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.
Photos: Bergen County Players A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL A Hit In Oradell
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 15, 2023
Bergen County Players rang in the holiday season this month with Broadway heavy-hitters Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens's musical adaptation of the timeless Charles Dickens tale 'A Christmas Carol'. See photos from the production.
REVIEW: Sydney Opens The World Premiere Of Sean Cercone And David Abbinanti's New Musical ELVIS A MUSICAL REVOLUTION
by Jade Kops - Aug 8, 2023
ELVIS - A MUSICAL REVOLUTION is an enlightening and entertaining new bio-musical about the late Elvis Presley.
Interview: April Mae Iorio of APRIL MAE AND THE JUNE BUGS
by Donna Marie Nowak - Oct 5, 2022
April Mae and the June Bugs bring their unique Ameripolian roots music to a spooktacular and bewitching 'Boogie BOO! Halloween Review' at Studio 67 in Medford, NJ on October 23, 2022 at 7pm!
BWW Review: THE ANDREWS BROTHERS Jukebox Musical Recreates a WWII USO Show Somewhere in the South Pacific
by Shari Barrett - Feb 25, 2020
THE ANDREWS BROTHERS sung-through musical is sure to please those who remember the 1940s first-hand, or those of us who appreciate the song stylings of those bygone days. According to Bean, a?oeHere we create the atmosphere of a rag-tag USO team a?' a very real organization with an important and impressive history a?' sing songs familiar to many in the audience, and try to live up to the memory of a legendary singing group.a?? And thanks to the talented, triple-threat performers, Kelley Dorney, Michael D'Elia, Max DeLorch and Grant Hodges, no matter what goes wrong, the show must go on!
BWW Previews: ON THE TOWN at Capital City Theatre
by Scott Rawson - May 23, 2019
Photo Flash: Flat Rock Playhouse's SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Opens
by Julie Musbach - Apr 21, 2017
They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway -they say there's always magic in the air… And soon, there will surely be some of that Broadway magic gracing the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage, "mountain-style", with the return of the State Theatre's 2007 hit, Smokey Joe's Cafe!
Photo Flash: Go Inside the Chocolate Factory with Flat Rock Playhouse's WILLY WONKA
by Julie Musbach - Mar 24, 2017
The whimsical, world-famous candy man himself is back, this time in the mountains of Western North Carolina, as he takes the stage at Flat Rock Playhouse in their Studio 52 Family Series production of Roald Dahl's WillyWonka. Opening March 24th through April 2nd at the Flat Rock Playhouse Main Stage, this timeless family favorite will sport a 'delicious stage full of amazing characters, singing, dancing and acting for the inner child in all of us, with perhaps a few parenting lessons along the way,' says Director Dave Hart.
Photo Flash: Betty Buckley, Barbara Cook, Rex Smith and More Celebrate Shubert Theatre's 100th Anniversary in New Haven
by BWW News Desk - Mar 27, 2015
In recognition of its 100th Anniversary, New Haven's historic Shubert Theatre celebrated with a Gala Benefit on Saturday, March 21. This exclusive evening included an elegant sit-down dinner on the legendary Shubert Stage, dancing, theatrical entertainment and a tribute to honored guest stars. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!
Photo Coverage: Behind the Scenes of BROADWAY BY THE YEAR's 'Broadway Musicals of 1916-1940'
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Feb 25, 2015
On February 23, BROADWAY BY THE YEAR presented musicals from 1916-1940, welcoming an all-star cast including Karen Ziemba, Tonya Pinkins and more. Go behind the scenes below!
Photo Coverage: Inside BROADWAY BY THE YEAR's Season Opener with Karen Ziemba, Tonya Pinkins & More!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Feb 25, 2015
On February 23, BROADWAY BY THE YEAR presented musicals from 1916-1940, welcoming an all-star cast including Karen Ziemba, Tonya Pinkins and more. Check out photos below!
Photo Flash: Southampton African American Museum Presents 'Raise Your Voice'
by Sally Henry Fuller - Sep 13, 2014
Southampton African American Museum will present 'Raise Your Voice', the 9th Annual African-American Film Festival for four days October 2 to 5. The celebration of the artistry of African-American filmmakers, actors, personalities, musicians and performers will feature a powerful line-up of critically acclaimed, thought- provoking feature films, documentaries, shorts, jazz and spoken word.
