Tag Archives: Michael Ursua

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC Opens at LPAC April 10th

03 Thursday Apr 2025

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Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
South Pacific
Opens at LPAC
April 10th

“…Essentially this is a tenderly beautiful idyll of genuine people tossed together in a strange corner of the world; and the music, the lyrics, the singing and the acting contribute to this mood.”
Brooks Atkinson – The New York Times, April 8, 1949

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

April 3, 2025

LAUDERHILL, FL: “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Cock-Eyed Optimist”, “Bali Ha’i”, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” – Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific added some of the most beloved standards not only to Broadway history, but to the American Songbook.   South Pacific will be the Broadway at LPAC series final production of the 2025 season, and will run at the Lauderhill Lauderhill Performing Arts Centerfrom April 10th through April 27th.

Based upon James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific, the musical centers on Ensign Nellie Forbush, an American nurse stationed on a south Pacific Island during World War II, who falls in love with Emile de Becque a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner, but struggles to accept his mixed-race children.  A secondary romance between US Marine lieutenant Joseph Cable and Liat, a young Tonkinese woman, explores his fears of the social consequences should he marry his Asian love.  “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught”, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s moving musical exploration of racial prejudice is as applicable today as when it was introduced in 1949.  

“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific – the story itself is beautiful,” says the production’s director Michael Ursua. “Then there is this panorama of the south Pacific pitted against the narrow-mindedness of bigotry and the horror of the war that was taking place at that time. We see an awakening for some of the characters when they do their own introspection and the whole idea that people are searching for something or running away from something, or better yet, running to something, is fascinating. And the show’s message on racial tolerance is as relevant as anything written before or since.”

Director Ursua will also serve as the show’s Musical Director.   He has cast Christopher Sanders as Emile de Becque, Casey Sacco as Ensign Nellie Forbush, Marisol Morales-Dow as Bloody Mary, Lovell Rose as Luther Billis, Collin Salvatore as Lt. Joseph Cable, Thaylin Maria as Liat, Bill Brewer as Lt. George Brackett, Dan Carter as Cmdr. William Harbison, Eytan Deray as Stewpot, and Eli Flynn as Professor.

South Pacific will also feature Jorge Amador, Emily Rose Cardenas, Jennifer Fraser, Tanner Fults, Santiago Garza, Dru Loman, Emily Morgan, Eric O’Keefe, Brittni Taylore Rhodes, Allyson Rosenblum, Izaiah Scott, Larry Toyter, Corey Vega, Rachel Whittington, Lauren Wickerson, and Rachel Wresh.

South Pacific will be choreographed by Alex Jorth. The production’s Lighting Designer is Clifford Spullock, Sound Design is by Christopher Wynters, the Costume Supervisor is Penny Williams, Justin Lore will provide the production’s wigs, and Joseph Long will serve as the Production Stage Manager.  South Pacific is produced by Kevin Barrett and ACM Theatricals.

Tickets for South Pacific 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 South Pacific, 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.

~

South Pacific
April 10 – 27, 2025
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan
Adapted from James A. Michener’s novel Tales of the South Pacific.
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

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

Casey Sacco
Christopher Sanders
Marisol Morales-Dow
Lovell Rose
Collin Salvatore
Michael Ursua

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

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

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

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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

The Pompano Players’ JERRY’S GIRLS Opens January 10th

09 Monday Dec 2024

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The Pompano Players’
Jerry’s Girls
Openns January 10
at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center

“Jerry’s Girls is a delectable smorgasbord of show tunes that offers samples from a range of Mr. Herman’s productions, including “Mame,” “Hello, Dolly!,” and “La Cage aux Folles.”“
Leah D. Frank ~ The New York Times

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

December 9, 202
POMPANO BEACH, FL: The Pompano Players third offering in their inaugural season is Jerry’s Girls, a musical revue that honors the life and work of legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman.  The production will open at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center on January 10th and run through January 19th.

Jerry’s Girls has been described as a ‘celebratory two-hour musical entertainment of glamour, optimism, love, melody, and women’ (The Guide to Musical Theatre).  It is a thoughtfully constructed musical revue that celebrates Herman’s music and lyrics, highlighting the broad spectrum of material he wrote specifically for female performers.

