Christopher West News

Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of DJC Productions' RUTHLESS

A NEW BRAIN opens this weekend at OhLook Performing Arts Center with performances Friday, April 20th @ 7:30, Saturday, April 21st at 7:30, Sunday, April 22nd at 2:30, Friday, April 27th @ 7:30, Saturday, April 28th @ 7:30 and Sunday, April 29th at 2:30. 

Circle Theatre is pleased to announce the four finalists and four semi-finalists plays in the annual High School Playwriting Project.

[Click and drag to move] Singer-songwriter Anessa Marie and Danny Bristoll along with fellow members of the New York theater and jazz communities are proud to bring the music and lyrics of Anessa Marie to The Green Room 42! Directed and produced by Anessa Marie and Danny Bristoll, Beautiful: the Music and Lyrics of Anessa Marie is a celebration of identity, love, and life through the eyes and heart of a trans woman in today's society. Featuring a full jazz ensemble and music influenced by both jazz and musical theater, Anessa's unique voice offers a raw and unsung exploration of gender identity and the joys and sorrows of transitioning both physically and emotionally in America today. Featuring never before heard songs by an up-and-coming New York composer, this evening promises to speak to anyone who has juggled finding the beauty and love within themselves and the strength to be yourself unabashedly. Beautiful: The Music & Lyrics of Anessa Marie debuts Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 9:30 PM at The Green Room 42, 570 Tenth Ave (4th Floor inside YOTEL) in New York City. Tickets and more information can be found at www.anessamarie.com.

A NEW BRAIN is the energetic, sardonic, often comical musical about composer Gordon (inspired by Finn) during a medical emergency. Gordon collapses and awakes in the hospital. Fearing he will die with his greatest songs still inside of him, he begins writing the songs from his hospital bed, amidst several hallucinations featuring various people whom he has encountered. The score contains musical theatre staples 'Sailing,' 'The Music Still Plays On,' 'Change,' and 'Heart and Music.'

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature THE COLOR PURPLE, WAITRESS, WICKED and more!

At first glance (or at least throughout the first act), Broadway's hit musical WAITRESS, which opened last week at the Musical Hall at Fair Park, seems to be sugar-coated and overstuffed. With its country-pop tunes and slow-but-sweet pacing, the first course lacks substance, instead offering just enough fluff to spoil your appetite. But, when the second portion is finally served, a meatier musical unfolds full of heart.

What's the best way to banish audition jitters? By being prepared and confident. Rebecca Lowrey can determine exactly what you need to show in an audition so that all you have to worry about is looking great (and fighting traffic). But first, an important distinction: A vocal coach is not the same as a voice teacher. Traditional voice lessons work best on a consistent, long-term schedule, while Rebecca's audition prep session can fit into your schedule on an as-needed basis. All experience levels are welcome.

Based on the beloved story written by Louisa May Alcott, the adventures of the four March sisters is brought to vivid musical life in Little Women, the Musical. The Civil War is in full swing, and the March sisters -- Meg, the oldest, a romantic, the spirited and tomboyish Jo, sweet and loving Beth, and artistic, playful Amy -- live in Concord, Massachusetts with their Marmee while their father is on the battlefield. Filled with adventure (both lived and imagined), heartbreak, and a deep sense of hope, the struggle of these 'Little Women' to find their own voices mirrors the growing pains of a young America. With buoyant, joyful melodies, memorable characters, and a big-hearted message, Little Women reminds us that 'sometimes when you dream, your dreams come true.'

From the underground dance clubs of 1950's Memphis, Tennessee, comes the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves - filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock 'n' roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical and two 2015 Olivier Awards, Memphis features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 6th.

I'm not sure that Broadway, or anyone for that matter, was asking for a jukebox musical about Gloria and Emilio Estefan's lives to take the stage in 2015, but after the success of musicals about Carole King (BEAUTIFUL) and recording industry legend Berry Gordy (MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL), I suppose you can't blame the pair (along with book writer Alexander Dinelaris) for trying. But, despite the handful of toe-tapping tunes, ON YOUR FEET! barely jumps off the page.