Photo Coverage: Backstage at Town Hall's BROADWAY BY THE YEAR!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Apr 1, 2014
Tony Award-Winner Adriane Lenox (After Midnight, Doubt), Tony Award-nominees Anita Gillette (Neil Simon's Chapter Two) & Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Drama Desk-nominees Aaron Lazar (LES MISERABLES, A Little Night Music), Patrick Page (Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark, Cyrano, the upcoming Casa Valentina by Harvey Fierstein), Nancy Anderson (Jolson & Company, Wonderful Town, A Class Act), and Jeffry Denman (Yank!, Irving Berlin's White Christmas) were among the many stars to appear in Town Hall's Broadway by the Year Series last night- THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1940-1964. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from backstage with the stars below!
Photo Coverage: Aaron Lazar, Patrick Page & More Perform at Town Hall's BROADWAY BY THE YEAR
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Apr 1, 2014
Tony Award-Winner Adriane Lenox (After Midnight, Doubt), Tony Award-nominees Anita Gillette (Neil Simon's Chapter Two) & Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Drama Desk-nominees Aaron Lazar (LES MISERABLES, A Little Night Music), Patrick Page (Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark, Cyrano, the upcoming Casa Valentina by Harvey Fierstein), Nancy Anderson (Jolson & Company, Wonderful Town, A Class Act), and Jeffry Denman (Yank!, Irving Berlin's White Christmas) were among the many stars to appear in Town Hall's Broadway by the Year Series last night- THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1940-1964. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the concert below!
Photo Coverage: Backstage at Town Hall's BROADWAY BY THE YEAR with Julia Murney, Tonya Pinkins & More!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Feb 26, 2014
Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Chip Zien, Karen Mason, Sebastian Arcelus, Tonya Pinkins, Beth Leavel, Carolee Carmello,Stephanie J. Block, Karen Akers, Emily Skinner, Julia Murney, Lari White, John Easterlin, Noah Racey, Camille Saviola, Mark Nadler, Jillian Louis, Danny Gardner and the Broadway by the Year Chorus all took part in Town Hall's 14th season opener of its Broadway by the Year Series on Monday night, February 24 at 8pm, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1915-1939. BroadwayWorld was there for the special concert and you can check out backstage photos below!
Photo Coverage: Stephanie J. Block, Emily Skinner, Joshua Henry & More Sing Musicals of 1915-39 at Town Hall
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Feb 25, 2014
Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Chip Zien, Karen Mason, Sebastian Arcelus, Tonya Pinkins, Beth Leavel, Carolee Carmello, Stephanie J. Block, Karen Akers, Emily Skinner, Julia Murney, Lari White, John Easterlin, Noah Racey, Camille Saviola, Mark Nadler, Jillian Louis, Danny Gardner and the Broadway by the Year Chorus all took part in Town Hall's 14th season opener of its Broadway by the Year Series last night, February 24 at 8pm, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1915-1939. BroadwayWorld was there for the special concert and you can check out photo coverage below!
Photo Flash: First Look at Sara Morsey, Craig Bockhorn and More in THE LITTLE FOXES
by BWW News Desk - Jan 2, 2013
Florida Repertory Theatre presents Lillian Hellman's electrifying and powerful drama, The Little Foxes, a story of one family's greed, playing Jan 4-26 with discounted previews Jan. 1, 2 and 3. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.
Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Sara Morsey, Craig Bockhorn and More in Florida Rep's THE LITTLE FOXES
by BWW News Desk - Dec 31, 2012
Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of Lillian Hellman's electrifying and powerful drama, The Little Foxes, a story of one family's greed, playing Jan 4-26 with discounted previews Jan. 1, 2 and 3. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the show below.
Photo Flash: American Ballet Theatre Presents ROMEO AND JULIET 7/16-19
by Reynard Loki - Jun 24, 2009
Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center welcomes the return of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), America?s National Ballet Company®, led by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, July 16-19, with its full-evening production of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet. MacMillan's masterful interpretation of Shakespeare's enduring romantic tragedy entered American Ballet Theatre?s repertoire in 1985 and has since become one of the Company?s signature productions. Against the sumptuous setting of Renaissance Italy, MacMillan weaves a dance tapestry rich in character nuance and sensuality, and Sergei Prokofiev's stirring music underscores the lyric beauty and passion of this beloved ballet's star-crossed lovers.
Photo Coverage: June Allyson Tribute in L.A.
by BWW News Desk - Nov 9, 2006
A bevy of MGM film greats gathered November 2 in the El Portal Theatre in Hollywood to salute late stage and screen star June Allyson
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