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 Exclusive: David Moscow Shares His Secrets From NEWSIES on Its 25th Anniversary! Read All About It! BWW Exclusive: David Moscow Shares His Secrets From NEWSIES on Its 25th Anniversary! Read All About It!
by Wayman Wong - July 31, 2017

When David Moscow made his 'Big'-screen debut in 1988, it was huge. Penny Marshall had plucked this precocious, 11-year-old kid from the Bronx to play the younger version of Tom Hanks' character, Josh Baskin. This comic fantasy-fable about a boy who literally became 'Big' overnight, was a giant box-office hit. Moscow was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Comedy. And in that same season, another kid won for Best Young Actor in a Drama: Christian Bale for 'Empire of the ... (more...)
BWW Interview: Emma Hatton On Bringing EVITA To The West End BWW Interview: Emma Hatton On Bringing EVITA To The West End
by Marianka Swain - July 27, 2017

Actress and singer Emma Hatton's previous work includes We Will Rock You and Wicked. She's now starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic musical Evita, which returns to the West End - previews begin at Phoenix Theatre tomorrow night.... (more...)
Robert J. Sherman Talks A SPOONFUL OF SHERMAN Robert J. Sherman Talks A SPOONFUL OF SHERMAN
by Cindy Marcolina - August 22, 2017 in UK / West End

Songwriter Robert J. Sherman just ended a run of his latest show A Spoonful of Sherman at Live at Zedel. He discusses the genesis of the cabaret and his family's musical heritage.... (more...)
Roy Alan on Central Florida's first New Musical Festival Roy Alan on Central Florida's first New Musical Festival
by Kimberly Moy - August 21, 2017 in Orlando

The first ever New Musical Festival comes to Orlando this week at Winter Park Playhouse. If you've ever wondered where musicals are born, this is how. With the help of arts organizations like Winter Park Playhouse, musical creators can refine their pieces and use it as a stepping stone towards publi... (more...)
Broadway's Bart Shatto Talks Upcoming Concerts and Singing with Trans-Siberian Orchestra Broadway's Bart Shatto Talks Upcoming Concerts and Singing with Trans-Siberian Orchestra
by Kevin Pollack - August 21, 2017 in Broadway

For those of you who don't know who Bart Shatto is, you will soon. From the stages of Broadway, where he played the pivotal role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, to packed arenas on tour with the Gold/Platinum selling rock-symphonic band, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Bart has delighted audiences ... (more...)
Michael Cunio Talks CUNIO SINGS ETTA Michael Cunio Talks CUNIO SINGS ETTA
by David Clarke - August 21, 2017 in Cabaret

Broadway veteran and thrilling vocalist Michael Cunio is bringing CUNIO SINGS ETTA to Duane Park (308 Bowery, New York) on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. With CUNIO SINGS ETTA, Michael Cunio pays tribute to the artist, Etta James, who has been his most enduring inspiration. He will perform classic arrang... (more...)
Megan Lione is Enlightened by RAGTIME at Ogunquit Playhouse Megan Lione is Enlightened by RAGTIME at Ogunquit Playhouse
by Christopher Castanho - August 21, 2017 in Maine

Stephen Flaherty's catchy and powerful melodies and Lynn Ahren's poignant lyrics 'It was the music of something beginning, an era exploding, a century spinning. In riches and rags, and in rhythm and rhyme. The people called it Ragtime.' can be heard at Maine's very own Ogunquit Playhouse running now... (more...)
Will Shupe of BILLY ELLIOT at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Will Shupe of BILLY ELLIOT at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
by Cary Ginell - August 20, 2017 in Thousand Oaks

Versatile actor Will Shupe moonlights as a set designer. Some of his secrets are revealed in this fascinating interview.... (more...)
David Edward Hughes and His New Company SING OUT LOUISE! THEATRICALS David Edward Hughes and His New Company SING OUT LOUISE! THEATRICALS
by Jay Irwin - August 18, 2017 in Seattle

Hello, Dear Readers. I recently got the chance to sit down with Seattle Theater staple David Edward Hughes to pick his brain on his career, his views on the state of local theater and, most importantly, his new theater company Sing Out Louise! Theatricals which will be announcing their inaugural se... (more...)
Becky Castells of BILLY ELLIOT at Actors' Repertory Theatre Of Simi Becky Castells of BILLY ELLIOT at Actors' Repertory Theatre Of Simi
by Cary Ginell - August 18, 2017 in Thousand Oaks

Choreographer Becky Castells talks with VC On Stage about working with children and eleven-year-old dance whiz Marcello Silva in the Actors' Repertory Theatre of Simi's production of 'Billy Elliot The Musical'... (more...)
Chloe Marie of HAIR at Theatre Baton Rouge Chloe Marie of HAIR at Theatre Baton Rouge
by Tara Bennett - August 17, 2017 in New Orleans

The year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the rock musical, HAIR and Theatre Baton Rouge is celebrating with a two-week run of the show, opening Friday, August 18, and running through Sunday, August 27.... (more...)
Coming Together to Bring Change, Panel Discusses NEWSIES Coming Together to Bring Change, Panel Discusses NEWSIES
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - August 17, 2017 in Maine

"Newsies is a hit wherever you take it; it had a highly successful Broadway run and national tour and now in these first regional productions, it is the kind of show that brings people from all over to see it again and again. It reaches so many people with its great music and dance and inspiring sto... (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...)