Podcast appearances and mentions of Rob Ashford

Send us a textAfter a few years living in the US, Ashley Day is preparing to make a highly anticipated return to the UK stage at Manchester Opera House in Come Fall in Love - the Musical, an adaptation of DDLJ. The exciting new musical boasts a top tier creative including book & lyrics by Olivier Award winner Nell Benjamin, music by legendary composers Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani and choreography by Olivier, Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford. The show will see Ashley taking on the role of Roger (Rog), a party-going, laid back guy opposite Jena Pandya's more serious Simran. Come Fall in Love is based on a record-breaking phenomenon that has taken India and the Middle East by storm, and this new adaptation is expected to have a similar effect when it arrives on the Manchester stage.In this brand new interview, Ashley Day sits down with us to tell us why this felt like the perfect project to reintroduce himself to musical theatre audiences. Having started his career 20 years ago in Matthew Bourne's The Nutcracker and as part of the original company of Mary Poppins, Ashley Day is known in the musical theatre community as one of a few true triple threats. Over the last 2 decades, he's taken on leading roles in shows like The Book of Mormon, An American in Paris and 42nd Street. In more recent years, Ashley was also a series regular in Dynasty and in our interview he opens up about his love life and how his recent marriage to fellow actor Adam Kaplan has changed him for the better. We also get to hear Ashley reflect on his remarkable career leading up to this point and discuss how the industry has transformed over his time working as one of the West End's most charming leading men. It's a fascinating conversation and we hope it won't be too long until we see Ashley Day treading the boards on UK shores in another hit show.Come Fall in Love opens at Manchester Opera House on 29th May and runs till 21 June 2025.Support the show

Today, I'm thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway favorite Michael Park, who is currently starring in REDWOOD on Broadway through May 18. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how he almost quit the business before REDWOOD, the joys of performing with Idina Menzel, memorable stage door experiences at DEAR EVAN HANSEN, his extended audition process for HELLO, AGAIN, what he learned from Jerry Zaks on SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, balancing his role on AS THE WORLD TURNS with Broadway, teaching young actors during the pandemic, how he almost inspired a new Neil Simon play during LITTLE ME, working with stars on HOW TO SUCCEED and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, turning down JAGGED LITTLE PILL and HEAD OVER HEELS, how Rob Ashford was pivotal in his career, why he writes backstories for every role he plays, directing TUCK EVERLASTING at Shenandoah University, and so much more. Don't miss this in-depth conversation with a theater veteran.

Welcome to episode 42 of 2 Grooms 1 Plot! A podcast where two life-long storytellers talk about stories! On today's episode, we take a look at ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: The Musical.' MGGE takes us to Savannah, Georgia. Known for its southern charm, but beneath the polite exterior, its quirky residents harbor secrets and motives. When affluent antiques dealer Jim Williams is accused of murder, his sensational trial reveals hidden truths and blurs the lines between good and evil, prompting Lady Chablis and other locals to transform the city.  The true-crime bestseller and its memorable characters are brought to life in a new musical adaptation by MacArthur "Genius" grantee Taylor Mac, Tony Award winners Jason Robert Brown and Rob Ashford, and choreographer Tanya Birl. Your Hosts: Pavi Proczko is an audiobook narrator (Defiance of the Fall, Edens Gate), Writer (Brugum's Labyrinth, The Nightly), Actor and Singer (Chicago Shakespeare theater, Paramount Theater, Chicago Fire), and Game Master (D&D). Colin Funk is a Childhood Development Expert (Erikson Institute), Teacher (Stages Chicago), Actor and Singer (Porchlight Music Theater, Metropolis Theater), and Crafter (knitting, cross stick, Embroidery, watercolors). “With our unique lenses, we talk about a specific piece of storytelling each episode: What works? What doesn't? And the magic moments of story!” Pavi & Colin are married and live in Chicago. ❤️ Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW us for more! @2Grooms1Plot

