RMG BUZZ » Broadway and Theatre News

Bonnie & Clyde Headed to Broadway, Stopover in Sarasota

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:32:27 +0000

The new Frank Wildhorn musical Bonnie & Clyde, which premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in 2009, will be seen at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL, in November, prior to Broadway.

The musical about the Depression-era American outlaws has music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by RMG’s own Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and direction and musical staging by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West’s Big River, Broadway’s Grease!).

For the full article recently published on Playbill.com – CLICK HERE

Check out client Matt Cavenaugh!

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

I expected Matt Cavenaugh to be an eccentric, loud, animated person who exuded “Broadway.” Instead I learned he is humble, eager to share his passions, and easy to talk with. I wanted to know more about this man who is portraying the legendary role of Tony in the Broadway revival of the hit 1957 musical “West Side Story.”

BHL: Playing the prestigious role of Tony in “West Side Story” is a huge accomplishment for any actor. What has this role meant for you?

MATT: It has been an enormous accomplishment. The role of Tony and the show “West Side Story” are what inspired me to get involved in theatre in the first place. My mom dragged me to a production of “West Side Story” at my high school the year before I attended there. I wasn’t really interested in going, but she talked me into it. As it happens, I was blown away by the power of the story, by the music. I remember thinking, “I want to be up there. I want to be doing that.” It really was an “A-hah!” moment in my life. So, it is a great full-circle experience to now be playing the role on Broadway.

It’s a bit of an understatement to say that this has been a very full and busy time in my life. After our last production, I will have spent more than a year playing this character.

It has definitely been the most challenging experience I have had professionally. It is a lot to take on vocally, physically, and especially emotionally. It has certainly been a real honor to play Tony. Both the role and the show are so beloved by a very passionate audience.

BHL: Now that you have the coveted role of Tony under your belt, what are some of your personal goals?

MATT: You know, it’s funny. As I was graduating college, one of our professors had us write down where we see ourselves in five years. I didn’t write that I wanted to be famous. I simply wrote that I wanted to be established in the theatre, television, and film. Now, I’m not as established in television and film as I would like, but I am proud of the work I have done in the theatre and the mark I am starting to make. I have been very blessed. As I grow older, my goals evolve. I have a longing to not only be an actor but also to be a director. I want to create.

Personally, I want to be a good husband. I want to be a good father if I am so lucky to have that opportunity. I want to be someone in this town that people look to and respect – someone the community seeks to help solve problems and lead.

BHL: Aside from having a remarkable voice and impeccable acting skills, what are some of the things you attribute to making you who you are today?

MATT: The easy answer is my family. Yes, my mother and my father, but also the position and role I played in my family. I inherited my father’s drive and resiliency coupled with my mother’s warmth and interpersonal skills. I am also the second oldest of seven children, so I was given a lot of responsibility early on in life.

I also cannot give enough credit to my education. I had a wealth of inspirational teachers from elementary school, to college, and beyond. One in particular is Keith Salter, my high school theatre teacher. How cliché is that? Keith was a great mentor. He challenged me. He believed in me.

He guided me. He also had a real practical approach to the theatre. The theatre was a place to work, not to theorize. Keith was very instrumental during such an impressionable time in my life, and he pointed me in a great direction. He empowered me to travel that road with confidence in my own abilities. I would not have had half of the successes in my life were it not for him.

BHL: Are there any quotes that describe or define who you are?

MATT: At different times in my life I have had different mantras. One year it was “Less talk, more action!” That worked for a time. Maybe it should be, “I’m a deadline kinda guy.” Without one, I’m really pretty worthless.

This was an article that was recently published in Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine featuring our client Matt Cavenaugh and his wife Jenny Powers. Matt most recently finished starring on Broadway in West Side Story playing the lead role of Tony. For more info you can check out his website www.matt-cavenaugh.com Look for Matt to be a contributing writer to the magazine in the future!

BHL: Playing the prestigious role of Tony in “West Side Story” is a huge accomplishment for any actor. What has this role meant for you?

