Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE
by Valerie-Jean Miller - May 28, 2024
VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of. How did that come about for both of you? Ellenore Scott: Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival. Ayodele Casel: I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in. Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.
BWW Review: Mark Morris' PEPPERLAND at BAM Brings Camp and Playfulness to The Beatles' Iconic Album
by Cindy Sibilsky - May 13, 2019
Well before The Met Gala's kitschy theme for 2019 inspired the likes of Lady Gaga, Jordan Roth and countess celebrities to strut their most outrageous stuff down the pink carpet, Mark Morris has been the reigning King of Camp in choreography, celebrating this gleeful genre in company classics such as The Hard Nut. This spring he elevated the playful style integrated with expressive movement in Pepperland, an exuberant homage to the 1960s counterculture and The Beatles' seminal 1967 concept album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Photo Flash: First Look at Pegasus Theatre Chicago's THE GREEN BOOK
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2018
Pegasus Theatre Chicago, in association with ShPIeL Performing Identity, announce the Chicago premiere of The Green Book, inspired by Victor Green's historical, "The Negro Motorist Green Book," March 1 - April 1 at Pegasus's resident home Chicago Dramatists, 765 N. Aberdeen. The Green Book is written by Calvin A. Ramsey, and directed by Producing Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with added Sunday 6 p.m. performances. Tickets are $18 - $30 and are available at PegasusTheatreChicago.org. Discounts available for groups of ten or more at Group Theater Tix, 312-423-6612.
Photo Flash: First Look at Ken Clark, Christy Altomare, Travis Taylor and More in CAMELOT at Drury Lane
by BWW News Desk - Nov 4, 2014
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the iconic love story CAMELOT, the winner of four Tony Awards, previewing October 30, opening November 6 and running through January 4, 2015. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: October 4-10
by BWW Special Coverage - Oct 10, 2014
Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include openings of IT'S ONLY A PLAY, CURIOUS INCIDENT, and CAN-CAN, Michael C. Hall's meet the press event for HEDWIG, Len Cariou's birthday celebration at 54 Below, and more!
Photo Flash: First Look at HAIR at The Barn Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Aug 8, 2014
The Barn Theatre presents HAIR, the first and most famous of rock musicals, with music by Galt MacDermot and book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Barn Producer Brendan Ragotzy directs HAIR for the fourth time, having made his directorial debut with the 1989 production, then reviving his hit for the 1995 and 2005 seasons. It will be the Barn's sixth time to offer this history-changing musical. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the tribe in action below!
Photo Flash: Full Cast Unveiled for TO SIR WITH LOVE Tour
by Robert Diamond - Sep 14, 2013
The full cast for To Sir With Love, joining the previously announced Olivier Award winning actor Matthew Kelly (Florian), is Mykola Allen (Denham), Harriet Ballard (Monica), Peta Cornish (Gillian), Kerron Darby (Seales), Ansu Kabia(Ricky), Paul Kemp (Weston), Heather Nicol (Pamela) and Nicola Reynolds(Clinty).
Photo Coverage: TO SIR WITH LOVE UK Tour in Rehearsal
by Robert Diamond - Aug 18, 2013
The full cast for To Sir With Love, joining the previously announced Olivier Award winning actor Matthew Kelly (Florian), is Mykola Allen (Denham), Harriet Ballard (Monica), Peta Cornish (Gillian), Kerron Darby (Seales), Ansu Kabia (Ricky), Paul Kemp (Weston), Heather Nicol (Pamela) and Nicola Reynolds (Clinty) and we've got the first photos of the cast in rehearsal!
Photo Flash: JERSEY BOY Nick Cosgrove Meets The Original Valli
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 5, 2012
Frankie Valli, the frontman of The Four Seasons and inspiration for the Broadway hit JERSEY BOYS, recently performed for Chicago audiences on June 2nd at the Chicago Theater. Nick Cosgrove, who currently plays Valli in the JERSEY BOYS tour, had the opportunity to meet the man behind the show for the first time following his concert. BroadwayWorld brings you the exclusive photos of the two's encounter below.
Photo Flash: Art for FUNNY GIRL Revival Revealed!
by Jessica Lewis - Sep 23, 2011
Two-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Bobby Cannavale will star as Nick Arnstein opposite Lauren Ambrose, who will star as Fanny Brice, in the first Broadway revival of FUNNY GIRL since the 1964 original production. FUNNY GIRL, which features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, will be directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher. FUNNY GIRL will play at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles from January 15 through February 26, 2012. The revival artwork has been revealed and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!
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