This week, writers John Berendt and Taylor Mac discuss the Goodman Theatre's world-premiere stage musical adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Berendt is the author of the original book the musical is based on, and Mac wrote the book for the adaptation. Learn more about Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: The Musical, here. This conversation originally took place July 8, 2024 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HOME More about Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: The Musical Southern charm is bountiful in Savannah, Georgia. But behind polite smiles, the eccentric residents are filled with secrets and motives. When wealthy antiques dealer Jim Williams is accused of murder, the sensational trial uncovers hidden truths and exposes the fine line between good and evil—which sparks Lady Chablis and other Savannahians to change the city forever. The world-premiere stage musical adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil—John Berendt's 1994 blockbuster non-fiction book, a Pulitzer-Prize finalist that was on the New York Times Best-Seller list for 216 weeks—is realized at Goodman Theatre by creators MacArthur “Genius” Grantee Taylor Mac (book), Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (music and lyrics) with choreography by Tanya Birl-Torres. Tony Award winner Rob Ashford directs a cast led by Tony- and Grammy-Award winning actor J. Harrison Ghee as The Lady Chablis; Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt as Jim Williams; and Olivier Award nominee Sierra Boggess as Emma Dawes. JOHN BERENDT was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. He attended Harvard, where he majored in English and wrote for the Harvard Lampoon. Upon graduation he was hired by Esquire magazine—first as an editor, then as a monthly columnist. Later, he became the editor of New York Magazine. It was during a trip to the South in the mid-1980s that he discovered Savannah—a cloistered, inward-looking garden city that basked on the Georgia coast, reveling in its own peculiarities and giving not a thought to the outside world. He was enchanted and began writing about the city and its people in what would eventually become the non-fiction book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. TAYLOR MAC is a MacArthur Fellow, a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, a Tony Award Nominee (for Best Play), and the recipient of the Kennedy Prize (with Matt Ray), the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a Guggenheim, a Drama League Award, a NY Drama Critics Circle Award, two Obie's, two Bessies, and the first American to receive the International Ibsen Award. Mac is the author of Joy and Pandemic (Huntington Theater); The Hang (with Matt Ray); Gary, A Sequel to Titus Andronicus; A 24-Decade History of Popular Music; Hir; The Fre, The Walk Across America For Mother Earth, The Lily's Revenge; The Young Ladies Of; and The Be(A)st of Taylor Mac. The documentary Taylor Mac's A 24-Decade History of Popular Music recently premiered on HBO to critical acclaim.

cast member Jeremy Davis (Olaf) sits down to talk with Stage Door about his musical theatre story, and how it feels to work on the show and to play such an iconic character. The American Theatre Guild is pleased to present : Frozen the Musical TICKETING INFORMATION: BroadwayinToledo.com, StranahanTheater.com From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America and the critics rave, “It's simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film's songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It's moving. It's spectacular. And above all, it's pure Broadway joy. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024 1:00 & 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 2024 1:00 & 6:30 p.m. TICKETING INFORMATION: BroadwayinToledo.com, StranahanTheater.com and The Stranahan Theater Box Office are the only official sources for tickets to Disney's FROZEN. Tickets purchased through another source will not be guaranteed. PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @BroadwayInToledo Instagram: @BwayToledo X (formerly Twitter): @bwaytoledo

AT HOME IN TANGIER. Rob Ashford is an American stage director and choreographer. He is a Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award winner. “The actors come, and they all fall in love with Tangier I promise you that.” “There was blood and mud everywhere, and the audience just really loved it.” “I was very lucky in my career. I am so happy. I could not be happier.”

