Conversation with Joe Barros, Artistic Director of NY Theatre Barn
Broadway ReFocused is in conversation with Joe Barros, Artistic Director of New York Theatre Barn, home for new culture shifting musicals during incubation. Joe is a New York-based stage director and award-winning choreographer working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. Joe recently directed and choreographed two national tours of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, the new musical “Love and Yogurt” in New York, “Aida” in Singapore, and “A New Brain” at Five Towns College on Long Island. New York Theatre Barn has programmed over 30 new musicals in their New Works Series since March 2020, uplifting and including diverse stories, voices and writers.
Conversation with James Alonzo White, Choreographer
Broadway ReFocused is in conversation with James Alonzo White, a dancer, choreographer and educator. James’ professional credits include dancing with Travis Scott, Cardi B, Rotimi, New York Fashion Week, and Tostitos. Coming to us from New York City, we are excited to learn more about his choreography in his new video, “A Brand New Day” from The Wiz that went viral in early September 2020. He has over one million views on Facebook and 200,000 views on Instagram, in hopes to choreograph a new revival of The Wiz on Broadway.
Conversation with Luis Salgado, Director and Choreographer
Broadway ReFocused is in conversation with Luis Salgado, an international director, choreographer and educator. Luis was the Assistant Latin Choreographer of In the Heights on Broadway, which won four Tony Awards. Luis worked as the associate director/choreographer of Cirque du Soleil's Paramour in Hamburg, Germany. Coming to us from Puerto Rico, we are excited to learn more about his musical theatre background, what it was like to direct the first bilingual production of Fame and how he finds purpose in art and storytelling.
New Musicals with Impact
Culture shifting stories and voices that encompasses BIPOC, transgender, queer, disabled, and other under represented stories and writers.
Conversation with Tatiana Wechsler, Actress
Broadway ReFocused is in conversation with Tatiana Wechsler, the first woman to play Curly in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! as a part of Bill Rauch’s LGBTQ+ inclusive production at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Tatiana is an actor and performing artist from New York City that has performed on and off Broadway and across the country. Coming to us from New York City, we are excited to learn more about her musical theatre background, what it was like to play Curly in a same-sex relationship in the ground-breaking production of Oklahoma!, and also how she believes Broadway will become more inclusive in the future.
Conversation with Blair Russell, Broadway Producer
Broadway ReFocused is in conversation with Blair Russell, a Tony Award nominated Broadway producer. Blair specializes in bringing new plays and musicals to Broadway and was recently on the producing team of the Broadway hit play, Slave Play. Coming to us from Mexico City, we are excited to learn more about his musical theatre background, what it was like to be one of the only black producers on Slave Play and also what he believes on how Broadway will and can change in the future.
How Many Broadway Shows Have You Seen?
One of the question of a decade: how many Broadway shows have you seen?
I get that question asked a lot, mostly by my students or from people who have never been to New York City. While, I haven't seen as many of some of my friends in New York City, I feel like I have conquered Broadway in the last decade with some fantastic fanaticism. Since the day I saw my first Broadway show, June 2nd, 2000, I've been hooked.I'll do a detailed analysis in a different post, but I did put how much I paid and the totals for each show and category. It's a very interesting list and one I'm proud of! Here's to the next 150 shows!
Theatre Review: "Without You" @ NYMF 10/07/2010
Without You, a new one-man show written by and starring Anthony Rapp, played to sold-out audiences at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. I was lucky enough to grab a ticket to a late-night performance on Thursday, October 7th, 2010.
Reflecting Back on RENT
Ever since I was 17, when I heard the cast recording for the first time, I've wanted to play Mark. The role spoke to me in a way that no other role has. To this day, there still hasn't been any roles that radiate to me as much as Mark in RENT. I became obsessed. Even though I lived on the West Coast, I was a bonafide Renthead. I listened to the cast recording almost everyday. I bought the vocal selections when they came out and sang every song over and over. I learned how to play all of the songs on the piano. I was completely obsessed. It became my dream to play the role of Mark on Broadway.