More than most Broadway composers, Jerry Herman showcased ‘larger-than-life’ women in his iconic musicals. From Dolly Gallagher Levi of Hello, Dolly!, to Mame Dennis of Mame, or Countess Aurelia of Dear World, Mabel Normand of Mack and Mabel, and female impersonator ZaZa of La Cage Aux Folles, Herman’s women were center stage – strong, key personalities that drove the shows’ plots, led musical numbers, and sometimes even determined the fates of the plays’ other characters.

The production, directed and staged by multiple Carbonell Award-winner Michael Ursua, will feature 35 of Herman’s songs:

“Jerry Herman is my favorite composer,” Ursua says. “He had tremendous musicality and wit.  His gift was to musicalize the resilience of the human spirit.  We’re presenting Jerry’s Girls with a 6-piece live band, beautiful costumes, energetic choreography and staging, great vocals, and an amazing cast.”

Jerry’s Girls will star Lourelene Snedeker, Patrece Bloomfield, and Abbey Alder, and feature Cassidy Joseph, Caroline Macchiarola, Jacqueline Rose, Alexandra Van Hasselt, and Lauren Wickerson.  

David Nagy will serve as the production’s Musical Director; Choreography will be by Alex Jorth.  Claudia Smith is the show’s Scenic Designer, Stevie Bleich will create the Lighting Design, and Penny Williams is the Costume Designer. 

Jerry Herman (1931-2019) has the distinction of being the only composer/lyricist in history to have had three musicals that ran more than 1,500 consecutive performances on Broadway. His first Broadway show was Milk and Honey (1961), followed by Hello, Dolly! (1964), Mame (1966), Dear World (1969), Mack & Mabel (1974), The Grand Tour (1979), La Cage Aux Folles (1983), Jerry’s Girls (1985), and Mrs. Santa Claus (1996) a CBS television special.

His string of awards and honors includes multiple Tony Awards, Grammys, Olivier Awards, Drama Desk Awards, the Johnny Mercer Award, the Richard Rodgers Award, the Oscar Hammerstein Award, the Frederick Loewe Award, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Theatre Hall of Fame and The Kennedy Center Honors. For more information about Jerry Herman, visit www.jerryherman.com.

Jerry’s Girls will run January 10 – 19 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center.  The theatre is located at 50 West Atlantic Boulevard, in Pompano Beach (33060)

Tickets for Jerry’s Girls 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 Jerry’s Girls, 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.

~

Jerry’s Girls
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Concepts by Larry Alford, Wayne Cilento, and Jerry Herman
January 10 – 19, 2025Tickets:  $45 – $65
For tickets:  https://pompanobeachculturalcenter.com/events/jerrys-girls 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

Abbey Alder
Patrece Bloomfield
Lourelene Snedeker
Patrece Bloomfield
Abbey Alder
Cassidy Joseph
Caroline Macchiarola
Jacqueline Rose
Alexandra Van Hasselt
Lauren Wickerson
Michael Ursua

The Pompano Players’ I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE Opens November 8th

18 Friday Oct 2024

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“Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives, and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.”

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

October 18, 2024

POMPANO BEACH, FL: The newly minted Pompano Players Theatre Company will present I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center from November 8th through November 17th.  This will be the second production of their inaugural season.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change with book and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis, Over the River and Through the Woods), and music by Jimmy Rogers (The Thing About Men), consists of a delightful series of vignettes celebrating the mating game – from single life to dating to marriage, from children to in-laws to the ‘end’.

The production will be helmed by Jeremy Quinn: “Directing I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a thrilling and profound experience,” he says. “At its core, this musical is a celebration of love in all its messy, awkward, and hilarious glory. What excites me about this show is how relatable it is for audiences from all walks of life. Whether you’ve experienced a first date disaster, navigated the challenges of long-term commitment, or even survived a breakup, the characters in this musical feel like us – they reflect our joys, insecurities, and sometimes our failures.

“Each scene is infused with humor and heart, offering a cathartic experience that reminds us that while love can be confusing and challenging, it’s also one of the most beautiful things that define us as humans,” he continues. “Ultimately, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is about connection – the desire we all have to be seen, understood, and loved. In this production, we hope to leave the audience not only entertained but perhaps a little more reflective about their own relationships, whether past, present, or future.

Quinn has assembled a talented quartet of actors to portray the ups and downs of all types of different relationships:   Eve Dillingham, Collin Salvatoré, Heather Simsay, and Lovell Rose will, between them, take on over 40 roles during the course of the production.

