Musical theatre

that of San Francisco Iconic musical theater announced the titles for the upcoming 2021-2022 season in person from the company. The 2021-2022 season will feature THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (October 9 – November 7, 2021), ALL TOGETHER NOW from Music Theater International! A GLOBAL EVENT CELEBRATING LOCAL THEATER (12 – 15 November 2021), STEEL PIER (15 January – 19 February 2022), RUTHLES! THE MUSICAL (March 26 – April 30, 2022) and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (May 14 – June 19, 2022). Memberships priced from $ 75 to $ 149 – and individual tickets for THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE priced from $ 20 to $ 50 – will be available starting Sunday, August 15, 2021, and Individual tickets for all subsequent 2021-2022 productions will be available by Wednesday September 15, 2021. All tickets and subscriptions can be purchased at LandmarkMusicals.com.

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE will perform at the Children’s Creativity Museum Theater (221 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, between Mission and Howard). All other productions for the 2021-22 season will perform at Landmark’s new permanent home, Theater 33 (533 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94012, between Mason and Powell).

“This is an exciting adventure for all of us who work with Landmark and strive to bring interesting, intimate and innovative musical theater to San Francisco since 2015,” said Jon Rosen, Artistic Director of Landmark Musical Theater. “We are emerging from the over 18-month long lockdown caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic and were fortunate to secure a five-year lease on a terrific 99-seat theater, Theater 33, located at 533 Sutter Street , San Francisco, CA 94012, between Mason and Powell. We finally have the security of our own theater, which has allowed us to create a wonderful inaugural season in our new permanent home. Notably, our 2021-2022 season will feature the Bay Area premiere of STEEL QUAI by John kander and Fred ebb (authors of the legendary CABARET and CHICAGO musicals). The original Broadway production of STEEL PIER was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and marked the Broadway debut Kristin chenoweth. “

Rosen indicated that Landmark Musical Theater plans to track all city, state and federal health mandates throughout the season to reduce risk and protect the health of performers and audiences. Currently, members of the public must either provide proof of vaccination or a recent test (within 72 hours) without Covid when attending a performance, and all members of the public must be masked out. indoors, especially when they are seated in their seats, unless they are drinking or eating. “We will monitor all regulations and make sure to follow them closely,” Rosen said. “We will also update our policies as the situation with the virus evolves. “

The 2021-2022 Landmark Musical Theater season includes:

PUTNAM COUNTY 25TH ANNUAL SPELLING BEE

Music and lyrics by Guillaume Finn
Book before Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Directed by Jon Rosen
Choreography by Meredith Fox
Musical and vocal direction by Christophe hewitt

October 9 – November 7, 2021
At the Children’s Creativity Museum Theater (221 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103)

Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a quick, insanely funny and touching story of Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by Guillaume Finn (Composer of FALSETTOS), this bee is an unforgettable experience. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescent pubescent (all played by adult actors) compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly revealing hilarious and touching stories from their family life, the tweens weave their way through a series of (potentially invented) words, hoping to never hear the overwhelming, pout-inducing and silent “ding”. affirmation of the life of the bell which signals a spelling error.

Six spellings come in … one spell comes out victorious! Losers get a hug and a box of juice.

The production will include audience participation, as four members of the audience from each night will be selected to take the stage and participate in the first act of the show!

The Landmark Musical Theater production of THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE will feature two different actors (the Alpha Cast and the Betta Cast) performing in specific performances. For more information on casting details, visit LandmarkMusicals.com.

MTI IS ALL TOGETHER NOW!
A GLOBAL EVENT CELEBRATING LOCAL THEATER

THE GRAND OPENING OF LANDMARK MUSICAL THEATER AT THEATER 33

Directed and Directed by Jon Rosen, LaTonya Watts, Meredith Fox and Richard Ciccarone

Musical and vocal direction by Christophe hewitt

November 12 – 15, 2021

At Theater 33 (533 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102)

Music Theater International, one of the largest musical theater licensing agencies in the world, has collaborated with over fifty songwriters and lyricists to put together this most notable review of famous music from some of MTI’s greatest musicals, including RAGTIME, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, MY FAIR LADY, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, MARY POPPINS, OLIVER, HAIRSPRAY, and many more.

Landmark Musical Theater is proud to present twelve performances of ALL TOGETHER NOW! in its newly opened theater at 533 Sutter Street, showcasing notable Bay Area talent as well as newcomers, adults and young adults.

