The Firehouse Theatre is proud to announce casting for Thoroughly Modern Millie, which runs February 18th-March 6th. Joining previously announced Janelle Lutz as Millie Dilmount is Tyler Jeffrey Adams as Jimmy Smith; Sarah Comley Caldwell as Mrs. Meers; Rebecca Paige as Miss Dorothy Brown; Mark Quach as Ching Ho; Hunter Lewis as Bun Foo; Marilyn Setu as Miss Flannery; Kimberly M. Oliver as Muzzy Von Hossmere; and Derek Whitener as Trevor Graydon.
Last week, I had the opportunity of speaking with Jarvis B. Manning Jr., a Texas native from the national tour of MOTOWN The Musical. In addition to speaking about returning to his hometown as a professional performer, Jarvis spoke about the unique experience of touring the country during the Michael Brown trials, and the emotion the cast has felt while performing in different cities.
Cheryl Allison may not be a household name (yet), but her resume is extremely impressive, to say the least. With credits on Broadway, in Japan, several national tours, and endless regional theatres, Cheryl has made an impressive career out of theatre, which she first discovered as a child in Dallas. Not only is Cheryl starring in numerous roles this season at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, but she just finished shooting her first feature film in July 2014, NO LETTING GO (co-starring Kathy Najimy and Alysia Reiner), set to be released in 2016.
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak with Broadway legend, Rachel York, just minutes before her final rehearsal for THE KING AND I at Music Hall at Fair Park. Having personally seen Ms. York perform onstage in several Broadway shows, as well as the filmed productions of KISS ME KATE and VICTOR/VICTORIA, it was a joy to hear her behind-the-scenes stories and personal experiences.
Earlier this week, 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.
At night, Emma lives in a world of light and dark. Her father's stories unveil a world of possibility and adventure, allowing her to find comfort in the darkness. 'Make-believe and knowing how to use it,' he says, 'That is your light in the dark.' But what happens when imagination is lost? Can it be rediscovered? The Spark is an exploration of light and storytelling through puppetry, music and the mind of a child.
In theatre, the phrase 'triple threat' describes a performer who can sing, dance, and act (often all at once!). But how do you describe a performer who does all of this while juggling a half-dozen instruments, stage combat, and various accents? As a cast member and music captain on the national tour of ONCE, John Steven Gardner can do it all.
In just over two weeks, a parade of long-legged men and women will march into Music Hall at Fair Park, delivering Dallas the national tour of Kinky Boots. As part of Dallas Summer Musical's 75th anniversary season, the show features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper (yes, that Cyndi Lauper!) and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Kinky Boots is the dazzling, smash-hit Broadway musical based on the 2005 film of the same name.
Yesterday, I spoke with Lindsay Nicole Chambers, who stars as Lauren in the Kinky Boots tour. With three Broadway shows under her belt (Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Lysistrata Jones), and now three Broadway national tours (Elf, Hairspray, Kinky Boots), Lindsay is known for her incredible versatility and her incomparable comedic talent. She's also appeared onscreen in Across The Universe, and in Submissions Only, a comedy web series about the casting and audition process for Broadway theatre (written by and featuring some of Broadway's greatest artists). Lindsay is also no stranger to Dallas, having performed at Dallas Theatre Center in the pre-Broadway run of Lysistrata Jones (which was known as Give It Up in Dallas).
