Kenny Ortega News

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents the Northern California premiere of Archduke. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, Archduke explores how one man, one moment, can derail an entire century. Focusing on the cataclysmic 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, three hapless insurgents embark on a darkly comic quest for immortality and purpose, unaware that their actions will launch World War I.

Netflix today announced that it has entered into a multi-year overall deal with producer, director, and choreographer Kenny Ortega. Ortega is known for the High School Musical franchise, which earned him a Primetime Emmy and Directors Guild of America Award. Widely acclaimed for his genre-bending work in musicals, drama, comedy, and family programs, Ortega has directed and choreographed international hits including the Descendants trilogy, Newsies, and Hocus Pocus, and choreographed classic films including Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Pretty in Pink, among others. Truman Alfaro will serve as Ortega's development executive.

There is a joyful feeling in the air at Westchester Broadway Theatre's production of "Newsies." That's the only way to describe the euphoric energy one feels upon leaving the theatre.

The first trailer has been released for The Descendants 3!

Now entering its 28th year, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP) announces Ben Vereen will rejoin the visiting faculty team in 2019.  During the 28 years BTP has been educating young artists, Ben has served in a variety of capacities: as a Master Artist, Artistic Advisor to the Project, and Co-Artistic Director. BTP's faculty members in 2019 include dancers and choreographers, vocal technique teachers as well as coaches, directors, playwrights, casting directors, and talent agents and an award winning photographer. The 2019 Summer Apprenticeship program is being held June 23-July 14 on the campus of the University of South Florida. Applications and recorded auditions are due March 1st.  Requests for exceptions should be addressed to Debra McWaters, Co-Artistic Director, at 888-874-1764.   

After a long week of treading the boards, what better way for performers to unwind than with the affection of a furry friend? In BroadwayWorld's Tails of Broadway, photographer Jessica Fallon Gordon is capturing priceless moments between Broadway's brightest stars and their pets.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley announces a special post-show political forum for its production of the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated drama Frost/Nixon. Following the 2pm performance of Frost/Nixon on Saturday, February 2 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, audiences are invited to discuss the history and current relevance of the Watergate scandal with Dr. Theodore Glasser of Stanford University and Dr. Terri Bimes of University of California Berkeley in a conversation moderated by Cameron Wells, the assistant director of Frost/Nixon. Glasser, a professor emeritus of Communication whose research specializes in media practices and press accountability, and Bimes, a lecturer and Assistant Director of Research for the Institute of Governmental Studies who teaches about the presidency, will bring their unique perspectives to this free political forum, open to audience members and community members.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will kick off the new year with the Tony and Olivier Award nominated drama Frost/Nixon. Written by Golden Globe winner Peter Morgan (creator of Netflix's The Crown), Frost/Nixon is a riveting political prizefight where the cameras roll, the truth spins, and it becomes clear that he who controls the medium controls the message. With America caught in the riptides of Watergate and Vietnam, the former leader of the free world and a lightweight British talk-show host clash in a legendary series of TV interviews that will determine the President's legacy forever. Directed by Leslie Martinson, Frost/Nixon will be presented January 16 - February 10, 2019 (press opening: January 19, 2019) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will kick off the new year with the Tony and Olivier Award nominated drama Frost/Nixon. Written by Golden Globe winner Peter Morgan (creator of Netflix's The Crown), Frost/Nixon is a riveting political prizefight where the cameras roll, the truth spins, and it becomes clear that he who controls the medium controls the message. With America caught in the riptides of Watergate and Vietnam, the former leader of the free world and a lightweight British talk-show host clash in a legendary series of TV interviews that will determine the President's legacy forever. Directed by Leslie Martinson, Frost/Nixon will be presented January 16 February 10, 2019 (press opening: January 19, 2019) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

After a sold out run last fall, the recent revival of The Diary of Anne Frank, by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman ('97 Broadway version) will return for a limited engagement previewing January 11, 2019.

