Tag Archives: Ben Bagby

MY ONE AND ONLY – THE GERSHWIN MUSICAL – Opens at Stage Door Theatre on March 8th

25 Monday Feb 2019

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Stage Door Theatre
presents
My One and Only
The Gershwin Musical

March 8 – 24

“My One and Only is a Crazy Big, Tap-Happy Musical…”
Gail M. Burns and Larry Murray – Berkshire on Stage

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


February 25, 2019:

LAUDERHILL, FL:   The timeless music of George and Ira Gershwin plus an aviator, a Channel swimmer, exuberant dance numbers, sparkling costumes, romance, comedy, and America in 1927 equals My One and Only, Stage Door Theatre’s upcoming production at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC). The show will open on March 8th and run through March 24th.

Created to showcase the Gershwins’ marvelous music, My One and Only ran for two years on Broadway and won 6 Tony Awards and 3 Drama Desk Awards.

The plot is classic musical comedy:  Captain Billy Buck Chandler, a barnstorming aviator, falls for Edythe Herbert, a former English Channel swimmer and the star of Prince Nicolai Erraclyovitch Tchatchavadze’s International Aquacade. Billy, who plans to be the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, hopes to win Edythe’s hand by taking a crash course in sophistication at Mr. Magix’ Tonsorial and Sartorial Emporial. Billy’s wisecracking female mechanic, Mickey, adds a bit of sass as a series of escapades and misadventures keep the potential lovers from finding happiness.

Jonathan Van Dyke

Jonathan Van Dyke will direct the production: “My One and Only is the all singing, all dancing, all hilarity Gershwin musical comedy and it’s such a thrill to be able to present it with Broward Stage Door Theatre,” he says.  It was a giant hit in the early 1980’s with Tommy Tune and Twiggy and we have assembled a spectacular cast and creative team to tap this gem into the Lauderhill PAC. The song list is a treasure, and this feel good musical will have everyone “Kicking’ The Clouds Away”!”

Along with “Kicking the Clouds Away”, My One and Only features such Gershwin classics as “I Can’t Be Bothered Now”, “’S Wonderful”, “Strike Up the Band”, “Funny Face”, “Nice Work If You Can Get It”, and of course, “My One and Only”.

Van Dyke’s cast includes Derek Seay, who will play Billy Buck Chandler and Caiti Marlowe, who will ‘channel’ Edythe Herbert. Also cast are Larry Buzzeo as Prince Nikke, Colleen Pagano as Mickey, Michael Small as Reverend Montgomery, and Ben Bagby as Mr. Magix.  Bagby was in the original Broadway production of My One and Only.

Ben Bagby

“The year was 1983 and I had just gotten my Actors Equity card from a contract with DreamGirls,” Bagby reminisced recently. “I began going to Equity auditions for Cats, My One and Only, and other shows running on Broadway at the time. The night before I opened in My One and Only, I was offered a spot in the Broadway cast of Cats. Of course, I declined but it was nice to be asked.

“I went into the My One and Only cast in August ’83 as a replacement. This means I didn’t get to appear on the Tony Awards, but I did get to record the Original Cast Album (thus my Original Cast status).

“In 2013, I was invited and attended the 30 year MOAO Cast Reunion in NYC (on my birthday) where I was able to catch up with cast members I had not seen or spoken to in 30 years.

“This will be my first time performing in any production of My One and Only since performing in it on Broadway 36 years ago,” He continued. “I’ve always wanted to play Mr. Magix so I’m absolutely thrilled I will have the chance to with the Broward Stage Door at the LPAC. Charles “Honi” Coles, the Original Mr. Magix, was my friend and has forever influenced the way I tap dance. I’m happy to be presenting his original timeless choreography in this role.”

Other cast members are Raymond Bennett, Kaitlyn Casanova, Amanda Eisele, Alexandra Garcia, Luis Gomez, Melissa Jones, Aaron Kenisberg, Ellen Kilgo, T.J. Lamando, Dequan Mitchell, Samantha O’Donnell, Sarah Rose, Ashley Rubin, and Nicholas Winterowd.

David Taustine will serve as the production’s Musical Director and Danny Durr is My One and Only’s Choreographer. Set Design is by Johnny Blessed, Sound Design is by King Raymonvil, and Costume Design is by Lenora Nikitin.  The production’s Stage Manager is Nancy Clay.

My One and Only will run from March 8 – 24 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC). The theatre is located at 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill (33311), in the Central Broward Regional Park on the North East corner of Sunrise Boulevard and 441 (State Road 7).

Tickets for My One and Only range from $48 to $58. (LPAC charges a $5 service fee per ticket, however if a package of four Stage Door shows is purchased the service fees will be waived.) Group rates are available, as are student prices (with valid ID). Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 954-344-7765 or 954-777-2055 (LPAC) or on line at www.stagedoorfl.org or on the LPAC website at https://lpacfl.com.

