Today we are talking to an iconic Tony Award-winning star who made her name as a teenager singing on TV variety shows - THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW and SING ALONG WITH MITCH included - and then went on to a multimedia career in film and theatre, conquering Broadway with her Tony-winning turn in the Jule Styne/Arthur Laurents musical HALLELUJAH, BABY! in 1967 and returning to the stage in the subsequent decades in a host of Broadway productions, such as BLUES IN THE NIGHT, JERRY'S GIRLS, ANYTHING GOES, August Wilson's KING HEDLEY II and her celebrated Muzzy in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - a role she reprises in the new Muny production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical beginning this week - the one and only Leslie Uggams. Taking a thorough look back at her career thus far, Uggams opens up about her many successes and how she has endured for fifty years in show business and shares recollections of many of her most noted co-stars and collaborators, all the way up to the recent 2012 Encores! PIPE DREAM. Additionally, Uggams comments on her film and TV appearances over the years, speaking about her work in INHERIT THE WIND, TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN, ROOTS and beyond. Plus, she shares her candid opinions on GLEE, SMASH, Broadway then versus now, future plans for her Lena Horne solo show and thoughts on other roles she would enjoy pursuing - and much, much more!
BWW had a chance to chat with all four members of 'The Craze' and find out how they transform themselves each night from four immensely talented American musicians of the 21st century to four young lads from 1950's Brighton, England.
Summer along the Gulf Coast in Texas is certainly here, but Jatson Williams is hard at work preparing a highly anticipated new one-man show, Camping With Gasoline. On the morning of Saturday, June 2, 2012, he gave me a little bit of his time and opened up about the Greater Tuna series, his family, being a father, his writing process, and his new show.
Ian Patrick Gibb is currently touring with the LES MISÉRABLES U.S. Tour playing Jean Prouvaire and understudying for Marius. He recently released a new CD called "Fill in the Words." It is a compilation of songs defining the many meanings of the word "Love."
It's Saturday, and that means its time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' round-up! See below for 'Tony Edition' SIPs from Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE BOOK OF MORMON's Jared Gertner in his first intermission picture as full-time Edler Cunningham, plus Andrew Rannells partying it up backstage with the cast, EVITA's Max von Essen, PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT's Ellyn Marsh, GHOST's Caissie Levy, the casts of NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, NEWSIES and MAMMA MIA!, the cast of Paper Mill Playhouse's ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and more.
Today we are talking to the noted director of one of the most successful stage-to-screen adaptations of the new century, HAIRSPRAY, about his brand new feature film adaptation of Broadway's currently running 80s stadium rock smash hit ROCK OF AGES - the eminently talented Adam Shankman. Discussing the starry cast of ROCK OF AGES - Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand and Mary J. Blige included - as well as the expanded songstack of the reconceived film version - which now includes Joan Jett's 'I Love Rock N Roll' and Def Leppard's 'Pour Some Sugar On me', among others - Shankman imparts his infectious enthusiasm for the movie musical format and expresses his relishing of the exciting possibilities afforded by the heavy metal jukebox property. Additionally, Shankman reminisces on his experiences filming HAIRSPRAY and confirms his future re-teaming with HAIRSPRAY and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL superstar Zac Efron on an upcoming film comedy which begins shooting next month, titled THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU, co-starring Jason Bateman and Goldie Hawn. Plus, memories of choreographing Paul Thomas Anderson's BOOGIE NIGHTS, directing two episodes of GLEE, working with Carrie Ann Inaba on ROCKULA more than twenty years ago (his film debut), anecdotes about SMASH - and much, much more!
Yesterday, June 4, Broadway veterans united for a fundraiser with President Barack Obama and special guest President Bill Clinton at the New Amsterdam Theater, titled- BARACK ON BROADWAY. Featuring direction by George C. Wolfe, the event was hosted by Margo Lion, Thomas Schumacher, Michael David, Lauren Mitchell, Roger Berlind, and Paul Boskin. Rob Berman was music director and John Guare acted as script consultant.
Summer along the Gulf Coast in Texas is certainly here, but Jatson Williams is hard at work preparing a highly anticipated new one-man show, Camping With Gasoline. On the morning of Saturday, June 2, 2012, he gave me a little bit of his time and opened up about the Greater Tuna series, his family, being a father, his writing process, and his new show.
