Tony Award Winner CADY HUFFMAN WITH THE ARTISTIC STAFF OF THE FESTIVAL THEATRE
(MOSS HART MEMORIAL AWARD-LES MIZ)
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TBTS taps into patriotism with
GEORGE M!
Two Saturdays ago, while most Rhode Islanders were seeking comfort from the season's first heat wave, two dozen or so hardy-and sweaty-souls assembled in an old, non-air conditioned building in Wakefield. This steamy structure acually belongs to Theatre-by-the-Sea (TBTS) and serves as their off-site rehearsal space. As for the sweat soaked individuals, they represent most of the cast, primarily tap-dancers, for TBTS's upcoming production of George M!
And though several fans were spread about a large room with open windows everywhere, nothing alleviated the oppressive heat. But, other than some sweaty T-shirts, this seemed to have no ill effect on the dancers. In fact, with less than a week of rehearsals under their feet, I was impressed with how much they had accomplished-Several of the large numbers in Act I were already completed. I was equally impressed by the quality of the dance and the abundance of energy put forth by these hoofers on such a sultry afternoon.
"We're almost there, but not quite...my lovelies," acknowledges Susko at one point before quickly, and quietly, turning to the dance captain, "good, good, good. That's a number!"
I recall the first time I met Susko-He choreographed New Bedford Festival Theatre's production of 42nd Street last summer-and I remember him telling me he simply treats dancers the way he would want to be treated if he was one of them, which he has been on hundreds of occasions.
Yet, upon recently turning 40, he relates how he now feels it is time to enter the next stage of his career: directing and choreographing. And while the youthful looking choreographer begins to make the transition in earnest, one watches with awe as he demonstrates a series of dance steps...
(an excerpt from Mark Morin's Motif Magazine article--June 18, 2008)
Cider Mill's '8-Track' embraces the varied music of the 1970s
(click)
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THE PRODUCERS
AND THE PRODUCER
Tom Gleadow (Max Bialystock) with Producer Armand Marchand
NEW BEDFORD THROWS A FESTIVAL WITH '42ND STREET'
MOTIF MAGAZINE ARTICLE (click)