For more information about My One and Only and/or Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoorfl.org, or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

~

My One and Only
March 8 – 24, 2019
Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
Book by Peter Stone and Timothy S. Mayer
Tickets:  $48 – $58
Tickets:  954-344-7765 / www.stagedoorfl.org
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
All performances take place at
The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC)
3800 NW 11th Place
Lauderhill, FL 33311

www.stagedoorfl.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stagedoorfla/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/stagedoortheatre/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/stagedoorfla

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Stage Door Theatre presents The World Premiere of Kevin Black’s TIME STEP – March 30 – May 6

22 Thursday Mar 2018

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Stage Door Theatre
presents
The World Premiere of
Kevin Black’s
Time Step
March 30 – May 6

Tap Dance is like Morse Code for the soul…

For Immediate Release
Contact: Derelle Bunn
DerelleBunn@yahoo.com /954-344-7765
Contact:  Carol Kassie
Carol@CarolKassie.com  / 561-445-9244

March 23, 2018

MARGATE, FL:  Time Step, award-winning Director/Choreographer Kevin Black’s newest creation, will have its World Premiere at Broward Stage Door Theatre on March 30th.  Black, along with Musical Director Ben Bagby have combined their talents to celebrate a unique American dance phenomenon. The production will run through May 6th.

The origins of the Time Step – that unmistakeable rhythmic tap combination – can be traced back to the Vaudeville era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Dancers would repeat a ‘time step’, usually for six measures of music, and then perform two measures of improvised steps choreographed in the moment to set the pace of the music. A true mix of European Jig, Reel Steps, Clog, and African Rhythms, often spontaneously combined, this improvisation created an exciting new dance style. It was, some say, the creation of tap in America as a theatrical art form.  The Time Step reached a peak in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, when tap dancers began performing with large orchestras and needed a way to communicate tempo to the musicians. 

Kevin Black, whose creativity seems to know no bounds, has created a brand-new show featuring the Time Step, along with other forms of dance including Irish Celtic, Flamenco, Stomp, and Clogging.   The production will also feature numbers from the classic Broadway tap shows 42nd Street and Crazy For You, as well as tributes to Big Band Jazz performers such as The Nicholas Brothers, Swing Music, and Sing, Sing, Sing.

“This production is a true collaboration,” Black explained recently. “Along with our amazing Musical Director and Arranger Ben Bagby, I have a cast and crew that has contributed so much to the show’s development.  Our choreography is most definitely a result of incredible teamwork – Allison C. Scott, Sebastian Goldberg, Ashley Bachner, McKayla Cephas, and Alessandra Torres have all poured their creativity, talent, and expertise into this show.  It’s a true labor of love, and I know our Stage Door audiences are in for a treat.”

Black has assembled a multi-talented dream team to showcase the project.  Along with participating choreographers Sebastian Goldberg and Allison C. Scott, he has cast Ariel Siedman-Wright, MacKenzie Cutcliffe, Nathaniel J. Washington, and Stephen Potter to interpret everything from Flamenco to Stomp.  They will be joined by vocalists Sandra Marante and Matt Staley.  Staley and fellow cast member Ariel Siedman-Wright will accompany the Celtic and Western sections of the production on acoustic guitar and fiddle.

Time Step’s Set and Lighting Design is by Paul O’Donnell, who will also serve as the show’s Technical Director.   Costume Design is by Jerry Sturdefant, and Jose-Luis Ramos, the production’s Stage Manager, will run the show’s sound, lights, and projections: “One man in the booth!” Black exclaims.

Kevin Black

Kevin Black is the owner of Kevin Black Productions, a global company providing entertainment to cruise lines, corporate events, resorts, musical theater productions and tours. Kevin’s extensive cruise line work includes costume design, choreography, production, and direction on Norwegian, Saga, Royal Caribbean and Asuka Cruise Lines. Corporate clients include HP, Motorola, Muvico, and Giorgio Armani; tours include original works – Cirque style shows, as well as musical theater productions including La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe’s Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret, and Dreamgirls. Kevin’s work can currently be seen at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico. His most recent work includes Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts; 8 Track, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan, Florida; What’s New Pussycat?, On The Radio, A Chorus Line, Promises, Promises, Pompadour, Evita, Tickling the Ivories, and Imagine, and Carbonell recommend Swing, Swing, Swing and Soul of Motor City at The Stage Door Theatre in Margate, Florida. He also recently directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, The Rocky Horror Show, and Into The Woods for Entr’Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach, Florida. Kevin is also the producer, director and choreographer of an original children’s show, The Adventures of Bella & Harry, and the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Cooper City, Florida.

