NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Star-Studded Carnegie Hall Guys and Dolls Concert With Allison BlackwellA starry concert presentation of Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls, starring Nathan Lane, Patrick Wilson, Sierra Boggess and Megan Mullally, was held April 3 at Carnegie Hall. Allison Blackwell (A Night With Janis Joplin), who played the role of Agatha, shares exclusive backstage photos from the company's one day of tech rehearsal.
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Matthew Blank
April 08, 2014
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Star-Studded Carnegie Hall Guys and Dolls Concert With Allison Blackwell
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at Star-Studded Carnegie Hall Guys and Dolls Concert With Allison Blackwell
A starry concert presentation of Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls, starring Nathan Lane, Patrick Wilson, Sierra Boggess and Megan Mullally, was held April 3 at Carnegie Hall. Allison Blackwell (A Night With Janis Joplin), who played the role of Agatha, shares exclusive backstage photos from the company's one day of tech rehearsal.
39 PHOTOS
Good Morning Washington Heights. I woke up and immediately got my arsenal ready for tech day at Carnegie Hall. Better safe than sorry.
Allison Blackwell
A polite bowl of oatmeal to start the day and give me a little kick before I head out the door
Allison Blackwell
One more look over the script and lines so NO ONE will get embarrassed (aka me) #2lineagatha
Allison Blackwell
My Barbra Streisand Corner. I adore this woman and she is consistent reminder of greatness and the level at which I aspire to be.
Walking to the hallway to my dressings room. I get to share the hallway with Chris Fitzgerald, Colman Domingo, John Treacy Egan and John Bolton #legendsball
Allison Blackwell
My dressing room with amazing Linda Mugleston
Allison Blackwell
Thanks Carnegie for the gift bags and of course tons of water
Allison Blackwell
Look who just walked into the building: COLMAN DOMINGO
Allison Blackwell
Colman warming up for his amazing feature in "Fugue for Tinhorns." One of my favorite songs in the show
Allison Blackwell
Making my way down to the seats of Carnegie Hall and our director Jack O’Brien is giving notes and directions to the creative team. We learned this whole show in less than a week through his fearless leadership.
Allison Blackwell
Sierra Boggess and Joseph Torello pose for the camera. They are ready to start this tech.
Allison Blackwell
Colman Domingo and Chris Fitzgerald take a break from tech and relax.
Allison Blackwell
Two of the fiercest dancers I have seen, Jenny LaRoche and Samatha Sturm. Legs for days, baby!
Allison Blackwell
The legendary Len Cariou watching rehearsal on stage. If you don’ t know who he is. . . . . . . GOOGLE and GET YOUR LIFE.
Allison Blackwell
JD, Colman and I taking in Carnegie Hall and all its glory
Allison Blackwell
On a 20 minute break I wandered around Carnegie Hall
Allison Blackwell
Hallway leading to the stage
Allison Blackwell
Upstairs, I found some amazing signed pictures. The first one I saw was of Renee Fleming and the Robert Shaw. I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Shaw in college and Ms. Fleming. . . . . Enough said. That voice is BUTTA.
Allison Blackwell
Next, Dame Joan Sutherland and Frank Sinatra. Frank Sinatra starred the 1955 movie "Guys and Dolls" with Marlon Brando, Vivian Blaine and Jean Simmons. I especially love his rendition of “Luck Be A Lady”
Allison Blackwell
I had to take this picture of Ella Fitzergald. One of my favorite jazz singers in addition to Sarah Vaughan
Allison Blackwell
I have been listening to Leontyne Price since my dad put on her recording of Bizet’s Carmen as a child. Her grace, humbleness, talent and work ethic are unmatched.
Allison Blackwell
Back to work, a quick picture backstage before we tech the top of the show Katie Webber, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Taurean Everett, Justin Orso and Cody Williams.