Charlotte d'Amboise has been gracing Broadway stages for decades. Since making her Broadway debut in Cats, Charlotte has been nominated for two Tony Awards for her performances in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line (Cassie) and Jerome Robbins' Broadway (multiple roles). She has also won numerous Fred Astaire Awards for her roles in Pippin (Fastrada), Sweet Charity (Charity), and Damn Yankees (Lola). Most recently, she has been seen in the role of Roxie in Chicago, that has earned her the LA Ovation Award, the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award. Charlotte has also appeared in the Broadway casts of Company, Contact, Carrie, and Song and Dance.  Throughout her career onstage, she has worked alongside several legendary directors including, Jerome Robbins, Michael Bennett, Peter Martins, Rob Marshall, Ann Reinking, Debbie Allen, Gillian Lynn, Rob Ashford, Diane Paulus, Walter Bobbie, Scott Ellis, and George Balanchine. Her film credits include The In Crowd (1988), American Blue Note (1989), Just Off the Coast (1992), and The Preacher's Wife (1996). She appears as herself in Every Little Step (2008), a documentary about the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. In 2012, she co-starred in Frances Ha, directed by Noah Baumbach. On television she has appeared in Law & Order (2001), One Life to Live (2009), a videotaped performance of the Broadway musical Contact (2002) and the Kennedy Center Honors (1989, 1995, 2009). Of all her experiences on stage, one of the most special moments for Charlotte was her performance in the Kennedy Center Honors (2009) performing with her brother (Christopher d'Amboise) in an evening honoring her father, Jacques d'Amboise which also aired on television. Charlotte is the Co-Artistic director, with her husband Terrence Mann, of Triple Arts, a musical theater summer intensive for young artists. To see Charlotte in Chicago Click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Birthday to Savion Glover, François Delsarte, and Rob Ashford! --- 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.

This week is a WhatsOnStage Awards special. We bring you the interviews and gossip from the awards including, Rob Ashford, Come From Away, Samantha Barks, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Victoria Hamilton Barrit, Christopher Howell, Michael Grandage, Amy Hart, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Rob Madge, Cedric Neale, Kitty Scott Claws, Six, Sally Ann Triplet and Ella Va Day.

Rob Ashford, Bertie Carvel, Tom Murray, Lara Pulver, and Alfred Uhry continue sharing their experiences of writing, staging and performing Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry's 1998 musical Parade. Parade: Part Two includes the PBP Parade QUIZ and clips from the 2007 Donmar Warehouse Cast Album, featuring Malinda Parris, Shaun Escoffery, Lara Pulver, Steven Page, Mark Bonnar, Norman Bowman, Bertie Carvel, and the Company of Parade. Piece by Piece is written and hosted by Joe Bunker. It is mixed and edited by Nikki Davison for Auburn Jam Music, and produced by Pint of Wine. The theme music is by Ben Cox and our production assistant is Olivia Bloom. Our thanks go to Becky Applin, Tom Cane, Matt Eberhardt, Brandon Force, Miri Gellert, Jonathan Goodwin, Mel Heslop and Mark Newnham for their input and insights in the build-up to this episode! You can find Piece by Piece on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. You can also email us c/o piecebypiecetalkshow@gmail.com - we would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

Rob Ashford, Bertie Carvel, Tom Murray, Lara Pulver, and Alfred Uhry join host Joe Bunker to share their experiences of writing, staging and performing Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry's 1998 musical Parade. Find out: How Alfred Uhry’s family are linked to the real-life Leo & Lucille Frank Why new characters and songs were added for the revival (and why some were cut) How the Parade cast warmed up before shows (and why Bertie Carvel wasn’t included) How Lara Pulver came to be cast as the leading lady in the premieres of two Jason Robert Brown musicals Why Alfred and Rob call the London production ‘the happiest working experience’ of their lives Piece by Piece is written and hosted by Joe Bunker. It is mixed and edited by Nikki Davison for Auburn Jam Music, and produced by Pint of Wine. The theme music is by Ben Cox and our production assistant is Olivia Bloom. Our thanks go to Becky Applin, Tom Cane, Matt Eberhardt, Brandon Force, Miri Gellert, Jonathan Goodwin, Mel Heslop and Mark Newnham for their input and insights in the build-up to this episode! Parade: Part One includes clips from the 2007 Donmar Warehouse Cast Album, featuring Stuart Matthew Price, Steven Page, Bertie Carvel, Lara Pulver, Mark Bonnar, Norman Bowman, Malinda Parris, Shaun Escoffery, and the Company of Parade. You can find Piece by Piece on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. You can also email us c/o piecebypiecetalkshow@gmail.com - we would love to hear your thoughts on the show!

