BroadwayWorld Interviews

Backstage with Richard Ridge: How to Make a High-Flying Hit- The COME FROM AWAY Cast and Creatives Explain How They Made Their Show Soar Backstage with Richard Ridge: How to Make a High-Flying Hit- The COME FROM AWAY Cast and Creatives Explain How They Made Their Show Soar
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - July 28, 2017

Come From Away has been 2017's little musical that could. Soon after opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, the show earned seven Tony nominations (picking up one for director Christopher Ashley), coming as quite a shock to the creative team that has been nurturing the project since the beginning. 'We expected Canadian high schools to do it... and now we're on Broadway,' explained creator David Hein.... (more...)
BWW Interview: Freema Agyeman Talks APOLOGIA, Sense8 And The Female Doctor BWW Interview: Freema Agyeman Talks APOLOGIA, Sense8 And The Female Doctor
by Marianka Swain - July 20, 2017

Freema Agyeman rose to fame with roles on TV shows like Doctor Who, Torchwood, Law and Order: UK and Sense8. Now, she's making her West End debut in black comedy Apologia at Trafalgar Studios, alongside Stockard Channing and Laura Carmichael. The play begins previews on 29 July.... (more...)
BWW Interview: DC Native Jose Llana of THE KING & I at The Kennedy Center BWW Interview: DC Native Jose Llana of THE KING & I at The Kennedy Center
by Jamie McGonnigal - July 19, 2017

20 years after making his Broadway debut in THE KING & I, Jose Llana returns to his hometown of DC to bring the title role to life. I had the chance to chat with the actor, activist, and political junkie about his roles on and offstage.... (more...)
The 'New' Mr. Las Vegas, Frankie Moreno Talks 'New Las Vegas' & Songwriting Career The 'New' Mr. Las Vegas, Frankie Moreno Talks 'New Las Vegas' & Songwriting Career
by Kevin Pollack - August 15, 2017 in Las Vegas

If you go to Las Vegas, there is one act you definitely need to catch and his name is Frankie Moreno.  As a child prodigy on the piano and a gifted multi-instrumentalist, Frankie was first introduced to American audiences at the age of ten with his debut on CBS's “Star Search”. Since then, named ... (more...)
Renown Actress of the Screen and Stage, Harriet Harris, On Arsenic and Old Lace and Letting Yourself Laugh Renown Actress of the Screen and Stage, Harriet Harris, On Arsenic and Old Lace and Letting Yourself Laugh
by Courtney Savoia - August 15, 2017 in Boston

Renown actress of the screen and stage, Harriet Harris (Tony Award; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Bebe Glazer on the hit show, Frasier) joins Berkshire Theatre Group this summer in the classic Joseph Kesselring's play, Arsenic and Old Lace. A play that has gone down in history for its dark humor, Arseni... (more...)
BWW Review: Whipping, or the Football Hamlet Goes for the Touchdown at Callan Theatre BWW Review: Whipping, or the Football Hamlet Goes for the Touchdown at Callan Theatre
by Hannah Wing - August 14, 2017 in Washington, DC

Something is clearly rotten in the state of the DFL and perhaps America itself. Whipping, or the Football Hamlet, written, directed, and choreographed by Kathleen Akerley, is entertaining and humorous as it is stirring and thought-provoking.... (more...)
Daniel Zaitchik - Kleban award winning creator of DARLING GRENADINE at Goodspeed's Terris Theatre Daniel Zaitchik - Kleban award winning creator of DARLING GRENADINE at Goodspeed's Terris Theatre
by Joseph Harrison - August 14, 2017 in Connecticut

With an array of musical influences including musical storytellers like Billy Joel and Tom Waits, French classical composers and gospel music, Daniel Zaitchik's sound was bound to be unique. This recent Ed Kleban award winner brings his new musical DARLING GRENADINE to the Goodspeed's Terris Theatre... (more...)
Ripton Lindsay talks WOMAD Takeover Ripton Lindsay talks WOMAD Takeover
by Rona Kelly - August 13, 2017 in UK / West End

