ESCAPE TO MARGARHITAVILLE to resume National Tour for its final 12 weeks!!

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BREAKING NEWS: Get ready to set sail once again to ONE PARTICULAR HARBOR as the National Tour of Jimmy Buffett‘s Escape to Margaritaville: The Musical is set to resume and relaunch performing the final 12 WEEKS of its run.
This Non-Equity tour production originally launched in the Fall of 2019 bringing paradise to North America. It was one of the many shows that was abruptly shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic on a hiatus for 537 days.
ESCAPE TO MARGARITTAVILLE will relaunch August 31st, 2021 in Tusla, OK before making its way to over 20 cities….
Phoenix, AZ,
Kansas City, MI,
a return to New Orleans, LA (where its Pre-Broadway tour stopped),
Hershey, PA,
New Brunswick, NJ,
Hartford, CT,
Sarasota, FL,
Durham, NC
Buffalo, NY,
and
so much more.
Check out the show’s website to find out more dates.
Directed by Amy Anders Corcoran and replicating the original Broadway production directed by Tony winner Christopher Ashley, this tour cast is led by rising newcomers…..
Chris Clark as “Tully”,
Sarah Hinrichsen as “Rachel”,
Shelly Lynn Walsh as “Tammy”,
Peter Michael Jordan as “Brick”,
Rachel Lyn Fobbs as “Marley”,
Patrick Cogan as “J.D.”
and
Matthew James Sherrod as “Jamal” and “Ted”.
In case anyone may not know, ESCAPE TO MARGARITTAVILLE is an original musical featuring the songs of Jimmy Buffett. It also features an original book by Greg García and Mike O’Malley. Set in a tropical resort in the Caribbean, it tells the story of a part-time bartender and singer who falls for a career-minded tourist. It includes many of Buffett’s notable songs including FINS, IT’S FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE, WHY DON’T WE GET DRUNK, MARGHERITTAVILLE, VOLCANO, CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE, ONE PARTICULAR HARBOR, and more. It also includes some original songs written for the show including LICESNSE TO CHILL, IT’S MY JOB, and LOVE AND LUCK.
The show originally had its world premiere in the Spring of 2017 at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. Immediately afterwards, plans were underway of bringing the show to the Big Apple. Prior before hitting NYC, it had a min 3 city Pre-Broadway tryout tour in New Orleans, Houston, and Chicago.
Finally, ESCAPE TO MARGHERITTAVILLE opened on Broadway in February of 2018 at the Marquis Theatre running for 29 previews and 124 regular performances. Under the direction of Christopher Ashley, the Broadway cast was led by….
Paul Alexander Nolan as “Tully”,
Alison Luff as “Rachel”,
Lisa Howard as “Tammy”,
Eric Peterson as “Brick”,
Rema Webb as “Marley”,
Don Sparks as “J.D.”
and
Andre Ward as “Jamal” and “Ted”.
The production earned mixed to negative reviews. Critics pounded the show considering the production as WASTED. However, the cast performances were praised. At the same time, ticket sales were extremely low.
It did not receive any nominations from the Tony Awards, Drama Desk, and Outer Circle Critics Award.
Following its New York closing, Broadway Licensing secured the rights for this show. You can now expect to see many productions of ESCAPE TO MARGARITTAVILLE in schools, community, and regional theaters.
Who is excited to experience paradise back on the road after a rough year?!!

ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Tour Returns For Final 12 Weeks This Month (broadwayworld.com)

Tony nominee Laura Osnes responds in Instagram following PAGE SIX article backlash!!

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BREAKING NEWS: Earlier last week, 2 time Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes has received backlash for refusing to get her COVID-19 vaccine causing her to be “terminated” from an upcoming concert production of Crazy For You in The Hamptons. Last night, the Grease, Bonnie & Clyde, Cinderella, and Bandstand star took to clear up what really happened.
She was NOT fired from the production. Osnes (who was not yet vaccinated) actually QUIT the production. Disappointed herself for not doing it, Osnes said the decision was “drama-free and discrete”. She also explained that NONE of her castmates including Tony Yazbeck pressed her.
The other situation was that Osnes did NOT even get the option of taking an ongoing COVID-19 test instead of getting of vaccinated. Ways to continue to protect herself.
Her apology and response as well has been getting some backlash too.
Thoughts?

Laura Osnes Denies She Was Fired For Refusing to Get Vaccinated; Responds in Instagram Statement (broadwayworld.com)

Adam Pascal and Olivia Valli to star in PRETTY WOMAN National Tour this Fall!!

