Author Archives: Carol Kassie

The Pompano Players’ RESPECT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF WOMEN Opens March 28th

20 Thursday Feb 2025

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The Pompano Players’
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women
Opens March 28th
at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center

“I loved the show. It was the soundtrack of my life. Everyone should go see it!”
~ Patti LaBelle

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

February 20, 2025

POMPANO BEACH, FL:  From Lily Langtree to Cyndi Lauper and Betty Boop to Tina Turner, or from Rosie the Riveter to Britney Spears, female singers and pop stars and their music provide a vivid reflection of how much has changed for women since the beginning of the 20th century. RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women, the fourth production of the Pompano Players’ inaugural season, will open on March 28th at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center and run through April 6th.

RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women which has evolved from a one-woman dissertation by Dr. Dorothy Marcic to an international hit musical revue since its 2004 debut in South Florida,is an entertaining, exuberant, and exhilarating look at the lives of women as reflected in the popular music of the times.  

Featuring an ensemble cast of four (Dalia Aleman, Noelle Nicholas, Heather Simsay, and Anneliese Wolfanger) and a live band, and combining excerpts from 60 songs including “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “I Will Follow Him,” “These Boots are Made for Walking,“”What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and “Bravewith women’s own stories about finding dreams, lost love, relationship issues, entering the workforce, gaining independence, and more, RESPECT has resonated with audiences around the world. Men as well as women have no trouble at all identifying with the messages of encouragement and empowerment that RESPECT portrays.

“RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women is more than just a jukebox musical – it is a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and the evolving role of women through the decades,” says the show’s director, Jeremy Quinn. “Through the powerful lens of music, this production tells the story of struggle, triumph, love, and identity, all woven together by the unforgettable songs that defined generations. 

“As a director, my vision for this production is to honor the spirit of the women who lived these stories while making them deeply personal and relevant for today’s audiences,” he continues. “Each song – from “I Will Survive” to “You Don’t Own Me” – is more than just a melody; it is a testament to the voices that refused to be silenced, to the dreams that refused to fade, and to the ongoing fight for equality and respect. 

“This show is a journey – one that takes us from the innocent love songs of the early 20th century to the powerful anthems of independence that fuel modern movements. My goal is to craft a production that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, one that sparks conversations and reflections about how far we’ve come and the work that remains,” he says.

“Above all, RESPECT is a celebration of the collective strength of women. It is a reminder that music has the power to inspire, to heal, and to unite. I am honored to bring this journey to life on stage and to share in this tribute to the voices, past and present, that continue to demand—and deserve – respect.” 

The RESPECT team includes Music Director Phil Hinton (Hinton was the original production’s Music Director in 2004), and assistant Music Director Elijah Gee.  Amanda Lopez is the show’s Choreographer, Claudia Smith is the Scenic Designer, and Penny Williams is the Costume Designer.   Director Jeremey Quinn will also serve as the production’s Stage Manager.

RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women will run March 28 – April 6 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center.  The theatre is located at 50 West Atlantic Boulevard, in Pompano Beach (33060)

Tickets for RESPECT range in price from $45 to $65.  Tickets may be purchased online at https://pompanobeachculturalcenter.com or by calling 954-501-1910.

For more information about RESPECT, to speak with anyone involved in the production, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

RESPECT:  A Musical Journey of Women
By Dorothy Marcic
March 28 – April 6, 2025
Tickets:  $45 – $65
For tickets:  https://pompanobeachculturalcenter.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=623 or
Call:  954-501-1910
Performances:
Fridays & Saturdays at 7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm
All performances will take place at
The Pompano Beach Cultural Center
50 West Atlantic Blvd.,
Pompano Beach, FL  33060

Production photos by Amy Pasquantonio.

Click on each image to enlarge and download.