Music Direction for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will be handled by multiple Carbonell Award-winner Michael Ursua. The show’s Choreographer is Amanda Lopez, Claudia Smith is the Scenic Designer, Stevie Bleich is the production’s Lighting Designer, and Penelope Williams is the Costume Designer.   Director Quinn will also take on Stage Manager duties.  

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will run from November 8 – 17 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center.  The theatre is located at 50 West Atlantic Boulevard, in Pompano Beach (33060)

Tickets for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change range in price from $45 to $65.  Tickets may be purchased online at pompanobeachculturalcenter.com or by calling 954-501-1910.
 
For more information about I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change  and/or The Pompano Players, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
~
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music by Jimmy Roberts
November 8 – 17, 2024
Tickets:  $45 – $65
For tickets:  pompanobeachculturalcenter.com or
Call:  954-501-1910
Performances:
Fridays at 7 pm
Saturday, November 9 at 8 pm
Saturday, November 16 at 7 pm
Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
All performances will take place at
The Pompano Beach Cultural Center
50 West Atlantic Blvd.,
Pompano Beach, FL  33060

Lovell Rose
Collin Salvatoré
Eve Dillingham
Heather Simsay
Jeremy Quinn
Michael Ursua

The Curtain Rises on the POMPANO PLAYERS

22 Monday Jul 2024

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A New Theatre Company Takes Center Stage at
The Pompano Beach Cultural Center

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

July 22, 2024

POMPANO BEACH, FL:  Pompano Beach Arts is thrilled to announce the arrival of the Pompano Players, a brand-new resident professional theater company at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. Debuting this fall, Pompano Players promises an exciting six-show inaugural season (show list below) featuring a delightful mix of great comedies and high-energy musicals. Each production will have a limited run of eight performances.

“We are so proud to be joining the South Florida theatre community,” says Ty Tabing, Director of the Pompano Cultural Affairs Department.  “We successfully partnered with theatre veteran Kevin Barrett on a few programs last year, and now we are excited to expand our offerings with a carefully curated theatre season.” 

ACM Theatricals, part of Arts Center Management (ACM), will produce all six shows at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center this season, as well as their acclaimed Broadway at LPAC Series at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in Lauderhill, Florida. Kevin Barrett, the Founder and CEO of ACM, is a veteran theatre executive with 32 years of experience running venues in Massachusetts and Florida, and is the long-time Executive Director of the historic Delray Beach Playhouse in Delray Beach and the former General Manager of the Coral Springs Center for the Arts (1999-2016).

“When crafting Pompano Beach’s inaugural season we selected engaging shows that both our actors and audience members will embrace,” Barrett explains. “Get ready for a delightful blend of humor, song, and heartwarming nostalgia!”

Subscriptions as well as individual tickets for the entire season are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.pompanobeachculturalcenter.com. Subscription prices start at $99 and individual tickets range in price from $45 to $65.  Performance days and times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. The Pompano Beach Cultural Center is located at 50 West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach (33060). 

For more information about the Pompano Players, or any of the productions listed below, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244. 

Pompano Players 2024-2025 Season:

LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE 
October 11 – October 20, 2024
By Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman

A play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes, and memory covering all the important subjects – mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses, and why we only wear black.

I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE 
November 8- November 17, 2024
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music by Jimmy Roberts

A comedic exploration of the complexities of modern relationships, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change has been updated for the 21st century. Act I navigates the journey from dating to marriage, while Act II dives into the joys and challenges of family life, from in-laws to newborns.   This delightful revue celebrates the highs and lows of love, paying homage to those who’ve experienced the ups and downs of romance and dared to ask, “Hey, what are you up to Saturday night?”
Directed by Jeremy Quinn

JERRY’S GIRLS 
January 10-January 19, 2025
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Concepts by Larry Alford, Wayne Cilento, and Jerry Herman

An exhilarating two-hour musical extravaganza celebrating glamour, optimism, love, melody, and women! Featuring music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, this Broadway sensation showcases the greatest hits for women from Herman’s timeless musicals such as Mame, Hello, Dolly!, Milk and Honey, Mack and Mabel, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, and La Cage Aux Folles.
Directed by Michael Ursua

RESPECT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF WOMEN
March 28-April 6, 2025
By Dorothy Marcic
Based on the book by Dorothy Marcic – “Respect: Women and Popular Music”

