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.
The stage is alive in 24-25! Alberta Bair Theater has announced its 2024-2025 season packed with top-notch entertainment. Learn more about the full lineup here!
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 20, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed this weekend.
Chicago’s Raven Theatre Company has announced its upcoming productions and programming during the company’s 42nd season in 2024 - 2025. Learn more about the lineup here!
Read BroadwayWorld's interview with the Tony nominate choreographers of The Outsiders on Broadway - brothers Rick and Jeff Kuperman.
Cabaret singer Tammy Faye Starlite is bringing her show Nico Underground, exploring the subversive singer Nico perhaps best known for singing with the Velvet Underground. The show runs at Joe's Pub every Wednesday night at 9:30 pm from May 1 to May 22. We spoke with Tammy about the inspiration behind the show and the process of putting it together.
Experience the magic of spring with Boston Ballet's latest performance, featuring works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, and a world premiere by Ken Ossola.
It may, well, claim a spot as one of the best albums of the year.
Hedgerow Theatre Company is currently presenting The New Electric Ballroom, a modern classic from the pen of Irish playwright Enda Walsh. Learn more about the extension here!
London Theatre Week is the West End’s biggest promotion, giving you the chance to see over 50 amazing award-winning musicals and stunning plays with tickets from £15, £25 or £35
The Public Theater has revealed the complete cast for the New York premiere of SALLY & TOM, a bold new dramedy written by Pulitzer Prize winner and Public Theater Writer-in-Residence Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III.
Hedgerow Theatre presents Enda Walsh’s The New Electric Ballroom, a modern classic that explores the complexities of women of a certain age. Directed by Emma Gibson, this production features an all-female design and production team.
National Sawdust has revealed its Winter/Spring 2024 season. Learn how to purchase tickets!
HELL’S KITCHEN, conceived by the innovative mind of 15-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys, will make its Broadway premiere this spring! We have all the details on the show's transfer!
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.
Did you know that these Columbia alumni are behind some of Broadway’s biggest hits?
The Graduate, a novel-turned-cult classic film and play, is an award-winning coming-of-age story about a young man who, feeling adrift after college, seeks connection with an older woman. It’s a story that has aged well, with themes that are collectively engaging. Finding one’s purpose, uncertainty, and lust are combined with loyalty and love to create a timeless piece of Americana. Who better to infuse the iconic work with Mrs. Robinson’s signature sex appeal than a Sacramento theatre icon? Sultry, smoky, and sophisticated are what Natasha Hause breathes into Sierra Rep’s Mrs. Robinson, bringing high society to the historic Fallon House Theatre and breathless entertainment to her audiences. The four-time BroadwayWorld Award-winning actress and director spoke to us about her coveted role, plans beyond Mrs. Robinson, and her secrets of seduction.
Joni Mitchell has unveiled a never-before-heard song “Like Veils Said Lorraine” from the forthcoming Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975). Mitchell wrote “Like Veils Said Lorraine” and recorded it as a demo in late 1971/early 1972 at A&M Studios in Hollywood, CA. Watch the visualizer video for the song now!
Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2024 and be sure to check back as more engagements are added to the list!
Portland Center Stage will kick off their 2023-24 season with a spectacular high-energy musical that's all about community: directed by Isaac Lamb, HAIR begins preview performances on September 30, opens on October 6, and runs through November 5 on the mainstage.
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