JHP Entertainment

Entertainment News, Reviews and Interviews

Celebrity Interview

Rapid Fire 20Q with SIX MUSICAL’s Four Alternate Queens; National Tour at TPAC February 3 thru 8

by

It’s been almost three years to the date since Music City theatre goers were first privy to experience a live audience with the Queens of SIX, the two-time Tony-winning musical that explores the stories of the women behind that morbidly fun sing-songy rhyme “Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived”. As of Tuesday, February 3, that all changes as the Queens return to Nashville to hold court at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall with eight performances the through Sunday, February 8. 

As expected, an audience with the Queen is an almost impossible task, let alone six of them, and let’s face it—without the use of a guillotine, 20 Questions don’t exactly divide by six evenly, so rather than interviewing the leads, I had the unique opportunity to chat with four members of the royal court known as The Alternates (more about that below in my first question) as the regal company of SIX prepared for their Music City reign.

——-

RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH SIX’s FOUR ALTERNATE QUEENS 

RAPID FIRE WITH SIX ALTERNATE REESE CAMERON

JHPENTERTAINMENT: To start, while I’m pretty certain I know, for those who might not, What’s the basic difference between an alternate, understudy, swing and standby?

REESE CAMERON: An “alternate” is typically an on or off-stage cast member who will have weekly guaranteed performances to take over for a principal role— usually one that is very physically or vocally demanding (e.g. Tina Turner, Elphaba, Fanny Brice every Thursday is played by an “Alternate”). But in the SIX world, an Alternate means an off-stage cast member who understudies 3-4 Queens (our union caps us at 4 in the U.S., anywhere from 3-6 in the U.K. and elsewhere) The reasoning behind making us called “Alternates” instead of “Standbys” “Swings” or “Understudies” was because the team wanted us to feel just as important as our on-stage Queens. They emphasized that the reason we are off-stage is not because we are inferior or less talented, but rather that we have the capability of playing 1 or more On-stage Queens if we wanted to, therefore they wanted to give us a title with more respect. Oftentimes understudies, swings, and standbys are not given the same treatment or careful attention as onstage cast members and that’s something we’re constantly fighting for more rights about with other shows.

Understudies are on-stage cast members who play a character every night and also cover a principal role

Swings are typically off-stage members who cover several or all of the ensemble members — sometimes divided by gender and sometimes not. Swings can also be on-stage but it’s far more rare, usually because two of the swings are Dance Captain and Assistant Dance Captain and need to watch the show every week to note it and make sure the choreography upholds the integrity of the choreographer. 

Standby’s are hired to be specifically off-stage but ready at a moments notice to go on for a principal role. I like to call standby’s the principal swings haha. If a principal calls out of a show, either the standby or the understudy will go on. It depends on the show which one is chosen.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A quick perusal of your socials in preparation of our chat revealed you debuted as three of the queens within three weeks of each other— whose boots were the hardest to step into that first time?

REESE CAMERON: The hardest was most definitely Aragon because I learned her 2nd. I had a month of rehearsals with Cleves, 2-3 weeks with Boleyn, and only 5 days with Aragon and she has the most lines in the show and fires out of a cannon with her aerobic song and dance number right after an exciting and dynamic almost 6 minute opening of Ex-Wives which is a huge challenge of stamina. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What has been the most gratifying aspect of tackling these roles on tour?

REESE CAMERON: I am simply so proud of myself and my Alternate family for having the mental professionalism and preparedness required to memorize 3 different principal characters for an 80 minute non-stop show. There is no time to check your notes for the next number like a swing might be able to do with a few song and dance numbers in between their next onstage moment, but for us? This 80 minute train doesn’t stop. And being prepared and CONFIDENT is such a huge accomplishment not just for 1 Queen, but for 3!!! I’ve loved playing 3 completely different characters and have unlocked parts of myself and my inner child that I have never gotten before with any other show.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Which do you admire most? Aragon’s power or Cleves’ confidence?

REESE CAMERON: Aragon’s power for sure! Cleve’s confidence is something I definitely need and aspire to have, but Aragon historically endured starvation and abuse from Henry’s father even before her marriage to Henry the VIII, and then after 24 years of marriage when Henry cheated on her, she had the strength to do what no woman at this time had ever done which was 1) speak in court 2) make her own court case and 3) represent herself in court against his misinterpretation and manipulation of Biblical word to prove the marriage was just and 4) WIN! And even after he abusively sends her away and separates her from her daughter, she remained emotionally strong, devoted to justice, a role model for the people of England, and remained the beloved Queen for many decades after her death. She endured some of the hardest trials and tribulations a person can go through and she did it with grace. I highly recommend reading more about her life. Aragon is a powerhouse of a human being and an outstanding woman.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As a non-binary performer, what would you say to the queer kid sitting in the balcony?

REESE CAMERON: As I say in my bio “to the queer non-binary kid in the audience: you belong here”. In a hateful and divisive world, trans children need to know they have an accepting and loving family in the theatre community and especially in major cities like New York and LA. Trans actors belong in theatre, tv, and film just as much as cis actors. Theatre is a safe space for queer and trans people and there are so many roles and opportunities to be had in our industry that don’t require you to change yourself in order to fit into a show or a role. Theatre does not have to be gender dysphoric. My biggest recommendation is that trans and queer people start writing our own stories and musicals and films and TV shows and share it with the world because there are so many people who don’t know that they are queer or trans yet that watch media on Netflix and Spotify and go to see a Broadway show, and that may be the moment that they find themselves and discover who they are.  Just look at how The L Word became a Sapphic Bible, or how Heated Rivalry is opening doors for athletes to come out or even for their stories to be heard. Trans and queer media changes the world and spreads love and Empathy. We need more trans and queer media. 

RAPID FIRE WITH SIX ALTERNATE & DANCE CAPTAIN CARLINA PARKER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re not only a performer in SIX, but also the tour’s Dance Captain. What does that added responsibility entail?

CARLINA PARKER:  As Dance Captain, it’s my job to be a point person for choreography team while we’re on tour. I watch the show once or twice a week  and write notes to make sure both the movements and the story behind them are being executed. I’m also available should anyone have any questions or concerns. We have an amazing choreography team based in New York that I’m in constant communication with, and the original choreographer will even pop in from London from time to time!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Of the SIX, only one survived King Henry VIII. How would you describe Catherine Parr’s energy as portrayed in the musical in six words?

CARLINA PARKER: Honest, Kind, Intelligent, Empathetic, Inspiring, Powerful.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: SIX is resplendent with clever lyrics courtesy Book and Music collaborators Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss. What’s among your personal favorites?

CARLINA PARKER: Some of the script is written how some people text, and the audience would never know, but there’s one Parr line that’s written “R U 4 real?”and it’s SO funny. Also, “Okay ladies, lets get in reformation” -Cleves

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Touring perk you didn’t expect to love?

CARLINA PARKER: I expected to love the travel, I expected to love meeting the different fans from all over, but what surprised me is probably really silly. Since we don’t always have kitchens, I never have to feel guilty for ordering DoorDash.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Beyond the inherent closeness of a touring company, have you also developed an extra bond with your fellow alternates?

CARLINA PARKER: Yes! Arguably, the alternates are spending the most time together, between weekly rehearsals and (more often than not) sharing a dressing room with each other. The support you get from another alt is unmatched. We all know the joys and struggles of being an offstage cover in this show, covering multiple Queens, and we can be there for each other in the highs and the lows. It’s also so nice that we get along. I adopted the term “swing siblings” from another contract of mine, and it couldn’t be more true.

RAPID FIRE WITH SIX ALTERNATE ANNA HERTEL

JHPENTERTAINMENT: National Tour debut…how does that feel?

ANNA HERTEL: This tour is an absolute BLESSING! It truly feels like a pinch-me moment—this is my dream show, and getting to tell this story around the country is such a gift. I’m also so grateful for the opportunity to explore so many incredible cities along the way. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Is it just me? Or does Boleyn’s costume include a couple Easter eggs in its design? I mean…the neckline has what looks like a dotted line, as in ‘cut here’. Is that a reference to her demise by way of beheading or am I just overthinking it? AND…What’s your personal favorite detail in costumer Gabriella Slade ‘s Tony-winning creations?

ANNA HERTEL: There are so many Easter eggs woven into Anne Boleyn’s costume. My favorite is her iconic “B” necklace, symbolizing her pride in her family name. She wore it openly in court—something no woman had ever done at the time. After her execution, the “B” became a powerful symbol of strength, defiance, and legacy. I also love how Gabriella Slade incorporated Anne’s green sleeves into the design, a subtle nod to a love poem Henry VIII once wrote for her.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re a Jimmy Awards Best Dancer honoree— how much did it mean to you to be honored for your talent in high school AND did that shape the way you approach each role in the time since?

ANNA HERTEL: The Jimmy Awards will always be one of the most meaningful moments in my career. Being able to perform on a Broadway stage alongside so many passionate, aspiring artists was truly unforgettable. The relationships I formed that week are still thriving, and I’m constantly reminded of how supportive and uplifting that community is. That experience gave me the confidence, perspective, and tools I needed to continue chasing this dream.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Researching to pose questions to you and your cast mates, I discovered you’re a bit of a newlywed, and will be celebrating your wedding anniversary in a few months. Your husband has come to see you on tour a few times, right? What’s been the most challenging aspect of touring while simultaneously starting such an exciting chapter in your personal life?

ANNA HERTEL: My husband, Brendan Coulter, is truly the biggest blessing in my life. We’ll be celebrating our 2-year wedding anniversary on March 23rd, and I’m feeling extra grateful reflecting on our journey. We met in college at Elon University studying Musical Theatre, and not long after, moved to NYC to chase our shared love for performance.

A year later, we became an acoustic duo called Honey I Duo, performing all around Manhattan — some of my favorite memories. He has been the most supportive husband throughout this tour (and has seen the show 10 times already). Long distance was hard at first, but then he joined the tour, working remotely and pouring his heart into writing his own music.

His music is truly incredible and is out now on all platforms — go listen.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s one word that defines SIX for you?

ANNA HERTEL: ELECTRIC!

RAPID FIRE WITH SIX ALTERNATE ABIGAIL SPARROW

JHPENTERTAINMENT: First time I heard about SIX was from friends who saw it during its pre-Broadway trial run aboard a cruise ship.  My research in anticipation of chatting with you and your costars revealed you first performed in SIX on the high seas as Katherine Howard in Norwegian Cruise Line’s production of SIX aboard the Breakaway luxury ship — so, I gotta know — performing a Broadway musical at sea — wild or wonderful?

ABIGAIL SPARROW: You’ve done your research! It was BOTH: wild AND wonderful. Working on SIX with Norwegian was my first professional job straight out of college. I learned a LOT about being a working professional actor and there was absolutely a learning curve of living on a floating vessel for 9 months. Doing performances on a rocky boat during the stormy weather patches was certainly an experience I will not forget, haha. I met some of my closest friends to this day on that cruise ship, and am very grateful that I have been able to stay in the SIX family for years to follow.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: After seeing SIX for the first time a couple of years ago during the first national tour, I described it as American Idol meets Spice Girls meets The Tudors. Fair assessment? AND How do you describe it?

ABIGAIL SPARROW: You’re definitely hitting the nail on the head with that assessment, totally! I’d add a little bit of K-POP flair into that description too, for my two cents. It’s certainly not your average Broadway musical, that’s for sure. A 90 minute high energy pop concert with killer costumes, lighting, and choreography that everyone is sure to enjoy no matter their background or connection to Tudor history.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In addition to your current SIX responsibilities, you’re also working an album — what can you tell me about that?

ABIGAIL SPARROW: Thank you for asking! Yes, I am currently working on my first full length album set for release in Fall 2026. Back in March of 2025 I was incredibly honored to be awarded a $30,000 dollar grant from the Posthumous Prodigy Productions Fellowship for the album. Being on the road has allowed me lots of free time to write music and work with different producers across the country. Actually, I’m meeting with a producer right here in Nashville, the Music City! Which felt very fitting. I’m very excited to share it with the world this year. I also recently released my first EP on December 5th, 2025 called Jacaranda Trees. My music style is indie pop, think Muna meets Gracie Abrams meets The 1975. My music is available on all streaming platforms! I hope you check it out. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Since you have a bit of history with her — Katherine Howard — misunderstood or simply iconic?

ABIGAIL SPARROW: Oh, K Howie. Certainly misunderstood, and definitely iconic. The real Katherine Howard was known as the most promiscuous Queen back in her day, which feels like an unfair assessment given she was only 13 when the King took notice of her (ew). Her story is very reminiscent of the victim blaming stories of the modern day, where we look for errors in the victim rather than condemn the perpetrators of abuse and violence towards them. Of course we will never know for certain without asking her directly, but I feel she never had ill intentions towards the people she was involved with, and was taken advantage of by much older and more powerful men. In our show, Katherine takes back her power and changes the narrative to prove her intelligence and strength in her femininity. Which I definitely would say is… simply iconic. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences take with them after seeing the show for the first time?

ABIGAIL SPARROW: I hope that audiences leave with a new sense of empowerment to stand up to the Henry‘s in their own lives! We all have come across someone who has tried their hardest to make us small and powerless. And we all need to find that power within ourselves to rise up and fight back against those people. I hope people leave feeling inspired, and perhaps humming our songs on the way home with a little extra pep in their step. 

——-

Whether they’re commanding the stage or waiting to rule from just offstage, these four Alternates prove that SIX isn’t just about crowns and costumes—it’s about resilience, community, and unapologetic power. Their own stories add yet another layer to an already exhilarating night at the theatre, reminding us that every Queen has a voice, whether they’re front and center or just off-stage ready to step into a regal role. Catch SIX as it storms back into Nashville at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall Tuesday through Sunday, February 3-8, and come ready to cheer, sing along, and maybe leave feeling a little more emboldened than when you arrived. After all, these Queens aren’t loosing heads, they’re dropping mics! CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. Not in Nashville? No problem. You can catch these royals as their empowering processional continues its U.S. takeover with upcoming tour stops in Fort Worth, Los Angeles and a couple dozen more cities as the National Tour continues through early 2027. CLICK HERE for the full tour schedule or follow SIX on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram & TikTok. 