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BREAKING NEWS: Adam Pascal and Olivia Valli are set to go WALKING DOWN THE STREET in a city near you in the upcoming National Tour of Pretty Woman: The Musical this Fall.
Pascal (known his Tony nominated portrayal of “Roger” in the original cast and film versions of Jonathan Larson‘s Rent along with appearing in Aida, Cabaret, Chicago, Memphis, Disaster, and Something Rotten) will take on the role of womanizing business man “Edward Lewis which he previously played temporary for a brief stint in the Broadway production
and
Valli (previously seen as “Elphaba” in the National Tour of WICKED and last seen Off Broadway in Jersey Boys about the life of her real-life Grandfather Frankie Valli) will play the role of the beautiful free spirited Hollywood prostitute “Vivian Ward”.
Additional casting will be announced in the next few weeks.
PRETTY WOMAN’s National Tour is set to kick off October 9th. 2021 in Providence, RI before traveling to the following cities across North America….
Cincinnati, OH,
Detroit, MI
St. Louis, MO,
Buffalo, NY,
Rochester, NY,
Chicago, IL,
Washington D.C.,
Philedelphia. PA.
Cleveland, OH,
Hartford, CT,
Boston, MA,
Baltimore, MD,
Los Angeles, CA,
Tucson, AZ
San Diego, CA,
Denver, CO,
and
so much more.
Check out the official tour dates on line.
In case anyone may not know, Pretty Woman. is a musical based on the iconic 1990 film of the same name with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. It tells the story of a on down-on-her-luck Hollywood hooker who gets hired by a wealthy businessman, to be his escort for several business and social functions, and their developing relationship over the course of her week-long stay with him. The musical features a score by legendary singer-songwriter Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. It also includes a book by the original film’s writers J. F. Lawton and the late Garry Marshall. Notable songs include WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD, ANYWHERE BUT HERE, LOOK AT ME NOW, FREEDOM, YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, NEVER GIVE UP ON A DREAM, I CAN’T GO BACK, and LONG WAY HOME. Later on the iconic titular song OH, PRETTY WOMAN by Roy Orbison was added as the Finale number of the show.
PRETTY WOMAN was originally developed for the stage following the legendary success of the iconic 1990 film back in 2014. Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton had secured the rights and began expanding more from what they’ve done in the film and including it on stage. At the same time, Bryan Adams was hired to co-write the songs giving it that early 80’s / 90’s vibe. However when Garry Marshall (who also directed the original film died in 2016), the show’s head producer Paula Wagner said the show will continue to go on. After several years of early development readings and workshops. It was ready to go.
The show originally had its world premiere out-of-town tryout in Chicago, IL playing The James M. Nederlander Theatre (formerly the Oriental Theatre) in the Spring of 2018. It would then make its way to the Big Apple in the Summer of that same year playing (IRONICALLY) Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre for 27 previews and 420 regular performances. Under the direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell, the cast was led by….
Andy Karl (temporarily Adam Pascal and later Brennin Hunt) as “Edward Lewis”,
Samantha Barks (later Jillian Mueller) as “Vivian Ward”,
Orfeh as “Kit De Luca”,
Eric Anderson as “Mr. Thompson”,
Jason Danieley (later Charlie Pollock) as “Philip Stuckey”,
and more.
The musical earned mixed to negative reviews. Critics praised the cast but expressed the disappointment of the show’s writing. At the same time, the show went through a rough set of disappointing low ticket sales.
It did not receive any major Award nominations from the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Outer Circle Critics Award.
Despite the production being a disappointment on Broadway, PRETTY WOMAN still went on to become successful overseas. The first production after Broadway opened in Hamburg, Germany with the entire score and book translated into German.
At the same time, the show is continuing to play to packed houses in London’s West End. Originally the show opened in February 2020 at the Piccadilly Theatre but was abruptly shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When it reopened recently, it’s now playing at London’s Savoy Theatre. With the same creative team, this London cast stars….
Danny Mac as “Edward Lewis”,
Aimie Atkinson as “Vivian Ward”,
Rachael Wooding as “Kit De Luca”,
Bob Harms as “Mr. Thompson”,
Neil McDermott as “Philip Stuckey”,
and more.
We are so excited to see this powerful show back in America set to wow audiences everywhere once again.
Who is excited?!!!

Tony winner Ben Platt drops 3rd single from new album including Music Video!!

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BREAKING NEWS: Tony Award winner Ben Platt released a brand new music video for the song I WANNA LOVE YOU BUT I DON’T out now. This song is the 3rd single off on the Dear Evan Hansen star’s new sophomore solo album REVERIE out now from Atlantic Records.
REVERIE has been getting so much buzz from fans and critics following the success of Platt’s debut album SING TO ME INSTEAD. Earlier last week, the versatile stage and screen favorite also announced dates for an upcoming North American concert tour in support of the album set to kick off February 2022.
How amazing is this song?!!!

