The one thing that we know for sure is that the survival of theatre lies in building future audiences and training young people to carry on the torch as both caretakers and craftsman. Everything that we can do to help support and foster that creative outlet for kids, leads to the evolution and survival of the art form.
A Date with Kate - An Interview with Kate Baldwin
The first time I heard the voice of Kate Baldwin was while I was living in Omaha, Nebraska and the new cast recording of Finian’s Rainbow arrived to me in the mail. Finian’s Rainbow is my favorite musical and “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” my favorite show tune, and I was so far removed from New York that it was killing me that I couldn’t see the production. As soon as I heard Ms. Baldwin lend her vocal cords to my favorite song, I felt like I was transported there. She inhabits a song, finessing every nuance of the melodies and lyrics, infusing it with character and emotional. She vocally paints pictures. Pick up any of her wonderful solo albums, or listen to her on the recordings of Finian’s Rainbow, Giant, Big Fish, or Life Begins at 8:40 and you will feel it too!
A Day for Jay – A Conversation with Jay Armstrong Johnson
This week, the very talented and versatile performer Jay Armstrong Johnson consented to be subjected to my questions about his career in theatre. Jay is currently starring in the Broadway revival of On the Town, infusing the character of "Chip", a naïve sailor on 24 hour leave in New York City, with humor, heart, and boundless energy. Jay made his Broadway debut in the 2010 revival of Hair, understudying the role of "Claude." He was a standby for the role of Frank Abagnale, Jr. in the 2011 musical Catch Me If You Can, and he originated the role of “Greg Wilhote” in the short-lived (but much adored) Hands on a Hardbody (2013).