Musical Theatre Radio presents "Be Our Guest‪"‬ Jean Paul Yovanoff

Jerrell L. Henderson is a Theatre Director, Puppeteer, and African American Theatre Historian and Archivist. Through the mediums of theatre and/or puppetry and film, Jerrell seeks to disrupt generational curses of self-hate (i.e. racism, homophobia, religious intolerance, etc.). Intellectually curious and emotionally dexterous, Jerrell is at home in a number of wide-ranging genres including, but not limited to, American Realism, Magical Realism, Traditional and Contemporary Musical Theatre, Poetic Black-Queer Narratives, and Live Spectacle Events.

Upcoming projects include directing Ragtime at Metropolis Arts Center this Spring. A recipient of a 2023 Henson Foundation Workshop Grant and the 2022 League of Chicago Theatre’s Samuel G. Roberson Fellowship, Jerrell will present an original shadow play titled, AmericanMYTH: Crossroads with Free Street Theatre this Fall. Recent projects include directing Reverie by James Ijames (2022 Pulitzer Prize recipient for Fat Ham) with Azuka Theatre in Philadelphia, co-directing Marys Seacole by Jackie Sibblies Drury with Griffin Theatre in Chicago, and collaborating with The Classical Theatre of Harlem and St. Ann’s Warehouse on: When The World Sounds Like A Prayer (https://www.cthnyc.org, walkwithamal.org) in Bryant Park in NYC. Other credits include Mlima’s Tale with Griffin Theatre (Jeff Award nomination for Direction and Best Play), The River with BoHo Theatre, and Untitled with Inis Nua (Barrymore Award nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Play). Puppet short films include a filmed version of his signature puppetry piece, I Am The Bear with The Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival. Other puppet short films include, Hamlin: La Revue Sombre with Heather Henson’s Handmade Puppet Dreams and Diamond’s Dream with Chicago Children’s Theatre. His Juneteenth Puppet Protest: The Welcome Table was featured in the New York Times (June 2020) and his Fall 2020 puppetry celebration of the lives of John Lewis and C.T. Vivian titled, Black Butterfly was later expanded into an educational performance piece with Tria Smith of Guild Row and a student collective working with Urban Growers Collective on Chicago’s South Side. He received his MFA in Theatre Directing from Northwestern University (2015), is an artistic associate with Black Lives, Black Words, is a member of Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab (2012), and was a Henson Foundation sponsored participant at the Eugene O’Neill National Puppetry Conference (2020). He is on the board of Directors Gathering. (DG) is a national organization based in Philadelphia, PA which offers theatre directors consistent community, resources, and elevation.

 As a theatre historian and archivist, Jerrell contributed to Fifty Key Musicals (Routledge Press). He authored the chapter on Shuffle Along (1921) and co-authored the chapter on The Wiz (1975). He also serves as the creator and curator of black_theatre_vinyl_archive on Instagram. black_theatre_vinyl_archive is an extensive collection of vinyl albums which highlight the contributions of members of the African Diaspora in Theatre/Musical Theatre History.

 

Moe: A Rap Opera


A fifteen-year baseball veteran. A world-class lawyer. A World War II spy."MOE: A Rap Opera" is the rapped-through musical about the enigmatic real-life baseball-player-turned-spy Moe Berg. With its dynamic rhymes, thunderous beats, and meticulous attention to detail, "MOE" tells the story of one of the most fascinating figures in American history.Did he shy away from the American Dream? Did he toe the fine line between modesty and hubris? Did he abandon ship when the stakes were the highest? Find out for yourself in a lyrical lattice of liberty and legacy.

Jewelle Blackman is a Dora nominated Canadian actor, violinist, singer/songwriter and playwright.  Born and bred in Toronto, Jewelle has worked extensively in theatre, television and film across North America.  She was most recently seen on Broadway starring as “Persephone” in the Tony and Grammy winning Best Musical HADESTOWN.  The same show where she made her Broadway debut and was part of the OBC originating the role of “Contralto Fate”. While in New York Jewelle performed two sold-out Cabarets at the iconic 54 Below and was the anthem singer at Madison Square Gardens. Canadian credits include the Companies of HADESTOWN, WE WILL ROCK YOU; THE LION KING; CAROLINE OR CHANGE; DREAMGIRLS; CROWNS, and three seasons at The Stratford Festival. She was also the headliner for the Toronto Symphony’s 2023 Canada Day Celebration. Jewelle’s other show ROOTED: A Musical Poem is also debuting at the Toronto Fringe this year and will be presented Off-Broadway later this summer.


BOY BOY AND THE MAGIC DRUM

The annual Peace Parade has been cancelled and it's up to the self-doubting Boy Boy to save it. Will he figure out the mystery of the rainbow brew in time? This heart-warming, soca-inspired musical is the 2024 Adam's Prize winner, adapted from the children's book "Boy Boy and the Magic Drum" by Machel Montano. Celebrating the sounds of steel pan and the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago in a joyful, family friendly, new show.

Laura Landauer is an amazingly diverse entertainer, equally comfortable performing as an actor, singer, or comedian. She has received world wide attention for her spot-on portrayal of Celine Dion. Her short films have appeared on television shows, including Entertainment Tonight, across North America and Europe, and have extensive world-wide viewership online.

 She has performed at The Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Yuk Yuk’s Toronto, The Debaters and Just For Laughs Montreal.

 Laura has appeared on television shows including Bathroom Divas, Video on Trial, and Look-a-Like.

 You can also watch her as the evil Shapeshifter & her goofy twin The Form Changer on the PBS/TVO show ODD SQUAD.


Being Celine


Fashion Icon! Mother of the Year! Superstar Extraordinaire! How does she do it?In this 1-hour spectacle that is half-concert, half-intimate conversation, Celine shares how she juggles her passions: Fashion, Family, Fulfillment, Future ... and Peanut Butter.BEING CELINE explores Celine's success, heartbreak and dreams while at the time staying true to her Quebecois roots and maintaining a quiet, simple, unaffected life.Learn what it means to “BE CELINE” in this multimedia extravaganza!

Claire Rice

I have been a theatre nerd for as long as I can remember. Everything is a big song and dance when I’m around. That’s one reason children have always responded well to me! I started babysitting at 12, and continued to nanny into my 30s, making strong connections with every family. After graduating Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, I became a drama, music, and dance teacher, as well as a director for children’s musicals.

I have since honed my skills of teaching music and drama for babies, children, and youth. I founded Dramagination - a very creative acting class for ages 3-12 where kids can follow their instincts, gain confidence, and practice their dramatic techniques. Directing full scale musicals with children became one of my favourite parts of my job, fostering a safe space to learn and perform, and creating lasting memories for everyone involved.

I specialize in developing children’s creativity - where children invent characters, stories, and worlds, and I help them to collaborate and turn their ideas into fully realized productions.

I trained in Toronto, and have since worked in this field in New Brunswick, England, Switzerland and Vancouver. I’m really excited to bring my offerings to York Region and beyond!


Get A Clue


Get a Clue is a horror murder mystery comedy musical that's actually scary but still pretty funny.Loosely based on the Clue game and movie, a group of teens get locked in the attic of a very creepy old house while a party rages downstairs. Things quickly get ...murder-y.This original show comes from the twisted minds of the Intermediate Theatre company in collaboration with Creative Music and Theatre with Claire.

Andrew Rannells is an actor, singer, performer, and the author of Too Much Is Not Enough. A Tony, Drama Desk, and Critics Choice Award nominee and Grammy winner, he originated the role of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon and has starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Hamilton, Falsettos, and The Boys in the Band. On the small screen, he has appeared in Girls, The New Normal, Big Mouth, The Knick, The Romanoffs, Black Monday, and Girls5Eva. Rannells's film credits include A Simple Favor, The Intern, Bachelorette, The Boys in the Band, and The Prom. He has published essays in the New York Times and he made his directorial debut adapting one of his own essays for the anthology series “Modern Love.”