Anneliese Wolfanger
Heather Simsay, Dalia Aleman, Anneliese Wofanger
Anneliese Wolfanger, Heather Simsay, Dalia Aleman, Noelle Nicholas
Noelle Nicholas
Dalia Aleman, Noelle Nicholas, Heather Simsay, Anneliese Wolfanger
Heather Simsay
Noelle Nicholas, Anneliese Wolfanger, Dalia Aleman, Heather Simsay

BITTERSUITE: SONGS OF MORE EXPERIENCE at the Levis JCC – March 22nd & 23rd

12 Wednesday Feb 2025

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Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience
at the Levis JCC Sandler Center
March 22nd & 23rd Only

Sheer brilliance… An inspired cabaret presentation with the kind of provocative Broadway songs that draw people back to relish them again and again.”
John S. Wilson – The New York Times

“Riveting, thought-provoking, superb”
Curt Davis – The New York Post

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244 February 11, 2025

February 12, 2025

BOCA RATON, FL: Elliot Weiss and Michael Champagne’s award-winning song cycle, Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience, will run for two performances only at the Levis JCC Sandler Center March 22nd and 23rd.  The production is part of the JCC’s Robert Greenberg Performing Arts Series.

Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience is a extension of the acclaimed revue Bittersuite: Songs of Experience which ran in New York, San Francisco, and for two years in Los Angeles where it was singled out as a “critic’s choice” by the LA Times, LA Weekly, and Daily News. In this edition the cycle continues to explore the American Experience in song, but from a more mature perspective. Bittersuite explores growing old in America, what it feels like, and what it means – how do the issues of love, loneliness, success and failure, change, and accommodation, impact our lives as we age?

“Michael Champagne and I had just completed a workshop of our first musical Casanova – A Musical Romanceand we were having trouble attracting a producer due to the size of the cast,” Bittersuite composer Elliot Weiss recalls. “We decided to scale down and write a song cycle for four singers and piano. We envisioned it to be performed with no props or sets. To let the material speak for itself. But – what should we write about? Seeing as both of us were rapidly approaching middle age, it seemed that how people feel when their youthful expectations collide with their present-day reality could be a fertile field to explore.” 

“Bittersuite grew out of our interest in exploring the realities – both sweet and bitter – of American life,” Michael Champagne says.  We first presented the show in a seedy little Off-Off Broadway theater in New York, where it caught fire and moved into the cabaret theatre scene in a stylish uptown location.  Bittersuite: Songs of Experience has had great success, won many awards, and has been performed many times all over the world.”

“Years went by, and lo and behold Michael and I were now approaching our golden years.” Weiss continues. “It seemed with so much more knowledge, regrets, wisdom, foolhardiness, and everything else that comes with aging it was time to update Bittersuite and call it Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience. This latest version of the show, which has been tailored and updated specifically for South Florida audiences, won the New Jersey Broadway World Best Musical award when we first performed it!”

Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience is a musical ‘selfie’ taken forty years later,” Champagne concludes. “And reflects some of the deeper perspectives time brings with it.”

Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience will be staged by Holly Budney, and Weiss will serve as the show’s Musical Director.  The production will feature Francine Birns, Lisa Fishman, David Hyman, and Shane Tanner.  The four actor/singers will use narrative song, set pieces, humor, and pathos to express the currents flowing through the American psyche to produce an unflinching view of who we are and what we hope as we grow older.

Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience will be performed at the Levis JCC Sandler Center on Saturday, March 22nd and Sunday, March 23; both performances will take place at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $35/$40 each and are on sale now.  For tickets and information visit https://levisjcc.org/culture/performingarts/ or call 561-558-2520.

For more information about Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience, to speak with Elliot Weiss, Michael Champagne, or anyone else involved in the production, or to arrange to attend a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

Bittersuite: Songs of More Experience
Music by Elliot Weiss
Lyrics by Michael Champagne
Written and created by Elliot Weiss and Michael Champagne
Saturday, March 22 & Sunday, March 23 at 7:30 pm
Tickets:  $35/$40
For tickets and/or more information:
https://levisjcc.org/culture/performingarts/ or
Call:  561-558-2520
Both performances will take place at
The Levis JCC Sandler Center
21050 95th Avenue S.
Boca Raton, FL 33428

Rehearsal photos – credit:
Carol Kassie

David Hyman, Lisa Fishman, Shane Tanner, Francine Birns
Francine Birns, Lisa Fishman, David Hyman, Shane Tanner
Elliot Weiss, Lisa Fishman, Shane Tanner, Francine Birns, David Hyman
Francine Birns, Shane Tanner, Lisa Fishman

Omgod You Guys! LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Opens at LPAC February 27

06 Thursday Feb 2025

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“…nonstop sugar rush of a show…”
Ben Brantley, The New York Times

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

February 6, 2025

LAUDERHILL, FL: The Broadway at LPAC series second production of the 2025 season is Legally Blonde The Musical.  The show will run from February 27th through March 16th at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.

