Guys and Dolls (2018). Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer.
Guys and Dolls (2018). Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer.
Regards from Broadway Rose
Spring 2023 Newsletter
Articles written by Dani Wright
Welcome to the second edition of Regards from Broadway Rose, our new quarterly newsletter.
It’s been a pretty amazing spring, from prepping for our new musical Audition From Hell to hosting our fairy-tale gala, hiring a new crop of interns, and welcoming kids back for our Spring Break Camp – we’ve been keeping busy!
Please snag some leftover Easter candy, munch on a Peep or two, and enjoy hearing more about some of the amazing people who help create musical theatre at Broadway Rose.
Keep an eye out for our next issue this summer, and we’ll see you in the lobby.
– Sharon Maroney and Dan Murphy
Sharon Maroney (bottom right) with cast and musical director
Creating a New Work
AUDITION FROM HELL WITH WRITER SHARON MARONEY
Sharon Maroney (bottom right) with cast and musical director
Audition From Hell was born in 2018 from the wisp of an idea and a wager Sharon Maroney made with herself.
After sitting through yet another sappy Hallmark movie, courtesy of her husband Dan, Sharon thought, “I could do better.” She decided to write a new musical centering the story around well-seasoned leading ladies. “There’s a niche and there is a need for that type of material for women my age,” Sharon said.
Amaya Santamaría, passionate advocate for musical theatre education for all ages
Meet the Staff
AMAYA SANTAMARÍA, EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Amaya Santamaría, passionate advocate for musical theatre education for all ages
Amaya began her career with Broadway Rose as education and community engagement manager in 2017. During Amaya’s five years in this position, the education program has seen phenomenal growth, evolving from spring and summer youth and teen musical theatre camps into a year-round educational program offering 15 different classes and workshops covering a range of musical theatre skills for children, teens, and adults.
Lisa Francolini, owner and founder of RiverWest Acupuncture
Featured Sponsor
LISA FRANCOLINI & RIVERWEST ACUPUNCTURE
Lisa Francolini, owner and founder of RiverWest Acupuncture
Lisa Francolini, owner and founder of RiverWest Acupuncture, has been an advisor, friend, and supporter of Broadway Rose since 2004.
Lisa met Sharon Maroney 19 years ago, and the two women very quickly connected. Since then, Lisa has played an important role at Broadway Rose, serving on the board, hosting strategic planning sessions, introducing many of her friends to the theatre, cooking sumptuous meals for fundraiser dinners, and even playing the part of a ‘dead body’ during the theatre’s production of Les Misérables! RiverWest Acupuncture has also served as a corporate sponsor for Broadway Rose Theatre for many years.
Students at our winter adult dance series
Events at Broadway Rose
WHY WE OFFER ADULT DANCE CLASSES
Students at our winter adult dance series
Broadway Rose expanded its dance program to include classes for adults in 2021. “One of the reasons we’re trying to offer adult dance classes is because there aren’t many places for adults to learn how to dance,” said Managing Director Dan Murphy. While dance classes for children and teens abound, accessible musical theatre dance classes for adults are less common, and the prospect of attending a dance class for the first time can be intimidating for many adults. “The most common advice that I give to aspiring musical theatre actors is to go to dance class,” said Dan, “and our dance classes welcome all levels.”
Kelly backstage at Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
Where Are They Now?
KELLY JEANNE GRANT, FROM PORTLAND TO PHANTOM
Kelly backstage at Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
Portland native Kelly Jeanne Grant left Oregon nearly 25 years ago to pursue her theatrical dream in New York City. She found success appearing in lead roles in regional theaters and national tours and performed the role of Magnolia in the Hal Prince production of Show Boat in London’s West End, afterwards touring America with the show. Kelly returned home to star on the Broadway Rose stage as Christine in Phantom (Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit) in 2002, earning a Drammy Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She later appeared in additional Broadway Rose productions How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and The Melody Lingers On: The Songs of Irving Berlin. Kelly made her Broadway debut as Kathy in the Broadway revival of Company (2007 Tony Award). Most recently Kelly performed in Phantom of the Opera, Broadway’s longest running show. As Phantom finally closes on April 16 after an unprecedented 35-year run, we touched base with Kelly to ask what her next steps would be.
Dick & Jane at the annual Broadway Rose gala
Donor Spotlight
DICK AND JANE MILLER, LONGTIME FRIENDS OF BROADWAY ROSE
Dick & Jane at the annual Broadway Rose gala
Dick and Jane Miller visited Broadway Rose shortly after the theatre was founded in 1992, and after attending their first performance, they were captivated. “We were hooked, absolutely hooked! I don’t think we’ve missed a single show,” said Jane.
Pat & Darold at the Once Upon a Time gala
Theatre Guild Tribute
PAT STUPUR, GUILD PRESIDENT
Pat & Darold at the Once Upon a Time gala
Pat Stupur first visited Broadway Rose in 2007 with her companion Darold, eager to see Producing Artistic Director Sharon Maroney on stage after enjoying her performances at other venues across town. It was not long after their first visit that Pat and Darold decided to join the Broadway Rose trip to New York City, and it was there that Pat first heard about the Broadway Rose Theatre Guild. Now, over 15 years later, Pat is heading into her second year as Guild president, after having participated in numerous events and fundraisers and served consecutive two year terms as secretary, treasurer, and vice president.
Elaine Akamian, Scenic Artist
Meet the Artist
ELAINE AKAMIAN, SCENIC ARTIST
Elaine Akamian, Scenic Artist
“I tell everyone – participate in high school theatre! It’s a really great place to explore a lot of different things.” ~ Elaine Akamian
Scenic Artist: A scenic artist paints, sculpts, and texturizes set elements based on a set design created by the scenic designer.
Elaine Akamian, scenic artist for Audition From Hell, is a young professional with an eclectic theatre background and a yearning for creative communication. Staffer Dani Wright sat down recently with Elaine to ask them about their experience in theatre.