Ben Bagby

Ben Bagby was in the Original Broadway Cast of My One & Only and in the First National Tour of Dreamgirls. He is also a featured dancer in the “Blues Brother’s Movie” and in the Movie “Eddie” starring Whoopi Goldberg. Choreography credits include television commercials for Levi’s 501 Jeans, Harrah’s Casino, and Mazda. He has performed on cruise ships for Royal Caribbean and Carnival, and in local productions of Aida, Chicago, Spelling Bee, Hairspray, The Life, Smokey Joe’s Café, and West Side Story. He has recorded vocals for several indie record labels and is an acting and voice coach when he’s not performing.

Time Step will run from March 30 – May 6 at Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Margate.  Tickets for Time Step are $48. Group rates are available, as are student prices (with valid ID). Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoorfl.org.

For more information about Time Step and/or Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoorfl.org, or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

~

Time Step
March 30 – May 6, 2018
Conceived and Directed by Kevin Black
Musical Direction by Ben Bagby
Tickets:  $48
Tickets:  954-344-7765 / www.stagedoorfl.org
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Margate, Fl 33065
www.stagedoorfl.org
Like Us on Facebook!

 

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Stage Door Theatre presents Kevin Black’s TICKLING THE IVORIES – October 13 – November 19

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

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Stage Door Theatre
presents the
World Premiere of
Kevin Black’s
Tickling the Ivories
October 13 – November 19

A celebration of piano music and songs from Liberace and Stevie Wonder to Alicia Keys.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Derelle Bunn
DerelleBunn@yahoo.com /954-344-7765
Contact:  Carol Kassie
Carol@CarolKassie.com  / 561-445-9244

October 3, 2017

MARGATE, FL:   Stage Door Theatre will present the world premiere of award-winning director/choreograher Kevin Black’s newest production, Tickling the Ivories, beginning October 13th.  The production will run in the venue’s Theatre 2 through November 19th.

Tickling the Ivories celebrates and showcases the instrument that inspired artists ranging from Mozart to Liberace.*

Kevin Black

“One of my biggest regrets in life is quitting piano lessons when I was 12,” Black says. “Instead I decided to move into dance class. However, to this day, I wish I could play the piano. Thankfully, I have Ben Bagby and Michael Friedman to translate my concepts into arrangements for pianists and vocalists.

“Ivories highlights the piano, first and foremost,” Black continues. Featuring songs by famous pianists and songwriters from several centuries, Tickling the Ivories combines classical pieces with 20th Century pop classics by the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, Carole King, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Ray Charles, Barry Manilow and many others.

“We are taking a new approach to this revue – we are letting the songs, talent and creativity of the rehearsal process dictate the structure of the show,” Black explains. “For the first time in my career, I’m allowing the process to flow without a vast amount of structure in the beginning. We are just rounding up week one of our process and so far, I’m completely blown away by the talent of the pianists and the incredible vocalists.”

Pianists Michael Friedman and Sarah Statler will ‘tickle the ivories’ for the production.  They will be accompanied by percussionist Roy Fantel and bassist Rupert Ziawinski.   Vocalists Sandra Marante, Devon Norris, Candice Shedd-Thompson, and Ryan Stutz round out the ensemble.

Musical arrangements for Tickling the Ivories are by Ben Bagby, Kevin, Statler, and Michael Friedman, and vocal arrangements are by Ben Bagby and Kevin Black.  The show’s Musical Director is Ben Bagby; Michael Friedman is the Assistant Musical Director.  The set has been designed by Michael McClain, the lighting design is by Ardean Landhuis, and costume design is by Jerry Sturdefant.  Paul O’Donnell is the show’s Production Manager.

Kevin Black is the owner of Kevin Black Productions, a global company providing entertainment to cruise lines, corporate events, resorts, musical theater productions and tours. Kevin’s extensive cruise line work includes costume design, choreography, production, and direction on Norwegian, Saga, Royal Caribbean and Asuka Cruise Lines. Corporate clients include HP, Motorola, Muvico, and Giorgio Armani; tours include original works – Cirque style shows, as well as musical theater productions including La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe’s Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret, and Dreamgirls. Kevin’s work can currently be seen at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico. His most recent work includes Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts; 8 Track, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan, Florida; What’s New Pussycat?, On The Radio, A Chorus Line, Promises, Promises, Pompadour, and Evita, and Carbonell recommend Swing, Swing, Swing and Soul of Motor City at The Stage Door Theatre in Margate, Florida. He also recently directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, The Rocky Horror Show, and Into The Woods for Entr’Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach, Florida. Kevin is also the producer, director and choreographer of an original children’s show, The Adventures of Bella & Harry, and the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Cooper City, Florida.

