Podcast appearances and mentions of Graciela Daniele

Music by Claude-Michel SchönbergLyrics by Alain Boublil, Richard Maltby, Jr. & John DempseyBook by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg & Richard Maltby, Jr.Directed by Frank GalatiStarring Stephanie J. Block, Hadley Fraser, Linda Balgord, Marcus Chait, Jeff McCarthy & William YoumansOpened on Broadway April 5, 2007.

I chat with Michael John LaChiusa, the American musical theatre and opera composer, lyricist, and librettist. He is best known for musically esoteric shows such as Hello Again, Marie Christine, and The Wild Party. We talk, primarily, about The Gardens of Anuncia, where he wrote music, lyrics, and book. The show is based on the life of Graciela Daniele, a prolific figure in modern musical theatre. The musical was performed Off-Broadway at the Mitzi E, Newhouse Theatre within Lincoln Center, running from October 19, 2023 until December 31, 2023. The cast included Priscilla Lopez, Eden Espinosa, Mary Testa, and Andréa Burns.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND  Book & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty Works Consulted & Reference :Once On This Island (Libretto) by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen FlahertyMusic Credits:"Overture" from Dear World (Original Broadway Cast Recording)  | Music by Jerry Herman | Performed by Dear World Orchestra & Donald Pippin"The Speed Test" from Thoroughly Modern Millie  (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Music by Jeanine Tesori, Lyrics by Dick Scanlan | Performed by Marc Kudisch, Sutton Foster, Anne L. Nathan & Ensemble"Why God Why" from Miss Saigon: The Definitive Live Recording  (Original Cast Recording  / Deluxe)  | Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Lyrics by Alain Boublil & Richard Maltby Jr.  | Performed by Alistair Brammer"Back to Before" from Ragtime: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)  | Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Performed by Marin Mazzie"Chromolume #7 / Putting It Together" from Sunday in the Park with George (Original Broadway Cast Recording)  | Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Performed by Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Judith Moore, Cris Groenendaal, Charles Kimbrough, William Parry, Nancy Opel, Robert Westenberg, Dana Ivey, Kurt Knudson, Barbara Bryne"What's Inside" from Waitress (Original Broadway Cast Recording)  | Music & Lyrics by Sara Bareilles | Performed by Jessie Mueller & Ensemble"Waiting for Life" from Once On This Island (Original Broadway Cast Recording)  | Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens | Performed by LaChanze and 'Once On This Island' Company"Maria" from The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack Recording)  | Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II | Performed by Evadne Baker, Anna Lee, Portia Nelson, Marni Nixon"My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack Recording) | Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II | Performed by Julie Andrews"Corner of the Sky" from Pippin (New Broadway Cast Recording) | Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz | Performed by Matthew James Thomas“What Comes Next?” from Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Music & Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda | Performed by Jonathan Groff

This is the second half of my conversation with author Liza Gennaro, whose fascinating book is titled: Making Broadway Dance.  If you missed part one you may want to catch up on that episode before listening to this one. Liza is currently the Dean of Musical Theater at the Manhattan School of Music and she also has had a very active and successful career as a dancer and choreographer. Interestingly, she is closely related to this subject matter of her book because her father was the Tony Award winning choreographer and star dancer, Peter Gennaro. He is profiled in the book as well as in this episode. By the end of Part 1, we had made it to the late 1940s when Agnes de Mille was dominating the field of Broadway choreography. Between 1943 and 1945, De Mille had four hits in a row – Oklahoma!, One Touch of Venus, Bloomer Girl, and Carousel – and three of them choreographed in her signature “Americana” style. This unprecedented string of successes made her the most powerful choreographer in the commercial theater, and soon led to her becoming the first director-choreographer of the “Golden Age” with Rodgers & Hammerstein's Allegro. De Mille's most significant contribution to the Broadway Musical was breaking the mold of the traditional Broadway chorus girl by insisting on hiring actor/dancers who could fully embody the characters that they were playing.  This new approach to Broadway dance, and this new kind of Broadway dancer, would be adopted by everyone who followed in her footsteps – especially Jerome Robbins – who years later would write, “Agnes broke the conception of what the Broadway dancer could be in the Broadway Musical. What they looked like, what was desired of them, and what their contribution to the show was.” And, as you will hear, Robbins took that idea and ran with it, just as De Mille's “Americana” style was starting to lose its luster. That's just the beginning Later in the episode Liza and I discuss Michael Kidd, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, Michael Bennett, Graciela Daniele, Susan Stroman, Kathleen Marshall, Bill T. Jones, Stephen Hoggett, Lorin Latarro, Kelly Devine, Sergio Trujillo, Jerry Mitchell and more! Become a PATRON of Broadway Nation! I want to thank our Broadway Nation Patron Club members, such as John Schroeder and Alan Brodie whose generous support helps to make it possible for me to bring this podcast to you each week. If you would like to support the creation of Broadway Nation, here is the information about how you too can become a patron. For a just $7.00 a month you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host Albert Evans that have not been featured on the podcast.  All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast. And if you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we discuss the captivating new off-broadway musical, THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of the plot and themes, the masterful direction and story by Graciela Daniele, the lush orchestrations, and the stellar performances by the talented cast. With Priscilla Lopez at the helm and standout performances by Eden Espinosa, Andrea Burns, Mary Testa, Kalyn West, Tally Sessions, and Enrique Acevedo, we explore all the elements that make this show a must-see. Tune in as we share our final thoughts on this enchanting production. Subscribe to our channel for all things theatre and stay up to date with the latest in the world of performing arts. Support the show If you liked this episode, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review. Share your thoughts with us on this episode below: On Instagram: @halfhourpodcast On TikTok: @halfhourpodcast On our website: www.twoworldsentertainmentllc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Joel Crump, one of Broadway's youngest journalists, the host of "The Weekly Dose of Joel"! In this week's episode, Joel talks to Jeremy Jordan, Nik Walker, Leslie Kritzer, and Graciela Daniele. Joel also talks about what's going on this week on Broadway (Oct 9-13), gives some Broadway history, and gives his review for JaJa's African Hair Braiding. Indulge in Broadway buzz like never before with "The Weekly Dose of Joel: Everything Broadway and More." This podcast, brought to you by the Broadway Podcast Network and Broadway Time, delivers the latest news, theater history, and exclusive interviews with Broadway stars, all in one podcast! Don't miss out on your front-row seat to the magic of Broadway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Birthday to Sammy Davis, Jr., Uday Shankar, and Graciela Daniele! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dawn-davis-loring/support