With songs from (in alphabetical order):
Lynn ahrens • Kristen Anderson-Lopez • Benny Andersson • Billie Joe armstrong • Howard ashman • Sara Bareilles • Lionel bart • Jerry Bock • Leslie Bricusse • Jason robert brown • Johnny burke • Martin Charnin • Mindi Dickstein • Anthony drewe • Jack feldman • Stephen flaherty • Matthieu Gerrard • Zina Goldrich • Green day • Sheldon harnick • David Hein • Marcy Heisler • Jason howland • Herbert Kretzmer • Jonathan larson • Alan jay lerner • Frank Loesser • Frédéric Loewe • Robert lopez • Alain menken • Tim minchin • Robbie Nevil • Anthony newley • Benj Pasek • Justin paul • Tim Rice • Irene Sankoff • Dick scanlan • Claudea? ‘Michel Schönberg • Stephen schwartz • Marc Shaiman • Richard M. Sherman • Robert B. Sherman • Glenn slater • Stephen Sondheim • Georges stiles • Charles Strouse • Jeanine Tesori • Björn Ulvaeus • Jimmy Van Heusen • Frank Wildhorn • Scott Wittman

STEEL DOCK

Book before David thompson

Music and lyrics by John kander and Fred ebb

Conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan stroman and David thompson

January 15 – February 19, 2022

At Theater 33 (533 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102)

“Beautiful songs skillfully intertwined with the plot.” – Daily New York News

CANDIDATE! 1997 Tony Award for Best Musical
CANDIDATE! 1997 Tony Award for Best Musical Book
CANDIDATE! 1997 Tony Award for Best Original Music
CANDIDATE! 1997 Tony Award for Best Direction in a Musical + 7 additional nominations

In the honky-tonk world of marathon dance in Atlantic City in 1933, a captivating assortment of Depression-era souls eager to dance their way to fame and prizes gather on the STEEL PIER . The show is chaired by a fat-tongued emcee Mick Hamilton, who is secretly married to Rita Racine, the champion dancer and singer acclaimed as “Lindy’s Lovebird.” Rita’s usual marathon partner doesn’t show up, so at the last minute, she’s paired up with Bill Kelly, a handsome pilot who is also without a partner. As the hours of dancing whirl around, Rita becomes more and more disillusioned with her accomplice husband and more and more infatuated with the handsome young aviator and a vision of life in a peaceful cabin by the sea. Songs from John kander and Fred ebb, the makers of CHICAGO, CABARET and other Broadway classics perfectly capture the rhythm and drama of the 1930s dance marathon era.

Landmark Musical Theater is thrilled to be able to present the Bay Area premiere of this wonderful (but rarely seen) musical. The 1997 Broadway production closed too soon, but it was successfully revived in several local and regional theaters, including an acclaimed West Coast production at UCLA in 2018. Director Jon Rosen has a long history with this show, having attempted to mount it in San Francisco in 2003 with OpenStage Repertory Theater. Unfortunately, their venue closed abruptly three weeks before the scheduled opening.) Now, 19 years later, he’s thrilled to finally be able to bring this musical to audiences in San Francisco and beyond, something he wanted. have been doing since he first saw the show just before it closed on Broadway.

RUTHLESS! MUSIC

Book and lyrics by Joel paley
Music by Marvin Laird

March 26 – April 30, 2022

At Theater 33 (533 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102)

With J. Conrad Franck (a.k.a Katya Smirnoff-Skyy) like Syvlia Sainte-Croix

WINNER! 1992 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics
WINNER! 1993 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical

NOMINATED: Five 1992 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical

Eight-year-old Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking, and she’ll do anything to win the role in her school’s musical. And “anything” includes the murder of the principal lady! This aggressively outrageous musical success garnered rave reviews during its lengthy Off-Broadway tour.

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

From the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz

Book, music and lyrics by Clark gesner

Additional dialogue by Michel mayer

Additional music and lyrics by André Lippa

May 14 – June 19, 2022

At Theater 33 (533 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102)

WINNER! 1967 Drama Desk Award for Best Director

WINNER! 1967 Drama Desk Award for Best Performer (Bill hinnant as Snoopy)

WINNER! 1967 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical

WINNER! 1999 Tony Award for Best Actor (Roger bart as Snoopy)

WINNER! 1999 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress (Kristin chenoweth like Sally)

WINNER! 1999 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical

Happiness is a great musical theater! With charm, wit and heart, YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN explores life through the eyes of comic book artist Charles Schulz’s favorite character and his friends from the Peanuts gang. Musical numbers include “My Blanket and Me”, “The Kite”, “The Baseball Game”, “Little Known Facts”, “” Suppertime “and” Happiness “.