Following SIX, next up at TPAC, it’s SUFFS: The Musical with shows March 3 thru 8. CLICK HERE for more info and follow TPAC on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok. 

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, visit JHPENTERTAINMENT.com or find us on Facebook, Insta and Twitter.

 

Rapid Fire 20Q with international Dolly Parton tribute artist Kelly O’Brien as she brings ‘The Dolly Show’ to City Winery Nashville Sunday, May 18

by

 

Having been named the UK’s Best Dolly Parton Tribute Act four years in a row by the Agent’s Association of Great Britain, Kelly O’Brien has been thrilling audiences across the pond since creating and touring THE DOLLY SHOW. Being a huge Dolly fan myself, I became aware of O’Brien’s uncanny ability to not only resemble the Queen of Country Music but to also speak and sing live as the beloved Tennessee treasure when I started following her on social media a couple years ago. So naturally, when I learned that O’Brien was embarking on her first-ever stateside tour, including a performance right here in Music City at City Winery Nashville on May 18, I knew I had to chat with her for the latest installment in my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20Q. What follow is that conversation.

—————

RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH THE DOLLY SHOW TRIBUTE ARTIST, KELLY OBRIEN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Your upcoming May 18 show at City Winery Nashville marks your Music City debut. How excited are you to be performing as Dolly Parton in the town that claims her as our own?

KELLY O’BRIEN: I am beyond thrilled. It’s a real ‘pinch me’ moment in my career. And I’ve heard some of her family members may be there, so it’s a huge honor to be bringing my show to Nashville 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Before we chat about your Dolly Parton tribute show, THE DOLLY SHOW, I wanna ask you about your life ‘before Dolly’ if you will. You frequently credit your parents for your initial, albeit unintentional introduction to Dolly, remembering them playing her vinyl records when you were growing up in relatively rural McLaren Vale, Australia as you drifted off to sleep. So let’s start there…besides Dolly, what are your earliest musical memories?

KELLY O’BRIEN: Singing in the truck with my dad. I was about 4 years old and my parents had a bakery run. During the holidays we would get up at 4am to drive into Adelaide and load up the trucks with pies, pasties and donuts. All I had to keep me company in those days was the radio, so I was always singing. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re also quoted as deciding on a career in entertainment as young as eight thanks to seeing Kylie Minogue (another personal favorite of mine) and her sister Dannii on tv. What was it about the two of them that struck you as a viable career choice at such a young age?

KELLY O’BRIEN: I think I just loved attention, haha. Dannii was on a show called Young Talent Time (where Kyle also sang with her.) It was on TV every Saturday night. A group of 10 young kids singing, dancing and dressed in amazing costumes. I was hooked. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: By age 14 you were competing in country music singing competitions. What was your first win? AND what song did you win with?

KELLY O’BRIEN: I sang When Will I Be Loved by Linda Rondstadt. I think I won a trophy and a meat tray. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: To hone your craft, you attended University of Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music. What’s your favorite memory of that time in your life?

KELLY O’BRIEN: It was a jazz course. I wanted to learn the skill of improvisation, and playing piano whilst singing… It helped me immensely. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You also began enjoying a career in musical theatre around that time, if research serves me, landing roles in Starlight Express, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and more, even traveling to Germany with a national touring company. Talk about life on the road! Was that your first taste of tour life?

KELLY O’BRIEN: My first big lead role was in Starlight Express, Germany. I’d never been to Europe before that. Deep down, I know I would end up living on the other side of the world. There were just more opportunitys there. And I was right. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: OK, now for some Dolly-centered questions…I’ve met Dolly several times through the years, so when I say sound like Dolly, I mean it!…you not only sing live like her but also speak live as her during your act. You’ve got what I affectionately refer to as her ‘hiccup giggle’ down pat! When did you first discover you could sound like Dolly? 

KELLY O’BRIEN: Well, this part was difficult. Dolly is a soprano and I am an alto, so it took a huge amount of practice. Her voice is very forward in the mouth, it’s a skill. It took a LONG time to perfect. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Then there’s Dolly’s look. You’ve been performing as Dolly in one form or another for about two decades, and from photos and clips I’ve seen, you just keep getting better. Do you find yourself studying Dolly still, in an effort to keep up the look and sound?

KELLY O’BRIEN: Absolutely. I am never complacent. There is so much to learn about Dolly. The instruments she plays, the Dolly-isms and stories she tells. I am always learning something new. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I mentioned Kylie earlier. You’ve performed as Kylie in the past, Brittney Spears and Judy Garland too, right? So what is it about Dolly that prompted you to build an entire show around her and not the other artists you’ve paid homage to in tribute?

KELLY O’BRIEN: For starters, I am only 5 ft tall, so that helped. haha Then I guess it was the fact I started singing country music so young. And the fact I was in musical theatre meant I knew how to create the ‘look’ needed to be a fabulous representation of Dolly. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I remember the first time I met Dolly, and every time since then, so I gotta ask. What was it like when you met her in 2011?

KELLY O’BRIEN: It’s quite surreal meeting your idol. There are so many things you want to say… I told her how I was an impersonator and she loved that. She was very complimentary. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In doing a little online sleuthing in preparation of our chat, I discovered not only is Dolly a 1° of separation for us, but so was the late great prolific tv producer, Nigel Lythgoe; you having secured a Top 12 spot on Popstars Australia and I having worked on the first two season of American Idol! What do you remember most about your experience with that particular brand of reality television?

KELLY O’BRIEN: Oh dear! That was tough. I was in my twenties then. Not as confident back then. People tell you to ‘jump’ and you do it. If I were spoken to like that now, I’d tell THEM to go jump! haha

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Your Nashville debut is midway through your first-ever THE DOLLY SHOW tour in the U.S.. In fact, as we conduct this interview you’re boarding your flight to the U.S. What are you looking forward to most in sharing this show with your stateside audience?

KELLY O’BRIEN: I wonder if they will laugh at my jokes. I mean, they are Dolly gags, but I incorporate my own flair. I also involve the audience quite a bit. It’s an interative show. I hope it translates well… 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In the show you present several Dolly ‘looks’ representing her career from the earlier years to a more modern Dolly. Do you have a personal favorite of your Dolly looks?

KELLY O’BRIEN: Oooooh, I love the 70’s. Dolly’s hair was BIG! I love that look. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Ok, I gotta know…how much luggage do you travel with? How many wigs and costumes are among your gear?

KELLY O’BRIEN: Three suitcases, 7 costumes, 6 wigs. It’s a lot. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For you personally, when, during your transformation into Dolly, do you feel the illusion is complete? Is it the wig, the wardrobe or the moment you walk onto the stage and greet your eager audience?

KELLY O’BRIEN: I always take a moment before the show to get into character. It’s usually once my wig is glued on and the transformation is complete. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Dolly isn’t just a fabulous singer, she’s a ridiculously prolific songwriter, so not only is the vocal skill important, the music is also key. To that end, I understand current Nashvillian, guitarist Danny Werner is part of your backing back. How did you meet Danny and who else have you got joining you in for your U.S. dates as part of THE DOLLY SHOW band? 

KELLY O’BRIEN: Oh wow, you know Danny? How brilliant. I also have John Hagewood, Jon Ross and Jason Sullivan. They will be traveling from Nashville to do my shows in three different states. I will meet them on the first day of rehearsals. I hear they’re great musicians. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like Dolly, being a singer is only part of who you are. You’re also a Wife and Mom. Have you brought the family along for the U.S. tour? OR are FaceTime and video chats what keep you connected during life on the road?

KELLY O’BRIEN: Not this time. My daughter performs at a very high level and is representing England at this years  ‘Dance World Cup.’ She has to stay home and rehearse. And my husband Ben needs to drive her around. They will be traveling back with my in October for round two.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Wait a minute! Did I just get an exclusive? Round two in October, huh? That’s awesome! If you could only play one Dolly Parton album the rest of your life, what would it be and what song in particular means the most to you?

KELLY O’BRIEN: Little Sparrow, I just love that Bluegrass sound. I love Mountain Angel. It’s a seriously beautiful and haunting song. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: YES! Little Sparrow is my favorite Dolly album as well. I just love The Grass is Blue. Alright, we’re almost to the 20th questions, so…What’s next for you?

KELLY O’BRIEN: A rest! haha

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences take with them long after seeing your tribute to Dolly in THE DOLLY SHOW?

KELLY O’BRIEN: I hope they feel they’ve spent the night with Dolly. I hope they have fun, leave feeling a little lighter and full of love. Dolly brings people together like that. 

—————

With that, my chat with Kelly O’Brien came to an end, but that’s not all for me, as you better believe I purchased tickets to THE DOLLY SHOW’s May 18 performance at City Winery Nashville. Doors open at 6pm for the Sunday, May 18 7:30pm show. Tickets range in price from $20 to $35. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. Not in Nashville? You still have another chance to see Kelly O’Brien as Dolly stateside during this phase of the tour when she brings THE DOLLY SHOW to Roxy’s Cabaret in Minneapolis on May 23, and don’t forget the upcoming above-mentioned round two of US dates coming in October. Of course if you’re reading this interview and you happen to be in the UK, as soon as Kelly wraps her US dates she’s headed back for more dates in the UK with shows at Festival Theatre at Hever Castle’s Two Sisters Theatre in Kent on May 31,  Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on June 6&7, Bush Hall in London on June 20, The Glasshouse in Gateshead on June 28 and more. CLICK HERE for Kelly’s full tour schedule. You can also follow her on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. Heck, you can even book a personal Cameo message! In the meantime, check out Kelly O’Brien’s THE DOLLY SHOW promo video below!

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with cast members of ‘MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical’; National Tour at TPAC’s Jackson Hall through May 11

by

The term soundtrack of a generation might be overused, but with a solo career that spanned 45 years and included 13 number-one hits, 30 top ten singles, six decades of hits as an artist, 8 Grammys, and 26 American Music Awards…just to name a few accolades…it’s easy to say that Michael Jackson not only provided the soundtrack of a generation, but of GENERATIONS! That said, when I heard that the four-time Tony-winning Broadway musical, MJ: THE MUSICAL National Tour was headed to Music City, playing TPAC’s Jackson Hall thru May 11, I knew I had to chat with members of the company for my latest Rapid Fire 20Q. When I reached out to my TPAC contact, I found out I would be chatting with Anastasia Talley who plays Jackson’s Mom, Katherine Jackson, J. Daughtry who takes on the role of Motown hitmaker Berry Gordy, JoJo Carmichael, the company’s Dance Captain and Nashville’s own, Devin Bowles, who stars as Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson, so I knew these interviews were sure to be a Thriller!

—————

RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST AND CREATIVES OF MJ: THE MUSICAL NATIONAL TOUR

RAPID FIRE WITH DEVIN BOWLES, JOE JACKSON IN MJ: THE MUSICAL

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You play Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family in MJ: THE MUSICAL. What can you tell me about Joe, as he is written in the show?

DEVIN BOWLES: Joe Jackson is the Sun and everyone else and every thing navigates around him. We see the dominate and influential grip that he had on Michael and the remanence of his teachings. The environment that Joe created for his family was very controlling, abusive, and filled with mental schemes but all stemmed back to a tough love ideology that we showcase in this show.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Devin, I gotta tell you, when I heard you were joining the tour as Joe, I was so excited. It’s always fun for me seeing actors I knew from the local theatre scene go on to bigger things. Heck, I recall seeing you in shows at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre and Studio Tenn. What’s most exciting about returning to Nashville for a tour stop at TPAC?

DEVIN BOWLES: It’s truly so surreal being back in Nashville! This city is where I began my professional career, it’s where my found my first community of artist, it’s the soil that ignited the ambition to be where I am now and to keep going. From Chaffin’s and to Studio Tenn, it’s a reminder of the power of manifestations, prayer, and full circle moments. I’m excited to continue to expand my artistry and career with this show and furthermore.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As expected, the show is overflowing with classic MJ tunes. A few lesser-known Jackson songs are also among the mix. Money, a track from 1995 release HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I is one that you’re featured on. What’s the significance of this song appearing in Act 2?

DEVIN BOWLES: There’s for sure some songs that wasn’t too known me when I began this journey, Money was also one of these songs. In this show, Joe sings about Money as substance that controls people and with that, he compares himself to it. He believes he owns Michael and is proclaiming that he will do anything for him and for the product he is trying to make.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Having been with the tour since the onset back in August of ’23, as Joe, you share the stage with all the actors portraying Michael at various points in his life. The current lineup includes Jordan Markus as MJ, Deaundré Woods at MJ (Alternate), Erik Hamilton as Michael and Quentin Blanton Jr. and Bane Griffith sharing the role of Little Michael. Using one word each, how would you describe the actors playing Michael?

DEVIN BOWLES:

Jordan Markus- Powerhouse

Erik Hamilton-Consistant

Dre Woods-Mastermind

Bane Griffith-Iconic

Quentin Blanton Jr.-Light

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As I mentioned earlier, you’re current Music City dates mark a homecoming for you. What are a couple of the ‘Must See’ Nashville things you hope to share with your cast mates while in town?

DEVIN BOWLES: I have already shared a list of restaurants, bars, lounges, and just all around great spots with the cast. I’m definitely going to dive into the food here that I have missed while being on the road, there’s nothing like it.

RAPID FIRE WITH JOJO CARMICHAEL, MJ THE MUSICAL’s DANCE CAPTAIN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For those who might not be fully familiar, what exactly does being Dance Captain for MJ: THE MUSICAL entail?

JOJO CARMICHAEL: A number of responsibilities come with being dance captain for MJ: THE MUSICAL. One of them being, upholding the integrity of the choreography that we were taught day one. This can be married to making sure everyone is moving as one and the visuals are clean, clear and effective. I am also a swing, so I have the opportunity to perform. When new cast members join our company, I assist in teaching them the show. And I also teach classes across the country that are inspired by the movement we do in the show which I thoroughly enjoy. I’ve been able to learn so much through this position, as dance captain, and it is an opportunity I don’t take lightly.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: It’s not a stretch to say that Michael Jackson might be the most iconic pop star with some of the most memorable dance sequences ever. Is there a choreo moment in the show that you absolutely love performing night after night?

