Zachary Mackiewicz

Review: WEST SIDE STORY at Porthouse/Kent State University

What did our critic think of WEST SIDE STORY at Porthouse/Kent State University? In the fall of 1957, I had a mind-blowing experience. I saw the newly opened Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY. At the time, all I knew about the show was that it was based on ROMEO AND JULIET and it had opened to positive reviews two days before.

Photo Flash: Broadway Workshop and Project Broadway Present SWEET CHARITY

SWEET CHARITY returned to New York City last week at The Baruch Performing Arts Center for a sold out run! SWEET CHARITYwas produced by Broadway Workshop and Project Broadway as their 2018 Main Stage production. Scroll down for photos of the cast in action. 

Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with SWEET CHARITY at The Baruch Performing Arts Center

SWEET CHARITY is returning to NYC this June at The Baruch Performing Arts Center! SWEET CHARITY is produced by Broadway Workshop and Project Broadway as their 2018 Main Stage production. Scroll down for photos of the cast in rehearsals at Ripley Grier Studios. 

Photo Flash: Angelina Boris, Presley Ryan, Zach Kessel and More in Broadway Workshop's EMMA: A POP MUSICAL

This October, EMMA: A POP MUSICAL - JV EDITION presented two sold-out performances at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center in New York City. EMMA was produced by Broadway Workshop and Project Broadway as their 2017 Fall Workshop Production. Scroll down for photos of the cast in action!

Photo Flash: PIPPIN Returns to New York with Broadway Workshop & Project Broadway

This month, PIPPIN, returned to NYC for a sold out run at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in NYC. PIPPIN was produced by the Broadway Workshop and Project Broadway as their 2017 Main Stage production. Scroll down for photos of the cast in action!

Photo Flash: Sam Lips Takes Over as Title Character in PIPPIN National Tour - First Look!

The national tour of Pippin, featuring Sasha Allen and John Rubinstein, who created the role of Pippin in the 1972 original Broadway production, has welcomed Sam Lips to the cast as 'Pippin.' Check out a first look below!

BWW Reviews: Magical PIPPIN at the Peabody Opera House

Combining acrobatics with choreography (by Chet Walker) that recalls Bob Fosse's original work on the show, the current touring company of PIPPIN(book by Roger O. Hirson with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) at the Peabody Opera House provides quite an enjoyable spectacle. There's a circus-like quality (courtesy of Gypsy Singer) to this presentation that's unexpected, and even a bit magical, making it more suitable for the younger set than some versions, even though most of its sexier elements are still firmly intact. It's certainly well worthy of your time and attention.

Kyle Dean Massey to Remain with PIPPIN National Tour for Washington DC Engagement

The producers of the Tony-winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning November 4 at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. PIPPIN makes its Washington, D.C., premiere at the National Theatre December 16 through January 4, with Massey in the role.

Kyle Dean Massey to Join Cast of PIPPIN National Tour in Los Angeles Straight from Broadway

The Nederlander Organization and the producers of the Tony Winning revival of PIPPIN have announced that Kyle Dean Massey will assume the role of Pippin beginning Tuesday, Nov 4th at the Hollywood Pantages in Los Angeles. He will be replacing Matthew James Thomas who takes his final bow on Sunday, November 2nd.

BWW Reviews: Extraordinary Tony-Winning Revival of PIPPIN Somersaults into SoCal

Arguably, director Diane Paulus' greatest triumph to date is the spectacular new production of PIPPIN, the 2013 Tony-winning revival of Stephen Schwartz's trippy but winsome musical about the angst-riddled but hyper-aspirational young son of King Charlemagne, and his erratic, sometimes frustrating journey of self-discovery. In her marvelously inventive, re-imagined update---now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through November 9---Paulus brilliantly orients the topsy-turvy machinations of the entire story within the canvas-lined confines of a big-top circus. Here, the over-the-top performance troupe that 'guides' our hero's search for self-fulfillment aren't merely just actors (or 'players') but are also all agile, athletic circus performers that tumble, leap, and balance themselves for our (and Pippin's) entertainment pleasure. As expected, both Pippin and the audience are equally lulled into submission.

