The Paul Dresher Ensemble Presents SCHICK MACHINE
by Ashlee Latimer
- Sep 10, 2016
The Paul Dresher Ensemble Presents the music theater production Schick Machine September 23-25 on San Francisco's Z Space Main Stage prior to tour. Directed by Rinde Eckert virtuoso percussionist Steven Schick inhabits a fantastical stage filled with huge invented instruments and sound sculptures - including the Hurdy Grande, the Tumbler, the Field of Flowers and the Peacock (a deconstructed pipe organ). After the performance, the audience is invited onstage to engage and explore a kind of audio "maker" sound and visual domain. The production was described at its debut as 'fresh and surprising...often mind-blowing' LA Times
Jennifer Damiano, Ciara Renee, & Meghann Fahy to Lead A LASTING IMPRESSION Readings at NYMF
by Tyler Peterson
- Jun 23, 2016
A Lasting Impression Productions LLC is pleased to announce the readings of the new musical A Lasting Impression at New York Musical Festival will star Tony nominee JENNIFER DAMIANO (Next to Normal, American Psycho, Spring Awakening) as Kali, CIARA RENEE (Big Fish, Pippin) as Jo, and MEGHANN FAHY (Next to Normal) as Simone. KRISTA PIOPPI (Lazarus) will play Voice of Kali. Additional casting is yet to be announced. The reading is directed by WHITNEY MOSERY (King Charles III, American Psycho).
BWW Review: Uneven but Tuneful IF/THEN at The Fox Theatre
by Chris Gibson
- Mar 17, 2016
It's interesting to me that IF/THEN is billed as 'a new musical'. It's the use of the word 'new' that I find puzzling. The concept certainly isn't an original one, having been explored on the big screen in the films Blind Chance (1981) and its sort-of remake, Sliding Doors (1998). And, even though neither of those movies were musicals, they both featured the idea of having their lead traverse optional story lines, with Blind Chance even offering up three different scenarios for its protagonist to experience. But, this show is new in the sense that it explores contemporary trends, with the caveat that some audiences may not find much to identify with, and it features a wonderfully fresh and tuneful score (music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey). All of that just might be enough to make this show worth seeing. Because it does feature a talented cast who have the ability to pull off these roles and the memorable songs provided with considerable conviction. But, the trickery seems a bit cloying at times, and the show does seem to drag at over 2 ½ hours. I guess, like our heroine, Elizabeth, I'm straddling the fence too, at least when it comes to my opinion.
FREEZE FRAME: Meet the Company of Second Stage's DEAR EVAN HANSEN
by Walter McBride
- Mar 16, 2016
Second Stage Theatre, in association with Stacey Mindich Productions, will soon present the new musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN. The company will include several performers who appeared in the World Premiere production at Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage, featuring Ben Platt as the title character, Evan Hansen, in a performance that was called 'extraordinary, bordering on heroic' by Peter Marks in the Washington Post. Also reprising their performances from the 'splendid' (Marks, Washington Post) cast are Laura Dreyfuss as Zoe, Mike Faist as Connor, Rachel Bay Jones as Heidi, Will Roland as Jared, Jennifer Laura Thompson as Cynthia. New cast members John Dossett (Larry) and Kristolyn Lloyd (Alana) complete the company.
The cast just met the press today and you can check out a sneak peek from the special day below. Check back later for complete coverage!
Broadway, Chicago Stars Round Out Principal Cast of Lyric Opera's THE KING AND I
by Tyler Peterson
- Feb 11, 2016
Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today casting for the remaining principal roles in its grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Additional Broadway artists Ali Ewoldt (Tuptim), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome) and Rona Figueroa (Lady Thiang) join the cast, along with Sam Simahk (Lun Tha) and Chicagoland artists Charlie Babbo (Louis Leonowens), Jomar Ferreras (Interpreter), John Lister (Captain Orton), David Parkes (Sir Edward Ramsay), Peter Sipla (Phra Alack) and Matthew Uzarraga (Prince Chulalongkorn). All but Lister make their Lyric debuts with The King and I.
BWW Review: IF/THEN at Winspear Opera House
by Kyle Christopher West
- Jan 29, 2016
When IF/THEN debuted on Broadway in March 2014, it reunited original RENT stars Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp with RENT director Michael Grief. Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt, whose 2008 rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL had received the Pulitzer Prize, wrote the much-anticipated show, and New York celebrated the team's brisk New York return. Although the show received mostly mixed-to-positive reviews, it lasted a mere 430 performances, despite mother-daughter duos flocking to see Menzel upon the icy heels of FROZEN's success.
Goodspeed Sets Starry Group of Writing Teams for 2016 Mercer Writers Colony
by BWW News Desk
- Nov 20, 2015
In what has become an annual ritual, a total of 36 established and emerging composers, lyricists, and librettists will converge on the Goodspeed campus from mid-January through mid-February 2016 to participate in the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing 19 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration. BroadwayWorld is excited to report that Goodspeed has announced its 2016 participants. Scroll down for details!
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