MEET THE 2019 NOMINEES: Melissa Glasgow

Melissa Glasgow

NOMINATED FOR: 2019 Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role

Melissa Glasgow* as "Sheila" in The Gallery Players Production of A CHORUS LINE

Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante
Directed by Tom Rowan
Producer: Dominic Cuskern
Director: Tom Rowan
Choreographer: Eddie Gutierrez
Music Director: Jason Liebson
Costume Designer: Antonio Consuegra
Set Designer: William B. Sawyer
Lighting Designer: Paul T. Kennedy
Sound Designer: Charlie Hill
Props Designer: Gabrielle Giacomo
Production Stage Manager: Michael J. Tosto*
Assistant Stage Manager: Elizabeth Fontaine

*Denotes Member of Actors' Equity Association


What first attracted you to working on this show?
I learned the opening choreography to A Chorus Line my freshman year of college, and instantly fell in love with the drive and passion that the choreo and show required. Ever since I've wanted to be a part of it.

What was your favorite part of working on this production? And why?
This show, and the people working on it, were exactly what I needed at the time. I was surrounded by people who were evidently passionate about the show and the story we were telling. It was refreshing to be around such positive energy.

What was the most challenging part of working on this production? And why?
Learning the original choreography took a lot of work because of its very specific style. Our choreographer, Eddie Gutierrez, was incredibly detailed and it was a lot to take in, but so worth it in the end.

Melissa Glasgow as "Sheila" in The Gallery Players' production of A CHORUS LINE.

Was there anything odd, quirky, innovative, funny or otherwise noteworthy about your experience with this production?
Taking my damn hair down in the scene before "At the Ballet". My hair has never liked to cooperate and it left me feeling like I had egg on my face for one or two shows :P

What is the best thing about working with this company and/or these artists?
Their love for theatre and the support they give to the rest of the company.

What does receiving this nomination mean to you?
It feels amazing to feel part of a theatre community in NYC. It shows that when you care about something it can have an impact. Mostly it demonstrates how much this show still resonates with audiences today.

Visit Melissa's Backstage profile here.


OTHER 2019 NOMINATIONS FOR A CHORUS LINE

• Outstanding Choreography / Movement: Eddie Gutierrez
• Outstanding Production of a Musical

PRODUCTION PHOTOS FROM THE GALLERY PLAYERS' PRODUCTION OF A CHORUS LINE

In the Heights

Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Quiara Alegría Hudes.
Directed by Michael Bello
Produced by The Gallery Players

Nominated for: Outstanding Director, Michael Bello

Photo by Scott Cally & Bella Muccari

About the Production
In the Heights is a vibrant, touching, and thought-provoking musical that tells the story of the changing cultural landscape of Washington Heights. It makes us ask, what is home? We follow a young bodega owner, Usnavi, his cousin, and the rest of the neighborhood as they navigate the times in Washington Heights. This modern musical engages the audience, and makes them consider their own role in their families, their neighborhood community and in all of New York City.

Director Michael Bello and Producer Jonathan-Bruce King talk about staging with modern musical that is a true celebration of New York.

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What attracted you to this production?

Michael: As a Cuban-American theater artist In The Heights holds very special meaning to me. More personally, my grandparents and father immigrated from Havana, Cuba to 183rd Street in 1952, my parents met on the 181st St A stop that was upstage left, and I was born in Washington Heights. My family and I saw the show off-Broadway and Broadway, I saw the National Tour in Boston the day after my Abuela passed away, and it was the only Broadway musical by grandfather and I ever saw together. The story of In The Heights is one that speaks to me in a profound way and has a very special place in my heart. After working on the show, it became clear from the amazing group of Latino/a artists that gathered around the piece that Lin Manuel Miranda's writing spoke to us all and each of our family's culture, sacrifices, communities and love. When The Gallery Players asked me to return to the theater, after directing last year's NY It Awards nominated Next to Normal, I simply couldn't pass up the chance to bring my family and my culture to life on stage.