JOJO CARMICHAEL: My favorite number to perform would have to be the Fosse sequence into Smooth Criminal at the top of act two. There’s a sense of ferocity intertwined with mystery that comes with the movement which I find so fun to play with. Considering that it’s the only number in the show where it’s just MJ and the dancers on stage, it introduces a different energy to the show as well.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: When did you know a career in movement was the life for you?

JOJO CARMICHAEL: Around eighth grade is when I started to look at dance as a professional career. For the longest time, I wanted to be a neurosurgeon and dance was just gonna be a hobby or side hustle. So my Mom arranged a conversation with a neurosurgeon who was in their residency at the time, and they shared with me that it’s about fifteen years of schooling. I couldn’t compute how to go to school for that long and still dance, so I chose dance and never looked back.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: One key element of MJ: THE MUSICAL is the family. Michael always had his family whether onstage as part of The Jackson 5 to their behind-the-scenes support. You always hear that theatre is family, too. I’d imagine that sense of family is only amplified on a National Tour, traveling together, performing together and likely spending off-hours together. What does the family aspect of tour life mean to you?

JOJO CARMICHAEL: On tour we only have each other. We celebrate birthdays, we console and support each other through hardships. We look after each other as if we are family. And this cast and crew is truly a beautiful group of human beings that I am proud to call family. In general, family is something that I heavily value and prioritize in my life. So, to now have this connection with my cast is one thing I’m most grateful for MJ: THE MUSICAL bringing into my life.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In addition to being Dance Captain, you’re also Swing, meaning you cover a multitude of roles stepping in to fill in when a member of the ensemble is out. What’s the most fun aspect of being Swing for a show like MJ?

JOJO CARMICHAEL: The most fun aspect of being a swing for this show is simply sharing the stage with  this cast. We have a lot of fun up there. Even when we’re tired we find ways to lift each other’s spirits or make someone laugh. Being a swing also keeps my mind working, attentive and requires me to stay present which I find just as enjoyable as it is challenging.

RAPID FIRE WITH J. DAUGHTRY, BERRY GORDY/NICK in MJ: THE MUSICAL

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What can you tell me about your dual roles as Berry Gordy and Nick in MJ: THE MUSICAL?

J. DAUGHTRY: Nick is a savvy tour manager keeping things on track during rehearsals for Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. As Berry Gordy, I appear in flashbacks as the legendary founder of Motown Records—the man who first recognized young Michael’s extraordinary talent. Both roles highlight the forces shaping Michael’s artistic journey, from the business demands of the present to the mentorship and music legacy of his past.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How did you come to be part of the tour?

J. DAUGHTRY: I love the Motown story  in fact the music is a part of the fabric of my life. So anytime there is a show related to Motown I make sure I audition. There was a position opening up on Broadway and I threw my hat in the ring. I didn’t get the role on Broadway but I was blessed with the tour.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: There are so many Michael Jackson looks, from his preteen natural hair and bellbottoms during the Jackson 5 era and his red leather Beat It jacket to single gloves and military-style regalia. Do you have a favorite wardrobe moment represented in the show?

J. DAUGHTRY: Absolutely! There are so many but surprisingly my favorite looks of MJ in the musical are when he’s in a simple blue silk shirt, white tee shirt and black slacks with the iconic loafers.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As I indicated in my intro to this piece, Michael Jackson’s music can truly be called the soundtrack of a generation. Which era is your favorite and why?

J. DAUGHTRY: I am an 80’s baby so I quite literally grew up on his music. I would have to say the Jackson 5 music is my favorite only because it’s what I grew up on.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Is there a song included in the musical that you weren’t as familiar with that you are now obsessed with hearing night after night?

J. DAUGHTRY: Yes, Keep the Faith. I had never heard the song and now it is a moment of inspiration.

RAPID FIRE WITH ANASTASIA TALLEY, KATHERINE JACKSON IN MJ: THE MUSICAL

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Katherine Jackson to you? 

ANASTASIA TALLEY: Katherine Jackson is the matriarch of the Jackson family and the mother of one of the greatest artists of our time. She is an undeniable source of love and compassion, and Michael Jackson was vocal about the influence she had in his life. This is portrayed beautifully in her song with MJ in the show.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Having been a fan of the Jacksons pretty much my whole life, I have this image of Katherine as the quieter, supportive parent, whereas Joe always seems to be portrayed in the media as the more business-oriented force behind the family. As she’s written in MJ: THE MUSICAL, what’s the most surprising aspect of Katherine’s persona that you’ve discovered? 

ANASTASIA TALLEY: While it’s perhaps not surprising, I find myself deeply moved by the quiet but profound love she shows for her son and his artistry. Though often imagined as the reserved, supportive parent, the depth and fierceness of her devotion are portrayed with such clarity that it catches me off guard every time. There is a quiet power in her presence — deliberate, unwavering, and fiercely tender — and that quiet strength lingers with me more than I expect.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of Joe, to kick off this Rapid Fire 20Q, I chatted with Devin Bowles, who plays your on-stage husband. What’s it like sharing the stage with Devin night after night? 

ANASTASIA TALLEY: It is an absolute joy to share the stage with Devin. He is an incredibly curious, compassionate, and growth-focused human being, and it truly shines through in his acting. His generosity as an actor is tremendously grounding, and that generosity serves as the perfect inspiration for the cast to discover and rediscover the scenes every night. Side note: Devin Bowles is HILARIOUS offstage! He also treats everyone with genuine warmth and care. A true class act.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Katherine you’re featured in Act 1 alongside Little Michael and MJ on I’ll Be There, one of The Jackson 5’s more poignant songs. What does that scene and that song mean to you? 

ANASTASIA TALLEY: I have sung that song literally hundreds of times with the show, and the way the meaning of the song deepens and changes never fails to astound me. The song is such a powerful display and vow of love. It’ is also a promise to show up, not just in words, but in action, for the people you love. It is a reminder that love is a verb. It is also a decision. I think the lyrics of the song depict that truth beautifully. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences come away remembering long after they’ve seen MJ: THE MUSICAL? 

ANASTASIA TALLEY: I hope audiences remember the artistry, the music, the history, and the call to action: make the world a better place through change. 

—————

MJ: THE MUSICAL wraps its two-week engagement at TPAC’s Jackson Hall with performances through May 11. CLICK HERE for tickets. While MJ: THE MUSICAL closes out TPAC’s current Broadway at TPAC season, there’s no stopping the art and entertainment. Among TPAC’s upcoming events: the annual Spotlight Awards: Nashville High School Musical Theatre Awards takes to the stage May 17. TPAC presents Paul Taylor Dance Company May 30-31, CAMP TPAC returns with theatre-centered intensives for various ages throughout June, plus much more entertainment throughout the summer. TPAC’s Broadway at TPAC 2025-2026 Season kicks off September 23-28 with THE WIZ. For more on these and all TPAC events, CLICK HERE. You can also follow TPAC on socials: TPAC on Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook.

Following it’s Music City dates, MJ: THE MUSICAL continues its National Tour with performances in Fort Worth, TX May 13-18, Fayetteville, AR May 20-25, Milwaukee, WI May 27-June 1, Appleton, WI June 3-8 and more. For the full schedule of dates, or to purchase tickets in your city, CLICK HERE.You can also follow MJ: THE MUSICAL on their socials, so check them out on Facebook, Bluesky, Insta, YouTube and TikTok.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with ‘KIMBERLY AKIMBO’ stars Carolee Carmello, Jim Hogan, Emily Koch and Darron Hayes as National Tour continues; at TPAC’s Jackson Hall beginning April 8

by

KIMBERLY AKIMBO, a musical story of a young woman with a disease that rapidly ages her, who, instead of giving up, decides to live her life to the fullest every day. With book by David Lindsay-Abaire (based on his earlier comedy play of the same name) and music by Jeanine Tesori, the original Broadway run garnered the show eight Tony nominations, taking home five, including Best Musical. When the National Tour was announced, three-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello was cast in the lead role as 16-year-old Kimberly, alongside five understudies of the original company.

As the cast and crew of KIMBERLY AKIMBO readied themselves for their Nashville debut, with performances at TPAC’s Jackson Hall April 8-13, I recently had the chance to pose a few questions to the show’s lead actress Carolee Carmello and her fellow cast members Jim Hogan, Emily Koch and Darron Hayes for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature Rapid Fire 20Q. What follow are those conversations.

—————

RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST OF KIMBERLY AKIMBO; AT TPAC APRIL 8-13

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH JIM HOGAN, BUDDY IN KIMBERLY AKIMBO

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: What can you tell me about Buddy, the character you play in KIMBERLY AKIMBO?

JIM HOGAN:  Buddy is our protagonist, Kimberly’s, troubled (and loving) father who just can’t seem to get it right despite his best (and worst) efforts.

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: While the tour began in September of last year, you have been part of the KIMBERLY AKIMBO family since late 2022 when you joined the Broadway company as standby for Buddy. In the two years since you’ve been associated with the role, has your approach to the character changed?

JIM HOGAN:  I don’t think I’d say changed as much as I’d say grown.  Being able to play Buddy night after night as opposed to the occasional nature of being a standby has heightened my sense of truth within his words and actions, despite how complicated they can be.  I’m truly grateful to get to step into his Reeboks every night. 

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Prior to joining this show, you previously toured with WAITRESS and PHANTOM, so tour life has been part of your life for a decade now. What’s your favorite thing about life on the road?

JIM HOGAN: I LOVE touring.  There’s something so special about it, and I hope every performer, both professional and aspiring, gets the chance to do it.  I’d say my favorite part is exploring each city, but specifically trying each city’s unique cuisines. 

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of life on the road, in another lifetime, I too spent a couple years traveling from town to town during the original first two seasons of AMERICAN IDOL as part of the production. My main gig was registering hopefuls as they readied auditions for then-judges Randy Jackson, Paul Abdul and Simon Cowell. I bring this up because when I was told I’d be chatting with you for this Rapid Fire 20Q featuring members of the National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO, I immediately recognized your name as being part of the vocal group T3 who appeared during 2021’s Season 16 of AMERICA’s GOT TALENT. So a two-parter…What’s your fondest memory of your time on AGT? AND…What’s going on with T3 now?

JIM HOGAN:  That’s so cool!!  We have a Simon Cowell connection 😅  T.3 had a blast on AGT, I’d say our favorite part was getting to meet and learn from everyone involved: the celebrity judges/host of course, but the artists/performers within the show and those backstage perhaps even more.  It was a very eye-opening and important part of T.3’s creation and a great stepping stone to get us to where we are today!  We are actively releasing new music, our viral cover of Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” will be available on streaming shortly, and we tour all over the country whenever our schedule allows!  We are releasing our biggest tour schedule yet in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout to see T.3 near you in August and September of this year 🙂

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Back to KIMBERLY AKIMBO, Within the context of the show, even though Buddy is Kimberly’s father, he’s not exactly the ideal dad, and the roles seem a bit reversed at times. What’s your favorite aspect of exploring this dynamic with Carolee Carmello on stage night after night?

JIM HOGAN:  Well first of all, Carolee is incredible in this part and it’s been an honor to act alongside her every night.  As far as Buddy’s complexities go, I have always felt like I know him. For better or for worse, but I think more people are like Buddy than they would care to admit. I think that’s been the biggest thing, is tapping into the parts of myself that maybe I don’t love so much. But that in itself, has been healing.

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH EMILY KOCH, DEBRA IN KIMBERLY AKIMBO

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: What can you tell me about Debra, the role you play in KIMBERLY AKIMBO?

EMILY KOCH: Debra is a bold, brash, fabulous woman. She might be involved in some unsavory activities but she knows how to get what she wants by any means necessary. She also, most importantly, adores her niece, Kim and wants her to have the best life she can. I love getting to play someone so sure of themselves, it’s inspiring.

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Your show bio reveals that Jim Hogan, who plays Buddy, has been your boyfriend in real life for seven years. If my math is mathin’, that means you two began dating while you were both on tour with WAITRESS. Even though I’d love to know the worst, I’ll play nice and ask…What’s the best part of sharing scenes with your actual love interest AND having them on the road with you?

 EMILY KOCH: Your math is mathin’! That is where we met. I’m being totally honest when I say, there really isn’t a worst part. Jim and I have both worked a lot separately and together and both done multiple tours so we just know how to do it well, so, knock on wood, we haven’t had any problems out here. We also just really deeply get along and respect each other’s work. It’s also been fun to play people who don’t like each other in the show. Maybe that’s why we are so happy, we work it all out on the stage!

JHP ENTERTAINMENT: During the Broadway run, you were standby for both Debra and Patti. How excited were you when you learned you’d been cast as Debra for the tour?

EMILY KOCH: I was ecstatic. Being the avid theatre fan that I am, learning you’re gonna lead a David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori musical is like winning the theatre lottery. I have to admit when I got cast on Broadway, I considered my time there as an extended audition for the tour. I just had never loved a show so much and wanted to be a part of it for as long as I could. I was also hoping Jim would get cast and he got the call from him agents about five minutes after me. Needless to say, it was an awesome day for our household. We drank champagne at noon.

 JHP ENTERTAINMENT: From what I hear, there’s a few minor differences as far as staging and such from the Broadway run. Among the changes, Aunt Debra now skates. I gotta know, was skating already among your ‘special skills’ and what all was involved in brushing up on your technique during the rehearsal process of KIMBERLY AKIMBO?

EMILY KOCH: Yes,Debra does skate! I think the reason that change happened is because when I was covering on Broadway, I had to skate as Patti, so they knew I could already do it. Skating was definitely not a special skill of mine, but I do love to watch it and always have. We got to take a few lessons on actual ice for Broadway and Tour which was helpful and fun, and we do a cast “skate call” three times a week so now I think we all feel pretty comfortable out there.

