#robert viagas

[dontgetattached]

"An instrument is a challenge that you can never fully conquer completely.  There’s always one more piece ahead of you.  Or there is always one more difficult thing that you can achieve.  Or the piece that you have played for years can always be refined, retuned, or re-interpreted.  That kind of challenge sharpens the brain."

Scales to Scalpels:  Doctors Who Practice the Healing Arts of Music and Medicine by Lisa Wong M.D. with Robert Viagas

[caroleditosti]

An Evening With Baayork Lee and Robert Viagas

An Evening With Baayork Lee and Robert Viagas

On Monday, 12 February the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center presented Baayork Lee in conversation with Robert Viagas. The show was produced in collaboration with the League of Professional Theatre Women’s Betty Corwin, with Pat Addiss and Sophia Romma. It was as an offering of the League’s Oral History Program.

Baayork Lee is most noted for working with Michael…

[fountaintheatre]

Big news day for Fountain Theatre and Robert Schenkkan's 'Building the Wall'

Big news day for Fountain Theatre and Robert Schenkkan’s ‘Building the Wall’

Mondays at the Fountain Theatre are usually slow and quiet. The traditional day off for folks in the theatre, Mondays at the Fountain are usually spent catching up on office paperwork and reconciling reports from a weekend of performances. But yesterday was anything but quiet when a series of national news stories on our upcoming world premiere of Robert Schenkkan’s new play, Building the Wall,…

[jay-michaels-public-relations]

Well-dunnit

This Stretch of Montpelier by Kelley Nicole Girod Theaters at the Clemente, 107 Suffolk Street

Reviewed by Robert Viagas

The specter of sudden violence seems to lurk just outside the pools of light in which Kelley Nicole Girod’s engrossing Southern gothic drama The Stretch of Montpelier takes place.

Secrets seem buried every yard along the title roadway that runs through a tiny Mississippi Delta…

[still4hill]

Another Broadway Ovation for Hillary Clinton

Another Broadway Ovation for Hillary Clinton

If there is one thing Hillary Clinton is enjoying lately, it is the Great White Way. Audiences there are quick to spot her no matter how full the house. With One Look: Hillary Clinton Gets a Standing Ovation at Sunset Boulevard By Robert Viagas, Logan Culwell-Block Feb 15, 2017 Former presidential candidate visits Broadway for the second time in a month. Hillary Clinton Former presidential…

[broadwaybackstory-blog]

SYNOPSIS (Click Here)

Music, Lyrics, and Book: Lin-Manuel Miranda   

Director: Thomas Kail  

Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler

(* = broadway debut)

Alexander Hamilton – Lin-Manuel Miranda  

Eliza Hamilton – Phillipa Soo*

Angelica Schuyler– Renee Elise Goldsberry  

Peggy Schuyler/ Maria Reynolds - Jasmine Cephas Jones*

Aaron Burr-  Leslie Odom, Jr.

George Washington – Christopher Jackson    

Marquis de Lafayette/ Thomas Jefferson – Daveed Diggs*     

John Laurens/Philip Hamilton – Anthony Ramos*    

Hercules Mulligan/ James Madison - Okieriete Onaodowan

King George – Jonathan Groff

Ensemble - Carleigh Bettiol*, Ariana DeBose, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, Ephriam Sykes, Zelig Williams*

Swings -  Andrew Chappelle, Neil Haskell, Stephanie Klemons, Morgan Marcell, Voltaire Wade-Green

Standby - Alysha Deslorieux (Angelica Schuyler, Eliza Hamilton, Maria Reynolds, Peggy Schuyler) and Gregory Treco (Aaron Burr, George Washington)

Understudies -  Carleigh Bettiol (Eliza Hamilton), Andrew Chappelle (Hercules Mulligan, James Madison, John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette, Philip Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson), Sydney James Harcourt (Aaron Burr, George Washington), Sasha Hutchings (Maria Reynolds, Peggy Schuyler), Thayne Jasperson (John Laurens, Philip Hamilton), Javier Muñoz (Alexander Hamilton), Emmy Raver-Lampman (Angelica Schuyler, Eliza Hamilton, Maria Reynolds, Peggy Schuyler), Jon Rua (Alexander Hamilton), Austin Smith (Aaron Burr, George Washington), Seth Stewart (Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson), Betsy Struxness (Angelica Schuyler) and Ephraim Sykes (Hercules Mulligan, James Madison)

