Michael Mendez

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Raises Over $200,000 For Education Programs

On April 4, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presented its lively and music-filled fundraiser, the April Fools Fête, in the ballroom at Michael’s On East. This year’s country-themed celebration was a sold-out success, with 300 community members in attendance – most of them wearing cowboy and cowgirl-appropriate attire. The event raised more than $200,000 in support of WBTT’s education programs.

WBTT To Present APRIL FOOLS FETE Next Month

For more than a decade, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offered the lively and music-filled fundraiser, the April Fools Fête, in the ballroom at Michael's On East. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the event was presented virtually and, in 2021, WBTT presented the event to a smaller crowd outdoors on its campus. This year, the popular arts organization is thrilled to be back at Michael's On East for a country-themed celebration on April 4.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe to Present BROADWAY IN BLACK

Back by popular demand – from its world-premiere run during the summer of 2017 – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present “Broadway in Black,” updated for 2022. In this musical revue created and adapted by WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, WBTT will salute Broadway musicals with songs that span decades and a wide variety of musical styles that will appeal to audiences of all ages.

Theatre Odyssey Awards First VERNA SAFRAN PRIVE to Jake Pettingell

The first Verna Safran Prize ($1,000) has been awarded to Jake Pettingell, a Sarasotan who attends Saint Stephen's Episcopal School, for his play THE REAL WORLD, set in a post-nuclear war era about a family of four living together in a military bunker. Directed by Blake Walton, the play was performed at the festival by actors Owen DeMaio, Jude DeMaio, Ann Morrison (who, with a day's notice, replaced an actor who became ill), and Tony Boothby.

WBTT Voices Community Forum To Pay Tribute To Groundbreaking Black Golfer Ann Gregory

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present its first WBTT Voices program of the season with “Playing Through: The Story of Ann Gregory,” on November 10. The free program will explore the struggles and triumphs of Ann Gregory, a woman of color who was a pioneer in the elite and competitive world of golf. The program will include a panel discussion and the showing of preview clips from the movie.

Westport Country Playhouse to Stream Archival Shows MAN OF LA MANCHA and OF MICE AND MEN

Westport Country Playhouse has selected two HD videos from its archives of performances captured live on stage for streaming on demand. The Playhouse’s 2018 production of “Man of La Mancha,” the Tony Award-winning musical following Don Quixote’s quest for “The Impossible Dream,” will stream on-demand from Monday, August 23-Sunday, September 5.

WBTT's New Young Artist Program Season Opens with Astrid Victoria

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present the eighth year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with self-produced, one-person shows.

WBTT To Livestream APRIL FOOLS FÊTE: NATE JACOBS' JUKEBOX

For more than a decade, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has offered the lively and music-filled fundraiser, the April Fools Fête, to support its education programs. This year, with social events cautiously returning to the scene, WBTT has moved the event outdoors to its theatre arts center for a socially-distanced live audience on April 5. It will also offer a livestream option so the rest of the community can join the party virtually while supporting the Troupe.

New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of March 1 - ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Orange Vinyl, and More!

This week's list includes a new limited edition orange vinyl of the 2017 revival cast recording of Once on This Island, as well as a purple vinyl edition of the 1964 cast recording of My Fair Lady. Plus, the latest volume of The Untold Stories of Broadway by Jennifer Ashley Tepper is now available!

New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of February 15 - THE WELLSONGS PROJECT, Survival Guide For SIX Fans, and More!

This week's list includes The Wellsongs Project, featuring Kate Baldwin, Ethan Slater, and more. Plus, check out Don't Lose Your Head: Life Lessons from the Six Ex-Wives of Henry VIII, which has been described as 'An Unofficial Survival Guide for Fans of the Musical Six.'

VIDEO: Watch a Trailer for Westport County Playhouse's MAN OF LA MANCHA

Westport Country Playhouse stages "Man of La Mancha," the Tony Award-winning musical about Don Quixote's quest for "The Impossible Dream," now playing through October 14. Directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director, the story of Quixote's battle for good and the love of his fair maiden is written by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion.

Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN opened earlier this week, September 10 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). CHAPLIN is a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan and Christopher Curtis. Warren Carlyle directs and choreographs the production. The show just released a brand new television promo and BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive first look below!

Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN opened last night, September 10 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). CHAPLIN is a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan and Christopher Curtis. Warren Carlyle directs and choreographs the production. BroadwayWorld's own Richie Ridge was there for the big opening, where he chatted with Rob McClure, Jenn Colella, Erin Mackey, Christiane Noll and more! Check out what they had to say below!

Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN opened last night, September 10 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). CHAPLIN is a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan and Christopher Curtis. Warren Carlyle directs and choreographs the production. In the video below, Nick and Joe Jonas chat about supporting their good friend Rob McClure at the big opening. Check it out below!

Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN opens tonight, September 10 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). CHAPLIN is a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis. Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow; Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. In the video below, the cast thanks fans of the show for their support. Check it out below!

Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN opens tonight, September 10 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). CHAPLIN is a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis. Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow; Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. BroadwayWorld brings you a photo and video preview of the show below!

Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN opens September 10 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). CHAPLIN is a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis. Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow; Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the new musical below!

Meet some of the creative team members of Broadway's new musical CHAPLIN. Watch director/choreographer Warren Carlyle, Rob McClure, who stars as Charlie Chaplin, set designer Beowulf Boritt and costume designer Amy Clark as they give you a taste of the sets, costumes and more. CHAPLIN arrives on Broadway this August. Click below to watch the video.

In the video below, go behind the scenes at a recent photo shoot for Broadway's CHAPLIN. Watch Rob McClure, who stars as Charlie Chaplin, as he talks about preparing for the role of a lifetime. CHAPLIN arrives on Broadway this August. .

Jared Zirilli (of Fat Camp, Lysistrata Jones, Wicked tour, AltarBoyz, RENT, and more) brings you his last blog 'Jared Zirilli Blog 21 FAT CAMP Interview - Carly Jibson!' Jibson is known for her starring role in Broadway's Hairspray and on stage in FAT CAMP, which closes today, May 13.