Known as 'the only podcast that shows you Broadway from the inside out,' The Ensemblist podcast has become the champion of the unsung performance heroes and inner workings of the theatre world. Co-created and co-hosted by Nikka Graff Lanzarote (Chicago, Women on the Verge) and Mo Brady (SMASH, The Addams Family), the podcast has covered everything from the Gypsy Robe ceremony, to the audition process, to what it's like to be a Broadway babysitter during its first three years on the air. Now, following a successful first season covering the 'Ensemblist Essentials,' this past spring, The Ensemblist is entering into its second season (check out the first episode below!) and I sat down to talk with Nikka and Mo about how the podcast has grown, what it looks like to balance careers in the arts with being podcast masters, which Broadway ensemble they'd like to join, and more-check out the full interview below!
BroadwayWorld continues our exclusive content series, in collaboration with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, which delves into the library's unparalleled archives, and resources. Below, check out a piece by Charles Morrow, Cataloger for Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on: Political Satires in The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts' Theatre on Film and Tape Archive.
Legendary newsman Morley Safer has passed away at the age of 84, just one week after announcing his retirement from CBS's long-running news show 60 MINUTES.
Based on John Van Druten's play I Am a Camera which was adapted from Christopher Isherwood's short story Goodbye to Berlin, Cabaret is based in the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub as the Nazis were rising to power in Berlin back in 1931. The action is overseen by a Master of Ceremonies with the club serving as a metaphor for some of the ominous political developments in late Weimar Germany. The story revolves around 19-year-old English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with the young American writer Clifford Bradshaw. A sub-plot involves a doomed romance between German boarding house owner Fraulein Schneider and her suitor Herr Schultz.
Broadway has given the world some of it's greatest songs, but the Broadway beginnings of some classics aren't known to all.
Scot Copeland, longtime producing artistic director of Nashville Children's Theatre and one of the world's leading proponents of theater for younger audiences, died during the overnight hours of February 25 from an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Rene Dunshee Copeland, producing artistic director of Nashville Repertory Theatre, his two sons, many family members and countless 'chosen family' and friends all over the world.
Sometimes a flop Broadway show is better appreciated after closing, and may even return as a hit!
If your knowledge of pop culture doesn't quite extend to the Busby Berkeley era, here are some quick footnotes to help you along:
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Excitement grows for 'La Revolution Francaise!' Also, Black Ensemble Theater and Raven Theatre take on more recent history, and 'Spamalot' opens northwest and southeast. 'Triassic Parq' and 'Goblin Market' play the city, 'Shrek' and 'Avenue Q' play the 'burbs, and 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' and 'My Little Red/Green Coat' sing from small screens!
Last November, the Broadway community mourned the loss of acclaimed director, producer, writer, and performer Mike Nichols, who passed away at age 83. Vanity Fair collected a thorough oral history of the EGOT-winner, as told in anecdotes and fond memories from film stars like Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Dustin Hoffman. See what these stars had to say about Nichols as a director and friend!
A breathtaking dome and ornate stained glass are once again on display at the former Hammerstein's Theater.
In Scene Two of Lynn Riggs' play, Green Grow the Lilacs, farm girl Laurey Williams speaks passionately to her Aunt Eller about the ranch where she grew up:
With his unmistakable tenor voice, legendary songwriting skills and bass guitar chops to boot, Chicago frontman and solo star Peter Cetera defines an entire era of American rock music.
The Home Grown Theatre Company production of Cabaret currently runs at the Kit Kat Club located above Morningside Antiques in the Westport entertainment district. John Kander and Fred Ebb wrote the music, lyrics, and Joe Masteroff the book. The musical is based on the book I Am a Camera by Christopher Isherwood.
Lady Rizo, as any of her fans will tell you, has a magnificent voice.
If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.
Friends, today is a sad day. INTRUDERS, the creepy, paranormal series that reminds other shows in the genre that sophisticated writing and directing actually meshes really well with blood and gore, comes to an end. But if we've learned anything from tonight's episode, it's that “In the end, there is no end.” (Thanks for that wisdom, Richard.) So instead of wondering how we're going to fill our Saturday nights, let's have faith that there will be a season two (there better be a season two), take a walk down memory lane, and reminisce about tonight's season finale.
Okay so here we are! Episode one of the final season of Boardwalk Empire entitled 'Golden Days for Boys and Girls'!
It kicked off in an interesting and beautifully visual fashion as we are met with an opening shot of boys diving for coins underwater. The cinematography in that scene, and in the entire episode is notably gorgeous.
Voicing over this stunning imagery is a poem read aloud by a female voice. “Be honest and true, boys! /Whatever you do, boys /Let this be your motto through life.” This poem bookends the episode as it's featured during the flashbacks (yes flashbacks!) of young Nucky Thompson throughout the episode.
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS is a light-hearded musical based on the notorious Texas born brothel 'Chicken Ranch.' Thanks to a silent agreement between the madam, Miss Mona Stangley, and Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (based on good ol' boy Sheriff Jim Flournoy), things are all quiet on the range. But when flashy, young reporter Melvin P. Thorpe (based on the late, great Houstonite Marvin Zindler) reveals the ranch to the town, sparks fly high in the heart of Texas.
Tonight, May 17, 2014 join Raue Center For Thee Arts for An Evening with Groucho Marx at 8:00pm. Award-winning actor/director/playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fast paced 90 minutes of hilarity.
On May 17, 2014 join Raue Center For Thee Arts for An Evening with Groucho Marx at 8:00pm. Award-winning actor/director/playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fast paced 90 minutes of hilarity.
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has added an exciting roster of screen legends and beloved titles to the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival,
Today we are showcasing this week's Fathom movie theater presentation of one of the most celebrated comedies of the 21st century as recently captured live onstage in the West End, Noel Coward's PRIVATE LIVES, starring Anna Chancellor and Toby Stephens.
Just in time for Halloween, DRACULA: THE JOURNAL OF JONATHAN HARKER, is an original adaptation by Orlando Shakes very own Jim Helsinger from the Bram Stoker novel Dracula. Jonathan Harker must make a delivery to Castle Dracula and is captured by the mysterious Count. Can Jonathan survive the ordeal and will he be able to stop the powerful undead creature of the night?
Famed singer, actress and Broadway star Eydie Gormé has died at age 84. Spokesperson Howard Bragman said 'Legendary singer and performer Eydie Gorme passed away peacefully today at Sunrise Hospital following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her husband, son and other loved ones at the time of her death.'
In his own statement, Steve Lawrence said: 'Eydie has been my partner on stage and in life for more than 55 years. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and even more the first time I heard her sing. While my personal loss is unimaginable, the world has lost one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time.'
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