Riley Briggs

BWW Review: THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Goodspeed Opera House
by Joseph Harrison - May 13, 2018

Every once in a while, a person is born who is destined to influence the world in ways yet to be seen. Sometimes these men and women are born into a position of power, such as a king or queen, and other times they do whatever it takes to become great and powerful business or political leaders on the backs of others. But once in a blue moon there comes a man who gains fortune and fame for simply being someone who people connect with, who speaks the truth, and who does his best to make the world a better place than he left it. One such man is the sage from Oologah ,Oklahoma, William Penn Adair Rogers. As time passes, fewer and fewer people are alive who had first-hand experience reading Will Rogers' column, listening to him on the radio, or seeing his films. It is for that reason, that we are lucky a show like THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES exists, and even luckier that Goodspeed Musicals chose it for the opening production of its 2018 season. Telling his life story over the course of a Ziegfeld follies extravaganza (another thing that many today have no memory of), this dazzling, colorful, and heartwarming musical takes audiences on a journey from rags to riches with America's "Cowboy Philosopher".

Exclusive: Get A First Look At THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Goodspeed Musicals
by Alan Henry - Apr 19, 2018

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Goodspeed's THE Will Rogers FOLLIES! Telling the life story of humorist Will Rogers, the Tony-Award winning musical features a book by Peter Stone, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and music by Cy Coleman.THE Will Rogers FOLLIES begins performances on April 13th and will run through June 21st.

VIDEO: Cast and Creative Talk THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Goodspeed
by Alan Henry - Apr 3, 2018

Goodspeed presents THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES! Telling the life story of humorist Will Rogers, the Tony-Award winning musical features a book by Peter Stone, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and music by Cy Coleman.THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES begins performances on April 13th and will run through June 21st.

Catherine Walker to Lead Goodspeed's THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES
by Julie Musbach - Mar 2, 2018

Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 2018 season with the Broadway hit The Will Rogers Follies, A Life In Revue. The exuberant dance-filled musical will be running April 13 - June 21 at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn.

Photo Flash: World Premiere of ANASTASIA Opens at Hartford Stage!
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 6, 2016

The world premiere of the new musical ANASTASIA, starring Christy Altomare and Derek Klena, opened May 27 at Hartford Stage. The show plays through June 19. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside opening night!

Throwback Thursday: ANASTASIA Stars Derek Klena and Christy Altomare Sing from CARRIE
by Alan Henry - Mar 10, 2016

Anastasia will be led by Christy Altomare and Derek Klena. Klena and Altomare have worked together before in the revised production of CARRIE off-Broadway, directed by ALLEGIANCE's Stafford Arima. Today we're looking back on that production with a video of Altomare and Klena singing 'You Shine' from the CARRIE cast recording release event.

Christy Altomare and Derek Klena Will Reunite for Hartford Stage's World Premiere of ANASTASIA- Full Cast Announced!
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 9, 2016

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak has officially announced an electrifying cast of Broadway veterans for the premiere of the new musical ANASTASIA, which is inspired by the real life of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov and the enduring mystery of her true identity. ANASTASIA plays May 12 through June 12, 2016.

Matt Scott Steps in for Josh Franklin in Goodspeed's A WONDERFUL LIFE
by BWW News Desk - Nov 2, 2015

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Broadway's Matt Scott, who was last seen by Goodspeed audiences in the 2013 production of SNAPSHOTS at The Norma Terris Theatre, will assume the role of 'Sam Wainwright' for the remainder of the run of A WONDERFUL LIFE at Goodspeed Opera House through December 6th.

Goodspeed Announces Week-Long Extension for A WONDERFUL LIFE
by BWW News Desk - Oct 27, 2015

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. Just announced, A WONDERFUL LIFE will now play eight additional performances through Sunday, December 6, 2015 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn.

BWW Review: A WONDERFUL LIFE at Goodspeed Opera House
by Joseph Harrison - Oct 19, 2015

It's a tricky thing when a popular film is adapted for the musical stage. Sometimes it works and sometimes it simply falls flat. For A WONDERFUL LIFE, presented by Goodspeed Musicals, it falls somewhere in-between. To be fair, It's A Wonderful Life is not just a "popular film", it's practically an American institution, so the audience for A WONDERFUL LIFE, the musical adaptation by Sheldon Harnick (Book and Lyrics) and Joe Raposo (Music) most likely come to the show with a very clear expectation of what they will see. They expect encounters with George Bailey as he sacrifices his own dreams for those of his family and neighbors, the harrowing scene where, despondent, he decides to take his own life, Clarence the guardian angel, the truly detestable Mr. Potter, a lovely Mary, some fun "Hee Haw"s with Sam Wainwright, and let's not forget Zuzu's petals.

Photo Flash: First Look at Duke Lafoon, Ed Dixon, Josh Franklin, Kirsten Scott and More in Goodspeed's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
by Christina Mancuso - Oct 16, 2015

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currently running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

A WONDERFUL LIFE, with Duke Lafoon, Brings Holiday Classic to Goodspeed Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 14, 2015

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currently running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. The official press opening is tonight, October 14, 2015.

Photo Flash: First Read-Through of Goodspeed's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - Duke Lafoon, Ed Dixon, Josh Franklin, Kirsten Scott and More!
by Christina Mancuso - Sep 24, 2015

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE is currentlyi running through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the first read through below!

STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek - Watch Goodspeed's A WONDERFUL LIFE in Rehearsal!
by Stage Tube - Sep 18, 2015

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE will run tonight, September 18, through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Duke Lafoon Stars as 'George Bailey' in Goodspeed's A WONDERFUL LIFE, Beginning Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Sep 18, 2015

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE will run tonight, September 18, through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015.

Duke Lafoon to Star as 'George Bailey' in Goodspeed's A WONDERFUL LIFE; Cast Announced!
by BWW News Desk - Aug 7, 2015

Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A Wonderful Life reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A Wonderful Life will run September 18 through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn.