Alan Jay Lerner News

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, March 13, 2016 - Sunday, March 13, 2016.

Today in 1947, Brigadoon opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre, where it ran for 581 performances. Brigadoon is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. It tells the story of a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years, though to the villagers, the passing of each century seems no longer than one night. Brigadoon then received a West End production opening in 1949 that ran for 685 performances, and many revivals followed. A 1954 film version starred Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. A 1966 television version starred Robert Goulet and Peter Falk.

Jack F. Lee (born John Francis Lee), beloved musical director of both stage and screen, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2016 in his home at the age of 86. Mr. Lee was one of Broadway's leading conductors and musical directors who worked with composers/lyricists John Kander & Fred Ebb, Cy Coleman & Dorothy Fields, Jule Styne, Richard Rogers, Stephen Sondheim, Charles Strouse, Alan Jay Lerner, Maury Yeston, Robert Wright & George Forrest, Sandy Wilson, Bob Merrill, Betty Comden & Adolph Green and Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones.

Michael Weber, artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, has announced Porchlight Music Theatre's 2016 - 2017 mainstage season which includes In The Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda's first big hit and winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score, September 9 - October 16, 2016; End of the Rainbow, the Chicago premiere of the Judy Garland bio musical play, a recent smash hit in London and New York, November 4 - December 4, 2016; The Scottsboro Boys, the long-awaited Chicago premiere of the final collaboration of Kander and Ebb concerning one of the most infamous events in American history, February 3 - March 12, 2017; Marry Me a Little, Jeff Award-winning Porchlight Artistic Associate Austin Cook stars in this rarely seen Stephen Sondheim production, April 14 - May 21, 2017.

Bay Street Theater has announced the three productions of the 2016 Mainstage Summer Season. The Mainstage season begins on May 31 and runs through August 28. Subscriptions are available by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or online at www.baystreet.org.

During February, snow falls lightly in Wisconsin this year, the powdery flakes covering the frosty earth--cold and icy white. With winter weather at the heart of the First Stage world premiere, the company introduces their 6th Wisconsin Cycle production in a play simply titled: The Snow. Internationally acclaimed playwright Finegan Kruckmeyer- who has garnered more than 30 awards from around the world during his continuing illustrious career-worked with Artistic Director Jeff Frank, Oregon Children's Theatre, and Magik Theatre when collaborating on a fantasy adventure conjuring winter white magic while honoring Wisconsin's Germanic heritage akin to the Brothers Grimm legendary fairytales.

PlayMakers Repertory Company proudly announces its 2016/17 Season.  Dynamic plays from three important women playwrights, plus a landmark drama by Arthur Miller, a romantic Shakespearean romp and a beloved musical masterpiece will highlight the new Mainstage Season from PlayMakers Repertory Company. The new season is the first selected for the theater by Vivienne Benesch, PlayMakers' new  Producing Artistic Director.

Sierra Repertory Theatre opens its 2016 season with its 300th production, My Fair Lady, a story of ambition, diligence, social boundaries, and love.

On October 14, 2016, The New York Pops - a symphonic orchestra known for presenting popular programs of exceptional quality - will launch its 34th season at Carnegie Hall celebrating the diversity of some of popular music's greatest icons. Music Director Steven Reineke, who has been described by The New York Times as a 'polished, welcoming host' who is 'young and vigorous, with a playful attitude,' will lead the orchestra in the highly anticipated concert season. The series will include an opening night concert celebrating the legacy of Lerner and Loewe with Broadway stars Colin Donnell and Laura Osnes alongside operatic baritone Nathan Gunn; a festive patriotic salute on Veterans Day; an exciting spin on our traditional holiday concert, featuring sibling duos Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway and Will and Anthony Nunziata; an exploration of the lasting partnership between Broadway legends Kander and Ebb, featuring Joshua Henryand Caissie Levy; and a tribute to some of the century's greatest singers and songwriters.