Click Here for the Current Broadway Cast (as of 2/12/2017)

Click Here for the Chicago Cast

Click Here for the National Tour Cast

Click Here for the West End Cast

Act 1: “Alexander Hamilton,” “Aaron Burr, Sir,” “My Shot,” “The Story of Tonight,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” “Farmer Refuted,” “You’ll Be Back,” “Right Hand Man,” “A Winter’s Ball,” “Helpless,”  “Satisfied,” “The Story of Tonight (Reprise),” “Wait For It,” “Stay Alive,”  “Ten Duel Commandments,” “Meet Me Inside,” “That Would Be Enough,”  “Guns and Ships,” “History Has Its Eyes on You,” “Yorktown,” “What Comes Next?,”  “Dear Theodosia,” “Non-Stop”

Act 2: “What’d I Miss,” “Cabinet Battle #1,” “Take a Break,” “Say No to This,” “The Room Where It Happens,” “Schuyler Defeated,” “Cabinet Battle #2,”  “Washington on Your Side,” “One Last Time,” “The Adams Administration,” “Hurricane,” “The Reynolds Pamphlet,” “Burn,”  “Blow Us All Away,” “It’s Quiet Uptown,” “The Election of 1800,” “Your Obedient Servant,” “The World Was Wide Enough,” “Finale”

New York Off-Broadway Run: 

Joseph Papp Public Theatre/ Newman Theatre, Opened February 17, 2015, Closed May 3, 2015

2015 Lucille Lortel Awards: Outstanding Costume Design (Paul Tazewell), Outstanding Lighting Design (Howell Binkley), Outstanding Sound Design (Nevin Steinberg), Outstanding Choreographer (Andy Blankenbuehler), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Daveed Diggs), Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Renee Elise Goldsberry), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (Phillipa Soo), Outstanding Director (Thomas Kail), Outstanding Musical2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding New Score

2015 New York Drama Critic' Circle Award: Best Musical2015 Off Broadway Alliance Award: Best New Musical

2015 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Renee Elise Goldsberry), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Thomas Kail), Outstanding Music (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Outstanding Lyrics (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical (Nevin Steinberg), Outstanding Book of a Musical (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Special Award for Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler)

2015 Theatre World Award: Daveed Diggs

New York Broadway Run:

Richard Rodgers Theatre, Opened August 6, 2015 (629 Performances as of February 5, 2017)

2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

2016 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Best Original Score Written for the Theatre (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Leslie Odom, Jr), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Daveed Diggs), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Renee Elise Goldsberry), Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler), Best Direction of a Musical (Thomas Kail), Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Paul Tazewell), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley)

2016 Drama League Awards: Outstanding Production of a Musical, Distinguished Performance Award (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

2016 Grammy Awards: Best Musical Theatre Album

2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards: Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show (Andy Blankenbuehler)

2016 Dramatists Guild of America Awards: Frederick Loewe Award for Dramatic Composition (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

2016 Edward M. Kennedy Prize: Drama Inspired by American History (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

Bibliography

"2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Nominees." The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, 2016. 11 December 2016. Web.

"2016 – Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda." Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History, Columbia University Libraries. 11 December 2016. Web.

Cox, Gordon. "‘Hamilton,’ ‘The Humans’ Win 2016 Drama League Awards (FULL LIST)." Variety, 20 May 2016. 11 December 2016. Web.

."Hamilton: An American Musical." Internet Broadway Database, The Broadway League. 11 December 2016. Web.

"Hamilton." Lortel Archives: Internet Off-Broadway Data Base, Lucille Lortel Foundation. 11 December 2016. Web.

"HAMILTON WINS BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM." The Grammy's, The Recording Academy, 15 February 2016. 11 December 2016. Web

Miranda, Lin-Manuel, and Jeremy McCarter. Hamilton: The Revolution. New York, Grand Central Publishing, 2016. Print.