Allison Blackwell
Mission Band minus myself with JD Webster, Linda Mugleston and Joseph Torello
Allison Blackwell
Our conductor Rob Fisher who keeps the whole show running smoothly and does it effortlessly with Rebecca Eichenberger and Nicely-Nicely Johnson, John Treacy Egan
Allison Blackwell
General Cartwright herself, the fabulous Judy Kaye taking a break backstage
Allison Blackwell
Lunch Break. Fade to SUBWAY. I am starving.
Allison Blackwell
Back to tech and WAITING FOR LIFE TO BEGINNNNNNNN (love you, LaChanze)
Allison Blackwell
A quick note session with Joel Fram with ensemble singers Nicolas Davila, Joseph Torello, Cree Carrico, Adam Alexander, Glenn Seven Allen, Brian Charles Mooney
Allison Blackwell
A sensible pose with Paloma Garcia-Lee, Adam Jepson, Manuel Herrera, Michaeljon Slinger, Stephen Carrasco
Allison Blackwell
Those of us on stage were blessed to have some extra voices just for Carnegie Hall. Here are the 4 women who gave us the extra umph that we needed: Cree Carrico, Gaelen Gilliland, Christine DiGiallonardo and Rebecca Eichenberger
Allison Blackwell
John Bolton giving us the “gangsta” pose
Allison Blackwell
I was able to catch an amazing moment between Patrick Wilson and Len Cariou. Patrick asked Mr. Cariou about his experiences in Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music. I got to be a fly on the wall and listen to how it all happened.
Allison Blackwell
The stories continue...
Allison Blackwell
Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally going over lines. Hard work never ends.
Allison Blackwell
Ready for the big night. Heading home to get some rest. Thanks Carnegie Hall for being a great host.
Three-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, The Nance, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) staged the 7:30 PM concert presentation in the Stern Auditorium. The evening featured music direction by Rob Fisher (Anything Goes, Chicago, The Sound of Music at Carnegie Hall and founding music director of Encores!), conducting the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
Lane (The Producers, The Nance, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) was Tony-nominated for playing Nathan Detroit in the Tony Award-winning 1992 Broadway revival of the classic musical. He returned to the role in a principal cast that also featured two-time Tony nominee Wilson (Oklahoma!, The Full Monty) as Sky Masterson, Boggess (The Little Mermaid, Master Class) as Sarah Brown and Mullally (Young Frankenstein, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) as Miss Adelaide.
The cast also featured Tony winner Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music) as Arvide Abernathy, Tony winner Judy Kaye (Phantom of the Opera) as General Matilda B. Cartwright, Tony nominee Lee Wilkof (Little Shop of Horrors; Kiss Me, Kate) as Harry the Horse, John Bolton (A Christmas Story the Musical, Curtains) as Angie the Ox, Robert Clohessy ("Boardwalk Empire") as Lieutenant Brannigan, Tony nominee Colman Domingo (The Scottsboro Boys, Passing Strange) as Rusty Charlie, John Treacy Egan (The Producers, Sister Act) as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, two-time Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Young Frankenstein, Wicked) as Benny Southstreet and Steve Schirripa ("The Sopranos") as Big Jule. Members of the Mission Band included Allison Blackwell (Agatha), J.D. Webster (Calvin), Linda Mugleston (Martha) and Joseph Torello (Joseph).
With music and lyrics by Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, Guys and Dolls "is an adaptation of short stories by Damon Runyon and paints a picture of 1930s New York City, focusing on gamblers Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, missionary Sarah Brown, and nightclub dancer Miss Adelaide," press notes state. "The score includes favorites such as a 'A Bushel and a Peck,' 'Luck Be A Lady,' 'Take Back Your Mink,' 'Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat,' and 'If I Were A Bell.' Guys and Dolls premiered on Broadway in 1950 and was subsequently revived in 1976, 1992, and, most recently, in 2009."
The musical was presented with full orchestra, cast and ensemble, and was a gala benefit, providing support for the artistic and music education programs of Carnegie Hall.
The Max Martin musical features a number of his most beloved songs, including “…Baby One More Time,” “Roar,” “Since U Been Gone,” “It’s My Life,” “I Want It That Way,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling!,” and more.