Today we are talking to a two-time Tony Award winning lyricist and book writer who was responsible for the 2010 Best Musical winner, MEMPHIS, and who has since written the libretto of the Gershwin revue NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET and received a well-earned Tony nomination for his efforts; one of the show's ten nods - Joe DiPietro. In this concluding portion of our conversation, DiPietro and I break down the process of creating NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT and he comments on the starry cast - including Matthew Broderick, Kelli O'Hara, Judy Kaye and Estelle Parsons - and the process of collaboration in bringing the 2012 Tony Awards top nominee to the Broadway stage. Additionally, DiPietro fills us in on the future for THE TOXIC AVENGER and its tentative Broadway plans, as well as the upcoming West End mountings of MEMPHIS and, hopefully, NICE WORK - and, a look ahead to his next David Bryan collaboration, CHASING THE SONG, as well. Plus, a glance back at his work on I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE, F*CKING MEN and ALLEGRO and his favorite current pop acts.
The Plaza Theatre will come to life with the sounds of favorites like Copacabana, Mandy, and American Bandstand, as they kick off their latest show, I AM MUSIC - THE SONGS OF BARRY MANILOW. The revue style show, directed by award-winning director Kevin Black, will feature ten vocalists and dynamic dancers who will captivate audiences as they perform hits from one of the world's most prolific and popular adult contemporary singers and songwriters.
Theatre Sheridan's production of Rent was extremely well received last year when it was presented at the school, and tonight it opens in Toronto at The Panasonic Theatre, which the entire graduating class taking part. I spoke with three of the young stars about what the experience has been like so far, their love of the musical Rent and what advice they have for the next generation.
The Plaza Theatre will come to life with the sounds of favorites like Copacabana, Mandy, and American Bandstand, as they kick off their latest show, I AM MUSIC - THE SONGS OF BARRY MANILOW. The revue style show, directed by award-winning director Kevin Black, will feature ten vocalists and dynamic dancers who will captivate audiences as they perform hits from one of the world's most prolific and popular adult contemporary singers and songwriters.
Today we are talking to an Emmy Award-winning actor perhaps most well-known for his title role in the iconic and ground-breaking millennial NBC sitcom hit, WILL & GRACE, who can now be seen eight times a week on Broadway playing a pivotal role in the starry revival of Gore Vidal's politically-themed satire, THE BEST MAN - the affable Eric McCormack. Shining a spotlight on his theatrical roots at the Straford Shakespeare Festival in Canada all the way up to his small-screen sensation in WILL & GRACE and, now, his forthcoming new dramatic series, PERCEPTION, McCormack illustrates all aspects of his career and generously offers his insights, observations and shares his lessons learned over the course of his near-thirty-year career onstage and onscreen. In addition to all of that, McCormack outlines his experiences sharing the stage with titanic talents such as James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergin and the rest of the ensemble of THE BEST MAN, as well as sharing his thoughts about the relevance and poignancy of the play today, more than a half decade after its premiere, and what it says about our society, then and now, in addition to expanding on the play's pertinent political themes and their exploration in the classic drama. Plus, McCormack clues us in on his own favorite plays and musicals, initial theatrical inspiration, his stint portraying the eponymous THE MUSIC MAN, future career plans and first news about his new TNT series, PERCEPTION - all of that and much, much more!
The Plaza Theatre will come to life with the sounds of favorites like Copacabana, Mandy, and American Bandstand, as they kick off their latest show, I AM MUSIC - THE SONGS OF BARRY MANILOW. The revue style show, directed by award-winning director Kevin Black, will feature ten vocalists and dynamic dancers who will captivate audiences as they perform hits from one of the world's most prolific and popular adult contemporary singers and songwriters.
The Annenberg Theatre presents Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT tonight, April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.
The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.
It was the end of World War II, the beginning of the Baby Boom, and a time of innocence and prosperity. It was also a time of great music! Bringing that great "bubble gum pop" music back to the stage is The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan, Florida with their upcoming musical revue Music! Music! Music!
The cast of the Canadian Premiere of I Love You Because are a close-knit bunch, and they're currently having a blast performing this heartwarming show about love and friendship in NYC each night at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. At the opening night party, BWW spoke with all six cast members and got them to dish on their dating disasters, and what ensued was an evening of scandalous hilarity!
Today we are talking to one half of the supremely talented composing team responsible for ZOMBIE PROM, THE FIX, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, and, now, BROTHER RUSSIA, the lyricist of the formidable Dempsey/Rowe himself, John Dempsey. In this career-spanning conversation, Dempsey and I discuss major and minor details of his handful of skillfully written and entertaining shows written with the collaboration of composer Dana Rowe (who will also be highlighted in this column next week), in particular their affiliation with legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh and Signature Theater founder and director Eric Schaeffer, director of the US premieres of three of their musicals, including the most current one opening later this month - as well as touch on his work with Boublil & Shonberg on THE PIRATE QUEEN and his musical adaptation of the religious-themed film SAVED! As if all of that were not enough, Dempsey and I also dissect the finer points of the new Dempsey/Rowe show in previews in Washington, D.C., BROTHER RUSSIA, as he outlines its inspiration, purpose, style and the intriguing story of the new heavy metal fairy tale meta rock opera - all of that and much, much more.
