Andrew Lloyd Webber Lets the Memory Live Again in "Unmasked"
Twenty years ago, I was starting at a new Middle School. Naturally, I gravitated toward some familiar extra-curricular activities to ease the transition, one of which was chorus. We sang a medley of songs from "The Phantom of the Opera," a musical. What was a musical? I was about to find out. I was an alto, but loved the tenor lines (the Phantom's lines) so much that the day of the Fall concert I asked if I could sing them and was allowed. Then I worked behind the scenes on the Spring musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." It took me forever to memorize that whole title, but not long at all to decide that this was what I wanted out of life: musical theatre. And who was responsible for these two pieces of art that had brought about this epiphany?
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Extra Extra: Disney’s Newsies Goes Sensory Friendly at Next Generation Theatre
This production of Disney’s ‘newsies’ is letting all “fansies” have an opportunity to seize the day. The Next Generation theater company of St. Louis Missouri is offering a “sensory friendly“ performance. Theater fans with light or sound sensitivity or those on the spectrum of autism should feel more comfortable and welcomed at the show. There will also be sign language interpreters for ASL users.
The sensory friendly performance will be Sunday September 2nd. The run begins at the James J Eagan civic center in Florissant Missouri on August 31st. Tickets and show information can be found at www.nextgenerationtheatre.company
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The Cats Movie has a Release Date...
Apparently, some of you wanted it and now you're officially going to get it. The movie adaptation of Cats is confirmed for the big screen with the announcement today of its release date, Dec. 20, 2019.
Merry Christmas.
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A TUTS Vancouver Double Header Interview
Vancouver Onstage Blog writers Damon Bradley Jang (interviewing Mallory James on her role as Ella in Cinderella) and Mary Littlejohn (interviewing Blake Sartin on his role as Bobby in 42nd Street) speak to the leading players of the 2018 Theatre Under The Stars Vancouver Season offerings.
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Understanding OnStage Blog's College Rankings
For the past three years, OnStage Blog has released its annual rankings of the best colleges in the country for Dance, Design & Tech and Performing for BA, BFA and MFA degrees. Whenever we announce our rankings, some questions arise and they're always the same - How do you come up with your rankings?
Well this year, we've decided to tell you. Here is how we break it all down.
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White Actress Banned from Singing "And I Am Telling You" Because She's Not Black...No Seriously
There are certain musical numbers that I consider "PhD's in Singing". Songs like "Soliloquy" or "Glitter and be Gay", to master them is an accomplishment reserved for truly talented singers. Another song in this repertoire would be "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls. Many have tried to master it, very few have succeeded. Nevertheless, it's one of the most popular show tunes performed in concerts and cabarets today.
While many might choose to stay away from such a number, actress Mazz Murray was ready to take it on for her upcoming concert "The Best of the West End". That was until she was told that she was banned from doing so because she's white.
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"Heathers" Will Feature New Song in West End Run
Heathers the Musical is bigger and better than ever before! A brand new song has been written into the show ahead of it's West End debut at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, along with multiple re-workings to the script.
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“The Guys” Brings Dan Lauria Back To His Roots
When actor Dan Lauria was asked to return to his alma mater Southern Connecticut State University to perform the play “The Guys,” it seemed like the perfect timing to revisit his roots.
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"Theaterpalooza" Changes Its Name to "I Creative Arts Centers"
Theaterpalooza, as we know it, is gone. Now, there is I Creative Arts Centers.
Possibly as an attempt to put some negative press behind them, the owners of the controversial Theaterpalooza have changed their company's name. In addition to the name change, they have also created a brand new website as well.
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An Empowerment Cabaret is Coming to Vancouver
It’s an age of powerful movements. Unprecedented numbers are using age-old platforms to boost their voices -- coming from marginalized and imprisoned communities -- and they have finally begun gaining their rightful footing and amplification. Folks are stepping forward from the shadows in every industry the world over with their stories, with their struggles, and it’s not something that the universe of theatre is impervious too. Which is exactly what the Board of Directors at Fabulist Theatre has in the back of their minds as they set forth to give amazing artists a moment to express themselves as human beings, and tell their tales.