Legally Blonde The Musical is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the popular 2001 film of the same name.  The musical – with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach – received multiple award nominations following its debut in 2007.

Elle Woods appears to have it all. But her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.

The production will be helmed by award-winning director Michael Ursua, who will also serve as the show’s musical director.   Ursua has cast Ariela Pizza as Elle Woods, Wayne LeGette as Professor Callahan, Michael Stafford as Emmett Forrest, Samara Shavrick as Paulette, Allyson Rosenblum as Brooke Wyndham, Colin Salvatore as Warner Huntington III, and Katie Davis as Vivienne Kensington.  

“The powerful messages of Legally Blonde resonate today more than ever,” Ursua says.  “The story follows Elle’s transformation as she tackles sexism, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Among lessons she learns along the way: Believe in yourself and don’t compromise; the things we get judged for as not serious are actually our greatest superpowers; although being independent can be scary, it can get you very far; and of course, never judge a book by its cover!”

Legally Blonde will also feature Nia Bourne, Jessie Dez, Madeline Finkelman, Eli Flynn, Jennifer Frasier, Santiago Garza, Dana Gough, Genevieve Hall, Yasmine Harrell, Cassidy Joseph, Amanda Lopez, John Luis Mazuelos, Mikhael Mendoza, Sorangel Munoz, Chad Raven, Cameron Scott, Izaiah Scott, Larry Toyter, Corey Vega, and Lauren Wickerson.

 Legally Blonde will be choreographed by Alex Jorth. The production’s Costume Supervisor is Penny Williams, and Joseph Long will serve as the show’s Stage Manager.  Legally Blonde The Musical is produced by Kevin Barrett and ACM Theatricals.

Tickets for Legally Blonde The Musical are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.lpacfl.com or by calling 954-777-2055. Ticket prices range from $45 to $65.

The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center is located at 3800 NW 11th Place (33311), in the Central Broward Regional Park on the Northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and State Road 7.  For more information about LPAC visit https://www.lpacfl.com. 

For more information about Legally Blonde, to speak with anyone involved in the production, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

Legally Blonde
February 27 – March 16
Book by Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
Tickets:  $45-$65
For tickets:  https://www.lpacfl.com or
Call 954-777-2055
Performances:
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 pm
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm
All performances will take place at
The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC)
3800 NW 11th Place
Lauderhill, FL  33311

Production photos by  Jerahmeel James

(Click on each photo to identify, expand, and/or download)

Michael Ursua

Entr’Acte Theatrix to present AVENUE Q March 6 – 16 at Actor’s Rep in West Palm Beach

06 Thursday Feb 2025

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 “… savvy, sassy and eminently likable… breakthrough musical.”
Ben Brantley, The New York Times

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

February 6, 2025

WEST PALM BEACH, FL: Entr’acte Theatrix’ first production of 2025 will be Avenue Q, the ‘triple crown’ (Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book) Tony Award-winning musical that is ‘part flesh, part felt and packed with heart’.  The production will run from March 6 – 16 in the Bhetty Waldron Theatre at Actor’s Rep in West Palm Beach.

A truly unique show that ran for over 6 years on Broadway, Avenue Q (the musical that bested Wicked at the 2004 Tonys) focuses on recent college graduate, Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q.  He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it’s clear this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.  The show addresses adult issues with humor, empathy, monsters, and music.

Director Carlo Sabusap (who will also take on the role of Trekkie Monster in the production) has cast Esqui as Princeton and Rod, Elizabeth Robinson as Kate Monster, Elijah Pestana as Nicky, Greg Halmos as Brian, Rose Foster as Christmas Eve, Sarah Romeo as Gary Coleman, Ariel Hodgetts as Lucy and Bad Idea Bear, and Sarah Kenny as Bad Idea Bear, Mrs. Thistletwat, and others.

Avenue Q’s Musical Director is Aaliyah Moin.  Elizabeth Southwell will serve as the production’s Technical Director and Lighting Designer, Jaycie Cohen is the Sound Engineer, and Jason Fisher doubles as the show’s Stage Manager and Assistant Director.

