(05/31/2016) - A Chorus Line at the Playhouse overwhelmingly belongs to Carla Sankey, who choreographed the show and played the role of Sheila. A Chorus Line is very much a choreographer's show. It stands or falls by its choreography more than anything else. Carla Sankey's choreography was excellent.
(05/23/2016) - Good direction, good acting - particularly from the always dependable Liz Vermeulen - and an intriguing plot idea combine to hold the audience's attention in 'The Vapours' at the Overtime, in spite of some deep flaws in a play that implodes at the end under the weight of expectations and ideas that are left unresolved.
(05/14/2016) - Greg Hinojosa is a revelation in his role as the loud-mouth junkyard tycoon Harry Brock in the ClassicTheatre production of Born Yesterday
(04/16/2016) - Memphis at the Woodlawn proves to be more dynamic and less melodramatic than the touring production, with some excellent performances from a very talented cast.
(04/06/2016) - 'In the name of every girl who has ever wished to go to a ball in a beautiful dress. In the name of every girl who has ever wanted to change the world she lived in. Go! With the promise of possibility.' Fairy Godmother, Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, book by Douglas Carter Beane.
(04/02/2016) - There are some terrific performances by a hand-picked cast in PASA's American premiere production of Make Me a Musical, a show that takes an affectionate dig at a number of classic musicals.
(03/21/2016) - Director Shawn Kjos is particularly excited by London Calling, his 13th original production for the Harlequin Dinner Theatre. The musical revue style show is currently playing to a packed house and runs through April 16th. The revue strings together over 50 notable hits by artists stemming from British influence including the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Amy Winehouse, The Spice Girls, Petula Clark, Rod Stewart and The Beatles to name a few.
(03/11/2016) - St. Philips College Theater announces its Spring production of the musical “In the Heights.” This musical written by Lin Manuel-Miranda was nominated for 13 Tony awards following its Broadway debut in 2008.
(03/08/2016) - Jade Esteban Estrada, who just completed an Australian run of his solo musical comedy, 'ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1' as part of the 2016 Fringe World Festival in Perth, has just joined Texas Light Opera (www.texaslightopera.org) as an artistic advisor. His first role in this new capacity is co-director with Vaughn Taylor of 'Make Me a Musical', which opens at Performing Arts San Antonio (PASA) on April first for a three week run.
(03/02/2016) - After its recent sold-out run at the Carver Community Center, Divas of Eastwood - 'a celebration of the Chitlin Circuit' - returns to the Carver on March 4th for three nights to offer up another selection of familiar songs by some of San Antonio's finest singers and performers, including Danielle King and Alisa Claridy.
(02/26/2016) - In the Trinity Theatre production of 'How I Learned to Drive', Dallas Akins and Sarah Tipton delivered strong performances in the lead roles of Uncle Peck and his niece 'Li'l Bit' in this everyday tale of incest and pedophilia in what I imagine to be somewhere in Appalachia.
(02/22/2016) - A strong cast and fine direction by Allan Ross served up an almost pitch perfect production of Anton Chekhov's first and most autobiographical play, The Seagull.
(02/12/2016) - Having a single actor playing seven different characters of varying ages and sexes, coupled with a story that jumps around on a constantly fluctuating narrative thread, and you could have a theatrical disaster on your hands.
(02/05/2016) - As ROCK OF AGES sets to open at the Woodlawn Theatre, don't miss this pic preview of the cast as they prepare to rock your socks off. ROCK OF AGES plays from February 6- March 6, 2016 at the Woodlawn Theatre in San Antonio. Go to woodlawntheatre.org for tickets.
(02/01/2016) - Darrin Newhardt is one of the busiest music directors in San Antonio. In recent months he has been the music director of ten shows, including the premier of the musical 'Oh Rats' for the Vexlar Theater. 'Ragtime' 'The Last 5 Years' for the Playhouse San Antonio, 'Young Frankenstein' 'Into The Woods' 'Mary Poppins' and 'West Side Story' for the Woodlawn Theater and many more shows while he lived in Los Angeles, California. On top of that he is the regular accompanist at Broadway Nights, a weekly cabaret at the Woodlawn Theatre every Saturday night, where the cream of San Antonio's singers exercise their vocal skills. He is also a vocal coach to many local performers and has been the music director at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church for the past 15 years.
(01/21/2016) - Having served the SA theatre community in a number of capacities - as an actor, singer, director, producer and a board member of local theatres - Lee Cusenbary is one of the most respected people in San Antonio theatrical circles. In this interview he discusses the year ahead.
(01/20/2016) - WILLIAM RAZAVI is the artistic director of the Overtime Theatre, the only theatre in San Antonio (and possibly in the whole of Texas) dedicated purely to original works, mostly by local writers. In this question-and-answer interview he discusses the future of the Overtime and its artistic direction.
(01/20/2016) -
Now in its sixth year, Performing Arts San Antonio (PASA) has established itself as one of most innovative musical theatres in the region. While the other musical theatres in the area tend to rely on tried and trusted Broadway standards, or on musical reviews as in the case of the Harlequin Theatre, PASA has been bringing musical shows to San Antonio that it would not otherwise see - including world premieres and shows new to Texas and San Antonio.
