“Keep on keeping on!” – Meet Alice By Heart’s Ari Groover!

I would like you to meet the wonderful and talented Ari Groover. Ari has been seen on Broadway in Holler If Ya Hear Me, and most recently in Head Over Heels and in Bare Off-Broadway. Up next she’ll be performing in Tony & Grammy Award Award Winners Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s newest musical Alice By Heart, inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and directed and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress) at MCC Theater. Performances begin on January 30th. I was very excited to have the chance to interview this very talented artist.

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Our Way Too-Early Tonys Scorecard

The 2018-19 Tony Season has certainly been off to a so-so start. We’ve seen more misses than hits with some of the more award-darling type shows yet to open. However, I do think we’ve seen some strong Tony contenders from the shows that have opened thus far. Here’s a rundown of how we think some of these categories might go.

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“Always look for opportunities to learn and grow” – Meet Kiss Me Kate’s Tanya Haglund

I would like you to meet Tanya Haglund. Tanya recently made her Broadway debut in the ensemble Head Over Heels at The Hudson Theatre which closes January 6th and will be continue living her Broadway when she performs in the ensemble of The Broadway Revival of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate which will begin previews on February 14th at Studio 54. It was a pleasure to interview this fantastic dancer in between rehearsing one show and performing in another.

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Christopher Peterson
Performing Arts School Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Contact with Students

The owner of a private performing arts studio in the Whiting section has been charged with endangering the welfare of children, after police said he gave the youths alcohol and took photos and videos of them in various states of undress.

Michael W. Grande, 43, of Manchester, runs the Westminster School for Performing Arts, where he also is a teacher. Additionally, he is the artistic and education director for the Westminster Theatre Company. Both the studio and theatre company are in Whiting, said Capt. Todd Malland, a police spokesman.

“On several occasions, Mr. Grande provided alcoholic beverages to the victims, who were between the ages of 16 and 20, and also took photos and videos of them in various stages of undress,” Malland said in the prepared statement.

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“The dreams that matter to you must be worked on.” Meet King Kong’s Kayla Davion!

I would like you to meet Kayla Davion. Kayla is currently performing in the Ensemble and understudies the role of Ann Darrow of King Kong on Broadway at The Broadway Theatre. Ms. Davion has also performed on Broadway in the Ensemble of Waitress at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre. It was such an honor and privilege to have the chance to interview this very talented performer. 

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“Find happiness in the everyday…” Meet The Prom’s Becca Lee!

"I would like you to meet the talented Becca Lee. She is currently performing in the ensemble of “The Prom” on Broadway at The Longacre Theatre. This season has been fantastic when it comes to love and acceptance, and this musical comedy I feel fits that message well when it comes to accepting one another, owning up to who you are and caring for others who aren’t like you. I was delighted to have the chance to interview her.

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Community Theatre Group Facing More Legal Problems Other than Lawsuit from MTI

This past summer, news broke that Music Theatre International Inc.(MTI) filed a lawsuit against Theaterpalooza Community Theater Productions, Inc and its owner, Teresa Walker.

The issue centered on Theatrepalooza’s 16 unauthorized productions of MTI titles over the past three years. Even despite warnings and cease and desist communication, Walker and her group continued to perform the material without paying for the rights.

While Theatrepalooza is fighting one legal issue, more could be on the horizon.

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GA Community Theatre Director Arrested for Statutory Rape

A North Georgia Theater Company Owner, JC Smith, who faces several statutory rape charges is out on bond.

Chattanooga Police charged Joshua Conrad Smith with five counts of aggravated statutory rape.

Court documents say Smith was having sexual contact with two different minors from February to June 20-17.

CPD says these two girls were a part of Smith’s theater company, Closed Door Entertainment.

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GeorgiaChristopher Peterson