Viagas, Robert. "Lin-Manuel Miranda Among Recipients of 2016 Dramatists Guild Awards." Playbill, Playbill, Inc, 15 January 2016. 11 December 2016. Web.

[templeofshame]

...an after-party with DJ Weird Stomp (a.k.a. Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker)

50 Playwrights Including Annie Baker and Lin-Manuel Miranda Set for Nova Ball XX17 by Robert Viagas

[womenintheatre]

Garry Hynes

- by Stephanie Lassila

Garry Hynes is an Irish theater director. Born in Co Roscommon, Hynes was raised in Galway, Ireland, and participated in only a few plays before entering post secondary education at the University College of Galway (Fay). This small taste was enough to spark her interest, and Hynes quickly inserted herself into the world of theatre. She did not feel a connection to acting, but instead felt right at home directing, where she said she felt she “could create a whole world” (Fay). Following her graduation, she founded the Druid Theatre Company in 1975 with two other people. The Druid Theatre Company produced works by Irish playwrights new and old, garnering attention and awards.

It was Galway’s first professional theatre company and, with Hynes acting as director, soon began putting on successful productions that led them on popular tours that stretched from the United Kingdom to the United States to Australia (Fay).

Hynes’ reputation as “the most promising talent in the Irish theatre” earned her the offer of directorship of the Abbey, the national theatre, in 1986 (Fay). She turned it down the first time, and was offered it again two years after. Between the two offers, she directed for the Royal Shakespeare Company and found with a shock, “how little the English knew or cared about Ireland” (Fay). When she accepted the Abbey’s offer she did so with careful consideration, and negotiation that would allow her to keep creative freedom. When she began directing in 1991, criticism from British and Irish sources alike began to well up (Fay). Colm Toibin, a former Irish critic, attribute this glut of naysaying to two things: “One, she's a woman, and two, she doesn't suffer fools gladly” (Fay). Hynes was unswayed, and the international reputation of the Abbey under her care continued to grow and attract recognition globally.

After her time with the Abbey, Garry Hynes toured with the Druid Theatre Company, directing many more plays. Her production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane received a sparkling reception, and in 1998 she became the first woman to receive a Tony award when the production played on Broadway (Lefkowitz, Viagas). She was awarded Best Direction of a Play, and Hynes expressed shock that she was the first woman to be given the award when there had been so many important women prior to her in American theatre (Mcgee).

This image shows Garry Hynes, far left, directing a rehearsal for part of the DruidSynge cycle (Mcgee).

The Druid Theatre Company also played host to “DruidSynge,” and 8 and a half hour performance of John Millington Synge’s six plays, arranged in a cycle (Mcgee). Featuring “The Playboy of the Western World” as its centerpiece, the six play cycle is directed ingeniously by Hynes, and Charles Isherwood wrote that Hynes had “orchestrated it like a symphony” (Mcgee). A review of the production in the Irish Times stated it was “one of the greatest achievements in the history of the Irish theater” (Mcgee). “The Playboy of the Western World” was one of the first productions performed by the Druid Theatre Company when it was formed in 1975, marking Hynes’ decades-long connection to Synge’s works.

Garry Hynes became civil partners with film producer Martha O’Neill in her native Galway in 2014. The ceremony was small, and many important members of the Druid Theatre Company were present. It seems fitting, since Galway, Ireland, is where Garry Hynes’ illustrious theatre career began, and where it continues to thrive.

Works Cited:

Fay, Stephen. "How She Broke the Abbey Habit: Garry Hynes Took on a Riotous History and a Hollow Legend When She Became Director of Dublin's Abbey Theatre. She Has Fostered Great New Irish Plays and Won Awards Abroad, but at Home the Knives Are Still out." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 05 Sept. 1992. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.

Lefkowitz, David, and Robert Viagas. "RRRROOAARRRR!!! It's The Lion King for Best Musical; Art for Play Tonys." Playbill. PLAYBILL INC., 07 June 1998. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.

