Richard Stafford News

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 209th season with the ultimate feel-good musical, MAMMA MIA! Filled with ABBA's catchiest hits, and directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd, and runs through July 15th on the Walnut Mainstage.

New York City Opera continued its 2017-18 Chamber Opera Series with a unique double bill of Donizetti's Il Pigmalione and Rameau's Pigmalion, the first time these one-act gems will be presented on the same program. The production also marks the New York premiere of Donizetti's first opera. This double was directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, with Gil Rose conducting the New York City Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Two performances of Il Pigmalione/Pigmalion were presented at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater on Saturday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 25 at 4:00 p.m.

There's no 'Enry 'Iggins or 'Liza Doolittle in Donizetti's IL PIGMALIONE or Rameau's PIGMALION--we'll have to wait for Lincoln Center Theatre's MY FAIR LADY revival (based on Shaw's PYGMALION) next month for that. But this pair of oddities, produced by New York City Opera last weekend at the Gerald Lynch Theatre, gave us the chance to see how the legend of the man who fell in love with a statue and brought it to life was handled by a pair of major composers--if not proving their neglect has been unwarranted.

Riverside Theatre's production of Mamma Mia! adds two additional performances! Mamma Mia! runs April 10-29, 2018 on the Stark Stage and is sponsored by Dave Horner with additional support from Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers' Group. Mamma Mia! is a co-production with the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present one of Broadway's longest-running musicals, Mamma Mia! Sponsored by Dave Horner and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers Group, Mamma Mia! performs on the Stark Stage from April 10-29, 2018. Mamma Mia! is produced in association with the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

New York City Opera continues its 2017-18 Chamber Opera Series with a unique double bill of Donizetti's Il Pigmalione and Rameau's Pigmalion, the first time these one-act gems will be presented on the same program. The production also marks the New York premiere of Donizetti's first opera. This double bill will be directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, with Gil Rose conducting the New York City Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Two performances of Il Pigmalione/Pigmalion will be presented at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater on Saturday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 25 at 4:00 p.m.

This Delightful Holiday Musical is a true celebration of the Season. All the splendor of Christmas is brought to life in a magical journey through Yuletides past. The holiday songs we all know and love are wrapped up in a heartwarming celebration of spirit that will delight audiences of all ages.

Westchester Broadway Theatre will present THE CHRISTMAS VOYAGER, A Holiday Musical Adventure by Bob Fitzsimmons, running November 22 - December 23, 2017, with direction and choreography by Richard Stafford and musical direction by Shane Parus. Get a sneak peek with photos from WBT's past production below!

With a catalog full of hits like JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous musicals seem to polarize musical theatre fans into those who either love him or those who feel like he is a no-substance sellout. And, although I occasionally find his lyrics a tad trite, I'm a self-confessed sucker for larger-than-life females with big, sassy vibrato. So, despite a few structural defects, the thrilling score of EVITA is an epic win. And, with Casa's talented team at the helm, the current production packs a whole lot of punch.

Casa Ma ana Theatre continues its 2017-18 Broadway Season presented by Frank Kent Cadillac with Evita, November 4-12. Tickets are on sale now.

Casa Ma ana Theatre continues its 2017-18 Broadway Season presented by Frank Kent Cadillac with Evita, November 4-12. Tickets are on sale now.

Westchester Broadway Theatre will present THE CHRISTMAS VOYAGER, A Holiday Musical Adventure by Bob Fitzsimmons, running November 22 - December 23, 2017, with direction and choreography by Richard Stafford and musical direction by Shane Parus. Get a sneak peek with photos from WBT's past production below!

This Delightful Holiday Musical is a true celebration of the Season. All the splendor of Christmas is brought to life in a magical journey through Yuletides past. The holiday songs we all know and love are wrapped up in a heartwarming celebration of spirit that will delight audiences of all ages.

Casa Ma ana Theatre continues its 2017-18 Broadway Season presented by Frank Kent Cadillac with Evita, November 4-12. Tickets are on sale now.

What a treat to be in the audience at Westchester Broadway Theatre's new production of Annie Get Your Gun, written and composed by Irving Berlin.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, with music & lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by Herbert & Dorothy Fields, directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, with musical direction by Shane Parus, running now through November 26, 2017 and December 28, 2017 - January 28, 2018. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Annie Get Your Gun, the musical, is a fictionalized version of the life of  Annie Oakley. Annie's (Devon Perry) ability as a sharpshooter wins her a job in Buffalo Bill's (Gary Lynch) Wild West show. Her brilliant shooting offends the masculinity of the show's star marksman, handsome baritone Frank Butler (Gregg Goodbrod), and makes a romance between the pair impossible. A happy ending only arrives when wise old Sitting Bull (Marshall Factora) gently demonstrates to the naive Oakley that she can easily win the insecure Butler by intentionally losing a shooting competition. The rousing, sure-fire finale hit's the mark every time. With songs such as "There's No Business Like Show Business", "The Girl That I Marry" and "Anything You Can Do" this wonderful Irving Berlin score will score a hit for all of us!

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.

The image of John Travolta, his white suit and that disco stance is "burned, baby burn" into your brain.