“We are yet again at one of those times in our history when we need some levity in the world,” Sabusap says. “The current economic and political climate, for some, is rough. I think we need to bring some light into our lives, and Avenue Q is definitely one of the best ways to remind ourselves that even when the times get tough, we must remember to laugh.

“I feel like Avenue Q is one of those shows that reaches deep down inside of everyone, the comedy comes from us finding the ridiculous in the mundane, an experience that all of us go through as we grow up,” he continues. “The puppets give us the comfort food of childlike wonder while the subject matter pulls us into those relatable situations that we as adults have experienced. Although the cast is primarily young adults, they know and can express the experiences presented in the show. They’re all talented, hard-working, and very funny. Avenue Q comes with the unique challenge that most other musical theater shows don’t have, in that when you’re on stage with the puppet, you’re acting twice. You’re not only expressing and emoting your own physical body, but also this seemingly inanimate object which they can magically bring to life. I’m sure that audiences will find this one to be side-hurtingly funny. Whether you’re looking for your purpose in life, a reason to get out of your house, in search of crude humor, Avenue Q is definitely the best bet!”

“This is our first production at Bob Carter’s Actor’s Workshop,” says Entr’Acte Theatrix founder and Executive Producer Vicki Halmos.  “The space is perfect for us – it’s small and intimate, with just the right number of seats.  (And there’s lots of parking available!) Avenue Q is one of our favorite shows,” she continues.  “It allows our actors the opportunity to stretch their skill sets – working with these puppets takes discipline and strength – mental and physical.  It’s funny, and clever, and yet it packs a number of important messages concerning personal relationships, discrimination against people who are different, and the truths about learning to be an adult.

Avenue Q will run from March 6 – 16 in the Bhetty Waldron Theatre at Actor’s Rep (1000 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401).  Performances are on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.PalmBeachTheater.org or by phone at 561-833-7529.

For more information about Entr’Acte Theatrix and/or Avenue Q, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

Please note: Avenue Q contains coarse language and adult situations. Parental discretion is advised.

Avenue Q is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
~

Avenue Q
March 6 – 16
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez
Book by Jeff Whitty
Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Tickets:  $25 Standard Seating/$35 Premium Seating
For tickets:  www.PalmBeachTheater.org
Phone:  561-833-7529
Performances:
Thursday, March 6th at 8 pm
Friday, March 7th at 8 pm
Saturday, March 8 at 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, March 9th at 2 pm
Thursday, March 13th at 8 pm
Friday, March 14th at 8 pm
Saturday, March 15th at 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, March 16th at 2 pm
All performances will take place at
The Bhetty Waldron Theatre at Actor’s Rep
1000 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Rehearsal Photos credit: Elijah Pestana 
(Click on each photo to identify, expand, and/or download)

CONFESSIONS OF A RETIRED WITCH to Debut at The Studio at Mizner Park

27 Monday Jan 2025

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Confessions of a Retired Witch
to Debut at the Studio at Mizner Park
The production will run from Febaruy 27 through March 8

A witch in a retirement home?! A magical musical fairy tale!

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

January 27, 2025
BOCA RATON, FL: D’Jamin Bartlett, the award-winning actress who made her Broadway debut singing “The Miller’s Son” in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, and Emmy Award-winning composer Mark Bornfield have collaborated to create Confessions of a Retired Witch, a musical comedy that will run from February 27 through March 8 at The Studio at Mizner Park.

Angelina Max, the last remaining witch from a powerful coven in Miami, has lost her castle in a misspell.  She has placed herself in Sunny Smiles retirement community where she tells the other residents, the staff psychiatrist, and the home’s director that she is indeed a true witch, and not just losing her mind and a candidate for the facility’s assisted living quarters. Before she can reunite with other witches, she must pass her magic on to a deserving mortal; in today’s caustic world this is a challenging task, and her time is running out.   

“We have been working on this show for a number of years,” Bornfield explained recently.  “It began when I was on vacation in Denver, and I heard a lyric from the song “Miami” by Manuel Riva. (“There’s a place in Miami where they heal your soul, they fill the glass with your deepest hope”.)  It generated an energy and a vibe that piqued my imagination.  Dee’s favorite holiday is Halloween, and those two notions combined quite naturally through vivid imagination and a lot of hard work – making it fun and exciting to create characters that were magical, and that married fantasy with love.”

