Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE
VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of. How did that come about for both of you?
Ellenore Scott: Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival.
Ayodele Casel: I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in. Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.
PHANTOM Costume Exhibit Precedes Tour's Orpheum Engagement
In celebration of The Orpheum Theatre's upcoming engagement of Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the Orpheum, in partnership with Carriage Crossing and the Phantom North American Tour, is hosting a special limited-time free exhibit of selected Phantom costumes by the late Tony Award-winning designer Maria Björnson. Björnson's sketches as well as costumes from the production will be on display in Suite 555 at Carriage Crossing (4675 Merchants Park Cir., Collierville, TN) September 12-21, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 1pm-5pm. These exquisite original designs will be featured in the spectacular new touring production playing at The Orpheum Theatre September 24 – October 5.
Photo Coverage: Real Housewife Kandi Burruss Celebrates Opening Night in NEWSICAL
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and reality television star Kandi Burruss just joined the cast of off Broadway's smash comedy NEWSical The Musical for two weeks. NEWSical The Musical is the forever changing, completely un-sanitized musical mockery of all the news that's fit to spoof. From Honey Boo Boo to selfies, Pope Francis to Miley Cyrus, marriage equality to Obamacare, NEWSical The Musical sets all of today's biggest pop culture headlines to song. NEWSical The Musical plays daily (except Wednesdays) at Theatre Row on 42nd Street. Kandi Burruss' final performance will be Sunday, January 26th.
BroadwayWorld was there for Kandi's big opening night and you can check out photos from the evening below!
Jose Llana and Enrico Rodriguez Star in NYTB's COSTS OF LIVING Reading, 11/7 & 8
New York Theatre Barn will present a free private reading of the new musical Costs of Living November 7 and 8 in the Theatre District. Jose Llana (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Enrico Rodriguez (Zanna, Don't!, Rent) will star. Costs of Living, with book, music and lyrics by Timothy Huang, was a selection of Stephen Schwartz's 2012 ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop and a 2012 American Harmony Prize finalist.
Photo Coverage: 20th Annual Kleban Awards
Last night, Monday June 21, the Kleban Foundation hosted a cocktail reception honoring the winners of the 20th Annual Kleban Awards for the most promising musical theater lyricist and librettist. 2010 Kleban Award winners are Peter Mills (the most promising musical theater lyricist) and Barry Wyner (the most promising musical theater librettist). The event also included performances of the winners' material. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the evening and brings you full coverage of the celebration below.
The Fifth Annual Kevin Kline Awards Held, 3/22
The Fifth Annual Kevin Kline Awards will take place on Monday, March 22, at 7pm, at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University. 125 productions presented by 40 constituent theatres were judged in 2009, and awards will be given out in 22 categories.
The Fifth Annual Kevin Kline Awards Held 3/22, Tickets On Sale
The Fifth Annual Kevin Kline Awards will take place on Monday, March 22, at 7pm, at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University. 125 productions presented by 40 constituent theatres were judged in 2009, and awards will be given out in 22 categories.
Stages St. Louis Awarded 27 Kevin Kline Nominations
STAGES ST. LOUIS was recognized today with 27 Kevin Kline Award nominations, the most it has ever received in one year, for all four of its 2009 productions. STAGES was the top recipient of total nominations for the Awards, which honor professional theatre in the St. Louis area. The 5th Annual Kevin Kline Awards Ceremony will be held March 22nd, 2010 at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University.
BWW Review: Evergreen, A Musical Holiday Fantasy
Sometimes, Christmas vacations come at a terribly inconvenient time. For a personal example, I left New York for the holidays just as Prospect Theater Company's newest musical, Evergreen, debuted. As such, I only got to attend the show on the day it closed. This is somewhat of a tragedy, because given the opportunity, I would have returned several times and encouraged the rest of New York to do the same.
NAMT Announces Additional Casting for 21st annual Festival of New Musicals
The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and Executive Director Kathy Evans announced the writers for the Songwriters Showcase, which will be Co-hosted by David Zippel & Dee Hoty as well as additional casting for the eight musicals in the 21st Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th St) on Monday, October 19 and Tuesday, October 20, 2009.