Kip's Korner

  Our fearless leader always has his finger on the pulse of all things Broadway and Touring, so he recently took a long weekend to hit Nashville and then NYC, seeing four Broadway musicals in four days. Of course, I’m talking about BTL’s Executive Director, Andrew Willmon. Upon his return I needed details on “Hellooooo Poppets”, disco pop on the dance floor, an old iconic DeLorean, and some good ‘ol backwards story-telling!   Show #1 : MRS. DOUBTFIRE Synopsis : Mrs. Doubtfire is based on the 1993 hit movie of the same name, starring Robin Williams. Daniel Hillard, a struggling, out-of-work actor, will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, Daniel creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. A hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds , Mrs. Doubtfire is the musical comedy we need right now – one that proves we’re better together. A...

  Happy Feel-Good Friday y’all! I’ve decided to send out a blog post every Friday about the things that made me feel good this week. No big explanation. Just a list of things that brought a smile to my face. Here’s my top five that had me smiling this week (in no particular order): ·      Michael Scott will make his Broadway debut! Well almost… Steve Carell will make his Broadway debut as Uncle Vanya in Lincoln Center’s production of Uncle Vanya . Fingers crossed that Dwight will be cast as Astrov. And if you’ve never watched “The Office” I sincerely apologize for this very confusing shout out. ·      Merrily We Roll Along will be releasing a Broadway Revival Cast Recording available to stream in January. My favorite Sondheim show ever and this current production is the toast of the town! I was so sad because when I left NYC in August to move back to Huntsville, they hadn’t started previews yet. But now I can at least listen to it soon. Silver linings…...

  “BEETLEJUICE is a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O”, which is why I’m talking with Birmingham’s Lexie Dorsett Sharp who’s touring the Netherworld with husband Jesse   If Beetlejuice is a musical about family, then Lexie Dorsett Sharp and her husband Jesse Sharp are definitely the two leads in this touring production! It’s difficult enough for someone to book a National Tour like Beetlejuice but to also book it with your hubby is extra EXTRA special. Although it seems like destiny for Lexie and Jesse who met a decade ago touring together in another dark musical comedy, The Addams Family. So, let’s all raise a glass to Birmingham, Alabama’s very own Lexie Dorsett Sharp and her husband Jesse Sharp! Or should I say to Barbara and Adam Maitland? Or Morticia and Gomez Addams? Well you get the point… Now let’s chat with Lexi. How long have you been with Beetlejuice and how has your experience been with it so far? I have been ...

  Happy Feel-Good Friday y’all! I’ve decided to send out a blog post every Friday about the things that made me feel good that week. No big explanation. Just a list of things that brought a smile to my face. Here’s my top five that had me smiling this week (in no particular order): Mean Girls the Movie Musical trailer dropped this week, and I can’t wait to see it in January!! à https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=fFtdbEgnUOk Boy George will be going into Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway early next year. “Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma Chameleon!!!” The SAG-AFTRA strike is over after four months! Awesome because I’m so ready for the new seasons of The White Lotus, Yellowjackets and finally after 36 years, BEETLEJUICE 2.  Barbra Streisand’s long-awaited memoir, My Name Is Barbra, was released this week. Personally, I can’t wait to listen to the audiobook version (which is 48 hours) narrated by Barbra herself. “Hello, Gorgeous!” Sutton Foster posted on her Instagram S...

  Five Standing Ovations, A Rooftop Soirée, Bagpipe-Playing & Cod-Kissing… That’s a wrap for “Come From Away”   Every season at Broadway Theatre League there always seems to be that show that becomes affectionately known as our sleeper hit. Come From Away certainly fits the bill as this hidden gem. This show gave you all the feels. In fact, what comes to my mind is “I laughed, I Cried! It Was Better than Cats!” The mood was perfectly set by Firefighters Erick De La Pena and Clint Adams from Huntsville Fire and Rescue, who played 9/11 Memorial Bagpipes for our patrons as they entered the Concert Hall to see CFA . Only 343 of the pipes will be made to honor the 343 fallen firefighters on September 11, 2001. Huntsville Fire and Rescue has bagpipes numbers 11, 12 and 13. "And the crowd goes wild!" And they did too. After each of the five performances of CFA the audience leapt to their feet with a standing ovation. The show is constructed so that there are only three a...

  Beetlejuice’s Michelle Aravena discusses driving Lamborghinis & sipping super-dry martinis as Miss Argentina on Broadway   We all know that old saying “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”, right? Well in this case it applies because I needed to interview someone from Beetlejuice for Kip’s Korner… So, I called one of my nearest and dearest, Michelle Aravena, who just so happened to play Miss Argentina in the Broadway company. Michelle is literally my definition of a “triple threat” because she can equally sing, dance and act and as a result she never stops working. Some of my favorite roles she has played to great acclaim are Anita in West Side Story , Fantine in Les Misérables , and Cassie in A Chorus Line. And it’s quite possible she and I played star-crossed lovers Satine and Christian from Moulin Rouge and sang the “Elephant Love Medley” at a Broadway Benefit Concert in Detroit. But enough about that. Let’s talk about Beetlejuice! ...