Abbey O'Brien's (abbeyo.com/abbeyo)(LI:@abbeyobriennyc)(IG:@abbeyobriennyc)career in the entertainment industry spans over 20 years. She kicked off her career as a Rockette on one of the world's most renowned stages, Radio City Music Hall. Her professional experience is diverse, from Tony Award-winning cast member, to collaborating on an Emmy nominated TV show, to being on the creative teams of Tony winning Broadway shows, to choreographing music videos, directing original works, and working with major corporations.  Abbey has worked with famed actors Uma Thurman, Hugh Jackman, Hank Azaria, Sara Bareilles, Megan Hilty, Katharine McPhee, Martha Plimpton, David Hyde Pierce, plus acclaimed directors Mike Nichols, Diane Paulus, Casey Nicholaw, Des McAnuff, Rob Ashford, Jerry Mitchell, Josh Bergasse, Anne Reinking, Joe Mantello, Lear DeBessonet, Bebe Neuwirth, Sidi Larbi, Daniel Sullivan, Stafford Arima, Joe Calarco, Graciela Daniele, Lorin Latarro and many more.  Ms. O'Brien is currently the Associate Choreographer of not only Sara Bareilles' Waitress the Musical, but Alanis Morissette's 15 time Tony award nominated Jagged Little Pill. Abbey is also Resident Director of Jeffrey Finn's Hot on Broadway, which creates evening length industrial shows for corporations across America.  Director/Choreographer credits: Rocky Horror Show,13 the musical, Meet Me in St.Louis, A Quarantine Cabaret Choreography credits include: ExtraOrdinary (Directed by Diane Paulus), Broadway for Biden (Directed by Liesl Tommy), NBC's Jimmy Fallon Show, CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, Sugarland (Music Video), Big Fish (Directed by Eric Woodall), NYC Mayor's Inner Circle Gala, Smokey Joe's Cafe (Directed by Julia Murney), Rock of Ages (Directed by Michael Berry), Mama Mia (Casa Mañana), American Idiot (TUTS), Dreamgirls (Directed by Lauren Kennedy), Spamalot (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), True Love (TriArts Sharon Playhouse), Performa Gala (Jennifer Rubell), Wizard of Oz (NewArts), and many industrial/ corporate entertainment events.  Associate Director/Choreographer credits: Jagged Little Pill (Broadway and American Repertory Theater), Waitress (All Companies), #DateMe (Off-Broadway),Taste of Things to Come (The York Theatre and Chicago Broadway Playhouse), The Odyssey (Public Works at The Delacorte), Double Portrait (Film), Elf (Paper Mill Playhouse), Ragtime (Lincoln Center), Bernadette Peter's Drama League Gala (The Plaza), NBC's Smash, Company (Bucks Co. Playhouse), National Pastime (BCP), Plaid Tidings (BCP), Legs (Tory Burch commercial), Microsoft (Industrial), Norwegian Cruise Line (RWS), Chicago (Ogunquit Playhouse). Some of her performing credits include: NBC's Smash, Broadway's Spamalot, Broadway's Pal Joey, Radio City Rockette's, NBC's Celebrity Apprentice, Longshot (Film), Martha Plimpton Sings? (Lincoln Center-American Songbook Series), Sinatra (Radio City Music Hall), No Strings (Encores!), The Met Gala (NYC), Carnivale (Radio City). Abbey O'Brien is also a National Adjudicator, Master Teacher, Guest Artist, and Creative Consultant.

