Audra McDonald Audra McDonald, one of the most celebrated actresses of Broadway, as a five time Tony Award winner, Audra holds the title for the most Tony Awards won by any actress on Broadway, Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris also share this title. Audra is a Juilliard graduate, and easily one of the most talented women alive. Born in Berlin, Germany to Stanley and Anna Macdonald on July 3rd, 1970, She has one sister named Alison. Audra possessed the stage presence and energy needed for a Broadway
What is critically known as the best American musical, Gypsy provides American musical theatregoers with dynamic characters, a captivating story and extraordinary music. Gypsy is an American musical that is based on the self-written book, “The Memoirs of ‘Gypsy Rose Lee’”. It is often referred to as, Gypsy: A Musical Fable. The musical made its debut on May 21, 1959 at The Broadway Theatre in Manhattan. The characters have been subject to many in depth analysis throughout its lifetime, adding a lot
by playwright August Wilson, which consists of ten plays that each depict African American life in a different decade of the 20th century. "Fences" is set in the 1950s and explores themes of race, family dynamics, and the pursuit of the American Dream. August Wilson was a seminal American playwright whose works, including "Fences," have profoundly shaped contemporary theater. Known for his deep exploration of African American life, Wilson's plays are celebrated for their poetic dialogue, rich characterizations
Sara Sothern, was an actress on stage. So naturally, Liz was groomed to be an actress as well (Boman). A family friend suggested that Liz be taken for a screen test because of her striking beauty. She caught the eye of executives at Universal Pictures, and they signed her in 1941, but she was dropped after the first film. A year later, Elizabeth again captured the attention of another studio, and she was signed by MGM for a full year. By the age of twelve, Liz had become a leading child star (Jackson)
the beautiful leading lady instead of her usual girl-next-door characters. Meet Me in St. Louis is a classic romantic comedy musical made by Metro Goldwyn Meyer (MGM) Studios, Inc. The movie shows four sisters on the cusp of St. Louis World's Fair that is set in 1904. The story focuses on the growth and It features the dark recesses of the Nazi period with a mix of dramatic visuals and music. 4. The Sound of Music (1965) In 1965, The Sound of Music won the 38th Academy Awards for Best Picture. Julie
work to tell the story of the family and slightly fictionalize it. With the thought of putting his good friend Mary Martin, a popular star of the time, in the leading role, Donehue enlisted the help of producers Leland Hayward and Richard Halliday (Martin’s husband). Ironically, they originally planned to create the show as a straight play with the exception of some Von-Trapp songs, and a couple of original numbers by Rodgers and Hammerstein. They quickly realized however, that to not musicalize
Lea Salonga Research Paper Lea Salonga is a very talented actress and singer who is quite well known in the theatre world. She has done many things and is good example to people all around the world who she shows that no matter where you come from you can always make your dreams come true. I chose her because I really like her story of how she got started out and came from nothing and I love the show Miss Saigon. She was born with the name Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga on February 22, 1971 in
Caryn Eliane Johnson better known as Whoopi Goldberg, has many achievements from being an American actress, award winning comedian, television host, human rights advocate, and mother. Whoopi was born on November 13th 1955 in Chelsea, New York City raised by a single mother Emma Johnson with her younger brother Clyde.” Goldberg's father abandoned the family, and her single mother worked at a variety of jobs—including teaching and nursing—to make ends meet.” (Biography.com Editors, Paragraph 3) Ever
The opera is based on “Porgy”, a novel written by Dubose Heyward and the play also written by Heyward and his wife Dorothy Heyward. The story begins in “Catfish Row” a small coastal town based on the real town of Cabbage Row in Charleston, South Carolina during the 1920’s. The main protagonist of the story and leading man is Porgy, a disabled beggar man who is known for riding his goat cart around Charleston. Bess is the leading lady of the opera and is in an unhealthy relationship with Crown, a powerful
name is synonymous with an ethereal combination of 1950s and 1960s retro fashion, supreme elegance, and childlike innocence. She stood among stars like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor as the epitome of female glamour. As a decorated and award-winning actress, Audrey was known for the powerful yet, classy female roles she played in some of today’s greatest classic movies. While her work in the film industry has brought her world-renowned success, it is her captivating charisma and sophisticated
response to the social norms, both contradicting and reinforcing the status quo. Billy Wilder seemingly celebrates disregard for moral values of the time as a source of humor, referencing cross-dressing, sex, homosexuality, and lesbianism through leading men who execute cons without suffering negative consequences; and expects his spectator to do the same. Overall, the film appears tailored to the white, male spectatorship, like Wilder himself, in search of comedic spectacle, although it is not exclusive
Two thunderous voices can be seen in the arts during the late 20th century. James Earl Jones is well known for his roles in Hollywood films such as “Dr. Strangelove” and “Star Wars”, and has an even greater presence in the theatre community. His achievements as an actor were inspired by his hardships growing up, for he had a strong stutter until high school. Similarly, Geoffrey Holder suffered from a speech impediment at a young age, but would become a well-known artist. Holder is recognized