 JHP ENTERTAINMENT: Having previously toured with WAITRESS and WICKED, when you find yourself coming back to cities you’ve previously visited, do you try to revisit spots you enjoyed before, or do you try to scope out new things in now-familiar cities? Oh, and by the way, I hear The Escape Game Nashville in my little neighborhood of Berry Hill is quite fun, so…you’re welcome!

 EMILY KOCH: Thank you so much for the rec! Escape rooms are such a good tour activity! And yes, that’s my favorite thing about tour honestly, is going back to my old haunts in all these awesome cities. They fully transport me to how I felt the last time I was there and I love that feeling. Aside from Memphis, TN, I have played every single city we are going to in this first year and I’m so happy to return to all of them.

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH DARRON HAYES, MARTIN IN KIMBERLY AKIMBO

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Martin?

DARRON HAYES: Martin is a star to be. He’s one of the teens in show choir who’s in a sticky love square, but knows there’s a beautiful and fulfilling life awaiting him outside of New Jersey.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like a number of your tour mates, you were also part of the Broadway cast of KIMBERLY AKIMBO. Has that fact aided in the company feeling like family as you’ve all taken the show on the road?

DARRON HAYES: Yes, it’s been so nice to return to Kimberly Akimbo with familiar faces and relationships. We get to tell this incredible story in a slightly different way with some great new faces as well!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: During your time with the Broadway production, you understudied the roles of Martin, Aaron and Seth. If a bit of internet sleuthing proved useful, it was March of last year that you made your Broadway debut as Martin. What was that moment like AND…how has your interpretation of Martin changed now that he’s yours completely?

DARRON HAYES: My Broadway debut, that happened almost a year ago today, was the most magical night of my life thus far. I’d worked for and hoped and dreamed of this moment my entire life. And when it happened, I thought… Here we go. This is just the beginning. Keep going, grasshopper, and I’m so proud of you! What has changed about me playing Martin full time now, is that I’m allowed to take full ownership of my interpretation, rather than feeling like I need to figure out how I fit in, what can sometimes feel like someone else’s play.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Alright, when I chatted with Jim Hogan earlier, I asked him a bit about T3 and his experience on AGT. As I confessed to him, I worked on the original AMERICAN IDOL back in the day, so when I discovered you auditioned for IDOL a couple years ago, I knew I had to ask you about that experience. What did you use for your audition song?….AND…Have you and Jim ever compared ‘reality competition tv’ notes?

DARRON HAYES: We haven’t had the chance to compare our experiences yet, but maybe now we will. And I sang All I Do by legend, Stevie Wonder. And my experience with AMERICAN IDOL was interesting. I took it for what it was, met some insanely talented singers, and learned what I could from that unique experience!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: IS there a theme or idea presented in KIMBERLY AKIMBO that you find yourself consciously or unconsciously being more mindful of in your off time?

DARRON HAYES: ABSOLUTELY! As Crazy as Aunt Deb is, she never lied. Life is gonna life, and sometimes you aren’t dealt the best stack of cards. But to me, life is about looking at what you DO have control over. What decisions and choices can I make for a better outcome? Or to be more fulfilled? So the song Better is basically my motto for life.

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH CAROLEE CARMELLO, KIMBERLY IN KIMBERLY AKIMBO

JHPENTERTAINMENT: OK, before we get into talking about KIMBERLY AKIMBO, I’m just gonna fanboy a bit. I’ve enjoyed your work since your stint as Maple LaMarsh on AMC’s comedy series Remember WENN? What do you remember most about your time on that series?

CAROLEE CARMELLO: CAROLEE CARMELLO:  That show was a dream come true for me! I loved the scripts (by the brilliant Rupert Holmes) and I loved the 40s costumes and hairstyles (despite the fact that I didn’t wear a wig and all that hair spray definitely took a toll on my hair). Plus the cast was so talented!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Now, on to KIMBERLY AKIMBO…From the start, what do audiences need to know about KIMBERLY, the show…and the character?

CAROLEE CARMELLO: I love the show! So smartly written, so funny, so touching … it really is the kind of musical I enjoy watching because it gives you ALL the feels! And the character I play is so positive, despite all of her many challenges. I learn a lot from Kimberly every night!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: If my research and memory serve me right, you’ve been in something like 16 Broadways shows, received three Tony nominations, and KIMBERLY marks your 7th national tour. Revisiting your incredible body of work, I was reminded of something my now-90 year-old former art teach frequently says, “Art is Life”. In regards to you, that certainly seems true. What’s behind your love of the arts and what keeps you continuing to explore your own creativity?

CAROLEE CARMELLO: Oh gosh, I still love musicals … I think it’s such an amazing way to tell a story. And I think live theater is the best way to experience story telling … sitting in a dark theater with a community of people watching LIVE actors and LIVE musicians bringing a story to life! It brings people together in so many ways … which is vital, especially right now.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Back to KIMBERLY AKIMBO, If you were faced with circumstances similar to Kimberly’s is there anything you’d do differently or anything you’d lift from Kimberly’s reactions to her circumstances to better your own remaining time?

CAROLEE CARMELLO: I can only hope that I would take on each day the way Kimberly does … she wants an adventure, and she gets it, despite all of her challenges! It’s really inspiring!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Dang! I could have done all 20 questions with you, but our time is up as I’m about to chat with a couple of your costars, so I’ll end our conversation with this. What do you hope audiences take with them after seeing KIMBERLY AKIMBO?

CAROLEE CARMELLO: I think the message of the show is to enjoy the time we have and the people we have to share it with … nothing else matters!

————

The National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO comes to Music City for eight performances beginning Tuesday, April 8 and continuing through Sunday, April 13 at TPAC’s Jackson Hall as part of the current Broadway at TPAC Series. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.

Following the Music City dates,  KIMBERLY AKIMBO stops in Charlotte, Durham, Boston, Washington DC and more as the current National Tour continues through May of 2026. To keep up with all things KIMBERLY AKIMBO, checkout their Official Site and follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram, Youtube and TikTok.

Next up at TPAC, it’s yet another Tony-winner as MJ: THE MUSICAL, exploring the life and career of music mega-star Michael Jackson closes out the current season of Broadway at TPAC with shows April 29-May 11. CLICK HERE for tickets and more information and be sure and check back right here at JHPENTERTAINMENT.COM as I’ll soon be chatting with members of the cast of MJ prior to their Nashville debut.

You can also follow TPAC on socials: TPAC on Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire Q&A with ‘HADESTOWN’ stars Nickolaus Colón and Namisa Mdlalose Bizana; at TPAC March 7-9

by

HADESTOWN, often described as a Broadway folk opera, is singer/songwriter/playwright Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony and Grammy-winning musical retelling of Greek myths involving Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, Persephone, Hermes and The Fates. When I heard HADESTOWN would be playing a limited weekend run at TPAC’s Jackson Hall Friday, March 7 thru Sunday, March 9, I knew I had to chat with some of the company of the show’s current tour for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire Q&A.

To that end, what follows are my conversations with HADESTOWN’s Hades and Persephone, Nickolaus Colón and Namisa Mdlalose Bizana:

—————

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH HADESTOWN STARS NICKOLAUS COLÓN AND NAMISA MDLALOSE BIZANA; NATIONAL TOUR AT TPAC BEGINNING MARCH 7

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH NAMISA MDLALOSE BIZANA, PERSEPHONE IN HADESTOWN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For the uninitiated, what is HADESTOWN about?

NAMISA MDLALOSE BIZANA: It’s about two intertwined love stories between Orpheus and Eurydice, and the gods Hades and Persephone. When the story begins Hades and Persephone are misaligned in their relationship which has consequences for the mortal world. In this discord Orpheus and Eurydice fall in love and then are faced with having to make choices based on love or survival. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What can you tell me about Persephone?

NAMISA MDLALOSE BIZANA: She’s a complex character with many layers to her. At face value she’s fun and charismatic but she has so much more to her. She quite literally holds light and darkness within her and must wade through the complexity that comes with it. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: This tour of HADESTOWN began in October of last year. You’ve been with the company since. Are you still discovering nuances of the character?

NAMISA MDLALOSE BIZANA: Of course. We’re playing gods. And by nature, there are endless possibilities.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s your favorite aspect of tour life?

NAMISA MDLALOSE BIZANA: Getting to meet people from all over the US. Getting to talk to audiences and schools. And of course, the food! We’ve just come from Dallas and of course I had to try some Texan BBQ and it’s everything I thought it would be!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of touring…any plans to tour The Parthenon while HADESTOWN sets up shop in Nashville? After all, we are the Athens of the South!

NAMISA MDLALOSE BIZANA: It’s definitely on my list!

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH NICKOLAUS COLÓN, HADES IN HADESTOWN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How familiar were you with the story of Hades and Persephone prior to taking on the role of Hades of the current tour of HADESTOWN?

NICKOLAUS COLÓN: Besides what I’ve seen of Hades depicted in movies and shows I hadn’t really had the exposure to the proper myths. I wish I had sooner because they are incredible to read about.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In spite of connotations stirred simply by association of Hades and the underworld he rules, Hades, according to original mythos, is strong but rather passive and ultimately caring. What trait of Hades, as depicted in HADESTOWN, might you hope to mimic in your own life?

NICKOLAUS COLÓN: The greatest gift I’ve gotten from Hades has been a boost to my confidence. Confidence is power. To be able to hold myself to my full height when for so many years I’ve lowered myself to make others feel safe around me has been such a gift. I’ve always been confident in my abilities but ever since I put on the suit I’ve started to stand taller off the stage.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Hades, you not only rule the underworld, but you’re also betrothed to Namisa Mdlalose Bizana’s Persephone. What is your favorite thing about sharing the stage with her?

NICKOLAUS COLÓN: Namisa has been an absolute blessing of a scene partner. From the moment I met her and she asked if we could just take a breath together before our final callback, I knew she was my Persephone. Even on days when tour is hard, I can always count on her to be there with me on that stage and to make me laugh.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Do you have a favorite musical moment in the show, whether it be yours or one that you just enjoy witnessing as a member of the company night at night?

NICKOLAUS COLÓN: Favorite musical moment for me would be during His Kiss, the Riot before I speak. The band and Fates watch as I slowly make my way around the stage to grab my stool and all the while they are fueling all the rage, fear, doubt, indecision, conflict that I am going through in that moment. Music is a powerful tool for storytelling.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences come away remembering long after their visit to HADESTOWN?

NICKOLAUS COLÓN: I hope they leave and have a core memory of the time a room of 3000 people for 2 hours were able to put aside their differences and take the ride of truly investing in these two mythical love stories.

—————

The current tour of HADESTOWN plays TPAC’s Jackson Hall with five performances over the three day period of Friday, March 7 thru Sunday, March 9. Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 7:30pm with matinees Saturday at 2pm & Sunday at 1pm and a final Music City performance Sunday evening at 6:30pm. Ticket prices start at $48.30. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. 

Not in Nashville? Be sure and check out HADESTOWN on Tour’s Official Site for upcoming cities including Johnson City, TN, Omaha, NE, Oxford, AL, Pensacola, FL, The Villages, FL, Columbia , SC and more as the tour continues. 

Among the many entertainment options coming to TPAC following HADESTOWN, TPAC’s HCA Healthcare/TriStar Heath Broadway at TPAC in partnership with Nissan continues next with the return of MAMMA MIA, on stage at TPAC’s Jackson Hall March 18-23. CLICK HERE for tickets. 

You can also follow TPAC on socials: TPAC on Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with cast of ‘Waitress’; Opening Nashville Rep’s 40th season with shows at TPAC’s Polk Theatre thru Sunday, September 22

by

Following last weekend’s hugely successful opening, Nashville Repertory Theatre continues celebrating their 40th season opener as the sweet treat that is Waitress: The Musical resumes with its second and final week on stage at TPAC’s Polk Theatre with performances Thursday-Sunday, September 19-22. Based on the 2007 film of the same name, the stage musical, with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson, made its Broadway debut in 2016, garnering four Tony nominations during the show’s initial run.  As the 2024/2025 season opening at Nashville Rep, their presentation is directed by Lauren Shouse and features a cast lead by Sarah Aili, Annabelle Fox and Piper Jones. Last week, while the cast was readying for Opening Night, I had the chance to chat with these four talented individuals for my latest Rapid Fire 20Q interview feature. What follows are those conversations.

__________

Rapid Fire 20 Q with cast members and director of Nashville Rep’s Waitress: The Musical

Rapid Fire with Waitress star, Sarah Aili

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Jenna to you?

SARAH AILI: Jenna is life unfolding. Jenna is a dreamer and someone who doesn’t know that she’s allowed to believe in herself. Jenna is a remarkable woman and human who gets stuck in the folds of what her small town would call “normal”, or at least what the webs of her family patterns would call “normal” and she, through relationships and her own will to breathe in life, overcomes the weight of her circumstances. She is a raw, radiant and real woman. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Among you co-stars is Dustin Davis, who plays Jenna’s domineering husband, Earl. There are some volatile scenes between the two. How do you prepare for those moments and what helps you put those tense feelings aside afterwards? 

SARAH AILI: Wow, that’s a big question! Honestly, I’m so grateful for the rehearsal process—that’s where I find my truth in the emotions and circumstances of each scene. When it comes to high-stakes moments like the ones between Jenna and Earl, I like to draw from my own life experiences. I connect to something real that I’ve felt, something similar to the emotions in the scene, and allow myself to fully feel it. From there, I make decisions as an actor about what will best serve both my scene partner and the show. It’s a bit like choosing the right spices for a pie! To let it all go, to the best of my ability, I put my attention on what is in front of me and with this show, there is so much joy, on and off stage!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What is it about the character of Jenna, or the story of Waitress that you find relatable?

SARAH AILI: Jenna and I share a lot in common as women—we dream, we doubt, we love fiercely, we crave, we bake, we love our mamas, we have complex relationships, we face our fears, we rely on the important women around us, and above all, we are human. What resonates most with me about Jenna, and the show as a whole, is its genuine humanity. None of us are perfect, and all of us are deserving of the life we want to live, surrounded by the people we call family.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Just between us…pie or cake?