THE GREEN ROOM 42 - Broadway's newest intimate concert venue - will present Lesli Margherita in "Yule Your Kingdom" for two shows on Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15, both at 11:30 PM. In this tinsel sparkly edition of Rule Your Kingdom, Olivier Award winner 'Queen' Lesli Margherita (Zorro, Matilda, Dames at Sea) inspires, uplifts, and slaps you across the face with a Yule Log. From memorable favorites with a holiday twist to brand new stories bound to become the classics you recite as you down spiked Egg Nog, Margherita's 70 minute show-stopping set will leave you screaming, "YASSSSS HOLIDAYS!!!" Written by Margherita, "Yule Your Kingdom" is directed and produced by Lauren Bass, featuring musical direction and arrangements by Brett Ryback. 

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will kick off the new year with the Tony and Olivier Award nominated drama Frost/Nixon. Written by Golden Globe winner Peter Morgan (creator of Netflix's The Crown), Frost/Nixon is a riveting political prizefight where the cameras roll, the truth spins, and it becomes clear that he who controls the medium controls the message.

Bringing their energetic style of holiday joy to Folsom on the night before Christmas, DRUMLine Live returns to the Harris Center with a dynamic holiday program. Combining Gospel, Jazz, Soul, Motown rhythms, and The Nutcracker Suite to the driving force of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band, over 30 talented musicians and vocalists employ energetic choreography, spectacular lighting, and beautiful holiday costumes to create a holiday extravaganza like no other. "DRUMLine Live shows the thrill, the musical genius and the true flavor of the ever exciting halftime show" (The Star Ledger).

Produced and Presented by Cheryl Baxter-Ratliff and Allen Walls, in association with Break The Floor and held at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA, there was an overwhelming turnout within the Dance Community to this event. There were reportedly 1,400 people attending. It was a spectacular evening! The all -inclusive 8th Annual WORLD CHOREOGRAPHY AWARDS. Because this is the 8th Annual Awards Ceremony, I feel a change has evolved regarding categories up for Awards. Wider acceptance of all forms of Dance, Interpretive Movement, new forms of technology and genres not considered previously. All-Inclusive is a modern term, but it's great to see that the WCA is embracing and incorporating so many more possibilities that qualify for our consideration.

The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Program presented The 2018 Looking Ahead Awards on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at the magnificent Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood. Hosted by Ashley Argota and Garrett Clayton, The Looking Ahead Awards honors leaders in the current and former young performer community who inspire the world by living the program's core values of growth, education, leadership and community service.

To help audiences celebrate the holiday season, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts will present the energizing 'DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular' at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 29. Created by the acclaimed musical team behind the popular “Drumline” films, this festive production features elite vocalists, musicians and choreography all based on the marching band tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

The 8th Annual World Choreography Awards (WCA) will be held on October 23 at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. The Choreography Awards, produced and directed by Allen Walls and Cheryl Baxter-Ratliff, are a global awards show celebrating and honoring the best in media choreography. The WCA recognizes choreographic achievement in 8 categories: Motion Picture, Music Video, Commercials, Television Episodic, Television Award Show/Specials, Digital Content, Digital Content Independent and Television Reality Show/Competition.

Freeform announced today that Bette Midler will join Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker for the network's “Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash,” an all-star party in honor of the cult classic film's milestone anniversary. The two-hour special, filmed at the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery to celebrate the movie's status as a Halloween staple, will premiere on SATURDAY, OCT. 20 at 8:15-10:15 p.m. EDT/PDT, as part of Freeform's “31 Nights of Halloween” programming event. 

The Actors Fund has announced a star-studded lineup for the 2018 Looking Ahead Awards hosted by Garrett Clayton ("Hairspray Live!," "Teen Beach Movie") and Ashley Argota ("The Fosters") on Sunday, October 28 from 4-8pm at the magnificent Taglyan Complex in Hollywood. The fifth annual gala, which raises support and awareness for The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Program, features exciting "blue carpet" arrivals, cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, awards ceremony and live performances. Tickets are now on sale at www.actorsfund.org/LookingAheadAwards

The 8th Annual World Choreography Awards (WCA) will be held on October 23 at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. The Choreography Awards, produced and directed by Allen Walls and Cheryl Baxter-Ratliff, are a global awards show celebrating and honoring the best in media choreography. The WCA recognizes choreographic achievement in 8 categories: Motion Picture, Music Video, Commercials, Television Episodic, Television Award Show/Specials, Digital Content, Digital Content Independent and Television Reality Show/Competition.