MATT: It has been an enormous accomplishment. The role of Tony and the show “West Side Story” are what inspired me to get involved in theatre in the first place. My mom dragged me to a production of “West Side Story” at my high school the year before I attended there. I wasn’t really interested in going, but she talked me into it. As it happens, I was blown away by the power of the story, by the music. I remember thinking, “I want to be up there. I want to be doing that.” It really was an “A-hah!” moment in my life. So, it is a great full-circle experience to now be playing the role on Broadway.

It’s a bit of an understatement to say that this has been a very full and busy time in my life. After our last production, I will have spent more than a year playing this character.

BHL: Now that you have the coveted role of Tony under your belt, what are some of your personal goals?

MATT: You know, it’s funny. As I was graduating college, one of our professors had us write down where we see ourselves in five years. I didn’t write that I wanted to be famous. I simply wrote that I wanted to be established in the theatre, television, and film. Now, I’m not as established in television and film as I would like, but I am proud of the work I have done in the theatre and the mark I am starting to make. I have been very blessed. As I grow older, my goals evolve. I have a longing to not only be an actor but also to be a director. I want to create.

BHL: Aside from having a remarkable voice and impeccable acting skills, what are some of the things you attribute to making you who you are today?

MATT: The easy answer is my family. Yes, my mother and my father, but also the position and role I played in my family. I inherited my father’s drive and resiliency coupled with my mother’s warmth and interpersonal skills. I am also the second oldest of seven children, so I was given a lot of responsibility early on in life.

BHL: Are there any quotes that describe or define who you are?

MATT: At different times in my life I have had different mantras. One year it was “Less talk, more action!” That worked for a time. Maybe it should be, “I’m a deadline kinda guy.” Without one, I’m really pretty worthless.

Exclusive Peek into Bonnie & Clyde at La Jolla Playhouse

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:59:21 +0000

The La Jolla Playhouse, one of California’s Tony Award-winning Regional Theatres concludes its 2009 Season with the World Premiere of Frank Wildhorn’s new musical “Bonnie & Clyde”. Based on the true life story of the notorious bank robbers turned public enemies and folk heroes, courtesy of the media of the day, Wildhorn, and his lyricist Don Black, along with RMG client Ivan Menchell (Curious George, JONAS, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and director Jeff Calhoun bring to life Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker of 1934.

Check out the montage video above and these amazing photos from the first month in La Jolla!

You can buy your tickets right here.

Marc Kudisch in ‘Holiday’ Spirit

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:01:56 +0000

Denman and Kudisch (right).

Our client Marc Kudisch (9 to 5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) will be starring with Jeffry Denman as The Holiday Guys in December at the Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan, New York. The Holiday Guys is a “traditional non-traditional” holiday comedy show which will show you the real, hilarious meaning of the holidays.

Marc has received much acclaim, including Tony Award nominations for his roles as Franklin Hart, Jr. in 9 to 5 (2009), Baron Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2005), and Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002). To learn more about Marc, please visit his website here.

Tickets for the show, which start next Monday 12/7, can be bought over the phone by calling (212) 367-9000, or at the Gotham Comedy Club website, which can be found here.

You can read the full story on The Holiday Guys here on Playbill.

RMG Spotlight- Someone to Know: David Ingber

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:32:01 +0000

Our client David Ingber is having the time of his life with his latest project, Fantasy Football: The Musical?. After garnering rave reviews during its sold-out run at the New York Musical Theater Festival (www.NYMF.org), the buzz surrounding the show has been tremendous.

Ingber originally got the idea for the musical when two real friends, Bill and Matthew, put together a fantasy football league in 1991. When David tried to join the league, he was met with an application- asking for a simple paragraph describing why one should be allowed to join. He promised to write a musical dedicated to the fantasy football culture with the starring characters being Bill and Matthew. Though he failed to enter the league, he still decided to write the musical to bring the worlds of theater and sports together.

Find out more about David, and check out his own website HERE.

Bonnie & Clyde Coming to La Jolla Playhouse in Nov.

