Tag Archives: Mimi J

Kevin Black presents AN EVENING WITH MIMI J at The Township Center for the Performing Arts – June 25th

13 Monday May 2019

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Kevin Black and Mimi J
Team Up Once Again to Create
An Evening With Mimi J
At the Township Performing Arts Center
June 25th Only

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

May 14, 2019

COCONUT CREEK, FL:  Kevin Black, one of South Florida’s best-known producer/director/choreographers, is once again collaborating with award-winning vocalist Mimi J to create a concert program that will appeal to audiences of all ages. The two have worked together several times developing shows that achieved great success – most notably On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s, which debuted at Stage Door Theatre in 2014, and eventually morphed into I Will Survive.  That show went on to play several other area venues.

An Evening with Mimi J will debut on Tuesday, June 25th at 8 pm at The Township Center for the Performing Arts.

“This will be a ‘one time only’ concert – at least for now,” Black said recently. “We’re still in the tweaking stages, but we really wanted to see how audiences respond to our program, and we decided the best way to do that was to… yes… perform for a live audience! So… we’re only charging $10 per ticket!

“We’ve divided the program into two sections – On the Radio – A 70s Celebration and Color My Soul, and devised playlists appropriate for each title,” Black continued. And we’ve hired some of South Florida’s very best musicians for the evening.”

Just a few of the songs Mimi will perform during the Color my Soul portion of the program are Tina Turner’s “River Deep”, Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”, Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia”, and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”. Color My Soul will also feature a tribute to Aretha Franklin.  On the Radio numbers will include an ABBA medley, Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock & Roll”, Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold”, and a Donna Summer medley.

Caryl Fantel will serve as conductor/pianist for the evening; the band includes Wes Anthony on Sax, Doug Michels on trumpet, Greg Minnick on guitar, Rupert Ziawinski on bass, and Roy Fantel on drums.”

Mimi J

Mimi J. was born and raised in Miami. She is a professional singer currently performing in the South Florida tri-county area and has been the recipient of numerous awards in vocal performance.  She received her degrees in Musical Theater from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theater in Orlando, where she attended on the Walt Disney Scholarship. Mimi has been a member of the gospel recording group, Revelation S.E.E.D. founded and led by Margaret Reynolds of KC and the Sunshine Band, and has sung background for a number of award-winning artists including Gloria Estefan, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Wright, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill of the R&B group New Edition, and Quan Howell of the gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Some of her regional theatre and Broadway National and International Tour credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fame, Nunsense, and Rent. Mimi was the first woman to play Teen Angel in the classic 70’s hit, Grease during the show’s Pan-Asian tour.  Mimi recently starred in WaistWatchers the Musical at Actor’s Playhouse in Coral Gables.

Kevin Black

Kevin Black is the owner and artistic director of Kevin Black Productions. His expertise, experience, and creativity in directing and choreography, as well as in set, costume, and lighting design have built him a solid reputation as one of the top ‘go-to guys’ in South Florida.  Just a few of his directing credits include including La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe’s Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret, Dreamgirls, Spamalot, Tommy, and The Rocky Horror Show.  Corporate clients of Kevin Black Productions include HP, Motorola, Muvico & Giorgio Armani; tours include original works – Cirque style shows, as well as musical theater productions. And for the past two years Kevin has been the producer/director of the Carbonell Awards, the South Florida equivalent of Broadway’s Tony Awards.

Tickets for An Evening with Mimi J are $10 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Township Center for the Performing Arts at 954-970-0606.

For more information about An Evening with Mimi J and/or Mimi J and Kevin Black, please contact Carol Kassie (Carol@CarolKassie.com / 561-445-9244).

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An Evening with Mimi J
Tuesday, June 25th at 8 pm
Co-conceived and written by Kevin Black and Mimi J.
Tickets: $10
For tickets: 954-970-0606
The Township Center for the Performing Arts
2452 Lyons Road
Coconut Creek, FL  33063

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WAISTWATCHERS THE MUSICAL! Jogs into the Miracle Theatre for a 4 Week Run! (December 14 – January 13)

12 Monday Nov 2018

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Dana Matthow
presents
WaistWatchers The Musical!
December 14, 2018 – January 13, 2019

The High-Energy Musical Comedy about Food, Friendship, Fun, and the Universal Journey to Positive Self-image Heads to Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Mile

