Cleo Laine News

?We are thrilled to bring back the tap dancing musical extravaganza 42nd Street,? exclaims Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars. ?And starring as the perennial leading lady ?Dorothy Brock,? is the sublime Loretta Swit, an amazing actress whose career spans stage, screen and television roles from Mame to ?Hot Lips Houlihan? in M*A*S*H*. Our brand new production is sure to delight audiences of all ages! Join us for an unforgettable experience and see one of the all-time great musicals at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from July 28 through August 2. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com.?

Such Good Friends is a documentary chronicling the Invisible Theatre of Tucson?s Pastime Players. For over 25 years, Susan Claassen, artistic director of the Invisible Theatre, has spearheaded this arts project. She, Gail Fitzhugh and a dedicated group of artists teach theatre, music and dance twice a week to exceptional education students. Verl, Danny, Beth, Janna, Meg and Jennifer have been members of this performance troupe. Their connections and ultimate friendship tells the story of two very different worlds coming together through the power of the arts.

Such Good Friends is a documentary chronicling the Invisible Theatre of Tucson?s Pastime Players. For over 25 years, Susan Claassen, artistic director of the Invisible Theatre, has spearheaded this arts project. She, Gail Fitzhugh and a dedicated group of artists teach theatre, music and dance twice a week to exceptional education students. Verl, Danny, Beth, Janna, Meg and Jennifer have been members of this performance troupe. Their connections and ultimate friendship tells the story of two very different worlds coming together through the power of the arts.

Often hailed as one of the greatest musicians to ever play the guitar, Grammy Award-winning artist and Edison Award recipient, guitarist John Williams, brings his vast repertoire of musical talent to University Auditorium on Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. for a performance that will leave audience goers spellbound.

On Saturday March 14, at 8 PM, the Riverdale Y will present a quartet of internationally known jazz performers. Nicki Parrott, jazz bassist and vocalist is making her second appearance at the Y. She will be joined by Derek Smith, the world's most recorded commercial/jazz pianist; Randy Sandke, noted trumpeter, composer and arranger, whom The Wall Street Journal dubbed 'the greatest trumpeter nobody knows'; and Joe Ascione, who has joined the three in concert on his birthday! Ms. Parrott, who plays regularly with legendary Les Paul at Manhattan's Iridium Club came to New York from her native Australia in 1994 on an Arts Council Grant to study with acclaimed bassist Rufus Reid. She has performed all over the world with jazz greats like Ken Peplowski, Bucky Pizarelli, Skitch Henderson and Warren Vache. She appears at major jazz festivals throughout the US and abroad and is a favorite on the cruise ship circuit. She also plays Klezmer music and appeared at the Riverdale Y last year with noted Klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals as well as touring Europe with David Krakeur. Randy Sandke has also appeared in clubs and festivals worldwide and is known for his virtuosity. He has recorded over 20 albums with musicians ranging from Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway and Dick Hyman to Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Art Garfunkle and Barbara Carroll. His work has been heard on the soundtracks of many well known films including five Woody Allen pictures. As a composer he has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and his works have been featured at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall; more than 50 of his compositions have been recorded.

Often hailed as one of the greatest musicians to ever play the guitar, Grammy Award-winning artist and Edison Award recipient, guitarist John Williams, brings his vast repertoire of musical talent to University Auditorium on Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. for a performance that will leave audience goers spellbound.

LIVE FROM LEICESTER SQUARE stars the UK's rising star of burlesque, Miss Polly Rae, 'the Queen of Leicester Square', and her award-winning Hurly Burly Girlys ('Best Troupe' Ministry of Burlesque Awards) and will showcase the very best international entertainers, together with the weird, the wonderful and the wildest guest artists, many of whom proved unforgettable at the West End's critcally acclaimed freakshow, 'SideShow'. It will be Beauty and the Beasts in the luxurious surroundings of the refurbished Leicester Square Theatre with 400 of the most comfortable seats in the West End.

