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The Official Blog of The Westchester Broadway Theatre


Madame (de La Grande Bouche) is that you?

June 18, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: Beauty & The Beast, Interviews, News, Press

Marguerite Willbanks, who captivates our audiences as the "Overstuffed Armoire" in Beauty & The Beast, said: 

I grew up in Parkville, Maryland which is right outside of Baltimore. I am the middle of three girls. My parents were both teachers and performed in community theatre. I spent lots of time in the theatre growing up-first tagging along to rehearsals with my parents and then performing. For 11 years my entire family spent every summer performing at a local summer theatre. My version of summer camp! After graduating high school I went to college for a couple of years and then headed to New York where I attended AMDA.  

 I would have to say my parents have always been my greatest influence and mentors. They showed me from a very early age how much work, discipline, and fun it is to be a part of the theatre world. Although they never worked as "professionals" I consider many of their performances the best I’ve ever seen on a stage.    

I watched the "Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night as a child. I think my favorite Disney film as a kid was "Bambi". I have performed this role before with the Broadway company of "Beauty". It was a wonderful advantage to work with the original creators of the show and see what their intentions were for the role. Of course as time has passed I’ve spiced  it up a little. That’s the fun of playing a role more than once-it’s great fun to find new parts to the characters personality.
I rarely think about the animated film in regards to the show. I think the book and music for the stage production stand on their own- separately from the film. One of the wonderful things about the film is that it’s brought so many people to see the stage production. The costumes are definitely helpful in creating this character. As soon as I put the "wardrobe" on I have to move in a totally different way and I immediately feel connected to "Madame".
My nieces and nephews have seen the show and love it! They can’t believe it’s their Aunt Maggie under all that furniture! When I’m not performing I enjoy spending time with my husband and dog. We love to travel- if we ever win the lottery we will be off to see the world!!

 

 

GASTON GABS!

June 06, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: Beauty & The Beast, Interviews, News, Press

Jonathan Burgard chatted with me about his role and more!

               Growing up was sort of a difficult task.  My father starting his basic training in the Air Force in 1971, He didn’t retire until he reached final rank of a recruiter, Chief Master Sergeant in 2001, so from my birth, relocation was inevitable.  By the time I was 18, I had lived in roughly around 25 cities, but the main locations were Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Syracuse, and Wilmington, NC.  Read the rest of this entry →

Cab Calloway Awards

May 21, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: News, Press, Special Events

On Monday, May 19th, The Arts community of Westchester County came out to honor their own when the Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement  Awards were presented At Westchester Broadway Theatre.  (See more photos below story!)

 George Puello, John Treacy Egan, Daniel Carlino Read the rest of this entry →

Mrs Potts Spills all!

May 20, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: Beauty & The Beast, Interviews, News, Press

Stacia Fernandez is bubbling over with  excitement as she appears nightly in Beauty & The Beast!  

I was born in Columbia Missouri, lived in Monmouth, Illinois until I was 9 and then spent the rest of my growing up years in Atlanta, Georgia.   I’m the 4th of 4 girls and we had a blast together! Read the rest of this entry →

“In The Mood” surprise!

May 14, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: News, Press, Special Events

Frank Morganthaler, Bob Funking (holding plaque), Lt. Ryan Miller & Bob Foster 

On May 13th, forty current & veteran servicemen & women attended the production of In The Mood, (a terrific review of the music of the WWII era 1940’s.)  Frank Morganthaler and Bob Foster, each a member of  the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War Posts, surprised owners, Bob Funking & Bill Stutler, with a plaque honoring Westchester Broadway Theatre.  On January 11, 2008, Westchester Broadway Theatre donated $10,000. to the program "Canines for Combat Veterans". This program provides service dogs for wounded veterans. Most of those veterans are victims of the current conflict in Iraq/Afghanistan.  Read the rest of this entry →

A tantalizing taste!

May 07, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: Beauty & The Beast, News, Press, WBT Videos

Unlikely Lovers make magic!

May 06, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: Beauty & The Beast, News, Press

Rena Strober (Belle ) & Joseph Mahowald (The Beast)

Beastly Reveling!

May 05, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: Beauty & The Beast, News, Press, Special Events

The Opening Night  "Apres-Theatre Fete"  was brimming with delectable eats, treats & peeps! 

Bells are ringing!!

May 02, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: News

The friendly voices you hear when calling the box office most weekdays belong to this lively bunch!  Beauty & The Beast  has them very busy indeed with phones ringing continuously!  

           

Jessica, Maria, Carla                                                                 Danielle, Dan

 Terry & Steve (The box office manager!)

The Tale in Pictures!

April 29, 2008 By: Pia Haas Category: Beauty & The Beast, News, Press

What Beauty on stage … and lots of Beastly fun!!

photos by John Vecchiolla

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