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

November 12, 2018

CORAL GABLES, FL:  The show that has had audience members “burning off pounds just laughing,” according to the Los Angeles Times, WaistWatchers The Musical! will spend five fun-filled weeks at Miracle Theatre.  Produced by Dana Matthow and starring four talented local actresses, including award-winning performer Mimi J, who wowed audiences recently in I Will Survive, the musical takes a lighthearted and hilarious look at women dealing with their relationship to food, diets, body image, and fitness, while celebrating the transformative power of female friendship on the journey to self-acceptance. Capturing audiences of all ages from start to finish, the production will run from December 14th through January13th at the popular Coral Gables theatre.

“Women have described WaistWatchers The Musical! as an empowering vehicle – one that defines happiness as confidence, laughter and love,” says the show’s producer Dana Matthow. “WaistWatchers The Musical! encourages women to reject the social pressures of achieving the mirage of so-called perfection and to simply embrace themselves for who they are.”

Boasting successful tours across the country in over 20 cities, including an upcoming international tour across Australia and New Zealand, WaistWatchers The Musical! is full of high-powered energy. The production is 90 minutes of non-stop exercise, song, and dance, featuring three women and their exuberant younger trainer, as they all tackle the universal issues of dieting, exercise, plastic surgery, sex, and self-love.

Krissy Johnson, will direct and choreograph the production, taking over from the show’s original director Matt Silva. Johnson has been part of the WaistWatchers family for over 3 years, performing in the show’s national tour first as Cheryl, and then as Carla.

The show’s original choreographer Dani Tucci-Juraga describes it best – “WaistWatchers The Musical is about strong, sensitive, passionate and evolving women who function best with humor, grit, and good friends by their side.  As choreographer, getting to work with the cast is much like the plot. We are there to support each other and above all, laugh.”

WaistWatcher’s musical director is the show’s composer, Vince DiMura, who has provided original music to accompany creator Alan Jacobson’s clever lyrics.

Along with Mimi J, who will play Cheryl, the WaistWatchers cast includes Jordana Forest as Cindy, Sara Elizabeth Grant as Carla, and Angela Thomas as Connie.   Nicole Stav will pull double duty as the show’s MC and Stage Manager.

WaistWatchers The Musical! will run from December 14, 2018 – January 13, 2019 at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. The theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile, in Coral Gables (33314).  Tickets for WaistWatchers The Musical! are $49-$59. Group rates (12 or more) are also available. Tickets may be purchased on line at waistwatchersthemusical.com or www.actorsplayhouse.org/ or by phone at 305-444-9293.  For group rates call 305-504-5020.

For more information about Waist Watchers The Musical please visit waistwatchersthemusical.com , or contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com  / 561-445-9244.
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Waist Watchers The Musical!
December 14, 2018 – January 13, 2019
Creator, Book and Lyrics by Alan Jacobson
Music by Vince Di Mura
Tickets: $49 – $59
Phone: 305-444-9293
On line: wwww.waistwatchersthemusical.com / www.actorsplayhouse.org/
Group Sales (12 or more):305-504-5020
Show Times:
Wednesday at 2 pm & 7 pm
Thursday at 7 pm
Friday at 8 pm
Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm
Sunday 3 pm
All performances will take place at
The Miracle Mile
280 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL 33314
www.waistwatchersthemusical.com
www.actorsplayhouse.org/
Like Us on Facebook!  

ABOUT:

Alan Jacobson

ALAN JACOBSON (Creator, Author & Lyrist) Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Alan is a true renaissance man. He is a former clothing manufacturer, world-class track and field athlete and actor. He has had his own theatre and entertainment company for many years, including many years in Palm Beach County, and has produced more than 80 productions around the country, with two, If You Ever Leave Me I’m Going With You and Down the Garden Paths, reaching Broadway and Off Broadway. Not only does he fill the roles of producer, actor, director and coach, but with the hit production WaistWatchers The Musical!, he adds the title of playwright. The production (which was originally titled “Food Fight”) premiered in 2007 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, ran for 6 months at The Plaza Theatre in Palm Beach County, 3 months at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, and has continued to tour nationally. Alan produced WaistWatchers The Musical! for several years until turning it over to Dana Matthow in late 2015. Alan lives in Jupiter with his wife, Melissa. Their sons, Noah and Eli, go to UCF and the University of Miami.