Abbey O'Brien's (abbeyo.com/abbeyo)(LI:@abbeyobriennyc)(IG:@abbeyobriennyc)career in the entertainment industry spans over 20 years. She kicked off her career as a Rockette on one of the world's most renowned stages, Radio City Music Hall. Her professional experience is diverse, from Tony Award-winning cast member, to collaborating on an Emmy nominated TV show, to being on the creative teams of Tony winning Broadway shows, to choreographing music videos, directing original works, and working with major corporations.  Abbey has worked with famed actors Uma Thurman, Hugh Jackman, Hank Azaria, Sara Bareilles, Megan Hilty, Katharine McPhee, Martha Plimpton, David Hyde Pierce, plus acclaimed directors Mike Nichols, Diane Paulus, Casey Nicholaw, Des McAnuff, Rob Ashford, Jerry Mitchell, Josh Bergasse, Anne Reinking, Joe Mantello, Lear DeBessonet, Bebe Neuwirth, Sidi Larbi, Daniel Sullivan, Stafford Arima, Joe Calarco, Graciela Daniele, Lorin Latarro and many more.  Ms. O'Brien is currently the Associate Choreographer of not only Sara Bareilles' Waitress the Musical, but Alanis Morissette's 15 time Tony award nominated Jagged Little Pill. Abbey is also Resident Director of Jeffrey Finn's Hot on Broadway, which creates evening length industrial shows for corporations across America.  Director/Choreographer credits: Rocky Horror Show,13 the musical, Meet Me in St.Louis, A Quarantine Cabaret Choreography credits include: ExtraOrdinary (Directed by Diane Paulus), Broadway for Biden (Directed by Liesl Tommy), NBC's Jimmy Fallon Show, CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, Sugarland (Music Video), Big Fish (Directed by Eric Woodall), NYC Mayor's Inner Circle Gala, Smokey Joe's Cafe (Directed by Julia Murney), Rock of Ages (Directed by Michael Berry), Mama Mia (Casa Mañana), American Idiot (TUTS), Dreamgirls (Directed by Lauren Kennedy), Spamalot (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), True Love (TriArts Sharon Playhouse), Performa Gala (Jennifer Rubell), Wizard of Oz (NewArts), and many industrial/ corporate entertainment events.  Associate Director/Choreographer credits: Jagged Little Pill (Broadway and American Repertory Theater), Waitress (All Companies), #DateMe (Off-Broadway),Taste of Things to Come (The York Theatre and Chicago Broadway Playhouse), The Odyssey (Public Works at The Delacorte), Double Portrait (Film), Elf (Paper Mill Playhouse), Ragtime (Lincoln Center), Bernadette Peter's Drama League Gala (The Plaza), NBC's Smash, Company (Bucks Co. Playhouse), National Pastime (BCP), Plaid Tidings (BCP), Legs (Tory Burch commercial), Microsoft (Industrial), Norwegian Cruise Line (RWS), Chicago (Ogunquit Playhouse). Some of her performing credits include: NBC's Smash, Broadway's Spamalot, Broadway's Pal Joey, Radio City Rockette's, NBC's Celebrity Apprentice, Longshot (Film), Martha Plimpton Sings? (Lincoln Center-American Songbook Series), Sinatra (Radio City Music Hall), No Strings (Encores!), The Met Gala (NYC), Carnivale (Radio City). Abbey O'Brien is also a National Adjudicator, Master Teacher, Guest Artist, and Creative Consultant.

About the Guest Randy Redd made his Broadway debut in PARADE at Lincoln Center directed by Harold Prince. Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include MAY WE ALL, Max Vernon's THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, ALLEGRO at Classic Stage Company directed by John Doyle, Alain Boublil's MANHATTAN PARISIENNE directed by Graciela Daniele, and PUMP BOYS & DINETTES at City Center Encores. Other credits include MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, RING OF FIRE directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., Randy Newman's FAUST, THE BURNT PART BOYS, Terrence McNally's SOME MEN, the American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's BY JEEVES directed by Alan Ayckbourn, David Greig's MIDSUMMER, LUCKY STIFF, ONE MAN BAND with James Lecesne, and SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Film and TV credits include https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1HQ5OP9E8c (“Beautiful Creatures”) and “The Last 5 Years” directed by Richard LaGravenese, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjmpO8k9m0 (“After The Storm”) directed by Hilla Medalia, "Kinsey" directed by Bill Condon, “From Broadway With Love” (PBS), “All-American New Years” (FOX), "The Wright Verdicts", Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Tony Awards, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Wynonna Judd, and Show Biz After Hours with Frank DiLella, a monthly variety show at Birdland. He has worked as an actor, writer, musician, and director at Manhattan Theater Club, Lincoln Center Theater, Classic Stage Company, Tectonic Theater, Atlantic Theater Company, Naked Angels, Second Stage, New York Musical Theater Festival, The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed, Geffen Playhouse, Primary Stages, York Theater, Emelin Theater, City Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park, New Stage Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Charlotte Repertory Theater, the Flat Rock Playhouse, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Stamford Center For The Arts, the Arden Theater, New World Stages, the Cape Playhouse, the Actor's Playhouse, and more. Recordings: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/showfolk/id305047066 (SHOWFOLK) with Tony Award-winner Rachel Bay Jones, Robin Skye's https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/robin-skye/id383949971 (HOUSE OF LOVE), LUCKY STIFF, NEO, Jason Robert Brown's WEARING SOMEONE ELSE'S CLOTHES and the Original Cast Recordings of PARADE, RING OF FIRE, THE BURNT PART BOYS and THE VIEW UPSTAIRS. In concert: Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Symphony Space, Cooper Union, St. John the Divine, Feinstein's, Ars Nova, Birdland and Joe's Pub. Links North Carolina Theatre http://www.randy-redd.com/ (Randy Redd's Website) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagram @beltlinetobroadway

