Michael James Leslie News

 Show Boat, the first great serious Broadway musical, combined the talents of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. The story, which spans almost fifty years, follows the lives, loves, and losses of a troupe of riverboat performers aboard the Cotton Blossom floating theater on the mighty Mississippi.  Its timeless score contains some of the most beautiful and emotionally charged songs ever written for a musical, including 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' "Ol' Man River", is the show's most memorable anthem about how the mighty Mississippi River, that unstoppable force of nature, is completely indifferent to human suffering.

Westchester Broadway Theatre presents SHOW BOAT, with music by Jerome Kern and book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, with musical direction by Ryan Wise, now through November 29, 2015 and December 30, 2015 - January 31, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a fresh look at the cast in action below!

KC Rep is proud to present this concert documentary event! Directed by KC Rep's Artistic Director Eric Rosen, the musical that defined a generation and brought rock music to the theatrical stage, HAIR: Retrospection captures the essence of the revolution and passion of the 1960s. In addition to its legendary score, this production features original Broadway artists, and continues KC Rep's tradition of reimagining the classic musical. Come experience it at KC Rep! 

The rock musical Hair has been produced many times over the years in Kansas City, but never has it been presented the way the Kansas City Repertory Theatre brought it to the Spencer Theatre on opening night March 27. Artistic Director Eric Rosen directs Hair: Retrospective, which runs through April 12 at the theater on the University of Missouri at Kansas City campus. The retrospective may actually be more enjoyable than the musical itself, (not just my opinion, heard from audience members also).

Performances begin tonight, Friday, March 20 and run through Sunday, April 12. Press night is scheduled for Opening Night Friday, March 27. Appropriate for ages 17 +. As a concert production, there will be no live nudity, though documentary photographs of the original production will be projected.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Eric Rosen announced today the casting for HAIR: Retrospection, under his direction.

Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams is Rose, in GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Connecticut Repertory Theatre onstage July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets and information at 860-486-2113. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a new production shot of Uggams during Rose's famous second act anthem- 'Rose's Turn.'

Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams is Rose, in GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Connecticut Repertory Theatre onstage July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Tickets and information at 860-486-2113. Check out a first look at highlights below!

History is being made over at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the UConn campus as Leslie Uggams becomes the first African-American actress to star as Rose in an Equity production with a mixed race cast for the musical Gypsy.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's GYPSY, starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, runs through July 20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's GYPSY, starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, runs through July 20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113. Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a first look at the cast in action!

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams would be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable today, July 10-20. This announcement quickly spread through social media circles and the theatre community and set off a firestorm of discussion on message boards and Twitter about casting an African American actress in this iconic role.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's GYPSY, starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as 'Rose', runs July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Click below to watch a behind-the-scenes interview with Michael James Leslie (Broadway's The Wiz and Little Shop of Horrors), who plays 'Pop', along with scenes from the show!

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's GYPSY, starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, runs July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113. Beow, BroadwayWorld brings you another first look at Uggams and Amandina Altomare in action!

Below, check out a behind the scenes look inside rehearsal for GYPSY, starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, at Connecticut Repertory Theatre! The production runs July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113.

We've been waiting for this! Check out the first photo of Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams as Rose, in GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Connecticut Repertory Theatre onstage July 10-20 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre.

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams would be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable July 10-20. This announcement quickly spread through social media circles and the theatre community and set off a firestorm of discussion on message boards and Twitter about casting an African American actress in this iconic role.

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held tonight, November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

On Friday, October 25, 2013, Asolo Repertory Theatre hosted its SHOW BOAT maiden media voyage press conference on board the Marina Jack II yacht. Scroll down for photos!

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.