Michael Bottari News

Inspired by Little Orphan Annie, the 1924 comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie is a heart-warming story, filled with adventure and laughs that defines what family truly means. One of the longest running shows in Broadway history and the winner of seven Tony Awards, Annie, returns to the WBT stage through September 10, 2017. Below, get a look behind the scenes at set designs for the show by Bottari & Case!

Girls and women of all ages (including this writer) filled the seats at Westchester Broadway Theatre's current production of Annie, one of the longest running shows in Broadway History.

Inspired by Little Orphan Annie, the 1924 comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie is a heart-warming story, filled with adventure and laughs that defines what family truly means. One of the longest running shows in Broadway history and the winner of seven Tony Awards, Annie, returns to the WBT stage from June 29 toSeptember 10, 2017!

The Bee Gees won 5 Grammys, including Album of the Year in the late '70's with the album SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. The brothers three, along with Donna Summer, ushered in the disco era, and 'Stayin' Alive' became its anthem.

Inspired by Little Orphan Annie, the 1924 comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie is a heart-warming story, filled with adventure and laughs, that defines what family truly means. One of the longest running shows in Broadway history and the winner of seven Tony Awards, Annie, returns to the WBT stage from June 29 to September 10, 2017!

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 208th season with an exciting musical inspired by the 1977 film that became a cultural phenomenon, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 16th, opens on May 24th and runs through July 16th on the WST Mainstage.

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, ends the 2016-2017 Season with the exciting musical, Saturday Night Fever. Performing on the Stark Stage from April 11 - 30, 2017, Saturday Night Fever is sponsored by Linda & Mel Teetz and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers Group. Saturday Night Fever is produced in association with the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Dust off your hip-hugging flares, your platform shoes and warm up your disco dance moves! Saturday Night Fever is one of the most loved dance stories of all time. A stage version of the extraordinarily successful movie, It is a jam-packed, dance-crazed, fuel-injected show.

First of all, I am a huge advocate of the Westchester Broadway Theatre and the variety of musicals that are staged there. The concept of 'Dinner Theatre' is such a fun, lively experience and sitting sort of 'in the round' while being served food and drinks is quite special.

