InDepth InterView 2010 Flashback: Lesley GoreFebruary 17, 2015Today we remember the iconic 1960s pop superstar and occasional musical theatre star who passed away earlier this week at 68, the one and only 'It's My Party' crooner herself, Lesley Gore, who generously participated in my InDepth InterView column way back in 2010 with an expansive and fascinating conversation covering her pop heyday, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, CARRIE and much more.
InDepth InterView: Beowulf Boritt - Part 1: An Inside Look At Manhattan Concert Productions' PARADEFebruary 18, 2015Today we are analyzing all aspects of the hotly anticipated concert event that occured at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on Monday featuring an all-star cast performing Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry's Tony Award-winning score and book - the Manhattan Concert Productions presentation of PARADE. Outlining his involvement in the unique theatrical event is acclaimed and versatile Tony Award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, who opens up about the exciting and idiosyncratic nature of a one night only event such as this as well as the opportunities available in designing for such a spectacular evening in order to bring his artistic vision to fruition. In addition to a thorough discussion of the themes and actual real history elemental to the musical itself and how Boritt has integrated those features into the visual landscape of the piece, he also sheds some light on the intensive design process and intimate collaboration with director Gary Griffin, composer/lyricist/conductor Brown, projection designer Jeff Croiter and lighting designer Jon Weston. Also, Boritt offers a first look at his inspiration for the design elements being created especially for the evening and how he is utilizing vintage photographs and actual historical pieces to maximize authenticity and accuracy in portraying the musical based on a true story occurring in 1915. All of that and much, much more in this expansive design-focused special feature with one of Broadway's brightest behind the scenes visionaries.