BRANDON O'NEAL is a native of  Knoxville,TN, trained and mentored by Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen. CREDITS include - Broadway: The Lion King and Wicked. Film: Netflix’s Christmas on the Square, La La Land, Ted 2, and Fame (2009) TV: 2020 Grammy Awards with Misty Copeland, Grey’s Anatomy (Season 14), Scandal (Season 7), Lip Sync Battle (Season 2&3), Broad City, Dancing with the Stars, The Late Late Show with James Corden (in multiple episodes) Commercials: Ford (Super Bowl), Amazon Prime, Subway, Gap and AT&T. Brandon has also had the good fortune to work with Misty Copeland, Will Smith, Paula Abdul, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Janelle Monaé, Kacey Musgraves, Miley Cyrus, Billy Porter, Rob Ashford, Marguerite Derricks, Garth Fagan and Desmond Richardson to name a few. @iambrandononealFacebook Take Your Career to the Next Level!Work 1-on-1 with Dane, host of You Booked It.

The beloved 2002 musical Thoroughly Modern Millie made history at the Marquis Theatre and in this episode, original cast member Anne L. Nathan joins Jennifer Ashley Tepper to dish about the show's origins and how the role of Miss Flannery evolved. What was it like to hear "Gimme Gimme" for the first time and collaborate with Jeanine Tesori, Dick Scanlan, Rob Ashford, Michael Mayer, Sutton Foster and the rest of the Millie team? What was it like to inhabit one of the newest theaters on Broadway and why is it said to make people happy? And what is the history of the five Broadway theaters that were demolished to make way for the Marquis in The Great Theatre Massacre of 1982? This episode includes a number of fascinating Marquis stories from its legendary door man Rey Concepcion, about shows from Annie Get Your Gun to Follies to Evita to The Capeman. Anne was the first person Jennifer ever interviewed for the Untold Stories of Broadway book series and the two reminisce about their day at the Cafe Edison, all that it inspired, and all that's happened since.  To view the slideshow of the Marquis Theatre over the years, visit our YouTube page here: https://youtu.be/xU3a7-PDDfs Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Ashford is a stage director and choreographer. He is a Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner. As a dancer, he made his Broadway debut in the 1987 Lincoln Center revival of Anything Goes starring Patti LuPone. Productions of The Most Happy Fella, Crazy for You, My Favorite Year, Victor/Victoria, and Parade followed. He won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Choreography for the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Additional Broadway choreography credits include the Roundabout Theatre production of The Boys from Syracuse, The Wedding Singer, Curtains, Cry-Baby, and Evita. Off-Broadway credits include Pardon My English, Bloomer Girl, A Connecticut Yankee, and Time and Again. For television, Ashford has choreographed tributes to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Barbra Streisand, Jerry Hermann, Meryl Streep, Barbara Cook, Shirley MacLaine, and Tom Hanks for The Kennedy Center Honors. He was stage director and choreographer of NBC's live television presentation, The Sound of Music Live!, and Peter Pan Live! His resume is so diverse it reads like the resumes of five different guys, from all over the world. And I got that one guy to talk to us about . . . How he started dancing when he was 20.  That’s right. Not 2 . . .20! Why it’s a natural progression for Choreographers to become Directors. The difference with working with stars and how he makes them look great . . . even if they’ve never worked on stage before! How he creates steps for a character . . .and how that has nothing to do with dancing. Why it’s good to be afraid. Keep up with me: @KenDavenportBway www.theproducersperspective.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth need a lot of space to cook up their double helping of toil and trouble, they've got it at the Park Avenue Armory. That’s where the latest New York staging of Macbeth is being presented. The lavish and action-packed production is a joint effort between the Armory and the Manchester International Festival. It is also the New York stage debut of acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh, who takes the title role (he is co-director here, with Rob Ashford). So, with plenty of room for not only prophesying witches but battles, murder and intrigue, how does this Shakespeare production come off? We have a report from New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood.

