TheatreZone closed their sold-out run of "George M!" with a surprise audience guest who's no stranger to George M. Cohan's trademark songs and signature performance style. George M. Cohan III, George M. Cohan's great-great nephew and Florida resident, came to enjoy "Over There," "Give My Regards to Broadway," and, of course, "You're a Grand Old Flag," complimenting the theatre on their moving tribute to the theatre icon. BroadwayWorld has photos of Cohan's appearance below!
Artistic Director Mark Danni, show choreographer Karen Molnar and George Cohan actor Charlie Logan got to sit down and spend some time with the Cohan descendant and hear stories of George's talent and humbleness - a quality not highlighted in either the Broadway musical or movie musical classic "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
Also featured in the production are Shawn Sears as father Jerry Cohan, Megan Jimenez as mother Nellie Cohan, Brittany Halen as sister Josie Cohan, Brittany Ambler as Cohan's first wife Ethel Levy, Juliet Jewett as Cohan's second wife Agnes Nolan, Kara Konken as Broadway diva Fay Templeton and Christopher Lewis as best friend and partner Sam H. Harris.
The Ensemble cast, singing and dancing through dozens of costume changes, consists of Adolpho Blaire, Dennis Clark, Danae DeShazer, Josh Kolb, Lauren Raleigh and Brett Warner.
This production was directed by Mark Danni, music directed by Charles Fornara, choreographed by Karen Molnar, sets designed by Tlaloc Lopez-Watermann, lighting designed by Anne Carncross, costumes designed by Irene Molnar and stage managed by Danielle Ranno.
"George M!" focuss on Cohan's life and show business career from his early days in vaudeville with his parents and sister to his later success as a Broadway singer, dancer, composer, lyricist, theatre director and producer. Known as "the father of musical theatre," Cohan published more than 500 songs in his lifetime. The 1968 Broadway production starred actor Joel Grey. The show won the Tony Award for Best Choreography (Joe Layton) and the Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance (Bernadette Peters).
For more information, visit www.theatrezone-florida.com.
Actors Shawn Sears, Charlie Logan, Megan Jimenez and Brittany Halen with George M. Cohan III (center)
Actor Charlie Logan, George M. Cohan III and director Mark Danni
Choreographer Karen Molnar, George M. Cohan III and director Mark Danni
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