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Showing posts with label Georgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Georgia. Show all posts
Thursday, September 12, 2019
The VOID Comes to the ATL!
Saturday, June 28, 2014
THE LITTLE MERMAID Opens Soon in Atlanta. Cast is Revealed!
DIVE “UNDER THE SEA”
FOR THE
ATLANTA DEBUT OF Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
AT THE FOX THEATRE JULY 8-13
ATLANTA DEBUT OF Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
AT THE FOX THEATRE JULY 8-13
Atlanta audiences are set to take a trip under the sea with Disney’s family friendly extravaganza Disney’s The Little Mermaid, featuring bright, inventive sets and dazzling costumes!
This fun-filled, timeless tale will come to life on stage July 8-13 at the Fox Theatre, kicking off the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2014/2015 series.
Ticket prices start at $30. Tickets are available at
the Fox Theatre box office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308), by visiting
www.foxtheatre.org,
or by calling 1-855-285-8499. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by
calling 404-881-2000.
The performance schedule for Disney’s The Little
Mermaid is as follows:
Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 2:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
In a magical kingdom fathoms below, we will meet Ariel, the little
mermaid who is tired of flipping her fins and longs to be part of the
fascinating world on dry land. Joining her are Sebastian, Ariel’s crabby
sidekick; Ursula, the evil sea witch; Triton, King of the Sea; and the handsome
and human, Prince Eric.
Based on the Disney animated film and hit Broadway
musical, The Little Mermaid is making its Atlanta debut.
Featuring all the audience favorites such as “Under The Sea” and “Part of Your
World” as well as new songs written by Oscar-winning Disney tunesmith Alan
Menken, the mastermind behind productions such as Beauty and the Beast,
Aladdin, and Pocahontas.
The
Fort Worth Star-Telegram praised this production as “a thoroughly entertaining
theatrical experience, especially appreciated by kids who love the movie — and
their parents and grandparents.” The Dallas Morning News claims, “The
Little Mermaid reels in the gold,” and Theater Jones says, “The Little
Mermaid hooks the audience and keeps them captivated.”
Casting has been announced, and this musical boasts several acclaimed
Broadway and stage veterans:
Jessica Grové (Ariel)
played in Broadway’s A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with
George, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Les Misérables. She also
toured nationally in The Boy Friend.
Eric Kunze (Prince Eric) appeared on
Broadway in Damn Yankees, Miss Saigon, and Les Misérables.
Liz McCartney (Ursula)
boasts Broadway credits such as Annie, South Pacific, Thoroughly
Modern Millie, Mamma Mia!, and The Phantom of the Opera.
Christian Probst (Flounder) has
acted in several regional theatres, most recently
in musicals such as Beauty and the Beast, Mame, Peter Pan,
Oliver!, and The Sound of Music.
Alan Mingo, Jr. (Sebastian)
performed on Broadway in Glory Days, The Little Mermaid, and Rent.
He lists Shrek, Hairspray, and The
Lion King among his work in national tours.
Steve Blanchard (King Triton)
lists Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, and The Three Musketeers
as his Broadway experience. Blanchard also toured nationally in Camelot.
Matt Allen (Scuttle) appeared on Broadway in The
Wedding Singer, Oklahoma!, and Annie Get Your Gun. National
tour of Billy Elliot and Doctor Dolittle.
Ben Roseberry (Jetsam) played in
Broadway’s The Lion King. His national tours include The Lion
King and Rent.
Scott Leiendecker (Flotsam)
toured nationally in Camelot and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Dale Hensley (Grimsby)
has performed on Broadway in La Cage aux Folles, The Drowsy Chaperone,
Guys and Dolls, and Anything Goes. His national tour credits
include hits like La Cage aux Folles, The Drowsy Chaperone, The
Full Monty and Big.
Rounding out the cast is Kristine Bennett,
Audrey Cardwell, Matthew DeGuzman, Marjorie Failoni, Thay
Floyd, Julie Kavanagh, Morgan Kirner, Michael
McGurk, Sarah Meahl, Dennis O’Bannion, Robbie Roby, James
Shackelford, Billy Steeves, Katie Ulrich, and Jessica
Wockenfuss.