Jonathan-Bruce: I wanted to work on this musical because it explores a wonderful concept: what is home in the face of adversity? The theater wanted to explore the concepts of the play given the changing backdrop of our part of Park Slope. We have seen so much change in the past few years, the bodega is now a juice bar, starbucks and artisan coffee have opened up, and rents have risen astronomically. It is a musical about Washington Heights, but it could be about Park Slope.

Photo by Scott Cally & Bella Muccari

What did you want the audience to come away with after watching is production of In the Heights?

Jonathan-Bruce: I hope the audience came away with a sense of what home was to them, how their choices in living and life affect others, and how to find home within themselves.

What was your favorite part of this production?

Jonathan-Bruce: I loved working with an amazing cast and crew. Everyone had some kind of connection to the neighborhood or the culture, and were so excited to bring these characters to life.

What was the most challenging aspect of this production?

Jonathan-Bruce: This is a very big musical, and a very realistic musical. We had to make sure we were firmly rooted in realism but also could stay within budget.

Photo by Scott Cally & Bella Muccari

What was it like working with Michael Bello?

Jonathan-Bruce: Michael Bello is an incredibly adept and skillful director. His vision and specificity showed throughout the production and led to a cohesive, well thought out, and enthralling production.

You can follow The Gallery Players on Twitter - @tgpbrooklyn

Rent

Rent
By Jonathan Larson
Directed by Mark Harborth
Produced by The Gallery Players

Nomination: Dwayne Washington is nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role

                Photos by Bella Mucari

About this Production
As Gallery has developed a reputation for reimagining these iconic pieces, President Mark Harborth (Chess, Dreamgirls) promises a unique experience for audiences already familiar with the show. “You won’t see a striped winter scarf in this production (or a sexy Santa suit for that matter) but you will hear every note of Jonathan Larson’s passionate score performed by one of the most dynamic and talented casts and orchestras Gallery has assembled.”

Actor Dwayne Washington shares his experience of performing in this cathartic production.

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What attracted you to this project?

Dwayne: The show has a beautiful sense of truth! These characters go through real emotions and they allow the actor to really pull from life experience. It allows you to fall in love every night and experience loss and triumph. It’s all a very cathartic experience. No matter what, your thought process and how you see life is evolved with every lyric.

What was your favorite part of working on this production?

Dwayne: I most enjoyed developing the relationships with the cast a crew and working with some phenomenal talent to bring these characters to life. People were discussing real issues that are still so relevant today. This cast bled and cried to find honesty. I believe that these types of experiences are breathtaking. Paying tribute to those that brought these characters to life prior to us, but evolving them through our personal truths. As well as getting to share that with people every night and allowing them to leave the theater feeling heroic in their stories and truth.

What was the most challenging part of working on this production?

Dwayne: The most challenging part to this production was seeing it end.The show finally had its wings, that final night was electric. Everyone was on, maybe it was because the lyrics lined the room and danced with each measure. The words never spoke so loudly. You fought back tears in places and smiled in others but it was all real and raw emotions spoken though Jonathan Larson's great lyrics and melodies. Never stop loving, living and being who you are in this world to make it better.

What was the most memorable moment for you during the creation of this production?

Dwayne: We had an amazing time as a cast, we became a crazy dysfunctional family (in all the right ways). This show was suppose to happen with this cast in it. It was awesome how magnetic the energy was, we had people sliding down stripper poles, Lunch outings, tears, candles, and 525600 minutes, it was just right!

A Little Night Music

A Little Night Music
Book by Hugh Wheeler & Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Tom Rowan
Produced by The Gallery Players

Nomination: A Little Night Music is nominated for Outstanding Production of a Musical


          Photos by Bella Mucari

About this Production
Based on the Ingmar Bergman film “Smiles on a Summer Night,” the five-time Tony winning musical features an elaborate score of waltzes, including the Grammy-winning “Send in the Clowns.” Night Music features the most iconic traits of Sondheim’s repertoire, boasting a complex score riddled with hilarious wit. A delicate dream of a musical, the sentimental comedy follows a trio of mismatched lovers as they twist, turn, and tumble toward their true love. While the material is sure to impress, make no mistake that the lavish costumes and luxurious set will invite Gallery’s audiences for a taste of “The Glamorous Life.”