New Musical REVIVAL in the Works

A unique dance and musical collaboration is currently being developed in New York City. Revival is a musical based on the collective experience of the show's creative team which includes choreographer/ballet dancer Christopher d'Amboise and Broadway veterans Paige Price, Michael Paternostro, and Kelly Crandall. While the four have worked together separately, this is the first time they have all collaborated as a group. The show is set in the present and pays homage to the 80's. Dance styles to be featured in Revival are Broadway dance and classical ballet infused with modern dance. The music will feature pop, Broadway, and novelty-inspired songs.

A successful developmental dance workshop to prepare for Revival was recently held with BFA dance and acting students from Manhattan's Marymount College, allowing the creative team to refine the choreography with the students'input. Broadway's Sean Martin Hingston participated to help fashion the lead role. There are tentative plans to cast six male and six female dancers in the show's ensemble.

About the Creative Team for Revival:

Christopher d'Amboise has an impressive career as a dancer, director and teacher. Furthermore, he is a playwright noted for his works that integrate music, dance text and visual storytelling; and a choreographer of over 80 ballets. He was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet from 1978 to 1987, served as Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and received a Tony nomination for his performance in the Broadway musical, Song and Dance.

Paige Price is the 1st Vice President of Actors Equity and the Artistic Director of Theatre Aspen in Colorado, the award-winning equity theatre where the creative team met for two summers to work on the show. She has performed extensively on stage, appearing with Michael Paternostro in Saturday Night Fever, as well as on films and television. Price said, "The collaboration is like nothing I've ever experienced. Though we each have a certain focus, we all moved fluidly in and out of roles and approached this project as a collective."

Michael Paternostro, a native of New Orleans, has extensive Broadway credits including Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls, AChorus Line, and Fosse. He was the assistant director for How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe Theater in San Diego and served as musical director for productions at the Havok Theatre Company and Cabrillo Music Theater. Besides wearing his many artistic hats, he composed music for the new musical, Scary Musical.

Kelly Crandall trained at the School of American Ballet. She has appeared on film, television and Broadway, where she was an original cast member of The Boy From Oz, starring Hugh Jackman, likewise performing with the New York City Opera and Los Angeles Opera. Other Broadway credits include Chicago, A Christmas Carol and the national tour of The Producers. She has additional recognition as an associate choreographer on numerous productions, including Babes in Toyland at Lincoln Center.

Revival is in the process of rewrites and more developmental workshops to refine the material and further develop the second act. Keep your eyes on Broadwayworld.com to learn more about this new musical.

Paige Price Photo Credit: Lee Cherry

Marina Kennedy writes articles on performance venues for Broadwayworld.com and is a reporter and columnist for The Alternative Press.com. Her interest in dance and theater stems from the many years she owned and operated a dance school, "Dance Unlimited" in New Jersey in late 70's and 80's. She has maintained her deep interest in the arts and enjoys writing about performances in New York and New Jersey.