Sean Seamus Thompson

Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE

VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of.  How did that come about for both of you? Ellenore Scott:  Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival. Ayodele Casel:  I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in.  Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.

Video: Stephen Mark Lukas Talks FUNNY GIRL Tour on CBS Los Angeles

Watch Stephen Mark Lukas, who plays Nick Arnstein in the National Tour of Funny Girl, discuss the production on CBS Los Angeles in the video here!

Interview: FUNNY GIRL's Stephen Mark Lukas's the Go-To Nick Arnstein for Six Fanny Brices

The North American tour of Funny Girl lands in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson April 2, 2024, and later at Segerstrom May 28. 2024. Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs the cast of Melissa Manchester, Katerina McCrimmon, Stephen Mark Lukas, Izaiah Montaque Harris, Walter Coppage. Leah Platt, Cindy Chang, Eileen T’Kaye, David Foley Jr., Vinny Andaloro, Lamont Brown, Kate E. Cook, Julia Grondin, Jackson Grove, Alex Hartman, Dot Kelly, Ryan Lambert, Kathy Liu, Meghan Manning, Bryan Charles Moore, Sami Murphy, Emily Anne Nester, Hannah Shankman, Jordon Taylor, Rodney Thompson, Sean Thompson and Annaliese Wilbur. I had the chance to chat with Stephen (Nick Arnstein to Katerina’s Fanny Brice) over the phone during his stint at the Connor Palace Playhouse Square in Cleveland.

FUNNY GIRL Comes to the Ahmanson Next Month

FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited four-week engagement from Tuesday, April 2 to Sunday, April 28, 2024. The press opening is Wednesday, April 3. 

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Des Moines Performing Arts

Hey Des Moines, here she is. A new production of 'Funny Girl' opened on Tuesday evening. When you think of the show 'Funny Girl,' one of the first things you probably think of is the person you saw bringing Fannie Brice to life on stage. For the show to work, you need someone who can deliver an iconic performance. That may be why it took nearly 60 years for the show to be revived on Broadway. Now, just short of 60 years, the revival's national tour is making a stop in Des Moines as part of the Willis Broadway Series. Judging from the audience response, there is a new iconic name that people will consider when thinking of 'Funny Girl.'

FUNNY GIRL is Coming to the Orpheum Theatre in April

The North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL is coming to BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre for a limited four-week engagement this spring. See who is starring in the tour and learn how to purchase tickets.

FUNNY GIRL is Coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in April

FUNNY GIRL is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited four-week engagement this spring. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

What Broadway Shows Are On Tour Across North America For The 2024/2025 Season? - A Complete Guide

Looking for a show to see in a city near you? Check out our guide of current and upcoming Broadway tours, and learn about each production.

The North American Tour Of FUNNY GIRL Comes to St. Louis This January

The producers of FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, are delighted to announce full casting for the North American Tour coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis for a limited two-week engagement from January 23 to February 4.

Review: A Dazzling Revival of FUNNY GIRL Ushers in All the Laughs at Straz Center for The Performing Arts

Funny Girl is a semi-autobiographical comedic musical about the life and times of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, and her tumultuous relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. With a musical score by Jules Styne, lyrics by Bob Merill, and featuring a book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl first opened on Broadway in 1964 featuring Barbara Streisand in the starring role, and was produced by Fanny’s own son-in-law Ray Stark. The first Broadway production received 8 Tony Nominations at the 18th Annual Awards Ceremony, and the OBC (Original Broadway Cast) Recording was inducted into the Grammy’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Review Roundup: FUNNY GIRL Launches National Tour; What Are the Critics Saying?

The National Tour of Funny Girl launched in September in Providence, Rhode Island. Read the reviews for Funny Girl here!

Erin Rae Announces Live Album & Embarks On 'Lighten Up & Try' Headline Tour This Fall

Rae has shared “Bad Mind (feat She Returns From War) (Live & From The Heart)” from the record. This fall, Rae will head out on her Lighten Up & Try headline tour. The dates will take her across the country with stops in Brooklyn, Denver, Portland, Los Angeles, Houston, New Orleans, Nashville, Chicago and more.

Photos: First Look at THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Tuacahn Center For the Arts

Take a look at these stunning photos from THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Tuacahn Center For the Arts. Don't miss this visually captivating adaptation of the classic tale.

FUNNY GIRL North American Tour Unveils Full Cast and Schedule

Discover the full cast and tour dates for the highly anticipated FUNNY GIRL North American Tour. Don't miss out on this exciting production of the beloved musical.

Review: TARZAN at Tuacahn with Josh Strickland is Euphoric

Josh Strickland, who originated the role of Tarzan on Broadway and appears on the original cast recording, leads Disney’s TARZAN at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre.  The entire production lives up to its star with a heightened reality that equals the euphoria conjured by such an unparalleled opportunity.

Photos: First Look at Broadway's Original Tarzan Josh Strickland & More in Tuacahn Production

Get a first look at photos of Josh Strickland as Tarzan in Tuacahn's production!

VIDEO: Lauren Kidwell Belts Out 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'

Lauren Kidwell, who plays Mother Abbess in the US National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' reprises the same role in the Asian tour engagements of the beloved family musical, which plays the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Circuit Makati until March 26, 2023.

VIDEO: Jack O'Brien-Directed THE SOUND OF MUSIC Opens in Manila

The North American touring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien, has reached Manila and plays at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Ayala Malls’ Circuit Makati until March 26, 2023.

Winners Announced For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC International Tour Comes to Manila in March 2023

Broadway International Group launched a multi-year international tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC in Singapore this Fall. This lavish and popular production of one of the world's most beloved musicals of all time continues with multi-week stops throughout The Philippines, India, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, with other additional countries to be announced.