Latest news with #Newsies
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thayne Jasperson still performing in Hamilton after 10 years as only original cast member
Broadway's Hamilton turned 10, and Thayne Jasperson is the only original cast member still performing in the show. Thayne Jasperson, now 45 years old, says he was never the type to stay in one show for long — he was 'the year guy.' He worked in Newsies, Matilda, Finding Neverland, and the West Side Story tour, usually for about a year each. Everything changed when he joined early workshops for a new Off-Broadway show about Alexander Hamilton, which would later become the hit musical Hamilton. Jasperson plays Bishop Samuel Seabury, a loyalist character who performs the comedic song Farmer Refuted. He says he knew from the start that Hamilton would be something special and that he had to be a part of it, as per the report People. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Why Thayne Jasperson never left Hamilton At first, he thought he would leave after a year, but kept staying because of big events — first the Tony Awards, then the Grammy Awards, then the Disney+ filming, and then the fans. He says, 'I just couldn't leave.' Jasperson joked that he told Lin-Manuel Miranda, 'You wrote too good of a show… I can't leave.' ALSO READ: Republican senator Marsha Brown just announced her bid for governor — who is she? Miranda calls him 'the ghost of the Richard Rodgers' Theatre, where Hamilton is performed. Jasperson says some of his favorite memories happened in the theater — like singing on the stairs with Eliza actress Phillipa Soo for fun. He remembers a group of them — including himself, Okieriete Onaodowan (James Madison), and others — riding longboards and skateboarding through downtown during breaks, as per the report by People. Live Events Hamilton's success and what it taught him He says there were 'a million amazing memories' from the early days of Hamilton. But not all changes were easy. The first difficult moment for him came when Hamilton became a worldwide phenomenon. He loved the early days, when it was just one cast, no videos online, and no one outside knew the words. As more casts across the country joined and the show grew bigger, it felt different to him. Still, he says the growth is beautiful, because the story is relatable and powerful. Jasperson believes Hamilton remains strong even after 10 years because of its universal themes and emotional truth, as stated by People's report. He says the show makes people feel proud of how the U.S. separated from the UK and built its identity. The connection audiences feel to that story keeps them coming back to the theater. Jasperson also shares a personal story about moving to New York with a one-way ticket, putting his suitcase down in Times Square, and feeling deep inside that he had found his place. ALSO READ: No tariff trouble here! Shopify stock jumps 20% on blowout quarter and bullish outlook He says that moment told him, 'This is where you're meant to be.' He believes Hamilton taught him the value of self-belief and hope. 'Hope in yourself is important,' he says. When asked what's next, he says the future is open and he likes it that way — he wants to stay spontaneous, as per the reports. He jokes, 'You're gonna be wheeling me out in a wheelchair. I'm gonna be 82, and they'll be like, 'Get off the stage!'' Right now, he wants to keep doing what feels right and follow his mission in life, whatever it may be. He ends by saying, 'This is where I'm meant to be.' Tickets for Hamilton are still on sale at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre, as mentioned in the report by People. FAQs Q1. Who is the only original Hamilton cast member still performing? Thayne Jasperson is the only original cast member still performing in Hamilton after 10 years. Q2. Why did Thayne Jasperson stay in Hamilton for so long? He stayed because of major events like the Tonys, Grammys, Disney+ filming, and his deep love for the show.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
School 'proud' after students perform at Disneyland Paris
