Betty Comden News

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, makes a splash with the effervescent musical comedy SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, previewing tonight, November 8, opening November 15, and running through January 13, 2013.

92nd Street Y announces casting for the 2013 season of Lyrics & Lyricists™. Jason Danieley, Rebecca Luker, Barbara Carroll and James Naughton are among the performers from the worlds of Broadway, jazz and cabaret presenting a panoramic journey through the American Songbook via New York, London, Hollywood, and Stratford-on-Avon. L&L's shows this season explore Shakespeare on Broadway, iconic singer/lyricist Peggy Lee, a fresh take on Jerome Kern, and our look at Vernon Duke's and W. S. Gilbert's influence on Broadway. The season is curated by series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer (also returning as artistic director for one of the shows), and a line-up of guest artistic directors - Rob Fisher (with host Sheldon Harnick), Billy Stritch, David Loud and Mark Lamos.

The Town Hall, New York City's landmark theatre and concert venue (123 West 43rd Street) honors two influential individuals: Dr. Charlotte K Frank, Senior Vice President of McGraw Hill and Chair of the Town Hall Arts and Education Committee, and Marvin Leffler, in recognition of 34 years as President of The Town Hall. They will receive The Town Hall's 'Friend of the Arts' Award tonight, October 21st, 2012.

The Town Hall, New York City's landmark theatre and concert venue (123 West 43rd Street) honors two influential individuals: Dr. Charlotte K Frank, Senior Vice President of McGraw Hill and Chair of the Town Hall Arts and Education Committee, and Marvin Leffler, in recognition of 34 years as President of The Town Hall. They will receive The Town Hall's 'Friend of the Arts' Award on Sunday, October 21st, 2012.

Dynamic producing duo Executive Producer, Mr. Voza Rivers' New Heritage Theater and Ms. Debra Ann Byrd's Take Wing and Soar will team up to bring Pauletta Pearson Washington and Roscoe Orman to the New York stage for a revival production of Lorey Hayes' POWER PLAY, a story about politics, passion and the power of God.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) have announced program details for their annual Gala on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 6:30PM at The Edison Ballroom (240 W. 47th Street). The event, which will honor Tony Award winner Tyne Daly (Master Class, Rabbit Hole, Gypsy), and producers and Primary Stages Board members Jamie deRoy and Ted Snowdon, will feature performances by Tony Award nominee Tom Wopat (Sondheim on Sondheim, A Catered Affair), actor/director/producer Tamara Tunie ("Law & Order: SVU," "As The World Turns"), Lewis Cleale (The Book of Mormon, Spamalot, Call Me Madam), and Garrett Sorenson (Master Class). Speakers will include Julie Halston (Anything Goes, Olive and the Bitter Herbs), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter Michael Cristofer (The Shadow Box, The Witches of Eastwick), and Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) Tom Viola. The Gala Chairs are Barry Feirstein and Tom Kirdahy.

Dynamic producing duo Executive Producer, Mr. Voza Rivers' New Heritage Theater and Ms. Debra Ann Byrd's Take Wing and Soar will team up to bring Pauletta Pearson Washington and Roscoe Orman to the New York stage for a revival production of Lorey Hayes' POWER PLAY, a story about politics, passion and the power of God.

Musicals Tonight's 2012-2013 Season includes Fade Out - Fade In by Comden & Green and Jule Styne, Strike Up the Band George & Ira Gershwin, Same Time, Next Year - The Musical a Premiere and Leave It to Jane by Jerome Kern. See full details below.

Media At Large Productions has announced that it will present a unique revival of Tennessee Williams' IN THE BAR OF A TOKYO HOTEL. The play will run off-Broadway at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) with previews beginning tonight, October 13th and continue until Sunday, October 28th. The production will have it's official opening on Wednesday, October 17th at 8PM. This distinctive revival, co-directed by Shashi Balooja and Maria Torres will be the first to incorporate live streaming video and dance. Maria Torres will also choreograph.

The Hartt School Theatre Division, under the direction of Alan Rust, has announced its 2012-2013 Theatre Division performance season.

Today, with musicals such as The Book of Mormon enjoying phenomenal box office success, revivals like The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess delighting new generations, and musical stage versions of popular films such as Once and Newsies dominating the Tony Awards, Broadway is proving yet again that its vitality and magic endure. Nominated for five 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards and winner of two, including Outstanding Nonfiction Series, THIRTEEN's landmark Broadway: The American Musical returns tonight, October 7 at 10 p.m., and continues on six consecutive Sundays through November 11 (check local listings).

The Musicals Tonight! Inc. revival of Fade Out - Fade In, a musical with a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne, will run from October 16 to October 28 at the Lion Theatre. The production is directed by Thomas Sabella-Mills with musical direction by David Bishop.

Media At Large Productions has announced that it will present a unique revival of Tennessee Williams' IN THE BAR OF A TOKYO HOTEL. The play will run off-Broadway at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) with previews beginning on Saturday, October 13th and continue until Sunday, October 28th. The production will have it's official opening on Wednesday, October 17th at 8PM. This distinctive revival, co-directed by Shashi Balooja and Maria Torres will be the first to incorporate live streaming video and dance. Maria Torres will also choreograph.

Thirteen's acclaimed BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL will return to PBS for a show-stopping encore on Sunday, October 7 at 10 pm/ET.

Today, with musicals such as The Book of Mormon enjoying phenomenal box office success, revivals like The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess delighting new generations, and musical stage versions of popular films such as Once and Newsies dominating the Tony Awards, Broadway is proving yet again that its vitality and magic endure. Nominated for five 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards and winner of two, including Outstanding Nonfiction Series, THIRTEEN's landmark Broadway: The American Musical returns Sunday, October 7 at 10 p.m., and continues on six consecutive Sundays through November 11 (check local listings).

The York Theatre Company will honor legendary Broadway Music Director and Conductor Paul Gemignani with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 21st Annual Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala to be held on Monday, November 19, 2012 at The Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).