Carmel Dean

Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE

VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of.  How did that come about for both of you? Ellenore Scott:  Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival. Ayodele Casel:  I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in.  Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.

This is Love! A Musical Supervisor Champions the Score of Broadway's THE NOTEBOOK

As we all know, the 23/24 Broadway theatre season has been one of the busiest in a very long time with many new plays and musicals opening within a short period. One of those shows was The Notebook. It features a score by pop writer Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunsetter. The show had a pre-Broadway tryout in Chicago where it was met with unanimous rave reviews.

Broadway Classic FUNNY GIRL Heads To Hartford's Bushnell This June!

The beloved Broadway show FUNNY GIRL is set to grace Hartford's Bushnell this June, bringing its iconic story and music to life for theater enthusiasts.

54 Below to Celebrate Pride Month With Lea DeLaria's BRUNCH IS GAY & More

Celebrate PRIDE Month at 54 Below with events like Lea DeLaria's Brunch Is Gay, performances by Robert Bannon and Mauricio Martínez, and more. Learn how to purchase tickets.

North American Tour of MYSTIC PIZZA to Launch in January 2025

The highly-anticipated musical adaptation of the 1988 classic movie MYSTIC PIZZA, which recently completed a critically hailed run at LA Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this past January, will embark on a North American Tour in January 2025.

Video: THE NOTEBOOK's Carson Stewart & Charlie J. Webb Sing 'Ghost'

Ensemble members Carson Stewart & Charlie J. Webb from The Notebook on Broadway performed a stripped-down version of 'Ghosts' by Ingrid Michaelson in the stairwell of the Schoenfeld Theatre.

Cast Recording Will Be Released For I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE Starring Santino Fontana

A cast recording will be released this fall for the Classic Stage Company’s acclaimed 2023 revisal of I Can Get It For You Wholesale, starring Tony Award® winner Santino Fontana, alongside Rebecca Naomi Jones and Tony nominees Judy Kuhn and Julia Lester, among others.

THE NOTEBOOK's Ingrid Michaelson Offers Solace to Those Overlooked by the Tonys

On her Instagram page, Ingrid Michaelson, the composer of 'The Notebook,' shared a message of comfort for fellow artists and productions who might have felt overlooked by this year's Tony nominations.

THE NOTEBOOK Original Cast Album Debuts At #1 On MusicConnect Top Broadway Chart

Following its April 19th release by Atlantic Records, The Notebook (Original Broadway Cast Recording) debuted at #1 on the Top Broadway chart in Music Connect.

Adam Guettel, Austin Pendleton and More Will Be Honored with Dramatists Guild Awards

The Dramatists Guild previously announced that playwright Christopher Durang will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s ceremony. He will be joined by two additional recipients, George C. Wolfe and Emily Mann.

THE NOTEBOOK Original Broadway Cast Recording is Available Now, Watch Video For New Song 'My Days'

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of new musical The Notebook, based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks that inspired the film of the same name, is available now! The musical features a score by multiplatinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson.

BEAUTIFUL, MYSTIC PIZZA, and More Set For Riverside Theatre's 2024-25 Season

Riverside Theatre has announced its 2024-2025 Season of productions. Learn more about the season lineup here!

FUNNY GIRL Comes to Dallas This Summer

 Broadway Dallas and Broadway Across America (BAA) have announced that FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is coming to Dallas’ Music Hall at Fair Park for a limited two-week engagement from August 6 to August 18.

IF/THEN Cast Will Reunite at 54 Below This Summer

On June 24, 54 Below will host a celebration of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s 2014 Broadway musical IF/THEN. Join original Broadway cast members as they share memories from the production, as well as sing from the beautiful Tony Award-nominated score once again for New York audiences.

Tickets to FUNNY GIRL at Atlanta's Fox Theatre to go on Sale in May

Purchase tickets in May for the national tour of Funny Girl at Atlanta's Fox Theatre.

Audra McDonald to Return To Provincetown With Seth Rudetsky in May

Six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald will return to Provincetown with SiriusXM Radio star Seth Rudetsky as music director and host, this Memorial Day Weekend. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Sondheim's HERE WE ARE Will Release Cast Recording Next Month

The original cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's final musical, Here We Are, will be released next month. The musical, also by David Ives, will release an album on CD and digital platforms worldwide on Friday, May 17. Preorder the album here!

Freestyle Love Supreme, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and John Lloyd Young Will Headline Transport Group Gala

Transport Group has announced performers for its 2024 gala will include Tony Award winners Freestyle Love Supreme, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and John Lloyd Young.  

THE NOTEBOOK on Broadway to Present Special Post-Show Event in April

The Notebook The Musical will present a special post-show event on Tuesday, April 2. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

FUNNY GIRL Comes to the Ahmanson Next Month

FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited four-week engagement from Tuesday, April 2 to Sunday, April 28, 2024. The press opening is Wednesday, April 3.