Photo Flash: On the Red Carpet for PIPPIN National Tour's Opening Night at Hollywood Pantages!

The 2013 Tony Award winning Best Revival of a Musical Pippin made its premiere earlier this week at L.A. Premiere at the Hollywood Pantages, where it will play through November 9th. Tickets are now on sale to the general public online at www.HollywoodPantages.com orwww.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787 or at the Hollywood Pantages Box Office located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard (Opens daily at 10am.) Check out a look back at the opening night's red carpet below!

Andrea Martin Joins PIPPIN on Tour Tonight in San Francisco

SHN previously announced that Andrea Martin, who won the 2013 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for creating the role of 'Berthe' in the Broadway production, would reprise the role in the final two weeks (beginning today, October 7 and running through October 19) of the San Francisco engagement at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre.

VIDEO: Matthew James Thomas & Sasha Allen Chat National Tour of PIPPIN

Stars Sasha Allen (Broadway's Hair) and Matthew James Thomas (Broadway's Pippin, Spider-Man) stopped by KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area News yesterday to discuss the musical.

BWW Reviews: PIPPIN Revival Hits the Heights - Now thru October 19th

The air was crackling with excitement on opening night for the much anticipated revival of Pippin at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre. And for good reason. The show won four Tony Awards last year including Best Musical Revival, with Diane Paulus taking home the Tony for Best Director. Patina Miller as the Leading Player took home Best Actress, while Andrea Martin won Best Featured Actress. Not to be outdone, the national tour signed Sasha Allen, Lucie Arnaz, and John Rubinstein, not to mention Canada's circus troupe, Les 7 doigts de la main. Talk about the wow factor. Pippin is an exuberant, extravaganza of a show and it plays now through October 19 at SHN's Golden Gate Theatre.

Andrea Martin to Reprise Tony-Winning Role in PIPPIN National Tour for Second Half of San Francisco Run

SHN has announced that Andrea Martin, who won the 2013 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for creating the role of 'Berthe' in the Broadway production, will reprise the role in the final two weeks (October 7-19) of the San Francisco engagement at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre.

STAGE TUBE: Sasha Allen Talks Leading PIPPIN in Denver

Below, from the PIPPIN National Tour launch in Denver, 'In Focus' host Eden Lane brings us her full one-on-one with Sasha Allen (a finalist on the 4th season on THE VOICE) who portrays the 'Leading Player'. Click to watch the interview!

STAGE TUBE: Stephen Schwartz and Diane Paulus Talk PIPPIN Tour

The national tour of Pippin launched in Denver this week, and host of 'In Focus' Eden Lane sat down for a one-on-one with composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz (GODSPELL, WICKED, Pippin, and more). Lane also met the director and driving force behind this re-imagined Pippin, Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus. This episode also includes highlights with cast members Matthew James Thomas as Pippin, Lucie Arnaz as Berthe, Sasha Allen (a finalist on the 4th season on THE VOICE) as Leading Player, and Tony Award-winner John Rubinstein, who created the role of Pippin in the 1972 original Broadway production. Click below to watch the interviews!

STAGE TUBE: Highlights from PIPPIN National Tour, Starring Sasha Allen, Matthew James Thomas & More!

Sasha Allen and Matthew James Thomas (filling in for Kyle Selig,) Lucie Arnaz, and more lead the new national touring production of Pippin, now playing in Denver. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Breaking: Matthew James Thomas Takes Over PIPPIN for Denver Tour Launch

Matthew James Thomas, who originated the role of PIPPIN in the current 2013 Tony Award winning revival, will perform the role of PIPPIN when the show launches its tour in Denver on September 6 and will play the entire Denver engagement. Kyle Selig will be taking a medical leave of absence for vocal rest from thePIPPIN tour. This all-new production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's PIPPIN is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers). PIPPIN plays The Buell Theatre September 6 through 20 only (Media Night: Sept.10). Tickets are on sale now at Denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.

Photo Flash: First Look at Sasha Allen & Kyle Selig in PIPPIN National Tour!

Sasha Allen and Kyle Selig lead the new national touring production of PIPPIN, launching next week on Sept. 6 in Denver. Check out a first look at the pair in just-released publicity images, via the Denver Center below!