Very few audience members know what goes into the technical aspects of a stage production. Without the theatre's technical artists, often the unsung stars of any production, your experience at the theatre would be very different. In a new series of articles about the Technical Theatre artists of Austin, BroadwayWorld will be introducing you to some of the artists behind the scenes… the set designers, lighting designers and costumers whose work is so vital to a successful production.
The process of lighting a play, dance piece, or opera is highly subjective; each designer has to develop a process that works for them. Lighting designers know how to use the subtle and powerful medium of light, creating effects that can be changed at will to match the mood of the action. We start our series by talking to lighting designer, Amy Lewis.
For over 25 years, STOMP's unique blend of percussion, dance, and theatricality has been thrilling audiences around the world. After launching in the UK in 1991, STOMP has been playing Off-Broadway since 1994 and touring across the globe ever since. A cultural phenomenon, STOMP has performed at the Lincoln Memorial, in the West End, at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies, and in their own IMAX movie.
There's nothing quite so entertaining - and nothing goes down more easily after a trip to the groaning board at Nashville's iconic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre - than a musical revue that is sure to whisk you away to yesterday. Not the day before today, necessarily, but 'yesterday' as in a sentimental journey back to a time when life was somehow more innocent and somehow less complicated than what we experience in the day-to-day of 2016.
In light of the upcoming Encores! revival of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's Tony-winning musical 1776, New York City Center brought together original 1776 star William Daniels and Broadway's current most popular Founding Father, HAMILTON's Lin-Manuel Miranda, to talk about the over-arching themes and inspirations in both shows.
If this is Friday, then there's got to be a new production opening tonight, right? And sure enough, down in Woodbury - home of the Arts Center of Cannon County - 2015 First Night Honoree Darryl Deason unveils his latest directorial assignment with Memphis, The Musical, starring Melinda Paul (most recently seen onstage in Circle Players' Sister Act) and Michael Adcock (who has performed on stages throughout Middle Tennessee) and an ensemble filled with many local stage veterans (including Quantavius Rankins, who closed Dreamgirls at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts less than a fortnight ago) and newcomers.
? From the author of Broadway's The Realistic Joneses (now playing at ACT) and Thom Paine (based on nothing) comes Middletown, Will Eno's take on Our Town - which follows the lives of the inhabitants of a place called Middletown as they intersect in strange ways. Middletown runs March 24-April 23 at Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter Street, San Francisco, 94102.
One day after her dear friend and author, Pat Conroy, passed away from pancreatic cancer, Barbra Streisand took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend and his work. Read her full tribute here.
Today, three of the folks most closely associated with the production - director Moore is joined by cast members Sarah Shepherd and Maggie Pitt - fall under our Friday 5 spotlight, allowing us to get to know more about what makes them tick and why each of them believe audiences should flock to Darkhorse Theatre to see their racy rendition of Aristophanes' Lysistrata.
Internationally known biologist and writer Dr. Ana Isabel O is constantly embarking on new projects. Educated in Europe and a self-taught Victorian patchwork maker since the early 90s, Ordonez has presented her work in France and Luxembourg. As a scientist she holds Masters and PhDs in Genetics, Forestry and Animal Biology and has lectured extensively throughout Europe, Africa, Japan, China, New Zealand and South America on insect-plant pathology and biological control research. She has also written several articles on the value of nature. Ordonez, however, has not confined her interests to the world of science. A true Renaissance woman, she is also a reputed jazz editor, independent filmmaker, music/art promoter and producer. In 2012 she contributed tirelessly to the Dizzy Gillespie Memorial tribute with Christopher Kennedy Lawford, because she believes in her heart that true valuable art of any kind must never be forgotten.
C.F. Martin & Co. is continuing to add to their official Martin Guitar Ambassador program with today's hottest artists including Grammy nominee Elle King, Sam Hunt, Anderson East, Father John Misty, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Flo Morrissey, Brett Dennen, and Megan Rapinoe.
Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire, have announced the 2016 Summer Theatre Season and an assortment of lively presented acts at The Garage and The Colonial Theatre. An announcement with casting will be made within the next several weeks.
The Kegler Brothers present a development premiere of Champagne and Licorice, a new play by Scott Stephen Kegler and directed by Shane William Kegler, March 4th, 5th, 11th & 12th at 7:30 PM and a matinee Sunday March 6th at 2:30 PM, hosted by the Chestnut Street Playhouse, 24 Chestnut Street in Norwich, CT. Tickets are $20 and available at the door or in advance atchestnutstreetplayhouse.tix.com or call (860) 886-2378 for more information.
Broadwayworld.com interviewed playwright Deborah Rennard about her career and her new play, 'For Worse' at New Jersey Repertory Company. Directed by Evan Bergman, the show will be on the Long Branch Stage from March 10th to April 10th.
Cessalee Stovall has been chasing her Broadway dreams since she was 4 years old and she still hasn't stopped. After booking The Book of Mormon, her NYC dreams were finally realized!! Then, she decided to give back! She started the Music Dance Theatre Workshop to help teenagers get on the right path to realize their own Broadway dreams.
Egyptian Soprano, Fatma Said was announced winner of the 8th Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition at the National Concert Hall last night. The Egyptian native competed against 47 finalists over the past week in Dublin, and last night she won the judging panel over with her performance. The winner commented just minutes after receiving the much sought-after prize, “I'm overwhelmed to be this year's winner. I've worked so hard over the past few months and the work has paid off. The talent in Dublin this week has been phenomenal; I can't quite believe that I'm the 2016 winner.” The 24-year-old from Cairo was honoured at the National Concert Hall on Thursday night where a total of six finalists performed for the judges. Said performed three arias on Thursday night accompanied by the Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra, conducted by Patrik Ringborg.
Equally uplifting and heartbreaking, for many people FUN HOME is easily the most significant musical of 2015 and of this era of American musical theatre. Recently, Gabriella Pizzolo, who made her Broadway debut in MATILDA, THE MUSICAL, took over the role of Small Alison in FUN HOME. I caught up with the young star to talk about the show and this now iconic role.
Make no mistake about it: There is absolutely no way to avoid instantly liking Everett Tarlton - it's useless to even try. In fact, resistance is futile. The boy possesses so much innate charm that anyone - whether you're a director, a choreographer, an actor or even a critic - simply cannot resist him. And audiences? Those poor souls have no hope whatsoever.
