The Pasadena Playhouse welcomes Wayne Brady as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from today, September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate.
The Pasadena Playhouse announced that Wayne Bradywill star as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate. Check out a sneak peek below!
The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that trailblazing actress Diahann Carroll will be the 2014 Diversity Award Honoree at the 8th Annual Pasadena Playhouse Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project fundraising event on Sunday, September 21, 2014.
Pasadena Playhouse presents Kiss Me, Kate from Sept. 16 to Oct. 12. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack, and directed by Sheldon Epps.
The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that Wayne Brady will star as Fred/Petruchio in the Cole Porter Broadway musical KISS ME, KATE. The multi-Emmy Award winning Brady will head a cast of 17. Epps will direct the 2014-2015 Season opener, which will run from September 16- October 12, 2014 with the official press opening on September 21. The production also stars Merle Dandridge (Broadway's Spamalot and Tarzan) as Lily/Kate.
Today in 2006, Tarzan opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it ran for 486 performances. Tarzan: The Musical is based on the Disney film of the same name and the story by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The songs are written by Phil Collins and David Zippel, with a book by David Henry Hwang. The production was nominated for a Tony award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz). The cast Featured Josh Strickland, Jennifer Gambatese, Shuler Hensley, Merle Dandridge and Chester Gregory.
The Actors Fund's annual gala yesterday raised a record-breaking $1.6 million, as a sold-out audience at the New Amsterdam Theatre witnessed stars of 20 years of Disney on Broadway in highlights from the producing powerhouse's history of award-winning shows. The evening honored the creative collaborators and staff members of Disney Theatrical Productions as they celebrate 20 years on Broadway. Formed in 1994 and operating under the direction of president and producer Thomas Schumacher, Disney received the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the 132-year old non-profit human services organization. In addition, Fund CEO Joseph P. Benincasa received The Fund's honor for 25 years of service to the creative community.
Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Andy Jones (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella), Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (the original Mary Poppins), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan, Aida), Josh Strickland (the original Tarzan), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies), and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King), will join 4,500 students and teachers representing 93 groups from 26 states and the District of Columbia at the 2014 Junior Theater Festival, it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding Chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group. The Junior Theater Festival is being held January 17, 18 and 19 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.
At today's 'Broadway & Beyond...Celebrating the Stars of Disney on Broadway' event at Disney's D23 expo, stage stars Heidi Blickenstaff, Merle Dandridge, Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, and Alton Fitzgerald White debuted a brand new song from the Broadway-bound production of ALADDIN, titled 'Somebody's Got Your Back.' Check it out, courtesy of Attractions Magazine, below!
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents a special theatrical performance, Broadway and Beyond. Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions will host a musical journey into Disney's history on Broadway and beyond at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The performance features an all-star line-up, including Heidi Blickenstaff (THE LITTLE MERMAID), Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Merle Dandridge (TARZAN and AIDA), Josh Strickland (TARZAN) and Alton Fitzgerald White (THE LION KING), who sing beloved songs from the award-winning musicals they starred in as well as classic tunes from the Disney on Broadway catalogue.
Exclusively at Disney's D23 Expo August 9–11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Disney fans are invited to explore the incredible roster of film, stage, and music projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios, with a variety of panel discussions, sneak peeks, and exhibits.
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has just announced a special theatrical performance,Broadway and Beyond. Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions will host a musical journey into Disney's history on Broadway and beyond at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The performance features an all-star line-up, including Heidi Blickenstaff (THE LITTLE MERMAID), Ashley Brown (MARY POPPINS and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Merle Dandridge (TARZAN and AIDA), Josh Strickland (TARZAN) and Alton Fitzgerald White (THE LION KING), who sing beloved songs from the award-winning musicals they starred in as well as classic tunes from the Disney on Broadway catalogue.
Today in 2006, Tarzan opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it ran for 486 performances. Tarzan: The Musical is based on the Disney film of the same name and the story by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The songs are written by Phil Collins and David Zippel, with a book by David Henry Hwang. The production was nominated for a Tony award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz). The cast Featured Josh Strickland, Jennifer Gambatese, Shuler Hensley, Merle Dandridge and Chester Gregory.
Scott Alan performed a Los Angeles concert on March 11th at the Rockwell and has just released his entire concert for viewing online. Click below to watch all of the evening's performances!
Toward the end of the second act of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage's By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, a character shouts, "It's not what's said, it's what's not said!" This could be a tagline to describe the show, which is light and funny in its first act, and far more serious in the second, when film is utilized to tell more of the life of Vera Stark and dark questions are raised and not always answered.
Stage and screen star Sanaa Lathan (A Raisin in the Sun, Contagion) returns to the title role in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Lathan, who originated the character of Vera Stark in the critically acclaimed New York run, once again takes the stage as the 1930's era maid turned movie star, reunited with original cast member Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer) reprising her role as fellow aspiring African American actress Lottie. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark opened at the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on September 26, 2012. Check out photos of the stars at opening night below!
Stage and screen star Sanaa Lathan (A Raisin in the Sun, Contagion) returns to the title role in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Lathan, who originated the character of Vera Stark in the critically acclaimed New York run, will once again take the stage as the 1930's era maid turned movie star, reunited with original cast member Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer) reprising her role as fellow aspiring African American actress Lottie. Get a first look at the stars onstage below!
Stage and screen star Sanaa Lathan (A Raisin in the Sun, Contagion) returns to the title role in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Lathan, who originated the character of Vera Stark in the critically acclaimed New York run, will once again take the stage as the 1930's era maid turned movie star, reunited with original cast member Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer) reprising her role as fellow aspiring African American actress Lottie. Broadway vet and Geffen alum Merle Dandridge (Spamalot, Rent, Aida) will take on the spicy role of Anna Mae, who fakes a Brazilian accent for a slice of fame, and former leading lady of ABC's Man Up, Amanda Detmer, will portray Gloria Mitchell, the white starlet dubbed "America's little sweetie pie" and Vera's first employer. Helmed by award-winning director Jo Bonney, the West Coast premiere cast also features Kevin Carroll (Paid in Full, Being John Malkovich), Spencer Garrett (Iron Man 3, Air Force One) and Geffen alum Mather Zickel (Extraordinary Chambers, Rachel Getting Married).