A vibrant musical revue that celebrates the resilience and strength of women in America through popular music – from 1900 to today. From the dependency of “I Will Follow Him” to the defiance of “These Boots are Made for Walking” and the empowerment of “Hero,” Respect captures a spectrum of women’s experiences. Featuring excerpts from 60 songs and real-life stories of dreams, love, work, and independence, it’s an exhilarating ride through history. With classics like “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” “I Wanna Be Loved By You,” “As Long As He Needs Me” and “Whatever Lola Wants,” and modern standards like “The Greatest Love of All,” “Where the Boys Are,” “It Must Be Him,” and “Stand by Your Man.”
Directed by Jeremy Quinn

THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND 
April 25- May 4, 2025
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Conceived by Susan Stroman, David Thompson, and Scott Ellis

A dazzling tribute to the legendary Tony award-winning musical duo Kander and Ebb, The World Goes ‘Round (winner of three Drama Desk Awards), takes audiences on a journey filled with humor, romance, drama, and irresistible melodies. Through hits like “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” and “New York, New York,” it celebrates the resilience and vitality of life. Follow five individuals as they navigate love, parenthood, and the daily grind, all set to unforgettable tunes. With gems like “Mr. Cellophane” and “Maybe This Time,” this high-energy musical extravaganza is a harmonious celebration of the enduring spirit of musical theater.
Directed by Jeremy Quinn

I DO! I DO! 
May 23-June 1, 2025
Book by Tom Jones
Music by Harvey Schmidt
Lyrics by Tom Jones

I Do! I Do! is an intimate musical that chronicles the ups and downs of one couple’s fifty-year journey through love and marriage.  From wedding night nerves to raising a family, facing midlife crises, and overcoming infidelity, the couple’s bond is tested time and again. Yet, through it all, they rediscover the depth of their love and commitment to each other. As they bid farewell to their home after five decades together, their story leaves a lasting impression on the next generation of newlyweds.
Directed by Jeremy Quinn

~

Pompano Players Inaugural Season
October 2024 – June 2025Individual tickets:  $45/$55/$65
Subscription prices begin at $99
Performance days and times:Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm
Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
For tickets and information:  www.pompanobeachculturalcenter.com
All performances will take place at
The Pompano Beach Cultural Center
50 West Atlantic Boulevard
Pompano Beach, FL  33060

~

About the City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department

The mission of the Cultural Affairs Department is to provide cultural programming that includes visual arts, digital media, music, film, theater, dance and public art for the enjoyment and enrichment of residents and visitors to Pompano Beach, Broward County, and the greater South Florida area. The department programs and manages the City’s premiere cultural arts venues, including the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, Ali Cultural Arts Center, Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, and the Blanche Ely House Museum. The department also oversees the City’s Public Art Program and the Artist in Residence (AiR) initiative.

Arts Center Management Announces the 2025 BROADWAY AT LPAC Season Lineup

01 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Arts Center Management, Broadway at LPAC, Clients, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center

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The popular Lauderhill Performing Arts Center Series kicks off its blockbuster
three-show season in January 2025

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Kevin Barrett
kevinbarrettgm@gmail.com / 954-234-5982
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

May 1, 2024

LAUDERHILL, FL:  ACM Theatricals, a division of Arts Center Management, will once again partner with the City of Lauderhill to produce the Broadway at LPAC Series at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.   The 2025 lineup will feature the musicals 9 to 5, Legally Blonde,and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. Subscriptions are on sale beginning May 1. Single tickets will go on sale September 1.

“The 2024 Broadway at LPAC Season had the best attendance since the inception of the series,” says Lauderhill City Manager Desorae Giles-Smith. “A Chorus Line, Memphis and Hello Dolly! proved to be the perfect trifecta of shows for our audience. Lauderhill is looking forward to another spectacular season in 2025!”

The ACM Theatricals creative team for all three Broadway at LPAC musicals will once again include South Florida’s dynamic theatrical duo of Artistic Director Michael Ursua and Choreographer Alex Jorth.

Arts Center Management is a multi-faceted theatre management, consulting, and production company where the focus is to help theatres and theatre companies improve their programming and operations.  The company was founded by ACM President and CEO Kevin Barrett in 2014.

“It’s an honor to work with the City of Lauderhill and help them expand their arts and cultural programming,” says Barrett. “The city has big plans to make Lauderhill an arts and cultural destination and we are very happy to play a role and help them achieve that goal.”

The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center has hosted hundreds of theatrical events and productions since it opened its doors in January 2016 and has grown its audiences to include theatre patrons from not only Broward County, but from Miami/Dade and Palm Beach counties as well.