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) – Since 2007, Black Box Studios has offered high-level collaborative theater workshops to performing arts students of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience in Bergen County and beyond. The upcoming 2021-22 season offers an exciting array of options for children, teens and adults – at Black Box, no interested student has ever been turned down for financial reasons.

At the company’s new headquarters at the Black Box Performing Arts Center at 49 East Palisade Avenue in Englewood, many favorite and new fall classes will begin throughout September and are now open for early bird enrollment at www.blackboxpac.com, such as: Musical theater workshop for children; Actor and musical theater for adolescents; Theater workshop for adults; Drama workshop for teenagers (New!); WWriting workshop ; Actor for cinema (New!) And more.

Professional and active teaching artists – some of whom are true Black Box alumni – work closely with students on creative freedom, skills / techniques, group dynamics, confidence / balance and, finally, a production in most of the courts. Private lessons for all ages, including NY / NJ professionals, are available on request and at competitive rates. Black Box also organizes popular programs as part of the curriculum as well as extracurricular activities at some schools and institutions in the area.

The new Black Box PAC features a traditional New York-style 70-seat handicapped-accessible flex theater space on the ground floor, a cabaret / musical space with a grand piano on the second floor . BBPAC is in the same block as Starbucks, Humus Elite, Baumgarts and between PlantShed and Zula Grill, with Playa Bowls and more across the street.

Cutting-edge professional theater, top-notch comedy nights, open mics for comics and other performing artists, new weekend class offerings, and original material development for the American scene is underway – and news on a a number of special post-pandemic events will be available soon. For example, BBPAC – a 501c3 non-profit organization – will be hosting a #SaveOurStages BBS Alum & Friends cabaret on August 31st.

Black Box Performing Arts Center is located at 49 E Palisade Avenue in Englewood, New Jersey. It is a 501c3 tax exempt nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent provided by law.

For more information, please visit www.blackboxpac.com/bbs-classes, E-mail [email protected], or call (201) 569-2070.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMY LEBOVICS PHOTOGRAPHY

After only 5 years of activity, IAMT is expanding rapidly. This fall, New York’s most exciting musical theater program will move to its second space in Washington Heights, a 5,000 square foot theater school. This space will be dedicated to the acting technique course, the cinema and television course, as well as the presentation of new musicals from the IAMT New Works series and the IAMT Creators program. Musicals are performed exclusively by IAMT students and graduates. From promising first-time writers, composers, lyricists and choreographers, to Tony Award-winning creative teams. IAMT will present 3-5 new works each semester, which will give IAMT students the opportunity to learn how to create new works of art with the people who created them. As such, students will meet and network with exciting new creatives working in the industry!

Michel minarik, co-founder of IAMT and interim director, said: “We are delighted to build this new space where creators of all types can present their works without the financial hurdles and constraints of trying to install their art in New York. As a Broadway Producer myself, I know the challenges of putting on new works in New York, finding space with financial responsibilities, and making sure all the talent is there at the same time. our students will be talented in presentations, working with these amazing creative teams and building wonderful relationships with New York creatives during their studies and after graduating from the program. “

The IAMT is a 2-year vocational training course with an optional 3rd year. IAMT was founded by André Drost and co-founded by Michel minarik with the specific mission that today’s professionals of today must teach future professionals of tomorrow without the massive financial pressure that many conservatory and college programs impose on their students.

IAMT is located at 3835 Broadway, with its own 8,000 square foot space. IAMT students are already booking Broadway shows, non-Broadway shows, Broadway national tours, other national tours, regional theaters, cruise ships and more …

Some shows that IAMT students have booked recently include: An Office and a Gentleman (nationwide tour), Summer: The Gave summer Musical (national tour), Escape to Margaritaville (national tour), The Music Man (Broadway with Hugh jackman and Sutton foster), Little Shop Of Horrors (except Broadway with Jeremy jordan) and RENT’s 25th anniversary national tour.

IAMT also announced that Ryan emmons and Dee Roscioli joined the teaching team.

Ryan emmons (IAMT: Resident Director) Broadway’s directing credits include Groundhog Day (assistant director), Matilda the Musical (resident director), and Ghost the Musical (SDC Observer). Ryan was the Resident Director of Matilda the Musical’s First Nationwide Tour and Miss Saigon’s US Tour. He is a founding member and co-artistic director of No.11 Productions, with whom he has directed numerous productions over the past 12 years. Ryan has completed projects for Home Made Theater (NY), Kentucky Repertory Theater (KY), NYMF (NYC), The Stella adler Studio of Acting (NY), The University of Utah (UT) and Columbia University (NY). He is also a production consultant for Arts Connection and freelance director at various schools. Ryan holds a BA in Theater from Skidmore College, studied in London and Stratford at the British American Drama Academy, and was Director of the New York State Chapter of the Educational Theater Association (New York Thespians) for 8 years.

