“This week, theatre legend Ben Verseen stopped in at the WBGO studio for a performance of What A Wonderful World. Vereen is set to take the stage April 4 to 7th at the Dizzy’s Club in New York City for An Evening with Ben Vereen.”
In “I Married an Angel,” a Bold Ballerina Makes Her Speaking-Role Début
“In 1938, George Balanchine choreographed dances for Vera Zorina in the Rodgers and Hart musical I Married an Angel, and married her onstage. So it’s a cute bit of historical rhyming that Joshua Bergasse, the director and choreographer of the City Center Encores! production of the show (March 20-24), recently married its star, Sara Mearns. One of the boldest ballerinas at New York City Ballet, which Balanchine founded at City Center, in 1948, Mearns is making her début in a speaking role. Angelic dancing shouldn’t give her any trouble.”
She Dances. He Directs. How They Created a Balletic Battle of the Sexes.
“Now, Mr. Bergasse, 46, is creating new moves for his Angel, Ms. Mearns, 33, who is a principal dancer with New York City Ballet, the company that Balanchine formed, with Lincoln Kirstein, in 1948. In the show, an Angel comes down from heaven, marries a mortal — Count Willy Palaffi (Mark Evans) — and loses her wings.
It’s a part made for Ms. Mearns who, as it happens is not only beautiful, but also funny — smart and daffy in a Carole Lombard kind of way, with a rich, meaty speaking voice. When Mr. Bergasse choreographed the Broadway musical “On the Town,” he created the “Lonely Town” pas de deux on her. (She filled in at the last minute for one performance.) But this is the couple’s biggest project together so far, and Ms. Mearns’s first speaking role.”
VIDEO: Josh Bergasse and Ballerina Sara Mearns on a New Production of “I Married an Angel”
Interview: Sarah Fernandez on Understudying Elphaba & Her “Wicked” Journey Fresh Out of College
“22-year-old Sarah Anne Fernandez graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in the Spring of 2018. She grew up enjoying singing, dancing, and acting, and her discovery of theatre along the way only fuelled her love for these art forms. Recently, her lifelong dream of performing in the hit musical Wicked was realized when she was cast in the ensemble and as Elphaba understudy in the show’s National Tour. Read on: her story is one of passion, perseverance, and hard work!”
Photo Flash: WAITRESS Is Opening Up in London! Get a First Look at Katharine McPhee and the Cast!
“We’ve got your first peek inside the diner in London! Check out photos of the West End cast of Waitress, led by Katharine McPhee, below!
The show officially opens on Thursday 7 March. The Tony-nominated musical by Sara Bareilles has also recently extended its booking period to 19 October at the Adelphi Theatre, where it is now playing preview performances.
Waitress stars Katharine McPhee (Smash) as Jenna, Emmy-nominee Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) as Ogie, Marisha Wallace as Becky, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Peter Hannah as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter and Shaun Prendergast as Old Joe.”
A First Look at Kate Baldwin and Bryce Pinkham in Superhero Off-Broadway Choreographed by Lorin Latarro
“The world premiere of Tom Kitt and John Logan’s new musical Superhero is set open at Second Stage Theater February 28 after beginning preview performances January 31. The Off-Broadway production, directed by Jason Moore with musical staging by Lorin Latarro, is scheduled to run through March 24.
Starring Tony nominees Kate Baldwin and Bryce Pinkham alongside newcomer Kyle McArthur, Superhero tells the story of a fractured family, a mysterious stranger in apartment 4-B, and an unexpected hero. Rounding out the cast are Julia Abueva, Jake Levy, Salena Quresh, and Thom Sesma.”
Sarah Anne Fernandez Finally Defies Gravity
“Wicked will always feel like a dream to me no matter how much time passes, but getting to see that I’m actually putting my little green handprint on this massive show means more to me than I could ever put into words. This show and this company has defied all of my expectations and gone above and beyond what I could’ve ever dreamed up – but most importantly, it’s given me the chance to finally defy gravity. And I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited to be able to say that.”
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Proctors
“Another reason the [Charlie and the Chocolate Factory] should interest local audiences is that it features the choreography of Joshua Bergasse. Summer theater fans should be familiar with Bergasse’s talent from his work at Barrington Stage Company.
Overall, he describes the choreography in Chocolate Factory as ‘diverse. No two numbers are alike,’ he says. He explains that the young girl Veruca is now a budding ballerina, which provides for some classically influenced dance. Augustus is from Bavaria which lends itself to an ethnic-influenced number and Violet is a YouTube pop singer – enough said.”
Nikki M. James, Mark Evans, Ann Harada, More Set for “I Married an Angel” at Encores! Directed/Choreographed by Joshua Bergasse
“New York City Center continues its 2019 Encores! series with Rodgers and Hart’s I Married an Angel, running March 20–24 as part of the midtown venue’s 75th anniversary season. Among those joining the previously announced Sara Mearns of the New York City Ballet in the title role are Tony winner Nikki M. James, Mark Evans, and Ann Harada.
Director and choreographer (and Mearns’ fiancé) Joshua Bergasse leads a creative team that includes music director Rob Fisher. The 1938 musical comedy, which originally featured choreography by George Balanchine (before he went on to lead New York City Ballet at City Center), follows Call Me Madam in Encores!’ current lineup. High Button Shoes will follow in May.”