June 24, 2010

Well kids, acting on the Broadway Stage has certainly gone through some new changes this year. As evidence by the results of the recent Tony Awards, Hollywood actors have made a distinctive push toward the theater.

I feel Broadway has become less of the theatrical epicenter of the world and more of just an expansion of the Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood actors and actresses have been flocking toward New York for the past few years now and have left quite a mark. Role after role on Broadway are being given to screen actors which is unfortunately not leaving a lot of space for the trained stage actors. Even when it comes to the particularly great performances and productions like Kate Baldwin in Finian’s Rainbow are

being beat out by Hollywood big names

We’ve had so many talented and deserving Broadway performers teach kids acting at our studio and it’ sort of s a shame that they sometimes get the recognition they deserve. Even though it some cases, we have to tip our hat to Denzel Washington who chops his teeth on that stage every night in Fences.

With that, I have to respectively request to the

June 21, 2010

Having watched The Tony Awards last night with a group of people much younger than myself, I have learned a new lesson. Jazz squares tap numbers and endearing duets just don’t cut it anymore. It seems that you’re going to need to have various acrobatic stunts and loud energetic rock numbers in your show to get the kids acting crazy about Broadway nowadays.

The true class act of Sunday’s Tony awards was not the powerhouse performances of the singers such as Christaine Noll and Lea Michele, but the electrifying dance spectacles of Memphis, Come Fly Away, American Idiot and Fela! Their numbers really showed that choreography has really gone through some changes on the Broadway stage. It seems the Billy Elliot kids acting of angst and anger through dance has truly spread like wildfire in the theater community. I found myself being mostly immersed in the performances of American Idiot due to the ferocity and energy of the kids acting on the stage. It made me wonder if Broadway would still draw a profit from its younger audience if it still relied on orchestras as accompaniment rather than rock bands.

Another truly entertaining aspect of Sunday’s awards was the impressive dance numbers of Come Fly Away and Memphis. As a performer, watching the incredible skills of the dancers of Come Fly Away was more beneficial than it was entertaining. Being a dancer, watching their amazing performance made me feel like I was taking a class. Act II of the Tony’s included an exuberant celebration of life through song and dance by the cast of Memphis. The passion and energy from their singing combined with the spectacular choreography truly made their performance one of the better of the night. Both these shows really took dance to a whole new level that Broadway is welcoming with open arms.

I am very excited to see what the future holds for next year’s Broadway shows.

May 5, 2010

First of all, why weren’t John Gallager, Jr. and Tony Vincent nominated??? I saw American Idiot last night and it was unbelievable! Definitely NOT meant for children, but all you adults should go! It’s worth it, in my humble opinion.

April 13, 2010

Yeah – “Glee” is back! I loved Jonathan Groff in “Spring Awakening” and who doesn’t love the incomparable Idina Menzel? Can’t wait to see what happens!

April 5, 2010

I just read on Broadwayworld.com that Trent Kowalik, one of the boys who won the Tony Award® for his role as Billy Elliot in the musical of the same name, is going to be hosting a charity event with the boys he shared the Tony with, Kiril Kulish and David Alvarez. Trent taught a BETM Workshop on March 21st! It was amazing and he’s coming back to A Class Act NY on June 4th! I’m so excited. If you want to donate to TrueChild or attend the event, you should visit Broadwayworld.com and check out the article!

December 11, 2009

I just read on Broadwayworld.com that Trent Kowalik, one of the boys who won the Tony Award® for his role as Billy Elliot in the musical of the same name, is going to be hosting a charity event with the boys he shared the Tony with, Kiril Kulish and David Alvarez. Trent taught a BETM Workshop on March 21st! It was amazing and he’s coming back on June 4th! I’m so excited. If you want to donate to TrueChild or attend the event, you should visit Broadwayworld.com and check out the article!