Saturday, December 21, 2024
A club remix of the Nutcracker theme that melts, like chocolate candy on the tongue, into a sultry live rendition of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"? That's entertainment, baby. My love told me that I’m falling asleep during performances recently. One show last week she clocked me falling asleep 12 times in one hour. So from now on I’ll be rating productions by “Nods” or how many times I “Nod Off”. Let us begin. It's the first of many holiday gifts Company XIV offers up in Nutcracker Rouge, the Brooklyn burlesque troupe's flagship show now in its 13th year. A
Features
Immersed In Santa’s Secret In Chelsea
As someone who has never attended an all out burlesque event before, I was initially unsure about what to expect when my love insisted we go to Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience. From the moment we arrived, it became clear I was in for a delightful surprise that would change my perspective on holiday celebrations entirely. Set in a beautifully transformed West Chelsea location, the event takes you on a whimsical journey through a stunning winter wonderland filled with eight unique interactive installations. Each installation is elaborately designed and offers a blend of cheeky holiday cheer—from naughty snow angels to Santa's
Interview with Joe Cullen, Co-Author of The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria
David Leopold, Claire Fraenkel, Joseph Cullen, Lawrence Boothman, and Sasha Wilson in The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III - King of Bulgaria. Photo by Carol Rosegg.Stagebiz is happy to post an interview with Joe Cullen, Co-Author of The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria, which recently finished a run at 59 E. 59 Theaters Boris III of Bulgaria is a rather obscure historical figure to most of us, including historians, so what is it about his situation that interested you? Firstly, co-writer Sasha Wilson is American Bulgarian and her O’papa (grandad) introduced us to this incredible
The Notebook Hits Broadway Hitting All Notes To Perfection
My girlfriend, whose love of Ingrid Michaelson knows no bounds, made me go see "The Notebook" on Broadway and I cried for 2 1/2 hours straight. The much anticipated premiere of "The Notebook" a new musical by Ingrid Michaelson at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre brought a captivating and emotional experience to the audience. Everyone knows both the 1996 Nicholas Sparks novel as well as the 2004 film staring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The film has become ubiquitious when talking about great love stories and the unwavering eventual end of every love story. The seamless transition between the modern nursing home
One-on-One with Ali Ewoldt
Performer Ali Ewoldt has spent the past month as one of the featured performers at Irish Repertory Theatre’s production of A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Charlotte Moore’s musical adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ prose memoir running through New Year’s Eve. The production marks Ewoldt’s first performance with Irish Rep since she appeared as Rose in a late 2020 virtual production of Meet Me in St. Louis, filmed remotely with each performer getting direction over Zoom. Two years later, Ewoldt has reunited with several of the cast members of the musical to reinterpret Dylan Thomas’ story in a new way, with director Moore
Chita Rivera Awards 2022
(For the Full List of 2022 CHITA RIVERA AWARD WINNERS and Red Carpet Photos, see below) The stars with the highest kicks, swishiest hips, dynamite tap skills, and the slickest moves were out for the 2022 edition of the Chita Awards on Monday, June 20. It was the first "Chitas" since 2019 and honored outstanding dance performances and choreography on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and film for the 2020-2022 seasons. Selecting the creme de la dance is never an easy task, but this year the committee had to make their selections from several years and a very dance-heavy return season for Broadway. The
Interview with Daniel Alexander Jones
The transcendent Black Queer Artist Daniel Alexander Jones (aka DAJ) puts his “slashes” to good use. The multi-hyphenated artist is having a very busy 2021. He’s had a book release, a podcast, a Howlround, and Christmas show, Jomama Jones’s Celestial Holiday Spectacular on December 3rd at New York Live Arts all in one season. I first encountered DAJ in his luminous performance as Jomama Jones in Blacklight. I was immediately transfixed by his mystical charms, chameleon-like abilities, extraordinary talent, and tender vulnerability that brought the cosmic character of Jomana Jones down to earth. Reading his recently published collection of plays and performances,
Interview with Buck Gooter’s Billy Brett
Buck Gooter was formed in 2005 by multigenerational bandmates Terry Turtle and Billy Brett. The duo met in Harrisonburg, Virginia while working at the Little Grill Collective (known for hosting early Old Crow Medicine Show sets). The quirky name is the result of Terry hurling a playful joke at Billy with his mouthful. Buck Gooter’s eclectic sound is hard to pinpoint with the limitations of a single genre. It’s industrial-folk blues with electronic elements, primal screams and dark, moody, melancholic lyrics verging on the sinister. Imagine a caged beast who’s a half-alien, half-mythical medieval creature hybrid stuck in a cage in
Interview with Sarah Brightman for “A Christmas Symphony” 2021 Tour
Though her time in the spotlight began as a member of the UK-based dance group, Hot Gossip, soprano superstar Sarah Brightman’s career launched on the global stage when she originated the role of Christine Daaé in Andrew Llyod Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. After her fateful Broadway debut, Brightman’s legendary career and iconic status have increased exponentially along with her longevity. She continues to top charts, break records and touch the hearts of millions with her angelic voice, commanding stage presence, love of collaboration, and curiosity about world cultures and music. Credited for putting the term “classic-crossover artist” on the charts,
From War-Torn Childhood to Early Career Success: Actress Anna Cherkezishvili’s Unparalleled Journey
"Back home, I only observed people trying to blend in with their environment. But onscreen, I saw individuals. I saw freedom. I saw expressiveness. Every character in the American movies I soaked in growing up was a complete, unique individual with original motivations and a blasé disregard for the status quo. That is the life that I wanted,” expressed Anna Cherkezishvili. As the fervorous Georgian actress’s career continues to take root, Cherkezishvili took the time to speak with Stage Biz for an exclusive dive into her path from war-torn childhood to current early career success. “When I was very young, I loved the