Interview: Barry Pearl's FOOTLOOSE & Always Fancy-Free
Panic! Productions & BarCinBoo Productions’ Footloose the Musical will open at the Colony Theatre March 2, 2024 (with previews beginning March 1st). Barry Pearl directs with co-director/choreographer Michelle Elkin. Barry managed to free up some time to give me some behind-the-scenes of Footloose.
Interview: Michelle Elkin on Choreographing FOOTLOOSE: The Musical at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
Michelle Elkin made her professional debut at the age of 8 in the movie musical Annie. Since then, her resume includes working in numerous film, television, commercial, and theater projects as a dancer and choreographer. After recently choreographing the teen musical 13 at Simi Valley Cultural Center, Michelle is returning to the venue as co-director (with Barry Pearl) and choreographer of Footloose: The Musical with book by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford and Kenny Loggins, running April 22 – May 14, 2023. I decided to speak with her since about the production as well as some of the iconic shows on which she has previously worked.
Photos: First Look at 5-Star Theatrical's Production of RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL
5-STAR THEATRICALS is presenting the first show of its 2023-2024 season, the Tony Award winning, RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL, book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, conductor and musical direction by Tom Griffin, choreography by Michelle Elkin and directed by Jeffrey Polk. Check out photos from the production here!
BROADWAY @ THE Presents ROCK MY SOUL, March 27
BROADWAY @ THE, the hit monthly musical celebration showcasing top artists from the Broadway, Film/TV, Music, and Comedy communities, returns to The Bourbon Room Hollywood Monday, March 27th @ 7PM PST with ROCK MY SOUL.
Review: 13: THE MUSICAL at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
In the staging of 13 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, the kids are more-than-allright; occasionally a little rough around the edges, but so is this musical. Frequent Panic helmer Barry Pearl, music director Lloyd Cooper and a rocking company of 19 give this heartfelt ode to self-discovery both the sizzle and friskiness it deserves.
Interview: Getting to Know Barry Pearl on his Third Time Directing 13 THE MUSICAL
Panic! Productions, along with Born To Perform Studios and BarCinBoo Productions, Inc. have announced that Barry Pearl will once again direct their late summer teen musical 13, this time at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. This will be Pearl's third time working with Panic! Productions and also his third time directing the musical on the West Coast. I decided to speak with Barry about his connection to the teen musical and what inspired him to direct it for the third time, as well as how it may differ from his previous incarnations.