How I Got to Broadway - Off-Broadway Articles Page 16

The latest instalment in our series showcasing Britain's best lighting designers focuses on the four-time Olivier and two-time Tony Award winner Paule Constable. She's worked on numerous landmark theatrical productions, including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, War Horse and Waves at the National Theatre and the RSC's Wolf Hall, as well as with leading opera and dance companies.

She has talked to apes, crooned Elvis' greatest hits and done time at the big dollhouse. Now Jenn Gambatese is back on Broadway, and this time she's ready to rock.

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.

ISA BRIONES was born Isabella Camille Briones in London, England. Her parents, Jon Jon Briones and Megan Johnson Briones are both actors and singers, and her younger brother, Teo Briones is also an actor. She began modeling in New York at the age of 3, and started acting when her family moved to Los Angeles in 2006. She is best known for her role in the film Takers, playing Matt Dillon's daughter. Isa is entering her senior year of high school, and is excited to be making her professional theater debut in this production of Next to Normal. School theater credits include: Velma in Hairspray, Brooke in Legally Blonde and Abigail in The Crucible. TV and film: "Takers," "Cutthroat", "Lonely Boy". 

In traversing her career through the songs and stories that have brought her to this point, it is clear that Jennifer Damiano's journey belies her age. Yet, through her one-woman show Jennuinely at Feinstein's/54 Below on July 29, the second of what was originally a three-performance engagement (two more encore performances have been added to her schedule), the Tony-nominated Damiano gave the impression of a young woman who has seen it all in her decade-long career. That's not to say she isn't happily embracing the unexpected twists and turns in what's still to come. This is, after all, someone who starred in the perilously ill-fated 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark' and lived to tell the tale.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the August, and September lineup for the 2016 Comedy Club.

"I haven't specifically counted," the dynamic actress sitting opposite me replies. "Somewhere between 1000-2000 performances, I think. I've done the role with Theodore Bikel and Harvey Fierstein, on both national tours, and in regional and stock houses all over the country." Susan Cella is speaking of her signature portrayal of Golde, the vehicle which has brought her to the latest stop in her artistic journey, Maine State Music Theatre in a new production of the Bock-Harnick musical, Fiddler on the Roof, that opens July 20.

Playwright Jason Odell Williams' latest theatrical project CHURCH & STATE opens July 2 at the Skylight Theatre as the first part of its National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Later to also open at JCC CenterStage (Rochester, NY) and New Jersey Rep (Long Branch, NJ) in their 2016-17 seasons.

Paradise has a name!

Dreamland, a new musical conceived, written, composed by 14-time Emmy Award winner John Francis Smith with daughter Asia Ray Smith, will have its first ever "off-book" staged performances at the NoHo Arts Center Friday, June 17 at 8:00 pm; and Saturday, June 18 at 2:00 and 8:00 pm.  The production is also produced by Smith.  Robert Arnold directs, with musical direction by Christian Regul and Jake Anthony (who also serves as vocal director).

Sorry for the late update but things are in full swing here at the barn. I am finishing up the first week of rehearsals for Peace Love and Cupcakes! The main stage show Smoke on the Mountain opened this week! (It's fantastic) The first show downstairs began rehearsals and it already sounds amazing! Everything is in full swing and the barn is busy once again.

'We do art because of what it does for us - how it transforms us,' actor Gregg Goodbrod states with quiet conviction. 'Being an actor helps me to understand other people and see their lives and my own from a different perspective. That's why doing a play like Ghost becomes a journey that really resonates for me.' Goodbrod is speaking about his emotionally and physically demanding role as Sam Wheat in the new chamber version of the original 1990 movie and 2011 stage musical, which is currently playing at Maine State Music Theatre. He uses an example of the scene in which Sam, now a ghost, watches his beloved Molly sort through his belongs. 'I am really very Method as an actor, so I try to get into it completely and feel the actual feelings. And as I am watching Liz [Shivener] play this scene, it suddenly hits me that all these things are not what are important. If I were go, I know it is the love that I would miss. That's why I am an actor - so I can take these journeys and learn new lessons.'