VINCE Di MURA (Musical Director, Music Composer) Vince is an award-winning composer, arranger, jazz pianist and musical director. He has appeared on concert stages and theatres throughout North America, Canada, Europe and Latin America. He currently serves as the Resident Composer and Musical Director for the Lewis Center of the Arts at Princeton University. Vince is best known for his arrangements of “My Way: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Sinatra,” I Left My Heart: A Tribute to Tony Bennett,” and “Simply Simone.” Vince is also the author and curator of “A Conversation with the Blues,” a 14-part web instructional series on improvisation through the blues. Produced by Soundfly Inc., Vince has five CDs on the market, including the 2000 release, “Imperfect Balance,” the 2007 release, “A Darker Shade of Romance,” 2008 release, “For Lost Words,” in collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Yusef Komunyakaa, the 2010 release, “California Sage:” (with James Leary on Bass and Fritz Wise on drums) and the 2012 release, “Love Was,” a second collaboration with poet Yusef Komunyakaa.

DANA MATTHOW (Producer) is a Long Island-born native New Yorker whose theatrical career spans 35 plus years of producing, general management, theatre management, advertising, and promotions.  His credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Touring Productions:  Kingdoms starring Roy Dotrice, Armand Assante, and Maria Tucci, A Jew Grows in Brooklyn, Carnival Knowledge, a behind the scenes look at the astounding and disappearing world of the American Sideshow, Magic Hands Freddy starring Michael Rispoli and Ralph Macchio, Underneath the Lintel, Maybe Baby It’s You, Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral (a/k/a the longest running funeral in history), Hysterical Blindness starring Leslie Jordan, My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy!, You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, RESPECT – A Musical Celebration of Women, My Son the Waiter – A Jewish Tragedy, The Calamari Sisters, and his first show, Sea Marks by Adventures in Paradise star Gardner McKay. For 10 years Mr. Matthow owned and operated the Soho Playhouse in New York City.  For the screen he produced the feature film Silent Prey.  He is also the founder and original publisher of City Guide Magazine, New York’s #1 visitor and entertainment guide.

 

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I WILL SURVIVE: SOUNDTRACKS OF THE 70S at the PGA Arts Center October 18 – November 19

19 Tuesday Sep 2017

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The PGA Arts Center
In Association with
Kevin Black Productions
presents
I Will Survive
Soundtracks of the 70s
October 18 – November 19

Grab your love beads and head on over to the PGA Arts Center
for the grooviest party in South Florida!

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

September 19, 2017
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL:  The PGA Arts Center will present I Will Survive: Soundtracks of the 70’s beginning October 18th. The production will run through November 19th at the increasingly popular Palm Beach Gardens venue.

When award-winning vocalist Mimi J. sought to develop a show about the women of soul who influenced her, she immediately turned to her good friend, Carbonell Award-nominated director/choreographer Kevin Black.  They tossed around a number of ideas, but they kept coming back to the music of the 70s – music they both love. Together they came up with the concept, a title, and the song choices for what was then called On the Radio:  Sounds of the 70s.   The show opened at Stage Door Theatre in Margate in June 2014 to rave reviews.

What had evolved was an evening of unforgettable songs from an unforgettable decade of music produced by an array of artists from ABBA to Carly Simon, to Gladys Knight, John Lennon, and ZZ Top. Now called I Will Survive – The Soundtracks of the 70s, the show is a rousing trip down memory lane – back to the time of bell bottoms, mood rings, smiley faces, and memorable music. Among the songs that will be featured in the show are “Close to You”, “Car Wash”, “Dancing Queen”, “Let it Be”, “Nobody Does It Better”, “Proud Mary”, “Midnight Train to Georgia”, “Hopelessly Devoted”, and “I Will Survive”.

“The challenge,” Black says, “was to try to figure out how to keep it interesting.  Because we didn’t want audiences to think the show is going to be two hours of Disco. It’s definitely not!”

“Kevin and I go to the theatre together a lot,” Mimi explains. “And I’ve never seen anything like what we did with this show – we’re really excited about it.

Along with the name change, the show itself has been tweaked and updated:

“We also felt there was a need to get another experience out there… to diversify the community,” Mimi continues. “This show introduces diversity and ethnicity.  We’re using local talent, and creating a different look and vibe on the stage for our community.  Audiences are going to feel that Soul Train vibe when they’re sitting in their seats… if they can stay in their seats!  Most of our audiences end up dancing!”

Two talented dancers will join Mimi on stage.

Mimi J. was born and raised in Miami. She is a professional singer currently performing in the South Florida tri-county area, and has been the recipient of numerous awards in vocal performance.  She received her degrees in Musical Theater from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theater in Orlando, where she attended on the Walt Disney Scholarship. Mimi has been a member of the gospel recording group, Revelation S.E.E.D. founded and led by Margaret Reynolds of KC and the Sunshine Band, and has sung background for a number of award-winning artists including Gloria Estefan, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Wright, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill of the R&B group New Edition, and Quan Howell of the gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Some of her regional theatre and Broadway National and International Tour credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fame, Nunsense, and Rent. Mimi was the first woman of color to play Teen Angel in the classic 70’s hit, Grease during the show’s Pan-Asian tour.

The PGA Arts Center was a welcome addition to the South Florida theatrical scene when it opened in January 2017 with a production of WaistWatchers The Musical!  Subsequent productions included Brad Zimmerman’s My Son the Waiter – A Jewish Tragedy, Tommy Koenig’s Baby Boomer Baby, Funny Old Broads, and The Kosher Cheer Leader.

The theatre’s 2017-2018 season promises to be filled with music and laughter: Following I Will Survive, Alan Jacobson’s Irving Berlin Salutes America will open on November 30th and run through December 24th.  Avi Hoffman will bring his popular show Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? to the theatre beginning December 27th, and two special New Year’s Eve Champagne Celebration performances starring Avery Sommers, Melissa Jacobson, and John Lariviere are planned for December 31st – one at 7 pm and one at 9:30 pm.   Other upcoming productions include Old Jews Telling Jokes (January 17 – March 4), Cooking with the Calamari Sisters (January 25 – March 18), and Raunchy Little Musical – Belle Barth is Back (March 2018).

I Will Survive will run from October 18 to November 19 at The PGA Arts Center in Palm Beach Gardens. The theatre is located at 4076 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens (33410).

Tickets for I Will Survive are $45 weekdays & $48 weekends, with select premium seating for $65.  Tickets may be purchased on line at www.pgaartscenter.com or by phone at 855-448-7469. (855- Hit-Show) For group sales (10 or more) 561-808-3446.

For more information about I Will Survive and the PGA Arts Center, contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

I Will Survive: Soundtracks of the 70s
Conceived and written by Kevin Black & Mimi J.  
October 18 – November 19
Tickets:  $45 weekdays and $48 weekends, with select premium seats available at $65
Online:  www.pgaartscenter.com
Phone: 855-448-7469 (855-HIT-SHOW)
Group Sales: (10 or more): 561-808-3446
Showtimes:
Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm
Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm
Saturday, and Sunday at 2:00 pm
The PGA Arts Center
4076 PGA Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 3410
www.pgaartscenter.com
Like Us on Facebook! 

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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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Kevin Black’s CIRQUESCO at the Willow Theatre February 20-22

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

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Kevin BannerKevin Black Productions
presents
pole 1Cirquesco
February 20 – 22

Exciting, Exotic, and Electrifying… Cirquesco!

Cirquesco - trioFebruary 4, 2015
BOCA RATON, FL: Kevin Black’s Cirquesco has been described as captivating, stunning, exotic, intense, amazing, and just plain fun.   Cirquesco is a unique combination of song, dance, acrobatics, and humor, and a perfect example of what the multi-talented and extremely creative producer/director/choreographer brings to the South Florida Theatre scene. The production will run for three performances only – February 20th, 21st, and 22nd, at the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton’s Sugar Sand Park.

“Cirquesco explores our most treasured emotion… love,” says Black, “…through the journey of our Lead Player, a somewhat lost soul searching for meaning in this Mad, Mad World.”  Contemporary choreography, an electrifying score, and elaborate and beautiful costuming – all created, arranged, and assembled by Black – combine to make Circquesco a “feast for the eyes, the ears, and the soul.”