Subscriptions to the Broadway at LPAC Series are on sale now and various subscription packages are available for as low as $99 for all three shows. Patrons may contact the LPAC Box Office at (954) 777-2055 for more information.

The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center is located at 3800 NW 11th Place (33311), adjacent to Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium on the northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and State Road 7.  For more information about LPAC visit https://www.lpacfl.com or call the box office at (954) 777-2055.

For more information about ACM Theatricals, Producer Kevin Barrett, or the Broadway at LPAC Series, please contact Kevin Barrett at kevinbarrettgm@gmail.com / 954-234-5982.

The 2025 Broadway at LPAC Series:

9 to 5
January 16 – February 2, 2025
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Book by Patricia Resnick
Based on the Twentieth Century Fox Film

Legally Blonde
February 27 – March 16, 2025
Book by Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn Mayer motion picture

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
April 10 – 27, 2025
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jushua Logan
Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener

About Kevin Barrett:

ACM President and CEO Kevin Barrett has successfully managed many performing arts centers in his 32-year career, including Springfield Symphony Hall in Massachusetts (1995-1999), the Coral Springs Center for the Arts (1999-2016), Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center (2016-2022) and the Delray Beach Playhouse (2016-present). Barrett began working with the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in 2014 and was instrumental in bringing the successful Broadway at LPAC Series to the City.

About Michael Ursua:

As a director Michael Ursua has led multiple regional and local productions to success including Sister Act, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Peter Pan. For the past two seasons he has served as Director and Artistic Director of the Broadway at LPAC Series – helming A Chorus Line, Memphis, The Full Monty, 42nd Street, Always Patsy Cline!, and Hello, Dolly! He has also served as musical director and conductor for numerous national tours, and local and regional productions, and has worked with talents such as Lee Roy Reams, Sally Struthers, Andrea McArdle, and Leslie Uggams.
Ursua is also an actor with an extensive list of stage credits, including roles in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, La Cage aux Folles,and The Secret Garden. He is also the creator, producer, and host of the wildly popular “Florida Sings Showtunes”, an online entertainment program that was designed to support local musical theatre artists during the pandemic. He has received a Silver Palm Award for his contributions to the South Florida theatrical community and is the recipient of numerous Carbonell nominations.

About Alex Jorth:
Alex Jorth has spent nearly 20 years working as an actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer throughout the United States. Since earning his BFA and dance minor from Millikin University, the years have seen him bringing Christmas cheer alongside the world famous Rockettes, retelling American History with the Muppets, cutting loose in the national tour of Footloose, setting choreography for students and professionals alike, and so much more. As a resident of Florida, Alex has worked with such companies as Walt Disney World, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Asolo Rep, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Actors’ Playhouse, Slow Burn Theatre Company, The Wick Theatre, Free Fall Theatre Company, and others.

Kevin Barrett
Michael Ursua
Alex Jorth

ArtBuzz Theatrics to present FALSETTOS at Empire Stage

16 Tuesday Apr 2024

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ArtBuzz Theatrics
to present
Falsettos
at Empire Stage
April 26 – May 19

A hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family… and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories. 

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

April 16, 2024

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL:  ArtBuzz Theatrics, in cooperation with Empire Stage, will present the Tony Award-winning musical Falsettos. The production will run from April 26th through May 19th at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.

A ‘sung through’ musical with a book by William Finn and James Lapine, and music and lyrics by William Finn, Falsettos revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, his lover, his about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door.

Falsettos is a pairing of March of the Falsettos (1981) and Falsettoland (1990), two Off-Broadway musicals written nearly a decade apart. An earlier chapter in the story of Marvin, In Trousers, premiered Off-Broadway in 1979.  Falsettos was nominated for seven Tony Awards and won two – for Best Book and Best Original Score.

“After seeing a touring production of Falsettos – I believe in the early 90s – starring Adrian Zmed, this show became an instant favorite,” says ArtBuzz Theatrics Producer and Founder Larry Buzzeo.  “The score is beautiful – ranging from energetic Sondheimish patter songs to beautiful and poignant ballads. And I have seen few stories that highlight and examine the human condition quite like this show does.

“There are no villains or heroes in Falsettos – and the show accurately presents with much humor,” he continues. “The reality is that people are very flawed, and yet we learn to still understand and love one another in the strangest and most unorthodox of situations. For me the through lines are: 1:  Adults at their core are still children, and 2: Love is the most beautiful thing in the world.”

