Interview: Scott Thompson of THE MUSIC THAT MAKES US DANCE! at El Portal

Scott Thompson, an award-winning producer, director, and choreographer. Scott has worked with a "Who's Who" of Broadway talent across the United States.  His eclectic repertoire includes notable productions such as: Gypsy starring Betty Buckley,Oliver! starring Stephanie J. Block, The classic Tom Eyen play, Women Behind Bars, which featured TRACI LORDS and EUREKA O'HARA at the Montalban Theatre in Los Angeles.  

What pattern of stars where your born under in where on earth?

I am Pisces by way of  Des Moines, Iowa

Your earliest recall of your first time seeing live performers and who was its star?

Well, my BEST recall of seeing live performers when I was very young and it was Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, and Jerry Orbach starring in the original Broadway cast of CHICAGO!

How did your village support your dreams & aspirations?

I grew up in Tucson, AZ where I began directing my own High School musicals when I was only 16. This was 48 years ago!  It received reviews by my first major newspaper right around this time.  I’ve been at it ever since. At this time, Tucson was a major retirement city for Broadway performers. So, I had many great teachers!

Any others in your DNA chain who were or are live performers or did you break the mold?

No other performers in my family.

Where did you train to learn your pain? 

I trained in the school of life and by watching every classic film I could get access to and by watching theatre created by my idols - the great masters of the American Musical Theatre Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Gower Champion, Michael Kidd, Onna White and of course, Tommy Tune!

Professionally, what was the first call sheet you landed on?

My first call sheet was at 16 playing John in a professional production of “The Lion in Winter.”

When did you realize you could sustain your being as a live performer?

I realized I was able to be paid for my performing and directing early - but to make a living? I guess around 20 years old.

Can you adjust to canned music tracks or do you prefer live orchestra? 

I hate canned tracks!  As a producer, I would never give audiences this. For live theatre it’s appalling!

Your professional take on pop singers on Broadway popping off eight counts on the final note instead of only three counts  as written by the composer? 

I prefer actors and genuine Broadway voices over pop singers.  So, I don’t pay pop singers much attention. :)

Where in La La Land do you most enjoy performing? Any bucket list venues? 

The reason I founded All Roads Theatre Company (ARTCO) and why I called it that is to deliberately seek out and perform in many different venues. It’s attractive to me to select the venue for  a specific show.  The El Portal Theatre is the PERFECT venue for this intimate but EPIC song and dance revue called “The Music that Makes Me Dance.” Anyone who loves classic musicals but is looking for an interesting take on familiar songs will LOVE this production!  Also, it’s more crucial than ever that people get off their couches, and open their wallets to support live theatre.  It’s a worthy investment and it will enrich your soul to come see proven artists do their thing LIVE onstage.  And and the Broadway artists in this show are among the best I’ve ever worked with in my long career.

All Roads Theatre Company (ARTCO) will present the World Premiere of the musical revue, THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE: THE SONGS OF Jule Styne.

Created by Scott Thompson and Fred Barton, this production celebrates the legendary work of composer Jule Styne. The show features a cast of Broadway headliners, including Anneliese Van Der Pol, Nick Adams, Lana Gordon, Angel Reda, Rhett George, and Neil Starkenberg, accompanied by an 11-piece LIVE band!

This production will run for five performances only, from May 1–3, 2026, at the iconic El Portal Theatre in old town North Hollywood.

Deets:

- Location: 5269 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601

- Tickets: Purchase Online Here (https://ci.ovationtix.com/371/production/1266809?performanceld=11771236)

- Meet the Cast: Watch Video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ny78Xfx56Ug)

- Parking:  Lot parking and street parking with walk-up restaurants nearby.