Mimi J HeadshotSinger Mimi J is an enthusiastic participant in the production:
“It’s amazing to once again be in the midst of Kevin’s visionary brilliance,” she says. “He never ceases to introduce a new vibe of theatre to South Florida that is rarely seen and the quality is similar to what you can expect from the shows in Las Vegas and New York. Cirquesco is a Cirque du Soleil style show that incorporates the artistic elements of the European big top circuses mixed with a modern flare. The music is rhythmically charged and texturally dynamic and the specialty acts grapple the senses and keep you at the edge of your seat…a great spectacle for folks of all ages.”

Kasey J. HughesSinger/dancer Kasey J. Hughes will also be featured. Hughes has an extensive background nationally as well as internationally. He has regularly been a featured performer in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, as well as at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and various Disney productions in Orlando and Tokyo.

Kevin Black is the owner and artistic director of Kevin Black Productions. His expertise, experience, and creativity in directing and choreography, as well as in set, costume, and lighting design have built him a solid reputation as one of the top ‘go-to guys’ in South Florida. Kevin’s most recent work includes 8 Track, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan. He directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, and The Rocky Horror Show for Entr’Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach.  Kevin has also produced South Florida tours of La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe’s Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret and Dreamgirls. And his recent creations for Stage Door Theatre, On the Radio, starring Ballroom’s Mimi J. and What’s New Pussycat? The Soundtrack of an Era, were extremely successful and well reviewed. Kevin’s work can currently be seen at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico; Kevin is also the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Cooper City, Florida.

Mimi J. was born and raised in Miami. She is a professional singer currently performing in the South Florida tri-county area, and has been the recipient of numerous awards in vocal performance. She received her degrees in Musical Theater from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theater in Orlando, where she attended on the Walt Disney Scholarship. Mimi has been a member of the gospel recording group, Revelation S.E.E.D. founded and led by Margaret Reynolds of KC and the Sunshine Band, and has sung background for a number of award-winning artists including Gloria Estefan, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Wright, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill of the R&B group New Edition, and Quan Howell of the gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Some of her regional theatre and Broadway National and International Tour credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fame, Nunsense, and Rent. Mimi was the first woman of color to play Teen Angel in the classic 70’s hit, Grease during the show’s Pan-Asian tour. She recently starred in On the Radio at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, and was a featured performer in Kevin Black’s recent production of Ballroom South Beach Style at the Willow Theatre.

Cirquesco will run for three performances only at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park from February 20 – 22, 2015. The theatre is located at 300 South Military Trail in Boca Raton, just south of Palmetto Park Road. Tickets are $40, and are available at the Willow Theatre Box office: 561-347-3948 or on line at www.willowtheatre.org.

For more information about Cirquesco, Kevin Black, or Kevin Black Productions, please contact Kevin Black at 954-558-4446/ kevin@kevinblackproductions.com , or Carol Kassie at 561-445-9244 / ckassie@gmail.com, or visit www.kevinblackproductions.com.

Click HERE for a video preview of the production.

Cirquesco
Friday, February 20 – 8 pm
Saturday, February 21 – 8 pm
Sunday, February 22 – 2 pm
Tickets: $40
For Tickets: www.willowtheatre.org/ 561-347-3948
The Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park
300 S Military Trail
Boca Raton FL 33496

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Kevin Black’s BALLROOM: SOUTH BEACH STYLE! At the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton – January 9 – 11 Only!

24 Wednesday Dec 2014

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Kevin Black Productions
presents
Ballroom poster 1Ballroom: South Beach Style
January 9-11

Straight from the streets of Miami comes the hottest party in town!

December, 23, 2014:
BOCA RATON, FL: The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park will resonate with the sounds of music in January. No… not ‘those’ sounds of music, but sounds unique to South Florida… fast paced, exciting, and exotic.

51462f62be1b8Renowned producer/director/choreographer Kevin Black’s Ballroom: South Beach Style will run at the Willow for four performances only, from January 9th through January 11th. Stylish and sexy, full of the Miami beat and heat, the show features intricate ballroom dancing, along with Salsa, Merengue, Rhumba, Mambo, and Jive, all accompanied by carefully selected popular music appropriate to each style and era.

