“At this performance the role of…” Chatting with Dear Evan Hansen’s Roman Banks

I would like you to meet Roman Banks. Roman is currently the understudy for Evan, Jared and Connor in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway at The Music Box Theatre. On December 12th Roman made history by becoming the first Evan Hansen of color. I can only imagine how amazing that feeling must have been for Roman. If you were present or not Roman is a great example of knowing that if you work hard and stay ready anything is possible. I was honored to have the chance to interview this talented young man. 

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A Chat with George Takei on Bringing "Allegiance" to the Big Screen

On Dec. 4, 2018, a documentary about George Takei’s 2015 musical Allegiance played in theatres through Fathom Events, followed by a showing of the filmed musical on Dec. 11. Leading up to the release of the documentary and the encore of the filmed show, Takei spoke with OnStage Blog about the path Allegiance has taken.

“We hadn’t the faintest idea when we embarked on this journey ten years ago what the road would be like,” said Takei. “But at every point along its path, from development, to the World Premiere in San Diego, to the Broadway run, and now to the post-Broadway productions and movie, it has been a joy, and so profoundly humbling and fulfilling.”

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People demand refunds after utterly 'sloppy' performance of 'The Wiz'

Dorothy forgot her lines, the Cowardly Lion looked more like a bear and the magical land of Oz was displayed on a laptop projector.

A subpar performance of "The Wiz" put on by a concert promotion agency this past weekend at the Brown Theatre has caused dozens of Louisville customers to call and demand refunds, according to an employee at the Kentucky Center For the Performing Arts.

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Christopher Peterson
It's Today! : Freddie Mercury, Elton John & Prince

Although jukebox musicals showcasing songwriters' catalogs are preponderant on the Great White Way - look no further than the currently running BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL, The Go-Go's HEAD OVER HEELS and THE CHER SHOW for proof of that - they have not set Hollywood alight in the same manner; at least not until now.

Strangely, original movie musicals utilizing the songstacks of some of the biggest artists in music history have generally failed to catch on with audiences in the 21st century. Indeed, for every MAMMA MIA!-sized smash hit there are several box office duds, such as Bob Dylan tuner I'M NOT THERE, Cole Porter revue DE-LOVELY and The Beatles phantasmagoria ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. Even the big screen version of the Tony Award-winning jukebox biomusical that kicked off the trend on Broadway, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons showcase JERSEY BOYS, was relatively DOA when it hit cinemas a few years ago. But, thankfully, that trend seems to be coming to an end.

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“Leap forward with no fear and pursue it with all you have.” – Chatting with Rock of Ages Sam Harvey!

I would like you to meet Sam Harvey! Sam is currently starring in the 10th Anniversary Tour of Rock of Ages playing the role of Stacee Jaxx! When you are in this industry, you come across a lot of wonderful people from all walks of life. I think anyone who has met Sam Harvey can definitely agree that not a better man there is. From being in Bayside! the Musical! to being the “Librarian” at AMDA the career for Sam Harvey has been a wonderful and fantastic journey!

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