Technical Difficulties: When a Show Stops
It was right after Marya called Natasha a horrid hussy of a girl that the sound cut out in the Imperial Theatre at the Sunday matinee of Great Comet this weekend. Natasha, Marya and Sonya soldiered on; projecting like champs while their mics failed. Seconds later, a voice filled the theatre alerting the audience to something we already knew--that they were experiencing technical difficulties. The show was stopped, and the audience was encouraged to stay put. The actors exited (not pursued by a bear with a policeman on its back) and the theatre erupted with applause.
Read More
The Importance of the 'Children of a Lesser God' Revival
It was recently announced that a revival production of Mark Medoff's Tony Award winning play 'Children of a Lesser God' will be opening March 22 2018 at Studio 54. As a supporter of theater and specifically #DeathTalent I am excited and overjoyed to read this news. I am already planning a trip from St. Louis with some ASL using friends.
Read More
How Can We Improve Musical Theater Education in Schools? : Part 3
So in my last Blog I discussed how there are some major obstacles that school theater programs are facing on a large scale. You were probably left with a lot of questions. What can be done to help remedy the situation? How can I help? What can larger organizations do to help? What can directors do to help improve their programs? I’ve compiled some easy fix answers and thought up some crazy out of the box thoughts that may help improve musical theater education in schools.
Read More
On Betsy Wolfe in "Waitress”
Whether it’s crazy high belting, bringing something so unique to every role, or now, replacing (or rather, reinventing), there’s nothing that Betsy Wolfe cannot do. It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of hers—in fact, so much so that I would fly across the country twice in one summer to see her perform—and seeing her in Waitress was everything I imagined it to be, and more. There was just something so utterly magical about Betsy’s take on Jenna that made me see the character differently.
Read More
10 Theatrical Pet Peeves
Theatre Folk have… a very unique set of pet peeves. Some of it’s stuff that is just common workplace etiquette for ANY job. But there are a few that specifically bother thespians. Because goddammit Mary how many times do we have to tell you that your spotlight is LITERALLY THREE FEET TO STAGE RIGHT. Obviously they happen enough that it’s a running gag with many actors and crew. But for those of you new to our little profession (hopefully you don’t do these if you’ve been in the process a while) here’s a few tips about what NOT to do after you’ve booked the job.
Read More
Is Theatre Gay?
In the hit television drama SMASH, fictional Broadway producer Tom Levitt notes to his stage manager that he “hate(s) working with gays”, to which she replies “You’re in the wrong business then”, playing off the fact that Broadway is full of gay men. While this makes for a witty bit and a quick laugh, it plays off a much larger stereotype that theater in itself is gay, as is anyone who enjoys it. But is it true? Is theater truly “gay”?
Read More
OMG...I Had a Productive Production Meeting
Can a production meeting actually be productive? Yes that can happen, things can run smoothly and an agenda can followed closely. It’s a great feeling to leave the meeting with such a sense of accomplishment.
Read More
Critics Be Damned: Four Reasons Why 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' is Still Running
The end of the summer usually brings with it news of Broadway show closings. So far we've seen On Your Feet!, The Great Comet, Bandstand and Groundhog Day all make their closing announcements.
It should be noted that all four of these shows received somewhat favorable to glowing reviews along with Tony nominations and wins. While they are shutting their doors in the coming weeks, one show that did not receive positive reviews or a single Tony nod is still going strong, I'm talking about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Read More
How Can We Improve Musical Theater Education in Schools? : Part 2
Community sponsorship of school is one of the primary ways most of these programs survive. Many have their students required to sell ads or having to pay a fee. Other programs will have it done on a volunteer basis in order to meet a quota. In any event, many of the mom and pop restaurants, realtors, and other stores will support their programs however they can. They are the economic backbone of our musical theater programs and we cannot thank or applaud them enough for what they do and continue to do.
Read More
Royal Family Productions and We So Hapa Join Forces for SONGS OF OTHERNESS
Royal Family Productions, a non-profit theatre company known for its innovative productions and development of new original work, is partnering with We So Hapa, a non-profit group founded to showcase multi-ethnic talent, for this diversity-centric, one-night-only cabaret event entitled Songs of Otherness on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Royal Family Performing Arts Space (145 West 46th Street, 3rd Floor). Tickets for the cabaret start at $25 and can be purchased by clicking http://bit.ly/SongsofOtherness and you can find out more information by vising www.WeSoHapa.com and www.RoyalFamilyProductions.org.
Read More