Dee Roscioli(FILM / TV faculty) ‘s home base is New York, but she has traveled the world singing and performing. Dee is best known for her record-breaking 7-year run as Elphaba in the Broadway hit Wicked, where she led the Broadway, Chicago, San Francisco and 1st National Touring companies. Most recently, Dee was seen on Broadway in The Cher Show portraying the pop icon herself as both Star and Lady Cher. Dee was deeply honored to star with her “Dear Show” cast members at the 2019 Tony Awards. In 2015, she was a guest in the closing company of the Broadway revival of Fiddler On The Roof as The mischievous Sarah Fruma, which was filmed and archived for the Lincoln Center Performance Library. Dee also had the privilege of creating the role of Emily in John kanderthe most recent Kid Victory musical, where she was directed by the incomparable Liesl Tommy. This production went on to critical acclaim at the prestigious Vineyard theater in New York City and she can also be heard on the cast’s original recording.

In addition to her theater credits, she has appeared as headliner in symphonies around the world. She also created her solo show for the legendary cabaret series Birdland Jazz, 54 Below and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. She also starred in various television series. For updates on Dee, follow her on Instagram and Facebook! @deeroscioli

For more information visit: https://www.iamusicaltheatre.com/ or visit their Instagram: @iamusicaltheatre

Musical theater superstar returns to ARONUI ARTS FESTIVAL with ‘HARDCASE HORI HOUSIE ‘

Ready? Eyes down ! Because there’s a new flash game in town!

Join cheeky host and acclaimed artist Rutene Spooner (Super Hugh Man) – backed by the country’s most prominent house group The Doughboys – as it calls out a night of harsh Maori humor and classic kiwi tunes as you spin, win and smile through a Housie game like never before!

“Hardcase Hori Housie is so housie and cabaret had a baby. I realized I wanted to do something that brings the community together [and] remind us of the values ​​of the village, ”says Spooner, as Housie is often used to raise funds for a good cause like upgrading the facilities at the local marae.

“Bingo, you play for money. Housie, you play for the game,” he said, remembering his grandmother. calls home, if she heard she would turn over in her grave, really! ”he laughs.

Hardcase Hori Housie has warm honey tones, rib-cracking fun, and a kete packed with prizes, so grab a dozen of your closest cuzzies, pour yourself a sherry, and grab a saussie roll or two. As you feel the tension build up, line them up, down, side to side. Sweaty for this latest issue online!

This is the Maori way of playing a Hori Housie Hardcase game – just like a bingo game, only in brown.

The show is presented as part of the 2021 program of the ARONUI Arts Festival, with two performances on Friday September 17 at 7 p.m. and Saturday September 18 at 6 p.m. The show lasts two hours and includes live music, laughs, kai, and of course, a housie game (or 10). There are several prizes to be won, including a pack of meat, free tickets to the ARONUI shows and of course, cookies to dip into this delicious cup of gumboot tea… ahhh!

Tickets are limited and can be purchased in person at the Rotorua i-site, or online via. our website at www.aronuiartsfestival.com/events.

Rutene Spooner (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Musical Theater from NASDA. Since making his professional theater debut as an intern at the Court Theater in 2009, the singer, actor and host has toured nationally and internationally for various theater and corporate entertainment companies.

Aside from her busy schedule, Rutene also works as a director, producer and vocal and performance coach. Rutene is a proud member of Te Kapa Haka of Whāngara-Mai-Tawhiti.

ARONUI is an 11-day Indigenous all-arts festival from September 9 to 19 and is now in its third year. The festival is hosted by the new ARONUI Arts Festival Charitable Trust, run by descendants of Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa, alongside award-winning, world-class artists.

ARONUI Arts Festival is supported by the Rotorua Lakes Council, Creative NZ, Bay Trust, Rotorua Trust, Te Arawa FM, Steambox Film Collective, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Te Tatau O Te Arawa, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

For tickets and the official ARONUI 2021 program,

go to:
www.aronuiartsfestival.com/events

For tickets for Friday September 17 at 7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/3m5KHr7

For tickets until Saturday, September 18 at 6 p.m.: https://bit.ly/37KKWzz

© Scoop Media

The inaugural Festival Internazionale del Musical (International Festival of Musical Theater), a global celebration showcasing the creativity of the world’s most talented contemporary musical theater artists and productions, will launch in Milan, Italy in the summer of 2022 .

