Richard Stafford News

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.

Last June, New York City Opera inaugurated its Opera en Español series with the long-awaited New York premiere of Daniel Catàn's Florencia en el Amazonas. This May, following the critical success of the company's modern day revival of Respighi's rarely heard La Campana Sommersa, New York City Opera will present the second installment in its Opera en Español series with the American premiere of Antonio Literes's circa 1713 Spanish Baroque opera, Los Elementos. Richard Stafford will direct and choreograph the compact, one-hour work with sets by John Farrell, costumes by Janet O'Neill, lighting by Susan Roth and hair and makeup by Georgianna Eberhard. Sopranos Samarie Alicea and Chelsea Bonagura and mezzo-sopranos Melanie Ashkar and Kelsey Robertson will make their City Opera debuts as the four elements: Air (El Ayre), Water (El Agua), Earth (La Tierra), and Fire (El Fuego). City Opera veteran baritone Marco Nisticó returns to portray Time (El Tiempo) and mezzo-soprano Magda Gartner is featured as the Dawn (La Aurora). Pacien Mazzagatti, New York City Opera's Principal Conductor, will lead the New York City Opera Orchestra in Literes's evocative and atmospheric score.

The revival of Miss Saigon marks the fifth Broadway show for Julius Sermonia. It's also the first time he's been hired for a swing position-- one that covers potentially nineteen roles. Considering the sheer size of the forty-plus member cast, it's no surprise he was called to suit up for two roles soon after previews began.

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.

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, which performs on the Stark Stage from January 3 - 22, 2017.

Westchester Broadway Theatre opened with their Christmas Show, Christmas Inn last week to highlight the Holiday Season.

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, which performs on the Stark Stage from January 3 - 22, 2017. Chicago is sponsored by Laura and Bill Frick and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers Group.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents CHRISTMAS INN, with Book and Original Lyrics by Kathy Keating Wheeler & Bob Fitzsimmons, and Original Music and Arrangements by Steven Silverstein. Directed and Choreographed by Richard Stafford with Musical Direction by Ryan Edward Wise, the production runs now through December 23rd, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, which performs on the Stark Stage from January 3 - 22, 2017.

It's just days before Christmas and the Christmas Inn is a hive of activity. Two famous entertainers who split up their act return to the Inn--one to try out his new Christmas show and the other to see the place one last time before it is sold. Enjoy an evening of holiday music, laughter and a poignant story filled with Christmas magic as the supporting players and the families of the feuding stars try to get them to reunite and recreate the act which made them famous. The show features all your favorite Christmas songs including an old-fashioned sing-along.

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

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.

This summer there will be cheers and applause when it rains for three consecutive weeks on the North Shore. The excitement will be coming from audiences enjoying the splashy new production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at Bill Hanney's award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT).

'It's all about growing and being willing to change…about people finding a way to look at things from both sides and learn to empathize.' The soft-spoken man sitting opposite me thoughtfully answers my question about the universality of the musical theatre piece in which he stars, Fiddler on the Roof. There is a gentle, heartfelt quality to all his comments, and one understands immediately why Bill Nolte makes an ideal Tevye. The Broadway actor, singer, and visual artist makes his Maine State Music Theatre debut on July 20 in a part he has played twice before, and he waxes eloquent about the experience in Maine and his reunion with director/choreographer Gary John LaRosa and many of the veteran cast members.

Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, presents Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba in GYPSY, with performances beginning tonight, June 16, through July 3 at Sharon Playhouse. Check out a first look below!

Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, presents Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba in GYPSY, with performances from June 16 through July 3 at Sharon Playhouse.  Opening Night is June 16 at 7:00pm.

Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, announces casting and creative teams for the 2016 summer season of musicals and plays Gypsy; Big River; Quartet; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; and the new musical, Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court.