Nick Blaemire on Writing "Glory Days", the National Tour of "Falsettos" and How to Search for Balance

I would like you to meet Nick Blaemire! Nick will be playing the role of Mendel in the National Tour of Falsettos which begins this February. Nick has been seen on Broadway in Godspell (his performance of ‘We Beseech Thee’ is still one of my favorites) and Cry-Baby, Off-Broadway in Tick Tick Boom! (Which earned him a Drama Desk Nomination), Found, Dogfight, and The Black Suits. Nick also wrote the music and lyrics to Glory Days (Book by James Gardiner), A Little More Alive, and Soon. At the age of 22, Nick was the youngest person ever to have written a Broadway musical (Glory Days) while also performing in another Broadway musical (Cry-Baby) at the same time. After following and admiring Mr. Blaemire’s career for many years, it was a thrill for me to have the chance to interview him.

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“It takes courage but if you do the work, magic can happen.” Chatting with The Cher Show’s Ashley Blair Fitzgerald!

I would like you to meet Ashley Blair Fitzgerald. Ashley can currently be seen performing in the ensemble and as The Dark Lady in The Cher Show(which she is earning rave reviews). She has also been seen on Broadway in On the Town and Gigi (which was her Broadway debut!) and Off-Broadway in Trip of Love. Her message of training and stepping out of your comfort zone is something I find truly inspiring and admirable. I was very excited to interview this very talented dancer!

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Canadian Schools Pull Theatre Book with LGBT Characters from Elementary Libraries

The Ottawa Catholic School Board has quietly removed a popular book from its elementary school libraries after parents complained about its LGBT content.

Drama, a 2012 graphic novel by American author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier, is about a student who wants to be part of her middle-school theatre production.

It features a side story about two boys who are attracted to one another, and who share an onstage kiss. The novel was a top pick by the editors at the New York Times and named a Stonewall Book Award "Honor Book" in 2013 for its portrayal of LGBT issues.

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CanadaChristopher Peterson
“Keep on keeping on!” – Meet Alice By Heart’s Ari Groover!

I would like you to meet the wonderful and talented Ari Groover. Ari has been seen on Broadway in Holler If Ya Hear Me, and most recently in Head Over Heels and in Bare Off-Broadway. Up next she’ll be performing in Tony & Grammy Award Award Winners Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s newest musical Alice By Heart, inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and directed and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress) at MCC Theater. Performances begin on January 30th. I was very excited to have the chance to interview this very talented artist.

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Our Way Too-Early Tonys Scorecard

The 2018-19 Tony Season has certainly been off to a so-so start. We’ve seen more misses than hits with some of the more award-darling type shows yet to open. However, I do think we’ve seen some strong Tony contenders from the shows that have opened thus far. Here’s a rundown of how we think some of these categories might go.

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“Always look for opportunities to learn and grow” – Meet Kiss Me Kate’s Tanya Haglund

I would like you to meet Tanya Haglund. Tanya recently made her Broadway debut in the ensemble Head Over Heels at The Hudson Theatre which closes January 6th and will be continue living her Broadway when she performs in the ensemble of The Broadway Revival of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate which will begin previews on February 14th at Studio 54. It was a pleasure to interview this fantastic dancer in between rehearsing one show and performing in another.

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Christopher Peterson