Nora Brennan News

For two weeks in July and August, 2012, East Hampton Studio will transform into America's first pop-up dance studio, as the hottest choreographers from Hollywood and Broadway hit the Hamptons for Dance House USA. Dancers of all levels will work with the best of the best to identify their "X-factor" through full days of classes, workshops, rehearsals, live nightly events, and collaboration with star choreographers, including Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba and Smash choreographer Josh Bergasse.

The hit TV show Smash, the Broadway production of Newsies, Cirque du Soleil, The Radio Christmas Spectacular and the upcoming Broadway productions of Matilda and Flashdance are set to take part in the upcoming New York City Dance Alliance National Season Finale which will host 1,500 student dancers from across the United States (ages 7-18). Between July 1st and July 5th they will all offer audition workshops during the event for participants. The workshops will be led by Tony Award-winning Newsies Choreographer Christopher Gatelli, Smash Choreographer Josh Bergasse, Matilda Casting Director Nora Brennan, Flashdance Choreographer Sergio Trujillo, Cirque du Soleil Dance Casting Director Nicole Lamontagne and Radio City Christmas Spectacular Casting Coordinators Michelle Kashinsky and Beth Zitzman.

The touring company of Billy Elliot the Musical celebrated their opening night in St. Louis on November 2, 2011 with a cast party following the performance. Check out photos from the big event below!

On Saturday, September 17, the Billy Elliot held an open call for the newest crop of ballet girls in front of the Broadhurst Theatre in Times Square, drawing out the most hopeful of young dancers in all shapes and sizes with expressive character and lots of personality. Ballet girls Maria May and Brianna Fragomeni, currently starring in the production, were on hand to cheer on the auditioners.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Myles Erlick and Jack Broderick will join the cast of the 10-time Tony Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical in the roles of ‘Billy' and ‘Michael,' respectively. Erlick, a native of Burlington, Ontario, started his journey as one of the original ‘Billys' in the Toronto production of Billy Elliot. He will be the fifteenth ‘Billy' to perform on Broadway. Broderick has previously played the role of ‘Michael' in both the Chicago and Toronto productions of Billy Elliot. Current ‘Michael,' Neil McCaffrey will play his final performance Sunday, September 25 at 7:30pm. And current ‘Billy,' Giuseppe Bausilio will play his final performance on Sunday, October 9 at 7:30 pm.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce auditions for its 2011 Summer Professional Training Programs for talented young performers ages 10 to 18.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched May 9 as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George).

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched May 9 as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George). BroadwayWorld brought you a glimpse of the panel discussion then. Today, we bring a look at the second talkback in the series which took place last week, May 16, following a screening of Every Little Step, which follows the real-life dancers as they struggled through auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. The film also takes a look at the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and revival Broadway shows. This panel was moderated by John Breglio, Every Little Step executive producer, and producer of the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line. Panalists included Baayork Lee, the original 'Connie' from the 1976 Tony Award-winning production of A Chorus Line and choreographer for the 2006 revival, and Donna McKechnie, who won the Tony Award for her performance as 'Cassie' in the original 1976 production of A Chorus Line.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

The first ever Tony Award Documentary Film Series launched this week, May 9, as part of the 2011 Tony Awards Showcase at the Times Square Visitors Center and Mini-Museum. The Tony Award Documentary Films Series features three films that examine what it's like to be behind-the-scenes on a Tony-eligible Broadway musical. The first film to be screened was Finding Billy, taking viewers on the journey in the search for the young male leads in Billy Elliot the Musical. The screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprised of moderator Nora Brennan (Children's Casting Director for Billy Elliot), and Broadway cast members Tade Biesinger (Billy), Jacob Clemente (Billy), Stephen Hanna (Older Billy), and Joel Hatch (George). BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special event and brings you the panel disussion below.

The world-wide smash hit (and winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical) comes to Toronto this month and BWW is on hand to bring you extensive coverage. Over the next few weeks we will be speaking with various cast members and providing photos and interviews of all things Billy! First up is Kate Hennig, who played the role of Mrs. Wilkinson on Broadway and now gets to come home to Canadian with the Toronto production.

Transport Group Theatre Company presents Hello Again by Michael John LaChiusa

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce auditions for its 2011 Summer Professional Training Programs for talented young performers ages 10 to 18.

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment are thrilled to announce, with Broadway In Chicago, the addition of Myles Erlick and Marcus Pei to the cast of BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL in the role of ‘Billy,' and Dillon Stevens in the role of ‘Michael.'

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment announced today that Peter Mazurowski will join the cast of the 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical, in the role of ‘Billy.' Joining him will be Neil McCaffrey and Gabriel Rush alternating in the role of ‘Michael.'

Yesterday, June 17, the Player's Club in Gramercy Park hosted Inside Broadway's 2010 Broadway Beacon Awards. Hosted by FOX5 New York's Julie Chang, the awards show honored Tony Award-winners Katie Finneran and Anthony LaPaglia, the current stars of Billy Elliot on Broadway, Harry Coghlan (President and General Manager of Clear Channel Outdoor's New York and Spectacolor Divisions), and Nicholas & Lence Communications CEO (and former NYC & Company Director) Cristyne Nicholas. Presenters for the evening included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Broadway actor Brooks Ashmanskas, and Broadway Casting Director Nora Brennan. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration.

Inside Broadway's 2010 Broadway Beacon Awards will be held at 5:30pm today, June 17th, 2010 at the historic Players Club at Gramercy Park.

Fidelity Investments®, in partnership with Billy Elliot the Musical, the Viertel/Frankel/Baruch/Routh Group and LeAp (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program) today announced that two-time Academy Award® Winner Hilary Swank will host the 2010 Fidelity FutureStage® Finale on Monday, June 14.

Dozens of boys and girls auditioned this weekend for the chance to be part of the Second National Tour of Billy Elliot which launches at the Durham Performing Arts Center this fall. The auditions took place at the Carolina Dance Center in Raleigh with boys auditioning for the role of Billy on Saturday and girls auditioning for ensemble roles on Sunday.

Fidelity Investments®, in partnership with Billy Elliot the Musical, the Viertel/Frankel/Baruch/Routh Group and LeAp (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program) today announced that two-time Academy Award® Winner Hilary Swank will host the 2010 Fidelity FutureStage® Finale on Monday, June 14.