Gianluca Russo is the Central NY Senior Editor of BroadwayWorld. He is also a freelance writer, editor and social media manager who has been published in Playbill, Brit+Co, Bust Magazine, Dance Spirit Magazine, Paste Magazine, Romper, Byrdie and more. For more of his work, visit www.GianlucaRusso.webs.com and follow him on Twitter/Instagram @G_Russo1.
Since making her Broadway debut back in 1989, Rachel York has become of the most beloved leading ladies of the Great White Way. Now, in a one-night-only show, York is going to make you fall head over heels for her once again.
On June 12, Daniel Quadrino will make his return to Feinstein's/54 Below for a night of laughter, music, great times and, yes, even a song by Shawn Mendes. We took a few minutes to chat with him before the show to get all the details before the big night.
On September 19, some of Broadway's favorites will come together for BURNING UP: 54 SINGS THE JONAS BROTHERS, a concert of the group's best hits. The cast of 54 SINGS THE JONAS BROTHERS have some pretty great memories of their first introductions to the band. In anticipation of Tuesday's concert, I asked them what their first memory is of The Jonas Brothers, and oh, were their answers amazing:
As anticipated, season 14 of So You Think You Can Dance is rounding out to be a talented-packed hit. From contemporary, to ballroom, to hip hop, we can't wait to see this phenomenal group of dancers knocked it out of the park. Behind the glitz and glamour, however, is an intensive and exhausted rehearsal process each week. Having been through it themselves, Broadway's Ricky Ubeda, season 11 winner of SYTYCD, and Amy Yakima, season 10 winner, chatted with us about their advice for newcomers and how the show changed their entire life.
It's nearly impossible to not have fun while hearing some of ABBA's most iconic songs sung right before your eyes, especially by the wonderful team at Capital Repertory Theatre. Though the show itself is encompassed with flaws, Capital Rep's production of MAMMA MIA! is just what it should be: a fun night.
Twenty-five years since the release of her first album, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins is back in New York and ready to take on a dream venue: the Cafe Carlyle. 'I thought, 'That's my dream place. I've got to be there,' Hawkins said in a recent interview with BroadwayWorld. 'It's such an intimate setting.' The show, playing June 27-29, is a journey through Hawkin's life, starting with her breakout single 'Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover,' and venturing into her world of music, artistry, humanity, and motherhood.
Singer/songwriter Tyler Conroy is gearing up to make his 54 Below debut on May 20. With a band set and song list in the works, only one important factor remains: which of his #BroadwayBaes will take the stage to perform with him. In an effort to convince his favorite performers to come along, Conroy composed an original song, available below, asking his #BroadwayBaes for their help.
When Liza Minnelli tells showbiz, "Look out… here comes Nicolas King," you know this performer is the real deal. Having toured with Minnelli and appeared in three Broadway shows by the time he was a teenager, King is no stranger to showmanship and storytelling. Now, he has partnered with legendary jazz pianist and music director Mike Renzi to release his new album, ON ANOTHER NOTE, a collection of rich jazz standards that follow the plot of a love story.
BWW Interview: WICKED's Anthony Festa's Full Circle Moment At Proctors Theatre
Gaby Diaz, season 12 winner of So You Think You Can Dance, is hitting the road tonight with Emmy Award winner Travis Wall's dance company Shaping Sound. Choreographed by Wall, Nick Lazzarini and Teddy Forance, the brand new show entitled After The Curtain is a mesmerizing dance narrative that is sure to leave audiences speechless. Diaz is performing with the company for the second time, having toured with its previous production last fall (which was, as expected, phenomenal). In the midst of tech week, Diaz was kind enough to speak with us about how surreal this whole experience has been for her.
Singer/Songwriter Tyler Conroy has just released his newest music video, 'Dear Evan Hansen in 4 Minutes.' The two singers perform each song from the hit Pasek and Paul musical condensed down into only 4 minutes. 'I wanted to create this four minute medley of all the show's songs to allow others who may not have any idea about the musical to understand its message without giving away major plot points,' says Conroy.
With the announcement that Fox's So You Think You Can Dance will be returning this summer, this time reverting back to contestants ages 18-30, we decided to look back on this past season's incredibly talented kids. From hip hop to jazz to contemporary, season 13 of SYTYCD certainly did not disappoint, showing us that age means nothing when it comes to talent. One of our favorite contestants, second runner-up Tate McRae, proved week after week that a 13 year old can be as marvelous a dancer as an adult, sometimes even better. McRae was kind enough to speak with us about her time on SYTYCD and her plans for the future.
A sense of fulfillment fills his body as he sees his reflection in the hazy mirror. The music begins, and he suddenly feels completely comfortable in a place he only arrived at a few weeks prior. Each beat of the song sends pulses through the somewhat scratched up flooring, up through his bare feet, taking over his entire body. His demeanor is peaceful, passionate and powerful as he commands his way across the floor with the other dancers, each movement a new discovery in his mind. As the combination comes to an end, finishing with a grand jeté into a graceful arabesque par terre, 18 year old Nick Nazzaro remains in disbelief that he is spending his days dancing in the city of his dreams.
Beautiful melodies fill Capital Repertory Theatre with director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill's staging of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner's "Camelot." The musical's score is composed of lush, romantic, and memorable tunes that help to move along the somewhat flawed book.
Growing up far away from New York can be challenging for many young performers: missing out on great opportunities and classes to grow, train, and become the best that they can be. Thankfully, a new online masterclass program by Marcus Lovingood and Paul McGill is giving hopefuls an inside look into show business through the eyes of some of today's most successful performers.
With five years under its belt (or dance belt, if you will), Travis Wall's Shaping Sound continues to mesmerize and stun audiences with innovated, invigorating, and enticing choreography. Wrapping up their fall tour this past weekend after a stop in Syracuse, it's easy to see why Shaping Sound has taken off since its beginnings on Oxygen's “All The Right Moves” and why the future of the company is now brighter than ever.
TROY, N.Y.- A French clown living in Troy aims to change the perception of clowns with a one-person performance on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Revolution Hall.
Several Capital Region youth got the chance of a lifetime over the past few weeks, peeking behind the curtain of the national tour of "An American in Paris" and seeing firsthand all it takes to tech a big Broadway musical.
Acclaimed dance company Shaping Sound has become a household name among dance professionals since its first national tour back in 2013. Under the artistic director of Emmy Award winner Travis Wall, alongside founders and choreographers Nick Lazzarini, Teddy Forance, and Kyle Robinson, the group has come a long way since its beginnings on Oxygen's "All The Right Moves" in 2012. Following a successful tour this past winter, the group is back on the road with a reincarnation of their hit show. Robinson, who toured with "West Side Story" before joining the company, spoke to us about bringing in a new cast for the production and gearing up to perform a truly spectacular masterpiece.
Broadway's Tony Award winning hit "An American in Paris" is dancing its way into Schenectady this week as the musical's first national tour will begin previews at Proctors Theatre this Friday. With a score composed from some of George and Ira Gershwin's most famous tunes, the show follows Jerry Mulligan, an American soldier who decides to stay in Paris following World War II. He soon finds himself not only entangled in the country's luxurious culture and art, but in a love triangle that may lead him to his soul mate. Among the talented cast gathered for the production are Garen Scribner, Sara Etsy, Etai Benson, Ryan Steele, and Emily Ferranti who steps into the role of Milo Davenport. Ferranti was kind enough to speak with us last week in midst of her hectic rehearsal schedule about her excitement to be working on this production.
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