Ever wonder what happened to the characters of your favorite musicals after the curtain closes? Well, so have the creative team behind ‘Sequel the Musical”, and improv show that improvises a sequel to a Broadway musical of the audiences choosing. When asked about how the idea came to be, creator, Rachel Zeolla said “I got into musical improv because of my love for musical theater, so I tried to create a show that encompassed both of those things. There are so many amazing stories in musical theater, and I felt like it would be fun, and hysterical, to explore where else those stories could go in their sequels.” The team has improvised anything from “Phantom of the Opera” to “Footloose” and has even improvised four different versions of “The Sound of Music.”

Let me tell you, I have had the privilege of doing interviews for OnStage Blog for well over a year now, and some stories are just so amazing, surreal, and inspiring. Some of these interviews and hearing these artist stories strongly remind me that if you work hard for your dreams, your dreams will work hard for you.

With that said it is my honor to introduce you to the wonderful Sarita Amani Nash.

Sarita is making her Broadway debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 1 & 2) at the Lyric Theatre. What makes her debut so special is that for four years before making her Broadway debut on the Lyric Theatre Stage, Sarita’s ‘survival’ job was ushering at the Lyric Theatre. The very people that she was showing to their seats at the Lyric are now sitting in those very seats watching her perform on the Lyric stage in Harry Potter 8 times a week. How cool is that? Some stories truly write themselves, and I feel this is only the first chapter for this amazing young actress.

I would you like to meet the talented Jill Abramovitz. Jill is currently on Broadway in Beetlejuice, which recently began previews at the Winter Garden Theatre, playing the role(s) of Maxine Dean, June, and Ensemble. Jill has also been previously seen on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella, 9 ot 5 and Martin Short’s: Fame Becomes Me. I am a huge fan of her and this show, so to have the chance to interview Jill is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

March Madness is upon us. Which means it’s time for OnStage Blog’s annual Broadway bracket. This year we thought we would change it up a bit and have our readers vote on which longest running musical is their favorite. So we looked up the 32 longest running musicals.

Given the popularity of some of these musicals, I think the choices might be tougher than you think.

I would like you to meet the wonderful and talented Erin Driscoll. Erin can currently be seen playing the role of Cinderella at Ford’s Theatre which runs until May 22nd. Erin also appeared in Ford's Theatre's production of Violet where she performed the title role. The first time I had the chance to see Erin perform was when she played the role of Hope Cladwell in Urinetown at Signature Theatre in Virginia (A role that earned her a Helen Hayes Award). Throughout the years, Erin has become a real staple in the Washington DC Theatre scene, and everyone who has seen her perform can attest that she is truly worth the price of admission. I am very honored to have the chance to interview her.

One thing that has always struck me about her is the quality of her natural voice. Strip away the humor and the character work, and Ms. Bianco truly possesses an instrument to be admired. Anyone who can sing "Glitter and Be Gay" eight times a week as part of a GAG... well, that is a national treasure in my book, friends.

This weekend, the New York native brings it all home with a much-anticipated solo concert at The Green Room 42.

A bus stop doesn’t seem an auspicious place to start a theater company but for Open Door Theater, based in Acton, MA it’s at a bus stop where Penny Pitts and Nancy Carroll first conceived of Open Door Theater. It was 1980 and Penny, a puppeteer new to Acton, joined Nancy in her idea of a theater open to all where the idea of “all” really meant all. At Open Door Theater, actors who are cognitively and/or physically impaired and for whom participation in theater may not be possible with other groups, share the stage with neuro-typical actors. It provides unique opportunities and experiences for everyone on-stage, those working behind the scenes and for audience members.

I would like you to meet Morgan Siobhan Green. Morgan is making her Broadway debut in Be More Chill where she understudies for Christine, Brooke, Chloe, Jenna, and ‘as cast.’ Before that, she was seen Off-Broadway in Folk Wandering (ARTNY), and Sweetee (Signature). She has also performed regionally in Between the Lines (Pre Broadway). I always admire understudies and swings who perform on Broadway because as many will tell you they have a lot on their plate, so it was quite an honor to have the opportunity to interview Morgan! 

The pop superstar has brought a Rodgers & Hammerstein showstopper to a new generation.

I would like you to meet Katlyn Carlson. Katlyn is currently making her Broadway debut in the Joe Iconis hit Be More Chill where she is playing the role of Chloe Valentine, a role she played both in the recent Off-Broadway run and with The Two River Theater. She has also performed Off-Broadway in The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin, and in the First National Tour of Dirty Dancing. It was such a privilege to have the chance to interview this very talented University of Chicago alum!

What advice would you give young performers who want a career in this business?

Work on your craft! There are many things that may attract you to a career in Acting, but I will say you must love the craft above all. Get in a class. Get a mentor. Go see shows (Not just the ones you could be in but also the ones that you may not see yourself in). Meet people! First, believe in yourself. Then, surround yourself with people who believe in you! Become financially literate. Write your own story. Don’t be phased by rejection. You will most likely receive some form of it. Instead of asking “why me?” Ask “what is this teaching me?”. Carve out time to be somewhat normal. Learn to cook. Read a book. But most importantly get spiritual (whatever that means to you) and take care of yourself.

Last December, I wrote a piece on the fact that Broadway Break Thru and its founder David Petro, had not paid its guest faculty for their work during their summer college programs.

Some of the guest faculty hadn’t been paid a dime despite some of them being owed upwards to $1,000.

After publishing the article, I had heard that Petro promised(in writing) that he would pay all monies owed by February 28th. I’ve been told by various faculty, that he hasn’t sent them a dime.

Beginning March 18, DNR STUDIOS presents a new twice-weekly hour-long LIVE radio show hosted by long-time broadcaster and social media personality Laura Heywood (@BroadwayGirlNYC).

I would like you to meet Anthony Wayne. This triple threat can currently be seen in Tootsie on Broadway performing in the ensemble. On Broadway Anthony has also been seen in the 2018 Tony Award Winning Revival Once on this Island as well as Pippin, Anything Goes and Priscilla Queen of the Dessert. He has performed in the touring companies of A Chorus Line (Richie), The Color Purple, and Fame: The Musical (Tyrone). He has also starred as the 1970’s disco legend Sylvester in the new show Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical! It was a privilege to have the chance to interview Anthony!

I would like you to meet Britney Coleman. Britney will be performing in the ensemble of Tootsie on Broadway at The Marquis Theatre.

She has also been seen on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (a show she also performed in the 1st National Tour). She has also performed with well respected regional companies such as Westport Country Playhouse, The Muny, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), The Old Globe, North Shore Music Theatre, and The Asolo Repertory Theatre. I am very thankful to have the chance to interview this very talented artist!

Legendary EGOT Barbra Streisand has confirmed plans for a UK concert this summer.

I would like you to meet the wonderful Rashidra Scott. She will be performing the role of Josephine in Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and times of The Temptations on Broadway at The Imperial Theatre. Previews start February 28th with the official opening on March 21st. Rashidra Scott has also been seen on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sister Act (also in the 1st National Tour), Hair, Finian’s Rainbow, and Avenue Q (Gary Coleman). She has also performed regionally with Goodspeed Opera House, The Marriott Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, STAGES St. Louis, Arizona Theatre Company, and Walt Disney World Entertainment. I absolutely love the temptations music so for me it was quite a thrill to have the chance to interview Rashidra!