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Tag: Interview

Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty Continue to Journey On

Posted on April 23rd, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have created scores for a host of musicals and films, earning a Tony Award, two Oscar nominations (for the animated film Anastasia), and a slew of other honors along the way. Right now, however, the ever-busy pair are preparing for new productions of two of their biggest hits, Once on This Island, which will play New Jersey’s Paper Mill’s Playhouse, May 30-June 24, and Ragtime, which will play London’s Open Air Theatre, May 18-August 8, as well as creating a musical version of the hit film Rocky.

On April 30, The New York Pops will honor this dynamic duo during its annual birthday gala at Carnegie Hall with an evening of their songs entitled Journey On, featuring a star-studded line-up including, LaChanzeNorm LewisMarin MazzieAndrew Rannells, and many more.… Read the rest

Caissie Levy Is Gaga for Ghost

Posted on March 31st, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Caissie Levy

Caissie Levy has wowed audiences in such shows as Hairspray, Wicked, Rent, and most notably, the Broadway revival of Hair, in which she played Sheila. Now, Levy has returned to New York to star as Molly Jensen, who is haunted by the spirit of her dead husband Sam, in Ghost The Musical now at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. TheaterMania caught up with Levy during previews to discuss her return to the Great White Way in this highly anticipated show.

THEATERMANIA: You originated the role in Manchester and London. How did your casting initially come about?
CAISSIE LEVY: I met our director, Matthew Warchus, in 2009 while I was doing Hair in New York.Read the rest

Ben Fankhauser on Newsies, Broadway, and Occupy Wall Street

Posted on March 28th, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Up-and-coming Broadway actor Ben Fankhauser is making his Broadway debut in Disney’s Newsies, a musical based on the 1992 hit movie about the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. After a successful run at Paper Mill Playhouse, the highly anticipated show is coming to Broadway for a strictly limited engagement (March 28 through August 19, 2012).

Fankhauser is playing the role of newsboy Davey, which he originated during the Paper Mill run. He is a recent graduate of Ithaca College, where he received his BFA. Fankhauser’s other theater credits include Ernst in the first national tour of the Tony-winning musical Spring Awakening.

About.com’s Nick Orlando chatted with Fankhauser about his Broadway debut.

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Alexis Bledel Has Regrets

Posted on March 26th, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Alexis Bledel in Regrets (© Carol Rosegg)

Alexis Bledel starred on the critically acclaimed television series Gilmore Girls for seven seasons, earning two Teen Choice Awards for her portrayal of Rory Gilmore. Since then, Bledel has gone on to appear in numerous films, including Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Sin City, and Tuck Everlasting, and made her stage debut last year Off-Broadway in Love, Loss and What I Wore.She’s currently starring in the world premiere of Matt Charman’s Regrets, being presented by Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center -Stage I, in which she plays Chryssie, a young prostitute in Reno who hooks up with the residents of a camp for soon-to-be divorced men.

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Christopher Jackson Moves Into Memphis

Posted on February 1st, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Christopher Jackson (©Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

Christopher Jackson made his Broadway debut as Simba in The Lion King and played Benny in the Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights. In addition to his acting work, Jackson has written songs for will.i.am, Sean Kingston, LL Cool J, and Mario; released his debut solo R&B album, In the Name of Love, last year, and is composing songs for PBS’ Sesame Street.

He is currently playing the role of nightclub owner Delray in the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis, now at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre, for a limited engagement through February 27. TheaterMania chatted with Jackson about his role in the musical.

THEATERMANIA: How did your interest in Memphis come about?… Read the rest

Rx Marks the Spot for Marin Hinkle

Posted on January 26th, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Marin Hinkle

The talented Marin Hinkle is best known to television audiences as Judith Harper on the hit comedy seriesTwo and a Half Men, but the actress has worked frequently on stage in such shows as A Thousand Clowns, Electra, The Tempest, Extraordinary Chambers, and Circle Mirror Transformation. She is currently starring in the world premiere of Kate Fodor’s comedy Rx, now being presented by Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. TheaterMania spoke with Hinkle about the play, her take on drugs for depression, and returning to Two and a Half Men.

THEATERMANIA: How did you find out about this production?
MH: My team sent this to me.Read the rest

Constantine Maroulis Goes Toxic

Posted on January 11th, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

 

Constantine Maroulis

After a stint on the fourth season of American Idol, Constantine Maroulis moved on to Broadway, starring first in The Wedding Singer and then in Rock of Ages, originating the role of wannabe rocker Drew, and earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. Now, Maroulis is kicking off 2012 as nerdy scientist Melvin Ferd the Third in The Toxic Avenger at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas. TheaterMania caught up with Maroulis to discuss the show, his experiences with Rock of Ages, and his advice for other reality show contestants.

THEATERMANIA: What made you want to do this show?
CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I have been a fan of co-writers David Bryan and Joe DiPietro for a long time.Read the rest

Three Terrific Leading Ladies

Posted on December 19th, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Carolee Carmello in Sister Act (© Joan Marcus)

Broadway has some familiar — and fantastic — female faces back on the boards: Carolee Carmello has joined the cast of Sister Act as Mother Superior; Rebecca Faulkenberry is now starring in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark as Mary Jane; and Emily Padgett has returned to Rock of Ages as Sherrie. TheaterMania recently spoke to these three talented ladies about their latest gigs.

THEATERMANIA: This has been a busy year for you, fromThe Addams Family to Saving Aimee and now Sister Act. How did this job come about?
CAROLEE CARMELLO: I’m not totally sure. I didn’t audition. I got a call from my manager while I was in Seattle doing Saving Aimee.Read the rest

Secrets of a Radio City Rockette; Behind the Scenes with Rockette Teresa Burks

Posted on December 15th, by Nick in Entertainment. No Comments

Many little girls (and boys) have dreamed about taking the stage as a Radio City Rockette — the bright lights, the glamorous costumes, the opportunity to hang out with Santa Claus.

The Radio City Rockettes are not only beautiful and graceful, they are also world-class athletes. We spoke with Teresa Burks, who has danced as a Radio City Rockette for 11 years, about what it’s really like behind the scenes at the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.

In addition to her 11 seasons of high kicking as a Rockette, Burks has performed around the world with such artists as Vanessa Williams, Gloria Estefan and Kool and the Gang. She performed as a Las Vegas showgirl and onboard three cruise ships, including Holland America Cruise Lines as a dance captain.

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Aaron Carter Takes a Fantasticks Voyage

Posted on December 3rd, by Nick in Theater. No Comments

Aaron Carter (© John Capo Public Relations)

Aaron Carter rose to fame as a teen pop star when his first full-length solo album, Aaron Carter achieved gold status worldwide, while his follow-up, Aaron’s Party, went triple-platinum. He made his Broadway debut in the musical Seussical in 2001 and is now back on the New York stage as Matt in the long-running Off-Broadway show, The Fantasticks, at the Snapple Theater Center. TheaterMania recently spoke with Carter about the production, how it feels to be back in New York, and his music career.

THEATERMANIA: What’s it like being on stage again in a musical?
AARON CARTER: It’s great! I have been performing my whole life. When I’m not performing, I’m bored.Read the rest