Originally Appearing on Playbill.com
By Michael Gioia
"Charmers," a new web series of short musical films with original music, lyrics and choreography for those obsessed with movie musicals and Broadway, was recently launched by producer Joshua Sherman. Here's a look at the new series.
The web series is co-directed by Sherman (Annie Get Your Gun) and Ryan VanDenBoom (Annie), who also choreographed. Gail C. Bluestone composed the music, and Emmy Award winner Eileen Bluestone Sherman wrote the lyrics. Sam Willmott is the musical arranger, and Antonio Panetta is the cinematographer.
"I have always loved old movie musicals and classic Broadway," said Sherman in a statement. "These 'charmers' are the perfect way to meld that classic style with web technology. I want to entertain and, ultimately, create a new musical golden age for contemporary audiences."
The first season of "Charmers" will feature four episodes.
In "Curiosity," according to press notes, "a librarian is taught a thing or two from a student." The cast features Ryan Kasprzak (assistant choreographer, "Smash," Billy Elliott) and VanDenBoom (Annie).
VanDenBoom also stars in "A Little Imagination," in which he plays a janitor who dreams his worries away, and "We Talk Without Words," in which two wallflowers (VanDenBoom and Kelly Buck) fall in love after the dance is long over. Tony Award winner Lillias White (Fela, The Life) will play the Christmas Loon, a new holiday character in "I Keep Christmas In My Pocket," which will be released Nov. 27.
A second season of "Charmers" is currently in development. For more information, visit JoshuaShermanPresents.com.