Confessions of a Retired Witch will be helmed by Barry Zieger, who previously directed D’Jamin Bartlett as Aldonza in Man of La Mancha.  Musical direction will be by Mark Bornfield.  The production will star Bartlett, along with four-time Carbonell Award-winner Margot Moreland, and popular South Florida actor/singer James Skiba. 

D’Jamin Bartlett won Theater World, Drama Desk, and Show Business Awards for her show stopping number “The Miller’s Son” in A Little Night Music.  Some of her other Broadway and national tour credits include Lend Me a Tenor, Pippin, and Godspell. She has been directed by Broadway legends Harold Prince, Jerry Zaks, Bob Fosse, and Martin Charnin, played leading lady to Elliot Gould, Burt Convey, and Gene Barry, and appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Other television credits include “Eva” in One Life to Live and many commercials. 

Mark Bornfield is a Boston Television Emmy Award-winning composer, a pianist, studio recording vocalist, and trumpet player.  He is a member of ASCAP and has accompanied Vikki Carr, Robert Morse, Whitney Houston, and Jamie Foxx.  He was a featured cabaret artist and solo pianist at Boston’s Copley Plaza Oak Room, and aboard the Seabourn Pride.  

Together, Bartlett and Bornfield have been called a ‘chic, sophisticated, and powerful duo’.  They have performed throughout South Florida at major country clubs, restaurants and nightclubs including Turnberry Isle in Miami Beach, Boca West, Polo Club, Indian Creek Country Club, Surf Club and Lighthouse Point Yacht Clubs. Their private and corporate party performances include Greenbrier, New York Regency (Feinstein’s) Orlando World Center Marriott, Mar-a-Lago, and the Ritz-Carlton in Naples.   In the summer, they reside on Cape Cod where they entertain at Lighthouse Inn Resort, Sagamore Inn and other popular places.

Confessions of a Retired Witch will run from February 27 through March 8 at The Studio at Mizner Park.  The theatre is located at 201 Plaza Real (2nd Floor), in Boca Raton (33432),

Tickets for Confessions of a Retired Witch range in price from $64.75 (matinee performances) to $78.25 (evening performances) including taxes and Ticketmaster fees. Group rates are also available ($49.50 for groups of 10 or more, purchased in one transaction).  For tickets and information: https://www.ticketmaster.com (search for Confessions) or email tickets@thestudioatmiznerpark.com.

For more information about Confessions of a Retired Witch, to speak with anyone involved in the production, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. 

In the attached photo:
D’Jamin Bartlett
Photo credit: Unknown
~

Confessions of a Retired Witch
February 27 – March 8
Conceived & Written by D’Jamin Bartlett
Music & Lyrics by Mark Bornfield
Tickets:
Evenings:  $78.25 / Matinees $64.75
Group Rate (10 or more tickets sold in a single transaction) $49.50
All prices include taxes and fees.
For tickets:  https://www.ticketmaster.com  (search for ‘Confessions’)
Direct link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?q=Confessions+of+a+Retired+Witch
Or email tickets@thestudioatmiznerpark.com
Performances:
Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 pm
Friday, February 28 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 2 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm
Tuesday, March 4 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, March 5 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 8 at 2 pm
All performances will take place at
The Studio at Mizner Park
201 Plaza Real, 2nd Floor
Boca Raton, FL  33432

Click on each image to enlarge and/or download.
Production photo credit: Carol Kassie

D’Jamin Bartlett
D’Jamin Bartlett
Mark Bornfield
Margot Moreland
James A. Skiba

Amir Darvish to Direct GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS at Empire Stage

27 Monday Jan 2025

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For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

January 27, 2025

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Actor/Director/Producer Amir Darvish will direct David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross, at Empire Stage.  The production will run from February 7th to 23rd at the popular Fort Lauderdale venue.  

