Burt Bacharach News

Today we are talking to a terrifically talented triple-threat who has made appearances on Broadway in entities as diverse as David Merrick's original Gower Champion-directed production of 42nd STREET, her debut, to roles in Susan Stroman's CRAZY FOR YOU, Hal Prince's landmark revival of SHOW BOAT and the Mark Bramble revival of 42nd STREET to THE CIVIL WAR, MAMMA MIA!, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, ELF, and, most recently, as the star of BABY, IT'S YOU! - to say nothing of her Tony Award-winning turn in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE - the thoroughly delightful and dynamic dame herself, Beth Leavel. Discussing some of her career highlights thus far - such as the night of her Tony Award win - while generously sharing her caustic wit and giving us a glimpse into the life of a modern-day leading lady, Leavel also offers us some insights into her newest role - one originally essayed by no less than Broadway icon Ethel Merman - that of Irving Berlin's heroine, Mrs. Sally Adams, in the politically-themed musical comedy CALL ME MADAM, playing at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, July 24-28. In addition to all about CALL ME MADAM, Leavel also imparts her affection for past co-stars and collaborators - Sutton Foster, Christine Ebersole, Andrea Martin, Millicent Martin, Dolores Grey, Burt Bacharach and more included - and looks ahead to some parts that she would potentially consider pursuing in the future (MINSKY'S perhaps?). All of that and much, much more!

STATE OF THE ARTS (SOTA), the critically acclaimed weekly performing arts radio series which previously, since its May 31, 2010 premiere, aired live on Mondays from 4:00 - 4:50 pm PST on the LATalkRadio.com Network, is moving its weekly broadcast to Thursdays beginning today, July 19, 2012, it was previously announced by State of the Arts co-producer/co-hosts and theatre professionals MICHAEL STERLING & Paul Stroili.

STATE OF THE ARTS (SOTA), the critically acclaimed weekly performing arts radio series which previously, since its May 31, 2010 premiere, aired live on Mondays from 4:00 - 4:50 pm PST on the LATalkRadio.com Network, is moving its weekly broadcast to Thursdays beginning Thursday, July 19, 2012, it was announced today by State of the Arts co-producer/co-hosts and theatre professionals MICHAEL STERLING & PAUL STROILI. Guests on July 19 will include TV, Broadway star and Tony Award nominee CHRISTOPHER SIEBER (Shrek The Musical, and co-star with George Hamilton in the U.S. National Tour of La Cage Aux Folles; and Film and Television star ESAI MORALES (La Bamba, NYPD Blue, Caprica - Syfy TV's prequel to the series Battlestar Galactica).

On Sunday July 8th, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's Chilina Kennedy will bring 'What You Find In A Bottle' to the Metropolitan Room at 7pm. Special guest stars will include Paul Nolan and Josh Young, with Rick Fox, Michele Fox, Kevin Ramessar and Jaz Sealey playing in the band.

On Sunday July 8th, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's Chilina Kennedy will bring 'What You Find In A Bottle' to the Metropolitan Room at 7pm. Special guest stars will include Paul Nolan and Josh Young, with Rick Fox, Michele Fox, Kevin Ramessar and Jaz Sealey playing in the band.

Kristen Beth got to play Reno on Bway and is now understudying three principal roles in the Gershwin Tony winner.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency continues its Spring 2012 season with the debut of double Grammy Award winning jazz and pop singer Jack Jones through June 30. For the performance, Jones features songs from his Greatest Hits Tour as well as a few gems from his latest album "Love Ballad." Jones is accompanied by Music Director Lou Forestieri on piano, Chris Colangelo on bass, Kendall Kay on drums and New York's acclaimed Houston Person on saxophone. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the first concert below!

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its Spring 2012 season with the debut of double Grammy Award winning jazz and pop singer Jack Jones from tonight, June 26 to June 30. For the performance, Jones will feature songs from his Greatest Hits Tour as well as a few gems from his latest album "Love Ballad." Jones will be accompanied by Music Director Lou Forestieri on piano, Chris Colangelo on bass, Kendall Kay on drums and New York's acclaimed Houston Person on saxophone. The show runs at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street.

Fifty years after its release, the MGM re-mastered film returns to the big screen in high definition with its original vocals and dialog intact. This classic romantic tragedy and the bitter battle between the Jets and the Sharks as Leonard Bernstein's seminal score, featuring the much loved 'America', 'Somewhere' and 'Tonight', is dramatically brought to life on stage by The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Jayce Ogren at the Royal Albert Hall for four performances tonight, June 22nd to June 24, 2012.

Peter French brings his concert, 'About Love' (musical director Leon Charles), to The Pheasantry tonight, 21 June, 2012. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. at 152 Kings Road, London, SW3, 4UT.

HBO and Comcast are proud to announce the return of a favorite Washington summertime tradition, Screen on the Green. Marking its 14th year, the festival will kick-off July 16th with the 1969 classic 'BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID.

"Stand By Me," the song written by Leiber & Stoller and Ben E. King will receive the Towering Song Award at the 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) Gala Event to be held at the Marriott Marquee Hotel in New York City tonight, June 14, 2012, Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman, Jimmy Webb, announced. Mike Stoller will accept the award along with Ben E. King, who will also be honored with the Towering Performance Award for his performance on the Leiber & Stoller produced recording of "Stand By Me."

As the summer days near, BroadwayWorld rounded up our worldwide community - from Australia to Spain, California and beyond! - to bring you our top picks for the best of summer theater in each of our main markets. Spending time in Maine this summer? Check out these recommendations below!

As our Northern Hemisphere neighbours watch the mercury rise, the plummeting temperatures down under present a perfect excuse to rug up in your winter finest and head to the theatre.