Author Archives: The Cooper Company

Listen to Sara Mearns on MOVING MOMENTS Podcast!

“When Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet Sara Mearns performs, she goes for broke, thus earning the nickname “Stage Animal” from famed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky. The star ballerina shares how she found the bravery to advocate for herself as a student at School of American Ballet, climbing the ranks to become a principal ballerina, and the advice Suzanne Farrell gave her to best prepare for performances. Sara explains how she has learned to maintain her physical and mental health, and her insatiable curiosity to explore modern and contemporary dance, thus earning herself another nickname from Alicia.” Click here for the episode!

Frank DiLella to Host “On Stage Presents: Phantom of the Opera: The Final Curtain” on NY1!

“After nearly 14,000 performances, the final chandelier in Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera” will fall on Sunday, April 16. In the week leading up to the last performance, NY1 is celebrating the history-making musical phenomenon by taking viewers behind the mask that has captivated audiences for more than 35 years. Join NY1 for a look behind the curtain and a sit-down interview with Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer of the iconic production. Hosted by Frank DiLella.” – NY1

Ben Vereen’s Short Film QUARTER TO THREE Accepted Into Beverly Hills Film Festival!

“Quarter To Three will be screened at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on April 19th at 4:30PM at Theatre3 of the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres. Inspired by true events in, legendary performer, Ben Vereen’s life and performed by Mr. Vereen himself, Quarter to Three is an intimate account of the actor’s struggles, and ultimate resilience, in the face of several tragedies that have befallen him. It’s the summer of 2020, shortly after, yet, another devastating event in Ben’s life. At a loss for answers, he turns to the one place he’s felt most at peace, the theater. All alone on a stage in the middle of the night, he rips open his heart in an unapologetic plea to anyone who may be listening. Written and Directed by Isa Totah.” Click here for tickets!

Double Helix at Bay Street Theatre, Directed by Scott Schwartz, Featured in VOGUE!

“Slightly further afield, Double Helix—a new musical by Madeline Myers, premiering at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor—centers on Rosalind Franklin, the Jewish, London-born chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose work was central to identifying the molecular structure of DNA in the 1950s.” – 14 Highlights from the Current Broadway Season – and Beyond (Vogue)

Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical, Choreographed by Lorin Latarro, to Embark on North American Tour!

“The Mrs. Doubtfire stage musical will embark on a North American tour beginning this fall, with a launch run set for Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. With dates to be announced, the tour has stops booked in more than 30 cities, including Nashville, Minneapolis, Durham, Orlando, Los Angeles, and more. Casting, dates, and additional cities will all be announced in the coming weeks. Mrs. Doubtfire features choreography by Lorin Latarro.” – Playbill

Joshua Bergasse to Choreograph West Side Story at Lyric Opera of Chicago!

“In 2019, Lyric’s larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called “expansive” by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

In 2023, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics will once again transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece.” – Lyric Opera of Chicago

Joshua Bergasse Choreographs “The Island” Musical in China!

“In collaboration with Tony-winning director John Rando and playwright Marc Acito, Chinese movie star Huang Bo has adapted his directing debut “The Island” (2018) for the stage. The musical, casting Huang himself as the male lead, will be staged for eight nights in May at Shenzhen Poly Theater.

Well-known names from Broadway were involved in the making of this musical, including multiple award-winning production designer Tim Hatley, choreographer Joshua Bergasse (who won an Emmy for his work in “Smash”), lighting designer Tim Lutkin and composer Charlie Rosen, in addition to Rando and Acito.” – Eyeshenzhen

In High Point Show, Ben Vereen Covers a Career Spanning Stage and Screen!

“Ben Vereen’s career spans a Broadway debut at 18, the now-iconic character Chicken George in the 1977 groundbreaking “Roots” miniseries and teaching Grammy Award-winning entertainer Usher, now in a Las Vegas residency, dance moves… And with an ongoing career as a triple-threat — singer, dancer and actor — the 76-year-old multi-Tony Award winner will bring his stories and songs to the High Point Theatre on Saturday night.” – The Greensboro News and Record