Eden Espinosa, Karen Olivo, Ramona Keller Will Star in BKLYN 15th Anniversary Concert

Karen Olivo, Eden Espinosa, Ramona Keller

Today, producers announced a One-Night-Only 15th Anniversary reunion concert of BKLYN: The Musical featuring Original Broadway stars Drama League nominee Eden Espinosa (RENT, Wicked) as Brooklyn, Tony Award winner Karen Olivo (Moulin Rouge, In the Heights) as Faith, and stage star Ramona Keller (The Public Theatre’s Hercules, City Center’s Little Shop of Horrors) as Paradice.

The concert, which benefits Covenant House Foundation (www.covenanthouse.org), will be presented on the 15th anniversary of the show’s Broadway opening night, Monday, October 21 at 7:30 PM, at Brooklyn Steel (319 Frost Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222).

The musical tells the story of the “City Weeds,” five homeless musicians who band together to transform their neighborhood beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Utilizing the play within a play structure, the City Weeds share the story of Brooklyn – a Parisian singer – in addition to their own stories. Orphaned after her mother’s death, Brooklyn travels to the United States in search of her father and the life she always dreamed of. The discovery of a newfound passion leads to opportunities she’d always hoped for, as two stories weave together to create an inspiring and refreshing performance.

With original direction by Tony Award winner Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Big River) the musical is written by Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson. BKLYN made its World Premiere in Denver in 2003 and opened on Broadway on October 21, 2004 at The Plymouth Theatre (later renamed the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater), playing 311 performances. The original Broadway cast of ten featured stars-in-the-making Kevin Anderson as “Taylor”, Eden Espinosa as “Brooklyn”, Ramona Keller as “Paradice”, Cleavant Derricks as “Streetsinger” and Karen Olivo as “Faith”.

Ben Brantley of New York Times wrote, “Brooklyn is in many ways a throwback to the quaint, simple and whimsy-laden musicals that first blossomed Off-Broadway and then the mainstream in the late 1960’s and the early 70’s.”

Tickets to the 15th Anniversary concert of BKLYN range from $55 to $150 and can be purchased on AXS. via : Broadwayworld

VIDEO: First Look At HERCULES!

The Public Theater’s Public Works is putting the ‘glad’ in ‘gladiator’ with its glorious story of Hercules, brought to vibrant life by professional actors and community groups from across the city.

Check out footage below of stars Jelani Alladin, James Monroe Iglehart, Krysta Rodriguez, The Muses, and more as they bring Herc’s heroic tale to life on the stage!

Photo Flash: Bless My Soul! Get a First Look at The Public Theater’s HERCULES

Bless my soul! BroadwayWorld has your first look at the Public Theater’s Hercules!

Public Works’ Hercules features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by David Zippel, book by Kristoffer Diaz, choreography by Chase Brock, and is directed by Lear deBessonet. A new stage adaptation of the Disney classic,HERCULES will run for seven nights for free, beginning August 31 through September 8, at The Delacorte Theater.

The Equity cast of Hercules includes Jelani Alladin (Hercules), Roger Bart (Hades), Jeff Hiller (Panic), James Monroe Iglehart (Phil), Ramona Keller (Thalia), Tamika Lawrence(Calliope), Krysta Rodriguez (Meg), and Rema Webb (Terpsichore), along with a special featured performance by Broadway Inspirational Voices and cameo group performances by 10 Hairy Legs and Passaic High School Marching Band.

Directed by Public Works founder and Resident Director Lear deBessonet, this summer’s production will feature the film’s beloved score, plus additional original songs by the film’s composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel, with a new book by Kristoffer Diaz and choreography by Chase Brock. Hercules will feature over 200 New Yorkers from all five boroughs in a new stage adaptation of the Disney animated film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.

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Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Breaking: Jelani Alladin, Krysta Rodriguez, Roger Bart, Ramona Keller & More Will Star in Public Works’ HERCULES!

