Knock on Wood

BWW Interviews: Ali Ewoldt Embodies 'Maria' in WEST SIDE STORY

Ali Ewoldt, the standout star of the on-going national tour of the latest Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY, wanted to really follow her dreams. Though always drawn to musical theater all her life, she decided to graduate from Yale with a degree in Psychology, thinking it was a 'safer' bet than to pursue a life in the theater. But her dreams proved to powerful to ignore, prompting her to take on musicals full-tilt, culminating in her Broadway debut as Cosette in LES MISERABLES. Now she's wowing audiences across America with her take on Maria, in the smash hit revival of WEST SIDE STORY, now playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, CA through September 18. Before landing in Costa Mesa with the tour, Ewoldt chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos to talk about her early theater experiences and working with the late Arthur Laurents. (more...)

Broadway Bullet Interview: Ahrens and Flaherty

ONE OF THE GREATEST musical theatre teams fo the modern theatre, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, have amassed a hug canon of songs and shows knownt he world over. They drop by to talk to us about their new show, The Glorious Ones, now playing at Lincoln Center at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The team informs us of where they get their ideas, how they write, and the hardest hitting question: who comes first... Ahrens or Flaherty? (more...)

BWW EXCLUSIVE: Alan Menken Talks TANGLED, SISTER ACT, LEAP OF FAITH, HUNCHBACK, ALADDIN & More

This weekend I spoke to multi-Academy Award-winning composer and Broadway tunesmith Alan Menken about everything from his early stage work with lyricist and director Howard Ashman on LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS to their tenure virtually re-inventing the movie musical with their string of stirring scores for Disney animated films starting with THE LITTLE MERMAID in 1989, through to BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ALADDIN and, following Ashman's death, working with Stephen Schwartz on THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, POCAHANTAS and, most recently, ENCHANTED. Menken has also participated in adapting almost all of those projects to the stage in the intervening years, oftentimes composing several new songs. His newest stage projects to reach Broadway will be this season's SISTER ACT and the recent out of town tryout eyeing Broadway, LEAP OF FAITH. In this exciting conversation, we touch upon nearly all of these projects, plus discuss casting possibilities for his new Broadway shows and the projects on the horizon - among them, stage adaptations of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, NEWSIES and ALADDIN - and, at some point soon, ENCHANTED 2! Plus, will Angela Lansbury reunite with her BEAUTY & THE BEAST Academy Award-garnering collaborator to do SISTER ACT on Broadway? Over the course of our discussion, the Mouse Maestro - this melodic mastermind known as Menken - proved himself to be as easily enjoyable and affably likeable as his many multi-award-winning melodies for those marvelous film and stage musicals - for many of us born in the eighties, our very first introduction to musical theatre. (more...)

BWW Interviews: Scott RC Levy, Max Ferguson and Cory Moosman Discuss Fine Arts Center's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Starting today, the Fine Arts Center is delivering a love letter to musical comedy with The Drowsy Chaperone, a show the New York Times praised as 'a revved-up spoof of a 1920s song-and-dance frolic.' At a recent dress rehearsal I was able to sit down with several members of the cast and crew, beginning with Scott RC Levy, director of the Fine Arts Center who is making his Colorado acting debut as Man in Chair, the character guides the audience through the cast recording of the titular Jazz Age musical. (more...)

HANKS ON HEALTH: Why Women Athletes Are More Prone to Knee Injuries--And How to Avoid Them

Studies have shown that female athletes are more likely to damage their knee joint than their male counterparts. Here are the reasons why, and how active women of any age can attempt to keep serious knee injuries at bay. (more...)

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An Interview with Jenna Leigh Green of 'Bare'

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jenna Leigh Green, known to many in the general public from her TV and film work, but she's most known these days, especially to New York theater audiences as Ivy, star of the Off-Broadway hit, 'Bare: A Pop Opera.' (more...)

Library of Congress Hosts Events Celebrating Careers of Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine, 3/23

In conjunction with its exhibition "Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine: Two Kids from Brooklyn," the Library of Congress will present events on Saturday, March 23, focusing on the versatile entertainers. (more...)

"Cats" Eye View of Acting on the Road

An interview with two of the stars of the 25th Anniversary Tour of Cats, now at DC's Warner Theatre through March 18th. (more...)

