Give Me Your Answer, Do! 1999

EMMY and GRAMMY-award winning singer, songwriter, and actress Jasmine Cephas Jones proudly unveiled her debut album PHOENIX. The captivating 13-track album finds Jasmine boldly stepping into herself as an artist and as a woman, delivering a poignant, passionate, and powerful body of work anchored by simmering R&B soundscapes laced with neo-soul attitude. Listen to the album now!

GOLDEN GIRLS is one of those TV shows – you know the ones I mean. Those with a fan base whose members would murder to preserve the sanctity of the show in question. It was brave then to stage a show comprising four episodes of this beloved sitcom – but it proved an excellent choice because GOLDEN GIRLS at the Masque Theatre is superb.

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.

Next up at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Tony Award-winning Jelly’s Last Jam opening June 2, 2024 (with previews starting May 29th). Kent Gash directs the cast led by John Clarence Stewart as Jelly Roll Morton, Cress Williams, Jasmine Amy Rogers; Wilkie Ferguson III, Karole Foreman, Eric B. Anthony, Doran Butler, Chante Carmel, Cyd Charisse Glover-Hill, Summer Nicole Greer, Janaya Jones, Grasan Kingsberry, Amber Liekhus, Davon Rashawn, Joe Aaron Reid, Naomi C. Walley and Hannah Yosef. I had the chance to chat with John Clarence while he was navigating Los Angeles traffic.

What did our critic think of ONCE at Wilbury Theatre Group?

Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino and other celebrities visited Japan for Osaka Comic Con 2024 held from May 3rd for three days. 'Osaka Comic Con' is a pop culture festival that provides opportunities for communication with celebrities and exhibits props used in movies. Here, we bring you the highlights of the talk show featuring these two who co-starred in the MARVEL’s 'Loki' during the event. Tom Hiddleston : A talented actor known for his role as Loki in 'Avengers' series, having won numerous awards including the Golden Globe. His notable works include dramas like 'Loki.' Sophia Di Martino : Became instantly famous for her role as Sylvie in the series “Loki”.

Fair Play aims to increase the participation of working class people in Theatre. Stef O'Driscoll explains why it's needed and what it's going to do.

BroadwayWorld talks to director Jeffrey Lo about his poetic and visually striking production of the Tennessee Williams classic 'The Glass Menagerie' running at San Francisco Playhouse through June 15th.

Theater artist Leslie Ayvazian is bringing her latest experiments in “mercurial minimalism” to Pangea. Starting May 7 and running through July 23 she boldly chronicles her coming of age in the ‘60s and ‘70s and the lingering legacies of genocide. We spoke with Ayvazian about the upcoming shows and the inspiration behind them.

BroadwayWorld spoke with playwright Jocelyn Bioh about her inspiration for Jaja's African Hair Braiding, why the success of the play was so meaningful, her organization Black Women on Broadway, and much more. Read the interview here!

MENA ARTS UK has announced that it will be closing its doors. Read the full statement here.

Rae Davenport is one of the stars of PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL at Orpheum Theater. Read our chat with Rae!

The world premiere of John Strysik’s Power and Light is currently running in rep at Theatre 40. Jeff G. Rack directs this story of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the beginnings of electricity with the cast of David Hunt Stafford, Eric Keitel, Warren Davis, John Combs, Richard Large, Bailey Castle, Mandy Fason and Kurtis Bedford. Jeff graciously made time out of his multi-tasking weekend to answer a few of my queries.

I am delighted to have had a chance to interview Jill Van Velzer who plays the role of Mrs. Burke in GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. An accomplished actress, Velzer has also toured with productions of Phantom of the Opera and King & I, in addition to acting in numerous regional productions.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 11, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Spencer Glass, career coach for actors and actor himself, dives deep into the reality of booking jobs, and coming to terms with the fact that actors can't be a fit for everyone and every piece. 

Broadway World had the pleasure of recently talking with Todd Newton.  Mr. Newton is an accomplished author, social media creator, and master of ceremonies.  He is coming to the Hershey Theater on April 16 as host of The Price is Right Live! After reading the interview, we encourage you to “come on down” and experience the fun.

The 2024 Olivier Awards are fast approaching on April 14. Ahead of one of the most exciting nights in theatreland, our critics – Aliya Al-Hassan, Mica Blackwell, Alexander Cohen, Katie Kirkpatrick, Kat Mokrynski, Gary Naylor, Kerrie Nicholson, Matthew Paluch and Christiana Rose share their thoughts about who and what will triumph on the night, as well as who should twin each category.

We chat with Jonathan Kline on Art at Brampton On Stage. Curtain up on a piece of modern art: A white painting. A white canvas, with white background. White lines. How much would you pay for it? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art?

BroadwayWorld readers know the theater is blessed with talented people who not only perform on the stage but also manage operations behind the scenes. From tech crews, producers, directors, and writers, to publishers, instructors, and dramaturgs, these folks have their own “stage presence” that leans toward the creative side of this craft.