Broadway actor Barbara Walsh gives a master class

Barbara Walsh

Broadway leading lady Barbara Walsh, who originated the role of Trina in the Broadway production of Falsettos in 1992 and played the acerbic Joanne in the 2007 revival of Company, comes to Orlando Sept. 10 and 11 to give a concert and present two master classes, for high-schoolers and adults, at Tim Evanicki’s Starving Artist Studios.

Walsh, 56, has played a host of interesting roles, both on Broadway and in major regional theaters: Francesca in the first Broadway production of Nine; Mrs. Baskin, the main character’s mother, in the 1996 Broadway version of Big; Desirée in A Little Night Music at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse; Mother in the Chicago production of Ragtime; Edith Beale and Little Edie in Grey Gardens at Washington, D.C.’s Studio Theatre; Maria Callas in Master Class at Baltimore’s Center Stage.  She is married to Jack Cummings III, artistic director of the New York theater company Transport Group, who also will give two master classes at Starving Artist Studios Sept. 10.

Walsh talked to me about studying and teaching theater and about the roles that has meant the most to her. Here’s an edited version of our talk:

Newest ‘Company’ revival to turn up in movie theaters

There’s been a spate of theatrical productions showing up on movie screens lately, but most of them have not made their way to Central Florida. (The hit Broadway revival of The Importance of Being Earnest, starring Brian Bedford, is playing in only one movie theater in the entire state of Florida — in Vero Beach. Not so convenient.)

But the recent New York Philharmonic concert version of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company will make it to one  Central Florida screen — in Orlando — at 7:30 p.m. June 15. That’s at the Premiere Cinema 14 at Fashion Square Mall.

Broadway theater coming to a movie screen near you — if you’re lucky

Broadway productions of Memphis, last year’s Tony-winner for best musical, and the critically acclaimed revival of The Importance of Being Earnest are headed for movie screens across the country this spring.

Also coming: The recent New York Philharmonic concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s Company, which starred Patti LuPone and a host of TV stars, including Neil Patrick Harris (as Bobby) and Stephen Colbert.

See ‘Company’ and help a good cause

Here’s another good reason to see Company, the terrific revival at Mad Cow Theatre: If you go on Thursday night, Sept. 16, 20 percent of your ticket money goes to Equality Florida, the statewide organization that’s trying to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, gender and class.

Theater review: Mad Cow’s ‘Company’

Some people call Company cold.

Some people look at the far-from-perfect marriages in Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking 1970 musical and see a sour, shriveled-up view of the world.

Those people should take a look at director Frank McClain’s staging of the show at Mad Cow Theatre – as warm, emotional and generous a Company as I’ve seen.

Mad Cow sells you tickets and a chance to dine

To promote single-ticket sales for its 14th season, Mad Cow Theatre has a proposal. It’ll enter you in a contest to win a $50 gift certificate to Kres Chophouse if you buy a single ticket before Sept. 1.

That’s Wednesday, people, so pay attention here.

Mad Cow announces ‘Company’ cast

Lots of people wondering about this, so here’s the cast for Mad Cow’s Company, which opens Sept. 10: