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11/1/2009: I'm Dreaming Of A...

White Christmas? Production Contract? National Tour? All of the above!

I'm very excited and honored to be joining the 2009 production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. This charming show, based on the 1954 movie, has been produced seasonally for the past six years in cities like St. Paul, Toronto, Detroit, Boston, L.A., and (for the last two years) on Broadway in New York. This year they've put together the first National Touring Production, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. Not only is it a fantastic show, but it's also my first chance to work with choreographer Randy Skinner and director Walter Bobbie, so I'm having a blast.

In addition to dancing like crazy in the ensemble, I'll also be understudying my friend David Elder in the role of Phil Davis. I've even got some guaranteed dates to go on as Phil in Cincinnati: November 13th (8 p.m.), 14th (8 p.m.), and 15th (1 p.m.).

We opened this week in Omaha, and the reviews are already raves. Bob Fischbach of the Omaha World-Herald says, "It's great dancing, great singing, a great score by you know who, and it has great performers in all the featured roles. Hats off to them... and especially to a young, attractive, high-energy chorus. It's a great big hit with Omaha audiences."

Here are our cities and dates:
Omaha, NE (Orpheum Theatre): Nov. 1 - 7
Cincinnati, OH (Aranoff Center): Nov. 10 - 22
Philadelphia, PA (Academy of Music): Nov. 24 - Dec. 6
East Lansing, MI (Wharton Center): Dec. 8 - 13
St. Louis, MO (Fox Theatre): Dec. 15 - 27
Louisville, KY (KY Center for the Arts): Dec. 29 - Jan. 3
Kansas City, MO (The Music Hall): Jan. 5 - 10

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8/19/2009: Drowsy a Huge Success

Well, I'm back in New York again after a phenominal run of The Drowsy Chaperone at Stages St. Louis. I had a blast, but more importantly, critics and audiences alike couldn't get enough of it! Judith Newmark, of the St. Louis Post Dispatch says that "comedy rules, infusing one performance after another with giddy glee" and that the show " make[s] you laugh until tears roll down your cheeks." Peter Felichia of TheaterMania.com raves, "The cast is wondrous!" Steve Allen of St. Louis' KFUO-FM was kind enough to point out the "great work by Brian Ogilvie as the best-best-best man." For more reviews from the production, check out my Reviews Page. Our five-week run played to completely sold-out (and might I add, completely delighted) houses. It was a joy to be invited back to Stages St. Louis and an honor to be a part of such a fabulous cast in this amazing production.

But all good things must come to an end, and we closed this past Sunday evening. I'm now back in New York reprising my role in one of my favorite shows, Unemployment: The Musical with a cast of thousands. (I hope you like my production photo.) I hear that this show has been very popular this year. Anyway, I can't wait to see what's next, and I'll update the site as soon as I know. In the meantime, "Have voice. Will Travel!"

UPDATE 8/24/09: According to our producer Jack Lane, The Drowsy Chaperone has broken the Stages St. Louis box office record, bringing in $560,000 in 38 performances. What a privilege to have played a role in this special milestone for the company! Also, I've now added some pictures from the production in my Gallery, so check them out. I hope you enjoy them.

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7/12/2009: Drowsy Chaperone at Stages St. Louis

I'm spending the summer back at Stages St. Louis! I had such a great time doing A Little Night Music and Snoopy! here at Stages two summers ago, and I'm thrilled to be back again with this show. First of all, I love this theatre. Second, Drowsy is probably my absolute favorite new show from the last several Broadway seasons, so it's very exciting to be a part of the American Regional Premiere.

If you've ever sat in a dark theatre and thought "Dear Lord in heaven, please let this be good," this is the show for you. It's got something for everyone—as the lead character says: "Mishaps, mayhem, and a gay wedding." (Of course, back in the '20s, "gay" just meant fun, and that's exactly what this show is.) We've got an amazing cast, including Tari Kelly as Janet, David Schmittou as the Man in Chair, David Elder as the Groom, and Christianne Tisdale as the Chaperone herself. I'll be playing George the high-strung Best Man. If you like tap dancing, I think you'll enjoy Mr. Elder's and my 5-minute tap duet.

We begin previews next Friday, July 17th, open officially the following Wednesday the 22nd, and we'll run through August 16th. This is really going to be fun!

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2/23/2009: Cagney! at Florida Stage

I start rehearsals this week for Cagney! at Florida Stage near Palm Beach, and I am stoked! This is a brand new show written by Broadway actor Robert Creighton, who will also be playing the title character. This is a six-person show, and I'll get to play a bunch of different fun characters, including Errol Flynn and James' brother Bill Cagney. I can hardly express how excited I am to be a part of the development process of a new musical, something I haven't really gotten to do since Loving Repeating back at Northwestern. Here's the blurb about the show from the Florida Stage website:

A brand new musical celebration! A tour-de-force production! A tribute to a legend of film and stage! From the mean streets of New York came Jimmy Cagney, an accomplished "hoofer" and the cinema's quintessential tough guy. this is an intimate portrait of the man, his art and his politics, his love of family and his enormous generosity. Full of fabulous music and astonishing dance, come celebrate Cagney, America's favorite gangster and beloved Yankee Doodle Dandy.

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9/10/2008: State Fair at the Walnut Street

Well, the theatre gods have brought me back to Pennsylvania again, and as always, I'm very glad I followed. It's tremendously exciting and a real honor to be a part of the first production of the Walnut Street Theatre's 200th Season. For those who don't know, the Walnut Street was founded in 1809 and is the oldest theatre in America. You'll have to forgive my excess enthusiasm, but it's really cool to be here!

The production is Rodgers and Hammerstein's State Fair, and if, like me, you've always thought of State Fair as a hokey, dated little musical, you need to see this. Under the direction of Bruce Lumpkin, our incredible cast—featuring such "rock stars" as Mark Jacoby, Dee Hoty, and David Elder—turn in a performance that is touching, honest, and above all, relevant. Every night, I'll be performing the snappy choreography of Michelle Gaudette Lumpkin as one of the Fairtones (Emily Arden's backup quartet) and understudying Mr. Elder as Pat Gilbert.

I feel so honored to perform on a stage with such a long and illustrious history, joining the ranks of countless Broadway and even film stars who have tread these boards before me. If you find yourself nearby, I hope you'll stop in for the first show of this historic season. You'll be glad you did.

Tonight is our opening night, and we'll run through October 19th. "Don't miss it, don't even be late!"

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