Mcgee, Celia. "Garry Hynes, an Irish Director, Arrives With 8½ Hours of Her Countryman."The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 July 2006. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.

Siggins, Lorna. "Druid Artistic Director Garry Hynes and Producer Martha O’Neill Become Civil Partners." The Irish Times. The Irish Times, 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.

[hrexach]

~~June 4, 2016~~ 

LIGHTER NOTE ON BATHROOMS BILL

I’ve posted plenty information about the seriouness of the “bathroom bills” that are popping all over this country.

People with common sense know that this is totally ridiculous and discriminatory.

Still the battles continue.

Let’s use some humor to dispell the bitter taste that remains in our minds, hearts and souls.

“Kinky Boots” is a movie about a shoe maker whose company went broke.

The only way the make the business feasible turned out to be making awesome boots for the drag queens.

It’s a good watch.

I just found out about that “Kinky Boots” has been created as a broadway show.

Take a look at their take on the bathroom bills.

Hope you enjoy the video.

It’s all in good fun.

HortyRex©

  ‘Kinky Boots’ Stars Skewer ‘Bathroom Bills’ With Musical Ditty 

The cast and creative team of Broadway’s “Kinky Boots” puts a whimsical spin on the ongoing “bathroom bill” debate with a hilarious new music video. Released Friday, “Just Pee (Where You Wanna Pee)” shows the Tony-winning musical’s diverse cast — including stars Alan Mingo, Jr. and Andy Kelso — using a restroom at New York’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre together without incident.

The song itself is a parody of “Just Be,” which concludes the musical’s second act — albeit with revamped.

“As it appears in … full read/full credit”

http://www.ooyuz.com/geturl?aid=11887322

  Kinky Boots Creators Get Stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame

BY ANDREW GANS, ROBERT VIAGAS APR 11, 2016

Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper are honored

Hollywood Chamber honored Tony winners Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein, the creators of the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, with the 2,577th and 2,578th stars, respectively, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame April 11.

Lauper’s star is dedicated in the category of Recording, and Fierstein’s is dedicated in the category of Live Performance at 6243 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Pantages Theatre.

“As it appears in … full read/full credit”

http://www.playbill.com/article/kinky-boots-creators-get-stars-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame

~~GRAPHICS SOURCE~~ 

Google Images

I do not own these images.

No intention of taking credit.

If anyone knows the owner of any, please advise and it will be corrected immediately.

HortyRex©

~~GALLERY~~ 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

#ToStartTheDay #AwesomeGraphics #America #KinkyBoots #BroadwayShow #CyndiLauper #HarveyFierstein #KinkyBootsCreators #GetStars #HollywoodWalkOfFame #HollywoodChamber #TonyWinners #KinkyBootsStars #SkewerBathroomBills #MusicalDitty #JustPee #WhereYouWannaPee

#WeAllAreOne #ItIsWhatItIs #DrRex #HortyRex #hrexachwordpress 

Kinky Boots

Just Pee … Where You Wanna Pee

To start the day …. “Kinky Boots …. Just Pee …. “!!

~~June 4, 2016~~  LIGHTER NOTE ON BATHROOMS BILL I’ve posted plenty information about the seriouness of the “bathroom bills” that are popping all over this country.

To start the day …. “Kinky Boots …. Just Pee …. “!! ~~June 4, 2016~~  LIGHTER NOTE ON BATHROOMS BILL I've posted plenty information about the seriouness of the "bathroom bills" that are popping all over this country.

[bloghrexach]

~~June 4, 2016~~ 

LIGHTER NOTE ON BATHROOMS BILL

I’ve posted plenty information about the seriouness of the “bathroom bills” that are popping all over this country.

People with common sense know that this is totally ridiculous and discriminatory.

Still the battles continue.

Let’s use some humor to dispell the bitter taste that remains in our minds, hearts and souls.

“Kinky Boots” is a movie about a shoe maker whose company went broke.

The only way the make the business feasible turned out to be making awesome boots for the drag queens.

It’s a good watch.

I just found out about that “Kinky Boots” has been created as a broadway show.

