ADOLPHO BLAIRE
Singin', Dancin', Lovable Fool
"GYPSY" AT KANSAS'S MUSIC THEATRE OF WICHITA
After being his Associate for 15 years, Adolpho is so excited to join Richard Sabellico yet again to work on, perhaps, the Musical Theatre's greatest musical ever. Previously collaborating with Mr. Sabellico on Bill Hanney's inaugural production at the "new" North Shore Music Theatre in 2010, the two will collaborate on this production in Wichita. Adolpho will be Associate Director/Choreographer, with Richard directing and choreographing - as usual.
NEW HEADSHOTS!
Adolpho got to work with the fabulous Jon J. Peterson on new headshots, his first since the 2016 batch with Craig Foster. As usual, Adolpho's got his mouth open and making funny faces. Being a character actor himself, Jon was great at encouraging Adolpho to let loose and let his crazy show! If you're looking for GREAT and Inexpensive shots in NYC, he's the guy!
"MERMAN" INDUSTRY READING AT THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY
Adolpho served as Associate Director on the developmental reading of this version of "Merman" at the York Theatre. This musical play, about the life of Broadway legend Ethel Merman, starred Megan Sikora ("Curtains," "Holiday Inn") as well as Michael Berresse, Jeremy Benton, Janet Metz, Manu Narayan, Adam Heller, Robert Sella and Jo Ann Cunningham. Richard Sabellico wrote the play as well as directed.
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"LITTLE ME" AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
Adolpho's found himself on the "Other Side of the Tracks" in this underproduced gem at his theatrical home, Naples' TheatreZone. He got to play 8 different roles - including a German film director, a sly French entertainer, an innocent WWI doughboy and more - in this Neil Simon/Cy Coleman/Bob Fosse musical that was created as a comedic vehicle for Sid Caesar.
"SCROOGE: THE MUSICAL" AT WISCONSIN'S THE FIRESIDE
The planets finally aligned, and Adolpho found himself in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin for the 1st time! (Thank you very much, Ed Flesch). Adolpho got to join Ebeneezer Scrooge, the Cratchits and all those amazing Dickensian characters for the 1st time since doing "A Christmas Carol" at the McCarter back in 2006. This time around he was Mr. Fezziwig in this adaptation based on the 1970 Albert Finney movie musical.
"FOREVER PLAID" AT WEST VIRGINIA'S GREENBRIER VALLEY THEATRE
Adolpho returned to West Virginia for the first time since 2006 (when he worked at West Virginia Public Theatre) to play Sparky, yet again, in "Forever Plaid." This marked the 8th time in Plaid-Land!! Audiences loved those chestnuts like "Three Coins in a Fountain," "Catch a Falling Star" and "Love is a Many Splendored Thing."
"ROCK OF AGES" AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
I Wanna Rock!!! And did they ever in this PARTY of a production of "Rock of Ages." Back for his 19th show at Naples' TheatreZone and this time around Adolpho's playing Franz, the shy and VERY German son of businessman Hertz. (Shy? Adolpho?) Elizabeth James' Broadway World review said: "Blaire was incredible as [the] son, Franz. Franz singing "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" alongside Regina (Erica Sample) was hilarious, and one of my favorite parts of the show."
"DAMN YANKEES" AT FLORIDA'S WICK THEATRE
Adolpho returned to the Wick after choreographing last season's "Gypsy." This time around he played the Washington Senators' slow, but charming, catcher - Smokey - in a production that the Palm Beach Artspaper called "winningly revive[d]" and full of "enduring charms." With a top-notch cast including Wayne LeGette, Lauren Weinberg, Jeffrey Keller, Aaron Bower and Mychal Phillips as well as a MVP team of creatives - Jeffrey B. Moss as Director, Eric Alsford as Music Director and Jerel Brown as Choreographer - this one is a sure-fire HOME RUN of a show!
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"ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE" AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
Is there any other show that makes you want to turn the world off and have a cocktail more than "Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville"? Adolpho played a myriad of silly characters in this amusing romp through the Buffett songbook - including a very dimwitted Californian goon to the Villian of the show - that it's hard to tell if he or the audience had more fun. It's 5'oclock somewhere!
"HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS" AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
Ho, Ho, Ho! (What'd you call me?!) Adolpho was back for his 5th holiday show at TheatreZone. This year's edition featured some killer vocals by Lana Love, directly from NBC's "The Voice." As usual Adolpho served up a crazy myriad of characters including a fun medley of Christmas Novelty Songs as well as his annual infamous rendition of "Feliz Navidad."
"GRUMPY OLD MEN" AT LONG ISLAND'S PLAZA THEATRICALS
Adolpho got to work again with his collaborator, Christopher Noffke, to choreograph this new and hilarious musical with a book by Dan Remmes, music by Neil Berg and lyrics by "Mad" magazine legend Nick Meglin. This adaptation of the 1993 movie with Jack Lemmon, Walter Mathau and Ann-Margret follows the source material pretty closely but there's tons of fun choreographical elements that help to bring the story and, in particular, the denizens of Wabasha to life. Broadway World called the Plaza Theatricals production "a sparkling diamond."
"GUYS AND DOLLS" AT LONG ISLAND'S PLAZA THEATRICALS
It's been 20 years since Adolpho got to visit Runyonland and what a fabulous opportunity this ended up being, particularly after getting to return to Long Island after summer-ing at the Gateway. This time he got to co-choreograph with long-time collaborator, Christopher Noffke, and the two of them went FULL OUT for this golden age gem filled with crazy characters. (Adolpho's specialty). In fact, the choreography was nominated for a Broadway World choreography award against 20 other productions and ended up coming in the top 3! Not bad for a fledgling professional company like Plaza which has a bright future ahead of them!
"DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID" AT LONG ISLAND'S THE GATEWAY
Checking off a bucket list role is always a dream for an actor and getting the chance to FINALLY play Chef Louis in "Disney's The Little Mermaid" was no exception for Adolpho. Getting to sing big, dance big (in a unitard in "Under the Sea," no less) and then get to chew the scenery - well, there's perhaps nothing better. The Long Island Advance called his performance a "glorious hoot" and Smithtown Matters wrote: "My favorite performer among this stellar cast was Adolpho Blaire, who gave an unforgettable performance as Chef Louis. This part calls for an adept comedic performer, and Mr. Blaire had the audience in stitches."
"BRIGHT STAR" AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
It's always so rewarding getting the chance to do newer musicals and Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's "Bright Star" definitely fits the bill for fresh and cool new works. And getting to play a slew of characters - from innocent country hick to devilish lawyer sidekick - well, that's definitely in my wheelhouse. The Naples Daily News headline on the show was simple: "See This One."
"GYPSY" AT FLORIDA'S WICK THEATRE
Everything was coming up roses with this fabulous production of "Gypsy" in sunny Boca Raton. Led by the fabulous trio of Laura Hodos as Rose, Matthew Korinko as Herbie and Melissa Whitworth as Louise. this production was a joy to recreate the original Jerome Robbins choreography for. After previously working as an associate on the North Shore production a decade ago, it felt like the perfect time to revisit this piece and celebrate Stephen Sondheim.
"PLAID TIDINGS" AT MASSACHUSETTS' THEATRE WORKSHOP OF NANTUCKET
Got to return to Plaid-Land for the 8th time, this time doing double duty as both Sparky AND choreographer. Collaborating with Director Justin Cerne (and "Plaid" virgin) on this one was a really cool experience, finding new and fresh thoughts on this piece! And, of course, getting to spend time in the ridiculously gorgeous island of Nantucket, around the holidays, while doing one of your fave shows - well, that's a many splendored thing!
FOUR CONCERT REVUES AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
To say that I was blessed during the COVID Quarantine would be an understatement. Mark Danni, Artistic Director and Producer of TheatreZone, called and asked me to be a part of 4 of his 5 Revues he had planned for this season, in place of Musicals. In a socially distanced theatre and following strict CDC guidelines, I got to present 2 weeks runs of "Merry Manilow," "Bravo Broadway," "At the Movies" and "Those Were the Days." While the rest of the industry was seemingly out of work, I got to do what I love best: Make people Smile!
"NEVER MET A MAN I DIDN'T LIKE" WITH THE VALLEY VILLAGERS CHOIR
I got the chance to sing with the fabulous Valley Villagers Choir, the brilliant idea of Jeff Rizzo, for a fun "Plaid" reunion of sorts. Featured in this video of 28 Plaids are original Plaids Stan Chandler, David Engel, Larry Raben as well as Daniel Reichard, Greg Jbara and more awesome gents. As I quipped, "I'm the only person in this video I've never heard of!"
