BWW Review: Rollins College's REEFER MADNESS Exceeds 'High' Expectations
by Matt Tamanini - Sep 27, 2015
Have you ever seen a movie that you thought was so bad, that it was actually good? That's what happened on the road from turning laughably ridiculous 1936 anti-drug propaganda film REEFER MADNESS into a hit Off-Broadway musical. Despite continually being repurposed and repackaged throughout the 30s, 40s, and 50s, AMC considers the original REEFER MADNESS to be 'one of the worst movies ever made.' So, when Dan Studney (music) and Kevin Murphy (book and lyrics) brought the movie to the stage in 1998, it was with tongue firmly implanted in cheek. The musical, playing at Rollins College's Annie Russell Theatre through October 3rd, is a hilarious look at the paranoid fear-mongering that is often the default response to anything new. Having seen the 2005 star-studded film adaptation (and having recently interviewed original star Lori Alan), going in, my expectations for the Rollins' production were extremely 'high' (pun completely intended). However, as is standard for shows at the Annie, the REEFER MADNESS cast is exceptionally strong and, under the direction of Missy Barnes, manages to create the perfectly manic tone for this laugh-out-loud musical.
BWW Feature: Escape the Dog Days of Summer w/ Our Favorite Animal Showtunes
by Matt Tamanini - Aug 23, 2015
While August is quickly winding down, much of the country is still engulfed in an oppressive summer heat. Whether or not it's global warming (it's global warming), there is no escaping the Dog Days of Summer. So, for our monthly feature, Jeff Walker and I made the only tangentially related leap to take a look at our favorite showtunes about animals, dogs or otherwise. Take a look at what we came up with, and share yours in the comments below.
Who Will Win the 2015 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by BWW Special Coverage - Jun 6, 2015
The 69th Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 7th at 8/9c hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long award season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize.
Photo Coverage: EVER AFTER Celebrates Opening Night at Paper Mill Playhouse!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jun 1, 2015
Just last night, Paper Mill Playhouse opened the world-premiere musical Ever After, directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It), featuring a book and lyrics by Marcy Heislerand music by Zina Goldrich. Ever After stars two-time Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street) as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Tony Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Leonardo da Vinci, Emmy Award winner Charles Shaughnessy (Urinetown, 'The Nanny') as King Francis, James Synder (If/Then) as Prince Henry and Drama Desk Award nominee Margo Seibert (Rocky) as Danielle de Barbarac.
Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the after party!
Photo Coverage: EVER AFTER Premieres at Paper Mill Playhouse- Inside the Opening Night Curtain Call!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jun 1, 2015
Just last night, Paper Mill Playhouse opened the world-premiere musical Ever After, directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It), featuring a book and lyrics by Marcy Heislerand music by Zina Goldrich. Ever After stars two-time Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street) as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Tony Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Leonardo da Vinci, Emmy Award winner Charles Shaughnessy (Urinetown, 'The Nanny') as King Francis, James Synder (If/Then) as Prince Henry and Drama Desk Award nominee Margo Seibert (Rocky) as Danielle de Barbarac.
Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night curtain call!
Photo Flash: First Look at Christine Ebersole, Margo Seibert, James Snyder & More in World Premiere of EVER AFTER at Paper Mill Playhouse
by Tyler Peterson - May 22, 2015
Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world-premiere musical Ever After, directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winnerKathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It), featuring a book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich. Ever After began performances last night, May 21, 2015, and runs through Sunday, June 21, 2015. Below, check out a first look at the all-star cast in action!
Christine Ebersole, Tony Sheldon, James Snyder, Margo Seibert and More Star in EVER AFTER, Beginning Tonight at Paper Mill Playhouse
by BWW News Desk - May 21, 2015
Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world-premiere musical Ever After, directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It), featuring a book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich. Ever After begins performances tonight, May 21, 2015, and runs through Sunday, June 21, 2015.
Photo Coverage: Go Inside Rehearsal with the Cast of Paper Mill Playhouse's EVER AFTER!
by Walter McBride - May 11, 2015
Rehearsals for the world premiere of EVER AFTER at The Paper Mill Playhouse are officially underway! Ever After will star two-time Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street) as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Tony Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Leonardo da Vinci, Emmy Award winnerShaughnessy (Urinetown, 'The Nanny') as King Francis, James Synder (If/Then) as Prince Henry and Drama Desk Award nominee Margo Seibert (Rocky) as Danielle de Barbarac.
The company just met the press and you can check out photos from inside the big day below!
ARMS AND THE MAN Begins Tonight at The Old Globe
by BWW News Desk - May 9, 2015
The Old Globe presents George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, helmed by celebrated director Jessica Stone, who recently made her Globe debut with Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.
SVA's Film & Animation Festival Set for This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - May 9, 2015
Reeves Lehmann, chair of the BFA Film & Video and BFA Animation programs at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), announced today that the 26th Dusty Film & Animation Festival will be held in New York City, today, May 9 through Tuesday, May 12, 2015.
Photo Coverage: Meet the Company of Paper Mill Playhouse's EVER AFTER- James Snyder, Margo Seibert, Christine Ebersole & More!
by Walter McBride - May 8, 2015
Rehearsals for the world premiere of EVER AFTER at The Paper Mill Playhouse are officially underway! Ever After will star two-time Tony Award-winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street) as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, Tony Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Leonardo da Vinci, Emmy Award winner Shaughnessy (Urinetown, 'The Nanny') as King Francis, James Synder (If/Then) as Prince Henry and Drama Desk Award nominee Margo Seibert (Rocky) as Danielle de Barbarac.
The company just met the press and you can check out photos from inside the big day below!
Wrenn Schmidt, Zach Appelman, Marsha Mason, Conrad John Schuck and More to Star in ARMS AND THE MAN at The Old Globe; Cast & Creative Team Announced!
by BWW News Desk - Apr 13, 2015
The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, joining celebrated director Jessica Stone, who recently made her Globe debut with Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Shaw's romantic comedy, which continues the Globe's 80th Anniversary festivities as part of the Balboa Park Centennial Celebration, will run May 9 - June 14, 2015 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run May 9 through 13. Opening night is Thursday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m.
SVA's Film & Animation Festival to Run 5/9-12
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 26, 2015
Reeves Lehmann, chair of the BFA Film & Video and BFA Animation programs at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), announced today that the 26th Dusty Film & Animation Festival will be held in New York City, Saturday, May 9 through Tuesday, May 12, 2015.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Sets Centennial Season
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 12, 2015
Music Director Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announce the Orchestra's celebratory Centennial 2015-2016 season, its ninth season under the direction of Maestra Alsop. Through appearances by the world's most renowned artists, premieres of several new works, Baltimore homecomings from local artists or artists who got their start on the BSO stage, exciting signature projects and strengthening of longstanding community partnerships, the BSO marks this important milestone in grand fashion.