Select Seating For ALADDIN World Premiere Now Available

Select seating for the world premiere musical stage production of Disney's classic animated film ALADDIN has now been made available byway of special subscription packages for the tuner, with 20% discounted seats as well as early bird discounts available through June 30. (more...)

BWW Blogs: 'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 30th, 2010

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Broadway In Chicago, 'Little Shop Of Horrors,' 'Nothing But The Blues,' 'Aida,' Jeff Bouthiette, more.... (more...)

Interview with Las Vegas Phantom Star Anthony Crivello

Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular's Anthony Crivello discusses life under the chandelier as the star of one of the theatre world's biggest hits! (more...)

Paramount Home Media Celebrates THE DANNY KAYE CENTENNIAL w/ Classic Films on iTunes

Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) announced today that four beloved films starring the incomparable Danny Kaye are available on iTunes for the first time ever in celebration of The Danny Kaye Centennial. (more...)

Photo Flash: DONNY & MARIE Light Up Toronto Skyline...

Toronto certainly has its share of 'headliners' this summer. Just this week, Hugh Jackman opened his one-man show at The Princess of Wales Theatre and Donny & Marie opened their two-week stint at the Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre, which is beautiful new venue that houses opera and ballets and has five tiers. Later this summer, Colm Wilkinson will be playing the same venue, in concert. (more...)

BWW Interviews: JERSEY BOYS' Jason Kappus

Coming to the Mahalia Jackson Theater on January 8 is the national tour of the hit show JERSEY BOYS, which allows audiences a close up look at Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' rise to stardom. The show features hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man." I recently spoke with Jason Kappus, who plays Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio, about the show, the music, and life on tour. (more...)

GYPSY OF THE MONTH: André Ward of 'Xanadu'

Venturing out of the chorus, André has had a lead in 'Pippin' regionally and a featured role in an ABC soap storyline. (more...)

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Ryan Steele!

In this week's edition, we caught up with Ryan Steele, who is starring as 'Specs' in NEWSIES- currently playing at the Nederlander Theatre! (more...)

SOUND OFF Special Interview: Robert Cuccioli At Feinstein's

Though most well-known to Broadway babies for his starring role in the original Broadway production of Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse's JEKYLL & HYDE, over the last few decades Robert Cuccioli has carved out quite a career for himself as a performer of considerable range, as his resume amply evidences: from LES MISERABLES and CAMELOT in the 80s and early 90s, to Maury Yeston's PHANTOM and the original Off-Broadway production of the Susan Stroman-directed Kander & Ebb revue AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND, as well as Woody Allen's CELEBRITY starring Kenneth Branagh, to JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS as well as a string of Shakespeare roles in the 00s, all the way up to today and his participation in three brand new original musicals - in between rehearsing Iago for an upcoming production of OTHELLO, of course - including: Bruce Hornsby's SCKBSTD, CUTMAN: THE BOXING MUSICAL, and his own solo show, A STANDARD LOVE. Discussing many aspects of these enterprises and much more - and even a comment or two on LONE STAR LOVE and the Quaids' shenanigans - Cuccioli also shares all about his upcoming appearance at Feinstein's in BROADWAY LIVE! and what we can expect from him on Monday night, as well as in the future, near and far - with his long-awaited solo album of romantic standards included! (more...)

Museum of the Moving Image Celebrates Danny Kaye, 4/27

Danny Kaye (1913-1987) was one of the most versatile, charismatic, and beloved entertainers of the 20th century. Museum of the Moving Image will present a special centennial tribute hosted by Dena Kaye, Danny Kaye's daughter, on Sunday, April 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m.The program will begin with a jam-packed, breathtaking 28-minute compilation "The Genius of Danny Kaye," with highlights from his remarkable career, followed by a conversation with Dena Kaye moderated by Chief Curator David Schwartz. Afterwards, the Museum will present a rare screening of Knock on Wood, which may be the best screen showcase for Kaye's many talents. (more...)

This Monday, April 12th, several of Broadway's finest will take to the stage at Symphony Space on the upper west side for a concert version of SNOOPY! The Musical. The event will benefit the Pied Piper Children's Theatre. I recently sat down with Jen Cody, Hunter Foster and Deven May to talk about their involvement in Monday's concert. (more...)

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