, and a mild to severely good time. You may not be who you think you are. But we’re all in it together. Welcome to Theatre of the Mind, created by David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar.

Diana has been on my mind for many years. In fact, I actually wrote about it in quite a few of my earlier articles, constantly stating that it would be the first show that I wanted to see once Broadway reopened. If only I knew just how much of an impact this show would have on my life.

Recently, I had the chance to speak with David about his experience in the theatre world, his off-Broadway directorial debut, and, of course, Disney! From Happy Meal toys to college professors, read on to learn more about how David became the person they are today and how he is contributing to both the theatre world and the Disney community.

Since theatre has returned to New York City, I have seen many different shows. I’ve been to musicals, plays, and even interactive shows. But nothing can compare to one of the modern classic plays, The Play That Goes Wrong. I’ve been lucky enough to see it twice over the past two months, and even knowing all of the twists and turns, the second performance ended up being just as entertaining, if not more, than the first! Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Chris Lanceley, who plays “Jonathan” in the off-Broadway production of The Play That Goes Wrong at New World Stages.

It all started in November of 2021 when one of my friends was visiting New York City for the first time. Being the theatre fan I am, I insisted that we saw a Broadway show together. He suggested a show called David Byrne’s American Utopia. “Sounds good to me,” I responded, “but quick question - Who’s David Byrne?”

This past month, I had the opportunity to speak with Tim Dolan, the owner of Broadway Up Close, a company of storytellers who share stories to help visitors get a closer look at the world of Broadway. There are three different components that make up Broadway Up Close - Tours, gifts, and workshops. The tours are given both in-person and virtually, going over a range of different topics related to Broadway.

Scar Tissue is a play that revolves around two roommates, Jessica (playwright Victoria Fragnito) and Sam (Rita McCann), each going through their own struggles in dealing with toxic relationships from their pasts. Jessica is attempting to break free from the memories of a man she dated in college, Luke (Nick Ritacco), a man who haunts her current relationship with Jack (Brandon Ford Green). Sam, on the other hand, is struggling with her relationship with her sister, Hannah (Jillian Vitko), who abandoned her in a time of need. When both women have to face their pasts head-on, truths are revealed and realities are shattered, threatening the relationship between the two roommates.

Walking into 'The Gallery' at the Green Fig truly makes you feel like you're entering some kind of secret society. I won't go into much detail but be prepared to be wowed! Once you're inside, a cast member gives you a shot and escorts you to your seat as other actors interact with the audience, asking questions and making jokes. The venue has a very 'speakeasy vibe,' perfect for a drinking club with a Shakespeare problem. Before seeing the show, I got to interview Lisa Klages, the Associate Director and Production Manager, as well as Nate Betancourt, the drunk actor at that night's performance

In early December, I had a chance to speak with Brian Blythe, one of the creators of the Costume Industry Coalition and the Showstoppers exhibit that ran until December 5th in Times Square. We reflected on the creation of Showstoppers and how the costume industry has been impacted by the pandemic, as well as what theatre fans can do to help the industry recover.. Enjoy!

Over the past week, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to cover the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for BroadwayWorld’s Student Blog Center. As a part of this process I attended performance rehearsals, the balloon inflation, and of course, the parade itself! Read on to find out more about what it’s like to spend a week with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Alex Wyse and Ben Fankhauser have joined forces to write and star in A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet, a new musical off-Broadway. The show is “is everything you want the first new musical premiering in NYC to be: whip-smart and stupid funny, packed with songs as catchy as a jingle.” I had the opportunity to see Regina Comet this past weekend and had such a fun time!

Back in September, I saw an announcement on social media that AJ Holmes (apologies, Broadway's AJ Holmes) would be performing a solo show at the SoHo Playhouse. As an admirer of AJ's work who had some time to kill after class one night, I decided to pay the show a visit. After all, the show's blurb claimed that I was going to be hearing about 'the worst, most embarrassing, humiliating, potentially irredeemable parts' of someone I had been a fan of for many years - Who wouldn't want to see something like that? But as I took the subway down to the theater, I couldn't help but wonder what AJ was going to talk about. What had he done? Would I still admire him after the show had ended? Who exactly was AJ Holmes?

Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej will be starring in the final season of BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural, premiering this Friday on the BuzzFeed Unsolved Network's YouTube Channel. Need some convincing to join the boys on “one last nightmarish odyssey”? Here are my top 5 reasons to look forward to the final season of BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural!

Would you consider yourself a picky eater? I definitely would! Even though I’m always down to try a new food, it is rare for me to find something that I really enjoy and would consider ordering or cooking again. But luckily for all us picky eaters out there, BuzzFeed has a show made just for us.

For the past few years I have had a tradition of driving out to Manheim, Pennsylvania, to spend a day at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. It's been a way for me to forget about the stresses of everyday life during some crazy times. But now that I'm living in New York, I decided it was time to give a new Renaissance Faire a try.

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to attend Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical and review it for BroadwayWorld. Recently, I also had the chance to speak with Nick Flatto, the director of Stranger Sings. We talked about the show, the effects of the pandemic, and even TikTok. So without further ado, let’s get into it!