Richard Ridge is the lead correspondent for BroadwayWorld, one of the most popular theatre websites receiving over 8 million visitors every month. For BroadwayWorld, he is the host of Backstage with Richard Ridge which has long been the most popular outlet for Broadway stars and legends to talk about their careers. His guests have included Chita Rivera, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Josh Groban, Cherry Jones, Julie Taymor, Laura Benanti, Brian Cox, Zachary Quinto, Judith Light, Joan Rivers, Elaine Paige, Kristin Chenoweth, Nick Jonas, Jessie Mueller and Hugh Dancy. Prior to that, he was the host of the groundbreaking Broadway Beat for 20 years. His latest venture is the filmed SAG/AFTRA Foundation/ BroadwayWorld Conversations on Broadway series, which recognizes and celebrates the vibrant theatre community in New York City. These in-depth interviews are filmed for the Foundation’s educational archives and Broadway World. Past participants have included Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Matt Bomer, Bobby Cannavale, Harold Prince, Stockard Channing, Nathan Lane, Darren Criss, Sara Bareilles, Tony Goldwyn, Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O’Hara, David Tennent, Vanessa Redgrave, Liev Schreiber, Jeff Daniels, David Hyde Pierce, Jim Parsons, Gena Rowlands, Michael Urie, Jason Alexander and Juliette Binoche. Richard made his Broadway debut in 2019 in the groundbreaking musical The Prom.
Today's guest played the eldest Schuyler sister, Angelica- Tony winner Renée Elise Goldsberry! Richard Ridge chats with her about how she expects the story will continue to change lives and how it changed hers.
Today's guest needs no introduction... Okieriete Onaodowan! Richard Ridge chats with Oak about favorite Hamilton memories and how the show changed his life.
Today, Richard Ridge chats with one of the Schuyler trio! Jasmine Cephas Jones made her Broadway debut playing Maria Reynolds and Peggy when the show opened in 2015. Now, she looks back on how the show has changed her life, both personally and professionally.
On Monday night, Over Here! The Big Band Musical was back in New York at The Triad Theatre for the first time since its original 1974 Broadway production and the joint was jumpin'. Veteran's Day proved to be the perfect time to revive this beloved celebration of the American spirit and optimism that defined the 1940's. To make it even more worthwhile, a portion of the proceeds from the evening was donated to Vietnam Veterans of America. Over Here! is one of this journalist's favorite musicals, so I was thrilled to have it back on the boards. Under the razor-sharp direction of Will Nunziata, who is quickly becoming a go-to director, this feel-good show sparkled and shined like a freshly polished diamond. It featured a stellar cast of 19, plus an 11-piece swing band, under musical director extraordinaire Blake Allen. Choreographer Andrew Black used every inch of space to give us one eye-popping musical number after another.
On Friday, November 1, the venue will welcome the star for an intimate and elegant evening spotlighting Christian's vivid theatrical life in London and New York. His autobiographical performance features songs by Noel Coward, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, Paul McCartney, Sting, Annie Lennox, and Al Green. These are interwoven with personal and surprising anecdotes and stories that illuminate the musical material. Christian was a star dancer with The Joffrey Ballet in New York in the 60s and 70s. He has choreographed and designed costumes for ballet companies across the US and Europe, as well as designing stage wardrobe for Ann Reinking and Tina Turner.
Monday nights belong to Jim Caruso's Cast Party at the legendary Birdland and now in less than a year the place to be on Tuesday night is Birdland's new downstairs theatre and The Line Up with Susie Mosher.
Haley Swindal, the latest Mama Morton in Broadway's longest running American musical 'Chicago' is returning to Feinstein's 54 Below with her brand new show ' Sing Happy: The Songs of Liza Minnelli' on July 26th and Broadway World's own Richard Ridge caught up with Haley to chat about living in the musical world of the legendary Liza.
Tony award winner Cady Huffman returns to The Green Room 42 with her critically acclaimed sold out one woman show Miss. Peggy Lee: In Her Own Words and Music for two more shows on Weds. July 24th and Weds. July 31st. Broadway World's own Richard Ridge caught up with Cady and her long time collaborator, writer director Will Nunziata during a break in rehearsal to chat about bringing the life and career of the legendary Peggy Lee to the stage.
Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young returns to Cafe Carlyle with an all-new show, February 19 to March 2. At this residency, he will perform an expertly curated set of rock and pop classics. From the raw emotionality of Roy Orbison the retro cool of 007, Young will bring the iconic room alive with a timelessness, mystery and warmth that hearkens back while heralding into the future and Broadway World's own Richard Ridge caught up with Young a few days before his opening.
The 2018 Inaugural NAAP (National Asian Artists Project) Gala took place on December 2nd celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein's groundbreaking musical 'Flower Drum Song'. Cast members from numerous productions including the original 1958 Broadway company, tours, the 1961 film and the 2002 Broadway revival took over the Golden Unicorn Restaurant in the heart of Chinatown for a magical evening that included a spectacular eight course Chinese banquet and a sensational show.
Renowned actress and singer Linda Purl, best known for 'Happy Days', 'Matlock' and 'The Office' will make her solo cabaret debut at Feinstein's 54 Below on September 4th and 5th with her sensational new show 'Big Band Romance' featuring the all- female Diva Jazz Orchestra.
In a career that spans over 30 years, actress, writer, singer, composer and cult icon Gina Gershon will make her highly anticipated Cafe Carlyle debut with her new show 'Wild Women Don't Get the Blues' and our own Richard Ridge caught up with her shortly before her opening.
One of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, the sensual, smokey-voiced Kathleen Turner is making her eagerly awaited Cafe Carlyle debut and our own Richard Ridge caught up with the Oscar and Tony nominated star a few days before her opening night.
For over five plus decades Linda Lavin has enraptured audiences on stage, screen and television. She won the triple crown- Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her heart -breaking performance in Neil Simon's 'Broadway Bound'. She is known to million of fans as 'Alice' on her 9 -year ground breaking TV Series for which she won two Golden Globes. Celebrated playwrights Nicky Silver, Donald Margulies, Richard Greenberg and Charles Busch have written memorable and award winning roles for her. This renaissance woman does everything.
What's the buzz on the set of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert? Neil Meron is telling us what's a-happening as John Legend, Sara Bareilles, Alice Cooper and more make their final preparations to bring the beloved classic to your living room.
In just days, NBC will premiere its newest drama, Rise, which airs Tuesday, March 13th at 10pm ET/PT following the season finale of 'This Is Us,' and debuts in its regular time period on Tuesday, March 20th at 9pm ET/PT on NBC.
Tony-winner and Grammy nominee Lena Hall returns to Cafe Carlyle with an all-new show, The Art Of The Audition: From Falling Apart to Nailing The Part, March 13-17. Experience the ups and downs of a Broadway life through reenactments of Lena Hall's most unforgettable-and regrettable-musical theater auditions. From epic fails to career-defining 'Nailed it!' moments. Featuring songs from Wicked, Cats, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Rent and more. Accompanied by the incredible Brian Nash.
BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge caught up with Tony Award-winning star John Lloyd Young just days before kicking off his return, two-week Valentine's engagement at the famed Cafe Carlyle.
After a special evening, where Lansbury performed the titular classic 'Beauty and the Beast' with Alan Menken accompanying her on the piano, she sat down with BroadwayWorld to chat about the impact of the film.
One of the most eagerly awaited new shows of this year's New York Musical Festival (NYMF) is the special event 'Midnight at the Never Get' which will be presented at 42WEST (514 West 42nd Street) for three (3) performances: Thursday, July 28 @ 9pm; Sunday, July 31 @ 9pm; Monday, August 1 @ 8pm. Produced by Michael Chase Gosselin, the musical is conceived by and starring Sam Bolen and Mark Sonnenblick, with musical direction and arrangements by Adam Podd, choreography by Andrew Palermo and directed by Max Friedman. Audiences will be transformed back to 1965 when they enter the venue to the back room of The Never Get. Featuring a sultry score fashioned after the American Songbook, 'Midnight at The Never Get' imagines two men who never existed at a time that very much did.
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