It's that time of year, and I can't help but wonder if your CD collection and iPod are Tonys ready. It's just a handful of hours until the 70th annual Tony Awards, and New York City and theatre fans across the world are excitedly buzzing about this year's ceremonies which will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 8/7c on CBS. This Broadway season has some exciting contenders in the musical categories, and to get you ready for the big night, I'm recapping the albums you should be listening to (or at least pre-ordering).

A friendly reminder! Previews begin tonight for Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Conor McPherson's acclaimed play SHINING CITY, starring two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick. Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, SHINING CITY also features Billy Carter (The Weir, Port Authority), Lisa Dwan (the acclaimed Beckett Trilogy), and James Russell (Port Authority, Juno and the Paycock).

Saturday, May 21, 2016 was a special day. Not because of the many pre-Memorial Day sales in the stores or the beautiful weather we had the few days prior. But mainly because it marked the 10th annual Dance Parade and Festival. This year's theme was Decade of Dance to celebrate 10 years and to showcase the cultural diversity of the world through dance.

Today Slater speaks exclusively with BWW about his remarkable career and shares details on the possibility that GALAVANT and TANGLED may one day make their way to the Great White Way!

A chance meeting at an opening night party changed the career of a young actor.

In an interview with SlashFilm writer Blake Harris for the podcast 'How Did This Get Made?', comedy legend actually answers the question that the title asks, explaining how his producing the sci-fi flop SOLARBABIES threatened to ruin his life.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has announced the July, August, and September lineup for the 2016 Comedy Club. Monday nights at 8 pm. All dates are available online at www.baystreet.org or calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500. All comedy performances are suggested for ages 17 and up. Comedy Club is sponsored by Saunders & Associates and The Friars Foundation. Media sponsor is Beach Magazine.

A friendly reminder! Previews begin tonight for Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Conor McPherson's acclaimed play SHINING CITY, starring two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick. Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, SHINING CITY also features Billy Carter (The Weir, Port Authority), Lisa Dwan (the acclaimed Beckett Trilogy), and James Russell (Port Authority, Juno and the Paycock).

AXS TV, the premier destination for music festivals and everything rock and roll, expands its music based programming lineup with the launch of REEL TO REEL an all-new series premiering a different critically acclaimed documentary on the last Tuesday of each month.

Today, Pickler speaks exclusively with BWW about her recent appearance on the Series Finale of AMERICAN IDOL, her recent partnership with Flonase Allergy Relief and her dream of one day starring in a Broadway musical!

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) presents 'Rapture, Blister, Burn,' the 2013 Pulitzer Prize finalist hit comedy from 'House of Cards' writer Gina Gionfriddo, for its sixth and final show of the 40th anniversary season. REP Co-Founder and Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse directs this play that the New York Times calls 'intensely smart and immensely funny,' and has been called 'a smart, funny, and lightning-paced look at feminism' by New York Daily News. The show's run began on Thursday, April 21, 2016 and plays through Sunday, May 15, 2016 with an opening night tonight, April 27, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Lyceum Space Theatre at San Diego REP in Horton Plaza.

The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as 'probably the best place for cabaret on the planet' - has just launched a new Young Stars Summer Residency Program that will present many of Manhattan's hottest rising cabaret stars every weekend until Labor Day, all of which have been audience favorites during previous Royal Room engagements.

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) presents "Rapture, Blister, Burn," the 2013 Pulitzer Prize finalist hit comedy from "House of Cards" writer Gina Gionfriddo, for its sixth and final show of the 40th anniversary season. REP Co-Founder and Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse directs this play that the New York Times calls "intensely smart and immensely funny," and has been called "a smart, funny, and lightning-paced look at feminism" by New York Daily News. The show's run begins today, April 21, 2016 and plays through Sunday, May 15, 2016 with an opening night on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Lyceum Space Theatre at San Diego REP in Horton Plaza.