Photos: First Look at Jodi Benson in HELLO, DOLLY! at Encore Performing Arts
Check out photos from Encore! Performing Arts' production of the iconic musical “Hello, Dolly!” starring Jodi Benson, a Tony Award Nominee and Disney Legend, here!
Check out photos from Encore! Performing Arts' production of the iconic musical “Hello, Dolly!” starring Jodi Benson, a Tony Award Nominee and Disney Legend, here!
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.
Get a first look at Jodi Benson in costume as Dolly Levi for Encore! Performing Arts' upcoming production. Performances will take place June 21 and 22, 2024 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
What did our critic think of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY at Connor Palace? David Greene, the Senior Vice President of Programming at Playhouse Square, informs theater-goers in his program notes for GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY that “it is a non-traditional musical which features songs by music legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Dylan.”
What did our critic think of DOUBT: A PARABLE at Beck Center For The Arts?
The Brooklyn Academy of Music presents the first major New York revival of Lorraine Hansberry's The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman at the BAM Harvey Theater. The production officially opened on February 23, 2023. Check out all new production photos here!
The production features Emanuelle Araujo, in the role of sarcastic Velma Kelly; Paulo Szot, as the charming and unscrupulous Billy Flynn (a role he currently played on Broadway); and Carol Costa as the “innocent” and surprising Roxie Hart. L. Candido (Mary Sunshine), Lilian Valeska (Mama Morton) and Eduardo Amir (Amos Hart) complete the main cast.
On Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, CVLT will be streaming the archival video of Visiting Mr. Green for a pay-as-you-can admission. For details and advance reservation, visit https://cvlt.org/events/visiting-mr-green