SARAH AILI: PIE!! With berries and a little vanilla bean ice cream please! Throw in pecans and I’m a happy camper! Although, if we are talking about Guava Cake, that’s truly IT for me. Guava Cake above all else! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A Soft Place to Land, which Jenna performs alongside Dawn and Becky, is among my personal favorites in the show. How much fun are you having with Annabelle Fox and Piper Jones, who play Dawn and Becky?

SARAH AILI: Piper Jones and Annabelle Fox are the icing on the cake for me in this show. I absolutely love sharing the stage with them, and we’ve had such a blast exploring these roles and relationships together. Offstage, it’s just as special. I genuinely look forward to spending time with these two amazing, talented people every day. Honestly, I feel that way about the entire cast!

Rapid Fire with Waitress co-star, Piper Jones

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s your favorite aspect of Becky, the character you play in Waitress?

PIPER JONES: I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Becky and finding the very human, relatable parts about her. She’s funny and real. She’s the friend who isn’t afraid to hold the mirror up to your face and call you in instead of out. I’ve loved playing against the “sassy” trope (don’t get me wrong, she’s still got the fire) and digging into her other layers. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In Act 2, you get your solo chance to truly shine with I Didn’t Plan It. Having known you for years, I cannot wait for this moment. Have you been given the opportunity to offer input collaborating with Sarah Michele Bailey, the show’s musical director?

PIPER JONES: Sarah Bailey (SMB) is truly fantastic. It’s been a joy working with her on this show! We’ve gotten to see many iterations of each other— her as MD, me as MD, being in a cast together, singing in the studio. It’s always a blast to create with Sarah. Jenna, Dawn, and Becky sing several trio numbers together and SMB has given me the opportunity to sort of act as a bit of a vocal captain with the girls. I appreciate the vote of confidence and I’ve enjoyed getting to pull some vocal nuances out of our trio. I’m excited about I Didn’t Plan It, too. It’s definitely an in-your-face way to start Act 2.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Within the context of the show, Jenna chooses Becky and Dawn to be godmothers to her daughter, Lulu (played by Rosemary ‘Roxy’ Delger. As an educator in your off-stage life, you’re used to working with kids, right? How has that aided you in your on-stage time with Roxy (and perhaps even some of your more childlike co-stars )?

PIPER JONES: I haven’t really had to wear my educator hat much during this process. You know, Roxy is already an old pro and my goodness she’s a cutie pie! Roxy is always on her mark (honestly, more than I am most of the time haha!).

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I saw on your Facebook that you, in another media moment promoting Waitress, cited your Mama’s Chess Pie as your all-time favorite. Heck, I think you and I might hold the record for most Chess Pie-related Facebook posts. So, a two-parter… 1) What is it about your Mama’s Chess Pie? AND…2) I think you might like my Mama’s Chess Pie, too, so when are we gonna trade recipes?

PIPER JONES: Ha! I do post about her Chess Pies a lot. It’s probably because she only makes the around the holidays, so it’s a special little treat that only comes around once a year. And honestly, I’m not even sure why I love her pies as much as I do. I know she’s particular about what brands of sugar (which must be a freshly opened bag), butter (you gotta buy the good stuff), and flour (which also must be freshly opened)…see what I did there? Anyway, I think her Chess Pie is the right balance of gooey sweetness, where you can kinda see that layer of sugar in the middle and the texture is always just right. Most of the time I can manage to sneak a piece right out of the oven (she hates that, though. They’re supposed to set up as they cool). But I mostly think I love them because of the nostalgia they hold. I bet your mama makes a great chess pie! And swapping recipes? You’d have to ask Dr. Jones if she’d part with hers 😉

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Oh, I see what you did there, and I italicized accordingly! Which leads perfectly to my final question for you…Waitess’ opening number, What’s Inside begins with the hypnotically repetitive mantra-like lyrics ‘Sugar, Butter, Flour’. In keeping with the recipe theme…what ‘ingredients’ make up What’s Inside you on your best days?

PIPER JONES: My best days are coffee, music, naps.

Rapid Fire with Waitress co-star, Annabelle Fox

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How familiar were you with Waitress prior to auditioning for the role of Dawn?

ANNABELLE FOX: I was lucky enough to see the original cast of Waitress on Broadway back in 2015! My friend impulsively bought us tickets and I didn’t know much about the show other than the fact that the music was written by Sara Bareilles. Sitting in the audience that evening, I realized then and there that Dawn would soon become a dream role of mine; one I would chase… until now. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How would you describe Dawn?

ANNABELLE FOX: Dawn is particular, organized, controlled, and incredibly sweet. She is a little awkward but I think that’s what makes her so lovable! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: About midway through Act 1, you’re tasked with performing When He Sees Me, arguably one of the show’s most memorable musical moments. I love that it ranges from comedic to heartfelt. What’s it like performing this song and have you found a personal connection to the lyrics?

ANNABELLE FOX: Performing When He Sees Me is SUCH a gift. It is such a well written song and takes Dawn along with the audience on a beautiful journey of self discovery and assuredness. I love getting to embody her quirks, spunk, and dance with my wonderful cast mates! I loved the song instantly when I saw the show on Broadway and have sung the song in many concerts and for numerous auditions. I’m so excited to get to share my version of the song with Nashville!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: On the subject personal connections, among your cast mates is your real-life husband, Douglas Waterbury-Tieman who plays Dawn’s latest suitor, Ogie. Of course this isn’t the first time the two of you have shared the stage, having first met while you both were attending Belmont. What’s your favorite aspect of being on stage together?

ANNABELLE FOX: Getting to perform with Douglas is always so fun. The last time we performed together was in his original musical Johnny & the Devil’s Box at the Cumberland County Playhouse in December 2022. Playing opposite each other in a show we have loved for many years is a dream. The biggest advantage is our comfortability with each other. Ogie and Dawn are such heightened silly personalities so it’s super fun just being goofy with my husband! He is so wonderful and SO FUNNY so it’s quite the challenge to not break character! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The show is choreographed by Joi Ware. How is Joi as a choreographer AND…What’s a typical choreo rehearsal been like?

ANNABELLE FOX: Joi is absolutely wonderful and the choreography in our production is so moving, story centric, and engaging. She has done such a wonderful job of bridging dance and transition and helping each moment flow seamlessly, backed by our incredible ensemble and leads. A typical choreo rehearsal looks like learning, Joi breaking down the choreography for us, workshopping the movement, figuring out spacing, running the choreography a few times, and then filming it to keep on file to go back to and review with. With such a quick rehearsal process this has been essential! The whole creative team has been so warm, supportive, and passionate during this process and I feel so grateful for the ways they have empowered our whole cast to rise up to tell the very best version of this story. Enjoy! 

Rapid Fire with Waitress director, Lauren Shouse

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How did you come to direct Waitress for Nashville Rep?

LAUREN SHOUSE: This is the third show with baked goods I have directed for the Rep after Superior Donuts and The Cake, so clearly I love sweet plays. This musical had been on my list for some time as I love a heart-centered story and I am a huge Sara Bareillis fan, so when Micah-Shane Brewer told me they were programming it, I jumped at the opportunity. I have been so lucky to be able to call Nashville Rep an artistic home over the years – this is my 10th production with the company as director.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What is it about the show that drew you to the project?

LAUREN SHOUSE: Besides being a fan of the music, I love to tell stories about women and transformation. This is a story about how we get unstuck and the resilience it takes to break a cycle and start a new life. There is a beautiful core of female friendship in this play and the way we need our fellow women to help us break free. While it is a musical comedy, I love the mess we see in this play and how authentic it feels to our real lives — when we feel stuck, we often make a bunch of hasty choices to shake things up. The characters in this play are no different and are driven by this core question of: what if I will never be more than what I have already become? I relate to that question at this point in my own life and I imagine many of our audience members will as well.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The publicity photos seem very straight-forward and could easily be direct from the Broadway production. How have you found balance as a director in presenting the basics of what fans of the show expect, while putting your (and your talented cast’s) own stamp on it?

LAUREN SHOUSE: As someone who teaches directing students to always find their own unique point of view on a production, it is especially challenging when there is a wonderful pro-shot of the Broadway production that many people have recently seen. But from the beginning of this process, we talked about keeping some of the iconic moments that fans expect, but really making it our own intimate story. One of the things we have tried to do is deepen the backstory of Jenna and her mother – I wanted to add her to the song Soft Place to Land to show the story of where Jenna got her dreams and that she can be a good mother because she had a good mom, but she will need the support of her chosen family in Becky and Dawn to keep her going. We also wanted to lean more into the struggle of the waitresses’ everyday routine at the top of show — the women find refuge in each other, but not necessarily the work and the patrons. That way we see a real change in the final number as they have had to fight to make change. And in collaboration with our amazing choreographer Joi Ware, we have really tried to put our own stamp on the movement of the ensemble throughout the play and in the specifics of the big production numbers. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: When I chatted with members of your cast, I touched on their thoughts on working with some of the behind the scenes folks including your musical director and choreographer, so I’ll continue with another vital piece of the pie (pun fully intended). What sort of discussions did you have with scenic designer, Gary Hoff concerning the set design and overall look of the show?

LAUREN SHOUSE: We wanted it to feel intimate and in a bigger space like the Polk that really meant pulling the action as close to the audience as possible. We talked about how much we loved the style of the original Adrienne Shelly movie and used that for inspiration of making it feel like we are looking inside a cherry pie… extending the metaphor that Jenna hides in her baking and part of her journey is breaking through the crust to make peace with what’s inside. We wanted the band to be on stage as an expression of her inner self (similar to the ensemble) and we wanted the structure of the diner to always be there as it is such a fixture in Jenna’s life and ultimately transforms at the end as she does.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I always like to end these conversations by asking a variation on the following…What do you hope audiences remember long after seeing Waitress at Nashville Rep?

LAUREN SHOUSE: That everything changes and we all have the power within ourselves to make that change. We all deserve a slice of that pie. 

__________

Nashville Repertory Theatre’s Waitress continues at TPAC’s Polk Theatre with performances Thursday-Sunday. Thursday-Saturday evenings at 7:30p.m. & Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2p.m. CLICK HERE for tickets or more info.

Following Waitress, Nashville Rep’s 40th Anniversary Season continues with Our Town onstage at TPAC’s Johnson Theatre October 25-November 3 CLICK HERE for tickets. In the meantime, check out Nashville Rep online and follow them on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter. Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire Q&A with Disney’s Frozen National Tour’s Olaf and Kristoff, Broadway stars Jeremy Davis and Nicholas Edwards; at TPAC May 7 thru May 18

by

Since the 2013 release of Disney’s Frozen, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and the rest of the residents of Arendelle have become an undeniable part of a world-wide pop culture phenomenon. The box-office-breaking original prompted a film sequel (with two more film entries coming). There’s been a televised holiday special, a line of character costumes, hundreds of toys, books and board games, video games, even a Frozen-themed Disney on Ice…heck, you name it and it probably exists in the Frozen universe. Fans just won’t Let it Go! Of all the Frozen tie-ins, Frozen: The Broadway Musical has proven just as beloved as the original film. Frozen debuted on Broadway in March 2018 and enjoyed a popular run until March 2020 due to the pandemic. Midway through the Broadway run, a North American National Tour and several international tours began. Following a brief hiatus in 2020, the US National Tour began again in September 2021. Earlier this year, the US tour celebrated its 1000th performance.

On May 7, For the First Time in Forever, Music City will get the chance to experience Frozen: The Broadway Musical when the National Tour descends on TPAC’s Jackson Hall for performances through May 18. For the latest installment of my recurring Rapid Fire interview feature, in advance of Frozen: The Broadway Musical’s Nashville tour stop, I recently had the chance to chat with two of the show’s stars, Jeremy Davis and Nicholas Edwards, who play Olaf and Kristoff, respectively, What follows are those conversations.

—————

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH DISNEY’s FROZEN NATIONAL TOUR’s JEREMY DAVIS and NICHOLAS EDWARDS

RAPID FIRE WITH FROZEN’s OLAF, JEREMY DAVIS

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A quick peek at your show bio reveals you’ve been part of Frozen since the show was workshopped prior to its Broadway debut. Then you were initially part of the Broadway ensemble and understudy for Olaf. When did you first take the stage as Olaf and what do you remember most about that night?

JEREMY DAVIS: I first went on about two months after we opened. It was planned, so there was a lot of rehearsal and build-up to it. For weeks, the whole company worked to help me get ready. When the day finally came, I was on stage doing my first scene, and I looked offstage to find the whole company packed in the wings watching me. It was so galvanizing to feel such immense support, and it made my debut a very special experience.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For those who’ve not seen the Broadway adaptation, rather than have you in a giant Olaf costume, Olaf is presented as a puppet with you dressed in winter wear controlling his movement and providing his voice. I understand you’d never worked with puppetry prior to taking on this role. What was your rehearsal period like prior to taking on the role?

JERMEY DAVIS: Since I started as an understudy, I had the advantage of watching and learning from Greg Hildreth, the original Olaf in the Broadway production. Greg is a true artist and comedian, and I was very lucky to be able to have him as a role model. And he was so good with the puppet! The first time I worked with Olaf in rehearsal, I couldn’t believe how hard it was. Greg made it look so easy, but I felt like I was trying to push a pile of rocks around. But like everything else, the more I did it, the easier it got. After a couple of weeks of practice, it started to feel like the puppet and I were dancing. Now, after all this time, we waltz around the stage like we were meant to be together.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Frozen wasn’t your first Broadway show… Heck, that count’s up to 10 Broadway shows if my research serves me right, 2005’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels marking your Broadway debut. What do you remember most about taking to the Broadway stage for the very first time?

JERMEY DAVIS: The thing I remember most from that night was the curtain call. I went out to take my bow, and as I looked out over the applauding audience, I was thrown back in time to my childhood bedroom where I was having a daydream that one day I would be a Broadway actor. I started crying as I took my bow for Scoundrels because I realized that a childhood dream had come true.