This is the second half of my recent conversation with author Liza Gennaro, whose fascinating new book is titled: Making Broadway Dance.  If you missed part one you may want to catch up on that episode before listening to this one. Liza is currently the Dean of Musical Theater at the Manhattan School of Music and she also has had a very active and successful career as a dancer and choreographer. Interestingly, she is closely related to this subject matter of her book because her father was the Tony Award winning choreographer and star dancer, Peter Gennaro. He is profiled in the book as well as in this episode. By the end of Part 1, we had made it to the late 1940s when Agnes de Mille was dominating the field of Broadway choreography. Between 1943 and 1945, De Mille had four hits in a row – Oklahoma!, One Touch of Venus, Bloomer Girl, and Carousel – and three of them choreographed in her signature “Americana” style. This unprecedented string of successes made her the most powerful choreographer in the commercial theater, and soon led to her becoming the first director-choreographer of the “Golden Age” with Rodgers & Hammerstein's Allegro. De Mille's most significant contribution to the Broadway Musical was breaking the mold of the traditional Broadway chorus girl by insisting on hiring actor/dancers who could fully embody the characters that they were playing.  This new approach to Broadway dance, and this new kind of Broadway dancer, would be adopted by everyone who followed in her footsteps – especially Jerome Robbins – who years later would write, “Agnes broke the conception of what the Broadway dancer could be in the Broadway Musical. What they looked like, what was desired of them, and what their contribution to the show was.” And, as you will hear, Robbins took that idea and ran with it, just as De Mille's “Americana” style was starting to lose its luster. That's just the beginning Later in the episode Liza and I discuss Michael Kidd, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, Michael Bennett, Graciela Daniele, Susan Stroman, Kathleen Marshall, Bill T. Jones, Stephen Hoggett, Lorin Latarro, Kelly Devine, Sergio Trujillo, Jerry Mitchell and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Blankenbuehler, Susan Stroman, Chita Rivera, Debbie Allen, Graciela Daniele and more in Khadifa Wong's directorial debut tracing Jazz dance from Africa to America today. Connect with Tonya via her community phone number at +1 917-724-8998! Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, edited by Catherine Devine, music by Cat Dail. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Video Edition, Please Click and Subscribe Here: https://youtu.be/_j3JLZPWDF0 Patti D'Beck is a long-time veteran of Broadway and regional theatre. Her Broadway credits as Associate Choreographer, Supervisor, Dance Captain, and Actor include the original productions of Applause (Lauren Bacall), A Chorus Line, Seesaw, Pippin (Ben Vereen), Evita, The Will Rogers' Follies, My One and Only (Twiggy and Tommy Tune), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and the Broadway revivals of Annie Get Your Gun (Bernadette Peters), Bells are Ringing (Faith Prince), and Grease! (Rosie O'Donnell, Lucy Lawless). In 2016 Ms. D'Beck collaborated with Jeff Calhoun on the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn's musical Mata Hari in Seoul, So. Korea. Patti also choreographed the opening number for the 1997 Tony Awards and served as assistant or associate choreographer to Tommy Tune and Graciela Daniele on many productions. She has directed and choreographed many stars including Bernadette Peters, Liza Minnelli, Brooke Shields, Lucy Arnaz, Reba McEntire, Keith Carradine, Sandy Duncan, Lucy Lawless and many, many more. This past fall she worked with American Dance Machine to recreate Will Rogers' Follies ‘Our Favorite Son', which she helped create on Broadway. She also was part of a panel for Dancers Over 40, honoring Tommy Tune and Kevin Winkler's new book. In 2022 she will be directing NUNSENSE, starring Sally Struthers at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, she works at the VCU Center for Patient Safety and Human Simulation as a Standardized Patient (SP). As an SP, Patti portrays patient scenarios in order to instruct and train medical students, residents, and fellows in the art of critical thinking, patient safety, team interaction, decision making, clinical techniques and communication.  

SEEN: Oct 5, 2021 Gardens of Anunicia Globe-commissioned world premiere musical Book, music, and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa Directed and co-choreographed by Graciela Daniele A Globe-commissioned world premiere musical by five-time Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa. The Gardens of Anuncia is inspired by the life story of an icon of the American stage who directs and choreographs the show at the Globe: Broadway legend Graciela Daniele. Anuncia tends the garden of her country house as she reflects on her life, looking back on her girlhood in Juan Perón's Argentina and paying homage to the family of women whose sacrifices allowed her to become an artist. This funny, poignant, and beautiful musical features a beguilingly romantic and tango-infused score filled with the exuberant sounds of women reveling in the joys of being alive.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://thecitylife.org/2021/08/05/graciela-daniele-to-be-honored-with-the-2020-special-tony-award-for-lifetime-achievement-in-the-theatre/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/support

Career Q&A with Chita Rivera on September 11, 2015. Moderated by Richard Ridge, BroadwayWorld.com. An accomplished and versatile actress/singer/dancer, Chita Rivera has won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and received eight additional Tony nominations for an exceptional 10 Tony nominations. On Friday, November 6, 2015, WNET/THIRTEEN will air the Great Performances special Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin' To Do, a retrospective on her extraordinary life and career nationally on PBS. She recently starred in The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway (2015), following the acclaimed production at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in the summer of 2014. She starred in the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the Broadway and touring productions of The Dancer's Life, a dazzling new musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terrence McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele and the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with Antonio Banderas. She trained as a ballerina (from age 11) before receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from legendary George Balanchine. Chita's first appearance (age 17) was as a principal dancer in Call Me Madam. Her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story brought her stardom, which she repeated in London. Her career is highlighted by starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink (Tony Award), Chicago, Jerry's Girls, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award), and the original Broadway casts of Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Seventh Heaven and Mr. Wonderful. On tour: Born Yesterday, The Rose Tattoo, Call Me Madam, Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate, Zorba, Can-Can with The Rockettes. Chita was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009. She received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in Washington, DC in 2002 and is the first Hispanic woman ever chosen to receive this award. In May, 2013, she was appointed to a special Kennedy Center Honors Advisory Committee. Chita's current solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing. Her most treasured production is her daughter, singer/dancer/choreographer Lisa Mordente.