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: # 40 – CONTACT

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"Contact" Musical by Susan Stroman at 2000 Tony Awards

WHAT’S UP BROADWAY FANS?!! Things are about to get hot as we are celebrating the return of Live Theater and Broadway’s biggest night!!! The 74th Annual Tony Awards are just 40 DAYS AWAY!!! We at New York Broadway Tours are continuing to get our groove going again each morning playing you our favorite performances from previous telecasts on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN!!! Are you ready for more toe-tapping performances?
At # 40 on our countdown is a show that is truly a celebration of something we can all relate to…. The feeling of wanting to have that strong connection with someone and fall in love. This is CONTACT. Created and conceived by Susan Stroman, this is NOT your traditional Broadway Musical. This show is mainly told as a “Dance Play” with all the music pre-recorded in 3 one-acts consisting of….
Act 1 is entitled SWINGING – It’s a contact improvisational dance inspired by Fragonard’s painting THE SWING. Set in an 18th-century French forest clearing, it follows a servant and his master wanting to win the heart of the young lady on the swing. Much of the action takes place on a moving swing. Its themed music features a beautiful rendition of Rodgers & Hart‘s MY HEART STOOD STILL played by Stéphane Grappelli.
Act 2 is entitled DID YOU MOVE – Set in Queens, New York at an Italian Restaurant in the year 1954, the story follows a “not-happy” marriage of a small-time gangster and his wife. There, the wife dreams of the day wanting to escape her abusive husband through dance. It’s themed music features Edvard Greig’s ANITRA’S DANCE, Tchaikovsky’s WALTZ FROM EUGENE ONEGIN, and Bitzet’s FARANDOLE….. all recorded by the New York Philharmonic and conducted by one of Broadway’s very own Leonard Bernstein.
And
Act 3 is the show’s official title CONTACT – Set in Manhattan in the present day, it follows the lives of 2 Manhattan apartment dwellers at a crossroads. At a bar, one of the men is smitten by a beautiful woman in a yellow dress. In order to win her heart, the man learns to gain the confidence in making contact with another human being. It’s themed music features a lot of contemporary popular pop/rock hits along with Jazz standards including Squirrel Nut Zippers’s PUT A LID ON IT, Dion DiMucci‘s legendary RUNAROUND SUE, Prima’s SING, SING, SING, and so much more.
From the 2000 telecast, here is the company performing one of the musical’s big dance showstoppers. From that 3rd act, this is cast dancing it out to Robert Palmer’s signature 1988 song SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE.
CONTACT was first conceived in the mid 90’s by Susan Stroman and her late husband Mike Ockrent. It was loosely inspired by an event that Stroman experienced at a dance club in the Meat Market district. There, she noticed a woman in a yellow dress believing “She’s gonna change someone’s life tonight”. Inspired by that one event, it gave the duo the idea of creating a show told through dance of the feeling’s people have when being in contact with other people.
Following a brief early development lab, the show officially arrived in our New York Theater scene at Lincoln Center Theater in the Fall of 1999. It first started downstairs at LCT’s OFF-Broadway home at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. It would later move upstairs LCT’s bigger ON-Broadway house at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in the Spring of 2000 running for a complete total of 1,041 performances. Under the direction and choreography of Susan Stroman, the cast featured….
Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines (later Alan Campbell and John Bolton),
Broadway veteran Seán Martin Hingston,
Tony Award nominee Deborah Yates (later Colleen Dunn),
and
Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba (later Charlotte d’Amboise).
The show was an instant smash hit earning critical acclaim and taking home glory at Awards season. The show was nominated for 7 Tony Awards in 2000 winning 4 including BEST MUSICAL.
FUN FACT: Despite the show taking home BEST MUSICAL category in all its Awards (the Tonys, the Drama Desk, and the Outer Circle Critics), controversy sparked over the win. The reason is because this musical used PRE-RECORDED MUSIC & NO LIVE SINGING. The Tonys committee would go on to create a brand new category…. BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT. That nomination category would be presented for only 10 years and retired in 2009.
With the success of the Broadway production, CONTACT would later dance its way with several companies around the world including London’s West End. Hungary, Poland, China, and Korea. It later launched several Regional productions in North America.
CONTACT was also captured on film in the Fall of 2002. The Broadway production’s legendary final performance was recorded for PBS‘ Award winning series Live From Lincoln Center winning a Primetime Emmy Award for OUTSTANDING CLASSICAL MUSIC-DANCE PROGRAM.
How high energetic was that performance?!!!!

(1) “Contact” Musical by Susan Stroman at 2000 Tony Awards – YouTube