Ricky Pope News

n KEEP A TENDER DISTANCE, Ms. Ward has taken a large artistic leap forward from her previous collection of Sondheim. A PERFECT LITTLE DEATH was recorded in the middle of the pandemic in Ward’s home studio and contained 13 songs utilizing mostly just her solo voice and a guitar. The new album feels like an entirely more collaborative affair.  There are a plethora of instruments and lots of backup vocals (even though many of the voices are Ward herself.) Her technique has grown sharper, both as a vocalist and an instrumentalist, and her emotional range is deeper and more on target.

One of the most enduring of human beliefs is the idea of the existence of an afterlife. All sorts of terrors and challenges can be endured in an earthly life if one believes in a world beyond where things will be not only better but perfect. That is one of the central ideas of THE FIELDS OF AMBROSIA, a musical that is opening next week at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, NJ on Long Beach Island.

Surflight Theatre, New Jersey's “Broadway at the Beach,” will present a new production of The Fields of Ambrosia this September.

Laguna Playhouse concludes its historic 100th anniversary season with the dazzling and magical musical, XANADU, book by Douglas Carter Beane, music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, musical direction by Ricky Pope and directed & choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan. Check out photos here!

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE concludes its historic 100th anniversary season with the dazzling and magical musical, XANADU, book by Douglas Carter Beane, music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, musical direction by Ricky Pope and directed & choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan.  

Laguna Playhouse presents the hottest musical of the Summer, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, based on the Paramount/RSO Picture and the story by Nik Cohn, adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oaks, musical arrangements and orchestrations by David Abbinanti, featuring songs by The Bee Gees, musical direction by Ricky Pope and directed & choreographed by Karen Babcock Brassea. 

“You Should Be Dancing” at LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE as it presents the hottest musical of the Summer, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, based on the Paramount/RSO Picture and the story by Nik Cohn, adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oaks, featuring songs by The Bee Gees.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present one of the greatest and most celebrated musicals of all time, A CHORUS LINE, conceived and originally directed & choreographed by Michael Bennett, book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, musical direction by Ricky Pope and directed and choreographed by Luis Villabon.

The artists of diversity in cabaret and concert are ready and willing to work - they just need to be invited to the table.

Laguna Playhouse will present one of the greatest and most celebrated musicals of all time, A CHORUS LINE, conceived and originally directed & choreographed by Michael Bennett, book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, musical direction by Ricky Pope and directed and choreographed by Luis Villabon. 

Laguna Playhouse will present one of the longest running Off-Broadway productions of all time, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!, book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music by Jimmy Roberts, musical direction by  Ricky Pope, directed & choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan.

Actor, singer, piano man, and now entertainment manager? Michael McAssey has his hands full, and he loves it.

There is a phenomenon that occurs at Joe’s pub sometimes. Once in a while, you feel a little tremor underneath the seats while you’re watching a show like you’re experiencing a small earthquake. It’s attributable to the 6 train that runs directly below the Public Theatre on Lafayette Street. However last night, the tremor that was felt was completely due to the act onstage. Tori Scott was in complete command of the room, a room packed with fans there to celebrate her return to Joe’s Pub after a 2-year absence. For ten years she has been making appearances at the downtown cabaret and has developed a sizeable following. If her show, TORI SCOTT: JETLAGGED is any indication, it’s no wonder she has such devoted followers.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is set to present one of the longest running Off-Broadway productions of all time, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!, book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music by Jimmy Roberts, musical direction by  Ricky Pope, directed & choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan.  Comments Executive Producing Director Ellen Richard, “The song ‘Satisfaction Guaranteed’ from this joyous musical is what our subscribers and audiences will undoubtably have as we welcome this extraordinary cast and creative team to the Playhouse stage!”  I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! begins previews on Wednesday, April 20; will open on Sunday, April 24 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, May 8, 2022 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

Cheeyang Ng is an impressive human. They are celebrating nearly a decade as a resident of New York. The native of Singapore came here, as they said to escape some traditions and find a truer, more authentic version of themself. That journey is reflected in many of their songs, which focus on the joys and the uncertainty of being in unfamiliar territory, whether it be relationships or career ambitions of just self-actualization. They seem drawn to examining the multitude of thoughts and feelings that occur in a split second of actual time. In short, Cheeyang Ng writes about the active mind.

Claire Moore and Veanne Cox joined Betty Buckley on her opening night of BETTY BUCKLEY AND FRIENDS at Joe's Pub.

Relative NYC newcomer Jacob Khalil has been making the rounds but when he sold out Birdland Theater, he may just have found an artistic home.

Rodgers and Hammerstein are the topic and Meg Flather is the professor, and such sweet tutorials were never, before, had.

Betty Buckley is in great form. Her control over her instrument is remarkable, singing soft and gently, making her audience wait for the clarion tones that are her trademark. But when it’s time to belt, she delivers. She is masterful at creating musical monologues. For all her musical gifts you never forget that you are watching a great actress at work.

Heading into a weekend performance of her acclaimed RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN show, Meg Flather shares some thoughts about artistic process and the importance of community in a Broadway World interview.