Keyonna Knight News

What did our critic think of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL at National Arts Centre?

The producers of the first national tour of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL have released first look photos of Jessie Davidson as Vivian Ward after her debut performance in Memphis, TN. Check out the photos here!

What did our critic think of PRETTY WOMAN at The Orpheum Theatre Memphis? If you are familiar with the beloved 1990 film Pretty Woman, you are familiar with this line. The opening number of the musical 'Welcome to Hollywood' captivates the audience with a catchy line and an exhilirating dance number. Fans of the film won't be disappointed, holding their breath for iconic lines and even costumes from the film. However, the late great Stephen Sondheim once spoke about the concept of 'why musicals', saying they are 'perfectly OK, but why write them? They're not necessary.

The first national tour of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will welcome newcomer Jessie Davidson, who will step into the leading role of Vivian Ward beginning the week of October 10 in Memphis, TN.

The producers of the first national tour of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL have announced that the touring production has recouped its $4.7 million investment after 39 weeks on the road. The Equity tour, which launched in October 2021 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI, will continue through May 7, 2023 with the final scheduled engagement in Sacramento, CA.

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL has announced the extension of the tour through May 7, 2023, with the final scheduled engagement taking place in Sacramento, CA. The Equity tour, which launched in October 2021 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI, will have played 61 cities across North America by the end of its run.

Anyone who has been immersed in “Pop Culture” over the last 30+ years has seen, heard, or knows every line and sequence of the 1990 Romantic Comedy Pretty Woman starring the iconic duo of Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. Read our critic's review of the new stage musical.

The holidays always come with baggage. Winter events, gift giving, and family gatherings can quickly devolve into mayhem among the twinkling lights that line every streetlamp and window sill. Though, Arvada Center's current holiday production of Elf provides it's own sense of pandemonium.

Directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran, Stephanie Pope Lofgren (Pippin, Chicago), the electrifying musical celebration of 1950’s Rock n’ Roll began performances Thursday, September 30, 2021 and continues through Sunday, October 24, 2021 at ACT of CT (36 Old Quarry Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877).

On Friday, October 1, 2021, I had the pleasure of returning to the ACT of CT in Ridgefield, CT, to see yet another amazing performance, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, a phenomenal show featuring the legendary music of songwriting team Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who were the writers of many of the greatest rock n’ roll songs of the 1950s, songs that to this day remain among the greatest of all-time.  The excellent direction and choreography of Stephanie Pope Lofgren enhances the quality of this production starring an extremely talented cast the includes Albert Guerzon, Arnold Harper II, Avionce Hoyles, Jordan Fife Hunt, Keyonna Knight, Courtney Long, Kelly MacMillan, and Juson Williams.  Whether collaborating in full ensemble numbers, harmonizing in smaller groups, or performing solo, every cast member truly shines in this production, through singing and dancing.  They furthermore have excellent stage chemistry with each other, both in terms of their synchronized dancing and harmonized singing.

ACT of Connecticut will welcome audiences back for their 2021-2022 Season with the record-breaking Broadway smash-hit musical revue, Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller.

In December 2020, PLAYDATE THEATRE hosted a virtual development conference to empower new musical theater writers across the globe.  Four songs were selected by emerging artists from a cohort of 11 composers and 11 lyricists from all over the world. PLAYDATE paired each team up with one challenge in mind – write an original, holiday-themed musical number – with the winning composers’ teams to receive recordings sung by professional performers. 

The John W. Engeman Theater announces the cast and creative team for SISTER ACT. Performances begin on Thursday, March 19 and run through Sunday, May 3, 2020.

After spending two full careers as a Broadway composer, first writing jazzy smash hits with lyricist Lorenz Hart and then adapting more dramatic and character-driven styles for scores penned for classics with Oscar Hammerstein II, Rodgers, upon his second partner's passing, for the first time supplied the complete set of lyrics for a musical's score.

Performances of the newly formed J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company's (Jim Jimirro, Executive Producer/Co-Founder; Robert W. Schneider, Artistic Director/Co-Founder) production of No Strings began on Thursday, February 27, 2020. The production will run through March 8, 2020 at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street - between 9th and Dyer Avenues).

The newly formed J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company will present the 1962 hit musical, No Strings, with book by Samuel Taylor, and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers. Performances begin performance Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 7:30pm and continue through March 8, 2020 at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street – between 9th and Dyer Avenues). No Strings is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com. Opening Night is Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 7:30pm.

The newly formed  presents the 1962 hit musical, No Strings, with book by Samuel Taylor, and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers. Performances begin on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 7:30pm and continue through March 8, 2020 at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street - between 9th and Dyer Avenues). 

The Tony Award winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) will launch its 84th year and Bill Rauch's final season as artistic director with preview performances beginning on March 1. The 2019 season officially kicks off Friday night, March 8, in the Angus Bowmer Theatre with Shakespeare's As You Like It (director, Rosa Joshi). On Saturday afternoon, Cambodian Rock Band (director, Chay Yew) opens in the Thomas Theatre, and Hairspray The Broadway Musical (director, Christopher Liam Moore) opens that evening in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. On Sunday afternoon, the drama by Southern Oregon based playwright Octavio Solis, Mother Road (director, Bill Rauch), will see its world premiere in the Angus Bowmer Theatre.

SISTER ACT, based on the Touchstone Motion Picture, tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva, whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won't be found - a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music.

SISTER ACT, based on the Touchstone Motion Picture, tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva, whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won't be found - a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music.