On Your Toes Broadway

Never before have audiences responded with such startling enthusiasm and thunderous applause to a Nashville Repertory Theatre opening night - at least in my memory and I've been reviewing shows at the Rep for 30 years now - than what I witnessed last night as Avenue Q kicked off the company's 2018-19 season in astonishingly irreverent style. Theater historians would have a hard time finding a production in which Nashville Rep audiences had a better time celebrating diversity and internet porn while watching two puppets have unbridled and unrestrained sex even if they lack some of the parts necessary to consummate the act.

This production of Shakespeare's Othello has revelations galore, performed by an ensemble of actors whose comfort with the language and emotional power keep you riveted. Even if you've seen any number of Othello's beforea?'especially if you've seen a fewa?'the Riot Grrrls interpretation, as staged in the spartan Capitol Hill Arts Workshop space, gives vivid life to characters and speeches that usually get lost in the cavernous main stages across town.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and rediscovery of musical gems from the past, presents the Off-Broadway premiere of the acclaimed new musical Midnight at The Never Get, with book, music, and lyrics by Mark Sonnenblick, co-conceived by Sam Bolen, by arrangement with Visceral Entertainment and Mark Cortale Productions.  Directed by Max Friedman, with choreography by Andrew Palermo, and music direction/arrangements by Adam Podd, the cast will feature Sam Bolen, Jeremy Cohen, and Jon J. Peterson.  Performances begin Tuesday, October 2, 2018 for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, November 4, 2018 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Thursday evening, October 11, 2018 at 6:45 p.m. 

Hancock Whitney Broadway in New Orleans is pleased to announce that the New Orleans engagement of the hit Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET! - based on the life story of seven-time GRAMMY winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, 19-time GRAMMY winning producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan - will go on sale Friday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the independent, not-for-profit affiliate of SDC, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, today announced unique plans for its 2019 award evening, which will feature original choreographic pieces resulting from a special commissioning program, with the application period now open. SDCF also announced that Victoria Traube would receive a special 'Mr. Abbott' Award at the event, to be held March 25 at the French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF).

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LEGALLY BLONDE, AVENUE Q and More!

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, Robert Hastie today announces the full casting for his revival of Guys and Dolls - Natalie Casey (Miss Adelaide), Darragh Cowley (Lt Brannigan), Dafydd Emyr (Big Jule), Jacob Fisher (Harry the Horse), Adrian Hansel (Benny Southstreet), Dawn Hope (General Cartwright), Kadiff Kirwan (Sky Masterson), TJ Lloyd (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Matthew Malthouse (Rusty Charlie), Martin Marquez (Nathan Detroit), Ross McLaren (Angie the Ox), Garry Robson (Arvide Abernathy), and Alex Young (Sarah Brown) with Shaquille Brush (Havana Boy), Frances Camier (Havana Girl), Charlotte Coggin, Adam Denman, Emily Dunn, Tash Holway, Samantha Hull, Kate Playdon and Anthony Starr. The production opens on 12 December, with previews from 7 December, and runs until 18 January 2020.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are thrilled to present the second show of their 2019-2020 season, Roald Dahl's MATILDA, THE MUSICAL, book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, musical direction by Jennifer Lin, choreography by Kate Dunn and directed by Michael Matthews.

On Stage At Kingsborough, a leading performing arts presenter, is pleased to present its 2018-2019 season featuring world class artists from around the globe. On Stage At Kingsborough brings top notch performing arts to Southern Brooklyn, with an eclectic roster of artists spanning multiple genres including cabaret, dance, music, and family programming. The full season runs through May 17, 2019.

On Stage At Kingsborough, a leading performing arts presenter, is pleased to present its 2018-2019 season featuring world class artists from around the globe. On Stage At Kingsborough brings top notch performing arts to Southern Brooklyn, with an eclectic roster of artists spanning multiple genres including cabaret, dance, music, and family programming. The full season runs through May 17, 2019.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at the first professional UK revival of Jerry Herman's much loved musical MAME with Tracie Bennett in the title role.

Broadway award-winning star and concert star Christine Andreas will release her newest album Christine Andreas Piaf-No Regrets on PS Classics   on November 9th , 2018.  Christine is currently touring the U.S. and abroad with her much-acclaimed one-woman show Piaf, No Regrets.  This new CD was recorded in London this past summer with a 36- piece orchestra, conducted and orchestrated by Larry Blank and produced by Martin Silvestri. Singing both in English and in French, Andreas draws from her one-woman show, where she was   lauded by The New York Times...' Andreas's ravishing voice with its rapid vibrato, metallic edge…(and) snapping emotional electricity, has made her a potent interpreter of Piaf.'