Falsettos will be directed/music directed by Michael Ursua, whose acclaimed production of Hello, Dolly! is currently running at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.  The production will feature Larry Buzzeo as Marvin, Jodie Langel as Trina, Jackson Goddard as Jason, Steven Fuentes as Mendel, Seana Nicol as Dr. Charlotte, Christopher R. Dybash as Whizzer, and Casey Sacco as Cordelia.

Tickets for Falsettos are $40 and are available online at https://empirestage.com  or by calling 954-678-1496.  Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 5 pm. All performances will take place at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

For more information about ArtBuzz Theatrics, to arrange for interviews, or to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

Falsettos
April 26 – May 19
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Tickets: $40
For tickets:  https://empirestage.com
Or call 954-678-1496
Performances: 
Friday and Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
All performances will take place at 
Empire Stage1140 N Flagler Drive,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Larry Buzzeo
Michael Ursua
Jodie Langel
Christopher R. Dybash
Jackson Goddard
Seana Nicol
Casey Sacco
Steven Fuentes

The Delray Beach Playhouse Announces its 2024-2025 Season

08 Monday Apr 2024

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The Playhouse 2024-2025 Season will feature top-tier performers, classic musicals, comedy, and nostalgia.

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

April 8, 2024

DELRAY BEACH, FL: The Delray Beach Playhouse announced its lineup for the 2024-2025 season today, and once again the beloved venue will offer a wide variety of programming designed to please its long-time patrons, as well as to attract new and diverse audiences to what is often referred to as ‘the gem of a theatre on the shores of Lake Ida.’

“Our historic theater enters its 78th season with a jam-packed lineup of big-name musicals, mysteries and cabaret acts sure to please everyone,” says Playhouse Executive Director Kevin Barrett. “We will host over 250 performances next season in Delray Beach, making us the premier theater destination in this popular city to enjoy the best intimate live performances in music, theater, drama and comedy.”

This year’s Mainstage Play Series will begin in November with Mel Brooks’ multiple Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Producers.  It will be followed, in January, by Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is on track for March, and the season will conclude in May with the lushly romantic musical, The Bridges of Madison County.

The Best of Broadway Cabaret proved to be a popular addition to the Playhouse lineup last season; the series second season will begin in December with Bachelors of Broadway/Gentlemen of the Theatre. In January, Broadway/television/film star Tovah Feldshuh will return to the Playhouse with her one-person tour-de-force Tovah is Leona! This Could Be the Start, starring singer/actress Linda Purl is scheduled for February, John Lloyd Young, Broadway’s Jersey Boy will perform classic hits of the 50’s and 60’s in March, and in May South Florida’s own Michael Ursua will present an all-new musical revue, Sing Me a Showtune.

The nostalgic concert series Feelin’ Groovy will also return to the Playhouse next season. Starring Joan Friedenberg and Bill Bowen, who perform as The PinkSlip Duo, the series will pay tribute to folk icons Peter Paul & Mary, perform pop hits by Jewish artists, and celebrate women singer songwriters of the 60s and 70s.

After a highly successful debut season at the Playhouse Boca Stage will return with four diverse theatrical presentations in the Off Broadway Series; the popular Playhouse Presents lineup of 35 plus concerts, comedy shows, and special engagements will be announced later this summer.

Subscriptions for all series are on sale now. The individual ticket sales date is still to be announced. Ticket prices will vary, and group rates will be available.  More information about all these productions, including show descriptions and logos, is available on the theatre’s website: delraybeachplayhouse.com. 

The Delray Beach Playhouse is located at 950 NW 9th Street, in Delray Beach, 33444. (561-272-1281).

