Joseph Harrison has been involved with the theatre in some form or fashion all his life. He holds a Journalism degree from the University of Georgia, but his true love is the theatre which he has been involved in as a spectator as well as an actor for the last 30+ years. He has performed in a variety of musicals over the years including FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, PIPPIN, CITY OF ANGELS, 1776, LITTLE WOMEN, WORKING, GODSPELL (Jesus) and JOSEPH..DREAMCOAT (Joseph) just to name a few. Joseph joined the Broadway World family in 2009 as the very first local editor for BWW Atlanta. He served as Senior BWW Editor for Connecticut from 2014 - 2020 and now resides in Orlando, FL and writes for BWW Orlando.
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First Show:
DAMN YANKEES (on Broadway), ANNIE (on tour in Atlanta as a young child))Favorite Show:
This is a question I get often and for someone who sees so many shows it is near impossible to answer. But my top five would have to be: Patti LuPone in GYPSY on Broadway (my favorite score performed by one of my favorite actors), NEXT TO NORMAL (both on Broadway and at TheaterWorks in Hartford (see below for article), HAIR (an amazing experience, and not just because I got to perform "On Broadway" on stage during the bows), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (love every version I have seen), and then whatever I saw last (which at the writing of this was an amazing production of EMMET OTTER'S JUG BAND CHRISTMAS in Chicago).Favorite Stories:
- SPOTLIGHT ON: Loretta Swit, Star of Theater of the Stars' Production of 42nd Street at the Fabulous Fox Theatre - This was my very first interview piece for BroadwayWorld (and one of my first articles as a new writer for the site back in 2009) and I got to speak with none other than TV star Loretta Swit who was so kind and patient with me as I was so excited to be speaking with someone I had admired for a long time in her many roles on television.
- Review: RAGS at Goodspeed Opera House - I was in awe every time I got to review a production at the iconic Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT. As a young musical theatre fan in high school I was a subscriber to the Goodspeed's magazine SHOW MUSIC which I devoured cover to cover every month (I still have every issue I collected). To then be not only attending, but reviewing (and often quoted in their Ads) was surreal. If you had told 17 year old me that would happen I would never have believed you! I picked this production of RAGS in particular because it was extra special to me anytime the Goodspeed produced a show like this that you would likely not get a chance to see anywhere else.
- Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at TheaterWorks - This is a favorite not only because it was a production that absolutely blew me away (and one of my favorite musicals - see above), but for what happened afterwards. A year or so after writing this review I had the pleasure of meeting Christiane Noll (who starred as Diana in this production) at a Connecticut Critics Circle awards ceremony. When I introduced myself to her she recognized me from my review, took my hands and thanked me for the kind things I wrote about her performance (I meant every word - still the gold standard Diana IMHO) and that was the moment I realized that my reviews weren't just going out into the ether - that real people, including the amazing artists I get to witness on stage - are reading and are impacted by what I write. It was an amazing feeling.
- Interview: Lindsay Northen And Jared Bradshaw performing in BROADWAY ON THE ROCKS cabaret at the Hyatt Regency Orlando - This was a treat because it was a little something different for me (previewing a local Broadway/cabaret performance here in Orlando) but featured a conversation with two wonderful performers who happen to also be friends of mine. I loved our conversation and got so many great comments about the piece.
- BWW Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by Orlando Shakes - This was my first review after moving to Orlando during the pandemic and beginning to write for BWW Orlando and it is special for a few reasons. First, I remember how amazing it felt to be sitting in a theatre (or in this case outside in an amphitheater @ Lake Eola in downtown Orlando) once again after more than a year of being stuck inside during COVID. It was a fantastic production by Orlando Shakes, but just being together, with other people, experiencing live theatre once again made me emotional and thankful to be back. It was also the beginning of my realization of how much amazing theatre is available here in my new hometown of Orlando - I have been blown away by the volume of opportunities to see amazing performances and the sheer number of crazy talented (and absolutely lovely) artists we have here in Central Florida. I am lucky to get to see so many performances and to share them with you, our BWW readers.
The New Depot Players in Conyers, GA Present Steel Magnolias 7/31 Through 8/15
July 31, 2009
July 31, 2009
The New Depot Players, Conyers' premier theatre company will present the heart-warming play, Steel Magnolias beginning this Friday,July 31st and running for three weekends.
SPOTLIGHT ON: Loretta Swit, Star of Theater of the Stars' Production of 42nd Street at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
July 30, 2009
July 30, 2009
Come and Meet, Those Dancing Feet... Words sung in the title song of the perennial favorite, 42nd Street, and in the latest production of this toe-tapping show (pun intended) produced by Theater of the Stars and performing this week at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, that is exactly what the audience gets to experience. A talented cast giving every last ounce of energy to entertain, and this dazzling production does just that. Starring in this new production of 42nd Street is Loretta Swit, who is most famous for her dramatic and comedic roles on television and on film, but in this production she gets to strut her stuff in true Broadway diva fashion as Dorothy Brock, a true Broadway diva, and does an amazing job conveying the character and emotion of the role.
