Starting the star- studded lineup is glowing star, Kara Lindsay (Mary Poppins), who returns to NCT to enchant audiences just as she did in 2016. Lindsay’s Broadway credits include WICKED (Glinda) and the original cast of NEWSIES (Katherine Plumber). Flying on her magical umbrella from New York to Raleigh, Lindsay brings castmate and equally impressive spouse, North Carolina native, Kevin Massey (Mr. GeorgeBanks). Massey’s Broadway credits include TARZAN (Tarzan), Tony-Winning MEMPHIS (Huey), and Tony-Winning A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (Monty). Also joining is celebrated Broadway star, Anthony Wayne (Bert), whose credits include TINA, TOOTSIE and ANYTHING GOES. Additional star power is Sara Jean Ford (Mrs. Banks) whose Broadway credits include A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Petra) and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Christine). Ford returns to NCT after her performance in last season’s 9 TO 5 (Judy).

Tickets can be purchased at NCTheatre.com

Golden, a new musical with music and lyrics by John Hodges and Geordy Wells, and a book by Francesca Peppiatt with Whit Cook, will have industry presentations on April 20 and April 21.

The retelling of the Rumplestiltskin fairytale will star Major Attaway (Aladdin), Morgan Lynee Dudley (The Prom film, Descendents: The Rise of Red), Kevin Massey (Wicked, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), and Jon-Michael Reese (A Strange Loop, White Girl in Danger), with Tsilala Brock, Michelle Duffy, Will Gallacher, Megan Masako Haley, Marina Kondo, Eric Leviton, Zonya Love, Aaron Michael Ray, Dustin Sullivan, and Kaila Wooten.

The presentations of Golden will be directed by Madsie Flynn, with music direction from Robert Frost, and production stage management Kara Kaufman. Mat Lipscomb produces, Nathan Gehan and Jamison Scott serve as executive producers, and ShowTown Theatricals is the general manager.

For more information, visit GoldenTheMusical.com.
BY MARGARET HALL

BY LOGAN CULWELL-BLOCK
FEBRUARY 03, 2023

Brainstorm Records, Yellow Sound Label, and 35th Parallel Productions will release a six-track studio cast album EP of the new musical CLICQUOT: A Revolutionary Musical April 14. The work features a book, music, and lyrics by Lisette Glodowski and Richard C. Walter. A single, “The Man He Chose For Me,” will drop February 13.

The six-track studio cast album EP of the new musical CLICQUOT: A Revolutionary Musical is set to drop April 14, but Playbill has an exclusive first listen to a track. Pour some bubbly, and listen to Victoria Frings and Kevin Massey sing “The Man He Chose for Me” from the Lisette Glodowski- and Richard C. Walter-penned score above.

Set during the French Revolution, the musical follows Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin as she defies societal expectations and leads her late husband’s champagne business to change the entire industry, becoming one of the most successful international businesses in the world.

Featured in the cast are Frings as Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, Massey as François Clicquot, Paolo Montalban as Louis Bohne, Kai An Chee as Dressmaker, Tim Rogan as Jean Remy-Moët, Rachael Worthington as Clémentine Ponsardin, Nick Laughlin as Napoleon Bonaparte, Steve Blanchard as Philippe Clicquot, Neal Young as Nicolas Ponsardin, Erin McMillen as Young Barbe-Nicole, and Eric Sorrels as Young François. Kennedy Kanagawa and Richard Lindenfelzer are featured as soloists. Joanna Carpenter, Matt Castle, Robert Fowler, Meredith Ingelsby, Mairys Joaquin, Taylor Kraft, Cedric Leiba Jr, Cassie Maurer, and Santina Umbach round out the company in the ensemble. Jillienne Leigh serves as ASL Interpreter.

The upcoming release is produced by Frank Galgano and Michael Croiter, with orchestrations and arrangements by Galgano and Matt Castle. Castle has also penned vocal and dance arrangements, and Kenneth Gartman is leading the 13-piece orchestra.

