Carole Bayer News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 'Season Of Carols' concert, the 'Eastland' CD, short runs of 'Lucky Stiff' and 'They're Playing Our Song,' changes at Drury Lane and Circle, and a variety of alternative holiday performances!

Liberty Town Productions, Libertyville's not-for-profit entertainment company, stages the musical-comedy, They're Playing Our Song, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7:30 pm and Dec. 2 at 3 pm.

As part of the global 50th anniversary celebration of James Bond, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present 'The Music of Bond: The First 50 Years,' tonight, October 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Held 50 years to the day after the U.K. opening of the first Bond film, 'Dr. No,' the evening pays homage to the memorable title songs and indelible scores that have become as celebrated as the films themselves.

As part of the global 50th anniversary celebration of James Bond, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present 'The Music of Bond: The First 50 Years,' on Friday, October 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Held 50 years to the day after the U.K. opening of the first Bond film, 'Dr. No,' the evening pays homage to the memorable title songs and indelible scores that have become as celebrated as the films themselves.

Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, Itzhak Perlman, Lang Lang, Michael Feinstein, Chris Botti, Maria Friedman, Brian d'Arcy James, Carter Brey, Essential Voices USA, former cast members of A Chorus Line and cast members of The Nutty Professor came together for an invitation only event yesterday, September 18, 2012 to pay tribute to Marvin Hamlisch.

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal welcomes television and Los Angeles Ovation Award nominated theatre composer and performer Brett Ryback in the premiere of The Kid with The Keys tonight, September 16, 2012.

Robert Klein opens the 2012-13 Centenary Stage Company season with a benefit performance on Saturday, September 22. BWW was lucky that Mr. Klein could take some time to speak to us about his forty plus year career.

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal welcomes television and Los Angeles Ovation Award nominated theatre composer and performer Brett Ryback in the premiere of The Kid with The Keys Sunday, September 16, 2012.

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents television and Broadway star Ilene Graff in First You Dream tonight, August 26.

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents television and Broadway star Ilene Graff in First You Dream on Sunday, August 26.

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal welcomes Broadway's Faith Prince and Jason Graae Monday, June 11, 2012 for the Los Angeles debut of The Prince and The Showboy.

Continuing its six year reign as the most popular and award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, dedicated to presenting the best of Broadway performers and nightclub artists dedicated to the Great American Songbook, Sterling's Upstairs had its Grand Opening Sunday, April 1st at The Federal Bar and Restaurant in North Hollywood's trendy NoHo Arts District. Sterling's presented Bruce Kimmel's Kritzerland production of Take Me Along: The Songs of Bob Merrill as its premiere offering. The six member cast starred musical theatre stars Julie Garnye and Juliana Hansen, Broadway's Melody Hollis and Kristofer McNeely, and musical theatre star Jeffrey Christopher Todd, with Special Guest... Broadway, film, TV, concert and recording star Lainie Kazan. Christy Crowel served as the evening's Musical Director, with Shelly Markham serving as Musical Director for Lainie Kazan. Bruce Kimmel conceived, produced and directed Take Me Along, with Adryan Russ on board as Associate Producer.

After reigning since 2006 as the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's will close its doors in Studio City, CA.

After reigning since 2006 as the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's will close its doors in Studio City, CA on Sunday, March 18 following its final show headlined by Reba Buhr, co-star of Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. Miss Buhr is also a host for the Disney Channel's popular 365 television series. The announcement became official by producer Michael Sterling.

After reigning since 2006 as the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's will close its doors in Studio City, CA on Sunday, March 18 following its final show headlined by Reba Buhr, co-star of Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. Miss Buhr is also a host for the Disney Channel's popular 365 television series. The announcement became official by producer Michael Sterling.

Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester headlines at The Show at The Agua Caliente Resort and Casino on Saturday, February 25th at 8:00 pm. Although most widely known as a pop recording artist, Ms. Manchester is also an accomplished musical theatre artist having starred alongside Kelsey Grammer in the critically acclaimed Los Angeles production of Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece Sweeney Todd and in the world premiere of the musical Hats! in Chicago, for which she co-wrote several songs with Sarah Vaughn.

Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester headlines at The Show at The Agua Caliente Resort and Casino on Saturday, February 25th at 8:00 pm. Although most widely known as a pop recording artist, Ms. Manchester is also an accomplished musical theatre artist having starred alongside Kelsey Grammer in the critically acclaimed Los Angeles production of Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece Sweeney Todd and in the world premiere of the musical Hats! in Chicago, for which she co-wrote several songs with Sarah Vaughn.

Today in 1979, They're Plaing Our Song opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1082 performances. With a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and music by Marvin Hamlisch, the musical is based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager- a wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist, but initially the match is not one made in heaven. The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain. They're Playing Our Song is essentially a two-character show. Vernon and Sonia are the sole characters on stage; each character has a three-person Greek chorus acting as their inner voices, and there are no big production numbers.

The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors in 1988. Since that time, it has had a profound impact on the cultural and artistic landscape of Brevard County and Central Florida. The need for a performing arts center in Brevard County had been apparent for many years. Periodically, task forces were formed to try to garner the necessary funds, but each time the costs were deemed prohibitive and the idea was abandoned.