SHOWS: Pippin, Chicago, and Angels in America Their collaboration is one of the longest in theatre history and their brilliant lighting designs have enriched every show on which they work. Solo, Jules Fisher was the lighting designer on the original productions of Pippin, Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles and many more. Once Peggy Eisenhauer became his creative partner, their credits included Angels in America, Jelly's Last Jam, Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk, Ragtime, Shuffle Along, and so many more Jules + Peggy pull back the curtain on their career to discuss how Bob Fosse demanded new ideas, what it was like working under the guidance of Jo Mielziner, and why George C. Wolfe requested that black be a color in lighting. Also, Jules+Peggy shine the spotlight on Joe Mantello, Graciela Daniele, and Feder! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advanced knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you seen cell block tango recently?!?!? POP, SQUISH, CICERO... Let's GO CHICAGO!! Arguably the best movie musical of all time (feel free to fight us).. We love Chicago. Dan and Joe danced in the ensemble of CHICAGO in college and they were BAD. But that's okay. We're thrilled that Broadway vet and Fosse superfan Tyler Hanes is here to talk with us about it!! Tyler has NINE Broadway credits to his name and a slew of TV credits including Jerry Orbach in the F/X sensation Fosse/ Verdon. Tyler gives us some incredible insight into the world of Bob Fosse and Ann Reinking, the CHICAGO film, and we're putting it out there that Tyler will be the next Billy Flynn when Broadway comes back. Tyler and Joe worked on a workshop with Graciela Daniele, who was Hunyak in the original production of CHICAGO in 1976. THAT'S CRAZY! Thanks for listening and if you haven't seen the Zeta Jones rip as Velma, stop what you're doing and watch Rob Marshall's perfect film. 

Wendi and Dfernando's sixteenth episode and their guest interview is Tony Award nominated/CableACE Award-winning actress, comedian and writer Denny Dillon.  Denny Dillon began her professional career six weeks after moving to NYC in 1973 when she made her Broadway debut as Agnes in the highly anticipated 1974 Broadway revival of GYPSY, starring Angela Lansbury.  She quickly followed it with the 1975 Broadway revival of Thornton Wilder's THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH.  Roles she created on Broadway were in the 1980 Broadway stage adaptation of HAROLD AND MAUDE and Mickey in the 1983 hit Gershwin musical MY ONE AND ONLY, starring Tommy Tune and Twiggy, for which she received a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.  She later appeared as a replacement cast member in the 2003 Broadway play ENCHANTED APRIL.Dillon famously made her big screen debut in the 1977 classic SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, playing Doreen, who asks John Travolta's character Tony if she can wipe his forehead for him.  Other films followed, such as GARBO TALKS, SEVEN MINUTES IN HEAVEN, UNITED 93, RACING DAYLIGHT and as the voice of Glyptodon in the classic animated feature ICE AGE.  In 2021 she can be seen in Academy Award-winner Halle Berry's directorial debut BRUISED as Crazy Esther.  Other notable career highlight was being a member of the first replacement cast on NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (Season 6 - 1980-1981) during the troubled tenure of producer Jean Doumanian.  Sidebar: Denny Dillon was the shortest cast member in SNL history at 4'11".On television, Dillon went on to win a CableACE Award for her role as series regular Toby Pedalbee, the abusive yet loyal assistant on the long-running HBO sitcom DREAM ON and has appeared on several classic series like DESIGNING WOMEN, NIGHT COURT, MIAMI VICE, FAME and NASH BRIDGES and as a series regular, she appeared on WOMEN IN PRISON and DR. SCIENCE.  Most recently she was seen on LAW & ORDER: SVU, FX's LOUIE and HBO's THE OUTSIDER.  She continues acting in regional theatre and was seen in the musical TRIUMPH OF LOVE at Center Stage in Baltimore, Tennessee Williams' plays 8 BY TENN at the Hartford Stage, as Beatrice in the World Premiere of Tom Dudzick's DON'T TALK TO THE ACTORS at Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo, and as Berthe in the comedy farce BOEING-BOEING at Hartford Stage. In 2010, she was part of a new musical in "development" of Roald Dahl's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH at Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut, directed by acclaimed director/choreographer Graciela Daniele.  Dillon has headed the IMPROV NATION, based in the Hudson Valley (New York state), since 2006, and is an Artist in-Residence at SUNY Ulster where she teaches improvisation and is on the faculty of Primary Stages.She's currently writing a book of memoirs and shares her life with partner Barbara Smiley.  And on the weekly RIPE & ROTTEN REPORT, the fabulous Debi Mazar, some words for Meghan McCain, the Criterion Collection release of Robert Zemeckis' 1978 film I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND, and the curse of that TikTok peach cobbler.  Wendi and Dfernando also bring up TV sitcom theme songs and do a little singing themselves.  Follow us on our Instagram: Wendi McLendon-CoveyDfernando ZarembaGENERATION RIPE... and our guest Denny DillonRemember to subscribe to GENERATION RIPEVisit Dfernando Zaremba's website: dfernandozaremba.com