Playbill article

FAMILY PORTRAITS: AUNT LILLIAN

October 4 – December 31
By Kirsten Childs
Directed by Awoye Timpo
Music Direction Jacinth Greywoode
Orchestrations by Daryl Waters
Sound Design by Elisheba Ittoop
Production Coordinator Jhanae Bonnick

With Darlesia Cearcy, Brandon Gill, Amber Iman, Ashley D Kelley, Kevin Massey, Jasmin Walker, NaTasha Yvette Williams

Musicians: Jacinth Greywoode (Keys), Kevin Wunderlich (Guitar), Parker McAllister (Bass), Spencer Cohen (Drums)
LOG IN TO VIRTUAL VINEYARD TO LISTEN TODAY!

You will need to have a Vineyard Login to access Aunt Lillian. To create an account or to change your password, please click here.

From Obie Award-winning composer Kirsten Childs (The Bubbly Black Girl…, The Vineyard’s Miracle Brothers), this wickedly funny and captivating audio musical delves into a story from her own childhood. When Aunt Lillian travels from North Carolina to Los Angeles to help care for Kirsten and her siblings, a battle of wills begins.

Additional credits:
Christopher Deschene, Music Copyist

Aunt Lillian was engineered and mixed by Chris Cubeta at Studio G Brooklyn
With Assistant Engineer, Richard Salino

Photo of Kirsten Childs by Zack DeZon

Wicked Returns to Broadway:

-Watch Glinda’s First Entrance and See Curtain Call-
-Hear the raucous applause that greeted “It’s good to see me, isn’t it?”-

Author David Gordon, Tricia Baron
September 15, 2021

It’s good to see her, isn’t it? Wicked reopened on Broadway on September 14 and, as expected, the crowd went wild. Before the show started, original leading lady Kristin Chenoweth came out to make a welcoming speech, and during the opening number, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” Glinda’s first line, “It’s good to see me, isn’t it?” deservedly stopped the show. Here’s what you missed if you weren’t there.

The audience really was spectacularly happy to see the show back, and during curtain call, they would not let the cast off the stage. As an encore, they brought out composer Stephen Schwartz, and the place went insane.

Lindsay Pearce and Ginna Claire Mason once again take on the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, alongside Alexandra Billings as Madame Morrible (Kathy Fitzgerald will play the role through September 26), Michael McCormick as the Wizard, Sam Gravitte as Fiyero, Riley Costello as Boq, Mili Diaz as Nessarose, and Michael X. Martin as Doctor Dillamond. The standbys are Jennifer DiNoia (Elphaba) and Brittney Johnson (Glinda). All of the principals with the exception of Diaz, who makes her Broadway debut, were playing the roles when Broadway shut down in March 2020.

The Wicked ensemble includes Ioana Alfonso, Alex Aquilino, Larkin Bogan, Randy Castillo, Antonette Cohen, Meg Doherty, Teneise Mitchell Ellis, Hannah Florence, Jenny Florkowski, Dan Gleason, Josh Daniel Green, Jeff Heimbrock, Celia Hottenstein, Courtney Iventosch, Colby Q. Lindeman, Chase Madigan, Micaela Martinez, Kevin Massey, Sterling Masters, Matt Meigs, Jo’Nathan Michael, Dashi Mitchell, Lindsay K. Northen, Emily Rogers, William Ryall, Travis Taber, Jeremy Thompson, and Christianne Tisdale.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento.

Welcome back to Broadway, Wicked!

by Nicole Rosky May. 26, 2021

Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young Will Lead Virtual FIRST DATE in July
Art Lab and ShowTown Productions just announced that Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young – former “American Idol” contestants who are married in real life – will co-star in a new virtual production of the 2013 Broadway musical comedy, First Date. The production, directed by Meg Fofonoff, will stream for five performances from July 23-25 on the ticketing platform, Stellar.

Art Lab and ShowTown Productions have previously collaborated on virtual productions of the musicals Disenchanted and Amour, as well as the online series “The Show Must Go On Show,” and “Art Lab Presents.”

First Date premiered at Seattle’s ACT Theatre in 2012 before a Broadway premiere in 2013 starring Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez. It has since been seen in over 200 productions around the world, including in such cities as London, Melbourne, Tokyo and Buenos Aires.

First Date, which features music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner and book by Austin Winsberg, tells the story of Aaron (Young) and Casey (DeGarmo), two single New Yorkers on a blind date with nothing to lose, except maybe their patience and sanity. This hilariously relatable musical puts you right at the bar along with them – and all the persistent voices in their heads. While they fight the urge to call it a no-go, they suffer through every dating faux pas in the book, from awkward silences to rambling about their exes to panicking over their past. But in the end, they can’t help but be curious about their chances at a second date…and maybe even finding love.

