Fresh off his success with “Hello, Dolly!”, I believe director Jerry Zaks should set his sights on “The Music Man”.
He’s got the perfect track record. Back in 1992, Mr. Zaks directed a revival of “Guys and Dolls” which, like the current “Dolly!”, was a smash hit. Both productions garnered four Tony awards—including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Leading Actress.
Coincidence? Not for a director with a knack for revivals from “Anything Goes” to “La Cage Aux Folles”.
Read MoreI’m a college theater major in a relatively small liberal arts college in Syracuse, NY. On my campus, we have two theater companies: the staff run, and the student run. The staff run has predominantly professors as directors and designers (occasionally students are used as assistant designers), and students make up most (if not all) of the cast and crew. On the other hand, there is the student run theater company. Everyone from the executive directors, to the directors, actors, crew, designers, etc. is a student (we still have faculty moderators, but they mostly make sure we manage the space, funds, and supplies properly). The faculty run company usually uses our larger stage space, and the student run uses the smaller, more intimate, space.
Read MoreLike all designing, it is a double-edged sword. On one hand, no one has ever designed for this show before, so you know it will look unique. On the other hand, no one has ever designed this show before, so you are setting the precedent.
So let’s talk about some of those struggles of designing for a totally new show.
Read MoreNow more than ever we need the performing arts. We are living in uncertain times and I believe one of the best ways to protest our current state of affairs is via the arts! We especially need to make it accessible to our youth. Rebel Verses Youth Arts Festival is doing just that. Starting July 27th and going through August 5th - Developing Artists, in a new collaboration with Vineyard Theatre, gives youth theatre companies the opportunity to work with well-known people in the industry and develop new works.
Daphne Rubin-Vega, best known for originating the role of Mimi in Rent, and playing Magenta in the Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, is the spokesperson for Rebel Verses Youth Arts Festival.
Read MoreTheft and vandalism is unfortunately a familiar foe for those involved in theatre. Everyone in the performing arts has had something stolen, broken, or otherwise disrespected. It is a terrible feeling, and it is one that the staff at A-Z Theatrical is currently experiencing.
A-Z Theatrical Supply and Service Inc is a highly respected supply in the Kansas City Metro. With 50 years in business, they are a crucial part of the performing arts in the Midwest They offer a wide range of services, including thousands of costumes, lighting, rigging, and full show packages. They also have a full-scale scenic and design studio, and offer large prop rentals such as the replicas of Grease Lightning and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Read MoreThis morning, OnStage Blog posted a column reporting on a theatre in New Hampshire that appeared to be moving forward with a production of 'Gypsy' without having obtained the rights to do so.
However, within an hour of the story being published, we were presented with further evidence, which proved that the documents and statements we received were false.
Read MoreI've got a bone to pick. This Great Comet controversy started as, well, ridiculous. And it's only escalated it something that hindered far more than it helped. So my question is this:
Was it worth it?
Read MoreLate-July is usually the time of year when teachers start to put together their lesson plans, order supplies and decorate classrooms. But Martha Pfeiffer won't be doing anything of that. Because after 29 years of teaching, Ms. Pfeiffer is out of a job. While news of an unemployed teacher is, sadly, not rare these days, what makes Ms. Pfeiffer's situation unique is the events that led to her resignation. What follows is a story about tolerated bullying at a high school, the loss of a beloved teacher and LGBT students facing the reality that they no longer have a much-needed advocate.
Read Moreear Sam Shepard,
In the past few years, popular culture has been wracked with celebrity deaths that many feel strongly about. And rightfully so – Robin Williams, Gene Wilder, Carrie Fisher, several very high profile artists and actors that have caught the public eye and imagination. But I don’t think there will be such a widespread heartache for you, sir. Which is a shame, because you have been hailed several times as the greatest American playwright of your time.
Read MoreWhile I have only been active in theatre for the past 20 years, I cannot recall a Broadway fiasco like the one that is unfolding with Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
To say it's a mess would be an understatement. If this is how it looks from the outside, I can only imagine what the cast and crew are going through and my heart certainly goes out to them.
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