Rob Ashford and Michael Grandage: On December 18, 2010, SDCF hosted their second One-on-One Conversation of the 2010-2011 season in the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row with Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Grandage  (Red, Hamlet) and Broadway Director/Choreographer Rob Ashford (How To Succeed In Business..., Promises, Promises) and moderated by SDCF Executive Director Laura Penn. The two directors discuss their trajectories from small town upbringings to the big city and from performing careers to directing. Other topics include the story of their professional relationship with each other, their rehearsal processes from first day to opening night and their views on mentorship. Full of humorous anecdotes, this conversation provides a unique opportunity to hear the voices of two trans-Atlantic masters of the craft in the prime of their careers. Originally recorded - December 18, 2010. Running Time - 1:08:35 © 2010 SDCF

Rob Ashford and Michael Mayer: In February 2010, director Michael Mayer, who won a Tony Award for Spring Awakening and recently directed American Idiot, and choreographer Rob Ashford, who won a Tony for Thoroughly Modern Millie and was nominated for The Wedding Singer, Curtains and Cry-Baby, were featured in a Director/Choreographer Network discussion on Working in Film. Michael Mayer recalls being asked to direct A Home at the End of the World and saying yes without hesitating, without any film experience. Rob Ashford talks about choreographing Beyond the Sea with Kevin Spacey and learning how to tell the DP what shots to take. Key differences they discuss between theater and film include lack of rehearsal, shooting out of order and film actors vs. theatre actors. This seventy-minute discussion is an enlightening glimpse into the world of filmmaking from the theatre professional's perspective. Originally recorded - February 1, 2010. Running Time - 1:05:23 © 2010 SDCF

At the Manchester International Festival, Alexander Vlahos talks about playing Malcolm in Macbeth, a production that sees Kenneth Branagh return to the stage in the title role opposite Alex Kingston as Lady Macbeth, directed by Rob Ashford and performed in a deconsecrated church at a secret location in Manchester. Also, Hadley Fraser talks about playing chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in The Machine by Matt Charman directed by Donmar Warehouse artistic director Josie Rourke who, despite being Salford-born, has never directed in Manchester before. The 2013 Manchester International Festival runs from 4 to 21 July. For information about all MIF productions and other events, see www.mif.co.uk.

Director/Choreographer Rob Ashford, President and Executive Director of Rodgers and Hammerstein Ted Chapin and Director Scott Ellis talk with moderator Patrick Pacheco about re-imagining musicals for the stage and how directors approach a work to make it fresh and reinvented, how much change is allowed by the estates who control the pieces, and the challenges they face when classic works are re-imagined, rewritten or reinterpreted in any way.

Announcements of the theatre events in the 2013 programme for the Manchester International Festival from Festival director Alex Poots and some of the artists involved. Featured on the podcast are actor Maxine Peake, director Josie Rourke, Belgian director Inne Goris, actor Kenneth Branagh and director Rob Ashford.

At its 2002 Musical Theatre Symposium, SDCF hosted a panel moderated by SDC Executive Director Barbara Hauptman featuring directors David Warren, Christopher Ashley, Gabriel Barre, Jeff Calhoun, Mary B. Robinson, choreographers Daniel Pelzig and Joey McKneely and director/choreographers Rob Ashford and Karen Azenberg to discuss the director/choreographer relationship. Topics include the genesis of partnerships, the blurry line between dance and staging and the involvement of the choreographer in the movement throughout the production, and what it means to be a director/choreographer, among many others. Listen to this lively conversation for an in-depth look at this inspiring relationship told by ten masters of the craft.

On December 18, 2010, SDCF hosted their second One-on-One Conversation of the 2010-2011 season in the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row with Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Grandage ("Red", "Hamlet") and Broadway Director/Choreographer Rob Ashford ("How To Succeed In Business...", "Promises, Promises") and moderated by SDCF Executive Director Laura Penn. The two directors discuss their trajectories from small town upbringings to the big city and from performing careers to directing. Other topics include the story of their professional relationship with each other, their rehearsal processes from first day to opening night and their views on mentorship. Full of humorous anecdotes, this conversation provides a unique opportunity to hear the voices of two trans-Atlantic masters of the craft in the prime of their careers.