Academy and Tony Award winner Whoopi goldberg is featured in a special video showcasing the Festival, with appearances by the Tony Award winner Ben vereen and musical theater stars from around the world performing the iconic song “Magic to Do” from the Grammy Award-winning musical Pippin by Academy Stephen schwartz. Participants include, from the United States: Whoopi goldberg, Ben vereen, nominated for the Tony Awards Laura Osnes, Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, nominated for the Tony Awards Jarrod spector; Laureate of the Olivier Prize Janie Dee and Layton williams from the United Kingdom ; the stars of the Lorella Cuccarini musical theater from Italy; Kim Young Sook from South Korea; Yingfei Liu from China; Luz Angèlica Herrera Vàzquez from Mexico; Eleonora Barbacini Ibrahim from Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Anastasia Styazhkina from Moscow, Russia.

For the inaugural festival, several acclaimed musical productions will be invited to perform at leading theaters in Milan and the Lombardy region for a two-week period in the summer of 2022. The festival will include a gala event, highlighting featured artists and presenters honoring a lifetime’s work. Award recipient. The winner will be announced in fall 2021.

With strong support from the government of the city of Milan and the Lombardy region, the local art industry and Italian fashion icons, the festival will encompass the centers of Broadway and London’s West End, as well as the musical theater art and artists from around the world, from Europe to Asia, Latin America and beyond.

The Founders of the International Musical Theater Festival, Fabrizio Carbon, Roberto Righi, Simone Genatt, Marc Routh, Diego Montrone and Jessica r jenen brought together a prestigious group of international theater artists and professionals from around the world, to join the Creative Advisory Board to support the efforts of the Festival. They include: Performers: Lorella Cuccarini, Whoopi goldberg, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Ben vereen ; Theater professionals: Renato Balestra, Steve baruch, Joshua Bergasse, Ken billington, Jean Breglio, Julie boardman, Nica burns, Warren carlyle, Theodore S. Chapin, Drew cohen, Michael curry, John doyle, Tan Dun, Wendy federman, Sean Flahaven, Richard frankel, David Gallo, Dan Hinde, Rod Kaats, Sophie Kim, Stan Lai, Colin Law, Tom leonardis, William Ivey Long, Joe machota, Roy Ofer, Jon Platt, Jean Rando, Evan shapiro, Matthew Byam Shaw, Edouard Snape, Olivier Sultan, Victoria traube, Sergio Trujillo, Tom viertel and Kumiko Yoshii.

Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, said: “Milan is the natural home of all expressions of creativity and beauty. We wish this team good luck for this first edition of the International Musical Theater Festival, and we will see you in Milan. in 2022. “

Fabrizio Carbon, MMA Board Member, said: “We are delighted to welcome the international music community to our beautiful city, which has a long and illustrious history as a center of arts and commerce.”

Simone Genatt, President of Broadway International Group, said, “Musical theater is a powerful international voice that crosses cultural barriers and unites us. Broadway International Group is proud to partner with our colleagues and friends in Milan and around the world for this exciting new festival. “

More details, including rules regarding eligibility and other logistical details, will be announced in October 2021, including the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Learn more about www.festivalinternazionaledelmusical.com.

Let us know what you think and join the conversation at the bottom of this article.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We depend on your support more than ever, as the change in consumption habits caused by the coronavirus is having an impact on our advertisers.

Are there any actors you wish you could time travel and see on stage? To me it’s stars like Carol Channing in Hello Dolly!, Ethel Merman in Annie takes your gun, or Julie Andrews in My beautiful lady. Imagine what it would be like to experience these legends creating these iconic roles.

There are also performances that I have seen but wish I could revisit, like Patti LuPone in Gypsy, Cynthia Erivo in The color purple, or Audra McDonald in whatever it is. While the ephemeral nature of theater is part of what makes it special, I would binge on each of these shows again as a Netflix series.

I would also add another musical to this list: the cover of director / choreographer Kathleen Marshall All is well, with the inimitable Sutton Foster. I saw the production three times on Broadway in 2011, and each time I wanted to witness an actor in the role he was born to play.

So imagine my surprise and joy when Foster joined the West End Company of the same production 10 years later, and I’m here to tell you that his performance as a sultry nightclub evangelist has only done become deeper, richer and more charming. in the intervening decade. You’ll regret it if you don’t tap into the Barbican right now to see this piece of musical theater magic.

In addition, the London public is fortunate enough to have some sort of discovery, like All is well marks Foster’s West End debut. Sure, he’s a Broadway star with two Tony Awards under his belt, but theatergoers on this side of the pond have never seen the haunting triple threat live before, and you never forget your first time.