In this podcast, Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispanico, choreographer and former principal dancer talks about his dance career, training with Martha Graham Company and The Alvin Ailey School, launching his own company and leading America's leading Latino dance organisation. This year Ballet Hispanico celebrates their 50th Anniversary. Listen to Eduardo talk about curating the celebratory programme that features renowned choreographers Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, Andrea Miller, Ramón Oller, Vicente Nebrada, Pedro Ruiz, Graciela Daniele, as well as a piece of his own. Ballet Hispanico - Melissa Verdecia. Photo by Rachel Neville Eduardo also shares the history of the company and his vision for its future, plus the important education and community work to explore and engage more dancers and audiences in Latino culture and dance. He also gives his insights into the challenges facing dancers today and has some words of advice. Ballet Hispanico 50th Anniversary programme is heading on a USA and international tour – check dates and locations here. Follow Eduardo and Ballet Hispanico on Instagram: @ervilaro  @ballethispanico PRESS PLAY! https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Ballet+Hispanico.mp3 Ballet Hispanico - Antonio Cangiano and Shelby Colona. Photo by Rachel Neville Eduardo Vilaro Headshot with Flower. Photo by Rachel Neville

The 2019 Chita Award Show Red Carpet is the best place to see the hottest dancers and choreographers in one place honoring Broadway, Off Broadway, and Film's finest works of Dance. In Part 2: Lyrik Cruz, Griselle Ponce, Gail Freedman, Graciela Daniele, Ann Reinking, Samantha Burger, Katie Hamra, Ethan Slater, Corbin Bleu, David Neumann, Murray Hill, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Allyson Tucker, Jelani Remy. More about the Chita Rivera Awards: https://www.chitariveraawards.com/ More about the Podcast: http://keithpricecurtaincall.com

Graciela Daniele is one of Broadway's most beloved director/choreographers with credits including the choreography for The Pirates of Penzance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Rink, The Goodbye Girl, Ragtime and directing such shows as Annie Get Your Gun (w/Bernadette Peters), Once On This Island, Marie Christine, and more. But, before she went behind the table, she was one of the most recognized dancers on Broadway having appeared in What Makes Sammy Run, Here's Where I Belong, Promises, Promises, Coco, Follies, and Chicago. Graciela pulls back the curtain on her career to discuss how her first New York audition led to her Broadway debut, what it was like working with Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett, and why West Side Story was a seminal force in her life. Also, Graciela shines the spotlight on Gwen Verdon, Michael John LaChuisa, Wilfred Leach, and Kevin Kline Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4 To book a room at Shetler Studios, head on over to: https://www.shetlerstudios.com 

Ilana interviewed JASON ROBERT BROWN live on the stage of City Center after the Encore Series Presentation of his song cycle "Songs for a New World" on the day his latest album "How We React and How We Recover" was released. In this intimate conversation Jason talks about being "adopted " by Hal Prince, his longtime collaboration with Daisy Prince, the joy and pain of winning Tony Awards for shows that had closed quickly and how he wrote the title song for his new album on the morning Donald Trump won the election and more.... Jason Robert Brown  is the ultimate multi-hyphenate – an equally skilled composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, director and performer – best known for his dazzling scores to several of the most renowned musicals of his generation, including the generation-defining “The Last Five Years”, his debut song cycle “Songs for a New World”, and the seminal “Parade”, for which he won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Score. JASON ROBERT BROWN has been hailed as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim” (Philadelphia Inquirer), and his “extraordinary, jubilant theater music” (Chicago Tribune) has been heard all over the world, whether in one of the hundreds of productions of his musicals every year or in his own incendiary live performances. Jason’s score for “The Bridges of Madison County,” a musical adapted with Marsha Norman from the bestselling novel, directed by Bartlett Sher and starring Kelli O’Hara and Steven Pasquale, received two Tony Awards (for Best Score and Orchestrations). “Honeymoon In Vegas,” based on Andrew Bergman’s film, opened on Broadway in 2015 following a triumphant production at Paper Mill Playhouse. His major musicals as composer and lyricist include: “13”, written with Robert Horn and Dan Elish, which began its life in Los Angeles in 2007 and opened on Broadway in 2008; “The Last Five Years”, which was cited as one of Time Magazine’s 10 Best of 2001 and won Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Lyrics; “Parade,” written with Alfred Uhry and directed by Harold Prince, which premiered at Lincoln Center Theatre in 1998, and subsequently won both the Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for Best New Musical, as well as garnering Jason the Tony Award for Original Score; and “Songs for a New World,” a theatrical song cycle directed by Daisy Prince, which played Off-Broadway in 1995, and has since been seen in hundreds of productions around the world. As a soloist or with his band The Caucasian Rhythm Kings, Jason has performed sold-out concerts around the world.  His newest collection, “How We React and How We Recover”, was released in June 2018 on Ghostlight Records. His previous solo album, “Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes”, was named one of Amazon.com’s best of 2005, and is available from Sh-K-Boom Records. For the new musical “Prince of Broadway,” a celebration of the career of Harold Prince, Jason was the musical supervisor and arranger.  Other recent New York credits as conductor and arranger include “Urban Cowboy the Musical” on Broadway; Oliver Goldstick’s play, “Dinah Was,” directed by David Petrarca, at the Gramercy Theatre and on national tour; and William Finn’s “A New Brain,” directed by Graciela Daniele, at Lincoln Center Theater. Jason has conducted and created arrangements and orchestrations for Liza Minnelli, John Pizzarelli, Tovah Feldshuh, and Laurie Beechman, among many others. Jason studied composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., with Samuel Adler, Christopher Rouse, and Joseph Schwantner.  He lives with his wife, composer Georgia Stitt, and their daughters in New York City.  Jason is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802.  Visit him on the web at www.jasonrobertbrown.com.

