Kiira Schmidt News

TexARTS presents the tongue-in-cheek Broadway hit Xanadu, based on the 1980 Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly cult classic film and featuring 25 members of the TexARTS Teen Musical Theatre Academy. This hilarious, roller-skating, musical plays a two-week engagement at the Kam & James Morris Theatre on May 10-11 and 17-18 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

TexARTS Association for the Performing and Visual Arts and Producing Artistic Director Robert M. Armitage have announced two wildly imaginative productions for the 2014 spring season.

A whole lotta shakin' will be goin' on when the music of Elvis Presley comes to life in the TexARTS Teen Musical Theatre Academy production of All Shook Up. This production is brought to the stage by the creative team of director Keenah Armitage (B'way's Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida) and choreographer Kiira Schmidt. Schmidt performed on Broadway in the recent revival of Follies and served as an assistant choreographer on NBC's Smash.

A whole lotta shakin' will be goin' on when the music of Elvis Presley comes to life in the TexARTS Teen Musical Theatre Academy production of All Shook Up. This production is brought to the stage by the creative team of director Keenah Armitage (B'way's Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida) and choreographer Kiira Schmidt. Schmidt performed on Broadway in the recent revival of Follies and served as an assistant choreographer on NBC's Smash.

After a record-breaking 2013, TexARTS is gearing up for a phenomenal new year. This winter's Musical Theatre Academy shows will include the youth production of Disney's 'The Jungle Book' and the teen production of the Elvis Presley inspired 'All Shook Up.' These family friendly shows are sure to be audience pleasers.

After a record-breaking 2013, TexARTS is gearing up for a phenomenal new year. This winter's Musical Theatre Academy shows will include the youth production of Disney's "The Jungle Book" and the teen production of the Elvis Presley inspired "All Shook Up." These family friendly shows are sure to be audience pleasers.

An all-star cast will take the stage at The 5th Avenue Theatre this fall in the celebrated organization's 15th new musical, Secondhand Lions. Based on the beloved film starring Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, Secondhand Lions springs to musical life in Seattle with a superbly talented cast of Broadway stars and Seattle musical theater actors. Lead by Tony Award nominees Gregg Edelman and Mark Jacoby, this adventure story also features Jason Danieley, Jenny Powers, Kevin Earley, Jared Michael Brown, Kendra Kassebaum, Sophia Anne Caruso, and Justin Huertas. Johnny Rabe, star of Broadway's A Christmas Story, takes center stage as Walter.

An all-star cast will take the stage at The 5th Avenue Theatre this fall in the celebrated organization's 15th new musical, Secondhand Lions. Based on the beloved film starring Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, Secondhand Lions springs to musical life in Seattle with a superbly talented cast of Broadway stars and Seattle musical theater actors. Lead by Tony Award nominees Gregg Edelman and Mark Jacoby, this adventure story also features Jason Danieley, Jenny Powers, Kevin Earley,Jared Michael Brown, Kendra Kassebaum, Sophia Anne Caruso, and Justin Huertas. Johnny Rabe, star of Broadway's A Christmas Story, takes center stage as Walter.

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tonys Meet & Greet on May 1, 2013, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Scott Ellis, a nominee for Best Direction of a Musical for The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Check out what he had to say below!

Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood closed on Broadway in March and was recently nominated for five 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical and nods for stars Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase. BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the cast will not perform during the Tony Awards telecast on June 9.

Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood closed on Broadway in March and was recently nominated for five 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical and nods for stars Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase. Watch the video below to see how Block and Chase are preparing for Tony night - coming up in just a few weeks on June 9!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tonys Meet & Greet on May 1, 2013, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Anna Louizos, a nominee for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Check out what she had to say below!

DRG Records has released the new 2013 Broadway cast recording of Roundabout Theatre Company's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which closed on Broadway yesterday, March 10, at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street). Cast members performed from the album at the Upper East Side Barnes & Noble (86th & Lexington Ave.) on March 8, joined by Will Chase, Jim Norton, Gregg Edelman and Chita Rivera for a CD signing following the performances. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebrations and brings you photos below!

Roundabout Theatre Company's acclaimed new Broadway production of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award winning musical comedy The Mystery of Edwin Drood ends its engagement on Broadway at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street) today, March 10th, 2013. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a flashback of Drood's frollick on the Great White Way!

It is a common stigma that dancers 'can't act.' Acting coach, director, and choreographer, Bronwen Carson, tells BWW why it is so important for dancers to hone their acting skills in order to have meaningful and lasting careers in the performing arts.

Stars Stephanie J. Block, Betsy Wolfe and Jessie Mueller are set to perform from the album at the Upper East Side Barnes & Noble (86th & Lexington Ave.) on March 8 at 4:30pm; they'll be joined by Will Chase, Jim Norton, Gregg Edelman and Chita Rivera for a CD signing following the performances.

Beginning February 12, Andrew Samonsky will join the company and assume the role of 'Neville Landless'. Original cast member Andy Karl will play his final performance on February 10.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is playing a limited engagement at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street) through March 10th, 2013. The original end date was February 10th, 2013. Just yesterday, the cast celebrated the birthday of Broadway legend and cast member Chita Rivera, and BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration. Check out coverage below!

Beginning February 12, Andrew Samonsky will join the company and assume the role of "Neville Landless". Original cast member Andy Karl will play his final performance on February 10.

'Ye Olde MZ' found plenty of scandal at the Music Hall Royale. The actors' behavior, complete with scandals, meltdowns, and showmances practically cried out for a league of light chemists (some took to calling them 'paparazzi'). Ye Olde MZ captured a series of these shocking acts on Mr. Eastman's then-recent invention giving you a behind-the-scenes look at The Mystery of Edwin Drood that must be seen (by only the most intrepid of souls) to be believed.