Foster’s Reno is an extraordinary actress, full of bravado, wisdom and no time. Where 10 years ago she delivered a brave, confident and capable Reno, now Foster’s portrayal feels a little more lived-in, world-weary and wise with the same sense of optimism and ease. She isn’t so jagged now, and that’s okay: Reno and Sutton (and all of us) have been through a lot in the past decade. Times have indeed changed.

Now the stakes are higher, the drama is heightened, and the emotions are more powerful. When Billy (a charming Samuel Edwards) dismisses Reno at the bar in the opening scene, Foster sings Cole Porter’s standard “I Get a Kick Out of You” from a place of sadness and loneliness, rather than romance. You can hear the desire in every note.

Or when Reno commands the company in the vibrant “Blow Gabriel Blow”, Foster stages a true revival in the Barbican, giving audiences and performers, it seems, a long-awaited chance to celebrate and let loose afterwards. many months of isolation. The effect is truly euphoric.

And, of course, I would be remiss if I did not call up the jaw-dropping, jaw-dropping title number that retains Marshall’s original 2011 synchronized choreography and really blows up the metaphorical roof of the ship. The ensemble, led by Foster, executes every step with precision and the combined effect is stunning. As a friend of mine said: It’s unfair to compare any other artist to Sutton Foster because it’s like playing on the computer.

The entire production has been just as dynamic since its original Broadway release. Set designer Derek McClane’s SS American fills the Barbican stage (and the venue’s aisle doors even appear to be part of the ship), and Jon Morrell’s updated costumes complete the look.

Other than Foster, the company is brand new here, with Robert Lindsay giving a delightful straightforward performance as gangster Moonface Martin; Felicity Kendall earns all her laughs as Evangeline Harcourt; and Gary Wilmot standing out as stockbroker Elijah Whitney. Carly Mercedes Dyer steals all the scenes in which she is Erma, Moonface’s number one daughter.

As in most productions of the musical, the romantic subplot between Billy and Hope (Nicole-Lily Baisden) gets lost a bit, even though Edwards and Baisden deliver a magnificent rendition of the classic duet “De-Lovely”. And while parts of the storyline still look a bit dated for 2021, especially when it comes to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh’s storyline, Haydn Oakley delves into the craziness of the role and earns the happy ending.

While I don’t have a time machine to go back and watch shows whenever I want (maybe the cast of Back to the Future: The Musical can help with that), I (and you) can review this mind-blowing production right now. So save me a spot at the Barbican. I’ll be back, basking in this glorious musical and seeing Sutton Foster tap dancing as much as possible. It is the most beautiful spectacle in the city.

Anything Goes is playing at the Barbican until October 31. Reserve your tickets for Anything Goes in the West End today.

^{Photo credit: Anything Goes (Photo by Tristram Kenton)}

There are many small signs the country is returning to normal as the pandemic eases. But there was a little event that happened that signaled not only that things were getting back to normal, but New York City is very much alive, Broadway is back and the kids are resilient after a year of isolation and limited fun.

On July 23, a group of two dozen children of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds and abilities, ages 9 to 15, from New York City’s five boroughs put on a performance.

Under normal circumstances, this may not seem like a big event. Right now he’s telegraphing the dawn of a theater renaissance in New York City, while maintaining a very keen eye on health and safety, and a commitment to showing deserving and eager budding comedians that the show really can. Continue. That show turned out to be Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, a two-week culmination of AhHa! Broadway musical theater summer camp. It was the first large-scale in-person program for AhHa! Broadway since the pandemic began, when they, like so many other arts programming organizations, had to switch out of necessity to digital programming.

This unique program, in the Theater District of Times Square, offers kids who would not normally have easy access to a Broadway-style show, or meaningful performing arts program in the past 18 months, to perform in a licensed production with the help of instructor artists, experienced Broadway industry professionals, drama exercises, improvisation, makeup lessons and vocal coaching. In just ten days, the young performers learned their parts and over 25 musical numbers, concluding with a fully costumed performance. After leaving the Theater Row stage, the cast representing both good and bad characters wasted no time in asking what the next show would be.

“The children in this program experience inclusive teamwork, resulting in a shared experience of performances that typically include songs and choreography tailored to the abilities of this group,” explained the co-founder of AhHa! Broadway Heather edwards. “Considering that a number of participants came from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, it is inspiring to see a sense of community and acceptance being built in such a short time when so many children have worked towards a common goal. Edwards explained that parents viewed the program as “the experience of a lifetime.”

