Rodney Thompson

Kayla Davion, Michael Hayden, and More Join ELF THE MUSICAL

A cast of Broadway and TV stars have been announced to join the limited holiday engagement of Elf The Musical, coming to Broadway this November at The Marquis Theatre. Find out who's who in the cast of this special holiday show.

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.

Video: Stephen Mark Lukas Talks FUNNY GIRL Tour on CBS Los Angeles

Watch Stephen Mark Lukas, who plays Nick Arnstein in the National Tour of Funny Girl, discuss the production on CBS Los Angeles in the video here!

Interview: FUNNY GIRL's Stephen Mark Lukas's the Go-To Nick Arnstein for Six Fanny Brices

The North American tour of Funny Girl lands in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson April 2, 2024, and later at Segerstrom May 28. 2024. Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs the cast of Melissa Manchester, Katerina McCrimmon, Stephen Mark Lukas, Izaiah Montaque Harris, Walter Coppage. Leah Platt, Cindy Chang, Eileen T’Kaye, David Foley Jr., Vinny Andaloro, Lamont Brown, Kate E. Cook, Julia Grondin, Jackson Grove, Alex Hartman, Dot Kelly, Ryan Lambert, Kathy Liu, Meghan Manning, Bryan Charles Moore, Sami Murphy, Emily Anne Nester, Hannah Shankman, Jordon Taylor, Rodney Thompson, Sean Thompson and Annaliese Wilbur. I had the chance to chat with Stephen (Nick Arnstein to Katerina’s Fanny Brice) over the phone during his stint at the Connor Palace Playhouse Square in Cleveland.

FUNNY GIRL Comes to the Ahmanson Next Month

FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited four-week engagement from Tuesday, April 2 to Sunday, April 28, 2024. The press opening is Wednesday, April 3. 

FUNNY GIRL is Coming to the Orpheum Theatre in April

The North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL is coming to BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre for a limited four-week engagement this spring. See who is starring in the tour and learn how to purchase tickets.

FUNNY GIRL is Coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in April

FUNNY GIRL is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited four-week engagement this spring. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Interview: Jackson Grove Talks FUNNY GIRL At Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis

We chat with Minnesota native and cast member Jackson Grove about Funny Girl and being back in Minnesota! 

The North American Tour Of FUNNY GIRL Comes to St. Louis This January

The producers of FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, are delighted to announce full casting for the North American Tour coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis for a limited two-week engagement from January 23 to February 4.

Review: A Dazzling Revival of FUNNY GIRL Ushers in All the Laughs at Straz Center for The Performing Arts

Funny Girl is a semi-autobiographical comedic musical about the life and times of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, and her tumultuous relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. With a musical score by Jules Styne, lyrics by Bob Merill, and featuring a book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl first opened on Broadway in 1964 featuring Barbara Streisand in the starring role, and was produced by Fanny’s own son-in-law Ray Stark. The first Broadway production received 8 Tony Nominations at the 18th Annual Awards Ceremony, and the OBC (Original Broadway Cast) Recording was inducted into the Grammy’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Photos/Video: First Look at the North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL

Hello, gorgeous! All new photos and video footage have been released from the North American Tour of Funny Girl. Check them out here!

Review: ROCK OF AGES at Music Theatre WIchita At The Capitol Federal Amphitheater In Andover, KS

WOW! What a fun show! I love some of the crazy lines that just pop up out of nowhere, like “Phil Collins can be kick ass sometimes!” Rock of Ages definitely lived up to its hype, and I was super fortunate to see this production. This well paced show boasted soooo many strong performances, I hardly know where to begin.

THE COLOR PURPLE's Rodney Thompson Takes Over Our Instagram!

The Muny is presenting Legally Blonde! Tune into our Instagram Story as Hayley Podschun takes you behind the scenes of her day at Legally Blonde at The Muny.

Photo/Video: First Look At THE COLOR PURPLE At The Muny

Get a first look at The Muny's production of The Color Purple, which began performances August 3rd and runs through August 9th, 2022.

VIDEO: Get A First Look At The Muny's THE COLOR PURPLE

Get a first look at The Muny's production of The Color Purple, which began performances August 3rd and runs through August 9th, 2022.

VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals For The Muny's THE COLOR PURPLE

Go inside rehearsals for The Muny's production of The Color Purple, which begins performances tonight and runs through August 9th, 2022.

Anastacia McCleskey Joins The Muny's THE COLOR PURPLE as Celie; Full Cast, Design and Production Teams Announced

The Muny announced its full cast, design and production teams for the Muny Premiere of The Color Purple, August 3 – 9, 2022.   Joining the previously announced principal cast of Tracee Beazer (Shug Avery), Nasia Thomas (Nettie), Evan Tyrone Martin (Mister), Gilbert Domally (Harpo) and Nicole Michelle Haskins (Sofia) is Anastacia McCleskey (Celie).

Sensory-Friendly Shakespeare Comes To Fredericksburg for One Day Only

Shakespeare gets a sensory-friendly makeover as it comes to Fredericksburg, Va.. In a special event on Saturday, April 2, Staunton-based Polaris Shakespeare Company is teaming with STEPVA, the local 501(c)3 theater arts nonprofit for people with disabilities, to host a dance workshop and sensory-friendly performance of the Bard's comedy As You Like It.

BWW Review: GREASE is The Word at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

America's Musical GREASE is an iconic, nostalgic musical that brings memories and earworms in droves. Lyric Theatre's Summer Production is presented outside at the Bishop McGuinness High School football stadium. Go back to high school with Sandy and Danny, The Pink Ladies, The T-Birds, and some gorgeous musical numbers. LTOK is systematic!

Outdoor Production of GREASE to be Presented by Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

 Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is inviting you to be a fan in the stands this summer when it presents the hit musical Grease at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Pribil Football Stadium. Grease follows a secret summer romance between the new girl in town and Rydell High School’s coolest cat.