Broadway with Heart

She’s the great-granddaughter of Teddy Roosevelt. He’s the great-grandson of Russian Cantor Yacov Sanzofsky. Lovingly known as M & M, husband and wife Melinda Jackson and Michael Kessler have been working together for more than 30 years as producers, directors, writers, composers, choreographers, and, oh yes, performers who have appeared on Broadway, in Las Vegas, at Radio City Music Hall, and in theaters around the world. Their show, Broadway with Heart, is a tribute to the best Broadway has had to offer, from Kiss Me Kate, to Chicago, to Fiddler on the Roof, to Phantom of the Opera. Along the way, they share stories of working with people like Bob Fosse, Joe Layton, and Jim Rado.

The two met in a ballet class in New York City in the 1980s. In an interview with Marvin Glassman in Miamiartzine magazine, Kessler said they always knew they would make a great team. “Part of our joy of dancing is not just the talent, but the commitment to rehearse, observe, and care about each other, both on and off the stage, to be our best as performers and people.”

For Broadway with Heart, the two will act, dance, and sing with five other cast members as they portray aging performers who travel back in time to recreate their favorite moments on Broadway and films. If it touches on their own lives, it’s no accident.

The two share anecdotes from their many years in the theater while recreating memorable scenes and songs from Broadway. You’ll be humming along to “America,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Life is a Cabaret,” “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” and “Tonight.” The choreography is by Kessler and the costumes by Jackson. They are a full-service team.

M & M have not only toured with their own original shows. The two performed in Tommy Tune’s Broadway show, Grand Hotel, choreographed a Winter Olympics and the U.S. Pro Gymnastics tour and directed and choreographed the 30th anniversary tour of Hair, in which both appeared earlier.

Again, in an interview with Marvin Glassman, Kessler explained their goal for this production. “We wanted to create on stage a history of great Broadway and film musicals from an era before we were born to more contemporary shows like Hamilton. We never worked with Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, so by becoming this imaginary veteran show business couple, we could share the thrilling scenes and songs that were created by so many legendary choreographers, dancers, and directors.”

It’s a festival of Broadway. Come hear the music of the night.