With an irresistible, contemporary pop Broadway score, and filled with those cringeworthy yet priceless moments that might feel all-too familiar, First Date lets us know it’s all part of the wonderful process of finding the perfect partner.
The cast also includes Nick Cearley (co-founder of The Skivvies, Broadway’s All Shook Up) as Man 2, Kevin Massey (Broadway’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) as Man 1, Jennifer Sánchez (Broadway’s Sunday in the Park with George) as Woman 1, Vishal Vaidya (Broadway’s Groundhog Day) as Man 3, and Aurelia Williams (Broadway’s Once on This Island) as Woman 2.

Fofonoff said “We are all looking forward to the imminent return of live theatre. At the same time, I feel we have discovered just how much can be achieved by theatre artists working in the virtual realm and that work I feel will continue to be produced after the pandemic has subsided. With tremendous ingenuity, you can accomplish almost anything. We have a delightful cast in virtual rehearsal for First Date, led by the terrific husband and wife team of Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo. How wonderful it will be to see this real-life couple fall in love all over again.”

Costume designer is Jennifer Tremblay. Storyboard artist is Sue Schaller. Film editor is Nate Wind. Director of Photography is Howie Michael Smith. Production Stage Manager is Julie Devore. Stage Managers are Stephen Milosevich and Lisa Ann Chernoff. Casting is by Alexandre Bleau, CSA.
Musical direction is by Julie McBride. Musical supervisor is Cynthia Meng. The band features Elena Bonomo (drums), Josh Plotner (reeds), Jakob Reinhardt (guitars), and Yuka Tadano (bass).

Tickets are now on sale. Tickets purchased today through June 2 at 11:59 PM are $15. Regular priced tickets are $20. For more information, click:
https://www.stellartickets.com/o/art-lab-llc/events/first-date-the-virtual-broadway-musical.

First Date is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
www.concordtheatricals.com.

Michel Legrand and Didier van Cauwelaert’s musical will stream for three performances in April. Art Lab and ShowTown Productions will present a virtual production of the 2002 Broadway musical Amour April 2–4 on the streaming platform Stellar.

Directed by Meg Fofonoff, the presentation will feature Tony nominee Derrick Baskin (Ain’t Too Proud) as The Painter, Drew Gehling (Waitress) as Dusoleil, Kara Lindsay (Newsies) as Madeleine, Kevin Massey (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder) as Bertrand, Tony nominee Adam Pascal (Rent) as Prosecutor/Charles, Christiani Pitts (A Bronx Tale: The Musical) as Isabelle, Jennifer Sánchez (Pretty Woman: The Musical) as Claire, Thom Sesma (Sweeney Todd at Barrow Street Theatre) as Boss/Policeman, Vishal Vaidya (Groundhog Day) as Doctor Roquefort/Monsieur Le President/Policeman, and Rachel York (Head Over Heels) as The Whore.

With music by Michel Legrand and a libretto by Didier van Cauwelaert, Amour is adapted from Le Passe-Muraille by Marcel Aymé and features an English adaptation by Jeremy Sams. The musical concerns Dusoleil, a civil servant and dreamer who discovers that he can walk through walls, which allows him to give bread and jewels to the bourgeoisie. As he gains confidence to win over Isabelle from her unhappy marriage, Dusoleil’s magical approach to life makes the world better for his co-workers and other Parisian locals.

“I have been in love with Amour for a long time,” says Fofonoff. “It’s a beautiful show with perpetual relevance about shared humanity and valuing our true selves. While the show was not fully appreciated during its abbreviated Broadway run, my hope is that our virtual revival will make it available to many more people.

“Directing and producing Amour has been an exciting challenge as we pull together scenic elements, full costumes, props, and a very complicated score—all remotely. It’s only fitting for a surrealist show to come together through this surreal process, and I am in awe of and grateful to our actors for their dedication, immense talent, and spirit in going on this journey with us.”

Be a Part of the Playbill Opening Night Celebration for the Virtual Revival of Amour

The creative team also includes costume designer Jennifer Tremblay, music producer Mark Governor, and music director Sean Mayes. Casting is by Alexandre Bleau, and Julie DeVore serves as the production stage manager. The musical is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.

