Elliot Lanes

Today is the last installment of out weeklong series Sister Act: Behind The Habit. I hope you have enjoyed learning about how Ford's Theatre's production of Sister Act comes to life on and offstage eight times a week. So far, we have met three of the cast and the show’s musical director. Today we are going up over the mezzanine to the stage manager’s booth to meet Ford’s Theatre’s longtime Production Stage Manager (PSM) Craig A. Horness.

Today’s subject Elizabeth Bruce is currently living her theatre life as the co-host and co-creator of the Creativists in Dialogue podcast. A series that covers a variety of topics as they relate to creativity. The series can be heard on Substack and Spotify.

Today is our fourth installment of Sister Act: Behind The Habit series. So far this week we have met three performers that bring the show to life onstage eight performances a week. Today we are going to meet the man that sits in front of the performers in the orchestra pit conducting and playing one of the keyboards as part of the red hot eight piece Sister Act band. Please meet Maestro William Yanesh.

Today is the third installment of out weeklong series Sister Act: Behind The Habit. It’s time to introduce you to one more performer who brings the show to life eight times a week and this one is a legend of the DC theatre community to be sure. Sherri L. Edelen plays Mother Superior and trust me, it’s a performance for the holy books and beyond.

Today in our weeklong series Sister Act: Behind The Habit, you are going to meet another one of the performers to makes the show come alive eight performances a week. Please meet Joe Mallon who plays Eddie Souther.

Today we begin a week long series of interviews with some of the artists that are bringing Ford’s Theatre’s production of Sister Act to life. Through five interviews, you will be introduced to three performers, the Musical Director, and the Production Stage Manager. I hope these artists give you a sense of what it is like being a part of a production both on and off stage. Please enjoy Sister Act: Behind The Habit.

Today’s subject Megan Fairchild has been dancing with New York City Ballet (NYCB) since 2001. She started as an apprentice before joining the company as a member of the corps de ballet. In 2005 she became a principal dancer. NYCB is performing Coppélia week at Kennedy Center in the Opera House and this evening, if you choose to attend as you should, You will see Megan Fairchild perform in the role of Swanilda. If you are unable to attend this evening, the ballet plays through March 30th.

Today’s subject Rayanne Gonzales is currently living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre in a role she is very familiar with. Through May 4th in Signature’s MAX space, Rayanne is portraying Abuela Claudia in In The Heights.

Today’s subject Sabrina Lynne Sawyer is currently living her theatre life onstage at Folger Theatre playing Ophelia in the World co-Premiere of A Room in The Castle. The show is a product of the company’s Reading Room Series and runs through April 6th.

Today’s subject Liz Larsen has been living her theatre life for many years turning out stellar performances onstage, on many recordings, and beyond. You can currently see her knockout talents at Arena Stage in the new musical The Bedwetter which runs through March 16th in Arena’s Kreeger Theatre space.

I first came to know the talents of Ellie Holcomb when my wife and I were on vacation in Nashville and saw her blow a hole in the roof at Ryman Auditorium. Her pixie like quality, superb vocals and true musicianship introduced me to a true talent in contemporary Christian music and beyond. Her singer-songwriter husband, Drew Holcomb, made a cameo appearance in that concert, and it was then that you saw the love and true joy this couple has for each other when performing together.

Today’s subject Jordan Slattery is currently living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre playing the role of Jane in Job. The production runs through March 16th in Signature’s ARK space.

Longevity is becoming rarer and rarer in the performing arts. Today’s subject Jennifer Tipton has been a lighting designer for theatre, opera, ballet, and more for over 65 years and in the process has given us a body of work that is unparalleled. Her current project American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT’s) production of Crime and Punishment will be playing at Kennedy Center in the Opera House from February 12th through the 16th.

During the pandemic, musical theatre lovers were hit with withdrawal. Apple TV took us out of our funk when Schmigadoon hit the air in July of 2021. The series took an original story line and based it around a specific genre of musical theatre. The result had us laughing and singing along for two seasons. The first season was more of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic variety of musical while season two had more of a Chicago/Pippin vibe. For whatever reason, the third season was written but Apple TV elected not to go into production with it.

Today’s subject Kaitlyn Jackson is currently living her theatre life on tour playing multiple characters which include Beverley the pilot in the North American Tour of Come From Away. The show will be in our area from January 31st to February 2nd at Capital One Hall.

Today’s subject Barry Edelstein is currently living his theatre life as the Artistic Director of San Diego’s renowned Old Globe. On January 30th he will be giving a special presentation on putting together his adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry VI plays entitled Henry 6. at our very own Folger Theatre as part of their third annual Reding Room Series which runs from January 30th through February 2nd.

Today’s subject Taha Mandviwala is currently living his theatre life on stage at Kennedy Center playing the title character in the North American Tour of Life of Pi. The show runs plays through January 5th in the Eisenhower Theater.