A school in Brampton has said that it is 'proud' after its students performed at Disneyland Paris. Performing arts students from William Howard School performed at the world-renowned Disney theme park on Tuesday, July 8. This was the culmination of months of hard work, with the students initially starting to rehearse their Disney-themed performance in September 2024 and taking part in a 24-hour dance challenge in April to the raise funds to make the trip possible. (Image: Supplied) The trip also saw the students enjoy a workshop which was delivered by a specialist Disney vocal coach. Michelle Serrechia is the head of drama, dance, and performing arts at William Howard School and expressed her pride in seeing the student's hard work pay off in Paris. (Image: Supplied) She said: "Our students along with myself, Miss Inglesfield and Mrs Cooper travelled to Disneyland on Sunday in preparation for our performance on Tuesday afternoon at the Videopolis Theatre in The Disneyland Park. "Our performance was a 20 minute production of Disney's Newsies including songs such as 'Carrying the Banner' and 'Seize the Day'. "Students have been rehearsing since September in preparation for this performance. (Image: Supplied) "On the Tuesday, students had a workshop with a Disney vocal coach in the morning before heading to the theatre to do a sound and tech run in the space. "The students were so professional throughout the day and delivered a star quality performance - they should all be so proud of themselves. (Image: Supplied) "The commitment to rehearsals and hard work definitely paid off and we couldn't be happier." The students who took part in the trip to the French capital were also keen to share their highlights. Fraser, 13 said: "[My favourite moment was] going to perform in front of people at Disney to make their day better." Eliza, 18 said: "I think I really enjoyed being with my friends throughout everything especially the rides and the performance" (Image: Supplied) Nicole, 18 said: "It was a great way to close the William Howard school experience. It was great to be a part of something so big with a group of individuals that don't normally interact with one another. We formed a lovely Disney family" Abi, 16 said: "It was an amazing experience, the people were all so welcoming and I felt like I was able to perform well in the supportive environment."
Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Of Notoriety: ‘Newsies' stage scoop, Festival of the Lakes, St. John Fest
The power of the printed page and how it develops and influences others are two of the important themes delivered in the blockbuster Disney stage musical 'Newsies,' which opens July 18 for a two-weekend run by Young People's Theatre Company at The Holdcraft Players in Michigan City. 'Newsies' is inspired by the real-life 'Newsboy Strike of 1899,' when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway 'newsies' on a two-week-long walk-out against the news moguls of the day, rivals Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The Broadway musical is based on Disney's 1992 film of the same name, which starred young actors Christian Bale and Christian Slater as the newsboys opposite Ann-Margaret as a nightclub singer, Bill Pullman as a determined newspaper reporter and Robert Duvall as Pulitzer. The stage version added seven new songs by the original team of Alan Menken and Jack Feldman while keeping many of the beloved songs from the film, including 'Carrying the Banner,' 'Seize the Day,' 'King of New York' and 'Santa Fe' during the two-and-a-half-hour tale of triumph. Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 18, 19, 25 and 26, and 2 p.m. Sundays July 20 and 27, at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St. in Michigan City. The show is directed by Amy Crane. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students at Weddings, funerals and inheritances are key topics in the dark humor storyline of 'Outside Mullingar,' closing a three-week run Sunday, July 13. Irish playwright John Patrick Shanley takes a 'Romeo and Juliet' approach for beer-swigging Anthony and chain-smoking Rosemary, both hopelessly single, longtime neighbors who share fears about their futures living on their adjoining farm properties. It's deliciously directed by Michael Lasswell and stars Peter Gertas, Morgan McCabe, Robert Reidy and Danielle Bilderback in a shared spotlight on the Dunes Summer Theatre historic stage, 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michigan City, continuing the venue's 74th anniversary season. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $30 to $35 for all general seating and available at or call 219-879-7509. The annual St. John Festival returns July 10-13 to the St. John the Evangelist Parish grounds, bringing food and entertainment for all ages. More than a dozen local restaurants and fair food favorites await festgoers, alongside afternoon and evening concerts, a nightly indoor casino and kids' game classics like Skee Ball and Mini Golf. The fest runs 5-11 p.m. Thursday, 5-12 a.m. Friday, 3-12 a.m. Saturday and 3-9 p.m. Sunday. Carnival wristband prices range from $25-$60. For more information, visit Direct from Las Vegas, Tyler Christopher once again dons his sequined jumpsuits on the Theatre at the Center stage, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, for a return concert at 7:30 p.m., July 12, in tribute to Elvis Presley. Audiences will enjoy wardrobe changes and all the popular iconic hits like 'Hound Dog,' 'Don't Be Cruel,' 'Blue Suede Shoes,' 'Burnin' Love' and 'Fallin' in Love.' Tickets are $40 at or 219-836-3255, and there is the option of a four-course pre-concert dinner in the ballroom with an Elvis-themed menu for an additional $30, with reservations required at 219-836-1930 Ext. 2. Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and the Hammond Port Authority are hosting the return of Hyryder to The Pavilion at Wolf Lake at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28. Hyryder ranks as one of the Midwest's premier Grateful Dead tribute bands and has been captivating audiences with their riveting live performances since 2008, with a quest to keep the Dead's music alive, and they carry this torch with distinction. It's billed as an immersive live performance to transport audiences to enjoy the legendary songs and showmanship established by the late Jerry Garcia. Hyryder is a free show as part of The Pavilion at Wolf Lake's Summer Concert Series, with details at Festival of the Lakes in Hammond arrives this month with headlining musical favorites paired with carnival and food vendors. The headlining schedule stars John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame on Wednesday, July 16, country music superstar Brantley Gilbert on Thursday, July 17, hip-hop sensation Akon on Friday, July 18, weekend headliner Third Eye Blind on Saturday, July 19, and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho on Sunday, July 20. All of this year's 2025 performances are free once again with VIP upgrades available for $110. Parking onsite is $35, with details at
Edinburgh Reporter
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Dear Evan Hansen – speaking to Ryan Kopel and Sonny Monaghan ahead of Edinburgh run
'Today is going to be a good day…' With not one, but two Evan Hansens in the room, that would appear to be a given. Ryan Kopel and Sonny Monaghan may sport very different looks and have an age gap of six years but they have one important thing in common, both are preparing to play the iconic title role in the new Nottingham Playhouse production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen. Kopel stars in the fresh new take on the musical, which will embark on its first UK Tour after opening in Nottingham, while Monaghan is the alternate Evan. Both are excited at the prospect and it's clear they can't wait to have an audience. With musical theatre credits that include Newsies and The Book of Mormon, Kopel landed the coveted role after a three month audition process. He recalls, 'My agent asked me if I'd be interested in Dear Evan Hansen at the start of the year. I said, 'Yes', and then did five auditions, the last one being in March. A couple of days later, while on the Underground going home, my agent called to say I'd got the part. I was so excited I had to get off the Tube to scream a little bit. Then I realised I was miles away from my stop and would have to walk the rest of the way. That was even more tortuous as I couldn't wait to see my family and partner's faces when I told them.' If Kopel's casting followed a fairly traditional route, for Monaghan, from Eastbourne, the audition process proved very 'now', he landed the part after submitting a video on TikTok, as part of the casting team's collaboration with the social media platform, which invited users who were interested in being cast in the production to upload a video of themselves singing any number from the show. From more than 2,000 submissions, the 21-year-old was one of 36 TikTok users invited to in- person auditions, eventually being cast as a member of the show's ensemble and as alternate Evan, a role he will perform twice a week, at every matinee. The 21-year-old explains, 'I saw a post asking people to submit a video of themselves singing a number from Dear Evan Hansen through TikTok. I sang Words Fail. Maybe three weeks later I got an email inviting me to an in person audition.' Three rounds of auditions later, Monaghan was recording a song for his friend's new musical when he got his good news and, as it was Dear Evan Hansen that first got him into musical theatre while at secondary school, he says receiving the news was 'a dream come true.' 