This show is well worth the trip to the Campus Theatre. Whether it is your first experience traveling back to the time of Eva Peron, or you are familiar with this particular story, you will likely find yourself questioning the character of the famous figure.

Music Theatre of Denton's EVITA opens tonight, February 23rd at the Campus Theatre in Denton starring Alena Cardenez as Eva, Michael McCray as Che, Scott Deck as Peron, Spencer Kapral as Magaldi, Gabie Hocson as the Mistress and ensemble members Logan Coley Broker, Katie Buck, Kate Dressler, Trinity Ehrhart, Danielle Taylor Graves, Dillon Hanson, Rae Hillman (Mistress understudy), Tara Linn Hunter, Sara Kennedy (Eva understudy), Belinda King, Jonathan Martin, Megan Maynard, Anthony Ortega (Che understudy), Lorens Portalatin, Tony Rose, Braiden Fisher, Alex Sutherland, Kiba Walker (Magaldi understudy), and Madison Verre (Santa Evita soloist).

What does the rehearsal process for Music Theatre of Denton's EVITA look like from behind the scenes? Check out our first vlog featuring Alena Cardenez as Eva, Michael McCray as Che, and the ensemble rehearse in the theatre space.

When CHICAGO last toured through town, I had the pleasure of speaking with Broadway's Dylis Croman, who returns to the national tour of CHICAGO next week, as the fame-obsessed merry murderess, Roxie Hart. With five Broadway shows under her belt, and several national tours, Ms. Croman returns to Texas, having graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Ms. Croman is also no stranger to the musical CHICAGO; she's performed in the show alongside the likes of Billy Ray Cyrus, Bebe Neuwirth, Kara DioGuardi and John O'Hurley, to name a few.

What does the rehearsal process for Music Theatre of Denton's EVITA look like from behind the scenes? Check out our first vlog featuring Alena Cardenez as Eva, Michael McCray as Che and the ensemble as they begin to learn Kyle Christopher West's choreography. As a special treat, vocals on this edition of the vlog are by Che understudy Anthony Ortega. EVITA opens February 23rd and runs through March 4th at the historic Campus Theatre in Denton. For tickets and more information, visit www.musictheatreofdenton.com.

Before American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance opened a window into entertainment industry auditions, it was Broadway's A CHORUS LINE that was inviting audiences behind the curtain for a raw glimpse into the life of aspiring performers. And, just as the original 1975 New York production took the city by storm, Uptown Players' sharp staging managed to become the talk of the town in their fleeting mounting of the show. Twenty of Dallas' best dancers (plus a few out-of-towners) brought the show to life with passion, poise, and precision.

When THE COLOR PURPLE opened on Broadway in 2005 it was well received, thanks in large part to the support of producing partner Oprah Winfrey, whose performance in the film twenty years earlier earned her an Academy Award nomination. The show left New York on a high note in 2008 and continued to tour through three separate national tours for several years. Flash forward to 2015, and a new interpretation of the Broadway musical has made its way back to the Great White Way. And amongst the relevant #metoo movement, the compelling story of THE COLOR PURPLE sings louder and prouder today than ever.

For only four performances last weekend, the two-person musical DADDY LONG LEGS crawled in and out of the Majestic Theatre as Lyric Stage's third production of the 2017-2018 season. And although the production wasn't much larger than a postage stamp, it was a theatrical love letter full of charm.

Lyric Stage's regional premiere of DADDY LONG LEGS stars Samantha McHenry, last seen at Lyric Stage as Diana Deveraux in OF THEE I SING, as Jerusha and Lyric Stage favorite Christopher J. Deaton, most recently Captain Phoebus in THE HUNCH BACK OF NOTRE DAME, as Jervis. Rick Estes directs the production with music direction by Scott Eckert. Scenic design is by Randel Wright and lighting design is by Julie Simmons. DADDY LONG LEGS runs January 19-21, 2018 at the Majestic Theatre. Performances are January 19-20 at 7:30 p.m and January 20-21 at 2:30 p.m.