Post by Valerie on Jun 18, 2003 18:15:54 GMT -5
From nbc.com/passions...
"Passions" fans: Be sure to mark your calendars for June 27 when "Passions" once again goes where no soap has gone before! In an elaborate musical homage to the Academy Award® winning motion picture "Chicago," viewers of NBC's Emmy® winning "Passions" will be treated to a true Broadway-style revue that reflects weeks of planning and outstanding creative contributions from some of the industry's best designers, choreographers, dancers, directors and composers.
The sequence opens with Mrs. Wallace (Emmy® winning actress Kathleen Noone) becoming convinced that she, her companion Precious (BamBam the orangutan), her psychotic daughter Beth (Kelli McCarty) and her friend Charlie (Jordan Baker), are headed for the slammer for kidnapping heiress Sheridan Crane (McKenzie Westmore).
"When Jim Reilly first proposed the idea of a musical production number, I knew we weren't going to be able to do it halfway - we were going to have to really pull out all the stops," said Executive Producer Lisa de Cazotte. "Jim wanted our own version of the famous cellblock tango from Chicago but with the kind of 'Passions' twist only Jim can deliver. I couldn't have been happier with how it came out and I think the audience will enjoy seeing a whole different side of our talented cast. Everyone involved was so committed to making it a truly memorable moment for our audience - and I hope they will enjoy the journey as much as we enjoyed bringing Jim's vision to life."
Senior Vice President, NBC Daytime Programs, Sheraton Kalouria says, "No other daytime drama is as consistently inventive and unabashedly entertaining as 'Passions.' Headwriter Jim Reilly and Executive Producer Lisa de Cazotte have done it again. Passions: A Musical Extravaganza is Must-See Daytime TV."
"Passions" Emmy Award winning composer, John Henry Krietler, composed and wrote the lyrics to "I Ain't Sorry." The song is performed, Broadway style, by Kathleen Noone, Kelli McCarty, Jordan Baker and Broadway dancers, Deborah Yates, a Tony® nominee (Contact; Dream, Will Rogers Follies, and a "Rockette"); Leslie Stevens (Victor/Victoria, La Cage Aux Folles, Guys & Dolls, BIG); Yvette Tucker (Peter Pan, Carousel, Brigadoon, West Side Story); Jane Lanier, a Tony® nominee (Fosse, Jerome Robbins' Broadway); Christina Saffran Ashford (Drood, Singin in the Rain, The Music Man, A Chorus Line, Woman of the Year) and Terri Yates ( Tracey Ullman's "Tracey Takes On," MTV Awards).
Choreographed by award-winning choreographer, Peggy Hickey (LA Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Seattle Opera and Julliard, where she choreographed Hansel Und Gretel, televised live from Lincoln Center for PBS) the song and dance routines were performed on an amazing original, two-story, 22' high set designed by "Passions" Art Director, George Becket. The cast performed on both levels of the set, in over 20 original costumes, including two for BamBam the orangutan, designed by "Passions" Costume Designer, Diana Eden. To support the "Cell Block Tango" looks; hairstyles were designed by Department Head Linle White and makeup by Department Head Toby Lamm. "Passions" Supervising Producer Richard Schilling produced the sequence and Phideaux Xavier directed.
In addition to viewing the sequence on June 27, be sure to come back here that same day for a special behind the scenes look at the extravaganza!