(01/19/2016) - Tonight (Tuesday the 19th) The Tobin Center in San Antonio will present a Broadway Revue 'Lila's Broadway Birthday Bash' , which will celebrate Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell's 94th Birthday. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at the door at 6:30 pm and are $25 for mezzanine seating. Proceeds benefit The Bexar County Family Justice Center.
(01/18/2016) - One of the busiest people in San Antonio theatre right now is Nicole Erwin, who was recently appointed Executive Director of the Overtime Theatre. She is also executive director of Texas Light Opera, which is co-producing Make Me a Musical at Performing Arts San Antonio, and has launched her own production company, Aria Creative Productions, to produce independent play productions.
(09/03/2015) - A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, hits the road for a national tour. This lavish new production launches this September at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, under the auspices of the Center Theatre Group, and will then tour North America for multiple seasons, playing multi-week and week-long engagements. BroadwayWorld brings you shots of the meet and greet below!
(06/16/2015) - Thanks to their fantastic performing arts skills and Las Casas Foundation, two aspiring teen performers will start their summers in the spotlight on a Broadway stage! Through the 2015 Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition, 'The Joci Awards', talented teens Travis Anderson and Sabrina Uriegas are off to New York City to participate in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA), June 24 through June 30.
(04/27/2015) - San Antonio has a variety of performing arts opportunities including shows at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Announcements were made concerning the new season today as Lionel Richie and many wonderful shows were announced.
(08/22/2014) - Straight from New York is bringing Adam Pascal to a city near you for a Master's Class this fall. As of now, master's classes are booked in Charlotte, NC (Sept. 16 - 17), Oklahoma City, OK (Sept. 18-19) and Austin, TX (Sept. 20). Straight from New York provides educational opportunities for performing arts students to work with top Broadway artists in cities around the country. www.straightfromnewyork.com
Adam Pascal is an actor, singer, and musician known for his portrayal of Roger Davis in the original cast of Jonathan Larson's musical RENT as well as the movie version. He is also known for originating the role of Radames in the Elton John/Tim Rice Aida. He was also in the revival of Cabaret as well as Huey Calhoun in the Broadway Company of Memphis.
When you work with students, what is your approach to teaching?
A: I approach students from an existential place. I don't have any formal training. My training is practical from all my experience. I listen to what students are doing and offer them practical instructions on how to make it better. Tyce Green, the artistic director of Straight from New York, brings the technical experience. Together it is a great combination.
Where did you go to school? What did you study?
Where I grew up, everyone went to college. In my family, you just did it. I attended the University of South Florida for my freshman year. I then transferred to the NY Institute of Technology and got a degree in communications. I didn't necessarily want to go into that field but I knew I needed a degree.
What is your favorite role you've played?
Emcee in Cabaret
Have you ever done any classical Musical Theatre roles and are there any roles in classical Musical Theatre you'd like to tackle?
I would love to play roles from classical musical theatre but have not had the opportunity. I find many of the roles to be outside the box what people are used to seeing me play. These roles are out of my comfort zone but I look forward to the challenge. I think I'd like to play the role of Curly in Oklahoma!
How did you feel taking over the role in Memphis and how was it taking over from the man who originated the role (Chad Kimball)
They always allowed me to play the character and develop him on my own. I was never asked to play it like anyone else. They wanted me to bring my own personality to the role.
What is your favorite musical you've never done?
Les Miserables, Hedwig and the Angry Itch, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeny Todd
For the young performer who wants to pursue musical theatre as a career, what advice would you give them?
1. There is no other reason to do musical theatre other than the love of it. Don't do this to be a star! Pursue this because you love it.
2. Have something else in your life that brings you happiness. The majority of this business is not getting the job. If you are only happy getting the role, then you will live perpetually unhappy.
As a teacher, it's frustrating to hear kids say, 'my life is RENT.' As well all know there could not be anything further from the truth. When you teach your seminars, how do you convey there is more to Musical Theatre than RENT and Les Miserables?
I tell kids to have a career in theatre, you have to be as versatile as you can be. If you sell yourself as only one thing, you will be handicapped in this business. To have a long career you need to be able to sing and do anything. It goes for people who are classically trained as well. You must know all aspects of this business and learn to do as many as you can.
What is the focus of your seminars?
We focus on the audition process. We want our students to learn to be comfortable performing under pressure in any situation. There is no other situation with as much pressure as an audition. We focus on technique, relaxation methods, choices in an audition, what to wear, and what to expect in any audition situation. We are extremely honest with addressing the pros and cons of choices made by students who attend our seminar. We try to bring each student as much practical information as we can.
Why should someone take your seminar?
Only take this seminar if you interested in learning honest information on the world of performing. This seminar will be full of information and advice you can't get anywhere else.
To sign up for Adam Pascal's master class in your city, visit: www.straightfromnewyork.com
(08/07/2014) - The Who's Tommy opened at The Playhouse - San Antonio last weekend, and BroadwayWorld is pleased to share these stellar photos from the rocking production. Tommy is an electrifying 1960s rock opera, told through the legendary music of The Who. It chronicles one child's 'Amazing Journey' from boy to man and misfortune to fame.
(03/25/2014) - While Wicked spends several weeks in each city, cast members love to take the opportunity to speak to theater and choir classes about their experiences of being in the show and how they got interested in the business in the first place.