Darvish, a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor’s Equity Association, has appeared in numerous television programs, films, and theatrical productions in New York and across the country, and is the Co-Founder, Creator, and Producer of his own company, Five on a Match. He has played a multitude of characters – from his award-winning Off-Broadway turn as Freddie Mercury in Mercury:  The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God, to featured roles in films (Charlie Wilson’s War, Month to Month, Love, Magical) and on such television shows as Madam Secretary, The Blacklist, and The Michael J. Fox Show.

Glengarry Glen Ross will be Darvish’s third directorial project at Empire Stage – his previous projects were the well-reviewed Art (by Yasmina  Reza) and Mike Bartlett’s Cock.

“I was drawn to directing Glengarry Glen Ross because of its exploration of corporate and personal greed, cutthroat business practices, and, of course, David Mamet’s razor-sharp dialogue,” Darvish says. “What fascinated me most was the chance to dive into the deeper layers of ambition, desperation, and the ethical dilemmas people face — the relentless drive to succeed at any cost. In today’s cultural and political climate, these themes feel more relevant than ever.”

Darvish’s cast includes Michael Small as Shelley Levine, Matthew Schenk as John Williamson, Eric Purcell as Dave Moss, Harry Redlich as George Aaronow, David R. Gordon as Richard Roma, Michael Vadnal as James Lingk, and Bob Sharkey as Baylor.

Glengarry Glen Ross will run from February 7th through February 23rd at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.  Tickets are $40 and may be purchased online at https://empirestage.com/ or by calling 954-678-1496.

To learn more about Amir Darvish, visit https://amirdarvish.com. For more information about Glengarry Glen Ross, Amir Darvish, Empire Stage, and/or ArtBuzz Theatrics, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. 

A press release about the production, along with the show logo, and director and actor headshots can be viewed online at https://wp.me/p1S9OR-2yz.

In the attached photo:
Amir Darvish
Photo credit: Matthew Tippins

~

Glengarry Glen Ross
By David Mamet
Directed by Amir Darvis
February 7 – 23
Tickets: $40
For tickets and Information:
https://empirestage.com/events/glengarry-glen/
Phone: 954-678-1496
Performances:
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Dr.
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33304

Amir Darvish

David Mamet’s GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Opens at Empire Stage February 7th

16 Thursday Jan 2025

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David Mamet’s
Glengarry Glen Ross
Opens at Empire Stage
February 7th

“This may well be the most accomplished play its author has yet given us. As Mr. Mamet’s command of dialogue has now reached its most dazzling pitch, so has his mastery of theatrical form.”  Frank Rich – The New York Times 

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

January 16, 2025

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Empire Stage and ArtBuzz Theatrics will present Glengarry Glen Ross, David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play from February 7th through February 23rd at the popular Fort Lauderdale venue.   The production will be helmed by noted director Amir Darvish.

Based on Mamet’s own experience working in a real estate agency, the play depicts two days in the lives of four desperate Chicago real estate agents who are prepared to engage in any number of unethical, illegal acts—from lies and flattery to bribery, threats, intimidation and burglary—to sell real estate to unwitting prospective buyers.

“I was drawn to directing Glengarry Glen Ross because of its exploration of corporate and personal greed, cutthroat business practices, and, of course, David Mamet’s razor-sharp dialogue,” Darvish says. “What fascinated me most was the chance to dive into the deeper layers of ambition, desperation, and the ethical dilemmas people face — the relentless drive to succeed at any cost. In today’s cultural and political climate, these themes feel more relevant than ever.”

Darvish’s cast includes Michael Small as Shelley Levine, Matthew Schenk as John Williamson, Eric Purcell as Dave Moss, Harry Redlich as George Aaronow, David R. Gordon as Richard Roma, Michael Vadnal as James Lingk, and Bob Sharkey as Baylen.

Preston Bircher will serve as the production’s lighting designer, and David Hart will design the sound.  Set and costume design is by Larry Buzzeo, who will also serve as the production’s stage manager.

Glengarry Glen Ross will run from February 7th through February 23rd at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.  Tickets are $40 and may be purchased online at https://empirestage.com/ or by calling 954-678-1496.

For more information about Glengarry Glen Ross, Empire Stage, ArtBuzz Theatrics, and/or Amir Darvish, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. 