AhHa! Broadway is a 501 (c) (3) led by women that inspires core values ​​of the arts and education to children, seniors, veterans and communities of diverse backgrounds through their theater programming. musical and specially designed workshops. Info about www.ahhabroadway.org. The artistic team was led by director Braddon Mehrten, choreographer Christopher Noffke and musical director Heather Edwards. Disney’s Descendants was presented through a special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).

Ariana DeBose stars as the wonderful and witty Emma Tate in the first season of Schmigadoon !, which airs weekly on Apple TV Plus.

DeBose’s credits on Broadway include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, A Bronx Tale, Hamilton (Off-Broadway and original Broadway cast), Pippin, Motown, Bring It On the Musical and Company. She recently played Alyssa Greene in the Netflix film adaptation of The Prom, and she will be seen later this year as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake.

BroadwayWorld had the pleasure of sitting down with DeBose to hear about all of the great musical theater characters who inspired his performance on Schmigadoon! We also talked about her impressive musical number in class – and we even met her cat.

Read the full interview below!

The first two episodes of “Schmigadoon!” world premiere on Apple TV + on Friday July 16. The series continues with one new episode per week, every Friday until August 13.

A parody of the iconic musicals of the Golden Age, “Schmigadoon!” stars Cecily strong and Keegan-Michael Key as a couple on a backpacking trip designed to reinvigorate their relationship that discovers a magical town living in a 1940s musical. They then learn that they can’t leave until they find “the true love”. The six-part season also features Alan cumming, Kristin chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Dove Cameron, Ariana DeBose, Fred armisen, Jaime Camil, Jane krakowski and Anne Harada. Martin runs prestigious guests.

I think Emma probably has my favorite arc of all the characters – I think she’s so awesome. What did you like most about playing her and creating this character?

I don’t know if I can pick just one thing that I liked the most! I feel like there are a lot of things I love about her. I love that she is so feminist, but also very feminine. She’s not sacrificing nothing in this spectrum, around these things. I love that she doesn’t sacrifice her self-esteem for romance or the man, which is really nice to see in a musical genre, isn’t it? Looks like it’s like in the 40’s. Because that’s not really what the ladies were doing back then.

So I felt like it was really refreshing. And I also loved the fact that in this city where the characters are so specifically in their ways, in tropes and stereotypes, she really is her own being. Of course, there’s an argument to be made that she falls into her own kind of stereotype, but she’s both from Schmigadoon’s world and not.

And I find it really convincing, which is why I wanted to take the job!

Emma is kind of an outsider; it is urban, but it also exists in a way on the outskirts. I think there are a lot of parallels to be drawn between Emma and Marian the Librarian from The Music Man. Did you think of other musical theater characters?

Yes! I referred to Anna Leonowens from The King and I. But I didn’t just watch the musical or the stage version – I actually watched Anna and the King, with Jodie Foster. I found [Foster]The portrayal of the character is really compelling and complicated. Which, in the end, any woman worthy of the name is compelling and complicated.

I also went back to the Mary Poppins for it all – I really did! I loved the musical and of course I am passionate about Julie Andrews. And Emily Blunt too – but I’ll say I think Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada to some extent had Mary Poppins notes, for me.

Oh, I love it.

Which isn’t something I think most people would say, but I look at it like this! And I pulled small things here and there – I don’t necessarily think that would be obvious. But I think all of these characters have something in common, and I don’t know if I can put words to it, but that feeling, that essence, is what I wanted Emma to have.

I want to tell you about your amazing musical number with all these kids in the classroom. Tell me about the shoot [“You Must Always Try Your Best”], especially during COVID!

Yeah, that was crazy. I think in general if you ask any of my cast mates they’ll say we didn’t necessarily have all the rehearsals we would have liked to have but we did, which is a testament to [choreographer] Chris Gattelli and his amazing team.

But these kids, man. Talented band! There is something in the water in Vancouver, Canada! They came so eager to learn, to adapt and to change, and they were very top notch.

[To her cat] Go on!

I have a cat, and he desperately wants to be here. [She picks up her cat].

I would say it’s – again the most important part is that these kids got this opportunity and they didn’t take it for granted. It was really cool to see a bunch of extremely talented, ambitious and adorable kids doing their jobs. And do it so well, despite the circumstances.

If you could play another character in Schmigadoon, who would you play?

[Laughs] I haven’t understood this question yet!

I feel like it would be a tie between Mildred Layton and I really want to play Mayor Menlove, but it could be a tough sell.

I think you could do it. Absoutely.