For more information about The Delray Beach Playhouse visit delraybeachplayhouse.com, or contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

Delray Beach Playhouse Mainstage Productions:

The Producers – A Mel Brooks Musical
November 22 – December 15, 2024
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks

Escape to Margaritaville
January 31 – February 23, 2025
Book by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley
Music and Lyrics by Jimmy Buffett

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
March 21 – April 13, 2025
Adapted from the book by Agatha Christie by Ken Ludwig

The Bridges of Madison County
May 9 – May 25, 2025
Book by Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Adapted from the book by Robert James Waller

Best of Broadway Cabaret Series: 

Bachelors of Broadway/Gentlemen of the Theatre
December 16 – 18, 2024

Tovah is Leona! Starring Tovah Feldshuh
January 6 – 10, 2025

This Could Be the Start – Starring Linda Purl
February 10 – 13, 2025

Broadway’s Jersey Boy – Starring John Lloyd Young
March 24 – 27, 2025

Sing Me a Showtune – Created by Michael Ursua
May 12 – 15, 2025

Nostalgic Concert Series: Feelin’ Groovy:

The Story and Songs of Peter, Paul & Mary
December 3 & 4, 2024

Pop Hits by Jewish Artists
February 4 & 5, 2025Celebrating Women Singer-Songwriters of the 60s & 70s
April 1 & 2, 2025

Angie Radosh Stars in HELLO, DOLLY! at LPAC

18 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by in Arts Center Management, Clients, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center

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Award-Winning Actress
Angie Radosh to Star
in
Hello Dolly!
at LPAC
April 4 – 21

…a musical shot through with enchantment.”
Howard Taubman ~ The New York Times, January 17, 1964

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

March 18, 2024
LAUDERHILL, FL:  Hello Dolly! one of the most beloved musicals in Broadway history, will close out the 2024 Broadway at LPAC season.  The production, which will star three-time Carbonell Award-winning actress Angie Radosh as the irrepressible Dolly Gallagher Levi, will run from April 4th through April 21st at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.

“I am absolutely thrilled and humbled at the idea of doing this role…it has been on my bucket list for a long time,” Radosh says.  “Every actor has their bucket list and as the years go by, the list gets shorter and roles pass us by….when I first read The Matchmaker so many years ago, I fell in love with the character of Dolly Levi and then, seeing Carol Channing in Hello Dolly! …well, that really made me appreciate the character even more….and here I am getting ready to finally bring this wonderful woman to life!!”

Hello, Dolly! is based on Thornton Wilder’s 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers, which Wilder revised and retitled The Matchmaker in 1954.   The musical, with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman, and book by Michael Stewart, follows the romantic and comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher Levi, turn-of-the century matchmaker and ‘woman who arranges things’, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the ‘well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder.

Hello, Dolly! premiered on Broadway on January 16, 1964, at the St. James Theatre. Opening with Carol Channing in the title role, the show ultimately ran for 2,844 performances, making it – at the time – the longest-running Broadway musical in history.  Among its many awards, Dolly garnered 10 1964 Tonys (including Best Musical, Author, and Composer/Lyricist) and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

Michael Ursua will do double duty as the show’s Director and Music Director, and Alex Jorth will serve as the production’s choreographer.  Hello Dolly! is produced by Kevin Barrett and Arts Center Management.

“Hello Dolly! happens to be one of my all-time favorite musicals and its composer and lyricist, Jerry Herman, remains my favorite composer,” Ursua says. It is an absolute classic in musical theatre. The characters are loveable, and the audience can identify with their desire for romance and adventure. They bravely choose to step out of their comfort zones for love and yes, for money (which is really just a way to live generously of course). And Dolly helps each of them find their way and find each other. In the end it is community that is the prize. I am encouraged by these characters … encouraged to be brave, to love more, to be more generous and to dance whenever, however, with whomever I can.”

Ursua has assembled a stellar cast to populate Dolly’s 1898 New York setting – along with Radosh, Christopher Dreeson  will star as Horace Vandergelder, with Sam Joseph as Cornelius Hackl, Ally Rosenblum (Star of LPAC’s 2023 production of Always…Patsy Cline) as Irene Molloy, Kristi Rose Mills as Minnie Fay, Joel Hunt as Barnaby Tucker, Erica Kaylee as Ermengarde, Dru Loman as Ambrose Kemper, Britte Steele as Ernestina, and Lovell Rose as Rudolph.

Ensemble members are Bryce Bayer, Nia Bourne, Kalista Curbelo, Eytan Deray, Alexandra Dow, Desir Dumerjuste, Stephen Eisenwasser, Eli Flynn, Santiago Garza, Amanda Lopez, Michael Materdomini, Izaiah Scott, Caroline Slagle, Larry Toyter, Alexandra Van Hasselt, and Herbert Welch.

Tickets for Hello Dolly! 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 Hello Dolly!, 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.
~ 
Hello Dolly!
April 4 – 21
Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart
Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder
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

Hello, Dolly! photos by Morgan Sophia

Angie Radosh
Michael Ursua