In the attached photo:
Amir Darvish
Photo credit: Matthew Tippins

~

Glengarry Glen Ross
By David Mamet
Directed by Amir Darvis
February 7 – 23
Tickets: $40
For tickets and Information:
https://empirestage.com/events/glengarry-glen/
Phone: 954-678-1496
Performances:
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 N. Flagler Dr.
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33304

TikTok Star JODIE LANGEL to Direct I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE

15 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Clients, Off-Glades Theater Company

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TikTok Star
Jodie Langel
Directs
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
at the Willow Theatre
February 14 – 23

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! 
This celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as “the relationship.”

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

January 15, 2025

BOCA RATON, FL: Broadway actor, vocal coach, and TikTok sensation Jodie Langel will helm the Off Glades Theatre Company’s production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Boca Raton’s Willow Theatre.  The musical which has been described as “adorable”, “silly”, and “delightful”, will run from February 14th through February 23rd at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park.    

Langel, who starred in the Off-Broadway production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, has over 3 million TikTok followers, and  is the theatrical educator behind the ‘Raise Your Ya Ya Ya’ video that has gone viral on the popular social media site. The trend began when Langel was filmed teaching a student how to get rid of voice cracks.  (The video can be found here:  https://www.tiktok.com/@jodielangel/video/7450526474257403166).

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, with its book and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis, The Toxic Avenger, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Over the River and Through the Woods), and music by Jimmy Roberts (The Thing About Men), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is presented in the form of a series of vignettes that mark life’s progress – all connected by the central theme of love and relationships. Nominated for Best Musical by both the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change became the second-longest running Off Broadway musical in theatre history, and has been translated into numerous languages, including Chinese, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Catalan, Hebrew, Czech, and Hungarian.

“This show reminds us that, when it comes to relationships, we can still find humor in those difficult moments,” Langel says. “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change celebrates love in all its stages. Be prepared to fall in love from the very first date to the very last kiss.”

Langel’s talented cast of four, Hannah Hayley, Alex Martinez, Bruno Faria, and Nicole Roach will play over 40 roles in the production, as they explore the many ups and downs of different relationships.

The Music Director for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is Richard Kaydas who will accompany violinist Luiba Ohrimenco at each performance. Melanie Farber will serve as the show’s Choreographer. Bryan Morris is the production’s Stage Manager.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will run from February 14 – 23 at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park (300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL  33486). Tickets are $35 (group rates are available) and may be purchased online at www.offgladestheatrecompany.com  or https://www.myboca.us/2648/I-Love-You-Youre-Perfect-Now-Change, by phone at 561-347-3948, or at the theatre’s box office.

For more information about I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Off Glades Theatre Company, or Jodie Langel, please contact Carol Kassie (carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

~

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
February 14 – 23, 2025
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music by Jimmy Roberts
Tickets: $35
Group rates available
For tickets & Information:
https://www.offgladestheatrecompany.com or
https://www.myboca.us/2648/I-Love-You-Youre-Perfect-Now-Change
Phone:  561-347-3948
Performances: 
Friday & Saturday at 7 pm
Saturday & Sunday at 1 pm
All performances will take place at
The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park
300 S. Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL  33486

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL Opens Broadway LPAC’s 2025 Season

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Clients, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center

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9 to 5 The Musical
Opens
Broadway at LPAC’s 2025 Season
The Show will run
January 16 – February 2

“The musical has everything to offer… The story is incredibly simplistic but is so much more than a story about three women finding their way in a man’s world.”
Theatre Tonic 

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

January 7, 2024

LAUDERHILL, FL: Broadway at LPAC’s 2025 season will open with 9 to 5 The Musical. Based on the seminal 1980 hit movie, the show, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is a story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era.  The production will open on January 16th and run through February 2nd at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. 

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In an uproarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! And while he remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down.

The production, directed by Michael Ursua,will star Dalia Aleman asViolet Newstead, Caiti Marlowe as Judy Bernly, and Anna Cappelli as Doralee Rhodes .Other cast members include Clay Cartland* as Franklin Hart Jr., Britte Steele as Roz Keith, and Michael Stafford as Joe.

“In today’s fast-paced environment where conversations around workplace dynamics, gender equity, and the importance of mental health are more prominent than ever, 9 to 5 The Musical invites us to laugh, reflect and unite,” Ursua says. “The camaraderie among the three lead characters – Violet, Judy and Doralee – serves as a reminder that collective action can lead to profound change. 9 to 5 The Musical is not only a tribute to the film that so many people know and love, but also a timely reminder of the power of standing up for what’s right.”