Jelani Alladin (Hercules), Roger Bart (Hades), Jeff Hiller (Panic), James Monroe Iglehart (Phil), Ramona Keller (Thalia), Tamika Lawrence (Calliope), Krysta Rodriguez (Meg), and Rema Webb (Terpsichore)

This should be fun!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced casting for the Public Works’ musical adaptation of HERCULES with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by David Zippel, book by Kristoffer Diaz, and directed by Lear deBessonet, running for seven nights for free, August 31-September 8 at The Delacorte Theater. Based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, HERCULES will feature over 200 New Yorkers from all five boroughs and features choreography by Chase Brock, as well as additional new songs by Menken and Zippel for this Public Works production in addition to six songs from the film’s beloved Academy Award-nominated score. HERCULES will feature Equity actors Jelani Alladin (Hercules), Roger Bart (Hades), Jeff Hiller (Panic), James Monroe Iglehart (Phil), Ramona Keller (Thalia), Tamika Lawrence (Calliope), Krysta Rodriguez (Meg), and Rema Webb (Terpsichore); along with a special featured performance by 2019 Tony Honor Award recipient Broadway Inspirational Voices, celebrating their 25th Silver Anniversary this year. Read full article on Broadwayworld

Photo Coverage: Ladies Unite at WOMEN OF THE PUBLIC Gala

  • Karen Olivo
  • Tanesha Gary, Marva Hicks, Heidi Rodewald, Ramona Keller
With Daphne Rubin-Vega and Eisa Davis- Some photos by Jennifer Broski

Last night was Amazing!
The Public Theater’s ‘Women Of The Public’ gala at the Delacorte Theater was such a special event!
Tanesha Gary, Marva Hicks and I performed ‘Salty Tear Drops’ by Jeanine Tesori from Caroline Or Change.

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The Public Theater celebrated its Annual Gala, WOMEN OF THE PUBLIC, at the Delacorte Theater. Directed by Leigh Silverman, with music direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, it celebrated those who shaped our past and guide our future.

WOMEN OF THE PUBLIC was an exciting evening celebrating the women who have contributed to The Public’s artistic life, featuring musical performances from groundbreaking Public Theater Productions including A Chorus Line, Fun Home, Miss You Like Hell, and more. The evening looked back (and sometimes ahead!) to Shakespeare’s great heroines and The Public’s iconic plays and musicals, recognizing the talents and spirit of these extraordinary women.

The cast included Annaleigh Ashford, Kim Blanck, Ally Bonino, Alison Cimmet, Jenn Colella, Bridget Everett, Tanesha Gary, Morgan Siobhan Green, Jessica Hecht, Marva Hicks, Jayne Houdyshell, Stephanie Hsu, Bre Jackson, Courtney Jamison, Gizel Jiménez, Ramona Keller, Lisa Kron, Alyse Alan Louis, Shakina Nayfack, Suzan-Lori Parks, Krysta Rodriguez, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jessie Shelton, Emily Skeggs, Diana Son, Shaina Taub, Jeanine Tesori, Katie Thompson, Alysha Umphress, Kuhoo Verma, Tatiana Wechsler, Remy Zaken, and many more.

WOMEN OF THE PUBLIC are playwrights, composers, directors, performers, and institutional leaders. Their names are inscribed on our walls, in our programs, and through our history-Ntozake Shange, Colleen Dewhurst, Jeanine Tesori, Ruby Dee, Arielle Tepper, Lynn Nottage, LuEsther T. Mertz, Susan Shiva Stein, Judith T. Peabody, Meryl Streep, Nona Hendryx…the list goes on and on. Via: Broadwayworld by Jennifer Broski

‘The Radio’ from Caroline Or Change will perform At The 2019 Public Theater Gala – WOMEN OF THE PUBLIC

Monday, June 3, 2019

The Delacorte Theater in Central Park

6:00PM Cocktails & Dinner
8:00PM Gala Performance 

WOMEN OF THE PUBLIC

Directed by Leigh Silverman

A night of songs and scenes Of, By & From WOMEN OF THE PUBLIC featuring Annaleigh Ashford, Kim Blanck, Ally Bonino, Alison Cimmet, Jenn Colella, Bridget Everett, Tanesha Gary, Morgan Siobhan Green, Jessica Hecht, Marva Hicks, Jayne Houdyshell, Stephanie Hsu, Bre Jackson, Courtney Jamison, Gizel Jiménez, Ramona Keller, Lisa Kron, Alyse Alan Louis, Shakina Nayfack, Suzan-Lori Parks, Krysta Rodriguez, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jessie Shelton, Emily Skeggs, Diana Son, Shaina Taub, Jeanine Tesori, Katie Thompson, Alysha Umphress, Kuhoo Verma, Tatiana Wechsler, Remy Zaken, and many more.

