InDepth InterView: Beowulf Boritt - Part 2: CLINTON: THE MUSICAL, PRINCE OF BROADWAY, New JOSEPH & ANNIE Tours & Much MoreApril 7, 2015Today we are continuing our expansive ongoing discussion with Tony Award-winning scenic design visionary Beowulf Boritt. Continuing the exhaustive discussion of this week's spectacular one night only concert event PARADE, Boritt outlines the visual high-points of the evening as well as offers an explanation of the impetus for many of the ideas behind the inventive design for the unique event. Additionally, Boritt opens up about his other work at Lincoln Center over the years, including Manhattan Concert Productions presentation of RAGTIME and his Tony Award-winning work on the Moss Hart drama ACT ONE, which will be shown on PBS as part of LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER later this year. Furthermore, Boritt shines a light on his multiple other current musicals running or opening soon - the revival of ON THE TOWN on Broadway, plus HAND TO GOD opening soon and Off-Broadway's CLINTON: THE MUSICAL. Plus, Boritt details his work on a dizzying array of current tours and recent mainstage mountings of musicals ranging from the national tours of ANNIE and JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT to his work on LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, LITTLE DANCER, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS in the West End and far beyond. As if all that were not enough, Boritt also looks ahead to the 2016 Tokyo production of the Harold Prince revue PRINCE OF BROADWAY and comments on rumors of an impending New York return of THE TOXIC AVENGER while sharing first news on his involvement with a number of new productions including the Keira Knightley-led revival of THERESE RAQUIN and the forthcoming revival of A BRONX TALE. All of that and much, much more in this concluding portion of our extended chat with one of Broadway's best visual artists.
SOUND OFF Special Edition: 10 Totally Awesome Features Of Disney Musical Projects - FROZEN, BEAUTY, TANGLED, Etc.April 8, 2015What a renaissance - again! Although the period beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID in 1989 through to the doubleheader of POCAHANTAS in 1995 and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME in 1996 and ending with MULAN in 1997 is considered by House Of Mouse superfans and many entertainment enthusiasts as the official Disney Renaissance era - meaning the company once again came to major prominence as a direct result of its animated musicals - it very much looks as if an entirely new type of Disney rebirth is in the process of occurring, spurred on by the worldwide success of the esteemed company's most successful animated feature to date, the highly theatrical and Broadway pedigreed FROZEN. Of course, in any way matching an era which in addition to MERMAID, POCAHANTAS, HUNCHBACK and MULAN shepherded BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING from inspiration to actuality would be a high order, if not outright impossible, yet it seems that the recent, current and upcoming spate of ingenuously timed and expertly devised projects that Disney possesses at the moment could put them in that stratospheric level of uber entity once again in the industry - and in the hearts and minds of millions around the world, as well.
InDepth InterView: Michael Mott - Part 2: Inside Look at THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS HOW At 54 Below & MOB WIFE, FAUSTUS, Etc.April 6, 2015One of the most idiosyncratic and undeniably gifted composers and lyricists to emerge this century, Michael Mott has taken the theatre world by storm with his absolutely spectacular collection of compositions titled WHERE THE SKY ENDS: THE SONGS OF MICHAEL MOTT and now Mott discusses the finer points of his newest concert event occurring at 54 Below this week featuring an all-star cast, THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS HOW, as well as highlights some of the new material being presented in the exciting evening. In addition to some spectacular selections from WHERE THE SKY ENDS, Mott and company will also be premiering several fresh songs from Mott's new musicals currently in development, including the 70s-era mafia-themed musical comedy MOB WIFE and the epic and imaginatively conceived new mythical musical FAUSTUS. Besides the songs from new musicals, Mott will also be showcasing a few new pop compositions that he has recently completed including 'Minefield Of Love' which had its debut last month in the 54 Below show ITHACA COLLEGE AT 54 BELOW. Plus, Mott shares details of a new song specifically commissioned for young rising musical theatre star Emma Howard of MATILDA fame, 'Fly High', as well as what he boasts may be his most challenging and impressive showstopper to date, which is set to be performed by musical theatre superstar Jeremy Jordan, 'Rise Or Fall' from FAUSTUS. All of that and much, much more in this expansive continuing conversation with one of Broadway's brightest creative forces.