In February 2010, director Michael Mayer, who won a Tony Award for "Spring Awakening" and recently directed "American Idiot", and choreographer Rob Ashford, who won a Tony for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and was nominated for "The Wedding Singer", "Curtains" and "Cry-Baby", were featured in a Director/Choreographer Network discussion on Working in Film. Michael Mayer recalls being asked to direct "A Home at the End of the World" and saying yes without hesitating, without any film experience. Rob Ashford talks about choreographing "Beyond the Sea" with Kevin Spacey and learning how to tell the DP what shots to take. Key differences they discuss between theater and film include lack of rehearsal, shooting out of order and film actors vs. theatre actors. This seventy-minute discussion is an enlightening glimpse into the world of filmmaking from the theatre professional's perspective.

Broadway Bullet had exclusive backstage access to the 2008 NY IT Awards (New York Innovative Theatre Awards) and were able to interview all the winners and presenters live backstage! You can hear from all the award winners about their shows, and get the perspective of the award presenters (Tony winners, Pulitzer winners; probably, Oscar and Emmy winners tucked in there as well) as we talked to Edward Albee, Rob Ashford, Anna Louizos, Barrett Foa, Olympia Dukakis, John Buccino, Tina Howe, Catherine Zuber, Bill Irwin, David Cote, Michael Beresse and so many more! Over two hours of behind the scenes interviews with over 40 people should keep you tied over until our next regular episode!

Tony Award-winning choreographers Rob Ashford (for Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Wayne Cilento (for The Who’s Tommy), Tony-winning playwright Michael Frayn (for Copenhagen), playwright/lyricist Greg Kotis (Tony Award for Urinetown), and directors Sean Mathias and Lynne Meadow (who has helmed Manhattan Theatre Club through many Tony wins) discuss various aspects of their respective crafts, including the focus on storytelling, the benefits and challenges of collaboration, bad reviews, and the evolution of the director/choreographer relationship.

Choreographers Rob Ashford and Wayne Cilento, playwright Michael Frayn, playwright/lyricist Greg Kotis, and directors Sean Mathias and Lynne Meadow discuss various aspects of their respective crafts, including the focus on storytelling, the benefits and challenges of collaboration, bad reviews, and the evolution of the director/choreographer relationship.

"Thoroughly Modern Millie"'s creative and production team -- choreographer Rob Ashford, general manager Nina Lannan, producer Hal Luftig, director Michael Mayer, book writer/lyricist Dick Scanlan and composer Jeanine Tesori -- discuss the Tony Award winning musical's journey to Broadway; obtaining the rights to the 1967 Universal Pictures film written by Richard Morris and starring Julie Andrews; years of development in workshops and readings; how the production team came together, including Rob Ashford's choreographer audition; the mixture of existing songs and new Tesori compositions; the advantages and disadvantages of mounting the show in partnership with La Jolla Playhouse; the many producers involved, including road presenters; the decision and budgetary considerations in opening on Broadway with a rigious preview period versus a second out-of-town tryout.

Thoroughly Modern Millie's creative and production team -- Tony Award-winning choreographer Rob Ashford (for Thoroughly Modern Millie), general manager Nina Lannan, producer Hal Luftig (Tony Awards for Annie Get Your Gun and Thoroughly Modern Millie), Tony Award winning-director Michael Mayer (for Spring Awakening), book writer/lyricist Dick Scanlan and composer Jeanine Tesori -- discuss the Tony Award winning musical's journey to Broadway; obtaining the rights to the 1967 Universal Pictures film written by Richard Morris and starring Julie Andrews; years of development in workshops and readings; how the production team came together, including Rob Ashford's choreographer audition; the mixture of existing songs and new Tesori compositions; the advantages and disadvantages of mounting the show in partnership with La Jolla Playhouse; the many producers involved, including road presenters; the decision and budgetary considerations in opening on Broadway with a rigious preview period versus a second out-of-town tryout.

Choreographer Rob Ashford, Director Chris Ashley, Director/Choreographer John Carrafa and Choreographer Gillian Lynne talk about making musical speak, move and sing.

Tony Award-winning choreographer Rob Ashford (for Thoroughly Modern Millie), director Chris Ashley, director/choreographer John Carrafa and choreographer Gillian Lynne talk about making musicals speak, move and sing.