For questions or to make a reservation, contact gala@publictheater.org or 212.539.8634

This year’s Gala performance is inspired by the legacy of our former trustee, Lisa Garcia Quiroz. Lisa had a profound commitment to creating an equitable world and believed deeply in The Public’s role in driving that work forward. Her passion as a visionary philanthropist on behalf of Time Warner and her belief in The Public’s mission continues to light our way in all we do.

publictheater.org

Opening Night of ‘Familiar’ at The Old Globe

Reviews

“Whip-smart and extravagantly entertaining! Exquisitely acted – a whole lot of laughs, suspense, and thoughtful provocation.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune
“The production couldn’t be better! The cast is outstanding, under the incisive direction of Edward Torres.” —Times of San Diego
“Plenty of deep-textured, hard-won hope. I’m definitely ready to see more from this author!” —San Diego Story
“Should leave audiences well satisfied! Director Edward Torres manages both the play’s humor and its catharsis well.” —Talkin’ Broadway

The company of Familiar celebrated their opening night on January 31, 2019 at The Old Globe. Photo by Douglas Gates. — with Ramona Keller.

Photo Flash: First Look At Danai Guira’s FAMILIAR At The Old Globe

Via: BroadwayWorld

A funny, warmhearted look at tradition, marriage, and what it means to be an American family. Donald and his wife Marvelous have been living the American Dream since emigrating from Zimbabwe nearly three decades ago. They have a beautiful house and impressive careers, and now one of their daughters is getting married! But when the bride insists on a traditional African wedding ceremony, tensions start to rise.

Throw in an eccentric aunt from the old country and a bewildered bridegroom, and soon it’s not certain the couple will ever make it down the aisle. The New York Times calls it “an engrossing, fiercely funny comedy-drama that probes with subtlety and smarts.”

More information at www.TheOldGlobe.org.

Photo Credit: J.T. MacMillan

The cast of Familiar
(from left) Ramona Keller as Margaret Munyewa and Zakiya Young as Tendikayi in Familiar
(from left) Wandachristine as Anne, Zakiya Young as Tendikayi, Ramona Keller as Margaret Munyewa, Cherene Snow as Marvelous Chinyaramwira, and Olivia Washington as Nyasha in Familiar
(from left) Danny Johnson as Donald Chinyaramwira, Cherene Snow as Marvelous Chinyaramwira, Ramona Keller as Margaret Munyewa, Zakiya Young as Tendikayi, and Olivia Washington as Nyasha in Familiar
(from left) Anthony Comis as Brad, Lucas Hall as Chris, Ramona Keller as Margaret Munyewa, and Wandachristine as Anne in Familiar

Photos by: Jim Cox

Ramona Keller and More to Star in ‘Familiar’ at Old Globe

Ramona Keller, Anthony Comis, Lucas Hall, Danny Johnson, Wandachristine, Cherene Snow, Olivia Washington, and Zakiya Young will star in the production. The creative team will include Walt Spangler (scenic design), Alejo Vietti (costume design), Jason Lyons (lighting design), Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound design), Somi (composer), Rufaro Gwarada (cultural consultant), Caparelliotis Casting (casting), and Jess Slocum (production stage manager).

The Old Globe has announced the cast and creative team for its new production of Danai Gurira’s Familiar, directed by Edward Torres, and running January 26-March 3 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, with opening night set for Thursday, January 31.

The play is described as follows: “It’s winter in Minnesota, and an immigrant Zimbabwean family is preparing for the wedding of their eldest daughter. But when the bride insists on observing roora, a traditional bride-price ceremony, it opens a deep rift in the household. Rowdy and affectionate, Familiar pitches tradition against assimilation among the members of one devoted family. Which will prove stronger: the customs they keep…or the secrets they’ve kept buried?” Via Theatermania

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