Jeremy Davis as Olaf (photo by Matthew Murphy/courtesy frozenthemusical.com)

JHPENTERTAINMENT: OK, I have to admit something. I’ve never seen Frozen, Frozen II, or even the made-for-tv holiday special, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure! I KNOW, I KNOW!!! But what can I say? I don’t have kids and my nieces were all grown with their own kids by the time the movies came out. That said, I’ve not been living under a rock, so of course I have soaked up some knowledge of the characters and basics of the storyline. All that to ask…what’s it like being part of such an iconic pop culture phenomenon?

JERMEY DAVIS: First of all, WATCH FROZEN! It’s a great film, and it’s not just for kids. I’m a full grown adult (allegedly), and I love it!

As for what it’s like to be a part of this amazing phenomenon, it’s awesome! Every night, I walk out on stage to a crowd that’s already in love with Olaf, and it’s an amazing feeling to be at the center of all that love. It makes the job so easy and fun!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: If you could incorporate one aspect of Olaf’s personality or ideology, what would it be?

JERMEY DAVIS: The thing I love most about Olaf is his perspective on the world. He sees everything that happens, every moment, as an opportunity for joy. He meets a new person, and they’re his best friend. He walks into a new place, and he sees it as a theme park. He falls to pieces, and he rolls all his parts on the ground in glee. After all this time playing Olaf, his outlook has started to become part of my real life perspective, and I can’t really put into words how much better it’s made my life to look at the world in that way.

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH FROZEN’s KRISTOFF, NICHOLAS EDWARDS

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I admitted when I chatted with your Frozen co-star, Jeremy Davis earlier that I’ve never seen any of the Frozen universe of movies, tv specials or short films. So, for the uninitiated, who is Kristoff and how much fun are you having playing him?

NICHOLAS EDWARDS: Kristoff is a local Arendellian ice harvester mountain man who alongside his best friend Sven (who happens to be a reindeer), gets swept up in this majestic quest to help princess Anna climb the North Mountain and save Arendelle from the eternal winter brought on by the ice queen Elsa! I am having the time of my life! I get to help save Arendelle 8x a week!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For the stage version, Kristoff’s role has been amped up a bit, including being featured in a few new musical numbers. Do you have a favorite musical moment in the show, whether it’s one you’re featured in, or one you just enjoy from the wings?

NICHOLAS EDWARDS: I mean Let it Go is truly one of the most magical theatrical moments in a musical ever, but I really love the two sister’s duet I Can’t Lose You. It’s a new song written for the tour and it really helps flesh out the relationship between the two sisters, and of course the song itself is just thrilling! The vocals are insane!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like Jeremy you also come to the tour after having appeared in the Broadway production. With a National Tour, you’re performing on a different stage each week. To that end, I’m curious how much rehearsal or run-though you all get in each city, or do you simply adapt to each venue as you go?

NICHOLAS EDWARDS: Each city we do a sound check and quick spacing rehearsal that lasts around 3 hours the day of the first show. Outside of that we do a few lift and fight calls as a check in throughout the week, but yes- we adapt and stay on our toes as learn the ins and outs of each venue. Safety first!

Nicholas Edwards as Kristoff @nickedwardsnyc Instagram

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Between your time with Frozen on Broadway and the current National Tour, you also appeared on Broadway in & Juliet as Lord Capulet and Sly. Have your found any similarities between these characters?

NICHOLAS EDWARDS: Definitely not! Lord Capulet is a powerful father figure who sentences his daughter to life in a nunnery- Kristoff would never do that!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I like to end my interviews by asking a variation of the following…What do you hope audiences come away remembering long after seeing Frozen?

NICHOLAS EDWARDS: A lot of families who come to see Disney shows are experiencing their first Broadway musical- I can only hope that this sparks something inside them to continue to want to come back and experience more of the magic that live theatre brings to audiences.

—————

Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical comes to TPAC’s Jackson Hall with the following performance schedule: Tuesday-Sunday, May 7-12 and Tuesday thru Saturday, May 14-18. Tuesday-Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30p.m. with Saturday matinee’s at 2p.m. and Sunday performances at 1p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $53 to $198. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets or for more information. Follow Frozen on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. Or check out their official Frozen On Tour Site.

Not in Nashville? Not to worry. As the tour continues, Frozen: The Broadway Musical is headed to Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, TX May 22-June 2, Austin, TX’s Bass Concert Hall at University of Texas at APAC June 5-16, Buell Theatre in Denver, CO June 19-July 3, Vancouver, BC’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre July 9-July 21, First Interstate Center for the Arts in Spokane, WA July 24-August 4, Boise, ID’s Morrison Center for the Performing Arts August 7-18 and San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose, CA August 21-September 1 with more dates expected to be added soon as the tour continues.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram and Facebook. In the meantime, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire Q&A with Rainey Trevino, Stefanie Londino, Charlotte Woertler and Christopher Swan from National Tour of ‘Annie’; Limited Engagement at TPAC March 27-30

by

March 27 is World Theatre Day and I can’t think of any better way to celebrate than chatting with members of the cast and crew of the current National Tour of Annie, one of theatre’s most beloved and enduring musicals. As the company readied for their March 27-30 Music City tour stop at TPAC‘s Jackson Hall, I recently had a chance to pose a few questions to members of the company including: Rainey Trevino, who stars as Annie, Stefanie Londino, the show’s deliciously villainous Miss Hannigan, Sandy’s handler, Charlotte Woertler and Christopher Swan, who plays Oliver Warbucks for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20Q.
—————

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH ANNIE NATIONAL TOUR CAST AND CREW

RAPID FIRE WITH ANNIE STAR, RAINEY TREVINO

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’ve been with the current tour since it began in the fall of 2023. How did you find out you would be playing the title role in Annie?

RAINEY TREVINO: The audition process was fairly long. I sent an audition tape in March 2023 and was called to an in-person callback in NYC in the middle of June. A couple of days later I was visiting family in Washington State and my manager called to tell me that I had booked the title role. That was the best moment of my life and I think I was in shock. This has been a dream of mine as long as I can remember. I had the summer off to get everything in order like switching to homeschooling, hanging out with and saying goodbye to friends and my younger sister, and I even had to get my braces removed after only having them on for four months. Then on Labor Day we started a month of rehearsals before hitting the road.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I love that the current National Tour of Annie is being directed by Jenn Thompson, who at age ten, appeared as Pepper in the original Broadway production of Annie. During rehearsals, did Jenn tell you and the other young actors anything about her experience with the show back then? AND…did she offer any advice on doing the work, but enjoying yourselves in the process?

RAINEY TREVINO: Jenn is such an amazing director and she has a unique perspective on the show having worked with Martin Charnin, lyricists and the original director of Annie! She shared a lot of insights and advice with the entire cast and a lot of the history of the show and history of the time period that Annie is set. She emphasized the significance of hard work and dedication while also encouraging us to have fun and find joy in the work.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of the original Broadway production, as your time with the tour began, you received a video message from Andrea McArdle, who originated the role of Annie on Broadway back in 1977, How cool was that?

RAINEY TREVINO: The message from Andrea McArdle had me star-struck. I have listened to her Broadway version of the Annie soundtrack a million times and it was crazy that she was talking to me! I still watch the video every week when we sit in a new city to get ready to play this iconic character.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Annie you share the stage with several other young actors who play Annie’s pals and fellow orphans. I’d imagine you’ve all become very close, celebrating birthdays on the road and exploring cities together when there’s an off-day. Are you enjoying getting to know your fellow young cast members?

RAINEY TREVINO: The other girls on this tour are my best friends and I can’t imagine what this tour would be like without them. We are like one big family. We do almost everything together. We are so close in age 10 and 11 and we are doing this unique thing of traveling the U.S. playing in over 50 cities for more than 200 performances this year, and being with other kids who have similar experiences makes this crazy life seem more normal, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Not only do you share the stage with several young actors, you also share several scenes with Seamus and Kevin, the two pups who alternate in the role of Sandy. I’d imagine they each have their own personalities. What’s your favorite thing about getting to work with the two of them.

RAINEY TREVINO: Working with the two dogs that play Sandy is a dream come true. I am an animal lover and have three dogs and so many other animals at home. Seamus and Kevin are the most professional actors on the stage and they do have very different personalities. You might even be able to see some of those differences on stage if you come to the show on different nights as they each have a slightly different take on their version of Sandy. I love that I get to rehearse their scenes when I first arrive at the theatre and get to cuddle and play with them. I have some moderately quick changes and hair fixes where I get to have bonding moments in the wings with them before heading back on stage. I really love this part of the job.

RAPID FIRE WITH ANNIE’s SANDY BY WAY OF TRAINER, CHARLOTTE WOERTLER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: First off, thanks, Charlotte for interpreting Seamus and Kevin’s answers. I understand this is your first national tour, after more than two decades of training animals for the stage. When did you first know this was the career for you and how did you yourself ‘train’ for this gig?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: I knew I wanted to be an animal trainer when I was about 8yrs old. I grew up in Los Angeles going to live tappings of tv shows and was enthralled by the incredible animals on I’d see on set. They always connect so strongly with the audience. To prepare for Annie I familiarized myself with the show both from an audience and backstage perspective so that I could begin breaking down the behaviors that would be necessary to deliver each scene. Next it was about acclimating both myself and our wonderful dogs to the sights and sounds of a live theater environment. 

 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Charlotte, what are some of the challenges working with Seamus and Kevin on tour as opposed to being on a movie or TV set or at one venue for a stage show?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: Tour is an exciting new challenge! Both Seamus and Kevin have been so adaptive and assured in navigating this new chapter. The biggest difference is how we’re able to communicate with the dogs as trainers. In a live theater setting you don’t want to see or hear the trainer cueing the dogs so we’ve had to be creative in developing new subtle ways to work with them. We also spend lots of quality time with the actresses who play Annie. This helps to foster a strong relationship between them and allows them to step into the role of “trainer” while onstage with the dogs. They make a great team!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Seamus is a Wheaten Terrier mix, while Kevin is a labradoodle. Aside from breed, what’s another distinct difference between these two dog stars?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: They each definitely have their own personality. Kevin is more of the class clown and loves to play ball while Seamus is the consummate professional and his favorite game is tug-o-war. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Are there particular scenes that Seamus and Kevin each seem to enjoy performing in more than others?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: They both really look forward to taking their bows. The whole cast has a great relationship with the dogs and they get so excited to run out on stage with all their friends. Waiting in the wings they’ll see Annie coming down the stairs for her bow and the dogs simply light up with excitement and can’t wait to get out there and soak it all in. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s your favorite aspect of life on tour with Annie?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: Meeting so many kind people and getting to experience so many new places has been an absolute treat. The dogs and I will go explore local sights and everyone always loves meeting Sandy.

RAPID FIRE WITH ANNIE’s MISS HANNIGAN, STEFANIE LONDINO

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You are back as Miss Hannigan after having toured with the show during its 2022 season. This time around you’ve got Rainey as Annie. How much fun are you having being back in the role and back on tour?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Yes, it’s my pleasure to be back with a whole new batch of chickens in the orphanage. I’m honored to step back into those snakeskin pumps for a second season of Annie!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Researching to chat with you, I discovered that in addition to your work in theatre, you’re also a personal trainer. While I’d imagine the show itself is quite the workout, do you try to work in a workout during your downtime?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Yes, definitely. Workouts are a regular part of staying healthy on the road— I’m so glad for my training and time as a CPT, for all it brought into my life and all I was able to share with my clients.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Vaudeville comedian W.C. Fields famously said ‘never work with children or animals’, yet here you are…I won’t ask the worst, but what’s the best part of working with the young actresses who play the orphans and the dogs who play Sandy?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Well I don’t know about Mr. Fields, but kids and dogs are some of the best coworkers I’ve ever had. They bring an incredible authenticity and an infectiously joyfulness to our tour family. I’m so grateful for the pups and my chickens every day!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I think it’s safe to say audiences have a love/hate relationship with Miss Hannigan. She’s just so terrible, but it’s terribly fun to watch her. Over the years, she’s been played on stage and screen by everyone from Dorothy Loudon, Nell Carter and Jane Lynch to Carol Burnett, Kathy Bates and Cameron Diaz. How are you putting your on spin on such an enjoyably wicked character?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Oh, she’s the best. It’s an honor to stand in this line of legends and give new life to such an iconic character. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to play her real, a human, not a caricature. Her struggle is real, her rage comes from that pain. And the comedy hits harder for that balance, the dark justifying the light. It’s been humbling to have the response be that she’s deeply relatable.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Among your adult co-stars are Christopher Swan as Oliver Warbucks, Julia Nicole Hunter as Grace Farrell, Jeffrey T. Kelly as Rooster Hannigan and Samantha Stevens as Lily St. Regis. Using one word for each, describe your co-stars. 

STEFANIE LONDINO: That’s an impossible distillation! All I can say is that I’m honored to share the stage and the road with them. I learn from them each every day. Tour life has made us family.

