BWW Review: IN THE HEIGHTS at Music Theatre Wichita, Immigrants Get the Job Done
by Craig Richardson
- Aug 19, 2019
According to 'fake' news sources, during the 2016 presidential election Hispanics made up about eleven percent of the electorate which was up ten percent from 2012. An estimated 58.9 million Hispanic people live in the United States comprising eighteen percent of the American population. Furthermore, one in seven U.S. residents is foreign born, including you, the reader. In 2018, over 106,147 asylum seeker applications were presented to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. With these kinds of statistical facts, it can be inferred immigration is certainly on the rise, especially those searching for a safe haven in the supposedly United States who come from countries of violence, persecution, and turmoil of their own. Immigration has always made America great bringing varied values while creating a true melting pot. And as the lyrics say in Lin Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton, 'immigrants, we get the job done.' Sure, you can point fingers and say I'm a millennial living at home with mom and dad and have no inclination of the outside real world or know the importance of a job, but as a privileged Irish American white male actor, I have witnessed time and time again these hard working immigrants 'getting the job done' at restaurant and customer service jobs to help support their own American dream of simple inclusion and sense of belonging. Jobs which no one truly likes to work. From dishwashers, to construction workers, to asylum seeking students, there is nothing these refugees will do to try to assimilate and make America their newfound home. Such themes were presented at Music Theatre Wichita's 2019 season closer In the Heights also written by Lin Manuel Miranda which ran from August 7th-11th at Century II Concert Hall.
Photo Flash: First Look at Clyde Alves, Julie Eicher, Ben Fankhauser, and More in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in Wichita
by Stephi Wild
- Jul 6, 2019
Music Theatre Wichita has continued its 2019 Season with a colorfully re-imagined production of the 2015 Broadway success An American in Paris. With direction and all-new choreography by Jeffry Denman, the large cast is headed by Clyde Alves (On the Town, Nice Work if You Can Get It), Julie Eicher (Miss Saigon and Phantom National Tours), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies, Beautiful), Rachel Rhodes-Devey (South Pacific National Tour), and Johnny Stellard (Anastasia, Evita).
Photo Flash: First Look at MTWichita's THE SOUND OF MUSIC
by A.A. Cristi
- Jun 26, 2019
Music Theatre Wichita has begun its 2019 Season with a brand new production of The Sound of Music, starring Broadway artists Catherine Charlebois (Wicked), Mike McGowan (Mormon, Priscilla), and Katie Banks-Todd (Phantom), along with Jennifer Byrne (The Evil Dead) and Monte Riegel Wheeler (The "It" Girl) leading a 52-member cast. The production was created with new scenic designs by Adam Koch, enhanced with Alpine backdrops by XuZheng He, choreography by Brian J. Marcum (Elf - The Musica), and a 29-piece orchestra conducted by Thomas W. Douglas.
Casting Announced For CABARET At San Francisco Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi
- May 15, 2019
San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Cabaret, the Tony Award-winning musical that will close the company's 2018/19 Season. Susi Damilano will direct, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer.
Bryan Wayne Releases New Album 'While You Wait'
by Kaitlin Milligan
- Feb 8, 2019
Singer/songwriter Bryan Wayne had more reasons to be excited than most artists, celebrating his While You Waitalbum release recently with a party at SESAC with friends and family. Diagnosed with terminal ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) last year, the 14-song collection is a gift to his wife, two boys, friends and family, the ALS community and is a 'thank you' to an industry that continues to support his dreams. It is available at www.bryanwaynemusic.com and all online retailers and streaming services.
BWW Review: THE LITTLE MERMAID at Music Theatre Wichita
by Paula Makar
- Aug 13, 2018
I had the pleasure of seeing The Little Mermaid in the MTW 2011 Season, so I was really looking forward to seeing it again this season. I must say, it did not disappoint. With all the brilliant singing, colorful costumes and sets, and spritely choreography, The Little Mermaid is a perfect season finale!
BWW Review: FREAKY FRIDAY at Music Theatre Wichita
by Paula Makar
- Jul 15, 2018
Mothers, grab your daughters and run to see this production of Freaky Friday before it closes. I never expected such a well-crafted, intimate piece of theater from the people at Disney, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to see this gem.
Photo Flash: Music Theatre Wichita Presents FREAKY FRIDAY
by A.A. Cristi
- Jul 12, 2018
Music Theatre Wichita continues its 2018 Season with the new Disney musical Freaky Friday. The third of five locally produced Broadway-scale productions, Freaky Friday plays July 11-15 at the Century II Concert Hall in downtown Wichita, KS.
BWW Review: SISTER ACT Sizzles! at Music Theatre Wichita
by Paula Makar
- Jun 15, 2018
Musical comedy and summer go together - especially in a town like Wichita when the 'feels like' temperature is 101 with 70% humidity! It was absolutely blissful to slide into a comfy seat at the well air conditioned Century II Concert Hall to watch Music Theatre Wichita's season opener, Sister Act. Curtain is at 8pm, but I like to get there by 7:30pm to hear Wayne Bryan, MTW's Producing Artistic Director, share his dramaturgical insights on the production, and also to watch the Teen Choir perform a few musical numbers relevant to the current show.
Vote For the 2017 BroadwayWorld Wichita Awards; Just One Week Left!
by Alan Henry
- Dec 22, 2017
The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.
Vote For the 2017 BroadwayWorld Wichita Awards; Just Two Weeks Left!
by Alan Henry
- Dec 15, 2017
The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.
« prev 2 … next »
|
|