Bill Nolte News

One week into the virtually sold-out run of MSMT's Fiddler on the Roof, cast members, Bill Nolte, Susan Cella, Erick Devine, and Rachel Rhodes-Devey, together with MSMT's Managing Director Stephanie Dupal convened in the third Peek Behind the Curtain panel discussion at the Curtis Memorial Library on July 27, 2016, to examine the phenomenon of the show that continues to mesmerize audiences fifty-two years after its Broadway debut. In response to moderator Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold's observation that Fiddler is a show which - like its characters - survives, the participants discussed their individual perspectives on the show, their characters, and the universal themes that continue to speak powerfully to audiences.

Maine State Music Theatre's third 2016 main stage production is a cause for celebration! After twenty-one years, the beloved Bock-Harnick musical, Fiddler on the Roof returns to the Pickard stage in a monumental production directed and choreographed by Gary John LaRosa, that stunningly weaves a rich and joyous tapestry of laughter, tears, and joy. Maintaining its perfect dramatic and emotional equipoise, this Fiddler on the Roof travels between tradition and change, monumental events and mastery of detail.

"I haven't specifically counted," the dynamic actress sitting opposite me replies. "Somewhere between 1000-2000 performances, I think. I've done the role with Theodore Bikel and Harvey Fierstein, on both national tours, and in regional and stock houses all over the country." Susan Cella is speaking of her signature portrayal of Golde, the vehicle which has brought her to the latest stop in her artistic journey, Maine State Music Theatre in a new production of the Bock-Harnick musical, Fiddler on the Roof, that opens July 20.

'It's all about growing and being willing to change…about people finding a way to look at things from both sides and learn to empathize.' The soft-spoken man sitting opposite me thoughtfully answers my question about the universality of the musical theatre piece in which he stars, Fiddler on the Roof. There is a gentle, heartfelt quality to all his comments, and one understands immediately why Bill Nolte makes an ideal Tevye. The Broadway actor, singer, and visual artist makes his Maine State Music Theatre debut on July 20 in a part he has played twice before, and he waxes eloquent about the experience in Maine and his reunion with director/choreographer Gary John LaRosa and many of the veteran cast members.

'This is like a real homecoming. The last time I worked at Maine State Music Theatre was in 1995, and it was also Fiddler on the Roof,' says nationally acclaimed director-choreographer Gary John LaRosa. La Rosa, who is widely considered one of the reigning authorities on the beloved 1964 Bock-Harnick bitter-sweet musical about Russian Jews confronting a changing world, has in his own words, 'literally done dozens' of Fiddler productions throughout his vibrant, busy career. 'I've actually stopped counting,' he says with a smile, though we note that among all these, he staged the 50th anniversary Fiddler gala on Broadway, as well as at least four of these won prestigious theatre awards and nominations. This month he finds himself in Brunswick, Maine, directing a thirty-six person cast in MSMT's third main stage show of the 2016 season.

Broadway luminaries and Riverdale's most talented performers will join forces for a Gala concert production of the raucously effervescent musical comedy, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was delighted to present the a concert celebration for the release of MERMAN'S APPRENTICE, a new musical fable by Stephen Cole & David Evans. Scroll down for photos from the evening!

MERMAN'S APPRENTICE, starring Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Fred Applegate, Elizabeth Teeter and more, will play Birdland tonight, January 18, 2016.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: 'Merman's Apprentice' Starring Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, & More; New Musicals at 54: Big Red Sun by Georgia Stitt and John Jiler; Bobby Conte Thornton at 54 Below; Kyle Dean Massey at 54 Below; and Whistle Down the Wind: In Concert.

Friends in Theater Company and State of Play Productions' THE SECRET GARDEN, a Broadway benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, presented the first of two sold-out performances last night, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. at theLucille Lortel Theater. The fully staged production, directed/choreographed by Curtis Holbrook, was led by Rebecca Luker as Lily, Gabriella Pizzolo as Mary, and Bradley Dean as Archie with Tom Deckman, Ali Ewoldt, Frances Mercanti-Anthony, Bill Nolte, Eli Tokash, Max von Essen, and Cortney Wolfson. Additionally, composer Lucy Simonand original cast member Daisy Egan co-hosted the night. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out interviews with the cast below!

Friends in Theater Company and State of Play Productions' THE SECRET GARDEN, a Broadway benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, presented the first of two sold-out performances last night, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theater. The fully staged production, directed/choreographed by Curtis Holbrook, was led by Rebecca Luker as Lily, Gabriella Pizzolo as Mary, and Bradley Dean as Archie with Tom Deckman, Ali Ewoldt, Frances Mercanti-Anthony, Bill Nolte, Eli Tokash, Max von Essen, and Cortney Wolfson. Additionally, composer Lucy Simon and original cast member Daisy Egan co-hosted the night. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos from the curtain call and after party below!

Friends in Theater Company and State of Play Productions' THE SECRET GARDEN, a Broadway benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, presented the first of two sold-out performances last night, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theater. The fully staged production was led by Rebecca Luker as Lily, Gabriella Pizzolo as Mary, and Bradley Dean as Archie with Tom Deckman, Ali Ewoldt, Frances Mercanti-Anthony, Bill Nolte, Eli Tokash, Max von Essen, and Cortney Wolfson. Additionally, composer Lucy Simon and original cast member Daisy Egan co-hosted the night. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos from Simon and Eagan's pre-show introduction below!

Friends in Theater Company and State of Play Productions' THE SECRET GARDEN, a Broadway benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, presents the first of two sold-out performances tonight, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theater (121 Christopher Street New York, NY 10014).

The company of the latter production is in the home stretch of preparations and Wolfson (KINKY BOOTS) and Pizzolo (FUN HOME) just checked in with BroadwayWorld to tell us all about the process. Check out the full interview below!

BroadwayWorld has just gotten word that Friends in Theater Company and State of Play Productions' THE SECRET GARDEN, a Broadway benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, has sold out both of its performances later this month. Donations are still being accepted via Friends in Theater's website.

'Merman's Apprentice,' starring Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Fred Applegate, Elizabeth Teeter & more, will play Birdland on Mon, January 18, 2016. Doors: 5:30 pm / Show: 7:00 pm.

The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is about to get under way and, as always, the John W. Engeman Theatre excellently delivers a fabulous holiday production. This years' offering, running through January 4th, is the musical Miracle On 34th Street by Meredith Willson based on the classic movie.

The John W. Engeman Theater presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL. Performances run now through January 3, 2016, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The John W. Engeman Theater presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL. Performances began on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 8:00pm and run through January 3, 2016. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the show's opening night, below!

The John W. Engeman Theater presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL. Performances begin tonight, November 19, 2015 at 8:00pm and run through January 3, 2016.