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New York Christopher Peterson New York Christopher Peterson

Meshelle Opens Up: An Exclusive Chat with the Self-Styled “Indie Mom of Comedy”

For many artists, there comes a time where they are forced to make a painful choice in their lives: continuing to pursue their art or move toward starting a family. Some, however, refuse to ultimately choose, and attempt their best to balance their creative life with their parental life. Such appears to be the case with the woman known simply as “Meshelle,” who returns to the NYC indie theatre scene with her latest performance at Theatre Row as part of the United Solo Theatre Festival, after past successful runs at festivals such as the Midtown International Theatre Festival and the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival.

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New York Christopher Peterson New York Christopher Peterson

Two Artists Walk into a Play: Developing a New Work

When it comes to the phrase “write what you know” playwright, Monica Bauer had a lot to work with. A former political science professor as well as a veteran of the National Guard, she sought to write a play that reflected her unique life experiences. Bauer says “The real truth about politics is found, I believe, in the contradictions in human beings. The problem of politics is flawed human beings trying to make sense of movements in history beyond their control. So I wanted to work with the twin national tragedies of the Vietnam War and the Iraq War, both wars of choice, both wars where a lot of young people died or came back wounded.”

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Christopher Peterson Christopher Peterson

Taking in the Glitz and Glamour of the Emmys Governor's Ball

After last night’s 70th Emmy Awards, nominees, guests, and presenters strolled along a massive red carpet to the L.A. Live Event Deck for the largest celebratory dinner party in Los Angeles. First guests received a bubbling flute of Ferrari Trento as they walked under 29,000 LED lights hanging from the ceiling illuminating the party and Hollywood's night sky.

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Christopher Peterson Christopher Peterson

A Trump Skit, A Town Outraged, A Community Theatre in Turmoil

When one thinks of Breckenridge, CO the first thing that usually comes to mind is their popular ski resort. Then perhaps their famous Oktoberfest. But probably no one thought it would be home to a brewing controversy involving its local community theatre. A controversy that has led to threats of boycotts and the resignation of two theatre officials.

All due to a satirical sketch poking fun at Donald Trump. 

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Broadway Christopher Peterson Broadway Christopher Peterson

Andrew Lloyd Webber Lets the Memory Live Again in "Unmasked"

Twenty years ago, I was starting at a new Middle School. Naturally, I gravitated toward some familiar extra-curricular activities to ease the transition, one of which was chorus. We sang a medley of songs from "The Phantom of the Opera," a musical. What was a musical? I was about to find out. I was an alto, but loved the tenor lines (the Phantom's lines) so much that the day of the Fall concert I asked if I could sing them and was allowed. Then I worked behind the scenes on the Spring musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." It took me forever to memorize that whole title, but not long at all to decide that this was what I wanted out of life: musical theatre. And who was responsible for these two pieces of art that had brought about this epiphany?

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Christopher Peterson Christopher Peterson

Extra Extra: Disney’s Newsies Goes Sensory Friendly at Next Generation Theatre

This production of Disney’s ‘newsies’ is letting all “fansies” have an opportunity to seize the day. The Next Generation theater company of St. Louis Missouri is offering a “sensory friendly“ performance. Theater fans with light or sound sensitivity or those on the spectrum of autism should feel more comfortable and welcomed at the show. There will also be sign language interpreters for ASL users. 

The sensory friendly performance will be Sunday September 2nd. The run begins at the James J Eagan civic center in Florissant Missouri on August 31st. Tickets and show information can be found at www.nextgenerationtheatre.company

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Broadway Christopher Peterson Broadway Christopher Peterson

The Cats Movie has a Release Date...

Apparently, some of you wanted it and now you're officially going to get it. The movie adaptation of Cats is confirmed for the big screen with the announcement today of its release date, Dec. 20, 2019. 

Merry Christmas. 

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Canada Christopher Peterson Canada Christopher Peterson

A TUTS Vancouver Double Header Interview

Vancouver Onstage Blog writers Damon Bradley Jang (interviewing Mallory James on her role as Ella in Cinderella) and Mary Littlejohn (interviewing Blake Sartin on his role as Bobby in 42nd Street) speak to the leading players of the 2018 Theatre Under The Stars Vancouver Season offerings.

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College Theatre Christopher Peterson College Theatre Christopher Peterson

Understanding OnStage Blog's College Rankings

For the past three years, OnStage Blog has released its annual rankings of the best colleges in the country for Dance, Design & Tech and Performing for BA, BFA and MFA degrees. Whenever we announce our rankings, some questions arise and they're always the same - How do you come up with your rankings?

Well this year, we've decided to tell you. Here is how we break it all down. 

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United Kingdom Christopher Peterson United Kingdom Christopher Peterson

White Actress Banned from Singing "And I Am Telling You" Because She's Not Black...No Seriously

There are certain musical numbers that I consider "PhD's in Singing". Songs like "Soliloquy" or "Glitter and be Gay", to master them is an accomplishment reserved for truly talented singers. Another song in this repertoire would be "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls. Many have tried to master it, very few have succeeded. Nevertheless, it's one of the most popular show tunes performed in concerts and cabarets today. 

While many might choose to stay away from such a number, actress Mazz Murray was ready to take it on for her upcoming concert "The Best of the West End". That was until she was told that she was banned from doing so because she's white. 

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Canada Christopher Peterson Canada Christopher Peterson

An Empowerment Cabaret is Coming to Vancouver

It’s an age of powerful movements. Unprecedented numbers are using age-old platforms to boost their voices -- coming from marginalized and imprisoned communities -- and they have finally begun gaining their rightful footing and amplification. Folks are stepping forward from the shadows in every industry the world over with their stories, with their struggles, and it’s not something that the universe of theatre is impervious too. Which is exactly what the Board of Directors at Fabulist Theatre has in the back of their minds as they set forth to give amazing artists a moment to express themselves as human beings, and tell their tales.

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Broadway Christopher Peterson Broadway Christopher Peterson

Building the Social Media Success of "Be More Chill"

Be More Chill, with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and a book by Joe Tracz, has 67.6 thousand followers on Instagram, 9,209 followers on Twitter, and 7,813 likes and 8,049 followers on Facebook. Even more likes and followers have been racked up on unofficial pages and the pages of the cast and crew. In the past day, 370 Twitter posts have featured the title of the show.

The current production, which opened last night, sold out a week before opening, and has gained much of its widespread fame from social media and an excited, involved fandom.

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Virginia, New York Christopher Peterson Virginia, New York Christopher Peterson

Theaterpalooza Owner Calls MTI Bullies and Claims They are Harassing Her...That's Going to Go Over Well

The saga between Music Theatre International(MTI) and a children's community theatre company in Virginia just keeps getting more bizarre. 

Last week, MTI released a statement which countered many of the claims that Theaterpalooza owner, Teresa Walker, had made to local press outlets. 

On Tuesday, Ms. Walker released another statement where she claims her company is being bullied and harassed by MTI and even going as far as invoking "fake news" in regards to what MTI has stated thus far. 

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