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:39:16 +0000

RMG client Ivan Menchell, author of the book Bonnie & Clyde, recently attended the first reading of the play in Manhattan, and we were there! Everything went smoothly, and we can’t wait for it’s debut at La Jolla Playhouse in November.

Check out this article posted last month on Broadwayworld.com:

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the addition of the world-premiere musical Bonnie & Clyde, to its 2009-10 season, replacing The Big Time. This production features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West’s Big River and Pippin, Grease!). Bonnie & Clyde will run November 10 – December 20, 2009 in The Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Bonnie & Clyde is based on the lives of Depression-era outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, whose notorious exploits captured the country’s imagination. This seductive and cinematic new musical examines how a troubled Texas teen and a love-sick waitress became America’s most infamous couple, with a thrilling new score that combines rockabilly, blues and gospel music.

As previously announced, La Jolla Playhouse’s acclaimed 2008 production of Memphis will transfer to Broadway in October, 2009. Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, who helmed The Playhouse production last year, will direct the New York version as well. Ashley was originally slated to direct the Theatre’s fall production of The Big Time, but due to his new Memphis rehearsal schedule in New York, The Playhouse has chosen the new musical Bonnie & Clyde as its final show of the season.
“We are overjoyed that Memphis has found a home on Broadway,” said La Jolla Playhouse Managing Director Michael S. Rosenberg. “We are confident that Bonnie & Clyde will be a sensational new musical for our audiences and a terrific finale to our 2009/10 season.”

‘The timing of Memphis’ move to Broadway turns out to be wonderfully serendipitous for The Playhouse, as it allows us to bring our audiences the stunning new musical Bonnie & Clyde,’ noted Ashley. “From the creative dream team of Frank Wildhorn, Don Black, Ivan Menchell and Jeff Calhoun, this theatrical gem gives audiences a fresh look at the now-mythical tale of one of the most infamous couples in history.”

Subscriptions to La Jolla Playhouse’s 2009/2010 season are available by calling (858) 550-1010 or by visiting lajollaplayhouse.org.

Tony Nominations Out: Kristin Hanggi and Marc Kudisch Get the Nods

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:01:53 +0000

Clients Kristin Hanggi (Best Direction of a Musical, Rock of Ages) and Marc Kudisch (Best Featured Actor in a Musical, 9 to 5: The Musical) both received well-deserved Tony nominations this morning. We could not be more excited for Kristin and Marc for all their accomplishments!

Rock of Ages received 5 nominations total, including Best Musical. 9 to 5: The Musical was right behind Rock with 4 nominations of its own, including Allison Janney, Best Leading Actress in a Musical, and Dolly Parton for Best Original Score.

You can see the full list of nominees and other Tony news here.

BROADWAY, HERE WE COME!

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:51:13 +0000

On Thursday, April 30, 2009, the lights of Broadway will shine bright as our client Patricia Resnick’s 9 to 5: The Musical opens at the Marquis Theatre. Recently receiving 15 Drama Desk nominations, tonight’s show is the result of nearly a decade of work, which started when several high level producers contacted Patricia to gauge her interest in turning the film (which she wrote) into a musical.

She chose to partner with the fabulous Robert Greenblatt who was producing Six Feet Under at the time. Soon after, the pair got in touch with Dolly Parton who agreed to write the music and lyrics. Added into the mix were Bob’s high school friend Joe Mantello, and incredible cast including Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, Stephanie J. Bloch, and our gifted client Marc Kudisch, and – as the saying goes – the rest is history! Break a leg!

15 Drama Desk Noms for 9 to 5: The Musical!

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:33:51 +0000

9 to 5: The Musical garners the most Drama Desk nominations of any show in the ‘08-’09 season. Special congrats to nominees Pat Resnick (Oustanding Book of a Musical) and Marc Kudisch (Outstanding Feature Actor in a Musical). 9 to 5 is currently in previews at the Marquis Theater, and officially open April 29th. View the full list of nominees at Playbill.