Brett Ryback News

The Broadway at Birdland is elated to announce that Broadway star Lesli Margherita will premiere her brand new solo show, 'BROAD,' at the historic music room on Mondays, November 30 & December 7 at 7pm. 

Broadway stars, Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins, Beauty & the Beast), who is currently starring as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music at the Ahmanson Theater, and Marla Mindelle (Cinderella, Sister Act) will sing the songs of Lee, Long & Burns and sometimes Duncan in "Musi-Cal" at The Rockwell LA Table and Stage on Monday, October 5th at 8pm.

Today, June 18, Arts in Review welcomes Jeff Blumenkrantz and Brett Ryback, the original cast of the off-Broadway hit whodunit musical, MURDER FOR TWO, currently playing Geffen Playhouse in Westwood.

No surprise that the little musical comedy with a big bang, Murder for Two by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair took off-Broadway by storm in 2013! Described as 'a musical comedy with a dash of Agatha Christie', it actually defies classification. Yes, it has music and a murder mystery plot and is screamingly funny, but it's a whole lot more. Only two performers provide as much or more entertainment than a big over-produced, full cast Broadway show. It covers a lot of ground in 100 minutes and with Jeff Blumenkrantz playing a bevy of suspects, both male and female, Brett Ryback essaying officer Marcus Moskowitz, who is determined to be promoted to detective by the end of the play - both of whom play the piano with a feverish passion - and guided by director Scott Schwartz's super-fast pace and frenetic staging, it's like a colossal roller coaster ride that while barreling along could at any second lose control, but never does. Now onstage at the Geffen Playhouse, audiences will be thrilled and bedazzled through August 2.

The Off-Broadway hit Murder for Two opens tonight (June 3) in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater.  The production has now been extended through Sunday, August 2.

There's a fascinating mix of familiar and not- so-familiar plays and musicals that will grace Los Angeles stages this summer. LA editors Don Grigware, Ellen Dostal, Shari Barrett and Gil Kaan have chosen their favorites in the list below. Enjoy!

Explain briefly about the musical.  Murder for Two is a two person murder mystery, where one guy plays the wanna-be detective, and the other guy plays all the suspects, and the both play the piano. How did it get started? If I remember correctly, you first started off-Broadway, ran a while and then returned after a brief absence due to overwhelming popularity? That's correct. We began at Second Stage Uptown, had an extended, sold-out run, and then transferred after a brief hiatus to New World Stages for a commercial run. All told, the show ran about a year in New York, before hitting the road in a tour.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming event:

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Natalie Douglas in 'Hello Dolly...The Music of Dolly Parton;' 54 Sings the Beatles; Donna Vivino: Confessions of a Broadway Baby; Lesli Margherita: All Hail the Queen; and Sondheim Unplugged.

According to an audition notice, Ryan Scott Oliver's DARLING -- a dark, sexy re-telling of Peter Pan -- is getting a developmental lab via WalkRunFly Productions after its January reading in New York City. The musical will run June 10 through July 1, 2015.

Joanna Murray-Smith's Switzerland -- already extended one week -- will extend yet another eight performances by popular demand with a final closing date of April 26, 2015. A world premiere with the Sydney Theatre Company, Switzerland is a Los Angeles Times Arts Editors' "Essential Arts and Culture" Pick and features Laura Linney (Broadway World said she is "pure gold") and Seth Numrich (called "outstanding" by the Los Angeles Times).

This April and May, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

This April and May, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

A LITTLE NEW MUSIC 7 was held on Tuesday, March 10th at Rockwell: Table and Stage in Los Angeles, with Jordan Kai Burnett as host/emcee and Bryan Blaskie as music director.

Keeping with their successful tradition of premiering new and unpublished material, A LITTLE NEW MUSIC returns to Rockwell: Table & Stage in Los Feliz with a highly inventive program featuring Broadway and local talent. Returning as hostess and chanteuse is the spicy Jordan Kai Burnett (SEUSSICAL), joined by music director Bryan Blaskie (VICTORIAN COURTING AND ZOMBIES) and band.