Ordway Original 2019: 42nd Street

In the summer of 2019 the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts produced a re-imagined contemporary version of the Broadway classic, 42nd Street. Teeming with new jazz-funk orchestrations, simply stunning tap dancing, and innovative designs, the show was filled with the show-biz glamour that audiences love.

To help bring the story to life, the Ordway partnered with Minnesota Playlist to create a podcast that gave listeners a look at the behind-the-scene details of 42nd Street.

“The idea behind the podcast was to talk about how the creative process worked and to highlight the phenomenal work of local and national artists,” said Kelli Foster Warder, the Ordway’s Director of Education and Associate Producer.

Throughout the six-episode broadcast, the Ordway team, actors, the show’s director, and choreographer shared their stories, insights and dreams for the production.

All episodes can be heard for FREE at the following link: https://anchor.fm/playlistpresents

Photo by Rich Ryan

Photo by Paul Tate dePoo III

Episode 1: Rod Kaats, the Ordway’s Producing Artistic Director talked about Broadway at the Ordway and the reimagined production of the classic Broadway musical 42nd Street.

Episode 2: Performers Phillip Attmore and Kimberly Immanuel, who played Billy and Peggy in the Ordway’s production of 42nd Street, discuss diverse representation on stage and recreating these iconic characters in the exciting new version of the classic musical.

Episode 3: Actors Bekah Gudim, Maddie Hillligoss, and Kelli Foster Warder talked about tap dancing, the prominence it has had in their lives, and in the brand new story of the beloved Broadway classic 42nd Street – an Ordway Original. When actors Lamont Brown and Annie Jo Ermel joined the conversation, the pair discussed their work in both the Chicago production and at the Ordway.

Episode 4: Choreographer Jared Grimes and Kelli Foster Warder discussed how the show was created for the feet of the unique dancers, how the show was an the opportunity to open up a gateway to tap for the people of this generation, and Jared shared what 42nd Street meant to him.

Episode 5: Kelli Foster Warder talked with 42nd Street Director Michael Heitzman during this episode about his vision of this remastered production.

Episode 6: Part I: Emilio Sosa, the costume designer for 42nd Street chatted with Kelli Foster Warder about his background and how he tells stories through costumes.

Episode 6 Part II: Director Michael Heitzman, Choreographer Jared Grimes, and Kelli Foster Warder discuss the how the one-of-a-kind production of 42nd Street came to life.

Photo by Paul Tate dePoo III

Post by Toya Stewart-Downey, Ordway Director of Communications and Inclusion