Posts in New York
5 Questions with "Porgy and Bess" at The Metropolitan Opera's Alannah Garnier

It is such a joy to introduce you to Alannah Garnier. I have known Alannah my entire life ever since I was 5 years old living in Minnesota. We came up together at the Church of Christ in Minneapolis and fast forward about 25-26 years later, we are now both performing in the same show at The Met. It is such a true thrill for me to have a chance to interview this amazing Soprano.  

Read More
Diversity in Motion: Hamlet 90 and Sheila B

Hamlet 90 epitomizes what theater and art should look like, and what an inclusive world does look like.  Sheila explains her personal mission as an artist when presenting new work, “a diverse group of actors from all over the world working together in a seamless ensemble.  We can do that as a world too, so for me it is a way of making a political statement without being a politician.” 

Read More
ROCK OF AGES Veterans Dish on Wild Audiences, Bon Jovi and the Lasting Allure of the Bourbon Room

Audiences have spoken, and the 10th Anniversary New York return of Rock of Ages is a hit! The guitar-smashing, face-melting, audience-rocking ode to the 1980s has extended its limited run through January 12 of next year. We took the opportunity to chat with a few veterans of the Sunset Strip to discuss just what it is that makes the show such a blast and keeps them (and the crowds) coming back for more. 

Read More
OCEANBORN: The Future of Musical Theatre

If you have yet to hear of Oceanborn, chances are you know someone who has liked their Instagram page or has come across them on YouTube. This new musical, showcased at 54 Below, has a huge fan base online, and will be performed in the upcoming new Off-Broadway Rave Theater Festival. The writers of Oceanborn, Mhairi Cameron and Morgan Smith, are changing the ways of how musical theatre is done.

Read More
Backstage with BOOK OF MORMON's Matthew Marks

With two U.S. national tours, a Chicago company, a West End company, a U.K. tour, an Australian national tour and productions in Sweden, Norway, Germany and more, The Book of Mormon now goes far beyond a young and green Marks in that small office reading the secret script in 2010.

As long as the musical is playing on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, rest assured that Matthew Marks will be there covering the Mormon boys. Despite the challenges, it is still his dream job.

Read More
“Staying curious about everything can add so much to your artist’s toolbox.” - Chatting with COME FROM AWAY’s De’Lon Grant!

“As actors, we are continually trying to excavate human emotion and condition, which requires immense curiosity about life and the human experience. Staying curious about everything, especially that which doesn’t genuinely interest you, can add so much to your artist’s toolbox.”

Read More
“Your definition of success is going to be different than everyone else's.” Chatting with BE MORE CHILL’s Troy Iwata!

I would like you to meet Troy Iwata! Troy is currently an understudy in Be More Chill for the roles of Jeremy, Michael, Rich, and as Cast. I have always been fascinated and inspired by swings and understudies on Broadway because their number can be called at any time. It takes a special type of performer in my eyes to do that. It was such a privilege to interview Troy!

Read More
From Broadway Debut to NYU: Catching up With Emerson Steele

At only 14 years old, Emerson Steele had accomplished what most musical theatre actors only dream of: she made her Broadway debut in an award-winning musical, shared the stage with her idol, recorded a cast album, performed at the Tony Awards, and even won a 2014 Theatre World Award playing the younger version of Sutton Foster’s character in the acclaimed Jeanine Tesori/Brian Crawley musical Violet. She hit the jackpot of show biz success, but this ambitious Georgia native was just getting started.

Read More
Filipino-American Immigrants Take Center Stage in Masterful New Song Cycle; In-Depth Review and a Chat With Creator Paulo K. Tiról

Hey, people!  Put down the video games, log off Tinder for a minute and pay some attention to what I’m about to tell you.  I’m here to publicly declare that something truly remarkable was recently gifted to the canon of the modern musical, and I need to talk to you about it.  On This Side of the World is, to my mind, the quintessential musical for the Asian American.  Don’t give me any nonsense about Flower Drum Song, please.  You sound foolish when you do that. 

Read More