Broadway Theatre League of Huntsville Presents Their 2009/2010 50th Aniversary Season
July 30, 2009
July 30, 2009
Huntsville, Alabama's own Broadway Theatre League announces the schedule for their 2009/2010 50th Anniversary Season.
The New Depot Players in Conyers, GA Present Steel Magnolias 7/31 Through 8/15
July 29, 2009
July 29, 2009
The New Depot Players, Conyers' premier theatre company will present the heart-warming play, Steel Magnolias beginning this Friday,July 31st and running for three weekends.
Come and Meet Those Dancing Feet..Theater of the Stars presents 42nd Street Starring Loretta Swit At The Fox Theatre July 28-August 2
July 28, 2009
July 28, 2009
42nd Street, the tap dancing musical extravaganza makes it's way to Peachtree Street at the Fabulous Fox Theatre July 28 - August 2. Starring the legendary Loretta Swit as Broadway diva Dorothy Brock, 42nd Street brings it's show stopping and foot tapping story to the Fabulous Fox by way of Theater of the Stars.
PRODUCTION NOTES: A Conversation With Nick Manos, President of Atlanta's Theater of the Stars About Their Latest Production, 42nd Street
July 27, 2009
July 27, 2009
I had the pleasure of speaking with Nick Manos, President of Atlanta's Theater of the Stars about their upcoming production of 42nd Street which opens at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Tuesday, July 28th and runs through Sunday, August 2nd and stars Loretta Swit. Mr. Manos shared with us a little about the production itself and what it takes to produce a show like this from the ground up.
The Atlanta Shakespeare Company Presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), August 8 - September 6 at the New American Shakespeare Tavern
July 26, 2009
July 26, 2009
The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at the New American Shakespeare Tavern presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), an irreverent, hilarious, high-speed romp through all 37 of the Bard's plays (and 154 sonnets) in two hours! Othello goes Hip-Hop, Titus Andronicus a cooking show, and all the Histories are performed as a football game. All of this performed by THREE ACTORS.
Come and Meet Those Dancing Feet..Theater of the Stars presents 42nd Street Starring Loretta Swit At The Fox Theatre July 28-August 2
July 22, 2009
July 22, 2009
42nd Street, the tap dancing musical extravaganza makes it's way to Peachtree Street at the Fabulous Fox Theatre July 28 - August 2. Starring the legendary Loretta Swit as Broadway diva Dorothy Brock, 42nd Street brings it's show stopping and foot tapping story to the Fabulous Fox by way of Theater of the Stars.
Aurora Theatre Opens Season with KISS ME KATE
July 20, 2009
July 20, 2009
Aurora Theatre's 14th Season will be it's biggest ever starting with the legendary Cole Porter's most triumphant musical. Kiss Me, Kate ran on Broadway for an astounding 1,077 performances, but local theatre goers will only have 26 chances to catch this masterpiece of the jazz era.
Atlanta Prepares for One 'Elle' of a Good Time! Theater of the Stars Presents Legally Blonde at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
July 14, 2009
July 14, 2009
Audiences will be tickled pink to experience this fun-filled musical which has received raves from audiences and critics across the country. So grab your friends, schedule a girl's night out, or just make a date and come raise your spirits with Elle, Bruiser, and the ladies of Delta Nu playing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from July 14 - 19. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, at www.ticketmaster.com and 800-982-2787.
Theatrical Opportunities Abound at the Towne Lake Arts Center
July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009
Many exciting events and activities are on the horizon at the Towne Lake Arts Center, Cherokee County's source for quality live theatre. Check out the following details for news about upcoming performances, classes and auditions. For information about any of these upcoming activities/events call 678-494-4251 or check out the website at www.tlaclive.org. The Towne Lake Arts Center is located at 6576 Commerce Parkway in Woodstock, GA.
Atlanta Prepares for One 'Elle' of a Good Time! Theater of the Stars Presents Legally Blonde at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009
Audiences will be tickled pink to experience this fun-filled musical which has received raves from audiences and critics across the country. So grab your friends, schedule a girl's night out, or just make a date and come raise your spirits with Elle, Bruiser, and the ladies of Delta Nu playing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from July 14 - 19. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, at www.ticketmaster.com and 800-982-2787.
What Time is It? Time for the Legacy Theatre production of Disney's High School Musical 2!
July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009
This action packed and buoyant production, presented by the Legacy Theatre in Tyrone, GA beginning July 10th through August 2nd, brings Disney's smash hit sequel to High School Musical to life on stage.
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