'When my agent called and said I'd been offered the alternate Evan, my friend and I had a bit of a celebration,' he admits. Dear Evan Hansen is the story of an anxious high school kid who wants nothing more than to fit in. The thing is, on his way to fitting in, he didn't tell the whole truth. And now must give up on a life he never dreamt he'd have. As events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him. Washington premiere The musical premiered in Washington, DC, in 2015 before transferring to Off-Broadway and then Broadway a year later. The London West End production followed in 2019 but it was on Broadway that Monaghan, a self confessed fan of the show, first saw the musical during a family holiday to New York. He loved it so much he then went to see the original West End production when it opened. For 27-year-old Kopel, it was a very different story. The actor from Kirriemuir, in Scotland, reveals, 'I never saw the original production, but Dear Evan Hansen was such a huge cultural phenomenon when it first came out that I knew all about it without ever really knowing the story.' His introduction to that came during the audition process and with themes including bullying and mental health, he quickly discovered that Dear Evan Hansen deals with some important issues. He recalls, 'Reading the script during the audition process was very helpful because as much as Ben Platt, the original Evan, was iconic in the role, it was nice to be able to form my own take on Evan. The writing is so good that I really can just trust my instinct to bring what I feel to the character. Usually when you do a musical that has been done before, there's a set way of doing everything; 'This is how you say this line,' and, 'This is where you stand on the stage for this moment'. We've had none of that. We have complete freedom to take the script and create something new.' 'Staging-wise, everything is different…' chips in Monaghan, before Kopel continues, 'It's eight years since the Broadway production debuted, which doesn't sound that long but when you think about it, a lot has changed in that time. The technology we use everyday is so different that much of the script has taken on a whole new meaning. Just looking at the piece from the lens of 2024 has been an interesting experience.' If the rehearsal period has been invigorating for Kopel, for Monaghan it has been nothing less than hectic. Explaining how having two Evans 'in the room' works, he reveals, 'Mainly, it's Ryan and the principal cast who are in the rehearsal room with director Adam Penford. They create the show. As the alternate Evan, I get brought in once it looks the way they want it to look. Then I work with our associate director to replicate that.' Kopel elaborates, 'To be fair, that is the case, but it's also done that way because Sonny has about '90 million' different things to learn. While I'm lucky to be focussing on one character, he has to be in a different room learning the parts of Evan, Connor, Jared and all the ensemble's moves too. 100 per cent do I have the easy shift… apart from having to do it every night,' he grins. The Mix And it's not just lines, songs and moves the pair have to familiarise themselves with, due to the sensitive themes of the piece, producers have partnered with The Mix, the UK's leading digital charity for under 25-year-olds, to ensure anyone affected by the issues explored in the show knows where to find support. The Mix has provided training to the cast and creative team on how to appropriately respond to queries from the public, both online and offline, and equip them with the knowledge to direct individuals to the right support channels. 'The Mix is there for anyone who needs to reach out for support,' explains Kopel. 'We had a long Zoom with them the very first week of rehearsals where they explained what they did and the way they work. It was an incredible insight into a world I had no idea about.' 'Given the nature of the show, if people struggling with these issues come to see the show, The Mix has given us the information we need to point them in the right direction if they come to the stage door,' adds Monaghan, before Kopel continues, 'There's just something about this show that allows people to connect deeply with the characters. Often, they then associate characters with the actor playing them and open up, sharing what they are going through. We take that responsibility incredibly seriously and having that guidance from The Mix is vitally important.' Despite its themes, Dear Evan Hansen is a beautifully crafted and uplifting piece of musical theatre, one that Monaghan believes will 'be a blessing for many, by helping them realise they need to talk to someone.' Kopel agrees, 'Ultimately, Dear Evan Hansen is about hope. No matter what happens, what you are going through, its message is that there is always someone to talk to and reasons why you should go on. That's