This weekend, WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) has brought a world of culture to the South Bank. Part of the National's River Stage series, acts such as beat boxer Grace Savage and musicians Afro Cluster have taken over the stage. As Sunday kicked off, BroadwayWorld thought we'd try our hands ... (more...)
Maria-Christina Oliveras Talks WE'RE GONNA DIE, Her Unlikely Career Path and the Subversiveness of Presence Maria-Christina Oliveras Talks WE'RE GONNA DIE, Her Unlikely Career Path and the Subversiveness of Presence
by Matthew Blank - August 12, 2017 in Rockland / Westchester

We catch up with the often-employed Maria-Christina Oliveras, who is taking on Young Jean Lee's solo piece WE'RE GONNA DIE at Ancram Opera House.... (more...)
Grace Savage talks WOMAD Takeover Grace Savage talks WOMAD Takeover
by Rona Kelly - August 12, 2017 in UK / West End

WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) kicks off their second day taking over the River Stage at the National Theatre. Saturday's lineup features performances and workshops, from a range of artists and for a range of ages. Kids as young as three crowded the stage to learn how to beat box from UK cha... (more...)
Russell Evans, Sam Robertson & Hugh Parry talk AFRO CLUSTER at WOMAD Russell Evans, Sam Robertson & Hugh Parry talk AFRO CLUSTER at WOMAD
by Rona Kelly - August 12, 2017 in UK / West End

The River Stage Festival returns this summer to the National Theatre. Different companies and groups takeover the South Bank, from The Glory to Rambert and the National itself. This weekend, WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) took over with a stellar line up featuring Afro Cluster. Band members ... (more...)
Trevor Michael Schmidt Seizes the Day in NEWSIES at MTWichita Trevor Michael Schmidt Seizes the Day in NEWSIES at MTWichita
by Christopher Castanho - August 11, 2017 in Wichita

Recent graduate of Florida State University's Musical Theatre program, Trevor Michael Schmidt is currently seizing the day in Music Theatre Wichita's production of 'Newsies' as 'Crutchie' the sickly boy with a big heart. Schmidt has been a company member in MTWichita's whole summer season and is wra... (more...)
BWW Feature: Strong Women Get Their Due on Stage in August BWW Feature: Strong Women Get Their Due on Stage in August
by Ellen Dostal - August 11, 2017 in Costa Mesa

If you were captivated by the film Hidden Figures and its story of the women known as 'human computers' who saved John Glenn's NASA space mission, get ready for Lauren Gunderson's play SILENT SKY, opening this month at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.... (more...)
Five on Friday with Jayne Batzofin, the Artistic Director for Clowns Without Borders South Africa Five on Friday with Jayne Batzofin, the Artistic Director for Clowns Without Borders South Africa
by David Fick - August 11, 2017 in South Africa

Clowns Without Borders South Africa is celebrating their tenth anniversary with a once-off Comedy Benefit Showcase at the iconic Fugard Studio Theatre this August. BroadwayWorld South Africa chatted with Jayne Batzofin, the artistic director for Clowns Without Borders South Africa, about the importa... (more...)
Jim Johnson of A CHORUS LINE at Susquehanna Stage Company Jim Johnson of A CHORUS LINE at Susquehanna Stage Company
by Rich Mehrenberg - August 10, 2017 in Central Pennsylvania

Audiences will be amazed that our little community theatre has been so successful in presenting a polished, beautiful, and mature work of ART... (more...)
Cheech Manohar of MEAN GIRLS on His Parody Rap Audition Cheech Manohar of MEAN GIRLS on His Parody Rap Audition
by Leigh Scheps - August 10, 2017 in Broadway

At 21-years-old and fresh out of college, Cheech Manohar's got it pretty grool. He's about to make his Broadway debut as suave virgin North Shore mathlete, Kevin Gnapoor, in the new musical Mean Girls, an adaption of the 2004 film of the same name.... (more...)
EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Snowflake EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Snowflake
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 10, 2017 in Scotland