BUSY TEACHING SCHEDULE!
2020 and 2021 brought a busy schedule for ADOLPHO BLAIRE'S AUDITION BOOTCAMP! Starting in March, Adolpho was smack in the middle of a 4 week NYC session when COVID hit. With a move to Virtual Sessions for his private clients, the docket stayed full with a Branding Seminar for SaveMyAudtion.com. Then both a College Audition Bootcamp and a Branding set of sessions for Decatur High School in Georgia. And of course there were Master Classes in careers in Dance for West Potomac Academy in Alexandria, VA as well as a Branding Workshop for Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, PA. If you are seeking a real Technical approach to Auditions as well as honing in on that ever-evolving personal Branding, the BOOTCAMP is for you.
"TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA" AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
It's not every day you get to be a part of a Regional Premiere of a new musical. This campy rock opera take on the rivalry between Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan has been previously produced in NYC and Chicago and, now, at TheatreZone in Naples. Rounding out the cast, playing both Nancy and Tonya's respective mothers, was Andrea McArdle - Broadway's original Little Orphan Annie. I played the clueless Shawn Eckhardt, filled with delusions of grandeur, who hires Shane Stant to do the knee hit heard around the world! How rewarding to have writer Elizabeth Searle at rehearsals, giving insight on the writing of the piece!
PLAID TIDINGS AT CALIFORNIA'S RUBICON THEATRE
I've been beyond blessed getting to be a part of so many productions of "Plaid" over the years but this one was, perhaps, the most special. Getting to do my 1st production of "Plaid Tidings" in California and having Stuart Ross, "Forever Plaid" and "Plaid Tidings" original director/writer/choreographer, direct our show is FOR SURE a bucket list experience. Audiences loved this silly holiday installment and the Santa Barbara Independent said: "Every one of these performers have a terrific voice with the ability to crack an audience up all by themselves, but it's when the four come together that the really wild moments happen."
"ALL SHOOK UP" AT NORTH CAROLINA'S FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE
I was SO excited to get cast at one of my bucket list theatres, the Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina. After previously directing and choreographing "All Shook Up" at the Riverside Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia back in 2011, I got all shook up to be on the other side of the table. And even though I am far from a young dancer anymore, Director/Choreographer Amy Jones made my put those Blue Suede Shoes to use! (Hand me my inhaler, NOW!!!)
"FREE TO BE" AT NYC'S MARTHA GRAHAM STUDIO THEATRE
After working on 2018's "On the Town" (see below), Elizabeth Troxler asked me to be a part of this great evening of dance. Ms. Troxler is, perhaps, one of the most up-and-coming choreographers in Musical Theatre and she made this piece to benefit Heidi Latsky Dance - a dance company integrating people with disabilities. LOTS of styles and LOTS of Fun.
"AND THEN THERE WERE NONE" AT NYC'S SECRET THEATRE
Since I'm always trying to keep my skills honed, there's nothing like doing good old-fashioned British melodrama to get back to basics. And playing Blore in this, Agatha Christie's original whodunit, was a blast. From a fabulous cast - including Broadway's David Engel and PierStudios co-teacher Peggy Lewis - to a great director (the always fabulous Christopher Noffke), the show ended up being nominated 2 NYC Innovative Theatre Awards including Best Revival of a Play!
"ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER" AT FLORIDA'S THEATREZONE
I was back to one of my favorite theatres to play Sir Hubert Insdale in one of my favorite under-produced musicals - "On a Clear Day." In fact, I loved this musical so much growing up, I once named my goldfish Mark and Daisy. (I was 12.) What a thrill singing the score and getting to bring this kooky piece to life.
"FOREVER PLAID" AT WISCONSIN'S PALACE IN THE DELLS
I returned to Plaid-Land for the 5th time, this time as Director! After spending a month in Naples, Florida (see below), I switched to Sweaters and Scarves for blustery Wisconsin! I had the privilege of working with the new Plaids, this time: Bryan Dougherty, Scott Duell, Rory Dunn and Sean Widener. Audiences loved it and Broadway World called it "engaging," "captivating" and "fantastically performed." I can't wait for Forever Plaid #6!