what I'd like people to take away from the show.' Biggest songs Packed with some of the biggest musical theatre songs of the last decade, Dear Evan Hansen has Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Oscar-winning composers for The Greatest Showman, to thank for its haunting score and both Evans have a favourite song when asked which they enjoy singing most. The anthemic For Forever is Monaghan's while for Kopel it is Words Fail, he adds with a cheeky smile, 'I like it because it's a bit of an emotional catharsis, it doesn't matter if your voice cracks because you are crying and already an emotional mess.' Before they head back to rehearsal, there's one last question: Dear Evan Hansen starts with Evan writing a letter to himself. It begins, naturally enough, with the title of the show followed by 'Today is going to be a good day because…' So, what would they write in such a letter to themselves? 'Keeping in line with the show, My letter would say, 'Dear Ryan Kopel, today is going to be a good day because you can take each day at a time, every hour as it comes',' says the Scot. 'Mine would read, 'Dear Sonny Monaghan, today is going to be a good day because this is what and where you want to be and you should know that you have worked hard and deserve to be here'.' With opening night fast approaching, both admit that despite their reassuring words to themselves, the nerves are sure to kick in on the big night, but even that is a good thing. 'I kind of live in a state of constant nerves anyway,' laughs Kopel, 'but nerves before a performance are definitely a good thing. It means you care, so I'll harness them and let them kick me up a gear…' 'It's like athletes,' nods Monaghan, 'You have to use your nerves and adrenaline to reach your peak performance…' Kopel laughs, 'Yes, and then keep it there for another two and half hours.' Dear Evan Hansen Edinburgh Playhouse 1-5 July 2025 Tickets here Like this: Like Related
New York Times
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Tonys 2025 Live Updates: ‘Buena Vista' and ‘Stranger Things' Win 3 Early Awards
Harvey Fierstein has won four Tony Awards in his career, including honors for both writing and acting. On Sunday he added a fifth to the list, with an award for lifetime achievement. Here's what to know about Fierstein's notable performances and writing — and unmistakable voice. It all started with 'Torch Song Trilogy.' 'Torch Song Trilogy,' a four-hour portrait of a drag performer written by and starring Fierstein, opened on Broadway in 1982. It was a landmark production for a generation of gay men: 'A play in which the gay character was smart, funny and fully alive? A revelation,' Stuart Emmrich would write in The Times decades later. Fierstein won two Tonys with the show, one for best play and one for his performance. 'Torch Song' was revived on Broadway in 2018, this time with Michael Urie in the lead role of Arnold. (A character sometimes known as, naturally, Virginia Ham.) 'Originally, the gay men came in disguise,' Fierstein said about the play's audience earlier this year, in an interview with New York magazine. 'When we did it again, they came to the theater owning the show.' He's made a career confronting gender norms onstage. After 'Torch Song' came 'La Cage aux Folles' in 1983, with a Tony-winning book by Fierstein and music by Jerry Herman. It was the first Broadway musical, The Times noted then, to put a gay relationship at the forefront — here, between a drag nightclub's impresario and its star. Fierstein has also written the books for 'Newsies' (2012) and 'Kinky Boots' (2013), and revised the book of 'Funny Girl' for its 2022 revival. Fierstein's breakthrough as a musical performer came in 2002, with 'Hairspray.' He played the larger-than-life Edna Turnblad, a 1960s housewife whose peppy daughter helps her come fabulously into her own. Fierstein won a Tony for the role, and in 2016 reprised his performance in a live, televised rendition of the show. 'Edna is not just a cross-dressing sight gag,' Ben Brantley wrote in his 2002 review. 'She's every forgotten housewife, recreated in monumental proportions and waiting for something to tap her hidden magnificence.' And about that voice. Here are just a few of the ways The Times has characterized Fierstein's distinctive timbre over the years: 'throaty,' compared to a 'frog' or 'foghorn,' 'all the old 'gravel' clichés don't come close,' and 'sounding as he does, he should be driving a cab.' In an interview around his 2022 memoir, 'I Was Better Last Night,' Fierstein had a simple explanation. 'My father had the same voice,' Fierstein said. 'It's enlarged secondary vocal cords. It's the most boring answer.'