I could try! Or, you know what. I think it would be fun to play Pete. He’s just such a great little recurring character. Who doesn’t want to just fall on a sword and break their legs to make people laugh on purpose?

Watch an excerpt from “You Must Always Try Your Best” here:

Photo credit: Apple TV

Last week, the world formally met Doc Lopez on Schmigadoon!

Lopez, the strict, old-fashioned town doctor with a major romantic streak, is played by an accomplished stage and screen star Jaime Camil.

Camil is a Mexican actor, singer and television personality best known for his roles as Fernando Mendiola in La Fea Más Bella and Rogelio de la Vega in Jane the Virgin, the latter of which earned him two nominations for the Critics’ Choice Television Award from Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

On stage, Camil appeared in the Chicago Broadway production and in the Hollywood Bowl production of Mamma Mia!

BroadwayWorld had the pleasure of speaking with Camil about building a musical theater character for the screen, his own passion for the theater, and Doc Lopez’s controversial relationship with his overly enamored parents.

Read the full interview below!

I love you on this show. I am a big fan.

Thank you!

I was just wondering – there are so many musical theater characters in Schmigadoon! Where do you think Doc Lopez fits? Which musical comedy characters were you looking for inspiration?

Well, not me personally, because I like to approach projects with freshness, and I like to be a tool for the director, for the showrunner, for whatever they need. I don’t like to be influenced by anything. But, of course, my character was based on The Sound of Music. Law? Obviously, this scenario!

No, but I like to arrive fresh! I don’t like to watch or reference anything, as I think that represents a hindrance in the creative process of creating a character.

Can you tell me about building a musical character for the screen?

Oh my god, it’s amazing, isn’t it ?! Well, first of all, the show is amazingly written. The songs are amazing – you don’t have to be a theater geek to step into the show. I was talking to a reporter who was like, “I’ve never seen a Broadway show in my life, man. And I love the show!” Now, first of all, you died for me. Watch a show! And second, it says a lot about the show’s appeal. If you like musical theater, amazing. It’s a bonus. But you don’t have to!

The show is so well written. He has such a great story and all the characters are so well developed. The music is hilarious. Not only do you not have to be in the musical theater world, but Keegan [Michael Key] makes fun of musicals all the time on the show. So I think that makes it very relevant. But I think it’s beautiful – there are also a lot of layers. I don’t know if you’ve seen the whole show, but it’s not just funny and there is amazing choreography and amazing songs. It’s as if each Schmigadoonian is a mirror to the challenges and obstacles the real couple face in order to become better humans.

So if you dig a little deeper into the show, it’s not all fun and dancing. He also has a lot of layers. And I love it in the show. But we shot it during COVID, so we had to adhere to COVID protocols. We had very little time for rehearsals – to answer your question about preparing for the musical. But I’m fine ! Ariana DeBose, for example – the beautiful Ariana DeBose – his musical number in class is incredible. My cast mates – maybe they struggled a bit more, because their musical numbers were so much more elaborate than mine.

I know you’ve done a lot of work on stage. What is your history with musicals? Would you like to continue this story?

Absoutely! It’s what I love to do the most, where I feel most alive, where my heart is happiest – it’s on a theater stage. I love to do musicals.

In Mexico, I did West Side Story, El Diluvio que Viene, Aladdin, Peter Pan. Playing Crochet, obviously, because I don’t look good in green tights, I can tell you that! And here I was in an original Broadway show, The Mambo Kings – unfortunately we never got a chance to open. But then I did Chicago, and then I did some Latinologists, and then I did Mamma Mia! at the Hollywood Bowl here in Los Angeles.

I am always very happy and very alive and fulfilled when I do musical theater. This is what I love to do the most.

If you could play another role in Schmigadoon !, what role would you play?

Let me think! I don’t know, because Schmigadoonians are very defined! I don’t know – I think Ariana’s story, Emma Tate’s story, was a little better explained – Emma Tate’s story – than Doc Lopez. And I think it has to do with the fact that Schmigadoon was originally supposed to have eight episodes, but then we decided to have six. It told the story better, it was more dynamic. But I think the Doc Lopez background got a bit lost in translation with the series being compressed into six episodes. So, I would have liked to show more of Doc Lopez’s background, just like we show Emma Tate’s background.

For sure. I love his relationship with his parents. I think it’s so much fun.

[Laughs] Yes. I love it.

Well, they’re very excited. So I have to keep them online.

Sure. Anyone would.

Exactly.

Listen to Camil sing “Suddenly” with Ariana DeBose in the fourth episode of Schmigadoon here:

Photo credit: Apple TV Plus