RAPID FIRE WITH CHRISTOPHER SWAN, OLIVER WARBUCKS IN ANNIE

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Just prior to chatting with you, I had the chance to pose a few questions to your Annie co-star, Stefanie Londino. Both you and Stefanie are on your second season of the Annie tour, so I’ll start by asking you a similar question to one I asked Stefanie. What is it about Warbucks that prompted you to come back for another National Tour? AND…how much fun are you having with Stefanie back as well?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: Simply…it’s a great job. Singing, dancing, acting…Warbucks has it all. And as you get older in this business, you don’t get as many opportunities to stretch ALL your skills in one role like that.  And a chance to spend this much time with a character is rare. Three months in and you suddenly have a new thought or a take on moment, and that would never happen on a three week regional contract. And having a lot of principles return has really strengthened the frame of the show; given us confidence that we know it so well that we can just be in the moment as real people. Steph and I have shared a wish that Warbucks and Hannigan had more stage time together. We pretty much have separate shows. But I enjoying hearing her performance every night as I’m getting ready in the dressing room. She brings such life to this show. Really embraces this role and the audience and they absolutely love her. Glad she’s back.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: On the subject of previous roles…I gotta ask…how was it sharing the stage with Nina West during the Hairspray 20th Anniversary Tour?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: A highlight of my touring life. Nina…Andrew Levitt in real life..is truly a magical being. I hadn’t followed Drag Race before Hairspray and was a little nervous about working opposite a popular drag queen in their first big touring role. How do you address them? Will they be demanding? But Andrew was the sweetest. Kind, humble and nervous.  He was so thrilled and honored to be playing Edna and nobody in the cast was more committed to working hard and doing their best than he was. He LOVED performing the show. We had so much fun together doing the love duet, You’re Timeless to Me; Andrew’s joy and energy leapt off the stage every night. Nina/Andrew are the real deal and I’m honored to call them a friend.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Annie debuted as a comic strip in 1924…What’s it like to think you’re part of an American institution that’s celebrating its 100th anniversary this year?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: Well, needless to say it’s an honor. The musical will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary next year and love for the show is as strong as ever. I can’t think of any musical from that era that has had this kind of staying power. But you feel it every night on the road. And I’m so happy that I’m part of it.  We met Annie’s composer Charles Strouse when he saw the show in New Haven, and that really brought it all home for me. The time, the talent, the history behind this show is immeasurable.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Obviously Warbucks has chanced a bit over the last 100 years. For one, I’ve noticed he’s no longer referred to as Daddy Warbucks, but rather, simply Warbucks. On a more personal note, are there aspects of your portrayal of Warbucks that have morphed or changed since you first stepped into the role?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: Well, he has to earn the title of “Daddy” Warbucks, as he does over the course of the show. But when we meet him he is Oliver Warbucks, dissatisfied multi-millionaire. His journey through the show is very moving for me. He would never have predicted what ends up happening to him or how it would make him feel. Annie has a strong sense of self from the very beginning, but Warbucks changes. He doesn’t really know who he is until he meets Annie. And working on this role hasn’t actually been a straight, steady line. It’s strangely cyclical. Some weeks he’s the gruff business man who fights against his own feelings and then there’s some weeks where I find he’s more eager to change but doesn’t know how. It’s probably only a subtle difference that may not be noticed by most, but for me it helps keep my performance fresh.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What theme, idea or sentiment seen within Annie do you hope audiences reflect on long after seeing the show?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: There’s so many wonderful elements to Annie. I would say, pick your favorite. Family, openness, optimism, perseverance, love. And cooperation. Whether it’s political cooperation in FDR and Warbucks working together, or Warbucks’ staff all pitching in to help Annie. Look for the helpers in Annie; they’re there.

—————

The National Tour of Annie begins its Nashville tour dates on Wednesday, March 27 with a 7:30p.m. curtain at TPAC’s Jackson Hall and continues with 7:30p.m. performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday. March 28-30. On Saturday, March 30, there’s also a 2p.m. matinee. Tickets for Annie at TPAC begin at $50.90. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

For more information on Annie, or to catch the show in another city during the tour, CLICK HERE. Upcoming tour stops include: Pensacola, FL, Orange, TX, New Orleans, LA, Sacramento, CA, Bozeman, MT, Casper, WY and more. You can also follow the tour on their official socials: Instagram, X and Facebook.

Following Annie, TPAC plays host to a full slate of entertainment for the whole family including Nashville Opera’s upcoming performance of The Magic Flute, Nashville Repertory Theatre’s The Color Purple and Nashville Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet. TPAC will also serve as the venue for a number of acts hitting Music City as part of Nashville Comedy Festival. April will also see TPAC hosting three Arts Adventure youth workshops: one featuring Moana (for ages 7-12), one featuring Beetlejuice (ages 13-17) and the third, an all ages (9-17) titled Let’s Dance, featuring choreography from shows in this season’s Broadway at TPAC series. Speaking of Broadway at TPAC, next up is Disney’s Frozen, taking to the stage at Jackson Hall May 7-18. For further details on these and more entertainment headed to TPAC, CLICK HERE or follow TPAC on Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire Q&A with Ballet Hispánico dancers Amanda del Valle and Chris Bloom; the company’s ‘Doña Perón’ on stage at TPAC’s Polk Theatre April 28-29

by

On Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, Tennessee Performing Arts Center will host Ballet Hispánico’s Doña Perón as part of TPAC’s inaugural International Dance Series. Based out of New York and founded in 1970, Ballet Hispánico is the largest Latinx/Latine/Hispanic culture organization in the US and widely recognized as a leader in bringing the message of cultural history and inclusivity through dance.

As the company prepares to bring Doña Perón, the story of iconic Argentine First Lady, Eva Perón to Nashville for the Music City debut at TPAC’s Polk Theatre, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to chat with two of the company’s lead dancers, Miami Native, Amanda del Valle, who’s dancing the titular role of Eva Perón and Virginia-born Chris Bloom, the ballet’s Juan Perón for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire Q&A.

——————————

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH DOÑA PERÓN’s AMANDA del VALLE AND CHRIS BLOOM

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH AMANDA DEL VALLE, EVITA in BALLET HISPÁNICO’s DOÑA PERÓN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I just have to begin by saying I’ve been a wee bit obsessed with all things Eva Perón since I was a kid and my favorite aunt took me to see the Broadway musical based on her life. Prior to taking one the role of Evita, how familiar were you with her story?

AMANDA DEL VALLE: I actually had not heard of Evita Perón until a few weeks before the choreographic process. I remember when we found out we would be performing a new work based on Eva’s life; I called my family to tell them and they informed me a little bit about who she was and what she was so famous for. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: From what I know, you first became interested in ballet at a very young age. What memories do you have of your time training with Marielena Mencia and Yanis Pikieris at Miami Youth Ballet?

AMANDA DEL VALLE: I was about 10 years old when I took my first ballet class, and it’s where all my dreams began.  My favorite memories are the ones where we would be in the studio rehearsing until 10 o’clock at night, sometimes later, because we were so focused and driven that we would lose track of time. Our moms would have to come upstairs to get us out of the studio. It was home and we never wanted to leave. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand this is your second season with Ballet Hispánico. How did you come to join the company?

AMANDA DEL VALLE: I was introduced to Ballet Hispánico through my mentor and role model Melissa Verdecía. I watched her dance with Ballet Hispánico and knew I wanted to be a part of an organization that allowed me to not only grow in my artistry but also allowed me to grow closer to my roots and culture with dance.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What can you tell me about working with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, the show’s choreographer?

AMANDA DEL VALLE: Working with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa was very exciting. I love how she caters to each dancer and what they are capable of, and pushes you to go further than what you think you are capable of. I have always admired her work and individuality as a choreographer and person. Also working with a female choreographer on a piece about a female icon is a very empowering experience.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of the creative team behind Doña Perón, costumer Mark Eric has created dozens of costumes for the show. Exactly how many costume changes do you have, and what are your favorite costumes among them?

AMANDA DEL VALLE: The role of Evita Perón consists of exactly seven costume changes that happen on and off stage, with a total of 6 costumes. It’s hard to pick a favorite costume because they are all so beautiful and show the many different parts of Evita but I would have to pick the last dress that she changes into on stage for her final duet before her death. I love how it combines the classy, business, and strong regal essence of Evita. 

 

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH CHRIS BLOOM, JUAN PERÓN in BALLET HISPÁNICO’s DOÑA PERÓN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As I mentioned when I chatted with Amanda earlier, I’ve been interested in Evia Perón story since I was a kid. In Ballet Hispánico’s Doña Perón you play Juan Perón. What can you tell me about the character and how you prepared to portray him in movement?

CHRIS BLOOM: This character is interesting because he is a mix of things. Annabelle wasn’t interested in telling fairy tales but the stories of actual people. Real people are flawed and complex and that makes rich ground for storytelling. Juan Perón was many things and not nearly all of them were good but I do believe he loved Eva genuinely. I try my best to play him like a real person. The real man had many political ideas in common with the fascist governments/leaders of the day but he cared about helping Argentina’s disadvantaged people. He came from wealth and was driven in his pursuit of power to the point of ordering the hostile takeover of his country’s newspapers and is known to have ordered the imprisonment of journalists and other people that opposed his agenda. Was Evita a conduit for gaining power? She was. Did he love that about her? I imagine he did. But I also imagine he loved her as a person as well. I try to play all of this each time I perform in Doña Perón. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: This year marks your tenth season Ballet Hispánico. What is it about this dance company that keeps you excited to perform?

CHRIS BLOOM: It is the stories we tell and how we tell them on stage that keeps me coming back year after year. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I asked Amanda about her early ballet interest. How old were you when you discovered ballet and began considering it as a career path?

CHRIS BLOOM: I was 15 years old when I took my first ballet class. I had always known it was a possible career as there was a great deal of art in my home growing up. I fell in love with the aspirational rigor of the art form and honestly never looked back. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Near the end of 2022, Doña Perón was presented at The Kennedy Center and just earlier this month, on Friday, April 14, PBS aired one of those performances as part of their series Next at the Kennedy Center. So a two-part question for you: What’s it like to dance at the famed performing arts venue and how do you feel about being part of a broadcast that will allow people who might not otherwise get the chance, to see such a spectacular piece?

CHRIS BLOOM: Performing at the Kennedy Center is always an incredible experience! I grew up about 60 miles due west of DC in Frederick Co, VA so I can remember seeing many dance companies there as a kid. Performing there is evidence of a dream fulfilled. The chance to reach a larger audience through the broadcast of our work on PBS is as exciting as it gets. There is nothing better than getting a text from a friend saying “Hey! I saw you on TV!”

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For those who do get the chance to see Ballet Hispánico’s Doña Perón, whether via the PBS special, or live as the tour continues, what do you hope audiences take from the experience?

CHRIS BLOOM: I hope that audiences take culture away from the experience of seeing the company in action. Latinx cultures are a multiplicity not a monolith and through our performances audiences get to see complexity and authenticity rather than stereotypes. My greatest hope as a performer is to leave audiences with a sense of curiosity and an appreciation of beauty. 

 ——————————

Ballet Hispánico’s Doña Perón can be see live onstage at TPAC’s Polk Theatre Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29 at 8p.m. each evening. Tickets rang in price from $45 to $95. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. To learn more about Doña Perón, Ballet Hispánico, del Valle, Bloom and the rest of the company’s dancers and creatives, CLICK HERE or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Vimeo.  Not in Nashville? CLICK HERE to see where Ballet Hispánico will be performing next.

Doña Perón marks the second in three productions visiting TPAC as part of their first-ever International Dance Series, MOMIX Alice being the first. In case you missed my chat with members of MOMIX dance company, CLICK HERE to check out those conversations.

Next up for TPAC’s International Dance Series is Scottish Ballet’s The Crucible, onstage at TPAC’s Jackson Hall May 19 and 20. CLICK HERE for more info. Be sure to check out TPAC online and on socials by clicking any of the following:  TPAC.org,  TPAC on Instagram,  TPAC on Facebook, TPAC on Twitter and TPAC on YouTube.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

RAPID FIRE 20 Q WITH DIRECTOR AND CAST OF PIEDMONT PLAYERS THEATRE’S ‘KINKY BOOTS’; on stage at Meroney Theatre in Salisbury, North Carolina April 21-May 7

by

While I typically feature productions originating from-or National Tours visiting-the area near JHPEntertainment’s home base of Nashville, Tennessee, for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20Q, I’m thrilled to venture a little further out to feature the Salisbury, North Carolina-based theatre company, Piedmont Players Theatre as they prepare for their April 21 Opening Night of the regional theatrical premier of Kinky Boots at the Meroney Theatre (213 S. Main St, Salisbury, NC). There’s a couple reasons I wanted to feature this particular company and this show. One, I absolutely love Kinky Boots, and Two, it’s being directed by PPT’s Executive Director, Bradley Moore, who just so happens to be one of my favorite humans! What follows are my conversations with Bradley, as well as Kinky Boots’ cast members Nick Culp, Michael Fargas and Taylor Kroop, who play Charlie, Lola and Lauren, respectively.

——————————

RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH DIRECTOR AND CAST OF PIEDMONT PLAYERS THEATRE’s KINKY BOOTS

RAPID FIRE WITH KINKY BOOTS DIRECTOR BRADLEY MOORE

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As I’m sure you know, Kinky Boots is based on a true story. In fact, years before it was a Broadway sensation, it was a non-musical film. I myself saw the movie back in 2006. When were you first aware of the Kinky Boots story? AND…What was it about the show that piqued your interest as a director?

BRADLEY MOORE: Man, you were on top of it! I actually never saw the film when it was first released, but was very aware of the musical from its inception. I mean, Harvey Fierstein, Cyndi Lauper, and Jerry Mitchell?!? That combination is going to make any Broadway baby’s ears perk up. I was also very aware of Stark Sands (Charlie in the Broadway debut) because of his previous involvement with the Broadway production of American Idiot. I was living in Nashville when the first Broadway tour came through in 2015, which is when I saw Kinky Boots for the very first time. It was an instant love affair. Between the killer music, the positive messaging, and the choreography – it was all just incredible. It immediately went on my “MUST DIRECT ONE DAY” list. I am very happy that we have reached that day. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In the time since the show was chosen to be included in your current season, the subject of drag has become quite controversial, especially in your former home state of Tennessee. I’d imagine that’s been on your mind from time to time as you’ve rehearsed your cast?

BRADLEY MOORE: Absolutely. At one of our first rehearsals, we all sat around and dissected the show – discussing characters and connections and themes. The collective “us” already believed that this show was more important than ever, but even more so because of the current political and hate-fueled climate. In fact, that rehearsal was just days after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the bill that would restrict drag performances all over the state. I even remember saying – “I am not sure this show could be performed in Nashville right now.” Of course now, a month or so later, we know a little differently and thankfully Judge Thomas Parker has put a delay on the bill going into effect. However, artistic expression is under fire, in many ways. Kinky Boots IS more important than ever. It’s a show that boasts the message – JUST BE; that can be hard to do when some people feel they need to get in the way of the First Amendment. Artists need to unite now, more than ever, to secure their freedoms. And we are much stronger together.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Since the 2013 Broadway debut of the musical adaptation, Lola’s boots have becoming an instantly recognizable bit of musical theatre iconography. Who’s your costumer and what can you tell me about Lola’s looks and the infamous thigh-high footwear that’ll be seen in production?