One of the top-tier performers of a promising new generation of young stars on Broadway, Matt Doyle has appeared in both dramatic musicals and plays in establishing a versatile stage and screen career ranging from a multi-episode arc on GOSSIP GIRL to starring in SPRING AWAKENING on Broadway, as well as the recent revival of BYE BYE BIRDIE, in addition to his most recent New York credit, the highly acclaimed WAR HORSE at Lincoln Center. Equally at home in musicals and straight drama, Doyle's most recently released film venture is an intriguing and compelling independent feature showcasing his WAR HORSE co-star and fellow InDepth InterView participant Seth Numrich with a stylish and intense military school-set adaptation of ROMEO & JULIET titled PRIVATE ROMEO that, fortunately for all of us, also allows Doyle the chance to sing. Having studied at the Royal Academy in London, Doyle was perfectly prepared for his Shakespearean role in PRIVATE ROMEO and that training was also was influential to his success in the aforementioned musicals and plays he has starred in, as he generously fills us in on many memorable moments in his career to date and even shares his most recent experiences doing Michael John LaChiusa's GIANT. Exciting projects coming up next include a sequel to his 2011 EP, DAYLIGHT, titled - appropriately enough - SUNSET, as well as roles in theatre pieces currently in development. Plus, Doyle and I discuss sharing the stage with the starry original cast of SPRING AWAKENING such as GLEE stars Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff and much, much more!
Dani Girl is a new musical by New York writing duo Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond, and it opens this weekend in Toronto. The show tells the story of a nine year old girl battling terminal cancer, and explores how she uses music and her imagination to handle her disease. BWW sat down to speak with Gabi Epstein (who plays 'Dani') about what the show means to her, the challenges associated with the difficult subject matter, and having Richard Ouzounian as her director.
Potted Potter is a hit play direct from the West End, that cleverly combines all seven Harry Potter books into one seventy minute show. As someone who has yet to read any of the Harry Potter books, I was eager to speak to the show's creators (and stars) about the production and how it translates to non-Potterites. Dan and Jeff speak to me about the mass appeal of the show, the live on-stage Quidditch game and The Toronto Maple Leafs
A Mr. Mark Squirek -- a non-facebook subscriber but an individual with an evidently keen interest in theater -- sent me this response to a recently posted review of Eugene O'Neill's THE ICEMAN COMETH, now at the Fells Point Corner Theater. To post responses to BWW reviews requires facebook membership (it's a way to eliminate anonymous, hateful postings), but not everyone has joined the millions taking the facebook plunge. I was impressed enough with the detail and depth of this letter to include it as a READER FEEDBACK column. I will say that I am a member of the ICEMAN cast, so I believe it only right to note that here. In any event, here is Mr. Squirek's comments.
On Friday, I had the enviable privilege of talking to ROCK OF AGES Tony Award nominee and AMERICAN IDOL star Constantine Maroulis all about the new musical he is starring in at the Alley Theater in Houston as it eyes Broadway, THE TOXIC AVENGER. In addition to discussing all aspects of the science fiction-themed musical spoof and its creators, David Bryan and Joe DiPietro - of MEMPHIS fame - Maroulis and I also take a look back at his career onstage thus far and his essaying of roles in RENT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE WEDDING SINGER and JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS and ROCK OF AGES, as well as what we can expect from him in the future, near and far. Additionally, he shares his reflections on appearing on AMERICAN IDOL Season 4 and being mentored by fellow InDepth InterView participant Simon Cowell, as well as the immense impact that that entertainment entity, along with GLEE, has had on a whole new generation of theatregoers in the 21st century. Plus, Constantine clues us in to the exciting expansions that have been made to ROCK OF AGES for the forthcoming feature film version that he makes an appearance in, directed by HAIRSPRAY's Adam Shankman, and also shares his experiences recording the ASTEP benefit album A NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS, his new role as a dad and much, much more!
Living with Henry was a hit at last year's Toronto Fringe Festival, and is back on stage with the Next Stage Theatre Festival. Featuring some of Canada's best and brightest musical theatre performers, the show is a semi-autobiographical look at life with HIV/AIDS. The lead character is played by Ryan Kelly who was most recently seen in Studio 180's critically acclaimed production of The Normal Heart. He took a few minutes to talk with BWW about the show, and about his tendency to gravitate towards roles that deal with death, disease and the human spirit.
| 2001 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
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