Garson Kanin

Tony-Winner Christopher Ashley To Receive Prestigious 'Mr. Abbott' Award From Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation

Christopher Ashley was announced as the recipient of the prestigious Mr. Abbott Award by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the theater industry.

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.

Cast Set for DO RE MI at J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company

The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company  has revealed the cast for its revival of the hit 1960 musical Do Re Mi. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company Announces THE 2024 LAGNIAPPE SERIES

Discover the 2024 Lagniappe Series by the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company.

Production Teams Set for The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company 2024 Season

The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company has revealed the production teams for its 2024 season. Learn more about the season!

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan Townhouse Sells To Fan For $7M

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home has been sold to a Sondheim fan!

Review: A Dazzling Revival of FUNNY GIRL Ushers in All the Laughs at Straz Center for The Performing Arts

Funny Girl is a semi-autobiographical comedic musical about the life and times of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, and her tumultuous relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. With a musical score by Jules Styne, lyrics by Bob Merill, and featuring a book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl first opened on Broadway in 1964 featuring Barbara Streisand in the starring role, and was produced by Fanny’s own son-in-law Ray Stark. The first Broadway production received 8 Tony Nominations at the 18th Annual Awards Ceremony, and the OBC (Original Broadway Cast) Recording was inducted into the Grammy’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Blumenthal Performing Arts

They haven't fixed the clunky storytelling or finally used actual Fanny Brice material, but FUNNY GIRL still scores big when it comes equipped with an electrifying lead and a top-notch cast.

Which Shows Had the Biggest Overhaul From Out-of-Town Tryout to Broadway Opening?

This time, the reader question was: which Broadway shows had the biggest overhaul from their out-of-town tryout to their Broadway opening?

Hello, Gorgeous: FUNNY GIRL is Produced for the First Time in Brazil

Funny Girl gets a Brazilian production directed by Barchilon, starring Giulia Nadruz and Eriberto Leao as protagonists. With score by J. Styne, and lyrics by B. Merrill, the semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, featuring her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein.

Photos/Video: Go Inside Stephen Sondheim's $7M Manhattan Townhouse

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home is now for sale. The 7 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse in East Midtown has been listed by Michael J. Franco at Compass for $7M. 

Cast Set for Red Bull Theater 2023 Short New Play Festival

Red Bull Theater has revealed the cast for the eight world premieres selected for the company’s 13th annual Short New Play Festival.

Red Bull Theater Reveals Short New Play Festival 2023 Winning Submissions

Red Bull Theater has announced the eight world premieres selected for the company’s 13th annual Short New Play Festival.

Ignacio López Tarso, Gran Actor Del Cine, Teatro Y Televisión De México

La Secretaría de Cultura del Gobierno de México y el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (Inbal) lamentan el fallecimiento este sábado 11 de marzo de 2023 del primer actor Ignacio López Tarso. 

Submissions Now Open for Red Bull Theater's SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL 2023

Red Bull Theater is now accepting submissions for their ANNUAL SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL. Six brand new 10-minute plays of heightened language and classic themes inspired by this year’s theme: “Forbidden Love” will be selected through an open submission process.

Listen: Joe DiPietro Discusses DIANA THE MUSICAL And Upcoming Only Make Believe Gala On WHY I'LL NEVER MAKE IT

Playwright and lyricist Joe DiPietro (Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It) sat down with Patrick Oliver Jones, for this week's episode of Why I'll Never Make It, to talk about his long history with theatrical children's charity Only Make Believe as well as a couple of his shows that struggled coming to and surviving on Broadway. Listen here!

Joey Hoeber And Denise Tyrrell Present THE REALISTIC JONESES

Joey Hoeber and Denise Tyrrell present Will Eno's THE REALISTIC JONESES. Running at September 9th - 25th running at The Playhouse in San Anselmo.

World Premiere Musical TIME STOPS is Coming to the Kravis Center

A poignant and powerful story of love and loss will make its theatrical debut this summer when TIME STOPS – A World Premiere New Musical comes to the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on July 15 – 17, 2022.

Academy Museum Announces 2022-2023 Exhibitions

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures today announced the first round of exhibition rotations, which are scheduled for the 2022–2023 season. These rotations further the museum’s mission to advance the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through dynamic and diverse exhibitions.

East Lynne Theater Company Announces 2022 Season

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company  has announced its upcoming 2022 Season, both virtual and live.