Dust off your hip-hugging flares, your platform shoes and warm up your disco dance moves! Saturday Night Fever is one of the most loved dance stories of all time. A stage version of the extraordinarily successful movie, It is a jam-packed, dance-crazed, fuel-injected show. Based on Nik Cohn's 1975 New York Magazine article 'Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night' and Norman Wexler's 1977 screenplay it inspired, it focuses on Tony Manero, a Brooklyn youth whose weekend is spent at the local discotheque. His very ordinary life is transformed when he steps on to the dance floor There he luxuriates in the admiration of the crowd and a growing relationship with Stephanie Mangano, and can temporarily forget the realities of his life, including a dead-end job in a paint store and his gang of deadbeat friends. Packed with over twenty legendary hits from The Bee Gees including the classics; Stayin' Alive, Night Fever, Jive Talking, You Should Be Dancing and How Deep is Your Love. Directed by WBT favorite, Richard Stafford and the Musical Director is Ryan Edward Wise. Our production stars: Jacob Tischler as Tony Manero, Alexandra Matteo as Stephanie Mangano, Gianna Yanelli as Annette, Chris Collins-Pisano as Bobby C., Pat McRoberts as Monty, Raynor Rubel as Gus, Joe Moeller as Double J., Chris Hlinka as Joey, Sandy Rosenberg as Flo Manero, Ray DeMattis as Frank Manero. Isabella D'Erasmo & Hannah Moore will alternate as Linda Manero, Featuring: Anthony Alvino, Josh Bates, Lauren Dalal, Michelle Dawson, Christopher DeAngelis, Walter Filmore IV, Brian Lego, Joe Moeller, Natalie Perez-Duel, Frankie Paparone, Kristyn Pope, Audrey Tesserot, Charity Van Tassel. Set & Costume design by Michael Bottari and Ronald Case, Lighting Design is by Andrew Gmoser, Sound Design is by Jonathan Hatton and Mark Zuckerman, Steve Loftus is the Technical Director. Wig & hair design by Gerard Kelly. The Production Stage Manager is Victor Lukas, and properties are by Grumpy Props. Lisa Tiso is the Associate Producer. Richard Stafford (Director/Choreographer) Returning to WBT, having directed and choreographed Show Boat, Mary Poppins, The Wizard Of Oz, Guys & Dolls, Fiddler On The Roof, Can-Can, George M!, Hairspray, Singin' In The Rain, A Wonderful Life, Beauty And The Beast, Gypsy, The Full Monty and Cats in past seasons. On Broadway, Mr. Stafford was the choreographer for In My Life (Music Box Theatre), the associate choreographer for Aspects Of Love (Broadhurst Theatre), and dance supervisor for Cats (Winter Garden Theatre). Off-Broadway credits include choreography for A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (St. Clements). Internationally he was director/choreographer for The Full Monty, Joseph...Dreamcoat (Mexico City), choreographer for Jesus Christ Superstar (Mexico City), Evita (Sydney), Cats (Mexico City, Buenos Aires) and director/choreographer for Cats (Copenhagen, Sao Paulo,Rio). National Tours include Cats (director/ choreographer), My Fair Lady (choreographer), Joseph...Dreamcoat (choreographer) and numerous Regional Theatre Productions. Reservations: Call (914)-592-2222. Also at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com Group Reservations: Discounts for Groups of 20 or More: Call 592-2225. Luxury Boxes: Call 592-8730, for private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, private powder room, and Luxury Box reserved parking. Show Times: Wednesday & Thursday & some Friday Matinees: Lunch: 11:30 am & Show 1 pm. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday Evenings: Dinner: 6:30 pm & Show: 8 pm. Sunday Matinees: Lunch: 12 pm & Show: 1:30 pm Sunday Evenings: Dinner: 5:30 pm & Show: 7 pm. Ticket Prices Dinner & Show range between $56.00 and $84.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performances chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances. Also check the website for on-going Special Offers! More news at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

Packed with over twenty legendary hits from The Bee Gees including the classics; Stayin' Alive, Night Fever, Jive Talking, You Should Be Dancing and How Deep is Your Love.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, with Book by Nan Knighton and Music and lyrics by the Bee Gees. Directed by Richard Stafford, with Musical Direction by Ryan Edward Wise, the production runs September 15 - November 27, 2016 and December 29, 2016 - January 29, 2017.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, with Book by Nan Knighton and Music and lyrics by the Bee Gees. Directed by Richard Stafford, with Musical Direction by Ryan Edward Wise, the production runs September 15 - November 27, 2016 and December 29, 2016 - January 29, 2017.

Maine State Music Theatre's third 2016 main stage production is a cause for celebration! After twenty-one years, the beloved Bock-Harnick musical, Fiddler on the Roof returns to the Pickard stage in a monumental production directed and choreographed by Gary John LaRosa, that stunningly weaves a rich and joyous tapestry of laughter, tears, and joy. Maintaining its perfect dramatic and emotional equipoise, this Fiddler on the Roof travels between tradition and change, monumental events and mastery of detail.

Creative Arts Lab presents ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE...THE SONGS OF JOHNNY MERCER, a new musical revue featuring the legendary songs of the American lyricist, songwriter and singer created by Brian Hurley, Gwen Arment and Martin Tackel.

“Man of La Mancha” opened at Westchester Broadway Theatre in the usual grand way. It is certainly exciting to have a robust Cervantes/Don Quixote and silver voiced Aldonza/Dulcinea, but the production, itself needs to iron out some kinks.

Creative Arts Lab presents ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE...THE SONGS OF JOHNNY MERCER, a new musical revue featuring the legendary songs of the American lyricist, songwriter and singer created by Brian Hurley, Gwen Arment and Martin Tackel.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents MAN OF LA MANCHA, with book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion. Directed by David Wasson with musical direction by Patrick Hoagland, the production runs now through May 1, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents MAN OF LA MANCHA, with book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. Directed by David Wasson with musical direction by Patrick Hoagland and associate direction and choreography by Michael Dauer, the production runs March 3 - May 1, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!