Video: Audra McDonald Shares Her Take on Mama Rose in GYPSY
Audra McDonald is sharing some insights into how she thinks of the character of Mama Rose. The Tony-winning performer will be taking on the iconic role in Gypsy beginning in November and McDonald visited Good Morning America to talk about the show and give audiences an idea of what they can expect.
GYPSY Casts Rescue Dogs in the Role of 'Chowsie'
The Broadway revival of Gypsy has announced the furry friends who will be taking the stage in the role of 'Chowsie'. Tana June and Indy, two rescues from Homeward Bound in Elkhart, Indiana. Tana June will play the role, with Indy understudying. Meet the dogs here.
Photos: MCC Celebrates Opening Night of THE LONELY FEW
MCC just celebrated opening night of The Lonely Few, a new musical with a book by Rachel Bonds, music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak, and directed by Trip Cullman and Ellenore Scott. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the big day and you can check out photos here.
Review: 70, GIRLS, 70 at Lonny Chapman Theatre
70, Girls, 70 is an absolutely delightful gem of a musical from the award-winning Group Repertory Theatre at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, CA. Directed with genius comedy by industry legend Bruce Kimmel, this 1970s period show is funny, bright-hearted, poignant, and magnetically uplifting.
Lauren Patten, Ciara Renee, and More Will Lead THE LONELY FEW at Geffen Playhouse
Geffen Playhouse today announced the full cast for its world premiere musical The Lonely Few, with book by Rachel Bonds (Sundown, Yellow Moon; Michael & Edie), music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak (A Crossing, Galileo), and directed by Trip Cullman (Choir Boy, Significant Other) and Ellenore Scott (Funny Girl, Mr. Saturday Night). The Lonely Few is produced in association with FourthWall Theatrical (This American Wife, Jagged Little Pill).
BWW Blog: Now Is The Time/No Time Like The Present
I've been acting since 1989 - a union member of both major acting unions since the late 1990's/early 2000's. During my career, I've been described as a 'working actor,' an 'actor's actor' and/or 'a blue collar actor.' There have been times where even though I have called myself, with outward pride, an actor; internally, I've felt lacking. I never went to a four-year acting program. I actually started out as a visual artist, attending art school after high school. But even as a child in North Carolina, I'd strike poses in my bedroom mirror, as if I was appearing in the opening credits of shows like 'Hawaii Five-O,' humming the theme song as I vamped it up. I had the dream, but I honestly didn't even know there was such a thing as an acting school.
BWW Review: ON THE GROUNDS OF BELONGING at Long Wharf Theatre
Racism and homophobia reign in 1950s Houston, the setting of Ricardo Pérez González's world premiere of On the Grounds of Belonging. The play begins as white drag queen Thomas Aston (Jeremiah Clapp) from whites only gay bar, The Red Room, hides from a raid at The Gold Room, a blacks only gay bar. Thomas falls head over his high heels for Russell Montgomery (Calvin Leon Smith), a quiet, erudite journalist who has a not too distant past with fellow patron Henry Stanfield (Blake Anthony Morris). But against the advice of bar manager Hugh Williams (Thomas Silcott), Thomas and Rusty begin a serious love affair. This is not a good time or place to be an interracial gay couple, but their biggest threat is Henry, who bashes Thomas in the head out of jealousy and hurt. Mooney Fitzpatrick (Craig Bockhorn), the gay and bigoted owner of the two gay bars, tells Russell that Thomas, whom he loved like a son, died of his wounds. He threatens to lynch the person who killed him. Sounds a bit like Romeo and Juliet, but neither character dies at the end. They are just separated seemingly forever. Rounding out this excellent ensemble is Tanya Starr (Tracey Conyer Lee), a torch singer at The Gold Room, who helps Henry escape. All the cast members are genuine in their roles, playing them without stereotypes. You can't help but feel their loneliness. Bockhorn is chilling as a man who, with his partner, took in a very young orphaned Thomas, yet is vindictive enough to lynch someone. Lee is a talented singer as well as actress.