Bay Area Cabaret welcomes renowned singer, actress and recording artist Christine Andreas, Sunday, December 2 at 5:00 p.m. with the West Coast debut of her acclaimed show, PIAF-No Regrets, following two successful runs in New York and one in London. Christine brings to life the triumphs and heartbreaks of the famed French chanteuse, in her own words and those of her friends-and of course-her music.

This gothic and ghostly love story whispers of forbidden love … in this world and the next. And leading that "next" world is former principal dancer for American Ballet Theatre, Irina Dvorovenko as the mysterious 'Woman in Red.'

There's more than meets the eye and the funny bone when it comes to creating a farce like NOISES OFF at the Guthrie Theater. Nathan Keepers tells more about what it takes.

David Winters, a dancer who appeared on Broadway in the original production of West Side Story, who then turned choreographer, has died on April 23 at age 80. The cause of death was reportedly congestive heart failure, according to The New York Times.

Lynn University welcomed renowned singer, actress and recording artist Christien Andreas last night with her acclaimed show, PIAF-No Regrets. Christine brings to life the triumphs and heartbreaks of the famed French chanteuse, in her own words and those of her friends-and of course-her music.

The new comedy musical, Tootsie begins performances on Broadway tonight, March 29th, with an opening night of Tuesday, April 23rd. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

When the Rodgers and Hart musical, 'I Married An Angel,' opened in May of 1938, choreography by way of Mr. George Balanchine, Brooks Atkinson, the critic of the New York Times, rained applause down: '...George Balanchine has designed his most gorgeous ballet patterns...the central part of the Angel is played by Vera Zorina, whose grace as a dancer is informed with imagination and awareness.

In January, Ariana Grande dropped her latest single, and its accompanying music video, '7 Rings.' The song features her sampling the famous Sound of Music number, 'My Favorite Things.' According to The New York Times, the song just topped Billboard's singles chart for the sixth time. The song is credited to 10 writers, but Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who wrote the original 'My Favorite Things,' control 90% of the songwriting royalties. That makes this chart-topping hit not only a huge victory for Grande, but a huge victory for the musical theatre legends as well!

Christine Andreas opened her show at the Beach Cafe last night by telling the intimate group of Cabaret lovers that contrary to current trends, her show had no theme. It would simply contain songs she liked to sing. By the end of her performance it was obvious the show did have a theme…..Great Songs Sung by a Great SingerActor. I've often said that the best musical experience is when the singer happens to be the pianist. The fingers join the vocal chords and create the most well planned arrangements. I may be wrong. Having your spouse as your pianist and music director also creates a rare and inspired musical experience. Martin Silvestri creates exceptional accompaniments. He is a true artist at the keyboard and happens also to be an Accordion virtuoso, which is extremely effective when Christine sings her unforgettable Piaf medley.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Ray Rackham Theatrical are delighted to announce that Harriet Thorpe and Tim Flavin will star as Vera and Beauregard respectively in the first professional UK revival of Jerry Herman's much loved musical MAME. They join the previously announced Tracie Bennett in the title role.

New Adventures has announced that Adam Cooper and Ashley Shaw will star in the return of Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of "THE RED SHOES". The tour opens on Monday 18 November at Theatre Royal Plymouth and runs until Saturday 23 November, before visiting The Lowry, Salford, from Tuesday 26 November to Saturday 30 November; ahead of a seven-week Christmas season at Sadler's Wells, London, from Tuesday 3 December to Sunday 19 January 2020.

Michael Harrison and Jonathan Church have announced that Chichester Festival Theatre's Olivier Award-nominated production of Singin' in the Rain will play a strictly limited five-week season at Sadler's Wells in Summer 2020.

Immersive dining pioneers Gingerline launch a brand-new, five-course, palate twisting, interactive, multi-dimensional dining adventure...

"There's a quote from Thornton Wilder that I love. He writes, 'Anyone can make a comedy which is cruel; it is very hard to make a comedy which is kind. To give a fellow feeling between young and old - that's art. HELLO, DOLLY! is one of those old gems. It has some of the best of the best material in all of musical theatre." Actor Matt Gibson is enthusing about his upcoming performances as Cornelius Hackl in Maine State Music Theatre's HELLO, DOLLY!, which runs from July 17 - August 3 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. "He might be my favorite character in the traditional canon," Gibson says of the innocent young man from Yonkers. Gibson has played the part twice before at the Virginia Music Theatre and Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatres, and he is thrilled to revisit the role in Maine, where he is just finishing a run of TREASURE ISLAND, playing the ill-fated sailor, Mr. O'Brien.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, continues its 25th Anniversary Season with Michael Frayn's 'Noises Off,' directed by Sarna Lapine. Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Kathleen Choe who plays Belinda Blair in the show.

Coloratura Alisa Jordheim will be debuting in the role of Gilda with baritone Stephen Powell in a San Diego Opera production of Verdi's Rigoletto. This is the fifth time he's sung the lead. The first time was in a Cincinnati Opera production in which Jordheim had only a few lines as a page. 'I feel like I've graduated. That was in 2011, and I was a graduate student at CCM (the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music). It was a wonderful experience for me just to soak up everything in the rehearsal process. One of my favorite singers, Sarah Coburn, was the Gilda. Just getting to see her portray that character and to work with Stephen was a master class.'

Mark MacKillop, star of Anastasia, West Side Story and Dirty Dancing, will debut his new one -man show Body By Taco Bell/Mark MacKillop-Life Coach Sunday evening, January 27 at 9:30 pm at The Green Room 42 (570 10th Avenue). Body By Taco Bell…. is the third in MacKillop's series of solo shows humorously pulling back the curtain on social media life.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization today launches R&H Goes Pop!', a new Youtube series aiming to preserve the legacy of Rodgers & Hammerstein by inspiring artists to interpret the R&H classics in a contemporary light.   

BWW talks to Ruth Mary Johnson about her version of The Winter's Tale at the National Theatre and about her philosophy in making theatre works for young people.

Primal Forces is proud to present Blonde Poison, based on the true story of Stella Kubler who, in present day London, reflects on her harrowing days as a young Jewish girl in Nazi Germany. The stunning play by Gail Louw is directed by Keith Garsson, and stars four-time Carbonell Award-winner Lourelene Snedeker. Tickets are available at www.primalforces.com or call 866-811-4111.

Following on from a traumatic incident that occurred months ago, two individuals become the best of friends, despite the unlikeliest of circumstances. Rocked by tragedy, soft animals is an in depth investigation into the many stages of grief, questioning culpability and the wider implications of our actions.

The Ringwald Theatre is always throwing surprising twists at their audiences and this holiday season is no different. Taking a break from their usual SantaLand Diaries, they are ready to bring on the laughs with Merry Christmas to Everyone! (Except Christina), a brand-new play - think of it as a Mommie Dearest Christmas - the perfect Christmas spoof we never knew we needed until now! It weaves together Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, A Christmas Carol, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Mommie Dearest, and your other gay and/or Christmas favorites. It's a big gay Christmas gift from your favorite Ferndale theatre that is directed by Dyan Bailey and stars Joe Bailey as Joan Crawford, Richard Payton as The Ghosts, Brandy Joe Plambeck as Christina Crawford, and Kevin Kaminski as Christopher Crawford. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with founders and married couple of The Ringwald Theatre, Joe Bailey and Brandy Joe Plambeck, to discuss the theatre, the show, and campy twists that everyone always expects from The Ringwald - the best part about the interview, BWW Detroit spoke with them each separately, so it was really fun to see where they think alike and differ!

The Tony nominee Christine Andreas has released an album unlike anything else this year. Piaf - No Regrets celebrates the songs made famous by the French singer Edith Piaf, including 'Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,' 'Hymne a L'Amour," "L'Accordeoniste,' and 'La Vie En Rose.' Piaf - No Regrets started as a one woman show performed by Andreas at Feinstein's/54 Below and other cabaret venues, intended to celebrate Piaf's life and her musical triumphs. The classic 'La Vie En Rose' had been a stable song at Andreas' other cabaret shows and performances for many years.

Every so often the musical theatre landscape experiences a swell of enthusiasm and excitement for a fresh, new and engaging play. Theatre fans (and casual viewers) alike can recall the hype when THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA or LES MISERABLES first opened (and went on tour). More recently the WICKED phenomenon brought young and old alike out to experience the magic and electricity that only a live performance can elicit. Today, the show that everyone is talking about (and obsessing over) is Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony winning musical HAMILTON. Like its popular predecessors, it has recently begun touring around the country - riding the wave of enthusiasm and further cementing its place as a true pop-culture phenomenon. But unlike its flashy, big budget predecessors, HAMILTON, in many ways, lives in its own category. It is a show that is modern, fresh, and that pushes boundaries and delivers in two and a half hours an experience unlike anything this reviewer has experienced before. I am thrilled to say, in the production that has now arrived at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, CT - HAMILTON shines brilliantly, delivering in every way (and beyond) on the hype that precedes it.