Ursua will also serve as the production’s Music Director and Alex Jorth is the show’s Choreographer.  Lighting is by William Gibbons-Brown and Sound is by Christopher Wynter.  Costumes are provided by Music Theatre Wichita and Costume World, supervised by Penny Williams/original design by William Ivey Long and Wigs are by Justin Lore of Tease & Floof Theatrical Wig Boutiques. Lisa Loweis the Production Stage Manager.

Tickets for 9 to 5 The Musical are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.lpacfl.com, or by calling the LPAC box office at 954-777-2055.Tickets range in price from $45 to $65. 

The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center is located at 3800 NW 11th Place (33311), in the Central Broward Regional Park on the Northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and State Road 7.  For more information about LPAC visit https://www.lpacfl.com. 

For more information about 9 to 5, to speak with anyone involved in the production, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

9 to 5 The Musical
January 16 – February 2, 2025
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Book by Patricia Resnick
Based on the Twentieth Century Fox Film
Tickets:  $45-$65
For tickets:  https://www.lpacfl.com or
Call 954-777-2055
Performances:
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 pm
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm
All performances will take place at
The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC)
3800 NW 11th Place
Lauderhill, FL  33311

Photo Credit: Jerahmeel James

Dalia Aleman
Caiti Marlowe
Anna Cappelli
Clay Cartland
Britte Steele
Michael Stafford

LoveJewish.Org presents GATE B23: CARRY-ON BAGGAGE January 15th at 1 pm

06 Monday Jan 2025

Posted by in Clients, Yiddishkayt Initiative

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LoveJewish.Org presents
a FREE READING of
Gate B23: Carry-On Baggage
at the Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University
January 15th at 1:00pm

A poignant and hilarious journey of stranded travelers comes to
Nova Southeastern University

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

January 6, 2025

DAVIE, FL: LoveJewish.org in association with NSU Florida’s Alvin Sherman Library and the University of Miami Sue and Leonard Miller Center will present a FREE reading of award-winning playwright Debbie Slevin’s critically acclaimed play Gate B23: Carry-On Baggage. The reading will take place at 1:00 pm on January 15thin the Sherman Library.

This ‘dramedy’, directed by Avi Hoffman, is a witty and compelling exploration of human connection amid uproarious chaos. It follows a diverse cast of travelers, each wrestling with personal challenges, as they are stranded at Gate B23 at Palm Beach International Airport whilst enduring an increasingly prolonged flight delay.  The play promises to deliver a unique theatrical experience that blends humor, tension, and profound human insights.

The reading of Gate B23: Carry-On Baggage will feature some of South Florida’s most prominent actors, including Brandon Campbell, Rayner Gabriel, Harriet Oser, Emma Garcia Seeger, Devra Seidel, Barbara Sloan, and Troy Stanley. Dave Corey will take on the role of the progressively disturbed Gate Attendant.

Debbie Slevin, an award-winning essayist and author is a writer, producer/director, and teacher. She conceived and co-produced The Apron Strings Project in Riverhead, NY, produced and directed The Last Five Years at Guild Hall in East Hampton, and the first NYC revival of Songs for a New World. Her play Gate B23: Carry-On Baggage was a best-selling selection of NYC International Fringe Festival and Manhattan Repertory Theater’s Winterfest. Now a well-read blogger for Huffpo50, Debbie’s writing has also appeared in Essence Magazine, Woman’s World, and Reform Judaism. She was also a staff writer for the Jewish Standard.

Tickets for Gate B23: Carry-On Baggage are FREE. Reservations can be made online at www.YILoveJewish.org/Events or at The Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University, located at 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd, Davie, FL 33314.

For more information about Gate B23: Carry-On Baggage, to speak with anyone involved in the reading, or to arrange to see the performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

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Gate B23: Carry-On Baggage
By Debbie Slevin
January 15, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Tickets: FREE
For tickets: www.YILoveJewish.org/Events
The reading will take place in
The Alvin Sherman Library at
Nova Southeastern University
3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. Davie, FL 33314

Debbie Slevin