Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE
VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of. How did that come about for both of you?
Ellenore Scott: Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival.
Ayodele Casel: I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in. Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.
Barbra Streisand Celebration Debuts in Palm Springs
After producing one of L.A.'s most popular annual cabaret events for the last 26 years, prolific cabaret producer Clifford Bell brings a new Palm Springs version of the popular event to the Coachella Valley on Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 7 pm; just in time to celebrate Barbra Streisand's April 24th birthday.
Interview: VARLA JEAN MERMAN of STAND BY YOUR DRAG at MATCH
I live in Florida, and I love Florida; Florida has amazing people and an amazing LGBTQ community, but, as you know, the government really isn't on our side there. When the drag bans started to happen, it really freaked you out because it happened like suddenly you weren't allowed to perform outside in Florida. People didn't know this happened, but many of the Pride Celebrations in Florida were canceled.
Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, and More Join The New York Pops' 41st Birthday Gala
Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Art Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel Jr., Courtney Hadwin, Valerie Simpson, Patty Smyth, Ruben Studdard, Adrienne Warren, Diane Warren, and Avery Wilson will now join The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, to honor Clive Davis.
Review: FUNNY GIRL at Ahmanson Theatre
FUNNY GIRL is a gold standard that has endured through the ages and the production that just hit downtown Los Angeles is a rollicking and heartfelt success.
Previews: NIC & DESI BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD at Oscar's Cabaret
Summer’s just around the corner and the temperature is already rising… from the heat between Broadway’s favorite triple-threat lovebirds Nicolas Dromard & Desiree Davar! Broadway stars and real-life couple Nicolas & Desiree make their Oscar’s debut with ‘Nic & Desi: Broadway to Hollywood’.