On Saturday March 14, at 8 PM, the Riverdale Y will present a quartet of internationally known jazz performers. Nicki Parrott, jazz bassist and vocalist is making her second appearance at the Y. She will be joined by Derek Smith, the world's most recorded commercial/jazz pianist; Randy Sandke, noted trumpeter, composer and arranger, whom The Wall Street Journal dubbed 'the greatest trumpeter nobody knows'; and Joe Ascione, who has joined the three in concert on his birthday! Ms. Parrott, who plays regularly with legendary Les Paul at Manhattan's Iridium Club came to New York from her native Australia in 1994 on an Arts Council Grant to study with acclaimed bassist Rufus Reid. She has performed all over the world with jazz greats like Ken Peplowski, Bucky Pizarelli, Skitch Henderson and Warren Vache. She appears at major jazz festivals throughout the US and abroad and is a favorite on the cruise ship circuit. She also plays Klezmer music and appeared at the Riverdale Y last year with noted Klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals as well as touring Europe with David Krakeur. Randy Sandke has also appeared in clubs and festivals worldwide and is known for his virtuosity. He has recorded over 20 albums with musicians ranging from Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway and Dick Hyman to Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Art Garfunkle and Barbara Carroll. His work has been heard on the soundtracks of many well known films including five Woody Allen pictures. As a composer he has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and his works have been featured at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall; more than 50 of his compositions have been recorded.

In the build up to the presidential election Steven Brinberg flies into London to recite a special SIMPLY BARBRA MANIFESTO. The evening will deliver a night of classical Barbra classics - People, Close To You, and Evergreen.

In the build up to the presidential election Steven Brinberg flies into London to recite a special SIMPLY BARBRA MANIFESTO. The evening will deliver a night of classical Barbra classics - People, Close To You, and Evergreen.

Nearly a hundred people gathered at Feinstein's at Loews Regency - The Nightclub of New York for an unforgettable evening of music and dance benefiting the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF). Guests at this year's Music Has Power Awards enjoyed intimate performances by multi Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Odetta and Tony Award®-winner and acclaimed dancer Geoffrey Holder.

The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function will be holding its Annual Music Has Power Awards Benefit on September 8 at Feinstein's at Loews Regency. Tony Award winner Geoffrey Holder will be one of the honorees. The event will feature performances by legendary singer/songwriter Odetta, accompanied by pianist Seth Farber.

Blue Note, the popular theater district jazz club and restaurant has announced their August and September 2008 schedule.

The world premiere musical of 'Dangerous Beauty' is a blend of passion, poetry and politics with an original score inspired by the best of Renaissance, rock 'n roll and classical music. This is the fifth full production to be developed by Northwestern University's American Music Theatre Project (AMTP).

The Rrazz Room will welcome Frenchie Davis, Dame Cleo Laine (Into the Woods, The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and husband Sir John Dankworth will perform Sept. 2-14; the legendary, Tony-winning singer-actress-dancer Chita Rivera will play the Rrazz Sept. 23-28 and Sept. 30-Oct. 5; and cabaret and theatre favorite Andrea Marcovicci will offer Marcovicci Sings Movies II Oct. 14-Nov. 2.

The world premiere musical of 'Dangerous Beauty' is a blend of passion, poetry and politics with an original score inspired by the best of Renaissance, rock 'n roll and classical music. This is the fifth full production to be developed by Northwestern University's American Music Theatre Project (AMTP).

The world premiere musical of 'Dangerous Beauty' is a blend of passion, poetry and politics with an original score inspired by the best of Renaissance, rock 'n roll and classical music. This is the fifth full production to be developed by Northwestern University's American Music Theatre Project (AMTP).

Now that the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is history, and before the Tony Awards season sneaks up on us, it might be a good time to do a little investigating into the relationship between the category that both award shows recognize-Best Musical, of course.

Side by Side by Sondheim, a celebration of the works of Stephen Sondheim, will enjoy a limited 12-week run at the Venue Theatre in London, from April 26 - July 14, 2007, with Opening Night scheduled for Tuesday, May 1. The production will be the first major West End revival in 30 years. The show is produced by The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) producers Neil Laidlaw (NML Productions) and Melanie Herman.

Tony nominated for Best Original Score (alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber), David Zippel gives us the scoop on what's next for The Woman in White and his other projects.