Michael Berresse from "[title of show]" by American Theatre Wing

Episode 217

Michael Berresse, director of the musical [title of show], talks about the show's journey from speed-writing exercise to Broadway hit and whether the self-referential story ever included the character of a director named Michael. He also talks about his evolution from gymnast to dancer to singer to actor, sharing stories about his early days performing at Disney theme parks; the notes he received from the legendary Jerome Robbins while making his Broadway debut in Fiddler on the Roof; the challenge of Christopher Chadman's choreography in the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls; what Ann Reinking said to him about his work in the original cast of the Chicago revival; how he came to create his own spectacular acrobatic dance sequence for Kiss Me Kate; why he loved his ne'er-do-well character in The Light in the Piazza; and whether the actors had freedom to reinterpret their characters for the recent revival of A Chorus Line.

Original air date - August 29, 2008
Running Time - 58:54