Tickling the Ivories will run from October 13th – November 19th at Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Margate.  Tickets for Tickling the Ivories are $48. (Student prices are also available with valid ID). Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoorfl.org.

For more information about Tickling the Ivories and/or Stage Door Theatre, please visit https://www.stagedoorfl.org, or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

*The modern piano was invented sometime between 1698-1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Italy. Bartolomeo named his invention un cimbalo di cipresso di piano e forte (“a keyboard of cypress with soft and loud”), which eventually was abbreviated into “Piano”. Since its invention, the piano has have been used to create some of the most beautiful classical music known to man.

~
Tickling the Ivories
Conceived and Directed by Kevin Black
October 13 – November 19
Tickets:  $48
Tickets:  954-344-7765 / www.stagedoorfl.org
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Margate, Fl 33065
www.stagedoorfl.org
Like Us on Facebook!  

 

Stage Door Theatre presents Kevin Black’s THE SOUL OF MOTOR CITY June 10 – July 17

02 Thursday Jun 2016

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Stage Door Theatre
presents
Kevin Black’s
The Soult of Motor City ( June 10, 2016 - July 17, 2016)June 10 – July 17

 June 3, 2016
MARGATE, FL:  Kevin Black’s The Soul of Motor City, which will open at Stage Door Theatre on June 10th and run through July 17th, is the happy realization of a personal goal for the multi-talented director/choreographer.

“After 25 years of directing and producing shows that have played all over the world, I finally have the opportunity to create a show featuring my absolute favorite style of music, the songs from The Motor City – Detroit!”  he explains.

“Those great songs – classics like “What’s Going On”, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, and “Can’t Get Next To You” couldn’t have originated anywhere else but in Detroit – a city that may be known for the start of the American automotive industry, but will forever be remembered for its unmistakable sound.

Kevin Black

Kevin Black

“Starting in the early 50s, soulful music came pouring out of basements onto the streets of Detroit,” he continues.  “Young singers were forming groups that would become known to the world as The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Marvelettes, The Jackson Five and The Supremes; multi-talented artists like “Little” Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, and even The Queen of Soul herself – Ms. Aretha Franklin – all got their start in Detroit.  The tunes that came out of The Motor City were timeless songs that have impacted generation after generation.  Although they’re often remembered as “feel-good” dance hits, The Soul of Motor City focuses on the lyrics of these now classic tunes.

“As Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell put it so succinctly – “Ain’t Nuthin’ Like The Real Thing.”  And the six performers in The Soul of Motor City are the real thing!”

The cast of The Soul of Motor City includes Mimi J, whose performance in Black’s recent production of On the Radio at Stage Door had audiences on their feet every night, Jar’Davion Brown, Gabrielle Graham, Joshua Graham, Elijah Word, and Alexandria Lugo who has received glowing reviews for her work in Putting It Together, now playing in Stage Door’s Theatre 1.

Kevin Black is the owner of Kevin Black Productions, a global company providing entertainment to cruise lines, corporate events, resorts, musical theater productions, and tours. Kevin’s extensive cruise line work includes costume design, choreography, production, and direction on Norwegian, Saga, Royal Caribbean and Asuka Cruise Lines. Corporate clients include HP, Motorola, Muvico, and Giorgio Armani; tours include original works – Cirque style shows, as well as musical theater productions including La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe’s Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret, and Dreamgirls. Kevin’s work can currently be seen at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico. His most recent work includes Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts; 8 Track, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan, Florida; What’s New Pussycat?, On The Radio, A Chorus Line, Promises, Promises, Pompadour, and Evita at The Stage Door Theatre in Margate, Florida. He also recently directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, The Rocky Horror Show, and Into The Woods for Entre’Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach, Florida. Kevin is the producer, director and choreographer of an original children’s show, The Adventures of Bella & Harry, and is the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Cooper City, Florida.

The Soul of Motor City will run from June 10 – July 19 at Stage Door Theatre in Margate. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Margate.

Tickets for The Soul of Motor City are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available.  Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com.

For more information about The Soul of Motor City and/or Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoortheatre.com  , or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (ckassie@gmail.com / 561-445-9244).

A short rehearsal video can be found HERE.

The Soul of Motor City  
June 10 – July 19
Conceived, directed, and choreographed by Kevin Black
Musical direction:  Ben Bagby
Lighting Design by Ardean Landhuis
Set Design by Michael McClain
Costume Design by Jerry Sturdefant of Carousel Theatrical
Projection Design by Kevin Black
Sound Design by Paul O’Donnell
Tickets:  $38 – $42
Phone:  954-344-7765
On line: www.stagedoortheatre.com
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, &  Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
The Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Margate, Fl 33065
www.stagedoortheatre.com
Like Us on Facebook!

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