Annaleigh Ashford. Wow, is there anyone who doesn’t love her? How could there be? Of course, she is talented. She is a Tony-winner (You Can’t Take It With You), but beyond that, her personality is like a friendly embrace. Witness the musical theater roles she has conquered including Glinda in Wicked and Margot in Legally... Continue Reading →
Music & Theater Beyond NYC: The Schoolhouse Theater, A Hidden Treasure
Photos: The Schoolhouse Theater © Doug Abdelnour 2019, Bedford Photo-Graphic, Inc. Sometimes you just have to go off the editorial calendar and plug something you love. In this case, it’s The Schoolhouse Theater in Croton Falls, NY, the oldest equity non-profit professional theater in Westchester County, NY. “Un-Block The Music” first discovered Schoolhouse when... Continue Reading →
“On A Day As Lovely As Today, “Un-Block The Music Experienced A Reading of “The Rivals”
(cover photo: Kevin Massey and Harriet Harris in Bristol Riverside Theatre's production of "The Rivals." (Photo courtesy of Mark Garvin) “On A Day As Lovely As Today, “Un-Block The Music Experienced A Reading of “The Rivals” If you follow “Un-Block The Music,” you know the love of following development and growth of a show. Since... Continue Reading →
Catching Up With “American Idol’s” Constantine Maroulis
Are you loving American Idol this season? “Un-Block The Music” is loving it despite the fact that it is not the same kind of competition it was in 2002 when Kelly Clarkson brought home that first prize. It’s highly produced with all kinds of back up, not just Musical Director Rickey Minor “doing his thing”.... Continue Reading →
“Alice By Heart” Closed, But Not Forgotten
Alice By Heart closed last night at the MCC Theater in NYC. It’s an off-Broadway show with a book by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson and music from Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, the Tony and Grammy award winning duo behind Spring Awakening. Un-Block The Music just saw this show which is nominated for Lortel... Continue Reading →
“Pretty Woman” Musical Director, Will Van Dyke, Talks Pop Music On Broadway
Going to clubs in the 1980s, I would hear “One Night In Bangkok” by Murray Head and I absolutely loved the “weirdness” of it. Who knew that it came from the musical Chess? Well, I guess I had “a thing” for Murray Head because I became obsessed with an album in my mom’s theatre collection... Continue Reading →
York Theatre: “Where Musicals Come To Life”
“Un-Block The Music’s” postings have been slow for the last couple of weeks, because I have been on the road talking to amazing artists, writers, producers, and seeing shows of all kinds. This story is about a nearly-50-year-old company, York Theatre in Manhattan. Its slogan is “Where Musicals Come to Life.” That includes new musicals... Continue Reading →
Life Is A “Cabaret” For The Foys & Their Musical “Emergency”
With a year under the bridge, “Un-Block The Music” has found a niche it very much wants to support, NEW musicals! Don’t get me wrong, the next time Rent is revived with a real theatre cast in a real theatre, I will be first on line. HOWEVER, I am not real fond of old musicals... Continue Reading →
Happy 1st Birthday To Un-Block The Music
Happy One Year Anniversary to “Un-Block The Music”! Hope you like my new look! More changes to come! Boy, have I learned a lot! I learned that I still love chasing a story, and meeting new people and interviewing and writing. I learned that my initial premise of “unblocking” all music is really valid. I... Continue Reading →
“Be More Chill” Gets A Warm Reception On Broadway From Fans
"Um-Block The Music" experienced the phenomenon that is "Be More Chill" yesterday at the Lyceum Theater On Broadway. If you read my posts, you know I don't like to "review" shows, every show has something positive. HOWEVER, this show was so much fun. Every singer, was seriously on point! A toast to Will Roland and... Continue Reading →