Joel Wagner

Alysha Umphress did not hold back in bringing an array of theatrics to the stage in AND THINGS... LIKE THIS at Joe's Pub last night. Four costume changes, edited videos by Jake Wilson, multiple arranged medleys by Joshua Stephen Kartes, Joel Wagner and Jeff Blumenkrantz, guest star Cristin Milioti, and childhood stories, are just some of the things Ms. Umphress brought to the stage and her 90 minute show.

New episodes of Poetry in America will be on public television stations nationwide starting the first week of April and running throughout the Spring.(Check local listings as some stations will debut the series at other times during the spring.)

NBA Hall of Fame basketball star and platinum hip-hop artist Shaquille O'Neal reads the immersive Edward Hirsch poem “Fast Break” about the universal experience of playing basketball in a remarkable new 12-part television series Poetry in America that aims to bring poetry to millions of viewers. Watch the trailer here!

A beautiful benefit concert called "In Full Bloom" was staged at Birdland on Monday night - created by Ryan Murray and starring incredible Broadway types like Clarke Thorell, Destan Owens, Nikki M. James, Aaron Lazaar, Nick Adams, and Ramona Keller. Joel Waggoner was musical director. The event raised money for The Wishing Kids Foundation, an organization that provides support for people with terminal illnesses. Obviously, with that cast, the singing was gorgeous and heartfelt, the stories were touching, and the crowd was thrilled to meet and hear some of their favorite performers.