Carmen Cusack News

BRIGHT STAR at Pioneer Theatre Company is utterly ravishing. The masterful performances and staging will take your breath away as they unforgettably illuminate the moving story and songs. Essentially the original Broadway production transferred to the PTC stage, this is not a locally produced regional production, nor is it a typical national tour per se in its current state. This is the last city where it will be presented in this form, starring Carmen Cusack, who was Tony-nominated for her role. Suffice it to say, the experience of seeing BRIGHT STAR at Pioneer Theatre Company is something very special. In addition to reviewing, BroadwayWorld was provided the opportunity to speak with cast and band members about the production.

On Monday, January 8, Theater People podcast welcome's back Broadway favorite Telly Leung. For the episode, Leung discusses recently winning the title role in Disney's ALADDIN on Broadway. He also shares stories from his recent work on IN TRANSIT and ALLEGIANCE.

On Monday, December 18 the Theater People podcast welcomes Olivier Award winner Leslie Margherita (MATILDA THE MUSICAL, DAMES AT SEA, ZORRO THE MUSICAL). On what will be the final Theater People episode of 2018, Margherita discusses WHO'S HOLIDAY, The one woman show in which she is currently starring as a grown up Cindy Lou Hoo--the character from the beloved Dr. Seuss Christmas classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

C elebrated as one of the most inf l uential musicians and composers of the 20th century, Leonard Bernstein ushered in an era of m ajor cultural transition. He led the way in advocating an open attitude about what constituted good music, actively bridging the gap between classical music, B r oadway musicals, jazz and rock, and he seized new media for its potential to reach diverse communities of listeners, young and old. Longtime conductor of the New York Philharmonic, renowned composer of works for the concert hall and Broadway stage, glamoro us television personality, virtuosic pianist and committed educator, Bernstein was an extravagantly gifted musician with a common touch. He maintained a life - long focus on advocating for social justice, notably civil rights at home and peace around the wor ld. To celebrate the maestro's 100th birthday, Segerstrom Center is pleased to present a tribute to the musical theater masterpieces Bernstein created while honoring the scope and reach of his genius.

Part One of A Broadwaysted Carol Channing premiered this week on the Broadwaysted Podcast and BroadwayWorld got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of their second radio play. Written by Kevin Jaeger and featuring the Broadwaysted Crew with an All-Star cast of Friends of the Show, this spoof on the classic Dickens tale hopes to entertain and raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, San Francisco's Curran's will wrap up 2017 with the Tony Award nominated new musical BRIGHT STAR, from Grammy and Emmy winner Steve Martin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Edie Brickell. Original BRIGHT STAR lead, Carmen Cusack, will revive her role, for which she received universal raves and a 2016 Tony Award nomination.

The Tony Award nominated musical 'Bright Star' is currently running through November 19, 2017 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Presented by Center Theatre Group, the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, will be directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbieand choreographed by Josh Rhodes. See the Carmen Cusack and the cast of the show in a new music video for the opening number, 'If You Knew My Story' below!

Cabaret 313 will present a glimpse at the future of the cabaret genre with multi-faceted artist Kyle Riabko (Spring Awakening, Hair) in Close to You: Bacharach Reimagined today, Oct. 28 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre at the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226).

BRIGHT STAR at Ahmanson Theatre plays through November 19. This original musical tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and '40s. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances.

On Monday, October 23, the Theater People podcast welcome's fellow podcaster Gillian Pensavalle of 'The Hamilcast.' For the episode, Pensavalle shares the origins of the popular HAMILTON-themed podcast. She also shares all the details of HAMILTON creator Lin-Manuel Miranda coming to her apartment and doing a 4-hour interview for the podcast.

Steve Martin's and Edie Brickell's Bright Star played Broadway in 2016, garnering a Tony nomination for Carmen Cusack. The show fared somewhat well, but did not seem to be an overall critics' choice. On the minus side, it is an all too familiar story about a backwoods pregnant girl and parental abuse in the 1920s, with far-fetched resolutions and a sweet, but for many, saccharine ending. In spite of this, I was delighted with the bluegrass music by Martin and Brickell, with Walter Bobbie's fluid staging and with the performances. It's most definitely uplifting and an entertaining evening at the Ahmanson through November 19.

Presented by Center Theatre Group, 'Bright Star' opened at the Ahmanson Theatre on Friday, October 20. Go inside opening night below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: TORCH SONG opens, Broadway unites for Puerto Rico, and more!

Presented by Center Theatre Group, 'Bright Star' will open at the Ahmanson Theatre on Friday, October 20. The Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, is currently in previews and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Performances will continue through November 19, 2017. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the cast onstage in Los Angeles below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: BRIGHT STAR begins in LA, COME FROM AWAY recoups, and more!

'Bright Star' begins previews tonight, October 11, opens October 20, and runs through November 19, 2017 at the Ahmanson Theatre. Presented by Center Theatre Group, the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, will be directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

West Orange High School Theatre kicks off their season with the high school premiere of BRIGHT STAR. Written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, the musical follows the story of Alice Murphy at two different points of her life. I talked with director Tara Whitman about premiering the show, the live band, staging, and more!

On Monday, October 9, the Theater People podcast welcomes Broadway and TV star Hlene Yorke. Helene made her Broadway debut in 2008 in GREASE. She went on to originate the role of Olive in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and Evelyn in AMERICAN PSYCHO. On television, she is well known for her work on THE GOOD FIGHT, MASTERS OF SEX, and GRAVES.

Carole Shorenstein Hays is inviting the Bay Area community to the newly renovated Curran (445 Geary Street) tonight, October 4, 2017, for a celebration of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's Tony Award nominated musical BRIGHT STAR.

On Monday, October 2, the Theater People podcast welcomes Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan. Jeremy Jordan made his Broadway debut in 2009's ROCK OF AGES. He went on to play the Tony alternate, appearing twice per week, in the 2009 revival of WEST SIDE STORY. In 2011 he originated the role of Clyde Barrow in BONNIE AND CLYDE. And he received his first Tony nomination for originating the role of Jack Kelly in 2011's NEWSIES.