Leading the creative team as director is Glenn Casale, who
directed Broadway’s Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby. Internationally, he
directed Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.
Casale’s work has been seen throughout the United States in productions of Dr.
Dolittle, Ballroom, Wrestlers, From the Top,
Camelot, and The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
John
MacInnis will choreograph The Little Mermaid. He most recently
choreographed the European productions of the same show as well as Beauty
and the Beast in more than five European countries. In 2011, he worked on
the Tony Award–winning musical The Book of Mormon. Other credits include
the Radio City Christmas Spectacular as well as the Olympic Medals
Ceremonies at the 2002 and 2012 Winter Olympic Games.
Craig
Barna will serve as the musical director and conductor. He previously
worked as the musical director for the Broadway productions of Peter and the
Wolf, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar, and for the national
tours of Camelot, Cats, Singin’ in the Rain, and Grease.
Charlie Morrison will join on board as the lighting designer, and Kit
Bond will be the sound designer.
The
Little Mermaid’s flying sequence choreographer, Paul Rubin, "The
Fly Guy", has choreographed some of the most memorable flying
sequences including everything from the Tony Award winning Broadway production
of Wicked to Cathy Rigby's Emmy Award winning DVD of Peter Pan.
I am so excited I can barely stand it! What about you? Do you have your tickets yet?
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Disney On Ice Returns in a BIG Way to ATL and Celebrates 100 Years of Magic!
You have two days left -- today and tomorrow -- to help Disney and Disney on Ice ("DOI") celebrate 100 Years of Magic.
...and you don't want to miss out on this celebration.
I have seen a lot of Disney on Ice shows over the years, and each one has been special. However, after you have seen quite a few of them, you start to see a number here or there that is repeated in different shows. Well -- let me tell you something -- Wednesday night, I had the privilege of previewing Feld Entertainment's newest Disney on Ice creation, "100 Years of Magic," and magic it was!
This is truly a show you will want to see. I know these shows come to our area a lot, but this one is a bit more special. It doesn't just focus on a specific area or cater to the girls (as a lot of Disney shows seem to do). It truly does focus on the company as a whole, highlighting some of their most glorious achievements - even bringing the Disney Parks and Disney's television history into the mix. (One piece of Disney history I did find missing, however, was Steamboat Willie. I would have loved to have seen Mickey in black and white skating around the area and kicking the celebration off. I mean, isn't that how Disney started off to begin with? ...Or maybe even a nod to Oswald...)
As usual, DOI started out with our favorite Fab 5 entering the rink and setting up the show for us -- Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto (although I'm not sure Pluto is in the mix for this particular show opening).
From there, we are treated to a few highlights from the Disney and Pixar family treasure box -- Aladdin, Finding Nemo, the Disney family of Princesses (although this is a rather "classic" set; no newer Disney Princesses included in this show); and Toy Story (a much shorter version than what is presented in other DOI shows):
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| Credit: Internet David Oppenheimer |
Up next was the final number to wrap up the first half of the show. This - to me - was the crowning jewel of this particular show.
I swear, being a Disney geek, I just about teared up when I saw what came out on the ice. At first, all we saw was a CLOCK FACE (see picture below), highlighted in the spotlight - nothing else. I immediately screamed, "IT'S A SMALL WORLD!" (Yes, I said screamed. Sorry, folks around me. I couldn't contain myself. It just happens sometimes...)
Next up in the 100 Years of Magic celebration was a tribute to the one ride that is iconic to all Disney parks around the world -- IT'S A SMALL WORLD ("IASW"). Yes, I said that -- they did a tribute to IT'S A SMALL WORLD!!
If you absolutely hate the song (as a lot of people do), then this would be a good time to start your intermission, but I'm telling you -- if you leave for this segment -- you are going to be missing out on one of the grandest presentations Disney on Ice has ever done. Flat out. Period.
