May 14, 2021
Artistic director David Hochoy and managing director Jan Virgin always projected closeness and came off as the quintessential dynamic duo each time they gave curtain speeches before Dance Kaleidoscope performances. But now after 25 years of loyally standing at Hochoy’s side, Virgin, the good-natured, fashion-forward,... read more
May 4, 2021
A few years ago, I became acquainted with Westfield resident Haley Lawrence, an enterprising entrepreneur and producer. At the time, she was interested in bringing a franchised, annual storytelling show called “Listen to Your Mother” to Indianapolis. She explained the goal of the production is... read more
April 26, 2021
As expected, seeing a live, in-person performance and hearing enthusiastic applause after a year of semi-isolation was a highly emotional experience for yours truly. Making it all the more rarefied was the performance of what many consider to be a national treasure, singer Marilyn Maye.... read more
April 22, 2021
It took some effort, but after numerous emails and phone calls, I was finally able to catch up with jazz, cabaret and musical theatre singer Marilyn Maye in a Zoom call from Boca Raton, Florida. She had just completed a smash, in-person run at The... read more
April 16, 2021
Though COVID-19 precautions still exist locally, the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths are decreasing and vaccinations are making people feel more comfortable venturing out to restaurants, entertainment venues and small gatherings. Each day brings news that more in-person, live arts performances are being presented... read more
March 14, 2021
Joel Kirk, CEO of Discovering Broadway, is still basking in the glow of his organization’s successful execution of an artist’s retreat for the creative team of a stage-musical adaptation of the hit 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada” starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. The... read more
March 5, 2021
Having recently profiled singer, recording artist, booking agent, and talk-show co-host Lee Lessack, I determined I wanted to learn more about Robert Bannon, who co-hosts “Quarantine, Cabaret, and Cocktails” with Lessack. The show, which can be accessed on Facebook and YouTube livestreams each Thursday at... read more
February 27, 2021
As performing arts organizations adapt, reinvent themselves or pivot in order to fulfill their missions, engage their audiences or simply survive during the pandemic, Summer Stock Stage has found a novel solution. Co-founded in 2004 by artistic director Emily Ristine Holloway, SSS is a nonprofit... read more