BWW speaks to Mark Thomson about bringing Snowflake to the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.... (more...)
Kristina Riggle, author of Broadway-themed novel VIVIAN IN RED Kristina Riggle, author of Broadway-themed novel VIVIAN IN RED
by Neil Shurley - August 09, 2017 in Books

'Vivian in Red is about owning your story, and that means all of it...your triumphs and your mistakes, both.'... (more...)
When the Fun Was the Music: MSMT and Portland Stage's Co-Production of THE ALL NIGHT STRUT When the Fun Was the Music: MSMT and Portland Stage's Co-Production of THE ALL NIGHT STRUT
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - August 09, 2017 in Maine

"The All Night Strut will transport you to a time when life was happier, and the fun was the music. This show will prove that it is still about the music. The audience will go nuts for the production; they will eat it alive and want more and more of it." Curt Dale Clark knows from whence he spe... (more...)
EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Fiona Sagar EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Fiona Sagar
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 09, 2017 in Scotland

BWW speaks to Fiona Sagar about bringing Sagar Mega Drive to the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.... (more...)
Dean Elliott of THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL SHOW at APPELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Dean Elliott of THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL SHOW at APPELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
by Christy Brooks - August 08, 2017 in Central Pennsylvania

SIMON & GARFUNKEL SHOW is an "internationally- acclaimed hit theatre show" that is coming to The Appell Center for the Performing Arts, in York, PA, on September 24, 2017.... (more...)
Cade Peirce on the Utah Premiere of ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY Cade Peirce on the Utah Premiere of ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY
by Tyler Hinton - August 07, 2017 in Salt Lake City

West Side Theatre Company will present a summer theatrical event for the entire family with the Utah premiere of the Kennedy Center's ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. Adults and children of all ages will equally enjoy a night filled with fun, music, and laughter as they e... (more...)
Director, Timothy Storey of THE MOUSETRAP at DreamWrights Director, Timothy Storey of THE MOUSETRAP at DreamWrights
by Rich Mehrenberg - August 07, 2017 in Central Pennsylvania

It's a classic murder-mystery with a little bit of a twist. Christie has written this show in such a superb way as to cast shadows of doubt on each and every character along the way... (more...)
EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Bruce EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Bruce
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 07, 2017 in Scotland

BWW speaks to The Last Great Hunt about bringing Bruce back to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.... (more...)
EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Demi Lardner EDINBURGH 2017: BWW Q&A- Demi Lardner
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 07, 2017 in Scotland

BWW talks to Demi Lardner about bringing Look What You Made Me Do to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.... (more...)
A Woman Standing Up in a Man's World: Kate Fahrner in NEWSIES A Woman Standing Up in a Man's World: Kate Fahrner in NEWSIES
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - August 07, 2017 in Maine

“She a woman standing up in a man's world, and she won't take no for an answer,” Kate Farhner says admiringly of her current role in Maine State Music Theatre's new production of Disney's Newsies. “Katherine is one of the principal storytellers in the show, and [as a writer], she is unique because s... (more...)
Alex Flanigan's SINGULARITY in Samuel French Short Play Festival Alex Flanigan's SINGULARITY in Samuel French Short Play Festival
by Christopher Castanho - August 07, 2017 in New York City

The 'Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival' has been around for 42 years, and during that time over 500 theatre companies and schools have participated. Applicants have included companies from across the country as well as abroad from Canada, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. 'Singular... (more...)
LET IT SHINE Winners Talk Take That Musical THE BAND LET IT SHINE Winners Talk Take That Musical THE BAND
by Marianka Swain - August 07, 2017 in UK / West End

New Take That musical The Band, co-created with Tim Firth, begins its national tour at Manchester Opera House on 8 September. Cast members AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Yazdan Qafouri Isfahani, Curtis T Johns and Sario Watanabe-Soloman, who won TV talent show Let It Shine, give us a preview... ... (more...)