*article by Andrew Gans

August 19, 2020 @ 7PM ET – Clicquot

Book, Music and Lyrics by Lisette Glodowski and Richard C. Walter

Featuring live performances by Victoria Frings (An Enemy of the People), Kennedy Kanagawa (Lolita, My Love), Judy McLane (Mamma Mia!), Kevin Massey (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Memphis), Rachael Worthington and more

In the wake of the French Revolution, one woman changed the champagne industry forever. Clicquot tells the story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin in the early years of her life and how, against all odds, she became the businesswoman who rejected the status quo.

The New Works Series is produced and hosted by Jen Sandler and Joe Barros. Since the end of March, the company has presented 17 virtual installments of its New Works Series (among other programming), has presented 38 new musicals, lifted up 64 writers, and has supported 8 charities, including: NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Black Women Playwrights’ Group, Darkness Rising, The Black Youth Project, The Okra Project, The Next Wave Initiative, Color of Change, and Campaign Zero. For more information, visit New York Theatre Barn’s website: www.nytheatrebarn.org.

See entire BroadwayWorld article here

Telling stories is how we keep memories alive and THE EDGE OF NIGHT reimagines a favorite family story as musical theater: Mrs. Annie Brown is determined not to miss her favorite soap opera, but has to grapple head-on with segregation in the 1950’s south in order to succeed in her quest.

LISTEN NOW

This season of Soundstage is made possible by a generous gift from the Scherman Foundation’s Katharine S. and Axel G. Rosin Fund.

Written and Composed by Kirsten Childs
Directed by Awoye Timpo
Sound Design by Elisheba Ittoop
Music Direction by Gary Atturio

Recorded at Studio G Brooklyn
Engineered by Chris Cubeta
Mixed by Gary Atturio
Casting by Katie Meister Houben

Darlesia Cearcy – Mable/Vocalist
Brandon Gill – Vocalist
Amber Iman – KC
Kevin Massey – Vocalist
Jasmin Walker – Vocalist

Piano
Alan Markley

Flute
Julie Pacheco

Multi-Instrumentalists
Gary Atturio
Chris Cubeta

Series Line Producer  Alison Koch

Intro Music by Emily A. Sprague

Get ready for another night of Disney magic!

Disney has begun to announce the celebrity performances for the next “Disney Family Singalong” on ABC, which will feature music from “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Hercules,” “Tarzan,” “The Lion King,” and other Disney classics:

• “A Whole New World” – Idina Menzel and Ben Platt
• “Almost There” – Chloe x Halle and Anika Noni Rose
• “Baby Mine” – Katy Perry
• “Beauty and the Beast” – John Legend and Jennifer Hudson
• “Hakuna Matata” – Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner feat. Donald Glover and Walter Russell III
• “Part of Your World” – Halsey
• “Poor Unfortunate Souls” – Rebel Wilson
• “Remember Me” – Miguel feat. Christina Aguilera
• “Step in Time” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” – Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Hayley Erbert
• “Try Everything” – Shakira
• “When I Am Older” – Josh Gad
• “You’ll Be in My Heart” – Disney on Broadway stars Merle Dandridge, Heather Headley, Adam Jacobs, Caissie Levy, Kara Lindsay, Kevin Massey and Josh Strickland
• “Your Mother and Mine” – Sabrina Carpenter feat. Lang Lang
• “Zero to Hero” – Keke Palmer feat. “Dancing with the Stars” Pros Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Sasha Farber and Emma Slater

Disney also teased that there will be more surprise performances that have yet to be announced.

The first round of performers to be announced included Chloe x Halle, Billy Eichner, Hayley Erbert, Josh Gad, Donald Glover, Halsey, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Idina Menzel, Miguel, Keke Palmer, Ben Platt, Seth Rogen, Anika Noni Rose, Walter Russell III, Shakira, Rebel Wilson, and Disney on Broadway stars Merle Dandridge, Heather Headley, Adam Jacobs, Caissie Levy, Kara Lindsay, Kevin Massey and Josh Strickland.

On May 6, Disney added Kermit, Miss Piggy, Christina Aguilera, Tituss Burgess, Sabrina Carpenter, Jennifer Hudson, Lang Lang, John Legend and Katy Perry to the lineup.