Brush Up Your Marshall because we have three time Tony Award winning director and choreographer, Kathleen Marshall, to discuss all things theatre, dance, and musical theatre history! From an actress in the chorus of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera to associate choreographer, from reality TV show judge to Artistic Director, Kathleen has held every job imaginable and is still raring to do more! Her Broadway credits include Kiss Me Kate, Wonderful Town, Grease, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and so many more! Kathleen pulls back the curtain on her career to discuss how she and her brother, Rob, fell in love with the business living in Pittsburgh, PA, what it was like to bring a contemporary lens to Golden Age musicals, and why her first Broadway visit involved strippers and animals chilling in a hotel room. Also, Kathleen shines the spotlight on Michael Blakemore, Hal Prince, Chita Rivera, Graciela Daniele, and Donna Murphy! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

BANDSTAND brings the swing-fueled, against-all-odds story of singer/songwriter Donny Novitski and his band of mismatched fellow vets brilliantly to the stage. When a national contest to find America’s next music sensation offers a chance at fame and Hollywood fortune, Donny must whip his boys into fighting shape. Teaming up with a beautiful young war widow as their singer, and playing for every voiceless underdog in a world that has left them behind, they will risk everything to redefine the meaning of victory and sing truth to power. Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award® winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In the Heights), starring two-time Tony nominee Laura Osnes (Cinderella, Bonnie and Clyde), Broadway sensation Corey Cott (Newsies), and Tony winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), and featuring an explosive original score, BANDSTAND is a truly American celebration of the men and women whose personal bravery defined a nation. Got Your 6 launched the 6 Certified initiative in early 2015 as a way to challenge industry executives and content creators to craft more thoughtful narratives around veterans and military families. Through this initiative, Got Your 6 highlights projects that portray veterans accurately and responsibly. Got Your 6 and Bandstand are proud to call themselves partners on a shared mission: To highlight the experiences, talents, and heart of America’s veterans through compelling and truthful portrayals in the performing arts. JOE CARROLL (Johnny Simpson, Drums) JOE CARROLL originated the role of Johnny Simpson at The Paper Mill Playhouse. Broadway: Cinderella opposite Carly Rae Jepsen and Keke Palmer (Prince Topher), Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad (Balthazar, Romeo u/s), Once (Tony Award Best Musical). Selected Regional: Million Dollar Quartet, Avenue Q, The Full Monty. NYC Readings include Bandstand, August Rush, An Incident at Vichy, Michael John LaChuisa and Graciela Daniele’s The Nine Fathers of Ariel, Fly By Night. Film: Romeo and Juliet: Live on Broadway. Television: “The Carrie Diaries,” “All My Children.” Training: The University of Michigan and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Joe also plays lead guitar in Common Jack, a folk-rock band based in New York City. BRANDON JAMES ELLIS (Davy Zlatic, Bass) Broadway: Company, Once. West End: Once (Bank Manager). Off-Broadway: Missed Connections, Of Mice and Men, Balls…The Musical?, Song Moments: Daniel Maté In Concert. Regional: Casa Manana, Buck’s County Playhouse, The Paper Mill Playhouse, Virginia Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, Barrington stage, and others. Television/Film: “30 Rock;” “Vinyl;” “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” (CBS); “The Naked Brothers Band;” The Onion, The Callback, She Wolf Rising. BFA in Acting from UNCG. For more information and to get your tickets: http://bandstandbroadway.com/

Graciela Daniele: On October 10, 1993 Graciela Daniele was interviewed by SDCFoundation Board Member Frank Ventura at ArtsConnection. In this conversation, Ms. Daniele discusses her life in the arts as a series of transitions. She covers the totality of her career to date, remarking on her evolution from ballerina to musical theatre performer to assistant to director/choreographer. She speaks fondly of former mentors and past productions and candidly articulates her point of view on where American theatre is heading. Originally recorded - October 18, 1993. Running Time - 1:12:57 ©1993 SDCF

At the SDC Foundation's Choreography Symposium in 1986, choreographers Wayne Cilento (Tony Award for "The Who's Tommy"), Graciela Daniele (8 Tony nominations for Best Choreography), Janet Watson ("Ragtime") and Ted Pappas ("Paradise" Off-Broadway and the Broadway revival of "Zorba") spoke with director Marshall Mason about choreography in musical theatre at the time. The panel discusses how each began his or her career, their creative processes and the mentors that led them to Broadway. A major topic is the changing style of musical theatre, which was deep in the Sondheim era at the time, and the choreographer's role in musicals that involve less dance numbers and more musical staging. Other topics include working with a director vs. assuming both roles, how technology's role in the audience's lives changes the movement choreographers put onstage and anecdotes about working with Hal Prince and Michael Bennett.

On October 10, 1993 Graciela Daniele was interviewed by SDCFoundation Board Member Frank Ventura at ArtsConnection. In this conversation, Ms. Daniele discusses her life in the arts as a series of transitions. She covers the totality of her career to date, remarking on her evolution from ballerina to musical theatre performer to assistant to director/choreographer. She speaks fondly of former mentors and past productions and candidly articulates her point of view on where American theatre is heading.

The panel -- "A Few Good Men"'s director Don Scardino and playwright Aaron Sorkin, director George C. Wolfe ("Spunk") and director Luke Yankee ("The Cherry Orchard") -- discusses their current productions and how each show was conceived. The creative team of "Once On This Island" -- book writer/lyricist Lynn Ahrens, director/choreographer Graciela Daniele, and composer Stephen Flaherty -- talk about adapting the musical from a novel, and the show's development at Playwrights Horizons.