Beginning 1940s, the heyday of South Beach night life when stars like Frank, Dean, and Sammy graced the stages of large showrooms at The Fontainebleau Hotel and other popular tourist attractions, Ballroom: South Beach Style progresses chronologically, featuring music by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, KC and The Sunshine Band, Madonna, Phil Collins, Gloria Estefan, and Santana. Evoking the sounds of Miami Vice, Whitney Houston (who filmed The Bodyguard at The Fountainebleau), Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, into the 90s when Latin music crossed over to the pop chart, led by The Miami Sound Machine – the entire production is rooted in South Beach and Miami.

Singers Mimi J. and Shelley Keelor, and dancers Rome Saladino and Marina Putane, along with Teddy Talbot, Luke Stockton, Kelly Pryor, Jenny Hegarty, Andreas Lutzner, and Craig Strang are slated to participate in the production.

Ballroom: South Beach Style has toured and thrilled audiences throughout the United States for the past three years. These four performances are the show’s first at the Willow – invited there because of its well known artistry and popularity.

“Audiences love this show,” says producer/choreographer Black. “With the continued popularity of Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, more and more people are aware of how difficult, yet how very entertaining this kind of production is. Our cast is immensely talented, the music is amazing, and our costumes are gorgeous,” he continues. “We’ve had nothing but the most positive feedback and reviews since we began.”

kevin_blackKevin Black is the owner and artistic director of Kevin Black Productions. His expertise, experience, and creativity in directing and choreography, as well as in set, costume, and lighting design have built him a solid reputation as one of the top ‘go-to guys’ in South Florida. Kevin’s most recent work includes 8 Track, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan. He directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, and The Rocky Horror Show for Entr’Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach.  Kevin has also produced South Florida tours of La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe’s Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret,  and Dreamgirls. And his recent creations for Stage Door Theatre, On the Radio, starring Ballroom’s Mimi J. and What’s New Pussycat? The Soundtrack of an Era, were extremely successful and well reviewed. Kevin’s work can currently be seen at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico; Kevin is also the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Cooper City, Florida.

Mimi J. was born and raised in Miami. She is a professional singer currently performing in the South Florida tri-county area, and has been the recipient of numerous awards in vocal performance. She received her degrees in Musical Theater from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theater in Orlando, where she attended on the Walt Disney Scholarship. Mimi has been a member of the gospel recording group, Revelation S.E.E.D. founded and led by Margaret Reynolds of KC and the Sunshine Band, and has sung background for a number of award-winning artists including Gloria Estefan, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Wright, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill of the R&B group New Edition, and Quan Howell of the gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Some of her regional theatre and Broadway National and International Tour credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fame, Nunsense, and Rent. Mimi was the first woman of color to play Teen Angel in the classic 70’s hit, Grease during the show’s Pan-Asian tour. She recently starred in On the Radio at the Broward Stage Door Theatre.

11Rome Saladino has performed with a number of prestigious companies including the Sacramento Ballet, Icelandic Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. He has worked with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Fernando Bujones, Jürgen Schneider, Alonzo King, Jon Engstrom, Ann Reinking, and Sonja Haney (Bob Fosse’s Assistant).

Marina Putane trained as a rhythmic gymnast; she was a member of the Latvian National Team, which competed in many cities all over the former USSR. Her dancing career began as a show ballet dancer with Latvian magician, Palchevsky, at the National Latvian Opera House. She has performed all over the world for many cruise lines as an Adagio and show dancer. She starred, along with her husband, Rome Saladino, in the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, Song and Dance.

shelleykeelor-119Shelley Keelor has been entertaining audiences regionally and internationally, on stage and in concert for nearly two decades. She has performed in more than a dozen countries including Italy and Turkey, and performed with the Istanbul State Symphony in both Istanbul and the famed Aspendos Amphitheater in Antalya,Turkey touring as a soloist in the revue show, Broadway Nights. Shelley’s musical theatre roles include that of Cindy in Waist Watchers, and Penelope in Rock Odyssey – a rock musical by Emmy-winning composer Billy Straus and writer Stephen Cole. She was nominated for a Cabonell award for her performance in Kurt Weill’s Berlin to Broadway at Palm Beach Dramaworks, and was the recipient of glowing reviews in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s recent production of Carrie the Musical.

Ballroom: South Beach Style will run at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park from January 9th through January 11th, 2015. The theatre is located at 300 South Military Trail in Boca Raton, just south of Palmetto Park Road. Tickets are $30, and are available at the Willow Theatre Box office: 561-347-3948 or on line at www.willowtheatre.org.

