Student Blog: Spotlight On Muir Musical at UC San Diego
by Student Blogger: Mia Van Deloo - Dec 3, 2022
In addition to our Department of Theatre & Dance productions each quarter, a big aspect of the UC San Diego theatre scene is Muir Musical. Since 1991, this completely student-run musical theatre organization has been dedicated to providing all UCSD undergraduates with the opportunity to participate in a fully produced, large-scale musical during Spring Quarter of each year. From Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2013) to Hair (2005) to American Idiot (2022), this theatre company has been a consistent place where students can create, experiment and of course, have fun.
Legendary Broadway Producer Liz McCann Dies at 90
by Robert Diamond - Sep 9, 2021
ELIZABETH IRELAND McCANN, the iconoclastic Broadway producer who won nine Tony Awards during a 60-year career in theater, died after a bout with cancer on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, according to her longtime associate and friend, Kristen Luciani. She was 90 years old.
BWW Review: Chasing the Music: MSMT Mounts Spectacular JERSEY BOYS in Westbrook
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Sep 3, 2021
In the final moments of the 2005 hit musical JERSEY BOYS, Frankie Valli muses, “We were all just chasing the music.” For those fans of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and the Bob Gaudio/Bob Crewe/Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice show about the group’s rise to fame and artistic and personal struggles, the “chase” need take them no farther than Westbrook Performing Arts Center where Maine State Music Theatre has mounted a spectacular production that is a must-see. In their only main stage show of the 2021 season, MSMT’s JERSEY BOYS, directed by Mark Martino and choreographed by Kenny Ingram, is a joyous, boisterous, dazzling, powerful, incisive, edgy and ultimately uplifting story that rivets from start to finish.
Student Blog: Zodiac Signs of Tony-Nominated Musicals
by Student Blogger: Madison Moore - Mar 22, 2021
The criteria are that these shows have been nominated for Best Musical from the 3rd Tony Awards (the ceremony that started the Best Musical category) in 1949 to the nominations of what will now be the 74th Tony Awards in 2021. I will be determining their signs based upon their Broadway premiere date. With those rules in mind, here we go!
BWW Interview: At Home With Michael And Mardie
by Stephen Mosher - Oct 30, 2020
Learn about the romance, the laughter, and the arguments that make up husband and wife modern day vaudevillians Michael Garin and Mardie Millet, two of cabarets most popular duo acts.
Spinning Tree Theatre to Conclude the 2019-20 Season with LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 6, 2020
Spinning Tree Theatre will conclude the 2019-20 season April 17 - May 3 with Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles. The 1983 musical, based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, has music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein. La Cage aux Folles won the 1984 Tony Award for Best Musical, and both Broadway revivals (2005 and 2010) won Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical.
BWW Interview: Darius Harper of KINKY BOOTS at The Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - Feb 28, 2020
Based on the 2005 film by the same name, the musical 'Kinky Boots' tells the story of an unlikely partnership between a failing shoe manufacturer (Charlie) and a fabulous cabaret entertainer (Lola). Although they come from very different worlds, the two realize that they are not so different after all. Playing the challenging role of Lola is New Hampshire native Darius Harper. Working both nationally and internationally, Harper brings years of experience and talent to the Fulton stage.
Andy Sandberg Named Artistic Director And CEO Of The Prestigious Hermitage Artist Retreat
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2019
The board of the Hermitage Artist Retreat in the United States announced today that the organisation has chosen Andy Sandberg as its Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2020. Sandberg succeeds Bruce Rodgers, who is retiring after serving as the Hermitage's Executive Director since 2005. Sandberg, an accomplished director, writer, and Tony Award-winning producer whose national and international career has been committed to new work and artist development, was selected following an extensive national search. In his new role, Sandberg will be responsible for overseeing the organisation's operations, artistic programs, administration, and strategic plan.
Andy Sandberg Named Artistic Director And CEO Of Hermitage Artist Retreat Following Nationwide Search
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 4, 2019
The board of the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Florida announced today that the organization has chosen Andy Sandberg as its Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2020. Sandberg succeeds Bruce Rodgers, who is retiring after serving as the Hermitage's Executive Director since 2005. Sandberg, an accomplished director, writer, and Tony Award-winning producer whose national and international career has been committed to new work and artist development, was selected following an extensive national search. In his new role, Sandberg will be responsible for overseeing the organization's operations, artistic programs, administration, and strategic plan.
BWW Interview: Adam Fleming of THE DARE PROJECT Opens Up About HAIRSPRAY, TOE PICK, WICKED, BARE and DARE!
by Ben Rimalower - Oct 9, 2019
Actor-singer-dancer-choreographer Adam Fleming became a part of Broadway history originating the roles of Sketch in Hairspray and Lucas in Bare. In 2005, he starred in David Brind and Adam Salky's acclaimed short film, Dare, about two teenage boys' tense, spark-filled encounter in a pool following high school play practice. Dare gained a cult following as part of Strand Releasing's 'Boys Life' series and ultimately achieved worldwide popularity via more than 12 Million views on Youtube. The fan fervor (and fan fiction!) eventually inspired a sequel, ten years later. The original and the sequel are now being presented together as The Dare Project and attracting new legions of fans.
MADWOMEN'S LATE NITE CABARET Returns to the 2019 Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival
by Stephi Wild - Aug 9, 2019
Madwomen's Late Nite Cabaret is a one-hour musical that celebrates mad, misunderstood and maligned women from history and literature, performing cabaret songs that uniquely pertain to their particular situations. Ethel Merman hosts and Lizzie Borden plays piano as over a dozen women, including Joan of Arc, Mata Hari, Amelia Earhart and Medusa sing favorites from 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' to 'Hair.'