Michele Ragusa News

STAGES St. Louis is thrilled to announce casting for its 33rd Season: THE BOY FROM OZ, GREASE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and its Emerson Family Theatre Series production of Disney's 101 DALMATIANS. 'The tagline at STAGES is 'Experience The Story' and our 2019 Season stays true to these words offering something special for everyone,' expresses Associate Producer Andrew Kuhlman.

Fred Barton's Broadway Band makes its long-awaited return to Feinstein's/54 Below and New York nightlife, with top-drawer guest singers, in a new evening of Broadway gems and Swing rarities, Today, January 4 at 9:30PM. As always, Fred presents performers who know how to stop shows, and the songs that let them do it, arranged for the band in his trademark explosive style which has made him the orchestrator of choice for the New York Pops and orchestras around the country.

Actress Michele Ragusa will be teaching a song interpretation and audition prep workshop as a guest instructor at Theatrical Artist's Prep in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The workshop is open to teens and adults 14 and older and will be capped at 10 students to ensure one-on-one attention. It will run from Jan. 13 to Jan. 20, and will take place on Sundays from 12-3 p.m.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Gulfshore Playhouse brings a fresh twist to a beloved musical comedy. Gulfshore Playhouse brought this show to life by gender-swapping several of the actors with their characters in the show, and they also had a smaller cast than what is typical for FORUM, which resulted in an even funnier production.

Fred Barton's Broadway Band makes its long-awaited return to Feinstein's/54 Below and New York nightlife, with top-drawer guest singers, in a new evening of Broadway gems and Swing rarities, Friday, January 4 at 9:30PM. As always, Fred presents performers who know how to stop shows, and the songs that let them do it, arranged for the band in his trademark explosive style which has made him the orchestrator of choice for the New York Pops and orchestras around the country.

Ragtime, based on E.L. Doctorow's 1975 novel and featuring a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens will run June 13 - July 1 on the Main Stage at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of DeSales University.

George Street Playhouse's Annual Gala Benefit, held Sunday, May 6, at the Heldrich in downton New Brunswick, saw GSP Board President Dr. Penelope Lattimer honored with the Thomas H. Kean Arts Advocacy Award. The black-tie event also celebrated the work of renowned playwright and friend of the Playhouse, the late Arthur Laurents, who would have turned 100 this year, with performances of songs from West Side Story, Gypsy, La Cage aux Folles, and his other Broadway hits.

The York Theatre Company just presented its Spring Gala Celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Off-Broadway hit The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!).

Due to popular demand, The York Theatre Company announces the release of a limited number of tickets for the dress rehearsal of the special Spring Gala Celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Off-Broadway hit The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!). Joining the cast of eight is Lauren Molina who replaces the previously announced Alli Mauzey, and Michelle Ragusa.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ANNIE, and More!

'The future is female.' If the main stage at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is any judge of it, this statement is true, and gives one hope for the future. The story of one 11-year-old girl who changes hearts and minds with optimism and determination is an inspiring one, as is the boundless energy and talent of the young females on stage who bring this story to life. Watching ANNIE last weekend, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the Great Depression, when at least the president cared about the people and developed (with Annie's help of course) a New Deal that would help lift the country out of poverty. A stark contrast to today's reality, when the current resident of the White House seems to care only for the rich, and those in need get served newly crappy deals nearly every day. Maybe we need to send Annie to the Washington to get Democrats and Republicans singing together about the hopeful future of America! In the meantime, head to the Ordway to see this swell production of an American musical theater classic and get your dose of optimism about our female future.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents one of the best-loved musicals of all time, Annie, directed by the Twin Cities' own Austene Van. Full of holiday spirit and family fun, this new Ordway Original production will be on stage December 7-31.

Following a critically acclaimed performance as Mama Rose in Gypsy at the John W. Engeman Theatre in New York this past month, Michele Ragusa comes to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to play Miss Hannigan in Annie.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents one of the best-loved musicals of all time, Annie, directed by the Twin Cities' own Austene Van. Full of holiday spirit and family fun, this new Ordway Original production will be on stage December 7-31.

Following a critically acclaimed performance as Mama Rose in Gypsy at the John W. Engeman Theatre in New York this past month, Michele Ragusa comes to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to play Miss Hannigan in Annie. Ms. Ragusa is best known for her Broadway performances in A Class Act, Titanic, Ragtime and taking over for Megan Mullally in Young Frankenstein. She has also performed with some of the top Symphonies in the country including: Detroit Symphony, Oklahoma City Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Phoenix Symphony and The Kennedy Center Holiday Pops with Marvin Hamlisch.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents one of the best-loved musicals of all time, Annie, directed by the Twin Cities' own Austene Van. Full of holiday spirit and family fun, this new Ordway Original production will be on stage December 7-31.

GYPSY will play through October 29 at the Engeman Theatre, and the critics are weighing in!

GYPSY will play at the John W. Engeman Theatre on Long Island through October 29. A musical theatre classic, GYPSY follows the story of Louise, who went from an awkward young girl to famous burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee. See the life of sisters June and Louis and their overbearing stage mother Rose. The show features classic songs such as 'Let Me Entertain You,' 'Everything's Coming Up Roses,' and 'If Mama Was Married.' GYPSY has a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, GYPSY, RENT, and More!

Northport's exquisite John W. Engeman Theatre does it again with a stellar version of the iconic Laurents/Styne/Sondheim musical Gypsy. The Tony winner runs at the Long Island venue through October 29th excellently directed by Engeman vet Igor Goldin boasting an outstanding cast. And I know you are probably saying that there are showings of this everywhere you look. However, when you have a production like this, it definitely warrants another visit.