Kathy Strain - Page 4

Welcome to BWW's Coverage of SXSW Conference & Festivals 2018. This year there are so many great movies, musicians, innovators; new and old attendees. Every year, the same question comes up for those attending: “How can I choose which events to attend? How will I know I made the best choice?” There are bound to be decisions made that one feels was a bad choice. Other times, it will seem to be the best choice made. Often, one is heard to say things like, “I happened upon this event and it turned out to be the best of all of them.”

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER is a fun, whacky, entertaining show that won four Tony Awards including Best Musical. It seems to be a favorite by everyone. It's one that will entertain the entire family. As the show prepares to come to Austin, Texas, BWW caught up with Colleen McLaughlin who plays on of the love interests, Sibella Hallward.

In a recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee on a chilly December evening, four musicians came together for a visit and an impromptu jam session. That jam session at the famed Sun Record Studios would go down in history because the four musicians have become known as some of the greatest musicians in history. The four were Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. The evening was recorded by Sam Philips of Sun Record Studios and it was an evening that will never be forgotten for those in attendance. Currently on tour, the MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET relives that evening and includes many songs that have become so memorable for so many. As the show makes a stop in San Antonio at the Tobin Center, BWW caught up with Taylor Gray who portrays Jerry Lee Lewis to get his perspective on playing Jerry Lee Lewis and how performing in the show has impacted his life.

THE COLOR PURPLE is the story of a young girl named Celie who must overcome so many trials and troubles of growing up an African American girl in Georgia at the beginning of the 20th Century. She must navigate all of her personal problems while protecting the women around her. One important character in the story was Harpo, who stands beside the women and wants to not allow the past traditions impede his desire to protect all women. J. Daughtry currently plays the part of Harpo on the North American Tour of THE COLOR PURPLE. BWW caught up with Daughtry as the show prepares to open in San Antonio.

Many children growing up are given the opportunity to enjoy fairy tales and funny stories. One very popular show was always CINDERELLA. The story of the girl who lived in cinders with a mean stepmother and two stepsisters is the quindecennial story of rags to riches from sad to happy from hate to love! Rogers and Hammerstein created some wonderful music surrounding this story and it has been enjoyed by many generations.

FINDING NEVERLAND is a beautiful story of the man responsible for writing the beloved PETER PAN many years ago. J.M. Barrie is searching for the next great play and he realizes it's time to write a play just for children. The show opened on Broadway to great praise and success. In recent years, FINDING NEVERLAND began a national tour that leads them to Austin, Texas from January 16-21, 2018 at Bass Concert Hall. Most recently, John Davidson (best known for hosting That's Incredible and Hollywood Squares ) took over the dual role of Barrie's producer as well as Captain Hook in this wonderful tour that continues its trek across the country. BWW caught up with Davidson recently to discuss his past roles, hosting opportunities as well as landing such a fun role in FINDING NEVERLAND.

Rodgers and Hammerstein have been a household name for many years. Even younger generations know them as one of the greatest musical duo's in the history of Broadway. With the creation of THE KING AND I, Rodgers and Hammerstein proved that they would take their place in history amongst the greats.

With the holiday season in full swing, it's not surprising that a wonderfully iconic show would come through San Antonio, Texas just in time for Christmas. Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is everything you would hope to see in this classic movie brought to stage in 2017. As the show began, the music of years gone by played by the orchestra led you straight back to the days that are long gone and long forgotten. WHITE CHRISTMAS was a chance to feel the nostalgia for simpler times and memories of loved ones and celebrated with growing up.

The success of THE KING AND I over the years has been nothing short of remarkable. The movie version from the 1950's brought Yul Brynner to center stage as he played the role of this famous king. With so many incarnations of the iconic musical there have been quite a few actors who have worked hard to shed the Brynner version of the King and portray him in the way it's most comfortable for them. One such actor is veteran performer Jose Llana. BWW had the opportunity recently to chat with Llana as he is out on tour with THE KING AND I.

LIKE STARS, MOONIE is a two act play written and directed by thespian Morgan Clyde. Although comfortable onstage and starring in such local shows as SHREK THE MUSICAL as Princess Fiona and others, Clyde seems well adept at creating and directing this original work. LIKE STARS, MOONIE follows a seemingly normal, average all American family. Upon further viewing, we soon discover that things aren't as we would think.

The Playhouse in San Antonio is presenting a play by Nick Payne called CONSTELLATIONS and stars Jeff Jeffers and Kate Glasheen as Roland and Marianne; two people navigating life together and finding just what binds them.

As the audience files into the arena, it's evident that there is something magical about to happen on the ice rink below. It is adorned as one would expect a Cirque du Soleil event to be with the beautiful lights, sets and lighting effects. It is a show that will live up to its famous name and be a brand new experience.

THE KING & I is an award winning musical that has enthralled audiences for many years. From its Broadway Premiere in 1951, Rogers and Hammerstein's adaptation of Margaret Landon's novel, Anna and the King of Siam, and through many revivals and an award winning movie, it has been enjoyed by generation after generation. As the current tour returns to the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas, BWW had a chance to chat with Heather Botts who will be playing the role of Anna while Laura Michelle Kelly is taking a few weeks off.

It's hard to believe that RENT is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. But, from its debut on Broadway to the present, audiences have loved this great show that tackles important issues but at the same time manages to connect with the audience. BWW recently caught up with Lyndie Moe who is playing Maureen in the touring production. Moe shared with us her passion for the musical and why she relates to her character so well.

From the moment the THE BODYGUARD THE MUSICAL begins, the audience is immediately riveted towards the action and suspense happening on the stage. Start to finish, this production had the audience sitting on the edge of their seats. Even if you saw the movie THE BODYGUARD with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, there were still many twists, turns and surprises. You dared not look away from the action even for a moment. It was worth every second and every penny to be entertained from beginning to end.

Notre-Dame de Paris is a novel published in 1831 and written by famous author Victor Hugo. As it became popular throughout the world, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME became a beloved Disney story which later became a stage production. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz added new music to be included in this production. The Playhouse San Antonio was privileged to present the Texas premiere to a full theater. And the audience was very impressed.

Seth Glier's latest album is called BIRDS and is a true reflection of some difficult moments in Glier's life over the past two years including the loss of his brother, as well as watching all of the life-changing events occurring throughout the world. BWW sat down with Seth Glier to discuss with him the new album BIRDS and to find out about his own personal life lessons.

What can be said about THE PRINCESS BRIDE that has not already been said? It is one of those movies that many people quote word for word. They watch it over and over and over and over again. Fans can't get enough. It's the go to movie for friends who don't know what movie to watch when sitting around the TV. But, why is it so popular? BWW San Antonio had a chance to speak recently with Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts himself, Mr. Cary Elwes, about this movie and what has kept it going so strong for so long.

Kate Shindle seemed to be one of the busiest entertainers in the theater industry. When she's not busy with her responsibilities as president of Actor's Equity, she is also busy touring with the First National Tour of FUN HOUSE. As she prepares to come to San Antonio, Texas and the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, BWW caught up with her to see how she balances it all.

HAIRSPRAY continues to entertain audiences in San Antonio as it plays at the Playhouse. Recently, BWW San Antonio caught up with its two stars, Kass Ortiz as Tracy and David Nanny as Edna to chat about HAISPRAY, the characters and what the show means to them.