The Children's Theatre of Long Beach (CTLB) presents its first Renaissance Faire experience! Partake of delicious food, Play medieval themed games, create fairy wings or armor and top it all off with a 60 minute version of Shakespeare's 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING!' Aug. 4, 2018 in Long Beach.

Wizard of Oz actor Ray Bolger's 1948 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical in the Broadway production 'Where's Charley?' sold Thursday night for $19,490 at Nate D. Sanders Auctions.

Actress, writer, filmmaker, comedian and singer-songwriter Noël Wells is excited to announce the release of her debut album, It's So Nice! Out today, It's So Nice! (ItsSoNice.net) is a dynamic debut showcase that places an emphasis on songwriting with tunes that traverse folk, pop, alt-country and psych-rock. Circling themes of loss of innocence, heartbreak, and discovering autonomy, the album reflects on modern times – a rebellious anti-political diary with an eye toward the future.

Wizard of Oz actor Ray Bolger's 1948 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical in the Broadway production a?oeWhere's Charley?a?? will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders Auctions on August 29, 2019.

Student-run theatre company, Late Night Theatre, presents It Comes in Threes: An Evening of Quick Comedies to kick off the 2018-2019 Late Night Series. Three short comedic plays written by three different playwrights and led by three different directors, ensures that this production will keep you on your toes and laughing all night.

J'Mel Davidson held a very special light. He was extremely giving and quick to talk with great enthusiasm. He gave so much of that light to the world. He is a true testament to the power of laughter. His body may be gone. But his creative light still shines on in all that enjoyed him.

Tom Stoppard's modern classic The Real Thing opens this September at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, directed by Simon Phillips.

The producers of the new Monday night lineup of readings The Circle Series, which opened its doors on Oklahoma!'s stage August 5, have committed to a mix of new and classic works. Launching the classic end of programming on Monday, August 19 is Philip Barry's The Philadelphia Story, a play made famous by Katharine Hepburn's dynamic Tracy Lord in the 1940 film. Producers have kept castinga?"completed by Eisenberg/Beans Castinga?"under wraps, but director Em Weinstein says this reading's Lord family a?oewill keep you on your toes.a??

Theatre Baton Rouge will proudly present Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY directed by Lily McGill from August 16-25!

The Children's Theatre of Long Beach (CTLB) presents its first Renaissance Faire experience! Partake of delicious food, Play medieval themed games, create fairy wings or armor and top it all off with a 60 minute version of Shakespeare's 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING!' Aug. 4, 2018 in Long Beach.

Earlier this year, on April 22, The Phantom of the Opera, reached a milestone that no other Broadway show has even come near. Phantom, the longest-running show in Broadway history, became the first Broadway show EVER to reach #13,000 performances. This is just one of many incredible achievements made by the show since it opened on Broadway over three decades ago.

Breaking through the pack, the ambitious new series 'Just Roll With It' blends improvisational comedy with a family sitcom to seize an audacious opportunity that allows the studio audience to vote on the direction of key scenes, throughout the filming, while the actors are backstage. When the actors return to the stage, they have no idea what's coming at them. A feat of planning and physical production each episode, the comedy series was created and is executive produced by Adam Small and Trevor Moore (Disney's 'Walk the Prank') with a production crew led by Skot Bright (Disney's 'Walk the Prank'). 'Just Roll With It' will be previewed FRIDAY, JUNE 14 (9:45-10:15 p.m. EDT/PDT), before its official premiere WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT), on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.

Broadway award-winning star and concert star Christine Andreas will release limited signed vinyl of her newest album Christine Andreas Piaf-No Regrets on PS Classics available online only starting on April 23, 2019.  Christine has been touring the U.S. and abroad with her much-acclaimed one-woman show Piaf, No Regrets. 

Under The Streetlamp - the critically acclaimed musical group that's returning to Nashville this weekend for a trio of performances with The Nashville Symphony - was formed when four friends, who had appeared together in the Chicago production of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, decided they should continue their collaboration after the show was shuttered.