BRADLEY MOORE: Our costumer Colleen Smiley is just fantastic. She and I have worked in conjunction to secure all the boots for the show from a large variety of sources. From purchasing a few to utilizing our theatre friends whose theatres have performed the show recently, we have used our resources very wisely. A big shout-out to Heather Levinson and Theatre Alliance in Winston-Salem, who have allowed us to borrow an array of footwear from their production from last summer. Several cast members have also contributed by purchasing their own boots. I never thought I would say “it takes a village” about boots, but it did take a whole big village to make it happen. And honestly, they are all pretty fabulous. It is definitely Bootapalooza.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s been the most challenging aspect of bringing Kinky Boots to life on stage with Piedmont Players?

BRADLEY MOORE: I think there is always a level of pressure when you get to do something first. As far as the Charlotte area goes, this is the first fully-staged production of Kinky Boots that the local community will have the opportunity to see. I actually don’t mind that pressure. I love being the first to do things. It is also a show filled with a million logistics, which has been interesting to navigate. Thankfully, I have an incredible crew around me that are helping to make all the magic happen. To me, as with any show, we have to make sure that we are all honest storytellers who embrace the heart of the story. As long as we are doing that, I believe audiences will really love what we are putting on that stage. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I’m about to chat with members of your cast. What’s been the biggest/best surprise about working with this particular cast and crew?

BRADLEY MOORE: This cast has not only wildly embraced the material, but also each other. With so many elements of drag and acceptance within the show, it has been wonderful to see how much love and support is present at every rehearsal. We are an honest-to-goodness Kinky family. It is a smaller cast than would usually be needed to bring Kinky Boots alive. We have 16 cast members, whereas the show usually requires anywhere from 22 to 28. Therefore, everyone has had to work a little harder to bring it all together, and they are WERKING.

Nick Culp, who plays Charlie, is a freak of nature. One of the most talented humans I have ever worked with. This is our 6th show together and I hope we have many more in our future. Michael Fargas, who plays Lola, is making his Piedmont Players debut. When he walked through the door at auditions, I knew he had many special gifts that only in a role such as Lola could be fully appreciated. Taylor Kroop and Caroline Forrester, as Lauren and Nicola, respectively, are powerhouse vocalists with an attack and energy that is unmatched by most. The rest of the cast – Kristina Blake, Dakotah Chelgren, Austin Dantzler, Jonathan Lodgek, Keilen McNeil, Aidan Melton, Johnathon Stribling, Kristin Swilley, Dale Waters, and Wendy Weant have all settled into their roles beautifully. There are truly 16 superb performances in this production And if you come for nothing else, Thierry Agnant, as Young Lola, and Asher Pethel, as Young Charlie, are pure theatrical excellence. And I would be nothing without the brilliance of our choreographer, David T. Loudermilk, and our Music Director, John Stafford. They have been my rocks throughout this entire journey. I am just beyond grateful for all the humans involved with this production, including Colleen Welday and Tara Melton who make some surprise appearances throughout the show. 

RAPID FIRE WITH KINKY BOOTS’ CHARLIE, NICK CULP

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Area theater patrons will no doubt recognize you from multiple shows with PPT. What can you tell me about Kinky Boots’ Charlie and what drew you to this role?

NICK CULP: The script’s character breakdown describes Charlie better than I ever could: he’s “a bit confused, a bit unfocused, a hero hiding under a victim’s mantle.” When we first meet Charlie, he’s pretty aimless and doesn’t know what he wants out of life – the only thing he knows for certain is that he doesn’t want to run a shoe factory the rest of his life, like his father. But after some plot twists and turns, Charlie finally finds his purpose in the last place he ever thought he’d find it – that factory, his home, the very place from which he’d been trying to escape. Not only that, he finds his passion thanks to the help of a very unlikely source: a drag queen in need of some heels that won’t break! It’s that classic Odd Couple relationship that just works so well in any comedy. 

I was drawn to the role because I see a lot of myself in Charlie. His father dies in the first ten minutes of the play; my dad passed away unexpectedly about 4 months ago. So art is quite literally imitating life at the moment. I used to think that the show’s central themes were love and acceptance. And while that’s still true, I’ve found that what resonates with me the most after losing my dad are the themes of grief and finding joy, healing and purpose through loss. Both of the central characters have lost their fathers in different ways, yet they both deal with this balancing act of honoring the life their fathers built for them while forging their own path. That common ground is really the foundation of their friendship, as well as the catalyst for Charlie’s journey to a more purposeful life. To put a finer point on it, I was drawn to the role because when Charlie heals, I get to heal a little bit too. This experience has been very cathartic.      

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Earlier, I spoke with the show’s Director, Bradley Moore. I’ve known Bradley for years, from his time in Nashville. How is Bradley as a director and in particular, what’s been the best aspect of having Bradley direct you in Kinky Boots?

NICK CULP: Bradley has been with PPT for a little over a year now and in that time, I think I’ve been involved in all but two productions that he has directed. So I like to think I’ve got a pretty good understanding of how he works and vice versa. As an actor himself, he knows how to give his actors the space and freedom to make their own choices without micromanaging, which I’ve always appreciated. He also cares about how you’re doing in regards to the show. I can recall moments in every production we’ve worked on together where he pulls me aside to ask how I’m feeling about everything and to check if there’s anything I need. He wants everyone to succeed and do their best. The best aspect of having him direct me in Kinky Boots, aside from everything I’ve already mentioned, is that this show feels personal for him. He’s put a lot of heart into this particular production and treated it with the care it deserves. This story is more important now than ever and so I think that’s a responsibility he takes seriously.    

JHPENTERTAINMENT: With words and music by legendary 80s Pop Goddess, Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots’ soundtrack is filled with such great music. Among my favorites…and not just because I’m talking to you…is Charlie’s Step One. Are there certain musical moments in the show, whether yours or someone else’s that just ‘get you’ every time?

NICK CULP: There really is some fantastic music in this show and I agree – Step One is definitely a bop! So two songs come to mind that “get me” every time. The first is singing Soul of a Man. It’s the lowest point for Charlie: that overwhelming feeling of not being enough; the culmination of all of this frustration, stress and unexpressed grief. I’ve been there. Like, recently. So it feels good to release those feelings every night when I sing it. If I look emotionally drained afterward, it’s because I am! The second song that comes to mind is Not My Father’s Son. It’s impossible to listen to Michael Fargas (our Lola) sing that song and not feel something. So the fact that I get to have a front row seat to it every night has been very special and my tears are real every night. I’m so proud of what he’s done with that song and getting to join him for a little duet at the end of it is the cherry on the top. Bring tissues.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For those unfamiliar with the show, it takes place in Northampton in the East Midlands region of England. To that end, the majority, if not all the characters speak with an English accent. Did the cast have a dialect coach working with you all to fine-tune your accents?

NICK CULP: Yes, Bradley had a contact that he made available to us for dialect coaching and I believe some cast members worked with them. I have actually been using an English accent off and on for the better part of a year with other shows I’ve worked on so it wasn’t much different than what I’ve already been doing. But this dialect is definitely less proper than the received pronunciation I’ve been using. More Beatles and less Royal Family. I think the most challenging part for me was finding my own voice within the accent, finding the cadence and inflection that worked for my Charlie. What helped me the most was memorizing my lines as soon as possible, so I spent the first couple of weeks doing that, speaking the lines slowly out-loud and figuring out the placement of my mouth to shape those words. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Another vital aspect of this show is the choreography. I understand David Loudermilk is choreographing Kinky Boots. For those unfamiliar with the behind-the-scenes of theatre, what’s an average rehearsal like, compared to choreo rehearsal?

NICK CULP: Well, at an average rehearsal, I don’t sweat. At a David Loudermilk choreo rehearsal, I do sweat. In all seriousness, a choreo rehearsal is focused on learning the dance for any given song. In an average rehearsal, we learn the blocking of a scene – where we stand onstage, where we cross and when, etc. We also learn the music – the correct notes, rhythms, etc. So when we get to choreography rehearsals, we are using the things we’ve learned from blocking/music and adding dance into the mix. We learn it in pieces and/or there are some songs that feature smaller groups of the cast, so we each learn our own part and then combine it all together to get the final look of the dance. In a nutshell, choreography rehearsal is really a matter of becoming a moving puzzle piece. We have numbers that run along the edge of the stage so we can glance down and know where we’re standing. It’s important to be standing on the correct number so you aren’t out of place with the overall formation that David has created. David’s choreography is high energy and all about telling a story. 

RAPID FIRE WITH KINKY BOOTS’ SIMON/LOLA, MICHAEL FARGAS

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand Kinky Boots marks your PPT debut. I guess if you’re gonna make an entrance into the Salisbury Theatre community, THIS is THE role to do it, right?

MICHAEL FARGAS: Absolutely! I feel like this role, it’s such a powerhouse role and it’s the best way to make an entrance back into the world of theater. Especially given our current climate and the issues that have arisen. It’s a statement being made for sure.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While this marks your PPT debut, you’re definitely no stranger to performing arts having done community theatre, worked at theme parks and as a performer with Carnival Cruises. What’s your favorite part of doing community theatre?

MICHAEL FARGAS: Yes, I’m no stranger in the performing arts world, but community theater brings a new element that is sometimes forgotten and that is EDUCATION. My favorite part has been the educational standpoint;. Being able to meet other people that are new to the arts, and come together and deliver a message of acceptance, authenticity and love has been amazing. That’s including providing some sort of education to the audience and the actors themselves. Compared to a lot of traditional other source of entertainment, community theater allows you to push the boundaries of perception and ideas in a local level.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I admit it, I did a little social media stalk in preparation of chatting with you. To that end, what can you tell me about Summer Camp with the Peanuts Gang during your time at Valleyfair Amusement Park? (I can’t help it, I’m a Snoopy nerd from way back)

MICHAEL FARGAS: It always tickles me because I get asked about this frequently. There is definitely a childlike excitement when it comes to being able to stand on stage with Some of your friends that you have watched since you were a kid. From watching Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving as a kid, to spending the summer with the Peanuts and bringing the same happiness to other children is an irreplaceable feeling. Memories that I will carry forever.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Your promo photo as Lola is just flawless. So much so, I suspected this might not be your first time in drag. Further Insta stalking/research proved my suspicions correct. Who is Sassi and how much of her can we see in Lola?

MICHAEL FARGAS: You’ve done some really great research. This is not my first time in drag but it is my first time combining something that I love such as theater and drag in one setting, which was hard to do based on being a queer Afro Latino male in the world of performing arts. Sassi is an Afro Latina Theatre queen who loves attention but also authentically lives her life unapologetically and she encourages others to do so. Lola and Sassi have so much in common. They both find happiness in bringing joy to other people laugh and bravery. Lola is as much Sassi as I am to Simon (Lola’s male presenting persona). Many of the experiences that Lola/Simon face, I relate to in my own life. Obviously not the same exact storyline but similar lessons, such as parent expectation and living authentically and in peace.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: RuPaul famously says, “We’re all born naked and the rest is drag”. Do you agree? AND what’s a quote you, yourself reflect on from time to time?

MICHAEL FARGAS: I agree and disagree. In this world we are raised to fit into the societal norms. Though some people conform, others venture outside that realm. Drag is an art form that allows you to express certain areas of yourself that you normally wouldn’t get to in an everyday routine, and can teach you so much about who you are. It allows you to step in someone else’s shoes and understand and admire what it is to be a queen or king in our world. But the goal is to apply what you learn in drag and implement it outside of your drag persona to live authentically. Sassi will always be part of me and I’m grateful for her, but she allowed me to learn to love who Michael is, no matter his past. And I don’t want to be anyone else but me, without “the glitter, the feathers and the hot glue gun…” (a line from the show). I think my favorite quote that I go back to is what my mom said to me one time and that was, “Be the best you that you can be and do it to your full capacity”.

RAPID FIRE WITH KINNKY BOOTS’ LAUREN, TAYLOR KROOP

JHPENTERTAINMENT: This is your second show with PPT, having been a member of the ensemble of their production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder in the fall. In that production you played a myriad of supporting characters throughout the show, now you’re playing Lauren, a factory worker who develops a close relationship with Nick Culp’s Charlie. How is Nick as a scene partner? 

TAYLOR KROOP: Nick is an awesome scene partner. We actually go way back to when we performed Little Women together back in 2018. He was Laurie and I was Jo so we already had some established chemistry. It’s so fun to be back on the stage with him and getting to just play!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who walks better in heels, you or Michael?

TAYLOR KROOP: As much as I would love to say me, it’s probably Michael! Haha 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Much of the action of Kinky Boots takes place at the factory. I understand your director, Bradley and Jennifer O’Kelly designed the set for PPT’s production. What’s your favorite aspect of it?

TAYLOR KROOP: Yes, Bradley Moore and Jennifer O’Kelly designed the set! My favorite aspect of the set is all the visible staircases and the exposed brick at the back of the stage. I think it really adds to the factory aesthetic. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Lauren, your big musical number is The History of Wrong Guys. So spill it…Do you have a history of wrong dates, too?

TAYLOR KROOP: To be honest, my history of wrong guys is a pretty short story because I’m getting married in 2 months…to my college sweetheart! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I often like to end my chats with the same basic question, and since you’re the last of your costars I’m chatting with, this time, it falls to you…What do you hope audiences come away remembering after having seen Kinky Boots?

TAYLOR KROOP: I hope the audience walks away seeing that people who do drag or people who are involved in the arts are just people trying to make it like the rest of us. It’s a form expression that gives them joy. I hope everyone can see the humanity in what we do and through our acting, especially in todays political climate. To quote our finale song, “Just be who you wanna be

Never let ’em tell you who you ought to be. Just be with dignity. Celebrate yourself triumphantly. You’ll see…Just be.” 

——————————

Piedmont Players Theatre’s Kinky Boots opens Friday, April 21 and runs through Sunday, May 7 at the Meroney Theatre with a 7:30p.m. showtime Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday Matinees at 2:30p.m. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. Check out Piedmont Players Theatre online and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram and Facebook.  Then #GoSeeTheShow!