It's not unusual for movies to be adapted for the stage these days, in fact, it's become rather commonplace. But typically, musicals written for the screen that flop (even though they might have a rather substantial cult following), are usually avoided for obvious reasons. Although, that didn't stop the producers of XANADU from plowing forward, go figure. The Disney film NEWSIES actually seems likes a logical choice to revamp and produce on the stage, and it wound up winning Tony Awards for best score and choreography back in 2012, and becoming quite the hit. So why am I so surprised? I guess because the current touring production, while occasionally dazzling, comes off slightly uninspired and flat. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some really fine performances, an eye catching scenic design, cool effects, and energetic choreography that certainly lives up to expectations. And, like the film, an awful lot of people, both young and old, are guaranteed to truly love this show, as evidenced by the very enthusiastic response from the audience at the performance I attended.
Hines has created a charismatic confection that incorporates vintage photos, bittersweet memories, enthusiastic tap dancing and a mega-talented all-female band.
He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.
MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances began December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opened just last night, January 11th. Check out photos from the big night below!
In the new TV spot for DISASTER!, some of Broadway's favorite stars are lining up for the new musical comedy, guaranteed to blow you away. Check it out below!
he producers of Broadway's Disaster! are thrilled to celebrate today's box office opening with a first look at the new musical comedy directed by Jack Plotnick with a book by three-time Emmy Award nominee and Grammy Award nominee Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick. Meet the cast below!
MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances began December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is tonight, January 11th.
Performances of MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE began on December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is Monday, January 11th. Stage and screen actress Christine Ebersole recently stopped by the show and visited with the cast backstage. Check out photos below!
The producers for the Broadway's Disaster! just announced the complete cast for the new musical comedy directed by Jack Plotnick with a book by three-time Emmy Award nominee and Grammy Award nominee Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick.
MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances begin tonight, December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is Monday, January 11th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Hines in action below!
He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.
MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed byJeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances begin Wednesday, December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is Monday, January 11th.
He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.
MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed byJeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances begin Wednesday, December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is Monday, January 11th.
There was a moment tonight in the Orpheum's presentation of NEWSIES that I envisioned the entire production as an animated feature -- and why not? There was the infectious music of Alan Menken, who long ago set the 'gold standard' for the resurgence of Disney animation beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID; there was, too, the 'underdog' hero ('Jack Kelley,' played with panache and charisma by Joey Barreiro), who serves as a point of inspiration for a horde of ragtag 'newsies'; and instead of an 'Ariel' or 'Belle,' there was 'Katherine,' the spirited young 'girl reporter,' who, with her independence and ingenuity, could fall right in line with the other young heroines of Disney films.
Get the inside scoop on the show right from the team themselves! Below, check out Richard Ridge's conversation with Seth Rudetsky, Adam Pascal, Kerry Butler, and more!
Duck and cover, make it to high ground, stop, drop and roll, batten down the hatches -- prepare to weather the storm! BroadwayWorld has learned that the new musical DISASTER! will begin performances on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 and officially open on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street).
The stage production of NEWSIES, now playing a limited run at the Providence Performing Arts Center, features the same stirring and beloved songs that captured the hearts of moviegoers, as well as newly choreographed, high-octane dance numbers that dazzle with gravity-defying leaps and spins.
Disney's Theatrical Productions high energy stage version of the 1992 film NEWSIES opened last night at Shea's after a tryout at New Jersey's PAPERMILL PLAYHOUSE and subsequent Broadway run. Based on the Disney film, Harvey Fierstein's book delineates the struggle in 1899 of a group of newsboys who strike against the powerful newspaper magnates, led by Joseph Pulitzer.
You can't help but cheer for the loveable Newsies in Disney's Broadway musical based on the real news boy strike of 1899 and the financial flop film they produced on the matter in 1992. Disney's Newsies is a well written, incredibly designed, choreographed, and acted hit! Audiences are getting all of the great Disney quality music they've come to expect from legendary composer Alan Menken along with a story line that is as timely as ever with university, teacher, and grocery workers strikes appearing almost daily in the headlines.