Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE
by Valerie-Jean Miller
- May 28, 2024
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.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 21, 2024
by
- May 21, 2024
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 21, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: MCC Celebrates Opening Night of THE LONELY FEW
by Jennifer Broski
- May 20, 2024
MCC just celebrated opening night of The Lonely Few, a new musical with a book by Rachel Bonds, music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak, and directed by Trip Cullman and Ellenore Scott. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the big day and you can check out photos here.
Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Will Lead MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky
- May 14, 2024
Darren Criss will return to the stage alongside Helen J Shen in the Broadway premiere of the new romantic musical comedy Maybe Happy Ending with music by Will Aronson, lyrics by Hue Park and book by both Aronson and Park. We have all of the details!
FUNNY GIRL, MYSTIC PIZZA & More Set For Kravis 2024/2025 Season
by Joshua Wright
- May 7, 2024
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts announced its 16th season of Kravis On Broadway brimming with Tony Award®-winning hits. The 2024 – 2025 Kravis On Broadway season showcases Broadway’s finest with a subscription package power-packed with 32 Tony Awards® among them.
|
|
