Given that he played a major role in inspiring a whole generation of performers, I do find it surprising that not more people use Alan Menken's material for auditions. Maybe because it's looked down upon to audition with a Disney song? Perhaps. I'll be honest when I say I've heard more than a few groans from behind the table when someone says they'll be singing a song from Beauty & the Beast. 

But in my opinion, Menken's material isn't off limits. His songs, along with Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, highlight the voice nicely, allow for a fully acted performance and aren't terribly complex that an intermediate accompanist can't handle it. 

When I asked comedic actress Nonie Newton-Riley what it’s like to play the same role on tour across the United States for seventeen years, she responded that the steady gig is “a gift and a mitzvah.” Interesting choice of words for someone who has spent the better part of two decades portraying a nun. But as Newton-Riley is quick to point out “you don't have be to Catholic to have fun” at one of the eight “Catechism” shows she regularly performs in. “It doesn't matter if you grew up Jewish or Lutheran or whatever,” she says, “you get in that show and it taps into something familiar for everyone who grew up in the '50s and '60s. Everybody remembers getting in trouble at school or enjoyed watching someone else get in trouble.”

This was a question that was recently posed to me during a coffee chat with a theatre friend. To be quite honest, I didn't have an answer. Reason being, it makes no logical sense to me. At this point, I have to believe that there is some sort of dark conspiracy to prevent this man from ever winning a Tony Award. 

Becuase if you look at his resume, it bewilders me how he doesn't have multiple spinning medals already. 

It’s no secret in the theatre world that stage managing is difficult. Between creating schedules, tracking each and every change and development in rehearsal, making sure the show runs smoothly each night, and of course, managing actors and tech staff, it gets hectic. You are ultimately charged with creating order out of varying amounts of chaos. And one thing that must be kept in order is your own attitude.

As we embark on a new year that means SUMMER STOCK THEATRE are about to start or are just around the corner. I wanted to tell a true story of what happened to me four years ago and why your mental health is key.

Musical theatre in both American and Mexican cultures has turned around and showed us that historical musical theatre can succeed. America has productions like "Hamilton and in Mexico's case, we have "Josefa".

It’s audition season. Over the coming days and weeks I know I’m going to see plenty of requests for men. Extending auditions or callbacks looking for more male participants. Male actors receiving phone calls asking, begging, pleading with them to not merely come audition but come be in the show. Because for seemingly every 10 females to audition, maybe 1 or 2 males come out. And yet theaters continue to produce works that require more men than women in roles. Why? I think it’s more than time the ladies took center stage. And there’s more than enough works for us to do just that.

Dear “Everyone who told me that I can’t”,
If it wasn’t for you
I wouldn’t be here before you today.

There is no doubt that the musical theatre fandom is a passionate bunch. Musicals, no matter if they are successes or flops, can be fiercely defended. So we here at OnStage Blog wanted to find out what is your favorite musical over the past 17 years. 

Since Facebook now has a really fun poll feature. We'd figured the easiest way to do this is to do it bracket style. 

Musical theatre is in an odd position within the theatre world. Musicals grace Broadway stages and car stereos across the nation. They become pop culture icons and films.

They also get a bad rap.