It should come as absolutely no surprise that the current production onstage at Massey Performing Arts Center in Nashville, courtesy of the astonishing Belmont University Musical Theatre program, is possibly as good or even better than any show we've seen put on over the years by the venerated musical theater training school. In fact, BUMT has produced so many remarkable performers over the years that we may all rest assured that musical theater in America (if not the world) will continue to grow and prosper, thanks to the continued supply of new blood from Belmont.
Among such actors is Douglas Waterbury-Tieman, a graduate of the Belmont University Musical Theatre program, now living in Inwood, New York City, with his wife Annabelle Fox (also a Belmont grad and a recent subject of this series), whom he met in school in Nashville.
Katie Callaway is the real deal. She's passionate about her pursuit of art - as an actress in Nashville she made a name for herself on local stages and now that she's living in Los Angeles, she's becoming a much sought-after name for film and TV projects - but she's just as serious about, as corny as it may sound, just being a good human being.
Just in case you are unaware, heed this advice: There is perhaps no better place on earth to catch some future Broadway stars (and, no doubt, some Tony Award winners-to-be) than in Nashville. If there is any other more fertile breeding ground for musical theater stars than what you may find among the assemblage of burgeoning talents at Belmont University - particularly among the students enrolled in the school's musical theatre program, now celebrating its 19th season - we implore you to supply directions for our edification.
First Night's Top Ten of 2017 - critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual review of the best in Tennessee theater - were revealed tonight during a live Facebook broadcast at 7:30 p.m. (CST), with Actor's Bridge Ensemble and Studio Tenn/TPAC leading the nods in this year's listing of categories.
As challenging a work of theatrical artistry that you could possibly conceive of, Parade affords BUMT students a sublime opportunity in pursuit of excellence in a production that vociferously demands to be seen and experienced. It is one of the year's best musicals in a Nashville theatrical season that has boasted one after another significant stage triumphs, with two leading performances that are stunning in their complexity and passionate delivery.
Which brings us to this year's first installment of our popular feature/interview series, Collegiate Theatrics, featuring Belmont University sophomore Mary-Alexis McEntire, who is perhaps better known to friends, family and fans as Lexie McEntire. The Fairfax, Virginia, native is in the initial throes of her second year at the school - known widely for its theater and dance and musical theatre programs - as another young artist in a long line of Belmont students (then and now) making their names known on stages all over the globe.
Two Broadway veterans join with a group of seven of Tennessee's most enduring, influential and outstanding theater artists to comprise the Class of 2016 First Night Honorees, who were revealed Monday night during the annual First Night preview party, hosted by First Night founder and executive producer Jeffrey Ellis.
This week FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.
All this yuletide revelry to which I am alluding comes courtesy of BUMT's latest production: Irving Berlin's White Christmas, the onstage updating of the 1954 film version that features a score of the master musician's finest songs as it tells the story of two song-and-dance men and their female counterparts who join together during one particularly mild winter ski season to help save the bacon of an inspiring leader who's played a significant role in their lives. It's a tuneful, feel-good show that's certain to lift your spirits and, as performed by the BUMT cast, reaffirm your faith that the future of musical theater will be thriving for years to come.
This December and January, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at Feinstein's/54 Below and to purchase tickets, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins.
This December, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.
Candace Quarrels' story is one of those hard-to-believe show business tales that is likely to resonate with so many people, for so long, that it might become legendary in time. In fact, it may be the modern day equivalent to the age-old tale of a young, sweater-clad Lana Turner being discovered at a lunch counter in Schwab's drugstore in L.A. (back in the day when aspiring starlets had lunch at drug store soda fountains) and being transformed into a movie star - who, interestingly enough (especially for this story), became a legend.
This December, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.
Ask people involved in theater around Nashville to list some of their favorites who have moved on to seek fame and fortune in other places, one name that's likely to come up is Calvin David Malone. A graduate of Belmont University's esteemed musical theater program, the Owensboro, Kentucky, native is now on the boards in Fredericksburg, Virginia, delighting audiences with his massive talent and considerable stage presence.
I think that nearly every review of the MUNY's extraordinary production of BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will probably make mention of Don McLean's song 'American Pie', which is lyrically centered around the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of three of music's rising stars one very cold day in February of 1959. In fact, 'the day the music died' has become a rather morbid catchphrase of sorts that has been utilized far too often by the media whenever an iconic musician passes on. I also believe I'm not alone in my assessment that this early'jukebox' musical is an absolutely terrific show that's immensely entertaining. I not only highly recommend this excellent show, but am branding it as a must see production!
The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed byJosh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the opening night cast party!
The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning tonight, July 13, and running through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production!
The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning tonight, July 13, and running through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production!
The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning tonight, July 13, and running through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley.