Ballroom: South Beach Style
Friday, January 9 – 8 pm
Saturday, January 10 – 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, January 11 – 2 pm
Tickets: $30
For Tickets: www.willowtheatre.org/ 561-347-3948
The Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park
300 S Military Trail
Boca Raton FL 33496
http://kevinblackproductions.com/ballroom

 

 

Broward Stage Door Theatre presents ON THE RADIO: SOUNDS OF THE 70s

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

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openingpage-2-1Broward Stage Door Theatre
presents
On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s
On the Radio Poster 6
Grab your love beads and head on over for the
grooviest party in South Florida!

June 2, 2014
Coral Springs, Florida

When award-winning vocalist Mimi J. sought to develop a one-woman show about the women of soul who influenced her, she immediately turned to her good friend, Carbonell-nominated director/choreographer Kevin Black. They tossed around a number of ideas, but they kept coming back to the music of the 70s – music they both love. Together they came up with the concept, the title, and the song choices for On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s.

What had evolved was an evening of unforgettable songs from an unforgettable decade of music produced by an array of artists from ABBA to Carly Simon, to Gladys Knight, John Lennon, and Stevie Wonder. On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s is a trip down memory lane – back to the time of bell bottoms, mood rings, smiley faces, and memorable music. Among the songs that will be featured in the show are “Close to You”, “Car Wash”, “Dancing Queen”, “Let it Be”, “Nobody Does It Better”, “Proud Mary”, “Midnight Train to Georgia”, “Hopelessly Devoted”, and “I Will Survive”.

“We had about 45 minutes of material,” Mimi explains. “And we wanted to rent a theatre to make a DVD and a demo video, so we met with Derelle Bunn about renting the Stage Door Theatre.”

Bunn was intrigued by the premise of a show based on 70’s music and encouraged Mimi and Kevin to continue to develop the idea.

“The challenge,” Black says, “was to try to figure out how to keep it interesting. Because we didn’t want audiences to think the show is going to be two hours of Disco. It’s definitely not!”

“Kevin and I go to the theatre together a lot,” Mimi continues. “And I’ve never seen anything like what we’re planning with this show – we’re really excited about it. We also feel there’s a need to get another experience out there… to to diversify the community. This show introduces diversity and ethnicity! We’re using local talent, and creating a different look and vibe on the stage for our community. Audiences are going to feel that Soul Train vibe when they’re sitting in their seats!”

Joey Taylor and Luke Stockton have also been cast in the production.

Mimi J HeadshotMimi J. was born and raised in Miami. She is a professional singer currently performing in the South Florida tri-county area, and has been the recipient of numerous awards in vocal performance. She received her degrees in Musical Theater from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theater in Orlando, where she attended on the Walt Disney Scholarship. Mimi has been a member of the gospel recording group, Revelation S.E.E.D. founded and led by Margaret Reynolds of KC and the Sunshine Band, and has sung background for a number of award-winning artists including Gloria Estefan, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Wright, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill of the R&B group New Edition, and Quan Howell of the gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Some of her regional theatre and Broadway National and International Tour credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fame, Nunsense, and Rent. Mimi was the first woman of color to play Teen Angel in the classic 70’s hit, Grease during the show’s Pan-Asian tour.

Kevin Black is the owner and artistic director of Kevin Black Productions. His expertise, experience, and creativity inkevin_black directing and choreography, as well as in set, costume, and lighting design have built him a solid reputation as one of the top ‘go-to guys’ in South Florida.  Corporate clients of Kevin Black Productions include HP, Motorola, Muvico & 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 on stage in the national tour of Waist Watchers and at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico; he is currently the director and choreographer of Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Kevin’s most recent work includes 8 Track, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan. He also recently directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, and The Rocky Horror Show for Entr’Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach. Kevin is also the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Miramar, Florida.

On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s will run from June 6 – July 27 at The Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Coral Springs.

Tickets for On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s are $38; $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 http://www.stagedoorfl.org

On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s
Conceived and written by Kevin Black & Mimi J.
June 6 – July 27
Tickets: $38 (Students $16)
Phone: 954-344-7765
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2:00 pm,
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm
The Broward Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Coral Springs, Fl 33065
http://www.stagedoortheatre.com/

 

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