Light Opera Works' 2016 season will open with MY FAIR LADY starring Nick Sandys as Henry Higgins (June 4-12), followed by MAME (August 20-28), LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU: JULE STYNE'S GREATEST HITS Songs from GYPSY, FUNNY GIRL and more, (October 7-16), and DIE FLEDERMAUS (December 26-January 1, 2017).

Last week, Broadway veteran Benjamin Eakeley delighted audiences with his charming solo cabaret Broadway Swinger at Feinstein's/54 Below. The 60s themed show featured a book by Tim Murray and Eakeley, which was filled with interesting factoids about the decade. It was also masterfully directed by JV Mercanti. Through the songs of Broadway and with a gorgeous vocal instrument, Eakeley charted how musical theater, much like the rest of America, transitioned from the saccharine sweet ideals of the 50s to the uninhibited and libidinous vibes of the sexual revolution.

Happy New Year, BroadwayWorld! As we eagerly anticipate the amazing musicals and plays coming up in 2016, we're taking a moment to look back at the significant Broadway closings of 2015.

Stage and screen legend Julie Andrews returns for the seventh time to host the festive annual New Year's celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of Mariss Jansons, from Vienna's Musikverein.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce two of the three 2016 Mainstage Summer Season productions. The Mainstage season begins on May 31 and runs through August 28. Subscriptions are available by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or online at www.baystreet.org.

Today, December 8, Palm Beach Dramaworks launches the third season of its highly successful Dramalogue - Talking Theatre! series with Paul Gemignani: Musical Theatre's Master Maestro. The program features the esteemed Broadway musical director in conversation with Sheryl Flatow. Gemignani, recipient of the 2001 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award, will discuss a remarkable career still going strong after more than 40 years, and talk about how he helps shape a show and bring a score to life. The program will be presented twice, at 2pm (limited seating available) and 7pm at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre.

Stage and screen legend Julie Andrews returns for the seventh time to host the festive annual New Year's celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of Mariss Jansons, from Vienna's Musikverein.

Eines der beruhmtesten Musicals uberhaupt ist zum ersten Mal an der Komischen Oper Berlin zu sehen: Frederick Loewes und Alan Jay Lerners MY FAIR LADY. In der Inszenierung des ehemaligen Intendanten Andreas Homoki sind Katharine Mehrling (ab 15.12. im Wechsel mit Winnie Bowe) als Blumenmadchen Eliza Doolittle und Max Hopp als verschrobener Professor Higgins zu erleben. Die Neuproduktion siedelt die Geschichte in einem sinnbildhaften Raum an, mit Kostumen im Stil der 1920er Jahre. Die Musikalische Leitung ubernimmt die Erste Kapellmeisterin Kristiina Poska. Die Premiere fand am vergangenen Samstag statt, und wir haben hier die Pressestimmen fur euch zusammengefasst:

On December 8, Palm Beach Dramaworks launches the third season of its highly successful Dramalogue - Talking Theatre! series with Paul Gemignani: Musical Theatre's Master Maestro. The program features the esteemed Broadway musical director in conversation with Sheryl Flatow. Gemignani, recipient of the 2001 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award, will discuss a remarkable career still going strong after more than 40 years, and talk about how he helps shape a show and bring a score to life. The program will be presented twice, at 2pm (limited seating available) and 7pm at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre.

Kelsey Grammer and Kelli O'Hara starring in a revival of MY FAIR LADY? Wouldn't it be loverly! According to Roger Friedman's Showbiz411, it just may be happening.

Assembling an amazing array of talent appearing on the Cabot Theatre Stage, the Skylight Music Theatre's My Fair Lady lingers in the audience's mind long after their standing ovations.---just as Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's magnificent musical did when the production first opened on Broadway in 1956. Bloomin' with classic melodies, enduring and memorable, the acclaimed Dorothy Danner directs this brilliant cast with beautiful, fantastical costumes (especially hats) fashioned by Chris March.