The Audience (i) News

Phoebe Eclair-Powell began training as an actress at the Drama Centre London, but soon switched over to playwriting. She's worked with the National Youth Theatre on their Epic Stages programme, and her debut play WINK premiered at Theatre503 last year. Next up is FURY, shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award and winner of the 2015 Soho Theatre Young Writer's Award. This modern Medea centres on a young, single mum in a Peckham council flat and opens at Soho Theatre next week, directed by Hannah Hauer-King.

In July 2012, HIMSELF AND NORA premiered at the New York Musical Theater Festival. In 2014, Jay Records released HIMSELF AND NORA (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording). Following the steamy romance between James Joyce and his muse, Nora, the musical has returned to New York in a lush Off-Broadway production at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Recently, I sat down with Michael McCormick, who plays John Joyce, Ezra Pound, and others, to chat about the show.

BWW caught up with Tito Beveridge, owner of Tito's Vodka, to chat for a minute about his new play, THIS SIDE OF THE DIRT.

The barn is staring to get into its summer swing this year. The first day of rehearsal is getting closer and closer. Counting down the days until school ends and the days until rehearsal starts. We are currently in the end of school paradox. That being you show up to school and sit in all your classes and do nothing. The days are pointless, but I mean it happens every year so… 

Theatre UCF opens John Cariani's play Almost, Maine on Thursday, June 2. The play is a series of vignettes about love in a northern town and runs through June 11 in UCF's Black Box theater. Almost, Maine tells nine stories of love in a small town in Maine. The residents of the town find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected ways. It is, says director Mark Brotherton, "an honest and insightful play that represents what all aspects of love really encompass." 

?Vocalist Kate Brennan and pianist Harvey Reed present their newest cabaret show 'Dueling Favorites' with Ibrahim Jones on bass, Friday, June 10 at Matrix Theatre located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of southwest Detroit's Mexicantown. The show begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $50. This popular show is usually a sellout and seating is limited, so call 313 967 0599 now to reserve tickets, or order online at www.matrixtheatre.org. 

Rob van Vuuren's LIFE is a side-splitting observation of the way we live today. Van Vuuren is uproariously funny, landing the many laughs that he sets up with his particularly distinctive flair. But watch out if you're seated in the first few rows...

Today I had play practice or as the teachers call it "Theater Arts."  We practice every Friday for three hours after school.  I attend PS 196 in Queens and the play we are putting on is "Shrek, The Musical."  The entire practice, a man took photos of us for a behind the scenes photo loop that will be projected on the stage before the performance on the nights we present the play in June.  

In this second part of Understudying on Broadway (you can find Part 1 here), I'm discussing the subject with two women who each have tons of experience, Sandra (Sandy) DeNise and Sarah Jane Shanks, both currently covering the demanding, central role of 'Alice Murphy' in Bright Star. (I should mention that they both also cover the role of 'Lucy Grant,' and additionally, Sandy covers 'Mama Murphy!')

Boyle Heights will be the setting for a pull out all the stops Cinco de Mayo (May 5, 2016) celebration on the Eastside of Los Angeles as Brown Fist Productions in association with CASA 0101 Theater present the opening night of EASTSIDE HEARTBEATS, A New Rock 'n' Roll Musical.

At Lincoln Center's Koch Theater on April 29, 2016, the ballet crowd filled the house that Friday evening. For this program, City Ballet presented Estancia, Pictures at an Exhibition, and Everywhere We Go. Each piece demonstrated a variance in style, yet conclusively was still in the realm of the dancers' undeniable Balanchine training.

Playing a character is hard enough for many actors and actresses who are starting out in musical theater, but The Drowsy Chaperone throws its performers a curve because of the complicated nature of the show. A cloistered record collector, the character known only as Man in Chair, shares his favorite musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, with the audience, and as he talks about it, the characters come alive in front of them. But Man in Chair is also talking about the actors who play the characters in the faux musical. This causes a triple-layered dilemma for anyone who plays in the show because they have to fold two characters into their own personalities. We talked with three of the show's stars, who are all theater arts students at California Lutheran University. Kevin Repich is a third year Communications and Theater Arts major who is also in the college's Improv Troupe. Malissa Marlow, also a junior, is a Thousand Oaks High School graduate who has already appeared in productions of Spring Awakening (as Martha), Night of the Living Dead (as Corpse on the Stairs - really!), and Songs for a New World (Woman 1). Leah Dalrymple, also from Thousand Oaks High, is making her musical debut at CLU, but has received a Vee-Cee award for her performance as Fran Kubelik in Promises, Promises at Moorpark College. We talked with all three this week about this very funny show, which is packing in audiences at the CLU Black Box Theater.

Ballet Preljocaj, under the direction of Angelin Preljocaj, opened its New York premiere engagement of Empty Moves (Parts I, II, & III), to Empty Words, by John Cage, on April 20, 2016, when I had the opportunity to attend. Preljocaj has created 45 choreographic works for his company, formed in December 1984, ranging from solo to larger formations. His productions (49, to date) are now part of the repertoire of many companies, many of which also commission original productions, notably La Scala of Milan, New York City Ballet, and the Paris Opera. I was excited to see the work of this acclaimed contemporary choreographer, aware that his dancers are known to be very good.

Boyle Heights will be the setting for a pull out all the stops Cinco de Mayo (May 5, 2016) celebration on the Eastside of Los Angeles as Brown Fist Productions in association with CASA 0101 Theater present the opening night of EASTSIDE HEARTBEATS, A New Rock 'n' Roll Musical.

Just weeks ago he was preparing to make his Broadway return in NERDS. Now he is starring in the most popular show on Broadway. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Tony Award-nominee Rory O'Malley recently began his reign as King George in the Broadway musical Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46 St). Mr. O'Malley steps into the role that was previously played by Jonathan Groff, Brian d'Arcy James and Andrew Rannells. How did he end up here? O'Malley explains in the full interview below!

It's been less than three months since Matthew Morrison departed FINDING NEVERLAND, and he's been going non-stop ever since.

When people hear the name Marie Osmond, they conjure up visions of a squeaky clean lifestyle and big teeth. But, when you look beyond the superficial aspect, you see someone who has spent her entire life in show business rubbing elbows with such greats as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Lucille Ball. In recording her new album Osmond stated on her website, marieosmond.com, “I'm singing, with all my heart and soul. That's why this album is so special for me; each song has its own story and its own personal meaning. I hope you will find your connection and meaning in each song as well.”

As if winning DANCING WITH THE STARS and making her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in CHICAGO weren't enough, Rumer Willis will now bring her jazzy vibe to New York City's famed Carlyle Cafe at the Carlyle Hotel.

I remember when, in the 1930's Shirley Temple vehicle POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL, poor Jack Haley and Alice Faye had to implore, 'You've Gotta Each Your Spinach, Baby'; and in Circuit's charming (and short) production of PINKALICIOUS THE MUSICAL, with Book and Lyrics by Elizabeth and Victoria Kern and Music by John Gregor, poor 'Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton' (gleefully played by Marc Gill and Brooke Papritz) have a similar problem with their daughter 'Pinkalicious' (the engaging Carly Crawford, A.K.A. 'Peter Pan' during the Christmas holidays). It seems that the color-preoccupied pint-sizer has a condition known as 'Pinkititis,' wrought by an immoderate obsession with . . . dare I say it? . . . pink cupcakes -- MUDDY'S BAKERY, GIGI'S CUPCAKES, lock your doors!

Stephanie Harter Gilmore, who plays Madame de la Grande Bouche in NETworks Presentations' traveling production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast,' talks about what inspires her performances and what makes this tour so special and unique.