Take a look at their take on the bathroom bills.

Hope you enjoy the video.

It’s all in good fun.

HortyRex©

  ‘Kinky Boots’ Stars Skewer ‘Bathroom Bills’ With Musical Ditty 

The cast and creative team of Broadway’s “Kinky Boots” puts a whimsical spin on the ongoing “bathroom bill” debate with a hilarious new music video. Released Friday, “Just Pee (Where You Wanna Pee)” shows the Tony-winning musical’s diverse cast — including stars Alan Mingo, Jr. and Andy Kelso — using a restroom at New York’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre together without incident.

The song itself is a parody of “Just Be,” which concludes the musical’s second act — albeit with revamped.

“As it appears in … full read/full credit”

http://www.ooyuz.com/geturl?aid=11887322

  Kinky Boots Creators Get Stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame

BY ANDREW GANS, ROBERT VIAGAS APR 11, 2016

Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper are honored

Hollywood Chamber honored Tony winners Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein, the creators of the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, with the 2,577th and 2,578th stars, respectively, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame April 11.

Lauper’s star is dedicated in the category of Recording, and Fierstein’s is dedicated in the category of Live Performance at 6243 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Pantages Theatre.

“As it appears in … full read/full credit”

http://www.playbill.com/article/kinky-boots-creators-get-stars-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame

~~GRAPHICS SOURCE~~ 

Google Images

I do not own these images.

No intention of taking credit.

If anyone knows the owner of any, please advise and it will be corrected immediately.

HortyRex©

~~GALLERY~~ 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

#ToStartTheDay #AwesomeGraphics #America #KinkyBoots #BroadwayShow #CyndiLauper #HarveyFierstein #KinkyBootsCreators #GetStars #HollywoodWalkOfFame #HollywoodChamber #TonyWinners #KinkyBootsStars #SkewerBathroomBills #MusicalDitty #JustPee #WhereYouWannaPee

#WeAllAreOne #ItIsWhatItIs #DrRex #HortyRex #hrexachwordpress 

Kinky Boots

Just Pee … Where You Wanna Pee

To start the day …. “Kinky Boots …. Just Pee …. “!! ~~June 4, 2016~~  LIGHTER NOTE ON BATHROOMS BILL I've posted plenty information about the seriouness of the "bathroom bills" that are popping all over this country.

[jay-michaels-public-relations]

JMC Arts Sites

JMC will now assume publishing duties of the following Seven Arts Journals: 

ARTS-INDEPENDENT the flagship site takes a deeper, more intellectual eye.

Chief Contributing Writer: Robert Viagas, author and founding editor-in-chief, PLAYBILL.com

https://artsindependent.wordpress.com/

INDIE-PICTURES-BLOG covers indie films and filmmakers.

Chief Contributing Writer: Bob Greene, former reviewer,…

[jay-michaels-public-relations]

Overview I’M THE GREATEST STAR! is a musical examination of the all-American art-form: Musical Theater. Robert Viagas’ stunning book is an engrossing tome, and now a lively and edu-taining musical revue. Conceived & Directed by multi-talented Bob Spiotto, a group of talented performers bring to life some of Broadway’s greatest musical moments while paying homage to the artists who defined them.…

[jay-michaels-public-relations]

Robert Viagas is an editor, author, manager, and journalist with more than thirty-five years’ experience, most it working on Broadway with Playbill Inc., the iconic theatre program company. The founding editor of Playbill.com, Playbill’s theatre news website, Viagas has published 19 books on the performing arts, and served as a nominator for the annual Tony Awards.

Playbill placed extraordinary…

[jay-michaels-public-relations]

Bon Apetit!

  …Where You Eat by Dennis Bush The Wild Project, 195 East 3rd Street

Reviewed by Robert Viagas

Dennis Bush’s smart, episodic comedy, …Where You Eat, dishes up a La Ronde for the 21st century: a series of interlocked PG-13-rated dispatches from today’s sexual battlefields.

If the capable eight-member ensemble of boasts a star, it’s Kelsey Torstveit, playing an exuberant free spirit named…