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Building the Social Media Success of "Be More Chill"
Be More Chill, with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz, has 67.6 thousand followers on Instagram, 9,209 followers on Twitter, and 7,813 likes and 8,049 followers on Facebook. Even more likes and followers have been racked up on unofficial pages and the pages of the cast and crew. In the past day, 370 Twitter posts have featured the title of the show.
The current production, which opened last night, sold out a week before opening, and has gained much of its widespread fame from social media and an excited, involved fandom.
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New Zealand Community Theatre Cancels Final Performances of "The Wild Party" Due to Alleged Sexual Assault
This weekend was supposed to mark the end of the run of The Wild Party at the Auckland Music Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. Instead, however, the final performances were cancelled following allegations of a sexual assault that took place between two cast members.
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Theaterpalooza Owner Calls MTI Bullies and Claims They are Harassing Her...That's Going to Go Over Well
The saga between Music Theatre International(MTI) and a children's community theatre company in Virginia just keeps getting more bizarre.
Last week, MTI released a statement which countered many of the claims that Theaterpalooza owner, Teresa Walker, had made to local press outlets.
On Tuesday, Ms. Walker released another statement where she claims her company is being bullied and harassed by MTI and even going as far as invoking "fake news" in regards to what MTI has stated thus far.
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MTI Calls B.S. on Local Theatre Head's Claims
MTI has just come out with a statement countering the claims from the head of Theaterpalooza describing their issues with pay licensing fees for their theatrical productions.
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MTI Sues Children's Theatre Group Over Unpaid Licensing Fees
Over the past couple of years, Theaterpalooza Community Theater Productions, Inc. has been producing shows such as Matilda, Seussical, Little Shop of Horrors, and Honk!
The only problem is, the Virginia theatre company apparently, hasn't been paying licensing fees to do so. And now, Music Theatre International (MTI) has come to collect.
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Why Exactly was Patrick Dorow Fired from Patrick Dorow Productions?
Last month, it was announced that Patrick Dorow, the Founder and Artistic Director of Patrick Dorow Productions(PDP), had been unanimously fired from his position. While it's not uncommon that theatre leaders are fired, it's rare that the namesake of the organization is the one getting the boot. It's also even more rare that the company keeps their name on the marquee afterward.
But that's exactly what's happening in Portsmouth, NH at PDP. And the mystery swirling around its founder's departure has some in the community asking if more information should be provided.
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Opera Australia Planning on Whitewashed Production of "West Side Story"
No offense Australia, but your country and "whitewashing" seems to go together like a barbecue and snags (see what I did there). More often than not, I get an Google alert on my phone of some issue of whitewashing popping up in the land down under. Whether it's their infamous attempt to do In the Heights with a mostly white cast or the controversy over their tourism ads, Australia seems to have a hard time getting on the bus towards equal representation on stage and screen.
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Did a Delaware High School Fail to Take Action Regarding Sexual Misconduct Within its Theatre Department?
A high school in Delaware is coming under fire over their response or lack thereof to claims of sexual misconduct involving a male staff member within its theatre department. Multiple students have come forward with claims of either being the target of inappropriate behavior or witnessing it firsthand.
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"Say yes to things that scare you" : A Quick Chat with "Spongebob Squarepants" Star Lilli Cooper
Let me tell you something. I played the Spring Awakening Soundtrack to death when I was in college. Lilli Cooper’s voice and all-around talent is one I have known for a very long time. For her to accomplish everything she has at this point in her young life, is inspiring and amazing. Lilli is currently starring as Sandy Cheeks in The SpongeBob SquarePants Broadway Musical which was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical. It was also recently announced that she will be starring as Julie Nichols in the upcoming Broadway-Bound Musical Tootsie which will feature a score by Tony Award-winning composer David Yazbek.
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Video Aims to Show What "West Side Story" Got Wrong About Puerto Ricans
For many, there is a lot to love about the West Side Story. But for others, especially Puerto Ricans, a lot of it is problematic. Much of the problems coming from how their and their culture are depicted in Oscar-winning film.
With a Steven Spielberg-directed remake on the way, it's understandable to question if many of the stereotypes and inaccuracies of the original film will be corrected. And one Puerto Rican actress is taking it a step further with a parody video highlighting some of those issues.
Suni Reyes posted a different take on the WSS song "America" with lyrics to show how Puerto Rico is being treated today, as well as some facts about the inaccuracies in the original film.
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