Not only did Feld Entertainment replicate in it's entirety and in all its splendor the It's a Small World ride facade:
...but when those double doors at the bottom opened...the skaters emerged dressed as the dolls from the ride and singing the iconic tune. (Yes. THAT iconic tune...)
It's a lovely little piece with several of the countries getting their turn in the spotlight. I swear -- I almost cried. THEN...it got even better and Feld Entertainment pushed it UP a notch (in my little and humble opinion)...
Those same double doors opened AGAIN, and yes -- hang on -- the music from the MAIN STREET ELECTRICAL PARADE ("MSEP") begins. I swear (yes, I am swearing a lot during this post) - I jumped up from my seat, started yelling, and the Dad in front of me (holding his two-year old) turned around and gave me the oddest look....(Oh well, small price to pay for Disney geekdom...)
And do you know what came OUT of those doors while the music was playing? Nope. Not the MSEP floats, but floats of the IASW ride! Tying both events and iconic Disney Parks items into one beautiful scene! For instance, do you remember this scene from the IASW:
Feld Entertainment has beautifully recreated it in "float" form for this scene in DOI. (It's very hard to find good images of this on the internet, so you will just have to trust me on this one!)
To cap off the first half of DOI before intermission, Mickey comes down in the hot air balloon that graces us in the white room of the IASW ride inside the Disney Parks. What a glorious way to end the first half!
I could have just gone home after that first half, but Feld had more in store for us to help celebrate. Kicking off the second half of this show, we were treated to a nod to Disney's television past - the Mickey Mouse Club show from the 1950s! So great to see Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck "marching" and singing along with all of us in the audience. Again, I think I teared up a time or two during this number...
From here on out, it was back to the movies -- Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio, Mulan (my favorite Princess), Pixar's The Incredibles, and The Lion King (the iconic Circle of Life moment).
To wrap up this fabulous show in a neat little bow, Feld and Disney bowed down to Disney's iconic musical number, "Circle of Life." While the song played, all the characters from the two-hour show reappeared and dance and sang together. ...and in true Disney on Ice tradition, Mickey and Minnie ended the show by taking their respective bows and thanking us for attending and helping them celebrate:
If you have the chance and live in or close to North Atlanta, I highly encourage you to go and see this Disney on Ice celebration. As I said above, I've seen a lot of these shows, but this one tops them all. I am quite sure it has to do with their nods to the Disney Parks and their television history. I wish more Disney on Ice productions would include nods like these. It pulls at all our heart strings, not just the children's, and it makes for so much more of an enjoyable experience.
I feel that if Feld Entertainment and Disney touched on these experiences and the vast array of material they have available to them (i.e., Tiki Tiki Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise; The Wonderful World of Disney tv show), their audience size could at least double. Disney and Feld Entertainment are missing out on a whole audience! So many adults (without children or with grown children) could easily be pulled into these shows if they encompassed so much more than just what is popular to children today. Tug on our heart strings Disney! You certainly possess the ability and knowledge of how to do it! I, for one, would welcome these additions to your Disney on Ice family!
If you'd like more information on how to see Disney on Ice while it is in town and save $5 on your tickets, click here. Under Promotions & Special Offers, click "Buy Offer" and enter code M100. The code is good for the following performance: Sunday at 5:00pm. Savings will apply to the $30 and $25 price levels.
Feld Entertainment's Disney on Ice plays through Sunday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
*Tickets for this event were provided to this website in lieu for promotion and review purposes only. All opinions are unbiased and strictly our own.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Disney's "The Lion King" ROARS into Atlanta's Fox Theatre!
Wow. What more can be said besides, "WOW?" ...and ALL CAPS at that.
By now, almost all of us have seen (or surely heard of) Disney's once most-successful animated feature, "The Lion King." (The Lion King was recently toppled as Disney's most-successful animated film by the blockbuster Frozen.)
