“I Am What I Am”: Musicals for Pride Month

“I Am What I Am”: Musicals for Pride Month

Robbie Rozelle
Music That Makes Me Dance

With June being Gay Pride month and the month drawing to a close, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate here at Mark Robinson Writes than to take a look at some of the musicals that that have told the story of those who have been marginalized by society simply for who and how they identify and love. Progress has been made over the years, though we have certainly slipped back in the last few years, our voice is strong and proud. This list certainly isn’t all-inclusive, but it is one I think captures the best of what musical theatre has done to tell the story of the LGBTQ community.

Jukebox Musicals: Do You Have a Quarter Ready?

Jukebox Musicals: Do You Have a Quarter Ready?

Mark Robinson
Music That Makes Me Dance

In the last decade or so, there has been an ongoing effort to fashion musicals around the songs of a certain singer. musical group or musical period. These are not musical revues that I speak of, but rather book musicals that try to create a story with a through-line hinging on the radio hits that are already familiar to audiences. I may not be in the majority here (or perhaps I am), but I find this the lazy road to creating musical theatre. Yes, there have been occasional hits along the way: Jersey Boys, Movin’ Out, Mamma Mia, and Beautiful come to mind, but, in general, haven’t these jukebox ventures been mostly failures? I often wonder why this trend persists. Is it the off-chance hope of hitting gold like the aforementioned titles? 

The Puberty of Avenue Q: A Musical at 15

The Puberty of Avenue Q: A Musical at 15

Mark Robinson
Music That Makes Me Dance

Fifteen years ago, when I stepped inside the John Golden Theatre to see Avenue Q, I had a very limited idea of what I was going to see. It was a musical with puppets and I couldn’t fathom how a show, that looked like Sesame Street meets Broadway, was going to entertain or move me. I had no idea that this delicious satire of children’s programming, told through the lens of adult problems, was going to work its way into my heart and remain ensconced there.

Robbie Rozelle is Bustin’ Out

Robbie Rozelle is Bustin’ Out

Mark Robinson
Music That Makes Me Dance

Today, I am sitting down to interview Robbie Rozelle, who is about to make his sophomore outing at Feinstein’s/54 Below with his show Bustin’ Out. After a successful debut effort titled Songs From Inside My Locker, Robbie was asked to be the venue’s Pride headliner. Mr. Rozelle, who is a busy guy with his work at Broadway Records, directing acts for the likes of Jessica Vosk, Kate Baldwin, and Melissa Errico, as well as having the dubious distinction of managing my website and social media, found a few minutes for me to pick his brain about the upcoming show.

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