The panel -- A Few Good Men's director Don Scardino and playwright Aaron Sorkin, director George C. Wolfe (Tony Award winner for Best Direction for 1993’s Angels in America and 1996’s Bring in ‘da Noise/Bring in ‘da Funk) and director Luke Yankee (The Cherry Orchard) -- discusses their current productions and how each show was conceived. The creative team of Once On This Island -- book writer/lyricist/composer team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (1998 Tonys for Best Original Score with Ragtime), director/choreographer Graciela Daniele -- talk about adapting the musical from a novel, and the show's development at Playwrights Horizons.

The panel of theatre professionals - playwright Michael J. Chepiga ("Getting and Spending"), choreographer Graciela Daniele ("Ragtime"), playwright/director Christopher Durang ("Sex and Longing"), director Garry Hynes ("The Beauty Queen of Leenane"), and director Joe Mantello ("Corpus Christi") - discuss how they got their start, auditioning actors, controversy surrounding a play, and taking on alternate roles of choreographer, actor, or director.

The panel of theatre professionals -- playwright Michael J. Chepiga (Getting and Spending), choreographer Graciela Daniele (Ragtime), playwright/director Christopher Durang (Sex and Longing), director Garry Hynes (Best Director Tony Award for The Beauty Queen of Leenane), and director Joe Mantello (2003 for Best Direction for Take Me Out and 2004 for Assassins) -- discuss how they got their start, auditioning actors, controversy surrounding a play, and taking on alternate roles of choreographer, actor, or director.

Director and lyricist Martin Charnin ("Annie"); director and choreographer Graciela Daniele ("Annie Get Your Gun"); lyricist and book writers Rupert Holmes ("Say Goodnight, Gracie") and Michael Kunze ("Dance of the Vampires"); and directors Marion McClinton ("King Hedley II") and Lawrence Sacharow (Director of Fordham University Theatre Program) talk about the evolution of both play and musical writing in the United States today and the changes in directorial style and direction over the years.

Tony Award-winning director and lyricist Martin Charnin (for Annie); director and choreographer Graciela Daniele (Annie Get Your Gun); lyricist and book writers Rupert Holmes (Tony Award for The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and Michael Kunze (Dance of the Vampires); and directors Marion McClinton (King Hedley II) and Lawrence Sacharow (Director of Fordham University Theatre Program) talk about the evolution of both play and musical writing in the United States today and the changes in directorial style and direction over the years.

Composer William Finn explains how he became involved in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and what drew him to the show's quirky characters; charts the development of the "Marvin" trilogy, including "March Of The Falsettos" and "Falsettoland", and talks about the differing approaches of James Lapine and Graciela Daniele to that material; tells the story of his own early-1990s medical crisis and how that became the basis for "A New Brain"; and recounts his extreme trepidation about the new revue of his songs, "Make Me A Song", during its debut in Connecticut. Original air date - December 1, 2006.

Composer William Finn explains how he became involved in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and what drew him to the show's quirky characters; charts the development of the "Marvin" trilogy, including "March Of The Falsettos" and "Falsettoland", and talks about the differing approaches of James Lapine and Graciela Daniele to that material; tells the story of his own early-1990s medical crisis and how that became the basis for "A New Brain"; and recounts his extreme trepidation about the new revue of his songs, "Make Me A Song", during its debut in Connecticut. Original air date - December 1, 2006.

Composer William Finn explains how he became involved in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and what drew him to the show's quirky characters; charts the development of the "Marvin" trilogy, including "March Of The Falsettos" and "Falsettoland", and talks about the differing approaches of James Lapine and Graciela Daniele to that material; tells the story of his own early-1990s medical crisis and how that became the basis for "A New Brain"; and recounts his extreme trepidation about the new revue of his songs, "Make Me A Song", during its debut in Connecticut. Original air date - December 1, 2006.

During previews for the new musical "Bernarda Alba", director-choreographer Graciela Daniele recalls being compelled to explore American musical theatre after encountering "West Side Story" while she was living in Paris, her apprenticeship with such dance masters as Jack Cole and Bob Fosse, and her collaborations with composers Michael John LaChiusa, William Finn, and Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Original airdate - March 10, 2006.

During previews for the new musical "Bernarda Alba", director-choreographer Graciela Daniele recalls being compelled to explore American musical theatre after encountering "West Side Story" while she was living in Paris, her apprenticeship with such dance masters as Jack Cole and Bob Fosse, and her collaborations with composers Michael John LaChiusa, William Finn, and Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Original airdate - March 10, 2006.

"The Color Purple"'s LaChanze talks about The Oprah Effect on that show, as well as her personal identification with the challenges faced by her character Celie; reflects on her fruitful artistic partnerships with director Graciela Daniele and the team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; and considers the challenges and opportunities she's had on occasion to explore roles originally conceived for causcasian actors. Original airdate - February 24, 2006.

"The Color Purple"'s LaChanze talks about The Oprah Effect on that show, as well as her personal identification with the challenges faced by her character Celie; reflects on her fruitful artistic partnerships with director Graciela Daniele and the team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; and considers the challenges and opportunities she's had on occasion to explore roles originally conceived for causcasian actors. Original airdate - February 24, 2006.

"The Color Purple"'s LaChanze talks about The Oprah Effect on that show, as well as her personal identification with the challenges faced by her character Celie; reflects on her fruitful artistic partnerships with director Graciela Daniele and the team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; and considers the challenges and opportunities she's had on occasion to explore roles originally conceived for causcasian actors. Original airdate - February 24, 2006.