This stage adaptation of the famous movie has been going strong and shows no signs of slowing down as it approaches its 20-year Anniversary. You may remember this little 15th Anniversary celebration on Good Morning America a few years ago. It is, arguably, one of the most well-known and popular musical numbers from the show, "Circle of Life:"
Nothing stirs a Disney fan's heart more than the first uttering of song from Rafiki, where our primate friend calls out to the Prideland, summoning one and all to come and gather at Pride Rock for a presentation of the newest cub to the pride's royal family. It has been said this first song creates such a rich African tapestry that it immediately transports us into the beauty and awesomeness of the African savannah.
I was more than blessed last night to receive media tickets for this event. Lucky for me, the media tickets this go 'round (you never know where they might be located) where Orchestra level, left center. As a true Disney and Lion King fan, I was elated when Brave PR handed me the ticket envelope and I opened it up to see the location. I felt like Charlie when he had been given that last candy bar, and he slowly unwrapped it to see the golden ticket inside.
I quickly made my way to my seat and buckled in. The last time I saw this performance was at Atlanta's Civic Center, and my family was high in the balcony. All I could do was look down. Tonight, I was going to be seated right in the middle of the action!
In case you are unfamiliar with The Lion King musical play, let me clue you in on a little secret -- the play begins from the BACK of house. The animals make their way to the stage (Pride Rock) from the back of the theatre, down through the aisles, and up two sets of staircases to the Savannah -- elephants, wildebeests, birds, antelopes, and more. It is a sight to behold. Imagine hearing children and adults alike gasping, cheering, and clapping when they realized what was going on all around them.
I said this last night, and I'll say it again now -- any play that is put on by Broadway ATL is top notch, but when you combine that with the level of quality that only Disney can provide - well, there is just too much musical magic for any one person.
As the play continued, it was all I expected it to be, and I could not have been happier. I have heard about this play for years, and the Atlanta Fox Theatre production did not disappoint. The Lion King is rich and abundant in African scenery, deep colors, and flavored music. Music we have all listened to and loved for 20 years still sounds as fresh and as fun as it did in the 90s. The theatrical production is a mirror image of the animated film, with a few more songs (written by Tim Rice and Elton John) added in.
The play runs two and a half hours long, with one 15-minute intermission, so make sure all bathroom breaks and concessions are secured before the show starts. Also, the theatre has a 10-minute seating hold, so keep that in mind if you are running late. You will not be permitted to enter the theatre until after the opening number since the cast and crew are actually making their way to the stage thru the house.
The actors and actresses in this play are nothing less than amazing - strong talent - from acting and singing to the puppetry arts (including two SUPERB younger talents - 10-year olds Jordan Hall as Simba and Nya Carter as Nala).
I was amazed at how many of the people around me shouted out, cheered, and gave standing ovations. I love when adults, not just children, get wrapped up in Disney and the arts.
The Lion King will be having a long run here in Atlanta -- three weeks, playing now through April 27th. The show plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30PM, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00PM, and Sunday evenings at 6:30PM, as well as matinees on Saturday at 2:00PM and Sundays at 1:00PM. (A special weekday matinee will take place on Thursday, April 17 at 2:00PM.)
Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308), online at www.foxtheatre.org, or by calling 1-855-ATL-TIXX. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000.
I highly recommend you go see The Lion King while you have an opportunity. It is always a special time for the arts in Atlanta when Disney comes to town.
I leave you with this "rousing" number by Scar (the villain of our show), just posted by The Lion King's facebook page, along a few astonishing facts.
Interesting facts about The Lion King:
- Ten
times a day, all over the world, the cry in the African language of
Zulu rings out in a darkened theater: "Nants ingonyama bagithi baba!
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama!" ("Here comes a lion, Father. Oh yes, it's a
lion.")
- The North American travel company travels in 18 trucks (14 are tractor-trailers that haul duplicates of everything)!
- Each city The Lion King travels to needs one week of set up before the show arrives and opens.
- The Lion King is the highest-grossing show in Broadway history!
- The Lion King still fills it's Broadway home to capacity, 17 years later!
- The Lion King uses six African native languages, and all companies include native South African performers (the Atlanta show has six).
- The original Broadway recording of The Lion King can be listened to for **FREE** on Spotify!
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